Warsong: Primordial Conflict

We must have took in the sight for a good ten minutes. I’m not sure what compelled us to do so. A whole new land. Whole new possibilities. And upon closer inspections, the disrepair and decay of the buildings and platforms that expanded far beyond the eye could see, is beyond recognizable.

I finally found my legs and began to walk forward, my friends doing the same. Descending the marble staircase, we soon saw a small group being led by Lilac and Sonata marching across a massive bridge connecting to a city like area. Thi and I exchanged glances before we picked up our trot into a canter. We had to slow down and mind our footing as there were small dips and holes from the ground separating into a sea of clouds. Upon arriving at the bridge, we galloped and hurried to catch up to the Triad.

We had a straight shot forward with no hazards, but the size of it felt daunting. It took us thirty minutes to get across the bridge at a decent pace, catching up to the Triad who were setting up a small encampment at the entrance of the city. Sonata looked over her shoulder to see us hunched over and catching our breath. Finally feeling my wind again, I met her look.

“This is… Skyros… isn’t it?” I stated. Sonata shifted her gaze to the distorted sky and sun.

“Tis familiar. But if this is Skyros, then it is not my home.” Sonata furrowed her look. “My home is grandiose. Brilliant skies, moving screens and signs, flourishing with life. Tis should be a millennium of mortal time has passed. And yet…” she went quiet. There was only the sound of the wind. “Not a single sound.”

“Your majesty!” A scribe spoke up. We looked to see a pony canter up and hold up the pad. Sonata took it in her magic and scanned the pad. Her eyes widened and she dropped the pad.

“B-but… how…” she looked up at the sky. “What has happened here…? What caused this…?” Thi arched a brow.

“S’not like you to lose your head, much as that thought is pleasant.” Thi said. Lilac glared at her.

“Silence your tongue, terrorist! Strike team Alpha, Beta!” Lilac commanded. Two groups of six ponies appeared and saluted her. “Secure the perimeter. If you see anything suspicious, you report your findings. Strike team Charlie, Delta!” Another two groups of six ponies cantered up and saluted. “Charlie team will scout in the city. Delta, you are to ghost Charlie. They’ll tag potential intel and you’ll be to retrieve it. Understand?!”

“Ma’am!” They saluted. The teams dispersed, leaving Lilac to study Sonata, who had not moved an inch. Even Thi started to look concerned.

“Mother-“ Lilac stopped herself and cleared her throat. “Your majesty. We must continue our search. Shall I lead a team myself to scout further ahead?” Sonata blinked and looked to her. Whatever had control of her vanished and her look became to stoic.

“I’ll lead the team. You’ll stay here and manage the base.” She said. Lilac hesitated a bit before saluting and nodding. She spun on her hooves and trotted off, clearly bothered. Sonata turned to us. “You’ll accompany me into the district. We are far from the Boriale, but close to one of the labs I was stationed at during my apprenticeship.” Thi rubbed the back of her neck.

“Dunno. I figured you’d be wanting to go for the Prisma Nexus. Isn’t that why we are here?” Thi asked. Sonata blinked and seemed to recall something from her mind before adjusting her cap.

“Indeed. Let us not waste time.” She said, spinning on her hooves and marching towards the city. We followed after her, my eyes studying the back of her head. Her eyes were hyper-focused forward. It was clear to us all exactly what she was hoping for. Traversing into the city was surprisingly not complex to do.

It was the architecture that we had to make sense of. The buildings seem to make a cluster maze of no directions in particular. Yet, Sonata had led us to only one dead end while traversing the rest like she knew it on the back of her hoof. The buildings we came across had some interesting imprints, as if booths and shops had lined the areas. I was corrected by Sonata that they were mobile stations that moved often as research was always shifting and changing. We came across an area where we had to stop and witness some strange looking creatures that hovered around a dead carcass of an indescribable animal. When they noticed us, Sonata obliterated them easily, leaving nothing.

“Escaped test subjects… from Cryosis Manistatium…?” Sonata commented more to herself. It seems that her homeland was taking a much worser toll on her than we thought. Yet, we remained quiet, curious as to see where the mind of a tyrant would lead. Even Thi was invested into her arch-nemesis’s scatterbrain moments. I was starting to wonder how much Sonata tends to be alone. The constant talking to herself out loud was something Celestia tended to do if I recall from my time seeing her in the school.

Sonata soon came to a stop in front of a building. She brushed her hoof against the side over an imprint. The sign seemed to glow and before we knew it, we jumped back as a ghostly visage or an alicorn with a mane style I did not expect to see on one, smiled at us.

“This is designation zone IQ-7267-LJ. Please present your identification tablet, then proceed to your designated posts. Breakfast is served at 0400-0700 in bay O7 with lunch being served at 1100-1300 parsec. May the stars guide your way.”

The visage disappeared. Sonata hummed.

“Projections are still active. Though limited…” she trailed off in thought. We exchanged glances before following after the wandering alicorn. It was quite amusing to see her activate some projections that would work and listen in on them. We were uncertain of all the codes meanings and only knew of the laymare’s terms to some degree. I wasn’t sure how long we were wandering around at this point, and my suspicion that this place doesn’t tell time normally had us finally addressing the situation.

“Sonata.” I spoke up. Sonata was looking over a glass container that was overgrown with some strange moss and plants. Sonata blinked and looked at me, as if she had been snapped out of a trance. I furrowed my look. “Are you forgetting our primary objective?” We waited for her response. Sonata slowly looked around and took a moment to think. She then stood up straight, realizing how tired she must have been.

“No. In fact, some information has occurred to me the more we’ve scouted.” She began to walk past us. “We return to base. I require an update on my troops.” We exchanged glances before shrugging and following her back the way we came.

“Is it just me or is Sonata acting… not like a tyrant.” Flitter whispered to us. Thi frowned.

