Warsong: Primordial Conflict

The loud cries of battle rang throughout the kingdom. Along with that cry was the warsong of the robotic wolf like creation of Rosette Nebula. Thi nimbly avoided the swipes and slashing from the creature as Cloudchaser got in close to deliver several blows to the chassis to no avail. Flitter and Scribble had found themselves unable to catch a break as the strangely precise slashing of the halberd nearly cut them a few times as they retaliated with their own prowesses.

Sonata had used a mix of her own firearm and her spells. When none of that seemed to work, leaving Lilac unable to support as much, she had then conjured a sword and shield from Lux’s power. The sword double edged with serrated edges and the heater shield bearing the crest of the Triad. This had an effect in matching the strength of the creature, allowing her to be on the defensive. But with how aggressive the robot was being, it was nearly nigh impossible to get a good clean hit. And as I peeled myself away from the building I was so graciously chucked into like a speeding bullet before I could get a hit in, I darted my eyes in thought.

‘It’s just like any other robot, right? Just aggressive, right?’ I thought to myself. Din clicked her tongue.

The star metal chassis is a tough nut to crack. She stated. I nodded.

‘If only it was open enough for a good clean strike from the inside. We have to drop its’ guard somehow.’ I thought as I looked back to the building behind me. Din frowned.

I’m not willing to exert all my energy to drop a building on it. She quickly said. I slumped. Alright, then what can we use around us? I scanned the area and my eyes fell onto what looked to be a destroyed piece of artillery. I quickly kicked off the building and soared straight down to it. Upon closer inspection of arriving at the tech using Din’s eyes, it was still radiating with dormant magic. Washing my own magic over it, the web allowed me to see the trajectory of the peak and drop.

I looked around, hoping to see how I can get it to function. Surprisingly enough, there were instructions written on the side that Din could easily read.

‘Let’s hope it still works.’ I thought as I began waving to the others. Cloudchaser spotted me and I gestured to the artillery. She nodded and zipped down, quickly telling Thi, who nodded and said something I tuned out as I wanted to see how to get it to work. I messed with the levers and to my shock, it managed to move, creating a ripple in the web. Feeling excited that it works, Din then directed me to aim my horn at it before channeling her magic into a cracked crystal.

The crystal hummed with life as I used the webbing magic to gauge where it’ll land. The robot was moving around so much, but it seems the others caught on and were ensuring to keep it in one spot. Lining up everything, Din made one last adjustment before cackling.

Kneel! She hissed. There was a loud thwump that kicked back the artillery, blowing out the canon into smithereens (which Din shielded me from the shrapnel) and a massive fire spell flew high into the air. I watched as Sonata dug her sword into the ground and held up the shield.

“Behind me!!” She ordered. My friends scrambled and ducked behind her, Lux’s wings unfurling as a barrier of light washed over them. The wolflike creature paused as it was about to strike when it noticed the falling spell. It tossed aside its’ halberd and to my utter amazement and horror, it threw its’ claws and arms up, catching the spell. The ground beneath it cracked and shattered, but not enough to throw it off balance. Din growled.

Alright! If that is how you want to play! Then let’s play! Din grinned wide-eyed. The robot threw the spell away from it. Din kicked me off and like a bullet, I appeared in front of the spell. Din and I synced and channeled her magic. My forelegs were engulfed into flames and extended outward in a fiery ethereal image of Din’s forelegs. We caught the spell, my body being yanked back. I roared as I pushed against it with all our might. I then let myself flip with the momentum and planted our hindlegs into it, bucking the spell back towards the creature.

A true hit. It seemed to hesitate, as if seeing a pony chuck back a spell was something it has never seen before. Good. It’s’ not the only one confident in their skills. The explosion managed to rip a massive chunk off of the side of the robot, knocking it flat onto its’ back in a spray of blood, wires and sparks. The explosion washed over the area, Din shielding me from the intensity of it. As quickly as the heat washed over us, it then vanished, as if never existing at all. I soared back towards the others and landed at the ready.

Sonata wasted no time. She took to the sky, having grabbed the halberd with her magic and chucked it, impaling the creature. It howled in pain as Sonata blinked out of sight and appeared right in front of us with a flourish of her sword. The robot erupted into crimson that rained down on us as the chassis fell apart, exposing the exo-skeleton. The robot went limp. We waited in anticipation, wondering if there is more to it. There is always more, right? I looked at Rosette, who stood stoically and unmoving at the sight. Sonata twirled the blade in her magic and aimed it at Rosette.

