Dark Horizonsby thewriter133ChaptersAgent PlatinumRainbow Dash Tells her taleAt the temple of the moon (gore warning)The Pepperdance ClubThe black city and the ancients Agent PlatinumAuthor's Note So I am trying something new-ish. This has no cannon in my Blackmane universe. Just something that my brain wouldn't stop thinking about. As someone who has no friends I try to give tests to characters. Most of my "Normal" characters are lone wolf type brutes. The "tests" I'll be throwing these characters through will cause them to seem OOC and I apologize ahead of time for that faux-pa. Agent Platinum DARK HORIZONS Agent Platinum TheWriter133 Rainbow dash shot forward, behind her was a diseased looking griffin. A wall eyed Pegasus was racing at her left side. She flanked right and there was a deafening boom. Rainbows washed outwards as the rainboom vaporized the diseased beings. Rainbow kept flying with tears in her eyes.Above the serene blue planet lurked an unspeakable many eyed horror blinking in confusion as its gelatinous many eyed tentacles began to dissolve. ----/ There was a crackoom as a white alicorn with the sun as her butt-mark and a blue alicorn with the moon as her butt-mark appeared. The screen identified them as Princesses Celestia del Sol and Luna la Selene. In front of the screen was an immaculate white unicorn with three gems as her butt-mark. A voice from a screen spoke “Agent Platinum as you can see we have a situation. Your mark is Twilight Sparkle. She has summoned a blasphemous horror from beyond space-time. She, by now, has gone utterly insane. If you cannot save her eliminate her.” Rarity walked out of her boutique and immediately sliced through a shadowy plant like crustacean as it leapt at her. She looked around and saw all ponies had their windows boarded and everything locked up. She noticed Lyra playing her harp as several shadowy creatures attacked her. they immediately fell to pieces. Rarity gulped, she had never seen the blade of guqin in action. That was when she noticed the black city in the sky. She hurried on her way. She soon arrived at the most garish crystal tree castle ever. It seemed to have warped into a mockery of its former beauty. She entered hearing the door click behind her. She eyed Luna before noticing Celestia cradling a babbling Twilight Sparkle. She noticed a few other additions to the castle. Those additions being Twilight Velvet, Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, and Twilight’s father. The only one not showing any emotion was Twilight Velvet. Twilight looked at her and gibbered. They all turned to see Rarity wearing her conjured diamond armor. Before anypony could say a thing the door shook violently. A hum filled the air as Luna conjured two ethereal swords and opened the door. Rainbow Dash lay there with a quaking and violently shaking Pinkie Pie. Near them was another Pegasus. This one was stark white with yellow hair. She smiled weakly before hoisting the two up and bringing them inside. She too collapsed soon after. Rarity looked them over. Pinkie looked like she did for the party of one fiasco. The white Pegasus got up her wonderbolt uniform in tatters “Hi Princess! I’m Surprise!” She flitted around the room as if on a sugar high. “I found these two during my daily patrol of Canterlot. I don’t know what they saw but cousin Pinkie’s never been this way since her sister was born. Also Rainbow Dash has been babbling on about how she killed a whole bunch of ponies. Shall I investigate further?” Luna looked disparagingly at the perky Pegasus plucking a pomegranate from a pale porcelain bowl. “Miss Surprise I would ask you not to involve yourself in this. Please alert the Wonderbolts to begin scouting of Canterlot and the Everfree forest.” Surprise opened the door and saluted before flying off. They were about to close the door when a massive white stallion with little wings and muscles the size of a pony head flew at them. He stopped short and bowed before saying “Princess Discord stole Fluttershy.” They heard a sproing as Discord warped into reality. He then picked up Pinkie Pie and vanished in a cascade of cheese. The scrawny white pegasus next to him looked nervous. He bowed “Princess you must do somethin’ why is Discord kidnapping ponies?” Luna looked ready to rip Discord a new one “We know nothing more than you do Little Pony.” Rarity’s lilting voice spoke up “Bulk, Skull, I may have an Idea.” She pulled up a crystal and squeezed it with her magic. The many eyed blasphemous entity was displayed in all the colors of magic. “It appears her essence was being drained by this thing. However, darlings, that is all I can give you without breaking your minds. Now from what I can tell our dear Twilight found a book. In reading this book she summoned that blasphemous horror. It appears she was going to study it. At least that is what her whisperings suggest. I am afraid she may have to be slain for the horror to vanish. I hope not. Only last resort mind you.” Shining Armor punched Rarity in the face “How can you suggest that about your own friend!” Rarity spit out some blood and sighed “Only last resort. The needs of the many outway the needs of us few.” Night Light, Cadence, and Twilight Velvet pulled Shining Armor into a sitting area. Rarity looked over to see Celestia and Luna looking at her disappointingly. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had calmed down enough to talk. She entered into the room stained in tears and sweat. Luna spoke “Lady Rainbow Dash please tell us what has you so sad.” Rainbow nodded and began her tale. Rainbow Dash Tells her taleIt began with Ditzy Doo. She came to me during my Wonderbolt training. She was as perky as ever. She wanted my help in patching things up with her estranged cousin Daring Do. Because of our adventures I knew where to find Daring. She and I flew there. On our way she had a coughing fit and threw up some blood. She insisted we continue, however, so I went along. We arrived at Daring’s home to see her hard at work on her next novel. That was when a black pony arrived and hired her to find something called the Quetzalcoatl in the temple of the moon. I revealed myself asking to join with her. Because two awesome ponies together can overcome anything. She agreed only because Ditzy begged her to allow us to join. She gathered together her usual crew of diggers and archaeologists. The temple of the moon was in the deepest darkest places of the Amarezon. There were about a hundred of us as we made our way through the jungle. Our first night was darker than any I have seen. and on top of the creeping darkness strange horrible sounds were all over. The next day one of our griffins looked a little under the weather. But he insisted he was fine. That day we entered the area the moon temple was rumored to be and we witnessed the very plants and animals become grey and sickly almost corpse like. That night we camped out near the temple. Luna vanished in a flash at this with Celestia soon behind. Rarity got up and grabbed some hard cider for them and motioned Rainbow to continue. Well around midday the crew took a break from excavations and began to look for lunch, in the case of the griffons, or eat some provisions. That was the second day. On the third the griffin workers went mad. They attacked us. The Minotaur and goat workers reveled in the fight while the pony workers fled. We soon quickly realized we were outmatched. The corpses kept moving. We radioed for help and Spitfire was in the area doing her rounds. She came to assist us in our escape. It was only her, Ditzy, Daring, and myself. During our flight poor Ditzy fell behind while coughing up more blood and was quickly overcome. While Daring was distracted by two griffons a Minotaur crushed her by throwing a stone column at us. Spitfire and myself remained. She told me to prepare to do a sonic rainboom while she distracted the corpses. This was to keep the infection from spreading. As I reached my apex I saw spitfire get Slashed across the face. I immediately dive bombed the corpses and then leveled out causing the boom. The rainbow shock wave vaporized everything. I kept flying with Ditzy Doo on my tail. Last I saw before putting all I had into my flight was her getting obliterated.I killed my friend, my idol, my hero, and countless others. I am a bad pony. -----------------/ Spike after listening through the story suddenly experienced a growth spurt. He transformed into an adolescent dragon. He gently scooped up Rainbow Dash and petted her until she had cried herself into