Madness Overlordby ReizthefakebronyChaptersPrologue 2: Villainous Hero. (EDITED)Chapter 1: The First Target (EDITED)Chapter 2: The Desecration of Starlight Glimmer. (EDITED)Chapter 2.5: Brutalight's VisionChapter 3: Enter Starcider Glimsho. (EDITED)Chapter 4: Draconian Menace (EDITED)Chapter 4.5: Internal TribulationsChapter 5: Toward the Next Target, (UPDATED)Chapter 6: The Apparition of Doctor Whaust (UPDATED)Chapter 6.5: Painset ReturnChapter 7: The Dreadful EnemyChapter 8: Breando The Country ScourgeChapter 8.5: Wreckage of FreaksPrologue 1: A ridiculous way to go. (EDITED)Prologue 2: Villainous Hero. (EDITED)Suzaku took a moment to swallow what happened in the course of that day. He knew that day was going to end very badly, but he wasn't expecting it to take this weird level of bad. Everything that he could classify as ridiculous was in front of him: He was turned into a pony and is now talking with a giant spectral eye that was looking at him from above. That creature was the one behind his transformation and kidnapping, and has his own reason to do so. "I have to do what?" said a baffled Suzaku. "You heard it, noob." said Balamos. "If you want get out of this world, you had to take down the Elements of Insanity." "The Elements of Insanity?... Scary." Suzaku retorted with sarcasm. "Oh come on. Why you can't just let the Elements of Harmony to deal with them? Why i must be the one who had to do that?" "Because the Elements of Harmony and the Elements of Insanity are currently the same ponies." Suzaku remained silent to ingest what Balamos said. His brain was processing the connection that the eye made one second before he shouted. "They are!?" "I know your tastes about screw up various MLP stories, but unfortunately there's no conspiracy delight for you. They were corrupted, but not in the funny way of Discord." "Ok, cut the bullshit. What is the gimmick?" "One day the mane six were trapped into another dimension and were scattered in a zone nearby a hollow graveyard. As each one of them wandered in search of her friends, they were eventually possessed by a different ghost and turned into powerful, chaotic pony freaks by them. You should recognize these specters with the name of two groups: GMod Monsters and Internet Memes." Suzaku's face contorted into a very annoyed one very quickly. He know what these two terms means. Which is why he suddenly felt the legit impulse to gave a intense death glare to the giant eye. It didn't matter if he was doing that on a powerful entity. "That is getting more ridiculous and ridiculous. That must absolutely be a dream. It's just dumb!" "Oh, for hell sake." Balamos said, groaning a little. "You know what? Screw it, i will give you a mental ride that you won't forget so easily." Under Balamos' command, a red lightning suddenly struck on Suzaku. He yelled, but then realized that he wasn't feeling any pain at all except from that coming from his head. His sight was blinded by the red lighting's luminosity. Everything in front of him became red as various images of a gloomy past flowed in his mind like a river, so much that he could see them being in front of his eyes. Suzaku could barely understand what is going on. The stormy sound was replaced by a very uncomfortable chilling sound. "That is surelly a good rush." "Speak for yourself. These thoughts flowing in me are giving me a migraine... What is this!?" "These images are mirrors of the past. A Echo of the horrors being born from a artificial grave. I would continue in this way, but i doubt that a waste like you could understand this kind of purple prose." "Well, at least i'm not the creator of the bat madman known as Crazy Steve." "Yeah, whatever. Besides, they were actually seven, not six." "Wait, what?" "Just watch the whole origin of their madness." The images began to rearrange themselves in a constructed sequence. Suzaku could guess that they were showing him what happened to the Mane Six. There place of that mental scenario was a place filled with the night gravestones, situated in a place nearby a grim manor. "Gravestones? I think this is the graveyard Balamos was talking about. So... is that Mann Manor?" In some point of the graveyard, Rarity was there, standing in front of a gravestone with a red military hat on it. Suzaku could do nothing but watch how that scene goes. "That must be Rarity. I know her characteristic. The classic aristocrat stereotype who is also a obsessed fashionista. I don- Suzaku was about finish his snobby explanation when he saw a ghost of a very large man floating out of his grave and started to possess the white unicorn, a scene in which he shouted bewildered "Wait, what?!" "Is that ghost Rubber Fruit!?" Rarity remained stuck in a very upsetting trance, accompanied by her eye briefly twitching. There was no change in her appearance, but then Rarity's face assumed a very psychotic look as she wears the red hat from before. Her transformation became more evident during her fight with some Red Team's rejects as her mane became multicolored, her hoof suddenly wearing a gauntlet and her psychosis became more shocking as she killed both of them with her new powers. "This is the part were Rarity became a pony freak?" The memories continued to flow in his mind, showing also the fate of the other ponies. The same possession and mind corruption happened to Fluttershy, then to Derpy, then to Applejack and the list goes on. Suzaku was confused to see Derpy, of all ponies, being one of the possessed ones despite her having nothing to do with the Mane Six. But that is something that he would have reserved for later. "So this is how they they became monsters. I'm sorry, but the idea of the GMod freaks and the memes being actually characters is just inconceivable. How is that possible?" "As you can see, one by one the Main Six were possessed and turned into dreadful abominations. The possession took a heavy toll on them as they had their minds fragmented and perverted to suit the needs of the monsters inside of them. Twilight Sparkle was their last victim, and the first one to have actually two souls being implanted inside of her." "Two soul?!" "Scary, huh?" Twilight's corruption would be disturbing for Suzaku if there wasn't something that doesn't add up: She has no wings. "Wait a minute. The Twilight that i'm seeing right now is a unicorn. She should be a alicorn at this point." "There's a force who altered their fate, and is the same one who lured them in that horrendous dimension. He managed also to remove Twilight's alicornhood before sending her and her friends in that grim dimension. He was able to pull this off by going back in time, right one week after Starlight Glimmer's defeat, and start his plan from there." "Oh boy. Now we have time traveling too? Are you telling me-" "Yes, their fate leaded the entire Equestria into a alternate reality were Starlight Glimmer is not reformed, Chrysalis is still the queen of the changelings and the return of the Pillars never happened." "Back to the Future much?" The images were showing the final act of the six heroines and their own corruption. Twilight Sparkle has her soul fused with that of two other ghost freaks and became a alicorn, but not the sane one. Twilight was horrified for that one second before she finally give in and became Brutalight Sparcake, their murderous leader. "Now that is really screw up... With sugar psychosis and trash names." "You wouldn't laugh if they were in front of you." "Don't make me think about it." "At this point, they became victims of their inner monsters and thus the Elements of Harmony became the Demented Six, know also as the Elements of Insanity. Their own reason to live is to spread chaos and death wherever they go. "This is a very fucked up story and i can't believe that i'm actually seeing it." "Good to see that you had finally understood. And let me tell you on thing: They are planning to take over Equestria and corrupting Celestia and Luna as you can imagine. Just image what kind of world will they take as their next target." "Are you implying that my world would be their next target!?" "Not exactly, but they must be stopped as soon as possible." After that, his sight became completely dark and the chilling sound finally ceased to rang. After a short time, Suzaku was where he was before. Standing on the grass with Balamos's giant eye form hoovering above the black sky. Suzaku was having a real migraine, so he took a moment to take a break while massaging his head. "So let me get this straight. We have a murderous psychotic alicorn, a dreadful painkiller addict, a cannibalistic sugar-hoped speedster, a rainbow sonic cybernetic pegasus that looked like a mecha combination of every 90's Rob Liefeld comic books stereotypes ever, a greedy ruthless snob almost resembling M.Bison from Street Fighter armed with a enchanted deadly gauntlet, a yellow winged ear destroying menace, and a freaking Terminator Derpy! What the hell has Derpy to do with the Mane Six!?" "Do you think i give a crap about it?" Balamos said annoyed. "At least you should care about my actual position. You are asking me too much!" "What are you complaining about?" "What am i complaining about!?" Suzaku shouted. "You are sending me against seven overpowered psychos! I'm actually nothing in comparison!" "That is not a problem. I will fix that right now... But you will not like my method." "C'mon, douche. Where is the catch?" "I will give you one hint through this question. Who is the entity who is currently possessing Applejack?" "What kind of dumbass question is that? Ok, i know that Applejack is possessed by the Pills here meme but i don't know what are you trying to say." Instantly a azure light flashed in front of him, briefly blinding him. In that fraction of blinding seconds a image of a sadistic young green haired man crossed his mind. He knew who he is. He saw him in a videogame. "Yuki Terumi!?" Suzaku realized the implication of that question. His sense of horror that chilled his blood was the obvious sane reaction. "No, you can't seriously mean it!" "Yes, i am." True to Balamos' intention, a barrage of black lightnings was quickly falling on Suzaku as he quickly tried to escape. He was completely overwhelmed by that electric onslaught, powerless and screaming in pain. Oddly enough, the pain he was experiencing by the electric charge was almost nothing compared to the other one that burned inside his body. "I bestow you with the power of the most terrific internet meme ever existed! But do not fear, as your sanity and soul would not suffer any change. As for your body.... well, that is another story." In the middle of this storm, he couldn't even see his own transformation. His coat became a light green one, his red mane was colored in green and five clawed fingers came through each on of his hooves from inside. Though he wasn't feeling any change inside his mind, he could feel a tremendous power surging inside his body. Once the storm ceased, Suzaku could be seen as he was left. Laying on the burnt grass with trails of steam rising from his fur. He could barely move due to being shocked multiple times. The only thing that he can do was crawling toward the puddle. Suzaku glanced at his own reflection, but this time he saw another pony. His form as a pony was the same, except for the change of colors and the claws on his bloody hooves, which wounds and blood were cleaned and fixed in one second. Suzaku's fear about becoming a Freak Pony was completely founded, but wasn't expecting this result. He should be pissed off by this change, as being a pony wasn't enough. But he wasn't even mad at that point. Suzaku's mind was still normal, so no mental alteration is going on. However what he was feeling is not insanity, but pure frenzy. Feeling his energy being regenerated, Suzaku stood up on his two legs, like he was in his human form. Suzaku put his clawed hoof on his forehead, covering his right eye. He forgot all of his worries for a moment to embrace this arcane, intoxicating sensation. He couldn't help but laughing. After all a tremendous power was flowing inside of him. Without any warning, a huge black sword heavily fell in front of Suzaku, who grabbed it with his claws and wielded it with ease. "I wasn't expecting this happening." Suzaku gleefully said. "Now i'm just considering one thing. I just wanted to get out of here at first, but having the opportunity to beat the literal crap of some monstrous version of the Mane Six and others with a power like this? There's now way i would pass that." "Don't get cocky. That is a gift that you shouldn't waste so easily. Ah, i have almost forgot. Yuki Terumi's power is not the only one thing that you have. You have also the power of his true form. I think his name was Susanoo." "I was suspecting this coming. So what? Now i'm Suzanoo Terumi or something?" "Forget it. That would be unbelievably stupid. Suzaku is enough." Suzaku took a moment to examine his body, starting by his clawed hooves. These claws could be used as his pseudo fingers that he could use to grab something rather than do it by twisting his hooves around. They were very pointed, so he should be careful with them. He doesn't know why, but he has the feeling that his claw can do something else. He instinctively forced his claws to withdraw inside of his hooves as the holes that they left were suddenly closed. He then draw them out again, only to feel a sudden sense of pain. "Ugh! Talking about Wolverine style." "You should look like a normal pony, so not draw them out very often." Suddenly multiple dark monstrous figures were surfacing from black pools formed in the grass. They looked like twisted hellhounds engulfed in black flames with green eyes and fangs made of steel. The top of their heads were literally opened as red flame resembling blood was burning from inside of it. "What the hell are these RPG monster rejects?" "They are part of the consequences of the rise of the Elements of Insanity. Their corruption spread a aura of madness across the dimensions outside their own. A aura capable to generate ungodly creatures name Mindeaters. There are only nine of them in front of you. That would be a opportunity." These monsters were advancing menacingly toward Suzaku, who is actually eager to give them a proper retribution. "You better asphalt these assholes." Suzaku grinned in response to Balamos' affirmation. "You couldn't say anything better, mister president." Suzaku charged his hoof with a surge of green energy and slammed it against the ground as the monsters were attacking him. The impact created a series of pillars of green energy erupting from beneath some of the creatures, instantly disintegrating them. The remaining ones dashed toward him aggressively. He immediately slashed them in pieces in two swings of his sword. Only three remained, trying to assault him in circle. Suzaku quickly charged his sword with the same dark energy from before as he raised it high in the air and slammed it to the ground, bursting into a black-green pyroclasm that erupted around him, incinerating the leaping hellhounds. That was obviously a test, so it was just a exhibition. But just as Suzaku was going to admire the results of his fight, a electric charge struck him, causing him to drop his sword and roughly collapse to the ground. He moaned a little from the pain as his body convulsed briefly. "Ugh! What the-" "I told you to not get cocky. If you needlessly abuse this power, if is not controlled very properly, the excess of energy will backfire depending of the abuse. From a tremendous power comes, you guess it, great responsabilty." "WHY DIDN'T YOU MENTION IT BEFORE!?" "I just wanted to see if you were too drunk with power to commit this mistake. I was right. " "You are a real b-." "Be grateful that your sword is the only thing that doesn't punish you for your mistakes. Look at the positive side. Since your power depends on your trolling abilities, your powers will get easier to use without difficult with the passing of the time." "Grr... Whatever." Suzaku muttered while trying to stood up barely. "I will have some difficulty to deal with them if i have this kind of limitation." "I know you wanted to beat the crap of the Demented seven, but there's one rule that you had to follow: You will take them down without killing them. After their defeat, you had to purify them." "Are you serious!?" "You have also the power to do so. I know that you are not rotten enough to kill anyone." "But they won't collaborate this easily!" "In fact there's one way to make this whole ordeal very easy." "You better tell me, Balamos." Balamos' iris shrunken as to look at Suzaku with a ferocious intensity, putting him in a state of awe. Suzaku, in response, glared at him, trying to not show any fear. "Give me an army. " "An army you said?" Suzaku said surprised. "I don't need a very colossal number of pony freaks. I just need nine or more of them, but to do that, you need to find normal ponies and corrupt them at the same way as the Elements of Insanity are." "So are you telling me that i have to turn them into chaotic psychopaths as well?" "Well dude, that is part of your job." "Isn't that a very bastardous act?" "Hey, your previous episodes of internet trolling are bastardous as well, so you have no right to complain about this. And even if you are right, i will not give a shit about it." "Touche... ish." Suzaku said in annoyance. "But that equals to create more of these freaks. You don't make pretty much sense." "Tell me? Have you seen Pacific Rim? In order to stop these monster we have to send other monsters against them, only more powerfull." "Honestly this is a very stupid idea." "Only if is not executed correctly. Remeber, is not important the form of a idea. Only in the way in which was developed is the real judge of all the outcomes." "And i have to be the one who leads these crazies." "I made you my herald for nothing." "One question: How can i turn these unfortunate ponies into freaks?" A green lightning fell from above and struck the grass in front of Suzaku. In it's wake, a black leather sack appeared in front of him. "That how." "What's in the sack? "Your instruments of persuasion." Suzaku lifted the black sack and felt it a little heavier. He was at least grateful that the spirit that is possessing him gave him a inhuman strength, but he could guess that the content was something very strange. There's must be some stuff made of metal, or so he thought. He opened the sack and looked inside of it to check the content. He was perplexed to find eleven small iron coffins and a sheet with a constantly deforming bloodstain in the middle, which disturbed him a little. He putted that aside and tried to open one of the metallic containers, but even with his claws and his strength, that thing didn't seemed willing to open, much to his slight frustration. "The coffins are sealed by some occult energy. They will open only the right moment." "Well... Thanks for the vague explanation." Suzaku said while putting the coffin back to the sack and closing it "But i don't even know their content. Can you at least tell me what they contain?" "You will know that when one of them is opened." "Is really your intention to make my mission more difficult for fun, isn't it?" "You had also seen a sheet, right?" "A very creepy one, i will say." "Make sure to give a look at it in the future. Believe me or not, that is the list of the ponies you have to recruit. It change his shape according to my will." "You don't have any normal way to do so, isn't it?" "I hope that you are mentally prepared for what awaits you. "I get it. Is about the Mindeaters who are infesting Equestria as we talk." "The only thing that the Elements of Insanity are indirectly responsible for. But that is not the only problem. The time alteration caused by the unknown culprit drastically changed the present of Equestria." "Yeah, about that guy. Do you know who he is?" Suzaku inquired. "Unfortunately he was able to put his plans into practice outside my watch. His identity is still unknown to me." "Seriously? You are a deity and yet that culprit managed to make this mess and lure the Mane Six toward their fate under your nose?" Suzaku said surprised by that apparent flaw. "That is very contradictory. How the hell did you know about it then?" "After the birth of the Elements of Insanity, i looked at the stream of Equestria's timeline and found the alteration. The culprit's form was veiled by a force that made him completely invisible to me in every single frame of the time in which he was involved." "Let's just say that i believe you." Suzaku said, scratching his head. "Really. Is always confusing when timelines explanation and their connections are involved." "Keep in mind. Most of the things are not identical like in the TV show. You will also face some unexpected menaces and various traps. You have also to keep a cover and never mention my existence to anybody." Suzaku began to understand the logic behind the giant eye. Surely, he doesn't know what Balamos has in store for him, but one thing is sure. Even a deity like him cannot be trusted. Suzaku hated to do that, but he had to follow his guide while keeping a eye on his intentions. "Whatever.... Where should i start?" Suzaku demanded. "You will take your time to digest what you had experienced. After you have recovered, i will open a portal that will lead you to the point where you start looking for your first recruit." "Oh, really?" "You better not get cocky. Your mission has just began. Try to not die, ok?" After that, the giant eye disappeared into nothingness, leaving Suzaku in the middle of the surreal, darkened meadow. He remained motionless, taking his time to think about the crazy situation in which he's in. As being turned into a Freak Pony wasn't enough, he had to face go through a deadly journey if he wanted to return to normal and go home. Suzaku should be scared since he know what he's going into, but instead he was thrilled about that. "Don't even think to troll me, Balamos. I will not be your pawn. However, i will follow your indication. Sure, being a pony is very insulting for a Brony manipulating troll like me but i don't think i have this urgency to return in the real world. After all i have only few friends and my parents were to busy with their job to even talk with me. But that is not a problem. Maybe this experience wouldn't be this bad." From that moment on, Suzaku had no choice but to deal with this mess. However, since he liked the idea to crush the now corrupted Elements of Harmony with his new powers, maybe he could also enjoy this madness. Under the orders of Balamos, he was tasked to take them down and purify them. But what Balamos doesn't know is that Suzaku has his own way to deal with this story. Suzaku grinned, confident that he will emerge victorious from the ordeal. That was the beginning of his own seriously absurd villainous journey. Chapter 1: The First Target (EDITED)The sky was crowded by many dark gray clouds, but there was no rain. In a point far away from a village in the middle of nowhere, a black portal appeared. Armed with a black sack and the unholy powers that Balamos bestowed to him, Suzaku came out of the portal before it disappeared. He appeared as a earth pony with a light green coat, a mane and tail being both emerald green, and retractable claws on his hooves that he could use to grab something rather than do it by twisting his hooves around. He was also wearing a black jacket and a violet vest. Suzaku was awfully surprised to see the place in the distance. The houses were arranged into two parallel rows that form an equal sign, surrounded by a strong looking wooden wall, that blocked every way except the entrance. "So that must be Starlight Glimmer's village." Suzaku said perplexed."But what happened there? I don't remember this fence being there." "That is not supposed to be here according to the TV show, right? " Balamos replied in his head, causing him to flinch and shouting. His heart raced faster due to what Suzaku could consider to the scare caused by that. "You could have at least warned me before using this telepathy of yours! I were almost giving me a heart attack!" "Two months has passed since the Mane Six disappeared from Equestria and succumb to their possession. Many things have changed, and in a horrible way i will add. Besides, did you had at least checked the list that i have given to you?" Realizing to have forgot that, Suzaku rummaged in the sack and pulled out a blank paper with a bloodstain on the middle, that started to deform itself and two words were written with it. Suzaku was little disturbed by that at first, but then his face contorted in irritation upon seeing the name of Starlight Glimmer appearing on the list. He wasn't happy about it. "You cannot be serious." Suzaku quietly protested. "Why i have to recruit this retard of all peo-ehm ponies?" "Starlight Glimmer is a prodigy with her magic and can use it like a pro if she want. You should know that since you were informed about the francise, thought you were doing that just to deliver some bashing precision strike in your daily trolling." "Why not Celestia or Luna?" "Equestria need their rulers, so is unwise to corrupt them. Besides, you had forgot the rules about the recruitment that i have told you before your arrival. You're very predictable, to even think about that. You can't turn them into pony freaks due to their immunity." "I get it, i get it. But what about Discord?" "Take a look to the paper before spewing names at random." Suzaku glanced to the list once more when the name of Starlight dissolved itself into the bloodstain, only for it to write a list with various names. He wasn't this happy when he found out what is all about. Recruitment Ban List. Celestia. Luna. The Pillars (Starswhirl the Bearded included). Tirek. Chrysalis. Discord. Storm King. Tempest Shadow. Princess Nova. "Not giving me any alternative, huh?" Suzaku said resigned before letting out a frustrated groan. "Besides, having a unstable Celestia will only make the situation even worst." "Nevermind. But wasn't Starlight supposed to be in the Castle of Friendship? If i'm -" Suzaku stooped, recalling something that Balamos told to him. "Oh, i forgot. Due to the time alteration of that mysterious culprit, Twilight wasn't around, so Starlight was never reformed. She remained her insufferable older self that is now planning a revenge against her." "Which makes her even MORE ANNOYING. She was a little bearable after she became good." "Since the corruption of the Mane Six happened in the past because of the culprit behind this change of history, Starlight is still eager to exact revenge against Twilight. Plus, that perpetrator has put a seal that affects every part of Equestria with the power to prevent any attempt of time travel. In order words, if you are thinking to go in the past to make the job easier, forget it. You got nerfed." "I'm not even able to do that, so your sarcasm is unnecessary. But if she's not able to go in the past, then what is she doing right now?" "Starlight found out that Twilight traveled into another dimension, which is half true, but doesn't know what dimension. Unable to reach her, Starlight studied a way to replicate the magic mirror and travel into other dimensions. But then something happened to her." "What, exactly?" "That is something that you have to find out on your own, as well as to discover the reason of that fence. You know where looking for since i told you about it before i opened the portal. You have also the tool that you have to use to corrupt Starlight. So don't waste anymore time and find your next target." "Wait! You didn't even-" "My rule has spoken" With those words, Balamos' presence leaved his head for real. Suzaku was left irritated by the mocking behavior of his boss. Something that he will not get use to. He shrugged off all his nervousness and walked his way toward the village. He wasn't in so much hurry to reach it- "I'm still against the idea to recruit Starlight Glimmer, but it has to be done. I know where she is. The problem is how to reach her. That fence blocked every entrance, including Starlight's former escape route. So i have to go for the main entrance and going inside her house unnoticed." As he pondered about the possible options, a grin formed in his face. "If i find her, I will be tempted to troll her hard." In his arrival, Suzaku found a unusual scenario. There is nopony around. Very strange considering that it is usually crowded. His attention was then caught by a strange monument in front of him. It's form was a bizarre one, and has nothing to do with the "equestrian mythology" according to his thinking. The monument was the sculpture of a bizarre marble emblem depicting a crud helmet of a soldier with a circle being in the middle of a warped sun. "This is not the Sameness Sign, but is still something." Suzaku said, observing the object. "What kind of demented design is that? And why is this military helmet being depicted here? " He immediately put aside his curiosity and headed toward the house in the end of the two, being Starlight's former house, but was then stopped by Night Glider approaching him from above unannounced. Caught by surprise, he stepped back instinctively. "Excuse me, sir." Night Glider said, landing in front of Suzaku. "Yes?" Suzaku asked nervously. "We do not receive many visitors lately. What brings you here?" Night said, smiling normally. "Thank god, that wasn't a creepy smile." He thought. "If i'm not mistaken, she was one of the four Starlight's followers. I think her name was Night Gloryhole or whatever the hell her name was. I never cared very much for second characters. In any case, I have to enter Starlight's house without any problem. I have also to justify my presence "I'm just a private detective. I was just asked by Starlight's parents to investigate about her disappearance. Did you see her?" Suzaku asked, obviously half lying. "Well... She left the town some weeks ago. I don't know anything about her whereabouts." Night answered. "Nevermind." Suzaku said, knowing already the answer. "Besides, there's one thing that doesn't add up." "Hmm?" Night looked at him confused. "Why is there a fence?" Suzaku asked. Night opened her mouth, but was then interrupted by another mare who was approaching them. This time being Sugar Bell, who was wearing a green cloak. "If you permit me, i will tell you anything you need to know." Sugar Bell said, looking apologetic. "Really?" Suzaku asked. "I ask you to follow me if you don't mind. After all, you should be hungry after all that travel that you had done to come here. Am I right?" Sugar said. "Well, if you insist." Suzaku said. "You will not regret that, sir." Sugar Bell replied cheerfully. "Ehm, what was your name again? Sugar Cube?" He though. Suzaku followed Sugar Bell and went into her bakery accompanied by Night Glider. It was like how he previously saw. It was a very humble one. He took a look around the room as he walked toward a table were some sweets were exposed. There are some Apple pies, caramel apples and caramel pear pies. Obviously, despite this being a bakery, there are no buns or salty food. He cannot even complain since sweets were almost the main food in Equestria. He then looked at the paintings hanging of the walls and noticed a very familiar detail. One of then was depicting the same emblem of the monument, this time showing it's colors. The crude soldier helmet was brown, the circle was colored in bloody red, and in warped sun around them is golden. "Why I have the feeling that the town is ruled by another crazy cult?" Suzaku thought, feeling a little disturbed. "Your dress is very weird, but look pretty cool."Night Glider commented. "Rarity made this?" "No, that was the job of a stallion named Neo Smith." Suzaku answered, inventing the name. "I never heard of him." "He preferred remain unpopular. It was his choice. " Suzaku said. "I know that will look like exaggerated to you," Sugar Bell said as she goes behind the reception. "But we have built this fence to protect our town." "By what?" Suzaku asked. "Creatures engulfed in black flames." Sugar said. "Black flames?" Suzaku said, trying to hide his shocked surprise as his eyes widened. "Some weeks ago we heard from Celestia that they appeared in the Everfree Forest and killed a few ponies and other creatures. And they are now wandering across Equestria undisturbed, preying on the defenseless. That happened some days after the disappearance of Twilight and her friends. The Elements of Harmony disappeared with them. " Suzaku was unconvinced, and a little distracted too. He was per se listening, but he cannot shrug off his own paranoia about that emblem. The circumstances looked too familiar to him. "Sorry, lady but they are engulfed in flames and this fence is made of wood." Suzaku precised. "Which is why Celestia also provided us a magic protection spell that allowed us to made the fence fireproof." Sugar informed. Suzaku stared at Sugar with a perplex look, and not just because she explained the fireproof part vaguely. "Is not like we don't trust the authorities, but we had to be prepared as soon as we can." Sugar added. "Judging by her description, these creatures must be Mindeaters. Just like the hellhounds that Balamos sent against me during the test." "Now let me show that new creation mine. Strawberry creamed cupcake." Sugar said cheerfully, heading a red cupcake on him. "There you go." Suzaku was tempted to take a bite at first, but then he remembered something that he put a halt to this temptation. He considered that a crazy possibility, but that situation and these three words were too familiar too him. "Hey, miss." Suzaku said, looking at Night Glider. "What about if you took a bite of it first?" "What?" Night responded, chuckling nervously. "No, i pass. I'm not hungry at the moment." "Are you sure?" "Ye-" Night couldn't finish the phrase that Suzaku quickly stuffed the cupcake in her mouth and forced her to swallow. Suzaku pulled back his hoof, leaving Night Glider coughing, trying to catch her breath after that forced feeding as Sugar watched the scene bewildered. "What the heck are you DOING?!" Sugar yelled as Suzaku raised his hoof. Suddenly, black chains appeared from above her and wrapped her body, blocking their limbs while making her stand on their two legs forcefully. She struggled to release herself, but the chains. Sugar glowed her horn and tried to use her magic, but that only emitted some sparks with nothing happening. Suzaku's hoof became engulfed by a black aura and transformed into a sword of black-green energy. Sugar face contorted in fear as he pointed his incorporated weapon toward her. "Don't even try to scream." Suzaku warned. Sugar doesn't say anything. Suzaku calmly turned his head toward a slightly angered Night, looking at her as he was watching a scene he saw already. "Wait for it," Suzaku said. "Waaaaait for it." Night Glider glared at him and tried to do something, but felt instantly light headed. The female pegasus staggered, feeling weak and dizzied with the pass of the seconds. Her eyelids became heavier, connected with her growing fatigue. "Oh, no... It's already affecting.. me...." Night murmured before she passed out and collapsed to the floor. Sugar Bell glanced powerless to the unconscious Night Glider and then back to Suzaku, who was looking at her with a calm arrogance. "I'll won't even apologize for that," Suzaku announced with a filter of mockery in his voice. "I'm too fed up of these cliches. You should had considered your choice of bait sweets." Sugar Bell stared at him. Her face suddenly develop a grim veil on her eyes, filled with a sinister glow. "How did you know about the sleeping drug that I put in that pastry?" Sugar asked calmly. "Two days ago I heard about the urban legend of a infamous earth pony named Pinkatilo." Suzaku began, telling a really a absurd story like it was a fact. "Her method was always the same: lure her victims, making them sleep and using his 'tool' to turn them into 'cupcakes'." "You think that i'm that killer, right?" Sugar asked. "No. I just said that to screw with you. But, honestly, does that even matter?" Suzaku mocked. "What do you want?" Sugar asked with a stern voice. "Look, that emblem of yours is bothering me since I had arrived in this town." Suzaku responded, gesturing to the painting of the emblem. "Just tell me what's going on." Sugar took a moment to gather her words. Despite Suzaku pointing his sword against her, she was completely calm, which was making him reflect. It was too easy. "Let me tell you about the miracle happened two weeks ago," Sugar began. "What miracle?" He asked. "Some weeks ago, Twilight and her friends disappeared from the face of Equestria without leaving any trance. Their amulet, the Elements of Harmony, were missing as well. Without that, Equestria will be in danger and Celestia has done absolutely nothing about it." "In other words, Celestia never came in this town to begin with. But then what happened?" "We're having nightmares about a new menace that threatened to harm us. This dream hunted us for contless nights.... Until the day a alicorn, completely different by the ones we know well, came to help us. That was our savior." "Oh, for the love of-" Suzaku halted his sentence and groaned in sign of annoyance before continuing. "Savior you say?" "She gave us a new meaning to our lives and save us from the illusion of sanity and the deception of Celestia and Luna," Sugar Bell euphorically announced. "Madness is the only reality and Despair our only sister that could fill our hearts. We rejoiced this new life under her aegis." Suzaku was disturbed to hear that. In comparison to Starlight's story, something that he saw; this one wasn't about warped idea born by a "friendship misunderstanding". Sugar Bell's story was a dementedly dark one with a sense of death lurking in her words. Eager to get out and not wanting to know the rest, he dissolved his energy blade, reverted his hoof back to normal and took a few steps toward the door. "No, thanks." Suzaku said as he was about to head toward the exit. "I have something important to do. I won't waste anymore time on you." "You will not have the time to do it." Sugar said with a sinister smirk. Suzaku could heard a loud sound of something closing, coming from the outside. "Are you kidding me!?" Suzaku exclaimed. Suzaku stormed out of the bakery and turned his head toward the entrance of the town. He realized it was too late since the gates were closed, blocking his only way to escape. As that wasn't enough, the inhabitants were already out of their houses to circle him, closing him in a wall of frenzy. They were waiting for him for this whole time, each one armed with a shovel shaped sword. Each one of the unicorns of the mob used his magic to lift five of these swords above them and point them toward their prey. His paranoia became founded by them wearing the same cloak as Sugar with the difference that they were red instead of green. The inhabitants weren't making that odd smile, but their faces looked grimly frenzied, accompanied by a glimmer of madness in their eyes. "I apologize," said a grinning Party Favor being among them. "But we cannot let you escape. After all, you will be the next member of our brotherhood." Suzaku facehoofed in response to that statement that confirmed current situation. "Holy Ainz Ooal Gown on a electric guitar, i knew that was gonna happen. This is another freaking cult!" He complained mentally. "Did you have learned nothing from the mistakes of the idiocy of Starlight Glimmer's cult?" Suzaku said a little irritated. "She was a fool," Sugar deviously said, emerging from the crowd. "Starlight's concept of friendship consisted sorely on a cheap idea of equality without cutey marks because she wanted to compensate her loneliness." "I don't know your intentions, but aren't you doing the same thing?" Suzaku asked. "You are not even a real detective, aren't you?" Sugar said "We are different from Starlight. We won't brainwash you." "Oh really?" Suzaku asked unconvinced. "Purify you is more than enough." Sugar announced. "To me it looks like the same thing." Suzaku commented. "So that emblem represent indeed some sort of cult." "DON'T EVEN THINK OF DISMISS OF OUR EMBLEM AS A MERE SYMBOL!!" Double Diamond, also being among the ponies, screamed in rage, almost freaking out Suzaku. Then, a chilling, gurgling noise echoed from behind them. Suzaku could see some dark shapes engulfed in black flames taking a very familiar form from behind the frenzied ponies. He immediately recognized them from their canine form and the blood colored flames coming out of their heads. They were accompanied by humanoid figures engulfed in black orange flames. "T-the Hell Hounds? And they got reinforcements too?" Suzaku murmured. "Wherever there is a mind eroded by madness, a Mindeater lurks in their shadows and devoured every trace of sanity remained in their victims. One piece at time. However, these ponies, including that Sugar Bell, were somehow able to make them their allies, which is quiet odd. Probably somepony give them the ability to do so." "So this is how she knew about the Mindeaters." Suzaku said very quietly, a little annoyed by his boss' sudden telepathic contact."Thanks for the info. But you know, Balamos? That is a really screw up time to talk inside my head." "Don't even bother to fight them. There's still the power abuse penalty issues. It need time for it to diminish this strict limit." "You're the kind of pony who doesn't have faith in our savior," Diamond continued. "The one who resurrected our hope after the disappearance of the Elements of Harmony." "But who the hell is this savior?" Suzaku asked. "The same one who gave these new friends to us, stranger." Sugar zealously said, referring to the black flaming creatures. "They will serve our cause." "This truth was given to us two weeks ago," Diamond informed. "Our savior came in the form of a wise alicorn. And that alicorn is our savior, which name doesn't deserve to be mentioned in front those like you." "Very convenient this vagueness of yours." Suzaku said deadpan. "She is the one who show the truth about the laws that rules this world." Sugar said with gleeful and yet serious tone. "Celestia and Luna deceived us for a very long time. But she unmasked their lies and revealed the Elements of Harmony's their true colors as the self proclaimed Elements of Insanity. But i have faith in Painset, because she will save us all!!" Another wave of Mindeaters emerged from behind the crowd, that seemed to want claim Suzaku's life if he doesn't play ball. But more creepier than that was their misguided faith in something so twisted. "You should join us. We need a powerful pony like you." Sugar said with a serene tone before shifting into a twisted one. "Which is why we have to mangle you a little." "Wow. You took a very wrong interpretation of salvation," Suzaku retorted with a mocking tone. "Could you at least just let Celestia give you her version of the facts before giving in that cult of yours?" "We suffered our nightmares and her deception for too long." Sugar said grimly. "We will not going back in that fake, warped reality ever again. Nor will you." The living circle tightens around him. The inhabitants approached Suzaku with a disquieting pace, followed by the flaming creatures. Their gleeful frenzy, their chilling intent in their eyes and the monstrous sounds was a unpleasant scene. That wasn't some creepypasta. It's a real deal that he will taste on his skin very soon. Suzaku was a little scared. He should be terrified instead, but knowing to possess his powers and due to the boost that his confidence received from that, he was able to maintain a medium amount of his calm. He doesn't do anything. He remain still. As they were almost reaching him, Suzaku gave his opinion about it. "You know what? Fuck it!" Suzaku exclaimed before dissolving in black-green flames, much to their shocked surprise. He reappeared nearby the penultimate house of the left row and immediately headed toward Starlight's house as fast as he could. Sugar and her followers turned their head toward him, who was almost far from their reach. "Seize him!" Sugar shouted furiously as both her followers and the swarm of Mindeaters rushed toward him. "The heretic must not step inside Starlight's former house!" All of the unicorns of the mob launched their shovel shaped swords toward him like they were arrows in response to her order.. Suzaku continued to gallop toward the house while dodging the flying swords that ended up missing him and being stuck on the ground. Some of the hellhounds made a leap long and were almost reaching their meal. As Suzaku reached the door of the house, he stopped and quickly raised his hoof. A wall of dark fire suddenly raised from ground and grows as taller as mountain and, dividing him from his chasers and incinerating both the hellhounds and some of the shovel swords launched by the unicorns of the mob. Sugar and her followers halted their run. The Mindeaters did the same thing one second later. Suzaku rushed inside and closed the door. He draw out his claws, grabbed a shelf near to him and use it to block the entrance, not even caring about the dishes and any other stuff falling from it and being shattered on the floor. He then went in the bedroom and overturned the bed, revealing a secret passage; quickly went downstairs and proceeded to explore the underground tunnel that Starlight used to escape in the past. "A united front of Cultists and Mindeaters. Now that start to sounds like the millionth creepypasta to me." Suzaku withdraw his claws and headed toward the end of the tunnel where he was supposed to find the exit, only to find it blocked by a big pile of rocks with a glow illuminating it from the left. He walked toward the source and found a third passage leading into a carved tunnel, illuminated by various torch hanging on the walls, burning in blue flames. "Even that wasn't there before," Suzaku said. "That must be the reason why they tried to stop me." He walked through the path and end up into a large and grotesque room, also illuminated by the blue torches. It looked like a combination between a prison and a ceremonial room used for some ritual sacrifice, which was baffling for him. There are cells on his right and on his left respectively. At the end of the room there was a altar with a statue behind it. That gave him a bad scenario briefly playing in his mind. Having saw and read various MLP's grimdark fanfics, he was used to their dark atmosphere. But seeing that kind of thing personally was a completely different thing. "That is more messed up than i have imagined." He lifted his eyes on the statue of a alicorn being behind the altar, which appearance instantly stunned him. "What?" Suzaku said. He walked toward the object to check if what he was seeing is what he think it is. His eyes widened in disbelieve, and for a valid reason. It was too ridiculous to be believed. He could see that this statue represent their god, but he wasn't expecting it having a striking resemblance with another pony that he saw in a juvenile spin off. "Sunset Shimmer?" Suzaku said a little loudly. "That cannot be right. Sunset didn't became a alicorn.... at least that has something to do with the time alteration." The object in front of him was apparently a stone statue of a alicorn Sunset Shimmer. But it wasn't normal one. Much like Brutalight Sparcake, it looked like a demented version of Sunset, as it was demonstrated by her psychotic smile and her sinister eyes. But more baffling of all was her cutey mark. Instead of her sun shaped tao symbol, it almost resembled the emblem that he saw. It's the same crude helmet of a soldier with the blood circle, only without the warped sun. Though that he can count the blood circle itself as a warped sun. As he was going to questioning about the alicornhood of the pony, one of the memories of the Mane Six's corruption emerged in his mind. The memory of Twilight corruption gave him some chilling hint "Is this thing telling me that Sunset was somehow lured into the Freak World as well, was then possessed by some TF2 Freak's ghost, resulting her becoming a alicorn freak in the same way as Twilight, and managed somehow to appear in this village that now is considering her as their god?" "Aaaargh..." a female voice coming from the cage on his left groaned, interrupting his pondering and drawing his attention. "My head.... W-where am I?" He walked toward the cell only to find a very dizzied violet maned pink unicorn laying on the ground. Her face and cutey mark matched to the description. He has no doubt about it. "I found Starlight Glimmer." Suzaku confirmed with sarcasm. "Smuckhead as ever." Chapter 2: The Desecration of Starlight Glimmer. (EDITED)In the underground occult ritual room under the town with no name, Suzaku finally found the mare he was looking for, who is also the pony which name appeared in the list and the first one Balamos wanted him to recruit, much to his annoyance due to his adverse opinion toward her. Starlight was behind the bars, under the aftereffects of some drugs to notice him. Not having been reformed by Twilight due to the time alteration, she retained her old mane style. "So she fell for the cupcake's trap after all... But maybe is not her case." As Starlight tried to recover mentally, Suzaku stood up on his two legs and withdraw his claws. He then summoned a huge black sword, wielded it and proceeded to cut the iron bars of the cells with three quick swings, making her jumping backwards for the fright as the pieces of the bar sonorously fell on the ground in front of her eyes. Starlight was breathing heavily and her face looked like she was almost having a heart attack. She slowly rose up and looked at Suzaku's serious face. "W-who are you?!" Starlight asked a little hesitant and confused. "I'm only some pony that some invisible deity sent to retrieve your useless ass." Suzaku explained, bluntly. "Useless a... what!?" Starlight shouted, slightly irritated only to be interrupted by her migraine. "Aaaarrgh.... My head hurts." "Take your time." Suzaku said as he released his weapon from his grasp and withdraw his claws before returning in his four legged stance. The sword disappeared in a black mist before it could touch the ground. Starlight was a little intimidated to see Suzaku's appearance. It wasn't normal for a earth pony to have claws that he can use to grab something or even having some kind of magic. Suzaku understood her reaction, but he wouldn't even bother to explain that since he's lazy to do so, and not just because he loath her. "How did you get there?" Suzaku asked. "I don't know... my memory is a little blurry at the moment but...."Starlight said massaging her head with her hoof until she stopped, having remembered something. "Wait.... Sugar Bell drugged me!" "You fell for the Cupcake mcguffin and end up being caged in this place, right?" Suzaku said bluntly. "What cupcake? I'm just tel-... i mean had come back in my house to take a rest." Starlight said a little nervous. "I was reading a book, but then, without knowing, she entered in my house, appeared from behind me and drugged me with some sleeping powder." Suzaku looked at her unconvinced, He can tell that she was lying, but he prefered to play ball for the moment. "What is this place?" Starlight asked as she looked around. "We are under your village," Suzaku informed. "Just take a look. This is some sort of ceremonial room that was used for a ritual, apparently." "A what?" Starlight said baffled before coming out of her cell and headed toward the altar. She stopped and examined both the altar and the statue of the demented alicorn Sunset Shimmer, oblivious of her identity. She stared at the object with a shocked look, as like she was reliving some sort of awful memories. "If you are going to ask that, yes," Suzaku said bluntly,"That statue represent the god of this town, and Sugar Bell is the leader of a cult of psychos that worships this alicorn." Starlight trembled, too much absorbed in her thoughts to listen Suzaku's last sentence. She remain silent for a moment, then spoke. "So this happened... They were against my point of view and yet have no problem found a cult of their own and replaced me with this.... THING!" Starlight said with a fiber of hate in her voice, stomping her hoof on the ground. "This alicorn reminded me of a pony that i hate most." "Are you talking about another alicorn?" Suzaku commented. "If is that so, why all this grudge for her anyway?" "You don't have idea of what she and her friends did to me." Starlight angrily said. "She has-" "Let me guess," Suzaku interrupted "She and her friends dismantled your own utopia built through you have founded in your town? And now you are planning to go back in time to prevent the sixth ponies from becoming friends in the first place, but you were prevented to do so by a mysterious force?" She stopped trembling upon hearing his words. Her eyes widened. Starlight turned toward Suzaku and stared at him with a stern look. Nopony outside herself and the ones who know her knows about that. "How did you know about it?" Starlight questioned with a inquisitive tone. "I know everything about you." Suzaku said. "Look, i will let you go if you want... But Sugar Bell and his followers won't let you to do that, especially since they built a fence and closed the gates." "Guess what. I can!" Starlight said confidently as she ignite her horn and disappeared in front of him, only to reappear inside of the cell she was in. "What!?" Starlight tried again, but reappeared in the same cell. She tried one third time and reappeared in the same spot, much to her frustration. "It's seems like they found a way to trick your teleportation spell." Suzaku said, but Starlight wasn't even listening. Suzaku glanced at the ceiling with a bored look as Starlight continued her vain attempts to teleport herself out of the room only to reappear in the cell. After the last try, Starlight gave up, panting heavily and looking really stressed. Suzaku smirked before saying his opinion about that. "Can you please..... Stop stressing?" Suzaku asked sardonically. "Aaaaargh!" Starlight stormed out of the cell infuriated and headed toward him. "Are you telling me they had trapped me here through some magical expedient!?" "Oh, yeah, lady. Is influencing any place related to the town. And the interesting thing is that they were after me as well." Suzaku informed. "Hopefully i put a flaming wall that prevented them to follow me. That will last for about other thirteen minutes." "What they want from you?" Starlight questioned curious. "They wanted me to join them, and yet they tried to butcher me first." Suzaku affirmed crudely. "Butcher you?!... That's really dark." Starlight said disturbed. "That may be you, horned hothead." Suzaku retorted, resulting Starlight becoming slightly annoyed."By the way, i will help you to get out of this mad town and let you resume your revenge. But you have to follow me." "Why should i trust a pony who i just met two minutes ago? You didn't even told your name." Starlight said, scowling at him. "If i have to introduce myself, i mustn't use my real name, nor even the pony name i have used before, Zeal Breaker. Zeal Breaker Is just too improvised. Let me see..... Ah, here it is." "I'm Zaidel Goenilx." Suzaku announced. "As i said before, i was sent to retrieve you." "What do you mean by retrieve me?" Starlight asked confused. "My boss is interested to your magical abilities. If you will follow me, he will help you to reach the dimension in which they are now," Suzaku explained. "I can do this without you." Starlight protested. "I will not be the puppet of anypony else!" Suzaku remained silent and impassive as Starlight was about to walk away. Then he spoke. "Good, considering that i was against your recruitment from the very beginning." Suzaku pointed out. "But let me tell you one thing before you go. Sugar Bell has a entire army of followers and black flaming monsters on her side, and had any more possible way to screw with your magic, just like she did with your teleport." Starlight recoiled and remained silent, looking a little frustrated and apparently believing his words. "I cannot believe that my boss to asked me to looking for a buffoon like you." Suzaku complained, facehoofing. "What did you just said!?" Starlight asked, feeling insulted. "Did you enjoy making fun of me!?" "Not at all," Suzaku lied. "Now let talking about your philosophy. You think that "true friendship" comes from being equal, ergo with nopony being inferior or superior than another, and that having special talents and different opinions - the core of individuality - only leads to misery.... I call that bullshit." "What!?" Starlight said, glaring very angrily at him. "You don't practice what you had preached to them right?" Suzaku stated. "At the top of it, you removed their cutey mark except your own. Additionally, you had enslaved them and brainwashed them to embrace you point of view. What kind of screwed up equality is that?" "Shut up, shut up! SHUT UP!" Starlight shouted furiously. "I managed to give them equality and happiness! I had to do that in order to give them the real friendship that they deserve! What gives you the right to make fun of it?" "Judging by your friends words, it doesn't look like that to me since you didn't even give them the chance to be your friends." Suzaku said one second before Starlight gasped sharply. "Bastard, they pointed out about the flaws of your idea of friendship and yet you're still bossing them like some moronic cult leader. No wonder they left you." "Twilight and her friends turned them against me!" Starlight said angered. "This town was perfect before their arrival, but now not only they took it away from me, but that alicorn replaced me and corrupted my former followers too. If they left me continue to lead their lives, this place wouldn't be reduced like this!" "Well, let me confirm some news, bittersweet dumbass." Suzaku said. "You are leading just two things, right now: Twix Bars and shit... and Twix Bars were smart and badass enough to leave town." "W-wh..." Starlight stutter, unable to understand the logic of that statement. "What does that even mean!?" "That now your utopia is nothing." Suzaku said bluntly. "Especially since i have a dictaphone inside my bag that i had turned on while you were trying to teleport yourself out of here in vain." Suzaku said, gesturing the said bag. "A...a-a dictaphone?" "Ah, i forgot." Suzaku gleefully said "I know that i look a like a casual stranger, but i'm a undercover Royal Guard. And since you won't collaborate with me, i will take you with the force and escort to Canterlot. Specifically, to my boss, who is actually Celestia, and tell her about your methods and what happened to this town. This proof is enough for me to arrest you. Don't try to resist." "DON'T EVEN TRY!" Starlight finally snapped as she ignited her horn. "You're not going to do a thing to me! It's time to teach you the lesson that you deserve!" "Good for me, because i don't mind having some resistance. Time for some hardcore trolling action." He thought. Starlight aimed her charging horn toward him shot her magic beam toward him. Suzaku quickly raised his hoof and created a green energy barrier in front him. Just like a mirror, the beam ricocheted off the deflecting aegis and whizzed back to the pink unicorn, right in her face, causing her being launched backwards. She slammed violently against the wall and fell to the ground. "You asked for-UGH!" Just when Suzaku was tasting her fail, a familiar electric charge struck him, causing him to flop on the side. He was a little disoriented by that, moaning and clenching her teeth for the pain. That shock is still a pain even after the first time. He forcefully lifted his head toward the dazed pink unicorn. "Balamos is a jackass!" Suzaku complained "I don't care! He told me to not abuse of my powers but never told me any specific information about this penalty!" Starlight was so stunned from the impact of her deflected attack that she was having some difficulty to get up, giving him the time to get up once the electric charge ceased to vex him. She shook her head, trying to shrug off the dizziness. Suzaku already noticed her attempt to recover and there's no way he would allow that. Suzaku he pointed his clawed left hoof toward her, charged it with a surge of darkness and shot a dart of dark violet energy that whizzed toward her. Starlight immediately create a magic shield around her, causing the dart to collide with the barrier and burst into a violet explosion that shattered the shield into pieces. She yelled instinctively as she was shielding her face from the shield's energy shards with her hoof. "This is what i call a Shadow Shotgun." Suzaku proclaimed, charging his claws once more. "The top of the long ranged punishment." He shot other two energy darts toward Starlight who immediately lit her horn and hoovered in mid air through her levitation spell. She flew toward him while charging her horn. Knowing her next move, Suzaku quickly charged the claws on his right hoof and swung them forward, shooting a dark slashing wave toward her shadow below her. Starlight realized what is going to happen next, so she used her charged magic to create another shield around her. The wave hit a point of the ground near to her position and exploded into a green pillar from below that thrown her in the air, making her fall toward him. Her levitation spell and the shield were interrupted by her loss of concentration. For Suzaku, that is a good opportunity. He grinned about that thought. "Time to going Mike Haggar on this one!" He jumped in the air toward her, grabbed her by her waist with his hooves and slammed her headfirst into the ground with a piledriver. That created a crater with multiple cracks during the impact. Starlight merely wailed in pain before passing out for the violent collision. Suzaku released the pink unicorn from his grasp and and lay down supine on the ground with her lower body being near to his legs. He then moved away her now battered body with his own feets and took his time to recover. He was panting a little, looking surprised for what he was able to do. No one was able to do this impossible thing. Not even in pony form. "Hell if this performance of mine was insane." Suzaku said. "YOU IDIOT!!" Balamos' voice suddenly thundered in his head, almost scaring him "You are supposed to recruit her. Not kill her." Suzaku's eyes widened in fear as he realized to have really overdid during the fight. "Oh, shit." Suzaku quickly stood up four legged and put reluctantly his hoof on her own neck to check her heartbeat. Starlight is unconscious, but is fine and breathing a little despite the impact that the piledriver had on her head. Her horn was left intact. Suzaku sighed in relief for his own reasons. "If that happens with the next pony, you will not feel so relieved." "Listen, i overdid. I'm sorry, ok?" Suzaku said with a rude tone. "So... what i have to do now before the corruption part?" "First of all, block her. She must be conscious before her corruption, so don't let her escape." Suzaku raised his hoof and summoned the black chains from above her and mentally wrapped her body with them, blocked her hooves and hanged her in a crucifix position. The only thing remained to do was to wait for her to regain consciousness. Suzaku then took his distance from the chained mare. "Now i should turn her into a freak once she wakes up." Suzaku confirmed. "That was-" "Yeah, the plan." Suzaku interrupted. "Look, i need a answer." "About what?" Balamos questioned, annoyed by his interruption. "About Sunset Shimmer being turned into a pony freak and showing up in this town as it's own god." Suzaku said, pointing at the statue. "You didn't mention her being trapped into the Freak World as well." "I didn't expect her to show up in Equestria. You figured that out by the cutey mark, right?" "Yes, and-." Suzaku suspended his sentence, having realized a very peculiar detail, facehoofing irritated by that. "Now i understand the helmet and the shovel shaped swords that the inhabitants were wielding... They were referencing the Soldier from TF2 in both his helmet and his meele weapon... i can't believe is actually true," "Maybe because Sunset is possessed by the spirit of a Soldier Class Type TF2 Freak which name doesn't deserve to being mentioned. She is now a alicorn abomination with the name of Painset Shimmercakes." "Whoa. That is even more trashy." Suzaku commented with sarcasm. "You will not take her so lightly since she is horribly at the same level as Brutalight." "Except that you have not implanted any memory of her in my mind." "Twilight will eventually purify Sunset after you had purified all the Demented Seven. Now proceed to corrupt Starlight Glimmer." "But there's a problem: How can i open one of the small iron coffins inside the my bag?" Suzaku questioned. "They didn't even had a opening at all." "Well..." *Clach* Suddenly a metallic sound echoed through the room. It came from his bag. He draw out his claws and rummaged into it. He was surprised to find one of the small iron coffins briefly glowing with a cyan light and literally opening in two on it's own, revealing it's content. He pulled out the coffin and took the content before discarding away the other parts. The object that he was holding was a very sharpened scissor, which leaves him very confused and worried about the reliability of the item. "That is what you mean with persuasion?" Suzaku demanded. Balamos didn't respond. "Yeah, whatever. Continue to keep me in the dark about your logic." Suzaku said sarcastically. Balamos still doesn't respond. Suzaku observed the tool once more. He could see some similarity that he saw in the past. "It's form looks very familiar to me." Suzaku said, observing the object. "Strange that you didn't mention anything about the "trauma part with Sunburst" to Starlight. I mean, you are troll after all." "Hey. I'm above rub it in brutally with the past of the others." Suzaku stated. "If you want me recruit her, i had to use the right words, including provocations or incentives. Only with the right use of the oratory i can gain some result." "As i suspected, you have your on way with words." "So, Balamos, what i am supposed to do with this scissor?" Suzaku asked confused. "Stab her." Balamos said calmly. That phrase left Suzaku speechless, suddenly questioning about the deity's sanity. "Can you repeat, please?" Suzaku asked. "Stab her." Suzaku remain silent once more and took his time to counter respond to his words. "That is really hypocrite of you since you were scolding me about not killing her some seconds ago." "That won't kill her. Trust my word." Balamos said before leaving Suzaku, who was still unconvinced about his methods. After nine minutes that seemed a eternity for him, Starlight showed some signs of her mind stirring into consciousness. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling weak and dazed. She glanced at him without any kind of reaction. A tremendous feeling of newfound vertigo was washing over, accompanied by a headache. As she got a clear sight of him, she tried to move, but it was useless. The chains were pulling her limbs very tight. She struggled furiously to break free, but every attempt exhausted and hurt her even more. She moaned as the pain in her head intensified for each struggle. Starlight pointed her horn toward him and tried to use her magic, but her horn refuses to work due to the effect of the chains wrapped around her body, much to her newfound frustration. She looked at Suzaku, who is watching her with a bored look. "What is the meaning of this?!" Starlight shouted. "The only thing you can do now is calm down. You're becoming annoying after a while." Suzaku replied. "So you are going to arrest me?" Starlight questioned angrily. "You will going to Celestia and tell everything about my plans? You are really willing-" "Just shut up. I will not doing any of this." Suzaku said a little annoyed. "But you said that your boss is Celestia. You are not a undercover Royal Guard?" Starlight inquired. "I lied." Suzaku confirmed. Starlight remained silent for a moment, then she spokes. "What?" Starlight said quietly in confusion with wide eyes. "My real boss is someone who want to remain anonymous." Suzaku grinned. "Besides, i will give you a particular treatment." "What you are going to do with me?" Starlight questioned, disturbed by the expression he used. "That is not about what i want, but what you want for yourself." Suzaku said with a devious grin. "For myself?" Starlight said puzzled. "Why you are after me? What do you want from me?!" "My objective was to recruit you... But not in the way that you are expecting." Suzaku said. "What are you talking about!?" Starlight demanded impatiently. "You want get revenge against Twilight and her friends, right?" Suzaku deviously said. Starlight didn't saying anything, unsure about why he want to hear a answer that was already obvious to him, but since there isn't much that she can do about her situation, she answered anyway. "Y-yes." Starlight answered reluctantly. "But what are you trying to gain from that?" Suzaku didn't respond. He only pointed her with the scissor he was holding with his claws. Starlight's expression quickly shifted into a frightened one. "W-what are you going to do with that scissor!?" Starlight yelled frightened. "If a piece of wood is good enough for you, then this scissor is good enough for me." Suzaku affirmed. "That's not funny!" Starlight protested. "I know that. I'm sorry, but this is gonna hurt." Suzaku said, almost regretting that before tossing the scissor at the frightened Starlight. She yelled and closed her eyes shut as the scissor whizzed right into her chest. But instead of piercing her, the scissor simply entered inside her, much to his surprise. "So what Balamos said was true... In a very weird logic i should say." For Starlight, it stung at first, but then she didn't felt any other pain at all. Puzzled, she opened her eyes looked down to her chest, having no wounds. She then lifted her eyes on Suzaku, who was just as puzzled as her. "Don't ask how. It just happened." Suzaku said calmly. "I won't allow any-" Starlight couldn't finish her sentence that something was assaulting her mind, causing her to scream instinctively. Realizing that something is going on, Suzaku mentally commanded the chains to put her down gently and release her before making them disappear into nothingness. A dark red aura suddenly engulfed her body. Starlight slowly rose up, but in a very unusual way. She was standing on her two legs like a human without even realizing it, holding her head with her hooves as she was suffering from a that was whipping her brain. She shook her head frantically and let out a pained moan. Then a strange transformation was occurring to her body. She watched her hooves in awe as her pink coat loosed it's luminosity and became a pale lavender one. The violet colored part of her mane became tinted into a magenta one. Her mane was also getting longer and her violet eyes were colored in red. "W-what's happening to me?" Starlight said terrified and confused. "I-i could feel my mind and my thoughts being warped. I feel so wrong!" Starlight moaned another time as the pain was. Suzaku saw that scene before, but only in the memories of the Mane Six's corruption. Seeing one of these happening in front of him was another thing. He tried to remain calm, but Starlight's distressed, inner struggle made it very hard for him to keep his cool. Her transformation was chilling him enough to make him feel. Starlight glanced on him with a enraged and yet terrified face. "What have you done to me?!" Starlight howled, confused and troubled. Starlight struggled to repel the alien influence that was infesting her mind. Her inner being was being shaken by the corrupting aura. Starlight tried to reassure herself that is not real, but her focus was then interrupted by a stream of memories that weren't her own. The images were all blurry at first, but then, slowly, they showed a really crude scenario. She could see the fate of the Elements of Harmony and their possession that lead them to became the Elements of Insanity. Unable to resist any longer and being assaulted by the mnemonic flux, Starlight finally snapped and screamed loudly in agony as the world around her warped chaotically. A sight that made Suzaku flinch for the fright. She fell backwards to the ground and passed out. And after a short time, the dark aura finally leaved her body. Suzaku was seriously disturbed by that. His heart raced faster and his breath was a little heavier. For him i was slightly more freaky and terrific than the hellhounds and the insane townponies who were after him. "So that's how the corruption looks like? It's a damn horror movie!" Suzaku wasn't very willing to take a look to her in that moment, but since doesn't want any sudden reprisal coming from Balamos, he reluctantly mustered his courage and slowly walked toward toward her, hoping that he didn't screwed up her brain for good.. But before he could approaching her, he heard something flying toward him. He rolled away, dodging the object, that was no other than shovel shaped swords. He know what that means. "The hell!?" Suzaku exclaimed. "The fire wall should last for twenty four minutes! How did they managed to elude it?" He turned toward the entrance and became stressed to see Sugar Belle, some of her followers and a really pissed off Night Glider arrived and formed a living wall, blocking his way. Double Diamond and Party Favor weren't among them. They seemed more frenzied than before and are now pointing their shovel shaped swords at him. The ones with the horn magically carried five of the swords and pointed them toward him, except Sugar Bell. Suzaku is not scared by them, but is not even happy to see them either. "Do i have to deal with you?" Suzaku said frustrated. "Oooooooh, you have to and HOW!" Night screamed angered. "Now is you that will have to sleep... permanently!" "There's now way you could possibly escape now heretic," Sugar Belle said with zealously psychotic glee. "The same thing goes for Starlight Glimmer. Now both of you will join us and becoming our new brothers.... by simply die!" "Not before i kick your ass." Suzaku announced. But before the fight could even start, a barrage of energy projectiles in the shape of scissors whizzed past his ear and pierced all the ponies' head except Sugar Bell's and Night Glider. Without the magic of the unicorns, their own floating swords fell on the ground. The screams of the stabbed ponies and the sound of falling blades echoed through the room, creating a metallic cacophony. The gleeful madness of the two mares was quickly replaced by horror as their followers' dead bodies were dissolving into pile of ashes, leaving only blue crystals in their place. "What the hell just happened?" Suzaku said dumbfounded. "T-tt-they... they... WHAT!?" Night Glider stuttered for the sudden dead of her companions. "Look at there, Night Glider!" Sugar Bell shouted, gesturing to 'Starlight'. "Starlight Glimmer! Is...!" Sugar Bell and Night Glider watched Starlight Glimmer in shock as she slowly rose up with a ominous intent. Their eyes were looking at their former leader. They never saw her in a new terrific form. "Wretched traitor, stop trying to steal the spotlight, ya shitty witch!" Suzaku got his answer from Starlight Glimmer's voice coming from behind him, but his intuition was telling him one thing: She wasn't the pink unicorn that he met before. "It's Bloodbath Fever time!!" Chapter 2.5: Brutalight's VisionIn the chaotic dimension known as the Freak World, the Elements of Insanity, known as the Demented Seven, were practically ruling over that dimension undisputed, crushing those who tried to oppose them and passing their time doing what they are best at: Committing murders and spreading chaos around this wretched world in which they were trapped. But their rhythm was a little toned down in these days. A month has passed since their tremendous fight against Painset Shimmercake and Magic Mare. In the aftermath, the Demented Seven survived with their leader Brutalight Sparkcakes, coming out very weakened from it. Painset and her partner simply disappeared from the scene without leaving any trails of their passage. Despite her impression that Painset could be still alive, Brutalight decided to not waste anymore of her robotic detachment squads or even sending the Cutey Mark Monsters for her search. She and her subordinates has a important thing to do. They spent these days to recover from the battle, building new robot sentries and continued the development of a dimensional portal that will allow them to return to their world, Equestria. Brutalight recovered most of her power and the portal seemed almost complete. Everything was proceeding according to their plan... Except for one little, tremendous incident that caused the destruction of most of their robotic drones and buildings in which Rainbine was responsible. Brutalight and Fluttershout were almost killing her for that, in every sense of the word. Rainbine was lucky to have been just beaten up and got screamed in her face since Brutalight was considering to cut her wings. The day after that, Rainbine was forced to build other robots twenty-four hours nonstop for three days and three night as a punishment. Nine hundred are the robots that she has to rebuild, much to her boredom. She has a drone generator built by herself that helped her a little for sure, but is up to her to install their CPU. On the third day, Rainbine was working on the drone number eight-hundred and ninety six. She looked very tired but not in the physical way since she is a robot and could recharge herself when she's awake. Her mental fatigue was the real pain. She could get used to restless nights, but not when there's no action in that. As she was welding the CPU's protection plate, Fluttershout approached her, looking calmer while trying to not show anger. "You know? You could have at least consulted us before taking the liberty to put this moronic idea to practice". Fluttershout said, giving a stern look. "I have discovered the ability to channel my Sonic Rainboom into my weapons to improve the projectile's speed and power. It's a butt load of awesome possibilities that i couldn't ignore." replied Rainbine in her usual robotic voice. "Oooooooh, sure. It's so coool. Channeling it on your plasma cannon and causing a massive rainbow colored explosion that destroyed most of our robots, resources and some of our headquarters was really sutble!!" Fluttershout screamed in her face normally instead of doing her trademark ear crushing one. "Ok, ok. Look, i'm sorry for that, but you know me... Well, the new me. I was a little carried away. I admit it." "Just like the time when you shot Twilight Sparkle in the head in the cemetery?" "Oh, come on! That was in the past!" "I'm sorry, but this incident will be added on the list of the your screw ups that were "in the past". And this is especially proved since Applepills was almost killed by your experiment. She survived by hiding herself into a metal box full of you know what." "Pills?" Rainbine asked meekly. "Yes, her addiction for painkillers saved her life." Fluttershout said, narrowing her eyes. "But seriously, almost killing Twilight wasn't enough that you had to repeat the same idiotic mistake on Applepills too!? You are really inconsiderate!!" Fluttershout shouted angrily. Rainbine gulped, acknowledging the gravity of her mistake. That was the second time she attempted to the life of one of her companions, thought that was unintentional this time. "So of course i have you to be reminded of that." continued Fluttershout. "Or maybe you prefer a round two with Brutalight's nasty lashing?" Rainbine silently stared at the yellow pegasus with a blank look for a bit before saying. "Touche." Fluttershout rolled her eyes as the robotic cyan pegasus returned her attention to the drone. She finished to weld the drone's last composed and passed to the next one. "Sometimes i'm wondering how did you became the Element of Loyalty." Fluttershout murmured mentally. "Ah, now that i recall that, i heard Brutalight screaming and various explosions during the last night." Rainbine said with a perplexed look. "I don't think you want to know." commented embarrassed Fluttershout. "But why? What happened?" "Brutalight tried to test another of her potions on herself and got drunk again." "What? Are you telling me that she believed to be a foal again?" "Much worse. She believed to be Discord and started to cast random magic spells around the room, blowing up things and transforming stuff into liquid white chocolate. I and Rarifruit took three hours to sedate her and stop her rampage." "Woah..... How is she?" Fluttershout glared at the cyan robotic pegasus just to gesture her to not make any question about it. Rainbine immediately understood that is better left this thing unknown. "Nevermind," Rainbine said, changing the topic. "What about the others?" "Wise choice, Raimbo." Fluttershout said, smiling a little "Rarifruit was killing and stealing some valuable items as usual, Pinkis was finishing to compose the magic component of the dimensional portal, Applepills was taking... pills, and the Cutey Mark Monsters were just playing in the ruins of the quarters you had destroyed." "And Derpigun?" "She's fumbling with some piece of scraps to make a robotic equivalent of a snowmare.... Which is kind of crappy since it has no real purpose what so ever." Rainbine was going to make a comment about it but before she could do that, a sudden scream pierced the quiet atmosphere. They know very well who was. "Is Brutalight having a hangover?" Raibine asked worried. "Do you think it this the case?" said Fluttershout. "You better remain here to finish the job. I will go to her." "Whatever." replied Rainbine before returning to her work. "I only hope that she didn't overdid to much with her spells." Fluttershout trotted toward the door leading to the living room and slowly opened the door. She saw a petrified looking Brutalight lying on the couch were she was left after being sedated, breathing heavily and sweating a little. Her mane was a little messy and her eyes were wide opened. Brutalight seemed to have woke up from a vivid dream. Her expression slowly shifted into a irritated one as put her hoof on her face. Fluttershout doesn't say anything and decided to leave her alone without being noticed. This until Brutalight noticed her. "You heard me screaming right?" Brutalight said with a hoarse voice, looking at the yellow pegasus. "Good thing that you're worried for me, but i hope that you weren't watching me sleeping." "Not at all." replied Fluttershout, a little panicked. "You were already awake before i had arrived." "Damn, my head is pounding really hard." "So, what was all about?" Fluttershout hesitantly asked while approaching Brutalight. "I cannot believe what i'm going to say. I could say it was a nightmare but... It looked like a vivid premonition to me." "Premonition?" Fluttershout asked confused. "You know, like the ones Celestia during her dreams. They mostly tend to tells something about the future. But this one in particular... No, no, i cannot take it seriously. Is too stupid." Brutalight said. "What could possibly be?... If you want to tell." "Very well," Brutalight began. "The nightmare was, as i said, ridiculous. In that dream we were crushing anything that was standing against us. You know, usual enemies. Failed freaks and some other monsters. Nothing unusual. This until some pony showed up. And is not Celestia or Luna." "What? Who could that be?" "It was a stallion, dressed in the most stupidest fashion. He was standing in front of us, accompanied by multiple shadow. He was possess a monster, just like us. Except that he is fully in control." "Fully in control?" Fluttershout asked a little surprised. "The shadows were attacking us," Brutalight continued. "We managed to defeat them, so we were going to punish the stallion for the insolence, but..." "But?" "He managed somehow to crush us. You and the other elements were lying on the shapeless ground. I unleashed all of my powers, but he managed to survive my attacks and beat me with his unknown powers. The last thing that i saw was him grabbing my face before being engulfed by a burst of white energy." Fluttershout couldn't help, but feel a little concerned about what Brutalight said. Dream or not. "That must be obviously a awful dream." Fluttershout said. "Like you said before, it's ridiculous." "I know," Brutalight said irritated. "There's no way that we are about to be taken down by that punk. It's just laughable. Nopony stands in our way, after all.." "Maybe there is a possible explanation." Brutalight turned her head toward Fluttershout, narrowing her eyes. "And what could be this explanation?" Brutalight asked. "That is just a silly theory of mine but... Could that be the case in which this stallion was somehow able to infest your dream, and create the nightmare just to boast his own ego?" Fluttershout meekly said. Brutalight glared at Fluttershout with a angered expression at first. But then she calmed down a bit. Fluttershout was a little nervous, not knowing what to do. "At least that make more sense than the dream itself." Brutalight calmly said. "I-i think so." Fluttershout agreed. "By the way, what about Rainbine?" "Rainbine? She would have probably finished her work with the robots." "I will give a look at them later. Besides, don't even bother to search for him. Is not even worth of our time." "If you say so." "Now leave me alone." Brutalight said, "I have still that hangover since yesterday." Fluttershout trotted toward the door and was about to leave the room, but... "Fluttershout." Brutalight called. "Yes?" "Rainbine know what happened the last night?" "Well..." Fluttershout scratched her head in embarrassment. "Yes. She was still awake when that happened. She heard the whole ruckus, but continued to work anyway." "You didn't tell her that i was basking in the liquid white chocolate while singing one of the Discord's songs during my drunk rampage, right?" "I didn't tell her anything about it." "Then you can go." Brutalight said, finally dismissing the yellow pegasus. Fluttershout closed the door and walked through the corridor. In her mind, she reassured herself that Brutalight only just had a wild nightmare. But deep inside she couldn't stop thinking about it. Is just like Brutalight said: Is a very stupid nightmare. But what she heard has left a bad taste in her mouth. "I think i'm going to take a look to Derpigun." Fluttershout said Maybe is a nonsensical idea, but is always a distraction nonetheless. Far far away from the Demented Seven's headquarters, a figure was standing at the top of a building. It was a black cloaked pony with a beige coat, who was oddly standing on it's two legs. The figure looked at the headquarters in the distance. It's face and it's dark green mane were partially illuminated by the sun, revealing the pony being a mare. She smirked a little like a snake which hunt was going according to his own agenda. "It looks like that the premonition was delivered with success." she said. "Eheheh. That will show him. Balamos is not the only player in this madness. I will take care of his champion with any means." Chapter 3: Enter Starcider Glimsho. (EDITED)Three things were filling the ceremonial room in that moment: The various piles of ashes who used to be Sugar Bell's followers, the strange blue crystals on them and the feel of dread that filled the air. Sugar and Night watched their former leader with a shocked look. Suzaku could tell that her corrupting transformation was complete, but never wanted to check the result of his act of corruption. The energy scissors that she used to kill Sugar Bell's followers was a proof valid enough. She never used this kind of spells. Trying to not show fear, he turned toward her. He got a good look of her appearance, but not in a good way. Starlight was standing two legged, holding a sharped iron scissor for each hoof. Her once bright pink coat was now a pale lavender one. Her mane was a messy, long magenta one, leaving the azure colored part of it unaltered. She has blurry, shaped red eyes and her tongue was abnormally large, coming out of her mouth and reaching her chin. But it cannot hide her gleefully sadistic and dreadful expression that her face was displaying. Compared to the ghosts who had transformed the Elements of Harmony into the monsters that they are now, this one was different. Is not a TF2 Freak, and is not a internet meme either. It was something else, a entity that was inside the scissor that Balamos ordered him to implant into Starlight. "You gotta be kidding me." Suzaku murmured, watching at the new pony freak that he had created with his own hooves. "Yo, guys! Did i missed something!?" The new Starlight said with a confident tone. Sugar Bell and Night Glider gasped, looking at her with in bewilderment. But the most bewildered was Suzaku. He felt like he had passively smoked pot without even realizing it. He couldn't believe is real. "WHAT THE FUCK!?" Suzaku shouted in disbelieve. "S-Starlight?!," Sugar Belle exclaimed, baffled by her behavior. "What happened to-" "Shut it, loser!" interrupted the new Starlight, displaying a murderous aura. "I don't even need that name anymore. I'm now the epitome of bloodlust, Starcider Glimsho!" That name confirmed the suspect that Suzaku had before with the scissor. The object that "possessed" Starlight was familiar to him, and he know where it came from. "I should have imagined that this scissor was the infamous Genoscissor, so the "ghost" that is possessing Starlight Glimmer must be that of, i can't believe i'm saying that, Genocider Sho, a murderous split personality of a videogame character." "Balamos must have been baked when he came up with his recruitment plan." Suzaku commented. "But seriously, the old Starlight Glimmer is a real failure." Starlight, now Starcider Glimsho, affirmed. "Y-you are joking, right?" Sugar Belle muttered, realizing something. "I can sense something wrong in your magic! How did you gain that-" "KYEEHAHAHAHA!!" Starcider laughed loudly, interrupting her again. "With a murderous rebirth comes a murderous reward! Something that you don't even deserve!" "SILENCE!" Night Glider screamed in anger, flapping her wings and rising in the air while holding her own shovel sword in her hooves. "I don't care what sort of monster you had become! You killed our companions! You don't deserve our god's forgiveness! You will be destroyed as a blasphemous heretic, along with that green stallion over there!". Sugar Bell used her telekinesis to lift every single shovel shaped swords of her fallen followers and pointing them toward her two targets. Her intention was then confirmed by her enraged expression. "Starlight, you were almost escaping your purification." Sugar Bell said angrily. "I don't know what happened to you, but either a you or that fake detective have defied our god for the last time. I'm going to clean your acts by SHREDDING YOUR FLESH PERSONALLY!" True to her words, Sugar used her telekinesis to group the shovel shaped scissors together, forming a monstrous snake of sharp metal that rushed menacingly in mid air toward both her two preys. Starcider gleefully put herself in between Suzaku and the flux and cut at a very absurd velocity the flying swords into pieces with her Genoscissors before they could reach her or Suzaku. Sugar Bell watched with a incredulous expression as Starcider effortlessly cut through iron and progressively destroyed the metal barrage of swords, until it was no more. "Impossible." Sugar said stupefied, watching pieces of metal falling on the ground. "How the heck can Starlight use these tools with her hooves and without using the telekinesis!? There's no way!!" Night demanded. Starcider quickly flared her horn to materialize a scissor made of violet energy and tossed it toward her before she could do anything else. The scissor stabbed in her left foreleg and exploded in a electromagnetic wave that electrocuted her without damaging her body and stunned her senses, causing her to collapse. Trying to exploit Sugar's distraction, Suzaku galloped toward her, but was then met by a angered Night Glider diving toward him. "I am not done yet!" Night exclaimed, attempting to cut his head with her shovel sword. Suzaku quickly stopped her blade from decapitating him with both his hooves and knocked it out of her own. The sword landed tip down, thrusting it inside the ground. As Night was about to pounce, Suzaku immediately punched her right in the face, making her to fall back. He then pointed his hoof at her and materialized the black chains from beneath her that quickly wrapped her body, making her unable to do anything. After that, Suzaku stood up on his hind legs and drawing out his claws. He turned his attention to Starcider, who was having her upper hand with Sugar. He was impressed by her abilities. They were as he was expecting due to the fact that he know the ghost possessing Starlight, but wasn't expecting them being this terrific. However, he couldn't allow her to do anymore damage than she had done now. He took a walked toward Starcider with the intent to convince her to not do anymore damage. Starcider turned toward him, looking at him with a vaguely serious face, accompanied by her menacing eyes, causing him to stop for the sudden bit of intimidation. He remained calm, but being face to face with a newfound serial killer with magical powers was still something to him. "I lived dangerous situations before, but this is different." Suzaku though. "Don't even think i have forgot about you." Starcider said with a intimidating tone. Suzaku summoned his huge black sword and wield it with his right hoof. Starcider lit her horn and instantly tossed a scissor made of black energy to the ground, creating a red mist around her. He couldn't see her figure being veiled by that fog and, worst of all, he cannot even approaching his in bipedal position due to his hard difficulty to walk on his hind legs. One of the disadvantage of being a human inside a pony's body. Suddenly he could hear the voice of Night Glider yelling from above him. Without even looking, he leaped backward instinctively. He could see the chained Night Glider abruptly falling in front of him to the ground. He didn't had the time look to