Warsong: Primordial Conflict

Quiet Fire’s POV

Din was not happy. Yet, she was surprisingly quiet. From the sound of it, she was grumbling and weird sounds resonated in my head. I could just imagine her trying to put herself together like a collection of colorful stud bricks. Onto another matter, I wasn’t sure exactly how I should react to any of this. Just moments ago, I was in a fight and encounter with our nation’s worst enemies and suddenly, I’m sitting in front of an experiment table, watching some Triads strap an unconscious Flitter to a table along with Cloudchaser.

Thi was being held captive by Xena and a couple of other Triad ponies. Several more Triad ponies brought in Lo Mien and rested her on another experimentation table. Thi met my look. She eyed me with uncertainty. She had every reason to. Here I am, free as a bird while my friends are being held against their wills. Cloudchaser wriggled in her straps, looking at me.

“What’s all this, Fie?! What is going on?” Cloudchaser shouted. I gave an apologetic look and stood up.

“Saving us a lot of trouble.” I replied. Thi eyed me.

“By siding with the enemy? Queen Sonata herself? Forgive me if I’m hesitant on this whole thing considering our situation.” Thi replied with a frown. I narrowed my look at her before turning to Sonata. The alicorn seemed to read my mind.

“Don’t interrupt the process. If you truly value your nation’s honor.” She said without acknowledging me. Thi snorted.

"Don't talk to us like you know honor, tyrant. We are in a world ending crisis and you were sleeping like a filly in a crystal." She retorted, wincing as a barrel of an autogun was jabbed at her head. Sonata remained focused ahead at the set up. It was quite disturbing how she is easily commanding the dead troops still under the possession. Cloudchaser looked between me and Flitter, the latter struggling against her binds.

“Untie me, foul cretin!! You dare bind your one true king?!” Flitter spat. Sonata studied her.

“You are no king of mine. Your resurrection was merely a test.” She began as she slowly walked towards her. “A curious idea that needed statistics and variables. This test is a failure. And thus, you shall be purged of all future testing.” I stood up and was about to walk towards her when she turned sharply around and faced me. “It will be quick.” I frowned.

“What does she mean ‘quick’, Fie?” Thi said. I met her look. “Did you make a deal with her? What deal?” I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t. It was a moment of desperation. I couldn’t bear seeing the two sisters fight with little to no way of saving Flitter from her condition. I was betting it all on the power Din had received from the other world. Thi studied me and anger shot through her. “Fie… What did you agree on?”

Sonata eyed her.

“Be thankful I have not ordered to kill you. I have much to discuss with Din’s vessel. And would prefer her cool headed. So, silence your tongue before I cut it out.” Sonata spoke. Thi gave a cocky grin, one even more cocky than I’m used to seeing her have.

“Aww, c’mon Sonny, you love it when I run my muzzle. Gives you enough of an ego boost for me to buck you off into a portal again.” She said, the venom being covered by a taunting tone. I expected Sonata to retort, but to my surprise, she nodded.

“Yes… and that incident proved quite valuable. Once I was released of its’ confines, I knew what I had to do.” She replied uncaringly. Thi growled.

“Oh yeah? You gotta’ give me the deets, Sonata. You know I love listening to you talk. C’mon. From one nuisance to another.” I was rather amused by Thi’s mocking tone towards Sonata. I didn’t really think these two had it that bad against one another. Suddenly, Thi glowed and was lifted up from the ground and over to Sonata. Thi dangled in front of her.

"Perhaps you should see for yourself." Her eyes darted to me. "You as well. If Thi Billet was in your friend's place, I'd ensure full containment." She said. Thi glared at her before looking at me.

"Fie!! What is she going do!?" She barked at me. I found myself hesitating. After all I've done to chastise her. After all we've been through and how rocky our friendship is right now, I couldn't face her properly. Sonata nodded to a Triad pony.

"Begin the process." She ordered. The partial mangled corpse of a Triad pony shambled over to a lever contraption and pulled it. A loud hiss of mechanics and gears whirred to life. I looked above and gasped as I saw a bulky cylinder like device descend and pop out multiple arm like limbs. At the end of them were several blades and needles of varying tools. I quickly raised a hoof to Sonata, only for her to bat it with a wing.

“Sonata!” Thi shouted, looking panicked in Flitter’s direction. Flitter let out a scream. It wasn’t Sombra’s. I immediately regretted asking for help. I quickly rushed away from them, heading over to the lever. I shoved away the pony and pulled it, halting the machine. The sounds stopped, but Flitter’s screams didn’t.

“You want me to cooperate, Sonata, then you will not go this far!” I stated coldly. Sonata shifted her gaze. Thi looked between us before quickly saying:

“There is another way!” She shouted. I met her look and she returned it to me. Thi cautiously looked between all of us through Flitter’s screaming. “Th-there is another way.” She motioned to me. “Scribble and I found something when we separated here in the castle.” Sonata gave a disgusted scoff. “We found the files on the symbiote that is genetically tied to Sombra’s DNA. I-I don’t know exactly what Scribble found, but I trust the egghead’s words over everything. We can purge the symbiote without the messy stuff involved.” I looked at her with a relieved smile, nodding seriously after.

“Anything to save Flitter.” I replied. Thi hesitated a bit.

“Blood transfusion.” She said. “The symbiote is attached to itself in the blood vessels. If we transfer her infected blood out into a suitable body that can purge it, we’ll have dealt with it completely. Flitter’s symptoms should stop. We’ll get our friend back. And Sonata…” She grimaced as she wiggled a hoof lazily at her. “You’ll err… get rid of a failed project? A… tyrant that can challenge your power?” Sonata eyed her stoically. Thi sighed. “Think of something that’ll royally piss you off if Sombra is around.”