unconsciousness. He let out a deep throaty growl. He spoke “we will have to break the news to Dinky and Sparkler that their mother is not coming back.” Rarity nodded and got up she soon found herself next to Cadence who walked with her. Either to keep an eye on her or as a show of support. She passed the room that the Armor family was in. She saw Twilight snuggling a book as her big brother stroked her. She quickly his her eyes to prevent them from seeing her tears. At the temple of the moon (gore warning)AT THE TEMPLE OF THE MOON PART OF DARK HORIZONS BY thewriter133 Discord reappeared in a bizarre home that would make M.C. Escher proud. There were stairs going nowhere but also going to other stairs that were upside down. In the middle was a large waterfall with weird cubes and stairs going to it. It was also over a small river that had a water mill running. Some weird fungi trees were growing outside what looked to be a door to what may or may not be a city of madness. He looked around sighed and walked up some stairs only to reappear in another bizarre home. This one was not as mind boggling. It still had garish colors and as Fluttershy looked around she saw Pinkie Pie shaking uncontrollably. She also saw that Cheese Sandwich fella being tended to by a peach colored filly. Off in the corner she saw Sugar Belle and Party Favor out cold and being tended to by Double Diamond and Night Glider. All the ponies had lost their luster. She heard crying and looked towards the left side of the home to see Carrot and Cup Cake. Both looked ill but not as bad as the others. Their foals, Pound and Pumpkin, were lacking luster and being fussy.She heard Pinkie cry out for her mother and father. She quickly penned three letters and had Discord send them off. He soon collapsed afterwards like a wet noodle. -----------------------------/ Rarity looked as her dragon fire emerald sparked to life and a rolled up letter shot out of it. It left a distinctly cheesy after smell. She read it over and then turned towards Bulk Biceps. “Bulk, dahling, Little Fluttershy is helping some sick ponies over in the former equality town. Take the train until it goes no further then find a village. By now it shouldn’t be hard to find. Last I heard Discord was helping them rebuild.” Bulk and Skull flew off towards the Friendship Express. She then pinpointed where Luna was. After noticing that Celestia was in Canterlot. She then focused on Luna and vanished. She arrived next to Luna to see they were at the foot of the temple of Coyolxauhqui. As they entered Rarity couldn’t keep her eyes off the walls. A voice spoke “I see you looking at the markings of the nine lords of the night Xiuhtecuhtli, Tezcatlipoca the Smoking Mirror, Piltzintecuhtli, Centeotl, Mictlantecuhtli, Chalchiuhtlicue, Tlazolteotl the filth goddess, Tlaloc, and Tepeyollotl the Mountain Heart. Beautiful isn’t it. The temple that I shall resurrect Nightmare Moon in. I thank you for coming Luna. Now that the two my lady possessed are here the ceremony can begin.” Luna snarled “Show your wretched face.” A half vaporized mare walked away from the shadows. She had a cutie mark of nine pillars. She smiled a sickly half smile as Luna gasped. She looked dispassionately at Luna “Yes it is I, New Moon! With you both here the nightmare can be resurrected.” Rarity snarled “And how do you plan on killing us?” New Moon stomped on the floor “Marecilius Ficus once said that the body must be dissolved in the subtlest middle air, dissolved by its own heat and humidity. Where the soul, the middle nature holds the principality in the colour of blackness all in the glass of which blackness of Nature the ancients called the crow's head, or the black sun” The two were teleported to the top of the pyramid. Where a large etching of a black sun was carved into the very stones themselves. New Moon appeared and her horn glowed. Before she could fire the spell of execution the ancient Amarezons used she was sliced into many small cubes by Rarity who had created gem knives out of thin air.Luna looked on as the knives became dust and blew away in the wind. Rarity walked over to the bloody bile and crushed a black gem with her diamond horseshoe. Luna stared at Rarity “THOU ART NOT RARITY BELLE! WHO ARE THEE! SPEAK BEFORE I END YOU!” Rarity pulled out her travelling mirror and began fixing her mussed and blown back hair “I am Rarity Belle. The dramatic mare who runs a boutique is merely a facade. I am Agent Platinum.” The two vanished. and the black sun glowed faintly. A sound of a lock unlocking was heard.The two had teleported into the excavation site and before Luna could speak, they were alerted to a noise. They noticed some rubble move. They walked over and Luna lifted the stone up revealing “Spitfire!” The orange mare with the fiery mane looked terrible. Her body showed no sign of the plague but that was a small consolation. One wing was completely sheered off while the other was crushed beyond repair. Both her hind legs were completely flat. If she had bones back there they were dust. Half of her face looked like half had been skinned off. Spitfire looked up “Oh hi princess. Sorry seem to have misplaced my face. Heh Heh get it because..” Luna shoved her hoof in what was left of Spitfire’s mouth “How did thou survive?” Spitfire gasped for breath “Dunno. Last I remember was getting slashed by a griffon.” Rarity finally wrapped her mind around Spitfire’s appearance “Rainbow said she vaporized you!” Spitfire lay there quietly while Luna repaired some of the inner damage. During this time she allowed Rarity to tell her what Rainbow said. She then looked at herself in Rarity’s armor. A massive gouge was in her face. One eye was completely missing. Her muzzle was ripped in three places and a part of her lips were in tatters. She looked back at her wing. She would never be able to fly or walk again. She had splotches of crimson on her fur and half her mane had been burned off. Rarity finished and they all heard groaning. Turning towards a large pillar Luna lifted it up and tossed it into the forest. In front of them lay Daring Do. She was in pieces. She got up and sealed her legs back on her torso before grabbing her tail and shoving it mercilessly back on. She dusted herself off looking at them “What?” Luna was dumbfounded “How are you alive?” Daring Do looked at herself “I suppose it had to come out eventually. I am an immortal from Om. I came into existence from a mare who dreamed my adventures up before writing them down. I became able to manifest when all those readers believed I was real. I am unable to die as long as ponies and other sapient races believe in me. Same goes with Ahuizotl. Just don’t tell anyone.” Rarity and Luna both spoke “cross my heart hope to fly, Stick a cupcake in my eye. I will not reveal your secret.” ---------------/ Back at the friendship castle a camera zoomed deep into Twilight’s mind. She was dressed up as a Canterlot pony. She began speaking in an upper crust accent. I like big books and I cannot lie. You other readers cannot deny that when a book walks in with a good plot base and it’s big spine in your face you get sprung! You want to get out your notepads Cause you noticed that book was dense. Several facsimiles of her, that looked like her friends, began dancing in the background shaking their hind ends. Deep in the book I am reading I am hooked and cannot stop speeding, through pony I want to get that literature and sit by the fire they try to train me But that book you have makes me brainy baby got books All the Sparkle clones struck sultry poses and drenched themselves with letters. Outside the mindscape Twilight wrapped her hooves around an encyclopedia babbling happily with a little drool coming from her mouth. She began nuzzling the book cooing like an infant. Author's Note Fake internet points if anyone can point out my easter eggs. Have fun. The Pepperdance ClubThe Pepperdance Club Suri Polomare sat in a putting on club across from her sister. On the stage was three pale red earth pony mares with red and orange manes in differing styles. These were the Pepperdance girls. They were sitting in a putting on club. One of the girls, Cayenne Pepper, was sensually putting some slinky fishnet socks on her dance partner Fatalii Pepper, on another stage Naga Viper Pepper and Ghost Pepper were sensually putting on dresses. Suri watched the girls absentmindedly. Her sister was ranting about somepony named Twilight Sparkle. She focused back in on her little sister. “And then they reflected my spell back at me causing the snow to block their advance. I fled through the caverns. I encountered her again at a restaurant in Canterlot. I would have made my move there but she was with some other powerful unicorns. I just didn’t want to risk it.” Suri rubbed her temple “Starlight, dear, as riveting as your story is remember that we are waiting on our dear little sister and ,ugh, father to show up. This day is about her birthday, not us. Why would they come here?” “I have no idea, but it should prove eventful.” The two looked as a haughty filly pranced in with her nose in the air. She had a leash in her mouth and behind her came a platinum grey filly with a spoon cutie mark. However the spoon had chains wrapped around it. The chains looked seared to her flesh. She walked in shakily, as if she had been through a severe ordeal. Suri knew those chains. She had almost done the same to little Coco Pommel. