Perpetual Torment

Warm, murky fluids surrounds your body as you slowly flutter your eyes open. Your arms and legs are binded by a sticky, paste-like substance, your vision to the outside world obscured by the green, translucent material in front of you.

The fuck is all this?

Stifling a yawn, you squint your eyes and peek through the material. Connected by the horn via umbilical cord-like tubes, two pony-like creatures kneel on either side of your cocoon like prison. Peeking out further, you can see at least five or six more of these intruders snooping around your cave, taking interest in the Slipgate, as well as the various machinery you have set up around the cave. Your cocoon prison is in the very back of the cave, behind the Slipgate, tucked in the furthest corner.

The two bug-ponies in front of you have their eyes closed, as the tubes connected to their horns pulse and bulge, feeding some sort of fluid into them. Trailing your eyes around the inside of the cocoon, you locate what you assume to be those very same tubes, one being connect to your left bicep, the other to your neck.

You curse yourself for not keeping your helmet on before you went to sleep, your hair and face are covered in this warm gunk. You tug your right arm away from it's sticky, malleable binds. The fluid stretches with the consistency of melted cheese, before giving underneath your strength. With your right arm free, you grip the tube on your arm, pulling it off. A pitch black, cloud like material spews out of the tube like a fountain, as well as a superfluous hole in your arm which mends itself instantly. You yank the tube off your neck with the same effect. The smokey substance has no smell, but upon contact with your exposed skin burns hotter than any fire you've faced.

A crash from the cave catches your attention as anger builds inside you at the invasion. These little shits are gonna ruin your chance of getting back to Earth if you don't do something.

Freeing the rest of your limbs from their sticky jail, you punch straight through the cocoon, ripping yourself an exit. Stepping out of the cocoon which has collapsed in on itself, neither of the two ponies before you notice you've exited. With a quick glance around your cave, it seems everyone else is oblivious to you as well, too caught up in inspecting your base. Each of these creatures look identical to each other. They all have a matte-black, fur-less body, jagged horns and exposed teeth, legs covered in holes. Their eyes are a bright blue, with no iris to be seen.

Grabbing both sleeping bug-ponies by their horns, you smash their heads together in their sleep. Blue blood and green brains splatter on your gauntlets, as fragments of skull collapse down their necks.

This catches the attention of one of the other intruders, who turns it's head to your direction.

With the remains of the two now dead bugs in your hands, you keep your gaze on the one bug-pony who dared to face you. You glare death into his very being, which causes him to freeze in place and give an audible gulp.

"The energy source! It has awoken!" Another bug-pony hisses out in a high pitched, ghoulish voice.

Dropping the two brutalized corpses, you reach behind your back into your hyperspace inventory. The device activates, as you pull out just the right tool for this job.

"Seize him!" One of them hisses out, causing the others to unleash war cries.

Right hand wrapped around the pistol grip, fingers on your left hand tightly grip the rubberized, polymer pump. Scanning over the threats, you flex your left arm.

CLICK-CLACK

Wasting no time, you sprint forward and point your repeating boomstick forwards. Jamming down the trigger, a massive fireball explodes from the muzzle. Piping hot buckshot launches forward, pelting the chest of the front-most bug-pony in bullet wounds. Glowing blue blood leaks from the gaping, smoking hole in it's chest as it collapses and skids to a halt.

Racking the pump again, you dash to the left and ram into a bug-pony which was mid-flight. The foul creature screeches, as it flies backwards and smashes into a table. The gramophone your helmet was on crashes to the ground, followed by various other appliances.

As it scrambles to get onto it's hooves, you step onto it's chest. Pointing the barrel of your gun to it's head, you watch it's cranium transform into a hot pile of brain matter and skull fragments.

"For the Queen!" A voice calls from behind, as a bug-pony jumps onto your back, sinking it's teeth into your neck.

That helmet would've been nice right about now.

You grunt in pain, and use your left hand to grab it's head. Ripping it off your back, you fling it into the two remaining invaders, who fall over like bowling pins.