the pained pegasus tha Starcider came out of the mist, dashing toward him at the speed of a lightining. Before he could do anything, she was already in front of him with her scissor being near to his face. Suzaku was sweating cold right now. "Hey, you!" Starcider said, playing around with her scissors and leaning her face toward him. "You've done this to me, right!? Right!? Right, right!? You've turned me into this, riiiight!?" Suzaku could barely maintain his calm with her eyes shooting daggers at him and her Genoscissors being around his face. He saw very well what this mare has in store for him. Fighting the real Starlight was a thing, but this new Starlight Glimmer was not joking around. "You will not get away with that, buffoon." Starcider said with a grim tone. "I'm going to tear your body apart and append your head as my cup." At that point, Suzaku could feel the fear get the best of him. But then he reminded to himself about his powers. He should have no problem to fight this demented version of Starlight. He will consider this a testament of what fighting a freak pony looks like. With his confidence being reinforced in a very dark way, succumb to fear is not a valid option. But he had also to be careful to not kill her since she should be his first recruit. So that will be also a pain for him. "You better not screw with me, asshole." Suzaku said before dissolving in black-green flames and reappearing at her right to swung his sword toward Starcider in a surprise attack, only for her to quickly block his attack with only the Genoscissor on her right hoof, leaving him awfully surprised. Suzaku didn't expect her to be able to block effortlessly the blow of his huge sword with a scissor. "Are you serious!? So you have indeed gained Genocider Sho's shenanigans!" He complained in his head. As Suzaku pulled back his sword, Starcider glowed her horn to generate nine energy scissors above her head and shot them at him. Having noticed that, Suzaku raised his left hoof and created a green energy barrier in front him as the scissors whizzed toward him. The cutting projectiles rebounded on the barrier and whizzed in random directions. Starcider shielded herself with her forelegs. Some of the scissors flesh wounded her in some part of her body. Suzaku exploited that moment to shoving his shoulder at her, launching her toward in air. She end up crashing against a wall, creating various medium cracks on it, and collapsed to the ground. Suzaku observed his foe laying apparently unconscious with a little worried look, fearing to have overdid and killed her for real this time. Then a absurd and yet actually plausible thought give him a hint of her conditions. He raised his hoof in front of his face as to a gesture to keep the track of his reasoning. "Stay calm and consider this ridiculous option of yours." Suzaku said to himself. "If Genocider Sho has very ridiculous resistance that allowed her to get up immediately despite being slashed, shot or even hit by explosions like in her videogame... Maybe even this possessed Starlight can do that." Suzaku, not wanting waste his time to return in his four legged position, was about to use his powers to teleport, but before he could do anything, Starcider suddenly stood up on her own hind legs and lifted her head toward him. She looked at him with a unpleasantly euphoric face. She was even blushing, which was very disturbing and grotesque for him. "Aaaaah! You know how to surprise me, you fabulous bastard!" Starcider said, embracing her shoulders. "I have to admit. You've got quite the cojones, fighting back this serial killer who has also a great amount of magic in her arsenal. But don't get me wrong. I have no intention to be your lover!" "Then why you are behaving like this!?" Suzaku asked disgusted. "It's all your fault!" Starcider replied angrily and yet gleefully, pointing her Genoscissors at him. "What you have done to me altered my brain chemistry as well!" "Seriously?" Suzaku questioned. "Hey. You are responsible for my condition.... And yet is literally awesome. Bloodshed can have indeed a wonderful prospective." Starcider precised. "Whoa..." Suzaku said, feeling uncomfortable. "You have officially creeped me out." "Pfft! But you can also consider that i'm, perhaps, just screwing with you because is actually funny for me! Gahahahahahahaha!" "Is she actually trolling me?" Suzaku though, questioning her methods. Feeling uncomfortable by Starcider Glimsho's antics, Suzaku turned his attention to Sugar Bell, who was trying to recover after the electricity stopped to vex her body. She forced herself to stood up, ignoring the pain biting her body and trying to shrug off her dizziness. She looked at Starcider with a angered face and two menacing eyes. "You will not escape my wrath, or that of our god!" Sugar Bell said as she to use her magic, but she found herself unable to use it. The light of her horn end up glowing for a second before dissipating into little sparks, much to her confusion. "It's a Nullifying Scissor. You won't be able to use your magic for a while." Starcider informed. As Sugar Bell insisted to make her magic work in vain, Starcider made a very ridiculous jump forward and virtually flew across the room before gracefully landing on her hind legs behind the magically inhibited Sugar Bell. She immediately sat at the top of the defenseless rose unicorn's back and held her Genoscissors' blades to her throat before she could do anything. Sugar Bell was almost near to going in panic mode. Since Starcider, retained some of Starlight Glimmer's personality, is still pissed for her double betrayal. "Now i'm going to balance the accounts, ya rose whore!" Starcider said with a gleeful menacing tone. "I haven't forgot what happened long time ago! After Twilight Sparkhole came into my village, you, Night Glider and Party Favor showed your desire to have your cutey marks again. And because of you, she and her friends disrupted my utopia, and turned the whole town against me!" "Y-you f-" Sugar Bell tried to said something, but was then stopped by Starcider flaring her horn and creating two energy scissors floating in front of her face, threatening to it if she wanted. "Think twice before cursing me so early, Sugar Brute!" Starcider interrupted."As having helped Twilight to ruin me wasn't enough, you had the boldly moronic idea to found a cult by yourself and replace me with that shitty alicorn of yours. Did you had really forsaken the true meaning of friendship that I gave to you for this DEMENTED JUNK!?" "No, you don't get it!" Sugar, almost snapping. "Painset Shimmercakes appeared in front of us and save from both your lies and Celestia's deception as well. She is our god now and her blessing is better than your decaying rule. You will be killed by her as a price of you insolence!" "Killed!?" Starcider shouted, "That will be you and the rest of your friends. Your god will not save you this time, whoever the fuck it is. I'ts payback time!" Guessing that the situation is going to get worse, Suzaku dissolved in black green flames and reappeared in front of both Sugar and Starcider, already pointing his sword on the latter. "Alright, scissorphile," Suzaku said, trying to not show fear. "I hate to interrupt your slasher performance, but i have no intention to have anymore body count right now." "Aaaaaah?" Starcider looked at him irritated. "What the hell are you doing?. "I need her alive as a hostage." Suzaku stated. Sugar Bell looked at him with a confused stare, not sure of what she heard. Starcider was glaring at him as to asking him if this was a joke. "What?" Sugar murmured puzzled. "Are you dense? Are you high or something? I have no intention to spare this backstabber!" Starcider said."She was even trying to kill you some minutes ago and now you're trying to save her? Is she hot or anything to you?" "I don't care about her if this is what is bothering you." Suzaku replied. "Then out of my way!" Starcider yelled angered as her she gloved her horn. "If you don't-" "Then kill me, but that will be your loss since you will never reach Twilight and her friends without my help." "What?" Starcider said confused as her horn immediately stop gloving and her psychotic rage diminished a little. She pondered about what Suzaku said, knowing that he was trying to save Sugar and Night to not have any problem and convince her to join him, something that she wouldn't even care due to her own personal vendetta and her pride, but that hint regarding Twilight location is something she cannot possibly ignore. "As i said before, my real boss is a deity who preferred to be anonymous," Suzaku said like a devious negotiator."And is another powerful being outside Celestia herself. Only me and him know how to reach the Elements of Harmony in the dimension in which they're trapped." "You are bluffing. Do you even think i will fall for that?" Starcider retorted. "Am i?" Suzaku asked, trying to gain some time. "I know where they are. And, believe me or not, they were possessed just like you, but with different circumstances." "Possessed?...." Starcider paused a moment to recall the images that she saw during her transformation, then she spoke. "When you turned me into this, memories of Twilight and her friends being trapped in a dark world and becoming twisted were flowing in my mind." "So, you saw what happened to the Elements of Harmony after all." Suzaku comfirmed. "Look, i don't care if you believe me or not, but i don't want any body count that would compromise my position. Besides, Sugar Bell and your other friends are not your real targets." "You better explain yourself." Starcider said with a stern tone, which was a fresh change of pace for him. "Sure, they turned against you, but was Twilight and her friends that turned them to their cause," Suzaku said. "And you want get revenge on them, right?" "Yes! So what?!" Starcider demanded. "If you want to find them, then you had to follow our own terms." Suzaku insisted. "After all, i gave you this power, but i have also the power to purge it this instant." "Tsk." Starcider scowled at him, almost showing scorn to him. "So... What do you want, darksticker?" Suzaku said. Starcider stared at Suzaku with a bizarrely confusing gaze and then looked away. She switched into a serious look as she brainstormed and took in consideration his proposal and it's implications. After a short time, she glance to Suzaku again. "You are playing air guitar with fire, you know." Starcider said with a serious tone. "You have no alternatives, especially since i can screw you over." Suzaku informed. Starcider took her time decide about the forced choice that Suzaku had imposed on her while looking at him irritated. After all the previous insults and the beatdown that he gave to her, Suzaku wasn't expecting her to gladly accept that. Then, as she calmed down a little bit, a very uncomfortable smile marked her face and she blushed again. Suzaku felt very uneasy in that moment, and was not for her Genoscissors for once. "You'll helping me to hunt down Twilight and her friends?" Starcider said with a excited tone. "If that means saving lives and my cover, i'll certainly doing that," Suzaku confirmed with a irritated tone for the awkwardness of her behavior. "Now... How's that!?" After a few seconds of reconsideration, Starcider mercifully pulled her scissors' blades away from Sugar Belle's neck, got off of her and stood up on her two legs. Suzaku pointed his hoof at Sugar Belle and summoned the black chains to trap her. He then dissolved his huge black sword and withdraw his claws. Starcider, still angered by Sugar's and Night's roles in her utopia's downfall and knowing that Suzaku wouldn't let her kill them, gloved her horn and teleported Night above Sugar, causing the chained pegasus to fall abruptly upon the equally chained rose unicorn and squashed her a little, just to have some little satisfaction. That Suzaku wanted or not. "Now that is a lovely fall." Starcider commented half satisfied. "CAN YOU JUST KNOCKING OFF!?" Suzaku yelled at her. "You're Zaidiot, right?" Starcider demanded nonchalantly. "Is Zaidel Goelnix." Suzaku replied deadpan, concealing the fact that his name is actually Suzaku Aki. "Alright, i will collaborate with you since you "made me" what i am now, but keep in mind: if we are going to face them, don't do any them! Not even Twilight!" Starcider cheerfully and dangerously precised without any restraints of her words. "Where the fuck did that come from!?" Suzaku said, awkwardly blown away from that sudden statement. "Maybe you are not the type who will like them anyway, but you better not weasel out it. You got yourself a fuckin' deal, punk!" Starcider reminded. "Whatever." Suzaku said. "Hoping to not encounter any other of your innuendos." "You better do your part. And i think that we are alright for now." Starcider said cheerfully, without any other menacing tone mixed in the moment. "But there's one problem." Suzaku said before inhaling deeply and verbally shot gunned her in the face. "You killed their followers!! Now how i can hide this body count!?" "Huh?" Starcider looked puzzled. "You mean... the ones who were turned into piles of ashes scattered nearby the entrance?" "Yeah! Who else!?" Suzaku responded. "Speaking of which, why the bodies of their followers dissolved into ashes like that when Starlight killed them." Suzaku questioned in his head. "And what are these blue crystals? I don't get it." Ignoring Suzaku's question, Starcider hide her Genoscissors inside her mane and nonchalantly walked two legged, heading toward one of the blue crystal laying on one of the pile of ashes that use to be one of Sugar's follower. She leaned toward the crystal and took it with her hooves. "Wait, what are you doing?" Suzaku questioned. Starcider gloved her horn and used her magic on the crystal, causing it to materialize a huge screen. Various images were appeared on it, showing something that happened in this very ceremonial room. A stallion was laying on the altar with his limb being bounded on it by the magic of a unicorn wearing a red cloak that Suzaku could recognize as Party Favor. And behind the altar there was Sugar Bell, being welcomed by a crowd of red clocked ponies gathered in front of her, including Party himself. As the bounded stallion struggled frantically to release himself, Sugar Bell took a bloody curved knife. She smiled in the most misguided way as she thrust in into his chest. He screamed in pain, and after that, his voice became silent and everything became dark. It seemed to be over but then, the image of Sugar Bell appeared once again, smiling genuinely while retaining a glove of insanity in her eyes. "Welcome back, my companion." Sugar said before giving in a insane smug. "You had been reborn." After that, everything became dark again and the image disappeared in a flock of sparks. Starcider put the crystal back to the ashen pile and pull out her Genoscissors to wield them again. She turned toward Suzaku, who was partially shocked for what he saw. Suzaku stood with his mouth hanging open. He was horrified, but mostly confused. He could guess that the images are the memories of the deceased pony, but couldn't make sense in what happened next. Then the answer came on his own, and turned out to be even more dark and ridiculous than he ever though. "Wait a minute. She said 'You had been reborn'?" Suzaku tried to make sense in what happened. "Starcider. Is that memory implying what i'm thinking it is?" "Well... They are all dead long time ago." Starcider confirmed before she started to laugh loudly. "Kyeehahahaha!" "Don't laugh about it!" Suzaku yelled disgusted. "Are you telling me that the inhabitants of the town, including the ones you had killed off, died long time before my arrival and that are somehow been reborn as zombies?" "Don't believe me? Why don't you ask to the rose usurper over there!?" Starcider answered with a gleefully sarcastic tone. Suzaku and Starcider approached the chained Sugar Bell, with the energy scissors still floating above her. Starcider nonchalantly pocked forehead with her Genoscissor, causing her to wail a little more. "Oi!" Starcider said to Sugar. "You better explain what happened to them... Or else..." "Heretics! You cursed yourselves with your own hooves!" The chained Sugar Bell shouted. "So i will give you that information before you will face my god's punishment." "You better tell us what happened here, shake and bake." Suzaku said with a intimidating tone, trying to get some information. "Our god, Painset Shimmercakes, came in this town and demonstrated her powers," Sugar said. "By killing all of the inhabitants. Some of them were split in two and others were brutally carbonized. Only I, Night Glider, Double Diamond, Feather Bangs, and Party Favor were the only ones who were spared by her wrath." "W... What?" Suzaku asked. "Watching my friends dying in that horrendous way was..." Sugar Bell's irises shrunken as her face deformed into a image of joyful delirium. "A unique experience. My mind started to became clear without Painset doing anything to me. I saw insanity in a new, benevolent light. Guided by a weird instinct, i bowed toward her and swore loyalty to her, followed by my companions doing the same." "That is even more fucked up than i even imagined." Suzaku murmured without let Starcider know. "Well, Feather Bangs was reluctant at first though." The chained Night Glider said. "But i could understand him since he's traumatized by what happened to him." "So that insecure character tool is the only sane one in this town?" Suzaku then grinned as he was elaborating a idea of his own. "I wonder if i could turn him into the pony equivalent of Ash Williams... If Balamos want him in his so called army of course." "So, all of you except Feather had gone nuts." Starcider crudely commented. "You tell her." Suzaku agreed, ignoring the fact that the lecture was coming from that bloodthirsty version of Starlight Glimmer. "Sugar Brine, please. Just get straight to the point already." Starlight said impatiently. "Five of us doesn't qualify as a population, so Painset bestowed me a forbidden method to resolve that problem before she left. Thanks to her, i was able to craft some blue crystal through Alchemy and injected them inside the bodies of the dead ponies to resurrect them as a perfect variation of Homuncoli. But that was just the start." "Homuncoli?" Suzaku muttered surprised. "Alchemy is actually a thing in the MLP universe?" Suzaku mentally checked the whole crystal thing that Sugar Bell gave to them, twice. Something rang inside his head, giving him the vision of a possible connection between the memories coming from the blue crystal and her story. "Let me get that straight." Suzaku began, not sure of what he's going to say. "After having resurrected your dead friends as Homunculi, you put yourself as the leader in charge of this cult, blocked Starlight's escaped route, built this room and lured countless ponies just to kill them and resurrect them if they doesn't play ball with your beliefs?" "You had really sharp mind," Sugar bell said. "It's a shame that you weren't killed by us. You would have been a good part of our heaven. Insanity is the real utopia. Harmony is corrupted, so i will dream for that opportunity. We know about Twilight and her friends becoming the Elements of Insanity! But i'm not afraid of them! PAINSET WILL SAVE US ALL! AHAHAHAHAHAH!" Sugar Bell continued to laugh maniacally, making her dementia echoing through this underground church, spreading her voice like a plague. Suzaku wasn't expecting her to know about the Elements of Insanity, also called as the Demented Seven. He took a moment to stomach the traumatic story that Sugar Bell has told. He couldn't maintain his usually calm and unperturbed demeanor. He wouldn't even being the usual troll on her. This time there's no laptop screen that could guard him from that. "I hate to admit... But i couldn't help but feel mortified for her." Suzaku then realized in dismay what he was thinking. "Wait!.... I'm actually feeling sorry for her?" As Suzaku was reflecting on his contradictions, Starcider didn't seemed perturbed at all due to her being crazy on her own. She turned toward him and noticed his conflicted expression. "Hey. You don't have a crush on her, right?" Starcider asked. "I don't even care about her." Suzaku responded roughly to hide his small conflict. "However let me tell you, her madness is pretty understandable since Painset took away their normal lives, just as Twilight took away your utopia.... Not that i'll forgive her psychotic shenanigans anyway." Suzaku paused. It took him one minute to reflect about what to do next. He know that he could use Sugar Bell as a hostage to make his toward to escape the town, but doesn't perfectly know what will happen next. "Do you seriously intend to use Sugar and Night as a mean to our escape?" Starcider questioned, almost protesting. "I have cover as a strange wanderer to maintain. I'm not of this dimension and this is the first time i came here." Suzaku said with a serious tone. "I don't want have any problem with Celestia in Grand Thieft Auto style." "Grand Thieft What?" Starcider asked confused, not getting the reference as Suzaku facehoofed very hard for his unnecessary shout out. "Forget the last three words. Let's just say that i want some discretion, ok?" Suzaku corrected. "You're weird." Starcider commented. "That will be you." Suzaku retorted. "Besides, there's one thing that i don't understand." "What?" Starcider asked. "How did you realized that the crystal were containing the memories of the deceased ones?" Suzaku said. "It was the way the Homuncoli was able to emulate the deceased ponies that gave me that idea, Lame-o! These crystal served as a second memory center." Starcider confirmed with a sarcastic but grotesque tone. "I didn't studied magic for nothing, kono baka!" "What!?" Suzaku exclaimed surprised. "Did the spirit of Genocider Sho gave her the ability to speak Japanese?" "So, Zaidull. What's the plan?" Starlight demanded. "Let's drag these two mares in your living room and use them to make our way through their followers." Suzaku suggested. "I want to get out of this mad town. As soon as fucking possible." "Go ahead." said Sugar arrogantly. "A entire horde of followers and monstrous allies guided by Double Diamond and Party Favor is still surrounding the house and your wall of fire expired. You will not escape from Our Town so easily." "I know. This why i will take you with us, so shut up your ass and behave." Suzaku commanded. After that returned into their four legged position. Suzaku took a deep breath to digest all the turbulent moment he just faced. unfortunately he can't do the same thing to that feeling of the uneasiness that Starcider Glimsho has made him taste with her own behavior. Suzaku took one of the blue crystals and put it in his sack. He then looked at Starcider in contemplation. Just thinking about the alteration that the possession has done to her made him shiver in disgust, and he know why. This new Starlight Glimmer was just a preview of the other insanely dangerous monster that he has to transform any other pony into. "I guess is too late to regret that, but i really doubt that i will get used too." Suzaku paused. "I think i will need terapy.... if i can survive this madness of course." Outside the closed gates of the fence build around Starlight's village, a pool of black liquid emerged from the soil. The pool expanded very fast, until it became bigger. A huge dark flaming suddenly emerged from there, growing bigger and reaching the size of the wooden gates that blocked the entrance. The creature displayed very omnious eyes. The creature takes a very dreadful form and begin to declare his sudden existence. By breaking through the gates. Chapter 4: Draconian Menace (EDITED)Suzaku went out of the room and traveled all the way back where he came from, followed by Starcider, who was cheerfully trotting while carrying the two chained mares above her head with her telekinesis, without having any fatigue. Which didn't surprise him this much since he previously saw her using her telekinesis to overturn her bed while carrying the jar with the Mane Six's cutey marks. "I wonder since she became a pony freak, if she can lift the entire town just to gain enough time for us to escape." Suzaku murmured to himself. As they continued to walk, a sudden echo of a monstrous roar reverberating through the tunnel, followed by chilling screams. "What the hell was that?" Suzaku demanded. They accelerated their march and galloped as fast a they can. The more forward they go, the more the screams increased in volume. They reached the stairs and came out in Starlight's bedroom. Starcider abruptly dropped the two chained mares on the floor while Suzaku headed toward the window and looked out. His expression froze in shocked horror. He just saw the things, already messed up as they are, becoming very chaotic. "You gotta be kidding me." Suzaku said quietly. What is happening in the town was something that he could find in any monster movie, except that is not funny to watch, and is happening in front of his eyes. The wooden gates were smashed, a few houses were destroyed, various pile of ashes with a blue crystal on them filled the ground and the still living red cloaked ponies were running away from it. And at the center of the whole chaos was a towering monstrosity engulfed in black flames. He could tell that is a Mindeater, but he wasn't expecting to see a very huge one. That thing was a nine-foot hulking creature with a short steel tail and very long claws. It looked like a green eyed humanoid wingless dragon-goat hybrid creature being engulfed in black flames. Compared to the other Mindeaters that were infesting the town, that thing was more taller than the town itself. The dragon-like creature opened his mouth and spitted blood colored meteors in various part of the town. The meteors crashed to the ground, exploding into pillars of red flames that incinerated a few ponies and other Mindeaters nearby them and leaving craters in their wake. The killed ponies, due to them being Homuncoli, dissolved into ashes and leaved in their place blue crystal, that were disintegrated as well. "Now that is what i call a pandemonium."" Suzaku said. " I may not have saw the Dragon Lord in live, but that is ridiculous! How can i deal with this Dragoliath?!" "That flaming BASTARD!" Starcider screamed angered. "Not that i even care about my town anymore, but that towering dumbmuscle is killing some my former followers and their monsters. That should be my job!" "Why is this creature doing this?" Sugar Bell demanded. "It should be our ally." "Is a mindless crushing machine! That thing is not interest in your cult!" Suzaku replied bluntly. "I guess that she's punishing us for my failure!" Sugar said in denial before smiling. "But there's a harmonious comfort in this. If we are going to die, you will sink with us." Suzaku noticed Starcider's murderous aura intensifying very quickly due to her inability to stomach her. "Argh! For the love of... Hasbro!" Suzaku complained, letting out a sigh. Not wanting to have anymore complication and being sick of her demented talk, he grabbed a wooden bench and smack it the chained Sugar Bell with a swift blow on her head, knocking her unconscious while breaking the bench in half. He then used the other half to do the same thing with Night Glider. Suzaku walked back to the windows and observed the Dragoliath continuing his rampage without being noticed. Most of the ponies, were just tossed around, while others were dying by getting sliced by his claws or incinerated by the meteor's explosions. The killed ponies, being Homuncoli, dissolved themselves into ashes in both cases and leaving blue crystal in their places, only for these to be crushed under his feet afterwards. "Starcider, just watch over these psychos." Suzaku said. "Don't do anything until i tell you. And most of all don't kill them." "I made no promiseeeeees." Starcider replied with a whimsical tone. "We have a deal, remember?" "Ok, fine! But i will precise you that i don't like being ordered around, Zaidouche!" Ignoring her remark, he stepped outside. The Dragoliath was approaching toward the house to his left, where Double Diamond and Party Favor were hiding themselves. Not wanting waste his attack on the monster's back, he charged the claws on his right hoof and shouted to get his attention. "Hey!" Suzaku said at the dragonic monster, inducing it to turn toward him. "You forgot the Dragon Code!" Suzaku swung his claws and shot a dark slashing wave that goes right into the Dragoliath's left eye, exploding in the green pillar of energy that destroyed it along with part of his face and leaved a vertical opening on it's wake. The monster roared fiercely for the pain as blood colored flames were coming out of the wound. Suzaku was preparing to deliver another wave until the monster returned his attention to him and glared with a terrific enraged face while charging his red meteor in his mouth. He immediately canceled the charge and galloped away. Pissed as it is, the Dragoliath shot three blood colored meteors at him. He dodged the first one by teleporting away from it before it exploded into a red flaming pillar. He does the same with the second one, but then the power abuse penalty kicked in, stunning him with the painfully familiar electric surge and making me collapse. The third meteor landed a little far away from him, but the explosion was near enough to burn him briefly before launching him in the air. He violently fell on the ground. The electric charge ceased afterwards, but that was the last of his problems. His body wasn't destroyed due to his powers protecting him, but he end up really burned. A thing made evident by multiple trails of smog, the few trace burns that he had on his coat and his black jacket being half burned. He remained motionless, breathing heavily and being mentally stunned from both the electric charge of the penalty and the impact of both the blow and the fall. Almost every part of his body was hurting him. He wanted to take a break so badly, but he know that he cannot afford that. Not when the Dragoliath was jumping toward him, ready to pierce his body with his giant claws of his right hand. "Oh, shit!" Suzaku shouted before rolling away, making the dragonic monster's claws missing him. It's landing caused another brief localized quake. It's claws were stuck on the ground. It was a lucky shot, but it's only temporary. That monster pulled back his claws and aimed at him. With his heart accelerating it's beats from that forced movement, the pain seizing his body became more unbearable. Suzaku tried to move, but he felt numb and weighed down. The Dragoliath swung his claw toward him. Suzaku could do nothing but closing his eyes to not see his own end. But then, he heard a really familiar laughter accompanied by the Dragoliath screeching in rage and sounds of things falling on the ground. He didn't felt a anything. For a moment, he gave himself for dead, but the pain infesting his body was telling him otherwise. He opened his eyes and lifted his head. Something unexpected happened. He was surprised to see Starcider Glimsho was cutting through the Dragoliath's claws like they were made of paper, into pieces with her Genoscissor. The claw's pieces disappeared into trails of black smoke as they were falling. The black flaming dragon roared fiercely toward Starcider, who laughed loudly. "What the hell's up with you, big boooooy?!" Starcider said while glaring at the hulking beast. "Is that what you got!? Don't die on me already! Because i need some stress relief!" "What the...?" Suzaku tried to say. "You better not succumb in front of me. I need you, not your corpse." Starcider said. "You saved me because you need me to reach Twilight, right?" Suzaku demanded distrustful. "That is not the only reason." Starcider replied with a sadistic tone, leaving Suzaku perplexed. "Seriously, i have no intention to to sit my ass and doing nothing! I'm going to mangle something!!" Quick as the lightning, Starcider spiraled herself through the air towards the Dragoliath's right leg, and starts grinding it with her iron scissors creating a vacuum drill around her rotating body, carving a huge flaming wound and causing the dragonic creature to fell on his knee due to the unbearable pain, threatening to crush her. Starcider quickly stopped her rotation and literally jumped on it's mangled right hand, preventing herself from being crushed. The Dragoliath turned it's head toward Starcider, who quickly generates a energy scissor with her magic and launched it in it's other eye, blinding it for good. As the Dragoliath was screeching and wiggling around to shrugg her off, Starcider quickly jumped away from it's hand, landed nearby it's left foot and began to slash it repeatedly to injure him even further. But before she could do that, the Dragoliath unleashed a shockwave that propelled her away from it's now destroyed leg, also bleeding red flames. She end up crashing nearby he house. Despite the impact of the blow, Starcider immediately stood up on her hind legs like nothing happened. As she rushed toward the the Dragoliath, the dragonic monster charged it's mouth with electricity and shoot multiple lightnings toward it's two preys. Starcider end up being struck by one of bolts while the other ones missed Suzaku. She spasmed a little for the electroshock and collpsed on the ground. Suzaku started to worry for her, but for other reasons that didn't include any empathy. Starcider looked a very battered with trails of steam rising from her coat, but her expression was a mix in between being angered and bloodthirsty. She was having fun, which disturbed Suzaku once more. Starcider tried to get up again, ignoring the pain of the electrocution, but suddenly found herself unable to move. She tried to move, but her body refuses to do so. She groaned in frustration, but then calmed herself down to process what happened. She could feel not one, but two magical forces affecting her. "The hell!?" Starcider exclaimed. "You gotta be fucking re-kidding me!" Suzaku said, not expecting this. Both of the distressed ponies turned their gaze toward the house. They were met by a unchained Night Glider, who stood with two pillars behind her. A green one and a red one. Enraged by this, Starcider tried to use her magic, but was then stunned by a electric charge surging in her head. "That serves you right." Night said. "We have conserved these spellbinding stone for Celestia, in case the Princess was coming in town. I can't believe that we have to use these on you, Starlight Glimmer." "What do you think are doing!? She was just trying to defeat the monster!" Suzaku yelled incredulous, but then paused to correct himself. "Ok, maybe she was fighting that thing just for bloodthirsty fun, but still, she was at least preventing you from being killed! What is wrong with you!?" "Don't even think i didn't considerate this particular." Sugar said, being unchained as well and coming out of the house. "But i think that is for the best." "For the best!? You are about to get yourselves killed!" Suzaku retorted. "I know that. But now that i'm seeing this from another degree, i understood. Painset decided to liberate us through the death. Thus after her champion finished with you and Starlight, we will go in a better place than this." As the monster growled, Suzaku the surreal development that this situation was taking. The red cloaked ponies gathered nearby Sugar Bell and Night Glider, and the Hell Hounds and humanoid Mindeaters formed a block behind the Dragoliath without him having realized yet. Suzaku's blood chilled as he interpreted this whole thing as a mass execution in which the monster was the executioner. He glared at Sugar for this insanity. "Are insane until this point?" Suzaku insisted. "I told you, heretic." Sugar informed with a calm, sinister tone. "We will not going back in that fake, warped reality ever again. Nor will you." Sugar, Night, Double, Party and the rest of their followers remained to watch as the The Dragoliath turned his head toward him, having noticed his presence through his sense of smell despite his blindness. Starcider struggled to set herself free in vain. Deafened by their insanity and unwilling to listen any other reasoning from their enemies, the red cloaked cultists waited for the monster to gave them the finishing blow. Suzaku could feel that this situation was going to end very badly. In this time was for real. He was so scared to die. But then he became less scared. Less and less scared. More than scared, he was frustrated and the pissed. He refused to believe that. Sugar's twisted logic irritated him at no end. But more infuriating than that was the sensation of not find any way out. "Reality... What do you think to know about reality, you moron..." "Well certainly not that of a current loser like you... Seriously... You're disappointing." A voice in Suzaku's head said. That wasn't Balamos. And wasn't Yuki Terumi either. "Y-you're not Balamos." Suzaku replied quietly. "I'm sick of people talking inside my head. What the hell are you?" "You wanted to emerge victorious from this ordeal, right? You wanted to triumph over any difficulty... You choose the dreadful path even before coming in this world for personal reasons." "..." "And now you are going to die in the most ridiculous and unceremonial way possible. Killed by a monster that is also helped by a bunch of cultist inside the fantasy word that you had constantly bashed from behind the screen. Well, open your eyes, idiot. You're not protected by your screen. They are gonna kill you and you didn't even put any willpower to fight back." Suzaku could feel his heart running faster. But that wasn't adrenaline. It was his pride being punched around by these words. "C'mon! You are going to let this douchebags crushing you!?" "Like hell i would let that happen!" Suzaku said angered. Ignoring his fatigue and pain, Suzaku forced stood up, stumbling as he tried to maintain his balance. He imposed to himself to stand up for his own reason. That was more than just his first real fight. That wasn't about just defeating the monster. That was about one thing that he promised to himself a long time ago. He will not succumb to no one. Sugar Bell looked at him, confident that he will succumb to the monster, just like the rest of the cult. Suzaku noticed that, but that wasn't important for him. What is important was what he's going to do. With his own mind being settled, Suzaku slowly walked toward the Dragoliath and stopped in front of the monster and glared upwards with a unnatural glare. "Nothing personal... But i'm really sick of your face already." Suzaku said, grinning a little bit, having forgotten any fear. "I'm not going to get killed today." Being fed up with being tossed around, Suzaku kept his eyes locked on the Dragoliath's eyes and the latter snarled angered. "By the way... " Suzaku materialized his huge black sword and grabbed it. "I saw Zombie Dragons that are far more competent than you, dumbass!" The Dragoliath tried to slash him with a claw swipe of his left hand. But he instantly cut them off with one single swing of his sword. The monster furiously tried to crush him with the palm of his mangled right hand. Suzaku jumped higher backwards, causing the Dragoliath to miss him and provoke a brief localized quake. Suzaku was about to use his powers, but then noticed that the Dragoliath was preparing to do something. He leaped away from him as the dragon like creature unleashed another shockwave. After landing on his hind legs, Suzaku looked at his foe. As the Dragoliath was opening his mouth, he channeled the claws of his hoof and pointed it toward the Dragoliath, ready to use his Shadow Shotgun. "Give me your best shot." Suzaku taunted him. The Dragoliath charged it's mouth, but before it could spit his blood colored meteor at him, he shot three darts of dark violet energy that whizzed straight in it's mouth and hit the meteor, making it explode from inside. It's head was mostly destroyed, showing his shadowy insides and being engulfed by red flames. "Have a nice spontaneous combustion." Suzaku said, expecting the monster to disappear afterwards. But despite that self explosion, the Dragoliath was still moving and making a almost deafened roar due to it's throat being heavily damaged, causing Suzaku to briefly react in disbelieve. He, however, recovered from that since he took that as a note of how persistent can be his future enemies, so he wouldn't even make a rant about that, despite the fact he hated the enemies who refused to die. Thought that happened in the videogames, but seeing it live was far more dangerous. Not want to waste anymore time, Suzaku warped nearby the devastated Dragoliath. Normally, that was really impractical and nonsensical, but since he's in pony form and he cannot afford to lose his balance in a very crucial moment, he abstained himself to walk two legged. Suzaku charged his huge black sword with a surge of dark-green energy and raised it above his head, ready to unleash his next attack. But then he noticed the Dragoliath furiously trying to punch him with his right hand. Before the Dragoliath's punch could reach him, Suzaku quickly slammed his channeled sword on the ground, making it burst into a black-green pyroclasm around him that incinerated the Dragoliath's entire arm. As the beast was weakly screeching, the pyroclasm ceased his rise and died out, revealing the sign that the sword carved in the ground, but not Suzaku. Much to Sugar, Starcider and the other ponies' surprise, he wasn't there. They looked around to find them until Suzaku reappeared in mid air above the head of the Dragoliath, but this time he was armed with his hoof turned into a very long blade of black-green energy instead of wielding his huge sword. He mustered his strength, and dived on him in a falling overhead slash on him with his energy blade. He cutted his way through it's body during his fall. He then landed unharmed afterwards with his energy made weapon slamming against the ground, unleashing a giant pillar of violet darkness from beneath the Dragoliath that instantly disintegrated it's body. The monster was reduced into black dust and disappeared into nothingness as the scarlet pillar advanced forward, disintegrating all the Hell Hounds, the humanoid Mindeaters and everything else in it's trajectory. Not even the monument of the cult's emblem and what remains of the destroyed gates were spared by it's destructive travel. The pillar continued it's advance until it disappeared at three yards far away from the town. Suzaku lifted his head toward the exit of the town and looked astonished at the aftermath of his final blow. All the way toward the exit of the town was completely clean. The Dragoliath wasn't the only thing that was disintegrated. The black flaming monsters and the emblem were no more. The pillar of energy responsible for that That leaved a huge line carved in the soil that traversed. He remained silent. He wanted to exult for his victory, but was too frightened by how he managed to "Overkill" a huge dark flame engulfed dragon and a entire army of Mindeaters behind it to do so. That made him consider the most classic of the lesson: How dangerous can this power be if not used properly. And see it with his own eyes has no price. "That is definitively exaggerated." Suzaku said in disbelief, but then calmed down as he turned his hoof back to normal while retaining the claws. "But that cannot be helped. I'm the one who unleashed all that power against this rage beast." As he continued to reflect about that, a strange realization struck his mind. There's something about his powers that doesn't add up. Balamos implanted the spirit of Yuki Terumi inside his body, so i gained his powers. He didn't realized before, but these powers doesn't look like these of Terumi. He tried to find some answers, but his pondering was interrupted by Sugar Bell screaming in the distance. "No.... NO! It's not supposed to be like this! There's no way a heretic like you could survive the wrath of Painset!" Sugar Bell lamented. Suzaku returned four legged and turned toward the remaining cultists gathered in front of Starlight' house. He gave a look to the their faces as they watched him. They were equally astonished as he is, except not in good way. Sugar Bell and Night Glider were completely shocked, refusing to believe that even happened. Double Diamond, Party Favor and the rest of their fellow cultists looked at him with a newfound fear. Having saw the 'herald of their god' and their entire army of Mindeaters crumble in front of their eyes was really devastating for their misguided faith. Starcider Glimsho, still imprisoned by the magic of the pillars was impressed in a very chilling way by his powers and his combat abilities. She felt also a little conflicted. Deep inside she was enjoying the scene where Sugar saw her paradise being crushed, but she was also mad at Suzaku for having stolen her fun. "Let's show them what a overpowered troll can possibly do." Suzaku said as he headed toward Starcider, who was impatient to be set free. Sugar Bell glared at Suzaku intensively, but then she noticed her followers recoiling in fear for his reprisal as he was getting closer them, despite them being her loyal Homuncoli created by her. Night looked at him with scorn while Double and Party couldn't help but feel legitimately intimidated by him. "So even the Homuncoli doesn't want to fuck with me... Good for me." Suzaku stopped and took and looked at Sugar Bell just to make sure that she doesn't do anything reckless, and then back to Starcider. "You weren't so injured after all." Suzaku said. "Screw you. I'm still alive thanks to the spirit that turned me into a bloodthirsty psychopath... Thought i'm started to get used to it." Starcider said. "Just set me free already." "Only if you don't start a killing spree after i released you." Suzaku precised. "What!? But this bitch tried to-" "I will deal with her and her companions. Just don't do anything controversial. Got it?" "Arrrrgh!..... Fine. I will do as you want." Starcider accepted reluctantly. "But don't push your luck on me, dude!" Suzaku heard the sound of wings flapping coming from behind him. He turned his head toward the source and saw Night Glider flying in the air, armed with a shovel sword. She was about to dive toward him to strike, but was then interrupted by Feather Bang jumping from the roof of the house and falling upon her, making her sword fall from her hooves and causing her to crash on the ground with him. That act caught Suzaku's interest for a moment. "Wow... Doesn't not happen every day to see a insecure character going Assassins Creed on a winged psycho." Suzaku commented quietly. Feather turned his head toward an angered Sugar Bell while blocking Night's body with his own. Sugar tried to use her magic, but she can't doing it due to Starcider's Nullifying Scissor's influence being still active. "Sugar Bell!" shouted Feather. "Stop this madness! It's over!" "Feather..." Sugar said with quiet dismay. "You had sworn loyalty to our god... I thought we are friends... How could you-" "This is not living. We have killed innocents for that stupid creed. Is not too late to atone for that. Celestia will sur-" "YOU TRAITOR!!" Sugar screamed in rage, charging toward Feather to stab him with her horn. Suzaku dissolved into black-green flames and reappeared in front of her just in time to block her charge by grabbing her neck with his claws and lifting in mid air. He gave her a glare that would have smashed her eyes like a stained glass, draining away her psychotic rage before letting her go. Sugar Bell was paralyzed, unable to use her magic and not knowing what to do. "You know, you have some piece of cupcakes in your hooves." Suzaku said sardonically as he pointed to her forelegs. Sugar Bell hesitantly glanced upon her hooves with a confused look, leaving a opening for Suzaku to quickly hit her with a roundhouse punch. She collapsed on the ground, stunned by the blow. "Be happy that i didn't gone Ezekiel 25:17 on you, bitch." Suzaku said with calm anger. Suzaku walked toward the pillars and then stopped. He stood up on his hind legs and observed Double Diamond, Party Favor and the rest of cult, who were watching him in awe from afar. "Since we are in theme of crazy ponies and screw up deities who are not Celestia or Luna, i hope you enjoy this." Suzaku announced, leaving the other ponies, including Sugar, Starcider and even Feather, really confused as he materialized his huge black sword and wield it. "Wait a second, heretic!" Double said. "What are-" "No pony talks when my sword is talking!" Suzaku interrupted before cutting both the pillar in two with his sword and, causing them to emit sparks for a moment before their color became very pale. Their influence that affected her body disappeared, so Starcider was able to move again. She quickly stood up and approached Suzaku with a serious face. Thought that she is still impressed for what he was able to do, she still hate his guts. "You're really a terrific guy, you know." Starcider said very serious without any mood swinging variation for once. "I couldn't even believe myself." Suzaku replied, not knowing how to put that with words. Starcider, being still Starlight Glimmer for a certain extent, gave a glare to the stunned Sugar. She still wanted to get revenge on her, but due to her deal with Suzaku, she decided to let him handle the situation and pretend to ignore her and her four companions. Even thought she still hate his guts. "S-Starlight?" Diamond said, inducing Starcider to turn toward him. "N-now that i'm thinking about that... what happened to you?" "That should be last of your problems, Double." Starcider said in a serious tone, before shifting into a cheerfully sadistic one. "I'm the ghost of your former equality cult leader who is now the avatar of slaughter! KYEHAHAHAHA!" "Cork it, lady." Suzaku said, interrupting her laughter. "Just make sure that they don't do anything reckless." "Whatever....." Starcider replied with a grumpy tone. Suzaku teleported near to Sugar and pointed his sword to her head, causing the cultists to recoil once more. Night Glider was angered by this, but didn't even dared to make any reckless move. And not just because Feather Bang was still blocking her body on the ground with his own. Double and Party were too worried for Sugar, so they abstained from taking any action. Suzaku looked at Feather Bang, who was unsure about his intentions. "Hey!" Suzaku said, looking at Feather Bang. "Y-yes?" Feather responded reluctantly, still holding Night Glider on the ground with his body. "Now then, get off this pegasus and get your ass out of her." Suzaku ordered to him. "What?" Feather Bang said. "Nani?" Starcider muttered confused. "Are you serious?!" Party Favor inquired. "W-why are you doing this?" Feather asked confused. "Personally, i'm not very fond of you, but i could respect a pony who snapped at a bitch like her." Suzaku said as Feather was glaring a little bit to him for his remark. "Look, i know that she's still your friend, but she tried to kill me." "..." "What are you waiting for?" Suzaku insisted. "Go!" With the face of someone who doesn't want anymore violence, Feather silently nod, released Night from his grasp and galloped away as fast a he could. Suzaku turned his attention back to the cultists and observed their faces. Suzaku grinned a little bit upon noticing their respective reaction and pointed his sword toward them. "You're still shocked for the fact your god's champion was destroyed by a black jacket wearing nutjob? Then let me show you one thing that helped me to do so." Suzaku said bluntly as he put his back-hoof on Sugar Bell's back to block her, which was a good move since she couldn't still use her magic for at least thirty minutes. Sugar Bell recovered a little bit from his dizziness but wasn't able to stand up due to the green pony's back-hoof blocking her and pushing her on the ground with much strength. Suzaku pointed his sword, ready to get to the point. "This lady that is looking at you... Is Psycho Slayer," Suzaku announced. "Dragon Slayer's bastardized sister. I cut off the claws of your colossus and destroyed it's arm with it, as i will do the same thing to you cult leader if you don't do as i say." "Too bad that you wouldn't let me do that." Starcider muttered in the demeanor of Starlight Glimmer. "But still, Sugar Bell is the only one who can resurrect you and make rise the number of your followers, so...." Suzaku switched his tone into a serious one. "You better not trying anything, you wackos." "The conditions are actually three. The first one is that you will never, ever tell Princess Celestia, Luna, or any other pony that i and Starcider were there. The second one is that you have to let us go. And the third one..." Double, Party and the other inhabitants took his words very seriously as they waited to hear the rest. Sugar and Night were doing reluctantly the same. After all, nopony wanted to opposed someone with a destructive power like his own. Suzaku grinned satisfied of the situation. He would have just imposed them to let him and Starcider go. But after the whole madness that they forced him to face, he couldn't even miss this opportunity to take his revenge. However, more than revenge it was something else. "You will serve me as my new agents!" Suzaku announced. Starcider looked at him in dismay while the cultists were frozen upon hearing his words. There was a sense of silent moment of bewilderment and incredulity, then their baffled expression, and then their reaction. "WHAAAAAT!?" Everybody but Suzaku and Starcider shouted. "What the hell, hero!?" Starcider protested. "That is just the beginning of your punishment." Suzaku proclaimed. "And since you will probably tell Celestia about that to frame me for the death of the ponies you had killed me, i had prepared a little surprise for you." "What are you talking-" Sugar Bell suspended her sentence, having grasped a hint about his intentions. "No! Don't tell me...!" Suzaku rummaged in his black sack with his only empty clawed hoof and pulled out something. The cultists reacted in fear about his intentions. "Say hello to my little friend!" Suzaku said as he showed the blue crystal to them. "That's not good.... You can't do that!" Sugar Bell howled. "Damn you!" "What a clever bastard." Starcider commented. "If this goes in the hooves of Princess Celestia and she sees the memories of deceased ponies... It will be over for us." Night Glider said. Sugar Bell and the rest of her cult were left defeated and demoralized, but Suzaku didn't feel any remorse about that. As he putted back the blue crystal in his sack, Suzaku keep a eye on them. Having cornered the ones who tried to eliminate him and put them on his side, one word was appropriate for him. "Checkmate." Chapter 4.5: Internal TribulationsEverything was quiet inside Mann Manor. Applepills wandered thoughtful in the halls of the mansion. Something was bothering her for a long time, so she looked for Francie Bloom to talk about that but couldn't find her, and she knows why. Her little sister was the type that love joke around with Applepills for fun since their possession, thought that sometime these jokes were sometimes a little inappropriate. Applepills' possession, or "addiction" of the "Pills Meme", made her also short tempered, so make her angry was also part of Francie's antics. But since the incident caused by Rainbine's asinine experiment almost killed her, Francie abstained from making fun of Applepills for a while since she was in a very foul mood. Francie didn't talk to her older sister very much and spent more time with her fellow Cutey Mark Monsters or the other ponies than usual. She worried about her behavior, but she also hoped that Francie wouldn't come up with some other irritating joke. Not knowing about her whereabouts, Applepills headed toward Rarifruit's room, expecting to find her just to ask that information. She stopped near to the opened door and quietly observed. Rarifruit was there, adding some new jewel and reorganizing his collection. She's so concentrated and clingy about her collection that she would react negatively at every single loud sounds or even attacking her without even look, fearing that someone will steal her treasures. Applepills has nothing personal on Rarifruit, but she was picked up as a laughing stock so many often that she was tempted to do a little but harmless prank, just to relieve her stress. But mostly she will do it to get Rarifruit's attention without any having any incident. She hide herself from behind the wall and soundly knocked the floor thrice, causing Rarifruit to quickly turn her head toward the entrance and shout hysterically. "DON'T EVEN TOUCH-" Rarifruit halted her words as she saw no one in the entrance. "Can Ah enter now?" Applepills said, smirking a little from behind the wall. "Applepills, are you trying to give me a heart attack?! Why you had knocked the floor instead of the door?" "Just to get yer attention." Applepills approached Rarifruit. "But that wasn't the only reason. Did you've seen Francie Bloom?" "If i remember, Francie headed to the Library. She was looking for something," "Thanks. Ya can return to whatever you were doing, sugar cube." Applepills said as she was about to leave. "Wait a minute." Rarifruit halted her. "What's that?" Applepills asked. Both the mares exchanged their glances. Rarifruit looked at her with a doubtful look while Applepills couldn't tell her intentions. "Wasn't Brutalight... acting stranger, recently?" Rarifruit demanded. "What i can say?" Applepills replied. "She seemed a little stressed after she returned from her manhunt." "Did you have asked something from her?" "Ah did, but then she snatched my bottle of pills-" "I don't want to know the rest." Rarifruit interrupted. "Does Francie Bloom know anything about that?" "That's what Ah want to know." "I am coming with you, but first you had to do that." Rarifruit demanded sternly. "Do what?" "You know, that is a serious situation. I don't want it's importance to be ruined by such inconvenience. So, before that, i suggest you to take care of-" True to Rarifruit's predictions, Applepill's neck cracked side to side before she exclaims. "PILLS!" "That." Rarifruit concluded with a deadpan tone. Sixty-seven pills later, Applepills and Rarifruit resumed their research and headed toward the Library, but Francie wasn't there. Not only that, but there are a few books scattered on the floor. For her, that can be the case since Francie, even before her possession, didn't really read much books. Applepills putted the books in their own shelves and moved toward the living room. The mares finally found Francie, sat in the couch and doing something different. Usually she would watch the television, but instead she was holding a opened book. "Francie?" Rarifruit called. Francie turned her head toward her but then flinched upon seeing Applepills being with her. "Ah know that ya're afraid of me, but don't worry. I've calmed down from that. Ah'm not doing anything to you." Applepills paused. "As long as ya don't joke on me in this moment." "Ok." Francie said nervously. "Fair enough." Rarifruit gave a puzzled glance on the book that Francie was holding in her hooves. Which was kind of odd since she didn't read many books. "Darling, what are you reading anyway?" Rarifruit asked. "Ya mean this?" Francie said closing the book and showing it's cover, which title was 'Chemical Index'. "Just something that Creepy Bell asked me to find." Francie said as she put the book on the side of the couch. "Why she asked you that?" Rarifruit inquired. "She ain't told me the reason. She said is a secret, so ah read some pages to figure that out." "Ya could at least put the other books on their places and not leave them scattered on the floor... Brutalight doesn't tolerate disrespect toward books, ya know?" Applepills said with a stern tone. "I get it, only her can do that. Ah'll take note of that." Francie acknowledged. "Aaand.. What ah'we talking about again?" "Your sister wanted to ask you something about Brutalight." Rarifruit said. "If ya say so.... Then shoot." Francie said. "Wasn't Brutes.... acting a little stranger when she returned from her manhunt?" Applepills said. "Yea, i was present when that happened, so?" Francie asked confused. "Ya followed her, so you should know what happened to her." Applepills precised. "Ya're talking about that?" Francie looked a little reluctant about that question. "Ah don't know. Brutes wouldn't approve that." "But we need to know what's up with her, missy." Applepills insisted. "Well.... if you want." Francie sighed and started "Brutes was in her study room, looking for some book. It wasn't mah intention to spy her, but Ah heard a unceasing noise coming from there, so Ah headed there to check her out. As she was examining each book before dropping it around, Brutes was poking her sword on the floor. Ah tried to talk to her, but then she pointed her sword at me. Upon recognizing me, she apologized, sayin' that she was feeling a little... odd." "Odd?" Rarifruit said confused. "Ah don't know what to say." Francie replied apologetic. "Maybe i can explain this." Said a voice. The three ponies turned toward the corridor on their left and saw Fluttershout, who had just arrived. "Fluttershout?" Applepills said. "I don't know all the details," Fluttershout said. "Just promise me to not tell her about it, ok?" Rarifruit, Applepills and Francie nodded silently. "From what i understood," Fluttershout began. "One month ago, Brutalight was fighting against a unknown enemy. Brutalight herself had her upper hand until this foe managed to give her a deadly blunt blow on her head. As a result, her mind was split in three during her sleep, which were that of Twilight Sparkle and these of the other two spirits, Brutal Christian Sniper and Weaselcakes. As a results, she has one hell of identity crisis. That was the reason of her manhunt." Rarifruit, Applepills and Francie shocked in a very disturbing way. They didn't even noticed nothing about her conditions. They knew about the toll that the monsters inside Twilight, now Brutalight, put upon her minds and sanity, but their minds weren't prepared for the terrific imagery that flashed in their minds. Having a identity crisis of that level was surely scary. "How worse is that?" Applepills asked worried. "Technically, her personality is still the same," Fluttershout assured at first. "But her powers became difficult to control due to the three parts of her mind being unable to agree with each others, which is kind of dangerous if she is in the middle of a fight." "How did you know that?" Rarifruit inquired. "I just heard her bickering... with 'herself' from outside her room, but i don't know nothing about what happened during her manhunt." Fluttershout responded. "We must doin' something about that. I mean, we're the ones who came up with the idea to fuse two souls inside Twilight to begin with." Applepills said. They pondered about how to figure out what happened during the manhunt and what this unknown enemy was. Applepills suddenly realized who could know the details, but scowled irritated about that. "Ah hate to tell ya since ah'm still mad about that but.... Rainbine may know about that. She was with Brutes after all." Applepills narrowed her eyes. "Veeery convenient." Fluttershout said before smiling deviously. Fluttershout went outside the mansion and flew up. She flew over the the mansion until she found Rainbine taking a nap on one of the roofs. Fluttershout landed on the top of it and made sure to be at her left side. She grinned in anticipation, one second before she charged her mouth and unleashed her trademark ear crushing scream. "ASS!!" Although the scream did missed Rainbine, it was loud enough to wake her up. Rainbine may be a half-cyborg, but is still a unpleasant annoyance when her bionic hears started ringing. She was lucky if Fluttershout didn't destroyed her ears. Rainbine quickly turned toward the yellow pegasus, who chuckled a little. "What the hell was that for!?" Rainbine said with a startled face and a pissed off tone. "Seeing you like that is just priceless." Fluttershout said gleefully before turning her tone into a serious one."But seriously, Rarifruit need you in the living room." "For what?" Rainbine asked. In response, Fluttershout whispered in her metallic ear. Rainbine got the importance of the message, but there was something that made her reconsider. "Oh, really?" Rainbine replied reluctant. "Look, I have no problem to explain that. However, while Applepills would have forgiven me, she will be probably be still pissed after my idiocy. I have to?" "You have to." Fluttershout said bluntly. "And HOW." Rainbine let out a heavy sigh and followed Fluttershout. The yellow pegasus explained her the details about their conversation. Rainbine was left baffled to know about Brutalight's conditions, which explained her something that didn't add up to her. She has now a valid reason to follow her, but due to Applepills being with them, that would be a very awkward night for the cybernetic pegasus. Nine minutes later, Rainbine and Fluttershout meet up with Applepills, Rarifruit and Francie Bloom in the living room. Applepills immediately glared at Rainbine, who really expected that. She deserved it after all. "Rainbine. Explain what happened while you were with her." Fluttershout said. "Yeah. About the whole manhunt thing, she got pretty much obsessed for that target for reasons that i pretty much ignore." Rainbine explained. "And when we returned, Brutalight got pretty mad... and stressed out." "Ah saw that. Ah was in the entrance with Francie when she returned." Applepills asked. "How did you saw her?" Rarifruit asked. "It looked like she was struggling with something." Rainbine said. "But i didn't know that her previous fight against her target managed to split her mind in three." "Actually.... Ah was thinking about one thing for two weeks, since it has something to do with us." Francie said with a hesitant tone. The four mares turned their attention to Francie with a worried look. That sudden tone shift and these words caught their interest and raised their perplexity. "Francie, what are you trying to say?" Applepills asked. "During our convesation," Francie paused, unsure if that was the right thing to say. "Brutes asked me if ah ever missed mah old life." "For real? But why?" Rarifruit demanded. "She said no reason. Ah swear." Francie said convinced. "What did you answer her?" Fluttershout demanded. "Ah said a little bit. To be honest, it's nostalgic now. " "Now that i'm thinking about, there was a book out of place that was about the exorcism." Fluttershout realized something. "Maybe the personality of Twilight made the other two spirits agree to help her." "Help her for what?" Rainbine demanded. "Save us from our current fate." Fluttershout affirmed bluntly. "What!? Are you serious!?" Rarifruit exclaimed shocked "That should be good for me. To be fair, ah've enough of being a painkiller addict." Applepills admitted. "I know it," Rarifruit said insecure. "But didn't we agreed to accept our destiny as the Elements of Insanity. Forgive me, but i'm still feeling good being greedy. And besides, we have no safe way to exorcise ourselves." "Me too! I'm even more awesome with this monster inside me," Rainbine protested. "How could-" "We get it. Guns are awesome. Now shut up for a moment." Fluttershout interrupted her with a irritated ton, much to the cyborg's annoyance. "Let me remind you that all of us agreed to make turn Twilight in Brutalight, so the minimum that we can do is to watch her intentions very carefully while maintaining this story on a low profile. In the meantime, we are continuing our progress with the portal." The mares took a moment to reflect about that, but since they got used to their new life, they agreed with Fluttershout's proposal and smirked, minus Applepills, who smiled weakly, and Francie, who doesn't know how to feel. "Let's face it. It's so good to live as we are now. Don't get me wrong. I know that Brutalight wanted to fix our conditions, but she had to admit. Who want to be changed back?" Rarifruit said maliciously. "So you're ok with this?" Francie asked. "And how!" Rainbine replied confident. "And ah'll forget a portion of what we've talked about due to my addiction." Applepills said resigned. "And now for the other reason why i wanted Rainbine to follow me." Fluttershout said. "What are you-" Rainbine then remembered something Fluttershout told before. "Ah, now i remember. That was a thing that i developed three weeks ago. I built some Inter-dimensional Probes. As you can guess it's able to travel through dimensions. I used some magical component that Pinkis was using to build the portal." "Are you a idiot!?" Rarifruit scowled. "That was a vital part of our plan to reach Equestria! Are you trying to ruin this up!?" "Don't worry, i was present during the development," Fluttershout reassured. "Pinkis gave us the permission to use some her magical discard. I also made sure that Rainbine didn't screwed up anything during her calculations regarding the part involving the inter-dimensional factor." Fluttershout said. " "And we got lucky. They reached Equestria. Specifically, Canterlot Castle." Rainbine said satisfied. Francie Bloom and the other three mares looked at Rainbine surprised. Rarifruit, however, didn't looked exactly convinced. "Are you sure that won't end up like your demented experiment?" Rarifruit demanded distrustful. "I don't think is the case," Fluttershout said "The probes are connected to a magical mirror, which allowed us to see what the probes see." "Another victory for tecnology." Rainbine said gleefully. "Now if you excuse us, we are going to check if the test with the probes was successful." Fluttershout looked at Rainbine with a intimidating gaze. "Right?" "Sure." Rainbine meekly agreed. "I have nothing better to do at the moment." Rainbine and Fluttershout left the living room, while the Applepills, Francie and Rarifruit were the only ones remained. "Now that i'm thinking about, doesn't that bottle of pills counting as spirit possessing you?" Rarifruit asked formally. "Ah don't think so. There isn't any ghost at all inside of that fella." Applepills said, looking perplexed. "And Pinkis? What about her." Francie said. "Well, about her-" Applepills was then interrupted by a sudden scream. "WHAT!?" Fluttershout voice echoed from the corridor. The three ponies rushed in the room in which Fluttershout and Rainbine are. The two mares were standing near to a mirror. Rarifruit, Applepills and Francie approached the mirror and saw the image of a Draconequus laying unconscious on the floor, inside the halls of Canterlot Castle. It looked beaten up and weak. Royal Guards found him in that state and reacted in shocked awe. The guards took his body and carried him somewhere else, probably to take care of him. The four refused to believe what they saw. They know Discord, and there's noway that could happen. Such thing literally baffles them. "Discord looked very battered..." Fluttershout said, almost at loss of words. "Impossible." "That cannot be real!" Rarifruit exclaimed incredulous. "Wasn't Discord supposed to be one step ahead than anypony else?" Francie demanded. "But that is imPILLSable-" Appelpills halted to correct herself as her neck briefly cracked side to side. "Ah mean really implausible! We ain't know any other possible being who was able to defeat him, outside of Tirek who is actually in the Tartarus!" "Brutalight will not be happy to hear this." Fluttershout said with a grim tone. "Is there somepony outside the two Princess being able to take down Discord?" Rainbine thought. Canterlot Castle, twenty minutes before. In the middle of the night, Discord stood in front of a mirror. The reflection was showing the images of Twilight and her friends succumbing to their twisted fate. As the images disappeared, he remained distraught. He could easily understood what happened to them. "So this is what happened to them.... And Fluttershy too." Discord said. Discord was about to snap his fingers, but then hit in his back by a powerful unknown force and then painfully collapsed on the floor. He felt numb and drained of his magic. He wasn't able to move, use his powers or even talk. As he tried to process what happened, a mysterious figure silently approached him. It pointed his hoof at the weakened Discord and gestured at him like it was shooting with a gun, causing the Draconequus to be thrown in the air and being violently fall against the floor once more. "I'm sorry, avatar of chaos. But your powers would be a serious problem to us. The only thing that you must keep in mind is that the game must continue." The figure remained to watch Discord, just to make sure that he wouldn't even react. The chaos ruler tried to move, but his consciousness was steadily reaching his own limits. His sight goes dark and he started his descent into the darkness. After that, the figure walked away from him and leaved the room without leaving any trace. Chapter 5: Toward the Next Target, (UPDATED)After Suzaku had spectacularly destroyed the Dragoliath that Sugar Bell believed to be her god's champion, he managed to take the cult leader as a hostage and establish his own terms for her release. He also ensured his cover by obtaining the blue crystal containing the memory of a pony who was previously resurrected into a Homunculus by Sugar herself to prove his innocence to Celestia, in case she decided to charge him for the mess that Starcider Glimsho made in the ceremonial room. Fortunately for her, the dead pony never saw her face before he died. As a result, not only they left him and Starcider go with the promise to not tell anything about them, but, as a third condition, they became his new agents, much to their reluctance. Starcider wasn't very happy to let go the four ponies responsible for helping Twilight Sparkle to destroy her "utopia". But, unfortunately for her, she has to follow Suzaku's condition in order to find her six major targets, including Twilight herself. Sugar Belle accepted their conditions since she doesn't want any more damages or anything else that would put her cult in danger, since she's confident that Painset Shimmercakes will deliver her punishment, completely oblivious of her god's real intentions and disinterest for their followers. As Suzaku and Starcider reached the exit while dragging Sugar Bell, they dropped the rose unicorn and galloped away from the town under a black clouded sky. After some minutes of traveling, Suzaku and Starcider arrived at the point were he first appeared through the portal that Balamos opened for him. Suzaku looked upon the very black clouded dusk above him. He was glad that is not raining since he didn't want to get cold. As he waited for Balamos to open a portal leading to his dimension, he told to Starcider about the Mane Six's fate, what have become of them and their new identity as the Elements of Insanity. He had also told about the Mindeaters, Painset's real identity and the Dragoliath not being connected to her at all, but he didn't mentioned about Painset's fate since he doesn't know very much about it. "Let me get that straight," Starcider said tranquilly. "Huh, so that bookworm and her friends became possessed by some spirits just like me, turned into monsters, gone nuts and are now trying to return here and taking over Equestria. I see... I see i see..." "Yeah. That's the situation." Suzaku confirmed. "As i expected from them, they are even more hypocritical than i thought!" Starcider said. "And they tagged me as a villain! Well, their newfound insanity is a perfect representation of their egos! I mean, they are not great example of Harmony. They are not even close to Harmony. Hahahahah!" Suzaku shook his head in resignation to the fact that he had to bear that. He will have a hard time to get used to her loud, annoying laughter. "But seriously. Why does your boss need my help?" Starcider asked. "Aren't you powerful enough to kick some ass? Did he know that i still hate you?" "Possibly because i will have a hard time to deal with all them combined together. Plus i have currently some issues with my powers. Don't even ask." Suzaku explained. "So he need more Pony Freaks... And i'm on the list, riiiight?" Starcider asked. "That should be obvious." Suzaku said slight annoyed. "Look, i don't care about the tactics of your boss, but you will have my skills as long as you help me to settle the score with Twilight Sparkle... What the hell she's calling herself now? Brutalight Sparcake?"" "He made me looking for you because of you powerful magic that will allow you to defeat her. Even if she is a alicorn." Suzaku then thought about that statement. "However, facing all of the-" "Screw the other five ponies. Twilight is the only that i want." Starcider said with a grim enthusiasm. "The same thing goes for this Painset whatever is called." "What!?" "Why not? These two bastards screwed up my utopia in so many ways." Starcider said, displaying a bit of her bloodlust. "First Twilight turned my town against me. And then Painset tainted that said town. I'm feeling violated twice right now! First of all i will cut them with all the scissors and magic at my disposal, and then i will sho-" "CUT! IT! OFF!" Suzaku screamed. "Is possible to even talk with you without having any innuendo lurking behind the corner?" "Don't even question my own newfound inner being that you have infused in me. Got it?" Starcider said with a uncomfortable smile. Suzaku sighed and walked away from her to take a deep breath, as he needed some oxygen to recover mentally from another uncomfortable cringe-worthy moment. In that fraction of time, he pondered about what Balamos said about give him a army of freak ponies. And that Suzaku has to lead it during the confrontation with the Elements of Insanity. The are only two fears that emerged among his thoughts: Being unable to keep them under his control and losing his sanity trying. However he couldn't even complain about that. He knew what was getting into since the start of his journey. "By the way, why you let that wussy go?" Starcider asked. "Are you talking about Feather Bang? He wasn't among your followers when Twilight crushed your utopia. So why you ask?" Suzaku demanded. "I know that he wasn't there when that happened... But you know what? That is the type of cute ponies that you love to kill." Starcider said, on the verge to gushing about it, but then restrained herself from doing so. "Ugh... I forgot. Not kills, right." "That was the pact." Suzaku said with a resigned look. Suzaku was very disturbed to realize the Starlight Glimmer inherited even Genocider Sho's hobby to kill cute boys who are appealing to her. The possession has indeed put a real toll on her sanity. However this gave him a hint about the Elements of Insanity. "That must be logically corrected. If the Demented Seven inherited the ghost's powers, that means that they had also inherited their weakness, something that i will exploit to at my vantage. But that means also that the same thing goes for Starcider Glimsho and the future ponies that i had to corrupt and recruit, which is a problem... i have to be wary." "Who the hell is this Derpy anyway?" Starcider demanded. Suzaku was about to answer, but, without any warning, a very familiar barrage of black lightnings was falling in front of them and opened the black portal. Suzaku was flinched for the fright since he didn't get used enough to that. Starcider was really impressed by this. "I think that i have to answer that later. My boss is waiting for you." Suzaku confirmed said. "So your boss is indeed a deity after all.... I will give him a shot!" Starcider said with a devilish tone. "Ah, and don't worry about the fact that you look cute. I still hate you." Starcider entered into the portal and dissolved in the dark. With this, his first job was cleared. Suzaku was left with a real bad taste in my mouth due to Starcider and her new personalty. He was about to follow her, but a familiar male voice suddenly called him. "Lord Zaidel!" Suzaku turned his head toward the source of the voice. He saw Feather Bang galloping toward him in the distance. "What the hell are you doing here!? And how did you know my name!?" Suzaku demanded as Feather stopped in front of him. "I was inside Starlight's house for the whole time." Feather began. "Sugar Bell sent one of his followers to looking for me. I knocked it out and took his red cloak to disguise as one of them. I was watching you from the tunnel leading to the ceremonial room, talking to Starlight Glimmer. That was the point where i heard your name. Zaidel Goelnix if i can remember." "Wait." Suzaku stopped him. "Did you see anything else beyond the name part?" "No. I just returned to the group, pretending to be one of them." Feather responded. "Phew! So he didn't saw the part where i turned Starlight into a Freak Pony." Suzaku said in his head. "As they stormed into the house, i stayed behind and climbed to the roof." Feather continued. "I saw the whole fight without being noticed. That was insane." Suzaku looked at Feather Bang perplexed. The fact that he called him Lord just came out of nowhere. At the top of it, Suzaku had to justify the presence of the portal, but Feather seemed to busy to talk with him. "Oh, by the way. Thank you for having spared the life to Sugar Bell." Feather said with gratitude. "I know what she had done in her insanity was unforgivable, but i still care about her, even if she considered me as her friend." "Just cut the romance stuff. What do you want?" Suzaku demanded impatiently. "Let me join you, Lord Zaidel." Feather said with a bit of confidence.. "Absolutely no. I don't want have any normal pony on my conscience." Suzaku said bluntly. "Oh, c'mon. You're the one who show me the truth. I'm sick and tired to be insecure and unable to save anypony. Try at least to consider my request." Feather insisted. "I think that Sugar Bell i coming just for you." Suzaku said while pointing his hoof into a random direction. "Where?" Feather asked while looking in the direction before Suzaku quickly punched him in the face with his hoof, making him collapse unconscious. Suzaku waited, looking into the portal, knowing that his boss was going to talk inside his head very soon. "About time, Balamos. You gave me a real hell to face." Suzaku murmured. "I guess that Mindeater you had destroyed and your jackass behavior will attract the attention of Celestia." Balamos said. "Say, i wasn't expecting you, of all people, to feel empathy for ponies. Why? Something reminded you of a experience that happened in the human world?" "None of your damn business." "I personally don't give a damn about your privacy. So... what do you want? " "I have to ask you something about my powers. I noticed that these aren't like anything that came from Yuki Terumi or Susanoo in general." "I know that." "Really?" "That is also a reason why you are fully in control of yourself." "Explain yourself. Or maybe you prefer me to find out by myself?" "Not necessarily since this is far more complicated, you moron. You're powers are been warped... by some mysterious force." "Warped? What do you mean?" "The powers that you possess now is not that of the spirit that is possessing you. "And is that a problem?" "Maybe.... But i will let it be as long a you don't use it against me." "Hey, calm down. I never thought that since we met the first time." "....... For now." "Huh?" "Nevermind. There are more important things to talk about." "You know, Balamos. That you are a imposing deity or not, i will find out what you are hiding from me." "There's no need to be this arrogant or paranoid." "I have a valid motive to act like that. Deal with it." After that, Suzaku entered into the portal and reappeared into Balamos' dimension, stepping in the grass field. He was met by a something that wasn't expecting to find. Something that wasn't there before: a huge marble palace, constructed with bizarre hybrid architecture between these of the Ancient Greek, the Gothic and the Neo-Classic. Something that the purist of both Art and Architecture will throw a hissy fit about. Suzaku didn't know how to take it's appearance. It's just came out of nowhere. "You never cease to confuse me." Suzaku commented. Suzaku would ask another thing to Balamos if he is willing to speak to him once more. But he was really tired and just wanted to rest. Giving for sure that Starcider already entered the palace, he does the same. Suzaku stepped into the main hall of the palace. His sight was met by a very strange architectonic composition. Everything around him was made of a pale light-blue marble. That very first hall almost resembled that of a cathedral, with columns rising high, with red colored tendrils wrapping around them in spiral motion while azure webs and emerald lines infested the capitals. The ceiling was that of a cathedral. Suzaku can tell that because he visited one during a school trip in Florence. He pointed his gaze at the stairs at the end of the hall that leaded to the upper level. There are a few doors and a corridor in each side of it. Judging by that, it was obvious that the are a eastern wing and a western wing. There was also a doorway on the central part of stairs at the end of the hall. "He surely had a weird, grotesquely and yet nonsensical taste of architecture." Suzaku said. "That will be the place in which you will live until your mission is accomplished, so you don't have much to complain about the design." Balamos said, appearing above Suzaku, causing him to scream and flinching for the fright. "You always have the retarded habit do screw with anyone who you find amusing, are you? I'm not get used to this!" Suzaku said irritated, panting for that. "Think what you want, moron. By the way, welcome to Gol Nazam, your hideout and my sanctuary." "Too bad it looked like a generic RPG Maker game's castle map." Suzaku commented. "Your opinion. However if you want to rest, your room is in the western wing. But before you can go into the dreamland, have at least the courtesy to fix yourself. You're still in bad shape after the fight with that Dragoliath." Now that Balamos mentioned, Suzaku realized to have forgot about his damaged that inflicted to him. Despite having defeated his previous enemy, he was still battered after that battle. His body was mostly filled with signs and some livid, and his black jacket was half-burnt, exposing his cutey mark. That reminded him that he never checked up his cutey mark after being possessed by Yuki Terumi due to his adversity against that concept. According to the memories that Balamos implanted into his head, The Elements of Insanity has their own changed after being possessed. To confirm his suspect, he took reluctantly a look at it and noticed with confusion it's new form. The curved cross changed it's angles for most of the part and was covered in the center by intimidating medieval helmet on the center. That was kind of odd since he was expecting a black-green serpent to represent the spirit that possessed him. Suzaku then returned his attention to Balamos, resuming his topic about his jacket. "Alright. I'm going to do what i have to do." Suzaku said with a rough tone with a bit of formality. "But don't-" "I'm not interested to spy someone during his intimate moment, as opposite to someone else who does that from behind the screen with a mouse and a keyboard." "Hey! What is that supposed to-" "I'm only screwing with you. Now you better rest. The next part is waiting for you." Balamos saying before closing his giant eye form and disappearing in the nothingness. "Yeah, whatever..." Suzaku murmured, annoyed with Balamos' attitude toward him. Suzaku was thinking about explore the palace, but he was too tired to do that, so he goes to the upper level and headed traveled his way toward his bedroom. The majority of the doors didn't have any indication except for two. One of them has a sign depicting a eight pointed blood colored star being pierced by two scissor, probably that of Starcider since that symbol was her current cutey mark. But he didn't even want to find out what kind of place was that. The other door was his own, having a sign with a kanji that stands for "Demon", which seem pretty incorrect since he didn't feel like one. He stopped in front of the door and remained still. He considered about how much his disappearance will affect whose who had met him in the human world. He could image his professors or some of his classmates looking for him. Or even the authorities. Such scenario was a really obvious one because that is what happen when someone suddenly disappeared without any logic explanation. But then he shrugged off this preoccupation and entered into the room. Some of his thoughts about it touched some of his nerves. "Not that someone will miss me in any case." Suzaku said before shutting the door. He turned around and switched on the light. The very first look that he gave to the room was that of someone who doesn't known how to feel. The bed was just normal one with a green blanket and a blue pillow. There was also a desktop with a drawer, a closer and a trashcan. He opened the closer and found multiple copies of his black jacket and his violet vest. That reminded him that he had to change the burnt ones that he was wearing. There was a window in front of him. There isn't much too see in the outsides. Just the pitch-black clouded sky, the grass and some puddles of water. There was a bathroom in his left, but he would use that after he finished his inspection. The rest of the room was just random or even unnecessary to him. There are three posters on the room. Two of them were pony versions of existing videogames: Tekken and Bayonetta. Suzaku find the idea of make pony versions of other francises just a pointless and redundant mockery. The third one was the only non-pony one, but that made Suzaku narrowing his eyes that was the poster of the infamous movie, Troll 2. There was also a furniture with videogame console and a TV on it despite the fact that there's no socks to put their plug in. "You make no sense, Balamos." Suzaku commented. Suzaku switched off the light, removed all his half burnt dresses and tossed them in the trashcan. He goes on the bathroom and took a shower to cleanse his body from his burn traces from his body. After eleven minutes, he throwed himself on the bed, which was surprisingly soft. Suzaku was feeling at ease, but also feeling awkward since he was going to sleep naked. But then he could consider a little bit justified since is in pony form, a fact in which wasn't very much convinced. Trying to ignore this fact, he quickly closed his eyes, feeling his fatigue being payed off with the sleep. He think was about to going in the dreamworld. But he can't. Suzaku was practically nervous from the mysteries that this strange ordeal was putting into his head, outside the disturbing and frustrating moments that he had faced. He knows what is his current role in this mess, but there are various factors that were bothering him. There are so many questions that he wanted to ask to him, but there's one in particular that he wanted to keep only for himself. "Who was that voice that I heard during the fight?" "Are you sure this is the right moment?" The demonic voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. "Speaking of the devil." Suzaku said, a little startled by that. "So you want some answers. But let me ask you something. You were tasked to defeat and purify the Elements of Insanity, but in order to do that, you must transform normal ponies into freaks and recruit them as Balamos' personal agents. Do you have noticed anything suspect?" Suzaku wanted to know, but then a little doubt was stopping him from doing so. Knowing Balamos, he wouldn't had hesitated to eavesdrop their conversations, finding out that he can hear that voice as well. That was frustrating, but the only thing that he can do is not asking anything to him. "I won't recommend you to answer that right now. You know he's gonna watching your moves. Besides, you don't have to worry about that for now. We will meet very soon, but you won't like my hospitality." The voice leaved his presence from the room. Suzaku waited a little bit more for one of his remarks, but he didn't respond. He didn't move any muscle, as if frozen. Then, reluctantly, sighed and put himself under his blanket. He closed his eyes and waited for his sleep to come, thought that he would have any difficulty to do so since that talk leaved a chilling sense of irrational fear. Unknown like the vacuum void of space, what he heard didn't make any sense at all, but confirmed one of his theories. This insane story, predictable or not, will not be a stroll at all. And is about to get hard. In the middle of the complete darkness of a cavern, a black cloaked mare was standing in front of the void, This until a blurry and shaded towering figure appeared in front of her. It's form resembled that of a human, but his appearance was shapeless, making impossible for anyone to identify. Only a ghastly aura illuminating it's form and two glowing white eyes were present. "That incident in the place called Our Town is really happened." The mare said. "Balamos and his champion have indeed took action. His goal seemed really clear. Your plan is not secured anymore." "I can't believe that idiotic fake deity had seriously took someone from the human world as his own pawn." The figure said, speaking with a chilling chorus of undistinguished voices. "He must be completely desperate." "The human in question is not a very obscure one... He's one of the targeted ones." "What!?" The figure shouted surprised "Are you talking about that arrogant stundent who is also.... I can't bloodbusting believe it." "Is he related to that congregate?" The mare demanded. "Not entirely. But he mustn't be underestimated in any case." "Thought he's pretty cocky and jerky on his own." The mare remarked. "What do you know about him?" "For what i know, he was possessed with the spirit of Yuki Terumi, or the meme of him as i will call it. However, during the incident in Our Town i observed in the shadows that his powers.... doesn't have anything that resembled that of Terumi. These are different." "Are telling me that a... !" The figure paused to process something that he figured out. "So it was hacked." "If i remember, you