Sinister Shadows

With absolute confidence, "I am the son of Princess Luna."

Everyone except Flash and a few other senior officers gaped.  Viridian swooned to the floor. Twilight stood speechless. Eventually, she was able to stutter, "Y... You are.... Luna's son?"

"Yes," Eclipse replied.

"Then why-" Twilight began to ask.

"Have I not come sooner? And more importantly, who is my father? Am I correct Twilight Sparkle?" Eclipse interrupted. Continuing without giving Twilight a chance to reply, "I have not come sooner because I did not realize that my mother had returned from her banishment. Or even recovered.  As to who my father is, I do not think you are ready to know.  Further more, he died in soul a millennium ago and died in body not much later.  Now we must go, before the changelings return."

"Eclipse is correct, Your Highness. We must move on," Flash suggested.

Twilight looked ready to argue, but then thought better of it. 'Very well. Lead the way, Eclipse."

"We have to climb to the summit's peak. No more delays," Eclipse stated.  He turned.  Eclipse picked up speed until he was short of a run. The others followed suit.  Two Guards helped Viridian to her feet.

~~~

Beneath the throne room, even deeper in the mountain was the mountain's source of ley energy.  Large, natural chimneys led to the gorges in the throne room.

Two figures faced each other in the darkness. Surrounding them was a large mass of smaller creatures, chattering and clicking, pulsating and shuffling.

"All goes to plan, Sinestro Phobus," one announced.

"Good.  Let them escape.  But of course, harry them the entire way to the summit.  They shall find that the climb of Mount Gryphus is no easy stroll!" Phobus replied.

The first turned to face the other creatures. "Go, my children! Show them the terror of the combined might of the Hive!"

The creatures as one turned.  They clambered up the walls, rushing to the surface, rushing towards the unprepared.

The cave fell silent.  Only the original two were left.  Then there was one, as Phobus faded and dispersed into the air.

"I will have my revenge, Twilight. Your pain will be my ecstasy..."

~~~

The fleeing group of diplomats had taken an old trail to reach the mountain's summit. What awaited them there only Eclipse knew.  Twilight intended to find out.

"Once we reach the summit, what's the next part of your grand escape plan?" Twilight inquired as they ran along the path.

"You will see.  I wouldn't have us run up the mountain only to be trapped," Eclipse replied.

Just because you are, no claim, that you are Luna's son doesn't make you trustworthy.  I would trust Discord more than you right now, Twilight thought to herself.  Nevertheless, Twilight continued running alongside Eclipse.

Eventually, the fugitives reached a point in the path where it flattened out.  A rock overhang provided shelter from above.

Eclipse permitted everyone to stop for a breather.  Viridian was the most grateful for the respite.

"We can't stay long. This will be the only rest you shall receive. Our pursuers will not let us have an easy time of reaching the summit," reminded Eclipse.

Twilight saw an opportunity to repair her dress.  Twilight sat down on the gravelly floor. Her horn glowed slightly, for the spell she had in mind was simple.  The fabric stitched itself back together, and at the same time, began to bring itself together.  The end result was a lavender-grey jumpsuit, tight enough to prevent an assailant from grabbing hold, but loose enough to allow freedom of movement.

With a bright flash of magic, Twilight brought into existence her own armor.  In the center of the mithril breastplate was a single amethyst gem.

The dress made more functional, Twilight moved closer to the back of the overhang where Viridian had settled down. "Allow me to repair your dress, Viridian," Twilight asked.

Viridian paused a moment before she spoke, but still agreed in the end. "Promise me you can revert it back to a dress, Twilight," Viridian joked, eyes twinkling with humor.

"Of course, Viridian.  I would never come between you and your fabulous dresses!" Twilight busied herself with morphing Viridians dress.

A moment of silence followed when Twilight finished.  Then Twilight began hesitantly "I feel this is all my fault, Viridian. You are all in danger simply because you are in association with me," Twilight began.

"Nonsense, Twilight.  The Twilight Guard volunteered to serve you.  They accept the troubles that come with being your Guard," Viridian intervened.

"But are their lives worth my life, my single life?"

"Of course!  We all love you very deeply Twilight!  You're a friend to all, Twilight.  Love and friendship are important things worth fighting for."

Twilight did not reply back.  Viridian took satisfaction in seeing that she had quelled Twilight's concerns enough to quiet Twilight.

Viridians words had provided food-for-thought to Twilight. Friendship.... Love.... the very core of society.  They are worth fighting for.  My friends back in Ponyville, Viridian and the Twilight Guard here.  I will fight for them ,as they fight for me.....

A cry from Viridian brought Twilight back to reality.  Viridian had stood suddenly, pointing down the cliff face.  Twilight peered over the edge.

"Changelings! Up, up, we need to go!" Twilight shouted.  The black swarm was rapidly advancing the side of the cliff.  Others were flying straight for the overhang in the air above.

