Author's Note

Sorry for the incredibly late update. The death of a close family member has a way of eating up your week...

On a brighter note, I proudly present the newest chapter, Please enjoy and like always, any constructive criticism, or comments in general are hugely appreciated! :)

Evanescent Jubilee

"Wait, what's going on twilight?" Spike called after the unicorn as she ascended the stairs to her quarters. After not receiving a response and Twilight disappearing from view, the dragon scampered after her up the stairs. This left me alone with the Pegasus with only the sounds of the movements of soldiers and the raised voices outside to fill the air.

Trepidation would have been an apt word to describe the expression painted on the yellow Pegasus next to me, if not a bit of an understatement. Her eyes shifted uneasily and she seemed to retreat into herself further as time passed. Though I wished I could have comforted her, I was wasn't looking much better.

This whole situation stunk of uncertainty. As I stood, as still as I could manage, in the room with the other pony, waiting for the return of the librarian, I couldn't help but acknowledge the heaviness of the air. Whether it was just my panic, or if the air had actually become thinker was not in the forefront of my mind at that moment. What was, was the new and loud singled out shouting that had replaced the hustle and bustle of the soldiers.

The constant reassuring sounds of mobilization and been replaced by two distinct and faint voices that, upon further careful listening, appeared to be in some sort of exchange.

My damnable curiosity piqued once again, I took this opportunity to go outside and check out the situation.

As I made my way to the door the Pegasus squeaked small protest, protest which I ignored. I don't care what they say, ignorance is not bliss, not for me. I wasn't going to sit in the dark, unknowing the nature of my fate, but awaiting it just the same.

I stepped carefully through the library door into the street.

The entirety of the Ponyville guard had gathered around a single area of the wall. Earth pony soldiers gathered at the base of the wall and more on top of the wall, a grand multitude of ranks, all bearing pikes and spears. Pegasi hung in the air, visibly in formation on the other side of the wall, apparently surrounding whatever it is that came from the forest.

My thoughts were then torn from me by a voice that cut through the air.

"Surrender yourselves you witless curs! would you really be the impendent factors in your own destiny? Your perfection is at hand! Administered by the honourable Sarcomere Bound who has taken the immeasurable burden upon himself to be the herald of your ascension. Would you dare disgrace his sacrifice? Could you truly be so short-sighted?" The voice was harsh and torn. It reverberated in in tight wavering tones that chilled my bones. Though cruel and inhuman, the voice spoke clearly and cut flawlessly through the air, which was now becoming stifling. "Whether by your submission, or by force, your simple forms will be destroyed, freeing you from them. They will then be harvested and perfected so they may free others. Regardless of your compliance, you all will die, and ultimately, with your help, your world will fall silent."

Sergeant-major Kathol, stood tall above the other ponies atop the wall, apparently being the one handling the ensuing negotiations. He belted back at the voice.

"listen, its not about destiny or perfection or whatever bullshit your were just spouting off, the simple fact is you've made it clear that you and you're little troop of girls scouts are here to hurt the folks of this good town." He paused to take a breath. "Naturally my company and I cannot allow that. So why don't you just turn tail and run back to your maggot writhing mothers while you've still got the legs to carry ya."

"Very well" The voice responded. "Never a smooth process, but necessity has a simplicity about it. You truly believe your existence to be the greatest priority? Prove your devotion and quell the tide of change. If you will not have reason, then prove that your way is best. Test your strength."

With those words the air seemed to darken further. I coughed as I practically choked on the air now.

I was taken from my efforts to breath as a great howling bellow erupted from the forest beyond the wall. It resonated through the air and hung heavy in it as the cry dragged out for what seemed like minutes.

Finally, the air fell silent.

Again the air was pierced yet again, but this time by a cry much louder that climbed in volume, pitch, register, and unfortunately proximity as it dragged out.

Stomping foots steps came crashing, quickening in pace as the cry climbed to ear-splitting heights.

"Incoming!"

I didn't have time to see who shouted before a great explosion enveloped the wall, engulfing the area in smoke. From the smoke not a second after impact, emerged a horrible colossal necrotic beast that resembled much of the features of a Minotaur. Still carrying much of the momentum it no doubt used to tear through the wall like a piece of wet paper, it tore through the ranks of dazed soldiers at the base of where the wall once stood, with much of the same ease.

Now completely clear of the smoke, and still running strait in my direction I now noticed probably its most notable characteristic, definitely one that would start conversations at parties. It was on fire. The beast scorched with brilliant blue and red tongues, leaving a great sulphurous contrail in its swath.

Now realizing I was in direct line of danger I snapped out of my daze and ran from the centre of the road and dove to the far side of the library.

My next thoughts were knocked clean from my head as I lay cowering on the far side of the library. A great deafening crash blotted out all other sounds and with ringing ears, only the sensation of ballistic splinters and showers of other debris were recognised by my sensory.

For what seemed like an eternity, nothing changed. I lay there on the floor, curled into a ball, only wishing I could close my eyes tighter. The only thing reminding me I was alive was my racing heart and the constant pain of the debris that had no doubt become lodged in my back.

Finally overcoming my fear, I forced open my eyes lids to behold the aftermath.

Once my vision blurred back into focus, I could see a book shelf immediately in front of me. Dust was heavy in the air, and choked me when I finally gave in to inhaling, not realizing i had been holding my breath.

I rolled over onto my side to witness the giant gaping hole that was once the other half of the library. The lobby, now nicely viewable from the street, hung crooked and twisted at the shock of its other half being carried off without so much as a "good evening".

