Author's Note

Hello. Sorry for the long delay. Life really tried to get me last November...and December...and January. ANYWAY.
So there have been lots of writing and re-writing and I am going to be slowly publishing the rest of the story to its completion slowly over the next month or so. Enjoy!

Act 5: Chapter 11 - The Shadows Lengthen

Chapter 11 - The Shadows Lengthen

Gusty awoke calmly. She did not remember how she got into her cabin but that was not a particularly big concern. Something told her that Luna had brought her back. It was a distant and unimportant memory. Just like the screams of Zeccaran or the pain she had felt come from Guardian Angel. Oh, how she felt so good!

Sitting up in bed, she cautiously reached for the edge. Amethyst had been curled up next to her when she woke and it was best to keep the filly asleep. There was no sense in frightening anyone, no need to upset her suitors and friends. The only thing that mattered was reveling in the feeling of no voices, of completeness. Once all hooves were on the floor Gusty stretched like a cat, relishing the sound of her ankles and vertebrae popping. Her body felt amazing. It was as if all of her pain and worries had been turned into pleasures and assurances. A clearing of a throat nearly caused her to jump.

“Are you feeling alright?” Bunker asked her. He sat in a nearby chair, his face concerned.

Gusty trotted over to him and got close to his face. Her husband blushed as her muzzle touched his. She nuzzled into his face as she pushed her snout up to his ear.

“I feel great,” she whispered. The heat on Bunker’s face only increased.

Before he could react Gusty slipped back and plunged her lips into his. Her body pulsed with new feelings of ecstacy. Is this what she had been missing? She could not tell. All that mattered that she was whole, there was nothing else.

“I figured you would be hungover,” Bunker finally managed to comment when she pulled away for breath. Gusty did not hold back, and she forced their lips to meet again.

However, as they parted the second time he stopped her advance with a hoof. He looked at her curiously, his blush having faded from his burgundy cheeks. They met eyes, and for the briefest of moments, Bunker gazed on at her in wonder. Then as if a new spark of recognition was lit deep within him, his brow furrowed down and his smile and vacant awe disappeared behind a scowl.

“You are not yourself,” he stated as he rose. Gusty let him.

He was wrong of course. She was more herself than she ever had been. Although it did prove that he was quite the smart little pawn. Gusty had always liked that about Bunker. She gave him a playful chuckle and left the cabin in search of food. Her husband would be far too busy ensuring Amethyst’s safety or trying to warn Guardian Angel of the events. It was too late. She was already too comfortable.

The ship bustled with ponies. The cabins’ hallway was populated with a large group of unicorns that were slowly being ushered into Guardian Angel and Luna’s cabin. They were probably there to attend to the wayward princess. Gusty doubted that the Mistress of the Night would be bothering her again any time soon. Served her right for having been digging around in her head where she did not belong.

Turning away she ventured towards the stairs down into the stateroom below. A few of the guards waved to her pleasantly. Gusty returned the gestures with a giddy smile. Everything felt perfect. Moving on, she followed her nose. The mess hall was deeper in the vessel and she quickly slipped into it. The greasy hiss of frying hay and potatoes made her mouth water before she could even get through the door.

She was not disabled by the smell of the food, however. The cafeteria style eatery was easy to navigate and with a quick bit of telekinesis a tray was in her company. She joined the small line of ponies that were grabbing food. They passed through together as the kitchen staff was quite speedy in their placement of food onto the tray. The aroma was divine and she quickly found a table to sit alone. Gusty was pleased to tuck into the food. It was like she had never properly experienced eating until now. The ponies around her slowly took notice of her presence. And possibly the flakes of flying food that were able to escape her hunger. Several of the stallions watched on, not bothering to hide their wandering eyes. She surmised it was her new confidence, her cozy demeanor.

