Equestrian Journey

The door open as both Sniper and Swift Shots worked together to do so. The metal warped and caved as it crumpled, then fell to the floor. Stepping in they saw the empty room, void of anything. “Looks like this is just a safe room.” Said Sniper said as his horn lit up and sent a wide beam of magic across the walls. “It looks like no pony was here.”

“Then I wonder why that mare was so sure,” Swift said looking puzzled. Both of them turned around towards the door to see a blackened mass standing there as it's red curved eyes and a match red curved smile looked at them. It just stood there as six thin and almost stick-like limbs protruded from its body all ending in large sharp claws that looked on earthly long.

“Swift,” Sniper said as he slowly reached for his pistol.

“Yeah, Snips?”

“Be rea-” Was all Sniper Shot got out before the creature flew forward slamming both of them into the wall pinning them. With only a hand by their throats. The other four claws began to pick through their pockets and gear to disarm them. They watched as the figure held up their weapons. In horror they watched them sink into the body. The figured opened it's large grin as it showed rows of blackened teeth in a sea of red. The fingers began to tightened to prevent them from speaking as the free arms came down and crushed the limbs of both Sniper and Swift before the pain was too unbearable for them to stay conscious. The figure placed the bodies in the corner after ripping off the bottoms of their shirts to make a makeshift gag. It then turned and headed to the door as a mare walked in front of it.

“Was that necessary?” Said the mare that turned out to be Princess Luna.

“Yes, it was. Rather have a monster hiding attack them, then Rarity housing fugitives.” The figure said as I the mass began to pull back to show Storm standing there with his mask back on. “Plus fear is a wonderful friend.”

“While that is true, what is going to happen when they notice that their 'friends' was attacked?” Luna said crossing her arms.

“She has you on that,” Moon commented through the link.

“The thing about monsters are that they are 'easily' provoked.” Storm said grinning as they went over to a door. “Hide in this container till I come back for you.” Luna looked at him before nodding. Storm reached into his cloak and pulled out a knife and a nine-millimeter gun. “Use these just in case.” Taking the weapons from him, she went into the storage container. Shutting the door, Storm turned around with a grin under his mask. “Time to drum up the band.” With a snap of his fingers, a spark was shot through the ship and into the other.

“Moon, you thinking what I'm thinking?” Shadow commented.

“It depends on Shadow, how much of a Nightmare shall we give them?” Moon shot back.

“I'm thinking one hell of a nightmare.” Storm said as he sunk into his own shadow as it shot across to the wall, up it and through the window. The shadow disappeared into the water under the ship right as Rarity came up on deck with the captain of the ESS Sunshot. Captain Solar Sail was a rather tall vibrant yellow coat with brunette mane and tail. Both cut short in a military-style, as he followed behind her as kept himself at the ready for any pony to attack.

“Now Miss Rarity, from what I can see that everything is in order.” He said looking over a clipboard in his hand.

“I completely understand Mr. Solar Sail.”

“With that said, I do have to question why were you close to Canterlot when your manifest said you were heading from the Southern Isles of Dust City to the Crystal Islands,” Solar asked as he gave Rarity one of his personal trademark inquiring stares. A stare that normally gets any pony that it's used on to talk. However, Rarity was not one to fall victim to it as she had been detained and questioned by ponies and even griffons who have used worse tactics on her. But in this case, that wasn't why this didn't work. No, it was the fact that surrounding both ships was a large wall of water.

“What is the meaning of this Mr. Sail?” Rarity asked looking angry.

“This isn't our doing.” Sail said as he pulls out his firearm as eight sets of eyes surround them from the wall of water. One of the sets of eyes came closer as a largely crystallized snakehead began to come out of the water. “What in the creators' name is that?!”

“I don't know. Applejack get the big guns!” Rarity yelled.

“Already on it sugar-cube.” Applejack said running out with a twelve-gauge gun. Then her eyes fell on the large snake peering down at them. “I think we need bigger guns.”

“Captain to the ship, fire at the snake.” Sail said into a radio that he pulled from his belt. The large barreled cannons turned slowly towards the head of the snake. Much to Solar Sail's horror, the snake turned its attention towards his ship. It hissed at it before shot out a liquid that landed on the barrels. In seconds the liquid began to expand and crystallize covering the gun in ice. “Belay that order!” Sail yelled into his radio. But sadly it was too late. The cannon exploded sending shards of metal and ice everywhere. Rarity, Applejack, and Solar Sail took cover behind the side of the ship as it rained down.

