Quiet Fire’s POV

Cloudchaser and I followed cautiously through the doorway. My eyes trained on General Lilac as the mare seemed to stumble a bit through the hall. Cloudchaser and I exchanged glances as we arrived to what appeared to be a wide open and massive throne room. At least, that’s what I assumed it had been before. The room was completely empty. Only steep stairs leading up to a rectangular level that expanded on both sides was the only thing aside from the symmetrical pillars holding the ceiling up that stood out.

General Lilac began ascending the steps before suddenly stopping and vomiting something fierce. Cloudchaser winced while I studied the mare.

“How long do you have left?” I asked suddenly. General Lilac panted and spat out her saliva before wiping her muzzle, eyeing me stoically.

“Not a concern for you or I. Being around this place will bound to give you something long enough.” She rasped as she shambled further up the steps. It was like she was about to collapse any minute. Din growled.

She’s better off dying to the malevolence. Don’t even think about lending a hoof! Din hissed venomously. I sighed through my snout.

‘We need her alive.’ I told Din.

We only need Lux’s vessel! Not this false bitch! Din spat. I ignored Din and withdrew a spare grandma’s secret recipe. I levitated it over to her, Cloudchaser eyeing this warily while General Lilac narrowed her eyes at the concoction.

“I really, really, really, really shouldn’t be doing this after what you’ve done. I should let you rot here and now. I’m not so much the demon you made me out to be. Yet…” I met her stoic expression with mine. “From one demon to another, we still have a score to settle and if I ever want negotiations to have any fraction of leverage for Equestria, then drink up.” I stated. To my surprise, General Lilac didn’t hesitate and chugged the whole bottle. It was hard to tell if she was pale or not, but it seemed some luster to her white coat and blonde mane returned. She tossed it aside and stood up, adjusting her uniform.

“I know why you are here. No need for formalities. Unfortunately, negotiations are at a stand still for Euclides at the moment.” She replied before turning around suddenly descending. Cloudchaser and I followed after her, pausing a bit to see a set of steps leading down to a pathway. We quickly caught up to General Lilac, who seemed to not mind us following her. My sense were still on high alert, however. When we reached the bottom of the steps, General Lilac stopped in front of a door, bowed her head and stamped her hoof three times before standing upright at attention. The sound of what was several locks and a whirring of a machine opened the door with a loud creak. When we stepped through, Cloudchaser and I had our eyes widen, jaws hung open in awe.

This was for sure Triad made. Marble and granite tiled flooring with what appeared to be theatre lights lining a stage with a long oak half oval desk. But what really stuck out were the massive monitors lining the wall behind the desk. Each screen having different displays. A map of our world, several news stations and only one belonging to Equestria. Some of the screens were black, static or rainbow toned. General Lilac stepped around the desk and sat in a massive black leather bound chair that was fit for a centaur. She leaned forward with her hooves in front of her, eyeing us.

“Well… this is quite not what was I expecting.” Cloudchaser spoke.

“Take it in while you can. This place is of no use to us anymore.” She said stoically. I narrowed my eyes.

“So why bring us here? What is all this?” I asked. General Lilac remained unmoving as she spoke.

“Central Intelligence Hub. At least, the master command.” She replied. “Here is where Euclidian eyes are relayed via air waves designed by our great nation to gather data and manipulate the consumers across our globe.” Cloudchaser looked uneasy.

“That can’t be good…” She said with a sigh. General Lilac leaned back in her chair.

“Through civilian eyes, perhaps. But it is vital and necessary to relay the information as to keep the markets in check.” She explained.

“And war efforts?” I asked with a frown and a raise of my brow.

“I did say markets, demon.” She said, turning around in her chair. I clicked my tongue.

“And what market is there against Equestria if you are so abundant in resources?” I challenged. General Lilac scoffed.

“It’s not a war of attrition. Nor a war to claim any. It is a war against ideals. One that has long since coming.” She replied. Cloudchaser growled.

“Injecting a tyrant king’s magic blood into creatures, using them as mindless slaves, throwing your own ponies into the fray over something they cannot define anymore. What crappy ideal is there to have all this pointless bloodshed?!” Cloudchaser exclaimed, snorting angrily from her snout. “The amount of ponies we saw fall at our hooves under your orders is beyond forgivable!! The amount of disharmony caused by your agents putting the lives of our world in danger! How are you and your damned queen so blind to the apocalyptic fate we are trying to prevent!!?” General Lilac only returned a cold, sharp stoic expression.

“You still know nothing.” She calmly said. I had to quickly hold Cloudchaser back as she angrily tried to rush her.

“CC, no! Think about Flitter!” I pleaded to her. Cloudchaser growled.

“It’s because of this bitch that I think about her life all the time!! Don’t preach about us knowing nothing when you can’t even control your own damn nation!!” She retorted angrily. General Lilac remained uncaringly stoic, eyeing us.

"A necessary act for the soon to be conflict." She stated. Cloudchaser put on a burst of strength I didn't think she was capable of. But thankfully, Din naturally amplifying my own strength allowed me to keep her in check. General Lilac stood up suddenly. “Have you ever stopped to think for a moment what ideals can be? How much they drive a creature to near self-destruction? How it can change the world far more than a natural primal? How easily the wills that can bend the rules and laws as they see fit for their own benefit? Why it takes two to tango a whole nation as it was their birthright? Our great nation of Euclides, allied with our brother nation Fenice, making this tango a suarae. Against the day and the night who have so childishly abused their responsibilities. That is merely the tip of the ice berg our world has struggled with. Or more so the root of the tree in this regard.” Lilac narrowed her eyes coldly at us.