To her surprise however, no pony approached her. Even as she waved and beckoned them closer, the soldiers stayed at bay. A thin earther nodded kindly at her and started the usual slow small talk a thirsty stallion might from across the room. His heart was not in it. If Gusty was to stop and think about it, the ponies in the mess had probably been ordered to watch her. Either way, Gusty sucked up the attention as voraciously as she had her food. Of course it was all a ploy, a mere appetizer. The main course slowly approached from above. His intent was too easy to read and too fun to stop. This must be like how he felt all the time, so in control!

Guardian Angel entered the mess and Gusty looked right at him. His face was calm, almost serene. He met her eyes. Fire rushed to her cheeks and her nethers. No longer inhibited by such things as scruples or restraint she could show him how she felt. The group of ponies that had held her attention realized what had drawn her gaze. They all looked at him and then back to her. Watching in wonder, the alicorn’s breath caught in her throat.

The slight possibility of something truly devious wormed its way into Gusty’s skull and she nearly squealed with delight. She had not considered it since he had botched the reveal a month before. Her mind raced as he approached, time seeming to slow. It had been a test. A production, a plot, a performance of his ability to deceive, and her ability to recognize what he desired. Gusty had understood his intent at the time, but had not connected the dots because of Luna’s reaction. Thus it was not until this very moment when she could feel his longing in full force. He wanted her.

“Hey,” she called out to him softly.

His pupils dilated like mad and his nostrils flared. He recognized her call. She could hardly believe it was possible. It should have been impossible, but here he stood, his feelings on full display, their minds nearly melding into one. Gusty swooned gently with a hum.

“Hey,” he replied with equal tenderness.

The crowd around them seemed to suddenly lose their cheerful demeanor. That did not matter. It was probably wise to stay out of Guardian Angel’s way. Getting between a Shadow-kin and what he desired tended to have deadly results.

One of his silken wings rolled over back. It took her everything to not openly moan like a whore. Gusty bit her bottom lip and caught his gaze.

“Let’s go somewhere more private,” she murmured. He silently agreed.

His mind seemed to press itself into hers. There was no mistaking his intention. This was for pleasure and release. To calm himself, to calm her too, Gusty could not wait. She let Guardian Angel take the lead pulling her along with his jaunty pace and his scent. It was finally happening. A door opened, he ushered her into a room. The musty smell of cured meats and old grain hit her nose and she nearly prostrated herself then and there.

His hooves pushed her up onto a series of wide barrels. Their breaths were heavy and rapid. Their eyes betraying their intentions. He leaned his face closer to hers and her eyes fluttered closed, his entire essence overwhelming her. It was as she imagined it time and time again.

Then the passion suddenly vanished. Air caught in her throat and snapped her eyes open. It was like she had been transported into a dark dungeon. A terrible presence pressed its power into her mind. Desperately she tugged at the ropes at her throat, finding them disturbingly warm. Whatever grasped her and made her vision blurry was flesh. In an instant she fired up her horn to try and free herself. To her horror the magic did not come. She could feel the ache of suppressed power pounding in her skull as a response to being called but being unable to be released.

“I am surprised you can feel pain and fear, Mytsn.” Guardian Angel’s boomed as if he spoke on a loudspeaker. His grip on her neck tightened, but afforded her just enough room to remain conscious.

She was hurt that he would call her by the cursed name of her affliction. Did he not understand what had happened? Was he truly throwing away this chance?

“You are a fool to think I would make an exception for you just because you wear Gusty’s skin,” he hissed with a deep fury.

His face appeared before her. She gasped. He was no longer beautiful. His anger, his very thoughts nearly writing words upon his flesh as scars and fire. His terrible will seemed to permeate the air that just narrowly seeped into her lungs. She knew that her hopes had died. He would never accept her as she was. He wanted her weak and free from the chains of his ancestors. Gusty could not fathom why, she was perfect for him now. There was nothing stopping them from becoming one, from making all the dreams of the Masters come true. They were the most powerful of Alicorns and the most powerful of Shadow-kin, their descendents would be gods. The world would fall under their sway forever, untouchable by the mortal ponies, the griffons, even the dragons. That was the endgame, yet he was throwing it all away.

