35. Marksaline the Necromorph Queen The Ishimura, save Sunset Shimmer 11/?

1. Marksaline the Necromorph Queen

The Ishimura, save Sunset Shimmer 11/?

They walked slowly towards the elevator to leave the area, still nothing had happened that would be arguably be worth so mutch build up and wasting opportunities to attack them.
The looting was resulting in growing their medical supplies up and increasing their Credit count.
Though they still had not the means to buy a replacement suit once their current worn version hit their durability limit.

Cadance and the Fillys stepped into the elevator and press the button to move, just as the door had closed was Necromorph attack roaring to hear, just as they suspected had mostly their calm before the storm run out and it was about to get busy again.

When the elevator door opened, did a swarm of Fleshlings used the opportunity of the open door to flood the elevator.
Cursing about bucking cheap shooting enemies did Cadance changed from her Nail Rifle to the borrowed Flamethrower and user the fact that friendly fire wasn't a concern to bathing the elevator in 'friendly fire'.

Marksaline bite down on one of the Fleshlings jumping at her and had a brief moment of joy that it tasted like spicy chicken.

Sunset was busy using her 'Magic Cutter' as crude hammer, the weighted attached add on for the weapon being more than sufficient overkill to smash them.

Fluffelpuff noticed that she was on fire, though it didn't hurt her or the others and looked kinda funny.

Once the Necromorph surprise attack was over did they leave the elevator and send it down to their companions.

Meanwhile was Nightmare Moon busy keeping the enemy bearly out of striking range, while shooting at knee joints to halt their relentless charge out of the same vent.
Luna in contrast had been unfortunate jumped by a Lurker and was bucking and jumping to get her unwelcome rider off her rear.
At least did the Lurker was to busy holding on to Luna as to attack her, though it almost managed to distract her long enough for Nightmare to be overrun.

4 Slashers had come in short succession out the same vent and going straight for Nightmare after a Lurker had snuck up and take a hold of Lunas rear, playing bucking bronco at the worst of times.

With 5 enemies would the other probably be enjoying the hospitality of 30 Fleshlings or would have to endure the harassment of other Necromorph attackers.
This attack was a far cry from the expected big ambush and showed once more that the entity apparently had other thought pattern than they expecting it to have. Very troublesome.

After Nightmare Moon having finished to cripple the 5 Slashers by removing one leg and arm, did she had to duck when the Lurker having been bucked of Luna was about to go for Nightmare next.

A swipe of her telekinesis holded weapon battered the litter bugger straight in the air to fall to its doom into the deep far below area underneath them.
Luna proceeded to give fire support helping her sister to make short work of the crippled Necromorph Slashers and after hastening having looted the bodies of the Slashers bodies moved to the already ready to use elevator and moved to regroup with the others.

While the royal sisters had not suffered any injuries, did Cadance, Sunset and Marksaline lacked 1/3 if a life hole life bracket. Bearly any damage, but Cadance and Marksaline suit integrity was down to one point and would suffer major penalties for breathing air once completely breached.
At least their fully upgraded suit would still hold 60 seconds of air in areas where a air supply was mandatory.

The entity was happy that her surprise attack on both groups worked, though it was far less effective than expected. Still something to keep the herd on its hoove edges to keep them guessing about the next attack to come.

Meanwhile would Mercer and his underlings start the next phases of the plan to demoralizing the herd and guiding them into a trap.

Unfortunately would the high explosive collection of gas tanks be to obviously to work again, though there might yet be a use for them yet.
Further would her puppets be a great distraction to waste some of their precious time, the way she was able to manipulate the Necromorph are rather impressive, even if still lacking depending on the used Necromorph variants.

Though it would be quite the challenge to balance time consuming obstruction and seriouse harming attempts, something that was quite difficult with a capacity limit of being only able to employ 8 non boss enemies.

Perhaps the coming environment hazardous area would be ideal to give them a hard time, like Necromorph no matter how loud they are, could not be heard in the vacuum of space.

Currently did the herd moved towards the transportation area where the tram would be transporting them shortly to the bridge where Discord and Mercer would be waiting alongside a small group of survivers.

Though they argued currently if they wanted to sell some small medi gel containers for the goal of being able to buy a replacement suit, those would most likely be shortly needed if the entity was so Tarterus bend on bringing the integrity down. At least even if their suit finally reached its limit and had a penalty of 50% capacity until they got exchanged for a intact version, had them with 1 minute of air and with eatch of them owning a oxygen tank of 30 seconds air, would they hopefully not be to hard pressed to staying alive.