“I need not for your tongue, fly. I know well enough your antics.” She lowered Thi to meet her eye to eye. “Every ample opportunity I have right now to purge another nuisance who challenges my power is right here in a room with all the others. My time in that portal’d dimension has given me… much… to learn about myself. I’m itching to test every possible method. Every possible incision along that battle scarred body of yours. Tracing every nerve to see what reacts to what while the prongs prod your basic sensory nerves.”

An eerie smile crept along her muzzle. “I can do it right here, you know. It’ll be painless for your friends, but I’ll ensure you’ll experience everything I’ve learned.” Thi seemed... surprisingly unphased by this morbid threat. Instead, she just puttered her lips with an unamused expression.

"Then think of it this way. Another project, if you will. One that I know will certainly have..." She darted her eyes in thought. "Interesting results. But I..." Thi hesitated again. She then sighed and looked over her shoulder to me. "I..." I furrowed my look in worry. My eyes studied her, trying to make sense of what she was trying to portray. Why was she hesitating so much? Why is she giving me that look? I know we are in a tight situation, but I can get us out of it. I'd deal with Lux and Sonata so the rest can get out if things go south. Thi finally sighed once more and rubbed her foreleg. "Fie... I truly... truly cherish you as my best friend. You always stood by me, even when I had no idea what I was doing with myself. I... was living my life on auto pilot before meeting you. And I really... really wanted to thank you for... ya' know... dealing with my shit." She bowed her head a little. "I know this is a strange thing to ask of you, considering everything going on right now. But... if you won't take my word for it. Would you take Scribble's? He... well... he's a great pony." I was dumbfounded. My jaw hung a little in awe at her words. The sincerity behind them... I've never seen this side of Thi. Thi then met my look, a mix of worry and determination.

"Fie. Scribble believes that if we can blood transfuse the symbiote into your body, Din and you can purge him out entirely. Any trace of Sombra would be extinguished. I... I won't lie... this is a huge gamble he is suggesting. If... if Sombra manages to find a way to control you, manages to work his way to control Din... then we are snapping that thin line we are holding onto." She gave me a serious look. "Thousands of creatures all across Equestria are infected with the symbiote. Putting two and two together, if you can figure out how to stop the main symbiote infection via Sombra, then Equestria will have a fighting chance." She then looked over to Sonata. "And you may not like that fact. What will matter in the end is that you'll have an Equestria, for whatever future comes next, to conquer. We need to put aside our differences right now and work together." Sonata's smile faded as Thi spoke, her cold eyes studying the mare. "Granted... we'll have to come to terms with some... issues between everpony."

"Terms and conditions." Sonata replied simply before dropping Thi onto her back with an "oof". She walked away from us and over to Flitter, who was hyperventilating as Cloudchaser was trying her best to calm her down. She met Sonata's look fearfully. I felt my blood boiling as she studied Cloudchaser with her eyes. "I have a certain need and desire to return to where you had placed me at years ago. Thirteen days of research and knowledge is not enough for what I desire." She brought a wing around and caressed a single feather under Cloudchaser's chin, lifting her head up a little. "But perhaps we should agree on purging a certain heretic to my reign before we proceed. I'd think clearer without the unneeded distraction. Such a shame. I did so look forward to seeing how the symbiote would interact of the same DNA. Would it increase in potency? Or perhaps... outright create a new gene." I quickly galloped, vaulting over a table and knocking over several test tubes of questionable contents before stepping between her and Cloudchaser.

"Then first and foremost, you should behave yourself. Remember... our elements die with us. Din maybe hotheaded against Lux, but with us together, you won't stand a chance." I said coldly. Sonata had a smile creep across her muzzle.

"The eyes of a mare who truly thinks she's above death. Oh, how it'll be worth it when Equestria will fall and the sister's crushed under my hooves." She then spun around, her flowing blue tail whipping me across the snout and walking back over to several Triad ponies and nodded. The ponies shambled around the room, their limbs lazily working at bits and bobs on devices. The latches on Cloudchaser unlocked and she immediately hopped off the table and rushed over to Flitter, taking a hold of her hoof and once again trying to calm her down.

Thi stood up and walked over to me. She rubbed her foreleg and hesitated again before finally mustering her words.

“Fie… I really… really don’t know what to do if you end up becoming… possessed.” She said. I sighed and looked over to the sisters. Cloudchaser met my look.

“Knowing how Din and I are, I wouldn’t worry too much.” I replied.

“But we should.” Cloudchaser spoke up. “Flitter has told me the way Sombra has been twisting her mind. Implanting doubts and half-truths on top of giving her nightmares. Not only that, but she’s also been getting weaker both mentally and physically. It’s as bad as it sounds.” Cloudchaser looked back at her sister, brushing a bang out of her mane and wiping the tears from Flitter. “She never brought it up to anypony else as to not hinder us so much. I… I told her it was dumb to do that and she had nothing to prove over it. I…” My heart ached as I saw Cloudchaser’s posture slump, ears down and exhausted. “I don’t think I’m as strong as she thinks I am.”

Flitter began to cackle, the black veins pulsing as she tearfully smiled at her.

“How sweet! Nothing more disgusting than the love of another. Such an awful word… love.” Flitter eyed me. “May the best pony win.” I narrowed my look before hopping onto the table. I looked over to Sonata. The alicorn turned to face us after ordering the Triad to bring over Xena, strapping her to her own table next to Lo Mien.

“I look forward to the results.” She said. Thi glared at her.

“Any funny business and I’ll bring this whole thing to a stop. Property damage included.” She said. Sonata scoffed.

“Please. I’m aware of the destruction you and your friends have left behind. Lux has been quite the See Bee.” She said. Thi blinked as Sonata waved a wing at her. “All in due time. For once, I want a truce in out of a favor.”

“Favor?!” Thi began angrily, but I put a hoof on her shoulder and shook my head. Thi sighed in frustration and stepped aside.

“Once we help my friend, you’ll get your info and favor. In return, you’ll agree to what I’ve offered with no questions.” I said sternly. Thi looked to me questioningly, but I ignored it. Sonata said nothing before nodding to a shambling Triad. They saluted before pulling a lever. I felt myself being forced down onto the table and two massive cylinder like machines descended from the ceiling.