“You are the fool!” she gasped over the noose on her neck.

Righteous fury built in her chest. He had betrayed his family. He had forgotten his purpose. He had misled her. He had ruined her. She would have her vengeance for it. Then she would do as she was designed to do. The Masters’ work must be completed.

A terrible pain overcame her senses just as she welled-up the will to summon the magic necessary to escape his grasp. It felt like her whole body had been dipped into lava. Everything burned. Her soul cried for mercy. She could not stop it. She did not want to be destroyed without purpose. She could not bear the thought. The sheer desperation of her mind allowed her to cling on to her life. It felt as if her very soul was being ripped out.

Then, like it had never happened, the suffering ceased. Around her grew a familiar dull grey light and she was alone. The empty expanse of darkness around her little dias slowly faded away and the store room came into view. The Usurper stood there his eyes aflame with a cruelty and hatred she did not know he had within him.

“Get off my ship before I decide Amethyst can handle seeing her mother’s corpse first thing in the morning.” He turned away, expecting her to follow his orders.

When Gusty tried to stand it suddenly felt like the weight of ten Ashijinirs had found their way onto her back. However, after a moment she managed to struggle to her hooves. It was only then she realized the gravity of what had happened. She could not feel his thoughts. Instead of the usual warmth that populated her mind and gave her balance she could only feel cold. A deep penetrating ice that lanced into her chest. He had done it again. Their minds were separate, but this time, she knew it was permanent. Tears came to her eyes but they were not sad tears. No, the saltwater that ran down her cheeks were those of fury. The ice in her heart melted and was replaced by angry fire.

She fired her horn. A flash, a crack, and a dazzle and she was no longer on the Onyx. Gusty let her mind take her where it will. There was no reason to choose a specific point. The first image that appeared in her mind was the entrance to the cave that led to Ashijinir. All of this happened in the same instant of her teleportation spell and when she opened her eyes, angry tears still flying down her face, that was where she stood.

“If he wants a fight, then I’ll give it to him,” she huffed. “He could have used this body as he wished and we all could have been happy. Brazen, jealous, fool!”

Stomping into the long cave, she tried to regain her bearings. The happy fuzzy feelings from before had been replaced by pragmatic calculations. If Guardian Angel would not take her as she was, if he would not do as he was designed, then she, Gusty Twilight would fulfill the fate set before the stallion. There was no avoiding it. Not since the day she met him could have this been forestalled. The instant their minds had touched the magics that had restricted her ascension had begun deteriorating. This was the end result. All the posturing and crying about wanting to remain her old self were lies. It was always such a shame that only Guardian Angel had known. He had even tried to show her that they did not have to be lies. It was too late for such thoughts now, however.

She began the long walk to her dragon-daughter. Her mind flying through all the ways she might need to persuade the great green lizard. With each new thought her pace increased. She had to hurry. The traitor would soon be on his way to apprehend her. The howling absence of his presence momentarily pierced her skull with a painful shock. Whatever he had done was worse than she had realized. Bending down to her belly she forced air through her lungs trying desperately to make the migraine disappear. The pain spurred on new theories. Brought her old memories too. And it was in that moment of suffering she recalled Ashijinirs hatred. Her fury at the loss of her mate would be invaluable. She felt rather stupid for not thinking of it first.

However, the realization renewed her strength and she stood up. The battle had already begun. She just needed to-

“Gusty! My wife!” Bunker’s voice echoed through the cave.

Its origin came from ahead of her. No sooner had looked up from the rock of the cavefloor did she spot him. Flanked by a unicorn and a pegasus, her burgundy lover stood defiantly in her way. Gusty broke into a grin. They could not stop her, not with the ability to teleport. But, such pawns were loyal and devoted fools and she would just have to give them the time of day. A flash of thoughts reached her and her magic fired almost before she realized it. Being in control made making whims reality that much easier. Either way, the armor she knew so well was now resting on her body, her sword floated in her magical grip.

