Wayward Wanderers

Chapters

Chapter One: The Haze of War - Spike's Perspective
Chapter One: The Haze of War - Princess Nightmare Moon's Perspective
Chapter Two: The Alicorn Hunter - Princess Nightmare Moon's Perspective

Chapter One: The Haze of War - Spike's Perspective

I let out a cry as me and Twilight got sucked into the time-portal once again, the experience just as bad as last time while we hurtle towards what’s probably another horrible future where something else has gone wrong because the Rainboom didn’t happen. There’s a small chance it wouldn’t be horrible and that it actually might be halfway-decent but eh, a dragon can dream, can’t he?

The walls of weird, blue time-stuff abruptly stop as we’re spit out of the portal but this time we hit the table so hard we actually bounce off before hitting the ground! I let out a groan as I get off my back, hoping the scroll didn’t get damaged while I get to my feet. I notice something’s wrong the second I open an eye, the sky a lot darker then I remembered it before we got sucked up. “That’s weird.”

Twilight gets up with an audible huff of annoyment, trotting over to me with a look to match. “Well, you obviously don’t mean us falling because that’s becoming pretty routine now.” She grumbles while shaking out a wing to get rid of any dirt that might’ve gotten in it.

“No, it's just the other times we've come back, it's been day! But look!” I point towards the sky, no sign of the Sun anywhere as clouds lazily drift by.

“Why would the map bring us back to a different time of day than when we left?”

I was starting to wonder the same thing when I spot something moving behind the table, a chill going down my spine when I see that it’s a Timberwolf. “Um, maybe we should figure it out later!”

Both of us back up as the Timberwolf comes closer, a second one soon joining it as it leaps onto the table. It lets out a snarl as the other gets closer to us, their glowing eyes locked on us.

Off to my left, I see Twilight’s horn fizzle out and that’s when I really begin to panic. Without her magic, there’s no way we can take them on! I try to put on a brave face and raise my fists, scooting closer as a third one comes out of the forest.

“Hey, uh, Twilight? I…” I bump into her and gulp as we’re nearly surrounded now, the only visible path blocked by a timberwolf to my right. I’m forced to raise my arm to shield my eyes from something bright and blue, the wooden wolves shying away as well much to my surprise. “A-are you doing that?”

“I’m out of energy, I can’t cast any magic! It must be Starlight-”

Something suddenly slams into table, interrupting Twilight and sending us flying through their air before I crash into something. I let out a cry when I do, the world around me blurry and spinning as I try to get on my feet. Something sharp and gross fills my mouth, making me spit it out and wipe it off my tongue with one of my hands. Once most of it's gone, I look down at my hands and notice they look of a bit… red. Oh Celestia, its blood.

“T-Twilight!” I call out, scrambling out from behind the bush I had crashed into. “i-I’m bleeding! Do you-”

I freeze at the sight before me. Not far from me was Twilight but she wasn’t moving, blood trailing down the side of her face as she slumps against a tree. I could also see a few Timberwolves, their yellow eyes staring at me for a couple of seconds before turning away. I let out a relieved sigh, having expected them to attack me, but that made wonder why. Daring to glance away from Twilight, I saw the reason.

Standing on the table of harmony was a massive… thing. It looked like a dragon, big, burly, and with spines running down its back, but I don’t think dragons glowed like somepony had stuck a light inside them. Even if they did, I don’t think a bright blue color would be a good sign. Even its eyes seem to glow, a urge to flee overtaking me as those beady orbs fell on me.

Fortunately, one of the Timberwolves decides that now would be a good time to attack. Leaping at the probably-a-not-dragon, it latches onto the thing’s arm and… no reaction. I was just as surprised as the Timberwolf as the massive creature looks down as its arm, grabs the dangling pile of twigs and branches, and then sends it hurling through the air with a flick of its wrist. I hear a yelp before it hit a tree and literally splinters into pieces, some of the bits pelting me as I hold up my arm to shield myself from them.

Letting out a roar more blood-curdling then a hydra’s, manticore’s, or even an ursa’s, I feel myself wobble and nearly fall over from the sheer force of the thing’s warcry though I manage to stay up. Unfortunately for the wolves though, they wouldn’t have the choice. The way-worse-then-a-dragon creature launches itself at the nearest Timberwolf before one of them can even make a move, a single swipe of its massive claws sending the unlucky wolf into the air and into pieces at the same time; its halves landing in separate places several hooves apart. The next two leap at the thing in revenge but pretty much end up the same way as one is just smashed into the ground and the other has its entire barrel grabbed and then crushed. It doesn’t even flinch as the head of the crushed wolf bounces off of its scaly chest, still-glowing eyes searching around for any others to fight. Not finding it, it turns its attention back to me.

