Chapter 3: Dark prisoner

Canterlot, the capital of Equestria stood as regal as ever, ponies trotted to and fro, many visiting friends, others looking down upon the ‘common’ class, due to nobility. What stood out in Canterlot was not just the market district ponies cloistered in, but the castle itself, the home of the royal princesses, Celestia and her sister Luna. Canterlot, home of Celestia and beacon of harmony, stood as the proud jewel of this fine nation, but unbeknownst even the most beautiful can be the most deadly.

Ponies lined up at Canterlot station, in hopes to return home to meet loved ones, or visit friends waiting for the train to arrive, though there are more trains in Equestria the most notable is the one from Ponyville. Screeching slowly to halt the friendship express opened its doors, ponies were about to walk in, but were startled when two pegasi guards carried an injured guard in a makeshift gurney barged past.

“GET OUT OF THE WAY! MOVE!”

Ponies shuffled to the side as the two guards barged through, earlier after the incident on the train, the two pegasi guards ordered by captain shining armor, where to escort the train the rest of the way. Per training protocol, a flare was supposed to be launched to signal their escort, worried of no flare they investigated. Now they rushed one of their own to Canterlot hospital, whereas the other was covered and a full investigation is in place on how one creature boarded a guarded train.

Twilight and her friends soon left the train, to say the least the experience shook them a bit, but not as much to worry them, they have faced off against Nightmare moon before. Spike rode on Twilight's back, he was worried the whole time, of course he tried to be brave as best he could, but when he saw that thing whatever it was and the way it looked, he couldn't help but be worried for Twilight. Now they're in Canterlot finally putting that whole ordeal behind them, but one thing still bothered them, what was he talking about regarding ‘HER arrogance’. For this Twilight needed answers and she hoped to get them at Canterlot, but there were other things that didn't add up, for one the creature mentioned a song. ‘Could it have been a melody, hymn, or was it a rhythm’, her thoughts raced trying to piece together these questions, unknowingly her thoughts distracted her she accidentally bumped into somepony.-omph-.

“Ugh, I'm sorry I didn-” Twilight looked up to the pony she bumped into, she smiled when she saw him. “-Shining armor-” the two embraced “-what are you doing here!?”. Shining armor is a unicorn stallion with a white coat and dark blue mane, his cutie mark resembled a purple shield with stars. Currently he’s wearing an ornate steel back and chest plate, his hooves were also protected with steel hoof guards, at his side on the ground is a steel helmet with a blue plumish mohawk.

“It’s nice to see you Twily, I came here to personally escort you and your friends to Celestia”

“That’s very kind of you darling-” Rarity began and began to flirt “-we’d love to have a big handsome stallion show us to the castle” batting her lashes, her flirtatious comment drives shining armor's cheeks red.

“Keep it behind yer tail Rarity” applejack warned, clearly she sees both twilight and this shining armor knew each other, they’re either two very close friends, brother and sister, mare and colt friend, or something a bit more physical.

Twilight chuckled as she forgot to introduce him to her friends “everypony this is Shining armor, captain of the royal guard and my brother” after saying that she was her brother Rarity’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and she began to sweat.

“Oh- uh- hi- it’s nice to- uh meet you, (clears throat) my name is Rarity, i own the boutique in Ponyville. Sorry for the whole inconvenience, gruhh”. Rarity looked away nervously, who wouldn't be she just tried to hit on her friend's brother.

Shining armor chuckled “don't beat yourself up rarity, twilight mentioned you in a letter after the sun celebration. I was so happy to see my little sister make some friends besides you're not the only one trying to lift their tails to me. Ever Since i became captain I had mares and a few stallions flash their rears to me, but I already found somepony.”

Twilight perked up at this “really! Who!? Who's this lucky mare!?” Twilight was excited to hear her brother found somepony, she wondered if their parents knew.

