Warsong: Primordial Conflict

On our way out, we couldn’t help but notice something. The wolf robot was gone. Sonata believed it may have activated upon the discovery of Rosette’s message. Which was not good for us. The way Sonata described it, we’d have little time to react should it hunt us down. Thankfully, we seemed to make it out without any trouble. Sonata couldn’t help but point out that the aetherite systems were operational once more. She came to the conclusion that Rosette had locked everything, save for a few necessary ones as to keep out the invading tribe.

This must have been all hard to process for the alicorn. And I wouldn’t blame her for her strange, quiet behavior either. She kept putting a hoof to her coat pocket where the chip was. When we took an aetherite transporter back to the main lobby, the petrified alicorns greeted us in their usual poses. When we exited the Astrologias, we saw that the Triad had moved encampments and had set up everything already. I wasn’t sure how long we were in there. Or let alone, how long it’s been since we got here.

It was like the concept of time was frozen. It was also surreal to see how close we were to space and now back on solid ground. Sonata didn’t salute or acknowledge her troops as well as Lilac when they greeted her. The troops looked confused but kept themselves at attention. Sonata paused in front of her tent and looked over her shoulder.

“Rest as much as you can. Celebrate yourselves. Our plans have changed and I need everypony at peak. Dismissed.” Sonata ordered before pushing past the flaps and closing it with her magic. The Triad saluted and seemed lost as to what to do. Eventually, they begun to settle with passing the time of idle chatter and table games.

My friends and I sat not too far off from the camp, discussing what we have seen. Of course, Lilac happened to walk by and hear all of it. Thi smirked and waved at her.

“You’re welcome to join too.” She taunted. Lilac glared at her.

“I’m more concerned as to what has happened in the Astrologias. What have you’ve done to our glorious queen?” She coldly asked with a cross of her forelegs. Thi held up her hooves.

“I don’t know, miss snoopy. You heard what we’ve said right? Not our fault that your immortal queen is experiencing mortal emotions.” She said. Lilac growled but I held up my hoof a bit.

“Lilac… how close are you to Sonata?” I asked. Lilac regained her stoic look before replying.

“I am her right hoofed mare. I aid in her decisions and carry out her orders as law. And if any of our troops have a problem with it, they are to report their complaints to me and I will see to them personally. What else might I add that you don’t already know?” She retorted.

“Well, for one, you have let it slipped on calling her mother. Somehow, I am lost on that fact. Considering how your soul was transferred to somepony who hadn’t consented to it.” I replied with a curious tap of my chin. “Were you even a pony to begin with?” Lilac studied me, as if trying to gauge if I was plotting anything. I must have given off a genuine stupid look as she stood up and walked past us.

“If you really must be curious, perhaps you can do some favors for me. But considering your company, I doubt you’ll get your answer any time soon, if at all.” Lilac trotted away from us. I turned back to my friends and shrugged at them. Flitter then nudged me.

“Well? Go on.” She smiled.

“Huh?” I replied. Flitter giggled.

“Aren’t you supposed to be good at reading ponies?” She teased. “She said in present company. Perhaps if you talked to her by yourself, she’ll be more open to speak.” I took a bit to process this before rubbing my muzzle with a small smile.

“You’re right. I’m more tired than I thought.” I replied. Thi crossed her forelegs with a worried frown.

“I wouldn’t trust that pony with anything. But, it’s your call Fie.” Thi said. I stood up without hesitation and nodded.

“Might as well get what we can before proceeding further.” I replied before turning on my hooves and cantering off in the direction of Lilac. It took me a bit to find her. She was hunkered down in front of a console set up. I noticed Lo Mien and Xena also tapping away at their own consoles. I shifted my look to concern. “How is it that they can still be mind controlled under the effects of the Sombranite?” I asked Lilac suddenly. Lilac didn’t look up from her station as she replied.

“Would you rather the spies go ballistic before we can get anywhere? Neo-SMILE agents are off the grids for a reason. Considering we have not only primal vessels of volatile nature, but a terrorist who’ll ruin everything if given the chance in our camp.” She finally glanced up at me. “Sad to admit that our hooves are tied at the moment. The control collars will stay until further notice.” Lilac went back to tapping at the console. I rose a brow quizzically and she slumped a little. “They are being fed and bathed. We aren’t barbarians.” She said. I furrowed my brows.

“I’m not so sure I’m inclined to believe that. But let’s say, hypothetically, I didn’t care about moral understanding and want to poke at your brain for the sake of morbid curiosity.” I replied. Lilac removed a data vat before placing another one in.

“One who has no moral standing is no better than the darkness we face. But then again, we are not in a position to be having what ifs. You want to know my standing and reasons, do you not?” She asked, her eyes scanning the console. I nodded.

“I’ll start by asking if Sonata is in fact your mother. What with your soul transfer, my next question is how many times has it happened.” I stated. Lilac paused and leaned back in her chair.

“For starters, Sonata isn’t my real mother. She took me in off the streets as a test subject first.” She met my look. “It surprised her how strong my aptitude for magic I was as a colt.” I blinked.

“Colt?” I asked. Lilac crossed her hind leg over the other, crossing her forelegs across her chest.

“I am over a thousand years old. I have had over four hundred soul transfers throughout that time. All varying ages, all varying diseases, all varying deaths. The last one you were accustomed to was a stray cultist member who had illegally practiced heresy in the name of your princesses in order to bring blight to our nation. We quickly secured and contained them for questioning.” Lilac smiled. “None but her gave up information. And for that, she was given a second chance. I was discarded from my elderly body and into a younger, fresher one. Unfortunately, when our realm started to go to complete shit, I was infected with an unnatural disease that was rotting away my insides little by little.” She frowned. “That damned creature. And I was starting to enjoy that body too.”

I gave her a disturbed look. Din cackled.

A kindred spirit. She grinned. I took a soft deep breath, steeling myself for the next answers.

“So… she’s your mother because she’s kept you around for your magical aptitude. But then, wouldn’t you have lost it when being ‘sundered’ from your old body and into a new one? In theory, soul transfer doesn’t allow a creature to maintain previous aptitudes.” I explained. Lilac looked a bit surprised.

“Interesting. You’re not all brawn then.” She said. I slumped.

“I did go to college, thank you very much.” I replied with a sigh. Lilac studied me as she spoke.

“But even records and history books cannot understand the formula created to ensure of it. It also helped that I was a twin in my first life.” Lilac stared at the console a she spoke. “My twin brother perished as we were fleeing from marauders that were infested with a virus plague. The fungal virus ate away at him as I could only watch helplessly. I… do not remember what happened afterwords. I do know it has been several years after before I was found by my queen.” She looked back at me, as if expecting me to piece something together.