“Whatever is happening, I’m waiting for when she’ll slip up and doom us all.” She replied. Cloudchaser looked around.

“But you can’t help but be curious yourself. We are walking in what is an ancient civilization of alicorns! If I was in her shoes, I’d want to see what happened here too.” She said. I looked to them as we began to walk up steps.

“Knowing our luck, we’ll find out one way or another. Let’s just-“ I stopped in my tracks as we made it to the top. I blinked once, hoping my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. I could have sworn I saw a filly alicorn run by me. Cloudchaser tilted her head.

“Everything okay?” She asked. I wasn’t sure how to respond. I looked around.

“Where did Sonata go?” I asked suddenly. Thi clicked her tongue and cantered out to the street to look around. We spread out a bit, hoping to find any indication of where the tyrant went. Flitter and Cloudchaser were the first to spot a sign of her.

“Just saw her enter a building. This way!” Cloudchaser called out. The two took off and we followed after them. We traversed down a step or two to then arriving at the foot of a jagged building. Flitter floated over to the imprinted wall and tapped her hoof on it. Nothing reacted. Thi groaned.

“Great. I’m not going back to Triad. We can go off on our own.” She said, her habit showing. I gave her a look and she sighed, nodding. “I mean to say, I’m not going back to the Triad without their queen. I’ll check to see if there is a side entrance.” Thi trotted quickly along the building and peeked down the alley. Scribble trotted up to the imprint and began brushing his hoof against the building. His hoof came to a groove and leaned in to get a better look.

“This hieroglyph is unfamiliar to anything I’ve studied. And Thi’s lack of alicorn history won’t help us here. My suspicion is that anything here can only react to Sonata for obvious reasons.” His eyes scanned the building. I had a thought. And Din shared the sentiment. I stepped forward and felt the warmth flow through me. Din unfurled her wings on my back and I held out my hoof, brushing the groove. The groove glowed and the door opened with a hiss.

Subject volunteer detected. Please proceed to designation bay CM-L4M to conduct further investigation. A voice said through a hidden speaker. Thi cantered back upon hearing the voice, looking at the door.

“Oh. I guess that works too.” She said with a smile. My friends entered the building, leaving me the last to step in. I looked down at my hoof. Din’s materialized slightly before the warmth vanished. The door closed behind, leaving us in darkness. I waved my hoof and four tiny orbs of fire lit the way, hovering over to my friends. I used Din’s eyes, scanning the lobby for anything.

It was strangely… modern. A few waiting chairs. A reception desk and empty potted plants. Yet, the disarray of papers and other things definitely gave the partially clean lobby walls and ceiling an abandoned liminal space.

“Sonata?” I called out. My ears flicked for any sound I could make out, if any. Nothing. We proceeded to split up a bit to see if we could find anything. I headed down the hallway and looked in on some of the rooms. Turned over furniture made it seem like a barricade. Other rooms housed nothing of important note. Same old furniture and scattered papers and binders. Was this an office building? Did alicorns really work here? They actually… worked jobs?

Taking one last look around the room, I headed further down the hall where I stopped and blinked. I could have sworn I saw two alicorns disappearing around the corner. Suspicious, I braced myself and went to investigate. The alicorns had vanished down a hallway that led to several doors lined on the side. Strange signs that I’m assuming are markers for designated areas hung over the doors. A door opened to my side, startling me. I brought the flame around and gasped in shock, stepping back.

Inside the small space was a grinning skull of a unicorn. No, not just a unicorn. Upon closer inspection, there were wing bones hanging loosely from the back. Din hummed.

A shame. All that immortality, only to fall to natural mortal causes. Din commented. I waved the flame around and I came across a statue that the skeleton was holding onto. The statue had a strange looking alicorn shape to it. As if it was crafted lazily, but unmistakable. However, Din’s eyes picked up heavy distortion around the statue, causing her to audibly hum in curiosity. What is this now? I slowly reached out my hoof to the statue. When my hoof touched the statue, I froze.

Images flashed quickly through my mind. And as quickly as it did, I pulled away and rubbed my head at the massive headache it gave me. Din coughed out of nowhere, sounding as if her wind had left her.

“What… what was that??” I asked quizzically. Din sputtered before wiping her muzzle.

Seems the passage of time is at a standstill. They are calling to her. Din said. I winced and studied the statue.

“You okay, Fie?” I heard Cloudchaser speak. I looked to see my friends approaching me. The door suddenly closed. I pointed to the wall.

“A corpse. I-I think at least… I’m not sure what I saw…” I replied. My ears then flicked when we heard something banging above us. We nodded to each other before cantering further down the hall. With a soft wave of my hoof, the door opened and we cantered up a flight of steps before exiting onto the second floor. I came to a stop and looked around.

“Wh-what?” I stuttered. We looked around the place. This shouldn’t be possible. We were outside? My eyes darted the distorted sky. The massive castle towering over us definitely told me we had made it outside. I frowned and we went back into the building. We froze. The steps down were gone and instead, replaced by what appeared to be a green house. The plants were overgrown to the point it looked to be a jungle.

“Wasn’t there…?” Flitter began. Scribble scratched his head before heading back towards the door. He peeked around and gasped, nearly stumbling forward. We looked and followed his gaze. The way we came was now platform-less. A straight shot down several stories. Thi pulled him back and we found ourselves back in the lobby we have entered.

“What the hell is going on?!” Cloudchaser exclaimed. Din’s eyes scanned the room around us. No distortion, but something did feel off. We heard the banging above us again. Like somepony was moving something heavy. We cantered down the hall again and I stopped in front of the door. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever lies beyond. We have to find Sonata. I waved my hoof and the door opened to a set of stairs. We ascended the stairs and opened the next door.