Shining shook his head “i’m not going to tell, besides i want to make sure it’s true and not somepony trying to say they slept with the captain, or go after our status. Besides we need to get you ladies to Celestia, now if you’ll come with me.”. As he started to turn, twilight wondered who his mare friend was. She was excited, yes, but when he said they might go after their status it worried her and for good reason, several noble houses have their eyes upon being close to Celestia, especially this one house, the quill house. One if not the most pompous house in Canterlot, the quill house, lead by its matriarch poison quill, would do anything in its power to be Celestia's right hoof, or even go so far to concubine the princess.

Passing stores and shops, Rarity soon laid her eyes upon a particular fashion store, she didn't know why, they were in a hurry, but seeing this store brought her a sense of dread. The store's sign had a unicorn flicking his mane back and another in a still image of her walking on a catwalk wearing the most magnificent dress rarity has seen. To her shock, said dress was on display on a ponykin, it was red with a yellow outline around the collar, the dress hung above the rear fetlocks with sapphires sewn into the dress. To many it wouldn't be that amazing, but to rarity it was, the cloth was hoof made silk from Saddle Arabia and the gems were pure twenty four carrot, this dress was done entirely by hoof. Rarity grimaced at the price of thirty thousand bits, a sign was soon placed in front of it reading ‘SOLD’, ‘who would buy such an expensive dress?’ Rarity thought and that's when she saw them.

“I say that dress was a fantastic buy, Velvet mane sure knows his ponies” a mare with a light green coat and orange mane replied, her cutie mark resembling a quill dipped in a poison bottle. She was currently talking to a unicorn stallion with a brown coat and white mane, his cutie mark resembling a half bloodstained bit.

“Such a beautiful unicorn such as yourself deserves such beauty” he sultrily said, kissing her neck, the mare blushing from this.

“Oh Crimson Bit, you’re married, what would your wife think?” she stated, though she enjoyed the attention from the stallion, letting him kiss her.

“Her? She’s a commoner whore I married to get a foal, now you-” he kissed and nipped her neck a bit “-I love you like the nobles love the gala”.

Rarity began to sneak past, something about these ponies spelled trouble, she was trying to catch up to her friends when she heard them speak about the gala last night.

“Speaking of, did you see the abhorrent gala Celestia threw, allowing commoners from-” she spoke in disgust “-Ponyville ughg, a disgrace on the princesses part and don't get me started on the mare who was with Blueblood?” the unicorn lost the name of the mare who trashed prince Blueblood, unaware said unicorn was sneaking past them.

Rarity couldn't believe what she heard, the gala was declared a success by Celestia, but to the nobles it was complete trash, especially when the princess allowed her and friends in. As she walked to catch up with her friends, she recollected the name of the family twilight mentioned at the spa, ‘quill family’ she thought, could that mare be with the quill family and who was that stallion with her. In any case, she put the thought in the back of her mind, she’ll ask Twilight later, right now she needs to catch up to them.

Reaching the palace gates would be a dream come true to a lot of ponies, but when those said gates are guarded with heavy security, that dream is quickly flushed away. Everypony in Twilight's group looked upon the heavily guard gates of the palace, ponies both mare and stallion stood upon the walls, with both spears and a new type of weapon nopony had seen. The weapon has a wooden stock with a one meter metal tube, on its side was a trigger and above that was a locking mechanism of sorts, a hint of smoke was emanating from it. Their arrival at the gates stirred everypony up, as they soon heard “PONIES AT THE GATES!!”

-(seconds earlier)-

Peering over the rampart was one of Shining's lieutenants, being a mentor to the stallion she was eager to please and being a pegasus, she was his trusted scout and hoped to one day be captain of the equestrian expeditionary force. Sitting down, she looked over her orange coat in the steel armor making sure there were no chafing spots, taking her helmet off she shook her light blue mane and adjusted the strap, her cutie mark was that of flaming wings.

“SCORCH WING!!” she stood at attention upon her name being called, forgetting to put her helmet back on she quickly saluted to the one who bellowed to her. Walking up to her was another captain, a subordinate to shining armor, but a captain nonetheless, he’s a yellow coated earth pony with a ice blue mane, his cutie mark resembled a firing musket.