The Twilight Guard scrambled to their feet, and ran as they followed Eclipse up the mountain path.  The buzzing drone of the changelings grew louder and louder with every step the runaways took.  At the same time, the mountain's peak drew nearer.

The first of the flyers reached the stragglers that lagged behind.  Twilight caught fleeting glimpses of the flyers, and saw that these creatures were not the changelings she were used to seeing.  Rather, they looked like large dragonflies, spines protruding from their tail.  Twilight decided to dub them thornlings.

Several of the thornlings flicked their tails, and spines rained down from above.  More than a few of the armored soldiers fell, pierced by the spines.

Damn them all! Damn all the changelings that are and ever will be! Chrysalis and her spawn will pay for those deaths!

But Twilight could do nothing at the moment.  Her only option was to follow Eclipse and hope his plan worked.

Some of the Elementals used their magic to impede the progress of the changelings, and employed avalanches and air turbulence.  Although this did work, the effort was futile.  The changelings surpassed all barriers that were thrown at them, buying the ponies mere seconds.  However, the ponies pumped their legs furiously to make every second count.

At last, the harried ponies had reached the mountain peak.  The top of the peak was leveled by hand, and there stood a weathered and beat temple.

"Have you brought us here to pray before we breathe our last breaths, Eclipse!  What help could this temple possibly provide!" Twilight shouted, angry at what she found fruitless.

"Just get inside!  I will not waste time arguing the finer points of our escape with you!" Eclipse snapped.  Cowed by the ferocity of his reply, Twilight obeyed.

The hard-pressed group raced to the interior of the temple.  Mosaics decorated the columns and walls.  Some seemed like a yearly-calender showing the moon, sun, and stars, while others seemed to bring to life epic tales of Gryphon heroes.

At the end of the temple were a series of steps, upon which rested a crescent-like altar.  "Gather around the altar.  Don't argue, just do," Eclipse ordered.  Eclipse then proceeded to stand on top of the altar.

The incessant droning of the changelings had reached its peak.  The black tide of carapaces and chitin washed into the temple, a great tsunami.

"Hold them off for a short time! I only need a few moments!" Eclipse shouted, above the now deafening chatter of the swarm.

The Judges readied swords and lances for what seemed to them a final stand.  Elementals and Magi cleared their mind and prepared to let all break lose.  Eclipse began to chant incoherently.

But the bipedal insects did not advance.  Instead they blocked the entrance, further crushing the morale of the beleaguered soldiers.

Twilight saw that the changelings were parting for something.  And then that something, or rather someone, stepped forth from the mass.

"Come out, Twilight Sparkle! Face me now, or would you rather hide?!" Queen Chrysalis shouted.  The Twilight Guard bristled at the insult, but they could do nothing.

"Don't do it. DO NOT step out there, Twilight," Flash whispered nearby.  Twilight glanced at him, and considered his advice.  Momentarily.

Twilight shouldered her way to the front of the Guard.  "I am here, Chrysalis.  I do not need to hide, nor do I need to use cowardly tricks to win," Twilight announced.

If Chrysalis was the least bit fazed at Twilight's comment, she didn't show it.  "I finally have you in my grasp, Twilight," Chrysalis began, eyes burning fiercely, "The sight of your carcass being devoured by my children would bring me pleasure but.... Seeing you on your knees begging for mercy like a whipped dog would bring greater pleasure.  If you beg hard enough, I might consider letting your precious protectors leave alive."

"I will not bow down to a monster like you.  The day that I do bow down to the likes of you would be the day that I cast away everything my followers and friends hold dear," answered Twilight firmly.  No complaint was heard from the Twilight Guard, proud that their princess refused.

"Then you have chosen death.  Leave Twilight incapacitated, kill the rest," Chrysalis ordered.  The swarm surged forward, hungering for the flesh and blood of ponies.

Eclipse's chanting had reached a high at this point, frenzied and hysterical.

"Noctisque per umbram abstulerunt nos!" Eclipse cried out, as changelings hammered the Judges.  Green-black tendrils shot from the altar, wrapping themselves around the struggling Twilight Guard and their princess.  The tendrils pulled them into the swirling ring of black that had replaced the crescent altar.

Once all the Guard was taken by the tendrils, the swirling vortex condensed to the size of an apple.  The condensed onyx orb then exploded, as wave after wave of shadows forced the changelings to the ground.

Dazed and confused, the changelings could not escape the collapse of the temple.  Columns cracked and walls were blown out.  The roof fell down with a thunderous crash.  Dust and debris flew.  The rubble settled, and the ruined temple did not stir any more.

The changelings outside the temple were stunned at what had happened.  The temple had collapsed on top of their brood-mother, and killed many brothers and sisters.

The changelings were about to flee the area, but the wreckage moved again.  An arm was thrust up out of the debris.  The arm came out further, turning into a changeling.

"Damn you, Twilight Sparkle! Damn Phobus!  I will not stop until Twilight's head is in my hands!" cried the changeling queen.