A long hallway ran before us into a dimly lit liminal space. My ears flicked as we heard the sound of something being dragged further down the hall. We hurried down it, my mind wondering just what Sonata is up to. When we reached the cross way, the dragging sound came to our left. We looked and saw a door that was already open. Or rather, blasted open. A soft, blue glow welcomed us through the bent inward door. We cautiously stepped through and found ourselves amongst a row of consoles.

The rustic place looking worse for wear, the flooring cracked and jutting upward. The ceiling ripped apart as if something had broken through. Shattered glass vat tubes eerily empty. We spotted movement and when we rounded the side of the massive console, we spied Sonata. She was hunched over a console, tapping the keys and eyes scanning the screen. There was a massive tube that was boiling with a strange fluid out onto what appeared to be a stage like device in the row in front of her.

“Sonata?” Thi spoke up. Sonata paused and glanced over at us before focusing back on the screen. “You do realize you’re going to kill us by wandering off like that.” Thi sighed and shook her head. “Can’t believe I’m saying that to you. What are you even doing?”

“Intel scrying. And considering you are all here, some information has been confirmed.” Sonata spoke, tapping at the console keys. My eyes looked over to the massive tube.

“What is that thing?” I asked.

“Data vats. The Illion scholars would be granted vast assessments of knowledge from their creations, but nowhere to place it should they need it later. The size varies depending on the knowledge contained. This is a vat that is considered a server of knowledge of everypony assigned to this lab. I am almost done scrying.” Thi arched a brow.

“Is it relevant to the Prisma Nexus?” She asked with suspicion. Sonata didn’t skip a beat.

“The Prisma Nexus is relevant to everything here, Billet. In fact, it maybe the very thing that’ll lead us to victory.” She explained. We all noticed her hesitating in her tapping of the key at this mention. Thi rubbed the back of her neck before whispering to me.

“Prisma Nexus, my bloodline, the tree. All these things and yet, it feels like it won’t be enough. Are we really gathering power for the end of the realm?” She asked me. I leaned in and whispered back.

“Not sure. Been tasked with so many things and it hardly feels like anything got done. At this point, we just go along and see what happens.” I whispered back. I wasn’t sure myself about all this. We followed a prophecy, Ouroboros lied, now everything feels convoluted. There has to be a truth somewhere in all this mess. Din chuckled smugly.

Then let there be only one truth. My truth. And the truth is to take all this power and never give any of it! She grinned. I could only nod in agreement. Din is the only one primal I can trust, believe it or not. A loud dragging sound broke me out of my thoughts, and we looked to see the data vat lift up and be grabbed by a clamp before being dragged off the device. Another data vat descended and screwed itself into device. When Sonata tapped on the console, there was a loud scream and the data vat exploded in shattered glass and strange fluid.

Din and Lux had shielded us from the glass before we backed away at the boiling fluid that spilled over. Sonata looked dumbfounded.

“Impossible…” she muttered. Cloudchaser looked over her shoulder and I followed her gaze. My eyes widened.

“Uhh… guys?” Cloudchaser announced. Everypony looked and we could see in the partial darkness several alicorn statues. What worried us was the fact they were cracking and shaking. A strange, sickly glow came from the cracks and the petrified looks began to peel apart. Sonata stood next to us, pocketing a crystal in her outfit and stared down the statue. We then backed away as something long and fleshy shot out of the head of the statue. Sickly crunching of bones as the limb flexed its’ stubs.

The other statues began to crack and other fleshy limbs shot out and began to flail about. It wasn’t long before we heard agonizing pained groans as malformed creatures with odd proportions emerged from the statutes. Sonata stood in front of us and shone Lux’s light brightly in the room.

“Look away! They are not meant for mortal eyes!” She called out. We were blinded by the light and it disoriented us enough that Scribble tripped over something and must have pressed a button. A loud screeching sound blared and the lights began to blink red.

Unknown authorization detected. Quarantining area. Error. Quarantine protocol failsafe not registered. Please remain where you are. The guards have been called. a voice spoke. Sonata growled.

“Quiet Fire! Steel thyself! These are not ordinary subjects!” Sonata said. Din’s eyes took over my vision and I gasped. Indeed, these creatures were strange. Almost humanoid with no faces and eyes dotting the pale skin along with added limbs. One let out a shriek, only to be silenced quickly by Sonata swishing her head and impaling the creature in a spear of light. The creature roared and bubbled before exploding into giblets. The smell was rancid.

“We need to get out of here!” Thi exclaimed. I quickly looked around, Din’s eyes picking up several glowing runes on the wall. I quickly rushed over to one and waved my hoof, the door opening to a balcony. With a quick peek, the balcony led to what appeared to be the next room over.

“This way!” I called out. My friends booked it as I called my halberd and chucked it like a javelin at the next creature that clawed its’ way towards Sonata. The halberd impaled the creature, setting it aflame and causing the other two creatures, who were halfway from exiting the statues, to shield themselves. Sonata quickly pulled herself away and galloped over to us. Once we were through, I closed the door and we took a moment to ourselves.

I looked to the others as they seemed disturbed but okay. I let out a relieved sigh before walking over to the tailing and looking down. Where the hell are we? There were several tall buildings connecting to one another into a maze-like area. We were outside as well as the wind blew through fiercely. Sonata darted her eyes around.

“The Studium Boriale. Or a sector of it.” She looked back to the wall. “We appear to be in section 34-7JKL. One of the many living quarters.” Flitter looked nervously over the balcony.

“How… how can you tell where you are in this place?” She asked. Sonata trotted over to the same door and waved her hoof. Thi was about to protest but stopped when the door revealed a vacant room with a strange looking bed and furniture. I scratched my head quizzically.

“I’ll admit, finding me with only subject clearance was a stroke of luck of untold billions in the percentage range. Illion is intricate to the mortal mind, as it is intended. Those tagged as subject volunteers are to only be directed by an official. If they stray or escape, they would be lost to many rooms and passages as a containment fail safe.” She explained as she walked across the room. We followed her cautiously, Cloudchaser looking back.

