As the Ponies watched the City Hawks and their escorts soar towards the Last City, Rainbow Dash in particular seemed rather...disheartened. She was not talking, and the burn on her hoof was still flaring with pain.

Then, Rainbow's vision went dark.

====

Her eyes opened to find herself in a vast expanse of black. There was a vile aura in the air, and Rainbow didn't like it one bit.

"Where am I?" she said, waving a fog bank away with her hoof.

"You are in my embrace, Rainbow Dash…"

Rainbow froze at that. The voice that spoke was cold, chilling, and reminded her of a Grim Reaper. It also had a tone of power, of authority.

"Who are you?" Rainbow demanded. "What do you mean, in your embrace?"

There was no reply for a few moments.

"...You are not yet worthy to know my name…" the voice said. "...But I will tell you this...I know your anger, your pain, your inability to protect your friends from harm…you are weak..."

"What in Tartarus do you know, bucko?" Rainbow retorted. "I'm not weak! I'm strong as can be!"

"No...you are not. Not yet." the voice replied. "Our time together is ending, but if you wish to achieve power beyond your pitiful strength, only will it so and I will come. Farewell, Rainbow Dash…"

====

Rainbow's eyes tore open as she went bolt upright. She looked outside of the Hawk's window to see it was dark out, and her friends were asleep.

"Rainbow?"

She turned to see Nolan looking at her.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine." she said, quickly thinking "Partially" as well.

"Well, okay." Nolan said. "By the time we arrive at the City, it should be morning. You should get some sleep."

Rainbow nodded, closed her eyes, and entered a dreamless slumber.

====

As the ponies awoke, Nolan arose with a chipper attitude.

"Rise and shine." he said brightly. "We're approaching the Last City. You should see it any moment now."

As the ponies exchanged "good morning!" and looked out the window, they could only gasp. In their eyes was the Last City, its walls containing its majestic glory. A large white orb, larger than the city itself, hung over like a silent protector. Along the wall were several towers, but the largest one was near a pine forest.

It was a sight that took the ponies' breath away.

"Welcome to the Last City." Nolan said proudly. "And as you might have guessed, the white sphere is the Traveler."

"It looks damaged." Twilight said, eyeing the battle scars and various cracks along its surface.

"It is." Nolan said. "Countless battles with the Darkness left the Traveler asleep. It will wake, but for now, it rests. It's last action was to form countless numbers of Ghosts, to find Guardians and bring them here."

Twilight and the Ponies nodded. Then, Dusty came over the comms.

"Guests, Nolan, we're approaching the Tower. Prep to disembark."

"Roger that." Nolan said. As the doors opened, Twilight saw countless Hunters, Titans, and Warlocks going about their business in a plaza. Some were interfacing with a series of pillars, others were speaking with a figure near a board of some kind, many others exchanging goods with a robed man.

Anubis, Rainea, and James disembarked from their Jumpships and stood in front of the ponies.

"Come on down. The Vanguard's waiting for us." James said. The ponies leaped to the plaza below, and the Guardians escorted them to a stairwell leading into the Tower. The ponies could see a figure, painted red and white with a horned head, was taking inventory at a kiosk. A larger human with ornate armor and a horned helmet was speaking to several Guardians. As the ponies advanced, a hoarse voice stopped them.

"You bring great danger here, ponies of Equestria."

They turned to see that inside an alcove was a setup like a witch's lair. A grim-looking figure approached, clad in leather robes. A green orb with a small crystal inside was in her hands.

"Who are you?" Fizzle asked.

"I am Eris Morn, the Last." she replied. "And you bring danger to us all."

"How?" Twilight asked.

"One of you has heard the voice of a god." Eris replied. "Do not trust it."

"How do you even know who we are?" Rainbow said, cutting in. Eris glared at her, and lowered her head.

"It was told to me by the Shattered One." she said. "Go. Every moment you remain here brings ever more peril to us."

Eris waved her hand, and the ponies shuddered. James and the other Guardians walked them through the hallway, the robot on the left eyeing them with distrust.

"What's with her?" Twilight asked. "She said we bring danger."

"It is unusual, but here's the thing." James said. "She and her Fireteam went into the Lunar Hellmouth, in an attempt to kill a Hive God, Crota. Six of them went in, she came out alone. Ever since, she's our number-one expert on the Hive, but she's really...unsettling."

"Amen to that, Mendoza."

They turned to see an Exo approach, clad in a brown cloak and armor. He had a blue-and white face, and yellow eyes.

"Hey, Horizon, Ghost." he said. "Come on in, all of you."

As the were led into the Vanguard Room, Twilight saw two other figures. One was an Awoken clad in heavy armor. The other was a human woman, with dark skin. Her robes were worn, but tidy.

"You may approach the table." the Awoken said. "Who are you?"

"I'm Twilight Sparkle , Princess of Magic." she said. "Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity. Last but not least is Fizzlepop."

"Hmm. I am Commander Zavala, Titan Vanguard and leader of the City's Defenses." the Awoken replied.

"I am Ikora Rey, Warlock Vanguard." the human said.

"I'm Cayde-6." the Exo added. "Hunter Vanguard. What brought you here?"

"Long story." Nolan said, coming into view. "They revived me and I led them here."

"Thank you, Ghost." Ikora said. "If you don't mind, stay a little longer. I would like to speak with you in private."

"Certainly, Ikora." Nolan said as he and Ikora headed to a separate room. Zavala stood and walked forward.

"I happened to overhear what Eris said to you." he said. "I presume you have not heard of the Hive?"

"Only what Nolan's told us." Twilight said. "I haven't heard any voices from a god, and my friends haven't either."

Everypony nodded, Rainbow with less assurance.

"Good." Zavala said. "Horizon, take them to some quarters near yours. I will go cofer with the Speaker. Until otherwise, they're your responsibility. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Commander." Anubis said. "Let's go."

As they headed out, Zavala looked over at Cayde with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" the Hunter asked.

"I'm merely surprised you didn't cut in." Zavala said. "Back to work, I suppose. Where are we at with the Devils in the Cosmodrome?"

As the two Vanguards exchanged information, Eris eyed Rainbow Dash with a piercing stare.

====

Author's Note

Sorry this took so long. Been really busy.

Next time-The ponies travel through the City, and Eris confronts Rainbow.