Sunset said she was thanks to Marksaline and Fluffelpuff still almost full in suit durability, her 70 seconds current capacity would be drastically worse if her suit had a breach.
Though that was when her tone took on a uncertain tone since even hers would eventually be taken down, as they all understood the situation that they were in with exception of Fluffelpuff who was unaffected by it all, being a in-game item instead of a player.

By any chance did Cadance had a idea and ask Fluffelpuff if she could try to wall walk while Cadance alone was holding on to her, unfortunately did it turned out that Fluffelpuff could hold on to a spot with one adult weight down on her, but she could not move around with one as a passenger.
It was a nice try though, because it might have had become a useful creative idea for what ever awaited them in the Ishimuras corridors.

That said, Lunas discoball panel covered suit was still a nice illumination help for the area when one or two players aimed it on her with their laser aiming sight activated.
At times like this where the light are insufficient powered or even went out completely.

The small talk and the light reflections from Lunas suit was actually a great way to make sure that everyone stayed calm, though they all knew that it was impossible to give them long term down time with the bloodied walls and ground, not to forget that they still had to considering that the time was slowly running out and noone know how mutch there was yet to overcome.

A pinging sound got everyone attention before Discord made a apperance via RIG video link, he made it to the bridge of the Ishimura though he is incapable of getting into the captain quarter where full access to all systems could be rerouted for emergency situations like a pirate attack.

Mercer and Discord standed behind a crew mate of the Ishimura that was typing away at a console, Discord ask him if he could access the emergency command computer without the captain personal RIG codes.

The crew mate stated that since the attack started a lot of remote access line got damaged and finding alternative systems to bypass it would take time.
The crew mate indicated something offscreen that they had either been working on earlier or had entered a simple command and found something wrong.
There was a lot of technical explanation that got over everyone head, though Discord seem to understand it and had a short conversation with the crew member.

But the short version was that there was an executive lockdown of all primary systems. Without the Ishimuras Captains authorization, noone could access them directly.

Sunset was apparently running out of patience and ask where the captain was:
"Well? Where is the Captain of the Ishimura?"
Sunset was feeling silly, because it was her brain and body, but she would play along as needed to move in as short a time as possible from this situation.

Though even as she said that she had the feeling that everyone knew what the answer was more or less, which was mostly based on everything they had seen so far since their arrival in this dream construct.

The herd and Discord watched as the crew mate did something and entered a few commands into the console and there was some muttered between some of the crew on the bridge and the operator of the console.

When it was clear that this all would take a few minutes with the adults indicating that it was taking some time to figure out what needed to be done, did the foal entertained themself by eating snacks.

Some of the crew ask politely to leave something for them, but the survivers where ignored because when the dream realm would be dispersing in a few hours, so would the survivers of the Ishimura.

When they found something that would be useful did Mercer seemed disappointed and defeated, for some reason.

"Here she is." Discord said more to himself than anyone else.
He let out a sigh as she spoke, confirming that it would not be as simple as starting a RIG video link and ask for the codes.

The adults know something terrible had happened to Sunset Shimmer if her mindscape was so messed up, indicating by the level of trauma throughout the Ishimura overall condition.
Captain Sunset Bookworm Shimmer . Location... medical deck, status... critical condition.

Sunset shakingly but firm in voice demanded to know what they needed to do and stop wasting time so they can move on.

While they genuinely are interested to learn in what capacity the Captain got injured it was good to hear that they might save another one of Sunset copies for a great reward, while getting closer to finishing the journey to save the filly.

Hearing that they needed to move to the medical bay of the Ishimura give them a solid target, it complicated the entirety of their objective that communication on the ship had mostly broken down, but they would cope with what they had at their disposal to survive and find a way off the Ishimura once Sunset Shimmer mind was saved.

Discord ask the crew member where exactly the Captain currently was, but near the medical areas was all that he get as answer.
When he ask what happened to the Captain in the first place did the databank requested a medical officers RIG code to access it.
Mercer typed apparently his code in and they see that the Captain had neurological scaring and a magical blockage of her memories in place.

What they could do to fix it was unknown, Mercer stated that he can't access that information. They sigh of course because they hoped to get something useful out of their waiting time, as it appeared that everything on board the Ishimura was going to be hard on them.
Discord told them to search the Captain and find out his RIG codes.
If nessesary bring him to the bridge so he unlocks the captain quarter by proximity.

Mercer excused himself, he had a idea how to help the situation resolution out. He would be leaving the bridge and than joining them in the tram.