“So… what was that thing? Was it another escaped subject?” She asked. Sonata hesitated again as she had reached for the wall. She remained silent as if making the decision to not answer was better, opening the door and stepping out. We followed after her and found ourselves back in the familiar hallway.

When we exited the building, I couldn’t help but look around nervously. If there is a couple of those things loose, who knows how many more are roaming.

“For a tribe of researchers, protocol must have been up tight.” Thi chimed in after ten minutes of silent walking.

“Our king Illion and the fair queen Galaxae designed the Illion tribe to be knowledgeable and upholding to the pursuit of knowledge. Tis our duty selected by the Creation Mother herself. Everything was as intended, each tribe kin trained to harness the power of creation. I… I never could magically do so.” She said. Thi balked and began to laugh. We all gave her a stern look and that got her to clear her throat out of nervousness.

“S-sorry. Force of habit. So… you can’t create anything?” She asked. Sonata glared at her as we turned down a street, the encampment not too far off.

“Erase the thought of me being inferior to my kin. Nay, I couldn’t create in the way the others could. I belonged to the ones whose minds far suppress magical talent. Everything built by hooves and blood. Those that were magically gifted were stationed elsewhere.” She straightened herself, putting on a commanding posture. “Be it as it may, that still leaves the question of what has happened here.”

We arrived at the encampment and were greeted by Triad troops. The scribes were already hunkered down and working away at consoles. Lilac approached us and saluted Sonata. Sonata reached into her coat and withdrew a smaller looking data vat and crystal.

“Have the scribes sort through this vat. The slab data should decrypt the messages.” She ordered. Lilac nodded and took the vat and crystal before passing it off to a scribe, relaying the order. Sonata looked around. “Status on the teams.”

“Alpha team confirmed securing of perimeter. Beta team encountered a point of interest and granted permission to scout after Alpha confirmed perimeter secure. Charlie team has encountered several creatures and were able to dispatch them. Progress hindered by broken roads, collapsed buildings and a disconnection of the bridge to the mainland. Report confirmed by Delta. As we are right now, we are stranded. Shall we call for alicron scouts?”

Sonata shook her head.

“Negative. In fact, it won’t be necessary. Have they’ve been able to confirm entry into any buildings?” She asked. Lilac shook her head.

“The report states that there are imprints of what looked to be doors but unable to open.” She replied. Thi grinned.

“Lucky us that we have two keys right here.” She said, nudging Sonata. The fire in Lilac’s eyes were brighter than Din’s while Sonata gave a disgusted look. She casually dusted her coat before speaking.

“As loud as our pest’s muzzle is, she is correct. Since I originate here, most entryways will react to me. To some degree, the fire one too. However, we will be using my blood as the key.” She looked at me. “We will not trust subject blood from this point on. Radio the troops and strike teams. Relay the warning that there are creatures here that originate out of statues bearing my kin’s visages. They are not to be engaged and must retreat. Do I make myself clear?” She sternly looked at Lilac. Lilac saluted.

“Yes, your majesty! Permission to speak freely?” Lilac replied. Sonata nodded. Lilac turned to Thi. “Don’t make yourself too comfortable in this truce, Thi Billet. I will always uphold our majesty’s pride.” She said coldly. Thi smirked.

“Sure, sure miss body snatcher. Hey, Sonata. Perhaps you’d transfer her soul into one of those creatures next time, eh? Might be a better fit for a soul like her.” Thi challenged. I sighed and rubbed my muzzle. Thi was quiet for a bit before sighing. “Look, I’ll be honest. I cannot put our differences aside after everything you both have done. I’ll bite my tongue for now and only work to benefit my friends and the world. But I will not apologize for calling you out. Far as I know, it’ll be either a survival of the fittest or betrayal.”

She gave me an apologetic, frustrated look before sighing in defeat and nodding softly. I was rather worried about Thi’s behavior. But I’ll also bite my tongue for now. I looked back towards the castle. Sooner or later, something bad will happen. And I’ll cross that bridge when it happens. Din cackled in the back of mind, gleefully at the thought.

The scribes had managed to examine and data mine the vat with such surprising efficiency. When they were done after an hour or two of us idling about the camp, one of the scribes spoke up.

“Scrying complete, your majesty!” The scribe called out. I rose from my bored idleness on a metal crate and walked over with the rest that stirred from their boredom. Scribble was the first to arrive and look over the shoulder of the scribe along with Sonata, their eyes scanning the console screen.

“Fascinating.” Sonata spoke. “Seems my kin were working on Chalice and nearly figured out the formula.” There was a tone of pride in her voice. Scribble tilted his head slightly.

“Chalice… says here that the lead behind it was Rosette Nebula.” He commented. I blinked.

“The alicron?” I asked. Sonata stood up.

“Rosette Nebula is… was a genius that could match even our great king’s foresight. Her mind was focused. Desired by the others. She created almost all of the data we used as reference in our time. And I still use it to this day.” Thi balked and frowned.

“So, the alicrons were because of her data?” She asked. Lilac scoffed.

“Pay attention, terrorist. Your mud brain might learn something in pride.” She replied. Scribble narrowed his eyes as he scanned the screen.

“Your majesty. We have several hundred files of subject relations, IDs of the researchers, their living procurements and position. I… you might want to look.” The scribe moved over, allowing the alicorn to scan the screen. The console began to blip red quickly before going back to a calm green. We watched patiently as she continued to scan. It eventually dawned on us what was happening. Even Sonata’s stoic face began to crack in shock.

Out of curiosity, I peeked over her shoulder. The screen was shifting through file after file. The screen became red with each viewing of the files. Big words popped up as she went through them:

Deceased

I was confused by this. Why was it so shocking? Sonata paused before tapping on the screen.