Another sight caught my gaze as I lay among the scattered wood chips, that had been launched in all directions at the sudden departure of half the tree. Yes, indeed, a purple pile lay sticking partially out of a bush on the opposite side of the street. I rose to my feet, my back groaning in protest. As I ducked under the burning library sign to get closer to the no doubt incapacitated librarian, I looked to where the beast had left a blazing trail through the town.

There it lay, three more houses torn asunder in its wake and left to burn in its swath, before it's final destination had been reached. It now lay collapsed, halfway through a burning building, mearly a smouldering ashen skeleton.

It seems he burnt himself out.

Crouching down at the bush where the librarian lay, I turned my head to where the beast had come.

The burning hole left by the beast was now occupied by all manner of horrifying necrotic abominations shambling their way into the town. Any guard that had survived impact were now quickly being dispatched by the towns new visitors.

Though most notably among the decrepit band was a man. Standing tall, waltzing past the others with posture that demanded respect and unquestioning obedience. Determination and obsession practically dripped from the form as it strutted into full view from the smoke and flames of the wall. His piercing luminescent green eyes, seemed to absorb his surroundings with a ravenous thirst. His face, scarcely painted with darkened receding flesh that seemed to stretch and strain as he belted out with fleshless teeth that glinted in the evening light.

"Fan out an dispatch these fools, and keep your eyes peeled for the key" It was the voice from beyond the wall. This.. thing possessed the voice from before, and admittedly was much more intimidating without a two foot thick stone wall between me and it.

Now realizing once again the urgency of the situation, I snapped my head back to the motionless twilight, and desperately tried to rouse her to wake.

"C'mon Twilight we gotta move!" I was practically screaming at this point and this probably wasn't the smartest idea. Stress has a way of impairing judgement.

I looked back to the wall to see the bone-man standing much closer, his dark, Gothic style half plate, glinting as he rose up an ,admittedly intimidating, long bow and drew it back, aiming with a determined stare I am not likely to forget... ever.

As the roped arrow was launched and the tension released from the bow, time seemed to stop as I froze like a deer in headlights. I put on a stupid face and realized it was probably the last one I was going to make as the strange arrow lurched toward me.

It was then a great flash of light came cracking like the lightening of a thousand storms and split the arrow in twain, the hooked and spined head of it twirling off course and clipping my ear as it flew past.

With a rush of wind likening to an airliner jet and probably the same force and speed, an alicorn as black as night itself descended like bolt of lightening, planting its powerful hooves with a deafening crack that echoed through the night air.

The bone-man narrowed his eyes, then cracked a most wicked grin, that would definitely only be possible for someone with his amount of facial tissue.

"Luna." the Corpse's voice crawled in my ears as it spoke in that same inhuman tone. "Its been too long."

"Wilhelm." the alicorn spat back. "Not long enough."

"Well we wi..."

Wilhelm was cut short by a crackling bolt launched from the alicorn's horn, which promptly stuck him directly in the face, launching him back through the smouldering hole in the wall.

Several seconds later, a steaming, smouldering, Wilhelm stepped over the debris back into the town limits. His face was completely baron of flesh, however slowly but surely the same dark straining muscle tissue crawled back into place upon his still scalding skull.

"Now Luna." Wilhelm Growled "you know how much I hate when you do that."

"That's Princess to you, worm!" The alicorn belted as she launched another bolt at Wilhelm.

My eyes were drawn to the flashing glint of steel, as I had not notice the Zweihander gripped in his right hand which was now in full swing. With impressive strength and dexterity, Wilhelm manipulated the giant steel blade to intercept the bolt launched by the Princess.

The blade did just that and more, Not breaking the swing or momentum of his blade, Wilhelm directed his now glowing and crackling Zweihander with a flourish, crashing it into the ground in front of him.

With a snap and a flash, the street in front of him spasmed and convulsed into a great, roaring, shock-wave.

Suddenly a great flash of purple light erupted from beside me and bloomed into a brilliant sphere that encompassed Twilight, the Princess and I. The shock-wave crashed and broke upon the barrier like a mighty wave upon the rocks.

Once the dust had cleared, I looked to my left to see Twilight standing with her hooves planted firmly, an unwavering mask of concentration plastered upon her lavender face.

"Heh, cute" Wilhelm quipped.

Wilhelm raised his sword above his head slowly, crackling again as bolts of lightening began arcing from it to whatever the energy whips could tap and charge with their unstable energy.

Just then the Sphere protecting us expanded at break neck speeds stopping just in front of Wilhelm's nose-less face, prompting him to pause, the energy of his blade fizzling suddenly as his eyes widened.

Twilight opened her eyes to the astonished bone-man, and allowed a smirk.

Twilight clenched her eyes shut and gritted her teeth as her horn flashed, and with that the Sphere flew outward at speeds likely to humble lightening itself. The field quickly dispersed, and with it, the towns party guests.

Twilight was standing next to me panting. I turned to her.

"What the hells was that?" I asked exasperated, my voice betraying no amazement.

Still panting, Twilight managed between laboured breaths. "I suspected it might be undead, so I studied up on some wards and turn undead." She looked up and smiled. "Better to be prepared right?"

"It was still indeed impressive Twilight." Luna interjected. "But it wont be enough, they will be back eventually, and they've already proven us to be ill equipped."

"Can't we get reinforcements from Canterlot or something?" I tried.

"I will do my best to ensure Ponyville receives the aid it requires, but it wont be enough, we need an ace." Luna stated, obviously racking her mind for anything of relevance.

"But who could possibly defeat that mob of flesh?" I asked, admittedly disheartened by the utter destruction reaped by the undead troop.

A look of epiphany dawned upon the princess' face. She looked to Twilight. "I am the Romancer, the passion that consumes the flesh." Luna quoted.

Twilight Gasped "Of course!" She practically squealed. "SPARK PLUG!"

Who?