Gulping loudly, I take a step back and then as many as I end up managing before stumbling into the bushes behind me; trying to keep as much distance between me and that thing as possible! It doesn’t work though as it easily covers in the distance in just a few steps, the ground seeming to shake with each one. I raise my arms up as I curl up, shutting my eyes while I try to imagine myself anywhere but here. “D-don’t kill me, I-I didn’t do anything! I’m, we’re, not even suppose to be here! This is all Starlight Glimmer’s fault! Me and Twilight just wanna go home and get things back to normal!”

I crack open one of my eyes after a few seconds pass and I realize I’m not dead, the thing just looking at me right now; it's soulless, glowing eyes making me even more uncomfortable. “Can you… understand me?” I mean, it wouldn’t surprise me if it could, but then again, it hasn’t done anything else but roar and absolutely slaughter those Timberwolves like they were nothing. That’s when I realized I couldn’t see the broken pieces of wood anymore.

“Behind you!”

I was just a little too late as the second-biggest Timberwolf I've ever seen, or biggest, kinda hard to tell with it being night and all, tackled the not-dragon; actually making it stagger and stumble as the supersized wolf tried to bite its face off. It was just as pointless as the other attacks though, its claws not even leaving marks on the scales covering the not-dragon's body while the Timberwolf’s jaws snap at its head again and again.

Shifting its legs and putting one behind it, the thing stops the giant wooden wolf from pushing it entirely; its owns claws grabbing at the Timberwolf’s neck and the upper part of its mouth. Letting out another terrifying roar, I could only watch it awe and horror as the Timberwolf’s insides were suddenly set on fire, the flames going right down its throat.

I couldn’t believe my eyes as the thing throws the burning wolf, struggling to get up and managing to do so just before its right foreleg falls off; leaving them behind while smoke trails behind the rest of the Timberwolf as the rest of it continues to burn. It was like I stuck in a horror magic-fi movie, trapped with a monster made by somepony like Doctor Neighfario or Mega Mind with my only hope being the hero. I glanced and gulped as I thought of mine, though I knew Twilight wasn’t going to the one to save me since she was still unconscious.

I freeze up as I could feel its eyes on me again, forcing me to look back with a sense of terror and dread way stronger then any I had before. Nightmare Moon, Discord, even Tirek hadn’t made me this scared. None of them explicitly wanted us as dead, though Tirek was willing to kill if the destruction of Ponyville was any indication.

This thing , though, it doesn't play around. It didn’t just take out the Timberwolves, it slaughtered them. That makes me wonder why I wasn’t killed though, it looked at me before and was-

“Hey, get away from her!”

My mouth and body move faster then my brain can as I suddenly find myself standing in front of Twilight and the terrifying thing; arms spread apart as I try to shield her. “I-If you wanna kill her too, y-you’ll have to go through me first!”

The thing looks at me with unblinking eyes for what seems like forever, holding my breath the entire time. Its knocked out of me though when it bats me aside with just one claw, sending me to the ground with a ompf. I get up just in time to see it grabbing Twilight and lifting her up in the air.

“N-no, I won’t let you kill her too!” I cry out as tears began streaming down my face, beating on the thing’s leg as Twilight now dangles above me. I keep hitting until my hands grow sore, throbbing in pain as my eyes sting from all the tears. I’m a sobbing, sniffling mess as my best friend hangs above me, lifeless thank to this… this jerk!

“Y-you’ll… you’ll pay for this!” I shout, wiping my nose and eyes as I try to look up and glare at the thing, Twilight still in its grasp. “I’ll tell Celestia and Luna a-and they’ll-! They’ll…”

I blink a few times, rubbing my eyes to make sure I wasn’t just seeing things now. The monster is just moving Twilight’s head around, its claws not so much grabbing her but gently tilting and rotating with one hand while the other holds her up.

“W-what… what are you doing?” I manage to ask after a few moments while I look up with confusion.

I get no answer though, just a brief look before the thing glances up at the sky. I look up too, wondering what made it do that, only to see it carrying Twilight under its right arm now; the ground shaking with each step as it makes its way out of the clearing. “H-hey, wait up!” I cry out as I scramble to catch up, not wanting to leave Twilight alone with it or get ambushed alone by anything else the Everfree wants to throw as us.

