Impossible Appocalypse

04/12/0005, Canterlot, Central District, Outside of the "Starfall Shield."

Celestia and Luna stood together as they one had against Discord and Sombra. Both were nervous, and both hid it from the world as best they could. Before them stood the shimmering opaque red shield as it had first appeared. The Starfall dome, as the populace had named it, was the largest of the five that had appeared on Equiss. Every single one had appeared over a area evacuated for some reason or another. The other four had a Alicorn or equivalent power nearby, but they had all agreed that this dome was likely the biggest threat, and that Luna and Celestia both would do best defending their home together.

Like the other four, the Starfall dome was watched and scanned by a team of scientists. Each team was kept in continuous communication with the rest. Every precaution was being taken, every reserve was mustered. The world's economy was at a standstill as every nation made ready for whatever was happening within the domes.

With a deep, slow breathe Luna stepped forward. Her wings were ready to take flight, her horn was charged, her ethereal mane rapidly fluctuating under the strain of her ready stored magic, and that of her spell. Celestia stepped forward like an echo. She mirrored her more aggressive sister perfectly. The white princess could almost be mistaken for a enchanted shadow, but the illusion broke if you looked into their eyes.

Luna's eyes were curious, aggressive, uncertain. They reflected a inner doubting of her own abilities and knowledge, but the aggression was her reaction to such feelings, for better or worse.

Celestia's eyes bore calm, anger, caution, worry. They reflected her concern for her student and subjects. Her anger at the domes and at herself for not preparing more. The caution was always there.

Neither sister moved, but the flow of magic around their horns intensified. It became a visible torrent of energy. The color of their magic transcended their aura and became indescribable by mortal words. Some would later call the color divine. Others found it unnatural. All were awed.

Both sisters held reservations about what they were about to do, but they both agreed it had been long enough. They couldn't afford to wait any longer.

Both horns discharged simultaneously blinding any watchers temporarily. Those who looked after the flash saw the magic culminate into a ball and strike the wall. It wasn't what actually happened, but only a immortal would have seen what really did.

The shield didn't crack. It didn't bend. It didn't even ripple.

Both Princesses stared at the red wall in confusion. The air was still. Shock rippled through the city. Panic approached close on the heels of shock.

There was a thunderous crash and the shield began to bulge out where the Princesses had struck it. Panic sped on past shock and the quiet air was filled with the sound of fleeing hooves.

The shield became more and more transparent as it stretched out. The balloon like effect was almost comical, if you ignored what it revealed.

It was monstrous. Its shape was worm like, but its flesh was chitinous and insect like. Then end of it was a huge tavern sized mouth filled with frighteningly sharp teeth. Along its visible length was small limbs lined on one side with enormous sharp spines. On each side was a street wide eyes with multiple alien pupils that flowed along the liquid surface.

Celestia and Luna both shrunk physically before the horror. Never before had they cast there gaze upon such a grotesque form. They had to fight there own legs to not run, and their own guts to not retch.

Both braced for impact, but the shield started to slow the creature's fall, and eventually it ceased to balloon out and instead began to pull the creature back in. In a few moments the shield had returned to its original shape, and once again hid the thing that had strained it.

Seconds passed slower than a tree walked, but before Luna or Celestia could begin to process what had happened there was a terrible unnatural screech that shook the ground. In the blink of an eye the creature had again slammed against the shield and stretched it to near breaking. Time froze, and for a moment it was certain that the unspeakable horror would break through.

But again the shield defied the horror and dragged it back inside. Celestia and Luna finally shook themselves of their shock and tried again to charge spells. Far sooner than last time there was a screech that shook the cliff. Again the monster hit the shield.

Another shock ran through the city. The monster was dead. Where once was the horrors head, there was now a mangled grotesque mess. It spurted a vile dark liquid. It floundered against the shield, and again it was pulled back into obscurity.

Luna and Celestia looked at each other, unsure if what they had just experienced was real.