As they fumble around on-top of each other, you brace the shotgun underneath your armpit. Pressing in the secondary trigger, you watch as a sticky bomb is pulled from the internal magazine inside the stock, and loaded into battery. A green L.E.D lights up on the side of the receiver, before you pull the main trigger.

Just as one bug-pony stands up, the sticky bomb arcs towards it, lodging itself into its mouth. The other two bugs screech in terror, desperately trying to flee as the bomb flashes and explodes.

Chunks of body fly in every direction, the cave rumbles at the shock wave as dust spins around from the disturbance.

When everything is said and done, you stand alone in your half destroyed base. Most the equipment used to power VEGA's functions have been destroyed, save for his main power supply and the Slipgate.

Great. Just what you fucking need right now. As if the limitations of your setup weren't a hindrance, now you'll have to almost start from scratch.

A hoof shakily taps the back of your boot, causing you to turn around.

The upper torso of a bug-pony has crawled its way over to you, having left a long trail of blue blood and viscera. Shakily, it raises a hoof to point at you, coughing up blood. "Your hate... will... feed us... For eternity!"

You raise your right boot and stomp it's neck, decapitating it. It's eyes dim, tongue lulling out of it's mouth.

You pick up the head off the ground, blood pouring out all over your hand. As you stare into it's eyes, your confusion and anger only grows in scale.

Fuck Ponyville. You need answers now.

Shoving the head into your inventory, you grab your helmet off the ground and equip it. Your HUD flashes to life as your systems calibrate themselves.

"The coordinates have been set. Opening the portal now." VEGA says.

Whimpers of terror catch your attention, as Pumpkin slowly emerges from underneath a table.

Poor guy, he didn't need to see that.

You grab a woven basket off the ground, and place Pumpkin inside just as your Slipgate fires up.

You and your sister Luna are sitting in your private dining quarters, enjoying a simple breakfast of pancakes and eggs. The sound of forks and knives clanking against plates occupies the otherwise silent room, as you levitate a glass of milk to your lips.

"The Slayer wishes to meet us in Ponyville, Sister." Luna breaks the silence.

You stifle a spit-take, trying your hardest not to choke on the creamy, cold liquid going down your throat. "Does he now?"

Luna frowns, her eyes locked on the meal in front of her. "Indeed. We observed a nightmare of his, and we were able to communicate with him before it ended."

You dab your mouth with a napkin, taking a small bite of your fluffy, butter and berry coated pillows of heaven. "What did you two talk about, Luna?"

"He never spoke a word to us, and instead manipulated the dreamworld to communicate his desires and intentions." Luna closes her eyes, taking a sip of orange juice before continuing. "He is lost, and is trying to return home."

Your heart flutters at your sister's words, a spark of hope forming within you. "Oh, well by all means I am willing to help him with that!" Without thinking, the smallest of smiles has formed on your face, once drowsy eyes now open with a youthful exuberance.

Luna looks up from her food to you, giving a sad smile. "He's not from Equis, Sister. Twas the first thing we asked of him."

And just like that, the spark of hope dies inside your lonely heart. "...There are humans from off Equis? You've never encountered life in our solar system, have you?"

Luna shakes her head, finally taking a bite of a pancake. "That is correct, Sister. The planet he is trying to return to is one I have never seen in our galaxy, even the farthest corners. It is under siege by demons, and it seems his people need his help in order to survive."

"That would explain the literature from those testaments." You ponder, taking another bite. "...Did you tell him about the situation Equestria is having with the attempted rituals?"

Luna nods her head softly, a conflicted look on her face as her eyes drift down to her now cold food. "We did, but we are not sure if he wished to help. I offered to show him something I believe could help him locate his planet if he agreed to meet with the two of us."

Just as you're about to take another bite of fluffy goodness, your fork lowers from your mouth. "Luna, please tell me you're not referring to what I think you are."

"I never told him what it was, Sister."

"Luna." Your voice grows stern, as you furrow your eyebrows. "No living creature is ever going to touch the Godstone again, you know what happened to Star Swirl."

"Was I supposed to just tell him there was no hope, Sister?" Luna is quick to retort, using proper modern grammar. "If his nightmare was anything to go off of, his planet needs him now, Sister... and perhaps more than we might need him."