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. She saw anger in Starlight’s eyes. They watched as their father walked in. Filthy Rich was pale. He also looked like his brain was broken. He sagged into the chair nearest Suri. She raised her eyebrow at him. He shook his head. She sighed. Suri looked at the filly “Happy birthday Diamond. Have you had fun today?” Diamond Tiara closed her eyes trying to hold back her emotions. Starlight put a protective leg around her. Diamond finally looked up “I had to spend my birthday money to save Silver Spoon. She’s my only friend, you see. Now she’s just a puppet.” Starlight Glimmer stroked Diamond’s mane “You can tell us what happened to her later. Right now why don’t we order some food. What would you like?” As the four looked over their menus Starlight couldn’t help but look back to the day that Diamond was conceived. It was a dark and rainy night. She was heading back to Ponyville. Her mother had taken ill. She was alone on the train reading from a tome that held interesting magic. The tome had been called the Unmarking. That was when he appeared. He was thin and scraggly. His eyes had been a hypnotizing green. He spotted her. That was when he attacked her. he used her until the stop at Ponyville. He had then been arrested by a citizen. The kind pony had punched the stallion in the face knocking him out. She crawled into the rain and just lay there. She was brought to the hospital. Ironically in the same room as her mother. She was notified that she was pregnant. She distrusted many in the following months. Eventually she could hide her pregnancy no more. That was when her father told her that he would raise her child. She would still be around to raise the child. Except as soon as she finished her plans she dropped out of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. That was around the time the testing hall had been destroyed. She then hid out and founded Unity village. Her father had been stuck raising Diamond Tiara as his own. She felt an emptiness in her heart. She gulped and stroked Diamond’s mane again. Suri was eying the dress that one of the Pepper girls was putting on. It was one of her designs. All the dresses had been her designs. Was that what she was reduced to. Having her designs used in a sexy club. She would remind herself to talk to the owner. They had soon finished up. The Pepperdance girls had shifted out for four others. On stage now was Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Peppadew Pepper, and Madam Carolina Reaper Chili Habanero Pepper. Carolina was beginning to dress herself in a sailor uniform. The hoots and hollers were getting annoying. Starlight could see that Diamond was getting agitated. She sighed “How did Silver spoon get enslaved?” Diamond seemed to relax a bit as she began her story. “Daddy and I were walking past Silver Polish’s home when we noticed a foreclosure sign. We caught him selling all his worldly goods to some shady men. The took Silver and branded her. Daddy had them arrested immediately. He even had Silver Polish arrested for selling her to them. It was too late. Her brain had already been overwritten by the enslavement spell. The only way I could save her was to become her master. Why do I feel so filthy?” Suri and Starlight looked over Silver Spoon. Suri smiled quietly. Starlight Glimmer saw the smile. She probed the mark with her magic and then she too smiled. Suri brought Diamond outside “The magical brand your friend has is easily broken. The ruffians must have been using a cheaper brander than usual. See Diamond, I had feared you were lost to us. I nearly did the same to my former assistant Coco Pomell. Before I could I went to a fashion show. I saw what the chains did to ponies. I could not bring myself to turn little Coco into a puppet. I had feared you enslaved your friend because she was going to try and leave you. When we saw father so pale it worried us that he had caught you in the act.” “I would never do this to Silver Spoon. I don't want a mindless toy. I want her to kiss me with emotion. Everything we do now is empty.” “Well how would you like her to be normal?” “I would love that!” “Starlight should be done by now. You know it’s a good thing she’s a unicorn.” The two walked into the club to see Silver Spoon holding her leash in confusion. Diamond hurried over to her “Here let me take this horrid thing off you.” Silver looked alive instead of a puppet. Even her cutie mark was back to normal. She looked at herself in the makeup mirror. She smiled “I like the collar. I may keep it.” On the stage Bell Pepper was putting on a silk dress. The black city and the ancients The black city and the ancients Celestia sat on her throne. She was wary. In front of her stood three magus. One was the criminal Starlight Glimmer. The other was an orange donkey with a headpiece made to look like horns. The last was familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. She spoke “I am leery of letting you work with Efreet, Starlight Glimmer. You are still under probation. But as it stands there is no choice. I need you and the wizard court to work together to cure Twilight Sparkle of her madness.” Efreet spoke in a deep sonorous voice “Do not worry yourself, princess, I will keep a close eye on her. Now I believe miss Clever here has an idea how we can proceed.” The unfamiliar/familiar pony spoke “Trixie the Great and Powerful believes that the black city in the sky is the key to banishing Quexolthuggua. We will need to have assistance from a Pegasus.” Celestia put her hoof to her chin in thought. She then smiled “very well Clover the Clever. I believe you are acquainted with the town of Ponyville? Well go there and find Rainbow Dash. I am sending Private Lightning Dust with you. From there you will be brought to the old castle in the Everfree. Efreet and his team will meet you there. Oh and please do visit a while after the mission. It's been many years since we last talked.” Trixie nodded and walked out with Starlight neither noticed Efreet vanish in fire and smoke. ----------------------------------/ Twilight Sparkle stood in the empty void. A masculine voice spoke “Ah I have been waiting for your ascension. You finally achieved what no Alicorn has done before.” “Who are you?” A bearded stallion walked out of the darkness. His gray fur was unmistakable. “Starswirl the Bearded!” Another voice spoke “Sparkle stand back. He is a dangerous entity.” Starswirl chuckled then frowned as he saw a grey stallion with a black and white mane with a devilish looking beard and golden yellow eyes. He spoke “How did an filthy mud pony get here?” The stalwart stallion smiled “Twilight meet Discord. The real Discord. Also known as Starswirl the Bearded. And to answer I am not a pony.” The stallion’s body vanished revealing a very tall very muscular minotaur. A zebra appeared “Showy as ever Blackmane. But I am afraid Young Twilight will need more information.” “I cannot believe what I am seeing A bloodthirsty barbarian able to use magic. And a filthy Zebra who has no right to talk to her superior.” Twilight backed away only to bump into another grey stallion. This one had midnight black hair and a crystal horn imbedded in his skull. The newcomer spoke “Why did you reveal yourself? What does miss Sparkle have to do with you?” Starswirl laughed darkly “I have been waiting many ages for the black city to appear. My prison once. Now it's keeper, Quexolthuggua, is free and feasting on chaos. Now why don't you and the rest of you freaks leave.” Starswirl blasted Blackmane in the chest only to see the impact harmlessly dissipate. A screech broke through the void and a Raven gryphon slashed into