“Sonata!” I heard Thi shout. Flitter screamed again, struggling against her restraints with Cloudchaser trying to keep her calm, her look deathly worried and eyeing the machine. Sonata finally spoke.

“Blood transfusion is a delicate procedure of surgery. This is an idea we’ve all agreed upon, have we not?” She stated. I nodded before looking to Flitter.

“Flitter? Hey, Flitter. Flitter!” I called out. Flitter shook her head furiously at the machine. Cloudchaser held onto Flitter, either to hug her or keep her still, but eventually with some soothing, Flitter looked at me, her eyes wide in fear. I gave her a sincere smile. “It’ll be okay, Flitter. We’re here for you. Din and I will take care of Sombra. Promise.” Flitter panted in terror, her expression understanding but still terrified. I could hear the eye roll of Sonata before the sound of squeaky wheels moved over to us. Two Triad ponies worked to hook Flitter’s muzzle around a mask before turning the valve. Flitter began to settle, her eyes eventually closing into a deep slumber. They did the same with me. Before the world faded to black, I saw Thi give me a small smile.

“I won’t leave this time. Not anymore.” She said, her voice sounding farther than I thought it was.

oooOOO000OOOooo

As expected, I found myself amongst the field of fiery grass and blue flowers. The desolate bit of cobble ruins surrounding a thick and brilliant winding tree loomed high overhead. It was bigger than I remember it. In fact, I noticed a phoenix nesting on one of the branches. At the base of the tree was a makeshift throne of the fiery grass, blue flowers and bark of the tree. Din was missing a chunk of her ear, yet she was slowly piecing small cubes of her flesh back onto it. I rose an amused brow.

“Need help?” I asked with a snicker.

Piss off. Din growled in frustration. You could have at least prepared yourself better. I’m tempted to have Sombra latch onto you so I can use you both as kindling. I walked over to her and took a seat on a thick root.

“Where did the phoenix come from?” I asked, motioning to the sleeping bird.

From the other realm. If you recall, our battle with Tenebres allowed us to use a bit of the phoenix’s power. This is the resulting stowaway. She placed the last bit of her ear together. Unless you using it on your companion was a fluke, I was certain you were aware. I flushed a little and rubbed my head.

“I… I was all over the place because of that.” I admitted. Din scoffed and rested her head on her hoof boredly.

And now we are infesting ourselves with a parasite who'll darken my domain. She said sourly. I gave a small smile.

"Nothing we can't handle. We'll make it painful for him. I guess a personal payback for having poisoning one of my best friends from being herself." Din snorted.

Luckily for you, I get to enjoy burning something to relieve my anger out on. She suddenly went quiet as we both saw something black drip down in front of us. We blinked a couple of times in confusion before looking. Din stood up immediately, her anger clear as the night that was being covered by a strange dark cloud. Black rain droplets started to pelt the field, mucking the bright colors of fiery orange, yellow and red. The blue flowers retreated back into buds. Din’s fiery mane and tail flared as she watched her domain cower. Now it’s personal… She snarled, looking back up at the sky. A loud boom of thunder rumbled throughout the field. I hopped off the root and readied myself next to Din. We watched as the black tar began to trail and trick, creating a small vortex of dark smog rising from the ground. A demonic face appeared from the smog, cackling.

“So… this is the domain of a goddess. Too… bright for my tastes.” A deep voice said. From the dark smog emerged a dark grey unicorn with sharp fangs, green slit eyes and a flowing raven black mane and tail. The prominent feature that stuck out was the massive curved red horn. Sombra wore a set of steel armor, gauntlets and open un-visored helm and a regal kingly cape that draped around the armor. His smile betrayed his high and mighty posture.

And the moment his smog behind him vanished did Din immediately turned on the heat. The grass erupted into large flames, the tar bubbling and popping around us. Thankfully, nothing was melting off of me. The same could be said for Sombra. Din snarled and got low as Sombra had made a sphere of dark aura to shield himself from the heat.

“Cute. But if you want real heat…” Sombra smirked and reared up, his horn glowing. My eyes widened and I quickly galloped over to Din, tackling her just as Sombra brough his head down with a loud stomp of his hooves. This created a magnificent sight of a sea of fire splitting apart. Din and I stood up, staring in awe at the sight. Sombra brought his head back and swished his head, his mane billowing in a wind from the cold presence of magic. “I have to thank the tyrant queen for her generous flexibility of allowing me to gather as much knowledge as I can. The husk those annoying ponies defeated long ago is not the same. My influence is far and wide.” Sombra cackled. “Can you believe she wanted to control me?! Me!! To instill as much fear to obey her nations bidding and economy.” I grit my teeth, disturbed by Sombra’s presence.

Lux and her vessel have gone unsupervised long enough!! I’ve had too many headaches to deal with because of her!! Din snapped. I side eyed her as she continued. And now…! Din grinned maniacally, licking her fangs. I get to savor the utter destruction of three creatures. Sombra threw his head back and laughed.

“You?! After all you’ve done?! You’re partially responsible for unleashing me throughout the land!” He smiled, his eyes meeting mine. “They’ve been using my DNA for plenty of tests. Floral. Food. Drinks. Books. Anything you can think of. Even the very air. Those creatures you’ve been saving throughout your crusade? All implanted with small bits of my essence! Even their own were exposed to my very essence.” Sombra dusted a pauldron, as if noticing a small speck of dust. My eyes narrowed.

"How? I thought the prototype they injected Flitter with was the start of it." I spoke. Sombra smirked.

"How naïve." He began. "That prototype was the one out of many failed to bring me into physical manifestation." He gave a disgusted look. "I will not be a bargaining chip of any kind. Sad to admit considering my contribution to the eventual downfall of your beloved princesses." I got low into a readied stance.

"What does Sonata have against our princesses?? What caused her to wage war against us?" I asked. Sombra scoffed.