Which, I in fact, did. I was shocked.

“That’s a theory that’s supposed to be an extremely rare thing to happen!” I exclaimed. “So… how did Sonata keep all that power going inside of you?” Lilac went back to tapping away on the console.

“Science, magic and plenty of trial and errors. Thirty or so test subjects were used for compatibility. But only one allowed the theory to be true. Have I satisfied your curiosity?” Lilac replied animatedly. I was still processing this information. Putting it aside for now, I then looked at the data vat.

“Have you’ve found anything interesting?” I asked, motioning to the data vat.

“Data is still being scryed. However, any information here is not available for public eyes.” She replied without skipping a beat. I frowned.

“We are literally in your queen’s decrepit homeland. We already encountered horrible monstrosities, an alicorn having doomed her entire race and we are left with more questions than answers. I think we are inclined to that information. Considering we are in a truce right now.” I stated. Lilac sighed and rubbed her muzzle.

“Scrying data vats is taking longer due to the encryption. Rosette Nebula was very strict in providing information. We have to work around firewalls and other security protocols to even get a fraction of info over her favorite meal.” Lilac replied, tapping at the console. “Potato salad.” She stuck her tongue out in disgust a bit. Din must have sensed something as my attention was directed upward. Lilac narrowed her eyes and followed my gaze. We saw it. A bright, pink ball that looked like a star floated high above us. It seemed to bob unexpectedly to us noticing it. It frantically flew around, as if trying to hide from us. When it floated down in a slump, it then bobbed its’ way down towards us. Lilac stood up and unholstered an arc pistol before stepping around. We trotted over as the star orb floated down to eye level with us. Lilac had withdrawn a similar device that Sonata used and waved it in front of us.

The screen flashed red, puzzling Lilac. I studied it a bit more. Yet, Din was sensing a welcoming presence. Intelligent. Ambitious. Curious. I held out my hoof to it.

“Who… are you?” I asked it. I don’t know why, but Din felt compelled to transfer some of her magic to the star. A amber shimmer streamed smoothly from my foreleg and swirled around the star. In a bright flash of light, there stood no longer an orb. My jaw dropped. Rosette Nebula smiled kindly at us. Even Lilac was stunned by this.

“A bit of a note. That device cannot read anything beyond a magical source of an alicorn. I have shed that shell long ago. Severed.” She then unfurled a wing and brought it across her chest into a formal bow. “Greetings, weary travelers.”

Everypony in the camp was stunned to see the visage of Rosette Nebula sitting idly on a crate, having conjured a teacup and sipped from it. Directly across from her stood us behind Moonlight Sonata, who was just as puzzled as everypony else. Rosette Nebula smiled and motioned at the tea cup before Sonata.

“Haven’t I taught you proper manners, my faithful student? Do not look upon me as royalty. You know better than anypony else how I feel about such a title.” Rosette spoke with a teasing smile. Sonata hesitated. She then took the cup in her magic and gave a testing sip. She blinked and stared down at the cup.

“It’s… real… You’re… alive…?” Sonata spoke finally. Rosette gave a sad look.

“I am afraid that I no longer live nor can perish beyond what I am. I have shed my immortal shell long ago to be among the stars. And yet… I was cast out even by the very stars themselves.” Rosette chuckled a bit. “I still laugh at the irony of it all.” Thi Billet looked at us.

“So… this isn’t a dream, right? Luna isn’t playing a divine prank on us?” She asked. Rosette smiled at her.

“Celestiales and Lunare had no affiliation to their daughter’s attunement to the dream realm. Nor do the royal heirs know of our existence. Everything between other tribes was handled exclusively in the Debatus Majoris. And to what pleasure do I owe to the descendent of the hot-headed Excalibur?” Rosette spoke. Thi nervously met the kind gaze of the alicorn.

“O-oh! U-uhh… W-well…” Thi rubbed the back of her head, trying to think of something to say.

“Were you really the one responsible for all of this?” Flitter chimed in. She got some looks from Lilac and Sonata, but Rosette giggled.

“Indeed I am. But I needn’t say more to something you don’t already know.” She replied before looking at Sonata. Sonata blinked quizzically before reaching into her coat and withdrawing a device. Rosette nodded.

“But… why sever immortality? Why destroy the very thing we hold? Our immortality is her blessing true. You would… shed it for a theory?” Sonata spoke. Rosette took a sip of her tea before replying.

“It appears you still have some scrubbing to do, Sonata. But I trust it has been rather fruitful in your own search, has it not?” She asked her. Sonata remained quiet at this. “And now I must sate my own curiosity.” She looked directly at me. Her eyes beaming with anticipation. “Star Subject Din… how much you have grown past your incubation. The fiery courage that the Creation Mother had left behind embodying to create a perfect world for all. But shouldn’t you have chosen Excalibur’s descendent over one so weak of magical aptitude?”

I don’t know if I should feel insulted or agreeing. I was still trying to process all this. Din, however, walked forward, stepping out of me and taking a physical form. Rosette smiled before looking to Sonata.

“You too, Star Subject Lux. I wish to study you. Your aptitude, I sense, is all over the place. Perhaps I can find a solution to it.” Rosette spoke. Lux stepped out of Sonata, taking physical form as well. The two stood side by side, eyeing the alicorn. Rosette looked pleased. “Dawww, how adorable!” My jaw dropped as Rosette scratched them under their chin. The two shifted uneasily. “How fair the other sisters? Have they too taken physical forms as well?” Din pulled herself away from the affection and glared at her.

“Unhoof me! I will not tolerate this embarrassment.” Din hissed. Rosette’s eyes widened in surprise, beaming.

“You have a voice! Oh, simply wonderful! Projections were right on the mark!” Rosette chuckled. She then faltered and lowered her head sadly. “Shame I couldn’t present you to the Astartum Minstrium. You seven were my magnum opus. But it eases my metaphorical heart that you are well and alive. Has Ouroboros been restless since?” Scribble stepped forward.

“Hold on, hold on… you’re making it sound like you created the very balance of our realm and seven elemental goddesses in charge of shaping our future and saving our realm… as pets?” Scribble questioned. Rosette nuzzled Lux, the alicorn unable to escape it.