Several seconds pass, before you slump your shoulders and soften your gaze. "I suppose we can give him the details on his arrival. When did you schedule to meet him?"

"Exactly noon, we arranged to meet in front of the library Twilight Sparkle lives in." Luna says, before standing up. "It shall give enough time to prepare a chariot to escort us to and from, yes?"

You take another sip of milk. "It shall, Luna. You may nap if you wish, I can arrange the rest for us. Those bags under your eyes tell me you had a long night."

Luna bows her head, before going to leave the room. "Sister?" Luna cocks her head back to look at you.

"Yes, Luna?"

"I do not believe it is Anonymous." She says simply.

You blink a couple times at this, looking back at her. "I know that."

Luna turns her body to face you. "Do you? We do not mean to sound rude, but we can tell you wish to believe it is him."

You sigh, and cast your gaze outside the balcony. "Can you blame me, Luna? I know it's been thousands of years, and sometimes it gets hard to remember what he even looks like... But the story behind those testaments Pathfinder sends me, it's all so ominously reminiscent of what happened. Even the phrase 'He chose the path of perpetual torment.'. That is almost verbatim what Ceolmund told Anon after he refused to surrender." You lower your head, another sigh escaping you. "It's childish, I know... But I knew Anonymous. He was a lover first, and a frighteningly brutal fighter when forced to be."

Out of the corner of your eye, you can see Luna flash you a small smile. "If it is worth anything, we did not see Slayer's face, his helmet keeps his identity a mystery." She walks through the door, leaving you alone to finish your meal.

"I'm telling you, Princess! A portal the size of a house just formed behind him, and he disappeared into it!" Shining Armor explains to you, walking by your side as the two of you walk the hallways of your palace.

"I believe you, Shining. He was spotted in Ponyville yesterday. Twilight sent me two letters about it, and the former described a portal much like the one you're describing right now." You say in an attempt to calm your flustered nephew-in-law.

"Twily? That thing met Twily?! Oh if he so much as placed a paw on her, I'm gonna-!"

"Don't worry, Shining. As a matter of fact, Twilight expressed much delight in Slayer's arrival. She wrote about how his entrance was violent, but he was very interested in history, magic, and even the solar system."

Shining relaxes just a tad, sighing. "Oh, that's good... He's definitely intimidating when you see him in person, Celestia. That photograph doesn't do him justice." He shudders.

The two of you round a corner and make your way outside. Luna is sitting in one of her own chariots, impatiently tapping a hoof against the dark metal of her mobile throne. "You kept us waiting, Sister. What took you so long?" She groans, before giving Shining a wave.

"Making preparations for a royal visit takes time, Luna. Didn't I tell you to get some rest? You look wiped." You and Shining Armor approach her chariot, before four of your royal guards emerge from the hangar, tugging along a double-themed chariot. The left side is lunar themed, the right being solar. Each pair of guards was either Celestial or Lunar and were stationed accordingly with the theme of the chariot.

"We still have that old heap of junk? It is so gaudy, Sister!" Luna complains, resting her face on the side of her chariot. "We wish to take our own chariot, it's aesthetics are much more appealing!"

You giggle at your younger sister's immature rant. You don't think she'll ever grow out of this 'moody teenager' attitude she has. Not that you mind, it is most entertaining. "Oh come now, Luna. It's not that gaudy. Besides, your side even has a little steering wheel."

Luna grumbles, slowly emerging from her own chariot. "...This is a fair point..."

Shining Armor chuckles at the display, before bowing to you. "Well, I've said my piece, Princess Celestia. Permission to take my leave? I'd like to spend some time with my wife before I return to Dodge Junction."

"There is no need for such formality when you're with family, Shining. You may leave whenever you please."

A heavy rumbling in the earth catches your attention. In the streets of Canterlot below you, a self contained windstorm begins to sprout to life, swirling around at the end of the street which leads to the gated hangar entrance. Plants hanging off of street lamps begin to sway violently, drinks and food on tables being swept around.

"I don't think you'll be needing that chariot, Celestia..." Shining mutters to you, watching the anomaly unfold.