Starswirl. ---------------------------------/ Trixie arrived in Ponyville. She looked around noticing many things. The first being the now jagged and cracked Friendship castle. The second being a mint green mare playing a harp back to back with a grey mare who was playing a cello and a yellow mare playing a violin. All around them were the remains of many nightmarish creatures. The final thing she noticed was the sprawling black city floating in the sky. A black armored mare walked up to them causing Trixie to shrink back and Lighting Dust to get into a fighting stance. Starlight Glimmer spoke “Don't worry this is Princess Arachnia. She is our guide through the forest.” Arachnia spoke melodically “Yes and if we want to avoid wasting time that would be swell.” Rainbow Dash landed limply near them “It's a bit late for that the fifth wave is here and they brought a giant. Oh hi Lightning didn't see you there. Trixie.” “Rainbow.” Arachnia grimaced “great now that introductions are out of the way time to move.” The four swiftly got into an ally. A massive club like appendage slammed through a building. They looked up into the soulless eyes of an Eldritch horror. Only to see a huge burst of sound shatter it's head. They saw Vinyl Scratch floating through the air on a wub powered turntable. They ducked as a bunch of flying fiends with rat shaped faces ending in proboscis swarmed overhead. Only to fall with carrots sticking out of them. Carrot Top walked into view along with the town Candy maker, Bon Bon. Both wore sunglasses and a strange contraption on their left forehoof. Bon Bon spoke “We got this area clear Agent Mystery. You best get them to Efreet immediately before things get too chaotic here.” Arachnia placed her horn against the supposed dead end revealing a swirling portal she walked through it. Trixie, Starlight, Rainbow, and Lightning entered soon after. They appeared outside Fluttershy’s cottage. The portal closed behind them. Arachnia spoke “we best hurry before it gets dark. Follow me.” Rainbow spoke “So we are not going to talk about what we just witnessed?” “Trixie has seen much stranger things in Trixie's lifetime.” ---------------------------------/ Twilight watched in fear as Blackmane swung his battle ax lopping off one of Starswirl’s legs. The leg then transformed into a horde of angry goblins. Starswirl laughed as he regrew his leg. Blackmane jumped back as a fire bolt exploded near him. He then waved his hand and a shield surrounded the Zebra as she threw a potion at a massive troll that had formed from Starswirl's head. Starswirl cackled “you peons cannot beat me I am a God.” Twilight spoke “If you explain yourself. How can you be Starswirl the Bearded and Discord. When you do not look like the draconequus?” Blackmane and the three others quickly regrouped. As Starswirl began lecturing. “How, you ask? Oh the simplicity of it is I created the Draconequus from some simple Ponies who lived in dream valley. However the only one that survived my experiment was one I imbued with my flesh. By cutting my hoof open and some of my horn I created him. Experiment D1sc04d. I then convinced that naive child Celestia that the draconequus were dangerous and assisted her and Luna with their extermination. D1 was smarter than the others and escaped. He hunted me down and killed me. But I had already achieved ascension. Quexolthuggua and I made a deal. She gave me power if I gave her a vessel. Using my wiles I tricked King Sombra into studying the same book you have. His ascension was unsuccessful but he did manage to trick Luna into Nightmare Moon. Quexolthuggua now had a vessel. But D1 had one last trick up his sleeve even though I had petrified him he showed Celestia how to take control of the Elements of Harmony. Don't think I don't see you over there Slave.” Starswirl conjured up an energy spear and launched it at the Zebra. She was slow on the uptake and was about to get impaled when Blackmane caught it in his hand and dissipated the magic. ---------------------------------/ Luna looked upon the pyramid of the moon she grimaced before teleporting Spitfire away. “So Agent Platinum do you sense something wrong with this pyramid?” Rarity nodded “it feels like necrosis magic. But I thought we killed the necromancer.” Daring Doo spoke “you may have killed the necromancer but she was only one of seven. The others should be around.” A dark voice that sounded distorted,like several vocal cords fused together, spoke “of that you are correct” Six necrotic mares walked out. Their bodies looked as though they had used the dead adventurers as reagents. -------------------------------------/ Trixie looked around the massive cave complex that made up the protectors of harmony’s base. It was under the old castle of the pony sisters. She smiled only to leap back as a mint green mare with a light pink and light green, going towards white, mane slammed into her. The mare licked her face happily. Trixie spluttered “Ahk, Minty, what is wrong with you?” Minty cocked her head curiously and barked before running around Trixie happily. A blue mare walked in her cutie mark was of a screw and a ball. Trixie’s eyes widened before she rushed her and wrapped her forelegs around her. The mare was slightly startled before smiling as she recognized Trixie. “Hello luv. Sorry about Minty, she and I switched personalities.” Trixie smiled “I am just glad you are back Mom.” “I’m glad to be back luv. Now let’s go see what the Agents of Harmony have planned. They Walked in on a conversation the nine were having. A deep sonorous voice “What is that fool Blackmane thinking assaulting Starswirl like that. Does he not care for Twilight Sparkle’s safety?” A watery voice responded “Calm yourself Ganessha. Blackmane and his Cultisstss are serving as a desstraction for Clover the Clever to desstroy the Temple to Quexolthuggua’ An Eponish voice spoke next “Ach wy du we care. Blackmane and ‘is cult are a pain in the moors.” As they entered they saw a large rhinoceros speak “Regardless of the Blackmanes we still await Clover and her team.” Trixie spoke “Trixie is right here. My team is ready. All we await for is the plan.” A gorilla spoke next “How long have you been here?” “Long enough. Efreet what is the plan?” “You and your team will fly up to the black city. Quexolthuggua’s temple is hard to miss. It’s the giant monolith in the center of the black city.” Trixie walked out of the meeting room as a voice yelled over the com crystal. “The agent’s of SMILE are requesting backup. Ponyville is overrun and Canterlot is being besieged. The Princesses are down I repeat the princesses are down.” Minty barked quizzically and looked back at Trixie who had paled. Starlight grabbed Trixie in her telekinesis and dragged her off. “We best hurry.” Rainbow dash stood in Wonderbolt Battlegarb along with Lightning Dust. Both were hitched to a chariot equipped with magi-turrets powered by a glowing crystal. Trixie boarded along with Starlight and a wounded Daring Do. She watched as the Wonderbolts led by Soarin formed up. Soarin barked “I’m not going to sugarcoat it team. We are a distraction so Privates Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust can land in the black city. Many may not survive today. If you are afraid leave now. Even the slightest distraction will cost us time we do not have.” Several Wonderbolts flew off. “Alright let’s move out. All team leaders check in.” “Red leader Dawn Thunder checking in I am in charge of both Green leader and Blue Leader.” “Gold Leader Stormy Breeze checking in.” “Orange leader Winter Gust checking in.” “Black Leader Meteor Shower checking in” A team of Bat Ponies flew alongside them. Soarin spoke “Glad to have backup from Luna’s Dreamguard “Glad to be of help Yellow leader.” The teams shot towards the black city. As they neared the edge a black swarm set upon them. Dawn Thunder and his teams were immediately surrounded Rainbow watched as Dawn Thunder spiraled out of control, smashing through one of the ruins unmoving. Starlight opened fire with the carriage turrets. Trixie spoke “Speed up please or the next casualty will be us.” “Trixie these are our fellow ponies how can you be so cold?” “They knew what they were getting into. We must hurry. The longer this city stays in this dimension the stronger these foul creatures will get.” They neared the Monolith and landed. Starlight climbed out along with Daring Do and Trixie. A suicide bug launched at them and blew up the carriage. Starlight sighed and lowered the shield she had conjured around them. They entered the temple. Rainbow and Lightning both followed along with, Ebony Dagger, one of the Dreamguard.