“Hmph! As if I’d tell you anything. My only concern is..." He eyed me predatorily. "How much I'm able to control." Din threw her head back and laughed.

Bahahahaha!! Her head and glare shot towards him. I'd like to see you try. She coldly said, smirking. I noticed Sombra taking a small step back. My eyes narrowed, meeting his look. There was certainly confidence in his bravado. But the uncertainty betrayed it. Din seemed to read my thoughts. This made her extremely giddy. What's the matter, "king"? Afraid of a little fire? I took a moment to observe our surroundings. Aside from the raging field of fire and blue flowers sparkling the sky, it seems that whatever Sombra's tar that touched, bubbled and popped into nothing. Yet, something told me to be on guard. Din grumbled in agreement to my awareness almost begrudgingly. I then stepped forward, Din, following suite.

Sombra narrowed his eyes. When we got closer, he smirked and all of a sudden, a black smog exploded from behind him, lashing out at us like tendrils. I backflipped away and called my halberd at the ready while Din swished her head, cutting at the smog. Sombra looked annoyed. Din cackled as she sliced her way through the smog before clashing horns with Sombra.

The fact I am dirtying my hooves and wasting my time on a pathetic washed-up king is infuriating! But I am not going to lie, I’ve been wanting to burn something for a while. Sombra struggled under the power of Din, trying to push back. You’re just a gnat biting at my leg. What’s a king in the domain of a goddess? She grinned maniacally. I did my best to fend off the smog lashing around us, twirling the halberd around me and letting Din handle her say. I then felt a strong force punch me in the back, sending me flying out of the smog.

I rolled onto my hooves and faced the attack, only to see Din in wide eyed surprise as Sombra had managed to overpower her. I was baffled, watching as Din was tossed aside with such force that she made a groove in the fire. I readied myself as the smog shot outward, Sombra dusting himself off and smiling.

“Well, well. Seems I’ve begun to strengthen in this body quicker than I expected.” He took a deep breath, reveling in his newfound life. He then faced me. “Overpowering a goddess is one thing. But let’s see if I can enslave the mind and heart.” He then reared up and fired a beam that was rather too quickly for me to dodge. I instinctively blocked it with the halberd, being pushed back several yards away. I dug in my hind hooves, grunting in an attempt to redirect the force of the beam. Sombra walked forward, his head bowed to apply more force to the beam.

“When was the last time a mortal stood against me in this manner? The prissy Princess of Friendship and her annoying friends only defeated me in my distractions! Well, there are none here. Only you, a goddess and my everlasting rule.” He growled. I grunted and pushed back.

“Sounds like… you’re compensating…” I struggled. “Enslaving generations worth of Crystal Ponies! Implanting fear into the minds of others! You should have known you’d be overthrown!” Sombra scoffed, applying more force that nearly knocked me off my hooves.

“My rule was iron! Clear as the very crystals I sat upon! The very notion of mortals usurping me is outrageous! And I’ve a means for some payback!” He cackled. “With your enslavement, I’d have my revenge against those goody-two shoed princesses and reclaim my throne upon the Crystal Empire! And why stop there? Canterlot and the rest of Equestria will be under one banner!” I struggled to keep myself up, feeling my leg buckle and I fell onto a knee.

“You still have to deal with Pony Land next! I doubt Sonata and whoever rules Fenice would be willing to give you any leeway. Considering that Sonata has a bountiful amount of resources at her disposal!” I retorted, being annoyed at the thought of Sonata just throwing troop after troop after beasts after poisons at Equestria. Sombra smirked.

“In due time. But first!” He suddenly jerked his head and I went forward, only for him to backhoof me across the cheek and sending me spiraling into the ground. “Before I take over this powerful body, I want to know what makes you tick.” I pulled myself up from the fiery ground, rubbing the sting on my cheek. When I turned to face him, I was suddenly hit hard with a dark and sickly green beam into my horn.

I screamed as it seemed to drill and claw into me, flowing into my body. My eyes teared and I could notice something in the corner of my eyes, wriggling itself free. I could hear Sombra laughing in my head as my mind began to fog. I did my best to fight back, willing my mind to push out the intrusion. It was stronger than I thought and he soon found himself digging into my memories.

My time having trained with my mother. The falling out. My time in school and all throughout my time being miserable for six years. But it seems Sombra was looking for something else. He then smiled when he saw Thi Billet approach my door and knocked on it. Then he saw Cloudchaser and Flitter. He noted Silver Scribble. He took stark interest in my mother for her position as the Captain of the Royal Guard. My siblings and my father’s connections to her and I. Once he was done gathering what he could with those memories, he then began to violate my insecurities. What made me fearful. Made me angry. Made me happy. I fell to my stomach, pushing myself against the ground to keep myself up.

I tried with all my will power to fight back against the intrusion, but to no avail. He dug through more and more personal stuff before finally canceling his magic. I fell into a partial daze onto the ground, my head pounding. Sombra gleefully looked satisfied with himself.

“Such a volatile mare with so many vulnerabilities. You’re just a filly with no real purpose in her life. Only following the lines and directions of those above and close to you. You’ve been doing all of this journey on auto pilot. Why, it’s almost as if you are trying to find a reason to exist. And yet, you have the opportunity right here.” He motioned around us. “The domain of a goddess. Her rise to ascension is your golden ticket of doing something worthwhile. It’s not your love of another mare. Certainly not your loyalty to your family and friends. Nay… you truly wish to exist.” His smile faded into a look of pity. “You hold the world and balance in your very heart and mind and yet, you squander all this power to seek existence. Why must you believe yourself a waste of space? Why not serve under me? I can give you meaning. I can give you that feeling of wanting to exist. To live and to regain those emotions you’ve lost through your gain of power.