>Rosette Nebula

The files shifted through each other rapidly before coming to a stop on the file. An image of an alicorn with big square glasses and a bun mane looked back at Sonata with professional stoicism. The screen didn’t turn red. Instead, the file opened up and a lot of scrolling tabs popped up. Words then appeared.

Deceased. Recent activity, Astrologias Hubble Akedymer. Last report: Activated Chalice in hopes of our kin surviving. A gamble like plenty of others in my profession. If not, then may the Creation Mother guide us into her light. Begin Cascade.

The file then forced Sonata out and began to blink yellow. The screen now flashing the words:

Warning. Cascade storm imminent. Seek shelter.

Sonata gasped and looked up over the console. We followed her gaze. Sure enough, the distorted sky was looking quite sickly. In fact, the red flares around the black sun were beginning to grow.

Let the light protect you! Lux’s voice resonated in my mind.

Screw you! My fire will fend it off! Din barked. Before we knew it, mine and Sonata’s horn glowed brightly and our primals casted a barrier around the camp. The ground began to shake and the sky turned red. Lightning struck around us, creating a large wave of prismatic light. The barrier began to be struck one after another.

Sonata and I screamed as the barrier began to crack. It was a sharp and agonizing pain against us. Din and Lux grunted as they willed themselves and us to stand firm. I grunted and tried my best to ignore the pain. I looked over to Sonata and my eyes widened. Everytime the lightning struck our barrier, I noticed cracks beginning to form down her horn. It then crawled down to her head and then down her neck. I instinctively placed a hoof on my own neck and could feel the hard cracks forming.

I lost my train of thought as Din forced me to steel myself. I wasn’t sure how long this went on. Every agonizing pain caused me to buckle and fight for my life. Eventually, the storm subsided and the sky and sun returned to their natural state. Sonata and I buckled and fell onto our bellies in exhaustion as the barrier was released. My friends rushed over to help me up while the Triad troops did the same for Sonata.

“What in Celestia’s name is going on around here?!” Flitter asked in pure shock.

“Cascade… storm…” Sonata panted. I looked at her tiredly. The cracks were waning and vanished completely after three seconds. “I… only ever heard the theory once in my filly hood. But… tis was an unlikely accident. The Illions never planned for Cascades.” Thi frowned as she let me lean on her.

“Whatever the Illions planned, it may not have worked out as well as they thought it did. Who knew that immortal knowledge seekers doomed themselves and their entire civilization.” Thi narrowed her look. “Not so fun now when your own kind has died, is it?” Sonata snapped and shoved aside the ponies helping her, marching over and hooked her hoof under Thi’s cuff and brought her up to face her.

“Listen well, little pony. We are above mortals. Our brilliance aiming for beyond the stars. Everything calculated, every decimal accounted for. All this research would have saved us from the eventual end of this pathetic realm. We even planned to help you mortals to safety! It’s because of those damned sisters that all this happened!!” Sonata snarled. Thi rose an unamused brow.

“Are you sure the Celestiales and the princesses had anything to do with your civilization being doomed? You even said it yourself. The only thing you can recall is the Celestiales invasion. But who's to say that they weren’t trying to stop your kind from dooming themselves in an effort to save everypony else?” Thi forced her hoof away from her. “Even immortal beings are prone to mortal mistakes. Life has a strange way of laughing at us. You can either let it beat on you or suck it up and stop blaming anything around you.” She lowered her gaze.

“I blamed my own follies on everything and it got me nothing but a broken friendship and more blood on my hooves. And like the mortals we are, we can change and adapt. Even forgive ourselves if others don’t. You may blame Princess Celestia and Luna for your own follies, but you know that you brought it upon yourself. They made mistakes as well, I’m sure. But unlike them, you refuse to accept the changes and instead fight against it.” She looked up at the sky. “Look where it got your kind.”

Sonata said nothing. She was still glaring daggers at Thi. She then scoffed and spun on her hooves.

“Begin plans to erect a protective stasis around the camp. I’m going out to scout.” Sonata said. I stepped forward and stopped her by tugging her tail. She looked over her shoulder.

“Not without me you’re not. You wander off again and get yourself killed, you can forget about finding what happened to your kin. Plus, we owe ourselves to the responsibilities of the realm.” I said.

“You dare assault yourself upon her majesty?!” Lilac yelled, aiming an arc pistol at me, causing the other Triad ponies to rack their weapons and aim at me. Sonata and I stared each other down. Thi stepped forward.

“We’re going out there with you too. Better to have more eyes.” She said.

“You’ll only get in the way.” Sonata immediately replied. Scribble spoke up.

“That’s where we come in.” He said. Cloudchaser and Flitter smiled and nodded. Thi flushed a little. Sonata rolled her eyes.

“Ugh. Very well. Lilac, maintain comms. I’ll keep you updated.” She said to the zebra mare. Lilac saluted and began to order the troops to begin construction of a pylon. Sonata didn't say another word and began to venture out of the camp. We quickly caught up with her and proceeded to spend ten minutes searching the streets for anything noteworthy. Sonata seemed to be on auto pilot and just wandering. I managed to glance at her eyes and seeing them glossed over. Perhaps she's just conversing with Lux.

It appears my vessel is preoccupied in her memories. A soothing voice said. Din and I jumped in surprise as Lux sat next to Din. She gave a smile at Din, who immediately jumped back and readied herself.

A sneak attack?! Din growled.

Do not flatter yourself, dear sister. If I wanted to sneak attack you, you’d have been bundled up in a nice cube of flesh before you could say “huh”. Lux said. Din flared but I stepped in front of her and narrowed my eyes at her.

‘What do you want?’ I asked. Lux remained as she was as she replied.

To get away from the jumbled thoughts of my vessel. Figured I’d prefer a hot headed, straight forward mindset. Lux looked around. Since when did you have a phoenix? Her eyes locked onto the sleeping bird on the tree branch.