“Oh, but they are pet projects! Well, except for Ouroboros. He was sent by the Creation Mother for our care. He’s the only piece we have that our faith exists. And the root of my ever growing pursuit of knowledge. He’s been quite the hoof full, but a dear when it was in regard to the Creation Mother.” Rosette explained. “As for your seven ‘goddesses’. They were indeed created for the sole purpose of keeping the realm in check. We took everything the Commandments of the Mother created and ingrained them as bylaws. Though, there was a strange error in their creation.” Rosette hummed in thought. “Twas what caused them to go unstable the first time and escape containment. The event was rather… eye opening. Once we fully contained them, they escaped once more in no part thanks to Ouroboros to stop an invading alien lifeform from destroying what the Creation Mother made.” She pressed Lux’s cheeks together and cooed at her. “Who’s a good wittle subject?” Lux pulled away and rubbed her cheek. If a primal can blush, Lux must be doing so.

“We are not your toys anymore, Doc.” Lux expressed with frustration. “We have severed our ties with the bylaws Ouroboros put in place. I will not stand for this embarrassment!” Rosette blinked before her look turned to a serious one.

“Aha… so that explains the failsafe…” She said. “I should have known. I apologize for not fixing it as soon as I could.” Cloudchaser rubbed the back of her head.

“I don’t get it…” She said. I could hear the gears in her brain cranking at maximum. Cute as it is, I too was struggling to keep up. Din stamped her hoof.

“Be it as it may, I on the other hoof, will ascend beyond even the very stars themselves! With all this power, nothing will stop me! Not even your coddling, old hag!” Din growled. Rosette studied her before giggling.

“So, I see. And quite the journey you all must have been on. But of course, this isn’t the first time mortals have come to seek the Prisma Nexus.” She said. “The realm must be in such a dire state worse than I have made ours. And I would be remiss to not aid you in your cause.”

“Just like that?” I asked. Rosette nodded.

“As you say.” She replied. Sonata threw the teacup on the ground and stood up, marching over to her.

“You… how dare you…!” Sonata stared down angrily at Rosette. “All these millennia's and you have the gall to offer your aid in such a manner of casualty?! You destroyed our home and you expect us to require your aid?! Monstrosities, escaped test subjects! Our people should not be in this state! We were glorious to her light! You cherished her wills with such ambition that no pony could understand!! And you led me to believe I did!! I looked up to you!!” Sonata motioned around the area. “Having to spend my eras amongst lesser beings trying to return home. To return to you!! And here you are, just idling around our home with no decency of the Illion might!!” Sonata clutched her coat. “Do you have any idea how much I have failed over and over and over again?! To not bask in your praise once more?! To be considered an equal to one who is a hero to our people!! Data vat after data vat after data vat, I scryed and scryed and scryed and yield nothing to show for it!!

“Why am I the last of our kind?! Why must I live amongst the same lands as those spoiled Celestiales brats!? Am I the only one who cares anymore about the Illion name?!” Sonata seemed to be tearing up. Rosette, however, had a serious look to her.

“But you shed the name during your time in the mortal realm, my student. You cannot cry about decency and standing to the Illion name if it never ceased to live on. All for the betterment of your sake. Everything you are searching for is on that chip I left you.” Rosette explained coldly. It was like her entire persona did a one-eighty. Almost eerily similar to Sonata’s personality. “You are not a filly anymore, Sonata. And you know that I will not tolerate adolescent behavior for ones who walk with me.”

“But I still want to walk with you!!” Sonata cracked. “Being your student was the only meaning I had in my life!! I didn’t want to be a queen over mortals!! I didn’t want to be considered lower than the others!! I went above and beyond to ensure my achievements were known throughout!! And yet, I still felt empty!! I have commanded, slain, executed and even continued your research in the hopes that I’d be able to return to you!!” Sonata sniffled a bit. We all backed away, save for Lilac. Rosette studied the alicorn.

“You dare cry before me? My student, who was brighter than the rest. Who had achieved so many. I didn’t think I was amusing a lost filly. Had I known, I’d have you sent straight to Correctorum and stripped of your mind.” She coldly replied. “And yet… my heart couldn’t be cold around you, no matter how much I corrected myself.” Sonata blinked and wiped her eyes before looking back up at the alicorn. Rosette kept her serious, stern look. “Be it as it may, if you truly wish to continue the legacy of one such as I and carry the wills and wishes of our people, then do not grovel at me like a brat.” Lilac stepped in front of her.

Rosette’s expression darkened, a cold, dead look in her eyes.

“How curiously disgusting. Mortals would consider mimicry a form of flattery.” Rosette commented. Lilac stood her ground, clearly not disturbed by the presence.

“I will not have you talk to my majesty in such a manner. Goddess or not, we have the will and power to crush this place should it get in our way.” Lilac glared at her. “And you choose to stand in her way. We will find you in the afterlife or wherever your soul is trapped and study your brain behind a jar. That is a promise.” Lilac tapped her chin in thought. “Skeletal DNA also holds much information. It may take some time, but we’ll find your discarded body and get what we can from it. Illion will live on with the Triad.”

Rosette studied the mare for a long intense minute.

“Very bold for a mortal damned to the darkest pits of the abyss.” Rosette said, before smiling softly. “Interesting. I can see that you are on your way to fulfilling my legacy one way or another.” Lilac lowered herself at the ready while Sonata flinched at the alicorn shifting her posture. “The real question is… Are you willing to walk in the abyss to guide those lost to the light?” Sonata sniffled and wiped her eyes, taking a moment to compose herself. She then stood upright as Lilac stepped aside to stand at attention.

“I walk in the abyss to guide those to the light.” Sonata said. Rosette’s expression softened and stood up to face her. She then looked her up and down and went to wipe the eyes of Sonata, only to phase right through. Rosette studied her hoof curiously.

“Curious. A shame.” Rosette commented. She then stepped back and smiled. She looked up to the black sun and hummed. “A severance cascade storm is approaching. I will ensure the safety of everypony here. You all look like you could do with a rest.”

We sat in silence upon our long rest. The Triad troops took shifts on lookout while the rest got sleep. Having waken up, Rosette had called to us to join her away from the camp. My friends and I gathered under a tree in front of the Astrologias. Rosette was looking up at the building fondly before acknowledging our presence.

“Rest well?” She asked. Cloudchaser yawned and stretched.

“Surprisingly wide awake. How can you tell when it’s day and night here?” She asked.

"You can't.” Rosette smiled. “Or at least not anymore. But time doesn’t matter to Skyros. We sleep when our bodies tell us too. We have plenty of rest lounges spread throughout the kingdom to ensure maximum comfort. And the plushies are cute.” Somehow, I can only imagine Rosette laughing crazily as she made a modify plush of a pony that came to life, springing with mechanical limbs ready to rip and tear. Ignoring the thought, Thi stepped forward.