mentioned something about that kind of power distortion." The mare precised. "This is why i told you to not underestimate him. For now he's just a human in a body of a pony with powers, but if what i think is true, he will become our worst enemy..... But ironically, he will became also Balamos' enemy." The figure pointed his finger at the mare. It didn't express any emotion and his form was blurry. The mare couldn't tell what his mood was, but one thing she could understand. He was thinking about something. "What about our unwitting enforcers?" The figure asked with a crude tone. "You mean the Elements of Insanity? Each one is fulfilling his role as a piece of your plan... except Brutalight Sparcakes." The mare affirmed. "You are implying that Brutalight is currently a loose canon?" "Not intentionally." The mare said narrowing her eyes. "Brutalight was previously hit by a blunt blow inflicted by a unknown enemy. Her souls and the two monstrous ones were composing one being, but this blow caused a severe trauma that divided her mind in three. As a result, despite being still able to use their powers, they end up sometimes obstructing each other, making them unable to do anything and sometimes endangering themselves." "Are you sure about that?" "Yes, but that is not the only problem. The personality of Twilight Sparkle seemed willing to find a way to exorcise herself and her friends from their current conditions. The other two souls inside her were instead planing to use her attempt to regain their body or take over her own." "That will be a problem. We must prevent such a thing. None a single Elements of Harmony shall be purified." The figure. confirmed. "You need that in order to reach that place, right?" "I must obtain enough power to get through the frontier, so their corruption was necessary since i can drain corrupted energy. Otherwise i wouldn't end up planning to lure them into that artificial universe that is the Freak World to make them possessed by the ghosts of chaotic monsters." "Tsk!" The mare made a crude smug face. "If that identity crisis' problem that bothers you, i've already found a solution. In the meantime, i will invoke the presence of someone who is able to crush our insipid enemy into pieces."" "You better not disappoint me." The figure said before dissolving itself into a spectral mist. "Rest assured. That won't happen." The mare said as she walked away, confusing herself with the darkness. The following day was a half-sunny one as a few clouds were obstructing the sun rays. Suzaku appeared from a portal opened by Balamos, this time appearing into a wood nearby Ponyville and wearing a very long mantle veiling his face and body. He looked around to see if there are any Mindeater or any other type of weirdness. He found nothing, but that didn't reassured that. Nevertheless, he proceeded with order. As the first thing to do, Suzaku pulled out the list from the sack and took a look at the constantly deforming bloodstain. Like the previous time, it wrote two words who were the name of his next recruit. The name of Doctor Whooves appeared, which made Suzaku really perplexed. "Doctor Hooves? Also known as doctor Whooves" Suzaku said. "I don't get it. There are better targets, so why this guy?" "This pony managed to create his own version of the magical mirror. The same one that allowed Sunset Shimmer to go in the human world." "Wait, wait..... Are we talking about that mirror from Equestria Girls?" "Can you just be silent for a second and consider one thing?" "Ok.... shoot." Suzaku asked. "As i said before, there's a mysterious force behind the fate of the Mane Six lured them into that wretched world and deprived Twilight of her alicornhood before she regained that back in the wrong way as Brutalight. However, as you saw, there was also a pony that, as you know, has nothing to do with them. "You mean the Terminator Derpy?" "It's Derpigun, but you can call her whatever the hell you want. Balamos said. "Differently from the Mane Six, Derpy wasn't in the culprit's calculation since she stepped into the freak world in other ways. "Let me guess. Derpy stepped inside the Doctor Whooves' version of the mirror and end up in the Freak World for pure accident because of her usual sheer clumsiness?" "You can say that." "Then i won't waste any other words about that." Suzaku said before returning to the topic. "But still, why Doctor Whooves?" "Since he created his own magic mirror through scientific means, he would help you to reach the Freak World. You could use Derpy's disappearance as a tool to convince-" "I get it, i get it. I will recruit him," Suzaku interrupted. "But don't expect him to remain sane if his corruption part goes wrong." "My rule has spoken" After that, Balamos' presence leaved his head. Knowing that he can't go against him, he shrugged his shoulders and put the list inside the sack. He calmly walked his way through the woods while keeping a eye on his surrounding. After five minute of walk, he could see the town. "At least i can relax and stay easy." Suzaku said. "Is not like i have to fight this time. After all Ponyville is as i saw multiple times, when isn't in peril. Is quiet, tranquil, peaceful-" But as Suzaku stepped into the town, his sentence was then contradicted by the sight of three frightening canine figures wrecking havock while the town ponies ran away terrorized. "Like three pairs of claws on your ass." Suzaku added in annoyance, standing on his hind legs and drawing out his claws. He observed the creature and recognized them being black flame engulfed hellhounds, except that the third one was covered with silver plates and had stone tendrils coming out of his mouth. "Hey, suckers! There's a good meal behind you!" Suzaku shouted to get their attention while summoning his Psycho Slayer sword to wield it. The three hellhounds turned toward Suzaku and growled angered. The two black flaming ones leaped toward Suzaku, who slashed them into pieces with two swings of his sword. During his attack, he wondered why the silver hound didn't follow them. He got his answer as he noticed the hound's stone tendrils digging through the ground. He couldn't do something that the stone tendrils came out from beneath him and wrapped around his body, blocking his movement. The tendrils slowly began to crush him, causing him to yell in pain for the pressure and released his sword from his grasp, making it fall on the ground before it vanishes. As he tried to resist the painful stone grip that threatened to destroy his body, Suzaku channeled his hoof for the Shadow Shotgun. Trying to aim at the silver hound was more difficult to him since the tendrils were blocking his limbs and prevented him to do so. He considered to use another tactic, and quickly. "Gah!...I... have.. not time...ugh... to waste with you, doggie." Suzaku then dissolved in black-green flames and reappeared in front of the silver hound. Ignoring the pain currently biting him, he quickly stuffed his Shadow Shotgun charged hoof in the hound's mouth and looked in it's ferocious eyes. "Swallow this. Literally." Suzaku said before shooting his energy dart inside the hound's stomach, causing it to explode into a flare of black-violet flames. Suzaku felt the heat traversing him as the hound disappeared into the oblivion. He was a little shocked for the violence in which he did that, no matter the circumstances. "I feel a little unclean right now... I know that is mostly composed by flames, but that is quiet borderline splatter for me." With the signals of both fatigue and pain kicking in, Suzaku collapsed on the ground. He wanted to take a nap and sleep to recover from the residual pains caused by that crushing pressure, but he cannot allow himself to be unmasked by other ponies. He forced himself to rose up and galloped toward the woods where he came from. He stopped in front of a river and lay down on the grass to regain his strength. He took off his hood, crumpled that up and putted it in the sack. He does the same with his new fresh black jacket and the violet vest. For Suzaku it wasn't any different if he wasn't wearing anything as he was in pony form, but there's a logic in this. Since the disappearance of the Mane Six, some Royal Guard would have been still around Ponyville to investigate. Doesn't help the fact that his gear would make him look like a delinquent to them, so he had to stay wary about his appearance. After some minutes, Suzaku returned in the town, where he saw a crowd of ponies was gathering around the point where he fought the hounds. They were either talking to each other or minding their business. He scanned the area and saw a towering crystalline construction in the distance. That would be the Castle of Friendship. And, as he expected, the palace was heavily guarded by Royal Guards. It didn't get this much impression in TV, but see the palace and the seriousness of the situation in live gave him another reason to be cautious about his movement. He took advantage of the general confusion to investigate the town without being spotted. After some minutes of researches, he found the habitation, but wasn't so lucky since his house's entrance was guarded by two earth pony Royal Guards. He immediately hide behind a wall and observed them. "I didn't considered that Whooves was pursued since he invented his own equivalent of the magic mirror. Seriously...." Suzaku murmured frustrated as he scratched his head a little discouraged. "How the hell can i sneak inside it?" He was planning about how to enter, but all of his ideas have the same consequence in case of failure: Being caught and arrested. But then a delinquent like idea made his entrance into his brain. Disguise was the word. "I hate to admit but i have to steal their armor. But how?" Suzaku said as he was keep a eye on the guards. Five minutes passed by, but nothing that could induce the guard to leave their guard post happened. Suzaku didn't find any way to steal his armor. Suzaku didn't want to use his powers because of the power abuse penalty, and wasn't good with the stealth either. He had to wait the right moment to enter and meet his target, but he started to get bored out of his mind. "Ok, screw it," Suzaku said quietly as he leaved his observation point. "I'm going to take a look around for twenty before coming back. I don't think the guards are gonna leave their post anytime soon." As he wandered around, he saw some changes that happened in the town, which didn't surprised him much. The Carousel Boutique was sealed away. The Sugar Corner, on other hand, was still active, but there was some unicorn guard ponies who were interviewing the owners. And there was a couple of mares who was wondering where did Fluttershy go. "I knew the Mane Six's disappearance could have this result." Suzaku said bluntly. "Better not rise any suspect." "Excuse me. I have to ask you something, if you are free." said a female voice. Finding this voice familiar, Suzaku turned toward the source, only to find out that was Zecora who spoke. He wasn't expecting to meet her there. For him, Zecora was one of the few characters that he almost never bashed during his trolling on the internet because he found her harmless in comparison, except for the fact that she talk always in rhymes. But that was just his opinion. "Yes?" Suzaku said. "You are quite a very unique stranger. You look like a plant of a rare fiber." Zecora said with curiosity. "Well, surely i'm not a cultist or something." Suzaku said, causing Zecora to looking at him with perplexity. "Sorry, but yesterday i had a bad time that i want to forget. Just forget what i said first. Anyway, do you need something?" "I followed a group of strange Timber Wulfs engulfed in flames, whose fangs and claws were sharped than blades. I saw a hooded pony facing them in a fierce fight. He... managed to defeat them... with a unknown power of such might." "Look, i wasn't there when that happened" Suzaku lied. "So?" "I saw the hooded pony's gaze being this peculiar. Your eyes and his own are quiet similar." Zecora said "You got the wrong per- ehm- i mean... the wrong pony. Ok?" Suzaku said a little nervous. "I'm not this tremendous fighter you are talking about." As Zecora was about to insist, the two were interrupted by a pained moan. They turned to see who was. There was a wobbling hooded pony, seemingly battered. Zecora approached him with a worried look. "You don't look very bright. Are you alright?" Zecora asked. "Out of my way!" The hooded pony replied aggressively as he shoved Zecora aside and walked off. "Hey!" Suzaku screamed angered as he was going to face him, only to be stopped by Zecora. "No matter his aggressiveness. Is not worth start any mess." Zecora said, trying to discourage him from doing any reckless move. Suzaku calmed down a little since she was right. He has also his discretion to keep, but for a second he loosed his cool. Thought he wasn't get used to interact with ponies or tried to not get involved with them, some parts of his ethics are too stubborn to die. That type of arrogance and aggressiveness toward someone who tried to help him or even looked down on him was something that angered him instantly. "Asshole! She was trying to help you!" His anger was still boiling inside of him. That was also quite a awful surprise. In Equestria, were the jerks are usually stereotypes or redeemable, he never saw this aggressive type. But that died out as he remembered something. "Damn, i almost forgot. I have to return to the house." "I'm sorry, but now i have to go!" Suzaku said as he run away, leaving Zecora wondering about his behavior. He traveled back to the doctor's house to see if there was any development. Something happened, but not in a good way. On his arrival, he found the two Royal Guards laying unconscious on the ground, looking hurt. He remained hidden behind the wall and processed the whole scene in front of him. "What the hell happened here?" Chapter 6: The Apparition of Doctor Whaust (UPDATED)Suzaku was expecting something that induced the guards to leave the house's entrance, but not this one. They ware laying unconscious on the ground. Someone attacked them after he left his post and, apparently, nobody was around to witness whatever happened. He walked toward one of the guards and glanced at his golden armor. "Normally i won't steal a uniform from a policeman," Suzaku shrugged his shoulders. "But i need that armor. I don't have the whole day." That being said, Suzaku looked around to check if there was anypony around. No one was there, so he profited of that time lapse to quickly drag the unconscious guard into a alley and undressed him. He felt a little unclean about it, but that cannot be avoided. He putted on every piece of the royal armor as fast as he can. The armor was indeed heavy for a almost slim body like his own, but with his unnatural strength, that was a minor issue. The real issues is trying to enter without get caught. After that, he goes to the other unconscious guard and dragged him into the alley as well. Once he finished his concealment of bodies and headed toward the door. Suzaku was nervous due to the fact he had to impersonate a authoritarian figure, but that was the only thing that bothered his nerves. "I wonder what kind of Freak Pony my target will be turned into." Suzaku asked, psychologically preparing himself for his next recruitment and act of corruption, with all the consequences that are waiting for him. Nervous as he is, Suzaku knocked on the door and waited for the arrival of the doctor. A few seconds passed by, but nothing happened. "C'mon." Suzaku said impatient as he looked around one more time, hoping that no pony would see him. Another handful of seconds passed. Then, he heard the sounds of clopping hooves coming closer until they stopped. "Who is it?" Dr. Whooves asked from behind the door. "I'm Quartz Lance." Suzaku improvised, trying to remain calm and composed. "My superiors asked me to substitute one of the current guards." The door inched opened. Whooves peered at him from behind with a distrustful expression. Suzaku remained calm, but that bad feeling about being caught was behind the corner. "I don't recall you being one of the guards that recently visited me. Are you new?" Dr. Whooves asked. "If you put that in this way, yes." Suzaku said, trying to make his disguise more credible. "You see? One of my colleagues wasn't feeling very well, so i was asked to take his place. The other one took him into the hospital. You have a problem with that?" "N-no. Not at all." Dr. Whooves replied. "Is just that i recently received some visit from your superiors to investigate about... The Elements of Harmony disappearance. There's no need to be this aggressive." "I apologize for that, but i don't have the whole day. Can you please let me in?" Suzaku asked. "Why this request?" "I need to talk with you in your lab. I have to make some questions to you." "Well... if you insist." "Seriously. Acting, in my case, is a pain in the ass. But i have no choice since i had to gather some information about his own magical mirror before i can recruit him." Dr. Whooves leaded Suzaku into his laboratory and abstained himself from making any questions thanks to the fact that the green pony was wearing the royal armor. Suzaku immediately notice that the room didn't have the strange inventions that the doctor was supposed to have according to his knowledge. Suzaku was going to ask him about that, but then he saw Whooves glancing at a picture of him with Derpy. "Do you know her, sir?" Suzaku asked, knowing already the answer. "Her name was Derpy," Dr. Whooves said. "Is a friend of mine. She wasn't a very bright mind and was very clumsy, but we went along in our own way." "Then what happened to her?" "She disappeared in another dimension. You should know that already." Dr. Whooves stopped to correct himself. "Oh, i forgot. You are probably new, so you don't know that yet." Dr. Whooves closed his eyes and massaged his head with a almost tired look. Suzaku was a little surprised about the famous Derpy-Whooves shipping being a thing. He never gave credit to that and he usually considered that as a point to strike during his usual trolling on the internet. But now he could see some vantage in that, especially when he have to convince him join his cause. "Why you are under surveillance?" Suzaku asked. Dr. Whooves remained mute about that for a little fraction. Judging by his silence, he seemed to have some difficulty to explain that with a his usual calm and intellectual demeanor. "Your superiors didn't told you about my current position?" Dr. Whooves asked. "I was in the dark for various reasons, so i don't know pretty much what's going on." Suzaku said. "Well..." Dr. Whooves looked a little worried as he scratched his mane. "Maybe because is so much delicate that it can't be handled by you since you're a rookie." "Well, i was promoted three days ago," Suzaku lied. "So that is not a problem. Tell the details." "As you know, six ponies disappeared one month ago." Dr. Whooves explained. "I was previously informed during my training. They were Twilight and her friends i guess." Suzaku anticipated. "Exactly. Although i don't know all of the details, Celestia paid me a visit to talk about that and said that they entered through a magical mirror and never returned from there. Thought that is just a private conversation." "Aaand.... what has that to do with you?" Suzaku demanded. "Two weeks before their disappearance," Dr. Whooves began. "I was building a dimensional portal in order to study the inter-dimensional travels and their possible implication. And yes, it looked almost like the magical mirror, but i made that just for pure academic reasons. I wasn't aware of the existence of the original, and surely i have no reasons to do that if not for knowledge." "You are pretty ethic about it." Suzaku said. "Absolutely. I wasn't aware of that. However, the same night during their disappearance, i was testing the machine when Derpy entered in the lab and stepped inside the mirror. I tried to stop her, but it was too late... But that wasn't the only problem." "What do you mean?" Suzaku asked. Dr. Whooves closed his eyes for a moment and then looked at Suzaku with a grim gaze. "After i had deactivated the machine, i had gone to sleep. Then, in the following day, i was met by two Royal Guards who escorted me into the lab. They searched the lab and then they accused me of illegal experiment while precising that is not my fault since i wouldn't had known." "That is a... very weird declaration. But why they- ehm- i mean my superiors were looking for you?" Suzaku asked, remaining in his temporal role. "I asked the reasons for doing so. They then explained that..." Dr. Whooves tone became more grim as he explained. "Three fillies stepped in the original magic mirror as well..." "Wait a second!" Sugar interrupted, a little shocked about that. "Are we talking about a yellow country earth-pony, a white unicorn and a orange pegasus?" "They were called the Cutey Mark Crusaders... So yes, they are..." Dr. Whooves confirmed. "Is Balmos hiding from me the fact that i have also to fight and purify three possessed fillies as well!?" Suzaku complained in his mind while looking shocked. He putted that thought aside and returned to listen the doctor's story. And he had a feeling about where that is going. "As a result," Dr. Whooves continued toward his conclusion. "Celestia required my presence and explained her case with the Elements of Harmony... And after that, they sequestered the dimensional portal along with all my inventions and not are related to inter-dimensional travel and putted me under probation." Suzaku turned around and looked away from Dr. Whooves. Suzaku was expecting to find the mirror to investigate the Elements of Insanity whereabouts, but he was too late. "Now that is pretty frustrating." Suzaku murmured. "What i'm supposed to do now?." "Is there something wrong, young boy?" Dr. Whooves asked perplexed. "No, it's nothing." Suzaku replied and then turned back to the doctor. "But still.... I thought that Celestia was at least comprehensive. She may be also severe, but probation and the seizure of your inventions is a exaggeration." "But not to far from the princess' good reasons. After all, she didn't want anypony suffer the same fate as Twilight and her five friends..." "Understood," Suzaku said. "But you still want to find Derpy, right?" "If only i could.. But not with this probation." "Well you could," Suzaku assured as he grinned while pointing his hoof toward him. "Because you will follow me." Before Dr. Whooves could questioning his statement, black chains appeared from below him. They wrapped around his body to block it. Knowing that the doctor was going to scream to call the guards, Suzaku quickly pulled out the convolute hood and stuffed it in his mouth. Suzaku then took his time to remove every part of the royal armor and drop them to the floor before putting back his black jacket and violet vest for his personal style. "Finally." Suzaku said before sighing in relieve. "I don't have to stick with this role any further. And now i'm going for the easy part." Suzaku approached the chained Doctor Whooves and draw out his claws. He then took away the hood from his mouth and then gripped his neck, hoping that enough to make him silent. "Don't even scream. Because i have weapons far more terrific than just claws." Suzaku warned. "You are not a Royal Guard." Dr. Whooves scowled. "Nope." Suzaku responded. "Just a green pony who possess a power stronger enough to kill a huge dragon. Look, as i said before i don't have the whole the day, so you have to collaborate." "W-what do you want from me?" Dr. Whooves inquired. "Is not what i want. Is what you want that matters." Suzaku paused. "You want find Derpy right?" "Yes, but what has that to do with you?" Dr. Whooves asked distrustful. "Well, let's just said that a deity that is not Celestia asked me to recruit you. And that deity is actually my boss." Suzaku explained. "R-recruit me? For what?" "You said that Derpy disappeared in another dimension, but Celestia can't tell in which one is, right?" "So?" "I know in what dimension she's in," Suzaku said. "And is the same one in which Twilight and her friends where trapped." "A-are you serious? You know where they are? Did you have any proof about that?" Dr. Whooves inquired. "You have to see that to confirm that, did you?" Suzaku heard a familiar metallic sound coming from his sack. He know what that means. "Excuse me." Suzaku said as he looked inside the sack. He saw a cyan glowing coming from a opened small metallic coffin. He pulled it out from the sack and glanced at it's content, hoping that is not a sharped weapon like the scissor that he used on Starlight. His face deformed in confusion as he took the object and discarded it's container. The object was a paper bag with one eye hole, and can be used as a mask. "Well, at least is not a scissor but... are you kidding me?" Suzaku said. "And why that looked familiar?... Nevermind. I will see it after is used it." Pretending to take the bag seriously, Suzaku turned his attention to the chained Dr. Whooves, who was still questioning about his intentions. "Did you remember the part in which i was asked to recruit you?" Suzaku asked. "Yes, but for what?" Dr. Whooves demanded puzzled. "Look, consider that just ritual. After all, you're going to see for yourself." Suzaku replied as he covered Dr. Whooves' head with the paper bag and waited. Dr. Whooves was going to ask something, but then a sudden headache prevent him to do so. He yelled in response to that. Suzaku commanded the black chains to release him and stepped back. Dr. Whooves' reaction was almost like that of Starlight, only different. A black pool formed beneath the doctor. Suzaku was going to summon his sword, fearing that a Mindeater was going to emerge, but then he saw that wasn't the case. The black liquid slowly covered Dr. Whooves' body and made it sink inside the pool very slowly. Feeling the liquid wrapping his coat, the doctor took a glanced on his body hooves and realized what is happening. "What is this!?" Dr. Whooves screamed frightened. "Believe me. I don't like this part either." Suzaku replied a little frightened. As he continued to sink and the pain biting his head increased, Dr. Whooves noticed his coat darkening a little. What he couldn't see was his eyes became violet, and his mane became dark blue. His sanity suddenly began to shatter. Then alien memories were flowing inside his head, showing Twilight and her friend's possessions, and current fate. "Twilight? And the others? ... What is even-" Dr. Whooves couldn't finish his sentence that some peculiar vision interrupted him. What he was seeing was Derpy's arrival in the Freak World and her possession that turned her into Derpigun. Dr. Whooves completely forgot the unbearable pain and slowly got a grip of the situation. "Derpy.... So this is what happened to you..." Dr. Whooves said before he finally sunk under the pool. After having devoured his body, the pool rapidly shrunk in volume. Suzaku walked toward the pool, hoping that what happened to the doctor is all part of Balamos' methods. Doubtful about that, he frantically looked around the room, trying to find any sign of his presence. But he found nothing. "Ok, Suzaku." Suzaku said to himself. "Calm down. You cannot possibly have screwed up. I mean, Balamos has this weird type of methods and-" Before he could finish, Suzaku heard a creaking noise coming from behind him. For a second he thought it was a guard pony opening the house's door, but that can't be since the noise is too close to . He turned around to see what it is and he found a very bizarre scenario. A big door opened into the ground and a different being raised from it. It was standing in front of Suzaku as the door behind him closed by itself and vanished. Suzaku knows already that the being was none other than Dr. Whooves, but not the same one. His appearance was drastically changed. His coat was a darkened brown and his tail was dark blue. The doctor was wearing a weird white scientist coat and the paper bag with one eye hole covering his head, and was even taller than Suzaku. The green pony couldn't help but make a remark his transformation. "Balamos. You never cease to screw with me." Suzaku murmured in awe, looking at his second creation. Suzaku reacted almost like during the time when it happened to Starlight. But this time is both astounded for the transformation and yet not surprised at all. He expected this coming since the paper bag was also something familiar to him. "That spirit possessing him is definitively Faust. Another videogame character. Did Balamos have both a limited imagination and a crude sense of humor?" Suzaku thought. "Possessions... The corrupted Elements of Harmony... These visions...! That was the reason for looking for me and turning me like this." The doctor said before looking down on him. "Now it's all clear." "About time." Suzaku said. "Now let me explain something. I had-" "Now, now." The doctor interrupted. "I assume that you have a valid reason for doing this to me." "You know that already." Suzaku said as he tried to remain calm. "I think that was the drill. You are going to use Derpy's situation as a incentive to join you. Well, I don't see any benefit in having a fractured mind and a twisted power like this. I can feel a obscure bloodlust seizing my senses." "I don't like it either, but that is how I recruit other pony freaks like you to my boss cause, doctor Whooves." "Now that you mention that, I would care less of my old name because now.... Is doctor Whaust." Suzaku remained silent to process what he calls another trash name. That couldn't be avoided. After all, he was expecting this coming since he had screw up part of dr. Whoove's personality. He remained still, feeling dr. Whaust's aura of insanity engulfing him. Whaust looked at the green pony through the eye hole of the paper bag. Suzaku couldn't tell his mood, but can easily perceive a hidden glove of anger from him. "You said that i had to see for myself... These visions that flowed inside my head is what you are referring to, right?" Dr. Whaust said calmly. "Believe me or not, they really happened." Suzaku confirmed. "In this case i can assume you know in which dimension Derpy, Twilight and her five friends are. I also came to know about their fate and their now horrifying form. They are now monsters, who were also vessels for the spirits responsible for their current condition. I'ts really terrifying since the Elements of Harmony, and Derpy too, are now the worst threat to our world. In the worst case scenario, I'm afraid that even the three poor fillies came in that world and became possessed as well." Dr. Whaust paused, taking his time to rose up on his hind legs, almost touching the ceiling with his head and towering on him. Suzaku was even more intimidated by him. Not just by the doctor's height factor alone, but for his unbearable silence. After a short time, he spoke again. "Considering that Derpy, like Twilight Sparkle and her friends, is suffering as well, you better not use her as a exploit to gain my trust!" Dr. Whaust said with a intimidating tone before stomping on the floor with his hind leg, causing it to crack. Suzaku completely freeze for that little destructive warning. His body was about to tremble, but he couldn't permit that. The fear is not good in a situation like this, mostly if he was in front of a literal pseudo giant that was going to attack him if he does a wrong move. Suzaku steeled his nerves and faced him, trying to not showing any hesitation. "Before you do anything, you should know this," Suzaku began. "My boss is the real one who make the rules, not i. As you saw, i know where Derpy is, but i cannot reach the Freak World without that magic mirror of yours. I need your brain." "...... Just as i suspected. You know in which dimension they were trapped but you don't have the adequate tools to reach it. But you really expect me to join you?" "His hideout resides in another dimension, so you can resume you inter-dimensional experiment without being noticed by Celestia." "Seriously?" "Trust me. If you want to save Derpy, you have to follow me." Dr. Whaust dissolved his giant scalpel. He lowered his head by a little degree. Suzaku could tell that the doctor was taking what he said in consideration. Whaust took another silent moment, which was literally unnerving for Suzaku because of the doctor's imposing aura. After that, he spokes. "Your boss required my help so you can reach that dimension and defeat the corrupted Elements of Harmony. But how do you think to save them" Dr. Whaust said. "My boss gave me the power to purify them. Once all of this junk is over, I will even purify you, but first you had to collaborate." Suzaku replied. "If this is true, i would have gave you a hoof. However, if i'm going to face Derpy as the monster that she is now, i would have considered her feelings and well being. Additionally, I don't know anything about your intentions, so i couldn't still trust you." "You had to consider one more thing." "And knowing that you are going to say that i don't have any other alternative, i'm still not mentally prepared for my new situation you want put me into," Dr. Whaust removed the paper bag from his head, revealing his dark blue mane and his insane, but serious violet eyes. "Let me think about this before i could take your proposal in consideration." Dr. Whaust putted back his bag on his head, opened a invisible door out of nowhere and stepped in. Suzaku rushed toward Whaust to stop him, but the door disappeared at the same time the doctor closed it. His presence vanished from the room. Suzaku was left empty handed. He create his second Freak Pony, only for him to escape his watch. He remained petrified from that. He clenched his teeth as his face contorted in frustration. Having failed his second task is a good reason to be angry. Except that he was pissed for another reason. "Dammit!" Suzaku yelled, punching against the ground. "Since Dr. Hooves has Faust's powers, he can enter into a dimension of his own since he has now reality warping powers that can rival these of Pinkie Pie, if she wasn't possessed. Now how the hell i'm supposed to find him? At this point he could be far away from my reach and going to meet Derpigun on his own.-" A male voice screaming from the outside suddenly interrupted his rant. And that voice means trouble. "Guys! Somepony stole my armor!" "Oh, shit." Suzaku said almost panicking. "That guard must be pretty pissed." "Hey! Weren't you in charge of the surveillance of the house!?" said another voice. "We were attacked!" said a third voice. "Let's check the doctor's house! Probably that scumbag entered here!" "Talking about bad day!" Suzaku muttered. Without wasting anytime, Suzaku hide himself behind a wall nearby the door. The guards stormed inside the lab without having noticed him. He used that opportunity to teleport outside the door and walking away undisturbed. Once he went out of the house, Suzaku galloped far away from there. He headed toward the woods where he came from without being saw by other patrolling Royal Guards. Upon discovering Dr. Whooves' disappearance, the guards called out reinforcement and scattered across the town to find both the doctor and their attacker. Meanwhile, Suzaku had already left Ponyville and entered into the Everfree Forest. Suzaku wandered in depth of the arboreal sanctuary, thinking about how to find Dr. Whaust, but i like trying to find a oval shaped rock in the very abysmal part of the sea without a electric torch. "I used Dr. Whooves' connection to Derpy in order to convince him." Suzaku said as he continued to walk. "But i wasn't expecting him to refuse my offer despite what he saw in his visions.... Balamos i going to be pissed." Suzaku continued in his path without minding his surrounding. He was then snapped back into reality by a ferocious sound. He stopped and looked forward. Suzaku recoiled with a bit of fright upon noticind three towering humanoid entities engulfed in black flames standing in his way. They were almost taller than the trees of the forest. The bodies looked like made of stone, with glowing red and blue lines flowing on their skins and converging on a hole in their chest. Their heads resembled that of a turtle, but without the lower jaws. Spikes raised from their backs and their hands being rocky, blunt maces. The creatures advanced toward Suzaku, giving him another reason to be even more frustrated. "Fantastic. Another group of Mindeaters. The only consolatory fact is that they weren't taller as the Dragoliath." Suzaku said. "Giving up so soon? I don't think these Volems will let you do that without hurting you." "Speak for yourself, Balamos. Dr. Whacko escaped." "We will talk about that later. Just get rid of them." One the three Volems raised his blunt-mace like hands and slammed to the ground, causing stone spikes to burst from the ground and advancing toward Suzaku. He jumped away from it's trajectory and ran toward them. The second one charged his hole in the chest with red-blue energy and shot a big plasma sphere toward him. Suzaku dodged the sphere by dissolving in black-green flames and reappearing from behind them for a surprise attack. Unfortunately the power abuse penalty kicked in and stunned him with the electric shock seizing his body. "Gaaaah! What kind of... moronic timing is this?" Suzaku said, trying to resist the surge. Suzaku couldn't even fight back the surge that the third Volem brutally tackled him, making him crashing against a tree. Suzaku collapsed on the ground. Even after the electric surge stopped to electrocute him, he was battered and stunned, but not so stunned to not notice the same Volem trying to smash him with his mace shaped hands in a raging frenzy. He quickly rolled away, leaving the creature's brutal to unleash his barrage of swipes that destroyed the tree instead of him. Ignoring the pain that was biting his chest and his back, Suzaku rose up on his four legs and galloped away from them as fast as he could while dodging waves of stone spikes unleashed by the other two creatures. He stopped and turned toward them, who were now marching toward him. Suzaku barely stood up on his hind legs and draw out his claws with a angered glee. "Time to incapacitate the huge guys." He charged the ones from his clawed right hoof and shot a dark slashing wave at one of them charging his other hoof. As the slashing wave connected it's legs and exploded in a pillar of green energy that overwhelmed it, Suzaku other two slashing waves to the other monstrous giants, who suffered the same damage as their companion. Not bothering to watch their conditions, Suzaku channeled his right hoof with a surge of green energy and prepared to deliver his blow as the creatures tried to advance. "BUUURN!" Suzaku screamed furiously as he punched the ground, causing a series of green pillars of energy erupting out from beneath them. Despite the pain, he was exalted at first, but then froze upon seeing how his enemies took the damages. Much to his shocked surprise, the three Volems' were still standing, seemingly indifferent to the damage that he has inflicted on them despite having their bodies being mostly destroyed. A portion of their pitch-black skulls, the bones of their legs and chest were now exposed, along with luminous red-blue spheres inside of their rib-cages. Black-violet flames coming out of their opened wounds, mixed with green ones that were still devouring their rocky skin. "That's bullshit!" Suzaku exclaimed. "How much resistant they are!!?" "By the way, the sphere on their rib cage must be their power core.... And even that survived my attacks." The blazing creatures grunted furiously and charged toward him. They were practically slow, so Suzaku took his time to plan his next move. But then one of the monsters suddenly stopped and it's power core was then shuttered. The creature exploded into a crucible of black-violet flames. The two remaining Volems turned toward were their third companion was supposed to be, but it wasn't there anymore. As the flames died out without leaving any trace of the creature, Suzaku could see something coming out the ground, being the cause of the Volem's death. What he wasn't expecting was Dr. Whaust's head, still wearing the eye holed paper bag, emerging from a water pond formed in the grass with his giant scalpel raising upward from it. Suzaku could tell that the doctor had probably thrusted his weapon through the Volem's lower body until it reached and destroyed the core. Suzaku doesn't know if be still annoyed by his previous escape, relieved for his sudden rescue or disturbed for the execution that he delivered on the monster. "Talking about fatalities." Suzaku sharply commented. His attention was then caught by a heavy, ominous sound coming from above. Suzaku looked upwards. His face contorted in bewildered shock upon seeing cannonball sized meteors descending upon the two Volems. Suzaku galloped away to not get overwhelmed as the falling barrage end up smashing and destroying most of the creatures' bodies while missing their core. With the two remaining Mindeaters being weakened, Dr. Whaust jumped out of the pool and spiraled himself through the air toward them with a very ridiculous rotation speed whilst holding his scalpel. He passed through their bodies, slashing their limbs and cutting their power cores into pieces, causing them to explode in black-violet flames as he landed on his hind legs. The battle ended in a very awkward silence. Most of the trees and part of the soil in the Everfree Forest suffered the collateral damage of the fight, but no animal was involved. Suzaku wanted to confront the doctor for the infuriating waste of time that he gone through to find him, but was still intimidated a little bit by his appearance. But since he had to lead a team of crazy Freak Ponies, he had to get used to situations like this. "Nothing personal, but you gave me a lot of difficulty to track you down." Suzaku complained. Dr. Whaust doesn't say anything, which annoyed Suzaku a little more. Then he chuckled insanely at a low volume as he dissolved his scalpel. And continued to chuckle in that way as he returned on his four legged stance and adjusted his white scientist coat. For Suzaku that was unnerving. He started to worry about the possibility that the transformation had seriously screwed up his mind. After a while, Whaust stopped. "I never thought to find myself in such situation. Some crazy pony, holding a power that has nothing to do with standard magic, bestowed me this nefarious power and now i end up killing some monster... It's prohibited kill a living being in Equestria... And yet it was intoxicating." Dr. Whaust paused. "I should considerate the use that i'm going to do with it." "Huh?" Suzaku reacted disturbed as Dr. Whaust turned toward him. "Don't even think that i am proud of what i have done.... And yet I am reveling at it. I'm enjoying this bloodshed, that, hopefully for me wasn't a bloodshed at all, but let me make this clear to you. That it's not me... However, even bloodstained as i am going to become, i will use this power save Derpy." "You need my help, you know." "But i still don't trust you. There must be a explanation if your boss wanted me on his side and in this condition in which you put me into. So you better start explaining me what is going on." Suzaku could say nothing against him since was right, but grinned anyway because he knows how to answers that. "If i must." Suzaku told him everything about Twilight and her friend's corruption caused by being possessed by TF2 Freak's ghosts, their rebirth as the Elements of Insanity, Derpy being possessed as well and Balamos' request to gather a army of Freak Ponies to help him to fight them. He also mentioned his role as the deity's agent without mentioning his human origins. Dr. Whaust suspected something like that, but not as he was expecting. "So," Dr. Whaust began to recap recap. "Judging by what you told me, after Derpy, Twilight and her friends came by mistake in this dimension called Freak World and became possessed by this ghosts, they proclaimed to be reborn as the Elements of Insanity, also known as the Demented Seven. They are now following a path to spreading chaos and rule that world undisputed. And now they are trying a way to return in Equestria to overthrow Celestia and Luna." "That is what you get." Suzaku said. "This is not good. The Elements of Harmony are now corrupted, and Celestia doesn't know yet. My fears are completely founded now." Dr. Whaust paused. "You also said that a deity conscripted you as his agent and tasked you to turn ponies into monsters and recruit them for his cause, right?" "You better believe it." Suzaku said bluntly. "That doesn't mean that i approve your methods. Turning other ponies into monsters to fight other monsters is just despicable! "You tell him, doctor. If you want get any explanation by a horrific god." "I will thinking about that later... Besides, you had also told me about the Elements of Insanity's madness is spreading a terrific aura in every dimensions, included this one and is creating these creatures called Mindeaters, right?" "You saw them with your eyes. They are all engulfed in black flames." Suzaku precised. "Now that i'm thinking about, i had noticed the monsters having their bodies gravely damaged. Did you do that to them?" Dr. Whaust asked curious. "I didn't have any choice. They tried to kill me." Suzaku replied. "You said that you have the power to purify Twilight and her friends, including Derpy, but there's one thing that doesn't add up." "And that is?" "What is your boss expecting to gain from your campaign against them?" "Well..." Their conversation was interrupted by a barrage of black lightnings that fell in front of them and opened the black portal. "You will ask him about what you need to know." Suzaku said formally. "But let me tell you. His appearance is quiet.... odd." "Nevermind," Dr. Whaust replied. "I should met him and get some explanation from him. I hate to look like paranoid, but i am not used to this kind of situation." "You tell him, doctor. Considering that i have some other Freak Pony in that dimension." "What? I'm not the first one? How many other ponies you had corrupted and recruited until now?!" Dr. Whaust inquired alarmed a little. "Just one. And it's not me." Suzaku precised sardonically. "I see... Well, it seems that your boss need me to create a portal that allowed you to reach the Freak World, so i will lead you a hand. Besides..." Dr Whaust chuckled. "Maybe i could use my powers for some other variety of study and experiments if he allowed me to do that. Don't worry, i won't use living ponies... maybe." After that, Dr. Whaust pulled out a picture of Derpy from his pocket and looked at it. Then he entered into the portal, dissolving in it's darkness. Suzaku sighed in relief and took a moment to digest the day. "And with him, they are two. I wonder if i would end up killed some day." Suzaku said with a grumpy tone. "But there's one thing that didn't have any answer.... Who attacked the guards?" With that doubt in his mind, Suzaku entered into the portal and reappeared in front of the palace of Gol Nazam. He headed toward the entrance. He assumed that Dr. Whaust already entered inside, but didn't want to check that fact since he was tired and just wanted to relax. Ponyville, twenty minutes before Suzaku's infiltration at Dr. Whooves' house. Two Royal Guards were guarding the house of the doctor. Despite their impassive expression, they were clearly bored. The only comfort was the half clouded spectacle, being adorned with some filtering sun ray, even thought that wasn't this consolatory. "If there's a confirmed theory is that nature is good artist and has the right tool to make his artwork just unique." One the guards said. "I know you are trying to fill your boredom right now, but don't get distracted." Said the other guard. "You have a better method"?" The two were about to argue until they saw a hooded pony walking in a very abnormal way. He looked half battered and was wobbling. The guards approached him with a worried look, but he doesn't seem to have noticed them. "Halt!" One of the guards exclaimed. "Wait, you look battered. What happened to you?" The hooded pony slowly turned his head toward the guard and glared at him with two deadly eyes that would have cut down their own in the same moment the looked into them. "Don't... touch me!" He shouted before releasing a wave of white energy that violently propelled them away from them. The guard ponies end up crashing against the wall of two different houses far away from that of the doctor. They passed out for the impact of both the wave and the crash. The hooded pony scanned the area around him. There are nopony beside the unconscious guards and himself. He resumed his walk and murmured about something. "Where.... I wasn't expecting you to be there... Where the hell you are...." The pony was too busy to deal with the pain and sense of fatigue seizing his body to mind his surrounding. As he continued his wobbling walk, the hooded pony was met by a worried Zecora, followed by Suzaku. "You don't look very bright. Are you alright?" Zecora asked. "Out of my way!" The hooded pony replied aggressively as he shoved Zecora aside and walked off. "Hey!" Suzaku screamed angered as he was going to face him, only to be stopped by Zecora. The hooded pony halted his walk upon hearing his voice. It sounded very awfully familiar to him. With eyes widened in surprise, the pony turned his head toward Suzaku, who leaved Zecora alone. Not wanting to raise anymore attention on him, he resumed his walk, intent to leave Ponyville. "I heard this voice before" He murmured with a alarmed voice. "Suzaku?... That can't be him.... How did that mocking bastard get here?" Chapter 6.5: Painset ReturnOne month ago, that tremendous fight between Elements of Insanity and the Subjects, was consumed. While Brutalight emerged victorious with her friends but weakened by the fight, Painset Shimmercakes and Magic Mare barely escaped their onslaught. Exhausted and having no magic remained to teleport away, they were laying on the ground, feeling their death coming closer. This until a veiled benefactor lend them a hoof. But that wasn't a very miraculous rescue for Painset and Magic. She assured them that they would save them if they are willing to collaborate with her. Frustrated to this idea of submission and knowing to not having any choice, they accepted her proposal. After that, their rescuer disappeared without saying anything to them. They wandered across the Freak World unchecked for day until they found refuge into a forsaken factory to recover their strength and reorganize themselves. That defeat by the hooves of Brutalight Sparcake burned inside Painset Shimmercakes, but there's another flame that burned her heart and reason. Bitterness and rage of being surpassed and replaced by her as Celestia's new protege. She could care less if Brutalight was dealing with her psychic issue as her own. Both the mares couldn't even rest that a group of mercenaries attacked them. Which is a grave mistake since they end up being decimated, with a few of them being mercilessly killed while the rest ended up being erroneously turned into MeeMs by Magic. That heavily annoyed Painset, who wanted to have some sadistic fun with them in order to vent her stress. Magic Mare didn't not blame her for that. Though that she end up being tortured a bit by the demonic alicorn as a compensation. Eventually, Painset and Magic came to know about the dimensional portal that Brutalight was building in order to reach Equestria. Eager to anticipate them, they recurred to a ancient scroll that allowed them materialize their physical form into their home world, appearing in front of Starlight Glimmer's village. Just when Starlight herself wasn't around due to her exile. Painset, being the most 'reasonable', sadistic megalomaniac that she is, horribly mangled most of the inhabitants to death and conquered the town while Magic ensured that nopony will escape. The five remaining ponies submitted themselves to her out of fear, with one of them being a traumatized and insane Sugar Bell, who gleefully accepted her as her god. Painset Shimmercakes was interested in having some worshiper, so she charged her magic into the pink unicorn's head and gave her the knowledge of Alchemy, which would allow her to create Homuncoli out of the ponies the demonic alicorn had killed off. Since having done all of that damage wasn't enough, she would have killed at least another one of them just for fun. Unfortunately their form disappeared and were brought back to the Freak World before she could do any more victims. They discovered that the magic of the scroll couldn't maintain their form in Equestria for a long time due to Painset's overdoing with her powers, destabilizing the dimensional flux. The scroll was destroyed in the process, permanently preventing them to repeat the spell again. Both the freakish mares obviously end up arguing very violently, though that both of them barely survived. Fifteen nights later, Painset and Magic wandered in a cemetery far away from the zones controlled by the Elements of Insanity, plotting their next move. "For what i know, Brutalight would have almost completed her portal. I absolutely have to anticipate her." Painset said with a frustrated tone. "Well... You have screwed up the only easiest way that we had, so don't even complain about that." Magic precised. "You mean YOU had screwed up!" Painset retorted. "Please, I was just doing my job. We could have found some hint about obtaining some real way of inter-dimensional traveling if you didn't have overdid with your magic to boast your ego!" "Are you trying to shift your blame on me to justify your incompetence!?" Painset demanded furious. "If that is the case, that would be YOUR incompetence!" Magic retorted. Both them were glaring at each other and glowing their horns, ready to unleash their powers against each other. That dispute, however, was interrupted by a mocking voice. "I hate so say that, but this is why Brutalight is able to keep screwing you over." She said, revealing to be the Black Cloaked Mare said as she went out of a mausoleum while standing on her two legs and floating above the ground and approached the two mare freaks, who were a little surprised to see her and yet very irritated for that remark. They glared at her for a second, but the mare looked at them with a stern look. As their glances met, the two pony freaks remained awfully surprised to see her as they seemed to recognize her. "What the... You're the one from back then!" Painset exclaimed. "That distrust of yours is so meta." The Black Cloaked Mare said. "You have very little to whine about your current situation." "What do you mean?" Painset asked. "Officially, you have not prepared any current strategy against the Elements of Insanity. Too bad that you weren't informed about that because you don't have the time to inform yourself." The mare informed. "Oh, please. What could possibly be this thing we should be informed about?" Magic inquired. "Brutalight is currently dealing with her mind being split in three by a unknown enemy and is now almost unable to control her powers." The cloaked mare said bluntly. "In fact having three personality fighting each other in her mind is surely a real issue that would endanger her and her friends." "What!?" Magic exclaimed incredulous. "Is that true?" Painset asked, surprised. "Correct... Not that you have enough brain to know how exploit this crisis." The cloaked mare responded. "What's that!?" Painset shouted before shaking her head rapidly in response to a psychic shift and resumed with a low voice. "How dare you!" Not minding the scornful gazes coming from Painset and Magic, the mare headed toward two tombstones and looked down. "Hey! Don't ignore us!" Magic shouted. "Anyway.... you wanted to return in Equestria, right?" The mare asked calmly. "That's what I intend to do!" Painset said before shaking her neck again and shifting into a younger voice. "So what!?" The mare stared in the void without said anything for a moment, not minding their growing anger. Then she spokes with a crude tone. "You didn't know that a inter-dimensional portal can also be built by converting a specific living being into magical energy through a alchemic process, right?." The mare asked "Do we look like freaking alchemists?" Magic ask in sarcasm. "What you have to do is just channeling the magic of a specific scroll that involves inter-dimensional sorcery into the living sacrifice, concentrating one the world you want to return and then 'bang'. Your portal is ready." The mare confirmed. There was a long instant of quiet. The two pony freak looked at her in shock, feeling really taken aback from that discovery. They didn't found anything like that. "You lie!" Painset's neck cracked again, returning into her normal one. "I never heard of such method, so that cannot be real!" "Say whatever you want, but is real. But I don't think you had the common sense to took them with you." The mare commented. Painset turned her attention to Magic and give her a stern look while the latter looked at the alicorn nervously. The Black Cloaked Mare observed the odd pair impassive, but slightly annoyed. "Why are looking me like that?" Magic asked nervously. "You were examining the scrolls before we were attacked by the mercenaries." Painset assumed. "If you are talking about these," Magic hesitated. "I'm afraid..." "Afraid of what?" "The scrolls were burned by a Pyro during the attack." "Are you SERIOUS!? Why you didn't took them with you!?" "Most of the scrolls consisted into summoning creatures from other worlds which the majority of them were inferior. I didn't considered them to be useful." Magic meekly said. "Are you stupid!? These would had been useful!" Painset scowled. "You didn't told me to." Magic retorted with sarcasm. "At least i'm not stupid enough to not having take the plan to return into Canterlot and find a way to replicate the magic mirror. I would had told you, but you had already gone into a rampage on that village and overused your powers. The destabilization wouldn't have happened if you had read the rest of the scroll and restrained yourself for doing that." "You want having another bad round with me, dumbass!?" Painset threatened, glaring at Magic. The mare didn't looked at them, but her face slowly shifted in muted annoyance. As she was even questioning about the reliability of the two mares. "This is why i never hangout with a duo of retards." The Black Cloaked Mare complained. "WHAT!?" Painset and Magic howled at unison, turning their heads toward her. "I won't doubt that you have outer-wordily powers, but your mentality is not brainer," The mare turned toward them and shrugged her shoulders."I can't believe that Brutalight was almost losing against two idiots." Both of them glared fiercely at her, with Painset's eye nervously twitching. They glow their horn to use their magic, but something bizarre happened. The Black Cloaked Mare looked at them with eyes completely devoid of any feelings and before they could could do anything, the pony freaks found their mouths being stuffed with a stream of red liquid coming out of the cloaked mare's hooves and going right to their throat. Their horn stopped glowing and their magic was neutralized. But that was nothing compared to what happened next. Their sight was blurring, the world around them was spinning, the oxygen began to missing in their aims, their limbs were frantically shaking and their bloodstreams completely stopped along with their heart beats. They couldn't even scream.The only thing that they could see clearly was the mare's eyes. Painset refused to believe what she was feeling in that moment, but these eyes didn't looked so terrific before. Magic was just hoping if they end up killed by her. Both the freak mares could feel their consciousness slowly fading away due to the total shutdown that is happening to their bodies' biological activities, unable to do anything but watch and listen her as their sight was slowly fading. "Is that the right time to give in your arrogance for you?" The mare said with a intimidating tone while giving a glare that would had dismembered even the most fearful of the alicorns. "I wasn't expecting to knee before me, but you should at least know when NOT act very recklessly. Or even according to your newfound chaotic nature, which is very stupid." Painset and Magic weren't feeling their bodies at all. All of their emotions almost died off, except for their fear, which is very prominent in the pathway of incoming death. The cloaked mare kept her chilling eyes pointed toward the two freaks. "Did you had forgot that I was the one who pulled both of you out of the clutches of your incoming death? You made had accepted my terms, remember?" Both the mares hated to admit due to their pride and ego, but she was right. That mocking pony was the one who saved them from their fate during the aftermath of their fight against the Elements of Insanity in exchange of their collaboration. Painset and Magic saw what she was capable of despite her being a earth pony who wasn't a freak, but they weren't expecting her to cornering them like that. Painset felt the pain her pride being gravely hurt surviving the effects of the biological shutdown before being completely silenced. They could feel their lives almost coming to a end as their sight faded in the dark, their minds being cloudy and their consciousness going to sink in the eternal void. Their once psychotic eyes were filled with a mix of fear and hatred toward the mare before becoming almost lifeless. The Black Cloaked Mare's glare then shifted into a calmer glance at the last second. "That's enough." The mare said as she pulled the red stream out of their mouths, causing these to vanish. Painset and Magic collapsed to the ground and remained there, frantically shaking and coughing violently to catch all of their air back. Their sight slowly returned and their brains and organs returning functional as their hearts resumed their beats, resuming their bloodstreams. Their powers, however, were temporarily weakened drastically, just like their anger. They still hate her guts, but wouldn't even think to mess with her after that experience... for now. "Anyway, let's go to the real topic." The Black Cloaked Mare said, making a chilling smile.. Painset and Magic slowly rose up, still dizzied and trying to hide their scorn and homicidal impulses. That experience was humiliating enough that they won't even going through that again. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't get revenge for that, when the right opportunity will present itself. Ignoring the two mares one more time, the cloaked pony turned around and raised her hoof forward. A black swirling liquid appeared in front of her, growing in dimensions until it became a huge black vortex. The two freakish mares looked at it impressed. They felt a very analogical power going on. They weren't mistaking. They felt it when they arrived in the Freak World through the magical mirror in the first place. "There is your portal." The Black Cloaked Mare mischievously confirmed, turning toward them. "Now you can go back to Equestria and proceed to take down Celestia, if you want." "There's no mistake," Magic confirmed. "Is the same as the mirror." "You tell her, Magic." Painset agreed. "Now i will steal Brutalight's world, just like she stole my future." "Talking about jealous psychotic rage." Magic commented, causing Painset to look at her with a furious gaze and a twitching eye. "Did. You. Say. SOMETHING!?" Painset hissed, almost ready to kill her. "Nothing. Nothing." Magic replied meekly. "Good." Painset said, calming herself down a little and walking toward the portal, only to be stopped by the mare. "Before you can going back in your world, You have something that you must do for me." The mare said. Painset growled angrily. Knowing the oppressively manipulating nature of her supposed rescuer, she knew that some catch was lurking behind her words. "What do you from us?" Painset demanded impatiently. "In Equestria, there's one green earth pony with a terrific power that must be dealt with as soon as possible," The Black Cloaked Mare explained, "That would be also a fierce menace for you, but for now he would be just a cocky individual." "Can you please give us the name!?" Magic inquired. "This pony called himself Zaidel Goelnix. This one managed to kill a huge black flaming dragon and took down a entire town of cultists, leaded by a pink unicorn name Sugar Bell who worshiped you." There was a brief moment in which the two freaks stopped moving. They looked at her, each one with a different expression, which give to the mare a different visual opinion about her statement. Magic was just surprised of the fact that such earth pony could actually exist, wondering what power could have. Painset, on other hands, was shocked "Are you telling me that the pink unicorn of the village that I conquered two weeks ago founded a cult that was worshiping me, and that is now taken down by a insipid, disgusting earth pony!?" Painset demanded in rage. "That's the deal. You kill off this bastard and i will give you all the support that you need to take down Brutalight Sparcake and the other Elements of Insanity." The mare paused. "How is that?" "Do you even ask!?" Painset responded. "I want make him pay for that and use him as a memento of my triumphal return as Equestria's new god!" The Black Cloaked Mare grinned satisfied of the result. She looked like as she got the desired result. "Now that is the condition," The Black Cloaked Mare began. "You have twenty-seven days to kill him. If you succeed by the dead line, i will help you to take down both the Elements of Insanity and Celestia as well." "You will support us!?" Painset asked. "Don't even doubt about that. So, what about him?" The Black Cloaked Mare asked. "I will definitively kill him!" Painset said. "But let me clarify one thing. I'm not doing this for you!" The two mares headed toward the portal and entered inside, vanishing in the pitch-black center. After that, the vortex shrunk rapidly until it disappeared in a spark of lightnings. The Black Cloaked Mare was now alone in the cemetery. The silence was her temporal companion, but was then broken by the sound of footsteps echoing through the cemetery. The mare's expression returned into a stern one as she was turning toward the source. The clopping sound came closer and closer but then stopped. A unidentified bipedal pony-like figure almost was in front of her. "Yo!" The figure said with a male voice. "It seems like you need some assistance." "Tundra Lotus." The Black Cloaked Mare said with a sinister, gleeful tone. "You're just in time." "I don't get the reason for your creepy way to greet me." "Spare me your sardonic comment." The mare said with a stern tone. "What about your target?" "I put Discord to rest," Tundra confirmed "I didn't killed him though, but at least he's out the game for a while." "Whatever. I have a job for you, but you will not like it." "Just tell me what is it?" Tundra said almost bored. "You have a demonic alicorn with a split mind to fix. Don't disappoint me." The mare paused, giving a dreadful glare at Tundra, which wasn't disturbed at all. "Human". Meanwhile; In a wood nearby a cliff in the Ghastly Gorge... A black vortex appeared, and the Subjects came out of it, accompanied by a horde of mercenaries who were previously turned into Meems By Magic Mare: Scouts, Medics, Heavys and the list goes on. Both Painset and Magic looked upon the huge mountain in the distance, knowing what it is. Canterlot can be seen from there. Magic Mare felt like she was at home at last. Despite the fact she was now a pony freak, it felt like it's been a long time since she saw Canterlot before her arrival in the Freak World. She then looked at Painset Shimmercakes, who has a different way to see that familiar sight. A very sinister way. A perverted sense of nostalgia pervaded the mind of the former student who is now a terrific alicorn. Memories and rage danced in her tainted heart.The only comfort that she could get in that moment was the payback she was waiting for. She smirked at that promising prospecting. Painset couldn't help, but chuckle in a way creepy enough to chill Magic's spine. "I couldn't be more satisfied than this. I'm finally back to Equestria! And this time is for real!" Painset said triumphantly. "Big time." Magic Mare commented. "I didn't see our homeworld for months since our arrival in that twisted world. But now that i'm looking at, it look so.... dull. Too much peaceful." "Indeed." Painset confirmed. "I should thank our 'savior' for the ride... But i won't! Not after all that horrible experience that she made us going through!" "It pains me to admit, but she was somehow a little better than us in one thing." Magic remarked. "What?" Painset inquired. "Competence. One. On. One." Magic said with sarcasm with Painset looking at her annoyed. "Was that sarcasm?" Painset demanded while charging her horn. "Hehe.. But does that matter? I mean, we are here now." Magic said, laughing nervously as she was going to have another bash from her companion, who interrupted her charged one second later. "Right." Painset said almost calmly as she returned her attention to the landscape. "Though that we still lack of a proper army and a proper equipment." "You can tell that." Magic agreed. "Still, that is a good start." Painset said gleefully. "Of course we have to deal with that green pest, but at least we have the time to take a look at how much happened in Equestria during our absence. That will give us the opportunity to take prepare ourselves for the final act." "That would require a lot of job and a new hideout far away from there, but if everything goes right, that would have a good payoff." Magic commented optimistic. "I can't wait for this. Soon i shall seize the throne from Celestia and take the place that i deserve." Painset said. Painset walked at the very edge of the cliff and looked at the castle, with eyes filled of pure sadism and cruelty. She has the impression that Celestia was waiting for her, trying to fix the rift between her and her former student. Painset can predict that. It's so predictable and hypocritical to her that it disgusted and infuriates her. If she will meet Celestia, she would had to remind her own truth. The unicorn know as 'Sunset Shimmer' died long time ago. Only Painset Shimmercakes remained. "The day i'm going to ascend as a god of your world will be the last day of your rule. You are next, Celestia! And after that, Twilight Sparkle will follow you in the death coil!" Painset announced. Painset Shimmercakes laughed maniacally, confident of her own abilities and ready to prepare the doom of her hated enemies. Magic Mare would had done the same, but since that would angering her, she just smirked in approval. They were impatient to begin. After all there is a world to explore, and conquer in the process. That Celestia wanted or not, Painset's vengeance was about to begin. Chapter 7: The Dreadful EnemyOpening his eyes, Suzaku was greeted by a dark, unfamiliar sight. He knew that wasn't the ceiling of his room. Realizing to lying down, he gets up and examined his surrounding to understand what is going on. The place in which he was in was a very darkened hallway with fractured pillars lining in his way, with a feeble light in the end. "I don't remember being sent in this place," Suzaku said. "And I don't even think is Balamos' fault for once. He would had warned me first." He looked behind to see if there was a exit, but instead he found was a pitch-black passage filled with a seemingly endless dark. That alone gave him the impression of being trapped into some mad house. Returning his attention to the light, Suzaku couldn't tell if that was just a entrance into some room or some nasty trap. He hesitated to do go, but a very sinister curiosity was compelling him to uncover it's nature. "Tsk. I had encountered so many creepy and absurd things until now. Why I should stop now?" He headed toward the end of the corridor, wanting to know where he is. The only thing that he can take for sure is that the place in which is not Canterlot Castle or any part of Equestria. The more Suzaku approached the light, the weaker it became. And when he reached it, the light stopped it's fading process, revealing it to be a entrance. Without any hesitation, he entered inside. Stepping inside, he witnessed a very absurd scenario. What was in front of him was a stone, dreary throne room, made with a bizarre architecture but still resembling a ancient one. There are no windows, no adornments and no walls. Only passages leading toward the absolute void seized their places. And Sitting on the throne wasn't a alicorn or a Mindeater. That was a seemingly, faceless humanoid creature made of shadows, whose appearance resembled that of a dark warrior who seemed to had came out from some dark fantasy. His body was covered by a cape made of titanium plates, a scarf made of chains, iron gauntlets resembling serpent's jaws, leggings armed with blades, swords protruding from his shoulders and a broken steel armor; partially revealing it's shapeless torso. He remained immobile, seemingly not acknowledging Suzaku's existence. Suzaku could assume that he was the one who brought him there. He was obviously angry at him, but as he observed him, he felt suddenly intimidated. But that was not just because he was little compared to that man, due to him being in pony form. What really scared Suzaku was his anger being drained away by the man's oppressive presence. He could feel that happening without the shapeless man doing anything, as he leaved his own existence spoke for him, speaking the mute language of omnipresence and awe. "What kind of sick feeling is this?" Suzaku said quietly, disturbed by that. He stepped forward reluctantly, wanting to know something about his captor. As Suzaku reached the center of the room, the man's eyes opened, making their existence known on his face , causing him to stop, startled. The armored individual's eyes were fully colored in blue, accompanied by platinum irises. These are completely devoid of feelings or emotions. Suzaku was paralyzed by fear and confusion, almost trembling. But then he forced it to stop it and motivated himself to not back down. Suzaku has not forgot the fact that he had to survive this madness in which Balamos putted into, so remain stuck there or even die are things that he won't accept. He had no intention to retreat. Armed with his own will and knowing that he must be cautious with him, Suzaku stood up on his hind legs and draw out his claws. "Good thing you are awake," Suzaku said. "Because I don't like being captured by some Berserk reject like you." The dark warrior doesn't respond. He continued to stare at Suzaku, who started to lose his patience. "The silent treatment doesn't work on me." Suzaku said irritated. "I'm not gonna take it from you, so you better let me go." Despite Suzaku's insistence, the man still didn't respond. Keeping his eyes locked on Suzaku, the dark warrior rose slowly from the throne and walked toward him, with his eyes emanating a menacing halo, accompanied by the sounds of his moving chain made scarf, the plates of his cape and that of his leggings making their contact with the floor. Knowing what that means, Suzaku summoned his huge black sword and grabbed it with his clawed hoof, determined to deal with him. "Alright. No more games, dude. Enough is enough!" Suzaku shouted aggressively before dissipating in black-green flames and reappearing in front of the man to swiftly cut him down with the sword, only for the armored menace to effortlessly blocking it with one hand. "What!?" The dark warrior pressed his hand on the blade. Cracking sound were making their voices known, and before Suzaku could even realize, the man shatters the sword into pieces. Suzaku had frozen in place wide-eyed upon seeing his weapon being destroyed in few seconds. Fear was seizing his mind, invigorated by the man's oppressive presences, but his own promise to not succumb to no one induced him to quickly react by charging his other clawed hoof with dark-violet energy to use his own Shadow Shotgun on his enemy. Suzaku pointed his charged hoof at the dark warrior's head, but he was immediately blocked by the latter grabbing his head with the right hand and lifting upward. Suzaku tried to shot at the man's head, but the charged energy quickly dissipated and died off shortly. He felt his powers and unnatural strength being completely drained away from him. The dark warrior pressed his finger on his head with the merciless intent to crush him, slowly. His pained screams increased in volume, marking the oppressive pressure of the man's hand pressing even more harder on his skull. However, as the pain was about to became unbearable to the point to give Suzaku the feeling of his death lurking in his mind, the dark warrior stopped his crushing pressure on Suzaku's head. The man's hand halted his supposed execution, but didn't let him go. Dazed by both the pain and the migraine post pressure, Suzaku looked in the man's cold, platinum eyes. "What the hell are you?" Suzaku said, feeling his confidence being drained. The dark warrior didn't respond and didn't even react, at first. Then, after a moment, his eyes shrunken. Then his shadow mass that composed his body began to expanding out of his armor, deforming most of his humanoid form until he became a huge mantle. That fierce foe rendered Suzaku outright powerless as his already twisted appearance lit up in multiple waves of blue flames. As he felt the scorching the heat of the incoming azure inferno, Suzaku let out a terrified scream but was immediately silenced by the mercilessly, voracious flames eating him alive in few seconds. Only a little echo of his voice rang across the room one moment before being replaced by the roar of the burning execution. Suzaku saw his sight being devoured by a flaming mouth and swallowed into the oblivion. Darkness was the last thing that he saw but all of sudden, Suzaku found himself gasping and breathing heavily, staring on the wall in front of him. Confusion entered his mind through his veins. He frantically looked around and putted his hoof on his chest to verify to his own heartbeats. Suzaku barely sighed in relief, but his confusion was, at least in part, present. Some seconds ago he was a that throne room. He was actual in his bedroom in Gol Nazam's Palace. His green coat was stained with sweat, just like his bed. A light wave of dizziness washed over him as he groaned. "It was all a fucking dream," Suzaku murmured, grumpily. "Thought that I can't say the same thing for my involvement in this insanity. I'm still a pony after all." The nightmarish fight and that cursed outcome were still freshly planted in his memory, and he had no idea of how much time it takes for it to dissipate. That dream was so livid that Suzaku really believed to die for real. Not wanting to thinking about that any further, he tried to shrug off that experience, but he couldn't do nothing with that lingering residual feeling of uneasiness. Groggy and partially disoriented, Suzaku slowly got out of the bed and walked toward the window. Looking on the outside, saw the identical darkened landscape. No matter how many hours passed. The sky was still pitch-black, which complicates his partially screwed his perception of time. Unable to tell if is morning, evening or night again, Suzaku turned his attention to the desktop, looking for something that wasn't there. "Oh, I forgot," Suzaku muttered quietly. "I don't have any clock alarm. Thanks for your courtesy, Balamos." Realizing to be still soaked in his own sweat, he walked into the bedroom and took his own shower. Normally, but not so normally, Suzaku felt always weird to do so while being a pony, but for this time it didn't mattered to him. A few unanswered questions regarding the demonic voice who spoke in his head never stopped to occupy his mind. He didn't even know who he is. One phrase in particular rang in his mind. "We will meet very soon, but you won't like my hospitality." "What do you want from me?" Suzaku whispered on that though. He paused, taking his time to adjust his own thoughts and connection as the water continued to rain down on him. After thirteen minutes of reflection, he let out a heavy sigh induced by his own inability to find some plausible responses or possibilities. "I guess I have to find that out by myself." Suzaku closed the faucet and dried himself with the towel. After that, he returned in his bedroom and took a look in his closet. He putted on his violet vest and black jacket, and lay on the bed with the intent to get some extra rest to digest the fatigue caused by the nightmare. As Suzaku stared at the ceiling, his mind wandered in a mnemonic recap of he what had gone through so far. From his encounter with Sugar Bell's cult to his search for Whaust. Among his thoughts, he remembered Whaust mentioning that he may have to build a portal. His visage was marked with incredulity, having realized a contradiction that he never noticed. His memory clicked. "I must be a idiot for not having asked that to him before," Suzaku said, getting up. "Why does Balamos need a Inter-dimensional portal?" His own attempt visualize and examine that point was then interrupted by someone knocking at his door. Suzaku get out of his bed and headed toward the door. "Now who's knocking?" Suzaku asked to himself, still half sleepy. "I hope is not Starcider." As he was in front of it, Suzaku was about to open, but then frozen as he felt a familiar, creepy aura lurking behind it. He reluctantly grabbed the doorknob and slowly opened the door. He became merely startled, having already guessed that was Whaust being the one in front of him four legged, still covering his head with his eye-holed paper bag and still towering on him in height. Despite this, Suzaku managed to remain almost calm, this time. "Do you need something?" Suzaku said, not expecting anything in particular from him. "You didn't looked surprised to see me." Whaust replied. "I could feel your ominous aura going through the door." Suzaku said, almost grumpily. "I'm afraid I can't do anything about that." Whaust said calmly. "Nevermind. You came here just in time." Suzaku assured. "There is something that I need to ask." "Ask what?" Whaust asked, perplexed. "You said that Balamos may need you to create a portal to reach the Freak World, right?" Suzaku inquired. Whaust almost froze up, seemingly processing what he heard from him. He know what Suzaku meant to say but couldn't guess the reason behind his question. "I don't know what are you implying." Whaust replied, confused. "Couldn't Balamos just teleport us there?" Suzaku demanded. "I mean, he can open dimensional portals. What was the point to build a portal if he-" "I had already asked that to him," Whaust interrupted, anticipating his answer. "But then he said that he cannot do so... because his presence can't reach the Freak World." "What do you mean with that?" Suzaku asked, confused. "According to him," Whaust explained. "What he can do with the Freak World is observe it and it's timeline, but cannot interact with it or even use his powers inside of it because of a interference. The only thing that can allow anypony to access that world is a physical portal, such as the magical mirror. But unfortunately the interference has tendency to redirect you into another dimension. The probability of access through the mirror is thirty percent. " Suzaku remained speechless as his brain was processing the whole thing. Though that he didn't know most of that metaphysical stuff that Whaust putted together, he reach the obvious conclusion. Getting into the Freak World was going to be more difficult of than he thought. "You cannot be serious." Suzaku said incredulous. "Dimensional travel is no joke," Whaust replied bluntly. "That is another reason why Celestia sequestered my replica of the mirror. I could tell that since I studied dimensional travels before I built my own dimensional portal in the first place." As Whaust finished his explanation, Suzaku took some moments to ponder about what he heard and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. But there are things that didn't convinced him this much. "So this is why Balamos needed a physical portal in the first place, huh. I guess that even him has his own limits. But I'm not entirely convinced of that. He may had lied, but since I don't know how this dimensional stuff is working in live, I will just play ball. Still... that doesn't resolve the other problem." "But there's one problem with that," Suzaku remarked. "We don't have all the material to build it when I had retrieved you, remember?" "Ironically Balamos, if this is your boss name, took care of that situation on his own" Whaust said, slightly optimistic. "How?" Suzaku asked "Probably each room of both the wings of this palace was specifically designed to suit the incoming recruits," Whaust informed. "In my case, my own room is a hybrid in between a laboratory, like my own old one and a bedroom. That room surprisingly contains most of the stuff that I needed for my experiments... Except the stuff that I need to build the portal." "Then it's not so great as a good news," Suzaku complained. "What do you need?" "What we need are just the same kind of materials that I had used, plus magical artifacts," Whaust replied."But don't worry. He said that he would send me for that job." "Good for me," Suzaku said. "Because going around turning ponies into freaks and recruiting them is difficult enough." Suzaku went out of his room and was about to walk away, but then and turned toward Whaust, looking at him as he remembered a small detail. "You said magical artifacts." Suzaku said with Whaust nodding at it. "Since by then you were interested in magic?" "What is your point?" Whaust inquired. "Oh cmo'n, doctor. You are the kind of pony who say that science is the real magic." Suzaku remarked. "What convinced you change your mind?" "Well... Neither I wasn't this erudite about that matter and I wasn't very fond of magic," Whaust admitted. "This until I had that enlightenment in which you were responsible of." "What kind of enlightenment?" Suzaku asked, puzzled. "For how I see that," Whaust began. "There are limits in my own knowledge that I never thought they existed. But after you putted that spirit inside of me, however, I found my own intellectual horizon being expanded. Despite the two side having a different nature, I came to understand that science and magic can do benefit in any single form if they were used correctly. After all, both of them are parts of the same coin called with it's own name: Knowledge." "That... Is literally profound of you." Suzaku admitted, impressed by his explanation. "But what are you implying?" "You see, young boy," Whaust explained. "The memories related to the Elements of Insanity weren't the only things that flowed inside my brain. There is also a that monster's knowledge." Suzaku's memory clicked, this time on a different matter. "Knowledge you said?" "Yes, but don't know how to describe it," Whaust said. "My mind is fragmented and prone to the madness and yet is strangely still clear. It's terrifying... and plausible at the same time. I never felt so mentally focused for about decades." Suzaku was struck by that answer that lurked in the shadow of his mind but that he never bothered to take a look at during the retrieval of Whaust. He couldn't help but grin a little, tasting the hidden details behind his boss' choices of minions. The Dr. Hooves was a brilliant inventor and scientist, but was also a ditzy one due to him having problems staying focused on the task at hand and gettiing caught up in the wrong details. After having his mind being altered after being possessed by the spirit of Faust, however, he became more focused than usual. But that wasn't the only thing that Suzaku noticed. "So this is why Whaust embraced magic and what he knows about it;" Suzaku whispered quierly while looking away from Whaust. "That shouldn't surprise me. After all, Faust comes directly from a world in which magic replaced technology and yet it managed to conserve a piece of the former. No wonder Balamos wanted him. I hate to admit but that spectral eye's choice of recruits is probably more coherent of what I though." "Why you look so enthusiast?" Whaust demanded with a slightly worried tone. "Nothing in particular," Suzaku said as his grin dissipated immediately. "Anything else?" Whaust pulled out three small metal orbs with a red-glassed eyes from his jacket and gave them to Suzaku. "He asked me to give you those things." Suzaku looked perplexed for a moment but then he recognized the object, having saw a similar thing in a comic book. "Are these inter-dimensional probes?" "Precisely. These are things that Balamos specifically asked me to build." Whaust responded. "These are actually Quantum Probes. Their function is to track down any dimension by following any source of energy and vitality, including magic. If we can track down that of Twilight and her friends, then we will find even the world in which they are now. They are also designed to disrupt the interference, which allow him to open his portals." "Good to know... I guess." Suzaku said, almost impressed. "But how I am supposed to use those things?" "They must be tossed inside the portal," Whaust said. "From there on, they will wander aimlessly through the multiverse, so I had to pilot them through a machine that I had developed in my own new laboratory." "Well, at least I don't have to infiltrate Canterlot Castle to find the magic mirror since we can do it with your version." Suzaku said. "Actually, that is not a real portal. Is small that I will use for tests. And Is not immediate," Whaust informed. "It will take me twenty nine days before it's finished." "T-twenty nine days?" Suzaku said, dumbfounded. "I'm sorry for that," Whaust said with a almost grim tone. "But is not easy to make this minimized version of the replica of the mirror. I had also to be careful with quantum notions. Keep in mind that I managed to build my replica of the mirror in two years." Suzaku groaned frustrated, putting his hoof on his forehead. He was about to complain but he didn't blame the doctor for that. Trying to calm down, he went out of the room. "Nevermind. I will find a way on my own," Suzaku half assured. "Is there something wrong, young boy?" Whaust asked with a perplexed tone, inducing Suzaku to stop. "No, I just need to get some fresh air." Suzaku said as he turned toward Whaust. "Thanks for the help anyway." "You don't look very lucid in this moment, mister Zaidel." "Blame that demented black clouded sky. It's screwing with my perception of time and my biorhythm as well." "I know that. This environment is not a very ideal one for your health." Whaust said, pulling out a watch just to show him the hour. "Time is also a important factor. As you can see, it's morning. Don't you have any clock at all?" "I don't even have a clock alarm to begin with, courtesy of Balamos." Suzaku said slightly grumpily as he was walking away, but then he stopped on his tracks, having remembered something. "Hey, doctor, I almost forgot to asking this to you." "Asking me what?" Whaust inquired. "Did he told you anything about his own motivation behind this whole mission?" Suzaku asked. "Glad that you had noticed that since that is the real reason of my visit. He was... very vague about that," Whaust replied, mistrustful about him. "What I got from him was that the Elements of Insanity and their corruption are a threat, but he didn't told me anything else about it." "Don't tell me." Suzaku said before narrowing his eyes, slightly taken aback by that but not surprised. "Is that so?" "Now if you excuse me, I have to go. But remember, I'm doing this just for Derpy, not for your boss' cause." Whaust said as he went in his room and closed the door politely. With these new information, Suzaku had more reason to confront his boss, but for now he just wanted to rest his mind and clear up his ideas. Leaving the west wing, he went downstairs and headed outside the palace. Suzaku wandered aimlessly in the meadow, accompanied by the pitch-black clouded sky above him. After walking for some miles, he stopped and looked forward. He remained to enjoy the wind blowing on him just for a few moments. Although that didn't managed to mitigate his uneasiness of being in pony freak form and having to deal with what he had encountered in this insane adventure and what he had to face yet. He was still lured by the idea of beating the hell out of the corrupted Elements of Harmony who are now representing madness and chaos, but that wasn't so stupid to not questions himself about the dangers that he had gone through and other ones that seemed to come. He lift his hoof and draw out his claws as he glanced at it with narrowed eyes, having in his mind something to reflect and even complain about. Something about his powers still doesn't add up. Suzaku clenched his claws to barely emulate a fist while he kept thinking about it. "There's something wrong with my powers. No wonder how I look at it. I'm currently possessed by Yuki Terumi, although I can still control myself, but my powers didn't look like his own. I don't remember him being able to create energy shields or even using a huge black sword as his weapon. And that voice... That just made the things even more confusing" Before he could consider other possibilities, Suzaku suddenly perceived a horrible aura. He could tell that Balamos was there. Feeling his presence looming above him, Suzaku looked upwards with a glare and waited for him to appear. But there's no visible or auditive sign of him. "I know that you a there, big eye!" Suzaku exclaimed. "I need to talk with you! So stop looming above me and come out already!" There's no response. A handful of seconds passed without no word or sign, much to Suzaku's annoyance. "Cmo'n, Balamos. I don't have the whole day." Suzaku said, impatiently. "Oh, Suzaku. More sardonic and arrogant as ever," Balamos said mockingly, appearing from above him. "You should know what is your place at this point since I hold you in the palm of my own invisible hand. Your should have learned your lesson in your past fights-"" "I get it. There's no laptop screen that would shield me this time." Suzaku cut him off. "This is why I decided to come here, jackass." "What?" "You see, I have more reason to act like that right now," Suzaku said. "In the past two days that I had to corrupt and recruit the ponies that will act as part of your army, I had faced very unpleasant things, fought a giant flaming dragon and three golem-like loathsome turtles, almost lost of my sanity and risked to die. All of that for your stupid mission. So of course I deserve at least on question." "........ And what could possibly be, twat?" Balamos asked with a very annoyed tone. "You said that there is culprit behind the corruption of the Mane Six into the Elements of Insanity." Suzaku paused. "I may understand if he would use them against Celestia, but Why you are so interested in the story? And why 'recruit' me?" Balamos' eye shrunk for a moment and looked left and right. But more than looking elsewhere, he looked like he was instinctively emulating a dot of a computer while is processing something for a few seconds before looking back at Suzaku. "You really want to go straight to the Hard Mode so badly, aren't you?" "God or not, you are going to answer me." Suzaku replied bluntly. "Very well... Then you will get your wish. It's your luck day. I have a clear idea of what the the culprit behind their corruption could be because I had recalled one thing," The iris of his eyed form shrunk. I have met that bastard before the rise of the Elements of Insanity." Suzaku flinched in surprise. "You had?" "Is a earth mare named Vaga. Is a demented pony from another dimension, obsessed with Death and Nihilism and possesses powers that had nothing to do with the Equestrian conventional magic, including the ability to travel through any dimensions, mind alteration, time traveling and hide her presence with her magical stealth. Vaga came once here with the intent to usurp my power." "I can Imagine that she got her ass kicked by you," Suzaku guessed. "Don't even think that was a stroll from me. Vaga put one hell of a fight and she was so close to win. I could even eliminate her for good, she fled in the Freak World and at some point, her existence simply vanished from both my perception and the timeline of every dimension as well. Which means that she veiled her existence to plot her next move." That explanation gave Suzaku another reason to cautious about the ordeal in which he was involved. He had the impression that he would had fought the culprit after having purified the Elements of Insanity, but he didn't expected her to be this powerful. Suzaku briefly pondered about that nervously. "If this mare was able to keep up with Balamos, then I'm going to have a real nightmare of a fight with her, especially since I have that problem with that stupid power abuse thing. It putted me in danger in the most crucial moments. Still... That reveal also reinforces my theory that he's hiding far more things than just Sunset Shimmer being turned into a freak." "But that doesn't explain the reason she had for luring the Twilight and her gang into the Freak World to being possessed by those ghost of those TF2 Freaks," Suzaku said bluntly. "Is she someone who has a personal vendetta against Celestia?" "Vaga has no reason in particular, except causing chaos, reveling in the bloodshed of the others and enjoy the destruction of worlds and every force that doesn't represent her ideals. Especially the one the Mane Six represent most. For Vaga, Harmony is just a facade, which disgusted her to end. She wanted nothing more than seeing the harmony of every dimension burn, one piece at time. This mare managed to destroy her own world, along with other twos." "Whoa!" Suzaku exclaimed disturbed. "Now that is major league level of psychopathy. How powerful she can possibly be?" "Is not always a matter of power. Her machinations and powers are insignificant if not used properly and her schemes carefully executed. In her case, Vaga can be usually both organized and chaotic in the execution of her plan, with only rare exception of using brute strength. However, with the Elements of Insanity... She acted way too organized." "What do you mean with that?" Suzaku asked. "Vaga usually commit her atrocities according to her whims, eager to taste the destruction of a world. But this time, she took her time to adjust the setting of her plans and involving more that just one dimension into something very massive, a theory proven by the Mindeaters' appearance. In other words, Vaga is working for someone else." "Wait." Suzaku said, gesturing him to stop. "Are you telling me that she's just someone's puppet?" "Vaga has different idea about that, but you are correct. The one behind web created by him is the real spider. A monster with a unfathomable trail of horrors in his background, who is far more dreadful than her. A entity known with one name: the Mad Void." "The Mad Void?" Suzaku said confused. "He's a embodiment of bloodshed and madness, born by the insanity and foolishness of three alchemists who died to create it. The moment the Mad Void raised, his own world was turned into a living hell. His influence twisted the minds and appearance of any living being into his own, which is very handy for him since he feast on their insanity in order to grow his power. If left unchecked, every dimension will be thrown in a eternal mad nightmare shaped at his own image." Suzaku was awe-struck for what heard about it. Normally, that would sounds like the plot of a movie, but considering the whole madness that he had witnessed so far, he could hardly do that anymore. Even with the boost of confidence that the spirit that is possessing him is giving, he was having a hard time to remain calm. "As dealing with the Elements of Insanity and this Vaga weren't enough" Suzaku with a fed up tone. "Are you telling me that I have to fight this Lovecraftian Horror as well!?" "That is not the case. Before The Mad Void is currently sealed into a desolate dimension called the Frontier. Said dimension was supposed to cut off his existence off from every dimension's reality, preventing him to leave and weakening his powers... But there was a flaw with that." "Huh?" "The Frontier is partially connected to three dimensions through quantum gaps: Equestria, the Freak World and a unidentified third one. Although The Mad Void couldn't leave, he could still manifest his form in one of these threes and feast on the insanity of the living being that filtered from those three worlds to slowly regain his powers. The only thing that he needed was a pawn who would gladly act for him. And, as you can guess, Vaga was the perfect candidate." "And she is into his junk." Suzaku anticipated him. "Very perceptive. When Vaga arrived in the Freak World after being defeated by me, she was the first to discover his manifestation. Judging by how the story goes, she became probably infatuated with him and thinks it is her mission to release him. Discovering that forsaken graveyard nearby Mann Manor, Vaga came up with the idea to create the Elements of Insanity. These six possessed ponies are both victims and unwitting instruments of the Mad One's return." Having guessed in part where that part is going, Suzaku mentally visualized the logical structure behind Balamos' words. At that point, part of the initial question that he asked to Balamos came in his mind like a flash. And due to it's nature, he didn't like it at all. "In other words," Suzaku began. "Vaga is using The Elements of Insanity as both as constant insanity fuel to release some crazy, terrifying entity that will come here and destroy everything!?" "Correct. After Twilight and her friends got possessed, Vaga already began to pul the strings for a while in order for him to feast on their corrupted energy, their insanity and the influence of the Mindeaters being spawned by their corruption, for they are the new source of the Mad Void's power. But that wasn't enough and the process was still slow." "Oh well. That should give us a lot of time, putting aside Brutalight's attempt to build that portal of her." Suzaku said, still nervous. "Do you seriously think that Vaga would had sit her ass and being content with just that? She would had found a plan to speed up the process. Initially she intended to send local mercenaries, RED and BLUE alike against them to feed the Mad Void even further, but even that wasn't enough. Vaga was still on the starting point... Until that night." "What happened? She suddenly decided to sent Gray Mann's robots or something?" Suzaku asked. "Is far worse. Vaga was in that forsaken graveyard than she saw a entity luring a small creature from Equestria and turning it into a pony freak, who had then gone to face Twilight, now being Brutalight. Ironically the fight didn't last that much and disappeared empty handed. That, however, gave Vaga the inspiration to make their... Nemesis." "A nemesis?" Suzaku looked almost confused. "Which is where Sunset Shimmer comes into play. After having returned to the present, Vaga had probably lured her into Equestria, wiped her memories to restore her hateful self and leaded her to the Freak World. Thus resulting her getting possessed and turning into the demonic alicorn that is Painset Shimmercakes. Thus, giving her what boosted up both the Mad Void's chance to return and the spread of the aura of madness: A Freak War. Suzaku's widened in shock. "A war?... You mean a piloted war!?" "It happened in very desolated area of the Freak World. The Elements of Insanity and Painset eventually clashed each other, exuding even more corrupted energy. Painset was defeated in the most horrible way possible, but is not dead." "I know, right? Painset appeared in front of Sugar Bell, killed a dozen of innocent ponies and make her found a cult that worshiped her." "Painset be the last of your problem, because if we lose, not our side or that of Brutalight will survive. There won't be winners except Vaga, much to her joyful nihilism. Seeing madness twisting Harmony into something vile and psychotic and Equestria falling apart is also what she want, not even caring about the destruction that her action will bring in other dimensions." ".... That is the most twisted aftermath I ever heard," Suzaku announced disgusted. "Both of our sides being both killed as her own meat puppets in her own show if we make some mistake." "That is nothing compared to being assimilated by him. Did you had grasp the facts? That is the new horrifying reality that we are going to be part of unless we don't purify the Elements of Insanity and stop Vaga's madness." "..... Give me a break, please." Suzaku said, shaken by that. "Do whatever you want. But that is what you gain for asking me these question too early. For your morale being preserved, you shouldn't have asked that in the first place." Ignoring the spectral eye's remark, Suzaku looked away from him and tried to regain his mental composure but was very difficult for him to doing so. He couldn't still believe at the gravity of the situation in which he was in. When Balamos kidnapped him and turned him into his agent, Suzaku expected this adventure to be less traumatic and dire but wasn't expecting the stakes to be this higher. His mind raced like mad until one worry called fourth his attention. "My world!" Suzaku shouted instinctively as he returned his attention to Balamos. "My dimension will be danger because of that!" "Not entirely. You see, the human world is shielded with a dimensional barrier that prevents him to enter inside. But seriously, is not like I wouldn't had involved you into this," Suzaku slowly became visibly irritated. "What did y-" "But just to clarify," Balamos interrupted him. "Even if your world isn't In danger at all, that doesn't change the situation in which you are now. Yes, I have dragged you in this madness, but I have also saved your life from these three brony extremist back in your home, which means that you are in debt with me." Anger boiled inside Suzaku as he clenched his teeth. "You son of-" "You don't have pretty much choice if die by being assimilated by the Mad Void, shredded by Brutalight and her friend or even being destroyed if you try to betray me. Don't even forget your place. You life depends on your actions." Balamos' pupil shrunk to give attention to his menacing proclamation. "YOU DECIDE!" Balamos' last words had frozen Suzaku's temper, along with his blood. His anger wanted to burst, but he was too shaken and intimidated by that to even be angry about that. His body trembled and his face was contorted with frustration. He could do nothing but calming down and remain silent for a moment. "We have still a deal, remember? What you had-" "I know it," Suzaku interrupted, fed up with his attitude. "The deal is still the same: I defeat the Elements of Insanity, purify them and then take down Vaga. And you will bring me back to my world!" "Take you time to recover." "Go to hell..." Suzaku said with a hateful tone as he turned around. He walked away from the eye, not minding his presence. His anger is still raging inside. As Suzaku was heading toward his palace, Balamos spoke again. "Oh, I forgot. Before you return in your room to rest before going for the third recruit, you had to tell me one thing. After all, is now your turn to give me some answer." Suzaku reluctantly turned around to face the spectral eyes and glared at him. "About what?" "What is your reason for being thrilled about beat the shit out of the Elements of Insanity?" "What?" "You had to tell me that." "That was your question?" "So?" "Alright," Suzaku began. "Counting that I'm finding myself almost treating the ponies as actual people... I have nothing against the now corrupted Mane Six. I just hate their guts and overrated preaches regarding friendship. Further more hypocritical due to some of their own actions that time ended up contradicting what they had said to have learned so far. Another reason for that is because I had my bronies classmates who tried to impose those teachings on me." "Whoa... You are indeed that kind of a asshole. I just hope that you don't hurt these six mare so much." "Hey, keep in mind that, in their conditions, they would even kill me." Suzaku remarked. "Besides, after having defeated them, I will just purify them. I'm a troll, but I'm not a murderer." "And yet you don't had any problem to beat them up. You are a very convoluted individual." "Spare me your mockery." Suzaku retorted. "I know who I am, and I don't need any lesson from you." "It's incredible how your arrogance and morale recovered very fast from our conversation. Well, you better get ready for your next part. Don't disappoint me." That being said, Balamos closed his eyed form and disappeared, along with his presence. Suzaku was left alone, in the middle of the meadow, with the pitch-black sky looming above him. In a first moment he remained immobile. Then he lifted his hoof, draw out his claws from it and closed them into a fist before punching the ground. He let out a furious scream during that act. "So I have no choice at this point. I'm going to be dead if I'm not careful." Suzaku said almost calmly before looking upward. "I have to succeed in this ordeal even if my own world is not in peril isn't it?" His mind was once again concentrated on his world. But more importantly on his life and his days when he was still in front of a laptop or when he was studying in his classroom. There isn't so much that he would care since these days were put as hobbies and routing. That was his own interpretation of his current thoughts when a sudden memory flashed in front of his eyes. Two classmates, a few days... And lost friendships. Upon seeing that, Suzaku flinched uncomfortably and facehoofed so hard, putting himself back to reality. His demeanor wasn't so calm and unperturbed. He felt perturbed indeed and know why, and yet abstained to answer to himself about that. Only one question was made. "Suzaku... What the hell are you thinking?" Suzaku asked to himself. In another part of his dimension far away from Gol Nazam, Balamos reappeared above a ruined granite shrine. Accordant to the weird nature of that world, humanoid statues resembling winged zealot where scattered on the floor. Each one wielding a different object, like a spear, a scale or, oddly enough, a notebook. His eye form glanced on a four legged silhouette obscured the shadow by the shadow of a ruined pillar. Probably a pony. "I don't need to remind you that owe me a favor, right?" Balamos asked. The pony silently nodded. "Well. Is there anything... That you want to say at this point?" Balamos asked. The pony slowly shook his head. Balamos' iris suddenly shrunk as he was surprised, shocked, or just already know the answer behind the pony behavior. "We have nothing else to say. You can go." Balamos said as his eye form closed and disappeared as the pony was taking his leave. Chapter 8: Breando The Country ScourgeThe sun shone upon Sweet Apple Acres. A bright sight in contrast with most of the apple trees being left unbucked. A few of those fruits started to rot by themselves. It wasn't a big deal but was only the beginning of a farming problem. In the middle of the road leading to the farm, a black portal appeared under the command of Balamos. Suzaku stepped outside of the pitch-black gate, that disappeared after one second. He was met by the radiance of the sunlight almost blinding his eyes. With one eye closed, he looked around, scanning a the rows of trees inhabiting the place and the farm being far away from there. He seemed to recognize that place, and he was right about that. "Let's see. Several orchards of apple trees and a farm in the distance. Yeah, this is definitively Applajack's house." Suzaku said in confirmation. "I hope that Balamos doesn't expect me to recruit Big Machintosh, because that would be stupid." He sighed quietly and pulled the list out of his bag. He couldn't help, but feel still disturbed that the bloodstain in the middle was still present and still deforming itself. "Let's see who is going to be cooked this time." Suzaku said insecure, instinctively knowing that the next one is going to be another background pony. The bloodstain was shaping it's form to spell out the name of his next recruit, but this time is just one word instead of two. Suzaku was expecting some pony who he never heard or ever known it existed, but the result turned out to be a very disappointing one. His face deformed in awkward disbelieve. He cannot believe at what was written, because it was too ridiculous to him. The name that appeared on the list was that of Braeburn. "Braeburn!? The stallion so infamous for being the 'Slasher Smile Award' and a western stereotype?" Suzaku said incredulous before his head fell down in disappointment. "I understand Starlight Glimmer, and I understand Dr. Whooves. But-" "Before you will start a very insipid rant," Balamos interrupted him irritated by talking in his head loudly, promptly silencing him and freaking him out. "Let me at least explain my reason for that." Suzaku recovered from that and groaned in annoyance before responding to him with a annoyed tone. "Alright, what is it?" "Other than being Applejack's cousin, Breaburn has notable physical skills but is not just only that. The real reason is connected to the three fillies who were lured into the Freak World as well." "About time you had brought that thing," Suzaku said, slightly irritated. "As not mentioning that Sunset Shimmer was involved in this story wasn't enough. You didn't had told that the Cutey Mark Crusade were turned into freaks as well." "Oh, yes. The ones who are now carrying the name of Cutey Mark Monsters." "Ok, putting aside that stupidest name," Suzaku said. "Why did you had mentioned that before? I'm pretty uncomfortable with fighting children." "Because they aren't this potential threat in contrast with their sisters. And a idol, if we had to be technical." More distrustful about his boss' intentions than before, Suzaku was about to call him out for real about the fillies, but knowing that he would had deflected this question, he preferred to not inquire any further. "You can continue." "Six days before the you retrieval of Whaust, Braeburn came to Sweet Apple Acres to talk with Granny Smith and Big Machintosh about Applejack's and Apple Bloom's disappearance. He also helped them with their crisis. As you can see from the few, almost rotten apples steadily infesting this orchard, the disappearance of Applejack leaved the farm with a grave lack of workforce and a missing image since she was the face of the Apple Family." "Spare me the superfluous details. Just go to the point already." Suzaku said with slight impatience. "During that period, Breaburn headed to Ponyville with intention to confront doctor Whooves about the Cutey Mark Crusaders having gone through the magic mirror replica, thinking he was responsible for it. In his arrival, he was blocked by the Royal Guard that were watching him during his probation. Before Breaburn could cause any ruckus, Celestia suddenly showed up to talk with him about the situation." "Celestia actually bothered to go in Ponyville to talk with him?" Suzaku replied, a little confused. "Celestia firstly apologized with him for her inability to save Applejack, Apple Bloom and the rest of disappeared ponies, including the remaining Elements of Harmony; oblivious of their own current corruption. She then invited Breaburn in Canterlot Castle and showed him the original magic mirror. She explained to him that they were in a world far beyond her watch and is almost impossible to reach. She has also asked him to keep that info a secret." "Of course. She cannot afford to spread utter chaos after all." Suzaku commented. "Outside that, Celestia having brought Breaburn at Canterlot Castle, leading him to the mirror is indeed something you had to consider. You know what that means." Even bef, Suzaku didn't even need to pondering about it that he had already guessed what that means. "To sum up," Suzaku began, not believing what that implies. "You are telling me to ask Braeburn, or the monster that I will turn him into, to help me to infiltrate the castle and find where the mirror is?" "The micro portal that Whaust is building will take him one, if not two years to be completed. We had to speed up the times before our enemies." "I won't doubt that, Sauron," Suzaku retorted sarcastically. "But in case you hadn't noticed that yet, Canterlot Castle is obviously heavy guarded." "Which is why you need Breando to do that. Also, Whaust sho-" "I know, I know," Suzaku interrupted him, roughly. "I just had to toss the three probes inside the mirror and that's it. But that won't be easy anyway." Balamos doesn't say anything. No follow up or rebuttal. As that silence continued for a little bit, Suzaku opened his mouth but before he could even emit a sound, the entity's voice spoke again. "You know, if a Dragoliath would suddenly pop up out of nowhere for everytime you had the balls to interrupt me, that would be a funniest stress relief and medicine to your own annoyance." "You wish it, right?" Suzake inquired. "Besides, you shouldn't even complaining for the fact you had to infiltrate Canterlot Castle. You are my agent after all. Going through any type of risk is part of your role." "You make it look easy," Suzaku protested. "You were rotting inside your dimension, without even putting yourself in my shoes." "My rule has spoken." Without any reply, Balamos' presence leaved his head. Suzaku groaned in frustration, but then remembered his own position in this story. The eye who had involved him in this ordeal has his life on the metaphysical palm of his hand after all. Knowing that he can't do nothing about that, he took a deep breath and calmed down. "Yeah, keep your non-catch phrase for yourself." Suzaku said before focusing on his current task. "But still, if my target is Breaburn, why bring me in Sweet Apple Acre and not in Appleloosa? Shouldn't he had leaved Ponyville at this point?" Suzaku's question found his answer when a country voice coming from his left caught his attention. "Ah wonder how will Big Mac and Granny Smith cope with their crisis." the voice said. Suzaku looked at his right and saw a melancholic Braeburn entering the orchard, looking down while talking to nopony else in particular but himself. "Ah just hope that Celestia could find a way to save them." Breaburn said. "So Balamos knew this stallion was coming there to pay a visit to Applejack's family," Suzaku said quietly. "I hate to boycott his thoughts, but it has to be done." That being said, Suzaku waited for Braeburn to approach him as the latter was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice him. Just like with his previous two targets, the Appleloosian stallion wouldn't trust him so easily and, frankly, Suzaku has no intention to leave his target escape. "Excuse me." Suzaku said, getting his attention. "Huh?" Braeburn looked at him in confusion as he stopped in his tracks. "I know is not the right moment but I need to ask you something... If you don't mind." Suzaku said, acting polite. "Look, ah ain't time to talk with ya." Braeburn replied. "Princess Celestia told you about Applejack and the other going through a magical mirror, isn't it?" Suzaku asked, bluntly. Breaburn turned toward Suzaku, with wide opened eyes being slowly replaced by a stern glare. The latter could tell that the stallion's suspicion toward him started to grow. "How did ya know that?" Braeburn asked sternly. "I heard that from some Royal Guard talking about that with Celestia during their investigation," Suzaku explained. "You see, a friend of mine, a rogue thief, sneaked around Canterlot Castle and passed through that mirror. He never returned from that." Braeburn's distrustful's face toned down a little bit, almost showing little signs of empathy. "Ah'm sorry, but what has that to do with me?" "I just want a little information from you," Suzaku replied, continuing his act. "Celestia invited you into her castle, right?" "W-What?" Breaburn said momentarily taken aback from that. "Yes, she invited me to castle but...!" Before Braeburn could even complete his response, he stopped his sentence in half and frozen for a moment, much to Suzaku's perplexity, as the green pony was waiting for the rest. The face of the appleloosian stallion quickly contorted with newfound distrust and glared at him again. "Is there something wrong?" Suzaku demanded worried. "Ah just remembered," Breaburn said very sternly. "Yesterday Ah heard about a green pony who went out from doctor Whoove's house and fled from Ponyville." That answer was vaguely descriptive and yet these details were enough to crush Suzaku's coverage story and act into pieces. Suzaku flinched for that but not too much. Deep inside, he wasn't expecting it to work. "You know what? Fuck acting. Let's get to the point already." "I tried." Suzaku said calmly as he quickly pointed his hoof toward him, causing black chains to appear from beneath Braeburn and quickly wrapped around his body, blocking his limbs and hanging him in crucifix position. He struggled to release himself from the chains in vain. Suzaku glanced at him with a annoyed look. "You better calm down, nutcracker." Suzaku said, dropping all of the pretenses. "Calm down?" Braeburn retorted angered. "You've chained me like a beast and then you're telling me to calm down!?" "Shut the fuck up, idiot," Suzaku retorted in annoyance. "I don't have the time of the entire Equestria. I just need your help." "Why should Ah do that!?" Breaburn inquired. "Because I'm currently the ticket to resolve your situation," Suzaku responded. "I know where Applejack and Apple Bloom are in this moment." "You're lying!" Breaburn retorted. "Can you call liar somepony who managed to immobilize you like this?" Suzaku said half surprised. "Seriously, you were so angered about me chaining your limbs that you didn't had realized that I have dark powers despite me being a earth pony?" Braeburn took in consideration Suzaku's words and looked at the chains binding him, emanating a very dark aura. The stallion looked back at him with a dismayed look. "Now that Ah'm thinking about, you're not a normal pony. What the heck are you?" Breaburn asked. "I'm only a herald from another world who is serving some horrific deity," Suzaku responded bluntly. "Substantially, he sent me to find this mirror and use it to get in the world inside of it. The problem it's actually in Celestia's possession." "Ya can't be serious" Breaburn said, disturbed by that affirmation. "Are ya our of yer mind? You'll end up lost in that world! Just like Applejack! What did ya expect to gain from that!?" "You better tell me where it is. I have you in my grasp in this moment." Suzaku remarked. Breaburn's defiant face was slowly replaced by a intimidated one. "Well... If you insist," He said reluctantly. "The mirror is situated into the second floor, in the western wing, third corridor. Ss really guarded." He paused and then groaned. "That Celestia would forgive me. Why Ah'm even telling you this?" "Thanks for the info," Suzaku said, half satisfied. "By the way, I cannot release you yet, because that wasn't my only reason why I was looking for you." "W-what do ya mean with that? What do you want!?" Braeburn muttered irritated. "Simple. My boss wanted to recruit you." Suzaku said, not expecting the stallion in front of him to remain calm. "R-recruit me? For what?" Breaburn asked disturbed. "You should consider what you want," Suzaku precised vaguely. "If you want to save Applejack and Apple Bloom, you had to trust me. "Like Ah would!" Breaburn retorted. "Ah'm tired of your games already!" "If you don't believe, I will make you see it." Suzaku said with a grin in his face. A metallic sound resounded in his black sack, chilling enough to make Breaburn shiver a little bit. Suzaku grinned a little bit for that since that was the signal "What's that sound?" Braeburn asked with a little freaked out tone. "Your daily bread. Now shut up" Suzaku replied before turning his attention on his black sack. Suzaku draw out his claws and rummaged in the sack, ignoring Braeburn's shocked expression for having saw them coming out of the green pony's hooves. Suzaku reluctantly pulled out the opened small iron coffin. Knowing Balamos and his way of 'persuasion', the object is going to be something weird or even too grim for that word. He pulled out the content and became instantly awe-struck to see what it was. A very shaped kitchen knife "A kitchen KNIFE!?" Suzaku screamed shocked fbefore face hoofing. "That should be a object containing a spirit, but that make me look a like a sadist." As Breaburn looked at him with a nervous glance, Suzaku tossed away the small iron coffin and held the knife toward the chained stallion. "What are ya going to do with me?!" Braeburn said, almost frightened. "Don't get me wrong, but you need this baptism." Suzaku said with a almost apologetic tone before thrusting the knife into Breaburn's abdomen without even looking. But as the knife supposedly entered into his flesh, it disappeared in a spark of white energy without leaving any wound at all. Suzaku mentally commanded the chains to release Breaburn, causing him to fell back abruptly on the ground. He stepped a few inches away from the stallion, who began to spasm frantically afterwards and moaning in pain. A dark scarlet liquid poured out of him and covered all of his body. Braeburn felt a fire burning into his mind with images storming inside. That flux showed the fate of the Elements of Harmony, who had now become the Elements of Insanity. The last ones in particular were the most tragic to him. Too shocking for him to be believed. The mare known as Applejack, his cousin, was turned into one of those freaks as well. "Applejack... Is that ya?" Breaburn thought. Having saw already how the possession goes, Suzaku looked away to no to watch it when he saw a monstrous, black-flaming face flying toward him from afar at a very high speed. He immediately ducked, avoiding the creature who whizzed above his head. He heard the sound of the thing touching the ground and turned toward it. Suzaku has a full view of that thing and could tell by it's body being engulfed in black flames that is a Mindeater, except that his head is wrapped in silver flames. The head resembled the skull of a jackal with white eyes. His body was that of a bipedal dragon, covered by a web of dark red and light red lines, resembling the flux of the bloodstream., His talons are made of diamond and his claws are actually scythes blades. "Great, now I have to deal with that sucker while defending this convulsing stallion." Suzaku said with a bothered face as He stepped toward the creature and stood up two legged. "Can this day get any worse?" "Zenturion is this worse's name." Ignoring Balamos' remark, Suzaku summoned his Psycho Slayer sword when the Zenturion was instantly closing in on him to cut him up with his sword claws. The sword materialized and he managed to block the attack with it in the very last second. That happened all in a blink of a eye. His heart skipped a beat due to him being taken aback from that sudden attack. The creature doesn't waste any time to throw a barrage of claw swipes at Suzaku. The metallic sound of the blades clashing against the huge sword blocking them echoed across the orchard so loudly that almost completely covered any other sound. The Zenturion continued his swiping tempest until it manage to break his prey's guard. With that opening, it swung his claws at Suzaku's head to shred it into pieces, only for him to dissolve into black-green flames and reappeared on his right, charging the claws of his left hoof in a Shadow Shotgun. "Slow down!" Suzaku announced as he shot a dart of dark violet energy that whizzed toward the Zenturion, but the abhorrent flaming creature already noticed him and that instantly moved away, missing the blow and dashing at high speed toward him, ignoring the violet explosion that destroyed a apple tree. Seeing the jackal-hybrid creature going toward him, Suzaku immediately raised his sword to protect himself. he found blocking it's attacks again. As the Zenturion was throwing another barrage of claw swipes at him, the green pony has the quick thinking to charge his left hoof's claws and shot another Shadow Shotgun on the ground nearby the creature. In the instant the violet energy dart was shot, the flaming creature promptly leaped backwards very fast avoid the violet explosion. Suzaku, having the sword raised to block the attacks, slightly avoided being overwhelmed by the impact. The only thing that was partially touched by that burst were his own hind legs. Suzaku groaned both in pain and annoyance. "A very fast prick you are." Suzaku commented. "You hit really hard like a hammer." The Zenturion snarled with feral anger as it dashed toward Suzaku with the intent to cut slash him. The green pony expected the monster to deliver another series of swipes. But instead, the creature put it's claws on the Psycho Slayer, trying to disarm Suzaku. "Hey! Get away from my blade, you freak!" Suzaku screamed one moment before the Zenturion's eyes glowed in a ominous golden light, and he already grasped a hint of what that means. "No, you don't!" Suzaku dissolved again with his sword and reappeared on the right side of the monster to cut him while it wasn't looking, but was caught by a sudden explosion made of grey light coming from the monster's head that propelled him away and made his Psycho Slayer flying from his hand. Suzaku crashed on the ground with his sword falling on the ground and dissolving itself afterwards. The Zenturion was still alive. As Suzaku tried to stand up, the creature noticed that and dashed furiously toward the green pony, reaching him in a instant and ready to kill him. The result seemed obvious, but that was negated by two knives suddenly piercing the flaming monster's chest, right in the red lines. The Zenturion jumped far away from Suzaku and barely landed on his two legs, almost losing his balance. Not knowing what happened, Suzaku quickly stood up four legged and observed the creature's conditions and was very impressed by the fact that a Mindeater was stopped by two knives. He noticed the wound of the knives caused the red lines bleeding red seething liquid and scarlet flames. The monster screeched ferociously as his head shook even more frantically. Upon seeing that, Suzaku quickly turned his attention toward the supposedly defenseless Breaburn, who was now standing on his two legs and looking upwards. And he was emitting a very homicidal aura. His appearance marked the completion of his transformation. His coat was no longer a light gold, but a pale orange one. His mane and tail were dark yellow. Oddly enough, even his short jacket was subjected to the transformation as it became a dark gold one with a black vest inside. That appearance reminded Suzaku of something that he saw in a anime. A that was enough have a bad feeling about this. Trying to not give in his bleeding, the Zephytion observed him in a confused daze, trying to study his aggressor who was preventing him to feast on his prey, according to his own mindless point of view. "At this point, ah'm asking myself... If this is just a bad dream." 'Braeburn' said with a cold tone, almost devoid of empathy. "..." Suzaku abstained to make any comment that would endanger him. "Seeing Applejack in that state... It's horrible. But Ah'm also a monster as well, Ah should feel bad about that. How could this be good? it's too wrong." 'Braeburn paused and grinned sadistically. "Or maybe not." Suzaku tried to get away from there, but his body refuses to move. The worst part about that was part of his confidence being taken away from him. His eyes were wide opened from the growing fear. Despite this, he mustered his will to not panic and continued to observe. "So, ugly demon," 'Braeburn' said to the monster just to mock him. "Ya expected to find a defenseless stallion? Too bad!" "Braeburn?" Suzaku said shocked for what he heard just now. 'Braeburn', in response, turned his attention to the Zephytion and revealed his red eyes. "IT'S BRAENDO!!" Not even the suspension of disbelieve can justify the absurdity of the situation. Suzaku suspected Breaburn's new appearance being familiar to him, but he wasn't expecting the spirit possessing him to be like what he thought it would be. Compared to this, his experience with Starlight's and Dr. Whoove's corruption looked like a mere stroll to him. "I'm seriously going to regret this." Suzaku said with a grave tone. Not caring about what is going on, the Zephytion rushed at full speed toward Braendo, who remained in calm mockery as he does his first move. "ZA WARUDO! Time Stop!" With those words, the time around him stopped. Everything, including the monster and his bleeding, remained frozen in time, except Suzaku, who was quiet impressed about being able to move during the Time Stop. That was the first time he was experiencing something like that. He could presume that his powers helped him to not being time blocked. But he had no time to being distracted by that. He has a new freak pony to watch over. Braendo crossed his hooves, with knives coming out of them; and launched them toward the monster. The knife whizzed toward it, but then stopped in mid air. He vanished and teleported around him while launching other multiple knives that halted in front on their targets. He then reappeared in front of his enemy, and looked at it with a very bored expression as he pointed his hoof toward it. "Give him hell." Braendo said as a golden humanoid figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere and dashed toward the monster to punching him out repeatedly at the same high speed the stallion was moving his hooves around and shouting 'MUDA!' at no stop. Suzaku was shocked to see that happening, but was also shocked to find a flaw that wasn't supposed to happen. He saw the leafs of other trees and birds far far away from the fight still moving on their own. "What the hell? Wasn't that supposed to stop the time completely?" Suzaku asked to nobody in particular. "Since the spirit's ability to stop the time is outright dangerous. I had purposely limited that power. His power is worthless if you and your allies remained stuck in time. You don't want someone with that power becoming a threat." "Thank you for the info, but I don't feel any safe from his right now." Suzaku retorted. After a ridiculous beatdown that seemed a literal eternity for the creature, the humanoid being gave one last heavy punch on his stomach and vanished. "Ya ain't even deserve a appleloosian steam roller... Aaaaaand Time Resume." Braendo said coldly, causing the time to resume his course. With the time stop gone, the knives started to move again and stabbed the Zenturion multiple times. This brutal sequence of attacks caused the monster to screech in pain before dissolving in black flames that died off after a short time, ending his existence for good. Breando remained still, reveling in his newfound powers and bloodlust, and smirking cruelly. Suzaku rose up on his two legs once again and keep his eyes on the possessed pony. He recognized what the new Breaburn is capable of. These powers, enhanced abilities made him think and depraved attitude made him think. He know the spirit possessing the stallion too well, and that is why he was too afraid to accept that fact. "I think is really pointless pretending it never happened," Suzaku said. "That spirit that is now possessing him is freaking Dio Brando, and that humanoid thing was his own version of The World. And now is also a vampire. I won't even make a joke about that." Breando slowly turned his face toward Suzaku, looking at him with a bloodthirsty glare and a sadistic grin. Suzaku couldn't help but shiver in awe as his own eyes met the expression of his own creation. He mustered his confidence and willpower to face him without being intimidated by the stallion's homicidal aura, just like he did with Starcider. "Don't even think ain't noticed ya moving through the Time Stop, ya slime. Ah'll deal with ya as soon as possible!" Braendo said with homicidal glee. "Oh yea? Bring it." Suzaku taunted arrogantly has he closed the claws of his hoof in a fist and charged it with his powers. Instigated by him, Breando looked at Suzaku furiously before vanishing from his sight and reappearing in front of him, already wielding a knife with one hoof and eager to cut him. Startled by that but not stupid to give in fear, Suzaku dodged the blow by bending backwards, and tried punch Braendo with his charged hoof. Suzaku missed him and end up hitting the ground instead. And yet that was what Suzaku wanted. As his fist hit the soil, pillars of green energy erupted from beneath him. Only one of them managed to invest Breando, who was still alive and being launched into the air. The newfound freak pony screamed as he violently fell on the ground. Suzaku was fond this kind of strategy. Various situation like this, surprise the opponent is very effective if used properly. Suzaku withdraw his claws and walked four legged toward Braendo. He gave a annoyed look at him, who looked a little dizzied from that attack. "Can you let me explain what is going on or what!?" Suzaku said with bothered voice. "Yep. Ya better talk." Braendo angrily said as he rose up. Suzaku told everything about the Mane Six's fate and corrupted rebirth as the monsters that they are now. Something that Breando saw in the visions during his transformation. For him it's hard to believe in what he saw, but seeing Applejack and Apple Bloom in such wretched state was enough to shock him, although his cold calm was still present in his face. Suzaku also told him about his necessity to know where the mirror is and how he can be useful. Despite the memories that flowed in his mind proven Suzaku's words to be true, Braendo was still hostile toward him. "So you want me to help ya to infiltrate Canterlot Castle and find the mirror." Breando said calmly. "You heard it. That is the case." Suzaku replied bluntly. "Ya said about Applejack and Apple Bloom being turned into monsters... is that trues." Braendo asked with a calm and yet angered voice. "You saw it," Suzaku said bluntly. "Twilight Sparkle and her friends, including Applejack and Apple Bloom, are possessed by some spectral rejects and turned into monsters whose sole reason is now spreading chaos." "Ah don't think they'll listen to me so much." Braendo remarked. "By the way, Ah've to admit, Ah feel almost empty, cold, and megalomaniac like Ah was never felt before.... And Ah liked so badly that is wrong." "That is the taste of power." "Don't screw with me. So what's the point into turning me into a monster as well?" "Jusk ask that to my boss who is also a powerful deity from another dimension." Suzaku remarked. "Yer boss?" Braendo asked perplexed. "You see, I am his own agent, and I'm sent around Equestria to turn specified ponies into freaks and make them join his cause as his answer to the Elements of Insanity. I don't like this job but I have to be prepared for when the time comes." "So Ah'm going to be his pawn, huh?" Braendo harshly said. What the country pony freak said made him remember his own position. The same sadistic one in which Balamos putted into. That alone was enough to make him cringe. "I won't tell you that, but I'm his own pawn as well. If you are in my same place, you will understand my position." Suzaku thought "Look, I understand that you won't go against your cousins, but what you had to do is just keep them at bay. I have the power to purify them and expel their spirits out of their bodies. My boss said so as he bestowed this power to me. Once I had finished the job, I will purify you and the rest of the other recruits as well." "Ah'm supposed to trust somepony like you?" Breando inquired, sternly. "If you don't help me to reach them, who else will help you to do it?" Suzaku demanded. Braendo took his time to reflect, showing his cold hostility toward Suzaku, who wasn't expecting anything else from him. However he was taking account of the crisis that Big Mack and Granny Smith, as he previously said before, were living. They won't resist any longer. Of course he wanted to help his siblings. But he has a very different opinion about that. "Ok, pal. Let's just assume that Ah'll accept that." Braendo affirmed. "Seriously?" Suzaku asked. "Of course Ah will..." Braendo said, before rising his hoof toward him. "NOT!" Suzaku opened his mouth, but suddenly found Braendo's stand, his own version of The World, appearing in front of him and punching him in his face. The blow sent him to fly a few yards away from the vampiric appleloosian stallion and fell on the ground. "Ah'm sorry," Breando said with a mocking tone "But Ah'll not be subservient to some deity of yours. Ah'll save my cousins on my own terms. Which is why Ah'll infiltrate Canterlot Castle alone." "You little-" Suzaku was furiosly trying to say before being interrupted. "Enjoy the apples delight, loser!" Braendo exclaimed before vanishing from his sight, having teleported. The expression of Suzaku's face became a really a one, that was . That was the second time that a recruit escaped. But that was a very worst case. He didn't had calculated that Dio Brand's manipulative and arrogant nature could have influenced Breaburn's mind this much!" Without saying nothing and trembling in frustration. Suzaku slowly stood up on his two legs and looked on the ground with a very grim look. He clenched his teeth very hard and shock his hooves. After all the things that he had gone through and gave him so much stress, he looked upwards and and was about to scream. But before that scream could reach his mouth, Braendo's voice scream suddenly echoed through the orchard, startling him and dissipating his anger for a moment. "What the hell?" Suzaku returned four legged and galloped across the field of apple trees to find him. He didn't found any clue of his whereabouts, but he know that Breando was still there. Feeling his fatigue making his influence know on his body, a stupid and yet logical idea struck his mind. He teleported several times in various places to accelerate his pace. After multiple warps, the power abuse penalty kicked in and the electric surge seized his body. Briefly yelling in pain, He collapsed on the grass, breathing heavily for that. In his mind, he expected it to happen and yet that was the only way to reset the said penalty. Knowing that there's no time to waste, he forcefully stood up and resumed his research. Much to his luck, he found some figure laying on the tree behind it. He walked toward him to see what it was. Much to his surprise, that pony was none other than Breando, laying unconscious with a seemingly stunned face, as someone managed knock him out. Something in which Suzaku has some difficulty to believe as he looked with a shocked face. "Breando... Was knocked out?" Suzaku demanded in muted surprise. ".... But how?" As Suzaku tried to find a explanation for that, a figure hiding from behind a tree, watched the scene. Chapter 8.5: Wreckage of FreaksIn Canterlot Castle, two pegasi Royal Guards headed toward the throne room to make their usual report to the Princesses. The whispered to each other about secrets of their own. Everything look normal, but then two voices screamed from behind the door, starling both the two guards and other twos who were guarding the door. "What the...!?" One of the guards exclaimed. "What are you doing! We have to rush!" The other yelled. The pegasi guards stormed inside the the throne room, only to find Celestia and Luna laid on the ground with a pained face, grasping their heads with their hooves, watched by other two unicorn guards. The two pegasi rushed toward the alicorns. "Your majesty!" One of the pegasi said to Celestia. "Are you all right!?" The other said to Luna. "W... W-we are not entirely sure." Luna said, dazed. "Our memories," Celestia said with a baffled face. "Something had tampered... with our memories..." "WHAT!?" All of the guards shouted at unison. "B.. But how is that possible?" One of the pegasi guard said incredulous. "Nopony should be able to do this to you!" "Please, could leave us alone for a moment?" Luna asked with a almost imperative tone. "But Princess Luna. Are sure?" One of the unicorn guards said. "Just one moment." Luna insisted calmly but nervous. All of the four guards reluctantly nodded in agreement and leaved the throne. The unicorn guards closed the door before they took their leave. The two Princesses where left alone, with Luna trying to make sense to what happened as Celestia stared at the ceiling in utter bafflement, mixed with a sense of guilt that came afterwards. Luna glanced at her sister with a fearful expression. "I don't know how that happened to us," Luna said. "But something made us forgot that she even existed. Hopefully the memories of her returned to us but... What pony wants to delete the memories of Sunset from our minds and why?" Celestia didn't say anything at first, being stuck in some kind of a trance. With the pass of the seconds, she slowly recovered from that and spoke, hesitantly. "Sunset Shimmer..." Celestia said. "How could I had forgot about you?" In the wasteland known a Rambling Rock Ridge, there was a large entrance leading inside the mountains. Unbeknownst to the rest of the Equestria, that place was now the current hiddeout of the two pony freaks known as the Subjects. The outside was partially guarded by a group of MeeM of every classes being Heavy, Medic, Scout and the list goes on. Inside the cave, there are multiple bionically enhanced horrors from other worlds that served as a secret army, which two of these were guarding the entrance of the throne room, being currently opened. Inside of it, Magic Mare was in front Painset Shimmercake, being sat in her twisted, throne made of molten steel. The are two banners depicting their now twisted cutey marks from both her sides. Due their lack of material from the Freak World and their necessity to remain hidden, they couldn't afford a better throne room, so they had to use to that. But for Painset, she wouldn't had to wait longer since they she and her subordinate were about to make their first move. "All in the good time," Painset said, looking to Magic. "Our return in Equestria is getting even better. I can't wait for the showdown to come. I hope for you that the teleport for your units is ready." "It is." Magic replied. "With that, we can teleport all of the horrors that I have summoned through the scrolls that I had scavenged. Don't ask me how, considering that you sent me all alone in the middle of a dangerous monster lair." Painset smirked with crude satisfaction for that. "Just as I wanted. The chaos must be very everlasting and punishing like everypony in Equestria ever witnessed in their entire lives!" "Boy this is going to be fun," Magic replied enthusiastically but then paused as doubt wormed inside her head. "But what about Twilight and her group?" "They are the last of their problems," Painset remarked. "Celestia is the first one I wanted to deal with, as soon as possible." "Just to be sure, how many worshipers you intend to keep?" Magic asked. "I have at least to make Celestia suffer," Painset said gleefully. "So of course I have to kill as many of ponies in Canterlot as possible. I want her feel guilty for not being able to protect them. Her death must be very agonizing and the seize of the throne very much satisfying." "Woah." Magic said slightly impressed and yet disturbed by that declaration. "Not matter how crazy I am now, I can't still get used to this type of determination." "Don't even dare to MeeMize Celestia when I will face her." Painset reminded. "She's mine! Her flesh is mine! Mine to tear apart until the last piece as she watched her kingdom finally crumble under the weight of her arrogance!" A awkward silence grew in the room. Having heard her superior's bloody imagery, Magic couldn't abstain herself from shivering uncomfortably. Disturbed by that, her face shifted, also uncomfortably, forgetting the fact that she murdered other living beings during her hunt for Derpigun. Painset gleefully flew out of her throne and landed nearby Magic Mare. They both teleported out of the cave and reappeared outside the cave, nearby the army of Meems behind them. Painset, however, felt a little bit embarrassed to have as units a bunch of semi floating wooden cutouts which only word in their vocabolary was "MeeM!". Magic solved that problem by silencing their voice, because she found that habit annoying. But mostly because won't have to see Painset loosing her mind and destroying her only source of manpower in a fit of blind rage. Painset noticed her subordinate's uneasiness and gave her a grim glance. "It's something wrong with that?" Painset asked sternly. "Not at all, but... Could you at least spare me the gory details from when you are going to shred her up?" Magic asked, a disgusted. "Hey, stop kill my mood." Painset retorted. "At least I don't have the habit to externalize sick fantasies like yours." Magic retorted. But before they could even glaring at each other, a rain of white glowing, pointy projectiles in the shape of scissors. The bullets fell upon each one of the MeeMs, piercing through their heads. No blood were spilled since their were made of wood, but collapsed lifeless on the ground anyway. "What the...!?" Painset exclaimed. "What was that!?" Magic shouted. The two mare freaks looked upwards, right where the scissors rained down and saw Starcider Glimsho twirling in mid air while holding her Genoscissors with her hooves. The lavender murderous unicorn dived like a meteor and landed on her hind legs. She then looked at both Painset and Magic with her usual bloodthirsty face, red blurry eyes and her large tongue being still over her mouthful of sharp teeth. Starcider exuded a homicidal halo of invigorated bloodlust, along with a tremendous feel of power at her disposal. Her determination was made more evident by her killing intent. Starcider was fired up, in her own chilling way. "I thought that a goddess has some backup followers on her side." Starcider said with a serious tone before shifting into a gleeful one. "Too bad that the only ones who remained to worship you are just living companion cubes... And now they're dead! KYEEHAHAH!" "What?" Painset said, glaring at her. "A pony freak in Equestria? How is that possible?" Magic demanded, surprised at a disturbing level. "And what is wrong with her tongue?" "Huh?" Starcider looked at Magic Mare. "Wait, who the hell are you?" "That's my line!" Magic retorted, narrowing her eyes. "You have a great amount of stupidity to even think to kill my minions and angering me like that, unpunished." Painset said. "You are Painset Shimmercakes, ain't you?" Starcider said with a gleeful tone. "If you insist, yes, I am. What-" Painset stopped, thinking to have got a grasp of the situation. "I see." "Oh?" Starcider said, confused. "I never thought that my former mentor was also a real coward." Painset said with a resentful tone. "Celestia had foreseen my arrival, so she sent a literal assassin, who is also a freak to get ride of me. Now I have another motive to torture her." Starcider stared at the two without saying anything. Then she chuckled almost loudly, irritating the two mares even furthers. "What's so funny?" Painset inquired. "I can't believe at what I heard," Starcider said, chuckling. "Do I look like a freaking Royal Agent, Lame-o!?" "Don't play dumb with me!" Painset shouted. "She sent you to prevent my ascension! I won't forgive her!" "I-i'm sorry to interrupt you," Magic said, worried. "But I don't think that is the case. I mean, Celestia is not the type-" "SHUT UP!" Painset screamed at Magic, who flinched in fear of a reprisal of her. Magic remained silent, being too intimidated by her that too reply. She looked at her superior's wrathful expression with a terrified look. But the worst part that she fears more than Painset's anger was the toll of the ghost possessing her corrupted her mind so deeply at the point to twist her feelings and foment her paranoia. Sometimes she wonder if Painset can still control herself. "In any case," Painset looked back at Starcider. "You better end your charade already. Just who are you?" "The unicorn whose village was destroyed and then screwed up because of you, bastard!" Starcider said with a dreadful tone one as she pointed on of her Genoscissor at her. "You had also Sugar Bell to act as your demented herald!" "Sugar Bell you said?" Painset said, realizing something. "Are you telling me that you are that Starlight Glimmer who had the moronic idea to remove the village's cutey marks and brainwash them with the false promise of a utopia of 'real friendship' and equality based on your own beliefs?" "Hey, I'm just the ghost of what Starlight Glimmer was supposed to be but I'm still the village's founder." Starcider replied. "And yes, I brought a real utopia to them... Thought that due to Twilight's interference, my utopia crumbled and I was forced to the exile." "Not that was a better one in my opinion," Magic commented. "Honestly, your idea of utopia-" "Be quiet, Yes-mare," Starcider interrupted. "Let the real ponies talk." "Huh!?" Magic reacted in slight shock, feeling offended. "You disg-." "After a while," Starcider interrupted again, continuing with her story. "I had returned to see what happened in my absence... And I turns out that Sugar Brute and my other former followers were now worshiping you and then they imprisoned me. They also planned to kill me as a sacrificial lamb and resurrect me as their Homunculus!" "You are practically accusing me for something that Sugar Bell made on her own, in my honor because I had previously seized your former village that you have enslaved and forsaken as well?" Painset asked sarcastically, then paused. "You are a hypocrite." "Correction. Twilight, her friends are the real hypocrites," Starcider mocked. "They boasted me about the power of friendship, but then they became themselves the villains. Oh, about the part in which I was imprisoned, it took a ghost possessing me and one freaking green pony with a black jacket to get out alive!" The Subjects' eyes widened in surprise. Painset didn't expected that information coming from her. Her face shifted in response to her increasing anger. She realized to what pony Starcider was referring to, and possibly to her, the implications that she was suspecting in that moment. "Zaidel Goelnix," Painset said, snarling. "You helped him to take down MY CULT!?" "Well, nooo shit!" Starcider commented sarcastic. "That idiocy deserved to be destroyed that bad... Although he prevented me to kill Sugar Bell and the other three bastards, but whatever." "And you were complaining that I killed most of the ponies of your town," Painset remarked. "Do you really have the right to judge me?" "Hey, don't even think to be different by Twilame," Starcider said. "But now that I'm thinking about, you and her are both so detestable that It's a miracle that she's not your marefriend." Painset froze up, with her eye twitching and her expression becoming more feral, filled with a more evident killing intent. "You shouldn't had said that." Magic said, coldly. "Are you lumping me with TWILIGHT!?" Painset screamed before flaring her horn with a black light."If you want to die, I'm happy to oblige!" A equally black colored aura engulfed Starcider for a second, but then it dissipated afterwards with nothing happening. Painset and Magic blinked and reacted in bafflement for that. "What!?" Painset exclaimed incredolous, with her eye twitching. "Your head was supposed to inflate until explodes!" "Did you expect me to take it?" Starcider said as she charged two legged toward her target, giving also another middle finger to both the law of physics and her own equine anatomy. "How the heck is she able to run on her hind legs?" Magic demanded, incredulous. "Is not physically possible!" As Starcider was approaching Painset, both the mares simultaneously flared their horns, with Painset's glowing into a light-green light. Before Starcider could even touch the alicorn her body suddenly stopped in mid air as it became colored in a green aura. Painset brought their prey's body toward the two with the intent to torture her, Despite the telekinesis blocking her body, however, Starcider managed to materialize a Nullifying Scissors above her head in the same moment Painset's telekinesis was affecting her. Before the alicorn could say anything, the Nullifying Scissors scissors whizzed toward her. Painset moved away and dodged the blow, thinking of the projectile as a joke. That assumption was immediately blasted away by the scissor bursting into a electromagnetic wave that electrocute both Painset and Magic as it touched the ground nearby them. The Subjects collapsed on the ground, moaning for the electric charge seizing their bodies while Starcider, being released by Painset's telekinesis, descended on the ground unharmed. "You wish I would be pwned like that, dumbass." Starcider said gleefully before dashing toward Painset.. She was about to slash her up, only for Painset to forcefully glaring at her while charging her horn with a very unstable energy, symbolized by a surge of lightnings gathering around it. "Are you freaking kidding me!?" Starcider mentally said, awfully surprised, one second before Painset shot a destructive energy sphere on her, blasting the unicorn away from her. Propelled away but being somehow unharmed by the blast, Starcider flew for a brief time until she ended up sliding for a yard. As she stopped, Starcider immediately recovered and resumed her charge on her two legs at a very fast pace. "The Nullifying Scissor should had sealed their magic. How is that possible!?" Starcider demanded, mentally. Irritated by her enemy's persistence, Painset shot another sphere of destructive energy toward her. Starcider dodged the blow during her ran, passing beside the sphere as it whizzed far away from her. Ignoring the explosion that happened behind her, Starcider continued her rush toward the two when she noticed Magic Mare's hooves being charged with a electric energy. "That blue unicorn too, huh?" Starcider murmured, annoyed. Magic shots a stream of lightnings. Starcider dodged it, but then noticed Magic being about to shot a second one. She quickly rolled away to avoid being electrocuted from that and resumed her run toward the Subjects. As she was getting close to their range, her floating energy scissors above rained upon the two pony freaks. Magic glowed her horn and disappeared while Painset rose up on her hind legs shielded herself with her wings while closing her eyes. Her body suddenly became transparent. Most of the energy scissors rebounded on the alicorn's transparent wings and flew in random directions, with three of them being redirected against their owner. Starcider jumped forward, passing above the scissors and landing nearby the alicorn. Painset returned visible, with her wings suddenly vanishing. She didn't had the time to complain about it that she was met by Starcider jumping at her in a flying kick that goes right in her face, making her flying before falling back. Starcider was about to continue her assault on Painset but then stopped. She was apparently oblivious of Magic Mare slowly descending and landing behind her, lifting a enormous titanium hammer above her head with her magic. But before Magic could even hit her, Starcider turned around and swiftly slashed her chain gun into pieces. Magic was left incredulous by her enemy's ability to cut through metal. Before she could even react, Starcider was already counterattacking. "Out of my way, blueberry moron!" Starcider said as she swiftly kicked Magic in the face, sending her flying upward for a little bit before abruptly falling on the ground. With the crazy version of 'Trixie Lulamoon' being out of her way, Starcider returned her attention to Painset, but she was gone. She growled in frustration at first when then her magical perception ringed a alarm in her head. Guided by that, she looked upward and found the alicorn, having regained her wings and flying above the murderous unicorn with her horn already glowing in a blue light to shooting huge nails upon her. Starcider leaped away from that spiky rain. She then put herself into a preparatory stance at while glowing her horn and jumped very higher and faster toward Painset. Not expecting this kind of speed, Painset tried to distance herself, but Starcider catch her up, almost reaching her level of height and ready to slice her as another set of eleven energy scissors formed above her head. Before Starcider's eyes will met Painset's, the latter glanced upon her with a furious expression and quickly charged her horn and shot another destructive sphere at her, but not before Starcider could shot the energy scissors in various part of her body. Starcider was propelled downward by the blow at the same moment the scissors stabbed Painset's head, stomach and limbs. The energy scissors vanished some second later, but that stabbing barrage caused the alicorn freak to lose her to lose her focus and half blacking out, making her fall down. Starcider crashed on the ground, far away from where her target was falling while keeping her Genoscissors in her hooves. Starcider remained immobile for a second, but then stood up on her hind legs while giving a quick look at Painset abruptly landing with the front of her body being pointed upward, two seconds later. "Now that is what I call being grounded." Starcider said with gleeful arrogance as charged toward her distant target very fast. With the blood slowly gushing out of her wounds, smearing her body and forehead, Painset woke up from the black out caused by being stabbed in the head and gave a quick glance at Starcider coming toward her in the distance. Despite being stunned by the fall and being bitten by the pain of her wounds, she forced herself to rose up and glowed her horn in red light. Starcider already guessed what she is trying to do. "Hey! Don't even think to teleport!" Starcider screamed as she tossed her Genoscissors at Painset, but, much the unicorn frustration, she disappeared before the Genoscissors could stab her. Starcider growled in frustration but then she putted that detail aside as she remembered one thing. There is the other problem that she had to take care off. And she knows, thanks to her magical perception, exactly where she is. "I have to deal with ya, right?" Starcider as she pulled her Genoscissors out of her mane and turned her head at her left and saw Magic Mare in the distance, having recovered from being kicked in the air and giving a smug smile as she had materialized one volcanic flare above her head. Starcider pulled out another pair of Genoscissors and rushed toward Magic as launched the flares toward her through her telekinesis. The flare followed the movement of the unicorn as they goes toward it's target. With the bullet approaching her face, Starcider instantly sliced the bullet, resulting it to burst into a fiery explosion in front of her. Just when Magic was thinking to have taken her down, Starcider passed through the column of flames unharmed while continuing her run, much to the blue unicorn's brief bafflement. Frustrated by Starcider's weird way to survive that, Magic materialized other seven volcanic flares and launched them against her. But Starcider doesn't even care at all. She just advanced forward while slashing the flares flying at her and going through their explosions without having any damage except for some trace of dirt. Coming out of the last explosion, Starcider tossed her Genoscissors at Magic, who took literally two seconds to glow her horn. As the scissors flew toward the magician, Another 'Magic Mare' with a elvish cape suddenly appeared in their trajectory and was stabbed by the scissors in the place of the original. Magic watched with slight amusement that trick of her's as her own clone screamed in pain. Despite this, the clone wasn't even bleeding from her wounds. Instead there was a blue void inside of them. As her own clone was about to collapse, Magic turned it into a ScoutMeeM, just for fun. "MeeM!" ScoutMeeM said with before Magic kicked it, making it falling forward. "You magnificent bastard." Starcider said, looking at the floating, devious blue unicorn and narrowing her eyes dangerously as she pulled out another pair of Genoscissors from her mane. "You're are going to be as annoying as possible, ain't you?" "At least I'm not like you, disgusting imp!" Magic replied confidently as she charged her hooves with magic electricity and shots three energy bolts. "Troll Logic users are really brutal, aren't they?" Starcider said sarcastically while dodging the blows with her tricky maneuvers, causing them to crash against the ground and burst into fiery explosions. Magic materialized two freezing stickybombs on her hooves and tossed them. Starcider nonchalantly avoided being hit by these objects, but as she dodged the second one, Magic already charged her hooves with the electricity. In a fraction of seconds in which Magic shot a double electric stream, Starcider promptly leaped backwards when she got distracted by a signal of her perception. She turned her head at her right and saw Painset, being far from her while glaring ferociously and shooting a destructive sphere. Starcider's face assumed a little worried one, only for it to be immediately replaced with a bored one. She didn't even react or even change her expression at all. She knows what to do in this case. One second before Painset shot the sphere from her horn, Starcider's eyes darted on Magic Mare, who tried to glow her horn and glowed her own. With the destructive ball reaching her, Starcider teleported Magic in front of it, making her taking the bullet in her place. The magician was propelled toward Starcider, who blocked her in mid air with her telekinesis and launched her as a projectile against Painset. The alicorn missed her own flying, screaming subordinate, who end up crashing on the ground, a few yards away from her. Painsed returned her attention to the pale lavender freak, looking slightly shocked by the infamous ingenuity and abilities displayed by the Genoscissors wielder. Starcider returned her attention to the alicorn, looking at her while shifting her expression into a grotesquely puzzled one. "And you expect me to take you seriously as a god!?" Starcider asked before assuming a serious and yet mocking tone. "And why you're so fired up to kill Celestia anyway? Did she just blasted your ass or something?" Painset's already crazy eyes widened and her teeth were clenched. Furiously snarling, she glowed her horn in a blue light and shot a myriad of nail at rapid fire. Starcider chuckled for her opponents idiocy as she spiraled herself through the air as fast as a lightning, with her Genoscissors creating the vacuum drill around her, shredding the nails into pieces and flying toward the demonic, multicolored alicorn. Startled, Painset leaped away as fast as she could. But Starcider's spiraling shredding torpedo managed to come in contact with her right lower part, almost mangling her legs. Screaming in pain, the alicorn abruptly fell the ground as Starcider's vaccum drill continued it's flight trajectory until she stopped her rotatory motion and landed gracefully. Starcider turned around and walked toward her, eager to finish the job. The scorching pain of her wounds was biting her right flank and leg as she collapsed. Painset looked a little dilapidated and bloodstained, with her gruesome wound steadily bleeding. But for her, that wasn't a excuse to surrender. She forcefully stood up, trying to ignore the pain and trying to use her telekinesis on Starcider's Genoscissors. But these briefly glowed with a green aura that dissipated afterwards. "What the HECK!?" Painset exclaimed in her normal voice, surprised. "Hoofs off of my artisan tools, you cunt!" Starcider exclaimed she start running. Stubborn as she is, Painset glowed her horn, but became dismayed very quickly too see that her horn glowed in a dark-green light. That was really bad news for her because what followed was her stomach rumbling, accompanied by a sense of nausea. Painset hastily put her hoof in front of her mouth, feeling her acids rising in her throat. "Ugh!... Not this again!" Painset said, one second before she puked out a big projectile of corrosive vomit. Starcider dodged the ball, that splattered on the rocky ground, creating a crater through it's abusive erosion. Advancing forward, she glanced disgusted at Painset, who leaned on her four legs and covered her mouth, feeling sick for her own regurgitation. "Wohohoooo, dude!" Starcider said with a mocking tone before shifting into a seriously disgusted one. "But seriously, don't piss around!" "SHUT UP!" Painset roared with a very demonic voice as she charged her horn with a unstable energy. The alicorn shot another destructive sphere at Starcider. The unicorn rolled away from it's trajectory and spiraled herself to perform her vacuum drill again, confident that she will grind that multicolored abomination for goog. Painset, however, used her powers and vanished before the pale lavender unicorn could shred her. Missing the target, Starcider stopped her flying, rotating, slashing motion and landed. She then looked behind her and found Painset, who was furious and nervous at the same time. The self proclaimed god never found a freak who was as persistent as this. And she couldn't still believe that a demented scissor maniac fixed with her own flawed utopia was that pony. Starcider, on the other hand, was currently pissed that Painset refuses to die. "You damn coward! You can't even-" Starcider interrupted her sentence as she noticed Magic Mare not being here anymore, leaving only the stains of her blood. "Hey, where did that wussy go!?" "More closer of than you think, you talkative prick!" Magic Mare's voice said as a pair of eyes suddenly appeared behind Starcider Glimsho, who swiftly turned around to counterattack, but was then blinded by a blue flash and then blasted away by sudden force in the same moment the blue unicorn appeared. But instead of falling, Starcider only slid for some centimeters as she shielded herself with her arms. "Is not a pleasure to see you again, unfunny jester." Starcider remarked gleefully before dashing toward Magic to slice her. "J-JESTER!?" Magic muttered before flying upward to dodge the attack. "You will die as one, there!" Wanting to make her pay for that insult, Magic charged her hooves with her powers and launched a electric stream at the scissor wielder. Starcider dodged it, but then noticed Magic going to unleash another one. As the blue unicorn was about launch it, Starcider immediately leaped backwards and threw her Genoscissors at her before landing, almost distancing herself from them. Magic evaded the scissors in mid air and flew toward the alicorn. She descended down and approached Painset. Her boss wasn't surprised at all to see her subordinate survive since she has gone through various, painful ordeals all of the time. Magic her body cringes pretty much upon seeing Painset's wounds. But the disturbing part for her was seeing them healing themselves. Painset noticed that and gave a annoyed gaze, narrowing her eyes "Sorry but I'm not got used to see your wounds regenerate." Magic "Then just stop watching that." Painset retorted, irritated. The Subjects glanced back at Starcider, who looked at them with a unusual deviant fury. She knew that alicorn where immortal, but at least they can be killed. So, obviously enough, she wasn't happy at all about her enemy having regenerative abilities. Her expression became a menacingly grim one, with her voice giving it's honest opinion. "Kisama!" Starcider said gleefully without muting her fury. "You're the type of pony who is too stubborn to give up and too stupid to die, isn't it? You are really a persistent one! I like that, and I don't like that at the same time. And you are not even a cute stallion for the record!" Painset felt a little bit intimidated by her, and she hated it. But that wasn't the first time that she lived a situation in which she was in disadvantage. That reminded her of a previous battle she fought long time ago, only much worse. Instill fear to a goddess like her was a insult that she won't forgive. "She is not a freak like the others." Magic said, baffled. "How did she had obtained that power?" "She is nothing! She will die like the others!" Painset screamed. Painset gloved her horn again, this time being engulfed in a red light. Starcider, looking almost bored but grinning in half satisfaction, was engulfed with a red aura, that died off as well, much to Painset's frustration. Seeing her being unaffected by her powers and capable to avoid her punishing attacks while mocking her efforts in returns was something that she, as a chaotic goddess can't tolerate. "You never learn, huh?" Starcider said. "My body is immune to inflation, magical alteration, forced transformation, enchanted pestilence and any other fuckload of things that could affect it!" "That means that I cannot even turn her into a MeeM? Magic muttered. "GRRR! I'ts not possible!" Painset screamed furious before her neck rapidly shook due her psychic shift and changed her voice into a low one. "It's like that time with that cursed cyborg pony all over again!!" "I'm not a cyborg, but surely you're not a normal alicorn if you can regenerate yourself!" Starcider retorted. "What kind of fucking monster are you!?" "The future god of Equestria, you disgusting worm." Painset said with a low voice before her neck rapidly shook again her voice shifted into a younger "I detain so much power that you can even imagine. And considering that you had interfered with our plans, you shall suffer the-" "Just shut up, multicolored shrimp!" Starcider interrupted. "I'ts not in my policy to die so easily. Especially not against some moron with the delusions of omnipotence." "Are you seriously making fun of us!?" Magic asked. "Insolent pest!" Painset shouted with a younger voice before her neck rapidly shook again her voice returned into her normal one. "What do you mean by that!?" "Being the epitome of bloodlust is a mixed matter of art and proficiency," Starcider said, taking her words seriously. "If I'm going to commit a slaughter, I'll do it more passionately while being crazy prepared as fuck to not die in any ways. I'm not calling myself Starcider Glimsho for nothing, ya know!" "Everything to shut you up." Magic whispered. "I hope you are prepared to pay the consequences of your impudence for having tried to kill me," Painset said, sadistically. "Because i'm sick of your reptilian face, you wretched pony!" "Please, I ain't wretched! I'm just nearby the level of the Azimuth!" Starcider said with macabre confidence as she was running toward the Subjects with ferocious glee. To be continued in chapter 9. Prologue 1: A ridiculous way to go. (EDITED)There was once a group of six ponies who embodied the Elements of Harmony. The mane six to synthesize. They managed to do the most improbable things that nopony could do. Revert Nightmare Moon to her normal self, reform Discord, defeat Chrysalis, save the Crystal Empire from Sombra and so on and so on. They were friends, so of course they can overcome any difficulty. But then a tragedy struck on their lives, or... minds, if we are considering they current conditions. One day they were transported into another dimension and find .They were exploring a forsaken graveyard nearby a creepy manor, which was a big mistake. One by one they were possessed by the ghosts of various humanoid abominations, corrupted by them and turned into monsters. Pony freaks if somepony will call that. Twilight Sparkle became the last one to become one of them. These mentally derailed ponies are now the Elements of Insanity, who are now controlled by their inner monsters and spreading chaos wherever they go. Soon they will return to Equestria with the goal to take down Celestia and Luna. However something was going on, unknown to them. A mysterious entity watched the whole thing from another realm and decided to take care of this story in his own way. Since the six demented ponies were almost unstoppable, this being was considering to put a plan of his in practice. But in order to do so, he need the assistance of a living being. There is no valid pony to take under his cause, so he took a look into another world, and thus he found a valid individual to take as his pawn. Willing or not. In the human world, were Internet was part of the daily life of the majority of their population, there was a Japanese boy living in a house with very polished garden, situated in Osaka. That boy was Suzaku Aki, high school student, a expert of videogame, anime, manga and memes; and a very notorious troll on the Internet with the name of Gokudonoken92, whose sole target was Brony Community, thinking that show of theirs is overrated. Nothing much to say about his appearance. Red hair, black eyes, wearing a green T-shirt, jeans and that's pretty much it. He has even a part time job and a good level of intelligence that helped him to sustain himself. His hobby of his is a really satisfying one of his, especially if it worked as a anti stress. However, ironically, he knows everything about the TV show and the fandom meta in general. He had reluctantly watched every episode and read some fanfics, so of course he knows were and how to strike. He started this whole trolling practice since one of his classmate introduced MLP, much to his disdain. The reason of this hobby was due to the fact that he was having fun pointing out the flaws of the show and it's own characters or even that of the fandom itself, their fan made stories in general, allowing him to enrage them mad through his own type of fierce satire without mercy. He was just sat at his desk, typing on the keyboard of his laptop as he was about to public his own comment on a Youtube video of a analyzer review featuring one of the popular characters of the show.. "And this is way Celestia is that popular: She is always a gigantic grimdark conspiracy fic magnet." said Suzaku as he clicked his mouse to public the said comment. Suzaku took a little notebook from his desk and took a look on the recent page . There are some "to do list" style notes written on it as they were meant to be done today. -Bashing Fluttershy's inconsistent friendship lessons and reset button disease. Check. -Annoy some enthusiast Luna's fanboy. Check. -Exploit Applejack's obvious quarks and stereotypes. Check. -Pretending to praise Triple Rainboom. Check. -Writing a grimdark troll fic featuring Princess Cadence with a very bad grammar. Check. -Putting some spoiler for Season 7 finale. Check. -Going in the mark and buy some potato chips. Check. -Take out the trash. Check. -Make a very disproportionate and yet plausible analysis about Celestia. He took a pen and wrote down the word "Check" in front of the last objective of the list before closing the notebook and putting it away. "That's all for today. Another waste of time accomplished. Well, at least i won't be bored." Suzaku putted away his pen, took a potato chip from a sack and consumed it in his mouth with a very arrogant look. "No one can top the pretentiousness of eating a potato chips like a certain anime character." At this point, that day was going to be really rough. As he swallowed the chip, the door of his room was abruptly opened by a intruder with the face covered by balaclava, followed by other two persons with the same balaclava. Suzaku turned toward them and tried to react, but he couldn't do anything that the intruder shocked him with a stun-gun. He then grabbed him by his t-shirt and slammed him against the wall. The three guys gathered around the dazed boy as the one who was assaulting him leaned toward him with a very intimidating gaze. "You better remain still and take it this time." the masked guy said with a enraged voice. "W-what?" Suzaku asked, being a little scared and mostly confused, trying to remain calm. "You are that Gokudo guy who made fun of "A Puppet of my Fame" fanfic?" "Oh, my... now i get it. You are some extreme fan-" "SHUT UP!.... Before i'm going straight to the point let me tell you one thing. I'm not just a Brony. Six months ago i managed to win the Hooligan Award, so you better not take me so lightly. And be grateful that we will not destroy your laptop. Got it?" "Strange. I thought that trolls can be easily dealt with tranquil methods instead of the violence." "Well, you had trolled us for the last time. Your next stop is the hospital!" His tormentors pulled their arms back, preparing themselves to deliver a real beatdown to him. That day was going to end very badly for him when suddenly... this happens. As they were going to hit him, a unbearably immense light was illuminating the room, blinding all the persons present in the room, Suzaku included. He shielded his eyes to prevent his retinas from being damaged. He couldn't understand what is going on. Suzaku tried to interpret the situation, but he felt instantly weak and light-headed. The world around him warped itself, and seconds later he found himself falling inside of a endless dark abyss. He tried to scream but he was unable to do so as he passed out during the fall. Only darkness remained to accompany him. After a apparent eternity, his consciousness started to reconnect with his brain. A surreal scenario greeted him. He was laying on the soft light green grass. Groggy and still confused by this paranormal thing, Suzaku lifted his head a little and took a look on the landscape in front of him. The sky was totally pitch black, and yet he could see the grass and a huge puddle of water, which colors were lacking of luminosity. There are also some black clouds, but there's not lightning on his sight, for now. "H-how did i get there? I swear, i remember to be inside my room with these three fanboy extremist trying to beat the crap out of me. But then that light engulfed the room and... Ok, keep calm. One step at a time. You have to return to home first." As Suzaku tried to get up, he immediately realized that something was wrong with him. He was feeling a little weird, feeling that his body wasn't the same as before. Not feeling his fingers at all, he immediately glanced at his own hands. He froze in horror upon seeing them being replaced by hooves. He then quickly took a look a his back legs, and then to rest of his body. "No... NO, DON'T TELL ME!" Suzaku stood up on his four legs and trotted toward the puddle too see his reflection since there is no mirror around. That wasn't the first time that he was like that, but it only happened in his recurring nightmares were he was ponyfied with the difference that couldn't even see his own reflection. These were really vivid dreams, but what he saw in the reflection of the puddle was surpassing that. That nightmare was coming true. He was turned into a pony in the style of MLP, and this time was for real. A earth pony to be precise. Obviously Suzaku was in complete shocked surprise to see what he had become. That was really nasty surprise for someone like him. The color of his mane and tail was the same as his hair, red. His eyes were black. His coat, however is a orange one. Suzaku took a quick look to his hooves again, his back legs again, his chest and his flanks were is situated the cutey mark. He really hated the cutey mark concept with all his passion. However, he was then caught by surprise to see the form of the image. It was a curved cross, which i pretty crude for something that belong to a cherry fantasy world. He then returned his attention to his reflection to. He caressed his cheek with his own hoof to confirm what he was seeing. He punched himself in the face two times. He moaned for the pain that he was feeling in that moment, and that was the problem. The pain was completely real, not just vivid. His heart was beating a little faster. His eye was twitching and his face was contorting itself, symbolizing his current state of denial. "No. No... Not going to happen." he said while laughing nervously. "No, nonono." He then shook his head frantically as his expression became stuck between frustration and fright. "No. No. No!, No! NONONONONONONONONONONONONO!" Prey of his panic, Suzaku frantically rolled on the grass, continuing to shout his whole NO Gatling at non stop, unable to cope with his current situation. After a while, he finally stop rolling and stood on his four legs before giving another shouting rant again. "I refuse to believe this! This must be some kind of a dream, no matter how vivid it is! And the hooligan intrusion probably never happened. I mean, I AM THE ONE WHO TROLLS THEM, NOT-" "SILENCE!" suddenly interrupted a very powerful voice coming from above as black lightnings were uproariously falling around Suzaku. He cowered in fear and closed his eyes, praying that the stormy barrage wasn't hitting him. The storm lasted very shortly. After the silence replaced that previous electric roar, he opened his eyes and stood up. He sighed in relief. He was lucky that none of the lightnings managed to hit him. Suzaku glanced to the black sky, trying to figure out where the voice came from. The answer came by itself in the form of a huge fissure that was forming upon him and opened itself, revealing a creepy giant eye looking at him. For a moment, he thought his mind was blown away. He cannot even make sense of what is going on at this point. "I don't remember this thing being in the tv show." "Well? After the whole scream fest that you were making before, you are not even bothering to introduce yourself?" Suzaku doesn't know how to answer that. He was intimidated by both the eye's presence and what it can do. He made a quick mental list of names that he can use to justify his presence and appearance until he found out at least a valid one. "I-i'm Zeal Breaker. Look, you don't have to mind me. I'm just.. Just having a bad day and i'm not in the-" "Please, that wasn't necessary at all. You may have been turned into a pony but you can't fool me. I know exactly who you really are, Suzaku Aki." Suzaku glared at the creepy entity above him and pointed his hoof at it, having discovered who has to blame for this situation. "You! You are the one responsible for my conditions!" "At least you weren't sent into the hospital by the hands of these brony extremists. Be grateful for that at least." "Well, you better turn me back to normal and put me back into my room. I-" "You are not in position to pretend anything, you know! I could always destroy you without reconsideration. You saw what i can do!" "You bastard." "By the way, i know everything about your life, your social background, your strained relationship with your neglectful parents and your very low reputation that you had in your school." Hearing those words, Suzaku remained silent, as if frozen. He never talked about his private life with anyone. He never felt so unpleasantly touched at the personal level. "How do you know it?" Suzaku inquired. "Does that even matter? A besides, is even worth to continue your farce? Staying sat in front of the laptop, trolling a bunch of MLP enthusiasts? Calling that living is just a stupid joke." "Hey! Now you are the one who hasn't self introduced and yet you were digging in my life without any restrain, you creep!" "I have a name. Balamos." "Now that's getting even better. He sounds like some kind of Love Craftian demon." Suzaku was feeling really uncomfortable. As the fact to be turned into a pony wasn't enough, the idea of being observed by that creature was just disturbing beyond any kind of tolerance. "I don't know why you teleported me in Equestria, if this is the damn case, but you better have a good reason to kidnap me." "That doesn't mean that i won't let you go. In fact i will eventually release you and let you return to your wretched life, but only under my conditions." "Huh?" "If you want to get out of here, you have to complete a very specific mission. Oh, don't worry. It doesn't have to do with the Power of Friendship if you want to keep this "dignity" very clean. You see? You have to act as my herald for while." "Just what do you expect me to do?" Balamos' iris shrunk a little to get a clear image of Suzaku's nervous face. Suzaku wasn't sure about the intention of the entity but one thing was sure: That will not be a good one. "Take down the Elements of Insanity." To be continued in Prologue part 2.