“We are not blind to the state our realm is in. Our great Queen Sonata has been around as long as your rulers, after all.” I furrowed my look to confusion. Cloudchaser finally eased and landed on the ground, her tail whipping angrily, however. I stepped forward.

“So then… why not have Sonata talk to Celestia and Luna? Why go through all this trouble? So many lives lost all over a feud of responsibilities” I began. It then dawned on me. Lilac studied my realization. She then whistled and as if out of the shadows, Trid armed ponies cantered out of hiding. Cloudchaser and I faced them, readying ourselves as they lined up in rows. There were at least thirty Triad here. About as much as they usually have when swarming us.

However, they looked… off. How could I put it? Dealing with the Triad for so long, I would expect iron wills and insane ideals clashing with the old creed. Yet… they seem to exhibit an aura of… respect? Of loyalty? It was hard to explain. General Lilac walked around the desk and stood between us. My senses were on high alert, yet for all the strange reasons. There was no killing intent from any of these ponies, imposing and out numbered we maybe. On top of that, the Triad’s second in command is casually uncaring about us being here.

“Bring forth Flitter Glider and Xanthaba.” She ordered sternly and commanding. The Triad ponies stepped aside to allow two ponies to walk forward. The heir to Roam and our friend Flitter Glider.

“Sis!” Cloudchaser called out before flying down the steps and over to her. The mare still had the blackened veins running through her and remained unmoving as Cloudchaser hugged her and studied her. “It’s alright! I’m here now!” She said.

“Futile.” General Lilac said. “The blood of the tyrant has already taken her over. It’ll take a lot of will power for her to come back.” Cloudchaser shivered with anger, tears welling in her eyes as she then proceeded to hug Flitter tightly. I felt my blood boil and faced Lilac.

“I know what you are going to say, demon. But from one demon to another, it is necessary for her to be in the state she is in.” Lilac then turned her head to face me. “We did not expect a pet project to be as it is. With great effect I might add. If Sombra was half the king he claimed himself to be, he would have completely overthrown even our great nation. Fortunately, a one-track mind is all that was going for him.” She then pointed at Flitter. “But with a new king, then that power could be of great use.” I shook my head.

“You’re sick in the head… Flitter didn’t deserve any of this.” I hissed. Lilac rose an unamused brow.

“She is just as much as deserving a punishment as everypony else you’ve come across.” Lilac coldly remarked. I heard Din began to cackle. Screw pleasantries. This is pissing me off. I lashed out my hoof in an attempt to punch her, but to my shock, she moved insanely quick. Almost like a snake, she slipped under and around me before locking her hooves around me and brought me to the ground, burying a knee into my neck at the same time of locking her hind legs around me and her forelegs pinning me from moving.

Lilac rasped a little, as if this action exerted some energy she had been saving up. I struggled, but her viper like hold completely shut down even Din’s passive strength.

“And here I thought you were the rational one.” Lilac panted, looking pale again. Lilac then felt a tap on her shoulder and she looked up to see three of my clones aim their halberds at her. She blinked before letting me go with her hooves raised. I stood up and cracked my neck before facing her.

“Alright, enough of this.” I began. “Where is Queen Sonata? Why doesn’t she have any say in this??” I pointed at Lilac. “I didn’t come all this way to be told that nothing can be done! Bull! You’re her second in command and yet you made too many mistakes that it is even a wonder you are still considered her top general!” I growled. My clones held their halberds close to Lilac as she stood up and dusted herself off.

“Nuance, demon. Like I said. You don’t know anything.” She simply replied.

“Then tell me!!” I shouted. “Euclides had every ample opportunity to make their pleas or issues known long before any of this!! So why haven’t you?! What is so important an ideal that it is right to throw us into more danger than what we are dealing with?! Why use the damned apocalypse as an excuse to now have beef with Princess Celestia and Luna?! Why all the blood shed?! Why must our nations suffer under the damned world?!” General Lilac coldly met my look. Suddenly, the air grew intensely chilly. Cloudchaser gasped and backed away as from the shadows emerged the cloaked figure.

The figure glided up next to Flitter and leaned into her ear, whispering something. I faced the creature and aimed my halberd.

“Who are you?! What eldritch horror did you spawn from?!” I demanded. The figure ignored me and proceeded to whisper into the heir’s ear. The two mares slumped, their expressions darkening underneath their bangs. General Lilac stood at attention as the figure then glided past Cloudchaser, the mare shivering and growing pale. I narrowed my eyes at the advancing figure. It stopped at the bottom of the steps. I heard Din shifting restlessly inside my mind. The figure placed an arm at its’ chest and bowed gently.

”At last, the bearer of the Creation Mother’s wish. Tis an honor to finally meet after all this time.” Din suddenly said, straining to get control of her own voice. A chill of death bristled my coat as the words, despite coming out of Din’s mouth, paralyzed me to attention. The figure rose its’ head, the features indiscernible under the hood. ”Were it be that time was on my side. I would have welcomed thee proper.” I don’t know why I was trembling. What the hell is wrong with me?! I should be resistant to eldritch influence enough to not be hindered!

The struggled gasps of Din from in my mind told me otherwise. What is this thing?! Seeing as I was struggling to calm myself, the creature began to glide up the stairs before stopping halfway and turning to the terrified Triad troops. A sharp pain stabbed at my head as the creature rose its’ arms and addressed the room.