Just like Shining described earlier, a small blue ball emerges in the middle of the storm, which quickly expands out into a massive, spiraling portal. Light blue streaks line the circular, black void, magical particles spew out like sparks from a firework.

Brilliant, marble road presents itself in front of you, reflecting the light from the sun overhead. The portal closes behind you, leaving you standing in the middle of a one-way street. At the end of the street is a large, gold plated fence. Not a pony was in the street, save for two guards protecting the marvelous gate in front of you. They stare forward, eyes unwavering as they keep their angry glare.

Looking down to the woven basket gripped tightly in your right hand, you confirm that Pumpkin has made it safely. The rabbit scans his surroundings, nose twitching with his ears folded back. You're becoming a little too attached to this little guy.

As you close in on the gate, two spears lower to block your path. "Halt! Who goes there?" The guard on your right speaks up, but appears to regret his choice of actions. The guard on the left visibly gulps as you stomp towards the two.

"S-state... your... business..." He trails off, as you tower over him.

The guard to the left takes a couple steps back, before a familiar young, yet gravelly voice catches everyone's attention. "Stand down, let him inside!"

Sounds like the head honcho of that dispatch unit a couple days ago.

The guards hastily open the gate, and part ways. Before entering, you grab the right guard's steel spear, and break it over your knee. This causes him to yelp and cower in fear.

The clip-clop of hooves on marble road draws your gaze up the shiny stairs you were ascending. Sure enough, that blue haired captain is standing at the top of the stairs, accompanied by...

"Slayer! Did we not agree on meeting in Ponyville?" Luna tilts her head, giving you a confused, yet pleasantly surprised expression.

Her beauty. Her free-flowing, pastel rainbow mane cascades down her white coated, slender body, accentuating her eternal perfection. Those large, magenta eyes look into your own, offering nothing but warmth and welcome despite your identity remaining a mystery. Her wings, which are tucked in their normal resting position give occasional pulses, threatening to flutter out. You can't keep your eyes off her, the rest of the world fades into obscurity.

"Is that a bunny rabbit?" The raspy voice of the stallion catches your attention.

Get a grip, Anonymous. Show her nothing. It'll only hurt her more if she finds out it's you.

"Overhead light disengaged." VEGA calls out to you, as the L.E.Ds overhead turn off, obscuring your face as much as possible.

Reaching behind your back, your left hand touches to your inventory. Pulling the desired item from within, you toss it on the ground in front of the stallion. The bug-pony's eyes are lifeless, skin having gone pale as a few squirts of blood spew out from it's ripped jugular veins. As the blue blood stains the once spotless marble road, your eyebrows return to their natural resting position; furrowed in eternal anger.

The stallion's eyes go wide, as your ex-intruder's head rolls over a couple of times, resting before his front hooves. "What the..."

Your eyes trail up to Luna, who is staring down at the head in absolute horror. Luna turns her head to look at her sister, who had much the same reaction as her. A silent conversation takes place between the two of them before Luna clears her throat. "J-join us inside, Slayer. We've much to discuss." Luna's eyes dart to her older sister, who hastily nods her head in agreement.

The stallion shudders at the dismembered head. "Shall I accompany you three?"

"There will be no need, Shining Armor." Celestia says, eyeing you up and down with a cautiously optimistic expression. "I trust Slayer means us no harm." Her eyes look into your tinted visor hopefully.

The only thing you give your soulmate is a simple nod, as you walk in-between her and Luna. Shining Armor gives a nervous bow, whistling to some guards as the three of you enter the magnificent palace.

Luna takes her place beside her older sister, the both of them walk in front of you. Majestic banners which display artwork of the two sisters line the regal hallways, each of the stained glass windows depicts artwork of events past. The clopping of hooves, along with the stomping of your own armored feet echo in the grand hallways, as you're lead deeper and deeper into the palace.

Celestia and Luna's pace is slightly slower than your own, and soon enough you find yourself in the middle of both sisters, instead of behind. Try as you might, you can't help but give quick glances over to Celestia, sub-consciously trying to savor her beauty. It seems she has the same idea, her own eyes cast glances over to you, especially fixated on your helmet. On the surface, her eyes are curious, but you know her more than that. Behind those eyes is a pent-up longing, a question that has remained unanswered for millennia: Is it you?

