Chapter 4

Teleportation to those witnessing it is a flash of light and a sudden depressurization effect, nothing too spectacular but a good trick that can save your life. To the person or pony traveling this way, it’s an explosion of light that your eyelids can't hold back and a sudden painful pop as your body tries to compensate for the sudden change in pressure.

however for a pony like Twilight teleportation is step one.

Twilight herself has developed and perfected the casting of five spells that negate all of the negative effects, something even very strong and old Keepers have trouble mastering, so you can imagine the surprise Heras felt as the little Unicorn appeared before him in full battle stance ready to fight.

“STOP!!” the Unicorn cried out, her rage bubbling off of her like a wave of delightful dark energy causing the black knight to grin and bask in the unintended glow.

“Ah, you have come, and filled with rage enough to boil the blood of a lesser being.” Heras let out a booming laugh, his voice seeming to come from everywhere at once.

Without responding Twilight took in her surroundings while casting a small shield spell spotting the slim pale figures holding knives and crossbows, but the dark elves were quickly wiped from her mind as she looked up at the end of the room. The gem floating by itself captivated the Unicorn, its pulsing red light seeming to match her own heartbeat as she gazed up in longing.

“Beautiful is it not?” Twilight jumped forward sending a magic missile at the black knight who just snuck up on her and was inches away from her shield, the blast struck the steel helmet of Heras giving Twilight a view of the cracked and blackened skin underneath before the steel repaired itself with a orange glow.

“What do you want?” the Unicorns voice was low as she moved closer to the gem.

“What, do, I, want?” the dark human taped his boot on the floor and looked up slightly as if deep in thought. “To free you would be my best response, you see... I have a vision of the future.” he paused to look at the Dark Elves who had encircled the gem protecting the heart catalyst. “A Vision!” his voice caused Twilight to snap her head down and stare at the figure. “Of a world without conflict.” Twilight could not see his face, she knew that his next words were uttered with the darkest of grins “Under me.” Twilights face hardened and she found the next words the easiest she have ever uttered.

“That's not going to happen!” the Unicorn was in the center of the hall now with her shield up and enemies the likes of which she have never faced before, alone. Only now in retrospect did she see how stupid her choice to chase the knight was.

“-Here or closeby, she must be!” the voice was calm, dark and was the voice of a pony Twilight did not want here.

“Oh? Looks like we have guests!” with a wave of his hands the pale bipeds vanished leaving only Twilight and the knight left in the hall.

“You never told me your name Unicorn.” Heras nodded sliding a long, black blade from its sheath.

“I know.” Twilight sent a few more blasts at Heras who nodded, his armor rebuilding itself as he looked back to the entrance to the hall and then to Twilight.

“My name is Heras, learn it well Unicorn for you will serve me soon.” He nodded looking back as the door opened “Now watch as I break you.”

The door opened to a pink maned mare with a matching straight mane who stood in the doorway, the figure of Heras was a blur as he rushed to the Pink Party Pony only for his blade to miss its mark. In an instant Pinkie was no longer where she was but the Dark Keeper’s swing was not wasted as his blade met flesh and severed head from body. The room went quiet as the decapitated head of AppleSlice rolled across the floor, his bronze helmet making a loud clang as it bounced to Pinkies hooves. The pink pony looked down at the head, her face without emotion of any kind as she looked back up to the keeper recovering from his overshot swing.

“You moved quickly... but can you keep it up?” in a flash he was upon her slicing this way and that his blade seaming to miss Pinkie by fractions and hair with's as the pair engaged in an odd dance of death, Pinkie's face showing equal amounts fear and anger doing her best to keep alive.

It took three seconds for Twilight to respond, she closed her eyes and charged her horn throwing her body into a teleport that sent her flying at the floating crystal that seemed to glow brighter as she came closer, it flashed brightly as Twilight’s hoof came into contact with it causing the black knight to cry out and clutch at his chest in agony.

“Smart, but it is a waste a- SMACK!” the Dark Lord was sent across the room with twin dents in his chest plate as Applejack recovered from her attack.

“Y'all need to pay attention!” the farm pony cried out tears streaking down her face as she turned on the recovering keeper “Cuss I'm about to make you regret everythin’ you just did.”

Beside the pony stood a disheveled looking pale Unicorn with a stern gaze. Next to her was a furious looking Pegasus with a rainbow mane, a smaller looking pony with a butter yellow coat and flared wings who stood back slightly but had a face no less furious than the pink party pony beside her, the pink mares mane looked slightly shorter after Heras attacked.

Around their necks sat five Amulets with a Tiara floating in the air next to Rarity.

“Is this it? None of you have the power of the purple one, none of you would be worth my time alone.” the agitated dark knight got to his feet rolling his shoulders as he held a hand up, black flame dancing along his hand dripping molten flesh and dark steel to the floor as he charged a spell “So just stay still this will be quick and painless.”

“TWILIGHT! CATCH!” Rarity cried as she tossed the Element of Magic to her friend who caught it quickly with her magic and placed it on her head turning to the gem and digging her hooves into the floor.

“Over here girls, use the elements on the gem.”

Time seemed to slow as the keeper tossed the ball of fire at the group. As they formed up their magic rainbows circled them and Twilight began to rise, her eyes glowing white. The Dark Lord recognized the danger jumping into an impossibly fast sprint only to get blasted back from the pulsing power of the Elements. Suddenly a beam shot forward to the floating gem hitting it to the sound of a terrified and agonized scream. Heras fell to his hands as his armor as torn apart from within his body turning to ash. It was over in seconds, the six ponies falling to the ground with a collection of moans, Twilight falling before the now dark gem, her eyes closing quickly as her body gave out sending her to the world of dreams.