A beam of light shot from the tip, piercing the chest of the alicorn. Her visage, however, only flickered, solidifying after a bit of correction.

“I grow tired of this. The pony I knew long ago is gone. A husk of what she once was. You’re only a ghost. A disgrace to her name and ambition.” She declared. “I will see to it personally that your image of her is scrubbed clean and put to better use.” Thi blinked.

“So… that’s not Rosette?” Thi asked quizzically. Sonata shook her head.

“An AI she created. It took me a bit, but I figured it out. I understood why you wanted to show us everything. The Rosette I knew was the one back in the Astrologias. Rosette was never one to show her emotions so openly. Especially around her test subjects.” Sonata’s eyes narrowed. “That’s why she created you in the first place. You were to be her mask in public. You don’t know anything about how she handled herself.” Rosette was quiet, her expression darkened.

She then rose her head in a wide-eye smile.

“But I am her. Her mask. Her assistant. Her personality out of the shell. Her perfection incarnate. Her dreams, ambitions, wishes. Everything she logged and spoke about. Every ounce of knowledge she implemented into my systems. She made my algorithm specifically to mirror herself. And she was the one who tuned my personality as she saw fit. Thus, I am, Rosette Nebula.” She marveled. “The little filly who followed her around like a little puppy. She adored having you around, even though she never showed it. But I do, Moonlight Sonata. For you too wished for friends once.”

Sonata swished her blade to her side, standing defiantly towards her.

“I grew up.” She simply stated. Rosette giggled and gestured to nothing in particular.

“And yet, here you are… like a lost filly crying for her mother. If you still think of me to be a false visage of her, then perhaps I should show you.” Rosette’s horn glowed and from her light a crackled image of Rosette Nebula appeared before us. She looked disgruntled. Her mane tussled about in what must have been constant brushing of frustrations. Her lab coat disheveled and unkempt. Blood smeared across her muzzle and legs. Her deadpan eyes glazed over with no emotion.

“This is my final log. Everything I worked for this kingdom. All its’ knowledge, secrets and theories are to be kept secured into a highly encrypted design of my choice. And I…” she faltered. She turned to face the other Rosette. “I wish I could take it all back. To find another way. But what choice did I have? All that once was is now a speck of hopelessness. And yet… I still find myself hanging onto that hope. That one day, my faithful student… my best friend… will return stronger… older… wiser… and save our kingdom from the blight I’ve unleashed.” She turned to face us.

“Moonlight Sonata. I regret not having to attend to your gatherings. I would have done so had I not chose the stars. To make one so brighter than the stars I looked for. I… if I was a better friend to you… perhaps… we would have sailed the stars together.” We saw Sonata’s ears drop and her hoof slowly raise out to her, only to stop and place it back down, her expression darkened under her bangs. Rosette sighed and ruffled her mane.

“I leave my entire body, soul and being to Serenity. She is everything I wished I could be. If you find her, please… let her be the one to speak from my heart. For I could never do so face to face.” She then steeled herself, looking at her shaking hoof. We gasped as we saw what looked to be an ever-growing disfigurement bubbling on her leg. “If it is the price I must pay for saving my kind, then let it be so. Oh… and one last thing before I go…”

Her eyes met Sonata’s. “Always be the light in the abyss, Moonlight Sonata. Walk tall… my friend.” We heard what sounded like a distant voice requesting permission. Rosette began to violently shake and shiver, as if having a seizure. She clutched her head and screamed towards the sky, her hooves furiously digging at her face. We watched in horror as her body began to morph and disfigure grotesquely. The distant voice said something that we couldn’t hear over the agonizing cry of Rosette. The projection cut as the loud hum of a machine roared to life.

We stood in stunned silence. Rosette rose her head a little and stepped down the ramp.

“Do you see now? Even after everything, her final thoughts were always to her people. To the one friend who made her life complete.” Rosette looked around the decrepit battlefield. “She didn’t want you to see her in the state she was in. To have you be her mercy. She never wanted that burden on you.” Rosette turned her gaze to the massive castle in front of us. “She left everything to me. All except the Prisma Nexus, who she felt mortal hooves would be put to better use of it. If you wish to take back anything should it so please you, no pony will stop you. All she asked of you is to look to the stars as she did, but to never lose sight of what drove you to it.”