"We must apologize, Slayer. We did not expect the changelings to seek you out." Luna speaks up from your left.

You gently tilt your helmet towards Celestia, which causes her to snap her head back forward, pupils shrinking for a second.

This silly horse, how you've missed her so.

The three of you close in on a grand dining area. A massive table with hundreds of chairs awaits you. Celestia and Luna make their way over to the two largest chairs in the room. Placing Pumpkin's basket on the table, you opt to stand near Celestia.

Celestia adjusts herself in her chair, before clearing her throat and turning her attention down towards you. "Now, as surprised and overjoyed as I am to see a human for the first time in centuries, there are issues far more important than my own personal interests."

Centuries? Those questions from the old castle ruins are starting to resurface to the front of your head.

"My sister Luna has informed me that you are trying to return to your own world. Is this true?" Celestia asks, gaze having switched from curious wonder to complete seriousness.

Speaking would give away your identity, so VEGA's going to have to be an ambassador of sorts here. You glance to the top left corner of your HUD, requesting a neural connection.

"I understand. I shall communicate via your chestplate speaker." VEGA acknowledges your request. Seconds later, your chestplate crackles out, vibrating gently as VEGA routes himself into it. "Approximately 20 minutes ago, our base of operations was infiltrated by these bug-like equines you have referred to as 'Changelings'."

Celestia and Luna look absolutely flabbergasted at VEGA's robotic, tinny voice. You can tell by the looks on their faces they are far more curious about VEGA than what he just spoke about.

Celestia is the first to recover. "And where is this base of operations, Slayer?"

"We are stationed in a small cave in the Everfree forest, 1.3 miles north of Dodge Junction." VEGA replies. "All the equipment that has been setup is responsible for my functionality as of right now. Without power, I will not be able to help Slayer return to Earth to stop the demonic invasion."

Celestia thinks over VEGA's words, eyebrows furrowing. "Is this why you have been stealing from Dodge Junction? You have been gathering materials to return home?"

Hah. Home...

"Correct." VEGA says.

"Your choice of words is most interesting as well, you speak as if you are a separate entity from yourself, Slayer." Celestia adds.

"Slayer is the human in the suit of armor you are talking to, Princess Celestia. I am VEGA, a formless, sentient intelligence which is running off of his suit's systems."

This seems to peak Celestia's interest, and you can see her demeanor change ever so slightly more upbeat. "I see... So you are a companion of sorts to him?"

"Correct."

"Did you do anything to disturb the Changelings, Slayer?" Luna pipes up, leaning forward in her chair.

"The motive behind the invasion is currently unknown, Princess Luna. The changelings took great interest in the Slayer, entrapping him in a cocoon before siphoning an unknown energy from his body." VEGA replies to the younger of the siblings. "It is worth noting they were investigating the setup of machinery and appliances, one could assume they were alerted to our presence and were attempting to halt our efforts."

At the bottom middle of your visor, a notification flashes:

ECHO PLAYBACK READY: DETACH ECHO DEVICE AND DEPLOY.

You reach to your belt and detach the small disk from it's pouch. Holding it up like a small frisbee, you toss it onto the massive table. Two wings extend out on either side of the disk, and just before it falls to the table surface, it spins to life. A mechanical whirring noise fills the room, as the disk elevates several feet above all three of you, casting a hologram onto the table.

The hologram recording depicts the events leading up to your awakening. It displays various tables of appliances of your cave, before several changelings emerge from the bounds of the hologram. They speak to each other in their native tongue, poking and prodding the devices.

You're only half paying attention to the echo playback, eyes focused intently on Celestia. Her eyes are glued to the playback, watching in wonder at the events that unfold. She watches the changelings mess with your base, before two wander past the hologram's limits. Those deep magenta beauties scan all over the playback, almost as if she is searching for something besides the invaders.

"I was not able to record Slayer's position, he was out of the line-of-sight of the echo scanner at the time." VEGA says, before a red dot flashes a couple feet outside of the hologram. "This is roughly where Slayer was at the time of recording."