“CAPTAIN BOOMSHOT SIR!!”

“WHY AREN'T YOU KEEPING AN EYE ON THE GATE BELOW, I GAVE YOU STRICT ORDERS TO WATCH THE GATE. YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE, OR IT’S FIVE LAPS AROUND CANTERLOT!!” he stood their attentive tapping his hoof, while she sweated a puddle under her, she tried to explain herself why she left her ‘post’, even though she was at it.

“WELL!!!” His booming voice caught the attention of several guards, who did not envy Scorch wing, who in turn began to explain herself.

“Sir, I felt armor chafe and my helmet was loose, I was only adjusting them sir” she sweated bullets when she finished. If ponies saw how angry he was, their pony hoods would go into hiding till the new year.

Boomshot was about to induce an aneurysm inducing rant when somepony called out “PONIES AT THE GATES!”

Both officers looked over to see Shining armor with the bearers of harmony and spike, the fiery tempered pony was about ready to burst a nerve over Scorch wings not alerting them earlier.

Watching the gates lift twilight mentally sighed they’ll soon get the answers they’ll need and head home, hopefully it wasn't anything too serious and Celestia could just send the equestrian guard. However another thought came to mind, if it wasn't too serious then why did Celestia call in the first place, unless something came up, though it don't explain the heavy guard. Her and her friends, brother and spike began to walk through the gates and an uneasy feeling began to wash over, Celestia knows we can take care of ourselves, so what is she afraid of.

Once lowered, guards rushed out to cover the arriving group and return back to their posts once they were inside, after passing the gate and hearing it lower, it safe to say Celestia was expecting something. Stopping at the doors, shining armor turned to the mares and dragon. “Everypony stay close, i know you’ve been to Canterlot, but with the recent news and word of assassination on Celestias life we cant be to careful”. With a clunk the large mahogany doors unlocked and opened, hoof clops on marble flooring echoed down the hallway, security itself was tighter than outside. Every second they walked, three guards passed along with one guard they'd ever seen before. He was wearing heavy steel armor painted black with a full helmet on. On his chest appeared to be his symbol, a gray eyeris rainbow dash didn't notice at first, but when she saw the armor she nearly shat herself.

Passing the armored pony wasn't important on everyponies minds at the moment, what concerned them was what shining armor told them ‘with the recent news and word of assassination on Celestia's life, we cant be careful’. ‘What assassination, what news’ twilight thought, she could clearly see it on her friends faces, everypony was thinning the same thing, well minus pinkie pie who was bouncing happily.

“Shining-” Twilight finally began to ask, his ears swirling to hear her “-what's this news you mention and this assassination, why is everypony on edge?” shining armor bit his lip at the question, everypony was intent on listening, it was time to tell them.

“I can't tell you the earlier news due to Celestia’s orders, but last afternoon around one, somepony walked into the castle disguised as a maid and slipped a note under Celestia’s door.-” He looked over making sure the mares were listening “- we didn't catch the pony, they left before we could catch them and before celestia found the note, but when she did all it said was ‘Darkness prophecy has come, your time is at an end’ the next hour a guard found this symbol painted on the castle.” He held up a picture, on the picture it showed what appeared to be the horn of a unicorn, with red slitted eyes.

“Who the buck would threaten the princess-” Rainbow dash swore, she couldn't believe somepony is trying to kill Celestia “-where is this pony, I'd like to have a word with him, or her!”

“Whoa their RD we can't jus interrogate everypony we see” Applejack replied using Rainbows short abbreviated nickname (RD).

“I like your spirit rainbow dash-” shining armor complimented “-but your friend is right, we can't go door to door dragging ponies into the streets, Celestia wouldn't have that. Besides we have far more pressing matters, you need to speak with Princess Celestia”.