“So, there is still the matter of the Prisma Nexus. Sonata was too busy walking down memory lane to gathering anything on it from what it looks like.” She said with a frown. Rosette giggled.

“Au contraire. I left her with everything she needs. I had a feeling she’d return one way or another. And… I’ll be honest. I’m glad she had surrounded herself with mortals. Though, I wished she’d made friends.” My friends and I exchanged glances before replying in unison.

“You are?” We asked. Rosette nodded.

“I adore mortals. Their way of life is not so different than ours. They may lack the technical advances, but they are as close a mold to the love the Creation Mother has for us.” She then beamed and cooed at us lovingly. “And you all have such wittle adowable cheeks! You’re wike wittle kittens!” We shifted uneasily at this.

Din, to no surprise ironically, hissed defensively almost like a cat would to an overly affectionate elderly mare. Feeling rather degraded, I cleared my throat and stepped forward.

“L-let’s uhh… stay on track, yeah?” I said.

“Of course~” Rosette cooed before quickly clearing her throat and rightening herself. “Of course. You’d want to know about the Prisma Nexus, yes?” I nodded.

“That, and to take it with us.” I said. Rosette eyed me, her kind look dropping to a serious one.

“Is that so? And you truly believe acquiring the Prisma Nexus to be your boon to saving the realm?” Rosette said coldly. I rubbed the back of my head.

“Well… I think we have a lot of options already, but more wouldn’t hurt. But Din wants to acquire it not just for power, but to ensure no pony else gets to it.” I explained. Rosette studied me.

“Remarkable… Din has been accumulating power?” She asked curiously. I explained everything to her, how it started, how it went before, how it changed and how it’s going right now. I made sure to keep important details spoken about carefully as well as my friends chiming in to ensure I wasn’t leaving anything of note out. When we had finished, Rosette smiled and levitated Scribble’s journals back over to him. He blinked in confusion.

“How did you…?” He asked, catching them in his forelegs. Rosette waved a hoof apologetically.

“Forgive me. It’s a habit. I figured some light reading would be nice while I heard your recounting. Though, I must admit, the way you described Ms. Billet was quite colorful.” Thi and Scribble both turned beet red. Scribble hurriedly packaged his books. Thi ruffled her own mane and stood up.

“W-well, whatever egghead thinks of me, I can think of something even more colorful! And I don’t need anypony else to tell me otherwise!” She exclaimed, bringing Scribble into a hug, their cheeks colliding with a squeak as Thi gave her a “back-off” look, much to Scribble’s confusion. Cloudchaser wrapped a wing around me and snickered.

“About time.” She said as Flitter seemed to gush at the sight. I’ll admit, I was worried about how she would use him to get at the Triad. And yet, I’m at ease knowing that it seems both had mutual feelings. It made me smile. Rosette seemed to shiver at this, clearing her throat to calm herself before nodding.

“Yes. Light heartedness aside, twill not be easy to get to the Prisma Nexus.” She replied, turning to look up at Illion Castle. “It is the very heart of our kingdom. Without it, this place would fall upon the mortal realm below.” We balked at this. Din growled.

Typical… She grumbled.

“Is there anyway we can take it without endangering both realms?” I asked. Rosette hummed.

“Tis only a theory, but the castle supposedly can lock itself to the clouds. The process, however, had many failed attempts.” She tapped her chin. “We can always try something else. An Atlas effect.”

“Atlas?” Thi asked with a scratch of her head.

“The olympian titan from ancient times. Supposedly forever holding up our world in their culture.” Scribble explained. Rosette nodded with a pleasant smile.

“Ahh yes. I always thought it amusing that mortals would create fascinating myths. And yet, all the more reason, those stories are told not from chance, but from inspiration.” Rosette grinned as she thought more on this. “If we can build a titan of measurable power, with a proper life cycle of energy, then we can send it beneath the kingdom and keep it afloat.” Flitter furrowed her brow.

“And… how long would that take?” She asked. Rosette flourished her hoof matter-of-factly.

“It’ll be several millennia's upon estimation. Seven to be exact. That’s on top of the projected tests and theories as well as modifications if anything happens to be faulty or unable to handle the stress of joints and-“ She blinked and looked at us. Our eyes blanking at her. Rosette cleared her throat and faced us. “I-it’ll be a long time.” Thi shook her head.

“We don’t have a long time and it feels like we’ve been losing it being here.” She exasperated. “Equestria and Pony Land are fighting against and on each other and we have nothing to stop it!” Rosette hummed.

“Hmm, indeed. If you want to rid the Sombranite entirely, immense magical power must be channeled. Tis the only way we can deconstruct an error in our projects.” She stated. “Internally without suffering damages to the outside. It’ll have to be precise.” I darted my eyes in thought.

“Then we have to get the Prisma Nexus.” I said. “There has to be something here that will allow the entire kingdom to stay afloat.” Rosette hummed. Then, she perked up at an idea.

“Gyrofans.” She said. Cloudchaser tilted her head.

“But gyrofans funnel the clouds through. It won’t make it float.” She replied. Rosette nodded.

“Yes. But what if we gave the gyrofans wings.” She smiled. “We can activate the Busy Bodies to construct them under the kingdom. I have them stashed in every corner of the place. Ready for repairs and other modifications if need be. However…” she sighed. “While the aetherite systems are back online, not everything is corrected. Wear and decay most likely caused several hundred short circuits and malfunctions to be happening right now.” Rosette nodded to herself. “But never fret. I can make it work.”

We heard the call from several Triad guards and we cantered over to see what was going on. Lilac was standing at attention with Sonata as they looked out towards the squads of Triad troops at attention.

“Today is the day we, The Triad, will step hoof into Illion Castle, birth right of her majesty!” Lilac spoke. Rosette hummed, making an “ahhh I see now” mumble as Lilac continued. “Each of you are assigned to a strike team. Each of you will head to the designated coordinates. And each of you will begin to repair and secure Busy Body stations. You cannot miss them. They stick out like a sore hoof. When you have succeeded in your mission, you are to relay your advance to field HQ. Acquisition any data vats if you can.

“Once the warbands retrieves the Prisma Nexus, we extract at these coordinates. Troops! Ready up VHUDs and set out! There is no room for error. Make it all count as if your life depends on it. Move out!”

“For her majesty!” The Triad troops shouted in unison. Rosette looked on with stark interest before walking over to Sonata and Lilac. The two faced us

“Curious. To have mortals unquestionably at your beck and call. Housan Sharps always were meticulous.” Rosette smiled. Sonata adjusted her commander cap to hide her expression.

“I hope they have rotted.” Sonata replied. Thi clapped her hooves together.