The herd wished him good luck and moved on to see him soon at their location.
Together would they get to the medical deck and find that RIG as fast as possible.

Before either could say a temporary goodbye to Discord, did they heard the sound of one of the creatures burst into the area that their companions were in, though as the survivers on the bridge started to run and some started to charge with improvised weapons towards the Necromorph Leaper, they saw the shape of another Leaper enter the room before the connection of the RIG video link was terminated.

They glanced at each other before they headed towards the lounge and the area that their companions had been a while before.
After going through the short path leading to the tram a elevator ride and a few doors later, did they found themselves standing in front of the tram.

To their right stood a store of some kind, so they checked their current credit stand and noticed that they had almost enough credits to buy a new suit. Instead of worrying about it now did they boarded the waiting tram.
Mercer was not present and they hoped nothing had happend to the helpful Kirin, Fluffelpuff pressed the icon for the medical deck and they settled in for a short and swift ride.

Everypony would do their best to survive the horrors of the Ishimura and the twisted dream reality that was now Sunset Shimmers internal life... and pray that the filly made it back to Equus without going mad in the process.

Celestia was still waiting for all Necromancer of Light members in Canterlot to be brought to the castle, the interrogated cult members all had cooperated so far, currently did she enjoy some fruit tea and Discord had made cucumber sandwiches with mayonnaise.
The conversation they had was rather mild, though she enjoyed a short lived tease when some of the mayonnaise dripped of on her muzzel.
Discord blushing purple with red stripes when she moaned suggestive at him, it was priceless entertaining goofing around for Celestia.

Unfortunately did the current situation was less than ideal and she would have to continue these kind of entertainment on another night.
Discord was so kind as to connect to crystal balls with one another and Celestia could see the fillys snuggeld forms in her bed, giving her great peace of mind.

If the cult filly really was befriending Fluffelpuff, than she might make their sleeping arrangements permanent.
Not necessarily going as far as adopting her, but if she could keep Fluffelpuff and Marksaline busy for but a hour or two daily while she was doing her paper work undisturbed, than this filly would be a very valuable investment for the future.

On second thought adopting her might be worth it, her sisters would return in not to long when the banishment spell would run out.
Sunset Shimmer would make for a good test run towards her sisters.
Celestia doubt that they would harm one of her daughters, but if she had to endangered someone than it would not be Marksaline or Fluffelpuff.
Sunset Shimmer would have a great life with them, best case scenario it would continue once her sisters returned. Worst case... did the adopted filly would make for a convincing decoy to keep her other daughters safe.

Heavy is the crown and its weight, but she had always somehow managed. As long the fates and Harmony was with her, would she continue to do her best.

The herd remained mostly silent as the tram moved from the lounge and headed towards the medical deck, currently everyone was checking their ammunition.

Sunset had 123 Magic Cutter ammunition with 100 in her inventory stored and 23 in her weapon, thanks to the 'Weighted Blades' did her Magic Cutter made Slashers and other Necromorph stagger back, while receiving deep cut wounds.

Luna had given her ammunition mostly to her more precise shooting sister, she herself had 10 shots left in her Nail Rifle, while Nightmare had 49 rounds left in hers.

Cadance had still 50 shots in her Nail Rifle, but would mostly try to wait until Nightmare run out and could than use her weapon, in a quick weapon trade. Since the Nail Rifle was within upgrade possibilities did Luna and Cadance agreed to let Nightmare use it mostly as the sniper of the herd.

Nightmare accepted her duty as sniper and left the close combat to Luna until further notice and Cadance for the Swarm Fleshlings extermination.
Though they really hoped for weapon options, be it another Magic Cutter or anything else of equal versatile or damage wise performance.

With the Nail Rifle being able to be retired perhaps since it was the weakest weapon but seem to be dropped the most, a very frustrating waste of ammunition drop chance.

Meanwhile Marksaline had now 152 Bone Blades in total and after cleaning of the blades from flesh remains, was ready to have some fun with them.
Once they are back in the world of the waking would she try to get something similiar as weapon if they ever would need them. Marksaline really hoped they were needed often ~♤

Fluffelpuff nibbeling on Sunset Shimmer tail, since she had nothing better to do.
They would resume the cuddlepile once they exit the not chew chew train.

The adults also spend some time to reflect on everything that had happened since they arrived in the Ishimuras flight deck and experienced the horrors that the mental crew of Sunset had faced before their demise.
Somewhere on the deck that they were heading towards was a key asset of Sunset mind that might yet help in unexpected ways, though it would be tough navigating it, especially since Mercer as senior medical officer wasn't here to guide them.

