Black Gates: Fallen

Arkantos’ blade narrowly missed Daybreaker’s head before the alicorn could dodge back. She screeched, swinging her own weapon.

The clash of steel was heard as he parried her blow. “You have no chance here!” He growled delivering a swift kick to her stomach, sending her backwards.

Nightmare, Luna, and Twilight dove into the fight.

Daybreaker could immediately tell he wasn’t possessed by something, and she knew just the way to get at him, even if he was better in direct combat… she knew one of the four who wasn’t.

Though, she hadn’t truly seen his tactical mind, and now it was on full display.

Before the other three mares could enter the fight, Arkantos created a wall of flame blocking them from getting close.

“No, she’s mine.” Ark growled.

“Ark you ca-”

Daybreaker however intended for him to block them.

“YOU IDI-”

The flames rushed towards them, but Twilight teleported them out of the way.

Arkantos spun, his blade now engulfed in an icy aura, much to her surprise even channeling the sun in this dream all his magic was open to him. He swung wildly, not even attempting to land a blow.

Daybreaker continued to stumble back. She narrowed her eyes, “You think a bit of magic is going to scare ME?” She laughed uproariously.

‘Arkantos, can you hear me?’ Twilight’s voice filled his mind. ‘Don’t let her know, just step back and guard yourself, let her attack.’

He shifted back bringing his guard up to full as Daybreaker summoned herself a wicked looking halberd. He was taken aback, without a shield he was left to parry and block blows that otherwise would have ripped him in two.

The two battled tooth and nail as Twilight, Luna, and Nightmare hashed out a plan.

Daybreaker had forgotten completely about them, her attention so heavily focused on the body she now wanted control of.

“Come now, Arkantos… there’s no need to fight.” Daybreaker began, her attacks coming a little less frequently.

“You’re trying to kill me, and you say there’s no reason to fight?” Ark scoffed.

“Come now, you really think they are going to accept you? Most ponies barely stand gryphons or zebras, and they’ve been right near Equestria for all of its existence.” Daybreaker continued. “Think, you’re a creature with extreme magic… you scared Celestia and if that gets out? You think the ponies will be smart enough to treat you kindly? You’ll be ostracized… and to think you’re already alone here.”

Arkantos’ eyes narrowed, and he took note that she wasn’t even attacking him anymore, just blocking his own blows. “What are you getting at?”

“Think, I’m part of Celestia… I could give you access to the sun. You’d be able to make sure ponies loved you… those that didn’t? Well what could they do against you?” Daybreaker laughed.

‘Alright, we have a pla-’’

“We could join forces, make something grand. Have all the power… all the money… have everything you want.” Daybreaker licked her lips.

‘Arkantos?’ Twilight’s voice sounded a bit angsty.

“Ponyville? It’d be mere foalsplay to take it over… what with Celestia and Luna both here? You’d take them out in one go… or perhaps break Celestia enough for me to take over.” Daybreaker sauntered over to Ark, placing a hand on his chest. “Think, you and I ruling as king and queen… we could dominate this entire world. Your knowledge… we could work out what to do, equip our forces with things this world has never seen nor thought of.”

“And why should I believe you’re going to let me live once you have power?”

“Because, every Queen deserves a King, doesn’t she?” Daybreaker laughed. “And oooh, I could rock your world…”

Arkantos’ mood shifted slightly. He found it, the perfect opening.

“Maybe… It sounds like it could be something…”

‘Arkantos! Please, don’t!’ Twilight pleaded.

“Tell me then, my King what do you thin-” Daybreaker’s breath was ripped from her, as was all ability to fight.

“Fuck. You.” Arkantos growled, twisting the dagger he’d driven into her stomach. Her armor didn’t help protect her from the small blade, it slipped right between the plates of her armor.

Daybreaker’s eyes widened and she stumbled back dropping her weapon before falling onto her ass. “Y-you… you’re f-far too smart…”

“No, it has nothing to do with intelligence.” Arkantos growled. “It has to do with my personal honor!” He kicked her down, causing her to gasp. “You… you and everyone else can find me stupid. Angry. Or even VIOLENT. But I don’t care. Not anymore.” He aimed his sword at her throat.

By now Luna, Nightmare, and Twilight were rushing towards him.

“I don’t care about your plans, your power, your wants. I’ve lost everything except who I am. And… to be honest? I prefer myself.” He glared at Daybreaker. “Don’t think for a moment, a single fucking MOMENT. I’ll go back on who I am for anything.”

Twilight skidded to a stop.

“When you’re at the end… things stop mattering. You know what? I hoped I would’ve died after I slew the shadow beast. I was praying for death. I had nothing. I was alone.”

Daybreaker tried to take his monologue in stride, his blade hadn’t done all too much damage, and she was able to pry it free.

“Now, I have something. Though, for how long it’ll last, I don’t know.” Arkantos glanced to Twilight.

“Luna, Nightmare don’t!” Twilight shouted, causing the two alicorns to stop dead in their tracks naught a hundred feet from Arkantos and Daybreaker.

“And w-what do you have?” Daybreaker egged him on to continue as she saw the clouds beginning to break and the sun start to shine.

“A promise I made.” Arkantos threw his sword away. He wasn’t going to take any chances.

“H-ha, and you think she’ll return the favor?” Daybreaker laughed. “What will you get from keeping it?”

“A friend.” Arkantos growled out.

Now the sun was burning bright up above and Daybreaker called out to it.

Her wound was healing rapidly and all energy returned to her.

“You’re a fool for that! I offered you power, and a kingdom!” Daybreaker lunged up with his own dagger.

Arkantos didn’t budge, only wincing as the blade pierced his stomach. His eyes locked with Daybreaker’s, then she felt it.

The chill.

“I know I can’t beat you with fire.” Arkantos grinned widely.

Daybreaker’s eyes widened as he suddenly embraced her completely.

“NO!” She screamed trying to break free.

“FEEL THE ICY WIND OF THE NORTH!” Arkantos bellowed, suddenly a massive blizzard whipped up around the two engulfing them both completely in frozen shards that bit into the flesh like broken glass.

The last thing they heard was Daybreaker’s scream before both Twilight and Luna were forcefully woken up.