None of your concern! I’m more inclined to get my revenge right here and now! Din stared her down before she straightened and took a deep breath. But I’d rather save my energy for more of those abominations. Lux nodded softly.

You sense it too? She asked. Din scoffed.

You belittle me. Need I remind you that the others have suffered at my hooves. Tis only a matter of time. Din replied sourly.

I fear we are against time here. This realm’s stability is beyond repair. The least we can do is give these poor souls the mercy they deserve. Lux said with a soft sigh. Din laughed.

Ahahaha! You think even alicorns deserve mercy?? Regardless of how they treated us, they are no better than the mortals they deemed themselves to rule over. Din chuckled. I arched a brow.

‘Treated?’ I began. My mind raced back to our fight with the alicron. Din’s reaction stuck out and I looked at her. Din rose a brow.

If you really want to know, here is neither the time or place. I’m more focused on the Prisma Nexus. She said casually. I narrowed my eyes, seeing a small glint in her eye.

‘What are you planning?’ I asked her. Din grinned and brought her hoof back, smacking me hard across the cheek. This caused me to turn my head and blink, gasping in shock as I nearly walked off the edge of the street. Cloudchaser and Flitter grabbed me and hauled me back. I stumbled backwards and blinked once more in confusion.

“Wha?” I said. Thi and Scribble cantered over to me.

“The street isn’t paved, you know.” Thi said sternly. I looked back down the street. I must have been conversing deeper than I thought. We somehow were standing in the open street that was separated into floating chunks and buildings towering over us in no particular direction. Sonata stepped over a gap and made her way over to us.

“How did…?” I scratched my head.

“Need I remind you that I am not here to foal sit.” Sonata said coldly. “Come. We are nearly there.” Thi wanted to retort but showed some self-control in the matter. She looked at me worriedly.

“You alright?” She asked me. I slowly nodded.

“Yeah… Just a bad feeling over taking me.” I replied, smiling a little. “I’ll be alright.” We proceeded to follow Sonata, hopping over gaps in the street and even across some fallen bits of buildings. It seems we had ended up in the epicenter of a natural accident. As we continued to explore the abandoned and destroyed buildings, (any data vats we came across were either broken, malfunctioned or lacking anything of note) it began to dawn on us how much this civilization has fallen.

Our eyes set towards the castle. The massive structure a wall to the other areas that were cut off to us. We spent three hours wandering and sifting through papers, personal belongings and kiosks. But nothing came close to the morbid curiosity of the alicorn statues. Flitter had shrieked when she came across what looked to be a foal like alicorn petrified and holding onto two other alicorns staring up at the sky.

The more we looked, the more we could see that the poses the alicorns were petrified in were varying. Terror, confusion, panic, remorse, guilt ridden and even acceptance frozen on their faces. Sonata stopped in front of a family of four and studied them. She suddenly fell to her haunches and carefully brushed her hoof against the stallion statue.

“What happened here…?” Cloudchaser began, tapping at a statue that was sitting on a bench like furniture. “Did somepony make these?”

“Becareful. Those creatures came out of these things. If anything, we may have stumbled into a nest.” Thi said before turning to Sonata. “We can’t stay here.” Sonata said nothing. Eventually, she spoke up right as Thi was about to tap on her shoulder.

“There was beauty in this kingdom. Its’ people matching it in kind. Most of our craft was research, but that didn’t stop others from being… normal in mortal terms.” She said, brushing her hoof softly against the mare statue now. “Foals playing in the streets. Pleasant conversations and debates to be had almost everywhere. Many projects on display for all to see.” She looked up towards the castle. “Our king was ever kind. Intelligent and perceptive, he led our tribe against many failed horrors with such efficiency that even the other tribes grew jealous. Our queen, graceful. Perfection. Flawless in beauty. Yet as much an equal to the king. Her’s was brave, protective. Motherly. Their heirs attributing to their genes far more than expected projections.

“If I recall, the king and queen only had two children who were… vastly different.” Sonata closed her eyes, recollecting her memories. “They shared a more adventurous side. Spending time with mortals as seekers of their way of understanding. Their insight has proven valuable into our ever-seeking growth towards her love. But…” Sonata sighed and opened her eyes. “I’ve hardly had time to see them. They would spend time in the mortal realm far from normal schedules.” Thi hummed.

“Sounds to me like you actually had friends. That’s… shocking.” She said simply. Sonata put a hoof to her chest.

“Perhaps. Tis a long time ago…” She replied. Thi looked taken aback. As Sonata stood up and motioned for us to keep going, Thi leaned in and whispered to me.

“I’ve never, EVER, seen this side of Sonata. I swear, she’s making me think she actually has feelings.” She rasped. I leaned in and whispered back.

“She hadn’t before?” I asked, genuinely curious and now completely invested into Sonata’s exploration. Scribble leaned in and whispered with us.

“What can we expect from an alicorn we have hardly even met? Save for Thi, I get the impression she genuinely has a superiority complex against mortals. Let’s just keep an eye on her and see how she’ll react.” He said. We all nodded and kept up with her, but keeping ourselves at relative distance to watch her. Sonata did spend some time studying the statues we passed. She showed sadness to the ones that were destroyed, curious to the familial ones and seemingly silently mourning a group of other alicorns. The more we progressed, the more I began to wonder just how many ponies did Sonata know before being sent down to the mortal realm? After traversing more gaps and heading through stores and buildings, (the stores seemed to have been untouched but unfortunately, the interesting looking contraptions and foods were locked behind some glass that Sonata had noted could only be accessed via the valid id holder) Sonata confirmed that the security systems to prevent theft were active and thus told us to not touch anything.

Not wanting to test the patience or anything else, we continued on. Three hours have passed. It was hard to tell exactly what time as the sky remained distorted and the sun has not moved. Flitter tapped her chin, floating casually over to Sonata.