”Rejoice upon this, for thy world shall be saved. As is what your queen intended to the end.” The creature whispered loudly through us. Several Triad troops seemed to faint from the words. I grit my teeth in struggle to free myself of my paralysis. ”Rejoice. For the realm shall become one. Where none shall turn their backs upon another and hail to your new king.” Flitter and the heir jolted and rose their heads. When they opened their eyes, the pupils were red, the scalers green accompanied by black tendrils at the ends of their eyes.

“You think to rule me?!” Flitter and the heir suddenly spoke in unison. The voice was… different. Raspy and a bit haughty. The creature lowered its’ arms and faced the two. “You are out of line, peon! King Sombra does no bidding for no creature!” My eyes widened as the Triads that had fainted stood back up, the blackened veins snaking through their bodies and their eyes mimicking Flitter’s. Flitter stepped forward and gave a condescending side-ways look at Cloudchaser.

“F-Flitter?” She asked. Flitter looked down at herself and frowned.

“To put me in the body of a mare. Weakening me at my lowest are we, General Lilac?” She scoffed. General Lilac narrowed her eyes.

“The symbiote speaks…? That mad doctor did it…” She quietly marveled. This snapped me out of my paralysis and along with Din’s anger, fire began to flare up into walls, trapping us all in a straight hall.

“Enough of this!!” Din’s voice rang out with mine. All eyes were on me, save for the creature who seemed to find Flitter intriguing. Din’s eyes and mine fell upon the figure’s back. Despite Din’s voice echoing mine, I was in control. “I’m tired of all these goose chases, secrets and not knowing a damned thing about anything!! Where is Lux?!? Where is Queen Moonlight Sonata!!?” Din took over. “How dare you deny me my rite!!!”

The hooded figure looked slightly over its’ shoulder to us.

”Deny? On the contrary. I will not hinder your rite of ascension. I only merely bask in the folly that is mortal kind.” The figure spoke through me suddenly. I felt sickened. As if I had no control over myself. The figure faced me. ”The time of the stars is at hand. Long have we’ve waited for our lord. Our savior. To bequeath onto us a boon a millennia in the making. One that’ll fit you right into the throne of the World Serpent itself. As intended.” The hooded figure slowly gesture a robed arm at me. ”You merely need naught but shed the coil binding you to this forsaken realm. Untie the bonds keeping you close to the other stars.” Din snorted and spat an ember from my mouth.

“You dare me to believe you have my best interest?! Hah! You forget what you deal with, Highest Evil!” Din caused me to grin challengingly. The figure brought its’ robed arms together and bowed its’ head.

”How long has it been to hear that title? One so tarnished by even itself? Nay, I am merely the scion tasked to bring upon the welcome that is my lord.” I coughed as the creature spoke through me. It then rose its’ head and removed the hood. My eyes widened.

“Look away!!” I called out hurriedly. Eldritch being is indeed what you would call it. Would that the eyes had any definition to them. Even with my primal resistance to eldritch beings, my mind was struggling to make sense of what I was seeing. Dark smoke wisped and fumed out of orafices I didn’t think existed on a body, let alone… whatever kind of body it had. My mind was trying to piece together the being in a way it could understand, but couldn’t. How could it exist? Why is such a thing capable of even existing?? Am I…? Am I… apart of it? So many emotions flowed through me that I couldn’t help but start to chuckle, hoping to latch onto an emotion that would make sense.

I then felt a soothing warmth and my mind grew clearer. I froze and blinked in confusion. Din’s eyes took over mine and I faced the creature. The head took the shape of a draconis. Something my mind could tolerate the sense of. The dragon like face stoic and unmoving seemed to chuckle a bit.

“Fie??” I heard Cloudchaser say.

“Don’t look at it, Cloudchaser!!” I replied to her, keeping Din’s eyes focused on it. Flitter gave a disgusted look.

“Hmph. Such a grotesque being. I grow tired of waiting.” She then looked to General Lilac, whose eyes were shining brightly in a similar manner to mine. She too was comprehending the being. “I will thank you for spreading my influence across Equestria, dear general. Now my reign will not only expand Equestria, but the whole realm!” Flitter then looked down at herself. “And preferably into a stronger and suitable body by the time I overthrow Celestia and Luna.” Cloudchaser spun to face Flitter, keeping herself focused on her possessed sister than the being close by.

“Give me back my sister!” She growled. Flitter eyed Cloudchaser uncaringly.

“Believe me, filly. I would glad to expunge this body. An array of suitable hosts lie before me. However…” Flitter then smirked and met my look. “I wouldn’t mind a mare’s body brimming with power.” The being shifted and shook its’ head.

”Yield thyselves.” It said. Everypony, including me and Cloudchaser, who wasn’t even trying to acknowledge the being, all stood at attention. The creature locked eyes with me. ”Thy body is yours to see fit. Tainted by mortal desire it shall not.” It then held its’ arms out open to me, as if welcoming me into a hug. ”Be it as it may, to be one with balance, one must shed their mortal foil as I have. Tis a glorious process. Your star, one burning brighter than that of Gallion’s sun, is welcomed amongst our kin. Shall it suite you the soon to be queen of all living things.” Din made a hum.

“Tempting offer. However, my victory is by my own hooves. I would not see my work squandered by a squid.” Din cackled. Her eagerness to squash the creature was stronger than the influence. “The Highest Evil shall stand no chance as it has long ago! It will be my victory alone!” The creature by wed its’ head, shivering as if it was mimicking a cackle.

”Ever the one to challenge more than she can face. You certainly have our kin’s attention far more than you please it to be.” It replied through me.

