Creeping Shadows: A Heart of Nothingness

Corvus and Ben appeared in the town square, where Trick and Walker had come to regroup. As they and Ben approached Corvus sensed something close by, something angry. But when they looked for it they saw nothing and they felt no physical threat.

'It must be spiritual in nature, no physical form. We'll have to project.'

"We're going to investigate that presence. Take control."

"You got it."

Corvus ejected theirself from their body, their consciousness and souls taking the form of a translucent version of their body, invisible to spiritually unaware beings. As they walked away trick noticed Ben and Corvus' body approaching and called to them. "Hey guys, how'd it go?"

"Corvus saved my ass "

"Well good job Corvus."

"Not Corvus" Corvus' body responded.

Ben turned to the body in confusion. "Is that you Flesh? Did Corvus separate fron you?"

The now named Flesh nodded in affirmation. "I'm in control while they investigate a possible threat."

Trick gave a smile and said "Well then, let's find somewhere to come up with a plan."

With that the group began searching for a meeting place.

Corvus was nearing the entity and decided to see if it was intelligent.

"We feel your presence. Reveal yourself and state your intentions."

They felt the entity's suprise as a spectral Princess Luna appeared in front of them with a stunned expression.

"How did you find us?"

"We felt your presence and assumed you were a threat and left our body to investigate."

"Left your body? How?"

"By separating out spirit from our body to exist on the astral plane. Is that not what you did?"

"No this is a mental projection, We are meditating in Canterlot to keep you under watch."

"Ah, We see. While We seperate our body and souls and have them exist independently, you remain in your body. While we exist here and can affect the physical realm, your method is similar to having a vision of another place, you can see and hear but nit touch." However Luna had stopped listening by that point.

"You seperated your soul from your body?! That's impossible! Nothing can live without a soul!"

"First, the Defiled are creatures without souls." Corvus stated, irritated that she had forgotten their explanation. "Second, our body is still being driven by a soul."

"What?"

Ignoring the question Corvus turned away and began walking toward the aura of their body, humming a tune (The chorus of Counting Stars by One Republic) as they went, Luna following after them.

"This woman is trying my patience."

"As long as she doesn't get in our way, I'm good."

"Yes, I'd hate to have to waste time dealing with her."

"We must be careful we don't end up her prey."

"We should plan for any hostile actions."

"But for now let's just enjoy the fact we'll get to pound The Royal Pain when he shows up again!"

"I wonder what the others are doing right now."

"Let's go over what we know."

The group was gathered on the roof of a building, Trick playing with her charge disk, Walker and Ben sitting calmly, and Flesh, who had spoken, pacing in front of them.

"The Legion of Light is present in this world, as evidenced by my other's confrontation with Tellrieth."

"I saw a legion grunt earlier." Ben added.

"I found these light aligned crystals." Trick said while holding up the crystal shards.

"Thank you." Flesh said before continuing "My other and I don't yet know how serious the damage to our matrix is or if/how it will effect our abilities beyond being unable to shield mortals from Unreality.'

"Couldn't you and Corvus go through yourselves?"

"Yes but that would mean abandoning you." Flesh explained with a shake of his head. "Corvus prioritizes your safety above all other immediate goals, and as their other I share the same goal."

He was about to continue when the voice of Twilight Sparkle called out. "There you are I've bee- How are you doing that?!"

"You'll have to be more specific."

"How are you walking on nothing?!" She shouted, her friends, and the guards staring at Flesh floating in the air.

"Simple, I create platforms of solidified air beneath my feet, creating stepping stones to support myself."

"First, that's impossible, second why did you start referring to yourself in the singular now Corvus?"

"In order: It's actually quite easy if you have a wind affinity. My name is not Corvus, I'm their other, Flesh. And you do not have the right to use that name."

"It's Corvalius Dakenistaire. Remember that Twilight Sparkle."

The ponies turned to see a see-through copy of Corvus standing with its arms crossed. Pinkie Pie appeared next to it with an unnaturally wide grin.

"Neat! How'd you make another you?" She said while poking her fingers into the image's body.

"Pinkie, it's not another Corvus, it's just an illusion." She was about to continue when Corvus grabbed Pinkie Pie's arm.

"First, do not touch us. Second, We are very real. Third, don't try to explain things you don't understand. And fourth, We just told you, you are not permitted to use that name. We are Corvalius Dakenistaire, and you will address us as such." As they were speaking their image dissolved into a mass of energy and transferred into their body, the last sentence being spoken by their physical form.

"We do not appreciate a potential enemy who hasn't earned our respect acting so familiar with us." They finished.

"You jerk!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she flew towards Corvus, getting in their face. "She's just trying to be friendly, now apologize!"

"You are angered by our disrespect, but you treat us with just as little respect."

"Why should I respect you?"

"Why should We respect your friend? "

"Because she's my friend!"

"By that logic you should respect us because We're Benjamin's friend." Corvus said. "Having friends doesn't mean you have the respect of those you aren't friends with."

In response Rainbow Dash shoved Corvus away.

"What do you know?!"

Flipping to land on their feet on the roof of the building, Corvus stood there and looked at her, the light of the sun reflected off their lenses.

'Such immature and reckless behavior.'

Corvus decided to leave before things escalated further. As they turned away they looked back at the multicolored pony.

"We know how little the superficial respect you demand from us is really worth." With that they blurred away.