“Applejack dear, does Pinkie still have her party cannon on board?” Rarity asked turning to said mare.

“I think so Rare. I'll go get her.” She said before dashing down into the halls of the ship.

“Party Cannon?” Solar Sail asked confused as leaned over to check on the snake, who was at the time spitting more freezing liquid on his ship covering it. The worst part is that the snake was keeping to one side of the ship. But the other cannons on the rear of the ship couldn't hit it without taking the command bridge out with it. He also didn't watch to chance using the silo's to have the play load on the ship detonated. Which would just split his ship in two. In seconds a second of The Royal Blue opened up and a platform raised up to show Pinkie holding what looks like a Navel cannon set up to be held by hand. The main barrel was painted bright pink with blue and yellow balloons on the back of it. The handle and rig of it were bright sky blue with yellow accents ribbons. Rarity and Solar Sail watched as Pinkie cocked the cannon as it sounded like a shotgun as she turned the snake.

“Party Time!” Pinkie yelled as she fired her cannon. What shot out was a mixture of party confetti and what looks like a comical styled bomb with a cartoon smile on it. The snake turned in time to be nailed in the nose. The explosion wasn't a typical one as it blasted in blues and pinks cracking the ice like crystal. The snake hissed but Pinkie was quicker on the draw and had fired a second round. Timed right, it landed in the snakes mouth as it swallowed. It looked surprised as it looked down and back up as Pinkie grinned like a mad mare. “Parties Over.”

Boom!

The snake's neck exploded in the same pink and blue colors that forced the snake's head flew off. The rest of the body fell down against the larger ship before it slid down and sank into the water. Much to everyone's horror, a second snakehead came out and before Pinkie could react. It spat its liquid at her, she, however, remained unharmed but her cannon was hit freezing it in place.

“Aw party pooper!” She frowned before she felt her tail began to twitch. She ran over grabbing both Solar and Rarity, then dived into the helm of the ship. There were a few moments of silence before a sound began to fade in rather quickly. In the space above both ships, a magical display appeared with the words 'playing Blues Saraceno – Devils Got You Beat: Nightcore Mix' high above them. That was also followed by the sound of something falling from the sky right in time with the song. The impact nailed the head of the snake almost if it was in slow motion, a figure landed on the head as the cracks formed in it. It jumped off as the shards began to split off it as he landed on top of the helm of Solar's ship. Turning towards the third snake that came out of the wall and before it was ready. Solar, Rarity, and Pinkie looking out one of the windows, saw a large bipedal figure covered in a black mass. With two oversized claws that were too large for its frame. It matched its large legs and clawed feet. It jumped up and landed a large punch into the snake shattering it.

“What is that?” Solar said before reaching for his radio. “Captian to the ship, fire at the snakes and that figure. I want both of them shot down!”

“Captain, that thing is saving our flanks!” Rarity commented.

“Those things are monstrosities that need to be put down!” The captain said before Rarity pulled her gun on him.

“Captain, retract that order.” She said in a dangerous tone.

“I will not.” He said as he is a quick motion disarmed Rarity. “And I will be taking you and your crew back to Canterlot.” As he said that pointing her gun back at Rarity. That was followed by a second large boom coming from the outside as cannons fired at the fourth snake that appeared. The watched the figure grab a large chunk of the snakes head and slammed it down on the cannon barrels. They crumpled as if they were made of tin foil. The figured turn towards The Royal Blue as they could see two round red dots one on top of the other vertically. It then crouched down before it jumped down towards The Royal Blue and landed in front of the window leading to the helm. Solar taking the chance shot at the blackened figure, shattering the glass. It bent and curved itself to avoid the rounds. It then stretched its arm forward towards Solar Soil and grabbed him. Then a bolt of lightning shot down its arm and shocked Solar. Who screamed out in pain before he slumped against the arm. Releasing Solar who dropped like a corpse, the figure turned towards Rarity and Pinkie as it blinked at them. He then turned back to the ship as it jumped back to the ship.