“I’ll rip all one thousand hearts out of them even if it takes me till the end of time itself. None shall stand in my way!” Din growled. The creature shook its’ head slowly before turning to face the others. I glanced at General Lilac quickly. The mare was quiet. As if it was taking every ounce of her strength to keep whatever resistance she has going. Sad as it was, she did seem at the end of her life. The creature threw open its’ arms out.

”Face me, mortals! Look upon what my lord hath given unto you!” It shouted through me. I noticed Flitter’s eyes widened as she tried her best to fight against the urge. Cloudchaser too was struggling. The Triad ponies, however, looked and their eyes widened in terror. Despite under the control of Sombranite, the creature’s was stronger. My body froze, unable to move. This was getting out of hoof. Everypony will go insane at this rate.

‘We have to do something!’ I thought to Din.

Tis taking my own strength to keep you from its’ influence! Figure something out yourself! You can move! Din growled angrily in response. I fought with all my will I could muster, only able to turn to my right. The creature was basking in the mortal’s struggle, the Triads beginning to cackle like mad ponies as they began to spout nonsense and incomprehensible babble.

“You… think you can… tame me?!” I heard Flitter growl. I glanced over to her, seeing her step one hoof forward and as instantly as it happened, the creature was then encased in a tight cage of black crystals. I felt my body release and tumbled forward. I shook away my daze as my hood flopped over onto my head. Adjusting it as I stood up, I looked to see Flitter smirking as crystals began to overtake Din’s fire. “Worthless eldritch abomination! I didn’t spend years in the ethereal realm to be commanded of anything!! I am King Sombra! And I have risen once again!!” Flitter hovered around the crystal and faced us. Her eyes fell on a pale General Lilac. “Hmph. A fool to the end. Let me have you realize something. All those tests. All those theories and discussions. It’s nothing to what I’m truly capable of.”

Flitter landed and began to walk up the stairs towards us in a haughty manner.

“I could hear all. See all. And with your help of spreading my influence far and wide, I don’t need for this Triad’s use anymore! Face it. Your regal of a nation is no more! Pony Land rightfully belongs to I, King Sombra!” Flitter laughed. General Lilac stood up and swayed a little. Her eyes then glowed a violet blue. My jaw dropped at how quickly the mare moved, despite looking like she was on the verge of death any moment. Sombra possessed Flitter didn’t know what had happened either. Flitter slumped and General Lilac stood behind her, facing the Triad still struggling with their sanity.

“Ilk va’ah sugetha!” She shouted loudly and clearly. Cloudchaser backed away as the Triad ponies suddenly stopped and faced her slowly. They then stood at attention. Din and I were lost now. So many things are happening at once and not a damned thing is making anymore sense than it is! Lilac stood over the unconscious Flitter, her cold eyes looking between the troops. Cloudchaser rushed over to Lilac, facing her inna readied stance and eyeing between her and Flitter.

I was about to say something when the black crystals suddenly began to seep out black smoke. I felt Din slump and groan in annoyance. As if on cue, I felt Din and I speak.

”How clever. Such a language spoken clearly of mortal tongue. Some mortal has been doing their homework.” The creature spoke. ”However. No mere magic or physical object of any material can halt me in any way.” The crystals shattered and the creature emerged from the smoke. Din was quick to throw up her barriers while Lilac’s eyes widened. Cloudchaser froze and remained gazing at Lilac. She glanced worriedly at me. ”Ahhh. Such a wonder how mortals continue to fight against something they have no chance of winning against. Even with present company, destined to ascend the throne would hinder the greatest wish.” The creature looked at me. ”Go forth, Star of Fire! Go, and ascend beyond the World Serpent itself! You will bring forth a joy my lord has desired since their institution!” Din growled through my throat and broke control.

“Eat a bull’s balls, abomination!!” Din rasped through me, her eyes focused on the creature. “I’ve worked far too hard to be goaded into sating a blasphemous evil! If the Highest Evil plans an audience, I’d be happy to oblige with my hooves and the wrath of my stars!! I command thee, grovel and beg!! Your lord will join you!!” Time seems to be suspended on itself. No creature moved. None breathed. I would like to say that this entire meeting settles in a manner I am familiar with. I would like to say how we had saved Flitter from Sombra and General Lilac. I would have dreamed to have settled all of this here and now.

Yet, the stars are as childish as a newborn foal. The castle ceiling caved in and time slowed. My eyes widened in shock as did the others. The creature, however, slowly looked up. A massive metallic head of a serpentine dragon grinned as it emerged from above. At the top of the head, nestled in what appears to be a cockpit, was Thi Billet, wrestling with Lo Mien. Beneath them was a panicked zebra who I recognized as Xena in Vanhoover. Time sped up as the metallic head crashed loudly, enveloping the throne room in dust and rubble.

I covered my face as the wind blew past us. A cold breeze blew into the room followed by rain and dust. When the dust cleared, I looked to see Thi stir and tumble out of cockpit. She was dawning a strange golden armor with a white should scarf around her. She groaned and rubbed her head. Xena climbed out of the cockpit, disoriented. Thi looked over and saw me. She smiled tiredly and waved before standing up. Somehow, I was glad that Thi was here suddenly. My eyes then fell at the bottom of the head. A robed arm was sticking out from under, purple substances seeping out from under.

Din sat down on her haunches and crossed her forelegs.

Damn, I’m good. She smirked. I wasn’t sure how to respond to any of this. However, I didn’t need to as one last trick was put in motion. The floor began to crack, snaking out from under the head. I slumped and sighed.