Agent PlatinumAuthor's Note So I am trying something new-ish. This has no cannon in my Blackmane universe. Just something that my brain wouldn't stop thinking about. As someone who has no friends I try to give tests to characters. Most of my "Normal" characters are lone wolf type brutes. The "tests" I'll be throwing these characters through will cause them to seem OOC and I apologize ahead of time for that faux-pa. Agent Platinum DARK HORIZONS Agent Platinum TheWriter133 Rainbow dash shot forward, behind her was a diseased looking griffin. A wall eyed Pegasus was racing at her left side. She flanked right and there was a deafening boom. Rainbows washed outwards as the rainboom vaporized the diseased beings. Rainbow kept flying with tears in her eyes.Above the serene blue planet lurked an unspeakable many eyed horror blinking in confusion as its gelatinous many eyed tentacles began to dissolve. ----/ There was a crackoom as a white alicorn with the sun as her butt-mark and a blue alicorn with the moon as her butt-mark appeared. The screen identified them as Princesses Celestia del Sol and Luna la Selene. In front of the screen was an immaculate white unicorn with three gems as her butt-mark. A voice from a screen spoke “Agent Platinum as you can see we have a situation. Your mark is Twilight Sparkle. She has summoned a blasphemous horror from beyond space-time. She, by now, has gone utterly insane. If you cannot save her eliminate her.” Rarity walked out of her boutique and immediately sliced through a shadowy plant like crustacean as it leapt at her. She looked around and saw all ponies had their windows boarded and everything locked up. She noticed Lyra playing her harp as several shadowy creatures attacked her. they immediately fell to pieces. Rarity gulped, she had never seen the blade of guqin in action. That was when she noticed the black city in the sky. She hurried on her way. She soon arrived at the most garish crystal tree castle ever. It seemed to have warped into a mockery of its former beauty. She entered hearing the door click behind her. She eyed Luna before noticing Celestia cradling a babbling Twilight Sparkle. She noticed a few other additions to the castle. Those additions being Twilight Velvet, Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, and Twilight’s father. The only one not showing any emotion was Twilight Velvet. Twilight looked at her and gibbered. They all turned to see Rarity wearing her conjured diamond armor. Before anypony could say a thing the door shook violently. A hum filled the air as Luna conjured two ethereal swords and opened the door. Rainbow Dash lay there with a quaking and violently shaking Pinkie Pie. Near them was another Pegasus. This one was stark white with yellow hair. She smiled weakly before hoisting the two up and bringing them inside. She too collapsed soon after. Rarity looked them over. Pinkie looked like she did for the party of one fiasco. The white Pegasus got up her wonderbolt uniform in tatters “Hi Princess! I’m Surprise!” She flitted around the room as if on a sugar high. “I found these two during my daily patrol of Canterlot. I don’t know what they saw but cousin Pinkie’s never been this way since her sister was born. Also Rainbow Dash has been babbling on about how she killed a whole bunch of ponies. Shall I investigate further?” Luna looked disparagingly at the perky Pegasus plucking a pomegranate from a pale porcelain bowl. “Miss Surprise I would ask you not to involve yourself in this. Please alert the Wonderbolts to begin scouting of Canterlot and the Everfree forest.” Surprise opened the door and saluted before flying off. They were about to close the door when a massive white stallion with little wings and muscles the size of a pony head flew at them. He stopped short and bowed before saying “Princess Discord stole Fluttershy.” They heard a sproing as Discord warped into reality. He then picked up Pinkie Pie and vanished in a cascade of cheese. The scrawny white pegasus next to him looked nervous. He bowed “Princess you must do somethin’ why is Discord kidnapping ponies?” Luna looked ready to rip Discord a new one “We know nothing more than you do Little Pony.” Rarity’s lilting voice spoke up “Bulk, Skull, I may have an Idea.” She pulled up a crystal and squeezed it with her magic. The many eyed blasphemous entity was displayed in all the colors of magic. “It appears her essence was being drained by this thing. However, darlings, that is all I can give you without breaking your minds. Now from what I can tell our dear Twilight found a book. In reading this book she summoned that blasphemous horror. It appears she was going to study it. At least that is what her whisperings suggest. I am afraid she may have to be slain for the horror to vanish. I hope not. Only last resort mind you.” Shining Armor punched Rarity in the face “How can you suggest that about your own friend!” Rarity spit out some blood and sighed “Only last resort. The needs of the many outway the needs of us few.” Night Light, Cadence, and Twilight Velvet pulled Shining Armor into a sitting area. Rarity looked over to see Celestia and Luna looking at her disappointingly. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had calmed down enough to talk. She entered into the room stained in tears and sweat. Luna spoke “Lady Rainbow Dash please tell us what has you so sad.” Rainbow nodded and began her tale.
Rainbow Dash Tells her taleIt began with Ditzy Doo. She came to me during my Wonderbolt training. She was as perky as ever. She wanted my help in patching things up with her estranged cousin Daring Do. Because of our adventures I knew where to find Daring. She and I flew there. On our way she had a coughing fit and threw up some blood. She insisted we continue, however, so I went along. We arrived at Daring’s home to see her hard at work on her next novel. That was when a black pony arrived and hired her to find something called the Quetzalcoatl in the temple of the moon. I revealed myself asking to join with her. Because two awesome ponies together can overcome anything. She agreed only because Ditzy begged her to allow us to join. She gathered together her usual crew of diggers and archaeologists. The temple of the moon was in the deepest darkest places of the Amarezon. There were about a hundred of us as we made our way through the jungle. Our first night was darker than any I have seen. and on top of the creeping darkness strange horrible sounds were all over. The next day one of our griffins looked a little under the weather. But he insisted he was fine. That day we entered the area the moon temple was rumored to be and we witnessed the very plants and animals become grey and sickly almost corpse like. That night we camped out near the temple. Luna vanished in a flash at this with Celestia soon behind. Rarity got up and grabbed some hard cider for them and motioned Rainbow to continue. Well around midday the crew took a break from excavations and began to look for lunch, in the case of the griffons, or eat some provisions. That was the second day. On the third the griffin workers went mad. They attacked us. The Minotaur and goat workers reveled in the fight while the pony workers fled. We soon quickly realized we were outmatched. The corpses kept moving. We radioed for help and Spitfire was in the area doing her rounds. She came to assist us in our escape. It was only her, Ditzy, Daring, and myself. During our flight poor Ditzy fell behind while coughing up more blood and was quickly overcome. While Daring was distracted by two griffons a Minotaur crushed her by throwing a stone column at us. Spitfire and myself remained. She told me to prepare to do a sonic rainboom while she distracted the corpses. This was to keep the infection from spreading. As I reached my apex I saw spitfire get Slashed across the face. I immediately dive bombed the corpses and then leveled out causing the boom. The rainbow shock wave vaporized everything. I kept flying with Ditzy Doo on my tail. Last I saw before putting all I had into my flight was her getting obliterated.I killed my friend, my idol, my hero, and countless others. I am a bad pony. -----------------/ Spike after listening through the story suddenly experienced a growth spurt. He transformed into an adolescent dragon. He gently scooped up Rainbow Dash and petted her until she had cried herself into unconsciousness. He let out a deep throaty growl. He spoke “we will have to break the news to Dinky and Sparkler that their mother is not coming back.” Rarity nodded and got up she soon found herself next to Cadence who walked with her. Either to keep an eye on her or as a show of support. She passed the room that the Armor family was in. She saw Twilight snuggling a book as her big brother stroked her. She quickly his her eyes to prevent them from seeing her tears.