Prologue 2: Villainous Hero. (EDITED)Suzaku took a moment to swallow what happened in the course of that day. He knew that day was going to end very badly, but he wasn't expecting it to take this weird level of bad. Everything that he could classify as ridiculous was in front of him: He was turned into a pony and is now talking with a giant spectral eye that was looking at him from above. That creature was the one behind his transformation and kidnapping, and has his own reason to do so. "I have to do what?" said a baffled Suzaku. "You heard it, noob." said Balamos. "If you want get out of this world, you had to take down the Elements of Insanity." "The Elements of Insanity?... Scary." Suzaku retorted with sarcasm. "Oh come on. Why you can't just let the Elements of Harmony to deal with them? Why i must be the one who had to do that?" "Because the Elements of Harmony and the Elements of Insanity are currently the same ponies." Suzaku remained silent to ingest what Balamos said. His brain was processing the connection that the eye made one second before he shouted. "They are!?" "I know your tastes about screw up various MLP stories, but unfortunately there's no conspiracy delight for you. They were corrupted, but not in the funny way of Discord." "Ok, cut the bullshit. What is the gimmick?" "One day the mane six were trapped into another dimension and were scattered in a zone nearby a hollow graveyard. As each one of them wandered in search of her friends, they were eventually possessed by a different ghost and turned into powerful, chaotic pony freaks by them. You should recognize these specters with the name of two groups: GMod Monsters and Internet Memes." Suzaku's face contorted into a very annoyed one very quickly. He know what these two terms means. Which is why he suddenly felt the legit impulse to gave a intense death glare to the giant eye. It didn't matter if he was doing that on a powerful entity. "That is getting more ridiculous and ridiculous. That must absolutely be a dream. It's just dumb!" "Oh, for hell sake." Balamos said, groaning a little. "You know what? Screw it, i will give you a mental ride that you won't forget so easily." Under Balamos' command, a red lightning suddenly struck on Suzaku. He yelled, but then realized that he wasn't feeling any pain at all except from that coming from his head. His sight was blinded by the red lighting's luminosity. Everything in front of him became red as various images of a gloomy past flowed in his mind like a river, so much that he could see them being in front of his eyes. Suzaku could barely understand what is going on. The stormy sound was replaced by a very uncomfortable chilling sound. "That is surelly a good rush." "Speak for yourself. These thoughts flowing in me are giving me a migraine... What is this!?" "These images are mirrors of the past. A Echo of the horrors being born from a artificial grave. I would continue in this way, but i doubt that a waste like you could understand this kind of purple prose." "Well, at least i'm not the creator of the bat madman known as Crazy Steve." "Yeah, whatever. Besides, they were actually seven, not six." "Wait, what?" "Just watch the whole origin of their madness." The images began to rearrange themselves in a constructed sequence. Suzaku could guess that they were showing him what happened to the Mane Six. There place of that mental scenario was a place filled with the night gravestones, situated in a place nearby a grim manor. "Gravestones? I think this is the graveyard Balamos was talking about. So... is that Mann Manor?" In some point of the graveyard, Rarity was there, standing in front of a gravestone with a red military hat on it. Suzaku could do nothing but watch how that scene goes. "That must be Rarity. I know her characteristic. The classic aristocrat stereotype who is also a obsessed fashionista. I don- Suzaku was about finish his snobby explanation when he saw a ghost of a very large man floating out of his grave and started to possess the white unicorn, a scene in which he shouted bewildered "Wait, what?!" "Is that ghost Rubber Fruit!?" Rarity remained stuck in a very upsetting trance, accompanied by her eye briefly twitching. There was no change in her appearance, but then Rarity's face assumed a very psychotic look as she wears the red hat from before. Her transformation became more evident during her fight with some Red Team's rejects as her mane became multicolored, her hoof suddenly wearing a gauntlet and her psychosis became more shocking as she killed both of them with her new powers. "This is the part were Rarity became a pony freak?" The memories continued to flow in his mind, showing also the fate of the other ponies. The same possession and mind corruption happened to Fluttershy, then to Derpy, then to Applejack and the list goes on. Suzaku was confused to see Derpy, of all ponies, being one of the possessed ones despite her having nothing to do with the Mane Six. But that is something that he would have reserved for later. "So this is how they they became monsters. I'm sorry, but the idea of the GMod freaks and the memes being actually characters is just inconceivable. How is that possible?" "As you can see, one by one the Main Six were possessed and turned into dreadful abominations. The possession took a heavy toll on them as they had their minds fragmented and perverted to suit the needs of the monsters inside of them. Twilight Sparkle was their last victim, and the first one to have actually two souls being implanted inside of her." "Two soul?!" "Scary, huh?" Twilight's corruption would be disturbing for Suzaku if there wasn't something that doesn't add up: She has no wings. "Wait a minute. The Twilight that i'm seeing right now is a unicorn. She should be a alicorn at this point." "There's a force who altered their fate, and is the same one who lured them in that horrendous dimension. He managed also to remove Twilight's alicornhood before sending her and her friends in that grim dimension. He was able to pull this off by going back in time, right one week after Starlight Glimmer's defeat, and start his plan from there." "Oh boy. Now we have time traveling too? Are you telling me-" "Yes, their fate leaded the entire Equestria into a alternate reality were Starlight Glimmer is not reformed, Chrysalis is still the queen of the changelings and the return of the Pillars never happened." "Back to the Future much?" The images were showing the final act of the six heroines and their own corruption. Twilight Sparkle has her soul fused with that of two other ghost freaks and became a alicorn, but not the sane one. Twilight was horrified for that one second before she finally give in and became Brutalight Sparcake, their murderous leader. "Now that is really screw up... With sugar psychosis and trash names." "You wouldn't laugh if they were in front of you." "Don't make me think about it." "At this point, they became victims of their inner monsters and thus the Elements of Harmony became the Demented Six, know also as the Elements of Insanity. Their own reason to live is to spread chaos and death wherever they go. "This is a very fucked up story and i can't believe that i'm actually seeing it." "Good to see that you had finally understood. And let me tell you on thing: They are planning to take over Equestria and corrupting Celestia and Luna as you can imagine. Just image what kind of world will they take as their next target." "Are you implying that my world would be their next target!?" "Not exactly, but they must be stopped as soon as possible." After that, his sight became completely dark and the chilling sound finally ceased to rang. After a short time, Suzaku was where he was before. Standing on the grass with Balamos's giant eye form hoovering above the black sky. Suzaku was having a real migraine, so he took a moment to take a break while massaging his head. "So let me get this straight. We have a murderous psychotic alicorn, a dreadful painkiller addict, a cannibalistic sugar-hoped speedster, a rainbow sonic cybernetic pegasus that looked like a mecha combination of every 90's Rob Liefeld comic books stereotypes ever, a greedy ruthless snob almost resembling M.Bison from Street Fighter armed with a enchanted deadly gauntlet, a yellow winged ear destroying menace, and a freaking Terminator Derpy! What the hell has Derpy to do with the Mane Six!?" "Do you think i give a crap about it?" Balamos said annoyed. "At least you should care about my actual position. You are asking me too much!" "What are you complaining about?" "What am i complaining about!?" Suzaku shouted. "You are sending me against seven overpowered psychos! I'm actually nothing in comparison!" "That is not a problem. I will fix that right now... But you will not like my method." "C'mon, douche. Where is the catch?" "I will give you one hint through this question. Who is the entity who is currently possessing Applejack?" "What kind of dumbass question is that? Ok, i know that Applejack is possessed by the Pills here meme but i don't know what are you trying to say." Instantly a azure light flashed in front of him, briefly blinding him. In that fraction of blinding seconds a image of a sadistic young green haired man crossed his mind. He knew who he is. He saw him in a videogame. "Yuki Terumi!?" Suzaku realized the implication of that question. His sense of horror that chilled his blood was the obvious sane reaction. "No, you can't seriously mean it!" "Yes, i am." True to Balamos' intention, a barrage of black lightnings was quickly falling on Suzaku as he quickly tried to escape. He was completely overwhelmed by that electric onslaught, powerless and screaming in pain. Oddly enough, the pain he was experiencing by the electric charge was almost nothing compared to the other one that burned inside his body. "I bestow you with the power of the most terrific internet meme ever existed! But do not fear, as your sanity and soul would not suffer any change. As for your body.... well, that is another story." In the middle of this storm, he couldn't even see his own transformation. His coat became a light green one, his red mane was colored in green and five clawed fingers came through each on of his hooves from inside. Though he wasn't feeling any change inside his mind, he could feel a tremendous power surging inside his body. Once the storm ceased, Suzaku could be seen as he was left. Laying on the burnt grass with trails of steam rising from his fur. He could barely move due to being shocked multiple times. The only thing that he can do was crawling toward the puddle. Suzaku glanced at his own reflection, but this time he saw another pony. His form as a pony was the same, except for the change of colors and the claws on his bloody hooves, which wounds and blood were cleaned and fixed in one second. Suzaku's fear about becoming a Freak Pony was completely founded, but wasn't expecting this result. He should be pissed off by this change, as being a pony wasn't enough. But he wasn't even mad at that point. Suzaku's mind was still normal, so no mental alteration is going on. However what he was feeling is not insanity, but pure frenzy. Feeling his energy being regenerated, Suzaku stood up on his two legs, like he was in his human form. Suzaku put his clawed hoof on his forehead, covering his right eye. He forgot all of his worries for a moment to embrace this arcane, intoxicating sensation. He couldn't help but laughing. After all a tremendous power was flowing inside of him. Without any warning, a huge black sword heavily fell in front of Suzaku, who grabbed it with his claws and wielded it with ease. "I wasn't expecting this happening." Suzaku gleefully said. "Now i'm just considering one thing. I just wanted to get out of here at first, but having the opportunity to beat the literal crap of some monstrous version of the Mane Six and others with a power like this? There's now way i would pass that." "Don't get cocky. That is a gift that you shouldn't waste so easily. Ah, i have almost forgot. Yuki Terumi's power is not the only one thing that you have. You have also the power of his true form. I think his name was Susanoo." "I was suspecting this coming. So what? Now i'm Suzanoo Terumi or something?" "Forget it. That would be unbelievably stupid. Suzaku is enough." Suzaku took a moment to examine his body, starting by his clawed hooves. These claws could be used as his pseudo fingers that he could use to grab something rather than do it by twisting his hooves around. They were very pointed, so he should be careful with them. He doesn't know why, but he has the feeling that his claw can do something else. He instinctively forced his claws to withdraw inside of his hooves as the holes that they left were suddenly closed. He then draw them out again, only to feel a sudden sense of pain. "Ugh! Talking about Wolverine style." "You should look like a normal pony, so not draw them out very often." Suddenly multiple dark monstrous figures were surfacing from black pools formed in the grass. They looked like twisted hellhounds engulfed in black flames with green eyes and fangs made of steel. The top of their heads were literally opened as red flame resembling blood was burning from inside of it. "What the hell are these RPG monster rejects?" "They are part of the consequences of the rise of the Elements of Insanity. Their corruption spread a aura of madness across the dimensions outside their own. A aura capable to generate ungodly creatures name Mindeaters. There are only nine of them in front of you. That would be a opportunity." These monsters were advancing menacingly toward Suzaku, who is actually eager to give them a proper retribution. "You better asphalt these assholes." Suzaku grinned in response to Balamos' affirmation. "You couldn't say anything better, mister president." Suzaku charged his hoof with a surge of green energy and slammed it against the ground as the monsters were attacking him. The impact created a series of pillars of green energy erupting from beneath some of the creatures, instantly disintegrating them. The remaining ones dashed toward him aggressively. He immediately slashed them in pieces in two swings of his sword. Only three remained, trying to assault him in circle. Suzaku quickly charged his sword with the same dark energy from before as he raised it high in the air and slammed it to the ground, bursting into a black-green pyroclasm that erupted around him, incinerating the leaping hellhounds. That was obviously a test, so it was just a exhibition. But just as Suzaku was going to admire the results of his fight, a electric charge struck him, causing him to drop his sword and roughly collapse to the ground. He moaned a little from the pain as his body convulsed briefly. "Ugh! What the-" "I told you to not get cocky. If you needlessly abuse this power, if is not controlled very properly, the excess of energy will backfire depending of the abuse. From a tremendous power comes, you guess it, great responsabilty." "WHY DIDN'T YOU MENTION IT BEFORE!?" "I just wanted to see if you were too drunk with power to commit this mistake. I was right. " "You are a real b-." "Be grateful that your sword is the only thing that doesn't punish you for your mistakes. Look at the positive side. Since your power depends on your trolling abilities, your powers will get easier to use without difficult with the passing of the time." "Grr... Whatever." Suzaku muttered while trying to stood up barely. "I will have some difficulty to deal with them if i have this kind of limitation." "I know you wanted to beat the crap of the Demented seven, but there's one rule that you had to follow: You will take them down without killing them. After their defeat, you had to purify them." "Are you serious!?" "You have also the power to do so. I know that you are not rotten enough to kill anyone." "But they won't collaborate this easily!" "In fact there's one way to make this whole ordeal very easy." "You better tell me, Balamos." Balamos' iris shrunken as to look at Suzaku with a ferocious intensity, putting him in a state of awe. Suzaku, in response, glared at him, trying to not show any fear. "Give me an army. " "An army you said?" Suzaku said surprised. "I don't need a very colossal number of pony freaks. I just need nine or more of them, but to do that, you need to find normal ponies and corrupt them at the same way as the Elements of Insanity are." "So are you telling me that i have to turn them into chaotic psychopaths as well?" "Well dude, that is part of your job." "Isn't that a very bastardous act?" "Hey, your previous episodes of internet trolling are bastardous as well, so you have no right to complain about this. And even if you are right, i will not give a shit about it." "Touche... ish." Suzaku said in annoyance. "But that equals to create more of these freaks. You don't make pretty much sense." "Tell me? Have you seen Pacific Rim? In order to stop these monster we have to send other monsters against them, only more powerfull." "Honestly this is a very stupid idea." "Only if is not executed correctly. Remeber, is not important the form of a idea. Only in the way in which was developed is the real judge of all the outcomes." "And i have to be the one who leads these crazies." "I made you my herald for nothing." "One question: How can i turn these unfortunate ponies into freaks?" A green lightning fell from above and struck the grass in front of Suzaku. In it's wake, a black leather sack appeared in front of him. "That how." "What's in the sack? "Your instruments of persuasion." Suzaku lifted the black sack and felt it a little heavier. He was at least grateful that the spirit that is possessing him gave him a inhuman strength, but he could guess that the content was something very strange. There's must be some stuff made of metal, or so he thought. He opened the sack and looked inside of it to check the content. He was perplexed to find eleven small iron coffins and a sheet with a constantly deforming bloodstain in the middle, which disturbed him a little. He putted that aside and tried to open one of the metallic containers, but even with his claws and his strength, that thing didn't seemed willing to open, much to his slight frustration. "The coffins are sealed by some occult energy. They will open only the right moment." "Well... Thanks for the vague explanation." Suzaku said while putting the coffin back to the sack and closing it "But i don't even know their content. Can you at least tell me what they contain?" "You will know that when one of them is opened." "Is really your intention to make my mission more difficult for fun, isn't it?" "You had also seen a sheet, right?" "A very creepy one, i will say." "Make sure to give a look at it in the future. Believe me or not, that is the list of the ponies you have to recruit. It change his shape according to my will." "You don't have any normal way to do so, isn't it?" "I hope that you are mentally prepared for what awaits you. "I get it. Is about the Mindeaters who are infesting Equestria as we talk." "The only thing that the Elements of Insanity are indirectly responsible for. But that is not the only problem. The time alteration caused by the unknown culprit drastically changed the present of Equestria." "Yeah, about that guy. Do you know who he is?" Suzaku inquired. "Unfortunately he was able to put his plans into practice outside my watch. His identity is still unknown to me." "Seriously? You are a deity and yet that culprit managed to make this mess and lure the Mane Six toward their fate under your nose?" Suzaku said surprised by that apparent flaw. "That is very contradictory. How the hell did you know about it then?" "After the birth of the Elements of Insanity, i looked at the stream of Equestria's timeline and found the alteration. The culprit's form was veiled by a force that made him completely invisible to me in every single frame of the time in which he was involved." "Let's just say that i believe you." Suzaku said, scratching his head. "Really. Is always confusing when timelines explanation and their connections are involved." "Keep in mind. Most of the things are not identical like in the TV show. You will also face some unexpected menaces and various traps. You have also to keep a cover and never mention my existence to anybody." Suzaku began to understand the logic behind the giant eye. Surely, he doesn't know what Balamos has in store for him, but one thing is sure. Even a deity like him cannot be trusted. Suzaku hated to do that, but he had to follow his guide while keeping a eye on his intentions. "Whatever.... Where should i start?" Suzaku demanded. "You will take your time to digest what you had experienced. After you have recovered, i will open a portal that will lead you to the point where you start looking for your first recruit." "Oh, really?" "You better not get cocky. Your mission has just began. Try to not die, ok?" After that, the giant eye disappeared into nothingness, leaving Suzaku in the middle of the surreal, darkened meadow. He remained motionless, taking his time to think about the crazy situation in which he's in. As being turned into a Freak Pony wasn't enough, he had to face go through a deadly journey if he wanted to return to normal and go home. Suzaku should be scared since he know what he's going into, but instead he was thrilled about that. "Don't even think to troll me, Balamos. I will not be your pawn. However, i will follow your indication. Sure, being a pony is very insulting for a Brony manipulating troll like me but i don't think i have this urgency to return in the real world. After all i have only few friends and my parents were to busy with their job to even talk with me. But that is not a problem. Maybe this experience wouldn't be this bad." From that moment on, Suzaku had no choice but to deal with this mess. However, since he liked the idea to crush the now corrupted Elements of Harmony with his new powers, maybe he could also enjoy this madness. Under the orders of Balamos, he was tasked to take them down and purify them. But what Balamos doesn't know is that Suzaku has his own way to deal with this story. Suzaku grinned, confident that he will emerge victorious from the ordeal. That was the beginning of his own seriously absurd villainous journey.
Chapter 1: The First Target (EDITED)The sky was crowded by many dark gray clouds, but there was no rain. In a point far away from a village in the middle of nowhere, a black portal appeared. Armed with a black sack and the unholy powers that Balamos bestowed to him, Suzaku came out of the portal before it disappeared. He appeared as a earth pony with a light green coat, a mane and tail being both emerald green, and retractable claws on his hooves that he could use to grab something rather than do it by twisting his hooves around. He was also wearing a black jacket and a violet vest. Suzaku was awfully surprised to see the place in the distance. The houses were arranged into two parallel rows that form an equal sign, surrounded by a strong looking wooden wall, that blocked every way except the entrance. "So that must be Starlight Glimmer's village." Suzaku said perplexed."But what happened there? I don't remember this fence being there." "That is not supposed to be here according to the TV show, right? " Balamos replied in his head, causing him to flinch and shouting. His heart raced faster due to what Suzaku could consider to the scare caused by that. "You could have at least warned me before using this telepathy of yours! I were almost giving me a heart attack!" "Two months has passed since the Mane Six disappeared from Equestria and succumb to their possession. Many things have changed, and in a horrible way i will add. Besides, did you had at least checked the list that i have given to you?" Realizing to have forgot that, Suzaku rummaged in the sack and pulled out a blank paper with a bloodstain on the middle, that started to deform itself and two words were written with it. Suzaku was little disturbed by that at first, but then his face contorted in irritation upon seeing the name of Starlight Glimmer appearing on the list. He wasn't happy about it. "You cannot be serious." Suzaku quietly protested. "Why i have to recruit this retard of all peo-ehm ponies?" "Starlight Glimmer is a prodigy with her magic and can use it like a pro if she want. You should know that since you were informed about the francise, thought you were doing that just to deliver some bashing precision strike in your daily trolling." "Why not Celestia or Luna?" "Equestria need their rulers, so is unwise to corrupt them. Besides, you had forgot the rules about the recruitment that i have told you before your arrival. You're very predictable, to even think about that. You can't turn them into pony freaks due to their immunity." "I get it, i get it. But what about Discord?" "Take a look to the paper before spewing names at random." Suzaku glanced to the list once more when the name of Starlight dissolved itself into the bloodstain, only for it to write a list with various names. He wasn't this happy when he found out what is all about. Recruitment Ban List. Celestia. Luna. The Pillars (Starswhirl the Bearded included). Tirek. Chrysalis. Discord. Storm King. Tempest Shadow. Princess Nova. "Not giving me any alternative, huh?" Suzaku said resigned before letting out a frustrated groan. "Besides, having a unstable Celestia will only make the situation even worst." "Nevermind. But wasn't Starlight supposed to be in the Castle of Friendship? If i'm -" Suzaku stooped, recalling something that Balamos told to him. "Oh, i forgot. Due to the time alteration of that mysterious culprit, Twilight wasn't around, so Starlight was never reformed. She remained her insufferable older self that is now planning a revenge against her." "Which makes her even MORE ANNOYING. She was a little bearable after she became good." "Since the corruption of the Mane Six happened in the past because of the culprit behind this change of history, Starlight is still eager to exact revenge against Twilight. Plus, that perpetrator has put a seal that affects every part of Equestria with the power to prevent any attempt of time travel. In order words, if you are thinking to go in the past to make the job easier, forget it. You got nerfed." "I'm not even able to do that, so your sarcasm is unnecessary. But if she's not able to go in the past, then what is she doing right now?" "Starlight found out that Twilight traveled into another dimension, which is half true, but doesn't know what dimension. Unable to reach her, Starlight studied a way to replicate the magic mirror and travel into other dimensions. But then something happened to her." "What, exactly?" "That is something that you have to find out on your own, as well as to discover the reason of that fence. You know where looking for since i told you about it before i opened the portal. You have also the tool that you have to use to corrupt Starlight. So don't waste anymore time and find your next target." "Wait! You didn't even-" "My rule has spoken" With those words, Balamos' presence leaved his head for real. Suzaku was left irritated by the mocking behavior of his boss. Something that he will not get use to. He shrugged off all his nervousness and walked his way toward the village. He wasn't in so much hurry to reach it- "I'm still against the idea to recruit Starlight Glimmer, but it has to be done. I know where she is. The problem is how to reach her. That fence blocked every entrance, including Starlight's former escape route. So i have to go for the main entrance and going inside her house unnoticed." As he pondered about the possible options, a grin formed in his face. "If i find her, I will be tempted to troll her hard." In his arrival, Suzaku found a unusual scenario. There is nopony around. Very strange considering that it is usually crowded. His attention was then caught by a strange monument in front of him. It's form was a bizarre one, and has nothing to do with the "equestrian mythology" according to his thinking. The monument was the sculpture of a bizarre marble emblem depicting a crud helmet of a soldier with a circle being in the middle of a warped sun. "This is not the Sameness Sign, but is still something." Suzaku said, observing the object. "What kind of demented design is that? And why is this military helmet being depicted here? " He immediately put aside his curiosity and headed toward the house in the end of the two, being Starlight's former house, but was then stopped by Night Glider approaching him from above unannounced. Caught by surprise, he stepped back instinctively. "Excuse me, sir." Night Glider said, landing in front of Suzaku. "Yes?" Suzaku asked nervously. "We do not receive many visitors lately. What brings you here?" Night said, smiling normally. "Thank god, that wasn't a creepy smile." He thought. "If i'm not mistaken, she was one of the four Starlight's followers. I think her name was Night Gloryhole or whatever the hell her name was. I never cared very much for second characters. In any case, I have to enter Starlight's house without any problem. I have also to justify my presence "I'm just a private detective. I was just asked by Starlight's parents to investigate about her disappearance. Did you see her?" Suzaku asked, obviously half lying. "Well... She left the town some weeks ago. I don't know anything about her whereabouts." Night answered. "Nevermind." Suzaku said, knowing already the answer. "Besides, there's one thing that doesn't add up." "Hmm?" Night looked at him confused. "Why is there a fence?" Suzaku asked. Night opened her mouth, but was then interrupted by another mare who was approaching them. This time being Sugar Bell, who was wearing a green cloak. "If you permit me, i will tell you anything you need to know." Sugar Bell said, looking apologetic. "Really?" Suzaku asked. "I ask you to follow me if you don't mind. After all, you should be hungry after all that travel that you had done to come here. Am I right?" Sugar said. "Well, if you insist." Suzaku said. "You will not regret that, sir." Sugar Bell replied cheerfully. "Ehm, what was your name again? Sugar Cube?" He though. Suzaku followed Sugar Bell and went into her bakery accompanied by Night Glider. It was like how he previously saw. It was a very humble one. He took a look around the room as he walked toward a table were some sweets were exposed. There are some Apple pies, caramel apples and caramel pear pies. Obviously, despite this being a bakery, there are no buns or salty food. He cannot even complain since sweets were almost the main food in Equestria. He then looked at the paintings hanging of the walls and noticed a very familiar detail. One of then was depicting the same emblem of the monument, this time showing it's colors. The crude soldier helmet was brown, the circle was colored in bloody red, and in warped sun around them is golden. "Why I have the feeling that the town is ruled by another crazy cult?" Suzaku thought, feeling a little disturbed. "Your dress is very weird, but look pretty cool."Night Glider commented. "Rarity made this?" "No, that was the job of a stallion named Neo Smith." Suzaku answered, inventing the name. "I never heard of him." "He preferred remain unpopular. It was his choice. " Suzaku said. "I know that will look like exaggerated to you," Sugar Bell said as she goes behind the reception. "But we have built this fence to protect our town." "By what?" Suzaku asked. "Creatures engulfed in black flames." Sugar said. "Black flames?" Suzaku said, trying to hide his shocked surprise as his eyes widened. "Some weeks ago we heard from Celestia that they appeared in the Everfree Forest and killed a few ponies and other creatures. And they are now wandering across Equestria undisturbed, preying on the defenseless. That happened some days after the disappearance of Twilight and her friends. The Elements of Harmony disappeared with them. " Suzaku was unconvinced, and a little distracted too. He was per se listening, but he cannot shrug off his own paranoia about that emblem. The circumstances looked too familiar to him. "Sorry, lady but they are engulfed in flames and this fence is made of wood." Suzaku precised. "Which is why Celestia also provided us a magic protection spell that allowed us to made the fence fireproof." Sugar informed. Suzaku stared at Sugar with a perplex look, and not just because she explained the fireproof part vaguely. "Is not like we don't trust the authorities, but we had to be prepared as soon as we can." Sugar added. "Judging by her description, these creatures must be Mindeaters. Just like the hellhounds that Balamos sent against me during the test." "Now let me show that new creation mine. Strawberry creamed cupcake." Sugar said cheerfully, heading a red cupcake on him. "There you go." Suzaku was tempted to take a bite at first, but then he remembered something that he put a halt to this temptation. He considered that a crazy possibility, but that situation and these three words were too familiar too him. "Hey, miss." Suzaku said, looking at Night Glider. "What about if you took a bite of it first?" "What?" Night responded, chuckling nervously. "No, i pass. I'm not hungry at the moment." "Are you sure?" "Ye-" Night couldn't finish the phrase that Suzaku quickly stuffed the cupcake in her mouth and forced her to swallow. Suzaku pulled back his hoof, leaving Night Glider coughing, trying to catch her breath after that forced feeding as Sugar watched the scene bewildered. "What the heck are you DOING?!" Sugar yelled as Suzaku raised his hoof. Suddenly, black chains appeared from above her and wrapped her body, blocking their limbs while making her stand on their two legs forcefully. She struggled to release herself, but the chains. Sugar glowed her horn and tried to use her magic, but that only emitted some sparks with nothing happening. Suzaku's hoof became engulfed by a black aura and transformed into a sword of black-green energy. Sugar face contorted in fear as he pointed his incorporated weapon toward her. "Don't even try to scream." Suzaku warned. Sugar doesn't say anything. Suzaku calmly turned his head toward a slightly angered Night, looking at her as he was watching a scene he saw already. "Wait for it," Suzaku said. "Waaaaait for it." Night Glider glared at him and tried to do something, but felt instantly light headed. The female pegasus staggered, feeling weak and dizzied with the pass of the seconds. Her eyelids became heavier, connected with her growing fatigue. "Oh, no... It's already affecting.. me...." Night murmured before she passed out and collapsed to the floor. Sugar Bell glanced powerless to the unconscious Night Glider and then back to Suzaku, who was looking at her with a calm arrogance. "I'll won't even apologize for that," Suzaku announced with a filter of mockery in his voice. "I'm too fed up of these cliches. You should had considered your choice of bait sweets." Sugar Bell stared at him. Her face suddenly develop a grim veil on her eyes, filled with a sinister glow. "How did you know about the sleeping drug that I put in that pastry?" Sugar asked calmly. "Two days ago I heard about the urban legend of a infamous earth pony named Pinkatilo." Suzaku began, telling a really a absurd story like it was a fact. "Her method was always the same: lure her victims, making them sleep and using his 'tool' to turn them into 'cupcakes'." "You think that i'm that killer, right?" Sugar asked. "No. I just said that to screw with you. But, honestly, does that even matter?" Suzaku mocked. "What do you want?" Sugar asked with a stern voice. "Look, that emblem of yours is bothering me since I had arrived in this town." Suzaku responded, gesturing to the painting of the emblem. "Just tell me what's going on." Sugar took a moment to gather her words. Despite Suzaku pointing his sword against her, she was completely calm, which was making him reflect. It was too easy. "Let me tell you about the miracle happened two weeks ago," Sugar began. "What miracle?" He asked. "Some weeks ago, Twilight and her friends disappeared from the face of Equestria without leaving any trance. Their amulet, the Elements of Harmony, were missing as well. Without that, Equestria will be in danger and Celestia has done absolutely nothing about it." "In other words, Celestia never came in this town to begin with. But then what happened?" "We're having nightmares about a new menace that threatened to harm us. This dream hunted us for contless nights.... Until the day a alicorn, completely different by the ones we know well, came to help us. That was our savior." "Oh, for the love of-" Suzaku halted his sentence and groaned in sign of annoyance before continuing. "Savior you say?" "She gave us a new meaning to our lives and save us from the illusion of sanity and the deception of Celestia and Luna," Sugar Bell euphorically announced. "Madness is the only reality and Despair our only sister that could fill our hearts. We rejoiced this new life under her aegis." Suzaku was disturbed to hear that. In comparison to Starlight's story, something that he saw; this one wasn't about warped idea born by a "friendship misunderstanding". Sugar Bell's story was a dementedly dark one with a sense of death lurking in her words. Eager to get out and not wanting to know the rest, he dissolved his energy blade, reverted his hoof back to normal and took a few steps toward the door. "No, thanks." Suzaku said as he was about to head toward the exit. "I have something important to do. I won't waste anymore time on you." "You will not have the time to do it." Sugar said with a sinister smirk. Suzaku could heard a loud sound of something closing, coming from the outside. "Are you kidding me!?" Suzaku exclaimed. Suzaku stormed out of the bakery and turned his head toward the entrance of the town. He realized it was too late since the gates were closed, blocking his only way to escape. As that wasn't enough, the inhabitants were already out of their houses to circle him, closing him in a wall of frenzy. They were waiting for him for this whole time, each one armed with a shovel shaped sword. Each one of the unicorns of the mob used his magic to lift five of these swords above them and point them toward their prey. His paranoia became founded by them wearing the same cloak as Sugar with the difference that they were red instead of green. The inhabitants weren't making that odd smile, but their faces looked grimly frenzied, accompanied by a glimmer of madness in their eyes. "I apologize," said a grinning Party Favor being among them. "But we cannot let you escape. After all, you will be the next member of our brotherhood." Suzaku facehoofed in response to that statement that confirmed current situation. "Holy Ainz Ooal Gown on a electric guitar, i knew that was gonna happen. This is another freaking cult!" He complained mentally. "Did you have learned nothing from the mistakes of the idiocy of Starlight Glimmer's cult?" Suzaku said a little irritated. "She was a fool," Sugar deviously said, emerging from the crowd. "Starlight's concept of friendship consisted sorely on a cheap idea of equality without cutey marks because she wanted to compensate her loneliness." "I don't know your intentions, but aren't you doing the same thing?" Suzaku asked. "You are not even a real detective, aren't you?" Sugar said "We are different from Starlight. We won't brainwash you." "Oh really?" Suzaku asked unconvinced. "Purify you is more than enough." Sugar announced. "To me it looks like the same thing." Suzaku commented. "So that emblem represent indeed some sort of cult." "DON'T EVEN THINK OF DISMISS OF OUR EMBLEM AS A MERE SYMBOL!!" Double Diamond, also being among the ponies, screamed in rage, almost freaking out Suzaku. Then, a chilling, gurgling noise echoed from behind them. Suzaku could see some dark shapes engulfed in black flames taking a very familiar form from behind the frenzied ponies. He immediately recognized them from their canine form and the blood colored flames coming out of their heads. They were accompanied by humanoid figures engulfed in black orange flames. "T-the Hell Hounds? And they got reinforcements too?" Suzaku murmured. "Wherever there is a mind eroded by madness, a Mindeater lurks in their shadows and devoured every trace of sanity remained in their victims. One piece at time. However, these ponies, including that Sugar Bell, were somehow able to make them their allies, which is quiet odd. Probably somepony give them the ability to do so." "So this is how she knew about the Mindeaters." Suzaku said very quietly, a little annoyed by his boss' sudden telepathic contact."Thanks for the info. But you know, Balamos? That is a really screw up time to talk inside my head." "Don't even bother to fight them. There's still the power abuse penalty issues. It need time for it to diminish this strict limit." "You're the kind of pony who doesn't have faith in our savior," Diamond continued. "The one who resurrected our hope after the disappearance of the Elements of Harmony." "But who the hell is this savior?" Suzaku asked. "The same one who gave these new friends to us, stranger." Sugar zealously said, referring to the black flaming creatures. "They will serve our cause." "This truth was given to us two weeks ago," Diamond informed. "Our savior came in the form of a wise alicorn. And that alicorn is our savior, which name doesn't deserve to be mentioned in front those like you." "Very convenient this vagueness of yours." Suzaku said deadpan. "She is the one who show the truth about the laws that rules this world." Sugar said with gleeful and yet serious tone. "Celestia and Luna deceived us for a very long time. But she unmasked their lies and revealed the Elements of Harmony's their true colors as the self proclaimed Elements of Insanity. But i have faith in Painset, because she will save us all!!" Another wave of Mindeaters emerged from behind the crowd, that seemed to want claim Suzaku's life if he doesn't play ball. But more creepier than that was their misguided faith in something so twisted. "You should join us. We need a powerful pony like you." Sugar said with a serene tone before shifting into a twisted one. "Which is why we have to mangle you a little." "Wow. You took a very wrong interpretation of salvation," Suzaku retorted with a mocking tone. "Could you at least just let Celestia give you her version of the facts before giving in that cult of yours?" "We suffered our nightmares and her deception for too long." Sugar said grimly. "We will not going back in that fake, warped reality ever again. Nor will you." The living circle tightens around him. The inhabitants approached Suzaku with a disquieting pace, followed by the flaming creatures. Their gleeful frenzy, their chilling intent in their eyes and the monstrous sounds was a unpleasant scene. That wasn't some creepypasta. It's a real deal that he will taste on his skin very soon. Suzaku was a little scared. He should be terrified instead, but knowing to possess his powers and due to the boost that his confidence received from that, he was able to maintain a medium amount of his calm. He doesn't do anything. He remain still. As they were almost reaching him, Suzaku gave his opinion about it. "You know what? Fuck it!" Suzaku exclaimed before dissolving in black-green flames, much to their shocked surprise. He reappeared nearby the penultimate house of the left row and immediately headed toward Starlight's house as fast as he could. Sugar and her followers turned their head toward him, who was almost far from their reach. "Seize him!" Sugar shouted furiously as both her followers and the swarm of Mindeaters rushed toward him. "The heretic must not step inside Starlight's former house!" All of the unicorns of the mob launched their shovel shaped swords toward him like they were arrows in response to her order.. Suzaku continued to gallop toward the house while dodging the flying swords that ended up missing him and being stuck on the ground. Some of the hellhounds made a leap long and were almost reaching their meal. As Suzaku reached the door of the house, he stopped and quickly raised his hoof. A wall of dark fire suddenly raised from ground and grows as taller as mountain and, dividing him from his chasers and incinerating both the hellhounds and some of the shovel swords launched by the unicorns of the mob. Sugar and her followers halted their run. The Mindeaters did the same thing one second later. Suzaku rushed inside and closed the door. He draw out his claws, grabbed a shelf near to him and use it to block the entrance, not even caring about the dishes and any other stuff falling from it and being shattered on the floor. He then went in the bedroom and overturned the bed, revealing a secret passage; quickly went downstairs and proceeded to explore the underground tunnel that Starlight used to escape in the past. "A united front of Cultists and Mindeaters. Now that start to sounds like the millionth creepypasta to me." Suzaku withdraw his claws and headed toward the end of the tunnel where he was supposed to find the exit, only to find it blocked by a big pile of rocks with a glow illuminating it from the left. He walked toward the source and found a third passage leading into a carved tunnel, illuminated by various torch hanging on the walls, burning in blue flames. "Even that wasn't there before," Suzaku said. "That must be the reason why they tried to stop me." He walked through the path and end up into a large and grotesque room, also illuminated by the blue torches. It looked like a combination between a prison and a ceremonial room used for some ritual sacrifice, which was baffling for him. There are cells on his right and on his left respectively. At the end of the room there was a altar with a statue behind it. That gave him a bad scenario briefly playing in his mind. Having saw and read various MLP's grimdark fanfics, he was used to their dark atmosphere. But seeing that kind of thing personally was a completely different thing. "That is more messed up than i have imagined." He lifted his eyes on the statue of a alicorn being behind the altar, which appearance instantly stunned him. "What?" Suzaku said. He walked toward the object to check if what he was seeing is what he think it is. His eyes widened in disbelieve, and for a valid reason. It was too ridiculous to be believed. He could see that this statue represent their god, but he wasn't expecting it having a striking resemblance with another pony that he saw in a juvenile spin off. "Sunset Shimmer?" Suzaku said a little loudly. "That cannot be right. Sunset didn't became a alicorn.... at least that has something to do with the time alteration." The object in front of him was apparently a stone statue of a alicorn Sunset Shimmer. But it wasn't normal one. Much like Brutalight Sparcake, it looked like a demented version of Sunset, as it was demonstrated by her psychotic smile and her sinister eyes. But more baffling of all was her cutey mark. Instead of her sun shaped tao symbol, it almost resembled the emblem that he saw. It's the same crude helmet of a soldier with the blood circle, only without the warped sun. Though that he can count the blood circle itself as a warped sun. As he was going to questioning about the alicornhood of the pony, one of the memories of the Mane Six's corruption emerged in his mind. The memory of Twilight corruption gave him some chilling hint "Is this thing telling me that Sunset was somehow lured into the Freak World as well, was then possessed by some TF2 Freak's ghost, resulting her becoming a alicorn freak in the same way as Twilight, and managed somehow to appear in this village that now is considering her as their god?" "Aaaargh..." a female voice coming from the cage on his left groaned, interrupting his pondering and drawing his attention. "My head.... W-where am I?" He walked toward the cell only to find a very dizzied violet maned pink unicorn laying on the ground. Her face and cutey mark matched to the description. He has no doubt about it. "I found Starlight Glimmer." Suzaku confirmed with sarcasm. "Smuckhead as ever."
Chapter 2: The Desecration of Starlight Glimmer. (EDITED)In the underground occult ritual room under the town with no name, Suzaku finally found the mare he was looking for, who is also the pony which name appeared in the list and the first one Balamos wanted him to recruit, much to his annoyance due to his adverse opinion toward her. Starlight was behind the bars, under the aftereffects of some drugs to notice him. Not having been reformed by Twilight due to the time alteration, she retained her old mane style. "So she fell for the cupcake's trap after all... But maybe is not her case." As Starlight tried to recover mentally, Suzaku stood up on his two legs and withdraw his claws. He then summoned a huge black sword, wielded it and proceeded to cut the iron bars of the cells with three quick swings, making her jumping backwards for the fright as the pieces of the bar sonorously fell on the ground in front of her eyes. Starlight was breathing heavily and her face looked like she was almost having a heart attack. She slowly rose up and looked at Suzaku's serious face. "W-who are you?!" Starlight asked a little hesitant and confused. "I'm only some pony that some invisible deity sent to retrieve your useless ass." Suzaku explained, bluntly. "Useless a... what!?" Starlight shouted, slightly irritated only to be interrupted by her migraine. "Aaaarrgh.... My head hurts." "Take your time." Suzaku said as he released his weapon from his grasp and withdraw his claws before returning in his four legged stance. The sword disappeared in a black mist before it could touch the ground. Starlight was a little intimidated to see Suzaku's appearance. It wasn't normal for a earth pony to have claws that he can use to grab something or even having some kind of magic. Suzaku understood her reaction, but he wouldn't even bother to explain that since he's lazy to do so, and not just because he loath her. "How did you get there?" Suzaku asked. "I don't know... my memory is a little blurry at the moment but...."Starlight said massaging her head with her hoof until she stopped, having remembered something. "Wait.... Sugar Bell drugged me!" "You fell for the Cupcake mcguffin and end up being caged in this place, right?" Suzaku said bluntly. "What cupcake? I'm just tel-... i mean had come back in my house to take a rest." Starlight said a little nervous. "I was reading a book, but then, without knowing, she entered in my house, appeared from behind me and drugged me with some sleeping powder." Suzaku looked at her unconvinced, He can tell that she was lying, but he prefered to play ball for the moment. "What is this place?" Starlight asked as she looked around. "We are under your village," Suzaku informed. "Just take a look. This is some sort of ceremonial room that was used for a ritual, apparently." "A what?" Starlight said baffled before coming out of her cell and headed toward the altar. She stopped and examined both the altar and the statue of the demented alicorn Sunset Shimmer, oblivious of her identity. She stared at the object with a shocked look, as like she was reliving some sort of awful memories. "If you are going to ask that, yes," Suzaku said bluntly,"That statue represent the god of this town, and Sugar Bell is the leader of a cult of psychos that worships this alicorn." Starlight trembled, too much absorbed in her thoughts to listen Suzaku's last sentence. She remain silent for a moment, then spoke. "So this happened... They were against my point of view and yet have no problem found a cult of their own and replaced me with this.... THING!" Starlight said with a fiber of hate in her voice, stomping her hoof on the ground. "This alicorn reminded me of a pony that i hate most." "Are you talking about another alicorn?" Suzaku commented. "If is that so, why all this grudge for her anyway?" "You don't have idea of what she and her friends did to me." Starlight angrily said. "She has-" "Let me guess," Suzaku interrupted "She and her friends dismantled your own utopia built through you have founded in your town? And now you are planning to go back in time to prevent the sixth ponies from becoming friends in the first place, but you were prevented to do so by a mysterious force?" She stopped trembling upon hearing his words. Her eyes widened. Starlight turned toward Suzaku and stared at him with a stern look. Nopony outside herself and the ones who know her knows about that. "How did you know about it?" Starlight questioned with a inquisitive tone. "I know everything about you." Suzaku said. "Look, i will let you go if you want... But Sugar Bell and his followers won't let you to do that, especially since they built a fence and closed the gates." "Guess what. I can!" Starlight said confidently as she ignite her horn and disappeared in front of him, only to reappear inside of the cell she was in. "What!?" Starlight tried again, but reappeared in the same cell. She tried one third time and reappeared in the same spot, much to her frustration. "It's seems like they found a way to trick your teleportation spell." Suzaku said, but Starlight wasn't even listening. Suzaku glanced at the ceiling with a bored look as Starlight continued her vain attempts to teleport herself out of the room only to reappear in the cell. After the last try, Starlight gave up, panting heavily and looking really stressed. Suzaku smirked before saying his opinion about that. "Can you please..... Stop stressing?" Suzaku asked sardonically. "Aaaaargh!" Starlight stormed out of the cell infuriated and headed toward him. "Are you telling me they had trapped me here through some magical expedient!?" "Oh, yeah, lady. Is influencing any place related to the town. And the interesting thing is that they were after me as well." Suzaku informed. "Hopefully i put a flaming wall that prevented them to follow me. That will last for about other thirteen minutes." "What they want from you?" Starlight questioned curious. "They wanted me to join them, and yet they tried to butcher me first." Suzaku affirmed crudely. "Butcher you?!... That's really dark." Starlight said disturbed. "That may be you, horned hothead." Suzaku retorted, resulting Starlight becoming slightly annoyed."By the way, i will help you to get out of this mad town and let you resume your revenge. But you have to follow me." "Why should i trust a pony who i just met two minutes ago? You didn't even told your name." Starlight said, scowling at him. "If i have to introduce myself, i mustn't use my real name, nor even the pony name i have used before, Zeal Breaker. Zeal Breaker Is just too improvised. Let me see..... Ah, here it is." "I'm Zaidel Goenilx." Suzaku announced. "As i said before, i was sent to retrieve you." "What do you mean by retrieve me?" Starlight asked confused. "My boss is interested to your magical abilities. If you will follow me, he will help you to reach the dimension in which they are now," Suzaku explained. "I can do this without you." Starlight protested. "I will not be the puppet of anypony else!" Suzaku remained silent and impassive as Starlight was about to walk away. Then he spoke. "Good, considering that i was against your recruitment from the very beginning." Suzaku pointed out. "But let me tell you one thing before you go. Sugar Bell has a entire army of followers and black flaming monsters on her side, and had any more possible way to screw with your magic, just like she did with your teleport." Starlight recoiled and remained silent, looking a little frustrated and apparently believing his words. "I cannot believe that my boss to asked me to looking for a buffoon like you." Suzaku complained, facehoofing. "What did you just said!?" Starlight asked, feeling insulted. "Did you enjoy making fun of me!?" "Not at all," Suzaku lied. "Now let talking about your philosophy. You think that "true friendship" comes from being equal, ergo with nopony being inferior or superior than another, and that having special talents and different opinions - the core of individuality - only leads to misery.... I call that bullshit." "What!?" Starlight said, glaring very angrily at him. "You don't practice what you had preached to them right?" Suzaku stated. "At the top of it, you removed their cutey mark except your own. Additionally, you had enslaved them and brainwashed them to embrace you point of view. What kind of screwed up equality is that?" "Shut up, shut up! SHUT UP!" Starlight shouted furiously. "I managed to give them equality and happiness! I had to do that in order to give them the real friendship that they deserve! What gives you the right to make fun of it?" "Judging by your friends words, it doesn't look like that to me since you didn't even give them the chance to be your friends." Suzaku said one second before Starlight gasped sharply. "Bastard, they pointed out about the flaws of your idea of friendship and yet you're still bossing them like some moronic cult leader. No wonder they left you." "Twilight and her friends turned them against me!" Starlight said angered. "This town was perfect before their arrival, but now not only they took it away from me, but that alicorn replaced me and corrupted my former followers too. If they left me continue to lead their lives, this place wouldn't be reduced like this!" "Well, let me confirm some news, bittersweet dumbass." Suzaku said. "You are leading just two things, right now: Twix Bars and shit... and Twix Bars were smart and badass enough to leave town." "W-wh..." Starlight stutter, unable to understand the logic of that statement. "What does that even mean!?" "That now your utopia is nothing." Suzaku said bluntly. "Especially since i have a dictaphone inside my bag that i had turned on while you were trying to teleport yourself out of here in vain." Suzaku said, gesturing the said bag. "A...a-a dictaphone?" "Ah, i forgot." Suzaku gleefully said "I know that i look a like a casual stranger, but i'm a undercover Royal Guard. And since you won't collaborate with me, i will take you with the force and escort to Canterlot. Specifically, to my boss, who is actually Celestia, and tell her about your methods and what happened to this town. This proof is enough for me to arrest you. Don't try to resist." "DON'T EVEN TRY!" Starlight finally snapped as she ignited her horn. "You're not going to do a thing to me! It's time to teach you the lesson that you deserve!" "Good for me, because i don't mind having some resistance. Time for some hardcore trolling action." He thought. Starlight aimed her charging horn toward him shot her magic beam toward him. Suzaku quickly raised his hoof and created a green energy barrier in front him. Just like a mirror, the beam ricocheted off the deflecting aegis and whizzed back to the pink unicorn, right in her face, causing her being launched backwards. She slammed violently against the wall and fell to the ground. "You asked for-UGH!" Just when Suzaku was tasting her fail, a familiar electric charge struck him, causing him to flop on the side. He was a little disoriented by that, moaning and clenching her teeth for the pain. That shock is still a pain even after the first time. He forcefully lifted his head toward the dazed pink unicorn. "Balamos is a jackass!" Suzaku complained "I don't care! He told me to not abuse of my powers but never told me any specific information about this penalty!" Starlight was so stunned from the impact of her deflected attack that she was having some difficulty to get up, giving him the time to get up once the electric charge ceased to vex him. She shook her head, trying to shrug off the dizziness. Suzaku already noticed her attempt to recover and there's no way he would allow that. Suzaku he pointed his clawed left hoof toward her, charged it with a surge of darkness and shot a dart of dark violet energy that whizzed toward her. Starlight immediately create a magic shield around her, causing the dart to collide with the barrier and burst into a violet explosion that shattered the shield into pieces. She yelled instinctively as she was shielding her face from the shield's energy shards with her hoof. "This is what i call a Shadow Shotgun." Suzaku proclaimed, charging his claws once more. "The top of the long ranged punishment." He shot other two energy darts toward Starlight who immediately lit her horn and hoovered in mid air through her levitation spell. She flew toward him while charging her horn. Knowing her next move, Suzaku quickly charged the claws on his right hoof and swung them forward, shooting a dark slashing wave toward her shadow below her. Starlight realized what is going to happen next, so she used her charged magic to create another shield around her. The wave hit a point of the ground near to her position and exploded into a green pillar from below that thrown her in the air, making her fall toward him. Her levitation spell and the shield were interrupted by her loss of concentration. For Suzaku, that is a good opportunity. He grinned about that thought. "Time to going Mike Haggar on this one!" He jumped in the air toward her, grabbed her by her waist with his hooves and slammed her headfirst into the ground with a piledriver. That created a crater with multiple cracks during the impact. Starlight merely wailed in pain before passing out for the violent collision. Suzaku released the pink unicorn from his grasp and and lay down supine on the ground with her lower body being near to his legs. He then moved away her now battered body with his own feets and took his time to recover. He was panting a little, looking surprised for what he was able to do. No one was able to do this impossible thing. Not even in pony form. "Hell if this performance of mine was insane." Suzaku said. "YOU IDIOT!!" Balamos' voice suddenly thundered in his head, almost scaring him "You are supposed to recruit her. Not kill her." Suzaku's eyes widened in fear as he realized to have really overdid during the fight. "Oh, shit." Suzaku quickly stood up four legged and put reluctantly his hoof on her own neck to check her heartbeat. Starlight is unconscious, but is fine and breathing a little despite the impact that the piledriver had on her head. Her horn was left intact. Suzaku sighed in relief for his own reasons. "If that happens with the next pony, you will not feel so relieved." "Listen, i overdid. I'm sorry, ok?" Suzaku said with a rude tone. "So... what i have to do now before the corruption part?" "First of all, block her. She must be conscious before her corruption, so don't let her escape." Suzaku raised his hoof and summoned the black chains from above her and mentally wrapped her body with them, blocked her hooves and hanged her in a crucifix position. The only thing remained to do was to wait for her to regain consciousness. Suzaku then took his distance from the chained mare. "Now i should turn her into a freak once she wakes up." Suzaku confirmed. "That was-" "Yeah, the plan." Suzaku interrupted. "Look, i need a answer." "About what?" Balamos questioned, annoyed by his interruption. "About Sunset Shimmer being turned into a pony freak and showing up in this town as it's own god." Suzaku said, pointing at the statue. "You didn't mention her being trapped into the Freak World as well." "I didn't expect her to show up in Equestria. You figured that out by the cutey mark, right?" "Yes, and-." Suzaku suspended his sentence, having realized a very peculiar detail, facehoofing irritated by that. "Now i understand the helmet and the shovel shaped swords that the inhabitants were wielding... They were referencing the Soldier from TF2 in both his helmet and his meele weapon... i can't believe is actually true," "Maybe because Sunset is possessed by the spirit of a Soldier Class Type TF2 Freak which name doesn't deserve to being mentioned. She is now a alicorn abomination with the name of Painset Shimmercakes." "Whoa. That is even more trashy." Suzaku commented with sarcasm. "You will not take her so lightly since she is horribly at the same level as Brutalight." "Except that you have not implanted any memory of her in my mind." "Twilight will eventually purify Sunset after you had purified all the Demented Seven. Now proceed to corrupt Starlight Glimmer." "But there's a problem: How can i open one of the small iron coffins inside the my bag?" Suzaku questioned. "They didn't even had a opening at all." "Well..." *Clach* Suddenly a metallic sound echoed through the room. It came from his bag. He draw out his claws and rummaged into it. He was surprised to find one of the small iron coffins briefly glowing with a cyan light and literally opening in two on it's own, revealing it's content. He pulled out the coffin and took the content before discarding away the other parts. The object that he was holding was a very sharpened scissor, which leaves him very confused and worried about the reliability of the item. "That is what you mean with persuasion?" Suzaku demanded. Balamos didn't respond. "Yeah, whatever. Continue to keep me in the dark about your logic." Suzaku said sarcastically. Balamos still doesn't respond. Suzaku observed the tool once more. He could see some similarity that he saw in the past. "It's form looks very familiar to me." Suzaku said, observing the object. "Strange that you didn't mention anything about the "trauma part with Sunburst" to Starlight. I mean, you are troll after all." "Hey. I'm above rub it in brutally with the past of the others." Suzaku stated. "If you want me recruit her, i had to use the right words, including provocations or incentives. Only with the right use of the oratory i can gain some result." "As i suspected, you have your on way with words." "So, Balamos, what i am supposed to do with this scissor?" Suzaku asked confused. "Stab her." Balamos said calmly. That phrase left Suzaku speechless, suddenly questioning about the deity's sanity. "Can you repeat, please?" Suzaku asked. "Stab her." Suzaku remain silent once more and took his time to counter respond to his words. "That is really hypocrite of you since you were scolding me about not killing her some seconds ago." "That won't kill her. Trust my word." Balamos said before leaving Suzaku, who was still unconvinced about his methods. After nine minutes that seemed a eternity for him, Starlight showed some signs of her mind stirring into consciousness. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling weak and dazed. She glanced at him without any kind of reaction. A tremendous feeling of newfound vertigo was washing over, accompanied by a headache. As she got a clear sight of him, she tried to move, but it was useless. The chains were pulling her limbs very tight. She struggled furiously to break free, but every attempt exhausted and hurt her even more. She moaned as the pain in her head intensified for each struggle. Starlight pointed her horn toward him and tried to use her magic, but her horn refuses to work due to the effect of the chains wrapped around her body, much to her newfound frustration. She looked at Suzaku, who is watching her with a bored look. "What is the meaning of this?!" Starlight shouted. "The only thing you can do now is calm down. You're becoming annoying after a while." Suzaku replied. "So you are going to arrest me?" Starlight questioned angrily. "You will going to Celestia and tell everything about my plans? You are really willing-" "Just shut up. I will not doing any of this." Suzaku said a little annoyed. "But you said that your boss is Celestia. You are not a undercover Royal Guard?" Starlight inquired. "I lied." Suzaku confirmed. Starlight remained silent for a moment, then she spokes. "What?" Starlight said quietly in confusion with wide eyes. "My real boss is someone who want to remain anonymous." Suzaku grinned. "Besides, i will give you a particular treatment." "What you are going to do with me?" Starlight questioned, disturbed by the expression he used. "That is not about what i want, but what you want for yourself." Suzaku said with a devious grin. "For myself?" Starlight said puzzled. "Why you are after me? What do you want from me?!" "My objective was to recruit you... But not in the way that you are expecting." Suzaku said. "What are you talking about!?" Starlight demanded impatiently. "You want get revenge against Twilight and her friends, right?" Suzaku deviously said. Starlight didn't saying anything, unsure about why he want to hear a answer that was already obvious to him, but since there isn't much that she can do about her situation, she answered anyway. "Y-yes." Starlight answered reluctantly. "But what are you trying to gain from that?" Suzaku didn't respond. He only pointed her with the scissor he was holding with his claws. Starlight's expression quickly shifted into a frightened one. "W-what are you going to do with that scissor!?" Starlight yelled frightened. "If a piece of wood is good enough for you, then this scissor is good enough for me." Suzaku affirmed. "That's not funny!" Starlight protested. "I know that. I'm sorry, but this is gonna hurt." Suzaku said, almost regretting that before tossing the scissor at the frightened Starlight. She yelled and closed her eyes shut as the scissor whizzed right into her chest. But instead of piercing her, the scissor simply entered inside her, much to his surprise. "So what Balamos said was true... In a very weird logic i should say." For Starlight, it stung at first, but then she didn't felt any other pain at all. Puzzled, she opened her eyes looked down to her chest, having no wounds. She then lifted her eyes on Suzaku, who was just as puzzled as her. "Don't ask how. It just happened." Suzaku said calmly. "I won't allow any-" Starlight couldn't finish her sentence that something was assaulting her mind, causing her to scream instinctively. Realizing that something is going on, Suzaku mentally commanded the chains to put her down gently and release her before making them disappear into nothingness. A dark red aura suddenly engulfed her body. Starlight slowly rose up, but in a very unusual way. She was standing on her two legs like a human without even realizing it, holding her head with her hooves as she was suffering from a that was whipping her brain. She shook her head frantically and let out a pained moan. Then a strange transformation was occurring to her body. She watched her hooves in awe as her pink coat loosed it's luminosity and became a pale lavender one. The violet colored part of her mane became tinted into a magenta one. Her mane was also getting longer and her violet eyes were colored in red. "W-what's happening to me?" Starlight said terrified and confused. "I-i could feel my mind and my thoughts being warped. I feel so wrong!" Starlight moaned another time as the pain was. Suzaku saw that scene before, but only in the memories of the Mane Six's corruption. Seeing one of these happening in front of him was another thing. He tried to remain calm, but Starlight's distressed, inner struggle made it very hard for him to keep his cool. Her transformation was chilling him enough to make him feel. Starlight glanced on him with a enraged and yet terrified face. "What have you done to me?!" Starlight howled, confused and troubled. Starlight struggled to repel the alien influence that was infesting her mind. Her inner being was being shaken by the corrupting aura. Starlight tried to reassure herself that is not real, but her focus was then interrupted by a stream of memories that weren't her own. The images were all blurry at first, but then, slowly, they showed a really crude scenario. She could see the fate of the Elements of Harmony and their possession that lead them to became the Elements of Insanity. Unable to resist any longer and being assaulted by the mnemonic flux, Starlight finally snapped and screamed loudly in agony as the world around her warped chaotically. A sight that made Suzaku flinch for the fright. She fell backwards to the ground and passed out. And after a short time, the dark aura finally leaved her body. Suzaku was seriously disturbed by that. His heart raced faster and his breath was a little heavier. For him i was slightly more freaky and terrific than the hellhounds and the insane townponies who were after him. "So that's how the corruption looks like? It's a damn horror movie!" Suzaku wasn't very willing to take a look to her in that moment, but since doesn't want any sudden reprisal coming from Balamos, he reluctantly mustered his courage and slowly walked toward toward her, hoping that he didn't screwed up her brain for good.. But before he could approaching her, he heard something flying toward him. He rolled away, dodging the object, that was no other than shovel shaped swords. He know what that means. "The hell!?" Suzaku exclaimed. "The fire wall should last for twenty four minutes! How did they managed to elude it?" He turned toward the entrance and became stressed to see Sugar Belle, some of her followers and a really pissed off Night Glider arrived and formed a living wall, blocking his way. Double Diamond and Party Favor weren't among them. They seemed more frenzied than before and are now pointing their shovel shaped swords at him. The ones with the horn magically carried five of the swords and pointed them toward him, except Sugar Bell. Suzaku is not scared by them, but is not even happy to see them either. "Do i have to deal with you?" Suzaku said frustrated. "Oooooooh, you have to and HOW!" Night screamed angered. "Now is you that will have to sleep... permanently!" "There's now way you could possibly escape now heretic," Sugar Belle said with zealously psychotic glee. "The same thing goes for Starlight Glimmer. Now both of you will join us and becoming our new brothers.... by simply die!" "Not before i kick your ass." Suzaku announced. But before the fight could even start, a barrage of energy projectiles in the shape of scissors whizzed past his ear and pierced all the ponies' head except Sugar Bell's and Night Glider. Without the magic of the unicorns, their own floating swords fell on the ground. The screams of the stabbed ponies and the sound of falling blades echoed through the room, creating a metallic cacophony. The gleeful madness of the two mares was quickly replaced by horror as their followers' dead bodies were dissolving into pile of ashes, leaving only blue crystals in their place. "What the hell just happened?" Suzaku said dumbfounded. "T-tt-they... they... WHAT!?" Night Glider stuttered for the sudden dead of her companions. "Look at there, Night Glider!" Sugar Bell shouted, gesturing to 'Starlight'. "Starlight Glimmer! Is...!" Sugar Bell and Night Glider watched Starlight Glimmer in shock as she slowly rose up with a ominous intent. Their eyes were looking at their former leader. They never saw her in a new terrific form. "Wretched traitor, stop trying to steal the spotlight, ya shitty witch!" Suzaku got his answer from Starlight Glimmer's voice coming from behind him, but his intuition was telling him one thing: She wasn't the pink unicorn that he met before. "It's Bloodbath Fever time!!"
Chapter 2.5: Brutalight's VisionIn the chaotic dimension known as the Freak World, the Elements of Insanity, known as the Demented Seven, were practically ruling over that dimension undisputed, crushing those who tried to oppose them and passing their time doing what they are best at: Committing murders and spreading chaos around this wretched world in which they were trapped. But their rhythm was a little toned down in these days. A month has passed since their tremendous fight against Painset Shimmercake and Magic Mare. In the aftermath, the Demented Seven survived with their leader Brutalight Sparkcakes, coming out very weakened from it. Painset and her partner simply disappeared from the scene without leaving any trails of their passage. Despite her impression that Painset could be still alive, Brutalight decided to not waste anymore of her robotic detachment squads or even sending the Cutey Mark Monsters for her search. She and her subordinates has a important thing to do. They spent these days to recover from the battle, building new robot sentries and continued the development of a dimensional portal that will allow them to return to their world, Equestria. Brutalight recovered most of her power and the portal seemed almost complete. Everything was proceeding according to their plan... Except for one little, tremendous incident that caused the destruction of most of their robotic drones and buildings in which Rainbine was responsible. Brutalight and Fluttershout were almost killing her for that, in every sense of the word. Rainbine was lucky to have been just beaten up and got screamed in her face since Brutalight was considering to cut her wings. The day after that, Rainbine was forced to build other robots twenty-four hours nonstop for three days and three night as a punishment. Nine hundred are the robots that she has to rebuild, much to her boredom. She has a drone generator built by herself that helped her a little for sure, but is up to her to install their CPU. On the third day, Rainbine was working on the drone number eight-hundred and ninety six. She looked very tired but not in the physical way since she is a robot and could recharge herself when she's awake. Her mental fatigue was the real pain. She could get used to restless nights, but not when there's no action in that. As she was welding the CPU's protection plate, Fluttershout approached her, looking calmer while trying to not show anger. "You know? You could have at least consulted us before taking the liberty to put this moronic idea to practice". Fluttershout said, giving a stern look. "I have discovered the ability to channel my Sonic Rainboom into my weapons to improve the projectile's speed and power. It's a butt load of awesome possibilities that i couldn't ignore." replied Rainbine in her usual robotic voice. "Oooooooh, sure. It's so coool. Channeling it on your plasma cannon and causing a massive rainbow colored explosion that destroyed most of our robots, resources and some of our headquarters was really sutble!!" Fluttershout screamed in her face normally instead of doing her trademark ear crushing one. "Ok, ok. Look, i'm sorry for that, but you know me... Well, the new me. I was a little carried away. I admit it." "Just like the time when you shot Twilight Sparkle in the head in the cemetery?" "Oh, come on! That was in the past!" "I'm sorry, but this incident will be added on the list of the your screw ups that were "in the past". And this is especially proved since Applepills was almost killed by your experiment. She survived by hiding herself into a metal box full of you know what." "Pills?" Rainbine asked meekly. "Yes, her addiction for painkillers saved her life." Fluttershout said, narrowing her eyes. "But seriously, almost killing Twilight wasn't enough that you had to repeat the same idiotic mistake on Applepills too!? You are really inconsiderate!!" Fluttershout shouted angrily. Rainbine gulped, acknowledging the gravity of her mistake. That was the second time she attempted to the life of one of her companions, thought that was unintentional this time. "So of course i have you to be reminded of that." continued Fluttershout. "Or maybe you prefer a round two with Brutalight's nasty lashing?" Rainbine silently stared at the yellow pegasus with a blank look for a bit before saying. "Touche." Fluttershout rolled her eyes as the robotic cyan pegasus returned her attention to the drone. She finished to weld the drone's last composed and passed to the next one. "Sometimes i'm wondering how did you became the Element of Loyalty." Fluttershout murmured mentally. "Ah, now that i recall that, i heard Brutalight screaming and various explosions during the last night." Rainbine said with a perplexed look. "I don't think you want to know." commented embarrassed Fluttershout. "But why? What happened?" "Brutalight tried to test another of her potions on herself and got drunk again." "What? Are you telling me that she believed to be a foal again?" "Much worse. She believed to be Discord and started to cast random magic spells around the room, blowing up things and transforming stuff into liquid white chocolate. I and Rarifruit took three hours to sedate her and stop her rampage." "Woah..... How is she?" Fluttershout glared at the cyan robotic pegasus just to gesture her to not make any question about it. Rainbine immediately understood that is better left this thing unknown. "Nevermind," Rainbine said, changing the topic. "What about the others?" "Wise choice, Raimbo." Fluttershout said, smiling a little "Rarifruit was killing and stealing some valuable items as usual, Pinkis was finishing to compose the magic component of the dimensional portal, Applepills was taking... pills, and the Cutey Mark Monsters were just playing in the ruins of the quarters you had destroyed." "And Derpigun?" "She's fumbling with some piece of scraps to make a robotic equivalent of a snowmare.... Which is kind of crappy since it has no real purpose what so ever." Rainbine was going to make a comment about it but before she could do that, a sudden scream pierced the quiet atmosphere. They know very well who was. "Is Brutalight having a hangover?" Raibine asked worried. "Do you think it this the case?" said Fluttershout. "You better remain here to finish the job. I will go to her." "Whatever." replied Rainbine before returning to her work. "I only hope that she didn't overdid to much with her spells." Fluttershout trotted toward the door leading to the living room and slowly opened the door. She saw a petrified looking Brutalight lying on the couch were she was left after being sedated, breathing heavily and sweating a little. Her mane was a little messy and her eyes were wide opened. Brutalight seemed to have woke up from a vivid dream. Her expression slowly shifted into a irritated one as put her hoof on her face. Fluttershout doesn't say anything and decided to leave her alone without being noticed. This until Brutalight noticed her. "You heard me screaming right?" Brutalight said with a hoarse voice, looking at the yellow pegasus. "Good thing that you're worried for me, but i hope that you weren't watching me sleeping." "Not at all." replied Fluttershout, a little panicked. "You were already awake before i had arrived." "Damn, my head is pounding really hard." "So, what was all about?" Fluttershout hesitantly asked while approaching Brutalight. "I cannot believe what i'm going to say. I could say it was a nightmare but... It looked like a vivid premonition to me." "Premonition?" Fluttershout asked confused. "You know, like the ones Celestia during her dreams. They mostly tend to tells something about the future. But this one in particular... No, no, i cannot take it seriously. Is too stupid." Brutalight said. "What could possibly be?... If you want to tell." "Very well," Brutalight began. "The nightmare was, as i said, ridiculous. In that dream we were crushing anything that was standing against us. You know, usual enemies. Failed freaks and some other monsters. Nothing unusual. This until some pony showed up. And is not Celestia or Luna." "What? Who could that be?" "It was a stallion, dressed in the most stupidest fashion. He was standing in front of us, accompanied by multiple shadow. He was possess a monster, just like us. Except that he is fully in control." "Fully in control?" Fluttershout asked a little surprised. "The shadows were attacking us," Brutalight continued. "We managed to defeat them, so we were going to punish the stallion for the insolence, but..." "But?" "He managed somehow to crush us. You and the other elements were lying on the shapeless ground. I unleashed all of my powers, but he managed to survive my attacks and beat me with his unknown powers. The last thing that i saw was him grabbing my face before being engulfed by a burst of white energy." Fluttershout couldn't help, but feel a little concerned about what Brutalight said. Dream or not. "That must be obviously a awful dream." Fluttershout said. "Like you said before, it's ridiculous." "I know," Brutalight said irritated. "There's no way that we are about to be taken down by that punk. It's just laughable. Nopony stands in our way, after all.." "Maybe there is a possible explanation." Brutalight turned her head toward Fluttershout, narrowing her eyes. "And what could be this explanation?" Brutalight asked. "That is just a silly theory of mine but... Could that be the case in which this stallion was somehow able to infest your dream, and create the nightmare just to boast his own ego?" Fluttershout meekly said. Brutalight glared at Fluttershout with a angered expression at first. But then she calmed down a bit. Fluttershout was a little nervous, not knowing what to do. "At least that make more sense than the dream itself." Brutalight calmly said. "I-i think so." Fluttershout agreed. "By the way, what about Rainbine?" "Rainbine? She would have probably finished her work with the robots." "I will give a look at them later. Besides, don't even bother to search for him. Is not even worth of our time." "If you say so." "Now leave me alone." Brutalight said, "I have still that hangover since yesterday." Fluttershout trotted toward the door and was about to leave the room, but... "Fluttershout." Brutalight called. "Yes?" "Rainbine know what happened the last night?" "Well..." Fluttershout scratched her head in embarrassment. "Yes. She was still awake when that happened. She heard the whole ruckus, but continued to work anyway." "You didn't tell her that i was basking in the liquid white chocolate while singing one of the Discord's songs during my drunk rampage, right?" "I didn't tell her anything about it." "Then you can go." Brutalight said, finally dismissing the yellow pegasus. Fluttershout closed the door and walked through the corridor. In her mind, she reassured herself that Brutalight only just had a wild nightmare. But deep inside she couldn't stop thinking about it. Is just like Brutalight said: Is a very stupid nightmare. But what she heard has left a bad taste in her mouth. "I think i'm going to take a look to Derpigun." Fluttershout said Maybe is a nonsensical idea, but is always a distraction nonetheless. Far far away from the Demented Seven's headquarters, a figure was standing at the top of a building. It was a black cloaked pony with a beige coat, who was oddly standing on it's two legs. The figure looked at the headquarters in the distance. It's face and it's dark green mane were partially illuminated by the sun, revealing the pony being a mare. She smirked a little like a snake which hunt was going according to his own agenda. "It looks like that the premonition was delivered with success." she said. "Eheheh. That will show him. Balamos is not the only player in this madness. I will take care of his champion with any means."