“Celestia and Luna would only seek to use you for their own ends, like the tyrants they are. I, on the other hoof, will put to you good use. Same for your goddess. I can help both of you in your rise to power. You are nearly there.” He then held out a hoof to me. “You only need a push.” I was feeling very exhausted. It was as if I was fighting for days on end. I rose my hoof and locked it with his. He helped me up, allowing me to steady before dusting my hoodie cloak. “You are still young and have all the time in the world. Let all those who only deem to see you as a tool kneel at the might of King Sombra and his Captain of his personal guard. Join me, Quiet Fire. With your goddess nearing ascension, nothing can stop you from having the world to yourself.”

I gave him a weak and tired look. He studied me a bit before his eyes widened. A loud sound of something sharp slicing into him. Sombra looked to his side, seeing Din grinning smugly with her hoof wrapped around the halberd. The blade had already gone through fully, poking out the other side. In the moment of bafflement, Sombra couldn’t utter a word. Only a scream when Din suddenly yanked him forward and her horn slid neatly into a socket. Sombra was pulled away, clutching his eye as Din grinned, a bulbous green eye staked onto her horn.

That tool is a better confidant than some washed-up king. She smirked evilly. How pathetic. I already know of all the annoying insecurities she has and all her idiotic tendencies of handling herself. I spent these past months sorting it all out myself. I do not need her head a jumbled mess like before. She snorted before looking at me. This better not come back to bite us. I gave a weak smile before taking a deep breath. I had taken notice of it while fending off the smog.

The flying phoenix high overhead. Having stirred awake when Sombra arrived and was quick to hide itself. I heard its’ cry. Din’s plan worked. The phoenix swooped down, resting itself on my back and cooing curiously. I felt a vigorating sense of energy return to me as I stood upright and faced the pained Sombra.

“You’re right. I always felt myself a waste of space. Only adding onto it for six years. All the shit that worked out for me shouldn’t have, but here I am. If it wasn’t for Din being around, I would have perished long ago. I may not have realized it then and I am still coming to terms with it. But Din has saved my life more times than I can count. I’ve been nothing but dead weight in her attempt to bring balance back, questionable as it maybe.” I casually held up my hoof and caressed the phoenix’s lower beak.

“I’ll admit that I’ve been rolling with the flow of everything. With some bumps and hiccups here and there, but what’s a little point of meaning if there isn’t any of those in our lives. You must have felt the same yourself Sombra. Before you became a king, you had to have some form of naivety yourself. There is a reason for almost everything that we ponies do. Even the gods and goddesses themselves need to have reason. Of why we exist. Why we continue to exist. And what we will eventually fight for. I… haven’t fully come to terms of what reasoning I fight. Mostly because I don’t want the world I live in to perish mostly, but for personal meanings, it is lost on me.

“I always think I found that reason, but that emptiness still likes to rear its’ head around. It’s almost as if there is nothing you can do about it. Hell, I used to unable to do anything without a fire lit under my ass. I’m still trying to find that personal reason of why I continue to fight when everypony around me has their’s. Even you, Sombra. You have a reason to fight.” I sighed. “Sadly, for you, your fight ends here. Whatever pony you were is for certain long gone.”

“Don’t you dare speak to me as if you pity me!” Sombra snapped suddenly. He tried to move away from Din, but she kept the halberd buried in him and unmoving. “I am King Sombra!! Equestria is mine by rite!! You are all nothing beneath me! The very stars bow at my power!!” Din snorted.

Tut-tut, little colt. It’s unbefitting a “king” to whine. Din began to cackle. The fact you believed yourself to have any power in my domain is rather amusing. I sighed.

“We only prolonged this encounter just to poke your own brain. Since now, you know all about me. What about you, Sombra? What real reason do you fight?” I asked. Sombra snarled, failing to remove the halberd from his side.

“I don’t need to tell you anything! I am a king, and I will command such respect!” He shouted. Din suddenly lifted up the stallion with such ease that it even took him by surprise. She balanced the halberd above her, the stallion dangling in the air.

“That’s a shame. For someone that likes to talk his mouth when given any inkling of advantage, you're quite the whining babe when the roles are reversed." I said. Sombra gurgled, black tar seeping from the sides of his muzzle before he smirked.

"Hehehehe. With my influence far and wide, there is one thing I know for a fact. You'll be the one who dooms all of Equestria with this current action." He began to laugh. "Killing me means killing the many who are infected. Have you've ever thought of that?" I narrowed my look.

"How can I take your word for it?" I asked coldly. He coughed before grinning.

"The failsafe." he said. "That alicorn is quite the cunning tyrant. She created a failsafe formula for my resurrection. Should I go rogue or gain sentience further from a symbiote, she would trigger the kill command, shutting down the bodies of many of those infected with my essence. That also means personally ridding me in this manner.” Din and I exchanged glances. Din gave a soft sigh of annoyance. She then unexpectedly twisted the halberd and stabbed her horn into the other socket. Sombra screamed in agony as now Din had two orb like decorations shikababed on her horn.

Well then… if we aren’t allowed to get rid of you… then perhaps you would rather enjoy me plucking you apart bit by bit. As you can tell. She cackled. She looked at me, as if waiting for my approval. I sat on my haunches and gave a nod. Din gleefully shifted and stabbed the halberd into the ground, impaling the stallion. I’m going to enjoy this.

I lost track of time. I was too busy admiring the phoenix. Din rested casually on the tree, humming softly to herself. She had seemed to tire herself out of enjoying the torture of Sombra impaled in the tree and looking to be upon death’s door. Now she was mindlessly being a surgeon, perhaps to understand exactly what Sombra is. So far, it was just tar and smog. In order to keep him conscious for questioning, the phoenix healed his wounds. Din yanked the halberd off the tree, causing Sombra to fall face flat on the gorund, flared a piece of fiery grass to burn the tar off the halberd before stabbing it in the ground.

I grow tired of this. Let’s just burn him and deal with the deaths of many like we have before! Din growled. I gave her a frown in response.

