Arc 7 – The Crystal Nightmare Chapter 3 – Change horses

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Red Wire plastered her ears against her skull so the rattling rapport of a changeling rifle wouldn’t leave her with a nasty case of tinnitus. The deafening cannonade marked the blinding sea of snow heaving with another wave of the Crystal Empire’s mechanical defenders. As the ominous rustle of metal wings grew louder, Night Wind dived back into the cover of the snowdrift. The unicorn glared at her and had to raise her voice to be heard over Teleta’s squad stalwartly holding their position, “Is it really necessary to shoot so close to me?”

“If you haven’t noticed, we are short on cover.”

A scathing retort died on Wire’s lips—it would be lost on the Kirin too preoccupied with the raging battle; although that only added to her annoyance, she couldn’t help admiring the commissioner joining to help the changelings without any hesitation, even if it meant magically fumbling with a weapon meant to be shoulder mounted.

The robotic ravens whistling through the air forced Night to duck again; she had the time to only exchange nervous glances with Wire before the snowbank, which they had chosen as a bulwark against the machines, exploded. Both mares shrieked when a steel corvid flapped its wings right betwixt them, flinging white flurries into their faces; the Kirin—midway on turning into a Nirik—reacted first, her flame-coated hoof shooting out to silence the distorted caws. Despite Night reverting her transformation, the snow still hissed with her fury; sparing the unicorn a worried look, she hurriedly returned to peeking above the disturbed mound of snow, the gun in her telekinesis ready to repel any other birds planning to ram their dubious cover. Wire picked up the smashed machine and peered at it closely, her healthy eye squinted whilst artificial rhythmically flickered.

“Seems to be freshly manufactured,” she mused aloud.

Across a narrow swath of disturbed snow Teleta and a few other Praetorians crouched in an improvised trench; the chitinous soldiers desperately tried to prevent that hole from becoming their grave. Seeing the felled enemy hovering before the unicorn’s muzzle, the changeling captain tartly noted, “If you can pick that up with your magic, then you should also be able to hold a gun. We could—”

Tinny screaming of birds drowned out her words as the whole murder of mechanical crows suicidally bombarded the pinned-down soldiers. Sinister whistles rose above the battlefield, but none of the swooping ravens had found their targets; the changelings only had to steel themselves against a rain of torn apart machines pelting their cover—none could accuse the Swarm of being inept fighters.

The advance of the Crystal Empire seemed to wind down—if only temporarily—and Wire shot back, “It’s not about strength, but endurance.”

A mare crouched by Teleta’s side didn’t hesitate with a comment, “My sister told me endurance isn’t exactly your forte.”

The rest of the squad, including the captain, couldn’t help but chuckle at that; even the commissioner failed to hold back a snicker. Though Wire’s cheeks ignited with blush, she had no heart to steal the fun from the changelings—whatever ammo and supplies that had survived the rough landing were scant and it reflected in the faceted eyes with a deep worry. She composed herself and addressed Teleta, “Those machines aren’t going to stop coming for us anytime soon.”

“I’ve noticed that already, Wire,” the captain shot back.

“Then we have to do something about it,” the unicorn pressed on.

“Like what? We are doing all we can already.”

“Like crossing that bridge or whatever it is!”

Everyone eyed the distance separating them from the massive support—one of many—holding the bulk of the Crystal Empire above the seemingly bottomless abyss yawning amidst the frozen plains; the only entrance into that sinister source of unrelenting metal death. Fallen machines and pockmarks in the melted by gunfire snow peppered an imposingly long stretch.

“If an attack catches us there, we are as good as dead,” Teleta grimly warned.

The bulbous exterior of the Crystal Empire had already expelled a shimmering cloud—a haze heading for the frontline; the halo divided into wisps, spreading around the city. Not so far from Teleta’s squad, other survivors of the initial counterattack fought their way to the metal heart, yet none had achieved any progress, ending up suppressed in a similar fashion.

Night’s head sharply swivelled and her hoof pointed at the sky. “Look!”

A small group of pegasi soared beneath the tattered clouds, trailed by an unmistakable silhouette of a dragon. The murder of crows momentarily halted, then separated again to send a flock to intercept them.

Wire’s words broke the stunned silence. “It’s our chance.”

Teleta followed the unexpected newcomers with squinted eyes, then looked at the snow betwixt her squad and the narrow but sturdy bridge into the Crystal Empire. “Alright,” she finally agreed and immediately barked, nodding to one of her subordinates. “Follow me—we support the rest from the air as they cross.”

The two changelings burst into green flames to emerge as gryphons, shooting skywards even before the last tongues of fire licked the last of the chitin from their bodies. Just as hastily, the soldiers remaining on the ground bolted to the metal beam spanning across the vertiginous depths.