After their little stop they continued onward, passing more guards and more strange black metal soldiers that made rainbow dash nervously sweat, one looked at her and she could clearly feel the glaring eyes of the pony. Arriving at the mahogany gates of the throne room, both guards guarding said gates slowly opened them. Celestia sat upon her throne, patiently waiting for shining armor to bring Twilight and her friends, upon hearing the gates open she smiled when her said student arrived with the rest of the bearers. Standing up she moved forward to greet them. In the time she taught her student she was always like a second mother to her, it pained her when she had to send her on her own to Ponyville, but she knew she’d have a better life there and she was right. Now she has to take care of her subjects, a new threat has reared its head and she needs to be ready if more are to show up, if they show up, she needs Twilight and her friends to help.

“Twilight-” her greeting to twilight was warm and reassuring, she was glad she finally arrived “-I'm glad you're here, we need your help, Equestria needs your help!”. The ponies bowed in front of her, then quickly rose.

“What’s going on princess, why all of this security!?” Celestia smiled glad her pupil was willing to help, her face turned more serious then.

“At seven this morning, two ponies took their foals to the western coast for a picnic, they returned with a story of horror. A crashed ship with unknown origin was washed ashore and the bodies of most of its crew were present on the beach, unfortunately there might have been more.” Celestia looked upon the skeptical ponies, she was skeptical herself when she first heard the report, but was worried that if there were survivors they could be a threat to her nation.

“A’hve heard some strange things in my time, but nelly, never heard some mystery ship runnin aground.” AJ was a skeptic to say the least and found it hard to believe if it was some other pony who told them, but this is the princess who told them.

“Pardon me your highness, but that's some wild story you made are you feeling alright, are you sure it’s more about the assassination threat?” Rarity’s question made Twilight look at her in disbelief, shocked that her friend accused the princess of lying.

“I understand your skepticism Rarity, I was too when I first heard the report, which is why I need to show you ponies something.” She turned to leave on the right headed to another one of the main halls. She's never been to the labs but the director insisted she see what was found.

Twilight was appalled Rarity accused Celestia and turned to whisper her frustration “Rarity I can't believe you would think the princess lied, you of all ponies no less”

“I don't know Twilight, Celestia has been kind of out of it, I mean first a threat of assassination and now this!” Spike replied, he may have lived with Twilight under Celestia's tutelage, but this was a bit much from her teacher, even for a threat of assassination.

Twilight looked stunned at spikes thought “you too?” the baby dragon shrugged.

“Look Twi-” AJ began “-we ain't against the princess it’s just surprising is all, maybe we should at least let her show us what we need to see”.

Rainbow dash nodded “yea what harm could there be!?”

Pinkie bounded over “yea it’s not like there's a scary monster in a secret lab with black blood and sharp teeth right, I mean pah lease”. Her bubbly ‘thoughts’ echoed in every ponies mind for just being pinkie as she bounced away towards the princess who waited patiently for them.

“So are we going to question the fact or what” Fluttershy replied not sure to be scared of pinkies strange and detailed comment or just stumped..

With that pretty picture the rest of the mares along with shining armor ventured with Celestia to see this evidence that was collected at this crash, to say the least they were a bit inquisitive, even twilight began to question the princess. Yet she held a firm belief that Celestia was telling the truth, in some way. Clicking the hooves on the marble flooring, they began their small venture to wherever Celestia took them and to their surprise, standing at a checkpoint stood a pony wearing the same black armor. Rainbow dash stiffened recognizing that type of Armor, ‘buck. buck, buck, shit, shit, shit!!’ her worried look caught by Applejacks concerned face.

Not wanting their friends to Applejack whispered to RD “yall okay sugarcube?”

Rainbow motioned with her head worried he might spot her “that pony in the armor, that's a black eyeris mercenary!”

AJ glanced over towards the merc she shrugged “what’s so special about them, why are you afraid of them?” At this point Rainbow was tempted to hide under Aj’s tail and avoid the mercs gaze, but was stopped knowing it would be a feudal task.