I noticed Sonata peeking out from under her bangs to Lilac. Lilac took notice and adjusted her cap a little, out of uneasiness or what else. Rosette fell her gaze onto the wolf like robot, and then around the bloodied area.

“I would thank you for avenging our fallen majesties. Their pain was all too much for me to manage. Twas intended anyway.” Rosette began to walk towards us and phased right through Sonata and past us. “I will not hinder you any longer. But do take heed. The exiled children watch over the Prisma Nexus as well as the Grand Captain Maximize. They twisted the castle to prevent any intrusions from the other tribes. I… do not know if they were afflicted by the Severance Cascade. Go forth champions of mortals and immortals. There is nothing left for you here.”

We watched as the visage of Rosette flickered as she walked further down the road. When she vanished, the star faded and vanished into a wisp of smoke along with her. We looked back to Sonata, who was still hidden under her bangs. Thi rose her hoof, hesitating a bit.

“Sonata…?” She began. “I-I’m… sorry…” Lilac scoffed softly.

“There is no sympathy of acceptance from the likes of you, terrorist.” Lilac said coldly. She then turned her head, placing a hoof to her ear. “Strike teams, status report.”

When the teams have gathered, staring in awe at the sight that covered and surrounded us, we proceeded up the ramp. I had thrown my hood over my head, lost in thought as to what we had just witnessed. And yet, I feel like only one piece of the puzzle was put in place. We made our way across the bridge in silence, unable to help ourselves to glancing at Sonata who was leading the way. She hasn’t spoke at all. When we got to the end of the bridge and onto what looked to be a field (or perhaps a massive courtyard in the form of a field) did we break for camp.

The Triad hurried about, ensuring that what rations and supplies we had were still good to go. When everything was cleared, Lilac lined up the strike teams once more. I glanced over to see Sonata hunched over a device, messing with the side of it and making the screen flicker.

“We received intel that the castle we are about to storm will most assuredly kill us. An inside force, be it magic or otherwise, is in play, twisting the very halls we will scouer through. You must be vigilant. You must watch each other. We do not know what awaits us. It could be worse than the sundered, or as simple as an accident. Our primary objective is the Prisma Nexus, which should lie in the center of the castle. Be warned, that if any strike team arrive to face something dire of alicorn standard, do not engage. Await further instructions or wait till the other teams arrive via your coordinates.

“Each of you will be given link buds to track each other’s movements. Use it to your full advantage. Dismissed!” The Triad ponies saluted and began to mingle their plans while Lilac walked over to Sonata. She hesitated a bit, clearly wanting to say something. But professionalism is an upkeep in public sadly. She cleared her throat. “Your highness. Awaiting further orders.” Sonata flicked through the screen before pocketing it in her coat, sitting up and turning to face her.

“I will consider something here for our troops. And to you as well.” She said to her. Her horn began to glow and from the grooves released small strings that flailed above her. They then shot out and pierced the minds of the Triad and Lilac. They all froze, their eyes glossed over. As quickly as it happened, Sonata withdrew the strings. She walked forward to the stunned Triads that were rubbing their heads. “What I have enchanted in all of you is a charm that’ll protect you from the illusionary magics of the castle. I recall that the Grand Guards were quite strict in ensuring information from the castle is scried, expunged and lobotomized to keep its’ secrets safe. For added measure, Rosette was tasked to make an enchantment to make it into a labyrinth for those of none Illion affiliation. This enchantment will last till I deem it so.” She explained.

“So… we aren’t getting any?” Cloudchaser whispered to me in question. Sonata must have heard it.

“I trust that the demon and her companions are well equipped to handle the castle’s trickery, considering the amount of primal magic touched upon them. They will be leading the advance. And to recount, if you are to fall blinded in the abyss, there is always a light.” She spoke.

“We walk in the abyss to guide those to the light!” The troops chanted in unison. For a small platoon of Triad soldiers, it seems that Sonata and Lilac picked their top contenders. Some of them looked no worse for wear but were still hardened enough to carry on. I looked to Thi, who seemed a bit distracted over something. I nudged her a little, snapping her out of her trance.

“Everything alright?” I asked her. Thi sighed and lowered her head.