“Why cruel world?” I groaned. The ground gave way and every creature, including the metallic head, began to fall into the hole. Cloudchaser was the first to react. She quickly recovered in the air and zipped downward, snatching Flitter away from a tumbling Lilac, who recovered herself and once again showed surprising spryness as she kicked off the rocks and floated over to the cockpit. She grabbed the heir along the way and sealed themselves in the head. Thi twisted her body and began to spring downward, weaving a net and catching Lo Mien and Xena, leaving me and Din to recover ourselves and halt our fall once she unfurled her wings.

Unfortunately, the Triad ponies were still in free fall. I was dumbfounded, only snapping out of it at the sound of a loud crash. I looked over to Cloudchaser. She met my look and then exchanged it with Thi. I nodded to them and went over to help Thi, slinging Lo Mien over her back and Xena over mine as we descended quickly down the hole. Upon arriving near the end, a blue glowing hue with a shimmering light began to grow higher and higher. From the dust, we saw the metallic head of the dragon sparking and shattered. Around it were the bodies of the Triad.

I used Din’s eyes to make out more. Was there a… white rug underneath the head? As we got closer and closer, our eyes were drawn to our left and my eyes widened. A spacious dome room with water surrounding a strange pillar of monitors and tubes. Whatever the pillar was was breathing, rapping together and hissing steam. We landed and faced the contraption. It reached the very tip of the dome. The murky green water surrounding it still and unmoving. Taking a quick look around, I could make out tall and bulky devices with screens portraying what appeared to be vital signs of… somepony?

Thi and Cloudchaser stood next to me.

“What… is all this?” Thi asked suddenly. Our heads turned over our shoulders as the loud hiss of the cockpit opened up and out came General Lilac with the heir on her back. She swayed a bit before facing us. Her eyes seemingly glowing brighter to match the hue of the room. She limped forward and we spun around to ready ourselves. However, as she got closer, she then walked past us without any acknowledgment. We followed the mare as she walked further before stopping at the edge of the platform. She lowered the heir off her back and began to cough.

Blood coated her hoof. Thi stepped forward at the same time Din gasped.

Lux… Din growled. I quickly reached out and tugged Thi’s scarf. She looked to me and I shook my head. General Lilac slumped, her breathing raspy and weak.

“Mother… I pray ask for forgiveness of this sudden intrusion. This body is no longer capable of vigor and endurance. I grow… tired.” She said suddenly. “But… I have a new body. One that is younger. Healthier. Able to share the burden you bare. That vile cretin has sucked ever bit of life from me. But my faith… as is your daughter… remains firm and true to you.” I noticed Thi shake angrily.

“The hell is this, Lilac?! What have you and Sonata been plotting?!” She said. I used Din’s eyes. Big mistake. I was suddenly flash banged by distortion and sounds resembling screams. Din hissed.

Fie… this instability… Din growled once more. I nodded. The intensity of it caused me to kneel a bit.

“Fie?” Cloudchaser asked worriedly. I gave back Din’s eyes and panted, pushing myself up.

“Hahh… The instability… It’s almost as if this place is going to collapse in on itself…” I rasped. Thi grit her teeth.

“Lilac!!” She called out. The mare remained facing the device. There was a loud groaning sound and clanking that echoed around us. The device suddenly dropped and melted into the ground. Several turns of the monitors and tubes began to excrete light as a crystal rose from the ground. We could make out the silhouette of a pony. No… not just a pony. An alicorn. It was as if she was suspended in time and stasis. Pure white as snow, majestic wings and a blue mane. Thi narrowed her eyes. Suddenly, Lo Mien shifted from her back.

Weakly, she looked ahead with one eye. I was amazed that she was still fighting the influence of Sombranite.

“I… got in too… deep…” she rasped. Thi looked over her shoulder.

“What? What is all this? What are you not telling me??” Thi asked. Lo tiredly met her look.

“Trottingham… Serum… Soul Transferring…” She coughed. “Had to… find out more…” Thi narrowed her eyes. I saw guilt cross her expression before hearing the sound of mechanical stirring. Lo Mien coughed and held out a hoof. “Stop… her…!” She winced in pain. Without thinking I laid Xena on the ground and galloped past Thi, aiming for Lilac. My hooves left the ground, pouncing on her. Yet, I felt a sharp sting across my cheek and I went tumbling and rolling to the side, landing on my hooves and rubbing my cheek.

My eyes fixated on Lilac, my jaw dropping as she had rose to her hind legs and got into a stance that not even my mentor could have perfectly pulled off. She balanced herself on one hindleg, keeping her other hind leg up in front of her while one foreleg slouched and the other curled at her chest. She coldly returned my stare. Din cackled.

Good! I was hoping she would put up a fight!! We can wipe the floor with her! Put her out of her misery, Fie! Din smacked her hooves together with a wide taunting grin. The floor shook and suddenly split away from the room. Thi balked.

“Fie!” She called out.

“Do whatever you have to, Thi! But don’t worry about me!” I called back as I got up into my bi-pedal stance and began bobbing. Din growled.

Forget honor, idiot!! This bitch needs to die!! She snapped. I shook my head.