We eventually arrive at the edges of the forest, the trip leaving me a little bit winded as I had to keep pace with the giant dragon-like-thing the whole time. Now that we were out though, I could stop and take a breather. “There should be… a town… not far ahead…” I pant, grabbing my legs for support. “Hard to miss it…”

I lift my head up so I can point to Ponyville but that’s when I realize it’s still a good distance away. Was it always that far from the forest? No, something wasn’t right here. Looking around, I notice a castle not far ahead, just across a bridge actually.

It looks familiar, yet it wasn’t at the same time. The style and shape of it reminds me of something I had seen before… “That’s it, the old castle! What was it called, the, uh…. The Castle of the Two Sisters I think? Twilight and the others tried restoring it at one point but they never got this far…”

I realize that I was talking to myself when I hear somepony shout, “S-stop right there!” Blinking a few times, I rush towards the thing and Twilight who were now on the bridge; only noticing that somepony that was standing in front of them when I catch up.

It was a pony, but one I hadn’t seen one before. They had bat wings, wore purple armor, and had some creepy-looking eye as their crest. I think they’re called bat ponies but I’m pretty sure Twilight said that wasn’t a nice thing to call them. I stay behind the thing just in case something happens, though I do peek out to look at the strange stallion.

“B-by the orders of the Princess of the Night and of Equestria, you are…” The stallion gulps as I feel the thing leaning down and towards him, shivering a bit as I remember how it felt to have those eyes on me. “H-hereby u-under arrest for trespassing, s-suspicion of arson, a-and suspicion of treason! A-any resistance will be seen as evidence of g-guilt and-”

I think the guardpony finally notices Twilight because that’s when I hear goes into full-blown panic mode, bat wings flaring out as the eye in carmor lights up.

“Alert, hostage situation! D-dragon-like creature with an injured pony, mare, purple, unicorn, possible head injury as well! Requesting backup! Requesti-”

I close my eyes before I see anything as I knew what would happen next, though the sound of crunching metal and bone alone was still enough to make me gag; the dull thump moments later making me throw up a bit as I didn’t even have to guess what made that sound. The bridge shakes as the thing moves, the vibrations weaker once its off. I don’t move though, curling up as I squeeze my eyes shut.

“S-Sargent Glave r-reporting in… S-severely injured, t-two intruders, one hostage…” I hear the hoarse voice of the bat-pony, coughing several times before he continues. “O-outside the main entrance… P-”

Another crunch. This one a lot louder. Wet.

I throw up, unable to hold it back now. I clutch the side of the bridge as everything I ate earlier comes rushing out, the bridge still shaking slightly from the heavy steps of the thing as it moves away from me.

No, not a thing. A monster.

Author's Note

Beings from another world trapped in one that is not their own, a guard slain by the claws of a monster, an unconscious princess who knows nothing of what is happening around her yet is at the center of it all.

The sands of time shift as the tide of fate crashes into them, guiding those who walk along them to a future not yet explored.

Chapter One: The Haze of War - Princess Nightmare Moon's Perspective

As I gaze upon the windows and banners that bear symbols of my rule, I could not help but let a minute smirk of amusement adorn my muzzle. My rise to power had come at a great cost but one I was willing to pay, the rewards far greater than I could have imagined. I had spent a millennium planning my revenge, using every scrap of knowledge I could recall to devise a plan and bring it to fruition, thinking of every possible scenario and how to counter it for a millennium.

Oh, what a delectable sight it was to see her realize that without the Elements, there was no way she could beat me. She had grown soft during my imprisonment while I had become stronger then ever, powerful enough to use the stars themselves to aid in my escape. The battle had been over before it even begun, cumulating in me taking my rightful place as Equestria's sole ruler while she watches helplessly from above. None of her subjects had even been able to oppose me, barring those of the former Royal Guard though I swiftly took out those who attempted to avenge their fallen ruler.

“My deepest apologies, Princess," I hear a gruff voice interrupt my rumination, bringing me back to the present. "but I have just received word that something strange was spotted within the Everfree Forest. Corporal Snapshot said it was light-blue and spherical in shape, expanding rapidly before vanishing. Immediately afterwards, she heard a something akin to a cannon being fired. A scout has already been sent to investigate and the castle guards alerted as per protocol.”

I let out a disgruntled whinny at the news as it most likely yet another pathetic attempt to oppose my rule, several tries having been made in the past months. "I applaud your swiftness, Captain Spellsword. I want any and all news regarding this occurrence reported to me immediately. For it to happen so close means it is unlikely to be something trivial."