“Just conflicted. Majorly so.” She replied.

“I can imagine after everything we’ve been through so far.” Flitter spoke with a reassuring smile. Cloudchaser rubbed her head.

“It’s all so strange. Why does the apocalypse have to be so damned confusing?” She commented. I nodded.

“I’m with ya’ there. Nothing like trying to save the realm. I’m not cut out for nuclear fallout anytime soon.” I stated, having a strange nip in the back of my head suddenly. Scribble pocketed his journal.

“All the more reason of how far we’ve come. It all is starting to make sense now. How the world has come full circle. This has been quite the eye opener for me.” He stated. Thi snickered.

“Bet you were geeking out so much that it’s hard to concentrate on admiring anything else.” She teased. Scribble nodded.

“Well… yes actually.” He replied, standing up and admiring his surroundings. “Just thinking about it all. The fact that we are in an ancient civilization lost to time. And to find out that Excalibur of all ponies to have visited the place during his time alive! Is he somewhat responsible for the events transpiring here? What are the other tribes like? What can we learn from here that we can implement in our realm??” He marveled. We couldn’t help but giggle, Thi pecking him on the cheek to snap him out of his stupor.

“I think we should not take the ideas of doomsday alicorns into our culture.” Thi teased. Scribble blinked and looked at her questioningly.

“I mean like technological advancement.” He reiterated. Flitter ruffled his mane.

“Sure ya’ did, egghead.” She teased. We laughed a little, much to Scribble’s confusion, before standing up and walking over to Sonata. She acknowledged us with a small nod before turning on her hooves.

“We march!” She ordered. The troops saluted and together we made our way towards a flight of steps leading up to the main entrance of the castle. As we progressed towards the door that seemingly opened for us, as if expecting us, I couldn’t help but wonder why the Illion were go big or not at all with their architecture. Unless Rosette had something in mind, it’s unfortunately lost to me. The Triad troops and Lilac racked their arc weapons alive as we stepped through the castle entrance.

The main foyer was massive, but not too spacious. Marble flooring, red carpet and golden laurel railings of the stairways and door arches decorated the place into a fairy tale castle. However, things took a quick turn. Flitter and Cloudchaser fell face flat onto the carpet with an “oof” the moment they stepped in. They stood in confusion, looking at their wings and flapping them. When they couldn’t get off the ground, they looked at us. Then the clatter of several arc weapons fell. We looked to see the unicorn Triads scrambling for their weapons.

One scrunched their muzzle, aiming their horn at it. Lilac looked to Sonata. Sonata nodded and she took off from the ground easily, able to carry the dropped weapons with her magic. She landed and nodded to the troops.

“Harnesses.” Sonata ordered. The Triad troops withdrew harnesses and began to strap them to their bodies, snapping the arc weapons into them. When they were ready, the ground began to rumble.

Intruders! Glory to the might of Illion! Rosette’s voice spoke out.

The ground then shifted and suddenly, everything in the foyer began to twist and contort itself into winding pathways, even separating the troops.

We found ourselves with Sonata and Lilac looking up at one of the troops that hung from the ceiling. Or at least, what was now the ceiling high in the air. The other troops were suffering the same in all directions. I looked back to the stairs. They had disconnected themselves into a jigsaw of pieces. Sonata scoffed.

“Tis not an illusion! With that being said, we move on!” She ordered. We looked to our right to see one of the side doors available to us. Thi hummed and called to Excalibur. The sword appeared and Thi was able to hold it in her magic. She smiled and shouldered it.

“Ready.” She grinned. Sonata rolled her eyes in annoyance before trotting over to the door. She spun and bucked it off its’ hinges, denting whatever material was used for it. And with that, we galloped into the hall. The hallway winded in a fun house spiral, nearly causing my vertigo to disorient me. We pressed on, the alarms blaring around us. As expected, the side panels of the hall emerged alicrons. Only this time, they were dawned in regal laurel armor. Sonata called her blade and shield while I called my halberd.

We charged the alicrons, I and the rest making quick work of them. We galloped down the twisting hallway, trying our best to keep onto the path. Only a couple of times did we ended up getting separated as we arrived to a room that looked to have nothing solid underneath and we were forced to jump from chunk to chunk of what we can. It took us a good while to get through it, and when we did, we were greeted by a new security beast.