“Pinkie, go check on the two stallions in the hold and on Princess Luna.” Rarity said as she reached down to a fashionable pouch and pulled out a set of zip ties. She began to bound Solar Sail and relieved him off any and all gear to the point she disrobed his down to his pants. Solar had a rather sizable amount of gear on him. She then slid them into a hidden compartment in the wall as Pinkie disappeared within seconds. After that Rarity went back to watch the figure began to rip off the rear cannons. Just as fast as the figure crushed it, it was able to pull it off the ship with ease. His arms reached into the newly made holes as it pulled out four fresh unspent rounds. It then jumped up into the air and threw it at the ship. That was followed by four matching booms that sent off a cascade effect that forced the ship itself to explode and slowly sank. The figure jumped from the wreckage back onto The Royal Blue.

The shadow melted away, to show Storm standing there with a large duffle bag in his hand. Stretching his neck a bit, “Never can get used to the stiffness after that.” Storm said before heading in.

“Not much I can do that, having to make such a large shadow figure always feels like I'm pulling a muscle afterward,” Shadow commented before a large glob of a shady mass shot down the stairs to the hold.

“Are you sure it was wise to do that?” Moon asked as she watched Storm walk into the meeting room. Tossing the duffle bag onto the table and opened it to show it full of hard drives and files.

“I wanted to know what they know,” I said as I pulled out one of the hard drives, and with a little bit of technical wizardry, I hooked it up to my prosthetic interface. A lot of these files were nothing more than progress and repair reports. “Huh... nothing so far.” He said scrolling through pages and pages of intel. “What do we have here?”

“What is it?” Moon commented as the sound of a few foot's steps could be heard. The door was thrown open and to show Rarity, Applejack, and Dash all at the door. They were met with Storm pointing one of the pistols he had taken off of Solar's ship.

“Oh sorry.” He said flipping the gun and it disappears.

“Where have you been?” Dash said getting up in his face.

“Doing what I do best.” He said walking over to the duffle bag and opened it. “I got every piece of intel they had on the ship before I blew it up.”

“Wait, you blew it up?” Applejack asked looking surprised.

“Eeyup.” He grinned. “I'm also good with parlor tricks too.” With a flick of his wrist, the ace of spades appeared in his right hand.

“I don't trust you.” Applejack said after she stepped up in front of him with Dash stepping to the side.

“You don't have to trust me, to work with me.”

“And how can work with someone who could turn on us at a moment's notice?” Applejack growled at him.

“Because if I was going to do something like that.” Storm said before his mask began to cover in complete darkness leaving only the face on it glowing. It began to blink as the mouth of it began to move. “I would have done so already.” The walls began to flicker and cover in static as each one of them stepped back in a mixture of fear and worry. In seconds everything stopped and went back to normal as he turned away. “Celestia knows Luna is here.”

“How?” Rarity commented walking over as one of the files raised up into the air.

“She had a boat always watching the location Luna was sunk at. It seems that Celestia had me a few miles away from her. From what I could glean from the file. She expected me to be her survival. Which I walked right into, regardless it seems you were on her radar for a while now. Mostly delivering guns and supplies to groups that have been a thorn in her side.” Storm answered with a smile. “I will give her this. She's a lot smarter then I gave her credit for.” Rarity at that time was looking over the file.

“She's been watching us for a while since before the flood.”

“I think that is because of Twilight.”

“What's Twilight go to do with all this?” Dash asked.

“It was because she was her student at one point.” Said another voice from outside the door. Stepping in, it showed it was Spike looking very annoyed.

“And she has been keeping track of her as much as she can.” He said walking over and pulled out another. “If I was in her place, I would do the same.”

“What do we do?” Rarity asked.

“The only thing we can do, continue on our way.” Storm said with a smirk.

“Isn't Daybreaker going to realize something off when they don't report in?” Spike commented.

“I took care of that, while the snakes disabled the ship. I was already in their communication system and I sent a message.”

“How in tarnation did you know how to do that?” Applejack commented with a smirk. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a binder.

“I read the instructions.” All Applejack could do was place her hand on her face.

“I should have seen that one coming.”

“Yeah, you should have,” Dash commented with a smirk.