Chapter 3: Enter Starcider Glimsho. (EDITED)Three things were filling the ceremonial room in that moment: The various piles of ashes who used to be Sugar Bell's followers, the strange blue crystals on them and the feel of dread that filled the air. Sugar and Night watched their former leader with a shocked look. Suzaku could tell that her corrupting transformation was complete, but never wanted to check the result of his act of corruption. The energy scissors that she used to kill Sugar Bell's followers was a proof valid enough. She never used this kind of spells. Trying to not show fear, he turned toward her. He got a good look of her appearance, but not in a good way. Starlight was standing two legged, holding a sharped iron scissor for each hoof. Her once bright pink coat was now a pale lavender one. Her mane was a messy, long magenta one, leaving the azure colored part of it unaltered. She has blurry, shaped red eyes and her tongue was abnormally large, coming out of her mouth and reaching her chin. But it cannot hide her gleefully sadistic and dreadful expression that her face was displaying. Compared to the ghosts who had transformed the Elements of Harmony into the monsters that they are now, this one was different. Is not a TF2 Freak, and is not a internet meme either. It was something else, a entity that was inside the scissor that Balamos ordered him to implant into Starlight. "You gotta be kidding me." Suzaku murmured, watching at the new pony freak that he had created with his own hooves. "Yo, guys! Did i missed something!?" The new Starlight said with a confident tone. Sugar Bell and Night Glider gasped, looking at her with in bewilderment. But the most bewildered was Suzaku. He felt like he had passively smoked pot without even realizing it. He couldn't believe is real. "WHAT THE FUCK!?" Suzaku shouted in disbelieve. "S-Starlight?!," Sugar Belle exclaimed, baffled by her behavior. "What happened to-" "Shut it, loser!" interrupted the new Starlight, displaying a murderous aura. "I don't even need that name anymore. I'm now the epitome of bloodlust, Starcider Glimsho!" That name confirmed the suspect that Suzaku had before with the scissor. The object that "possessed" Starlight was familiar to him, and he know where it came from. "I should have imagined that this scissor was the infamous Genoscissor, so the "ghost" that is possessing Starlight Glimmer must be that of, i can't believe i'm saying that, Genocider Sho, a murderous split personality of a videogame character." "Balamos must have been baked when he came up with his recruitment plan." Suzaku commented. "But seriously, the old Starlight Glimmer is a real failure." Starlight, now Starcider Glimsho, affirmed. "Y-you are joking, right?" Sugar Belle muttered, realizing something. "I can sense something wrong in your magic! How did you gain that-" "KYEEHAHAHAHA!!" Starcider laughed loudly, interrupting her again. "With a murderous rebirth comes a murderous reward! Something that you don't even deserve!" "SILENCE!" Night Glider screamed in anger, flapping her wings and rising in the air while holding her own shovel sword in her hooves. "I don't care what sort of monster you had become! You killed our companions! You don't deserve our god's forgiveness! You will be destroyed as a blasphemous heretic, along with that green stallion over there!". Sugar Bell used her telekinesis to lift every single shovel shaped swords of her fallen followers and pointing them toward her two targets. Her intention was then confirmed by her enraged expression. "Starlight, you were almost escaping your purification." Sugar Bell said angrily. "I don't know what happened to you, but either a you or that fake detective have defied our god for the last time. I'm going to clean your acts by SHREDDING YOUR FLESH PERSONALLY!" True to her words, Sugar used her telekinesis to group the shovel shaped scissors together, forming a monstrous snake of sharp metal that rushed menacingly in mid air toward both her two preys. Starcider gleefully put herself in between Suzaku and the flux and cut at a very absurd velocity the flying swords into pieces with her Genoscissors before they could reach her or Suzaku. Sugar Bell watched with a incredulous expression as Starcider effortlessly cut through iron and progressively destroyed the metal barrage of swords, until it was no more. "Impossible." Sugar said stupefied, watching pieces of metal falling on the ground. "How the heck can Starlight use these tools with her hooves and without using the telekinesis!? There's no way!!" Night demanded. Starcider quickly flared her horn to materialize a scissor made of violet energy and tossed it toward her before she could do anything else. The scissor stabbed in her left foreleg and exploded in a electromagnetic wave that electrocuted her without damaging her body and stunned her senses, causing her to collapse. Trying to exploit Sugar's distraction, Suzaku galloped toward her, but was then met by a angered Night Glider diving toward him. "I am not done yet!" Night exclaimed, attempting to cut his head with her shovel sword. Suzaku quickly stopped her blade from decapitating him with both his hooves and knocked it out of her own. The sword landed tip down, thrusting it inside the ground. As Night was about to pounce, Suzaku immediately punched her right in the face, making her to fall back. He then pointed his hoof at her and materialized the black chains from beneath her that quickly wrapped her body, making her unable to do anything. After that, Suzaku stood up on his hind legs and drawing out his claws. He turned his attention to Starcider, who was having her upper hand with Sugar. He was impressed by her abilities. They were as he was expecting due to the fact that he know the ghost possessing Starlight, but wasn't expecting them being this terrific. However, he couldn't allow her to do anymore damage than she had done now. He took a walked toward Starcider with the intent to convince her to not do anymore damage. Starcider turned toward him, looking at him with a vaguely serious face, accompanied by her menacing eyes, causing him to stop for the sudden bit of intimidation. He remained calm, but being face to face with a newfound serial killer with magical powers was still something to him. "I lived dangerous situations before, but this is different." Suzaku though. "Don't even think i have forgot about you." Starcider said with a intimidating tone. Suzaku summoned his huge black sword and wield it with his right hoof. Starcider lit her horn and instantly tossed a scissor made of black energy to the ground, creating a red mist around her. He couldn't see her figure being veiled by that fog and, worst of all, he cannot even approaching his in bipedal position due to his hard difficulty to walk on his hind legs. One of the disadvantage of being a human inside a pony's body. Suddenly he could hear the voice of Night Glider yelling from above him. Without even looking, he leaped backward instinctively. He could see the chained Night Glider abruptly falling in front of him to the ground. He didn't had the time look to the pained pegasus tha Starcider came out of the mist, dashing toward him at the speed of a lightining. Before he could do anything, she was already in front of him with her scissor being near to his face. Suzaku was sweating cold right now. "Hey, you!" Starcider said, playing around with her scissors and leaning her face toward him. "You've done this to me, right!? Right!? Right, right!? You've turned me into this, riiiight!?" Suzaku could barely maintain his calm with her eyes shooting daggers at him and her Genoscissors being around his face. He saw very well what this mare has in store for him. Fighting the real Starlight was a thing, but this new Starlight Glimmer was not joking around. "You will not get away with that, buffoon." Starcider said with a grim tone. "I'm going to tear your body apart and append your head as my cup." At that point, Suzaku could feel the fear get the best of him. But then he reminded to himself about his powers. He should have no problem to fight this demented version of Starlight. He will consider this a testament of what fighting a freak pony looks like. With his confidence being reinforced in a very dark way, succumb to fear is not a valid option. But he had also to be careful to not kill her since she should be his first recruit. So that will be also a pain for him. "You better not screw with me, asshole." Suzaku said before dissolving in black-green flames and reappearing at her right to swung his sword toward Starcider in a surprise attack, only for her to quickly block his attack with only the Genoscissor on her right hoof, leaving him awfully surprised. Suzaku didn't expect her to be able to block effortlessly the blow of his huge sword with a scissor. "Are you serious!? So you have indeed gained Genocider Sho's shenanigans!" He complained in his head. As Suzaku pulled back his sword, Starcider glowed her horn to generate nine energy scissors above her head and shot them at him. Having noticed that, Suzaku raised his left hoof and created a green energy barrier in front him as the scissors whizzed toward him. The cutting projectiles rebounded on the barrier and whizzed in random directions. Starcider shielded herself with her forelegs. Some of the scissors flesh wounded her in some part of her body. Suzaku exploited that moment to shoving his shoulder at her, launching her toward in air. She end up crashing against a wall, creating various medium cracks on it, and collapsed to the ground. Suzaku observed his foe laying apparently unconscious with a little worried look, fearing to have overdid and killed her for real this time. Then a absurd and yet actually plausible thought give him a hint of her conditions. He raised his hoof in front of his face as to a gesture to keep the track of his reasoning. "Stay calm and consider this ridiculous option of yours." Suzaku said to himself. "If Genocider Sho has very ridiculous resistance that allowed her to get up immediately despite being slashed, shot or even hit by explosions like in her videogame... Maybe even this possessed Starlight can do that." Suzaku, not wanting waste his time to return in his four legged position, was about to use his powers to teleport, but before he could do anything, Starcider suddenly stood up on her own hind legs and lifted her head toward him. She looked at him with a unpleasantly euphoric face. She was even blushing, which was very disturbing and grotesque for him. "Aaaaah! You know how to surprise me, you fabulous bastard!" Starcider said, embracing her shoulders. "I have to admit. You've got quite the cojones, fighting back this serial killer who has also a great amount of magic in her arsenal. But don't get me wrong. I have no intention to be your lover!" "Then why you are behaving like this!?" Suzaku asked disgusted. "It's all your fault!" Starcider replied angrily and yet gleefully, pointing her Genoscissors at him. "What you have done to me altered my brain chemistry as well!" "Seriously?" Suzaku questioned. "Hey. You are responsible for my condition.... And yet is literally awesome. Bloodshed can have indeed a wonderful prospective." Starcider precised. "Whoa..." Suzaku said, feeling uncomfortable. "You have officially creeped me out." "Pfft! But you can also consider that i'm, perhaps, just screwing with you because is actually funny for me! Gahahahahahahaha!" "Is she actually trolling me?" Suzaku though, questioning her methods. Feeling uncomfortable by Starcider Glimsho's antics, Suzaku turned his attention to Sugar Bell, who was trying to recover after the electricity stopped to vex her body. She forced herself to stood up, ignoring the pain biting her body and trying to shrug off her dizziness. She looked at Starcider with a angered face and two menacing eyes. "You will not escape my wrath, or that of our god!" Sugar Bell said as she to use her magic, but she found herself unable to use it. The light of her horn end up glowing for a second before dissipating into little sparks, much to her confusion. "It's a Nullifying Scissor. You won't be able to use your magic for a while." Starcider informed. As Sugar Bell insisted to make her magic work in vain, Starcider made a very ridiculous jump forward and virtually flew across the room before gracefully landing on her hind legs behind the magically inhibited Sugar Bell. She immediately sat at the top of the defenseless rose unicorn's back and held her Genoscissors' blades to her throat before she could do anything. Sugar Bell was almost near to going in panic mode. Since Starcider, retained some of Starlight Glimmer's personality, is still pissed for her double betrayal. "Now i'm going to balance the accounts, ya rose whore!" Starcider said with a gleeful menacing tone. "I haven't forgot what happened long time ago! After Twilight Sparkhole came into my village, you, Night Glider and Party Favor showed your desire to have your cutey marks again. And because of you, she and her friends disrupted my utopia, and turned the whole town against me!" "Y-you f-" Sugar Bell tried to said something, but was then stopped by Starcider flaring her horn and creating two energy scissors floating in front of her face, threatening to it if she wanted. "Think twice before cursing me so early, Sugar Brute!" Starcider interrupted."As having helped Twilight to ruin me wasn't enough, you had the boldly moronic idea to found a cult by yourself and replace me with that shitty alicorn of yours. Did you had really forsaken the true meaning of friendship that I gave to you for this DEMENTED JUNK!?" "No, you don't get it!" Sugar, almost snapping. "Painset Shimmercakes appeared in front of us and save from both your lies and Celestia's deception as well. She is our god now and her blessing is better than your decaying rule. You will be killed by her as a price of you insolence!" "Killed!?" Starcider shouted, "That will be you and the rest of your friends. Your god will not save you this time, whoever the fuck it is. I'ts payback time!" Guessing that the situation is going to get worse, Suzaku dissolved in black green flames and reappeared in front of both Sugar and Starcider, already pointing his sword on the latter. "Alright, scissorphile," Suzaku said, trying to not show fear. "I hate to interrupt your slasher performance, but i have no intention to have anymore body count right now." "Aaaaaah?" Starcider looked at him irritated. "What the hell are you doing?. "I need her alive as a hostage." Suzaku stated. Sugar Bell looked at him with a confused stare, not sure of what she heard. Starcider was glaring at him as to asking him if this was a joke. "What?" Sugar murmured puzzled. "Are you dense? Are you high or something? I have no intention to spare this backstabber!" Starcider said."She was even trying to kill you some minutes ago and now you're trying to save her? Is she hot or anything to you?" "I don't care about her if this is what is bothering you." Suzaku replied. "Then out of my way!" Starcider yelled angered as her she gloved her horn. "If you don't-" "Then kill me, but that will be your loss since you will never reach Twilight and her friends without my help." "What?" Starcider said confused as her horn immediately stop gloving and her psychotic rage diminished a little. She pondered about what Suzaku said, knowing that he was trying to save Sugar and Night to not have any problem and convince her to join him, something that she wouldn't even care due to her own personal vendetta and her pride, but that hint regarding Twilight location is something she cannot possibly ignore. "As i said before, my real boss is a deity who preferred to be anonymous," Suzaku said like a devious negotiator."And is another powerful being outside Celestia herself. Only me and him know how to reach the Elements of Harmony in the dimension in which they're trapped." "You are bluffing. Do you even think i will fall for that?" Starcider retorted. "Am i?" Suzaku asked, trying to gain some time. "I know where they are. And, believe me or not, they were possessed just like you, but with different circumstances." "Possessed?...." Starcider paused a moment to recall the images that she saw during her transformation, then she spoke. "When you turned me into this, memories of Twilight and her friends being trapped in a dark world and becoming twisted were flowing in my mind." "So, you saw what happened to the Elements of Harmony after all." Suzaku comfirmed. "Look, i don't care if you believe me or not, but i don't want any body count that would compromise my position. Besides, Sugar Bell and your other friends are not your real targets." "You better explain yourself." Starcider said with a stern tone, which was a fresh change of pace for him. "Sure, they turned against you, but was Twilight and her friends that turned them to their cause," Suzaku said. "And you want get revenge on them, right?" "Yes! So what?!" Starcider demanded. "If you want to find them, then you had to follow our own terms." Suzaku insisted. "After all, i gave you this power, but i have also the power to purge it this instant." "Tsk." Starcider scowled at him, almost showing scorn to him. "So... What do you want, darksticker?" Suzaku said. Starcider stared at Suzaku with a bizarrely confusing gaze and then looked away. She switched into a serious look as she brainstormed and took in consideration his proposal and it's implications. After a short time, she glance to Suzaku again. "You are playing air guitar with fire, you know." Starcider said with a serious tone. "You have no alternatives, especially since i can screw you over." Suzaku informed. Starcider took her time decide about the forced choice that Suzaku had imposed on her while looking at him irritated. After all the previous insults and the beatdown that he gave to her, Suzaku wasn't expecting her to gladly accept that. Then, as she calmed down a little bit, a very uncomfortable smile marked her face and she blushed again. Suzaku felt very uneasy in that moment, and was not for her Genoscissors for once. "You'll helping me to hunt down Twilight and her friends?" Starcider said with a excited tone. "If that means saving lives and my cover, i'll certainly doing that," Suzaku confirmed with a irritated tone for the awkwardness of her behavior. "Now... How's that!?" After a few seconds of reconsideration, Starcider mercifully pulled her scissors' blades away from Sugar Belle's neck, got off of her and stood up on her two legs. Suzaku pointed his hoof at Sugar Belle and summoned the black chains to trap her. He then dissolved his huge black sword and withdraw his claws. Starcider, still angered by Sugar's and Night's roles in her utopia's downfall and knowing that Suzaku wouldn't let her kill them, gloved her horn and teleported Night above Sugar, causing the chained pegasus to fall abruptly upon the equally chained rose unicorn and squashed her a little, just to have some little satisfaction. That Suzaku wanted or not. "Now that is a lovely fall." Starcider commented half satisfied. "CAN YOU JUST KNOCKING OFF!?" Suzaku yelled at her. "You're Zaidiot, right?" Starcider demanded nonchalantly. "Is Zaidel Goelnix." Suzaku replied deadpan, concealing the fact that his name is actually Suzaku Aki. "Alright, i will collaborate with you since you "made me" what i am now, but keep in mind: if we are going to face them, don't do any them! Not even Twilight!" Starcider cheerfully and dangerously precised without any restraints of her words. "Where the fuck did that come from!?" Suzaku said, awkwardly blown away from that sudden statement. "Maybe you are not the type who will like them anyway, but you better not weasel out it. You got yourself a fuckin' deal, punk!" Starcider reminded. "Whatever." Suzaku said. "Hoping to not encounter any other of your innuendos." "You better do your part. And i think that we are alright for now." Starcider said cheerfully, without any other menacing tone mixed in the moment. "But there's one problem." Suzaku said before inhaling deeply and verbally shot gunned her in the face. "You killed their followers!! Now how i can hide this body count!?" "Huh?" Starcider looked puzzled. "You mean... the ones who were turned into piles of ashes scattered nearby the entrance?" "Yeah! Who else!?" Suzaku responded. "Speaking of which, why the bodies of their followers dissolved into ashes like that when Starlight killed them." Suzaku questioned in his head. "And what are these blue crystals? I don't get it." Ignoring Suzaku's question, Starcider hide her Genoscissors inside her mane and nonchalantly walked two legged, heading toward one of the blue crystal laying on one of the pile of ashes that use to be one of Sugar's follower. She leaned toward the crystal and took it with her hooves. "Wait, what are you doing?" Suzaku questioned. Starcider gloved her horn and used her magic on the crystal, causing it to materialize a huge screen. Various images were appeared on it, showing something that happened in this very ceremonial room. A stallion was laying on the altar with his limb being bounded on it by the magic of a unicorn wearing a red cloak that Suzaku could recognize as Party Favor. And behind the altar there was Sugar Bell, being welcomed by a crowd of red clocked ponies gathered in front of her, including Party himself. As the bounded stallion struggled frantically to release himself, Sugar Bell took a bloody curved knife. She smiled in the most misguided way as she thrust in into his chest. He screamed in pain, and after that, his voice became silent and everything became dark. It seemed to be over but then, the image of Sugar Bell appeared once again, smiling genuinely while retaining a glove of insanity in her eyes. "Welcome back, my companion." Sugar said before giving in a insane smug. "You had been reborn." After that, everything became dark again and the image disappeared in a flock of sparks. Starcider put the crystal back to the ashen pile and pull out her Genoscissors to wield them again. She turned toward Suzaku, who was partially shocked for what he saw. Suzaku stood with his mouth hanging open. He was horrified, but mostly confused. He could guess that the images are the memories of the deceased pony, but couldn't make sense in what happened next. Then the answer came on his own, and turned out to be even more dark and ridiculous than he ever though. "Wait a minute. She said 'You had been reborn'?" Suzaku tried to make sense in what happened. "Starcider. Is that memory implying what i'm thinking it is?" "Well... They are all dead long time ago." Starcider confirmed before she started to laugh loudly. "Kyeehahahaha!" "Don't laugh about it!" Suzaku yelled disgusted. "Are you telling me that the inhabitants of the town, including the ones you had killed off, died long time before my arrival and that are somehow been reborn as zombies?" "Don't believe me? Why don't you ask to the rose usurper over there!?" Starcider answered with a gleefully sarcastic tone. Suzaku and Starcider approached the chained Sugar Bell, with the energy scissors still floating above her. Starcider nonchalantly pocked forehead with her Genoscissor, causing her to wail a little more. "Oi!" Starcider said to Sugar. "You better explain what happened to them... Or else..." "Heretics! You cursed yourselves with your own hooves!" The chained Sugar Bell shouted. "So i will give you that information before you will face my god's punishment." "You better tell us what happened here, shake and bake." Suzaku said with a intimidating tone, trying to get some information. "Our god, Painset Shimmercakes, came in this town and demonstrated her powers," Sugar said. "By killing all of the inhabitants. Some of them were split in two and others were brutally carbonized. Only I, Night Glider, Double Diamond, Feather Bangs, and Party Favor were the only ones who were spared by her wrath." "W... What?" Suzaku asked. "Watching my friends dying in that horrendous way was..." Sugar Bell's irises shrunken as her face deformed into a image of joyful delirium. "A unique experience. My mind started to became clear without Painset doing anything to me. I saw insanity in a new, benevolent light. Guided by a weird instinct, i bowed toward her and swore loyalty to her, followed by my companions doing the same." "That is even more fucked up than i even imagined." Suzaku murmured without let Starcider know. "Well, Feather Bangs was reluctant at first though." The chained Night Glider said. "But i could understand him since he's traumatized by what happened to him." "So that insecure character tool is the only sane one in this town?" Suzaku then grinned as he was elaborating a idea of his own. "I wonder if i could turn him into the pony equivalent of Ash Williams... If Balamos want him in his so called army of course." "So, all of you except Feather had gone nuts." Starcider crudely commented. "You tell her." Suzaku agreed, ignoring the fact that the lecture was coming from that bloodthirsty version of Starlight Glimmer. "Sugar Brine, please. Just get straight to the point already." Starlight said impatiently. "Five of us doesn't qualify as a population, so Painset bestowed me a forbidden method to resolve that problem before she left. Thanks to her, i was able to craft some blue crystal through Alchemy and injected them inside the bodies of the dead ponies to resurrect them as a perfect variation of Homuncoli. But that was just the start." "Homuncoli?" Suzaku muttered surprised. "Alchemy is actually a thing in the MLP universe?" Suzaku mentally checked the whole crystal thing that Sugar Bell gave to them, twice. Something rang inside his head, giving him the vision of a possible connection between the memories coming from the blue crystal and her story. "Let me get that straight." Suzaku began, not sure of what he's going to say. "After having resurrected your dead friends as Homunculi, you put yourself as the leader in charge of this cult, blocked Starlight's escaped route, built this room and lured countless ponies just to kill them and resurrect them if they doesn't play ball with your beliefs?" "You had really sharp mind," Sugar bell said. "It's a shame that you weren't killed by us. You would have been a good part of our heaven. Insanity is the real utopia. Harmony is corrupted, so i will dream for that opportunity. We know about Twilight and her friends becoming the Elements of Insanity! But i'm not afraid of them! PAINSET WILL SAVE US ALL! AHAHAHAHAHAH!" Sugar Bell continued to laugh maniacally, making her dementia echoing through this underground church, spreading her voice like a plague. Suzaku wasn't expecting her to know about the Elements of Insanity, also called as the Demented Seven. He took a moment to stomach the traumatic story that Sugar Bell has told. He couldn't maintain his usually calm and unperturbed demeanor. He wouldn't even being the usual troll on her. This time there's no laptop screen that could guard him from that. "I hate to admit... But i couldn't help but feel mortified for her." Suzaku then realized in dismay what he was thinking. "Wait!.... I'm actually feeling sorry for her?" As Suzaku was reflecting on his contradictions, Starcider didn't seemed perturbed at all due to her being crazy on her own. She turned toward him and noticed his conflicted expression. "Hey. You don't have a crush on her, right?" Starcider asked. "I don't even care about her." Suzaku responded roughly to hide his small conflict. "However let me tell you, her madness is pretty understandable since Painset took away their normal lives, just as Twilight took away your utopia.... Not that i'll forgive her psychotic shenanigans anyway." Suzaku paused. It took him one minute to reflect about what to do next. He know that he could use Sugar Bell as a hostage to make his toward to escape the town, but doesn't perfectly know what will happen next. "Do you seriously intend to use Sugar and Night as a mean to our escape?" Starcider questioned, almost protesting. "I have cover as a strange wanderer to maintain. I'm not of this dimension and this is the first time i came here." Suzaku said with a serious tone. "I don't want have any problem with Celestia in Grand Thieft Auto style." "Grand Thieft What?" Starcider asked confused, not getting the reference as Suzaku facehoofed very hard for his unnecessary shout out. "Forget the last three words. Let's just say that i want some discretion, ok?" Suzaku corrected. "You're weird." Starcider commented. "That will be you." Suzaku retorted. "Besides, there's one thing that i don't understand." "What?" Starcider asked. "How did you realized that the crystal were containing the memories of the deceased ones?" Suzaku said. "It was the way the Homuncoli was able to emulate the deceased ponies that gave me that idea, Lame-o! These crystal served as a second memory center." Starcider confirmed with a sarcastic but grotesque tone. "I didn't studied magic for nothing, kono baka!" "What!?" Suzaku exclaimed surprised. "Did the spirit of Genocider Sho gave her the ability to speak Japanese?" "So, Zaidull. What's the plan?" Starlight demanded. "Let's drag these two mares in your living room and use them to make our way through their followers." Suzaku suggested. "I want to get out of this mad town. As soon as fucking possible." "Go ahead." said Sugar arrogantly. "A entire horde of followers and monstrous allies guided by Double Diamond and Party Favor is still surrounding the house and your wall of fire expired. You will not escape from Our Town so easily." "I know. This why i will take you with us, so shut up your ass and behave." Suzaku commanded. After that returned into their four legged position. Suzaku took a deep breath to digest all the turbulent moment he just faced. unfortunately he can't do the same thing to that feeling of the uneasiness that Starcider Glimsho has made him taste with her own behavior. Suzaku took one of the blue crystals and put it in his sack. He then looked at Starcider in contemplation. Just thinking about the alteration that the possession has done to her made him shiver in disgust, and he know why. This new Starlight Glimmer was just a preview of the other insanely dangerous monster that he has to transform any other pony into. "I guess is too late to regret that, but i really doubt that i will get used too." Suzaku paused. "I think i will need terapy.... if i can survive this madness of course." Outside the closed gates of the fence build around Starlight's village, a pool of black liquid emerged from the soil. The pool expanded very fast, until it became bigger. A huge dark flaming suddenly emerged from there, growing bigger and reaching the size of the wooden gates that blocked the entrance. The creature displayed very omnious eyes. The creature takes a very dreadful form and begin to declare his sudden existence. By breaking through the gates.
Chapter 4: Draconian Menace (EDITED)Suzaku went out of the room and traveled all the way back where he came from, followed by Starcider, who was cheerfully trotting while carrying the two chained mares above her head with her telekinesis, without having any fatigue. Which didn't surprise him this much since he previously saw her using her telekinesis to overturn her bed while carrying the jar with the Mane Six's cutey marks. "I wonder since she became a pony freak, if she can lift the entire town just to gain enough time for us to escape." Suzaku murmured to himself. As they continued to walk, a sudden echo of a monstrous roar reverberating through the tunnel, followed by chilling screams. "What the hell was that?" Suzaku demanded. They accelerated their march and galloped as fast a they can. The more forward they go, the more the screams increased in volume. They reached the stairs and came out in Starlight's bedroom. Starcider abruptly dropped the two chained mares on the floor while Suzaku headed toward the window and looked out. His expression froze in shocked horror. He just saw the things, already messed up as they are, becoming very chaotic. "You gotta be kidding me." Suzaku said quietly. What is happening in the town was something that he could find in any monster movie, except that is not funny to watch, and is happening in front of his eyes. The wooden gates were smashed, a few houses were destroyed, various pile of ashes with a blue crystal on them filled the ground and the still living red cloaked ponies were running away from it. And at the center of the whole chaos was a towering monstrosity engulfed in black flames. He could tell that is a Mindeater, but he wasn't expecting to see a very huge one. That thing was a nine-foot hulking creature with a short steel tail and very long claws. It looked like a green eyed humanoid wingless dragon-goat hybrid creature being engulfed in black flames. Compared to the other Mindeaters that were infesting the town, that thing was more taller than the town itself. The dragon-like creature opened his mouth and spitted blood colored meteors in various part of the town. The meteors crashed to the ground, exploding into pillars of red flames that incinerated a few ponies and other Mindeaters nearby them and leaving craters in their wake. The killed ponies, due to them being Homuncoli, dissolved into ashes and leaved in their place blue crystal, that were disintegrated as well. "Now that is what i call a pandemonium."" Suzaku said. " I may not have saw the Dragon Lord in live, but that is ridiculous! How can i deal with this Dragoliath?!" "That flaming BASTARD!" Starcider screamed angered. "Not that i even care about my town anymore, but that towering dumbmuscle is killing some my former followers and their monsters. That should be my job!" "Why is this creature doing this?" Sugar Bell demanded. "It should be our ally." "Is a mindless crushing machine! That thing is not interest in your cult!" Suzaku replied bluntly. "I guess that she's punishing us for my failure!" Sugar said in denial before smiling. "But there's a harmonious comfort in this. If we are going to die, you will sink with us." Suzaku noticed Starcider's murderous aura intensifying very quickly due to her inability to stomach her. "Argh! For the love of... Hasbro!" Suzaku complained, letting out a sigh. Not wanting to have anymore complication and being sick of her demented talk, he grabbed a wooden bench and smack it the chained Sugar Bell with a swift blow on her head, knocking her unconscious while breaking the bench in half. He then used the other half to do the same thing with Night Glider. Suzaku walked back to the windows and observed the Dragoliath continuing his rampage without being noticed. Most of the ponies, were just tossed around, while others were dying by getting sliced by his claws or incinerated by the meteor's explosions. The killed ponies, being Homuncoli, dissolved themselves into ashes in both cases and leaving blue crystal in their places, only for these to be crushed under his feet afterwards. "Starcider, just watch over these psychos." Suzaku said. "Don't do anything until i tell you. And most of all don't kill them." "I made no promiseeeeees." Starcider replied with a whimsical tone. "We have a deal, remember?" "Ok, fine! But i will precise you that i don't like being ordered around, Zaidouche!" Ignoring her remark, he stepped outside. The Dragoliath was approaching toward the house to his left, where Double Diamond and Party Favor were hiding themselves. Not wanting waste his attack on the monster's back, he charged the claws on his right hoof and shouted to get his attention. "Hey!" Suzaku said at the dragonic monster, inducing it to turn toward him. "You forgot the Dragon Code!" Suzaku swung his claws and shot a dark slashing wave that goes right into the Dragoliath's left eye, exploding in the green pillar of energy that destroyed it along with part of his face and leaved a vertical opening on it's wake. The monster roared fiercely for the pain as blood colored flames were coming out of the wound. Suzaku was preparing to deliver another wave until the monster returned his attention to him and glared with a terrific enraged face while charging his red meteor in his mouth. He immediately canceled the charge and galloped away. Pissed as it is, the Dragoliath shot three blood colored meteors at him. He dodged the first one by teleporting away from it before it exploded into a red flaming pillar. He does the same with the second one, but then the power abuse penalty kicked in, stunning him with the painfully familiar electric surge and making me collapse. The third meteor landed a little far away from him, but the explosion was near enough to burn him briefly before launching him in the air. He violently fell on the ground. The electric charge ceased afterwards, but that was the last of his problems. His body wasn't destroyed due to his powers protecting him, but he end up really burned. A thing made evident by multiple trails of smog, the few trace burns that he had on his coat and his black jacket being half burned. He remained motionless, breathing heavily and being mentally stunned from both the electric charge of the penalty and the impact of both the blow and the fall. Almost every part of his body was hurting him. He wanted to take a break so badly, but he know that he cannot afford that. Not when the Dragoliath was jumping toward him, ready to pierce his body with his giant claws of his right hand. "Oh, shit!" Suzaku shouted before rolling away, making the dragonic monster's claws missing him. It's landing caused another brief localized quake. It's claws were stuck on the ground. It was a lucky shot, but it's only temporary. That monster pulled back his claws and aimed at him. With his heart accelerating it's beats from that forced movement, the pain seizing his body became more unbearable. Suzaku tried to move, but he felt numb and weighed down. The Dragoliath swung his claw toward him. Suzaku could do nothing but closing his eyes to not see his own end. But then, he heard a really familiar laughter accompanied by the Dragoliath screeching in rage and sounds of things falling on the ground. He didn't felt a anything. For a moment, he gave himself for dead, but the pain infesting his body was telling him otherwise. He opened his eyes and lifted his head. Something unexpected happened. He was surprised to see Starcider Glimsho was cutting through the Dragoliath's claws like they were made of paper, into pieces with her Genoscissor. The claw's pieces disappeared into trails of black smoke as they were falling. The black flaming dragon roared fiercely toward Starcider, who laughed loudly. "What the hell's up with you, big boooooy?!" Starcider said while glaring at the hulking beast. "Is that what you got!? Don't die on me already! Because i need some stress relief!" "What the...?" Suzaku tried to say. "You better not succumb in front of me. I need you, not your corpse." Starcider said. "You saved me because you need me to reach Twilight, right?" Suzaku demanded distrustful. "That is not the only reason." Starcider replied with a sadistic tone, leaving Suzaku perplexed. "Seriously, i have no intention to to sit my ass and doing nothing! I'm going to mangle something!!" Quick as the lightning, Starcider spiraled herself through the air towards the Dragoliath's right leg, and starts grinding it with her iron scissors creating a vacuum drill around her rotating body, carving a huge flaming wound and causing the dragonic creature to fell on his knee due to the unbearable pain, threatening to crush her. Starcider quickly stopped her rotation and literally jumped on it's mangled right hand, preventing herself from being crushed. The Dragoliath turned it's head toward Starcider, who quickly generates a energy scissor with her magic and launched it in it's other eye, blinding it for good. As the Dragoliath was screeching and wiggling around to shrugg her off, Starcider quickly jumped away from it's hand, landed nearby it's left foot and began to slash it repeatedly to injure him even further. But before she could do that, the Dragoliath unleashed a shockwave that propelled her away from it's now destroyed leg, also bleeding red flames. She end up crashing nearby he house. Despite the impact of the blow, Starcider immediately stood up on her hind legs like nothing happened. As she rushed toward the the Dragoliath, the dragonic monster charged it's mouth with electricity and shoot multiple lightnings toward it's two preys. Starcider end up being struck by one of bolts while the other ones missed Suzaku. She spasmed a little for the electroshock and collpsed on the ground. Suzaku started to worry for her, but for other reasons that didn't include any empathy. Starcider looked a very battered with trails of steam rising from her coat, but her expression was a mix in between being angered and bloodthirsty. She was having fun, which disturbed Suzaku once more. Starcider tried to get up again, ignoring the pain of the electrocution, but suddenly found herself unable to move. She tried to move, but her body refuses to do so. She groaned in frustration, but then calmed herself down to process what happened. She could feel not one, but two magical forces affecting her. "The hell!?" Starcider exclaimed. "You gotta be fucking re-kidding me!" Suzaku said, not expecting this. Both of the distressed ponies turned their gaze toward the house. They were met by a unchained Night Glider, who stood with two pillars behind her. A green one and a red one. Enraged by this, Starcider tried to use her magic, but was then stunned by a electric charge surging in her head. "That serves you right." Night said. "We have conserved these spellbinding stone for Celestia, in case the Princess was coming in town. I can't believe that we have to use these on you, Starlight Glimmer." "What do you think are doing!? She was just trying to defeat the monster!" Suzaku yelled incredulous, but then paused to correct himself. "Ok, maybe she was fighting that thing just for bloodthirsty fun, but still, she was at least preventing you from being killed! What is wrong with you!?" "Don't even think i didn't considerate this particular." Sugar said, being unchained as well and coming out of the house. "But i think that is for the best." "For the best!? You are about to get yourselves killed!" Suzaku retorted. "I know that. But now that i'm seeing this from another degree, i understood. Painset decided to liberate us through the death. Thus after her champion finished with you and Starlight, we will go in a better place than this." As the monster growled, Suzaku the surreal development that this situation was taking. The red cloaked ponies gathered nearby Sugar Bell and Night Glider, and the Hell Hounds and humanoid Mindeaters formed a block behind the Dragoliath without him having realized yet. Suzaku's blood chilled as he interpreted this whole thing as a mass execution in which the monster was the executioner. He glared at Sugar for this insanity. "Are insane until this point?" Suzaku insisted. "I told you, heretic." Sugar informed with a calm, sinister tone. "We will not going back in that fake, warped reality ever again. Nor will you." Sugar, Night, Double, Party and the rest of their followers remained to watch as the The Dragoliath turned his head toward him, having noticed his presence through his sense of smell despite his blindness. Starcider struggled to set herself free in vain. Deafened by their insanity and unwilling to listen any other reasoning from their enemies, the red cloaked cultists waited for the monster to gave them the finishing blow. Suzaku could feel that this situation was going to end very badly. In this time was for real. He was so scared to die. But then he became less scared. Less and less scared. More than scared, he was frustrated and the pissed. He refused to believe that. Sugar's twisted logic irritated him at no end. But more infuriating than that was the sensation of not find any way out. "Reality... What do you think to know about reality, you moron..." "Well certainly not that of a current loser like you... Seriously... You're disappointing." A voice in Suzaku's head said. That wasn't Balamos. And wasn't Yuki Terumi either. "Y-you're not Balamos." Suzaku replied quietly. "I'm sick of people talking inside my head. What the hell are you?" "You wanted to emerge victorious from this ordeal, right? You wanted to triumph over any difficulty... You choose the dreadful path even before coming in this world for personal reasons." "..." "And now you are going to die in the most ridiculous and unceremonial way possible. Killed by a monster that is also helped by a bunch of cultist inside the fantasy word that you had constantly bashed from behind the screen. Well, open your eyes, idiot. You're not protected by your screen. They are gonna kill you and you didn't even put any willpower to fight back." Suzaku could feel his heart running faster. But that wasn't adrenaline. It was his pride being punched around by these words. "C'mon! You are going to let this douchebags crushing you!?" "Like hell i would let that happen!" Suzaku said angered. Ignoring his fatigue and pain, Suzaku forced stood up, stumbling as he tried to maintain his balance. He imposed to himself to stand up for his own reason. That was more than just his first real fight. That wasn't about just defeating the monster. That was about one thing that he promised to himself a long time ago. He will not succumb to no one. Sugar Bell looked at him, confident that he will succumb to the monster, just like the rest of the cult. Suzaku noticed that, but that wasn't important for him. What is important was what he's going to do. With his own mind being settled, Suzaku slowly walked toward the Dragoliath and stopped in front of the monster and glared upwards with a unnatural glare. "Nothing personal... But i'm really sick of your face already." Suzaku said, grinning a little bit, having forgotten any fear. "I'm not going to get killed today." Being fed up with being tossed around, Suzaku kept his eyes locked on the Dragoliath's eyes and the latter snarled angered. "By the way... " Suzaku materialized his huge black sword and grabbed it. "I saw Zombie Dragons that are far more competent than you, dumbass!" The Dragoliath tried to slash him with a claw swipe of his left hand. But he instantly cut them off with one single swing of his sword. The monster furiously tried to crush him with the palm of his mangled right hand. Suzaku jumped higher backwards, causing the Dragoliath to miss him and provoke a brief localized quake. Suzaku was about to use his powers, but then noticed that the Dragoliath was preparing to do something. He leaped away from him as the dragon like creature unleashed another shockwave. After landing on his hind legs, Suzaku looked at his foe. As the Dragoliath was opening his mouth, he channeled the claws of his hoof and pointed it toward the Dragoliath, ready to use his Shadow Shotgun. "Give me your best shot." Suzaku taunted him. The Dragoliath charged it's mouth, but before it could spit his blood colored meteor at him, he shot three darts of dark violet energy that whizzed straight in it's mouth and hit the meteor, making it explode from inside. It's head was mostly destroyed, showing his shadowy insides and being engulfed by red flames. "Have a nice spontaneous combustion." Suzaku said, expecting the monster to disappear afterwards. But despite that self explosion, the Dragoliath was still moving and making a almost deafened roar due to it's throat being heavily damaged, causing Suzaku to briefly react in disbelieve. He, however, recovered from that since he took that as a note of how persistent can be his future enemies, so he wouldn't even make a rant about that, despite the fact he hated the enemies who refused to die. Thought that happened in the videogames, but seeing it live was far more dangerous. Not want to waste anymore time, Suzaku warped nearby the devastated Dragoliath. Normally, that was really impractical and nonsensical, but since he's in pony form and he cannot afford to lose his balance in a very crucial moment, he abstained himself to walk two legged. Suzaku charged his huge black sword with a surge of dark-green energy and raised it above his head, ready to unleash his next attack. But then he noticed the Dragoliath furiously trying to punch him with his right hand. Before the Dragoliath's punch could reach him, Suzaku quickly slammed his channeled sword on the ground, making it burst into a black-green pyroclasm around him that incinerated the Dragoliath's entire arm. As the beast was weakly screeching, the pyroclasm ceased his rise and died out, revealing the sign that the sword carved in the ground, but not Suzaku. Much to Sugar, Starcider and the other ponies' surprise, he wasn't there. They looked around to find them until Suzaku reappeared in mid air above the head of the Dragoliath, but this time he was armed with his hoof turned into a very long blade of black-green energy instead of wielding his huge sword. He mustered his strength, and dived on him in a falling overhead slash on him with his energy blade. He cutted his way through it's body during his fall. He then landed unharmed afterwards with his energy made weapon slamming against the ground, unleashing a giant pillar of violet darkness from beneath the Dragoliath that instantly disintegrated it's body. The monster was reduced into black dust and disappeared into nothingness as the scarlet pillar advanced forward, disintegrating all the Hell Hounds, the humanoid Mindeaters and everything else in it's trajectory. Not even the monument of the cult's emblem and what remains of the destroyed gates were spared by it's destructive travel. The pillar continued it's advance until it disappeared at three yards far away from the town. Suzaku lifted his head toward the exit of the town and looked astonished at the aftermath of his final blow. All the way toward the exit of the town was completely clean. The Dragoliath wasn't the only thing that was disintegrated. The black flaming monsters and the emblem were no more. The pillar of energy responsible for that That leaved a huge line carved in the soil that traversed. He remained silent. He wanted to exult for his victory, but was too frightened by how he managed to "Overkill" a huge dark flame engulfed dragon and a entire army of Mindeaters behind it to do so. That made him consider the most classic of the lesson: How dangerous can this power be if not used properly. And see it with his own eyes has no price. "That is definitively exaggerated." Suzaku said in disbelief, but then calmed down as he turned his hoof back to normal while retaining the claws. "But that cannot be helped. I'm the one who unleashed all that power against this rage beast." As he continued to reflect about that, a strange realization struck his mind. There's something about his powers that doesn't add up. Balamos implanted the spirit of Yuki Terumi inside his body, so i gained his powers. He didn't realized before, but these powers doesn't look like these of Terumi. He tried to find some answers, but his pondering was interrupted by Sugar Bell screaming in the distance. "No.... NO! It's not supposed to be like this! There's no way a heretic like you could survive the wrath of Painset!" Sugar Bell lamented. Suzaku returned four legged and turned toward the remaining cultists gathered in front of Starlight' house. He gave a look to the their faces as they watched him. They were equally astonished as he is, except not in good way. Sugar Bell and Night Glider were completely shocked, refusing to believe that even happened. Double Diamond, Party Favor and the rest of their fellow cultists looked at him with a newfound fear. Having saw the 'herald of their god' and their entire army of Mindeaters crumble in front of their eyes was really devastating for their misguided faith. Starcider Glimsho, still imprisoned by the magic of the pillars was impressed in a very chilling way by his powers and his combat abilities. She felt also a little conflicted. Deep inside she was enjoying the scene where Sugar saw her paradise being crushed, but she was also mad at Suzaku for having stolen her fun. "Let's show them what a overpowered troll can possibly do." Suzaku said as he headed toward Starcider, who was impatient to be set free. Sugar Bell glared at Suzaku intensively, but then she noticed her followers recoiling in fear for his reprisal as he was getting closer them, despite them being her loyal Homuncoli created by her. Night looked at him with scorn while Double and Party couldn't help but feel legitimately intimidated by him. "So even the Homuncoli doesn't want to fuck with me... Good for me." Suzaku stopped and took and looked at Sugar Bell just to make sure that she doesn't do anything reckless, and then back to Starcider. "You weren't so injured after all." Suzaku said. "Screw you. I'm still alive thanks to the spirit that turned me into a bloodthirsty psychopath... Thought i'm started to get used to it." Starcider said. "Just set me free already." "Only if you don't start a killing spree after i released you." Suzaku precised. "What!? But this bitch tried to-" "I will deal with her and her companions. Just don't do anything controversial. Got it?" "Arrrrgh!..... Fine. I will do as you want." Starcider accepted reluctantly. "But don't push your luck on me, dude!" Suzaku heard the sound of wings flapping coming from behind him. He turned his head toward the source and saw Night Glider flying in the air, armed with a shovel sword. She was about to dive toward him to strike, but was then interrupted by Feather Bang jumping from the roof of the house and falling upon her, making her sword fall from her hooves and causing her to crash on the ground with him. That act caught Suzaku's interest for a moment. "Wow... Doesn't not happen every day to see a insecure character going Assassins Creed on a winged psycho." Suzaku commented quietly. Feather turned his head toward an angered Sugar Bell while blocking Night's body with his own. Sugar tried to use her magic, but she can't doing it due to Starcider's Nullifying Scissor's influence being still active. "Sugar Bell!" shouted Feather. "Stop this madness! It's over!" "Feather..." Sugar said with quiet dismay. "You had sworn loyalty to our god... I thought we are friends... How could you-" "This is not living. We have killed innocents for that stupid creed. Is not too late to atone for that. Celestia will sur-" "YOU TRAITOR!!" Sugar screamed in rage, charging toward Feather to stab him with her horn. Suzaku dissolved into black-green flames and reappeared in front of her just in time to block her charge by grabbing her neck with his claws and lifting in mid air. He gave her a glare that would have smashed her eyes like a stained glass, draining away her psychotic rage before letting her go. Sugar Bell was paralyzed, unable to use her magic and not knowing what to do. "You know, you have some piece of cupcakes in your hooves." Suzaku said sardonically as he pointed to her forelegs. Sugar Bell hesitantly glanced upon her hooves with a confused look, leaving a opening for Suzaku to quickly hit her with a roundhouse punch. She collapsed on the ground, stunned by the blow. "Be happy that i didn't gone Ezekiel 25:17 on you, bitch." Suzaku said with calm anger. Suzaku walked toward the pillars and then stopped. He stood up on his hind legs and observed Double Diamond, Party Favor and the rest of cult, who were watching him in awe from afar. "Since we are in theme of crazy ponies and screw up deities who are not Celestia or Luna, i hope you enjoy this." Suzaku announced, leaving the other ponies, including Sugar, Starcider and even Feather, really confused as he materialized his huge black sword and wield it. "Wait a second, heretic!" Double said. "What are-" "No pony talks when my sword is talking!" Suzaku interrupted before cutting both the pillar in two with his sword and, causing them to emit sparks for a moment before their color became very pale. Their influence that affected her body disappeared, so Starcider was able to move again. She quickly stood up and approached Suzaku with a serious face. Thought that she is still impressed for what he was able to do, she still hate his guts. "You're really a terrific guy, you know." Starcider said very serious without any mood swinging variation for once. "I couldn't even believe myself." Suzaku replied, not knowing how to put that with words. Starcider, being still Starlight Glimmer for a certain extent, gave a glare to the stunned Sugar. She still wanted to get revenge on her, but due to her deal with Suzaku, she decided to let him handle the situation and pretend to ignore her and her four companions. Even thought she still hate his guts. "S-Starlight?" Diamond said, inducing Starcider to turn toward him. "N-now that i'm thinking about that... what happened to you?" "That should be last of your problems, Double." Starcider said in a serious tone, before shifting into a cheerfully sadistic one. "I'm the ghost of your former equality cult leader who is now the avatar of slaughter! KYEHAHAHAHA!" "Cork it, lady." Suzaku said, interrupting her laughter. "Just make sure that they don't do anything reckless." "Whatever....." Starcider replied with a grumpy tone. Suzaku teleported near to Sugar and pointed his sword to her head, causing the cultists to recoil once more. Night Glider was angered by this, but didn't even dared to make any reckless move. And not just because Feather Bang was still blocking her body on the ground with his own. Double and Party were too worried for Sugar, so they abstained from taking any action. Suzaku looked at Feather Bang, who was unsure about his intentions. "Hey!" Suzaku said, looking at Feather Bang. "Y-yes?" Feather responded reluctantly, still holding Night Glider on the ground with his body. "Now then, get off this pegasus and get your ass out of her." Suzaku ordered to him. "What?" Feather Bang said. "Nani?" Starcider muttered confused. "Are you serious?!" Party Favor inquired. "W-why are you doing this?" Feather asked confused. "Personally, i'm not very fond of you, but i could respect a pony who snapped at a bitch like her." Suzaku said as Feather was glaring a little bit to him for his remark. "Look, i know that she's still your friend, but she tried to kill me." "..." "What are you waiting for?" Suzaku insisted. "Go!" With the face of someone who doesn't want anymore violence, Feather silently nod, released Night from his grasp and galloped away as fast a he could. Suzaku turned his attention back to the cultists and observed their faces. Suzaku grinned a little bit upon noticing their respective reaction and pointed his sword toward them. "You're still shocked for the fact your god's champion was destroyed by a black jacket wearing nutjob? Then let me show you one thing that helped me to do so." Suzaku said bluntly as he put his back-hoof on Sugar Bell's back to block her, which was a good move since she couldn't still use her magic for at least thirty minutes. Sugar Bell recovered a little bit from his dizziness but wasn't able to stand up due to the green pony's back-hoof blocking her and pushing her on the ground with much strength. Suzaku pointed his sword, ready to get to the point. "This lady that is looking at you... Is Psycho Slayer," Suzaku announced. "Dragon Slayer's bastardized sister. I cut off the claws of your colossus and destroyed it's arm with it, as i will do the same thing to you cult leader if you don't do as i say." "Too bad that you wouldn't let me do that." Starcider muttered in the demeanor of Starlight Glimmer. "But still, Sugar Bell is the only one who can resurrect you and make rise the number of your followers, so...." Suzaku switched his tone into a serious one. "You better not trying anything, you wackos." "The conditions are actually three. The first one is that you will never, ever tell Princess Celestia, Luna, or any other pony that i and Starcider were there. The second one is that you have to let us go. And the third one..." Double, Party and the other inhabitants took his words very seriously as they waited to hear the rest. Sugar and Night were doing reluctantly the same. After all, nopony wanted to opposed someone with a destructive power like his own. Suzaku grinned satisfied of the situation. He would have just imposed them to let him and Starcider go. But after the whole madness that they forced him to face, he couldn't even miss this opportunity to take his revenge. However, more than revenge it was something else. "You will serve me as my new agents!" Suzaku announced. Starcider looked at him in dismay while the cultists were frozen upon hearing his words. There was a sense of silent moment of bewilderment and incredulity, then their baffled expression, and then their reaction. "WHAAAAAT!?" Everybody but Suzaku and Starcider shouted. "What the hell, hero!?" Starcider protested. "That is just the beginning of your punishment." Suzaku proclaimed. "And since you will probably tell Celestia about that to frame me for the death of the ponies you had killed me, i had prepared a little surprise for you." "What are you talking-" Sugar Bell suspended her sentence, having grasped a hint about his intentions. "No! Don't tell me...!" Suzaku rummaged in his black sack with his only empty clawed hoof and pulled out something. The cultists reacted in fear about his intentions. "Say hello to my little friend!" Suzaku said as he showed the blue crystal to them. "That's not good.... You can't do that!" Sugar Bell howled. "Damn you!" "What a clever bastard." Starcider commented. "If this goes in the hooves of Princess Celestia and she sees the memories of deceased ponies... It will be over for us." Night Glider said. Sugar Bell and the rest of her cult were left defeated and demoralized, but Suzaku didn't feel any remorse about that. As he putted back the blue crystal in his sack, Suzaku keep a eye on them. Having cornered the ones who tried to eliminate him and put them on his side, one word was appropriate for him. "Checkmate."
Chapter 4.5: Internal TribulationsEverything was quiet inside Mann Manor. Applepills wandered thoughtful in the halls of the mansion. Something was bothering her for a long time, so she looked for Francie Bloom to talk about that but couldn't find her, and she knows why. Her little sister was the type that love joke around with Applepills for fun since their possession, thought that sometime these jokes were sometimes a little inappropriate. Applepills' possession, or "addiction" of the "Pills Meme", made her also short tempered, so make her angry was also part of Francie's antics. But since the incident caused by Rainbine's asinine experiment almost killed her, Francie abstained from making fun of Applepills for a while since she was in a very foul mood. Francie didn't talk to her older sister very much and spent more time with her fellow Cutey Mark Monsters or the other ponies than usual. She worried about her behavior, but she also hoped that Francie wouldn't come up with some other irritating joke. Not knowing about her whereabouts, Applepills headed toward Rarifruit's room, expecting to find her just to ask that information. She stopped near to the opened door and quietly observed. Rarifruit was there, adding some new jewel and reorganizing his collection. She's so concentrated and clingy about her collection that she would react negatively at every single loud sounds or even attacking her without even look, fearing that someone will steal her treasures. Applepills has nothing personal on Rarifruit, but she was picked up as a laughing stock so many often that she was tempted to do a little but harmless prank, just to relieve her stress. But mostly she will do it to get Rarifruit's attention without any having any incident. She hide herself from behind the wall and soundly knocked the floor thrice, causing Rarifruit to quickly turn her head toward the entrance and shout hysterically. "DON'T EVEN TOUCH-" Rarifruit halted her words as she saw no one in the entrance. "Can Ah enter now?" Applepills said, smirking a little from behind the wall. "Applepills, are you trying to give me a heart attack?! Why you had knocked the floor instead of the door?" "Just to get yer attention." Applepills approached Rarifruit. "But that wasn't the only reason. Did you've seen Francie Bloom?" "If i remember, Francie headed to the Library. She was looking for something," "Thanks. Ya can return to whatever you were doing, sugar cube." Applepills said as she was about to leave. "Wait a minute." Rarifruit halted her. "What's that?" Applepills asked. Both the mares exchanged their glances. Rarifruit looked at her with a doubtful look while Applepills couldn't tell her intentions. "Wasn't Brutalight... acting stranger, recently?" Rarifruit demanded. "What i can say?" Applepills replied. "She seemed a little stressed after she returned from her manhunt." "Did you have asked something from her?" "Ah did, but then she snatched my bottle of pills-" "I don't want to know the rest." Rarifruit interrupted. "Does Francie Bloom know anything about that?" "That's what Ah want to know." "I am coming with you, but first you had to do that." Rarifruit demanded sternly. "Do what?" "You know, that is a serious situation. I don't want it's importance to be ruined by such inconvenience. So, before that, i suggest you to take care of-" True to Rarifruit's predictions, Applepill's neck cracked side to side before she exclaims. "PILLS!" "That." Rarifruit concluded with a deadpan tone. Sixty-seven pills later, Applepills and Rarifruit resumed their research and headed toward the Library, but Francie wasn't there. Not only that, but there are a few books scattered on the floor. For her, that can be the case since Francie, even before her possession, didn't really read much books. Applepills putted the books in their own shelves and moved toward the living room. The mares finally found Francie, sat in the couch and doing something different. Usually she would watch the television, but instead she was holding a opened book. "Francie?" Rarifruit called. Francie turned her head toward her but then flinched upon seeing Applepills being with her. "Ah know that ya're afraid of me, but don't worry. I've calmed down from that. Ah'm not doing anything to you." Applepills paused. "As long as ya don't joke on me in this moment." "Ok." Francie said nervously. "Fair enough." Rarifruit gave a puzzled glance on the book that Francie was holding in her hooves. Which was kind of odd since she didn't read many books. "Darling, what are you reading anyway?" Rarifruit asked. "Ya mean this?" Francie said closing the book and showing it's cover, which title was 'Chemical Index'. "Just something that Creepy Bell asked me to find." Francie said as she put the book on the side of the couch. "Why she asked you that?" Rarifruit inquired. "She ain't told me the reason. She said is a secret, so ah read some pages to figure that out." "Ya could at least put the other books on their places and not leave them scattered on the floor... Brutalight doesn't tolerate disrespect toward books, ya know?" Applepills said with a stern tone. "I get it, only her can do that. Ah'll take note of that." Francie acknowledged. "Aaand.. What ah'we talking about again?" "Your sister wanted to ask you something about Brutalight." Rarifruit said. "If ya say so.... Then shoot." Francie said. "Wasn't Brutes.... acting a little stranger when she returned from her manhunt?" Applepills said. "Yea, i was present when that happened, so?" Francie asked confused. "Ya followed her, so you should know what happened to her." Applepills precised. "Ya're talking about that?" Francie looked a little reluctant about that question. "Ah don't know. Brutes wouldn't approve that." "But we need to know what's up with her, missy." Applepills insisted. "Well.... if you want." Francie sighed and started "Brutes was in her study room, looking for some book. It wasn't mah intention to spy her, but Ah heard a unceasing noise coming from there, so Ah headed there to check her out. As she was examining each book before dropping it around, Brutes was poking her sword on the floor. Ah tried to talk to her, but then she pointed her sword at me. Upon recognizing me, she apologized, sayin' that she was feeling a little... odd." "Odd?" Rarifruit said confused. "Ah don't know what to say." Francie replied apologetic. "Maybe i can explain this." Said a voice. The three ponies turned toward the corridor on their left and saw Fluttershout, who had just arrived. "Fluttershout?" Applepills said. "I don't know all the details," Fluttershout said. "Just promise me to not tell her about it, ok?" Rarifruit, Applepills and Francie nodded silently. "From what i understood," Fluttershout began. "One month ago, Brutalight was fighting against a unknown enemy. Brutalight herself had her upper hand until this foe managed to give her a deadly blunt blow on her head. As a result, her mind was split in three during her sleep, which were that of Twilight Sparkle and these of the other two spirits, Brutal Christian Sniper and Weaselcakes. As a results, she has one hell of identity crisis. That was the reason of her manhunt." Rarifruit, Applepills and Francie shocked in a very disturbing way. They didn't even noticed nothing about her conditions. They knew about the toll that the monsters inside Twilight, now Brutalight, put upon her minds and sanity, but their minds weren't prepared for the terrific imagery that flashed in their minds. Having a identity crisis of that level was surely scary. "How worse is that?" Applepills asked worried. "Technically, her personality is still the same," Fluttershout assured at first. "But her powers became difficult to control due to the three parts of her mind being unable to agree with each others, which is kind of dangerous if she is in the middle of a fight." "How did you know that?" Rarifruit inquired. "I just heard her bickering... with 'herself' from outside her room, but i don't know nothing about what happened during her manhunt." Fluttershout responded. "We must doin' something about that. I mean, we're the ones who came up with the idea to fuse two souls inside Twilight to begin with." Applepills said. They pondered about how to figure out what happened during the manhunt and what this unknown enemy was. Applepills suddenly realized who could know the details, but scowled irritated about that. "Ah hate to tell ya since ah'm still mad about that but.... Rainbine may know about that. She was with Brutes after all." Applepills narrowed her eyes. "Veeery convenient." Fluttershout said before smiling deviously. Fluttershout went outside the mansion and flew up. She flew over the the mansion until she found Rainbine taking a nap on one of the roofs. Fluttershout landed on the top of it and made sure to be at her left side. She grinned in anticipation, one second before she charged her mouth and unleashed her trademark ear crushing scream. "ASS!!" Although the scream did missed Rainbine, it was loud enough to wake her up. Rainbine may be a half-cyborg, but is still a unpleasant annoyance when her bionic hears started ringing. She was lucky if Fluttershout didn't destroyed her ears. Rainbine quickly turned toward the yellow pegasus, who chuckled a little. "What the hell was that for!?" Rainbine said with a startled face and a pissed off tone. "Seeing you like that is just priceless." Fluttershout said gleefully before turning her tone into a serious one."But seriously, Rarifruit need you in the living room." "For what?" Rainbine asked. In response, Fluttershout whispered in her metallic ear. Rainbine got the importance of the message, but there was something that made her reconsider. "Oh, really?" Rainbine replied reluctant. "Look, I have no problem to explain that. However, while Applepills would have forgiven me, she will be probably be still pissed after my idiocy. I have to?" "You have to." Fluttershout said bluntly. "And HOW." Rainbine let out a heavy sigh and followed Fluttershout. The yellow pegasus explained her the details about their conversation. Rainbine was left baffled to know about Brutalight's conditions, which explained her something that didn't add up to her. She has now a valid reason to follow her, but due to Applepills being with them, that would be a very awkward night for the cybernetic pegasus. Nine minutes later, Rainbine and Fluttershout meet up with Applepills, Rarifruit and Francie Bloom in the living room. Applepills immediately glared at Rainbine, who really expected that. She deserved it after all. "Rainbine. Explain what happened while you were with her." Fluttershout said. "Yeah. About the whole manhunt thing, she got pretty much obsessed for that target for reasons that i pretty much ignore." Rainbine explained. "And when we returned, Brutalight got pretty mad... and stressed out." "Ah saw that. Ah was in the entrance with Francie when she returned." Applepills asked. "How did you saw her?" Rarifruit asked. "It looked like she was struggling with something." Rainbine said. "But i didn't know that her previous fight against her target managed to split her mind in three." "Actually.... Ah was thinking about one thing for two weeks, since it has something to do with us." Francie said with a hesitant tone. The four mares turned their attention to Francie with a worried look. That sudden tone shift and these words caught their interest and raised their perplexity. "Francie, what are you trying to say?" Applepills asked. "During our convesation," Francie paused, unsure if that was the right thing to say. "Brutes asked me if ah ever missed mah old life." "For real? But why?" Rarifruit demanded. "She said no reason. Ah swear." Francie said convinced. "What did you answer her?" Fluttershout demanded. "Ah said a little bit. To be honest, it's nostalgic now. " "Now that i'm thinking about, there was a book out of place that was about the exorcism." Fluttershout realized something. "Maybe the personality of Twilight made the other two spirits agree to help her." "Help her for what?" Rainbine demanded. "Save us from our current fate." Fluttershout affirmed bluntly. "What!? Are you serious!?" Rarifruit exclaimed shocked "That should be good for me. To be fair, ah've enough of being a painkiller addict." Applepills admitted. "I know it," Rarifruit said insecure. "But didn't we agreed to accept our destiny as the Elements of Insanity. Forgive me, but i'm still feeling good being greedy. And besides, we have no safe way to exorcise ourselves." "Me too! I'm even more awesome with this monster inside me," Rainbine protested. "How could-" "We get it. Guns are awesome. Now shut up for a moment." Fluttershout interrupted her with a irritated ton, much to the cyborg's annoyance. "Let me remind you that all of us agreed to make turn Twilight in Brutalight, so the minimum that we can do is to watch her intentions very carefully while maintaining this story on a low profile. In the meantime, we are continuing our progress with the portal." The mares took a moment to reflect about that, but since they got used to their new life, they agreed with Fluttershout's proposal and smirked, minus Applepills, who smiled weakly, and Francie, who doesn't know how to feel. "Let's face it. It's so good to live as we are now. Don't get me wrong. I know that Brutalight wanted to fix our conditions, but she had to admit. Who want to be changed back?" Rarifruit said maliciously. "So you're ok with this?" Francie asked. "And how!" Rainbine replied confident. "And ah'll forget a portion of what we've talked about due to my addiction." Applepills said resigned. "And now for the other reason why i wanted Rainbine to follow me." Fluttershout said. "What are you-" Rainbine then remembered something Fluttershout told before. "Ah, now i remember. That was a thing that i developed three weeks ago. I built some Inter-dimensional Probes. As you can guess it's able to travel through dimensions. I used some magical component that Pinkis was using to build the portal." "Are you a idiot!?" Rarifruit scowled. "That was a vital part of our plan to reach Equestria! Are you trying to ruin this up!?" "Don't worry, i was present during the development," Fluttershout reassured. "Pinkis gave us the permission to use some her magical discard. I also made sure that Rainbine didn't screwed up anything during her calculations regarding the part involving the inter-dimensional factor." Fluttershout said. " "And we got lucky. They reached Equestria. Specifically, Canterlot Castle." Rainbine said satisfied. Francie Bloom and the other three mares looked at Rainbine surprised. Rarifruit, however, didn't looked exactly convinced. "Are you sure that won't end up like your demented experiment?" Rarifruit demanded distrustful. "I don't think is the case," Fluttershout said "The probes are connected to a magical mirror, which allowed us to see what the probes see." "Another victory for tecnology." Rainbine said gleefully. "Now if you excuse us, we are going to check if the test with the probes was successful." Fluttershout looked at Rainbine with a intimidating gaze. "Right?" "Sure." Rainbine meekly agreed. "I have nothing better to do at the moment." Rainbine and Fluttershout left the living room, while the Applepills, Francie and Rarifruit were the only ones remained. "Now that i'm thinking about, doesn't that bottle of pills counting as spirit possessing you?" Rarifruit asked formally. "Ah don't think so. There isn't any ghost at all inside of that fella." Applepills said, looking perplexed. "And Pinkis? What about her." Francie said. "Well, about her-" Applepills was then interrupted by a sudden scream. "WHAT!?" Fluttershout voice echoed from the corridor. The three ponies rushed in the room in which Fluttershout and Rainbine are. The two mares were standing near to a mirror. Rarifruit, Applepills and Francie approached the mirror and saw the image of a Draconequus laying unconscious on the floor, inside the halls of Canterlot Castle. It looked beaten up and weak. Royal Guards found him in that state and reacted in shocked awe. The guards took his body and carried him somewhere else, probably to take care of him. The four refused to believe what they saw. They know Discord, and there's noway that could happen. Such thing literally baffles them. "Discord looked very battered..." Fluttershout said, almost at loss of words. "Impossible." "That cannot be real!" Rarifruit exclaimed incredulous. "Wasn't Discord supposed to be one step ahead than anypony else?" Francie demanded. "But that is imPILLSable-" Appelpills halted to correct herself as her neck briefly cracked side to side. "Ah mean really implausible! We ain't know any other possible being who was able to defeat him, outside of Tirek who is actually in the Tartarus!" "Brutalight will not be happy to hear this." Fluttershout said with a grim tone. "Is there somepony outside the two Princess being able to take down Discord?" Rainbine thought. Canterlot Castle, twenty minutes before. In the middle of the night, Discord stood in front of a mirror. The reflection was showing the images of Twilight and her friends succumbing to their twisted fate. As the images disappeared, he remained distraught. He could easily understood what happened to them. "So this is what happened to them.... And Fluttershy too." Discord said. Discord was about to snap his fingers, but then hit in his back by a powerful unknown force and then painfully collapsed on the floor. He felt numb and drained of his magic. He wasn't able to move, use his powers or even talk. As he tried to process what happened, a mysterious figure silently approached him. It pointed his hoof at the weakened Discord and gestured at him like it was shooting with a gun, causing the Draconequus to be thrown in the air and being violently fall against the floor once more. "I'm sorry, avatar of chaos. But your powers would be a serious problem to us. The only thing that you must keep in mind is that the game must continue." The figure remained to watch Discord, just to make sure that he wouldn't even react. The chaos ruler tried to move, but his consciousness was steadily reaching his own limits. His sight goes dark and he started his descent into the darkness. After that, the figure walked away from him and leaved the room without leaving any trace.
Chapter 5: Toward the Next Target, (UPDATED)After Suzaku had spectacularly destroyed the Dragoliath that Sugar Bell believed to be her god's champion, he managed to take the cult leader as a hostage and establish his own terms for her release. He also ensured his cover by obtaining the blue crystal containing the memory of a pony who was previously resurrected into a Homunculus by Sugar herself to prove his innocence to Celestia, in case she decided to charge him for the mess that Starcider Glimsho made in the ceremonial room. Fortunately for her, the dead pony never saw her face before he died. As a result, not only they left him and Starcider go with the promise to not tell anything about them, but, as a third condition, they became his new agents, much to their reluctance. Starcider wasn't very happy to let go the four ponies responsible for helping Twilight Sparkle to destroy her "utopia". But, unfortunately for her, she has to follow Suzaku's condition in order to find her six major targets, including Twilight herself. Sugar Belle accepted their conditions since she doesn't want any more damages or anything else that would put her cult in danger, since she's confident that Painset Shimmercakes will deliver her punishment, completely oblivious of her god's real intentions and disinterest for their followers. As Suzaku and Starcider reached the exit while dragging Sugar Bell, they dropped the rose unicorn and galloped away from the town under a black clouded sky. After some minutes of traveling, Suzaku and Starcider arrived at the point were he first appeared through the portal that Balamos opened for him. Suzaku looked upon the very black clouded dusk above him. He was glad that is not raining since he didn't want to get cold. As he waited for Balamos to open a portal leading to his dimension, he told to Starcider about the Mane Six's fate, what have become of them and their new identity as the Elements of Insanity. He had also told about the Mindeaters, Painset's real identity and the Dragoliath not being connected to her at all, but he didn't mentioned about Painset's fate since he doesn't know very much about it. "Let me get that straight," Starcider said tranquilly. "Huh, so that bookworm and her friends became possessed by some spirits just like me, turned into monsters, gone nuts and are now trying to return here and taking over Equestria. I see... I see i see..." "Yeah. That's the situation." Suzaku confirmed. "As i expected from them, they are even more hypocritical than i thought!" Starcider said. "And they tagged me as a villain! Well, their newfound insanity is a perfect representation of their egos! I mean, they are not great example of Harmony. They are not even close to Harmony. Hahahahah!" Suzaku shook his head in resignation to the fact that he had to bear that. He will have a hard time to get used to her loud, annoying laughter. "But seriously. Why does your boss need my help?" Starcider asked. "Aren't you powerful enough to kick some ass? Did he know that i still hate you?" "Possibly because i will have a hard time to deal with all them combined together. Plus i have currently some issues with my powers. Don't even ask." Suzaku explained. "So he need more Pony Freaks... And i'm on the list, riiiight?" Starcider asked. "That should be obvious." Suzaku said slight annoyed. "Look, i don't care about the tactics of your boss, but you will have my skills as long as you help me to settle the score with Twilight Sparkle... What the hell she's calling herself now? Brutalight Sparcake?"" "He made me looking for you because of you powerful magic that will allow you to defeat her. Even if she is a alicorn." Suzaku then thought about that statement. "However, facing all of the-" "Screw the other five ponies. Twilight is the only that i want." Starcider said with a grim enthusiasm. "The same thing goes for this Painset whatever is called." "What!?" "Why not? These two bastards screwed up my utopia in so many ways." Starcider said, displaying a bit of her bloodlust. "First Twilight turned my town against me. And then Painset tainted that said town. I'm feeling violated twice right now! First of all i will cut them with all the scissors and magic at my disposal, and then i will sho-" "CUT! IT! OFF!" Suzaku screamed. "Is possible to even talk with you without having any innuendo lurking behind the corner?" "Don't even question my own newfound inner being that you have infused in me. Got it?" Starcider said with a uncomfortable smile. Suzaku sighed and walked away from her to take a deep breath, as he needed some oxygen to recover mentally from another uncomfortable cringe-worthy moment. In that fraction of time, he pondered about what Balamos said about give him a army of freak ponies. And that Suzaku has to lead it during the confrontation with the Elements of Insanity. The are only two fears that emerged among his thoughts: Being unable to keep them under his control and losing his sanity trying. However he couldn't even complain about that. He knew what was getting into since the start of his journey. "By the way, why you let that wussy go?" Starcider asked. "Are you talking about Feather Bang? He wasn't among your followers when Twilight crushed your utopia. So why you ask?" Suzaku demanded. "I know that he wasn't there when that happened... But you know what? That is the type of cute ponies that you love to kill." Starcider said, on the verge to gushing about it, but then restrained herself from doing so. "Ugh... I forgot. Not kills, right." "That was the pact." Suzaku said with a resigned look. Suzaku was very disturbed to realize the Starlight Glimmer inherited even Genocider Sho's hobby to kill cute boys who are appealing to her. The possession has indeed put a real toll on her sanity. However this gave him a hint about the Elements of Insanity. "That must be logically corrected. If the Demented Seven inherited the ghost's powers, that means that they had also inherited their weakness, something that i will exploit to at my vantage. But that means also that the same thing goes for Starcider Glimsho and the future ponies that i had to corrupt and recruit, which is a problem... i have to be wary." "Who the hell is this Derpy anyway?" Starcider demanded. Suzaku was about to answer, but, without any warning, a very familiar barrage of black lightnings was falling in front of them and opened the black portal. Suzaku was flinched for the fright since he didn't get used enough to that. Starcider was really impressed by this. "I think that i have to answer that later. My boss is waiting for you." Suzaku confirmed said. "So your boss is indeed a deity after all.... I will give him a shot!" Starcider said with a devilish tone. "Ah, and don't worry about the fact that you look cute. I still hate you." Starcider entered into the portal and dissolved in the dark. With this, his first job was cleared. Suzaku was left with a real bad taste in my mouth due to Starcider and her new personalty. He was about to follow her, but a familiar male voice suddenly called him. "Lord Zaidel!" Suzaku turned his head toward the source of the voice. He saw Feather Bang galloping toward him in the distance. "What the hell are you doing here!? And how did you know my name!?" Suzaku demanded as Feather stopped in front of him. "I was inside Starlight's house for the whole time." Feather began. "Sugar Bell sent one of his followers to looking for me. I knocked it out and took his red cloak to disguise as one of them. I was watching you from the tunnel leading to the ceremonial room, talking to Starlight Glimmer. That was the point where i heard your name. Zaidel Goelnix if i can remember." "Wait." Suzaku stopped him. "Did you see anything else beyond the name part?" "No. I just returned to the group, pretending to be one of them." Feather responded. "Phew! So he didn't saw the part where i turned Starlight into a Freak Pony." Suzaku said in his head. "As they stormed into the house, i stayed behind and climbed to the roof." Feather continued. "I saw the whole fight without being noticed. That was insane." Suzaku looked at Feather Bang perplexed. The fact that he called him Lord just came out of nowhere. At the top of it, Suzaku had to justify the presence of the portal, but Feather seemed to busy to talk with him. "Oh, by the way. Thank you for having spared the life to Sugar Bell." Feather said with gratitude. "I know what she had done in her insanity was unforgivable, but i still care about her, even if she considered me as her friend." "Just cut the romance stuff. What do you want?" Suzaku demanded impatiently. "Let me join you, Lord Zaidel." Feather said with a bit of confidence.. "Absolutely no. I don't want have any normal pony on my conscience." Suzaku said bluntly. "Oh, c'mon. You're the one who show me the truth. I'm sick and tired to be insecure and unable to save anypony. Try at least to consider my request." Feather insisted. "I think that Sugar Bell i coming just for you." Suzaku said while pointing his hoof into a random direction. "Where?" Feather asked while looking in the direction before Suzaku quickly punched him in the face with his hoof, making him collapse unconscious. Suzaku waited, looking into the portal, knowing that his boss was going to talk inside his head very soon. "About time, Balamos. You gave me a real hell to face." Suzaku murmured. "I guess that Mindeater you had destroyed and your jackass behavior will attract the attention of Celestia." Balamos said. "Say, i wasn't expecting you, of all people, to feel empathy for ponies. Why? Something reminded you of a experience that happened in the human world?" "None of your damn business." "I personally don't give a damn about your privacy. So... what do you want? " "I have to ask you something about my powers. I noticed that these aren't like anything that came from Yuki Terumi or Susanoo in general." "I know that." "Really?" "That is also a reason why you are fully in control of yourself." "Explain yourself. Or maybe you prefer me to find out by myself?" "Not necessarily since this is far more complicated, you moron. You're powers are been warped... by some mysterious force." "Warped? What do you mean?" "The powers that you possess now is not that of the spirit that is possessing you. "And is that a problem?" "Maybe.... But i will let it be as long a you don't use it against me." "Hey, calm down. I never thought that since we met the first time." "....... For now." "Huh?" "Nevermind. There are more important things to talk about." "You know, Balamos. That you are a imposing deity or not, i will find out what you are hiding from me." "There's no need to be this arrogant or paranoid." "I have a valid motive to act like that. Deal with it." After that, Suzaku entered into the portal and reappeared into Balamos' dimension, stepping in the grass field. He was met by a something that wasn't expecting to find. Something that wasn't there before: a huge marble palace, constructed with bizarre hybrid architecture between these of the Ancient Greek, the Gothic and the Neo-Classic. Something that the purist of both Art and Architecture will throw a hissy fit about. Suzaku didn't know how to take it's appearance. It's just came out of nowhere. "You never cease to confuse me." Suzaku commented. Suzaku would ask another thing to Balamos if he is willing to speak to him once more. But he was really tired and just wanted to rest. Giving for sure that Starcider already entered the palace, he does the same. Suzaku stepped into the main hall of the palace. His sight was met by a very strange architectonic composition. Everything around him was made of a pale light-blue marble. That very first hall almost resembled that of a cathedral, with columns rising high, with red colored tendrils wrapping around them in spiral motion while azure webs and emerald lines infested the capitals. The ceiling was that of a cathedral. Suzaku can tell that because he visited one during a school trip in Florence. He pointed his gaze at the stairs at the end of the hall that leaded to the upper level. There are a few doors and a corridor in each side of it. Judging by that, it was obvious that the are a eastern wing and a western wing. There was also a doorway on the central part of stairs at the end of the hall. "He surely had a weird, grotesquely and yet nonsensical taste of architecture." Suzaku said. "That will be the place in which you will live until your mission is accomplished, so you don't have much to complain about the design." Balamos said, appearing above Suzaku, causing him to scream and flinching for the fright. "You always have the retarded habit do screw with anyone who you find amusing, are you? I'm not get used to this!" Suzaku said irritated, panting for that. "Think what you want, moron. By the way, welcome to Gol Nazam, your hideout and my sanctuary." "Too bad it looked like a generic RPG Maker game's castle map." Suzaku commented. "Your opinion. However if you want to rest, your room is in the western wing. But before you can go into the dreamland, have at least the courtesy to fix yourself. You're still in bad shape after the fight with that Dragoliath." Now that Balamos mentioned, Suzaku realized to have forgot about his damaged that inflicted to him. Despite having defeated his previous enemy, he was still battered after that battle. His body was mostly filled with signs and some livid, and his black jacket was half-burnt, exposing his cutey mark. That reminded him that he never checked up his cutey mark after being possessed by Yuki Terumi due to his adversity against that concept. According to the memories that Balamos implanted into his head, The Elements of Insanity has their own changed after being possessed. To confirm his suspect, he took reluctantly a look at it and noticed with confusion it's new form. The curved cross changed it's angles for most of the part and was covered in the center by intimidating medieval helmet on the center. That was kind of odd since he was expecting a black-green serpent to represent the spirit that possessed him. Suzaku then returned his attention to Balamos, resuming his topic about his jacket. "Alright. I'm going to do what i have to do." Suzaku said with a rough tone with a bit of formality. "But don't-" "I'm not interested to spy someone during his intimate moment, as opposite to someone else who does that from behind the screen with a mouse and a keyboard." "Hey! What is that supposed to-" "I'm only screwing with you. Now you better rest. The next part is waiting for you." Balamos saying before closing his giant eye form and disappearing in the nothingness. "Yeah, whatever..." Suzaku murmured, annoyed with Balamos' attitude toward him. Suzaku was thinking about explore the palace, but he was too tired to do that, so he goes to the upper level and headed traveled his way toward his bedroom. The majority of the doors didn't have any indication except for two. One of them has a sign depicting a eight pointed blood colored star being pierced by two scissor, probably that of Starcider since that symbol was her current cutey mark. But he didn't even want to find out what kind of place was that. The other door was his own, having a sign with a kanji that stands for "Demon", which seem pretty incorrect since he didn't feel like one. He stopped in front of the door and remained still. He considered about how much his disappearance will affect whose who had met him in the human world. He could image his professors or some of his classmates looking for him. Or even the authorities. Such scenario was a really obvious one because that is what happen when someone suddenly disappeared without any logic explanation. But then he shrugged off this preoccupation and entered into the room. Some of his thoughts about it touched some of his nerves. "Not that someone will miss me in any case." Suzaku said before shutting the door. He turned around and switched on the light. The very first look that he gave to the room was that of someone who doesn't known how to feel. The bed was just normal one with a green blanket and a blue pillow. There was also a desktop with a drawer, a closer and a trashcan. He opened the closer and found multiple copies of his black jacket and his violet vest. That reminded him that he had to change the burnt ones that he was wearing. There was a window in front of him. There isn't much too see in the outsides. Just the pitch-black clouded sky, the grass and some puddles of water. There was a bathroom in his left, but he would use that after he finished his inspection. The rest of the room was just random or even unnecessary to him. There are three posters on the room. Two of them were pony versions of existing videogames: Tekken and Bayonetta. Suzaku find the idea of make pony versions of other francises just a pointless and redundant mockery. The third one was the only non-pony one, but that made Suzaku narrowing his eyes that was the poster of the infamous movie, Troll 2. There was also a furniture with videogame console and a TV on it despite the fact that there's no socks to put their plug in. "You make no sense, Balamos." Suzaku commented. Suzaku switched off the light, removed all his half burnt dresses and tossed them in the trashcan. He goes on the bathroom and took a shower to cleanse his body from his burn traces from his body. After eleven minutes, he throwed himself on the bed, which was surprisingly soft. Suzaku was feeling at ease, but also feeling awkward since he was going to sleep naked. But then he could consider a little bit justified since is in pony form, a fact in which wasn't very much convinced. Trying to ignore this fact, he quickly closed his eyes, feeling his fatigue being payed off with the sleep. He think was about to going in the dreamworld. But he can't. Suzaku was practically nervous from the mysteries that this strange ordeal was putting into his head, outside the disturbing and frustrating moments that he had faced. He knows what is his current role in this mess, but there are various factors that were bothering him. There are so many questions that he wanted to ask to him, but there's one in particular that he wanted to keep only for himself. "Who was that voice that I heard during the fight?" "Are you sure this is the right moment?" The demonic voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. "Speaking of the devil." Suzaku said, a little startled by that. "So you want some answers. But let me ask you something. You were tasked to defeat and purify the Elements of Insanity, but in order to do that, you must transform normal ponies into freaks and recruit them as Balamos' personal agents. Do you have noticed anything suspect?" Suzaku wanted to know, but then a little doubt was stopping him from doing so. Knowing Balamos, he wouldn't had hesitated to eavesdrop their conversations, finding out that he can hear that voice as well. That was frustrating, but the only thing that he can do is not asking anything to him. "I won't recommend you to answer that right now. You know he's gonna watching your moves. Besides, you don't have to worry about that for now. We will meet very soon, but you won't like my hospitality." The voice leaved his presence from the room. Suzaku waited a little bit more for one of his remarks, but he didn't respond. He didn't move any muscle, as if frozen. Then, reluctantly, sighed and put himself under his blanket. He closed his eyes and waited for his sleep to come, thought that he would have any difficulty to do so since that talk leaved a chilling sense of irrational fear. Unknown like the vacuum void of space, what he heard didn't make any sense at all, but confirmed one of his theories. This insane story, predictable or not, will not be a stroll at all. And is about to get hard. In the middle of the complete darkness of a cavern, a black cloaked mare was standing in front of the void, This until a blurry and shaded towering figure appeared in front of her. It's form resembled that of a human, but his appearance was shapeless, making impossible for anyone to identify. Only a ghastly aura illuminating it's form and two glowing white eyes were present. "That incident in the place called Our Town is really happened." The mare said. "Balamos and his champion have indeed took action. His goal seemed really clear. Your plan is not secured anymore." "I can't believe that idiotic fake deity had seriously took someone from the human world as his own pawn." The figure said, speaking with a chilling chorus of undistinguished voices. "He must be completely desperate." "The human in question is not a very obscure one... He's one of the targeted ones." "What!?" The figure shouted surprised "Are you talking about that arrogant stundent who is also.... I can't bloodbusting believe it." "Is he related to that congregate?" The mare demanded. "Not entirely. But he mustn't be underestimated in any case." "Thought he's pretty cocky and jerky on his own." The mare remarked. "What do you know about him?" "For what i know, he was possessed with the spirit of Yuki Terumi, or the meme of him as i will call it. However, during the incident in Our Town i observed in the shadows that his powers.... doesn't have anything that resembled that of Terumi. These are different." "Are telling me that a... !" The figure paused to process something that he figured out. "So it was hacked." "If i remember, you mentioned something about that kind of power distortion." The mare precised. "This is why i told you to not underestimate him. For now he's just a human in a body of a pony with powers, but if what i think is true, he will become our worst enemy..... But ironically, he will became also Balamos' enemy." The figure pointed his finger at the mare. It didn't express any emotion and his form was blurry. The mare couldn't tell what his mood was, but one thing she could understand. He was thinking about something. "What about our unwitting enforcers?" The figure asked with a crude tone. "You mean the Elements of Insanity? Each one is fulfilling his role as a piece of your plan... except Brutalight Sparcakes." The mare affirmed. "You are implying that Brutalight is currently a loose canon?" "Not intentionally." The mare said narrowing her eyes. "Brutalight was previously hit by a blunt blow inflicted by a unknown enemy. Her souls and the two monstrous ones were composing one being, but this blow caused a severe trauma that divided her mind in three. As a result, despite being still able to use their powers, they end up sometimes obstructing each other, making them unable to do anything and sometimes endangering themselves." "Are you sure about that?" "Yes, but that is not the only problem. The personality of Twilight Sparkle seemed willing to find a way to exorcise herself and her friends from their current conditions. The other two souls inside her were instead planing to use her attempt to regain their body or take over her own." "That will be a problem. We must prevent such a thing. None a single Elements of Harmony shall be purified." The figure. confirmed. "You need that in order to reach that place, right?" "I must obtain enough power to get through the frontier, so their corruption was necessary since i can drain corrupted energy. Otherwise i wouldn't end up planning to lure them into that artificial universe that is the Freak World to make them possessed by the ghosts of chaotic monsters." "Tsk!" The mare made a crude smug face. "If that identity crisis' problem that bothers you, i've already found a solution. In the meantime, i will invoke the presence of someone who is able to crush our insipid enemy into pieces."" "You better not disappoint me." The figure said before dissolving itself into a spectral mist. "Rest assured. That won't happen." The mare said as she walked away, confusing herself with the darkness. The following day was a half-sunny one as a few clouds were obstructing the sun rays. Suzaku appeared from a portal opened by Balamos, this time appearing into a wood nearby Ponyville and wearing a very long mantle veiling his face and body. He looked around to see if there are any Mindeater or any other type of weirdness. He found nothing, but that didn't reassured that. Nevertheless, he proceeded with order. As the first thing to do, Suzaku pulled out the list from the sack and took a look at the constantly deforming bloodstain. Like the previous time, it wrote two words who were the name of his next recruit. The name of Doctor Whooves appeared, which made Suzaku really perplexed. "Doctor Hooves? Also known as doctor Whooves" Suzaku said. "I don't get it. There are better targets, so why this guy?" "This pony managed to create his own version of the magical mirror. The same one that allowed Sunset Shimmer to go in the human world." "Wait, wait..... Are we talking about that mirror from Equestria Girls?" "Can you just be silent for a second and consider one thing?" "Ok.... shoot." Suzaku asked. "As i said before, there's a mysterious force behind the fate of the Mane Six lured them into that wretched world and deprived Twilight of her alicornhood before she regained that back in the wrong way as Brutalight. However, as you saw, there was also a pony that, as you know, has nothing to do with them. "You mean the Terminator Derpy?" "It's Derpigun, but you can call her whatever the hell you want. Balamos said. "Differently from the Mane Six, Derpy wasn't in the culprit's calculation since she stepped into the freak world in other ways. "Let me guess. Derpy stepped inside the Doctor Whooves' version of the mirror and end up in the Freak World for pure accident because of her usual sheer clumsiness?" "You can say that." "Then i won't waste any other words about that." Suzaku said before returning to the topic. "But still, why Doctor Whooves?" "Since he created his own magic mirror through scientific means, he would help you to reach the Freak World. You could use Derpy's disappearance as a tool to convince-" "I get it, i get it. I will recruit him," Suzaku interrupted. "But don't expect him to remain sane if his corruption part goes wrong." "My rule has spoken" After that, Balamos' presence leaved his head. Knowing that he can't go against him, he shrugged his shoulders and put the list inside the sack. He calmly walked his way through the woods while keeping a eye on his surrounding. After five minute of walk, he could see the town. "At least i can relax and stay easy." Suzaku said. "Is not like i have to fight this time. After all Ponyville is as i saw multiple times, when isn't in peril. Is quiet, tranquil, peaceful-" But as Suzaku stepped into the town, his sentence was then contradicted by the sight of three frightening canine figures wrecking havock while the town ponies ran away terrorized. "Like three pairs of claws on your ass." Suzaku added in annoyance, standing on his hind legs and drawing out his claws. He observed the creature and recognized them being black flame engulfed hellhounds, except that the third one was covered with silver plates and had stone tendrils coming out of his mouth. "Hey, suckers! There's a good meal behind you!" Suzaku shouted to get their attention while summoning his Psycho Slayer sword to wield it. The three hellhounds turned toward Suzaku and growled angered. The two black flaming ones leaped toward Suzaku, who slashed them into pieces with two swings of his sword. During his attack, he wondered why the silver hound didn't follow them. He got his answer as he noticed the hound's stone tendrils digging through the ground. He couldn't do something that the stone tendrils came out from beneath him and wrapped around his body, blocking his movement. The tendrils slowly began to crush him, causing him to yell in pain for the pressure and released his sword from his grasp, making it fall on the ground before it vanishes. As he tried to resist the painful stone grip that threatened to destroy his body, Suzaku channeled his hoof for the Shadow Shotgun. Trying to aim at the silver hound was more difficult to him since the tendrils were blocking his limbs and prevented him to do so. He considered to use another tactic, and quickly. "Gah!...I... have.. not time...ugh... to waste with you, doggie." Suzaku then dissolved in black-green flames and reappeared in front of the silver hound. Ignoring the pain currently biting him, he quickly stuffed his Shadow Shotgun charged hoof in the hound's mouth and looked in it's ferocious eyes. "Swallow this. Literally." Suzaku said before shooting his energy dart inside the hound's stomach, causing it to explode into a flare of black-violet flames. Suzaku felt the heat traversing him as the hound disappeared into the oblivion. He was a little shocked for the violence in which he did that, no matter the circumstances. "I feel a little unclean right now... I know that is mostly composed by flames, but that is quiet borderline splatter for me." With the signals of both fatigue and pain kicking in, Suzaku collapsed on the ground. He wanted to take a nap and sleep to recover from the residual pains caused by that crushing pressure, but he cannot allow himself to be unmasked by other ponies. He forced himself to rose up and galloped toward the woods where he came from. He stopped in front of a river and lay down on the grass to regain his strength. He took off his hood, crumpled that up and putted it in the sack. He does the same with his new fresh black jacket and the violet vest. For Suzaku it wasn't any different if he wasn't wearing anything as he was in pony form, but there's a logic in this. Since the disappearance of the Mane Six, some Royal Guard would have been still around Ponyville to investigate. Doesn't help the fact that his gear would make him look like a delinquent to them, so he had to stay wary about his appearance. After some minutes, Suzaku returned in the town, where he saw a crowd of ponies was gathering around the point where he fought the hounds. They were either talking to each other or minding their business. He scanned the area and saw a towering crystalline construction in the distance. That would be the Castle of Friendship. And, as he expected, the palace was heavily guarded by Royal Guards. It didn't get this much impression in TV, but see the palace and the seriousness of the situation in live gave him another reason to be cautious about his movement. He took advantage of the general confusion to investigate the town without being spotted. After some minutes of researches, he found the habitation, but wasn't so lucky since his house's entrance was guarded by two earth pony Royal Guards. He immediately hide behind a wall and observed them. "I didn't considered that Whooves was pursued since he invented his own equivalent of the magic mirror. Seriously...." Suzaku murmured frustrated as he scratched his head a little discouraged. "How the hell can i sneak inside it?" He was planning about how to enter, but all of his ideas have the same consequence in case of failure: Being caught and arrested. But then a delinquent like idea made his entrance into his brain. Disguise was the word. "I hate to admit but i have to steal their armor. But how?" Suzaku said as he was keep a eye on the guards. Five minutes passed by, but nothing that could induce the guard to leave their guard post happened. Suzaku didn't find any way to steal his armor. Suzaku didn't want to use his powers because of the power abuse penalty, and wasn't good with the stealth either. He had to wait the right moment to enter and meet his target, but he started to get bored out of his mind. "Ok, screw it," Suzaku said quietly as he leaved his observation point. "I'm going to take a look around for twenty before coming back. I don't think the guards are gonna leave their post anytime soon." As he wandered around, he saw some changes that happened in the town, which didn't surprised him much. The Carousel Boutique was sealed away. The Sugar Corner, on other hand, was still active, but there was some unicorn guard ponies who were interviewing the owners. And there was a couple of mares who was wondering where did Fluttershy go. "I knew the Mane Six's disappearance could have this result." Suzaku said bluntly. "Better not rise any suspect." "Excuse me. I have to ask you something, if you are free." said a female voice. Finding this voice familiar, Suzaku turned toward the source, only to find out that was Zecora who spoke. He wasn't expecting to meet her there. For him, Zecora was one of the few characters that he almost never bashed during his trolling on the internet because he found her harmless in comparison, except for the fact that she talk always in rhymes. But that was just his opinion. "Yes?" Suzaku said. "You are quite a very unique stranger. You look like a plant of a rare fiber." Zecora said with curiosity. "Well, surely i'm not a cultist or something." Suzaku said, causing Zecora to looking at him with perplexity. "Sorry, but yesterday i had a bad time that i want to forget. Just forget what i said first. Anyway, do you need something?" "I followed a group of strange Timber Wulfs engulfed in flames, whose fangs and claws were sharped than blades. I saw a hooded pony facing them in a fierce fight. He... managed to defeat them... with a unknown power of such might." "Look, i wasn't there when that happened" Suzaku lied. "So?" "I saw the hooded pony's gaze being this peculiar. Your eyes and his own are quiet similar." Zecora said "You got the wrong per- ehm- i mean... the wrong pony. Ok?" Suzaku said a little nervous. "I'm not this tremendous fighter you are talking about." As Zecora was about to insist, the two were interrupted by a pained moan. They turned to see who was. There was a wobbling hooded pony, seemingly battered. Zecora approached him with a worried look. "You don't look very bright. Are you alright?" Zecora asked. "Out of my way!" The hooded pony replied aggressively as he shoved Zecora aside and walked off. "Hey!" Suzaku screamed angered as he was going to face him, only to be stopped by Zecora. "No matter his aggressiveness. Is not worth start any mess." Zecora said, trying to discourage him from doing any reckless move. Suzaku calmed down a little since she was right. He has also his discretion to keep, but for a second he loosed his cool. Thought he wasn't get used to interact with ponies or tried to not get involved with them, some parts of his ethics are too stubborn to die. That type of arrogance and aggressiveness toward someone who tried to help him or even looked down on him was something that angered him instantly. "Asshole! She was trying to help you!" His anger was still boiling inside of him. That was also quite a awful surprise. In Equestria, were the jerks are usually stereotypes or redeemable, he never saw this aggressive type. But that died out as he remembered something. "Damn, i almost forgot. I have to return to the house." "I'm sorry, but now i have to go!" Suzaku said as he run away, leaving Zecora wondering about his behavior. He traveled back to the doctor's house to see if there was any development. Something happened, but not in a good way. On his arrival, he found the two Royal Guards laying unconscious on the ground, looking hurt. He remained hidden behind the wall and processed the whole scene in front of him. "What the hell happened here?"