“I can’t let you do this. Please, think about what you are doing!” Bunker cried.

“And what if I have thought it over ten-thousand times?” Gusty laughed back at him. She loved his fire. She had seen it all those years ago, it was why she had married him.

“Bunker is right. You can stop this, we know you can!” Stiff Inspection’s voice came from the armored pegasus.

Gusty did not even recognize him. He was far too insignificant to keep as a warm memory like her husband. The last stallion did not speak, his face pale with fear. He was the only one of the three that understood.

A flash of magic and she was behind them in the air, wings beating before she had even appeared. Her sword zipped past her head like lightning. Bunker grabbed his companions’ necks and tackled them all to the ground. He had seen her fight before, and that was what saved them as the strike arched through where their necks had been. Gusty chuckled loudly. Could she just rip them apart with telekinesis? Yes. But she could not do that with Guardian Angel. They were a good warm-up. A perfect stretch for the upcoming battle.

Bunker recovered first. Springing to his hooves and readying his axe. His face flashed with fear and betrayal. It seemed he now understood, too. Stiff made up for it. Having locked eyes with her husband Gusty, only barely caught sight of him as he attempted to flank her. His wing blades flashed but she dodged. Then the sting of a magic missile brought a raw yell to her throat. The blast knocked her into a wall. Enraged, she regained her balance and loosed furious bolts of her own magic.

The culprit unicorn took both shots. The first hit and shattered a shield spell she had not seen him cast. The second hit his face and flung him into the opposite wall of the cave. His impact was violent. He crumpled when he initially hit the stone, sending up dust and little splinters of rock. When he bounced and tumbled towards the ground he was limp. His armor was pressed hard against his body, and cracked. Underneath the flesh moved at wrong angles.

However, by then Bunker was upon her. His axe slipped from out of his mouth as he reared up on his back legs and grabbed it with his forelimbs. She had to teleport her sword back in front of her in order to block the blow. Steel and steel clashed together loudly, but even with all his strength, her husband could not rip her sword from her magical grip. Gusty swallowed hard. He had aimed to kill. He did not understand. He trusted the Usurper over her. Instantly enraged, the mare pumped such massive amounts of magic into her horn that it glowed white. Bunker squinted, but that would save him from seeing what was to happen.

Her magic gripped his weapon and rent it to cinders and dust from the sheer power of her grip. As it disintegrated, she flung her blade in a blistering thrust, ready to pierce his heart and be done with him. To her shock the clang of steel reached her ears, then a meaty whump, and a hoarse grunt. Whoever had blocked had not managed to stop the momentum of her blade but instead only divert it into himself.

With the glow of her horn dissipating, Gusty pulled her sword from the unwitting victim of her attack. She beheld Stiff Inspection. Blood poured down the front of his armor harness. The wound came at the base of his neck, bubbling up his ichor. From its position she knew she had not hit his heart, at least not directly. He drew a breath and the blood sucked into the hole and the pegasus coughed, a lung hit. He was dead, it was only a matter of time. As if knowing her thoughts, Stiff Inspection slumped down onto his rump, forcing Bunker to catch him.

With a perfect flick of her telekinesis, Gusty made her sword gleam like new before returning it to its scabbard. She took to strolling off back down the cave way, satisfied with her warm up. Her blood still boiled over betrayed status, but Bunker could do nothing without his axe, and he was much better alive. A series of galloping hoof falls caught her ears but in her confidence Gusty was slow to react.

The hiss and whine of a concussion overtook her senses. Angry, she forced her sword back into the air, swinging it in a wide arch. She hit nothing. As she blinked and tried to steady her vision a huge burgundy hoof swung into her field of view. On reflexes alone she deflected the blow. However, something hard hit her stomach, knocking the wind out of her. Panting, but able to see thanks to fresh adrenaline, the mare willed her sword into her attacker. A fleshy whip of blade hitting limbs came as she focused on her husband. Hot blood splattered against her lower legs but he did not react. He fell away, but he still swung his hooves at her face, flailing as he fell.