***---***

“How in all creation did you manage to do it?” Luna yelled for not the first time as she walked back and forth in my temporary room.

“Do what?” I asked mostly already knowing what she was about to say.

“How did you save everypony on that ship?” She asked stepping in front of me directly.

“That's the easy part.” using a bit of shadow step, I placed my arm through the darkness in my cloak and appeared out of the shadows of her wings. Gently tapping on her shoulder, she whirled her head around to see my hand waving back at her. “Miss direction.”

“What?!” She almost yelled in frustration and surprise as I pulled my hand back.

“While the snake did its first rounds of attack. I was in the ship clearing out all of them. When I decided to jump into the show Shadow was the one pulling all of the strings on the ship.”

“Shadow?” Luna asked before Shadow himself appeared out from my own shadow under me. He was taking his snake-like dragon form as he coiled up around me and over my shoulder.

“That would be I, Luna,” Shadow said with a bow.

“Shadow and I can work together and apart. So while I was putting on a show, he was getting the crew out.” I explained before taking a seat on my bed.

“Then you must be very powerful,” Luna said crossing her arms as she moved over to the window.

“Depends on which side you stand.”

“Which side?” She turned to look at him puzzled.

“As I have said, there is always someone more powerful. It depends on who I am being compared too.” I said rolling my prosthetic wrist in a 'so forth' gesture. “If you compared me to someone like Shining Armor, then yes I'm powerful. But if you're talking about someone like Celestia then it's a harder one too compared.”

“How do you know of Shining Armor?” Luna asked.

“Let's just say I am informed about ponies.”

“You know your verge answers are starting to get a little old.”

“Sorry, some answers can not be directly given, just... let's just say I have reasons I don't answer directly.” Walking to the small little bathroom, I poured myself a drink of water and took a rather large gulp. “But I think you should prepare for that kind of meeting you may get.”

“What do you mean?” She asked watching me.

“Your meeting with Cadence. Somepony who thought you were dead or at least imprisoned.” I explained as Luna looked at me.

“What are you going to do when we get there?” Luna asked.

“Look what I came to find.”

“The artifact sword?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“If the Crystal Empire is anything like Canterlot, then they have an archive which would be my best bet to find a clue. From there if I find something, then I will go to where it leads me. If not, then I just move on to another town for another clue.” I explained as that was my only real plan.

“Then allow me to help you, let me talk to Cadence and see if she would be willing to let you into the Crystal Empire's Archives.”

“Only, if you don't mind,” I said with a slight bow.

“But I guess I will take my leave, good day.” She said leaving, as she passed the threshold of the door itself shut and locked with a flick of my magic. Running a claw through my mane, I just sat back down on the bed.

“The multiverse does not make things easy, does it?” I said more to myself than anything.

“With your track record, I'm surprised we don't have to swim there ourselves,” Shadow commented.

“Don't joke, there still time for that to happen.”

“What is with you and your luck?” Moon asked.

“You'd have to take that question up with the multiverse, it likes to kick me when I'm down.” I shot back with a smile. “Let's go get some fresh air.” With that, I left to go stare at the stars. After I got up to the deck itself. I jumped up to the top of the ship and sat down to look up at the night sky. Making me wonder about many things but the main thing that was on my mind, my Twilight Sparkle. I was worried about Twilight and what she was going through. Was my time here only seconds to her, maybe weeks, or even months. As my mind slowly drifted away from the sight of the start to the pain of spending a night away from my Twilight and unable to contact her through the dreamscape. It almost made me forget where I was before I heard the click behind me.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn't blow your brains out right now,” Dash said behind me.

“Besides shooting the being that saved Princess Luna,” I said not turning around. “The fact that if you even flinch in the wrong way. I won't be the only one shot.” That said was followed by a second click. “Rainbow Dash, meet Shadow Storm.”

“Hello Dashie,” Shadow said standing behind her in a matching form to hers. Slowly standing up and turning to see the same thing. “I suggest you drop the gun or a broken arm will be the least of your worries.” Dash looked angry before she flipped the gun and held it out for me. Gently taking it from her I slide it into my pocket space.