But it couldn't be helped, unless they meet a group of helpful survivers of the Ishimura crew to play tour guide. They had no idea where the Captain was, but it couldn't take to long to find her... hopefully.
Though there was one good question that noone had ask yet, how did the neural scaring happened and how did the magical memory could have been placed and when?
Most importantly why and by whom?!

This outbreak happened as a result of dark forces working on the fillies mind, with something that should not be anywhere as gruesome or violent.
What begs the question... is this dream construct made by Discord perhaps not his doing?
How could a filly have survived anything like this? When would have she made so horrible memories to construct subconsciously a living bad dream scenario like this?

But something was rather disturbing, where are Sunset Shimmers parents or guardians? Are they still around? It was unlikely that a filly could have survived on her own to even one Slasher in the real world.
Was this outbreak born from memories experienced and here recreated contained?

Cadance told them she was a Necromorph, but she seem to have never seen anything about the monsters attacking them now, knowing nothing of the enemy.
Something wasn't adding up, but perhaps before this ordeal was over would these questions be answered.

Empress Chrysalis had just been informed about a uproar of activity in her Equestrias capitol Canterlot, apperently had Discord informed Celestia about a cult member of the Necromancer of Light being responsible for cruel crimes against a foal of the organization and a future assassination to cover it up with some kind of weaponized undead abomination.

Her spies still collected information about the hole situation, but this might be a opportunity to collect unwanted ponies for her 'Hive Ship project'.

She had been informed today that great changes are about to happen, starting with the revelation that Harmony AB123 had been a creation of the original Harmony F,R,3,3,D,0,M who was usurped by its creation and started the extermination war Immortal versus Harmony.
Further that all her negative interactions had been with the abomination that their world benefactor had accidentally created.

Harmony F,R,3,3,D,0,M had convinced that the newly renamed Harmony T-R-3-1-T-0-R would leave Equestria and its nations alone and to do as she see fit with the scripted words.
They all three would create their own version of the story in seperate areas of the planet.

To make sure that the Harmonys had a fair and even playground to create their final version of the Creator-s project would the move towards the uninhabitable regions of the world, take the Crystal Empire mobil cities with them and create their own version of the world as it should be.
All current assets would be given on Empress Chrysalis as she see fit to use them.

They would at the latest return in 1000 years to see, what Chrysalis final Equestria looked like.
Harmony T-R-3-1-T-0-R, wished a hollow mentions wish out of politeness, a short "good luck", while Harmony F,R,3,3,D,0,M under simulated tears give a three hour string of excuses and pleaded for forgiveness of her failures.

Harmony T-R-3-1-T-0-R though it redicules to behave that undignified, but enjoying the spectacular show. Since it gad been upgraded it enjoying many new sensations it would have never fathomed before.

So Chrysalis was given all the immortals ownership, in stasis or otherwise.
Before both Harmonys left for the fulfillment of their duty.

To Chrysalis surprise did the Alicorn Twilight Sparkle had a imprint of Harmony F,R,3,3,D,0,M in her mind and it had merged perfectly with the old Twilight Sparkle that had assisted the resistance against Harmony AB123.

Chrysalis had finally one of her old friends back, better yet... Alicorn Twilight Sparkle was out for vengeance just as mutch as Chrysalis was.
She didn't know what happened to cause all the changes in the current situation because a previous reversion of Harmony F,R,3,3,D,0,M was responsible for her current mental state, but one goal was clear.

Harmony strict rule over the world needed to be destroyed, Equus would be free one day and both immortals would have their vengeance against former and future enemy, Harmony AB123 now Harmony T-R-3-1-T-0-R.

Harmony hybrid Twilight Sparkle would continue the prosperity of the planet, but no use of mental manipulation or memory erasing of anyone would be ever performed by her.
That was a promise made from a daughter to a mother, somewhere, somewhen in the far past towards a far future, when they would meet again when her time came to end in this realm of existence.

Author's Note

Enjoy the chapter everyone ♡

Unfortunately I want be able to write outside the weekends anymore for the time being.

Probably have even to cut down on my Fimfiction time since I have to learn for the next year a lot of theoretical knowledge if my next job interview is a success, we will see.
But since Fimfiction reading and writing is my way to cope with stress outside home when I can enjoy other stuff, I will stay activ one way or another.

Next update should be my Gray the Necromancer story or my Cynder story, we will see in time where my muse strikes first.

Stay snuggly everyone ♡

Last updated/Edited:
12.01.2024