“I don’t want a second genocide on my conscious or have to go through another zebra spiritual therapy.” I glared at Sombra. “If only you’d cooperate. For one who wants to conquer the world, being zip tight isn’t helping or delaying the cause. In fact, we are keen to keep ourselves in stasis as to prevent you from doing anything." I said. Sombra growled. Din rolled her eyes and began to juggle his eyes with one hoof boredly.

My patience has run out. I'm going to take our chances! I have a much grander scheme in mind and I will not have you delay me any longer! Din spat. The field began to flare with fire. I could have sworn I saw Sombra's eyes widen in mid-juggle.

"N-no... No no no... I will not vanish... Every creature my influence has touched will perish. You need me... Equestria... Needs me..." He groaned. I arched a brow.

"Equestria doesn't need more tyrants. Even with how every creature in the world can view Princess Celestia and Luna in their own purview, perhaps other tyrants should take notes from them." I replied coldly. Sombra began to cackle.

"All the same... you are nothing different. Primal power or not, you're still just the same... An annoying peasant who preaches the words of peace in a time of when a true ruler is needed... It leads to nothing but distress... riots... unfaithful... All of Equestria fights under one banner... Yet the many that wave beneath it are shadowed entirely..." He rasped as he faced his head towards me. "Tell me... what banner do you truly wave, if not Equestria's?" I studied the mangled stallion. What is this pony getting at? I darted my eyes in thought, thinking on the words he said. When I had a thought, I took a deep breath.

"You should know how obvious that answer is. Equestria is my home. I was born in it. Raised in it. And I will die in it. It doesn't matter if I'm some grand hero, an adventurer or one of the top-secret societies under Celestia or Luna. I was chosen to be responsible for this world. To save it from the darkest of days. And I'm not the only one trying to save it. I am, however, the only one who has no clue what she wants after. And I may not even get a chance to see the sun rise tomorrow to have that opportunity. But if I can at least ensure other creatures can see that sunrise and the moon's light for tomorrow, then it's a no brainer." I replied. Sombra seemed to sigh, a soft frown of disappointment on his face.

"Pitiful. With all this power. And all those powerful allies. You still yet follow the flag to find existence. What some would call power to befit a ruler, you squander it on filly games." He growled. Din cackled.

And that's where I come in. Unlike my empty-headed vessel, I have a dream that I will fulfill! She smugly and proudly put a hoof on her chest. A goddess queen deserves all the stars in the universe. All as beautiful as she is! Something that a mere wannabe cannot dare to reach! She grinned maniacally at Sombra, twirling his eyes in her magic beside her. What do you think, “king”? That your power, your rule, cannot hope to match mine! Heed me my threat. I catch you in my domain amongst the stars, it’s on sight.

Sombra didn’t say anything. The phoenix on my back cooed curiously as I sighed.

“We’ve been here for far too long. Din… I won’t lie, I’m rather hesitant on this.” I said. Din snorted.

Do not give the thought any leeway. Snakes like this arrogant prick sow doubt and conflict. Enslaving your kind to his own will. There is no singing there. When I demand my subjects to sing, they’ll sing my praise! My rule! My rite to the universe! It’ll be out of fear, respect and loyalty! She smirked. I do not expect mortals to comprehend nor try to in my presence! If they so choose, I’d be welcome to test them my ideals. As for you… She looked down at Sombra. You’ve overstayed your welcome, parasite. If purging you truly makes more troubles for us, then I’ll see to it handled personally! Din grinned. Sombra faced me.

"You. Do you realize how much you've done for your Equestria? How much was sacrificed and how many were slaughtered for the worship of harmony? Your exile has not been kind to you. Please... allow me to aid you in your quest for ascension. My power combined with yours... no pony will stand in your way. If not for your sake or for the worlds, then for the sake of those still alive." He rasped. I narrowed my look.

"Shove it, Sombra. There is no excuse for monsters like us. While you may have gone as far as to enslave ponies, having plenty die under your banner, doesn't make you a paragon of moral reason. I almost suspect your symbiotic hive mind is being conflicted with all of those you have infected." I frowned. "It sucks that you ended up being a test subject to a tyrannical queen. And while I can do with both of you being gone from this realm, we need one alive. We need her power. Not yours." My look softened. "I bet somewhere deep inside of Sombra's soul, he is a scared little pony. Somepony who may have been lost or abandoned in a time of need. Somepony who felt the world was just too much to bear and needed a messiah to lead it to a twisted form of peace."

"You don't know anything of me. And I will have your tongue should you continue your knightly stand." He replied sourly. I then looked past the body and over to the eyes still pierced by Din's horn. They were looking at me.

"Eyes can tell an entire story, Sombra. All I had to do was pick at the strings." I said, finally walking over Sombra and past Din. The phoenix screeched before taking to the sky. Din cackled maniacally as the flames began to rise. With a glance over my shoulder, I watched as Din joyfully maimed and burned away at Sombra's essence. The symbiote morphing and writhing in agonizing pain. The fire rose high into the sky, turning into a strangely beautiful shade of colors I didn't think were possible. My eyes fell onto Sombra's one more time, watching the seemingly gleeful shine in his sicken green and darkened eyes erupt into flames, burning away into nothing.

A sudden, deep laugh rang throughout the field of fire.

“Hail to your king.”

oooOOO000OOOooo

Everything began to shake. It was like a sudden jolt you get when you dream of yourself falling and close to impact against something. My eyes opened slowly, feeling a warm hoof on mine. I groaned, the world slowly blurring into clarity. I saw Thi Billet. She had a look of concern across her face. She pat my hoof, her mouth saying something indiscernible to me at the moment. My body pounded as I tried to move. A tingly sensation on my side made it hurt with every twitch of my muscles.

My eyes darted around. I noticed a lilac blur in the corner of my eyes shifting, as if hoisting something over their back. Eventually, my auditory functions returned, and I could hear a strange sounding alarm blaring. Thi looked around desperately. She then proceeded to lift me up, hoisting me onto her back. I groaned in pain, still unable to move anything.