Chapter 6: The Apparition of Doctor Whaust (UPDATED)Suzaku was expecting something that induced the guards to leave the house's entrance, but not this one. They ware laying unconscious on the ground. Someone attacked them after he left his post and, apparently, nobody was around to witness whatever happened. He walked toward one of the guards and glanced at his golden armor. "Normally i won't steal a uniform from a policeman," Suzaku shrugged his shoulders. "But i need that armor. I don't have the whole day." That being said, Suzaku looked around to check if there was anypony around. No one was there, so he profited of that time lapse to quickly drag the unconscious guard into a alley and undressed him. He felt a little unclean about it, but that cannot be avoided. He putted on every piece of the royal armor as fast as he can. The armor was indeed heavy for a almost slim body like his own, but with his unnatural strength, that was a minor issue. The real issues is trying to enter without get caught. After that, he goes to the other unconscious guard and dragged him into the alley as well. Once he finished his concealment of bodies and headed toward the door. Suzaku was nervous due to the fact he had to impersonate a authoritarian figure, but that was the only thing that bothered his nerves. "I wonder what kind of Freak Pony my target will be turned into." Suzaku asked, psychologically preparing himself for his next recruitment and act of corruption, with all the consequences that are waiting for him. Nervous as he is, Suzaku knocked on the door and waited for the arrival of the doctor. A few seconds passed by, but nothing happened. "C'mon." Suzaku said impatient as he looked around one more time, hoping that no pony would see him. Another handful of seconds passed. Then, he heard the sounds of clopping hooves coming closer until they stopped. "Who is it?" Dr. Whooves asked from behind the door. "I'm Quartz Lance." Suzaku improvised, trying to remain calm and composed. "My superiors asked me to substitute one of the current guards." The door inched opened. Whooves peered at him from behind with a distrustful expression. Suzaku remained calm, but that bad feeling about being caught was behind the corner. "I don't recall you being one of the guards that recently visited me. Are you new?" Dr. Whooves asked. "If you put that in this way, yes." Suzaku said, trying to make his disguise more credible. "You see? One of my colleagues wasn't feeling very well, so i was asked to take his place. The other one took him into the hospital. You have a problem with that?" "N-no. Not at all." Dr. Whooves replied. "Is just that i recently received some visit from your superiors to investigate about... The Elements of Harmony disappearance. There's no need to be this aggressive." "I apologize for that, but i don't have the whole day. Can you please let me in?" Suzaku asked. "Why this request?" "I need to talk with you in your lab. I have to make some questions to you." "Well... if you insist." "Seriously. Acting, in my case, is a pain in the ass. But i have no choice since i had to gather some information about his own magical mirror before i can recruit him." Dr. Whooves leaded Suzaku into his laboratory and abstained himself from making any questions thanks to the fact that the green pony was wearing the royal armor. Suzaku immediately notice that the room didn't have the strange inventions that the doctor was supposed to have according to his knowledge. Suzaku was going to ask him about that, but then he saw Whooves glancing at a picture of him with Derpy. "Do you know her, sir?" Suzaku asked, knowing already the answer. "Her name was Derpy," Dr. Whooves said. "Is a friend of mine. She wasn't a very bright mind and was very clumsy, but we went along in our own way." "Then what happened to her?" "She disappeared in another dimension. You should know that already." Dr. Whooves stopped to correct himself. "Oh, i forgot. You are probably new, so you don't know that yet." Dr. Whooves closed his eyes and massaged his head with a almost tired look. Suzaku was a little surprised about the famous Derpy-Whooves shipping being a thing. He never gave credit to that and he usually considered that as a point to strike during his usual trolling on the internet. But now he could see some vantage in that, especially when he have to convince him join his cause. "Why you are under surveillance?" Suzaku asked. Dr. Whooves remained mute about that for a little fraction. Judging by his silence, he seemed to have some difficulty to explain that with a his usual calm and intellectual demeanor. "Your superiors didn't told you about my current position?" Dr. Whooves asked. "I was in the dark for various reasons, so i don't know pretty much what's going on." Suzaku said. "Well..." Dr. Whooves looked a little worried as he scratched his mane. "Maybe because is so much delicate that it can't be handled by you since you're a rookie." "Well, i was promoted three days ago," Suzaku lied. "So that is not a problem. Tell the details." "As you know, six ponies disappeared one month ago." Dr. Whooves explained. "I was previously informed during my training. They were Twilight and her friends i guess." Suzaku anticipated. "Exactly. Although i don't know all of the details, Celestia paid me a visit to talk about that and said that they entered through a magical mirror and never returned from there. Thought that is just a private conversation." "Aaand.... what has that to do with you?" Suzaku demanded. "Two weeks before their disappearance," Dr. Whooves began. "I was building a dimensional portal in order to study the inter-dimensional travels and their possible implication. And yes, it looked almost like the magical mirror, but i made that just for pure academic reasons. I wasn't aware of the existence of the original, and surely i have no reasons to do that if not for knowledge." "You are pretty ethic about it." Suzaku said. "Absolutely. I wasn't aware of that. However, the same night during their disappearance, i was testing the machine when Derpy entered in the lab and stepped inside the mirror. I tried to stop her, but it was too late... But that wasn't the only problem." "What do you mean?" Suzaku asked. Dr. Whooves closed his eyes for a moment and then looked at Suzaku with a grim gaze. "After i had deactivated the machine, i had gone to sleep. Then, in the following day, i was met by two Royal Guards who escorted me into the lab. They searched the lab and then they accused me of illegal experiment while precising that is not my fault since i wouldn't had known." "That is a... very weird declaration. But why they- ehm- i mean my superiors were looking for you?" Suzaku asked, remaining in his temporal role. "I asked the reasons for doing so. They then explained that..." Dr. Whooves tone became more grim as he explained. "Three fillies stepped in the original magic mirror as well..." "Wait a second!" Sugar interrupted, a little shocked about that. "Are we talking about a yellow country earth-pony, a white unicorn and a orange pegasus?" "They were called the Cutey Mark Crusaders... So yes, they are..." Dr. Whooves confirmed. "Is Balmos hiding from me the fact that i have also to fight and purify three possessed fillies as well!?" Suzaku complained in his mind while looking shocked. He putted that thought aside and returned to listen the doctor's story. And he had a feeling about where that is going. "As a result," Dr. Whooves continued toward his conclusion. "Celestia required my presence and explained her case with the Elements of Harmony... And after that, they sequestered the dimensional portal along with all my inventions and not are related to inter-dimensional travel and putted me under probation." Suzaku turned around and looked away from Dr. Whooves. Suzaku was expecting to find the mirror to investigate the Elements of Insanity whereabouts, but he was too late. "Now that is pretty frustrating." Suzaku murmured. "What i'm supposed to do now?." "Is there something wrong, young boy?" Dr. Whooves asked perplexed. "No, it's nothing." Suzaku replied and then turned back to the doctor. "But still.... I thought that Celestia was at least comprehensive. She may be also severe, but probation and the seizure of your inventions is a exaggeration." "But not to far from the princess' good reasons. After all, she didn't want anypony suffer the same fate as Twilight and her five friends..." "Understood," Suzaku said. "But you still want to find Derpy, right?" "If only i could.. But not with this probation." "Well you could," Suzaku assured as he grinned while pointing his hoof toward him. "Because you will follow me." Before Dr. Whooves could questioning his statement, black chains appeared from below him. They wrapped around his body to block it. Knowing that the doctor was going to scream to call the guards, Suzaku quickly pulled out the convolute hood and stuffed it in his mouth. Suzaku then took his time to remove every part of the royal armor and drop them to the floor before putting back his black jacket and violet vest for his personal style. "Finally." Suzaku said before sighing in relieve. "I don't have to stick with this role any further. And now i'm going for the easy part." Suzaku approached the chained Doctor Whooves and draw out his claws. He then took away the hood from his mouth and then gripped his neck, hoping that enough to make him silent. "Don't even scream. Because i have weapons far more terrific than just claws." Suzaku warned. "You are not a Royal Guard." Dr. Whooves scowled. "Nope." Suzaku responded. "Just a green pony who possess a power stronger enough to kill a huge dragon. Look, as i said before i don't have the whole the day, so you have to collaborate." "W-what do you want from me?" Dr. Whooves inquired. "Is not what i want. Is what you want that matters." Suzaku paused. "You want find Derpy right?" "Yes, but what has that to do with you?" Dr. Whooves asked distrustful. "Well, let's just said that a deity that is not Celestia asked me to recruit you. And that deity is actually my boss." Suzaku explained. "R-recruit me? For what?" "You said that Derpy disappeared in another dimension, but Celestia can't tell in which one is, right?" "So?" "I know in what dimension she's in," Suzaku said. "And is the same one in which Twilight and her friends where trapped." "A-are you serious? You know where they are? Did you have any proof about that?" Dr. Whooves inquired. "You have to see that to confirm that, did you?" Suzaku heard a familiar metallic sound coming from his sack. He know what that means. "Excuse me." Suzaku said as he looked inside the sack. He saw a cyan glowing coming from a opened small metallic coffin. He pulled it out from the sack and glanced at it's content, hoping that is not a sharped weapon like the scissor that he used on Starlight. His face deformed in confusion as he took the object and discarded it's container. The object was a paper bag with one eye hole, and can be used as a mask. "Well, at least is not a scissor but... are you kidding me?" Suzaku said. "And why that looked familiar?... Nevermind. I will see it after is used it." Pretending to take the bag seriously, Suzaku turned his attention to the chained Dr. Whooves, who was still questioning about his intentions. "Did you remember the part in which i was asked to recruit you?" Suzaku asked. "Yes, but for what?" Dr. Whooves demanded puzzled. "Look, consider that just ritual. After all, you're going to see for yourself." Suzaku replied as he covered Dr. Whooves' head with the paper bag and waited. Dr. Whooves was going to ask something, but then a sudden headache prevent him to do so. He yelled in response to that. Suzaku commanded the black chains to release him and stepped back. Dr. Whooves' reaction was almost like that of Starlight, only different. A black pool formed beneath the doctor. Suzaku was going to summon his sword, fearing that a Mindeater was going to emerge, but then he saw that wasn't the case. The black liquid slowly covered Dr. Whooves' body and made it sink inside the pool very slowly. Feeling the liquid wrapping his coat, the doctor took a glanced on his body hooves and realized what is happening. "What is this!?" Dr. Whooves screamed frightened. "Believe me. I don't like this part either." Suzaku replied a little frightened. As he continued to sink and the pain biting his head increased, Dr. Whooves noticed his coat darkening a little. What he couldn't see was his eyes became violet, and his mane became dark blue. His sanity suddenly began to shatter. Then alien memories were flowing inside his head, showing Twilight and her friend's possessions, and current fate. "Twilight? And the others? ... What is even-" Dr. Whooves couldn't finish his sentence that some peculiar vision interrupted him. What he was seeing was Derpy's arrival in the Freak World and her possession that turned her into Derpigun. Dr. Whooves completely forgot the unbearable pain and slowly got a grip of the situation. "Derpy.... So this is what happened to you..." Dr. Whooves said before he finally sunk under the pool. After having devoured his body, the pool rapidly shrunk in volume. Suzaku walked toward the pool, hoping that what happened to the doctor is all part of Balamos' methods. Doubtful about that, he frantically looked around the room, trying to find any sign of his presence. But he found nothing. "Ok, Suzaku." Suzaku said to himself. "Calm down. You cannot possibly have screwed up. I mean, Balamos has this weird type of methods and-" Before he could finish, Suzaku heard a creaking noise coming from behind him. For a second he thought it was a guard pony opening the house's door, but that can't be since the noise is too close to . He turned around to see what it is and he found a very bizarre scenario. A big door opened into the ground and a different being raised from it. It was standing in front of Suzaku as the door behind him closed by itself and vanished. Suzaku knows already that the being was none other than Dr. Whooves, but not the same one. His appearance was drastically changed. His coat was a darkened brown and his tail was dark blue. The doctor was wearing a weird white scientist coat and the paper bag with one eye hole covering his head, and was even taller than Suzaku. The green pony couldn't help but make a remark his transformation. "Balamos. You never cease to screw with me." Suzaku murmured in awe, looking at his second creation. Suzaku reacted almost like during the time when it happened to Starlight. But this time is both astounded for the transformation and yet not surprised at all. He expected this coming since the paper bag was also something familiar to him. "That spirit possessing him is definitively Faust. Another videogame character. Did Balamos have both a limited imagination and a crude sense of humor?" Suzaku thought. "Possessions... The corrupted Elements of Harmony... These visions...! That was the reason for looking for me and turning me like this." The doctor said before looking down on him. "Now it's all clear." "About time." Suzaku said. "Now let me explain something. I had-" "Now, now." The doctor interrupted. "I assume that you have a valid reason for doing this to me." "You know that already." Suzaku said as he tried to remain calm. "I think that was the drill. You are going to use Derpy's situation as a incentive to join you. Well, I don't see any benefit in having a fractured mind and a twisted power like this. I can feel a obscure bloodlust seizing my senses." "I don't like it either, but that is how I recruit other pony freaks like you to my boss cause, doctor Whooves." "Now that you mention that, I would care less of my old name because now.... Is doctor Whaust." Suzaku remained silent to process what he calls another trash name. That couldn't be avoided. After all, he was expecting this coming since he had screw up part of dr. Whoove's personality. He remained still, feeling dr. Whaust's aura of insanity engulfing him. Whaust looked at the green pony through the eye hole of the paper bag. Suzaku couldn't tell his mood, but can easily perceive a hidden glove of anger from him. "You said that i had to see for myself... These visions that flowed inside my head is what you are referring to, right?" Dr. Whaust said calmly. "Believe me or not, they really happened." Suzaku confirmed. "In this case i can assume you know in which dimension Derpy, Twilight and her five friends are. I also came to know about their fate and their now horrifying form. They are now monsters, who were also vessels for the spirits responsible for their current condition. I'ts really terrifying since the Elements of Harmony, and Derpy too, are now the worst threat to our world. In the worst case scenario, I'm afraid that even the three poor fillies came in that world and became possessed as well." Dr. Whaust paused, taking his time to rose up on his hind legs, almost touching the ceiling with his head and towering on him. Suzaku was even more intimidated by him. Not just by the doctor's height factor alone, but for his unbearable silence. After a short time, he spoke again. "Considering that Derpy, like Twilight Sparkle and her friends, is suffering as well, you better not use her as a exploit to gain my trust!" Dr. Whaust said with a intimidating tone before stomping on the floor with his hind leg, causing it to crack. Suzaku completely freeze for that little destructive warning. His body was about to tremble, but he couldn't permit that. The fear is not good in a situation like this, mostly if he was in front of a literal pseudo giant that was going to attack him if he does a wrong move. Suzaku steeled his nerves and faced him, trying to not showing any hesitation. "Before you do anything, you should know this," Suzaku began. "My boss is the real one who make the rules, not i. As you saw, i know where Derpy is, but i cannot reach the Freak World without that magic mirror of yours. I need your brain." "...... Just as i suspected. You know in which dimension they were trapped but you don't have the adequate tools to reach it. But you really expect me to join you?" "His hideout resides in another dimension, so you can resume you inter-dimensional experiment without being noticed by Celestia." "Seriously?" "Trust me. If you want to save Derpy, you have to follow me." Dr. Whaust dissolved his giant scalpel. He lowered his head by a little degree. Suzaku could tell that the doctor was taking what he said in consideration. Whaust took another silent moment, which was literally unnerving for Suzaku because of the doctor's imposing aura. After that, he spokes. "Your boss required my help so you can reach that dimension and defeat the corrupted Elements of Harmony. But how do you think to save them" Dr. Whaust said. "My boss gave me the power to purify them. Once all of this junk is over, I will even purify you, but first you had to collaborate." Suzaku replied. "If this is true, i would have gave you a hoof. However, if i'm going to face Derpy as the monster that she is now, i would have considered her feelings and well being. Additionally, I don't know anything about your intentions, so i couldn't still trust you." "You had to consider one more thing." "And knowing that you are going to say that i don't have any other alternative, i'm still not mentally prepared for my new situation you want put me into," Dr. Whaust removed the paper bag from his head, revealing his dark blue mane and his insane, but serious violet eyes. "Let me think about this before i could take your proposal in consideration." Dr. Whaust putted back his bag on his head, opened a invisible door out of nowhere and stepped in. Suzaku rushed toward Whaust to stop him, but the door disappeared at the same time the doctor closed it. His presence vanished from the room. Suzaku was left empty handed. He create his second Freak Pony, only for him to escape his watch. He remained petrified from that. He clenched his teeth as his face contorted in frustration. Having failed his second task is a good reason to be angry. Except that he was pissed for another reason. "Dammit!" Suzaku yelled, punching against the ground. "Since Dr. Hooves has Faust's powers, he can enter into a dimension of his own since he has now reality warping powers that can rival these of Pinkie Pie, if she wasn't possessed. Now how the hell i'm supposed to find him? At this point he could be far away from my reach and going to meet Derpigun on his own.-" A male voice screaming from the outside suddenly interrupted his rant. And that voice means trouble. "Guys! Somepony stole my armor!" "Oh, shit." Suzaku said almost panicking. "That guard must be pretty pissed." "Hey! Weren't you in charge of the surveillance of the house!?" said another voice. "We were attacked!" said a third voice. "Let's check the doctor's house! Probably that scumbag entered here!" "Talking about bad day!" Suzaku muttered. Without wasting anytime, Suzaku hide himself behind a wall nearby the door. The guards stormed inside the lab without having noticed him. He used that opportunity to teleport outside the door and walking away undisturbed. Once he went out of the house, Suzaku galloped far away from there. He headed toward the woods where he came from without being saw by other patrolling Royal Guards. Upon discovering Dr. Whooves' disappearance, the guards called out reinforcement and scattered across the town to find both the doctor and their attacker. Meanwhile, Suzaku had already left Ponyville and entered into the Everfree Forest. Suzaku wandered in depth of the arboreal sanctuary, thinking about how to find Dr. Whaust, but i like trying to find a oval shaped rock in the very abysmal part of the sea without a electric torch. "I used Dr. Whooves' connection to Derpy in order to convince him." Suzaku said as he continued to walk. "But i wasn't expecting him to refuse my offer despite what he saw in his visions.... Balamos i going to be pissed." Suzaku continued in his path without minding his surrounding. He was then snapped back into reality by a ferocious sound. He stopped and looked forward. Suzaku recoiled with a bit of fright upon noticind three towering humanoid entities engulfed in black flames standing in his way. They were almost taller than the trees of the forest. The bodies looked like made of stone, with glowing red and blue lines flowing on their skins and converging on a hole in their chest. Their heads resembled that of a turtle, but without the lower jaws. Spikes raised from their backs and their hands being rocky, blunt maces. The creatures advanced toward Suzaku, giving him another reason to be even more frustrated. "Fantastic. Another group of Mindeaters. The only consolatory fact is that they weren't taller as the Dragoliath." Suzaku said. "Giving up so soon? I don't think these Volems will let you do that without hurting you." "Speak for yourself, Balamos. Dr. Whacko escaped." "We will talk about that later. Just get rid of them." One the three Volems raised his blunt-mace like hands and slammed to the ground, causing stone spikes to burst from the ground and advancing toward Suzaku. He jumped away from it's trajectory and ran toward them. The second one charged his hole in the chest with red-blue energy and shot a big plasma sphere toward him. Suzaku dodged the sphere by dissolving in black-green flames and reappearing from behind them for a surprise attack. Unfortunately the power abuse penalty kicked in and stunned him with the electric shock seizing his body. "Gaaaah! What kind of... moronic timing is this?" Suzaku said, trying to resist the surge. Suzaku couldn't even fight back the surge that the third Volem brutally tackled him, making him crashing against a tree. Suzaku collapsed on the ground. Even after the electric surge stopped to electrocute him, he was battered and stunned, but not so stunned to not notice the same Volem trying to smash him with his mace shaped hands in a raging frenzy. He quickly rolled away, leaving the creature's brutal to unleash his barrage of swipes that destroyed the tree instead of him. Ignoring the pain that was biting his chest and his back, Suzaku rose up on his four legs and galloped away from them as fast as he could while dodging waves of stone spikes unleashed by the other two creatures. He stopped and turned toward them, who were now marching toward him. Suzaku barely stood up on his hind legs and draw out his claws with a angered glee. "Time to incapacitate the huge guys." He charged the ones from his clawed right hoof and shot a dark slashing wave at one of them charging his other hoof. As the slashing wave connected it's legs and exploded in a pillar of green energy that overwhelmed it, Suzaku other two slashing waves to the other monstrous giants, who suffered the same damage as their companion. Not bothering to watch their conditions, Suzaku channeled his right hoof with a surge of green energy and prepared to deliver his blow as the creatures tried to advance. "BUUURN!" Suzaku screamed furiously as he punched the ground, causing a series of green pillars of energy erupting out from beneath them. Despite the pain, he was exalted at first, but then froze upon seeing how his enemies took the damages. Much to his shocked surprise, the three Volems' were still standing, seemingly indifferent to the damage that he has inflicted on them despite having their bodies being mostly destroyed. A portion of their pitch-black skulls, the bones of their legs and chest were now exposed, along with luminous red-blue spheres inside of their rib-cages. Black-violet flames coming out of their opened wounds, mixed with green ones that were still devouring their rocky skin. "That's bullshit!" Suzaku exclaimed. "How much resistant they are!!?" "By the way, the sphere on their rib cage must be their power core.... And even that survived my attacks." The blazing creatures grunted furiously and charged toward him. They were practically slow, so Suzaku took his time to plan his next move. But then one of the monsters suddenly stopped and it's power core was then shuttered. The creature exploded into a crucible of black-violet flames. The two remaining Volems turned toward were their third companion was supposed to be, but it wasn't there anymore. As the flames died out without leaving any trace of the creature, Suzaku could see something coming out the ground, being the cause of the Volem's death. What he wasn't expecting was Dr. Whaust's head, still wearing the eye holed paper bag, emerging from a water pond formed in the grass with his giant scalpel raising upward from it. Suzaku could tell that the doctor had probably thrusted his weapon through the Volem's lower body until it reached and destroyed the core. Suzaku doesn't know if be still annoyed by his previous escape, relieved for his sudden rescue or disturbed for the execution that he delivered on the monster. "Talking about fatalities." Suzaku sharply commented. His attention was then caught by a heavy, ominous sound coming from above. Suzaku looked upwards. His face contorted in bewildered shock upon seeing cannonball sized meteors descending upon the two Volems. Suzaku galloped away to not get overwhelmed as the falling barrage end up smashing and destroying most of the creatures' bodies while missing their core. With the two remaining Mindeaters being weakened, Dr. Whaust jumped out of the pool and spiraled himself through the air toward them with a very ridiculous rotation speed whilst holding his scalpel. He passed through their bodies, slashing their limbs and cutting their power cores into pieces, causing them to explode in black-violet flames as he landed on his hind legs. The battle ended in a very awkward silence. Most of the trees and part of the soil in the Everfree Forest suffered the collateral damage of the fight, but no animal was involved. Suzaku wanted to confront the doctor for the infuriating waste of time that he gone through to find him, but was still intimidated a little bit by his appearance. But since he had to lead a team of crazy Freak Ponies, he had to get used to situations like this. "Nothing personal, but you gave me a lot of difficulty to track you down." Suzaku complained. Dr. Whaust doesn't say anything, which annoyed Suzaku a little more. Then he chuckled insanely at a low volume as he dissolved his scalpel. And continued to chuckle in that way as he returned on his four legged stance and adjusted his white scientist coat. For Suzaku that was unnerving. He started to worry about the possibility that the transformation had seriously screwed up his mind. After a while, Whaust stopped. "I never thought to find myself in such situation. Some crazy pony, holding a power that has nothing to do with standard magic, bestowed me this nefarious power and now i end up killing some monster... It's prohibited kill a living being in Equestria... And yet it was intoxicating." Dr. Whaust paused. "I should considerate the use that i'm going to do with it." "Huh?" Suzaku reacted disturbed as Dr. Whaust turned toward him. "Don't even think that i am proud of what i have done.... And yet I am reveling at it. I'm enjoying this bloodshed, that, hopefully for me wasn't a bloodshed at all, but let me make this clear to you. That it's not me... However, even bloodstained as i am going to become, i will use this power save Derpy." "You need my help, you know." "But i still don't trust you. There must be a explanation if your boss wanted me on his side and in this condition in which you put me into. So you better start explaining me what is going on." Suzaku could say nothing against him since was right, but grinned anyway because he knows how to answers that. "If i must." Suzaku told him everything about Twilight and her friend's corruption caused by being possessed by TF2 Freak's ghosts, their rebirth as the Elements of Insanity, Derpy being possessed as well and Balamos' request to gather a army of Freak Ponies to help him to fight them. He also mentioned his role as the deity's agent without mentioning his human origins. Dr. Whaust suspected something like that, but not as he was expecting. "So," Dr. Whaust began to recap recap. "Judging by what you told me, after Derpy, Twilight and her friends came by mistake in this dimension called Freak World and became possessed by this ghosts, they proclaimed to be reborn as the Elements of Insanity, also known as the Demented Seven. They are now following a path to spreading chaos and rule that world undisputed. And now they are trying a way to return in Equestria to overthrow Celestia and Luna." "That is what you get." Suzaku said. "This is not good. The Elements of Harmony are now corrupted, and Celestia doesn't know yet. My fears are completely founded now." Dr. Whaust paused. "You also said that a deity conscripted you as his agent and tasked you to turn ponies into monsters and recruit them for his cause, right?" "You better believe it." Suzaku said bluntly. "That doesn't mean that i approve your methods. Turning other ponies into monsters to fight other monsters is just despicable! "You tell him, doctor. If you want get any explanation by a horrific god." "I will thinking about that later... Besides, you had also told me about the Elements of Insanity's madness is spreading a terrific aura in every dimensions, included this one and is creating these creatures called Mindeaters, right?" "You saw them with your eyes. They are all engulfed in black flames." Suzaku precised. "Now that i'm thinking about, i had noticed the monsters having their bodies gravely damaged. Did you do that to them?" Dr. Whaust asked curious. "I didn't have any choice. They tried to kill me." Suzaku replied. "You said that you have the power to purify Twilight and her friends, including Derpy, but there's one thing that doesn't add up." "And that is?" "What is your boss expecting to gain from your campaign against them?" "Well..." Their conversation was interrupted by a barrage of black lightnings that fell in front of them and opened the black portal. "You will ask him about what you need to know." Suzaku said formally. "But let me tell you. His appearance is quiet.... odd." "Nevermind," Dr. Whaust replied. "I should met him and get some explanation from him. I hate to look like paranoid, but i am not used to this kind of situation." "You tell him, doctor. Considering that i have some other Freak Pony in that dimension." "What? I'm not the first one? How many other ponies you had corrupted and recruited until now?!" Dr. Whaust inquired alarmed a little. "Just one. And it's not me." Suzaku precised sardonically. "I see... Well, it seems that your boss need me to create a portal that allowed you to reach the Freak World, so i will lead you a hand. Besides..." Dr Whaust chuckled. "Maybe i could use my powers for some other variety of study and experiments if he allowed me to do that. Don't worry, i won't use living ponies... maybe." After that, Dr. Whaust pulled out a picture of Derpy from his pocket and looked at it. Then he entered into the portal, dissolving in it's darkness. Suzaku sighed in relief and took a moment to digest the day. "And with him, they are two. I wonder if i would end up killed some day." Suzaku said with a grumpy tone. "But there's one thing that didn't have any answer.... Who attacked the guards?" With that doubt in his mind, Suzaku entered into the portal and reappeared in front of the palace of Gol Nazam. He headed toward the entrance. He assumed that Dr. Whaust already entered inside, but didn't want to check that fact since he was tired and just wanted to relax. Ponyville, twenty minutes before Suzaku's infiltration at Dr. Whooves' house. Two Royal Guards were guarding the house of the doctor. Despite their impassive expression, they were clearly bored. The only comfort was the half clouded spectacle, being adorned with some filtering sun ray, even thought that wasn't this consolatory. "If there's a confirmed theory is that nature is good artist and has the right tool to make his artwork just unique." One the guards said. "I know you are trying to fill your boredom right now, but don't get distracted." Said the other guard. "You have a better method"?" The two were about to argue until they saw a hooded pony walking in a very abnormal way. He looked half battered and was wobbling. The guards approached him with a worried look, but he doesn't seem to have noticed them. "Halt!" One of the guards exclaimed. "Wait, you look battered. What happened to you?" The hooded pony slowly turned his head toward the guard and glared at him with two deadly eyes that would have cut down their own in the same moment the looked into them. "Don't... touch me!" He shouted before releasing a wave of white energy that violently propelled them away from them. The guard ponies end up crashing against the wall of two different houses far away from that of the doctor. They passed out for the impact of both the wave and the crash. The hooded pony scanned the area around him. There are nopony beside the unconscious guards and himself. He resumed his walk and murmured about something. "Where.... I wasn't expecting you to be there... Where the hell you are...." The pony was too busy to deal with the pain and sense of fatigue seizing his body to mind his surrounding. As he continued his wobbling walk, the hooded pony was met by a worried Zecora, followed by Suzaku. "You don't look very bright. Are you alright?" Zecora asked. "Out of my way!" The hooded pony replied aggressively as he shoved Zecora aside and walked off. "Hey!" Suzaku screamed angered as he was going to face him, only to be stopped by Zecora. The hooded pony halted his walk upon hearing his voice. It sounded very awfully familiar to him. With eyes widened in surprise, the pony turned his head toward Suzaku, who leaved Zecora alone. Not wanting to raise anymore attention on him, he resumed his walk, intent to leave Ponyville. "I heard this voice before" He murmured with a alarmed voice. "Suzaku?... That can't be him.... How did that mocking bastard get here?"
Chapter 6.5: Painset ReturnOne month ago, that tremendous fight between Elements of Insanity and the Subjects, was consumed. While Brutalight emerged victorious with her friends but weakened by the fight, Painset Shimmercakes and Magic Mare barely escaped their onslaught. Exhausted and having no magic remained to teleport away, they were laying on the ground, feeling their death coming closer. This until a veiled benefactor lend them a hoof. But that wasn't a very miraculous rescue for Painset and Magic. She assured them that they would save them if they are willing to collaborate with her. Frustrated to this idea of submission and knowing to not having any choice, they accepted her proposal. After that, their rescuer disappeared without saying anything to them. They wandered across the Freak World unchecked for day until they found refuge into a forsaken factory to recover their strength and reorganize themselves. That defeat by the hooves of Brutalight Sparcake burned inside Painset Shimmercakes, but there's another flame that burned her heart and reason. Bitterness and rage of being surpassed and replaced by her as Celestia's new protege. She could care less if Brutalight was dealing with her psychic issue as her own. Both the mares couldn't even rest that a group of mercenaries attacked them. Which is a grave mistake since they end up being decimated, with a few of them being mercilessly killed while the rest ended up being erroneously turned into MeeMs by Magic. That heavily annoyed Painset, who wanted to have some sadistic fun with them in order to vent her stress. Magic Mare didn't not blame her for that. Though that she end up being tortured a bit by the demonic alicorn as a compensation. Eventually, Painset and Magic came to know about the dimensional portal that Brutalight was building in order to reach Equestria. Eager to anticipate them, they recurred to a ancient scroll that allowed them materialize their physical form into their home world, appearing in front of Starlight Glimmer's village. Just when Starlight herself wasn't around due to her exile. Painset, being the most 'reasonable', sadistic megalomaniac that she is, horribly mangled most of the inhabitants to death and conquered the town while Magic ensured that nopony will escape. The five remaining ponies submitted themselves to her out of fear, with one of them being a traumatized and insane Sugar Bell, who gleefully accepted her as her god. Painset Shimmercakes was interested in having some worshiper, so she charged her magic into the pink unicorn's head and gave her the knowledge of Alchemy, which would allow her to create Homuncoli out of the ponies the demonic alicorn had killed off. Since having done all of that damage wasn't enough, she would have killed at least another one of them just for fun. Unfortunately their form disappeared and were brought back to the Freak World before she could do any more victims. They discovered that the magic of the scroll couldn't maintain their form in Equestria for a long time due to Painset's overdoing with her powers, destabilizing the dimensional flux. The scroll was destroyed in the process, permanently preventing them to repeat the spell again. Both the freakish mares obviously end up arguing very violently, though that both of them barely survived. Fifteen nights later, Painset and Magic wandered in a cemetery far away from the zones controlled by the Elements of Insanity, plotting their next move. "For what i know, Brutalight would have almost completed her portal. I absolutely have to anticipate her." Painset said with a frustrated tone. "Well... You have screwed up the only easiest way that we had, so don't even complain about that." Magic precised. "You mean YOU had screwed up!" Painset retorted. "Please, I was just doing my job. We could have found some hint about obtaining some real way of inter-dimensional traveling if you didn't have overdid with your magic to boast your ego!" "Are you trying to shift your blame on me to justify your incompetence!?" Painset demanded furious. "If that is the case, that would be YOUR incompetence!" Magic retorted. Both them were glaring at each other and glowing their horns, ready to unleash their powers against each other. That dispute, however, was interrupted by a mocking voice. "I hate so say that, but this is why Brutalight is able to keep screwing you over." She said, revealing to be the Black Cloaked Mare said as she went out of a mausoleum while standing on her two legs and floating above the ground and approached the two mare freaks, who were a little surprised to see her and yet very irritated for that remark. They glared at her for a second, but the mare looked at them with a stern look. As their glances met, the two pony freaks remained awfully surprised to see her as they seemed to recognize her. "What the... You're the one from back then!" Painset exclaimed. "That distrust of yours is so meta." The Black Cloaked Mare said. "You have very little to whine about your current situation." "What do you mean?" Painset asked. "Officially, you have not prepared any current strategy against the Elements of Insanity. Too bad that you weren't informed about that because you don't have the time to inform yourself." The mare informed. "Oh, please. What could possibly be this thing we should be informed about?" Magic inquired. "Brutalight is currently dealing with her mind being split in three by a unknown enemy and is now almost unable to control her powers." The cloaked mare said bluntly. "In fact having three personality fighting each other in her mind is surely a real issue that would endanger her and her friends." "What!?" Magic exclaimed incredulous. "Is that true?" Painset asked, surprised. "Correct... Not that you have enough brain to know how exploit this crisis." The cloaked mare responded. "What's that!?" Painset shouted before shaking her head rapidly in response to a psychic shift and resumed with a low voice. "How dare you!" Not minding the scornful gazes coming from Painset and Magic, the mare headed toward two tombstones and looked down. "Hey! Don't ignore us!" Magic shouted. "Anyway.... you wanted to return in Equestria, right?" The mare asked calmly. "That's what I intend to do!" Painset said before shaking her neck again and shifting into a younger voice. "So what!?" The mare stared in the void without said anything for a moment, not minding their growing anger. Then she spokes with a crude tone. "You didn't know that a inter-dimensional portal can also be built by converting a specific living being into magical energy through a alchemic process, right?." The mare asked "Do we look like freaking alchemists?" Magic ask in sarcasm. "What you have to do is just channeling the magic of a specific scroll that involves inter-dimensional sorcery into the living sacrifice, concentrating one the world you want to return and then 'bang'. Your portal is ready." The mare confirmed. There was a long instant of quiet. The two pony freak looked at her in shock, feeling really taken aback from that discovery. They didn't found anything like that. "You lie!" Painset's neck cracked again, returning into her normal one. "I never heard of such method, so that cannot be real!" "Say whatever you want, but is real. But I don't think you had the common sense to took them with you." The mare commented. Painset turned her attention to Magic and give her a stern look while the latter looked at the alicorn nervously. The Black Cloaked Mare observed the odd pair impassive, but slightly annoyed. "Why are looking me like that?" Magic asked nervously. "You were examining the scrolls before we were attacked by the mercenaries." Painset assumed. "If you are talking about these," Magic hesitated. "I'm afraid..." "Afraid of what?" "The scrolls were burned by a Pyro during the attack." "Are you SERIOUS!? Why you didn't took them with you!?" "Most of the scrolls consisted into summoning creatures from other worlds which the majority of them were inferior. I didn't considered them to be useful." Magic meekly said. "Are you stupid!? These would had been useful!" Painset scowled. "You didn't told me to." Magic retorted with sarcasm. "At least i'm not stupid enough to not having take the plan to return into Canterlot and find a way to replicate the magic mirror. I would had told you, but you had already gone into a rampage on that village and overused your powers. The destabilization wouldn't have happened if you had read the rest of the scroll and restrained yourself for doing that." "You want having another bad round with me, dumbass!?" Painset threatened, glaring at Magic. The mare didn't looked at them, but her face slowly shifted in muted annoyance. As she was even questioning about the reliability of the two mares. "This is why i never hangout with a duo of retards." The Black Cloaked Mare complained. "WHAT!?" Painset and Magic howled at unison, turning their heads toward her. "I won't doubt that you have outer-wordily powers, but your mentality is not brainer," The mare turned toward them and shrugged her shoulders."I can't believe that Brutalight was almost losing against two idiots." Both of them glared fiercely at her, with Painset's eye nervously twitching. They glow their horn to use their magic, but something bizarre happened. The Black Cloaked Mare looked at them with eyes completely devoid of any feelings and before they could could do anything, the pony freaks found their mouths being stuffed with a stream of red liquid coming out of the cloaked mare's hooves and going right to their throat. Their horn stopped glowing and their magic was neutralized. But that was nothing compared to what happened next. Their sight was blurring, the world around them was spinning, the oxygen began to missing in their aims, their limbs were frantically shaking and their bloodstreams completely stopped along with their heart beats. They couldn't even scream.The only thing that they could see clearly was the mare's eyes. Painset refused to believe what she was feeling in that moment, but these eyes didn't looked so terrific before. Magic was just hoping if they end up killed by her. Both the freak mares could feel their consciousness slowly fading away due to the total shutdown that is happening to their bodies' biological activities, unable to do anything but watch and listen her as their sight was slowly fading. "Is that the right time to give in your arrogance for you?" The mare said with a intimidating tone while giving a glare that would had dismembered even the most fearful of the alicorns. "I wasn't expecting to knee before me, but you should at least know when NOT act very recklessly. Or even according to your newfound chaotic nature, which is very stupid." Painset and Magic weren't feeling their bodies at all. All of their emotions almost died off, except for their fear, which is very prominent in the pathway of incoming death. The cloaked mare kept her chilling eyes pointed toward the two freaks. "Did you had forgot that I was the one who pulled both of you out of the clutches of your incoming death? You made had accepted my terms, remember?" Both the mares hated to admit due to their pride and ego, but she was right. That mocking pony was the one who saved them from their fate during the aftermath of their fight against the Elements of Insanity in exchange of their collaboration. Painset and Magic saw what she was capable of despite her being a earth pony who wasn't a freak, but they weren't expecting her to cornering them like that. Painset felt the pain her pride being gravely hurt surviving the effects of the biological shutdown before being completely silenced. They could feel their lives almost coming to a end as their sight faded in the dark, their minds being cloudy and their consciousness going to sink in the eternal void. Their once psychotic eyes were filled with a mix of fear and hatred toward the mare before becoming almost lifeless. The Black Cloaked Mare's glare then shifted into a calmer glance at the last second. "That's enough." The mare said as she pulled the red stream out of their mouths, causing these to vanish. Painset and Magic collapsed to the ground and remained there, frantically shaking and coughing violently to catch all of their air back. Their sight slowly returned and their brains and organs returning functional as their hearts resumed their beats, resuming their bloodstreams. Their powers, however, were temporarily weakened drastically, just like their anger. They still hate her guts, but wouldn't even think to mess with her after that experience... for now. "Anyway, let's go to the real topic." The Black Cloaked Mare said, making a chilling smile.. Painset and Magic slowly rose up, still dizzied and trying to hide their scorn and homicidal impulses. That experience was humiliating enough that they won't even going through that again. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't get revenge for that, when the right opportunity will present itself. Ignoring the two mares one more time, the cloaked pony turned around and raised her hoof forward. A black swirling liquid appeared in front of her, growing in dimensions until it became a huge black vortex. The two freakish mares looked at it impressed. They felt a very analogical power going on. They weren't mistaking. They felt it when they arrived in the Freak World through the magical mirror in the first place. "There is your portal." The Black Cloaked Mare mischievously confirmed, turning toward them. "Now you can go back to Equestria and proceed to take down Celestia, if you want." "There's no mistake," Magic confirmed. "Is the same as the mirror." "You tell her, Magic." Painset agreed. "Now i will steal Brutalight's world, just like she stole my future." "Talking about jealous psychotic rage." Magic commented, causing Painset to look at her with a furious gaze and a twitching eye. "Did. You. Say. SOMETHING!?" Painset hissed, almost ready to kill her. "Nothing. Nothing." Magic replied meekly. "Good." Painset said, calming herself down a little and walking toward the portal, only to be stopped by the mare. "Before you can going back in your world, You have something that you must do for me." The mare said. Painset growled angrily. Knowing the oppressively manipulating nature of her supposed rescuer, she knew that some catch was lurking behind her words. "What do you from us?" Painset demanded impatiently. "In Equestria, there's one green earth pony with a terrific power that must be dealt with as soon as possible," The Black Cloaked Mare explained, "That would be also a fierce menace for you, but for now he would be just a cocky individual." "Can you please give us the name!?" Magic inquired. "This pony called himself Zaidel Goelnix. This one managed to kill a huge black flaming dragon and took down a entire town of cultists, leaded by a pink unicorn name Sugar Bell who worshiped you." There was a brief moment in which the two freaks stopped moving. They looked at her, each one with a different expression, which give to the mare a different visual opinion about her statement. Magic was just surprised of the fact that such earth pony could actually exist, wondering what power could have. Painset, on other hands, was shocked "Are you telling me that the pink unicorn of the village that I conquered two weeks ago founded a cult that was worshiping me, and that is now taken down by a insipid, disgusting earth pony!?" Painset demanded in rage. "That's the deal. You kill off this bastard and i will give you all the support that you need to take down Brutalight Sparcake and the other Elements of Insanity." The mare paused. "How is that?" "Do you even ask!?" Painset responded. "I want make him pay for that and use him as a memento of my triumphal return as Equestria's new god!" The Black Cloaked Mare grinned satisfied of the result. She looked like as she got the desired result. "Now that is the condition," The Black Cloaked Mare began. "You have twenty-seven days to kill him. If you succeed by the dead line, i will help you to take down both the Elements of Insanity and Celestia as well." "You will support us!?" Painset asked. "Don't even doubt about that. So, what about him?" The Black Cloaked Mare asked. "I will definitively kill him!" Painset said. "But let me clarify one thing. I'm not doing this for you!" The two mares headed toward the portal and entered inside, vanishing in the pitch-black center. After that, the vortex shrunk rapidly until it disappeared in a spark of lightnings. The Black Cloaked Mare was now alone in the cemetery. The silence was her temporal companion, but was then broken by the sound of footsteps echoing through the cemetery. The mare's expression returned into a stern one as she was turning toward the source. The clopping sound came closer and closer but then stopped. A unidentified bipedal pony-like figure almost was in front of her. "Yo!" The figure said with a male voice. "It seems like you need some assistance." "Tundra Lotus." The Black Cloaked Mare said with a sinister, gleeful tone. "You're just in time." "I don't get the reason for your creepy way to greet me." "Spare me your sardonic comment." The mare said with a stern tone. "What about your target?" "I put Discord to rest," Tundra confirmed "I didn't killed him though, but at least he's out the game for a while." "Whatever. I have a job for you, but you will not like it." "Just tell me what is it?" Tundra said almost bored. "You have a demonic alicorn with a split mind to fix. Don't disappoint me." The mare paused, giving a dreadful glare at Tundra, which wasn't disturbed at all. "Human". Meanwhile; In a wood nearby a cliff in the Ghastly Gorge... A black vortex appeared, and the Subjects came out of it, accompanied by a horde of mercenaries who were previously turned into Meems By Magic Mare: Scouts, Medics, Heavys and the list goes on. Both Painset and Magic looked upon the huge mountain in the distance, knowing what it is. Canterlot can be seen from there. Magic Mare felt like she was at home at last. Despite the fact she was now a pony freak, it felt like it's been a long time since she saw Canterlot before her arrival in the Freak World. She then looked at Painset Shimmercakes, who has a different way to see that familiar sight. A very sinister way. A perverted sense of nostalgia pervaded the mind of the former student who is now a terrific alicorn. Memories and rage danced in her tainted heart.The only comfort that she could get in that moment was the payback she was waiting for. She smirked at that promising prospecting. Painset couldn't help, but chuckle in a way creepy enough to chill Magic's spine. "I couldn't be more satisfied than this. I'm finally back to Equestria! And this time is for real!" Painset said triumphantly. "Big time." Magic Mare commented. "I didn't see our homeworld for months since our arrival in that twisted world. But now that i'm looking at, it look so.... dull. Too much peaceful." "Indeed." Painset confirmed. "I should thank our 'savior' for the ride... But i won't! Not after all that horrible experience that she made us going through!" "It pains me to admit, but she was somehow a little better than us in one thing." Magic remarked. "What?" Painset inquired. "Competence. One. On. One." Magic said with sarcasm with Painset looking at her annoyed. "Was that sarcasm?" Painset demanded while charging her horn. "Hehe.. But does that matter? I mean, we are here now." Magic said, laughing nervously as she was going to have another bash from her companion, who interrupted her charged one second later. "Right." Painset said almost calmly as she returned her attention to the landscape. "Though that we still lack of a proper army and a proper equipment." "You can tell that." Magic agreed. "Still, that is a good start." Painset said gleefully. "Of course we have to deal with that green pest, but at least we have the time to take a look at how much happened in Equestria during our absence. That will give us the opportunity to take prepare ourselves for the final act." "That would require a lot of job and a new hideout far away from there, but if everything goes right, that would have a good payoff." Magic commented optimistic. "I can't wait for this. Soon i shall seize the throne from Celestia and take the place that i deserve." Painset said. Painset walked at the very edge of the cliff and looked at the castle, with eyes filled of pure sadism and cruelty. She has the impression that Celestia was waiting for her, trying to fix the rift between her and her former student. Painset can predict that. It's so predictable and hypocritical to her that it disgusted and infuriates her. If she will meet Celestia, she would had to remind her own truth. The unicorn know as 'Sunset Shimmer' died long time ago. Only Painset Shimmercakes remained. "The day i'm going to ascend as a god of your world will be the last day of your rule. You are next, Celestia! And after that, Twilight Sparkle will follow you in the death coil!" Painset announced. Painset Shimmercakes laughed maniacally, confident of her own abilities and ready to prepare the doom of her hated enemies. Magic Mare would had done the same, but since that would angering her, she just smirked in approval. They were impatient to begin. After all there is a world to explore, and conquer in the process. That Celestia wanted or not, Painset's vengeance was about to begin.
Chapter 7: The Dreadful EnemyOpening his eyes, Suzaku was greeted by a dark, unfamiliar sight. He knew that wasn't the ceiling of his room. Realizing to lying down, he gets up and examined his surrounding to understand what is going on. The place in which he was in was a very darkened hallway with fractured pillars lining in his way, with a feeble light in the end. "I don't remember being sent in this place," Suzaku said. "And I don't even think is Balamos' fault for once. He would had warned me first." He looked behind to see if there was a exit, but instead he found was a pitch-black passage filled with a seemingly endless dark. That alone gave him the impression of being trapped into some mad house. Returning his attention to the light, Suzaku couldn't tell if that was just a entrance into some room or some nasty trap. He hesitated to do go, but a very sinister curiosity was compelling him to uncover it's nature. "Tsk. I had encountered so many creepy and absurd things until now. Why I should stop now?" He headed toward the end of the corridor, wanting to know where he is. The only thing that he can take for sure is that the place in which is not Canterlot Castle or any part of Equestria. The more Suzaku approached the light, the weaker it became. And when he reached it, the light stopped it's fading process, revealing it to be a entrance. Without any hesitation, he entered inside. Stepping inside, he witnessed a very absurd scenario. What was in front of him was a stone, dreary throne room, made with a bizarre architecture but still resembling a ancient one. There are no windows, no adornments and no walls. Only passages leading toward the absolute void seized their places. And Sitting on the throne wasn't a alicorn or a Mindeater. That was a seemingly, faceless humanoid creature made of shadows, whose appearance resembled that of a dark warrior who seemed to had came out from some dark fantasy. His body was covered by a cape made of titanium plates, a scarf made of chains, iron gauntlets resembling serpent's jaws, leggings armed with blades, swords protruding from his shoulders and a broken steel armor; partially revealing it's shapeless torso. He remained immobile, seemingly not acknowledging Suzaku's existence. Suzaku could assume that he was the one who brought him there. He was obviously angry at him, but as he observed him, he felt suddenly intimidated. But that was not just because he was little compared to that man, due to him being in pony form. What really scared Suzaku was his anger being drained away by the man's oppressive presence. He could feel that happening without the shapeless man doing anything, as he leaved his own existence spoke for him, speaking the mute language of omnipresence and awe. "What kind of sick feeling is this?" Suzaku said quietly, disturbed by that. He stepped forward reluctantly, wanting to know something about his captor. As Suzaku reached the center of the room, the man's eyes opened, making their existence known on his face , causing him to stop, startled. The armored individual's eyes were fully colored in blue, accompanied by platinum irises. These are completely devoid of feelings or emotions. Suzaku was paralyzed by fear and confusion, almost trembling. But then he forced it to stop it and motivated himself to not back down. Suzaku has not forgot the fact that he had to survive this madness in which Balamos putted into, so remain stuck there or even die are things that he won't accept. He had no intention to retreat. Armed with his own will and knowing that he must be cautious with him, Suzaku stood up on his hind legs and draw out his claws. "Good thing you are awake," Suzaku said. "Because I don't like being captured by some Berserk reject like you." The dark warrior doesn't respond. He continued to stare at Suzaku, who started to lose his patience. "The silent treatment doesn't work on me." Suzaku said irritated. "I'm not gonna take it from you, so you better let me go." Despite Suzaku's insistence, the man still didn't respond. Keeping his eyes locked on Suzaku, the dark warrior rose slowly from the throne and walked toward him, with his eyes emanating a menacing halo, accompanied by the sounds of his moving chain made scarf, the plates of his cape and that of his leggings making their contact with the floor. Knowing what that means, Suzaku summoned his huge black sword and grabbed it with his clawed hoof, determined to deal with him. "Alright. No more games, dude. Enough is enough!" Suzaku shouted aggressively before dissipating in black-green flames and reappearing in front of the man to swiftly cut him down with the sword, only for the armored menace to effortlessly blocking it with one hand. "What!?" The dark warrior pressed his hand on the blade. Cracking sound were making their voices known, and before Suzaku could even realize, the man shatters the sword into pieces. Suzaku had frozen in place wide-eyed upon seeing his weapon being destroyed in few seconds. Fear was seizing his mind, invigorated by the man's oppressive presences, but his own promise to not succumb to no one induced him to quickly react by charging his other clawed hoof with dark-violet energy to use his own Shadow Shotgun on his enemy. Suzaku pointed his charged hoof at the dark warrior's head, but he was immediately blocked by the latter grabbing his head with the right hand and lifting upward. Suzaku tried to shot at the man's head, but the charged energy quickly dissipated and died off shortly. He felt his powers and unnatural strength being completely drained away from him. The dark warrior pressed his finger on his head with the merciless intent to crush him, slowly. His pained screams increased in volume, marking the oppressive pressure of the man's hand pressing even more harder on his skull. However, as the pain was about to became unbearable to the point to give Suzaku the feeling of his death lurking in his mind, the dark warrior stopped his crushing pressure on Suzaku's head. The man's hand halted his supposed execution, but didn't let him go. Dazed by both the pain and the migraine post pressure, Suzaku looked in the man's cold, platinum eyes. "What the hell are you?" Suzaku said, feeling his confidence being drained. The dark warrior didn't respond and didn't even react, at first. Then, after a moment, his eyes shrunken. Then his shadow mass that composed his body began to expanding out of his armor, deforming most of his humanoid form until he became a huge mantle. That fierce foe rendered Suzaku outright powerless as his already twisted appearance lit up in multiple waves of blue flames. As he felt the scorching the heat of the incoming azure inferno, Suzaku let out a terrified scream but was immediately silenced by the mercilessly, voracious flames eating him alive in few seconds. Only a little echo of his voice rang across the room one moment before being replaced by the roar of the burning execution. Suzaku saw his sight being devoured by a flaming mouth and swallowed into the oblivion. Darkness was the last thing that he saw but all of sudden, Suzaku found himself gasping and breathing heavily, staring on the wall in front of him. Confusion entered his mind through his veins. He frantically looked around and putted his hoof on his chest to verify to his own heartbeats. Suzaku barely sighed in relief, but his confusion was, at least in part, present. Some seconds ago he was a that throne room. He was actual in his bedroom in Gol Nazam's Palace. His green coat was stained with sweat, just like his bed. A light wave of dizziness washed over him as he groaned. "It was all a fucking dream," Suzaku murmured, grumpily. "Thought that I can't say the same thing for my involvement in this insanity. I'm still a pony after all." The nightmarish fight and that cursed outcome were still freshly planted in his memory, and he had no idea of how much time it takes for it to dissipate. That dream was so livid that Suzaku really believed to die for real. Not wanting to thinking about that any further, he tried to shrug off that experience, but he couldn't do nothing with that lingering residual feeling of uneasiness. Groggy and partially disoriented, Suzaku slowly got out of the bed and walked toward the window. Looking on the outside, saw the identical darkened landscape. No matter how many hours passed. The sky was still pitch-black, which complicates his partially screwed his perception of time. Unable to tell if is morning, evening or night again, Suzaku turned his attention to the desktop, looking for something that wasn't there. "Oh, I forgot," Suzaku muttered quietly. "I don't have any clock alarm. Thanks for your courtesy, Balamos." Realizing to be still soaked in his own sweat, he walked into the bedroom and took his own shower. Normally, but not so normally, Suzaku felt always weird to do so while being a pony, but for this time it didn't mattered to him. A few unanswered questions regarding the demonic voice who spoke in his head never stopped to occupy his mind. He didn't even know who he is. One phrase in particular rang in his mind. "We will meet very soon, but you won't like my hospitality." "What do you want from me?" Suzaku whispered on that though. He paused, taking his time to adjust his own thoughts and connection as the water continued to rain down on him. After thirteen minutes of reflection, he let out a heavy sigh induced by his own inability to find some plausible responses or possibilities. "I guess I have to find that out by myself." Suzaku closed the faucet and dried himself with the towel. After that, he returned in his bedroom and took a look in his closet. He putted on his violet vest and black jacket, and lay on the bed with the intent to get some extra rest to digest the fatigue caused by the nightmare. As Suzaku stared at the ceiling, his mind wandered in a mnemonic recap of he what had gone through so far. From his encounter with Sugar Bell's cult to his search for Whaust. Among his thoughts, he remembered Whaust mentioning that he may have to build a portal. His visage was marked with incredulity, having realized a contradiction that he never noticed. His memory clicked. "I must be a idiot for not having asked that to him before," Suzaku said, getting up. "Why does Balamos need a Inter-dimensional portal?" His own attempt visualize and examine that point was then interrupted by someone knocking at his door. Suzaku get out of his bed and headed toward the door. "Now who's knocking?" Suzaku asked to himself, still half sleepy. "I hope is not Starcider." As he was in front of it, Suzaku was about to open, but then frozen as he felt a familiar, creepy aura lurking behind it. He reluctantly grabbed the doorknob and slowly opened the door. He became merely startled, having already guessed that was Whaust being the one in front of him four legged, still covering his head with his eye-holed paper bag and still towering on him in height. Despite this, Suzaku managed to remain almost calm, this time. "Do you need something?" Suzaku said, not expecting anything in particular from him. "You didn't looked surprised to see me." Whaust replied. "I could feel your ominous aura going through the door." Suzaku said, almost grumpily. "I'm afraid I can't do anything about that." Whaust said calmly. "Nevermind. You came here just in time." Suzaku assured. "There is something that I need to ask." "Ask what?" Whaust asked, perplexed. "You said that Balamos may need you to create a portal to reach the Freak World, right?" Suzaku inquired. Whaust almost froze up, seemingly processing what he heard from him. He know what Suzaku meant to say but couldn't guess the reason behind his question. "I don't know what are you implying." Whaust replied, confused. "Couldn't Balamos just teleport us there?" Suzaku demanded. "I mean, he can open dimensional portals. What was the point to build a portal if he-" "I had already asked that to him," Whaust interrupted, anticipating his answer. "But then he said that he cannot do so... because his presence can't reach the Freak World." "What do you mean with that?" Suzaku asked, confused. "According to him," Whaust explained. "What he can do with the Freak World is observe it and it's timeline, but cannot interact with it or even use his powers inside of it because of a interference. The only thing that can allow anypony to access that world is a physical portal, such as the magical mirror. But unfortunately the interference has tendency to redirect you into another dimension. The probability of access through the mirror is thirty percent. " Suzaku remained speechless as his brain was processing the whole thing. Though that he didn't know most of that metaphysical stuff that Whaust putted together, he reach the obvious conclusion. Getting into the Freak World was going to be more difficult of than he thought. "You cannot be serious." Suzaku said incredulous. "Dimensional travel is no joke," Whaust replied bluntly. "That is another reason why Celestia sequestered my replica of the mirror. I could tell that since I studied dimensional travels before I built my own dimensional portal in the first place." As Whaust finished his explanation, Suzaku took some moments to ponder about what he heard and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. But there are things that didn't convinced him this much. "So this is why Balamos needed a physical portal in the first place, huh. I guess that even him has his own limits. But I'm not entirely convinced of that. He may had lied, but since I don't know how this dimensional stuff is working in live, I will just play ball. Still... that doesn't resolve the other problem." "But there's one problem with that," Suzaku remarked. "We don't have all the material to build it when I had retrieved you, remember?" "Ironically Balamos, if this is your boss name, took care of that situation on his own" Whaust said, slightly optimistic. "How?" Suzaku asked "Probably each room of both the wings of this palace was specifically designed to suit the incoming recruits," Whaust informed. "In my case, my own room is a hybrid in between a laboratory, like my own old one and a bedroom. That room surprisingly contains most of the stuff that I needed for my experiments... Except the stuff that I need to build the portal." "Then it's not so great as a good news," Suzaku complained. "What do you need?" "What we need are just the same kind of materials that I had used, plus magical artifacts," Whaust replied."But don't worry. He said that he would send me for that job." "Good for me," Suzaku said. "Because going around turning ponies into freaks and recruiting them is difficult enough." Suzaku went out of his room and was about to walk away, but then and turned toward Whaust, looking at him as he remembered a small detail. "You said magical artifacts." Suzaku said with Whaust nodding at it. "Since by then you were interested in magic?" "What is your point?" Whaust inquired. "Oh cmo'n, doctor. You are the kind of pony who say that science is the real magic." Suzaku remarked. "What convinced you change your mind?" "Well... Neither I wasn't this erudite about that matter and I wasn't very fond of magic," Whaust admitted. "This until I had that enlightenment in which you were responsible of." "What kind of enlightenment?" Suzaku asked, puzzled. "For how I see that," Whaust began. "There are limits in my own knowledge that I never thought they existed. But after you putted that spirit inside of me, however, I found my own intellectual horizon being expanded. Despite the two side having a different nature, I came to understand that science and magic can do benefit in any single form if they were used correctly. After all, both of them are parts of the same coin called with it's own name: Knowledge." "That... Is literally profound of you." Suzaku admitted, impressed by his explanation. "But what are you implying?" "You see, young boy," Whaust explained. "The memories related to the Elements of Insanity weren't the only things that flowed inside my brain. There is also a that monster's knowledge." Suzaku's memory clicked, this time on a different matter. "Knowledge you said?" "Yes, but don't know how to describe it," Whaust said. "My mind is fragmented and prone to the madness and yet is strangely still clear. It's terrifying... and plausible at the same time. I never felt so mentally focused for about decades." Suzaku was struck by that answer that lurked in the shadow of his mind but that he never bothered to take a look at during the retrieval of Whaust. He couldn't help but grin a little, tasting the hidden details behind his boss' choices of minions. The Dr. Hooves was a brilliant inventor and scientist, but was also a ditzy one due to him having problems staying focused on the task at hand and gettiing caught up in the wrong details. After having his mind being altered after being possessed by the spirit of Faust, however, he became more focused than usual. But that wasn't the only thing that Suzaku noticed. "So this is why Whaust embraced magic and what he knows about it;" Suzaku whispered quierly while looking away from Whaust. "That shouldn't surprise me. After all, Faust comes directly from a world in which magic replaced technology and yet it managed to conserve a piece of the former. No wonder Balamos wanted him. I hate to admit but that spectral eye's choice of recruits is probably more coherent of what I though." "Why you look so enthusiast?" Whaust demanded with a slightly worried tone. "Nothing in particular," Suzaku said as his grin dissipated immediately. "Anything else?" Whaust pulled out three small metal orbs with a red-glassed eyes from his jacket and gave them to Suzaku. "He asked me to give you those things." Suzaku looked perplexed for a moment but then he recognized the object, having saw a similar thing in a comic book. "Are these inter-dimensional probes?" "Precisely. These are things that Balamos specifically asked me to build." Whaust responded. "These are actually Quantum Probes. Their function is to track down any dimension by following any source of energy and vitality, including magic. If we can track down that of Twilight and her friends, then we will find even the world in which they are now. They are also designed to disrupt the interference, which allow him to open his portals." "Good to know... I guess." Suzaku said, almost impressed. "But how I am supposed to use those things?" "They must be tossed inside the portal," Whaust said. "From there on, they will wander aimlessly through the multiverse, so I had to pilot them through a machine that I had developed in my own new laboratory." "Well, at least I don't have to infiltrate Canterlot Castle to find the magic mirror since we can do it with your version." Suzaku said. "Actually, that is not a real portal. Is small that I will use for tests. And Is not immediate," Whaust informed. "It will take me twenty nine days before it's finished." "T-twenty nine days?" Suzaku said, dumbfounded. "I'm sorry for that," Whaust said with a almost grim tone. "But is not easy to make this minimized version of the replica of the mirror. I had also to be careful with quantum notions. Keep in mind that I managed to build my replica of the mirror in two years." Suzaku groaned frustrated, putting his hoof on his forehead. He was about to complain but he didn't blame the doctor for that. Trying to calm down, he went out of the room. "Nevermind. I will find a way on my own," Suzaku half assured. "Is there something wrong, young boy?" Whaust asked with a perplexed tone, inducing Suzaku to stop. "No, I just need to get some fresh air." Suzaku said as he turned toward Whaust. "Thanks for the help anyway." "You don't look very lucid in this moment, mister Zaidel." "Blame that demented black clouded sky. It's screwing with my perception of time and my biorhythm as well." "I know that. This environment is not a very ideal one for your health." Whaust said, pulling out a watch just to show him the hour. "Time is also a important factor. As you can see, it's morning. Don't you have any clock at all?" "I don't even have a clock alarm to begin with, courtesy of Balamos." Suzaku said slightly grumpily as he was walking away, but then he stopped on his tracks, having remembered something. "Hey, doctor, I almost forgot to asking this to you." "Asking me what?" Whaust inquired. "Did he told you anything about his own motivation behind this whole mission?" Suzaku asked. "Glad that you had noticed that since that is the real reason of my visit. He was... very vague about that," Whaust replied, mistrustful about him. "What I got from him was that the Elements of Insanity and their corruption are a threat, but he didn't told me anything else about it." "Don't tell me." Suzaku said before narrowing his eyes, slightly taken aback by that but not surprised. "Is that so?" "Now if you excuse me, I have to go. But remember, I'm doing this just for Derpy, not for your boss' cause." Whaust said as he went in his room and closed the door politely. With these new information, Suzaku had more reason to confront his boss, but for now he just wanted to rest his mind and clear up his ideas. Leaving the west wing, he went downstairs and headed outside the palace. Suzaku wandered aimlessly in the meadow, accompanied by the pitch-black clouded sky above him. After walking for some miles, he stopped and looked forward. He remained to enjoy the wind blowing on him just for a few moments. Although that didn't managed to mitigate his uneasiness of being in pony freak form and having to deal with what he had encountered in this insane adventure and what he had to face yet. He was still lured by the idea of beating the hell out of the corrupted Elements of Harmony who are now representing madness and chaos, but that wasn't so stupid to not questions himself about the dangers that he had gone through and other ones that seemed to come. He lift his hoof and draw out his claws as he glanced at it with narrowed eyes, having in his mind something to reflect and even complain about. Something about his powers still doesn't add up. Suzaku clenched his claws to barely emulate a fist while he kept thinking about it. "There's something wrong with my powers. No wonder how I look at it. I'm currently possessed by Yuki Terumi, although I can still control myself, but my powers didn't look like his own. I don't remember him being able to create energy shields or even using a huge black sword as his weapon. And that voice... That just made the things even more confusing" Before he could consider other possibilities, Suzaku suddenly perceived a horrible aura. He could tell that Balamos was there. Feeling his presence looming above him, Suzaku looked upwards with a glare and waited for him to appear. But there's no visible or auditive sign of him. "I know that you a there, big eye!" Suzaku exclaimed. "I need to talk with you! So stop looming above me and come out already!" There's no response. A handful of seconds passed without no word or sign, much to Suzaku's annoyance. "Cmo'n, Balamos. I don't have the whole day." Suzaku said, impatiently. "Oh, Suzaku. More sardonic and arrogant as ever," Balamos said mockingly, appearing from above him. "You should know what is your place at this point since I hold you in the palm of my own invisible hand. Your should have learned your lesson in your past fights-"" "I get it. There's no laptop screen that would shield me this time." Suzaku cut him off. "This is why I decided to come here, jackass." "What?" "You see, I have more reason to act like that right now," Suzaku said. "In the past two days that I had to corrupt and recruit the ponies that will act as part of your army, I had faced very unpleasant things, fought a giant flaming dragon and three golem-like loathsome turtles, almost lost of my sanity and risked to die. All of that for your stupid mission. So of course I deserve at least on question." "........ And what could possibly be, twat?" Balamos asked with a very annoyed tone. "You said that there is culprit behind the corruption of the Mane Six into the Elements of Insanity." Suzaku paused. "I may understand if he would use them against Celestia, but Why you are so interested in the story? And why 'recruit' me?" Balamos' eye shrunk for a moment and looked left and right. But more than looking elsewhere, he looked like he was instinctively emulating a dot of a computer while is processing something for a few seconds before looking back at Suzaku. "You really want to go straight to the Hard Mode so badly, aren't you?" "God or not, you are going to answer me." Suzaku replied bluntly. "Very well... Then you will get your wish. It's your luck day. I have a clear idea of what the the culprit behind their corruption could be because I had recalled one thing," The iris of his eyed form shrunk. I have met that bastard before the rise of the Elements of Insanity." Suzaku flinched in surprise. "You had?" "Is a earth mare named Vaga. Is a demented pony from another dimension, obsessed with Death and Nihilism and possesses powers that had nothing to do with the Equestrian conventional magic, including the ability to travel through any dimensions, mind alteration, time traveling and hide her presence with her magical stealth. Vaga came once here with the intent to usurp my power." "I can Imagine that she got her ass kicked by you," Suzaku guessed. "Don't even think that was a stroll from me. Vaga put one hell of a fight and she was so close to win. I could even eliminate her for good, she fled in the Freak World and at some point, her existence simply vanished from both my perception and the timeline of every dimension as well. Which means that she veiled her existence to plot her next move." That explanation gave Suzaku another reason to cautious about the ordeal in which he was involved. He had the impression that he would had fought the culprit after having purified the Elements of Insanity, but he didn't expected her to be this powerful. Suzaku briefly pondered about that nervously. "If this mare was able to keep up with Balamos, then I'm going to have a real nightmare of a fight with her, especially since I have that problem with that stupid power abuse thing. It putted me in danger in the most crucial moments. Still... That reveal also reinforces my theory that he's hiding far more things than just Sunset Shimmer being turned into a freak." "But that doesn't explain the reason she had for luring the Twilight and her gang into the Freak World to being possessed by those ghost of those TF2 Freaks," Suzaku said bluntly. "Is she someone who has a personal vendetta against Celestia?" "Vaga has no reason in particular, except causing chaos, reveling in the bloodshed of the others and enjoy the destruction of worlds and every force that doesn't represent her ideals. Especially the one the Mane Six represent most. For Vaga, Harmony is just a facade, which disgusted her to end. She wanted nothing more than seeing the harmony of every dimension burn, one piece at time. This mare managed to destroy her own world, along with other twos." "Whoa!" Suzaku exclaimed disturbed. "Now that is major league level of psychopathy. How powerful she can possibly be?" "Is not always a matter of power. Her machinations and powers are insignificant if not used properly and her schemes carefully executed. In her case, Vaga can be usually both organized and chaotic in the execution of her plan, with only rare exception of using brute strength. However, with the Elements of Insanity... She acted way too organized." "What do you mean with that?" Suzaku asked. "Vaga usually commit her atrocities according to her whims, eager to taste the destruction of a world. But this time, she took her time to adjust the setting of her plans and involving more that just one dimension into something very massive, a theory proven by the Mindeaters' appearance. In other words, Vaga is working for someone else." "Wait." Suzaku said, gesturing him to stop. "Are you telling me that she's just someone's puppet?" "Vaga has different idea about that, but you are correct. The one behind web created by him is the real spider. A monster with a unfathomable trail of horrors in his background, who is far more dreadful than her. A entity known with one name: the Mad Void." "The Mad Void?" Suzaku said confused. "He's a embodiment of bloodshed and madness, born by the insanity and foolishness of three alchemists who died to create it. The moment the Mad Void raised, his own world was turned into a living hell. His influence twisted the minds and appearance of any living being into his own, which is very handy for him since he feast on their insanity in order to grow his power. If left unchecked, every dimension will be thrown in a eternal mad nightmare shaped at his own image." Suzaku was awe-struck for what heard about it. Normally, that would sounds like the plot of a movie, but considering the whole madness that he had witnessed so far, he could hardly do that anymore. Even with the boost of confidence that the spirit that is possessing him is giving, he was having a hard time to remain calm. "As dealing with the Elements of Insanity and this Vaga weren't enough" Suzaku with a fed up tone. "Are you telling me that I have to fight this Lovecraftian Horror as well!?" "That is not the case. Before The Mad Void is currently sealed into a desolate dimension called the Frontier. Said dimension was supposed to cut off his existence off from every dimension's reality, preventing him to leave and weakening his powers... But there was a flaw with that." "Huh?" "The Frontier is partially connected to three dimensions through quantum gaps: Equestria, the Freak World and a unidentified third one. Although The Mad Void couldn't leave, he could still manifest his form in one of these threes and feast on the insanity of the living being that filtered from those three worlds to slowly regain his powers. The only thing that he needed was a pawn who would gladly act for him. And, as you can guess, Vaga was the perfect candidate." "And she is into his junk." Suzaku anticipated him. "Very perceptive. When Vaga arrived in the Freak World after being defeated by me, she was the first to discover his manifestation. Judging by how the story goes, she became probably infatuated with him and thinks it is her mission to release him. Discovering that forsaken graveyard nearby Mann Manor, Vaga came up with the idea to create the Elements of Insanity. These six possessed ponies are both victims and unwitting instruments of the Mad One's return." Having guessed in part where that part is going, Suzaku mentally visualized the logical structure behind Balamos' words. At that point, part of the initial question that he asked to Balamos came in his mind like a flash. And due to it's nature, he didn't like it at all. "In other words," Suzaku began. "Vaga is using The Elements of Insanity as both as constant insanity fuel to release some crazy, terrifying entity that will come here and destroy everything!?" "Correct. After Twilight and her friends got possessed, Vaga already began to pul the strings for a while in order for him to feast on their corrupted energy, their insanity and the influence of the Mindeaters being spawned by their corruption, for they are the new source of the Mad Void's power. But that wasn't enough and the process was still slow." "Oh well. That should give us a lot of time, putting aside Brutalight's attempt to build that portal of her." Suzaku said, still nervous. "Do you seriously think that Vaga would had sit her ass and being content with just that? She would had found a plan to speed up the process. Initially she intended to send local mercenaries, RED and BLUE alike against them to feed the Mad Void even further, but even that wasn't enough. Vaga was still on the starting point... Until that night." "What happened? She suddenly decided to sent Gray Mann's robots or something?" Suzaku asked. "Is far worse. Vaga was in that forsaken graveyard than she saw a entity luring a small creature from Equestria and turning it into a pony freak, who had then gone to face Twilight, now being Brutalight. Ironically the fight didn't last that much and disappeared empty handed. That, however, gave Vaga the inspiration to make their... Nemesis." "A nemesis?" Suzaku looked almost confused. "Which is where Sunset Shimmer comes into play. After having returned to the present, Vaga had probably lured her into Equestria, wiped her memories to restore her hateful self and leaded her to the Freak World. Thus resulting her getting possessed and turning into the demonic alicorn that is Painset Shimmercakes. Thus, giving her what boosted up both the Mad Void's chance to return and the spread of the aura of madness: A Freak War. Suzaku's widened in shock. "A war?... You mean a piloted war!?" "It happened in very desolated area of the Freak World. The Elements of Insanity and Painset eventually clashed each other, exuding even more corrupted energy. Painset was defeated in the most horrible way possible, but is not dead." "I know, right? Painset appeared in front of Sugar Bell, killed a dozen of innocent ponies and make her found a cult that worshiped her." "Painset be the last of your problem, because if we lose, not our side or that of Brutalight will survive. There won't be winners except Vaga, much to her joyful nihilism. Seeing madness twisting Harmony into something vile and psychotic and Equestria falling apart is also what she want, not even caring about the destruction that her action will bring in other dimensions." ".... That is the most twisted aftermath I ever heard," Suzaku announced disgusted. "Both of our sides being both killed as her own meat puppets in her own show if we make some mistake." "That is nothing compared to being assimilated by him. Did you had grasp the facts? That is the new horrifying reality that we are going to be part of unless we don't purify the Elements of Insanity and stop Vaga's madness." "..... Give me a break, please." Suzaku said, shaken by that. "Do whatever you want. But that is what you gain for asking me these question too early. For your morale being preserved, you shouldn't have asked that in the first place." Ignoring the spectral eye's remark, Suzaku looked away from him and tried to regain his mental composure but was very difficult for him to doing so. He couldn't still believe at the gravity of the situation in which he was in. When Balamos kidnapped him and turned him into his agent, Suzaku expected this adventure to be less traumatic and dire but wasn't expecting the stakes to be this higher. His mind raced like mad until one worry called fourth his attention. "My world!" Suzaku shouted instinctively as he returned his attention to Balamos. "My dimension will be danger because of that!" "Not entirely. You see, the human world is shielded with a dimensional barrier that prevents him to enter inside. But seriously, is not like I wouldn't had involved you into this," Suzaku slowly became visibly irritated. "What did y-" "But just to clarify," Balamos interrupted him. "Even if your world isn't In danger at all, that doesn't change the situation in which you are now. Yes, I have dragged you in this madness, but I have also saved your life from these three brony extremist back in your home, which means that you are in debt with me." Anger boiled inside Suzaku as he clenched his teeth. "You son of-" "You don't have pretty much choice if die by being assimilated by the Mad Void, shredded by Brutalight and her friend or even being destroyed if you try to betray me. Don't even forget your place. You life depends on your actions." Balamos' pupil shrunk to give attention to his menacing proclamation. "YOU DECIDE!" Balamos' last words had frozen Suzaku's temper, along with his blood. His anger wanted to burst, but he was too shaken and intimidated by that to even be angry about that. His body trembled and his face was contorted with frustration. He could do nothing but calming down and remain silent for a moment. "We have still a deal, remember? What you had-" "I know it," Suzaku interrupted, fed up with his attitude. "The deal is still the same: I defeat the Elements of Insanity, purify them and then take down Vaga. And you will bring me back to my world!" "Take you time to recover." "Go to hell..." Suzaku said with a hateful tone as he turned around. He walked away from the eye, not minding his presence. His anger is still raging inside. As Suzaku was heading toward his palace, Balamos spoke again. "Oh, I forgot. Before you return in your room to rest before going for the third recruit, you had to tell me one thing. After all, is now your turn to give me some answer." Suzaku reluctantly turned around to face the spectral eyes and glared at him. "About what?" "What is your reason for being thrilled about beat the shit out of the Elements of Insanity?" "What?" "You had to tell me that." "That was your question?" "So?" "Alright," Suzaku began. "Counting that I'm finding myself almost treating the ponies as actual people... I have nothing against the now corrupted Mane Six. I just hate their guts and overrated preaches regarding friendship. Further more hypocritical due to some of their own actions that time ended up contradicting what they had said to have learned so far. Another reason for that is because I had my bronies classmates who tried to impose those teachings on me." "Whoa... You are indeed that kind of a asshole. I just hope that you don't hurt these six mare so much." "Hey, keep in mind that, in their conditions, they would even kill me." Suzaku remarked. "Besides, after having defeated them, I will just purify them. I'm a troll, but I'm not a murderer." "And yet you don't had any problem to beat them up. You are a very convoluted individual." "Spare me your mockery." Suzaku retorted. "I know who I am, and I don't need any lesson from you." "It's incredible how your arrogance and morale recovered very fast from our conversation. Well, you better get ready for your next part. Don't disappoint me." That being said, Balamos closed his eyed form and disappeared, along with his presence. Suzaku was left alone, in the middle of the meadow, with the pitch-black sky looming above him. In a first moment he remained immobile. Then he lifted his hoof, draw out his claws from it and closed them into a fist before punching the ground. He let out a furious scream during that act. "So I have no choice at this point. I'm going to be dead if I'm not careful." Suzaku said almost calmly before looking upward. "I have to succeed in this ordeal even if my own world is not in peril isn't it?" His mind was once again concentrated on his world. But more importantly on his life and his days when he was still in front of a laptop or when he was studying in his classroom. There isn't so much that he would care since these days were put as hobbies and routing. That was his own interpretation of his current thoughts when a sudden memory flashed in front of his eyes. Two classmates, a few days... And lost friendships. Upon seeing that, Suzaku flinched uncomfortably and facehoofed so hard, putting himself back to reality. His demeanor wasn't so calm and unperturbed. He felt perturbed indeed and know why, and yet abstained to answer to himself about that. Only one question was made. "Suzaku... What the hell are you thinking?" Suzaku asked to himself. In another part of his dimension far away from Gol Nazam, Balamos reappeared above a ruined granite shrine. Accordant to the weird nature of that world, humanoid statues resembling winged zealot where scattered on the floor. Each one wielding a different object, like a spear, a scale or, oddly enough, a notebook. His eye form glanced on a four legged silhouette obscured the shadow by the shadow of a ruined pillar. Probably a pony. "I don't need to remind you that owe me a favor, right?" Balamos asked. The pony silently nodded. "Well. Is there anything... That you want to say at this point?" Balamos asked. The pony slowly shook his head. Balamos' iris suddenly shrunk as he was surprised, shocked, or just already know the answer behind the pony behavior. "We have nothing else to say. You can go." Balamos said as his eye form closed and disappeared as the pony was taking his leave.