I glance up at the Moon, my former prison and now hers, smirking as I see that the telltale sign of my dear sister still entombed within it present. If the strange blue orb had been an attempt to free her, it had quite obviously failed. However, something seemed off now that I looked closer. The Moon seemed to be wavering, warping as if something was influencing its form. Standing up, I prepare to cast a spell to see what was influencing my symbol of power when a flicker of light dances in front of it. My alarm begins to grow as more appear, a sporadic swam appearing within moments which causes me to grit my teeth while my horn charges up. "No, it cannot be. You shall not-"

“We need to tame that fire before it spreads!” The bellowing voice of Spellsword rings out in vast halls of the court, causing my attention to switch to the thestral as the others in the hall are spurred into action; the hall growing dark as I glance up to see a massive plume of smoke obscure the sky. “Dash, I’m putting you in charge! Lead Thunderlane, Storm Fly, and Whirl Wind out to the Everfree and get things under control!”

I dissipate the energy that I had been building up in case she had actually managed to somehow escape, straightening my form and regaining my normal calm. Though the fire was indeed a danger, it was hardly one compared to the threat that had fortunately not occurred. Facing my underlings, I address those who had not yet departed. “Once the flames have been tamed, seek out those who made them. The Everfree is part of my domain and I will not have it razed to the ground by foals who dare defy me. Honor Guards, to my side. I wish to make an example.”

As I step down from my throne, royal regalia vanishing in an instant, enchanted steel taking its place as my guards do the same, the starry skies continue to darken; the intensity of the far fire apparently far greater than I had initially thought it to be as it ravaged the Everfree, no doubt incinerating acres of it to ash. The punishment for this would beyond something so meager as imprisonment.

“T-this is Sergeant Glave reporting a potential hostage situation! T-two dragon-like creatures with an injured pony, mare, purple, unicorn, possible head injury as well! Requesting backup! Requesti-” A masculine voice calls out before a grunt interrupts, mixing with the sound of something striking metal and flesh. I halt my movements as does everypony else present, the hall going instantly quiet as we listen. Labored breathing fills our ears, weak but present. “S-severely injured, t-two intruders, one hostage… O-outside the main entrance… Plea-”

A sickening crunching sound echoes through the halls as Sergeant Glave's talisman continues to transmit, though all that follows afterwards is a series of loud steps, growing fainter yet stronger as I focused on their location. It did not puzzle me as to why.

"Prepare for battle."

Those three words is all it took for my forces to organize themselves as the rumbling of our unseen foe grows louder with each passing moment, communication between myself and my guards done purely via wingsignals now. Those who I have deemed worthy of being my personal guards receive several spells casted upon them by my own horn, the Warlocks absent for the time being and unable to do the task themselves. As I cast, the hall itself is reinforced by layers upon layers of spellwork, woven by the most talented magic users in the kingdom; the various doors and windows throughout the vast room bestowed with the same treatment as to prevent unwanted entry from them. The main entrance is now exception, the most fortified of all despite the fact they were carved out of a hoof-thick of oak. They were remarkably durable on their own, but, alas, wood was still wood. Rarity had assured me that it completed the look, though I shall have them changed immediately after things are taken care of.

Protected for the time being, I use the opportunity to gain a glimpse of those who had not only dared to set my forest on fire but extinguish the life of one of my guards; the world around me turning largely transparent as I tap into the arcane network that all living things are bound to regardless if they can cast magic or not. My surroundings becomes nothing more than shades of blue, my Honor Guards and the hall being the prominent color as they posses the most arcane energy aside from myself; their forms vaguely equine as magic seeps from their bodies like an ineffective sponge trying to withhold more water than it actually can. Their armor is brighter but only to a minor degree, boasting several additional spells in conjunction with those I had casted myself.

Further out are the Thestrals of lower ranking but are nonetheless among the best in the entire Royal Guard, their own armor enchanted for increased effectiveness in combat and enhanced endurance. Beyond them, are four figures, the furthest two varying distances from those closest to the castle.

The smallest and most distance was small, their glow nothing notable though is wasn't equine in form; apparently one of the dragons Sergeant Glave reported pre-mortem. The second-furthest was between the former and the other two, presumably the fallen guard himself as the armor signature matched those of the other thestrals but the body it was intended to protect was dark now, nearly devoid of magic at this point.

I felt something raw building up within me. I could tell that my normal calm had been compromised. I was now something beyond furious as I set my sights upon the forms of the remaining two outside the castle's walls.