“Okay! So what’s the gameplan? Storm the castle and shoot everything on sight? Clear the way for the others? I’m dying for some normal action.” Thi said. Sonata and Lilac glared at her. I was certain it was just a habit with them everytime Thi spoke. They then looked to Rosette.

“Not yet.” Lilac spoke. “Rosette has been meaning to show us something. We are taking a scenic route to the castle.” Thi slumped with a groan. Rosette cooed again, waving a hoof at her as if beckoning a cat over.

“Daww. If I let you blast any escaped subjects will that satisfy you?” She spoke. Thi carefully side stepped away from her, only giving her a nervous nod and smile in return. Rosette trotted past the two Triad leaders and motioned with a wing. “Come along, my little ponies! For I have a tale as old as time itself.” We exchanged worried glances before following after her.

We were expecting her to start her story, but she only ever went on about how a building used to be this before it got reconstructed to an ice cream parlor or a bunch of theoretical concepts or noting all the subjects she can spy all around. Imagine our disgust when we found that the moss we’ve been seeing throughout were little microbes that were mating to create fungi. We finally got a bit of action as we stumbled across a nest of Hummbannagas (as Rosette calls them). We had to correct and mention how very closely they resembled to Cockatrices.

We made quick work of the escaped subjects before moving on. As we progressed further, learning more and more about Illion culture and dispatching escaped subjects (and the occasional ‘sundered’ as Rosette began calling the creatures coming out of the alicorn statues), we eventually had to take a quick short cut through an alley to go around a massive pit bigger than the one Flitter and I had found. Thankfully, no thunder birds blocked our paths. I really do not like birds.

Sonata and Lilac showed just how deadly they could be working together, making me question Thi off to the side how she was able to live so long against them.

“All luck, baby~.” She sang a little. She then laughed and slugged me playfully in the foreleg after seeing my concerned look. “I’m just kidding, Fie. But I was lucky to some sense. Sonata was always preoccupied with something else while I would go against Lilac.” We watched as the two dispatched a swarm of pixie-poppers (Parasprites from Rosette’s name calling) that had decided to try and make us a meal. When they were finished and moved on, I heard Thi smugly say “Nah, I’d still win.”

Eventually, our progress led to a set of stairs upward and Rosette calling for a break. We fell onto our haunches, save for Lilac and Sonata, exhausted. Rosette giggled and eyed Sonata. Sonata seemed to give an annoyed sigh before her horn glowed. From Lilac’s saddle-bag she withdrew several packaged MREs. We took them and exchanged glances at one another. Lilac proceeded to open her’s and with a plastic spoon, scooped out what looked to be rice and beans.

We followed suite and were hesitant at first to try our meals. I perked up, realizing that it tastes exactly how spaghetti would. We munched down hungrily, realizing how much we were starving. I looked up to see Sonata idling against the wall, her eyes closed in meditation.

“You’re nofth goin’ tafh eath?” I asked her with a mouth full. Sonata opened her eyes and glanced at me.

“I’m more concerned about why we are still walking in circles.” She replied, now looking at Rosette. Rosette seemed preoccupied with a strange dead tree. Rosette noticed her gaze and she smiled.

“Feeling nostalgic. Isn’t that fair?” She asked her. Sonata scoffed and tore her gaze away.

“Hmph! And here I thought we were heading to Illion Castle so I can conquer my enemies. And yet, my troops are carving their way through dangerous terrains in an effort to reach it as well. Time is being wasted.” Sonata replied sourly. Rosette hummed.

“Why care on mortals now? Didn’t you want to take a stroll on your own?” Rosette asked quizzically. Sonata didn’t skip a beat.

“Resources. Twas it not you who has taught me to use every available resource? Any wasted is a sin to her name.” Sonata retorted. Rosette smiled softly.

“Indeed I have. But then why continue to cherish a sundered?” She said, her eyes meeting Lilac. Lilac narrowed her eyes quietly.

“A pet project to pass the time while I continue to search for a way to get back and have the royal brats's heads to roll. Not that you are aware, but Celestia took it upon herself to make two pretenders.” Rosette’s eyes widened with a smile.

“Really? How devious.” She grinned.

“All the more reason we need to find the Prisma Nexus before that Kalenite gets to it.” Sonata spoke. Rosette trotted past us and got up the stairs halfway.

“My, my. Celestia managed to have not one, but two. Yes… they need to answer for their sins. Caelum is no place for rites.” She said.

“What does she mean by that?” Thi asked Scribble.

“Caelum is a plane of existence that is separate from the ethereal stream. In fact, it’s the third plane coinciding with Tartarus and Limbo. But… then what you are implying is that they had been killed and reborn? That's the only way that has been tested upon over the centuries to reach it.” Scribble looked up at Rosette. The alicorn gave him a studious glance and nod.

“Caelum is a sacred place. The Creation Mother’s heart. Giving mortals the love of her light and can be reborn in a newer shell and body. The mortal pony who undergoes this transformation has to have perished by harmony magic and granted rebirth by a prophet of her love. Celestia and Luna are not prophets and have stepped into a realm they had no right to.” I stood up, putting aside my MRE and walking over to her, stopping at the bottom steps.

“If it is so much a taboo, then why have you gone so far as to doom your own people?” I spoke. “There is such a thing as knowledge is too much power. Mortal curiosity is a fault we cannot help ourselves to. And our follies have been far greater to near apocalyptic standard. And yet, we adapt. We continue on.” I put a hoof to my chest, staring up at the alicorn. “We make mistakes, Rosette Nebula. That’s just how we were born. For we were born with naught but curiosity. New discoveries, new ambitions, love, you name it. Mortals are curious by nature. Isn’t that what the Creation Mother intended?

“Even immortals make mistakes. Whether they choose to accept them or not. But instead of adapting, you only wanted to change it. Celestia and Luna have made plenty of mistakes in their time and have not realized them until after. In fact, Celestia had to banish Luna to the moon for over a thousand years when there were plenty of other options she could have done to save her.” I lowered my head. “Knowledge is power, Rosette. But it’s what we take from it and learn from our mistakes that make us who we are. And Celestia had never hid the fact she regretted making that choice. Luna still struggles to this day with her own actions, and yet, it was mortals that made her realize that she is just like them. And she accepted that fact.”

I sighed and looked to my friends.

“It’s because of Celestia and Luna that I am able to make friends and get this far with them. They put me on this path, and they knew it’d be difficult. But instead of having faith in the Creation Mother, they had faith in mortals. Because they accepted us as we accepted them.” Everypony was quiet. That quiet was soon broken by laughter. Rosette had tossed her head back, laughing to the sky. When she calmed herself, she gave me a curious look.