“We gotta' find Scribble.” I heard Thi say. I watched as the ground begin to move under me.

“What’s… going on…?” I weakly groaned. Thi remained focused as she cantered a bit up the steps and over to a doorway. I saw the Triad ponies that were being puppetted on the ground, lifeless once more.

“We’re getting out of here. All hell is breaking loose.” Thi replied as she hurried through the door. I looked over and saw Cloudchaser carrying an unconscious Flitter on her back behind us. Everything around us was moving a bit fast for my brain to process.

“Where’s Sonata…?” I asked groggily.

“Trying to quell the situation.” Thi replied quickly. “What happened with you and Sombra?” I blinked tiredly, still trying to get a better understanding of what is going on.

“Purged… Words spoken… Failsafe?” I replied, feeling my muscles starting to relax and allowing me to move a bit. Thi and Cloudchaser exchanged knowing glances as they turned down a hall. Feeling my body functions return, I slid off of Thi’s back, Thi making sure I was steady as I gathered my bearings.

“What happened while I was out?” I asked once more. Thi sighed.

“While you were unconscious, it seemed Sombra’s influence was far reaching than we had anticipated. Sonata’s own troops turned against her and began an assault. We fended them off as best we can, but with the amount of troops still around the castle and outside of it, everything is in an uproar. Sonata had been monitoring it all with the heir… err.. I mean… new Lilac.” I narrowed my look in concerned. Thi nodded. “I’ll explain that when we get out of here. Pony Land and Equestria are in trouble. You mentioned a failsafe. What failsafe?” Thi asked as she peeked around a corner. I could smell smoke and something burning not too far off.

“S-Sombra said something about a failsafe. Something Sonata implemented into him… but Din and I thought it was just a trick to keep him from disappearing…” I replied. Din stirred and hummed.

As usual. Time to face our consequences. She said boredly. I frowned. Easier said than done. Thi growled.

“Sonata… always trying to play god…” She hissed to herself. I looked over to Cloudchaser.

“How is she?” I asked worriedly. Cloudchaser gave a reassuring smile.

“Before everything went crazy, we got back readings. She’s Sombra free. The process will keep her out for a while.” She sighed. “I’ll be a lot more convinced once we get out of here.”

“Which is why we need to find Scribble. I don’t want to endanger the sea ponies. Paradise Estate is our only shot.” Thi replied as she peeked out from the corner again. I furrowed my brows.

“We have to get Sonata out of here too. You know that, right?” I spoke. Thi lowered her head.

“I don’t have to be happy about it. But you should know Sonata won’t go down easily. And with Lux with her, doubt anything is going to happen to her for some time. Regardless…” She motioned for us to follow. I was able to keep up, surprised a little by my sudden burst of energy. The cooing of a phoenix deep in my mind felt… comforting. We galloped down a hall and reached a set of tall oak doors. “Sonata has her own agendas and even if they align with her enemies, she’ll make it annoyingly difficult to work with. You’ve been warned.”

We made our way through the castle, dodging debris that came loose from the sudden rattling. We eventually came to a set of stairs that we galloped up towards and came out of an open arch way. We stopped, looking out amongst the massive courtyard.

It was a bloodbath.

Silver dawning Triad ponies covered in mud and blood as they appeared to be fighting their own kindred. Thi grit her teeth in worry.

“We gotta' go. Now.” She said with a hurried breath. Without any hesitation, she galloped across the walkway along the wall, forcing us to gallop after her. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Just moments ago, these ponies were working together. The rain was pouring heavily around the castle, the few light sources being whatever spotlights they had going or the massive fires that were raging not too far off.

We darted off to the side set of stairs along the outer wall and continued our way through the halls, dodging bodies this time. After a bit of galloping down a straight pathway, we barreled through the oak doors, only to stop to see Sonata clashing with a massive creature. Sonata nimbly flew around the creature, having armed herself with an assortment of auto rifles and artillery. I was in awe at how quickly she was reloading and firing them in tangent, like an organized solo firing squad as she zipped in and out of reach of the monster.

The monster roared in frustration, swiping its’ bulky arms around before facing us. Our eyes widened in surprise. There was no mistaking that hulky build. The centaur shivered, as if fighting an inner battle and frothing at the mouth. Tyrone had tendrils and eyes dotting his body, making an amalgamation of different limbs. Sonata took advantage of the distraction and delivered a swift and powerful buck that sent Tyrone off his hooves, only for him to plant them in the ground, ripping up the brick flooring as he did.

“What on Celestia’s throne is that?!” Thi blurted out in shock. Sonata landed down in front of us, reloading her arsenal by plucking them from her fallen troops dotting the area.

“A traitor I should have dealt with long ago.” Sonata said coldly. Cloudchaser spoke up.

“What happened to him?!” She exclaimed horrified. Tyrone growled and snarled as he faced us down, his body quivering in his inner fight.

“That Kalenite.” Sonata simply said.

“Kalenite??” I asked, keeping my focus on Tyrone for any sign of approach.

“The creature whom took it upon himself to alter my plans further. If the centaur is like this, it means it died.” Sonata explained simply. Cloudchaser balked.

“That thing caused this?!” She panicked. Sonata unfurled her wings and we felt a strange wave of soothing flow through us. Din, however, rejected it and snapped.

Hooves off, sister!! She shouted.

“Steel yourselves. We still have much to discuss.” Sonata commanded. Thi shook her head.

“No way. We have to retreat.” She said as she began to turn. Sonata glanced out the corner of her eye.

“Typical.” She said. Thi spun around to her, glaring.

“Before you ran off to confront all this, I took a look at the console. Your systems are self-destructing. The castle is going to blow up.” She retorted. Cloudchaser and I looked at her in confusion. Tyrone was beginning to lose his inner struggle. Sonata eyed Thi. “Your damned cryo-crystal machine overloaded. At least, that’s what the error message said.” Sonata seemed to give her a knowing look. She then eased and turned around to the door.