Both were bright shades of blue, almost pale even, signaling that they possessed reserves of magic far greater than even the confines of the castle in its current state. Their forms were even more alarming, one of them indeed being the second aforementioned dragon while the other was distinctly smaller, equine if shape of their arcane signature was truly accurate. The only individuals to ever have to posses so much energy at their disposal was the Lord of Dragons and her, though I had the latter banished to the Moon and the former I had not seen for over a millennium. Since Sergeant Glave had mentioned a unicorn hostage, it is safe to assume that it was not her but instead some mare who had somehow acquired such power without my knowing.

Turning my attention back to the larger of the two, it was clear that it was something I had not yet encountered before. No dragon, neigh, no creature I know of, has an arcane network so precise, so finely-woven and controlled that it creates such a distinct shape. However, I did notice that it was experiencing bleed-off; the excess magic being dispelled creating a rather startling image in the process.

Its eyes were represented by pale balls of light, its jaw and teeth outlined in the same way, revealing large, pointed teeth undoubtedly used for the consumption of flesh. I could make out a set of large horns as well, the ridges signaling growth allowing me to do so. Notably, the right horn had been broken off from what I could tell; perhaps a potential reason for its rampage as the loss of a horn was one of the worst and most shameful occurrences to happen in many cultures and species. Its forearms were also notably outlined, thick and large like a tree trunk though I could not make out the appendages attached to them. Given its draconic appearance, however, I do not think claws equal to its size would be an inaccurate assumption.

Its chest is more vague in its shape, as is the rest of its lower body. A swaying, elongated mass of light blue signals a tail behind the creature, supporting the notion it might very well be a dragon or something similar to it. However, I was confident that it was something else entirely different altogether. Something far more powerful than any of my guards, honor or not, could handle without heavy casualties.

“Captain Spellsword…” I begin in a calm and even tone as the spell dissipates, my silent rage intensifying with each passing moment. “Evacuate the premise immediately and tell all Lunar Guards to fall back to Ponyville or aid in containing the fire if possible. The foe beyond those doors is not one you or anypony else would be able to last against. I can tolerate attempts on my own life because I know none will succeed, though I will not lose another to the likes of this creature. However, should I call for aid, I expect it to receive it swiftly."

“Understood, your highness. I wish you luck.” Captain Spellsword salutes me as do the rest of the guards, those personally serving me being the last and most hesitant to depart. I send them off with a brief nod, which they promptly return before evacuating the hall and follow those who left before them.

Standing at the base of my throne, I begin to cast a number of spells on myself, enhancing my already-considerable abilities in addition to making my body and armor more durable as well. As a last precaution, I summon Eclipse to my side; the dual-sided warhammer a new addition to my arsenal that I have yet to test in combat. I chuckled in amusement as give the large weapon an experimental twirl in my magical grasp, a metallic thud echoing through the hall as one of the spike-adorned heads comes to rest atop the stone floor. Focusing on the main entrance, I ready several combat spells; not my most powerful ones but nonetheless strong enough to take down most with no more than a few hits.

The time had come to assert my dominance once more and I will not hesitate to show my foes what happens they dare to challenge me.

Author's Note

A raging inferno ravages the Everfree as a ferocious creature emerges from it, death and destruction following in its wake as a self-imposed ruler prepares to fight for the kingdom she stole.

The tides of fate grow violent, the water now murky with uncertainty as two forces prepare to collide with one another.

Chapter Two: The Alicorn Hunter - Princess Nightmare Moon's Perspective

The tremors increase in magnitude as they grow closer, my grip on Eclipse tightening while my horn blazes with energy. I brace myself for any attack that may come for me, be it by air or ground. I did not detect any arcane networks that signify wings so the former is unlikely, though they could have be withdrawn and thus obscured by the others in the creature’s body.

The heavy movements stop, I could actually feel my heart beginning to race as I find myself anticipating the heat of battle. It had been so long since I was able to actually fight a suitable opponent as she had grown complacent and weak during my imprisonment. However, I would not prolong the fight nor hold back in order to avenge Sergeant Glave and his untimely death.

An heavy thud echoes through the silent hall as the main entrance is slammed into, though by the creature or something else it hard to determine. Another follows suit, accompanied by a third blow to the doors moments afterwards. No more attempts seem to follow, the rumbling accompany the creature’s movements returning once again.

Making use of my Arcane Webway spell once more, I track the creature as it moves about. However, my attention temporarily drawn away by two smaller shapes. I peer at the individual who had been accompanying the beast , the smaller dragon moving the mare and apparently away from the castle. A curious move considering the hostility of their companion.