"Aren't your troops and Lilac going to worry at how long you've been gone?" She asked her. Sonata glanced at her before speaking.

"As their queen, voice and higher command, they are trained to not rely on me. My regiment requires all militants to enact independency upon my authorized orders. I would relay orders to my top generals, and they will relay them to the field troops." She explained. Thi snorted.

"A lotta good that did with you being in stasis. Don't even try to lie that isn't what you wanted. Why were you even in stasis to begin with?" She said.

"Infection of the Kalenite miasma. Freezing the affliction would kill it out right. However... it took longer than I had anticipated. As for your other retort, the 'invasion' was indeed approved by me and authorized by me. I had no time for pointless meetings or otherwise as I was on the cusp of something far more valuable." She explained. Thi growled but I nudged her slightly and she gave me a flustered but defeated look. I only returned it with a reassuring smile and that caused her to relax a little.

“So, is it a top secret valuable or something unrelated?” Cloudchaser asked.

“Need I remind you that you are in the presence of an enemy. A ruler of the conflicting nation at that.” Sonata replied. “That being said, the information is far more valuable that even mortals could not comprehend. If you stay alive long enough, I might be able to tell you what I know. For now, we are here.” We all stopped and looked up.

This building was nothing like the others. This one was a flat building that looked to be uncomfortable to even move around in. The space has to be small. It towered twelve stories tall, had what looked to be randomly questionable archways with walkways underneath or above them connecting to a singular wall with windows. On the other side of the wall, the building began to curve, giving the building the defined characteristic of it being flat that no pony should be able to fit into.

“What…?” Flitter began.

“ Astrologias Hubble Akedymer. The main designation where any dangerous research and our brilliant minds are stationed.” Sonata said. “Here is where we’ll be stationed as well.” Sonata walked over to the field of grass in the courtyard and withdrew a stake device. She impaled the ground and the device began to spring upward and separate itself. It soon became a pole that began to slowly spin a strange arm with a blipping device around itself. Sonata withdrew another device and began to mess with the keys and knobs.

“What is that?” The ever-curious Flitter asked. Sonata frowned, clearly annoyed with the curiosity.

“You only need to know that we are moving encampments.” Sonata replied, turning the knob as the device emitted a static sonar sound. She held the device towards the building and softly waved it back and forth. Satisfied with whatever she was doing, she pocketed the device into her coat and motioned with her head. “Secure the perimeter. We must save our resources for entering the Astrologias.” She spun on her hooves and began to walk toward a set of stairs off to the side into the next courtyard, leaving us to exchange glances and deciding to do as we were told.

Flitter joined me while Cloudchaser and Scribble proceeded to go in the opposite direction, leaving Thi to solo scout the area. We headed back up the street and began to circle what we felt was a good point of the perimeter. As we carefully maneuvered over and around gaps, I couldn’t help but notice Flitter rubbing her side.

“You okay?” I asked suddenly. Flitter gave me a reassuring smile.

“Still a bit sore. I chugged a crate full of that healing brew.” She chuckled. I gave a soft chuckle at her joke, but I still felt worried.

“Are there… you know… still side effects?” I asked. Flitter hummed and tapped her chin.

“I… don’t honestly know. The voices stopped… which is good. But I still feel… like I’m not entirely myself. I feel alienated in my own body.” She sighed and smiled. “I did want to talk to you though. Thank you for saving me. I know I haven’t been able to keep up with everypony so much, but I’m not sure field work is for me.” She giggled. “It is fun to go on adventures with my sister and friends though. It’s not everyday we do that, what with Wonderbolt training.” I gave her a small smile.

“I’m just glad we found a solution. I… honestly did not know how to fix it.” I said pathetically. Flitter ruffled my mane playfully.

“Don’t think too hard about it. I’m alive and kicking! And, I’ve been wanting to test out a new modification to my bow.” She unslung her bow and showed me it. The design looked high tech on the surface, but mostly resembling a compact bow. “I sweet talked a couple of ponies on our journey and managed to get a few things out of it. They were nice enough to let me test out a feature.” I gave her a worried look.

“Are you sure you want to be trusting Triad with modifications?” I asked. Flitter nodded.

“It’s their creation. And considering that they knew how it worked, it only seemed logical.” She rubbed her foreleg softly, looking a bit sad. “I know. We are enemies but… that doesn’t stop them from being genuine good ponies.” I shook my head.

“Thi might still be trying to come to terms with that, but I believe you.” I grinned. Flitter looked at me curiously.

“I heard from Cloudchaser that Thi made a huge mistake. How is she?” She asked. I rubbed the back of my neck.

“She seems to be taking it in a positive stride, despite old habits dying hard. I…” I trailed off. I couldn’t complete my thoughts as we have arrived at a massive hole in the ground. It was like the whole center caved in on itself. Flitter peeked down the swirling clouds, looking concerned.

“You don’t think…” She began before gasping. She backed off, knocking an arrow as several hawk-like creatures with long devil like tails flew upward and squawked at us. I called upon my staff and got into my stance. Din cackled.

Good, I was getting bored! She grinned, smacking her hooves. The creatures screamed and began to crackle with electricity. Flitter and I yelped and dove out of the way as lightning cut across the ground. Flitter fired off arrow after arrow, pelting the birds in their chests. This seemed to have some effect, but when one of the birds decided to catch two arrows in their electric field, it then chucked them back, Flitter yelping as she avoided them. Din cackled and I took off into the air, three more birds following after me. Flitter flanked me in an effort to distract at least one of the birds but it seemed that two more flew up from the clouds and began to direct her away from me. I spun around and quickly struck a bird in the face, sending it spiraling away. Din proceeded to have me flip and twirl to avoid the lightning from the remaining birds, managing to kite them and with one good strike, hit one and dragged it into the other, sending them downward into the clouds. Before I could recover from the action, I felt a sharp pain jolt through my body, causing me to scream in pain. The sudden pain made Din and I both angry and we looked towards several more birds. Where were they coming from??