“How adorable. Celestia and Luna have you fully wrapped around their shadows. It’s cute that you speak so highly about the royal heirs. However, mortals are also prone to one other fault.” She gave me a wide-eyed smile. “Differences.” She suddenly unfurled her wings and floated backwards up the stairs and beckoned us with her hooves. “Allow me to tell thee a tale. A tale of how I have saved our kind from their differences.”

I balked and raced up the stairs, nearly tripping as I reached the top. Rosette flew backwards, beckoning us to follow. Her horn then glowed brightly, causing us to shield our eyes. When the light dimmed, we lowered our forelegs and gasped. Our entire scenery had changed. The street was chalky grey and cleaned with not a single speck of filth or decay. The trees were bright yellow and orange, creating an autumn atmosphere. Rosette flew further down the road as we galloped after her. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. We were seeing stores, homes, parks. Even alicorns mingling about, as if they had not had a day of strife in their life.

We booked it up another set of steps underneath a walkway and came to a massive park plaza.

“This… this cannot be…” Sonata gasped, suddenly halting next to us. Our eyes fell upon the massive statue of the Unknown Alicorn. Her stance watching over the busy alicorns trotting and mingling about. There were even fillies and colts playing games with each other. The colorful autumn leaves fluttered along a nice, spring breeze. I noticed colorful bright birds chirping away around the plaza. We spotted Rosette pirouetting in the air before holding her forelegs out in wonder of the alicorn statue.

“Her love knew no bounds. Ever the pillar for inspiration. We, the Illion Tribe, are the closest to her love. Born from a single tear. It is thanks to her we cherish each day to the fullest. And it is thanks to her our pursuit never wavered.” She said, her voice resounding throughout the area. She sighed happily before spinning and flying off in a direction. We galloped after her. What is this mare doing?!

“Rosette! I will not have further distractions! Take us to the castle!” Sonata called out with a frustrated growl. The alicorn seemed lost in a trance, casually hovering in the sky. She then made a sudden maneuver as something bright and gold sped by, nearly hitting her. My eyes looked upward and my jaw dropped. High above the towering skyscraper buildings were millions of speeding chariots. Using Din’s eyes, I could make out that they were not driven by pulling. They were piloting themselves. We followed the mare, phasing through alicorns going about their business and displays of their magic. We soon galloped down a venue that had a gondola river and several bridges crossing to what looked to be residential districts.

“Throughout our lifetime, we spend our days in peaceful grazing. No different than what mortals would call their own society. This is able to be maintained by his might King Illion and his Queen Galaxae. Their words and deeds touching upon the hearts and minds of all ages. A boon to our pursuit and ponies I had equal fondness towards. Some would say, dearest friends. For I among them would always be by their side in an effort to continue our brilliance.”

We spied the alicorn prancing across the river, bounding over gondolas and alicorns as she seemed to make a graceful dance out of it. We galloped after her, using the bridges and keeping an eye on her. She soon took off into the sky and soared over buildings. We managed to find a straight pathway and galloped down it, seeing her land and watch as a group of colts and fillies laugh as they played a game of tag. She smiled and faced us as we rushed over to her.

“Indeed, the many streets I have walked. The many sounds I’ve experienced. It was quite refreshing.” She then looked over and we spied a couple of alicorns messing with a pod like device. It suddenly blared an ear-piercing alarm and the pod hissed open. The alicorns backed away in panic as a robotic alicorn stepped out. Thi groaned.

“You gotta’ be kidding me!” She exclaimed. I shared her sentiment. Not too far away, a few more pods hissed open and the alicrons emerged, bearing fierce looking spears. Their designs weren’t rugged or sleek like Sonata’s designs. In fact… these looked very eerily like real alicorns. The only difference is the chassis exposing their fiber skeleton. The one close by looked at the alicorn backing away and its’ eyes glowed red.

Without a single moment of hesitation, it took its’ spear and cut down the alicorn, the blood spraying onto the clean streets. The other alicorns screamed and ran away. Rosette sighed.

“Sadly, the upkeep of our brilliance fell short on most. Demoting themselves to fodder for failed experiments.” Rosette walked forward past the fallen alicorn and the alicrons. “But in the spirit of experimentation. You must always try again.” We were about to gallop after her when an alicron suddenly stepped in front of us. The red eyes glared down at me. I hesitated a bit but kept galloping, knowing I’d phase right through it.

However, the backhoof of the alicron sent me off my hooves and across the street. I rolled to my hooves and looked at it stunned. I held my cheek. A sharp pain shot through me as I rubbed it. The other alicrons advanced forward, joining the one that hit me. They formed a neat line formation and stood up on their hind legs, bearing their spears at us. Cloudchaser flew over to me.

“You okay??” She asked. I nodded and stood up on my hind legs, calling forth my halberd and readied myself.

“These aren’t illusions. Everypony, becareful!” I called out. As if on cue, the illusion of the city began to flicker and static. I spied Rosette enjoying a refreshing tea above the walkway they were blocking, observing us. Cloudchaser crackled her gauntlet.

“Guess we’re her new pet projects for now…” Cloudchaser said. The alicrons rushed us. Cloudchaser and I separated as I conjured three clones to aid me. We began to slash and stab at two alicrons while the others focused on my friends. My halberd clashed with the strange glowing blades of the spears, nearly tripping due to the insane strength these things had. And since they were not hulking giants, they were able to nimbly avoid and cover their openings.

This was so surreal. It was like fighting an actual pony. I dodged, spun, slashed, stabbed, jabbed and struck at the alicrons, the two I am facing able to dodge and retaliate easily. I found myself being pinned in a block I made by them and they forced me onto my back hard. Din growled and mimicked me, providing me with enough strength to shove them off of me and deftly make quick work of them.

What I wasn’t expecting was actual blood to be spilled from the alicrons. I ended up slashing one across the throat and it made a garbled gurgle before falling motionless. I looked over and rushed to help the others, my clones aiding them. With relative ease, we managed to fall the alicrons, leaving their scattered parts splayed along the street. We faced Rosette, who had suddenly vanished. With her, the illusion faded, and we were back in the abandoned and decrepit kingdom.

The alicrons were indeed real. And yet, despite the illusion changing the scenery, it appears that we were left on a hunk of land in the middle of the sky sea. Sonata growled and trotted over to a decrepit looking machine that she immediately began taking apart the wires and inner workings.

“What are you…?” Thi asked.