At the temple of the moon (gore warning)AT THE TEMPLE OF THE MOON PART OF DARK HORIZONS BY thewriter133 Discord reappeared in a bizarre home that would make M.C. Escher proud. There were stairs going nowhere but also going to other stairs that were upside down. In the middle was a large waterfall with weird cubes and stairs going to it. It was also over a small river that had a water mill running. Some weird fungi trees were growing outside what looked to be a door to what may or may not be a city of madness. He looked around sighed and walked up some stairs only to reappear in another bizarre home. This one was not as mind boggling. It still had garish colors and as Fluttershy looked around she saw Pinkie Pie shaking uncontrollably. She also saw that Cheese Sandwich fella being tended to by a peach colored filly. Off in the corner she saw Sugar Belle and Party Favor out cold and being tended to by Double Diamond and Night Glider. All the ponies had lost their luster. She heard crying and looked towards the left side of the home to see Carrot and Cup Cake. Both looked ill but not as bad as the others. Their foals, Pound and Pumpkin, were lacking luster and being fussy.She heard Pinkie cry out for her mother and father. She quickly penned three letters and had Discord send them off. He soon collapsed afterwards like a wet noodle. -----------------------------/ Rarity looked as her dragon fire emerald sparked to life and a rolled up letter shot out of it. It left a distinctly cheesy after smell. She read it over and then turned towards Bulk Biceps. “Bulk, dahling, Little Fluttershy is helping some sick ponies over in the former equality town. Take the train until it goes no further then find a village. By now it shouldn’t be hard to find. Last I heard Discord was helping them rebuild.” Bulk and Skull flew off towards the Friendship Express. She then pinpointed where Luna was. After noticing that Celestia was in Canterlot. She then focused on Luna and vanished. She arrived next to Luna to see they were at the foot of the temple of Coyolxauhqui. As they entered Rarity couldn’t keep her eyes off the walls. A voice spoke “I see you looking at the markings of the nine lords of the night Xiuhtecuhtli, Tezcatlipoca the Smoking Mirror, Piltzintecuhtli, Centeotl, Mictlantecuhtli, Chalchiuhtlicue, Tlazolteotl the filth goddess, Tlaloc, and Tepeyollotl the Mountain Heart. Beautiful isn’t it. The temple that I shall resurrect Nightmare Moon in. I thank you for coming Luna. Now that the two my lady possessed are here the ceremony can begin.” Luna snarled “Show your wretched face.” A half vaporized mare walked away from the shadows. She had a cutie mark of nine pillars. She smiled a sickly half smile as Luna gasped. She looked dispassionately at Luna “Yes it is I, New Moon! With you both here the nightmare can be resurrected.” Rarity snarled “And how do you plan on killing us?” New Moon stomped on the floor “Marecilius Ficus once said that the body must be dissolved in the subtlest middle air, dissolved by its own heat and humidity. Where the soul, the middle nature holds the principality in the colour of blackness all in the glass of which blackness of Nature the ancients called the crow's head, or the black sun” The two were teleported to the top of the pyramid. Where a large etching of a black sun was carved into the very stones themselves. New Moon appeared and her horn glowed. Before she could fire the spell of execution the ancient Amarezons used she was sliced into many small cubes by Rarity who had created gem knives out of thin air.Luna looked on as the knives became dust and blew away in the wind. Rarity walked over to the bloody bile and crushed a black gem with her diamond horseshoe. Luna stared at Rarity “THOU ART NOT RARITY BELLE! WHO ARE THEE! SPEAK BEFORE I END YOU!” Rarity pulled out her travelling mirror and began fixing her mussed and blown back hair “I am Rarity Belle. The dramatic mare who runs a boutique is merely a facade. I am Agent Platinum.” The two vanished. and the black sun glowed faintly. A sound of a lock unlocking was heard.The two had teleported into the excavation site and before Luna could speak, they were alerted to a noise. They noticed some rubble move. They walked over and Luna lifted the stone up revealing “Spitfire!” The orange mare with the fiery mane looked terrible. Her body showed no sign of the plague but that was a small consolation. One wing was completely sheered off while the other was crushed beyond repair. Both her hind legs were completely flat. If she had bones back there they were dust. Half of her face looked like half had been skinned off. Spitfire looked up “Oh hi princess. Sorry seem to have misplaced my face. Heh Heh get it because..” Luna shoved her hoof in what was left of Spitfire’s mouth “How did thou survive?” Spitfire gasped for breath “Dunno. Last I remember was getting slashed by a griffon.” Rarity finally wrapped her mind around Spitfire’s appearance “Rainbow said she vaporized you!” Spitfire lay there quietly while Luna repaired some of the inner damage. During this time she allowed Rarity to tell her what Rainbow said. She then looked at herself in Rarity’s armor. A massive gouge was in her face. One eye was completely missing. Her muzzle was ripped in three places and a part of her lips were in tatters. She looked back at her wing. She would never be able to fly or walk again. She had splotches of crimson on her fur and half her mane had been burned off. Rarity finished and they all heard groaning. Turning towards a large pillar Luna lifted it up and tossed it into the forest. In front of them lay Daring Do. She was in pieces. She got up and sealed her legs back on her torso before grabbing her tail and shoving it mercilessly back on. She dusted herself off looking at them “What?” Luna was dumbfounded “How are you alive?” Daring Do looked at herself “I suppose it had to come out eventually. I am an immortal from Om. I came into existence from a mare who dreamed my adventures up before writing them down. I became able to manifest when all those readers believed I was real. I am unable to die as long as ponies and other sapient races believe in me. Same goes with Ahuizotl. Just don’t tell anyone.” Rarity and Luna both spoke “cross my heart hope to fly, Stick a cupcake in my eye. I will not reveal your secret.” ---------------/ Back at the friendship castle a camera zoomed deep into Twilight’s mind. She was dressed up as a Canterlot pony. She began speaking in an upper crust accent. I like big books and I cannot lie. You other readers cannot deny that when a book walks in with a good plot base and it’s big spine in your face you get sprung! You want to get out your notepads Cause you noticed that book was dense. Several facsimiles of her, that looked like her friends, began dancing in the background shaking their hind ends. Deep in the book I am reading I am hooked and cannot stop speeding, through pony I want to get that literature and sit by the fire they try to train me But that book you have makes me brainy baby got books All the Sparkle clones struck sultry poses and drenched themselves with letters. Outside the mindscape Twilight wrapped her hooves around an encyclopedia babbling happily with a little drool coming from her mouth. She began nuzzling the book cooing like an infant. Author's Note Fake internet points if anyone can point out my easter eggs. Have fun.