Yes. A beast. How it had lived this long is beyond me, but that didn’t stop this creature, who resembled closely to a Bug Bear, from aggressively chasing us. Whatever we threw at it, the hide was a lot tougher than the Bug Bears we’ve faced. And when Lilac made a clean shot into the bear, we knew why. Its' insides were manufactured. All the more reason we chose to save our energy for running, having to make quick work of the alicrons and (surprisingly enough) escaped test subjects that roamed the twisting rooms and halls.

When we barreled into what looked to be a ballroom, I spun around and Din used her magic to weld the door shut. The bug bear roared and banged on it, denting the door. We looked around the ballroom, relieved to see that it hasn’t been twisted by the castle. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop the alicrons from appearing. I flourished my halberd and rushed two of them, deflecting the blows before felling them. My friends worked together to fight each other’s alicrons while Sonata and Lilac felled their’s easily. When we took a moment to catch our breath, that’s when the bug bear managed to finally break through the door. It roared angrily before rushing us. Thi growled.

“Buck this guy!!” She shouted as she rushed forward.

“Wait, Thi!” Flitter called out. However, Thi flourished Excalibur, rolling under the bug bear’s swipe of its’ stinger. When it tried to strike her with the stinger again, Thi spun and sliced it clean off.

“Star metal bullshit!” She snapped as she then began hacking away at the bug bear. I quickly rushed to the bear, hoping to impale, but the stab was hollow. That didn’t stop Din and I from syncing and trying to force it in. As we tried this, Thi managed to jump onto the bear and stabbed it in its’ eye. A strange fluid came out of the bear. Flitter and Cloudchaser rushed in, Flitter sticking an arrow that made a compressed explosion that only made the bug bear lose its’ flight balance. But that allowed Cloudchaser to deliver a hefty crackling punch into the wound, cracking the shell.

That’s when Scribble clapped his hooves, crushing a rock and then threw out a bolt of lightning. It struck the bug bear, causing it to jitter and shake. Thi roared as she pulled out the blade and managed to decapitate the bug bear. Din and I managed to force our halberd through, a metallic organ protruding at the tip of the halberd. We pulled it back, the cut being messy and spraying us with the strange fluid. When the body of the bear fell to the ground, I wiped the fluid off my cheek, flicking my hoof of it in disgust.

“That smells awful!” Cloudchaser said in disgust as she tried to wipe the fluid off. Sonata walked over, taking a quick sniff before nodding.

“An extract of one of the lab grown flora. We used it as a basis for standard energy. Rosette would use it to test prototypes.” She explained simply. Thi snorted.

“That was a prototype?? The fact it didn’t kill anypony here while it was roaming the halls.” She sourly said. Sonata seemed to have a pleased smirk from Thi’s suffering.

“They are usually kept in a containment facility before being presented for approval.” She said. Thi frowned at her.

“How many branches of approval do things have to go through?” She asked in annoyance. Sonata shrugged.

“It’s Rosette’s process and even she was confused by it. But it made things look professional from an outside point of view.” Sonata replied. Thi went quiet a bit before nodding softly.

“I see…” She replied. Sonata looked around and trotted towards a grand looking door.

“We must continue. Be ready for whatever awaits us.” She said as she opened the door. We followed after her, Din taking the liberty of burning the fluid off of us as we did out of the fact she didn’t want to hear more complaining about hygiene during our crusade. The door led us to some steps that we ascended. Entering through the next doorway, we found ourselves outside the castle. And surprisingly high up at that. The wind blew wildly as we looked to see a pair of steps rounding the outer wall. We were careful about our footing as we proceeded, only having to fend off more thunder birds that were perched upon a nearby rooftop of the castle.

Despite what felt like an hour of progressing through the twists of the castle, it felt like we covered so much, but have barely covered any ground. We were too high up to see the ground. When we entered into another hall and began to navigate our way through them, my ears began to flicker at the sound of distant voices.

“…It’s not like they…” The voice trailed off. I stopped and looked around. Cloudchaser walked past me, noticing my awareness to the voices.

“Everything okay?” She asked as she stood beside me. I narrowed my look, my eyes darting through the hall.

“Nothing. The castle is starting to get to me.” I replied. I was about to walk with her when I stopped again to the sound of the voices.

“Tis not the Illion way…” a deep and gruff voice echoed. Cloudchaser looked at me with worry.