“Captain Spellsword, the dragon and the potential hostage, a purple unicorn mare, are heading towards Ponyvillie. Locate and secure them. If the dragon proves to be hostile, lethal force is permitted.”

“Understood, your highness. Your wish is our will.”

With that taken care of, I bring my attention back to the creature. I glance around the front of the castle, taking a moment to locate it. It seemed further away, much further away than before. I furrow my brows, curious as to if it had given up or not.

It was crouched low, it’s magical pathways seeming to merge and glow brighter in such a position. In the blink of an eye, it surged forth like a raging Ursa Minor, the creature's speed catching me off-guard as the distance between it and the castle was closed within moments.

The entrance was not so much forced open as they was shattered, utterly obliterated by the creature that barreled into them without hesitation, the spells cast upon the doors doing little to bar the creature's entry as splinters and even fragments of the stone archway are sent flying through the air. As I finally lay my eyes upon the creature, its own seem to lock on me.

As Sergeant Glave had described it, the creature was indeed draconic in nature. Protected by thick scales and hide, bipedal stance and bulky build, and an impressive pair of horns protruding from the top of its skull, the right one had roughly half of it missing as I noticed before, it did resemble a dragon at first glance. The similarities ended there though as it sported claws twice as long as I had seen on any creature of a similar size, its dark coloration contrasted by the unnatural blue glow that seemed to leak out of every crevice on its body, its eyes no exception as they appeared to be orbs of light instead of actual flesh. It was blatantly clear that this nature of this beast was not a product of nature in any sense of the word, from its complex internal webwork to its sheer strength and glowing appearance. For it to come after me as well was no accident either, I could only assume such by its determination to enter the castle.

A deafening roar fills the hall, the sheer intensity of it causing me to momentarily tense as the banners and torches overhead flutter and flicker. Snarling in turn as I bring Eclipse to bear, I prepare for combat. “Foal creature, I shall not let you defile my kingdom with your presence any further! This is whe-”

Something large and of various grays hurdles towards me with the speed of a pegasus before I can even finish, my instincts engaging at the last moment and swinging Eclipse right into the incoming projectile; shattering it into pieces before I could be hit. I feel the fragments bombard me, dealing only superficial damage as they are deflected by my armor and enchantments. Dispersing the cloud of dust formed by the pulverized stone with a beat of my wings, I am greeted by the jaws of death emerging from it; the creature apparently having used the projectile as a distraction to close the distance between us with blistering speed.

Quickly warping out of the way just as its reaches me, I watch from the entrance as the creature barrels over the spot I had been moments ago before it collides with the wall behind me; the impact causing large cracks to form in the wall as fragments of shattered stone fall to the floor. It movements in the following moments were slow and sluggish, a shaking of its head indicating the impact had dazed it even if not for but a moment.

Taking the opportunity to unleash an attack of my own, I launch a salvo of spells upon the beast, each targeting one of its joints in order to cripple it. With enough power to pierce stone, the creature's hide was no match for -

I feel my body freeze up as I watch the creature removes itself from the wall, its body seeming no worse for wear even with the precision strikes I had made upon it. The beams had apparently pierced its scales yet what was underneath remained unaffected, the eerie blue glow shining out from the superficial wounds further showcasing the beast's tartarusitic characteristics. Taking a moment to glance at the openings in its hide, the monstrosity pays them no further mind to them as it shifts to face me. Legs spread apart and fores splayed in such a way to show off its strength and size, I tensed in anticipation of another attack or another deafening roar. However, neither came, much to my surprise. Perhaps it was waiting for the right moment to attack. No, it was far to aggressive to do that. There must be another reason...

The answer quickly became obvious as I realized what the creature was doing: It was giving me an opportunity to attack.

I growl at the beast's cockiness, shifting my stance to one of attack as I quickly review my options. With my magical blasts proving ineffective at piercing doing any meaningful damage, further attacks with them would be nothing but a waste of energy and only serve to drain my energy. I would have to use much more powerful spells to do deal damage or find another method of harming the infernal beast. However, close-quarters was out of the question due to its obvious strength and the fact that its claws may very well cleave through me with a single swipe, even with the numerous wards and enchantments protecting me.

My moment of thought proves to be one of weakness as the creature surges towards me once more with unnatural speed, its momentum only enhanced by the fact it had been on higher ground moments ago. However, I quickly formulate a proper counter this time, horn alight with arcane energy as the distance between us rapidly dissipates, the ground shaking with each step the spawn of Tartarus takes.