“I know where she is leading us. This is an aetherite transportation unit. ATU for short. These will aid us in getting near Rosette as they are designed to level with the psyche. You think to go.” Sonata bit into a wire and yanked it before finishing it and the pad underneath it glowed. That was surprisingly quick. Even quicker how she immediately stepped in. “Think of me and you’ll arrive at my location.” She then melted into thin air.

We were a bit stunned by this, but Lilac followed suit and vanished in a similar manner. We exchanged glances and braced ourselves. I was the last to step in and the sensation was not like a normal teleportation spell. By the time I rematerialized, I felt sick. Even Din hurled a little.

At least… tis isn’t the Highest Evil… she groaned. I found my footing and looked to see that my friends and I were standing in an alley. Sonata and Lilac were looking around a lot, trying to pinpoint where the alicron went. I stepped forward, noticing a floating bright star overhead.

“Rosette!” I called out before chasing after the star with the rest on my tail. We came to a stop upon seeing Rosette walking up a flight of steps. She looked over her shoulder and kindly waved a wing at us before disappearing over the top of the stairs. And of course, as soon as we raced to the top, a bright flash of light blinded us and we were back in the illusion.

However, while the autumn setting was still here, we had found ourselves on a massive straight path street. Millions and millions of alicorns of all sizes and colors were lined nearly shoulder to shoulder, cheers, confetti and jubilation ringing out. Looking past the alicorns, we could make out what looked to be a parade. We galloped through them and stopped.

“What is all this?” Flitter gasped in wonder.

“The Ceremony of Travel." Sonata replied as she watched what looked to be a massive decoratively colorful elephant stamp on by with what looked to be plenty of alicrons and normal alicorns performing and guarding the floats and displays. Even the bright birds were aiding into creating a magnificent paradise. We then spied Rosette on the other side of the road, nodding at us and walking down behind the alicorns. We proceeded to follow her on the other side.

“Rosette, wait!” I called out. But only her voice resounded.

“Every millennium, some special chosen are tasked with studying the workings of mortals. Every millennium, mortals began to change. To create. To achieve. To destroy. We wanted to know what exactly made them tick. We gave them boons. Wealth, fame and even personal desires. For their insight, we in return receive a beneficial trade. For what empowers the Illion kingdom is knowledge. We create, we achieve, and we destroy. And the best form of energy is mortal insight. For theirs’s unnatural. Wild and untamed.

“I have spent most of my free time studying the reports of these findings and eventually, I began to grow fondly of their plights. Their strengths. Their affections. How curiously close they were to the Creation Mother’s ideals. As if they were the intended dominators on this star.” Her voice resonated throughout the cheering. Suddenly, the cheers got louder. A group of foals rushing by had mentioned:

“It’s the king and queen! C’mon!”

We lost sight of Rosette, but we continued down the street. We slowed ourselves as a massive float, intricately designed with roses, laurels and silk cloth overshadowed us. And yet, in clear view of the day, two alicorns dawned the thrones with royal dress and coat. The pure white stallion alicorn, handsome with beautiful piercing brown eyes and autumn curly mane and beard, waved kindly to his kin. Next to him was a goddess. A genuine goddess. Her beauty sparkling like the stars at night. Her charcoal coat like a smooth painting. She dawned a sash robe with golden laurels and jewelry neatly presented to her long, ethereal galaxy mane that draped beautifully over her shoulder. You could almost see the planets in her mane.

She too, was kindly waving pleasantly to her kin. I noticed two empty thrones at the foot of their float’s steps. Smaller thrones dawned with simple silk cloth with golden pins. Were they expecting somepony to be with them? I wasn’t paying attention and bumped into two alicorns that were walking by.

“Hey, watch it!” A mare’s voice annoyingly spoke. I looked back with an apologetic look.

“S-sorry, we’re in a bit of a.. hurry?” I paused, looking back as my friends galloped by me. My eyes scanned the area. I could have sworn I had actually bumped into two alicorns. I felt a chill run up my spine.

Let us not fall behind. Din sighed unamusedly. I did a double take to ensure I was only hallucinating and proceeded to race by the float, catching up with the others. I balked as something heavy landed in front of me. Scrambling to my hooves, I faced the alicron having stabbed a spear into what looked to be a stranger version of a manticore. I looked past to see the others engaging in their battles.

Subjects and alicrons alike were combatting one another. Did Rosette set this up? Ignoring the question further, I quickly avoided the slashes of the alicron and began to pummel it with a flurry of hoof blows and bucks, managing to pierce one’s chassis, allowing Din to follow up with a gleeful burst of a fire beam that decapitated the other advancing alicron. I withdrew my hoof, shaking it off before tackling one that Lilac was facing.

When the alicron threw me off and I landed on my hindlegs, my back found Lilac’s. She was in her own stance. Without another word, we rushed the alicrons, synchronizing our strikes and follow ups that had me grinning a bit. When I managed to trip the last one, leaving Lilac to decapitate it with a quick singular hoof buck that locked under the chin, sending the head flying and the body slumping down next to her. She shook her hind leg and eased herself. She then met my dumb grin.

“Don’t get full of yourself, Demon. I felled more.” She said stoically as she walked past me. I fell onto my hooves and shrugged.

“I thought it was fun.” I replied before meeting up with the others. There was clapping up above us.

“Bravo! You’re fairing much better than New Frontier.” She smiled. Thi sheathed Excalibur onto her back and frowned.

“You ready to stop all this or are we going to have to beat more of your projects?!” She called out. Rosette beckoned us with her hoof.

“But my tale isn’t finished. Just hear me out.” She replied casually as she began to float away right as the illusion began to flicker and crackle.

“Then stop running and leading us on a chase! We don’t have time for this!” Thi replied. It fell on deaf ears as the alicorn blinked away. Thi looked to us and shook her head with a shrug. “I swear. It’s like she’s testing us.” Sonata tapped her hoof in thought.

“Indeed. And I believe I understand why.” She replied as she trotted off to the side of the decrepit road. She began to mess with another ATU. “Rosette’s fondness of mortal affairs had drastically changed her outlook with our kin. That much is clear. But what was the source of this pursuit?” Sonata paused and looked over her shoulder to us. “You may not care as much. But this means more to me than the Prisma Nexus.” Thi gave her a concerned look.

“Sonata. We are losing time. Equestria and Pony Land could be in a state of disruption already. And Fie still has to save our realm. We need that Prisma Nexus.” Thi said.