“We’re here to stop a war, Din. Save your energy for Lux and Sonata.” I replied stoically. She replied with an annoyed grumble and remained quiet. Lilac narrowed her eyes slightly at me. I noticed blood trickling from the side of her muzzle, but she spat it out and motioned for me to attack. I'm now curious as to what she is trying to get out of this. Regardless, I'm not one to back out from a martial display. Considering she's one leg, she must be counter attentive. I then bounded towards her on my two hindelegs, an uncomfortable looking sight from a spectator's view. She lashed out her leg and hopped back, striking me square in the chin. I bit my tongue to keep myself focused and leaned forward. She lashed out her leg again, but this time I shifted my head slightly and swiped at her hind leg. She hopped over and I felt the world spin along with my body. I stumbled back and shook away my daze, only to hold up my forelegs to block her sudden strikes of kicks. A style using only hindlegs?

I felt a small grin creep up and Din seemed attentive to this urge of curiosity. She broke through my block and hit me square in the chest, causing me to stumble back again before she hopped and spun her body around, bringing a heavy strike downward on me. I caught it with a curl of my foreleg and twirled her in the air. I was again surprised at how well she was adapting as she chambered her hindlegs with the motions. When I thought I had her after a few strikes, she then hit me a sudden slug across the cheek with her forehoof. Next thing I knew, I was now blocking and weaving through jab punches and kicks.

'Dammit, what kind of fighting style is this!?' I thought in frustration as I was unable to get a good clean hit. When I returned a kick of my own, she once again surprised me. I'm not sure how she got the momentum, but time slowed as she flipped over my kick, keeping her cold, stoic eyes on me. She then tripped me and I landed hard on my back. I balked and quickly rolled away as she stamped a hindhoof down on the ground, the clop resonating with the room. I stood up and got back into my stance. "Interesting style... where'd you learn it?" I asked, curious now. Lilac casually dusted her suite and adjusted her hat before taking the stance.

"Ancient alicorn technique lost to time." She simply said. I blinked and tilted my head. The sudden sound of whirring machines snapped me out of my confusion as I looked to see the silhouette of the alicorn in the crystal. Her eyes were open, glowing. As if watching us. Lilac looked to the figure and a concerned look fell over her before quickly vanishing with the cold stoic. She then faced me and got back in her stance. "Very well, your highness. I will deal with this one personally." My eyes widened as I saw her mane suddenly glow and become light along with her tail. Her eyes turned a hue of glossy white and black slit pupils focused on me. From behind her, angelic looking wings unfurled, spreading the feathers around us. Din cackled and stood up, mimicking my stance.

Now this is going to be fun. She laughed excitably. I felt a warmth surround me. The whirring of the room grew louder, and steam started to whistle from the walls. I'm not sure exactly what is going on, unfortunately, as Lilac made the first move. As quick as light itself, she was primed to strike. Din caught her movement and weaved under the kick, jabbing a hoof out and striking her in the side. She winced and hopped back, keeping her stance. I felt myself grin and my eyes glanced at the crystal. Watch me, sister. As I crush your sickly little bird!

Thi Billet’s POV

Fie and Lilac clashed with their hooves from afar. I was planning on jumping into help, but something else caught my attention. The sound of struggling to my right made me look over to see Cloudchaser wrestling with Flitter.

“Unhoof me, peasant!!” Flitter snarled. Cloudchaser planted her hind hooves into the stoned floor and pushed back.

“Release my sister!!” She growled back. Flitter grinned.

"Provide me a suitable body!! Tis all I ask!" She cackled. I glared at the possessed Flitter. Lo Mien coughed and slid off of my back, nearly stumbling. She then weakly reached to her suite zipper, pulling the zipper down to expose her chest before she reached in and shakily withdrew a syringe. It then dropped from her hoof and she fell onto her side, gasping for breath. I saw the black veins begin to pulse. Flitter rose in the air and bucked Cloudchaser away before looking back at the fallen Triads.

“Arise, minions!! Serve your king, even in death!!” She reached out to the bodies. My eyes widened at the sight of the mangled and crooked bodies of the Triad that were with us moments ago rise from the ground. Their dead, glazed eyes glossed with green with black tendrils out the side of their eyes. They turned to face us, as if puppets on a string and began to shamble. Cloudchaser crackled Hercules’s gauntlet, darting her eyes worriedly between her sister and the ponies. I was about to move to help her when I felt something lock my foreleg in place. I looked down and saw Lo Mien struggling to move her free foreleg.

She tapped the syringe and weakly pointed at Flitter. I studied Lo Mien briefly. The agonizing pain she must be feeling… I can’t help but have a shot of guilt wash over me. How many have I let suffer at my own hooves in a similar manner? I snapped out of my daze and with my magic, scooped up the syringe and rushed over to Flitter. Flitter scoffed with a taunting grin and took to the sky. I flicked my head down and sprang upward towards her. However, before I could tackle Flitter, she quickly swept her wing to disorient me, hovering away. Cloudchaser, however, followed closely and with a quick flap of her wings, tackled her sister. The two began to wrestle in the air. I held the syringe in my magic, hesitating as I didn't want to hit Cloudchaser.

"Cloudchaser, hold her still!" I called out. The two sisters were beginning to flutter further and further from me, struggling with each other. Unfortunately, they had positioned themselves over the possessed ponies. My gaze fell to Lo Mein, who was writhing in agony, fighting to keep herself in control. My eyes widened, seeing Xena canter over her and rushed me.

Quiet Fire's POV

I stumbled back after a quick strike across my cheek, quickly recovering and blocking the next flurry of kicks from the Triad general. Bobbing and weaving in and out of strikes, I did what I could to try and land a few of my own on her. Strike, dodge, strike, strike, strike, dodge, dodge, dodge, back and forth between us. The sickly mare, in a moment of vulnerability, stumbled and allowed me to give a burning hoof punch directly onto her muzzle, sending her spiraling to the ground. I quickly reset myself into my stance, my forehooves roaring with Din’s flames.