Landing on the stone ground in a heap Bunker looked up at her incredulously. Gusty hopped away as he tried to grapple her hooves. She gazed down at him. A wretched, traitorous two-legged husband he had become. Smiling devilishly, she raised her blade and swung it down. A pony missing their back legs was doomed to a life of suffering anyway. Before the blow was struck a blur took Bunker’s place. Again metal rang with its familiar whine and to her shock her blade was wrenched from her magical grip. Stiff Inspection, dashed towards her, his eyes furious like only a deadpony’s could portray.

Her magic flared and her sword was before her again. A pinch on her face and clutter of hooves and metal and the wayward pegasus fell to the ground. He heaved coughing up even more blood, turning paler than his ivory fur. He did not look up at her, instead, grasping at his chest trying to stop a fresh spurt of blood from fountaining from his body.

“Why?!” Bunker shouted up at her as he tried to crawl towards her.

He made no glance at his maimed state. The bitter sadness and determination on his face was all that seemed to matter to the stallion.

“Why won’t you fight it?!” he shrieked.

Gusty turned away and strolled at her leisure. Her husband’s words could no longer inhibit her. His moans and shouts were meaningless. As she began analyzing their fight in her head, something warm drew her hoof to her face. Blood. Stiff Inspection had managed to graze her cheek. She was out of practice. Still, the crazy stallions had probably saved her life. All they had against her was determination. Yet they had stalled her, and even hurt her. Bunker, and his crew would have nothing on Guardian Angel.

Breaking into a quick canter, Gusty shot healing magic all over her body. She would need to magically augment her body to even stand a chance against the unholy monster that now pursued her. However, that could be done at leisure, all the while bringing Ashijinir onto her side. She smiled darkly, loving the terrible echoing of her hooves down the stone corridor. They would never know it, but the three foolish pawns had just saved her life. Had she gone into the fight with Guardian Angel thusly unaware he would have killed her easily.

The light ahead of her gleamed brighter and Gusty took to the air, no longer willing to wait on the possibility that the Usurper might catch her. Into the grand cavern that was Ashijinir’s throne, Gusty caught the warm air and let it float her up above her massive sleeping dragon-daughter.

“Rise, Ashijinir! I have brought our enemies to your doorstep!” she boomed, her voice amplified by both the stone and magic.

With a rolling jolt the huge green lizard perked awake. Her eyes quickly focused on the flying alicorn. Her scales rippled with a shudder of confusion and fear.

“Mother...what-what do you mean?” she asked.

“The last of the Shadow-kin. Their greatest. He is here.” Gusty flapped her wings as she spoke.

“T-the...the letter was true?!” Ashijinir gasped. Her voice was quite hushed especially for a creature of her bulk.

“Yes. Secrecy and deception was essential. He had already took control of Luna and Celestia when I came to Equestria. With my help they managed to fight back, if but for a moment. Now, he will be coming for me. To kill me. But together, we will crush him! We will win the war!”

Ashijinir balked. She shook her head in shock. A mighty clawed hand rubbed her eyes and she blinked at Gusty, almost angrily. She heaved a hefty breath, flame pouring from her nostrils in a great, bassy hiss. The dragon’s expression hardened. Slowly, the fury Gusty knew she had came to her face, her body curling, her wings extending in a show of ferocity.

“He is the one that killed Torch, isn’t he?” she asked, her voice still quiet.

“Yes, he is. The monster even wears a garment of his scales and skin below his armor!”

It was a lie, she had no idea how Guardian Angel’s arming clothes were constructed. Ashijinir would believe her and that was all that mattered. Besides, the Usurper did have a leather jacket made of Torch’s hide. It was probably true!

A mighty roar suddenly escaped Ashijinir’s maw. She shot green and orange flame into the ceiling of the mighty chamber. Her call was a call of war, of battle, of death. Perfect.