As the red dot disappears, Tia's eyes stay locked on the empty space, never once glancing back at the actual hologram. The sight pulls at your heartstrings. She doesn't care about the cave, the stolen goods, the changelings.

She cares about you. She's trying to find you in the recording.

A smashing noise is heard, before all the holographic changelings turn to face the direction the red dot was. The racking of your shotgun echos from the disk's small speaker, as the changelings charge off screen. Sounds of death and destruction from not even an hour ago repeat, body parts and blood occasionally spray out and land on the empty cave floor.

You emerge into frame of the hologram, face being obscured by the low quality bright blue scan. The changeling you decapitated crawls up behind you and speaks. "Your hate... will... feed us... For eternity!" As you stomp it's neck, the hologram turns off, and the echo device floats down to the table.

Celestia and Luna are looking at the disk, troubled looks plastered on both of their faces.

With a deep inhale and exhale, Celestia speaks. "This is worse than we thought..." She pauses for a couple of seconds. "Slayer, I believe you are right in your assumption. I do not think they know you are trying to return to your own world, but they are most definitely attempting to thwart you in some way. Over the past several months, there have been multiple attempts of demonic rituals, as well as attempts to open portals to Tartarus; I believe these attempts to be of changeling origin. Changelings traditionally feast off of love, and tried to take over Equestria last year by feasting off the love of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor..." Celestia's gaze turns to the side of the room. "...but perhaps now they are trying to feed off the hate of the underworld."

Your fists clench as the love of your life speaks.

Your eyebrows furrow.

Your teeth grit.

Your arms are visibly trembling in rage, and both sisters have taken notice.

"Art thou... alright, Slayer?" Luna speaks up.

Celestia's eyes scan you up and down, worry deep inside them. "Slayer... I understand your world needs you, and you have my vow that my sister Luna and I will do everything in our power to make sure you are able to return." She glances from Luna, back to you. "But I have seen what terrible corruption can happen when one fools with the dark realm, and I fear for the safety of my little ponies. Will you... aid us, in stopping these disturbances before they get out of hoof?"

You're about five seconds away from smashing everything in this room, so you do the one thing that calms you down besides destruction.

You pace back and forth.

"We can supply thou with whatever he desires, Slayer. Thou has our word." Luna offers, as if she's trying to tempt you into agreement.

Each boot lands in front of the other, as you trek slowly around the two sister's chairs. You can feel their eyes on your back, confused at your display. You don't mind, it's warming to feel their presence after so long.

"...Slayer?" Celestia speaks up, worry plaguing her vocal cords.

The room is immaculate, and reflects Celestia's beauty. Every color, every material, meticulously chosen to accent her majesty and perfection.

Earth, or Equestria? Which means more to you? Well that's obvious, but it's not a matter of your personal opinion.

"Please, Slayer... I have been suppressing the attempts as much as I can, but I'm reaching my limits. I believe you might be Equestria's only hope..." Celestia gives the faintest of sighs. "I've already had to witness the downfall of humanity, I will not let my little ponies meet the same fate."

With your back turned to her, you cock your head in her direction. You can feel the weight of the worlds on your shoulders, each passing second is another milestone in the death of your own people. You carry this with all your might, but the burden wears you down all the same.

You scan your eyes across your HUD, inspecting VEGA's predictions of how much time Earth has left before it is past the point of salvation.

"Going off of previous records, as well as my own calculations, Earth has approximately 80 hours before it is entirely corrupted by the forces of Hell." VEGA speaks out loud, catching the attention of the two sisters.

You turn to face Tia and Lulu, slamming your right fist into your left palm. With a crack of your neck and your knuckles, you walk right up to your fuzzy horse woman. You've got time. You'll save her adorable little world in a day or two, then haul ass to Earth.

Celestia looks towards you, intimidated by your rapid approach but hopeful in your intentions.

As gently as you can you place her right hoof in your own hand. Clasping your left hand to cover it completely, you kneel and press her hoof to your forehead, bowing to her.

"I... Thank you, Slayer. Your service will not go unrewarded." Celestia sounds like the largest burden in the universe has been lifted off her back. She looks over to Luna, flashing a look of hesitation before speaking. "In case you do not believe me, I think my sister Luna and I should show you to what might locate your home."

