The two stallions stepped forward, once more poised to strike the other. The building shook for a moment, and all darted their heads every which-way they could manage to try to detect the source of the shaking.

“What in tarnation was that?” Quick Strike asked, her brow arched.

“I have no idea. Must’ve been a tremor.” Shining sighed, since that was the best answered he could come up with.

“I don’t like this one bit. I can’t help but feel I want this battle to end quickly.” Broadsword remarked, holding his blade in a defensive stance.

“My sentiments exactly.” Nagare agreed with a nod, poising his blade in a front hoof.

The building shook again, and the green pegasus nearly lost his balance as the second tremor ran its course. This time, the room began to glow in navy and scarlet hues, and Koto’s eyes instantly widened.

“Guys, I think we have to get out pronto…” She said, causing all to look at her.

“Why is that?” Shining asked, only for pillars of fire and volts to suddenly erupt from the ceiling. Everyone jumped, and the blue unicorn pointed the accusing hoof at the spectacle whilst looking at the white stallion.

“BECAUSE OF THAT!” She cried, the electric flames being more than enough reason to run out. Everyone began to panic, scrambling towards the nearest exit which wasn’t bathed in fire and volts. A few guards were already towing carriages with frightened citizens and other guards alike, and one was waiting for the group at the end of the hall.

“Hurry!” Cried one of the guards who the carriage was attached to, and in an instant, everyone kicked their systems into overdrive like a stampede. Legs pumped with adrenalin brought them closer to their getaway vehicle, all the while blazing volts constantly roiled and crackled behind them as the mass hounded the lot. The mass looked very much like a demon from the pits of hell.

They got even closer to the carriage, the mass of flames and volts sounding like it was roaring as the building shook again. Yuuki stumbled over her hooves, tripping and landing on her face. Broadsword turned around and picked her up in his magic, the flames and volts very nearly engulfing her. He took off to catch up with the rest of the group, and he placed her on his back.

“I owe you one.” Yuuki said, smiling faintly.

“Don’t mention it. It’s not my duty to abandon ponies in an emergency.” Broadsword replied, his legs now working overtime. He saw that the others had already boarded the carriage, and he just got on before those in the harnesses began flapping their wings.

Just as the carriage was about to lift off, the building shook and an explosion occurred in the hallway, sending the vehicle and everyone in it careening away whilst screeching into the streets. Those who had wings attempted flight, only to further howl as some of the volts ran marathons through their bodies as if in response. At this rate, it was a certain death for the lot.

At least, until a light blue glow encased the lot before any of them could hit the ground. Cadance landed next to them, folding her wings and with her horn aglow. She gently set them down onto their hooves, noticing the pegasi still convulsed a bit.

“I...I think my wings are paralyzed!” Yuuki complained, jerking a leg up every time she tried to open her appendages.

“Dammit! Mine are too!” Nagare yelled, eyes narrowing at the anomaly.

“There’s no time for that--we have to get away!” Cadance cried, taking off into gallop away from the castle. The group followed suit, adrenalin once more coursing through them. The whole town was in an uproar, the streets filled with rushing ponies, screeching foals, and overall chaos as everyone got away from the castle. Once the entire panicked crowd was safely away from the castle, all turned to look back at it in, utter horror painting the faces of the whole lot.

The castle began to morph, flames and volts engulfing its entire frame. The legs grew thicker, sturdier, longer, and the top of the castle seemed to grow in a way it was actually assuming the very shape of a pony. The muzzle, turning dark grey-brown, bore sharp teeth. A mane of obsidian that seemed to move as though organic flowed behind the head wildly, which was adorned with a crown and a red, curved horn that crackled to life with magic.

Adorning the shoulders and back was a cape of ruby, adorned at the ends with diamonds and some more specks of obsidian here and there. The crown, necklace, and chestplate were stark silver, as were plated horseshoes that spontaneously grew on the legs. An orb was settled at the base of the cape, fastening it to the armor effectively.

At last, the flames and volts winked from existence, revealing a life-like monster in place of the castle. The violet orb shimmered rather darkly, almost as black as the obsidian making up the mane, in fact. The eyes, ruby irises on emerald sclera, glowed menacingly as wisps of sparkling purple smoke emanated from them.

Cadance fell on her rump. “It’s...a lifelike...replica of King Sombra…” She murmured.

“It’s much bigger than the things even we normally face…” Nagare remarked, eyes narrowing as he saw the orb grow a protective layer of reddest ruby. “I have a feeling this is going to be a problem…”

“Something tells me the remains of the Quartet stepped up their game a bit…” Tenmei murmured, noticing that the Sombra replica was looking at the part of the crowd he stood in.

Shining looked around him, horn aglow, and he noticed that the luster he and the other crystal ponies had faded, leaving behind dull colors and flattened ears. “Is it me, or does anypony else think we need help?” He asked, glancing around again.

“Send some guards to get help. We kind of need it, considering we cannot fly…” Nagare sighed, twitching after trying to spread his wings again.

“Alright.” Shining nodded, his horn glowing a bit brighter than a moment ago before it had stopped glowing. His eyes widened as the monster castle’s horn began to glow, causing dark crystalline spires crackling with volts and roiling in fire to spontaneously grow from the ground. In addition, dark crystalline fragments began to grow on the horns of the unicorns, eliciting the same result if they tried using magic as a pegasus with paralyzed wings.

Koto yelped, wincing as her horn sent a jolt of pain through the rest of her head thanks to the fragments. “How am I to use magic now?!” She cried, stomping a hoof in frustration afterwards. All froze, looking up as the monster took a step forward.

“You are all powerless against me.” It said.

Author's Note

Challenge intensifies.

~Dragon