“I get that you don't like me, but this is low even for you Dash. Go inside, and I will leave your gun in the meeting room.” Dash stared at me before sliding down the front of the ship and headed inside. With that, I went back to staring at the stars and getting lost in thought. With a flick of magic, I focused up into the stars as I gently began moving a few of the smaller ones towards a larger one. In seconds something close to Twilight's cutie-mark was up there in the sky.

“I didn't know you knew how to use celestial magic,” Moon said.

“They tried to teach me some of it. The first time it sent a massive pain in my horn and a matching headache.”

“That happens for the first time.”

“Well, it was a spell that took six unicorns to use.”

“There was more to it. The spell itself would drain the magic from them completely where they were only running on the magic the body needed to survive after they stay as one of them.”

“If I remember correctly it was because of the magical strain from the overuse of the spell.”

“You've read a lot about it haven't you?” Moon asked sounding a little surprised.

“Well, I did find the secret section in the library.”

“Wait, you found the secret section?”

“Not hard to find since the switch is pulling two books at the same time. Both with the sun and moon on them. Seriously I could hide the switch better.” That was followed by the sound of a facepalm in my head.

“Seriously?”

“Eeyup.”

“How stupid can they be?”

“You'd be surprised.” With that Moon, Shadow, and I just talked about Equestrian history long into the night. It didn't take long for me to relax finally before I decided to head to bed. All to end up continuing our conversation in the dreamscape. Which wasn't bad, to be honest, but it did make me miss my Twilight more.

***---***

It took a few days but we finally found ourselves at the Crystal Empire Port. From what I was told, both Shining Armor and Cadence to magically grow the crystals under the city to bring it up enough to the surface of the water. From there they would expand out in size till it was bigger then Canterlot. From the look of it, they grew crystals to chisel out more buildings. Looking from the deck of the ship, I saw that a group of guards where stationed on the dock as we made our approach. Luna was standing next to me looking over the edge a little. Next to her was Rarity and Twilight. The rest of them were still under the deck doing their respective jobs, well all but Dash who has been avoiding me as much as she can after our little standoff on the deck. When the ship finally docked, the guards all stood at the ready as Luna, Rarity and Twilight went off first with me following behind. At the end of the line of guards stood a white stallion wearing the garb of the Crystal guards. Which was enough for his blue and light blue striped mane to poke out the top.

He stood there at the ready as he gave a bow to Luna. “It's been a long time Princess Luna.”

“Yes, it has been Shining Armor.” Luna said as Armor got back up from his bow. As soon as I got close to the group the guards behind them stuck out their spears to block my path. They turned to see that I was being barred. “What's the meaning of this?”

“We've gotten reports that a stallion wearing a cape with a white and red mask attacking innocent ponies.” Shining said walking past them and up to me. “So I have to ask, why are you here with Princess Luna and my sister?”

“Interesting way to treat someone who has saved said princess,” I answered as I had to keep myself lax so I didn't put on an error of hostility. Course I couldn't help my mouth at times.

“And who said you didn't have ulterior motives.”

“Oh, I do. I'm looking for information.” That got Shining to put his guard up.

“Information about what?”

“A magical sword.”

“What's so special about this sword?”

“I need it to complete my mission.”

“And what is your mission.”

“To save everypony I care about.” That got him to stare me down. In all fairness, I was staring him down as well.

“Shining Armor is this really necessary to grill the stallion that saved my life?” Luna asked as she came by and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“I don't trust this stallion.” He said as his eye's narrowed at me. “Bring him along.” He barked at the other guards as they formed around me with their spears at the ready. Slowly we made our way down the streets of the Empire as the large castle in the center came closer and closer. The more I looked at it the more the castle reminded me of the Eiffel Tower in Paris France. As we walked up, many of the ponies watched us. To be honest, I wasn't surprised that there were many different types of ponies here besides the crystal ponies. Granted they made a large number of the crowd. This wasn't the first time I was escorted by a large number of ponies, but with everyone being anthropomorphic. It did make it feel a bit weirder to me. We reached the underneath of the castle where the Crystal Heart would normally be in my universe. This got me to wonder if this universe had the reappearance of Sombra as mine did. Shining lead us into the main rotunda of the castle before he told his guards to stay with me as Luna, Twilight, Rarity, and him went off towards the throne room. I took the time to look around to note a few differences. Nothing substantial but it was more just small details. Like instead of a crystal flower here, there's a statue and so forth. Looking at each guard I noticed a few different things about their armor. Unlike the more quadruped style armor, they have more like those from Canterlot here. Mostly stylized Kevlar armor that is in the style of short sleeve shirts. Their pants were close to tactical jeans with enough pockets to hold most of what they need as well as keep them padded either with similar Kevlar or at least some kind of lightweight padding.