Night and Wire hurried after them, the former asking, as she watched Teleta and her comrades clash with the Crystal Empire’s robotic gatekeepers, “Why is it always gryphons?”

The unicorn replied betwixt her panting breaths, “They have wings, a great prehensile ability and are agile as snakes; if they also had brains, they would have conquered the whole world twice already.”

The Kirin gave her a sidelong glance and smirked. “Sounds like you are into them.”

“Shut up!”

The two mares leant on each other in a struggle to regain their breath—stolen by a mad dash into the cover of the Crystal Empire’s burrows. Although neither Wire, nor Night wished to return under the death-laden sky, the shadows of the mechanical city pressed on them from every side and the chaotic passages opening before the invaders echoed with ominous sounds; so they sought refuge in the warmth of each other’s bodies. Nonetheless, the inhospitable welcome of the Crystal Empire’s interior had failed to prevent a smile from creeping on the Kirin’s muzzle; when her ragged breaths winded down to merely shuddering inhales, she elbowed Wire. “Endurance isn’t your strongest side indeed.”

The bluish unicorn had had less success in recovering from their breakthrough which, by the merit of supporting Night’s words, fueled the fire of her glare. Gasping, she shot back, “Keeping your mouth shut isn’t yours either.”

Night’s grin didn’t falter as she prepared another verbal jab; her mouth opened, but no sound came as she gaped at a living legend—a Former One obscured by a hundred myths, with nobody knowing which of them stood true. Whilst the commissioner ogled the one and only Rainbow Dash, the changelings saluted the changeless captain of the disbanded Royal Guard entering the Crystal Empire’s innards.

“I knew it was you, Captain Rainbow Dash,” Teleta greeted her without trying to hide gratitude and joy from her voice.

The pegasus’ rosy eyes might have peered at the current leader of the Swarm’s military somewhat coldly, however, Rainbow’s tone came as nothing but respectful as she slightly bowed her head, responding, “Maestus has chosen a worthy successor.” Her stoic expression faltered and she revealed the reason for her lack of gladness to see her former comrades. “I’m afraid it might not be enough. Just like in the old times, it hardly matters how good the soldiers are when the enemy comes endless.”

“Don’t lose hope, yet,” a rumbling voice joined the conversation and even the battle-hardened changelings couldn’t help but jump as a dragon slithered from around a corner. Exhaling a plume of smoke, she grimly stated, “All we need to do to end this is to kill Sombra.”

Wire, who had finally stopped wheezing like her lungs would collapse the next moment, squinted at the dragoness. “Sunset Shimmer?” she tried, unsure.

The preceding advisor of the changeling queen curtly nodded, earning surprised looks from the changelings; if she wanted to add something, Rainbow didn’t let her.

“We did it last time already.” The pegasus grimaced; she looked around, taking in the metal and plastic forming their peculiar surroundings. “And nor does it seem like this mess is of his going… this time.”

“But he is here, isn’t it?” asked Wire, sounding like she would be profoundly disappointed to receive a negative answer.

“Everyone is bound to be here right now,” Rainbow replied distractedly—her eyes studied the ranks of Praetorians. “Where is your Queen?”

Teleta shifted uneasily, exchanging glances with her squad. “We don’t know.”

Pretending she didn’t need the support of Night’s shoulder, the unicorn approached Rainbow, so as to not hold a conversation across the gloomy corridor. “She has sided with him,” Wire dismally informed the pegasus.

“Not news to me, sadly.”

“It was the most stupid thing anyone can do,” Sunset gravelly noted, once more chiming in.

Wire shot Night a triumphant look, but it was lost in the tense atmosphere. The comment also abruptly invigorated the changelings, with Teleta resolutely expressing their collective desire, “We must find her and as soon as possible.”

A dozen steps from the gathered ponies and whatnot, the passage serving as a temporary stop for the Swarm’s infiltrators opened into a vast chamber vaulted with thick piping; the same dully reverberating ducts formed the floor, leading away into the fathomless depths of what became of the Crystal Empire. As if she could see more than ill-promising darkness, the sunset-coloured dragoness stared into the foreboding bowels. Presently, she traded looks with Rainbow, who, too, seemed to see something nobody else could in the shivering shadows of the clockwork city; it was her, who spoke.

“The Crystal Heart is where we are going to find everyone, I can bet my life on it.” Impossibly, her expression hardened even more. “Has anyone seen the Machine Goddess?”

The changelings returned her blank expressions, but one equine reacted differently—Wire froze, her healthy eye snapping wide open. She all but ordered, “We need to find the library first.”

