Dark Secrets

The only War Heros I know are either dead, or dying.

-Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid

“...We’re almost to Canterlot, Cy...”

“I know, but if feels like it been only two minutes.” Cyburst said to Phoenix,

“...That’s because it HAS only been two minutes, we’re fast fliers...” Phoenix replied, “...Maybe we should apply for the Wonderbolts... After this, I mean...”

“I’m pretty sure they don’t allow pony/Phoenix hybrids.” Cyburst said, “Plus I like speed, not tricks.”

“...Have you ever tried to do any tricks?..” Phoenix asked.

“Of course not, you should know that, us sharing bodies and all.” Cyburst said.

“...I have to go to sleep too, you know...” Phoenix retorted, “Sleep isn’t just rest, it lets one’s brain store it’s new memories, that’s why we still sleep...”

“But we don’t have to, right?” Cyburst asked.

“...No...” Phoenix replied, “...We’re Here...”

  Cyber Burst looked ahead of them and sure enough, the Canterlot Castle was getting bigger by the second. Cyburst slowed down to a stop in front of the town gate. He looked around. Nothing much had changed since his College years at Celestia’s school for gifted ponies, just a few collapsed houses here and there. Cyburst landed and went back to his regular form. He unsheathed Silverbolt, not knowing exactly what was right around the corner. The smell of silver would make most Supernaturals run away, but there were the few ones. The hungry ones. They could put up a fight if it was necessary. Cyburst had no intention of becoming a Lycan or Vampire. His power rested in his skill, and Phoenix. Phoenix was the only other power he needed.

  Suddenly, one of the windows on the side of the castle shattered, raining on Cyburst. He put his flank up to the nearest wall, and made himself  as inconspicuous as possible. A loud crash was heard, like something hitting the floor. Then, Her voice was heard. Not the kind and gentle voice as he last heard it at the Wonderbolt show, but loud and filled with rage.

“You aren't going anywhere!" Celestia screeched.

“Go!” a voice shouted.

A very bright yellow pegasus jumped out the window, her wings keeping her aloft. If Cyburst wasn’t mistaken, it was Spitfire from the Wonderbolts. Not soon after, three more pegasi, two earth ponies, and three unicorns jumped out. The four wingless ponies were equipped with some type of mechanic wing.  One of the pegasi was carrying an unicorn. He recognised all but one of the ponies immediately. Six of them were the hosts of the Elements of Harmony, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. The one being carried was Vinyl Scratch, the DJ that go’s by the of DJ Pon3. She was rather large compared to the last time he saw her, which was on one of her albums, Synthesized Chaos. She seemed to be in pain. That’s when it hit Cyburst, she was around nine months pregnant. He looked at the pegasus carrying her, nothing was familiar about him. His ash grey coat, purple mane and tail, and even his eyes were not ringing any real bells. Cyburst knew he’d seen that pegasus somewhere, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

He was about to go and ask about it, but then a large pair of pure white wings popped out of the window as well. Cyburst looked at the Alicorn with hatred. The nerve of her! How could she go on knowing what she let her subjects do to his family. He needed to let her know how he felt about it.

Cyburst was about to give Celestia a good organ removal, but  something strange happened. Spitfire rounded back and ENGAGED Celestia in combat.

“Mirage, guide them there, I’m going to stop Celestia.” Spitfire yelled to the pegasus that was unknown to Cyburst.

Spitfire moved back, doing circles around Celestia, slashing at Celestia’s wings with her hoof, Celestia reached out for the Wonderbolt, grabbing Spitfire’s tail with her magic. Celestia lifted her up by it, and engulfed Spitfire with with all of her magic, swinging Spitfire around like a puppet, Spitfire had finally broke free, drawing a switchblade and cutting her enemies right wing, causing her to plummet towards the ground. Once Celestia had hit the ground, Spitfire turned around and tried to catch up to the other eight ponies.

“...This is a great time for dealing with Celestia...” Phoenix thought,  “...She was wounded from that battle...”

“No.” Cyburst thought back, “I’m not going for her. Not yet.”

“...Well why not?..” Phoenix asked, “...You won’t get a better chance than this one...”

“Because I want to inflict all the injuries that will lead to her downfall.” Cyburst replied, “I’ll let her heal, then, we’ll make her feel what I went through.”

Cyburst looked at the ever shrinking group of ponies flying away from Canterlot.

“We’re going to follow them.” Cyburst said as he started to walk.

“...Why?..” Phoenix said.

“Mirage is the only pony in that whole group I can’t remember where I’ve seen him before.”  Cyburst thought, “I have to figure it out.”

“...Then why aren’t we flying after them?..” Phoenix questioned.

“They might think we’re hostiles if they see us.” Cyburst replied.

Cyburst ran after them, magic keeping his adrenaline from falling. They were heading towards a desert-like area. In the distance he could see a small, western town. It looked heavily fortified because of barricades for the war. Large mountains of sandstone  loomed close to the town, withered away by the winds of erosion.  one of them was right over the town. The perfect place to watch anything that happened.

When Cyburst reached the town, he saw the town’s name on the entrance.

Appaloosa.

Cyburst knew that name too, but it didn’t make any sense. He started to scale the sandstone mountain. What was it that made the whole place feel familiar? The Smell? Nope. The old, western buildings? First time he saw those too. The Landscape. No... Wait, he hadn’t seen it in real life. The only place he’d seen it was...

“Oh dear.” Cyburst said when he got to the top of the mountain and looked down at the area.

It looked exactly like the Mosaic in the Temple.

Nine Elements start the war, one Element will end it.

“...This is getting interesting...” Phoenix said aloud.

“I know who you are, Mirage.”   Cyburst said with a grin on his face. “You’re one of the nine.”