“These black eyeris mercenaries are one of the most ruthless mercenary bands in Cloudsdale, being part of the Pegasus Legion they show no loyalty to any form of ruler ship except their own!” Applejack cocked her head ‘not loyal to the princesses, who the hay are these guys’

Applejack grew a sly smile “they don't look so tough, i bet you ten bits i can knock him on his flank!” of course Applejack was joking, somewhat she did want to see how tough these varmints were and see if she could damage their pride.

“What Applejack are you crazy, you beat one up and they’ll send you to ‘him’” Rainbow nearly screamed Aj’s name but made sure her friends did not hear, she didn't want her friends to get hurt or worse killed.

“HIM, who the hay is this him” Applejack was puzzled with this secrecy, the more she thought about it the more she might not want to kick their flank”

“His name is the supervisor, i don't know much about him, but from what i hear if he catches you you’re never seen again!”

“HALT!”

Standing the mercenary just glared at the ponies in front of him, when he saw them arrive he swore he spotted a rainbow collared mane, writing it off and spoke in a deep voice. “identification please”

Celestia stepped up her wings lightly flared and regal "I am princess Celestia, I was asked to-”

“Identification, show me you bucking identification!!” he ordered again interrupting Celestia with fire in his voice. Giving a snort Celestia showed her id crystal, to sum it up everypony has an id crystal once they turn a certain age, three colors (red, blue, or green) the id crystal is spherical crystal the size of a golf ball. Shown the idea for an id crystal to Celestia back in the time of the ‘silence of night’ event, each crystal is magic activated and the pony must show their face to activate it, to this day ponies still argue whether or not these crystals are good or not.

After showing her crystal to the guard, she walked on through, thinking her clearance was enough for twilight, she was dead wrong, looking back she gasped, her clearance was not enough for the bearers. “Identification!” he demanded, one by one Twilight and her friends showed their id to the guard. It went well so far, until he finished with Rainbow dash and that's when he did a double take recognizing the rainbow mane anywhere.

Stopping her with his hoof he spoke in a threatening manner “you better watch yourself crash, that stunt you pulled at the best young flyers competition, was remarkable, yet foolish. That mare you saved was good as dead!”

“That mare was my friend Rarity and I'm loyal to my friends, they mean everything to me!” Rainbow dash defiantly spoke against the black eyeris guard, thinking that she got him she began to leave. She winced in pain when he yanked her to his face.

“You think you can escape us, you think you and your friends are safe, we know about your shy friend-” she could almost see the evil smile he had, he leaned closer to her ear “-it would be a shame if something happened to her, now would it!”

Fear welled up in Rainbow dash, they knew about Fluttershy and how she didn't finish her exams in school and they knew she lived in Ponyville and was close friends with-. Defeated showed itself in the cyan mare she had to be more careful now, she knew who they work for and if he found out it wouldn't be just her friends' hides it would be hers too. The mercenary let her go and watched her trot off without incident, her friends saw the entire thing, but didn't know what he said that affected her. Glaring at them the bearers mostly just shied away, all except Applejack who just glared back at him, chuckling under his helmet, he watched them leave with Applejack consoling Rainbow.

Venturing further in Celestia informed the ponies of the black eyeris involvement, to their shock about a quarter of Canterlot castle was under their control, starting from the northwest hall and ending at the north east halls. Between the two entrances were mostly just rooms they turned into certain quarters, starting from where they were was one of the barracks, next the galley, then armory. Shining armor lightly whistled, ‘these mercenaries have better armor than the royal guard’ he thought watching a merc pass by ‘all that armor must be killer’ he thought again.

After passing by several more checkpoints and some more scolding's by the mercs, Celestia led her group towards their destination, looking up at the sign reading ‘site alpha’. After showing their crystals again to the merc guarding the door, everypony soon entered and what they saw astonished them, all around ponies with lab coats stood around tables looking through microscopes or using test tubes to research strange bio matter. Twilight was absolutely drooling, Spike took a rag and wiped the drool from her mouth, whereas pinkie eyed the many ‘breakables’ in the room Aj had to restrain her from making a mess. It was magnificent to say the least, but all the more curious, for one what was their secret lab in Canterlot and two why are the black eyeris involved. So many questions raced through everypony's minds they didn't notice a stallion in a tan lab coat walk up to them.