After what felt like an hour, the sounds of a door opening up and three ponies coming out. Shining Armor, Luna, and a third that if I had to guess was Cadence. The third of the group was walking around in a rather simplistic outfit. Mainly a sunset yellow dress with a dark pink dress coat that leads down to light pink cuffs. Around her neck had a golden necklace in the shame of a stylized heart. She slowly walked up to the group of guards and myself. With a wave of her hand, the guards moved to the side till she was directly in front of me. She stared at me for a little bit, more than likely to size me up. What she did next surprised me, and probably everyone else. She hugged me, and I mean a serious hug.

“Thank you for returning my aunt alive.” She said as I could tell she was crying. A cry of joy and relief. It's one of those things that when your not given an answer to the reason why someone close disappeared. Your left wondering what happened and more importantly if they are alive. To have that weight being held for years to suddenly be lifted. Just all that emotion had to come out, and I suspected this wasn't her first cry today as I suspected she did the same when she saw Luna again after a long while.

“Your welcome Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” I replied back as I looked down at her. It seems in this universe I was also taller than her, by probably a foot to a foot and a half. She stood up looking at me in surprise. At that same moment, Shining looked alarmed as his hand went straight to the saber on his belt.

“How do you know my full name?” She asked taking a step back.

“Let's just say I am well informed.”

“Niece, he said the same with similar questions. At this point, I doubt you will get him to give up his secrets candidly.” Luna commented.

“I still do not like this stallion.” Shining commented.

“Outside of fighting him yourself, I doubt you would like anything about him B.B.B.F.F.” Twilight commented as she stepped out from behind them. You have no idea how much I wanted to grow at that little nickname she has for Shining. He turned to me and I saw a glint in his eyes. Oh, did I know that glint. It was the same one I probably had when I got a stupid idea in my head.

“I think I will.” He said stepping closer to me.

“Shining Armor, you will not fight the stallion who saved my aunt!” Cadence said stepping in his way.

“There's no stopping him once he's gotten an idea in his head. Because if he doesn't do it now, then he will try to either imprison me or blitz attack me when I least expect it.” I said that got all of them to look at me.

“And what makes you think I would do that?” Shining growled as he got into my face.

“Am I wrong?” I shot back calmly.

“I don't need to answer you. Take him to the sports arena.” Shining ordered as the guards formed up around me and lead me away. Well more showed me the way to a place I already had been too. We stood there for a while before Shining stepped out onto the field wearing a lot heavier armor. Unlike the armor, the guards were wearing now.

Shining was wearing what looks like a mixture of heavy tactical armor and a knights armor. Most likely done as a more modern version of knights armor. Watching him walk up, I could tell that the armor didn't hinder his movements. Probably through enchantments which means it's either a lightweight enchantment, mixed with strength and speed to help balance out the use of it. So I should expect him to hit a lot harder than a normal stallion.

“I would expect him to have enchanted weapons too,” Moon commented.

“I wouldn't be surprised. I should expect him to fight with calm anger at first.” Shadow tacked on.

“So I should prepare for the long haul.” I said over the link.

“It's been a while since I've had to bring out this armor.” Shining said walking up to me and his guards. The rest of his guards walked away to the entries to the stadium field. Most likely as a means to prevent me from 'escaping'. Sadly for them, they don't know everything.

“So, how are we doing this? Fist to fist, or are we drawing weapons?” I asked.

“Well, that's the easy part. I'm going to beat the snark out of you.” He said cracking the knuckles under his gauntlets.

“It's going to be a bit hard to do that.” I said as I prepared for his first strike.

“Not how I see it.” He said as I could see the faint glow coming off his armored horn. I will admit the armored horn piece of the helmet is a clever idea. Because one good strike there could cause the spell to drop and depends on the spell could lead to disaster for the spell caster.