“Even then, what can we do when we find it?” I spoke suddenly. “Rosette said it herself. It’s the heart of the Illion Kingdom. Without it, this place will crash into Equestria and Pony Land. Maybe not only is she testing us, but she might also be leading us somewhere.” My eyes then fell onto the statues that were dotting the area. “And… as any mortal is. I’m deathly curious as to what caused this Severance Cascade. Rosette is the key.” I turned to my friends. “Let us hear out Rosette. I’m certain she has something in mind. She helped create the kingdom, after all.”

The sisters and Scribble nodded. Thi sighed and smiled.

“Can’t argue with the majority. And I trust you with your word.” She said before turning to Sonata. “Alright, Sonata. Lead the way.” Sonata didn’t speak as she closed the side panel, and the machine came to life. Sonata stepped in and nodded before melting into thin air. We followed after her, I being the last one again. The feeling of rematerializing is something I’m hoping I would not do back in the mortal realm. Gathering myself, I looked around. The others were scanning what looked to be a park. The neatly packed dirt road trailed off into different directions. This was a bigger park than I thought it was as it felt like we were in a field, the districts separated from it.

"Over there!" Cloudchaser and Flitter called out in unison, pointing further down the road. We looked to see Rosette staring up at the black sun, her mane no longer in a bun, flowing in the cold, apocalyptic breeze. She had dawned a lab coat as she seemed to be taking what looked to be a pen and writing something down on a floating clipboard beside her. We galloped over to her, only coming to a stop when she began to flicker. The illusion around us looked to be breaking down. The park, for a brief moment, was destroyed into chunks of land. Sonata stepped forward, her demeanor determined and stoic.

"Rosette... What do you intend for us to see?" Sonata asked herself out loud.

"When the affairs of the mortals began to reach upon our home, thanks to New Frontier, our people began to feel restless. Morbidly so. The ones under me began to toss around unusual theories and speculations. And I'll admit, I too was caught up in the craze. It wasn't until after a few months that did the mortals create the biggest sin. The exiled children of our king and queen created a false alicorn." Her voice spoke. The flickering image of Rosette looked forward as a group of featureless ponies, followed by three alicorns stepping forward and presented the smaller one. "It was in due part to the bearded mortal, who had trespassed once upon our land, in an effort to sate curiosity. His magnum opus to our hospitality. A disgrace upon our kind. Word began to reach the other tribes, creating a diversity of thoughts that bordered upon heresy to her light. And I was chosen to be the one responsible to fix this matter. And so... I begun my work." Rosette's visage turned away from the group of ponies that flickered out of existence, the alicorn adjusted her glasses and lab coat before taking off, blinking out of existence.

We saw the floating star take her place and began to hover around us. It took off down a pathway and we followed it. Rosette led us through alleys, passageways and roads, all twisting and winding with each one. How did the Illion Tribe ever get around so efficiently? On top of us following Rosette, we encountered several groups of subjects, alicrons and sundered, having to get tactical with some of the encounters when it seemed too much.

Once we ensured our respite, we saw Rosette disappear around a corner. We galloped after her and turned, only to stop immediately as something big exploded not too far away from us. The next thing we knew we were in a battlefield. We saw Olympian dressed alicorns flying, shooting with strange spears and combating the alicrons. There were groups of Illion alicorns running away in fear, some unleashing their magic in self-defense while others worked machinery to knock or fall the Olympian looking alicorns.

“What the Enclavum stood for once was now a debate hall for clashing ideals. Those who seeked the mortal’s demise, those who seek to use them and those that seek to acquire them for research. All during this time, I had completed my research. Those that tried to stop me, even my own, would fall at my hooves. I had lost my original vision of a future for our kind. And instead, I aimed to save it. If we, who are immortal, blessed by her love, want to stay within the ideals of the Creation Mother, to understand the mortal advancement, then they must shed their immortality and be one amongst them.”

We had galloped into the fray during her speech, dodging things as we were now unsure what was real and what was not. Left and right, alicorns zipped by, zapping and clashing with their opposition. We even got to see what must have been the first iteration of a Hydra, followed by a Malworf rampaging through friend and foe. Flitter and Cloudchaser ended up phasing through an Ursa Major that was followed by a Stratadon attacking it.

We managed to come to a halt in what appeared to be a towering archway that led into the base of Illion Castle. A massive ramp upwards leading to a bridge. We spied Rosette, in her visage, floating down to the top of the ramp. She then turned and faced us as we reached the bottom of the ramp.

“The differences the mortals have brought forth to our kind had been… quite the data gathering. And thus, with my final attempt to put an end to the differences, I unleashed the Severance Cascade.” As she waved her hoof to the sky and held it out, we looked to see the sun turn black and the sky crackling and flickering. A prismatic beam of light from a star struck the sun, creating the red ring around it.

In a brilliant display of magic and light, the sun shot downward and the whole world shook. It was instant. No sound. No noticing what was going on. The alicorns had frozen. Petrified by the wave. What followed next was the storm. The lightning crashed down and began to strike the alicorns statues as several dozens of them in the air had fallen and shattered upon impact.

From the struck alicorns, emerged the sundered.

“Those who held onto their immortality are forever locked into a non-existence, no longer to be free from it. And for those who chose to stray from immortality… I did not account for as well as I hoped. The battle still raged, causing the ones who had not disoriented escape via ATU pods. It was here that I stayed behind. Un-regrettable, unforgiving and wanting to continue my work. Not even the king and queen, who had confided in me and tried to reason with me, were anything but test subjects.” Rosette didn’t react or make any surprise to the creature that seemed to limp out over the ramp.

Din was quick to make our minds make sense of it. The same creature we escaped from the Astrologias now pulled itself down the ramp towards us. The amalgamation of alicorns reaching out to us in a chorus of groans and black tendrils dotting with plenty of eyes. Rosette glared down at us stoically.

“She tried to save me from my damnation. And she paid the price for it. As did he.” She spoke, looking past us. We turned to see a massive robotic wolflike creature bounding towards us from the road. It roared loudly before hopping into the air, scrapping the ground when it landed and aimed at the creature the moment we scrambled out of the way of it.

With a mighty stab of a massive halberd, the creature began to scream in agony. The body bubbling and boiling until the explosion of crimson rained around us. We gathered ourselves together and faced down the wolf like robot. The blood dripping from the sleek chassis, the murderous intent in its’ eyes. It turned its’ head to us, shifting the halberd. Rosette flew upward and beckoned with her hooves.

“Come. If we are to put an end to this once glorious kingdom. My glorious kingdom. Then it must be dealt with the very same hooves that caused my ambition.” Rosette said. The wolf robot spun around, flourishing the halberd. The blood flicking from the blade clean and primed to kill. I stood up on my hindlegs and called my halberd, Din mimicking me. She cackled maniacally.

Let’s dance! She grinned.