Flourishing my staff and turning it into the halberd, Din had me charge at the birds, colliding with one in an impale and using the momentum to buck two more away from me. I flipped in the air and chucked the impaled bird off my halberd and into two more that appeared. I looked around for any sign of Flitter. I managed to spy her deftly maneuvering around the birds, knocking arrows and firing them through their lightning before having to be dragged by Din to avoid more lightning.

Hahahaha! These are filly's play! Almost makes me want to test myself against that Thunder Bird! Din cackled. I swiftly twisted my body, spiraling through the crack of lightning from the birds and flipping around them. A thought occurred to me.

'Thunder Bird... In that case.' I felt a warmth course through me and Din licked her lips. 'How about a little bit of fire with it.' I waved my hooves in front of me, a trail of flame wisping around me before I brought them together, concentrating the power together before crushing it and letting the flames erupt around me. I then threw out my hooves, releasing the power and disintegrating the birds around me. Finally getting myself some breathing room, I brought up my halberd at the ready, seeing several more take their place. The birds gathered their lightning and shot them in a volley of bolts. Din and I synced our motion, spinning and flourishing our halberd and catching the lightning at the head. I held the halberd upward and released the lightning, causing the birds to stop in their advance and screech at me. Din laughed maniacally and used her magic to alter the lightning, turning it from a bright white to a burning red. I then aimed the halberd and released the lightning again, striking the birds and setting them ablaze with sparks flying.

The birds fell into the clouds in balls of raging fire. I readied myself as five more ascended from the clouds. I paused, my eyes widening as I saw Flitter on the back of the leading one. She had dug an arrow into the back of it and held on. The other birds didn't seem to care about their comrade and were trying to strike them with lightning.

"Hold on, Flitter!" I called out, kicking off the air and rocketing towards them. I was about to swoop in and grab Flitter, but at the last moment, the bird she was one dipped and I missed. This caused two birds to break off and attack me. I batted at them with the halberd, unable to get a solid hit on them. Suddenly, I heard a loud thwap thwap and the birds screeched before spiraling down into the clouds. I looked over in confusion, seeing Flitter riding on the back of the bird with an arrow knocked. The lightning bird still had an arrow stuck into it, but it seems Flitter managed to tame it. My jaw dropped as three more zipped out of the clouds and Flitter quickly pulled on the arrow, causing her bird to maneuver around to avoid the birds. I couldn't help but have a smile creep on my face, watching the Wonderbolt zip in and out of lightning bolts.

The pegasus mare did something incredible that made me cheer. She let herself fall from the bird during a maneuver, having knocked two arrows and released them, pelting the chasing birds in the chest. She landed back on her bird and pulled out another arrow, stabbing it hard into her bird and kicking off of it. She soared away a good distance and swiped her bow’s shaft. I shielded my eyes as a bright explosion erupted, flaying the other birds it flew into. Flitter underestimated the radius and was knocked off course.

I quickly soared over and caught her. Being cautious, I flew back onto solid ground and helped steady Flitter. She took a moment to catch her breath and smiled at me.

“Thanks.” She said. We looked towards the opening. We anticipated more birds to fly out and attack us, but when none showed, we let out a relieved sigh.

“Flitter… that was incredible!” I said excitedly. Flitter blinked in confusion.

“Heh?” She responded. I nodded.

“I knew you were good at archery, but the way you maneuvered a lightning bird was nothing short of something I would have done!” I beamed before giving her a worried look. “Oh, Celestia, I hope I didn’t rub off on you.” Flitter giggled and playfully punched my foreleg.

“Probably. You should have seen us take on The Visar back in Roam.” She grinned. We found ourselves walking away, keeping far away from the hole while I gushed about her skills, much to her embarrassment. Flitter has gone through a lot and she is a lot tougher than I thought she was. I can see how Cloudchaser sees her as a pillar of strength.

We headed back to the Astrologias, having carefully avoided the petrified alicorn statues along the way. As we were about to descend the steps, I looked across the courtyard and saw Thi confronting Sonata. My look turned into worry. Flitter must have thought the same. We picked up our pace into a canter as we made our way back. Sonata glanced at us, causing Thi to look over her shoulder. Thi smiled and waved.

“Everything worked out?” She asked casually. Flitter and I exchanged glances before telling them what we came across. Sonata rubbed her chin in thought when we were done relaying.

“Subject series ELC-4539. Thunder Birds as you mortal calls them. You must have disturbed a nest to exhibit so many.” She explained. Thi balked.

“Thunder Birds?! Plural?!” She exclaimed, looking at us. I smiled and waved a hoof dismissively.

“Nothing like Rita. They were big but not ginormous. Yet, I can’t help but wonder what is beneath the clouds.” I replied. Sonata looked past us and we turned to see Cloudchaser and Scribble coming back, covered in crimson. They didn’t look too pleased with the state they were in.

“What happened?!” I asked in a slight panic. Scribble looked himself over while Cloudchaser tried to flick off the liquid.

“One of those creatures blew up on us when we walked past it.” Scribble spoke. Sonata pushed past us and withdrew the device. She waved the blipping device over them and looked at the screen.

“Interesting. Be it as it may, that blood is not yours to wear.” She said, her horn glowing. The two glowed and in a loud pop and flash of blue light, Cloudchaser and Scribble were completely cleaned. “As a precaution, it is best to avoid them for the time being. Who knows what diseases may have broken free from our labs.” She then spun on her hooves and trotted towards the building, leaving us panicking a little. “Come. We will find what we need in the Astrologias.”

We all looked up at the flat building. The more we explore this civilization, at least a minor part of it, the more I began to get a headache. I hate to say that I’m glad we have somepony who originates here. Goddesses knows how long we would be here by ourselves.