Bowing he was introduced by Celestia to the ponies and dragon behind her “everypony, I'd like you to meet director Lablight, he oversees the alpha site here in Canterlot”.

Lablight was a unicorn with a white coat and yellow main and tail, he wore a pair of spectacles over his eyes and wore a tan lab coat, his cutie mark resembling a surgical lamp.

He bowed in pleasantries to the ponies in front of him “pleased to meet you, as you heard I'm the senior head director of this site”

Twilight all giddy couldn't hold it in any longer “sir it is an honor, I've heard rumors of a secret lab in Canterlot, but to actually see it and the work-” she just squealed in delight “-please sir we have to exchange notes one of these days!”

Lablight smiled at her eagerness “you must be twilight sparkle, princess Celestia mentioned you with high regards-” twilight looked like she was about to faint, her teacher views her in high esteem and mentioned her to Lablight “-and I'd be happy to exchange notes with you, are you familiar with what we’re doing here regarding biomancy?”

Twilight gave a sure nod “I'm quite familiar with the theoretical study of whether life started with magic or magic started with the formation of life and if pony evolution was a factor in its formation.”

Lablight chuckled and turned to Celestia “when we’re done here you and I need to talk”, she gave a curt nod and began to walk to the other side of the room where a black eyeris merc stood next to a wrought iron door.

“Alright everypony ,if you please follow me, I'll show you what we found!” Following Lablight through the wrought iron door, everypony was thrilled to see whatever was found. Surprisingly enough nopony suspected the lights to be off, curious as to why, they were about to ask when Lablight switched them on and what they saw made them recant their previous question. Majority of the room was empty except for a large cage and a few desks, where a guard stood eyeing the cage, across from them to their left stood a second door. Instead of the white color each room was supposed to be, this one had blood all over, some of it old and some of it relatively fresh.

Twilight and her friends looked upon with horror, Celestia and shining armor couldn't believe their eyes too, the smell of metal filled their noses that some of them wanted to vomit. Fluttershy looked about ready to freak out after stepping on a puddle of fresh blood, she was pulled in close by Rainbow Dash who calmed and soothed her, if the blood worried everypony then the movement in the cage will make everypony have nightmares. Slowly standing half naked in its cell stood a monstrous creature, its flesh a sickly brown and looked as if it was falling off, it stood at six feet roughly half taller than a pony would at waist height, but when it turned and saw its face, they realized terror has a new meaning. Teeth gnarled and twisted it looked at them with beady gray and black eyes, black blood dripped from its mouth and stared at the ponies… hungrily. In a violent burst it lunged, hitting the cage roaring and snarling trying to reach the first pony it could touch, everypony jumped back when it lunged, terrified of the sight before them.

Twilight told Spike to wait in the lab to which he didn't complain seeing the blood and this beast staring hungrily at them, only soon to lightly calm down and pace back and forth worried him. Growling is its only form of response to everypony, but periodically it looked over to the table, eyeing its crudely made iron weapons and armor, then at the guard who stood just out of grabbing length.

“What in tartarus is that!?” Rainbow dash broke the stunned silence, nopony had seen a creature like this and seeing the viciousness it had unnerved everypony.

“I’ve-i’ve never seen a creature like this before” Fluttershy’s voice spoke over its growls, she felt hurt though, it may be violent, but it most likely is scared. Hopefully she could extend her hoof in kindness and help it.

“The magic, something doesn't feel right!” Twilight interjected worriedly feeling a sinister magical essence around her, yet at the same time it intrigued her. Thinking back to the study of biomancy, she could almost theorize the creature's blood has some magical potential to it. Thinking that this new study of magic will change everypony's view on pony evolution and magical evolution as a whole, she may even have a position in the arcane collage in Canterlot if she wrote a paper on it.