“Then we are done here.” She said. Thi quickly rushed over and placed a hoof firmly onto her shoulder.

“You aren’t walking away from this. Want us to discuss things? You’re doing it our way. It’s that or Fie will have to convince you personally.” She glared at Sonata. Sonata glanced at me. I dunno why, but I gave her a firm nod. Regardless if I wanted to fight her or not, there is no backing away from what we have to do. It’s now or never. Sonata didn’t look too happy.

“Very well. Then how do you plan to ‘escape’. Least I recall, you use brute force than tactics.” Somata replied coldly. Thi stepped back.

“We have to find Silver Scribble. He can get us out of here.” Thi said.

“Then you best follow me.” A voice said. We looked to see a zebra mare dawning a general outfit, pristine with a bit of mud on it standing out from an open door. It was the heir to Zebrica. Yet… that cold stoic gaze told me otherwise. “Our spy friends managed to find him at the docks.” Sonata began to trot over to her, leaving Thi narrowing her eyes.

“Yeah… we have a lot to talk about…” she said sourly to herself. Without another moment wasted, we booked it to the door, the pained roar of Tyrone bellowing throughout the castle. We barreled out of castle, rounding around a courtyard where Triad ponies were fighting amongst themselves in the courtyard. Some took notice of Sonata and a small squad had formed to cover the retreat of Sonata.

Hurrying down a flight of steps out of the main doorway, we could see the dock appearing. When we hit the bottom, we stopped as somepony slid to a stop at Sonata’s hooves. We looked to see Scribble, panting and shaking his hoof, surrounded by Triad ponies seemingly confused as to who to aim their guns at. Sonata eyed the pony at the ground. It was a strange pony in a lab coat with swirling glasses. He looked bruised and swollen.

“What is the meaning of this?” Sonata asked. The Triad ponies immediately saluted and stood at attention. Scribble studied Sonata before meeting our looks. Thi smiled.

“Scribble! You’re okay!” She said as she cantered over to him. Before she could even get halfway, all guns trained on her. The professor pony coughed and stood up, wiping his mustache.

“Damned cretin! You dare strike me!? You mean to insult the one who would lead these ponies in the name and heart of our glorious Queen Moonlight Sonata?!” He looked at the trained guards, as if waiting for them to make a move. “Well, don’t just stand there, fools!! Kill them!!” No pony moved. The Triad guards kept their aim on Thi. The professor looked confused before suddenly realizing that his very own queen was standing behind him. All color banished from his mane down to his hooves. “M-m-m-my queen! Y-you’re awake! I thought…” He stuttered, seemingly buckling at the mere sight of the alicorn. Sonata didn’t look too happy. She then looked to the guards.

“Gather what remaining troops we have and get aboard the vessels. We are abandoning the castle.” She ordered. The troops in unison saluted and shouted: “She has spoken!” Before scattering and hurrying about. I was a little overwhelmed at all this. I looked back towards the castle, the alarms blaring and the distant shouts of every pony for themselves ringing in my ears.

‘She’s really going to abandon her own subjects?’ I thought to myself. Din chuckled smugly.

I’d consider it a boon more than a worry. We have Lux right where we want her. Let us head back to Equestria so we can begin my ascension. Din spoke. I sighed and looked back at the others.

‘Hold that thought.’ I told her. The Triad ponies had brought a decently sized boat to the dock. Onboard, I could make out Lo Mien and Xena looking down from the side. As Sonata stepped aboard, a loud explosion rang through the castle. We looked back to see a dark and sickening beam fire up into the sky, the clouds creating a vortex. A loud roar could be heard. I felt a sharp pain in my head, causing me to hiss in pain.

I await in the ruins of brilliant minds. Hurry on, my little ponies. The Prisma Nexus will be bestowed upon my master’s eyes.

The malignant voice echoed sharply from Din, causing her to wretch and hurl whatever primals eat as the voice faded. I looked over to others, seeing Sonata rubbing her own head. She then had a knowing, slightly shocked look.

“We make for land.” She ordered. Thi looked over to us.

“Come on!” She said as she rushed and took ahold of Scribble’s hoof, pulling the stallion into the boat. Cloudchaser and I entered the boat right as several explosions went off. The boats began to move away from the docks, making some good distance. I looked off the side with my friends as we watched the castle erupt into a mushroom cloud, rocking the boats. Just above the mushroom cloud, the vortex of clouds that formed combined with the explosion, created an apocalyptic view. Our eyes widened as we saw a tidal wave heading towards us.

“That’s too big! It’ll sink us! All hooves on deck!” A Triad pony shouted. Thi turned to Scribble.

“Do you have the magnifying glass still?” She asked. Scribble looked at her, hesitant as his eyes darted around the boat. Thi put a hoof to his cheek and gave him a silent, reassuring look and nod. Scribble sighed and dug into his soaking saddle bag, withdrawing the magnifying glass. He quickly cantered to the other side of the ship and held it up to his eye. After a brief scan, he then spied something and pointed to the side.

“Turn the ship and head that way!” He called out.

“Are you crazy!! That’s heading diagonally towards the wave!” A Triad pony shouted.

“Do it!” Sonata ordered loudly. “Follow the stallion’s direction! Full steam ahead!” I was amazed that no pony thought to question Sonata. The shop began to turn as the wave got closer and closer. The Triad began to panic.

“Everypony hold on!!” Scribble shouted. We braced ourselves as the wave grew taller and taller. The ship went full throttle as a bright light began to shine ahead. I closed my eyes, holding on for dear life as everypony began to scream in terror. The ship began to jerk this way and that, as if we were being pulled along in all directions. As quickly as it happened, the ship crashed loudly and slid across something that halted the vessel entirely. Our eyes opened and we looked around slowly. The sky was grey, but a cool breeze blew around us. Fresh air hit our nostrils rather than salt water.

I pulled myself up shakily and looked over the side. We were in a field of flowers. Right next to Paradise Estate.