“Give up, Lilac. You’re in no way fit to keep this going.” I stated coldly. Lilac coughed up blood and shakily stood up. Wiping her muzzle, she glared at me and proceeded to get back into her stance. I was beginning to feel pity for this mare. "Why all of this? What are you fighting for?" I asked, readying myself. Lilac said nothing. She rasped as she rolled her hind leg out in front of her. I slumped a little and began to rush her. Right as I was about to deliver my strike and her about to retaliate, there was a loud whistle overhead that caused me to stop and look up. Lilac remained unmoved but slowly turned her head to the crystal. The machine was going crazy that the whole earth was shaking. I followed Lilac’s gaze and my look narrowed.

The crystal began to crack, light pouring from it. The silhouette of the alicorn inside lit up, the eyes opening, and a bright light washed over the whole room. The crystal shattered. In that instance, the world seemed to slow. The crystal pieces sparkled and shimmered in a prismatic manner, the light reflecting like a spinning lamp for a foal. From one of the reflections of the crystal, a majestic alicorn spread her wings. A long, flowing blue mane almost similar to our princesses. A coat of pure white and eyes that sparkled like dewed kissed roses. The alicorn landed like an angel descending from the heavens. With a quick swish of her head, a cold rush of magical air washed over us, dispersing the instability in the area instantly. In my mind, I felt Din's excitedness. Her grin widening beyond a twisted maniac. Our eyes met and the world melted around us.

We were surrounded by bright Olympian pillars, a plastered, shining mosaic floor beneath us covered by colorful stained-glass lighting as if we were in a chapel. Yet, my eyes remained focused on the alicorn. She wasn't as tall as Celestia. But it didn't matter with the aura she was giving off. Imposing. Regal. Cold. Uncaring. Her red rose eyes judging me intensely with a hint of curiosity. She unfurled her wings in a display similar to how Celestia would when addressing her subjects professionally. Din appeared in a swirl of fire, stepping out from it and grinning uncontrollably at the alicorn.

Come on, then... Come on!! She hissed with gleeful eagerness as she began to pace like a predator stalking its' prey. I've waited too long for this! The only thing standing in my way of ascension! With you crushed under my hooves, nothing will stop me!! Din stopped and reared up, stamping on the mosaic ground and cracking it. Bring her out here!! Bring me the bitch who has been shirking her privileges! She has a lot to answer for!! The alicorn didn't bat an eye. She eyed Din with no amusement. I had to shield my eyes with my sleeve as a ray of light shone down around us. Peeking out from under, I saw a corporeal form of an alicorn form from above before landing in a bow. When Lux rose, she shifted her wings and scraped the ground with a hoof.

Tis been too long... dear sister. Lux spoke. Her voice was soothing. Motherly. Eerily serene. Din didn't hesitate. In a blink of an eye, Lux swished her head as Din locked horns with her. The collision causing a rush of wind and shook the ground. Din hissed, a bit of foam frothing from her muzzle as she bared her sharp fangs and snake like tongue. Din shook as if she was putting all her might into making Lux yield. Yet, Lux remained unmoving. In fact, she didn't even seem bothered at all. She deftly flicked her head and Din was thrown onto her side. The hot headed primal sprang to her hooves and charged again, fire flowing from her horn and swirled around her, clashing with Lux again and letting the flames whip and lash out at her. Lux, however, shielded herself in a light barrier, the light rippling from each impact. Din proceeded to punch fiercely at the barrier, the impact pushing Lux just a little. Lux gave a warm smile before shattering her barrier the moment Din swung, shifting herself to cause Din to stumble forward. Lux then swished her wing, poking Din in both her eyes (she hissed and reeled back) before Lux's horn glowed, forming a strange looking glimmering blade. In a graceful form of a dance, Din was suddenly sliced to ribbons, her limbs and body cut into neat cubes. My jaw dropped as she then entrapped Din's filleted bits into a neat ball with her magic and hummed curiously. A singular eye from Din focused on her, struggling to do anything.

Tis good to see nothing has changed. And yet... Lux's eyes met mine. Times certainly are heading that way. I readied myself. This is it. I've come this far for this very moment. And yet...

"We have other concerns, Lux." Sonata spoke. "Our quarry can wait. Do you sense that abomination?" The soft glowing alicorn nodded softly.

Seems our protege is currently suffering her fate. Lux responded. Sonata's eyes narrowed softly but her expression remained uncaring.

"She served her purpose. Tis only fair I give her what she desires. But first..." Sonata met my eyes. "I have been asleep for far too long. Tell me. What hath become of our fair nation?" She asked. I growled quietly behind my teeth.

"A lot of stuff you have to answer for..." I replied coldly. Sonata shifted into a frown.

"Then perhaps an appropriate means of quarters is in order." She said. Lux smiled and levitated the neatly cubed pieces of Din over to me. I took her in my magic, Din muffling angrily in what I can only imagine is a variety of swears and insults at anypony in particular. The area around us melted and I blinked, finding myself staring at Lilac, who slumped and fell onto her stomach, coughing uncontrollably. Blood spilled out the side of her muzzle as she rasped and weakly looked up at Sonata.

The alicorn stepped down and walked over to Lilac. She stopped and unfurled her wings in a display of royalty.