Applejack eyed every corner of the room suspiciously, her earth pony magic in her body was going off the charts and being in tune with the land she may not be on it, but she can feel a sickness all around. “Y’all this ain't no normal feel, somethin ain't right”, she kept an eye on this monster as it just kept pacing back and forth eyeing all of them, periodically though she caught sight of its eyes wandering towards its armor and weapons. Applejack grimaced at the sight of its crudely made gear, resting on the table was a crudely made set of armor yellow in color and adorned with heavy plate and horned helmet. Resting beside it laid a sword larger than any sword any equestrian guard hooved around, but what caught her sight was the blood on its blade, it looked old, but at the same time looked fresh, she dreaded the thought of seeing a blade like that being swung at her.

Rarity grimaced at the armor design “ugh such appalling fashion and disgusting design, who puts red paint on a yellow brown tinge, ugh” she may not have seen it, but if she had, she would’ve noticed that the red paint isn't actually paint at all. Applejack raised her hoof ready to intervene and correct rarity on the ‘coloration’, but the a didn't want to hear it and waved her hoof aside. She didn't like being that way to her friends, but the armor was, so garish it made her sick just looking at it. A thought dawned on her then, paint would have been smoother, if it’s not paint then- she whimpered and fell to her fore knees “I'm going to be sick” she breathed trying not to vomit. Applejack finding a nearby trash can for her.

Pinkie pie knew something was up, her senses told her and now her senses were going off again, but in a new way and she started to list them off. “Bending knees, tail wagging, mane frizzing (gasp)-” her gasp sparked everypony to worry, they themselves began to note each pinkie's senses and being that they’re new worried them. When she gasped though, that gasp sent a red alarm. It was the last sense pinkie didn't want, a sense that chilled her to the bone “- the dread sense!”. If worthy wasn't of the faces of everypony it was now, terror filled them all as princess Celestia stood in front of her subjects, shining armor stood next to her.

Sensing this tension and fear the dark creature grabbed the bars and began to violently shake them, at first nothing happened, but then they started to shake and soon the bars started to loosen.

Lablight stood back with worry present on his face, the merc stood next to him, with his teeth he hooked a spear to his side “your highness get out now!” Celestia shook her head, it was only one creature and she vowed to defend her subjects and the bearers from any threat.

Shaking violently wasn't just out of sheer strength alone, it was being driven by its master's call, his song, the beautiful singing, all of its kind hears and its orders through the song are one word- attack. Standing back it readied for a charge and when it did- CRANG- chunks of metal bars flew out hitting several ponies and some weren't so lucky.

Crack- shining armor went out cold, one of the metal bars strung him on the side of his head, hard enough blood seeped out of a gash the size of his ear. “Shining armor!!” twilight shrieked and rushed to her brother's side, kneeling down she began to shake him, hoping to wake him up. “Shining please! Wake up!” Celestia determined to stop this fiend readied to attack, but her opponent struck first.

The sudden attack surprised everypony, first being its charge through the bars, next shining armor being knocked unconscious, nopony saw what came next. Roaring in a berserking rage, it charged the mercenary, with little time he jousted the spear he attached to himself hoping to pierce this beast's flesh. Fortune was not on his side whatsoever and being his spear was attached to his armor, proved little mobility which gave his opponent much time to dodge the attack. Sidestepping it lunged at him tackling the pony to the ground, Celestia tried to intervene, but this fiend proved quite formidable, taking the mercs spear it smacked Celestia with the flat end of its weapon. She grunted in pain and felt a warm liquid roll down her cheek, taking her hoof she noticed her own blood on it, she looked up just in time to see the spear fly towards her, with no time to teleport she leapt out of its way, but wasn't fast enough as it struck her side embedding itself in her stomach.