Chapter 8: Breando The Country ScourgeThe sun shone upon Sweet Apple Acres. A bright sight in contrast with most of the apple trees being left unbucked. A few of those fruits started to rot by themselves. It wasn't a big deal but was only the beginning of a farming problem. In the middle of the road leading to the farm, a black portal appeared under the command of Balamos. Suzaku stepped outside of the pitch-black gate, that disappeared after one second. He was met by the radiance of the sunlight almost blinding his eyes. With one eye closed, he looked around, scanning a the rows of trees inhabiting the place and the farm being far away from there. He seemed to recognize that place, and he was right about that. "Let's see. Several orchards of apple trees and a farm in the distance. Yeah, this is definitively Applajack's house." Suzaku said in confirmation. "I hope that Balamos doesn't expect me to recruit Big Machintosh, because that would be stupid." He sighed quietly and pulled the list out of his bag. He couldn't help, but feel still disturbed that the bloodstain in the middle was still present and still deforming itself. "Let's see who is going to be cooked this time." Suzaku said insecure, instinctively knowing that the next one is going to be another background pony. The bloodstain was shaping it's form to spell out the name of his next recruit, but this time is just one word instead of two. Suzaku was expecting some pony who he never heard or ever known it existed, but the result turned out to be a very disappointing one. His face deformed in awkward disbelieve. He cannot believe at what was written, because it was too ridiculous to him. The name that appeared on the list was that of Braeburn. "Braeburn!? The stallion so infamous for being the 'Slasher Smile Award' and a western stereotype?" Suzaku said incredulous before his head fell down in disappointment. "I understand Starlight Glimmer, and I understand Dr. Whooves. But-" "Before you will start a very insipid rant," Balamos interrupted him irritated by talking in his head loudly, promptly silencing him and freaking him out. "Let me at least explain my reason for that." Suzaku recovered from that and groaned in annoyance before responding to him with a annoyed tone. "Alright, what is it?" "Other than being Applejack's cousin, Breaburn has notable physical skills but is not just only that. The real reason is connected to the three fillies who were lured into the Freak World as well." "About time you had brought that thing," Suzaku said, slightly irritated. "As not mentioning that Sunset Shimmer was involved in this story wasn't enough. You didn't had told that the Cutey Mark Crusade were turned into freaks as well." "Oh, yes. The ones who are now carrying the name of Cutey Mark Monsters." "Ok, putting aside that stupidest name," Suzaku said. "Why did you had mentioned that before? I'm pretty uncomfortable with fighting children." "Because they aren't this potential threat in contrast with their sisters. And a idol, if we had to be technical." More distrustful about his boss' intentions than before, Suzaku was about to call him out for real about the fillies, but knowing that he would had deflected this question, he preferred to not inquire any further. "You can continue." "Six days before the you retrieval of Whaust, Braeburn came to Sweet Apple Acres to talk with Granny Smith and Big Machintosh about Applejack's and Apple Bloom's disappearance. He also helped them with their crisis. As you can see from the few, almost rotten apples steadily infesting this orchard, the disappearance of Applejack leaved the farm with a grave lack of workforce and a missing image since she was the face of the Apple Family." "Spare me the superfluous details. Just go to the point already." Suzaku said with slight impatience. "During that period, Breaburn headed to Ponyville with intention to confront doctor Whooves about the Cutey Mark Crusaders having gone through the magic mirror replica, thinking he was responsible for it. In his arrival, he was blocked by the Royal Guard that were watching him during his probation. Before Breaburn could cause any ruckus, Celestia suddenly showed up to talk with him about the situation." "Celestia actually bothered to go in Ponyville to talk with him?" Suzaku replied, a little confused. "Celestia firstly apologized with him for her inability to save Applejack, Apple Bloom and the rest of disappeared ponies, including the remaining Elements of Harmony; oblivious of their own current corruption. She then invited Breaburn in Canterlot Castle and showed him the original magic mirror. She explained to him that they were in a world far beyond her watch and is almost impossible to reach. She has also asked him to keep that info a secret." "Of course. She cannot afford to spread utter chaos after all." Suzaku commented. "Outside that, Celestia having brought Breaburn at Canterlot Castle, leading him to the mirror is indeed something you had to consider. You know what that means." Even bef, Suzaku didn't even need to pondering about it that he had already guessed what that means. "To sum up," Suzaku began, not believing what that implies. "You are telling me to ask Braeburn, or the monster that I will turn him into, to help me to infiltrate the castle and find where the mirror is?" "The micro portal that Whaust is building will take him one, if not two years to be completed. We had to speed up the times before our enemies." "I won't doubt that, Sauron," Suzaku retorted sarcastically. "But in case you hadn't noticed that yet, Canterlot Castle is obviously heavy guarded." "Which is why you need Breando to do that. Also, Whaust sho-" "I know, I know," Suzaku interrupted him, roughly. "I just had to toss the three probes inside the mirror and that's it. But that won't be easy anyway." Balamos doesn't say anything. No follow up or rebuttal. As that silence continued for a little bit, Suzaku opened his mouth but before he could even emit a sound, the entity's voice spoke again. "You know, if a Dragoliath would suddenly pop up out of nowhere for everytime you had the balls to interrupt me, that would be a funniest stress relief and medicine to your own annoyance." "You wish it, right?" Suzake inquired. "Besides, you shouldn't even complaining for the fact you had to infiltrate Canterlot Castle. You are my agent after all. Going through any type of risk is part of your role." "You make it look easy," Suzaku protested. "You were rotting inside your dimension, without even putting yourself in my shoes." "My rule has spoken." Without any reply, Balamos' presence leaved his head. Suzaku groaned in frustration, but then remembered his own position in this story. The eye who had involved him in this ordeal has his life on the metaphysical palm of his hand after all. Knowing that he can't do nothing about that, he took a deep breath and calmed down. "Yeah, keep your non-catch phrase for yourself." Suzaku said before focusing on his current task. "But still, if my target is Breaburn, why bring me in Sweet Apple Acre and not in Appleloosa? Shouldn't he had leaved Ponyville at this point?" Suzaku's question found his answer when a country voice coming from his left caught his attention. "Ah wonder how will Big Mac and Granny Smith cope with their crisis." the voice said. Suzaku looked at his right and saw a melancholic Braeburn entering the orchard, looking down while talking to nopony else in particular but himself. "Ah just hope that Celestia could find a way to save them." Breaburn said. "So Balamos knew this stallion was coming there to pay a visit to Applejack's family," Suzaku said quietly. "I hate to boycott his thoughts, but it has to be done." That being said, Suzaku waited for Braeburn to approach him as the latter was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice him. Just like with his previous two targets, the Appleloosian stallion wouldn't trust him so easily and, frankly, Suzaku has no intention to leave his target escape. "Excuse me." Suzaku said, getting his attention. "Huh?" Braeburn looked at him in confusion as he stopped in his tracks. "I know is not the right moment but I need to ask you something... If you don't mind." Suzaku said, acting polite. "Look, ah ain't time to talk with ya." Braeburn replied. "Princess Celestia told you about Applejack and the other going through a magical mirror, isn't it?" Suzaku asked, bluntly. Breaburn turned toward Suzaku, with wide opened eyes being slowly replaced by a stern glare. The latter could tell that the stallion's suspicion toward him started to grow. "How did ya know that?" Braeburn asked sternly. "I heard that from some Royal Guard talking about that with Celestia during their investigation," Suzaku explained. "You see, a friend of mine, a rogue thief, sneaked around Canterlot Castle and passed through that mirror. He never returned from that." Braeburn's distrustful's face toned down a little bit, almost showing little signs of empathy. "Ah'm sorry, but what has that to do with me?" "I just want a little information from you," Suzaku replied, continuing his act. "Celestia invited you into her castle, right?" "W-What?" Breaburn said momentarily taken aback from that. "Yes, she invited me to castle but...!" Before Braeburn could even complete his response, he stopped his sentence in half and frozen for a moment, much to Suzaku's perplexity, as the green pony was waiting for the rest. The face of the appleloosian stallion quickly contorted with newfound distrust and glared at him again. "Is there something wrong?" Suzaku demanded worried. "Ah just remembered," Breaburn said very sternly. "Yesterday Ah heard about a green pony who went out from doctor Whoove's house and fled from Ponyville." That answer was vaguely descriptive and yet these details were enough to crush Suzaku's coverage story and act into pieces. Suzaku flinched for that but not too much. Deep inside, he wasn't expecting it to work. "You know what? Fuck acting. Let's get to the point already." "I tried." Suzaku said calmly as he quickly pointed his hoof toward him, causing black chains to appear from beneath Braeburn and quickly wrapped around his body, blocking his limbs and hanging him in crucifix position. He struggled to release himself from the chains in vain. Suzaku glanced at him with a annoyed look. "You better calm down, nutcracker." Suzaku said, dropping all of the pretenses. "Calm down?" Braeburn retorted angered. "You've chained me like a beast and then you're telling me to calm down!?" "Shut the fuck up, idiot," Suzaku retorted in annoyance. "I don't have the time of the entire Equestria. I just need your help." "Why should Ah do that!?" Breaburn inquired. "Because I'm currently the ticket to resolve your situation," Suzaku responded. "I know where Applejack and Apple Bloom are in this moment." "You're lying!" Breaburn retorted. "Can you call liar somepony who managed to immobilize you like this?" Suzaku said half surprised. "Seriously, you were so angered about me chaining your limbs that you didn't had realized that I have dark powers despite me being a earth pony?" Braeburn took in consideration Suzaku's words and looked at the chains binding him, emanating a very dark aura. The stallion looked back at him with a dismayed look. "Now that Ah'm thinking about, you're not a normal pony. What the heck are you?" Breaburn asked. "I'm only a herald from another world who is serving some horrific deity," Suzaku responded bluntly. "Substantially, he sent me to find this mirror and use it to get in the world inside of it. The problem it's actually in Celestia's possession." "Ya can't be serious" Breaburn said, disturbed by that affirmation. "Are ya our of yer mind? You'll end up lost in that world! Just like Applejack! What did ya expect to gain from that!?" "You better tell me where it is. I have you in my grasp in this moment." Suzaku remarked. Breaburn's defiant face was slowly replaced by a intimidated one. "Well... If you insist," He said reluctantly. "The mirror is situated into the second floor, in the western wing, third corridor. Ss really guarded." He paused and then groaned. "That Celestia would forgive me. Why Ah'm even telling you this?" "Thanks for the info," Suzaku said, half satisfied. "By the way, I cannot release you yet, because that wasn't my only reason why I was looking for you." "W-what do ya mean with that? What do you want!?" Braeburn muttered irritated. "Simple. My boss wanted to recruit you." Suzaku said, not expecting the stallion in front of him to remain calm. "R-recruit me? For what?" Breaburn asked disturbed. "You should consider what you want," Suzaku precised vaguely. "If you want to save Applejack and Apple Bloom, you had to trust me. "Like Ah would!" Breaburn retorted. "Ah'm tired of your games already!" "If you don't believe, I will make you see it." Suzaku said with a grin in his face. A metallic sound resounded in his black sack, chilling enough to make Breaburn shiver a little bit. Suzaku grinned a little bit for that since that was the signal "What's that sound?" Braeburn asked with a little freaked out tone. "Your daily bread. Now shut up" Suzaku replied before turning his attention on his black sack. Suzaku draw out his claws and rummaged in the sack, ignoring Braeburn's shocked expression for having saw them coming out of the green pony's hooves. Suzaku reluctantly pulled out the opened small iron coffin. Knowing Balamos and his way of 'persuasion', the object is going to be something weird or even too grim for that word. He pulled out the content and became instantly awe-struck to see what it was. A very shaped kitchen knife "A kitchen KNIFE!?" Suzaku screamed shocked fbefore face hoofing. "That should be a object containing a spirit, but that make me look a like a sadist." As Breaburn looked at him with a nervous glance, Suzaku tossed away the small iron coffin and held the knife toward the chained stallion. "What are ya going to do with me?!" Braeburn said, almost frightened. "Don't get me wrong, but you need this baptism." Suzaku said with a almost apologetic tone before thrusting the knife into Breaburn's abdomen without even looking. But as the knife supposedly entered into his flesh, it disappeared in a spark of white energy without leaving any wound at all. Suzaku mentally commanded the chains to release Breaburn, causing him to fell back abruptly on the ground. He stepped a few inches away from the stallion, who began to spasm frantically afterwards and moaning in pain. A dark scarlet liquid poured out of him and covered all of his body. Braeburn felt a fire burning into his mind with images storming inside. That flux showed the fate of the Elements of Harmony, who had now become the Elements of Insanity. The last ones in particular were the most tragic to him. Too shocking for him to be believed. The mare known as Applejack, his cousin, was turned into one of those freaks as well. "Applejack... Is that ya?" Breaburn thought. Having saw already how the possession goes, Suzaku looked away to no to watch it when he saw a monstrous, black-flaming face flying toward him from afar at a very high speed. He immediately ducked, avoiding the creature who whizzed above his head. He heard the sound of the thing touching the ground and turned toward it. Suzaku has a full view of that thing and could tell by it's body being engulfed in black flames that is a Mindeater, except that his head is wrapped in silver flames. The head resembled the skull of a jackal with white eyes. His body was that of a bipedal dragon, covered by a web of dark red and light red lines, resembling the flux of the bloodstream., His talons are made of diamond and his claws are actually scythes blades. "Great, now I have to deal with that sucker while defending this convulsing stallion." Suzaku said with a bothered face as He stepped toward the creature and stood up two legged. "Can this day get any worse?" "Zenturion is this worse's name." Ignoring Balamos' remark, Suzaku summoned his Psycho Slayer sword when the Zenturion was instantly closing in on him to cut him up with his sword claws. The sword materialized and he managed to block the attack with it in the very last second. That happened all in a blink of a eye. His heart skipped a beat due to him being taken aback from that sudden attack. The creature doesn't waste any time to throw a barrage of claw swipes at Suzaku. The metallic sound of the blades clashing against the huge sword blocking them echoed across the orchard so loudly that almost completely covered any other sound. The Zenturion continued his swiping tempest until it manage to break his prey's guard. With that opening, it swung his claws at Suzaku's head to shred it into pieces, only for him to dissolve into black-green flames and reappeared on his right, charging the claws of his left hoof in a Shadow Shotgun. "Slow down!" Suzaku announced as he shot a dart of dark violet energy that whizzed toward the Zenturion, but the abhorrent flaming creature already noticed him and that instantly moved away, missing the blow and dashing at high speed toward him, ignoring the violet explosion that destroyed a apple tree. Seeing the jackal-hybrid creature going toward him, Suzaku immediately raised his sword to protect himself. he found blocking it's attacks again. As the Zenturion was throwing another barrage of claw swipes at him, the green pony has the quick thinking to charge his left hoof's claws and shot another Shadow Shotgun on the ground nearby the creature. In the instant the violet energy dart was shot, the flaming creature promptly leaped backwards very fast avoid the violet explosion. Suzaku, having the sword raised to block the attacks, slightly avoided being overwhelmed by the impact. The only thing that was partially touched by that burst were his own hind legs. Suzaku groaned both in pain and annoyance. "A very fast prick you are." Suzaku commented. "You hit really hard like a hammer." The Zenturion snarled with feral anger as it dashed toward Suzaku with the intent to cut slash him. The green pony expected the monster to deliver another series of swipes. But instead, the creature put it's claws on the Psycho Slayer, trying to disarm Suzaku. "Hey! Get away from my blade, you freak!" Suzaku screamed one moment before the Zenturion's eyes glowed in a ominous golden light, and he already grasped a hint of what that means. "No, you don't!" Suzaku dissolved again with his sword and reappeared on the right side of the monster to cut him while it wasn't looking, but was caught by a sudden explosion made of grey light coming from the monster's head that propelled him away and made his Psycho Slayer flying from his hand. Suzaku crashed on the ground with his sword falling on the ground and dissolving itself afterwards. The Zenturion was still alive. As Suzaku tried to stand up, the creature noticed that and dashed furiously toward the green pony, reaching him in a instant and ready to kill him. The result seemed obvious, but that was negated by two knives suddenly piercing the flaming monster's chest, right in the red lines. The Zenturion jumped far away from Suzaku and barely landed on his two legs, almost losing his balance. Not knowing what happened, Suzaku quickly stood up four legged and observed the creature's conditions and was very impressed by the fact that a Mindeater was stopped by two knives. He noticed the wound of the knives caused the red lines bleeding red seething liquid and scarlet flames. The monster screeched ferociously as his head shook even more frantically. Upon seeing that, Suzaku quickly turned his attention toward the supposedly defenseless Breaburn, who was now standing on his two legs and looking upwards. And he was emitting a very homicidal aura. His appearance marked the completion of his transformation. His coat was no longer a light gold, but a pale orange one. His mane and tail were dark yellow. Oddly enough, even his short jacket was subjected to the transformation as it became a dark gold one with a black vest inside. That appearance reminded Suzaku of something that he saw in a anime. A that was enough have a bad feeling about this. Trying to not give in his bleeding, the Zephytion observed him in a confused daze, trying to study his aggressor who was preventing him to feast on his prey, according to his own mindless point of view. "At this point, ah'm asking myself... If this is just a bad dream." 'Braeburn' said with a cold tone, almost devoid of empathy. "..." Suzaku abstained to make any comment that would endanger him. "Seeing Applejack in that state... It's horrible. But Ah'm also a monster as well, Ah should feel bad about that. How could this be good? it's too wrong." 'Braeburn paused and grinned sadistically. "Or maybe not." Suzaku tried to get away from there, but his body refuses to move. The worst part about that was part of his confidence being taken away from him. His eyes were wide opened from the growing fear. Despite this, he mustered his will to not panic and continued to observe. "So, ugly demon," 'Braeburn' said to the monster just to mock him. "Ya expected to find a defenseless stallion? Too bad!" "Braeburn?" Suzaku said shocked for what he heard just now. 'Braeburn', in response, turned his attention to the Zephytion and revealed his red eyes. "IT'S BRAENDO!!" Not even the suspension of disbelieve can justify the absurdity of the situation. Suzaku suspected Breaburn's new appearance being familiar to him, but he wasn't expecting the spirit possessing him to be like what he thought it would be. Compared to this, his experience with Starlight's and Dr. Whoove's corruption looked like a mere stroll to him. "I'm seriously going to regret this." Suzaku said with a grave tone. Not caring about what is going on, the Zephytion rushed at full speed toward Braendo, who remained in calm mockery as he does his first move. "ZA WARUDO! Time Stop!" With those words, the time around him stopped. Everything, including the monster and his bleeding, remained frozen in time, except Suzaku, who was quiet impressed about being able to move during the Time Stop. That was the first time he was experiencing something like that. He could presume that his powers helped him to not being time blocked. But he had no time to being distracted by that. He has a new freak pony to watch over. Braendo crossed his hooves, with knives coming out of them; and launched them toward the monster. The knife whizzed toward it, but then stopped in mid air. He vanished and teleported around him while launching other multiple knives that halted in front on their targets. He then reappeared in front of his enemy, and looked at it with a very bored expression as he pointed his hoof toward it. "Give him hell." Braendo said as a golden humanoid figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere and dashed toward the monster to punching him out repeatedly at the same high speed the stallion was moving his hooves around and shouting 'MUDA!' at no stop. Suzaku was shocked to see that happening, but was also shocked to find a flaw that wasn't supposed to happen. He saw the leafs of other trees and birds far far away from the fight still moving on their own. "What the hell? Wasn't that supposed to stop the time completely?" Suzaku asked to nobody in particular. "Since the spirit's ability to stop the time is outright dangerous. I had purposely limited that power. His power is worthless if you and your allies remained stuck in time. You don't want someone with that power becoming a threat." "Thank you for the info, but I don't feel any safe from his right now." Suzaku retorted. After a ridiculous beatdown that seemed a literal eternity for the creature, the humanoid being gave one last heavy punch on his stomach and vanished. "Ya ain't even deserve a appleloosian steam roller... Aaaaaand Time Resume." Braendo said coldly, causing the time to resume his course. With the time stop gone, the knives started to move again and stabbed the Zenturion multiple times. This brutal sequence of attacks caused the monster to screech in pain before dissolving in black flames that died off after a short time, ending his existence for good. Breando remained still, reveling in his newfound powers and bloodlust, and smirking cruelly. Suzaku rose up on his two legs once again and keep his eyes on the possessed pony. He recognized what the new Breaburn is capable of. These powers, enhanced abilities made him think and depraved attitude made him think. He know the spirit possessing the stallion too well, and that is why he was too afraid to accept that fact. "I think is really pointless pretending it never happened," Suzaku said. "That spirit that is now possessing him is freaking Dio Brando, and that humanoid thing was his own version of The World. And now is also a vampire. I won't even make a joke about that." Breando slowly turned his face toward Suzaku, looking at him with a bloodthirsty glare and a sadistic grin. Suzaku couldn't help but shiver in awe as his own eyes met the expression of his own creation. He mustered his confidence and willpower to face him without being intimidated by the stallion's homicidal aura, just like he did with Starcider. "Don't even think ain't noticed ya moving through the Time Stop, ya slime. Ah'll deal with ya as soon as possible!" Braendo said with homicidal glee. "Oh yea? Bring it." Suzaku taunted arrogantly has he closed the claws of his hoof in a fist and charged it with his powers. Instigated by him, Breando looked at Suzaku furiously before vanishing from his sight and reappearing in front of him, already wielding a knife with one hoof and eager to cut him. Startled by that but not stupid to give in fear, Suzaku dodged the blow by bending backwards, and tried punch Braendo with his charged hoof. Suzaku missed him and end up hitting the ground instead. And yet that was what Suzaku wanted. As his fist hit the soil, pillars of green energy erupted from beneath him. Only one of them managed to invest Breando, who was still alive and being launched into the air. The newfound freak pony screamed as he violently fell on the ground. Suzaku was fond this kind of strategy. Various situation like this, surprise the opponent is very effective if used properly. Suzaku withdraw his claws and walked four legged toward Braendo. He gave a annoyed look at him, who looked a little dizzied from that attack. "Can you let me explain what is going on or what!?" Suzaku said with bothered voice. "Yep. Ya better talk." Braendo angrily said as he rose up. Suzaku told everything about the Mane Six's fate and corrupted rebirth as the monsters that they are now. Something that Breando saw in the visions during his transformation. For him it's hard to believe in what he saw, but seeing Applejack and Apple Bloom in such wretched state was enough to shock him, although his cold calm was still present in his face. Suzaku also told him about his necessity to know where the mirror is and how he can be useful. Despite the memories that flowed in his mind proven Suzaku's words to be true, Braendo was still hostile toward him. "So you want me to help ya to infiltrate Canterlot Castle and find the mirror." Breando said calmly. "You heard it. That is the case." Suzaku replied bluntly. "Ya said about Applejack and Apple Bloom being turned into monsters... is that trues." Braendo asked with a calm and yet angered voice. "You saw it," Suzaku said bluntly. "Twilight Sparkle and her friends, including Applejack and Apple Bloom, are possessed by some spectral rejects and turned into monsters whose sole reason is now spreading chaos." "Ah don't think they'll listen to me so much." Braendo remarked. "By the way, Ah've to admit, Ah feel almost empty, cold, and megalomaniac like Ah was never felt before.... And Ah liked so badly that is wrong." "That is the taste of power." "Don't screw with me. So what's the point into turning me into a monster as well?" "Jusk ask that to my boss who is also a powerful deity from another dimension." Suzaku remarked. "Yer boss?" Braendo asked perplexed. "You see, I am his own agent, and I'm sent around Equestria to turn specified ponies into freaks and make them join his cause as his answer to the Elements of Insanity. I don't like this job but I have to be prepared for when the time comes." "So Ah'm going to be his pawn, huh?" Braendo harshly said. What the country pony freak said made him remember his own position. The same sadistic one in which Balamos putted into. That alone was enough to make him cringe. "I won't tell you that, but I'm his own pawn as well. If you are in my same place, you will understand my position." Suzaku thought "Look, I understand that you won't go against your cousins, but what you had to do is just keep them at bay. I have the power to purify them and expel their spirits out of their bodies. My boss said so as he bestowed this power to me. Once I had finished the job, I will purify you and the rest of the other recruits as well." "Ah'm supposed to trust somepony like you?" Breando inquired, sternly. "If you don't help me to reach them, who else will help you to do it?" Suzaku demanded. Braendo took his time to reflect, showing his cold hostility toward Suzaku, who wasn't expecting anything else from him. However he was taking account of the crisis that Big Mack and Granny Smith, as he previously said before, were living. They won't resist any longer. Of course he wanted to help his siblings. But he has a very different opinion about that. "Ok, pal. Let's just assume that Ah'll accept that." Braendo affirmed. "Seriously?" Suzaku asked. "Of course Ah will..." Braendo said, before rising his hoof toward him. "NOT!" Suzaku opened his mouth, but suddenly found Braendo's stand, his own version of The World, appearing in front of him and punching him in his face. The blow sent him to fly a few yards away from the vampiric appleloosian stallion and fell on the ground. "Ah'm sorry," Breando said with a mocking tone "But Ah'll not be subservient to some deity of yours. Ah'll save my cousins on my own terms. Which is why Ah'll infiltrate Canterlot Castle alone." "You little-" Suzaku was furiosly trying to say before being interrupted. "Enjoy the apples delight, loser!" Braendo exclaimed before vanishing from his sight, having teleported. The expression of Suzaku's face became a really a one, that was . That was the second time that a recruit escaped. But that was a very worst case. He didn't had calculated that Dio Brand's manipulative and arrogant nature could have influenced Breaburn's mind this much!" Without saying nothing and trembling in frustration. Suzaku slowly stood up on his two legs and looked on the ground with a very grim look. He clenched his teeth very hard and shock his hooves. After all the things that he had gone through and gave him so much stress, he looked upwards and and was about to scream. But before that scream could reach his mouth, Braendo's voice scream suddenly echoed through the orchard, startling him and dissipating his anger for a moment. "What the hell?" Suzaku returned four legged and galloped across the field of apple trees to find him. He didn't found any clue of his whereabouts, but he know that Breando was still there. Feeling his fatigue making his influence know on his body, a stupid and yet logical idea struck his mind. He teleported several times in various places to accelerate his pace. After multiple warps, the power abuse penalty kicked in and the electric surge seized his body. Briefly yelling in pain, He collapsed on the grass, breathing heavily for that. In his mind, he expected it to happen and yet that was the only way to reset the said penalty. Knowing that there's no time to waste, he forcefully stood up and resumed his research. Much to his luck, he found some figure laying on the tree behind it. He walked toward him to see what it was. Much to his surprise, that pony was none other than Breando, laying unconscious with a seemingly stunned face, as someone managed knock him out. Something in which Suzaku has some difficulty to believe as he looked with a shocked face. "Breando... Was knocked out?" Suzaku demanded in muted surprise. ".... But how?" As Suzaku tried to find a explanation for that, a figure hiding from behind a tree, watched the scene.
Chapter 8.5: Wreckage of FreaksIn Canterlot Castle, two pegasi Royal Guards headed toward the throne room to make their usual report to the Princesses. The whispered to each other about secrets of their own. Everything look normal, but then two voices screamed from behind the door, starling both the two guards and other twos who were guarding the door. "What the...!?" One of the guards exclaimed. "What are you doing! We have to rush!" The other yelled. The pegasi guards stormed inside the the throne room, only to find Celestia and Luna laid on the ground with a pained face, grasping their heads with their hooves, watched by other two unicorn guards. The two pegasi rushed toward the alicorns. "Your majesty!" One of the pegasi said to Celestia. "Are you all right!?" The other said to Luna. "W... W-we are not entirely sure." Luna said, dazed. "Our memories," Celestia said with a baffled face. "Something had tampered... with our memories..." "WHAT!?" All of the guards shouted at unison. "B.. But how is that possible?" One of the pegasi guard said incredulous. "Nopony should be able to do this to you!" "Please, could leave us alone for a moment?" Luna asked with a almost imperative tone. "But Princess Luna. Are sure?" One of the unicorn guards said. "Just one moment." Luna insisted calmly but nervous. All of the four guards reluctantly nodded in agreement and leaved the throne. The unicorn guards closed the door before they took their leave. The two Princesses where left alone, with Luna trying to make sense to what happened as Celestia stared at the ceiling in utter bafflement, mixed with a sense of guilt that came afterwards. Luna glanced at her sister with a fearful expression. "I don't know how that happened to us," Luna said. "But something made us forgot that she even existed. Hopefully the memories of her returned to us but... What pony wants to delete the memories of Sunset from our minds and why?" Celestia didn't say anything at first, being stuck in some kind of a trance. With the pass of the seconds, she slowly recovered from that and spoke, hesitantly. "Sunset Shimmer..." Celestia said. "How could I had forgot about you?" In the wasteland known a Rambling Rock Ridge, there was a large entrance leading inside the mountains. Unbeknownst to the rest of the Equestria, that place was now the current hiddeout of the two pony freaks known as the Subjects. The outside was partially guarded by a group of MeeM of every classes being Heavy, Medic, Scout and the list goes on. Inside the cave, there are multiple bionically enhanced horrors from other worlds that served as a secret army, which two of these were guarding the entrance of the throne room, being currently opened. Inside of it, Magic Mare was in front Painset Shimmercake, being sat in her twisted, throne made of molten steel. The are two banners depicting their now twisted cutey marks from both her sides. Due their lack of material from the Freak World and their necessity to remain hidden, they couldn't afford a better throne room, so they had to use to that. But for Painset, she wouldn't had to wait longer since they she and her subordinate were about to make their first move. "All in the good time," Painset said, looking to Magic. "Our return in Equestria is getting even better. I can't wait for the showdown to come. I hope for you that the teleport for your units is ready." "It is." Magic replied. "With that, we can teleport all of the horrors that I have summoned through the scrolls that I had scavenged. Don't ask me how, considering that you sent me all alone in the middle of a dangerous monster lair." Painset smirked with crude satisfaction for that. "Just as I wanted. The chaos must be very everlasting and punishing like everypony in Equestria ever witnessed in their entire lives!" "Boy this is going to be fun," Magic replied enthusiastically but then paused as doubt wormed inside her head. "But what about Twilight and her group?" "They are the last of their problems," Painset remarked. "Celestia is the first one I wanted to deal with, as soon as possible." "Just to be sure, how many worshipers you intend to keep?" Magic asked. "I have at least to make Celestia suffer," Painset said gleefully. "So of course I have to kill as many of ponies in Canterlot as possible. I want her feel guilty for not being able to protect them. Her death must be very agonizing and the seize of the throne very much satisfying." "Woah." Magic said slightly impressed and yet disturbed by that declaration. "Not matter how crazy I am now, I can't still get used to this type of determination." "Don't even dare to MeeMize Celestia when I will face her." Painset reminded. "She's mine! Her flesh is mine! Mine to tear apart until the last piece as she watched her kingdom finally crumble under the weight of her arrogance!" A awkward silence grew in the room. Having heard her superior's bloody imagery, Magic couldn't abstain herself from shivering uncomfortably. Disturbed by that, her face shifted, also uncomfortably, forgetting the fact that she murdered other living beings during her hunt for Derpigun. Painset gleefully flew out of her throne and landed nearby Magic Mare. They both teleported out of the cave and reappeared outside the cave, nearby the army of Meems behind them. Painset, however, felt a little bit embarrassed to have as units a bunch of semi floating wooden cutouts which only word in their vocabolary was "MeeM!". Magic solved that problem by silencing their voice, because she found that habit annoying. But mostly because won't have to see Painset loosing her mind and destroying her only source of manpower in a fit of blind rage. Painset noticed her subordinate's uneasiness and gave her a grim glance. "It's something wrong with that?" Painset asked sternly. "Not at all, but... Could you at least spare me the gory details from when you are going to shred her up?" Magic asked, a disgusted. "Hey, stop kill my mood." Painset retorted. "At least I don't have the habit to externalize sick fantasies like yours." Magic retorted. But before they could even glaring at each other, a rain of white glowing, pointy projectiles in the shape of scissors. The bullets fell upon each one of the MeeMs, piercing through their heads. No blood were spilled since their were made of wood, but collapsed lifeless on the ground anyway. "What the...!?" Painset exclaimed. "What was that!?" Magic shouted. The two mare freaks looked upwards, right where the scissors rained down and saw Starcider Glimsho twirling in mid air while holding her Genoscissors with her hooves. The lavender murderous unicorn dived like a meteor and landed on her hind legs. She then looked at both Painset and Magic with her usual bloodthirsty face, red blurry eyes and her large tongue being still over her mouthful of sharp teeth. Starcider exuded a homicidal halo of invigorated bloodlust, along with a tremendous feel of power at her disposal. Her determination was made more evident by her killing intent. Starcider was fired up, in her own chilling way. "I thought that a goddess has some backup followers on her side." Starcider said with a serious tone before shifting into a gleeful one. "Too bad that the only ones who remained to worship you are just living companion cubes... And now they're dead! KYEEHAHAH!" "What?" Painset said, glaring at her. "A pony freak in Equestria? How is that possible?" Magic demanded, surprised at a disturbing level. "And what is wrong with her tongue?" "Huh?" Starcider looked at Magic Mare. "Wait, who the hell are you?" "That's my line!" Magic retorted, narrowing her eyes. "You have a great amount of stupidity to even think to kill my minions and angering me like that, unpunished." Painset said. "You are Painset Shimmercakes, ain't you?" Starcider said with a gleeful tone. "If you insist, yes, I am. What-" Painset stopped, thinking to have got a grasp of the situation. "I see." "Oh?" Starcider said, confused. "I never thought that my former mentor was also a real coward." Painset said with a resentful tone. "Celestia had foreseen my arrival, so she sent a literal assassin, who is also a freak to get ride of me. Now I have another motive to torture her." Starcider stared at the two without saying anything. Then she chuckled almost loudly, irritating the two mares even furthers. "What's so funny?" Painset inquired. "I can't believe at what I heard," Starcider said, chuckling. "Do I look like a freaking Royal Agent, Lame-o!?" "Don't play dumb with me!" Painset shouted. "She sent you to prevent my ascension! I won't forgive her!" "I-i'm sorry to interrupt you," Magic said, worried. "But I don't think that is the case. I mean, Celestia is not the type-" "SHUT UP!" Painset screamed at Magic, who flinched in fear of a reprisal of her. Magic remained silent, being too intimidated by her that too reply. She looked at her superior's wrathful expression with a terrified look. But the worst part that she fears more than Painset's anger was the toll of the ghost possessing her corrupted her mind so deeply at the point to twist her feelings and foment her paranoia. Sometimes she wonder if Painset can still control herself. "In any case," Painset looked back at Starcider. "You better end your charade already. Just who are you?" "The unicorn whose village was destroyed and then screwed up because of you, bastard!" Starcider said with a dreadful tone one as she pointed on of her Genoscissor at her. "You had also Sugar Bell to act as your demented herald!" "Sugar Bell you said?" Painset said, realizing something. "Are you telling me that you are that Starlight Glimmer who had the moronic idea to remove the village's cutey marks and brainwash them with the false promise of a utopia of 'real friendship' and equality based on your own beliefs?" "Hey, I'm just the ghost of what Starlight Glimmer was supposed to be but I'm still the village's founder." Starcider replied. "And yes, I brought a real utopia to them... Thought that due to Twilight's interference, my utopia crumbled and I was forced to the exile." "Not that was a better one in my opinion," Magic commented. "Honestly, your idea of utopia-" "Be quiet, Yes-mare," Starcider interrupted. "Let the real ponies talk." "Huh!?" Magic reacted in slight shock, feeling offended. "You disg-." "After a while," Starcider interrupted again, continuing with her story. "I had returned to see what happened in my absence... And I turns out that Sugar Brute and my other former followers were now worshiping you and then they imprisoned me. They also planned to kill me as a sacrificial lamb and resurrect me as their Homunculus!" "You are practically accusing me for something that Sugar Bell made on her own, in my honor because I had previously seized your former village that you have enslaved and forsaken as well?" Painset asked sarcastically, then paused. "You are a hypocrite." "Correction. Twilight, her friends are the real hypocrites," Starcider mocked. "They boasted me about the power of friendship, but then they became themselves the villains. Oh, about the part in which I was imprisoned, it took a ghost possessing me and one freaking green pony with a black jacket to get out alive!" The Subjects' eyes widened in surprise. Painset didn't expected that information coming from her. Her face shifted in response to her increasing anger. She realized to what pony Starcider was referring to, and possibly to her, the implications that she was suspecting in that moment. "Zaidel Goelnix," Painset said, snarling. "You helped him to take down MY CULT!?" "Well, nooo shit!" Starcider commented sarcastic. "That idiocy deserved to be destroyed that bad... Although he prevented me to kill Sugar Bell and the other three bastards, but whatever." "And you were complaining that I killed most of the ponies of your town," Painset remarked. "Do you really have the right to judge me?" "Hey, don't even think to be different by Twilame," Starcider said. "But now that I'm thinking about, you and her are both so detestable that It's a miracle that she's not your marefriend." Painset froze up, with her eye twitching and her expression becoming more feral, filled with a more evident killing intent. "You shouldn't had said that." Magic said, coldly. "Are you lumping me with TWILIGHT!?" Painset screamed before flaring her horn with a black light."If you want to die, I'm happy to oblige!" A equally black colored aura engulfed Starcider for a second, but then it dissipated afterwards with nothing happening. Painset and Magic blinked and reacted in bafflement for that. "What!?" Painset exclaimed incredolous, with her eye twitching. "Your head was supposed to inflate until explodes!" "Did you expect me to take it?" Starcider said as she charged two legged toward her target, giving also another middle finger to both the law of physics and her own equine anatomy. "How the heck is she able to run on her hind legs?" Magic demanded, incredulous. "Is not physically possible!" As Starcider was approaching Painset, both the mares simultaneously flared their horns, with Painset's glowing into a light-green light. Before Starcider could even touch the alicorn her body suddenly stopped in mid air as it became colored in a green aura. Painset brought their prey's body toward the two with the intent to torture her, Despite the telekinesis blocking her body, however, Starcider managed to materialize a Nullifying Scissors above her head in the same moment Painset's telekinesis was affecting her. Before the alicorn could say anything, the Nullifying Scissors scissors whizzed toward her. Painset moved away and dodged the blow, thinking of the projectile as a joke. That assumption was immediately blasted away by the scissor bursting into a electromagnetic wave that electrocute both Painset and Magic as it touched the ground nearby them. The Subjects collapsed on the ground, moaning for the electric charge seizing their bodies while Starcider, being released by Painset's telekinesis, descended on the ground unharmed. "You wish I would be pwned like that, dumbass." Starcider said gleefully before dashing toward Painset.. She was about to slash her up, only for Painset to forcefully glaring at her while charging her horn with a very unstable energy, symbolized by a surge of lightnings gathering around it. "Are you freaking kidding me!?" Starcider mentally said, awfully surprised, one second before Painset shot a destructive energy sphere on her, blasting the unicorn away from her. Propelled away but being somehow unharmed by the blast, Starcider flew for a brief time until she ended up sliding for a yard. As she stopped, Starcider immediately recovered and resumed her charge on her two legs at a very fast pace. "The Nullifying Scissor should had sealed their magic. How is that possible!?" Starcider demanded, mentally. Irritated by her enemy's persistence, Painset shot another sphere of destructive energy toward her. Starcider dodged the blow during her ran, passing beside the sphere as it whizzed far away from her. Ignoring the explosion that happened behind her, Starcider continued her rush toward the two when she noticed Magic Mare's hooves being charged with a electric energy. "That blue unicorn too, huh?" Starcider murmured, annoyed. Magic shots a stream of lightnings. Starcider dodged it, but then noticed Magic being about to shot a second one. She quickly rolled away to avoid being electrocuted from that and resumed her run toward the Subjects. As she was getting close to their range, her floating energy scissors above rained upon the two pony freaks. Magic glowed her horn and disappeared while Painset rose up on her hind legs shielded herself with her wings while closing her eyes. Her body suddenly became transparent. Most of the energy scissors rebounded on the alicorn's transparent wings and flew in random directions, with three of them being redirected against their owner. Starcider jumped forward, passing above the scissors and landing nearby the alicorn. Painset returned visible, with her wings suddenly vanishing. She didn't had the time to complain about it that she was met by Starcider jumping at her in a flying kick that goes right in her face, making her flying before falling back. Starcider was about to continue her assault on Painset but then stopped. She was apparently oblivious of Magic Mare slowly descending and landing behind her, lifting a enormous titanium hammer above her head with her magic. But before Magic could even hit her, Starcider turned around and swiftly slashed her chain gun into pieces. Magic was left incredulous by her enemy's ability to cut through metal. Before she could even react, Starcider was already counterattacking. "Out of my way, blueberry moron!" Starcider said as she swiftly kicked Magic in the face, sending her flying upward for a little bit before abruptly falling on the ground. With the crazy version of 'Trixie Lulamoon' being out of her way, Starcider returned her attention to Painset, but she was gone. She growled in frustration at first when then her magical perception ringed a alarm in her head. Guided by that, she looked upward and found the alicorn, having regained her wings and flying above the murderous unicorn with her horn already glowing in a blue light to shooting huge nails upon her. Starcider leaped away from that spiky rain. She then put herself into a preparatory stance at while glowing her horn and jumped very higher and faster toward Painset. Not expecting this kind of speed, Painset tried to distance herself, but Starcider catch her up, almost reaching her level of height and ready to slice her as another set of eleven energy scissors formed above her head. Before Starcider's eyes will met Painset's, the latter glanced upon her with a furious expression and quickly charged her horn and shot another destructive sphere at her, but not before Starcider could shot the energy scissors in various part of her body. Starcider was propelled downward by the blow at the same moment the scissors stabbed Painset's head, stomach and limbs. The energy scissors vanished some second later, but that stabbing barrage caused the alicorn freak to lose her to lose her focus and half blacking out, making her fall down. Starcider crashed on the ground, far away from where her target was falling while keeping her Genoscissors in her hooves. Starcider remained immobile for a second, but then stood up on her hind legs while giving a quick look at Painset abruptly landing with the front of her body being pointed upward, two seconds later. "Now that is what I call being grounded." Starcider said with gleeful arrogance as charged toward her distant target very fast. With the blood slowly gushing out of her wounds, smearing her body and forehead, Painset woke up from the black out caused by being stabbed in the head and gave a quick glance at Starcider coming toward her in the distance. Despite being stunned by the fall and being bitten by the pain of her wounds, she forced herself to rose up and glowed her horn in red light. Starcider already guessed what she is trying to do. "Hey! Don't even think to teleport!" Starcider screamed as she tossed her Genoscissors at Painset, but, much the unicorn frustration, she disappeared before the Genoscissors could stab her. Starcider growled in frustration but then she putted that detail aside as she remembered one thing. There is the other problem that she had to take care off. And she knows, thanks to her magical perception, exactly where she is. "I have to deal with ya, right?" Starcider as she pulled her Genoscissors out of her mane and turned her head at her left and saw Magic Mare in the distance, having recovered from being kicked in the air and giving a smug smile as she had materialized one volcanic flare above her head. Starcider pulled out another pair of Genoscissors and rushed toward Magic as launched the flares toward her through her telekinesis. The flare followed the movement of the unicorn as they goes toward it's target. With the bullet approaching her face, Starcider instantly sliced the bullet, resulting it to burst into a fiery explosion in front of her. Just when Magic was thinking to have taken her down, Starcider passed through the column of flames unharmed while continuing her run, much to the blue unicorn's brief bafflement. Frustrated by Starcider's weird way to survive that, Magic materialized other seven volcanic flares and launched them against her. But Starcider doesn't even care at all. She just advanced forward while slashing the flares flying at her and going through their explosions without having any damage except for some trace of dirt. Coming out of the last explosion, Starcider tossed her Genoscissors at Magic, who took literally two seconds to glow her horn. As the scissors flew toward the magician, Another 'Magic Mare' with a elvish cape suddenly appeared in their trajectory and was stabbed by the scissors in the place of the original. Magic watched with slight amusement that trick of her's as her own clone screamed in pain. Despite this, the clone wasn't even bleeding from her wounds. Instead there was a blue void inside of them. As her own clone was about to collapse, Magic turned it into a ScoutMeeM, just for fun. "MeeM!" ScoutMeeM said with before Magic kicked it, making it falling forward. "You magnificent bastard." Starcider said, looking at the floating, devious blue unicorn and narrowing her eyes dangerously as she pulled out another pair of Genoscissors from her mane. "You're are going to be as annoying as possible, ain't you?" "At least I'm not like you, disgusting imp!" Magic replied confidently as she charged her hooves with magic electricity and shots three energy bolts. "Troll Logic users are really brutal, aren't they?" Starcider said sarcastically while dodging the blows with her tricky maneuvers, causing them to crash against the ground and burst into fiery explosions. Magic materialized two freezing stickybombs on her hooves and tossed them. Starcider nonchalantly avoided being hit by these objects, but as she dodged the second one, Magic already charged her hooves with the electricity. In a fraction of seconds in which Magic shot a double electric stream, Starcider promptly leaped backwards when she got distracted by a signal of her perception. She turned her head at her right and saw Painset, being far from her while glaring ferociously and shooting a destructive sphere. Starcider's face assumed a little worried one, only for it to be immediately replaced with a bored one. She didn't even react or even change her expression at all. She knows what to do in this case. One second before Painset shot the sphere from her horn, Starcider's eyes darted on Magic Mare, who tried to glow her horn and glowed her own. With the destructive ball reaching her, Starcider teleported Magic in front of it, making her taking the bullet in her place. The magician was propelled toward Starcider, who blocked her in mid air with her telekinesis and launched her as a projectile against Painset. The alicorn missed her own flying, screaming subordinate, who end up crashing on the ground, a few yards away from her. Painsed returned her attention to the pale lavender freak, looking slightly shocked by the infamous ingenuity and abilities displayed by the Genoscissors wielder. Starcider returned her attention to the alicorn, looking at her while shifting her expression into a grotesquely puzzled one. "And you expect me to take you seriously as a god!?" Starcider asked before assuming a serious and yet mocking tone. "And why you're so fired up to kill Celestia anyway? Did she just blasted your ass or something?" Painset's already crazy eyes widened and her teeth were clenched. Furiously snarling, she glowed her horn in a blue light and shot a myriad of nail at rapid fire. Starcider chuckled for her opponents idiocy as she spiraled herself through the air as fast as a lightning, with her Genoscissors creating the vacuum drill around her, shredding the nails into pieces and flying toward the demonic, multicolored alicorn. Startled, Painset leaped away as fast as she could. But Starcider's spiraling shredding torpedo managed to come in contact with her right lower part, almost mangling her legs. Screaming in pain, the alicorn abruptly fell the ground as Starcider's vaccum drill continued it's flight trajectory until she stopped her rotatory motion and landed gracefully. Starcider turned around and walked toward her, eager to finish the job. The scorching pain of her wounds was biting her right flank and leg as she collapsed. Painset looked a little dilapidated and bloodstained, with her gruesome wound steadily bleeding. But for her, that wasn't a excuse to surrender. She forcefully stood up, trying to ignore the pain and trying to use her telekinesis on Starcider's Genoscissors. But these briefly glowed with a green aura that dissipated afterwards. "What the HECK!?" Painset exclaimed in her normal voice, surprised. "Hoofs off of my artisan tools, you cunt!" Starcider exclaimed she start running. Stubborn as she is, Painset glowed her horn, but became dismayed very quickly too see that her horn glowed in a dark-green light. That was really bad news for her because what followed was her stomach rumbling, accompanied by a sense of nausea. Painset hastily put her hoof in front of her mouth, feeling her acids rising in her throat. "Ugh!... Not this again!" Painset said, one second before she puked out a big projectile of corrosive vomit. Starcider dodged the ball, that splattered on the rocky ground, creating a crater through it's abusive erosion. Advancing forward, she glanced disgusted at Painset, who leaned on her four legs and covered her mouth, feeling sick for her own regurgitation. "Wohohoooo, dude!" Starcider said with a mocking tone before shifting into a seriously disgusted one. "But seriously, don't piss around!" "SHUT UP!" Painset roared with a very demonic voice as she charged her horn with a unstable energy. The alicorn shot another destructive sphere at Starcider. The unicorn rolled away from it's trajectory and spiraled herself to perform her vacuum drill again, confident that she will grind that multicolored abomination for goog. Painset, however, used her powers and vanished before the pale lavender unicorn could shred her. Missing the target, Starcider stopped her flying, rotating, slashing motion and landed. She then looked behind her and found Painset, who was furious and nervous at the same time. The self proclaimed god never found a freak who was as persistent as this. And she couldn't still believe that a demented scissor maniac fixed with her own flawed utopia was that pony. Starcider, on the other hand, was currently pissed that Painset refuses to die. "You damn coward! You can't even-" Starcider interrupted her sentence as she noticed Magic Mare not being here anymore, leaving only the stains of her blood. "Hey, where did that wussy go!?" "More closer of than you think, you talkative prick!" Magic Mare's voice said as a pair of eyes suddenly appeared behind Starcider Glimsho, who swiftly turned around to counterattack, but was then blinded by a blue flash and then blasted away by sudden force in the same moment the blue unicorn appeared. But instead of falling, Starcider only slid for some centimeters as she shielded herself with her arms. "Is not a pleasure to see you again, unfunny jester." Starcider remarked gleefully before dashing toward Magic to slice her. "J-JESTER!?" Magic muttered before flying upward to dodge the attack. "You will die as one, there!" Wanting to make her pay for that insult, Magic charged her hooves with her powers and launched a electric stream at the scissor wielder. Starcider dodged it, but then noticed Magic going to unleash another one. As the blue unicorn was about launch it, Starcider immediately leaped backwards and threw her Genoscissors at her before landing, almost distancing herself from them. Magic evaded the scissors in mid air and flew toward the alicorn. She descended down and approached Painset. Her boss wasn't surprised at all to see her subordinate survive since she has gone through various, painful ordeals all of the time. Magic her body cringes pretty much upon seeing Painset's wounds. But the disturbing part for her was seeing them healing themselves. Painset noticed that and gave a annoyed gaze, narrowing her eyes "Sorry but I'm not got used to see your wounds regenerate." Magic "Then just stop watching that." Painset retorted, irritated. The Subjects glanced back at Starcider, who looked at them with a unusual deviant fury. She knew that alicorn where immortal, but at least they can be killed. So, obviously enough, she wasn't happy at all about her enemy having regenerative abilities. Her expression became a menacingly grim one, with her voice giving it's honest opinion. "Kisama!" Starcider said gleefully without muting her fury. "You're the type of pony who is too stubborn to give up and too stupid to die, isn't it? You are really a persistent one! I like that, and I don't like that at the same time. And you are not even a cute stallion for the record!" Painset felt a little bit intimidated by her, and she hated it. But that wasn't the first time that she lived a situation in which she was in disadvantage. That reminded her of a previous battle she fought long time ago, only much worse. Instill fear to a goddess like her was a insult that she won't forgive. "She is not a freak like the others." Magic said, baffled. "How did she had obtained that power?" "She is nothing! She will die like the others!" Painset screamed. Painset gloved her horn again, this time being engulfed in a red light. Starcider, looking almost bored but grinning in half satisfaction, was engulfed with a red aura, that died off as well, much to Painset's frustration. Seeing her being unaffected by her powers and capable to avoid her punishing attacks while mocking her efforts in returns was something that she, as a chaotic goddess can't tolerate. "You never learn, huh?" Starcider said. "My body is immune to inflation, magical alteration, forced transformation, enchanted pestilence and any other fuckload of things that could affect it!" "That means that I cannot even turn her into a MeeM? Magic muttered. "GRRR! I'ts not possible!" Painset screamed furious before her neck rapidly shook due her psychic shift and changed her voice into a low one. "It's like that time with that cursed cyborg pony all over again!!" "I'm not a cyborg, but surely you're not a normal alicorn if you can regenerate yourself!" Starcider retorted. "What kind of fucking monster are you!?" "The future god of Equestria, you disgusting worm." Painset said with a low voice before her neck rapidly shook again her voice shifted into a younger "I detain so much power that you can even imagine. And considering that you had interfered with our plans, you shall suffer the-" "Just shut up, multicolored shrimp!" Starcider interrupted. "I'ts not in my policy to die so easily. Especially not against some moron with the delusions of omnipotence." "Are you seriously making fun of us!?" Magic asked. "Insolent pest!" Painset shouted with a younger voice before her neck rapidly shook again her voice returned into her normal one. "What do you mean by that!?" "Being the epitome of bloodlust is a mixed matter of art and proficiency," Starcider said, taking her words seriously. "If I'm going to commit a slaughter, I'll do it more passionately while being crazy prepared as fuck to not die in any ways. I'm not calling myself Starcider Glimsho for nothing, ya know!" "Everything to shut you up." Magic whispered. "I hope you are prepared to pay the consequences of your impudence for having tried to kill me," Painset said, sadistically. "Because i'm sick of your reptilian face, you wretched pony!" "Please, I ain't wretched! I'm just nearby the level of the Azimuth!" Starcider said with macabre confidence as she was running toward the Subjects with ferocious glee. To be continued in chapter 9.
Prologue 1: A ridiculous way to go. (EDITED)There was once a group of six ponies who embodied the Elements of Harmony. The mane six to synthesize. They managed to do the most improbable things that nopony could do. Revert Nightmare Moon to her normal self, reform Discord, defeat Chrysalis, save the Crystal Empire from Sombra and so on and so on. They were friends, so of course they can overcome any difficulty. But then a tragedy struck on their lives, or... minds, if we are considering they current conditions. One day they were transported into another dimension and find .They were exploring a forsaken graveyard nearby a creepy manor, which was a big mistake. One by one they were possessed by the ghosts of various humanoid abominations, corrupted by them and turned into monsters. Pony freaks if somepony will call that. Twilight Sparkle became the last one to become one of them. These mentally derailed ponies are now the Elements of Insanity, who are now controlled by their inner monsters and spreading chaos wherever they go. Soon they will return to Equestria with the goal to take down Celestia and Luna. However something was going on, unknown to them. A mysterious entity watched the whole thing from another realm and decided to take care of this story in his own way. Since the six demented ponies were almost unstoppable, this being was considering to put a plan of his in practice. But in order to do so, he need the assistance of a living being. There is no valid pony to take under his cause, so he took a look into another world, and thus he found a valid individual to take as his pawn. Willing or not. In the human world, were Internet was part of the daily life of the majority of their population, there was a Japanese boy living in a house with very polished garden, situated in Osaka. That boy was Suzaku Aki, high school student, a expert of videogame, anime, manga and memes; and a very notorious troll on the Internet with the name of Gokudonoken92, whose sole target was Brony Community, thinking that show of theirs is overrated. Nothing much to say about his appearance. Red hair, black eyes, wearing a green T-shirt, jeans and that's pretty much it. He has even a part time job and a good level of intelligence that helped him to sustain himself. His hobby of his is a really satisfying one of his, especially if it worked as a anti stress. However, ironically, he knows everything about the TV show and the fandom meta in general. He had reluctantly watched every episode and read some fanfics, so of course he knows were and how to strike. He started this whole trolling practice since one of his classmate introduced MLP, much to his disdain. The reason of this hobby was due to the fact that he was having fun pointing out the flaws of the show and it's own characters or even that of the fandom itself, their fan made stories in general, allowing him to enrage them mad through his own type of fierce satire without mercy. He was just sat at his desk, typing on the keyboard of his laptop as he was about to public his own comment on a Youtube video of a analyzer review featuring one of the popular characters of the show.. "And this is way Celestia is that popular: She is always a gigantic grimdark conspiracy fic magnet." said Suzaku as he clicked his mouse to public the said comment. Suzaku took a little notebook from his desk and took a look on the recent page . There are some "to do list" style notes written on it as they were meant to be done today. -Bashing Fluttershy's inconsistent friendship lessons and reset button disease. Check. -Annoy some enthusiast Luna's fanboy. Check. -Exploit Applejack's obvious quarks and stereotypes. Check. -Pretending to praise Triple Rainboom. Check. -Writing a grimdark troll fic featuring Princess Cadence with a very bad grammar. Check. -Putting some spoiler for Season 7 finale. Check. -Going in the mark and buy some potato chips. Check. -Take out the trash. Check. -Make a very disproportionate and yet plausible analysis about Celestia. He took a pen and wrote down the word "Check" in front of the last objective of the list before closing the notebook and putting it away. "That's all for today. Another waste of time accomplished. Well, at least i won't be bored." Suzaku putted away his pen, took a potato chip from a sack and consumed it in his mouth with a very arrogant look. "No one can top the pretentiousness of eating a potato chips like a certain anime character." At this point, that day was going to be really rough. As he swallowed the chip, the door of his room was abruptly opened by a intruder with the face covered by balaclava, followed by other two persons with the same balaclava. Suzaku turned toward them and tried to react, but he couldn't do anything that the intruder shocked him with a stun-gun. He then grabbed him by his t-shirt and slammed him against the wall. The three guys gathered around the dazed boy as the one who was assaulting him leaned toward him with a very intimidating gaze. "You better remain still and take it this time." the masked guy said with a enraged voice. "W-what?" Suzaku asked, being a little scared and mostly confused, trying to remain calm. "You are that Gokudo guy who made fun of "A Puppet of my Fame" fanfic?" "Oh, my... now i get it. You are some extreme fan-" "SHUT UP!.... Before i'm going straight to the point let me tell you one thing. I'm not just a Brony. Six months ago i managed to win the Hooligan Award, so you better not take me so lightly. And be grateful that we will not destroy your laptop. Got it?" "Strange. I thought that trolls can be easily dealt with tranquil methods instead of the violence." "Well, you had trolled us for the last time. Your next stop is the hospital!" His tormentors pulled their arms back, preparing themselves to deliver a real beatdown to him. That day was going to end very badly for him when suddenly... this happens. As they were going to hit him, a unbearably immense light was illuminating the room, blinding all the persons present in the room, Suzaku included. He shielded his eyes to prevent his retinas from being damaged. He couldn't understand what is going on. Suzaku tried to interpret the situation, but he felt instantly weak and light-headed. The world around him warped itself, and seconds later he found himself falling inside of a endless dark abyss. He tried to scream but he was unable to do so as he passed out during the fall. Only darkness remained to accompany him. After a apparent eternity, his consciousness started to reconnect with his brain. A surreal scenario greeted him. He was laying on the soft light green grass. Groggy and still confused by this paranormal thing, Suzaku lifted his head a little and took a look on the landscape in front of him. The sky was totally pitch black, and yet he could see the grass and a huge puddle of water, which colors were lacking of luminosity. There are also some black clouds, but there's not lightning on his sight, for now. "H-how did i get there? I swear, i remember to be inside my room with these three fanboy extremist trying to beat the crap out of me. But then that light engulfed the room and... Ok, keep calm. One step at a time. You have to return to home first." As Suzaku tried to get up, he immediately realized that something was wrong with him. He was feeling a little weird, feeling that his body wasn't the same as before. Not feeling his fingers at all, he immediately glanced at his own hands. He froze in horror upon seeing them being replaced by hooves. He then quickly took a look a his back legs, and then to rest of his body. "No... NO, DON'T TELL ME!" Suzaku stood up on his four legs and trotted toward the puddle too see his reflection since there is no mirror around. That wasn't the first time that he was like that, but it only happened in his recurring nightmares were he was ponyfied with the difference that couldn't even see his own reflection. These were really vivid dreams, but what he saw in the reflection of the puddle was surpassing that. That nightmare was coming true. He was turned into a pony in the style of MLP, and this time was for real. A earth pony to be precise. Obviously Suzaku was in complete shocked surprise to see what he had become. That was really nasty surprise for someone like him. The color of his mane and tail was the same as his hair, red. His eyes were black. His coat, however is a orange one. Suzaku took a quick look to his hooves again, his back legs again, his chest and his flanks were is situated the cutey mark. He really hated the cutey mark concept with all his passion. However, he was then caught by surprise to see the form of the image. It was a curved cross, which i pretty crude for something that belong to a cherry fantasy world. He then returned his attention to his reflection to. He caressed his cheek with his own hoof to confirm what he was seeing. He punched himself in the face two times. He moaned for the pain that he was feeling in that moment, and that was the problem. The pain was completely real, not just vivid. His heart was beating a little faster. His eye was twitching and his face was contorting itself, symbolizing his current state of denial. "No. No... Not going to happen." he said while laughing nervously. "No, nonono." He then shook his head frantically as his expression became stuck between frustration and fright. "No. No. No!, No! NONONONONONONONONONONONONO!" Prey of his panic, Suzaku frantically rolled on the grass, continuing to shout his whole NO Gatling at non stop, unable to cope with his current situation. After a while, he finally stop rolling and stood on his four legs before giving another shouting rant again. "I refuse to believe this! This must be some kind of a dream, no matter how vivid it is! And the hooligan intrusion probably never happened. I mean, I AM THE ONE WHO TROLLS THEM, NOT-" "SILENCE!" suddenly interrupted a very powerful voice coming from above as black lightnings were uproariously falling around Suzaku. He cowered in fear and closed his eyes, praying that the stormy barrage wasn't hitting him. The storm lasted very shortly. After the silence replaced that previous electric roar, he opened his eyes and stood up. He sighed in relief. He was lucky that none of the lightnings managed to hit him. Suzaku glanced to the black sky, trying to figure out where the voice came from. The answer came by itself in the form of a huge fissure that was forming upon him and opened itself, revealing a creepy giant eye looking at him. For a moment, he thought his mind was blown away. He cannot even make sense of what is going on at this point. "I don't remember this thing being in the tv show." "Well? After the whole scream fest that you were making before, you are not even bothering to introduce yourself?" Suzaku doesn't know how to answer that. He was intimidated by both the eye's presence and what it can do. He made a quick mental list of names that he can use to justify his presence and appearance until he found out at least a valid one. "I-i'm Zeal Breaker. Look, you don't have to mind me. I'm just.. Just having a bad day and i'm not in the-" "Please, that wasn't necessary at all. You may have been turned into a pony but you can't fool me. I know exactly who you really are, Suzaku Aki." Suzaku glared at the creepy entity above him and pointed his hoof at it, having discovered who has to blame for this situation. "You! You are the one responsible for my conditions!" "At least you weren't sent into the hospital by the hands of these brony extremists. Be grateful for that at least." "Well, you better turn me back to normal and put me back into my room. I-" "You are not in position to pretend anything, you know! I could always destroy you without reconsideration. You saw what i can do!" "You bastard." "By the way, i know everything about your life, your social background, your strained relationship with your neglectful parents and your very low reputation that you had in your school." Hearing those words, Suzaku remained silent, as if frozen. He never talked about his private life with anyone. He never felt so unpleasantly touched at the personal level. "How do you know it?" Suzaku inquired. "Does that even matter? A besides, is even worth to continue your farce? Staying sat in front of the laptop, trolling a bunch of MLP enthusiasts? Calling that living is just a stupid joke." "Hey! Now you are the one who hasn't self introduced and yet you were digging in my life without any restrain, you creep!" "I have a name. Balamos." "Now that's getting even better. He sounds like some kind of Love Craftian demon." Suzaku was feeling really uncomfortable. As the fact to be turned into a pony wasn't enough, the idea of being observed by that creature was just disturbing beyond any kind of tolerance. "I don't know why you teleported me in Equestria, if this is the damn case, but you better have a good reason to kidnap me." "That doesn't mean that i won't let you go. In fact i will eventually release you and let you return to your wretched life, but only under my conditions." "Huh?" "If you want to get out of here, you have to complete a very specific mission. Oh, don't worry. It doesn't have to do with the Power of Friendship if you want to keep this "dignity" very clean. You see? You have to act as my herald for while." "Just what do you expect me to do?" Balamos' iris shrunk a little to get a clear image of Suzaku's nervous face. Suzaku wasn't sure about the intention of the entity but one thing was sure: That will not be a good one. "Take down the Elements of Insanity." To be continued in Prologue part 2.