“Fie?” She asked.

“Do you guys hear that?” I asked aloud. The others stopped and listened, their ears flicking. Sonata seemed to hear them but the others showed no clue.

“We are not alone.” Sonata spoke. Din hummed.

And yet… the voices feel… empty. She stated. I looked to Sonata.

“Sonata. The voices. Can we detect exactly where they are coming from?” I asked. Sonata looked around. Her mind conversing with Lux.

Sister. Does it not… sound familiar? Lux suddenly resonated in my mind. Din shifted uneasily.

Thou felt it too? Quiet Fire, we must follow the voice. Din spoke. I arched a brow.

“We sure we want to do that?” I asked her out loud.

I agree with my sister. Something is… drawing me to them. Lux replied. Sonata and I exchanged glances.

“We needn’t waste time following ghosts, parasites. Our main objective still stands.” Sonata stated firmly, turning to trot down the hall.

“But wouldn’t you want to know if other alicorns survived?” Thi asked suddenly. Sonata stopped and looked over her shoulder to her. Thi shrugged. “Take it from Zalas. If we were the last of our kind and had any hope of finding others like us alive, we would want to investigate, wouldn’t we?” Sonata glared at her.

“Tis pointless. Serenity said there is nothing here for us. And I am inclined to believe her word.” She replied matter-of-factly. There was a sudden ear-piercing ringing that shot through my mind, causing me to wince and groan in pain, clutching my head. Sonata felt it too. The voices were now echoing throughout my mind in a jumble of words and sentences. Din hissed in pain, clutching her own head.

What… what is…? Din rasped. The voices were rising in volume. It was hard to make out which voice was saying what. I looked up and my eyes widened. The whole area had greyed. Sonata looked around, confused at first before noticing something down the hall. I followed her gaze and could see two alicorns walking down the hall, disappearing around the corner. Sonata furrowed her look before following after them. I looked to my friends. They were frozen in place.

I waved my hoof in front of Cloudchaser. No reaction. Feeling certain we are experiencing an illusion; I followed after Sonata. When we rounded the corner, we came to a stop in front of strange metal door. Sonata stepped forward and the ground glowed green. With a bleep, the door hissed open. Sonata and I cautiously entered through, finding ourselves in what appeared to be a completely separate part of the castle.

At this point, I was certain we weren’t in the castle. But then again… My thoughts were cut out by the voices that echoed further down the hall. It wasn’t as expansive as the other hallways. It only took us several steps to get to the door. When the door hissed open, we were greeted by a soft blue glow. We descended the steps and found ourselves in what appeared to be a huge laboratory. Sonata halted and gasped.

“This is…” she began. I arched a brow and looked around. From the looks of it, the place is neat yet disorganized with papers and empty tubes and vials. Somewhere mixed in with all the science-y stuff were mechanical parts too. Minerals, ores, flora and what looked to be creature fur and limbs. It had “mad scientist” written all over it.

“What is this place?” I asked. Sonata walked over to what looked to be a data vat, studying it.

“This is Rosette’s royal lab. Whenever she isn’t busy with the Astrologias, she’ll be here under the castle.” She said. I snorted.

“Figures we’re somewhere out of the way. But… why here? And why did the world freeze?” I asked her. Sonata shook her head slowly in response. We walked around the lab, curious (at least I was) about the workings. Of course, like any mad scientist in the movie, there would be preserved organs in a jar on a shelf not too far off along with several crystals and ingredients that’ll make a potion master froth.

My gaze wandered a bit before bumping into Sonata. I rubbed my muzzle and looked up to a door labeled: Light of Her Love. A weird thing to label over the door. Sonata waved her hoof, only for it to blip red, denying her access. She did it a few more times before backing away and frowning. I glanced over my shoulder, spying another room labeled: Chamber. I walked over to it and the door opened for me. I gasped and covered my muzzle.

The room was entirely red. Rustic to the point that whatever material in this room was peeling and decaying. Sonata looked into the room, her expression stoic as she entered. The smell was rank and metallic. We descended the small ramp and looked around the room. Massive consoles that haven’t been turned on in ages sat decrepit and destroyed along the walls. In the center was what appeared to be two giant rods aiming down into the center of a round groove.