“Looks can be deceiving Shining Armor.” He dashed at me, and I will admit his speed is was caught me off guard at first. It was like a blink and you'll miss it kind of dash. With luck, I was able to jump up and over him as he turned to face me again.

“Don't tell me that you're just going to jump over every attack. From what I heard you took on a warship by yourself.” With a smirk, I jumped up into the air and with my invisible wings, dived down with a stomp. He rolled out of the way to avoid my attack before slamming into me, sending me sliding down the field. God, he hits like a freight train going at full speed. Okay, so I can't go pound for pound without casting my own enchantments. Digging my claws into the ground, I was able to stop myself before I flicked a purple card into my hand. Flinging it at him, I washed it with magic turning the card into a bolt of magic that just pinged off his armor. So he's magically resistant too, fucking lovely. “That can't be all you have, where your big guns at?”

“You don't want my big guns.” I said with a smirk as I cracked my neck by turning it to each side.

“Try me.” He said in a tone that sounds like he's grinning under that shielded helmet. Holding out his hand and in a flash of magic, he held a large steel-gray war hammer with gems in the head in one hand and a tower shield in the other. Both of them glowing with the magic coming off them. Oh, god this just got more interesting. Stomping on the ground a large chunk of hard earth popped up into the air. With a punt kick, I sent it flying towards Shining as I dashed after it. He raised his shield up to take the hit, and I used that time to jump up and stomp down on his horn. He fell back from the blow as I landed back on my feet. Taking the time I focused on the ground around us. Shining got back up rather quickly and Dashed at me. Focusing on the magic, I forced up a column of crystal that sent him flying into the air. Summoning the Moon Cleaver, I cut through the crystal-like hot butter at a forty-five-degree angle. Forcing the crystal to slide down where, using my own strength enchantment spell. I picked up with one hand and threw it at Shining who was able to correct himself in the air. He swung his hammer at it, which sent it back at me. With a swing of my sword, I cut the large chunk of crystal in two as they crashed to either side of me. Landing with a large thump, Shining didn't take a moment to stop as he charged at me with a swing. Flipping the sword to the flat side, to take the brunt of the swing. I pressed my hand against the flat of the blade with his hammer collided with the sword giving a deep clang of metal striking metal.

The blow itself was so strong that the Moon Cleaver slammed into my chest and sent me flying again. This time I used my wings to stop myself and land. Sadly Shining wasn't going to let me have a moment's peace in this fight. Lucky for me, I have a flight compared to him. So flying up into the air I finally at a moment to breathe as I waved my hand over the mouth of the mask. In a second the mouth part disappeared and gave me access to my breath weapon.

“Get down here!” Shining growled before he walked over to one of the chunks of crystal and whipped it at me. Using my magic, I grabbed it in the air and sent it back at him. He, in turn, slammed it with his hammer shattering it into fine pieces close to a shotgun blast. Summoning a shield I covered myself, they plunked off it and fell to the ground. With a smirk, I flew towards Shining but stopped myself, just out of his reach before I sent a wave of frost fire at him. This covered him in a layer of ice as he tried to hold his shield up to block the brunt of it. “Cheap shot.”

“Don't hate the player, hate the game,” I said as I flipped my sword and swung it hard enough that it shattered the ice formed around Shining and sent him flying. It dislodged the shield from his hand as it fell to the ground. Kicking down on the edge of it, it sent it up into the air where I caught it. “Man this thing is hefty,” I said before throwing it hard away from Shining. Walking up towards him as he was getting up. I could feel the anger coming off him as he shook the blow-off. He took a wide stance as he switched from a one-handed stance with his war hammer to a two-handed. “Stand down Shining.”

“You first.” He growled before dashing at me again. Flicking my magic underneath me, I sent myself up into the air as he slammed into the crystal with so much ease that it may as well have been paper to him. As I dived back down I covered the ground with my frost fire making it a sheet of ice between me and him. Turning around Shining looked around for me while I stood there giving him the hold palm version of 'come and get it.' Growling he dashed at me till he stepped onto the ice and as anyone knows that if you don't have firm footing, one false step, and woosh. Just like what Shining did, as he slipped past. I reached down and grabbed the horn on his helmet. Which lucky for me, the helmet had a breakaway aspect as his helmet came off. Leaving his head exposed. One down, a whole lot more to go.