Unfurling my wings and flapping furiously as it nears, I narrowly avoid being gored by the unbroken horn of the beast as it stampedes over where I had been standing mere moments ago. I do not give it time to recover, however, as I enact the second phase of my parry. With a blaze of light, the warm air around me is replaced by air as stone floors are traded for open skies; the stars above now shining brightly upon us as I continue to beat my wings. My opponent was not as fortune as I to be endowed with wings, that much was clear as I watch the creature plummet to the ground; limbs flailing about helplessly, its roar distorted and growing more faint as the distance between us grows.

Like a falling star, the creature impacts the ground hard enough to leave a large crater, crushing dirt, stone, and whatever else was unfortunate enough to be beneath it ; a shower of debris forced outward by what I assumed to be the weight a entire manticore, possibly more, slamming in the streets below. As the dust settles and I await the sight of the creature's lifeless corpse in the center of the crater, I notice flickers of blue standing out among the cloud of pulverized stone and mortar. I snarl and snap my teeth at the beast as it was not only alive but climbing out of the depression it had made, apparently unphased by the fall. If it could survive my magical attacks and being dropped from the clouds had no effect, then only the most extreme methods would stand a chance of even harming the abomination.

Narrowing my eyes, I focus on the buildings surrounding the infernal beast, drawing upon a fair amount of my magical reserves to tearing them from their very foundations; the spawn of Tartarus apparently startled by this turn of events as I watch it stare at the buildings now floating several stories above the city. With a smirk I send one after the other hurtling towards the creature, caring not for the destruction that resulted as buildings collide with each other before crashing into the ground as well, the cloud of dust and dirt from the repeated impacts quickly obscuring most of my view of the ground. However, nothing else was more important the death of the infernal creature at the moment, my heart rapidly beating as I reduce the landscape below to nothing but rubble, only ceasing once the last building had been sent hurtling towards the beast.

Chest quickly rising and falling as I recover from the rush of battle, I stare in the massive cloud of pulverized stone, dirt, and whatever else that had been sent high into the air, no sign of the creature to be found. Not even the brightest of lights could pierce it, much less the glow of a measly beast who had decided it could go up against me. Nonetheless, it was better to make sure it was dead rather then assume so, my horn tingling with energy once more as I cast my Arcane Webway spell and scan the battlefield. I growl when all I see below is a shapeless mass of pale blue, the ancient buildings apparently too saturated with ambient magic to let me view what lies beneath their remains.

From the corner of my right, a elongated streak of grey sails towards me with the swiftness of a lightning strike. Already moving to dodge the incoming hazard, my horn reflexively building up energy in preparation of a counter-strike, the following moments seem to occur in slow-motion; eyes actually able to see the projectile, a long, slender rod of metal that was adorned with fragments of what looked to be stone, as it now approaches with the speed of a galloping horse. My movements were no faster then a limp even as I will every muscle in my body to move out of the way, eyes locked on the rod as my heart pounds away in my chest. I manage to twist my body just enough for the attack to miss my barrel and neck, averting a fatal blow in the process. Unfortunately, my right wing was not as fortunate as pain arcs through my body like a lightning bolt, the cracking of bone following suit like thunder and made even more disturbing as it was drawn out like my own movements; each moment seeming like an eternity of agony whilst all feeling in my limb vanishes.

Time seems to resume its normal pace as I plummet, unable to teleport myself to safety due the world around me twisting and turning, my intact wing flapping helplessly as I attempt to properly orient myself. That immediately ceases when something hard suddenly interrupts my fall, agony once again wracking my body and causing it to spasm violently as a cruel symphony composes a song of sharp crack and painful snaps fill the air; my own cry of pain and the shattering of whatever I landed on joining in to complete the piece. My entire right side is now numb, a peculiar ringing now resonating in my ears as the night sky and the stars in it become blurry.

I lay there for a moment as I gasp and twitch in agony, my mind struggling to function properly as my body fails to respond. The stars whom were my symbol of power were blurs of light instead of dots, even the Moon itself seems to melt into the void around it as my vision wanes in clarity. Fortunately, I could feel myself growing calmer as a number of spells work their magic on me, those who's talismans that survived the fall that is. The ringing subsides to a more tolerable level as the right side of my body loses partial feeling but just enough to ease my pain and make it bearable. My suffering tempered and my mind momentarily clear for the time being, I could now focus on getting back on my hooves and finishing the fight.