To her chagrin, Rainbow responded with a genuine chuckle. “I once knew a unicorn who would have said exactly that.” Her expression fell. “This is not the time; nor is it the place, I’m afraid—there isn’t likely anything left aside from factories and Crystal Pony growing pods.” As despair darkened Wire’s face, she sympathetically added. “At least, it seemed so from the air.”

Night patted the unicorn’s withers. “We can figure out some other way to deal with Sombra.”

The Kirin’s eyes found the sword tucked under Rainbow’s wing, but before she had a chance to bring attention to that unordinary weapon, Wire spoke up, “It’s not a warlock who bothers me the most, but a goddess.”

Though she received stares from everyone, only the pegasus dared to comment on such a statement, “You are crazy, kid.”

Taken aback, Wire seemed to be ready to swallow her words—for but a heartbeat. She composed herself and, with her head held high, proclaimed, “It is crazy to consider everything that has happened the last few days a mere coincidence. Neither would it be sane to place confidence in a plan relying on equines, known to be untrustworthy, to work together; or blindly believe the one who came up with it. And can any of you guarantee that the Machine Goddess’ mind is as impervious to… any outside influence as she claims it be?” She finished by lowering her head and conceding, “I might be wrong, but if I am not… it is a goddess we are talking about.”

This time, a brooding silence met her words; however, soon enough, Sunset huffed, “Sombra isn’t exactly a mortal, if you haven’t noticed.” Her eyes unfocused and she breathed in deeply. “He is not the only source of darkness in the Crystal Empire—Nightmare is here.”

“This is why we need to find a way to kill a god,” Wire insisted.

The dragon shook her head. “If Nightmare could be killed, Princess Celestia—or Twilight Sparkle—would have taken care of that already.”

Rainbow drew the sword, letting the gleam of its sharp blade challenge the dusk of the passage. Her eyes rested on it, bathing the edge crusted with ancient black blood with doubt. “Perhaps she is right, because I have no idea how to get rid of Sombra—for good.”

Wire sagged on the floor, letting out a sigh. “Great, we have lost before we even began.”

The Kirin nudged her shoulder. “We haven’t lost until we tried.”

The changelings exchanged worried looks once more and Teleta spoke for them all, her voice firm. “None of that matters to the Swarm. We have come here to help our Mother.”

The chitinous equines on her side nodded, their jaws clenched with unshakable resolve; that, combined with neither Rainbow, nor Sunset hoisting the white flag, managed to refuel Wire’s determination. “I didn’t come here to sacrifice myself.” She bristled. “I’m going to search for the library.”

None except Sunset met her plan with anything but annoyed grimaces; the dragon consideringly offered, “I’ll help. Maybe something did remain.”

Teleta screwed her muzzle—the Swarm’s former ally could prove herself most valuable to the changelings once more, supporting them on the battlefield as a fearsome combatant. Nevertheless, when she pivoted on her heels and saluted Rainbow, her face expressed nothing. “Awaiting your orders, Rainbow Dash,” she reported.

For a few moments the pegasus let amusement twist her mouth into a smile, then she fixed her gaze on some unseen point in the heart of the Crystal Empire.

“Not this time,” Rainbow uttered solemnly. “I have unfinished business here as a soldier.”

In the past few days, it had become almost a habit for Night to question her life choices. Clinging to the dragon’s back, the Kirin couldn’t forbear indulging in self-doubt; Sunset carried her way too high above the unwelcoming and nightmare-inducing landscape of the Crystal Empire. It didn’t help that, in spite of draconic blood running in her veins, the commissioner would rather have a considerable distance put betwixt her and the Former One; that name had a few quite unwholesome rumours attached to it. As a cherry on top, Night had to hide her discomfort of riding a dragoness, lest she wanted to supply Wire with an ample opportunity to ridicule her to no end. However, soon enough that fear ceased to be an issue—the unicorn had her hollow eyes transfixed on the scenery; the pensive mare was barely paying attention to her nearest surroundings. Following Wire’s gaze and focusing her attention on the landscape below did little to alleviate Night’s stress and not because of Sunset ramming through the clouds, which had crept back to the ruptured sky.

The Crystal Empire or, rather, what had become of the fabulous city over the ages, spasmed with war once more. True to Dash’s word, the mechanical advance consumed almost every trace of crystals that might have betrayed the original architecture—save for the needle-like spire in the very heart of the fallen kingdom. The metal labyrinth pulsed with industrial intent, pumping acrid smoke and malevolent machines into the still frigid air. A few times Night managed to catch the sight of preternatural darkness, but those flickers dissolved into the chaos of battle before she had a chance to properly focus on them. Once, blinding light flared amidst the turmoil, except, this time Sunset, too, took notice of the phenomena; the dragon mutely stared at the shimmering radiance and, somehow, it appeared wise to Night to remain just as silent.