“Buck this shit” Lablight swore and bolted towards the opposite door, but was soon grabbed and flung towards the holding cell knocking him unconscious. It was about ready to finish him, but was knocked back by a heavy force, roaring in pain, blood dripped down its broken, it liquid black as night and held a deadly secret.

Charging the mercenary hoped to end this fight for good, but with his heavy armor wasn't fast enough. Seeing the fiend pick up its sword off the table, he knew he was dead, nevertheless he charged hoping to inflict some more damage, but it proved futile, with its sword being two handed, this fiend swung in one hand with ease. With a-klang- he was sent back half a meter on his side, at first there was only aching pain, then it became sharp. Looking down at where he got hit, he saw his armor on his upper barrel dented to the point it cut threw and being it was above his stomach, the blade cut deep enough he saw his organs. Screams were heard at the sight of his condition, twilight and her friends just stood in absolute terror, the yellow one fainted earlier and the others just stood mortified not knowing what to do, he did however notice the door behind them open and a small dragon watch from the side. Taking his helmet off revealed his brown main and blue coat, looking to the dragon he lipped ‘save them’. Looking up he watched the fiend stand over him and watched, shocked to see it wound heal slowly over time, raising its sword it plunged its weapon into his exposed armor. Blood spurted out of his mouth as his last breath was given.

Twilight watched terrified as she and her friends stood paralyzed with fear, this thing whatever it is, nearly killed Celestia, fortunately she and her friends dragged her and shining armor away from this thing. Now it was coming for them and it wanted more blood, in a last act of bravery both Applejack and Rainbow dash stood defiant against their foe, hoping to at least tag team it with quick and heavy strikes. Vicious as it was it growled and moved in for the kill, charging it swung at Applejack who dodged the attack and gave it a firm buck to its side. Next was Rainbow who too gave it fast kicks and bucks, both attacks did damage, but not enough to subdue it, on one of its knees and in a furious fashion it swung its sword in a wide ark. Both mares dodged, which gave it time to recuperate and retaliate with ferocity, giving a charge towards Applejack it bashed her in her mussel with its sword pommel hard enough to knock her cold. Raising its sword to give a decapitating blow, it was stopped when Rainbow tackled it, disarming her foe she began to beat it with her fore hooves. Her attacks however proved futile, she was grabbed by the throat as and tossed, she screamed in pain when her back struck the cage, groaning she tried to flap her wings but shrieked in pain when she heard and felt a nasty pop. Rainbow watched helplessly as the fiend went for her other friends.

Twilight could only watch helplessly as it came for the rest of them, in a last ditch attempt she fired a magic beam, only for it to dodge her attack, gasping in shock she felt its hand grasp her throat. Her friends tried desperately to stop it (minus Fluttershy who was still passed out) only to be backhanded and sent half a foot away, she felt its hand squeeze tighter if she didn't do something soon she was a goner.

-ROAR-

Twilight was met with the hard ground, shocked she was let go not knowing the fiends were screaming in pain, looking up she was shocked to see the creature on fire and to her surprise it was green fire. Looking around she found Spike blowing another flame making sure whatever this thing was was dead, those who weren't knocked out watched as their foe fell to its knees and flat to its chest. Sizzling from the now charred corpse signified it was dead, everypony panted glad that nightmare was over, the door barged open startling everypony and who they saw relieved them.

“Princess Luna” Luna was greeted by everypony, behind her several mercenaries charged in and assessed the damage. Luna quickly rushed to her sister and shining armor, she turned to one of the mercs.

“Get a medic down here now” he nodded and went to find the castle medic, sighing Luna walked over to Twilight “rest up twilight, we need you and your friends ready, our dreams have woken us and we need you now more than ever!”

Luna was about to leave but twilight stopped her “wait what's going on, what happened!?”

Luna just looked at her and shook her head "dear Twilight I don't know, for all we know this is just the beginning of something worse”.

Author's Note

Here it is chapter three, I don't own the rights they belong to their respective owners, i only own my OC'S. Other OC'S and their authors will be given credit and listed in the notes.