I attempt to get up by withdrawing my right legs and throwing my weight to the side in order to reorient myself but the method proves useless, the other side of my body proving too heavy to achieve the feat in my current state. Growling, the simple act of doing so causing pain to originate in my jaw before spreading through the rest of my body, I muster enough energy to surround myself in a magical field before slowly, and carefully, raising myself up and off the ground. Extending my right legs first, I put as much pressure on them as possible whilst reducing the magic until it only encompasses my injuries side. Holding my broken wing tightly against my side, I magically guide my shattered legs to the ground and make sure to keep as much weight as possible off of them. Even with that precaution taken, I cannot help but grit my teeth as pain once again makes itself my companion and reminds me of the state I am in. The taste of blood makes it presence known as well, pooling in the right side of my maw and flowing over my tongue through various openings in it, though I force myself to swallow it as I refuse to let the infernal beast know it how bad it actually managed to wound me.

Taking several slow, painful steps, I come to the edge of whatever structure I had landed on and see that I am several stories above every building that still stands; an advantageous position to hold, especially in my weakened state, as I now had cover from any incoming attacks as well as a vantage point to search for the accursed creature. Making sure to expose no more then necessary, I peer into the darkness of the ruined city and the cloud of pulverized stone and mortar still lingering in search of the tell-tail glow of the beast.

I spot movement soon enough on my left, its presence quite obvious among the darkness of the ruins as it attempts to flee the immediate area. Feeling a smirk through the facial muscles that still responded, I pick up several fragments of the previously-thrown buildings and send them hurtling towards the accursed beast whilst making sure to taking into account its speed and current trajectory. Much to my dismay, all of them fail to hit their mark, some by a considerable margin. I blink rapidly, surprised by my inaccuracy, only to realize that there were three blue blurs moving about the city and I had tried to hit all of them at once. After a moment, the blurry creatures merge into one along with their surroundings as the ringing from before returns and at an even higher pitch then before. I attempted to summon another barrage but my magic fails me, the energy I did gather dissipating within a moment as my hoofing becomes unstable and I am forced to put all my effort into standing up; my addled mind making it difficult to even do that at this point.

It was pathetic that I was in such a state already given that no more than half an hour must have past since the fight begun, a glance towards the distant sky confirming this as the Moon seems to have barely moved from when I had last looked upon. The Everfree was still ablaze as well, an equal portion now dark and lifeless whilst the other half was still alive with roaring flames, the glow of the fire even visible from here. I attempt to sit down and watch the forest burn but I apparently collapsed onto my legs at some point during my brief rumination, fatigue starting to set in as well in addition to my body struggling to operate in it current condition. As the rest of my limbs begin to go numb, my mind wanders to the fate of the creature who had put me in such a state.

The immediate area was in ruins by my own hornwork, the air below thick with grains of crushed stone and brick floating through the air; the stale atmosphere presenting no way of dissipating it as the standing buildings only serve as funnels for the dust. If it did not die of its wounds, it would die of either suffocation or starvation with the later due the whole city being devoid of any meaningful source of food. Trapped so far up and likely unaccustomed to the lower oxygen supply, it would most likely perish from inhaling dust and being unable to breathe as well. Both were fitting deaths for the Tartarus-spawn. Slow, agonizing, and ultimately inescapable.

Snapping out of my daze, I realize that I would meet my own demise soon if I did return to safety in time and that would be unacceptable, especially to a mare of my power and stature. I had a kingdom to rule, subjects to govern, and a family to inform of their son’s untimely death. Until I can no longer draw breath, I refuse to let anything stand in my way.

Closing my eyes and focusing what mental and magical energy I had left, I envision the medical ward at the castle; its sterile floors, painfully-white walls, and unnatural scent sharp and clear in my mind. Within a moment, they become more than just part of my memory, they fill my senses with their familar elements as the cold air quickly turns warm, the stone shingles formerly beneath me now replaced by a smooth, flat floor. The brightness of the walls assaults my eyes like the very Sun itself, forcing me to shut them as I hear hoofsteps and voices surround me; the world fading away as my mind and senses do the same.

“It’s the Princess, she’s in bad shape!"

“Quick, prep the anesthetics! We need her unconscious as soon as possible, there’s no telling how much pain she’s in!”

“Alert the guards, tell them we’ve got the Princess!”

Author's Note

An abandoned city now lies in partial ruin, its former glory tarnished by conflict and destruction. The false ruler has fallen, wounded by a foe whose strength and wit rivals her own.

The uncharted waters of the future are now turbulent with strife, waves crashing into one another as blows are exchanged.