That occurrence matched with how Sunset had treated the entirety of the flight. Despite initiating it, the solemn dragoness had made no effort towards exploring the Crystal Empire’s maze; though, Night appreciated being quite remote from the battle. Perhaps, Sunset had no need to look for the library by the merit of somehow knowing where it should be; or, maybe, the massive dragoness simply sought to avoid storming the cramped tunnels together with the changelings.

Sunset spoke abruptly, nearly causing Night to lose her already precarious hold on the dragon’s spine spikes; she addressed Wire, “It is not my place to stop you from doing something extraordinarily stupid. But I strongly advise you to ponder on if everyone else is as stupid as yourself.” As expected, the unicorn bristled, but Sunset continued before she could receive a sharp-tongued response, “I have lived in this forsaken city for years and studied in its many libraries. Though I might not know what secret you wish to exhume from this cursed grave, it is easy to guess. Sombra isn’t stupid enough to leave any knowledge potentially harmful to him or his plans lying around. I can assure you—it is going to be hard to kill him even knowing how to… if it is a possibility at all anymore.”

Wire’s obvious intent to snap back at the dragoness vanished upon hearing the rest of Sunset’s words; she, however, continued to glare at her, as if the former Coven witch might be able to perceive the unicorn’s silent ire with the back of her head… and she somehow did. Without a word, Sunset glowered at Wire from the corner of her piercingly cyan eyes and the young mare found herself unable to ‘outglare’ a dragon. Forced to redirect her dark gaze at the city, she half-wondered, half-demanded, “What have you become?”

The accusation bounced off Sunset’s gleaming scales and she levelly explained, “Spike gave me a chance to continue atoning for my mistakes.”

“What is Spike? And where is he?” Wire pressed on with questions, her tone becoming even more brusque.

“Does it matter?”

“He is the Machine Goddess’ pet.”

Night shuddered and had to suppress her instinct to let fire bring out her Nirik side when the already hot flesh beneath her hooves rumbled… with laughter. As the commissioner wrestled down her discomfort, the Kirin suddenly realised—she agreed with Sunset. She carefully poked Wire’s back, so as to not send the unicorn into a fatal fall, and hissed into her ear, “Would you stop being paranoid?”

Wire flashed her a withering look, her healthy eye blazing as brightly as the artificial one, but the wrath rapidly faded from her gaze. Before she abruptly turned her face away, Night caught a glimpse of what she tried to hide beneath the mask of anger.

The wind nearly succeeded in carrying Wire’s words away, devoid of the spirit her demeanour from the moments ago should have merited. “Because of the Machine Goddess, every threat in Equestria is gathered here, but I don’t see her enforcing a ceasefire this time. Even if, for once, she carries a benevolent intent, too many things can go horribly wrong. Nightmare prowls these tunnels and no matter how much I have faith in Flower, what she has to accomplish is beyond anybody’s ability. Sombra’s forces are on a march to the Crystal Heart and I’m not sure if Delight is sane anymore, regardless of if the warlock keeps his promise to her or us. And what about that alicorn and her… ‘friend’?

“I can feel it in my bones—something bad is going to happen, and, with such powerful beings involved, I’m powerless to do anything to prevent it.”

Night scuttled closer to the unicorn—as much as Sunset’s back allowed room for such a manoeuvre—and pressed herself to Wire’s side. Though she did mean to offer her some comfort, she also sought reassurance herself, keenly aware of Wire’s sense of insignificance before massive shadows obscuring the nearest future—and sharing it. She would have dispelled Wire’s fears by reminding it wasn’t their place to meddle in the affairs of the immortal, but… why had they come here, then?

“Has it occurred to you that you might be overestimating the danger?” Sunset yanked them both out of their dark thoughts.

Wire didn’t hesitate with a bitter reply, “It must be a foreign concept for you, but I’d rather be mistaken than suffer loss.”

For a moment Night feared the dragon would buckle, but Sunset continued to beat her wings steadily and when she finally responded to Wire’s taunt, she spoke calmly, almost melancholically. “My mistakes are all I’m left with in the end. Do what you must, Red Wire. It’s clear you aren’t going to listen to me and I don’t begrudge you for that—you have no reason to, except for one. I’ve fought side by side with the Ebony Warlock; magic was never his greatest weapon. If you are going to doubt yourself like that—he has won already.”

Author's Note

English isn't my native language; though I try my best and use various tools to aid myself, I'm aware that a result is far from perfect. That said, if you notice anything that you think should be fixed—please let me know.

I hope you've enjoyed reading this story so far.
Stay awesome.