“Remember thy oath.” She simply said. Lilac rasped and struggled to stand up. I was amazed how grandma’s secret recipe hadn’t healed this mare at all. Lilac’s legs shook as she stood up and when she was able to stand up, she gave a salute to Sonata. Sonata’s flowing blue mane glowed and shimmered in a prismatic fashion and her eyes glowed brightly. Lilac’s eyes widened. I felt my dumbfounded expression turn disgusted as a wispy smoke escaped her mouth. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and her body fell onto her side.

In front of Sonata, a wispy orb hovered. Sonata brought the orb close to her and seemed to give it a soft kiss before using a hoof to wave the orb into her chest. My eyes narrowed when Sonata looked ahead, stepping over the bow lifeless body of Lilac. I followed her gaze.

Thi Billet’s POV

I hissed in pain as I did my best to avoid Xena. Her jabs to keep me defensive were starting to get annoying. How is it that everypony knows kung-fu but me? I tried to swing at her, only for her to deftly lock a hoof around my leg, strike me a couple of times before throwing me over her. I landed on my back with an “oof”, having barely anytime to avoid a stamp of her hoof on my head. I couldn’t breathe through my snout. She grinded her hoof over the bridge of my muzzle, causing me to writhe in muffle pain under her.

When she removed her hoof, she stepped back and got into a stance. I rasped and coughed, my body trying to clear my air ways as I weakly stood up. She did a number on me. I looked out of one swollen eye, seeing that Cloudchaser and Flitter were no longer over the crowd of ponies that were in a trance like state.

‘If they haven’t moved, then CC is still keeping Sombra occupied enough. Hang in there, girls.’ I thought, spitting out saliva and blood. “Xena… Are you satisfied?” I coughed. Xena remained silent. What was I expecting? The black veins under her eyes and on her neck pulsed softly. I flicked my tail softly, feeling the hidden syringe to ensure it is still there. Xena readied herself before dashing towards me. I rushed her and swiftly avoided a buck, catching her and using my weight, forcing her onto the ground.

I proceeded to wrestle with her, taking a few pot shots with my hoof, but the zebra was much nimbler than I expected. She quickly batted away my hoof and jabbed me in the chest several times. It felt like being hit with a flurry rocks. It was also becoming hard to breathe, causing me to rear up. I realized then what I was set up into.

'Oh buck...' I felt my hooves leave the ground and went rolling away from her. Xena spun back around and got into her stance. I felt the wind leave me. 'Fie... I'm glad you only got me to clean up a hotel as punishment.' I wiped my muzzle, my brain racing with what to do. A strong temptation to just use the syringe on Xena to get her to calm down. 'But...' My eyes darted around. Where did the sister's go? As if on que, I saw two lilac blurs zip down from the opened ceiling above us. They crash landed right into the destroyed cock pit of Excelsior, Cloudchaser pinning Flitter in the seat, panting for breath. Flitter snarled and squirmed under her, trying to wrest free of her sister's hold.

"You are a persistent mare! If only I had my power returned, I'd bind all of you in chains!" Flitter roared angrily. Cloudchaser grunted as she placed a hoof down onto Flitter's face.

"Shut up! Any more words out of my sister's mouth with your snake tongue and I'll-" She began before Flitter laughed.

"Or you'll what, my little pony?" Flitter grinned from under Cloudchaser's hoof. "Cut it out?? Hehehehe! Poor you! All feather's ruffled at the very mare you call your sister. Have you've ever realized how she feels about being useless? How much that you and the others are always off in the frontlines while she’s left on the sidelines!” Flitter chided. Cloudchaser growled and rose her voice in rebuttal.

“Lies! Flitter and I have had plenty of talks!! She knows her limits and always makes sure I’m knowing my own! She’s the one always keeping me in check! I can count on her bringing me back! And I’ll do the same for her!” Cloudchaser spat. Flitter gave a smug grin.

“Perhaps you don’t know your sister quite that well.” She chuckled. Cloudchaser snapped.

“A tyrant like you doesn’t know what a pony wants… You enslaved your people! Don’t even begin to try anything! Now… release my sister….” She said lowly.

I was hesitant. Xena was waiting for me to try anything, eyeing me coldly. Lo Mien, I hoped, had only passed out and our only means of getting out of here alive is separated from us. What do I do? Now, I am a pony who feels that the unexpected is always something to prepare for. No unwanted variables. At least, working to lessen the extremity of that value I hold close. So imagine my chagrin when a brilliant light nearly blinded everypony in the room.

Looking past my foreleg, I saw Fie walking forward, her eyes fixated and expression serious at the sight of Cloudchaser and Flitter. The two ponies looked over and saw the brilliant light dim into an alicorn figure. One who I knew was going to either A. Use her magic to capture every single one of us for some sick and twisted experiments or B. Unleash Lux to sate her curiosity for power.

I was not expecting choice C. She lifted her head, closing her eyes and unfurled her wings. The area greyed and all of a sudden, I could only breathe. My whole body and functions refused to do anything. Was I paralyzed? How is it that Fie is still able to move? My eyes would widen if I could, but the realization was there. Fie looked to Sonata, whose horn was glowing brightly as she made her way towards the sisters. Fie met my frozen look apologetically. Sonata flapped her wings and hovered over to the two sisters. She peered down into the cock pit, her eyes studying Flitter.

"A failure to the end." She simply stated. There was a bright flash and everything went black.

Author's Note

It took waaaaaayyyyy too long to get this chapter out. It wasn't out of burn out, in fact, it was because I was distracting myself with other stuff. I had this chapter open everytime I did to see if I would push through it and unfortunately, it was a slow process. But I managed. I'm inspired in the upcoming chapters and nearing the conclusion.