Speaking of said stallion, he rolled over and got back up to his feet with murder in his eyes. He got up and began to run at me as readied myself as he wasn't moving as fast as he did a bit ago. This means that a lot of his heft was lost when I removed his helmet. He swung his left fist at me, which I leaned away from it and used my claw to push this fist away. Something to throw off his balance. He in turned quickly spun around and slammed the handle of his hammer into my face. It knocked me back hard and sent the wind right out of my sails. Shining walked up with the hammer in his hand as he raised it high into the air.

“Time to end thi-” was all he got out before a large blacken mass flew from the shadows and sent Shining flying back.

“I don't fucking think so,” Shadow said forming into a copy of Shining as he helped me back onto my feet.

“What in the creators' name is this?” Shining asked as he got back to his feet, using his hammer as a bit of a crutch.

“Did you think I don't come with tricks up my sleeve?” I said grinning at him. “And he is one mean trick.” As I said that Shadow grinned while he pounded his fists.

“Is this how you beat the warship?” He asked.

“No, I thew a large chunk of ice at it.” I said grinning. Stopping down, another large chunk of earth popped up. Stepping back I let it fall to the ground as I focused the strength enchantment in my leg. With a two-step count, I kicked that sucker right at Shining as he held his arm up to take the brunt of the hit.

“You tried that befo-” He said before he got slammed by Shadow who used the rock's shadow for speed and cover. This laid Shining on the ground where Shadow climbed on top and his fists enlarged. In a swift motion he slammed them down onto the chest plate of his armor. When the first impact hit, I could see Shining's eyes widened in surprise as I could hear the wheeze of the air leaving his lungs.

“Don't like it when the shoe is on the other hoof.” I said with a grin as I walked up. “Word to the wise, don't let your anger get the better of you.” Reaching my right claw down, I placed the pointer and pinkie against his neck. With a flick of magic, I sent a shock through his system that forced him to blackout. Then I removed his armor leaving him down to a set of pants he had on under the armor. With a bit of checking, I was able to heal up the bruise on his horn and his ribs. With that, I summoned a block of crystal to sit down on. “You can come and take your prince,” I yelled as I waved a hand over my mask, making it reappeared fully. Shadow disappeared back into my shadow as I watched the guards slowly make their way towards us. “He's alive, but I do not envy the splitting headache he's going to wake up with.” Fuck if Shining Armor is this much of a bitch to put down, then Celestia is going to be an outright nightmare.

“But there is one thing different between Shining and Celestia,” Moon commented.

“What's that?” I asked over the link.

“You were holding back with Shining, you can't with Celestia.” She said, and she was right. As much as I hated to admit it. I'm going to have to go at her like I was trying to kill her. Because even my Celestia is a heavy hitter and I doubt I could go at her one on one if she is going at me seriously. Four of the guards picked up Shining Armor and took him to the medical wing. As the other four stayed with me using their spears to 'keep me at bay'. Which is laughable at this point as they just saw me take down their big boss. When I was able to get my wind back, I watched Cadence, Luna, and Twilight walk onto the field and towards me. The latter of the three looking increasingly angry at me as I did kind of KO'd her brother pretty hard.

“I hope you're proud of yourself,” Luna commented with a frown.

“Depending on the reason. If you mean for Shining, not really as it was going to be inevitable.” I answered.

“How bad did you hurt him?” Cadence asked in that royal tone that screams 'depending on the answer will depend on the punishment.'

“Right now he's knocked out and will wake up with a splitting headache. Other then a sore body, he's going to be alright. I healed up the wounds as best I could.” I explained as I slid off the slab of crystal and looked at her.

“Fine, I expect you to be in the throne room in an hour,” Cadence said turning around and to leave. Twilight stared at me for a moment before following her.

“What is with stallions and thinking they had to answer everything with their fists?” Luna asked shaking her head.

“Blame the ego,” I answered as I was lead back to the castle. As soon as we got to the castle I was lead directly into the throne room where Cadence sat on the throne itself. She stared at me again in silence, a calculating silence at that. We sat there for a while until she finally spoke.

“So I hear you're looking for a special sword.”

[End of Chapter]