The Pepperdance ClubThe Pepperdance Club Suri Polomare sat in a putting on club across from her sister. On the stage was three pale red earth pony mares with red and orange manes in differing styles. These were the Pepperdance girls. They were sitting in a putting on club. One of the girls, Cayenne Pepper, was sensually putting some slinky fishnet socks on her dance partner Fatalii Pepper, on another stage Naga Viper Pepper and Ghost Pepper were sensually putting on dresses. Suri watched the girls absentmindedly. Her sister was ranting about somepony named Twilight Sparkle. She focused back in on her little sister. “And then they reflected my spell back at me causing the snow to block their advance. I fled through the caverns. I encountered her again at a restaurant in Canterlot. I would have made my move there but she was with some other powerful unicorns. I just didn’t want to risk it.” Suri rubbed her temple “Starlight, dear, as riveting as your story is remember that we are waiting on our dear little sister and ,ugh, father to show up. This day is about her birthday, not us. Why would they come here?” “I have no idea, but it should prove eventful.” The two looked as a haughty filly pranced in with her nose in the air. She had a leash in her mouth and behind her came a platinum grey filly with a spoon cutie mark. However the spoon had chains wrapped around it. The chains looked seared to her flesh. She walked in shakily, as if she had been through a severe ordeal. Suri knew those chains. She had almost done the same to little Coco Pommel. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. She saw anger in Starlight’s eyes. They watched as their father walked in. Filthy Rich was pale. He also looked like his brain was broken. He sagged into the chair nearest Suri. She raised her eyebrow at him. He shook his head. She sighed. Suri looked at the filly “Happy birthday Diamond. Have you had fun today?” Diamond Tiara closed her eyes trying to hold back her emotions. Starlight put a protective leg around her. Diamond finally looked up “I had to spend my birthday money to save Silver Spoon. She’s my only friend, you see. Now she’s just a puppet.” Starlight Glimmer stroked Diamond’s mane “You can tell us what happened to her later. Right now why don’t we order some food. What would you like?” As the four looked over their menus Starlight couldn’t help but look back to the day that Diamond was conceived. It was a dark and rainy night. She was heading back to Ponyville. Her mother had taken ill. She was alone on the train reading from a tome that held interesting magic. The tome had been called the Unmarking. That was when he appeared. He was thin and scraggly. His eyes had been a hypnotizing green. He spotted her. That was when he attacked her. he used her until the stop at Ponyville. He had then been arrested by a citizen. The kind pony had punched the stallion in the face knocking him out. She crawled into the rain and just lay there. She was brought to the hospital. Ironically in the same room as her mother. She was notified that she was pregnant. She distrusted many in the following months. Eventually she could hide her pregnancy no more. That was when her father told her that he would raise her child. She would still be around to raise the child. Except as soon as she finished her plans she dropped out of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. That was around the time the testing hall had been destroyed. She then hid out and founded Unity village. Her father had been stuck raising Diamond Tiara as his own. She felt an emptiness in her heart. She gulped and stroked Diamond’s mane again. Suri was eying the dress that one of the Pepper girls was putting on. It was one of her designs. All the dresses had been her designs. Was that what she was reduced to. Having her designs used in a sexy club. She would remind herself to talk to the owner. They had soon finished up. The Pepperdance girls had shifted out for four others. On stage now was Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Peppadew Pepper, and Madam Carolina Reaper Chili Habanero Pepper. Carolina was beginning to dress herself in a sailor uniform. The hoots and hollers were getting annoying. Starlight could see that Diamond was getting agitated. She sighed “How did Silver spoon get enslaved?” Diamond seemed to relax a bit as she began her story. “Daddy and I were walking past Silver Polish’s home when we noticed a foreclosure sign. We caught him selling all his worldly goods to some shady men. The took Silver and branded her. Daddy had them arrested immediately. He even had Silver Polish arrested for selling her to them. It was too late. Her brain had already been overwritten by the enslavement spell. The only way I could save her was to become her master. Why do I feel so filthy?” Suri and Starlight looked over Silver Spoon. Suri smiled quietly. Starlight Glimmer saw the smile. She probed the mark with her magic and then she too smiled. Suri brought Diamond outside “The magical brand your friend has is easily broken. The ruffians must have been using a cheaper brander than usual. See Diamond, I had feared you were lost to us. I nearly did the same to my former assistant Coco Pomell. Before I could I went to a fashion show. I saw what the chains did to ponies. I could not bring myself to turn little Coco into a puppet. I had feared you enslaved your friend because she was going to try and leave you. When we saw father so pale it worried us that he had caught you in the act.” “I would never do this to Silver Spoon. I don't want a mindless toy. I want her to kiss me with emotion. Everything we do now is empty.” “Well how would you like her to be normal?” “I would love that!” “Starlight should be done by now. You know it’s a good thing she’s a unicorn.” The two walked into the club to see Silver Spoon holding her leash in confusion. Diamond hurried over to her “Here let me take this horrid thing off you.” Silver looked alive instead of a puppet. Even her cutie mark was back to normal. She looked at herself in the makeup mirror. She smiled “I like the collar. I may keep it.” On the stage Bell Pepper was putting on a silk dress.
The black city and the ancients The black city and the ancients Celestia sat on her throne. She was wary. In front of her stood three magus. One was the criminal Starlight Glimmer. The other was an orange donkey with a headpiece made to look like horns. The last was familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. She spoke “I am leery of letting you work with Efreet, Starlight Glimmer. You are still under probation. But as it stands there is no choice. I need you and the wizard court to work together to cure Twilight Sparkle of her madness.” Efreet spoke in a deep sonorous voice “Do not worry yourself, princess, I will keep a close eye on her. Now I believe miss Clever here has an idea how we can proceed.” The unfamiliar/familiar pony spoke “Trixie the Great and Powerful believes that the black city in the sky is the key to banishing Quexolthuggua. We will need to have assistance from a Pegasus.” Celestia put her hoof to her chin in thought. She then smiled “very well Clover the Clever. I believe you are acquainted with the town of Ponyville? Well go there and find Rainbow Dash. I am sending Private Lightning Dust with you. From there you will be brought to the old castle in the Everfree. Efreet and his team will meet you there. Oh and please do visit a while after the mission. It's been many years since we last talked.” Trixie nodded and walked out with Starlight neither noticed Efreet vanish in fire and smoke. ----------------------------------/ Twilight Sparkle stood in the empty void. A masculine voice spoke “Ah I have been waiting for your ascension. You finally achieved what no Alicorn has done before.” “Who are you?” A bearded stallion walked out of the darkness. His gray fur was unmistakable. “Starswirl the Bearded!” Another voice spoke “Sparkle stand back. He is a dangerous entity.” Starswirl chuckled then frowned as he saw a grey stallion with a black and white mane with a devilish looking beard and golden yellow eyes. He spoke “How did an filthy mud pony get here?” The stalwart stallion smiled “Twilight meet Discord. The real Discord. Also known as Starswirl the Bearded. And to answer I am not a pony.” The stallion’s body vanished revealing a very tall very muscular minotaur. A zebra appeared “Showy as ever Blackmane. But I am afraid Young Twilight will need more information.” “I cannot believe what I am seeing A bloodthirsty barbarian able to use magic. And a filthy Zebra who has no right to talk to her superior.” Twilight backed away only to bump into another grey stallion. This one had midnight black hair and a crystal horn imbedded in his skull. The newcomer spoke “Why did you reveal yourself? What does miss Sparkle have to do with you?” Starswirl laughed darkly “I have been waiting many ages for the black city to appear. My prison once. Now it's keeper, Quexolthuggua, is free and feasting on chaos. Now why don't you and the rest of you freaks leave.” Starswirl blasted Blackmane in the chest only to see the impact harmlessly dissipate. A screech broke through the void and a Raven gryphon slashed into Starswirl. ---------------------------------/ Trixie arrived in Ponyville. She looked around