"Sister...? Are you sure you wish to do this now-"

Celestia glances over to Luna, motioning her to silence. "Follow me, I will explain on the way there."

Rising to your feet in front of her, you turn to the basket containing your fluffy roommate.

"I suggest placing your little friend somewhere safe, Slayer." Celestia urges you, flashing you a look of concern. "I can arrange to have him placed in a sanctuary for now."

You glance from Pumpkin to Horse Lady, before nodding in agreement.

Celestia and Luna's hoofsteps echo down the vast halls underneath the palace. You've been descending lower and lower for what seems like an eternity. The trip has been almost completely silent, save for occasional whispered conversations between Celestia and her younger sister. You've been toning them out, fixating on taking in your surroundings. You've got a gut feeling that for better or worse you'll be spending more time here.

"This artifact was discovered centuries ago, and is one of the most sacred items in all of Equestria." Celestia breaks the silence, walking with elegance and grace. "It was excavated from the temple of Neigh Say, an earth pony from before my time."

The three of you finish your long descent underneath the palace. Two massive stone doors stand before you, easily 20 or 30 feet tall.

"Neigh Say has been forgotten in modern Equestrian history, but she was believed by many to have been gifted all-knowing wisdom from the heavens. Her knowledge was as vast as the ocean, and no question was ever left unanswered by her."

Luna and Celestia's horns glow in unison, as the titan doors open inwards, revealing a massive chamber. Though you are deep below the surface and there is not a light source in sight, the chamber is basked in a dull blue hue. Standing alone in the seemingly endless room, a golden orb surrounded by a stone pillar illuminates the cold stone floor below it.

"Neigh Say's temple was constructed to commemorate her life and wisdom, though her closest followers hid many artifacts inside. One of them was this." Celestia motions a hoof to the stone pillar in the center of the room. "Scriptures refer to it simply as 'the Godstone'."

You eye the Godstone up and down. It really isn't anything special, just a glowing yellow orb surrounded in a slag-like stone.

"It is said that Neigh Say would spend hours every day working on this stone, engraving and sealing her limitless knowledge into it." Luna pipes up, eyes locked on the pulsing sphere.

"The legend goes that if one interacts with the Godstone, the secret of life itself will be unveiled to them. From the birth of the first star, to the far reaches of space and time." Celestia looks over to her younger sister with somber eyes. "My sister Luna knows the farthest reaches of our galaxy, and not even she could locate your planet..." She turns her attention to you, that sad look intensifies with every passing moment. It's as if the weight of your situation is finally dawning on her. The lives at stake, and the potential of what will happen without your assistance. "I told myself I would never allow any living creature to interact with this, but it may be your only hope."

Your eyes are trained on Celestia. It's astonishing how well she can maintain her poise and posture when she is troubled like this. You don't think you've ever told her, but you looked up to her for it. Her composure gave you strength in a way. Her magenta eyes look past your visor, into your own. Her inner eyebrows angle upwards, and her lips curl ever so softly downwards.

"We would offer the use of magic to aid you in your return, but it would be pointless if we do not know where you are heading." Luna says.

Actually, that brings up a good point.

You scan your eyes over the various elements on your HUD, before VEGA's icon flashes over your visor.

"I understand. Routing all available power to the neural bond." VEGA's tinny voice crackles out, echoing in the chamber. "Neural bond strengthened. I will now be able to store any and all information that passes through your brain."

Without giving either of the sisters another glance, you stride your way over to the Godstone. You raise a hand up to it, ready to touch the glowing, yellow orb.

"Ano- Slayer!" Celestia yells, raising a hoof out to you.

You slowly turn your head back to her, eyebrow raised.

She seems slightly flustered at her own outburst, but she regains her composure. "Please, be careful... I am only aware of two other ponies who have touched the stone, and both of them were driven to insanity afterwards." Her gaze softens, voice lowering in volume. "You're stronger than they were, just... Be careful."

Personal sanity has not been a concern of yours for eons.

You turn your helmet back to the stone, and place your palm on the face of the orb.