noticing many things. The first being the now jagged and cracked Friendship castle. The second being a mint green mare playing a harp back to back with a grey mare who was playing a cello and a yellow mare playing a violin. All around them were the remains of many nightmarish creatures. The final thing she noticed was the sprawling black city floating in the sky. A black armored mare walked up to them causing Trixie to shrink back and Lighting Dust to get into a fighting stance. Starlight Glimmer spoke “Don't worry this is Princess Arachnia. She is our guide through the forest.” Arachnia spoke melodically “Yes and if we want to avoid wasting time that would be swell.” Rainbow Dash landed limply near them “It's a bit late for that the fifth wave is here and they brought a giant. Oh hi Lightning didn't see you there. Trixie.” “Rainbow.” Arachnia grimaced “great now that introductions are out of the way time to move.” The four swiftly got into an ally. A massive club like appendage slammed through a building. They looked up into the soulless eyes of an Eldritch horror. Only to see a huge burst of sound shatter it's head. They saw Vinyl Scratch floating through the air on a wub powered turntable. They ducked as a bunch of flying fiends with rat shaped faces ending in proboscis swarmed overhead. Only to fall with carrots sticking out of them. Carrot Top walked into view along with the town Candy maker, Bon Bon. Both wore sunglasses and a strange contraption on their left forehoof. Bon Bon spoke “We got this area clear Agent Mystery. You best get them to Efreet immediately before things get too chaotic here.” Arachnia placed her horn against the supposed dead end revealing a swirling portal she walked through it. Trixie, Starlight, Rainbow, and Lightning entered soon after. They appeared outside Fluttershy’s cottage. The portal closed behind them. Arachnia spoke “we best hurry before it gets dark. Follow me.” Rainbow spoke “So we are not going to talk about what we just witnessed?” “Trixie has seen much stranger things in Trixie's lifetime.” ---------------------------------/ Twilight watched in fear as Blackmane swung his battle ax lopping off one of Starswirl’s legs. The leg then transformed into a horde of angry goblins. Starswirl laughed as he regrew his leg. Blackmane jumped back as a fire bolt exploded near him. He then waved his hand and a shield surrounded the Zebra as she threw a potion at a massive troll that had formed from Starswirl's head. Starswirl cackled “you peons cannot beat me I am a God.” Twilight spoke “If you explain yourself. How can you be Starswirl the Bearded and Discord. When you do not look like the draconequus?” Blackmane and the three others quickly regrouped. As Starswirl began lecturing. “How, you ask? Oh the simplicity of it is I created the Draconequus from some simple Ponies who lived in dream valley. However the only one that survived my experiment was one I imbued with my flesh. By cutting my hoof open and some of my horn I created him. Experiment D1sc04d. I then convinced that naive child Celestia that the draconequus were dangerous and assisted her and Luna with their extermination. D1 was smarter than the others and escaped. He hunted me down and killed me. But I had already achieved ascension. Quexolthuggua and I made a deal. She gave me power if I gave her a vessel. Using my wiles I tricked King Sombra into studying the same book you have. His ascension was unsuccessful but he did manage to trick Luna into Nightmare Moon. Quexolthuggua now had a vessel. But D1 had one last trick up his sleeve even though I had petrified him he showed Celestia how to take control of the Elements of Harmony. Don't think I don't see you over there Slave.” Starswirl conjured up an energy spear and launched it at the Zebra. She was slow on the uptake and was about to get impaled when Blackmane caught it in his hand and dissipated the magic. ---------------------------------/ Luna looked upon the pyramid of the moon she grimaced before teleporting Spitfire away. “So Agent Platinum do you sense something wrong with this pyramid?” Rarity nodded “it feels like necrosis magic. But I thought we killed the necromancer.” Daring Doo spoke “you may have killed the necromancer but she was only one of seven. The others should be around.” A dark voice that sounded distorted,like several vocal cords fused together, spoke “of that you are correct” Six necrotic mares walked out. Their bodies looked as though they had used the dead adventurers as reagents. -------------------------------------/ Trixie looked around the massive cave complex that made up the protectors of harmony’s base. It was under the old castle of the pony sisters. She smiled only to leap back as a mint green mare with a light pink and light green, going towards white, mane slammed into her. The mare licked her face happily. Trixie spluttered “Ahk, Minty, what is wrong with you?” Minty cocked her head curiously and barked before running around Trixie happily. A blue mare walked in her cutie mark was of a screw and a ball. Trixie’s eyes widened before she rushed her and wrapped her forelegs around her. The mare was slightly startled before smiling as she recognized Trixie. “Hello luv. Sorry about Minty, she and I switched personalities.” Trixie smiled “I am just glad you are back Mom.” “I’m glad to be back luv. Now let’s go see what the Agents of Harmony have planned. They Walked in on a conversation the nine were having. A deep sonorous voice “What is that fool Blackmane thinking assaulting Starswirl like that. Does he not care for Twilight Sparkle’s safety?” A watery voice responded “Calm yourself Ganessha. Blackmane and his Cultisstss are serving as a desstraction for Clover the Clever to desstroy the Temple to Quexolthuggua’ An Eponish voice spoke next “Ach wy du we care. Blackmane and ‘is cult are a pain in the moors.” As they entered they saw a large rhinoceros speak “Regardless of the Blackmanes we still await Clover and her team.” Trixie spoke “Trixie is right here. My team is ready. All we await for is the plan.” A gorilla spoke next “How long have you been here?” “Long enough. Efreet what is the plan?” “You and your team will fly up to the black city. Quexolthuggua’s temple is hard to miss. It’s the giant monolith in the center of the black city.” Trixie walked out of the meeting room as a voice yelled over the com crystal. “The agent’s of SMILE are requesting backup. Ponyville is overrun and Canterlot is being besieged. The Princesses are down I repeat the princesses are down.” Minty barked quizzically and looked back at Trixie who had paled. Starlight grabbed Trixie in her telekinesis and dragged her off. “We best hurry.” Rainbow dash stood in Wonderbolt Battlegarb along with Lightning Dust. Both were hitched to a chariot equipped with magi-turrets powered by a glowing crystal. Trixie boarded along with Starlight and a wounded Daring Do. She watched as the Wonderbolts led by Soarin formed up. Soarin barked “I’m not going to sugarcoat it team. We are a distraction so Privates Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust can land in the black city. Many may not survive today. If you are afraid leave now. Even the slightest distraction will cost us time we do not have.” Several Wonderbolts flew off. “Alright let’s move out. All team leaders check in.” “Red leader Dawn Thunder checking in I am in charge of both Green leader and Blue Leader.” “Gold Leader Stormy Breeze checking in.” “Orange leader Winter Gust checking in.” “Black Leader Meteor Shower checking in” A team of Bat Ponies flew alongside them. Soarin spoke “Glad to have backup from Luna’s Dreamguard “Glad to be of help Yellow leader.” The teams shot towards the black city. As they neared the edge a black swarm set upon them. Dawn Thunder and his teams were immediately surrounded Rainbow watched as Dawn Thunder spiraled out of control, smashing through one of the ruins unmoving. Starlight opened fire with the carriage turrets. Trixie spoke “Speed up please or the next casualty will be us.” “Trixie these are our fellow ponies how can you be so cold?” “They knew what they were getting into. We must hurry. The longer this city stays in this dimension the stronger these foul creatures will get.” They neared the Monolith and landed. Starlight climbed out along with Daring Do and Trixie. A suicide bug launched at them and blew up the carriage. Starlight sighed and lowered the shield she had conjured around them. They entered the temple. Rainbow and Lightning both followed along with, Ebony Dagger, one of the Dreamguard.