The voices were whispering now. I walked over to the center of the room, noticing something in the middle. It was bones. And noticing this, the bones were scattered all over the room. An alicorn skull laid on its’ side in the center next to a strange small device. I carefully withdrew the device and dusted it off, the stains caked onto it and hiding any details to it.

“Sonata.” I spoke to get her attention. The device suddenly blipped to life and the visage of Rosette appeared. I nearly had a heart attack from it. We watched as the alicorn crackled and flickered, her head turning to face us. Her muzzle opened, trying to say something to us. Her image vanished. Sonata took the device from my hooves and began to mess with it.

“It’s an identification overrider. Something that Rosette had made exclusively to her in case any of the others got wise with their own projects.” She explained. “I’ve only seen it being used once.” I nodded to her and was about to walk back up the ramp when I noticed she hadn’t followed.

“Sonata?” I asked. She had picked up the skull, her eyes studying it fondly. She then placed her horn against the skull’s, making a silent prayer. I stayed silent. Sonata spent a full minute mourning the fallen alicorn. It clicked for me then and there. I somehow felt my heart grow heavy. Even Din seemed to silently acknowledge the fallen alicorn. All these years alone and now… I just hope she can rest easy. I decided to give her more time by stepping out of the room and bumping into Thi.

“Whoa!” She said in surprise.

“Thi?” I blinked. I noticed the others around the room. My friends rushed over to me.

“What happened? Suddenly you both walked off without us and none of us could get your attentions.” Flitter spoke.

“You were also like ghosts or something.” Cloudchaser chimed in. “We kept phasing right through you both.” I looked to Lilac, who only quietly gave me an agreeable glance. I rubbed the back of my head.

“Think it’s an illusion we walked into?” I asked Scribble. The stallion shook his head, stuffing his journal in his saddle bag.

“This isn’t an illusion. But what happened to you both… I’m not quite so sure. You were here, but at the same time… weren’t.” He then motioned at the door. “And Sonata?” I looked over my shoulder and smiled softly.

“Saying goodbye to an old friend.” I said simply. They gave me knowing looks. Sonata then stepped out of the Chamber. I noticed she had a saddle bag this time. I arched a brow, but Sonata ignored me.

“Come.” She said in her commanding tone. We watched her trot over to Lilac, giving her the saddle bag before trotting over to the door. She aimed the device at the door and for a brief moment, nothing happened. The door then hissed open. We followed behind Sonata as we trailed the hallway that opened up at the end. My eyes widened as the voices seemed to grow louder and louder as we approached, stopping when we arrived.

Seven massive vat containers lined symmetrically around the room. A singular console hummed quietly in the middle. My friends spread out, curiously examining the containers.

“How big are the things they tested in?” Cloudchaser asked, tapping the glass. I don’t know why but I trotted over to the console. Sonata had the same idea. I pressed a key and the screen flickered.

> Welcome, Illion sas van Rosette Nebula. What is your agenda for today?

Seven options appeared and my eyes widened. It was the names of our primals. Starting with Lux. Then Gaia. Then Aquarius, Ventus, Shiva, Din and lastly Tenebres. I looked around the vat containers.

“This is where they came from.” I said suddenly. I could sense an uneasiness with Din. “Din… did you know about this?” Din was silent. I blinked once and found her seemingly in a trance, her muzzle partially open. I blinked again and found myself back in the room. I looked to Sonata, who gave me a nod. I proceeded to scroll to Din and pressed the key.

>Subject Star Fire. Containment level: Critical. Subject absent. Requesting containment protocols.

I furrowed my look. Backing out to then select Lux.

Subject Star Light. Containment level: Critical. Subject absent. Requesting containment protocols.

There didn’t seem to be any other options. I then had a thought. Din quietly read me.

Very well… She said. I felt a warmth course through me and Din materialized right out of me. She walked forward, eyeing the containment vat. The light blinked yellow and the glass hissed down. Din stepped in and faced us. I gave her a reassuring nod as the glass rose up.

Containment of Subject Star Fire verified. Current subjects missing: Six. Well done, Rosette Nebula. Begin interrogation protocol.

My eyes widened as Din suddenly hunched forward. I felt a sharp, intense pain run through my head. Din lashed her head around, roaring out in pain.

“Shut it down!!” Cloudchaser called out as Thi, Flitter and her were frantically trying to pull me away from the console.

“Do not interfere.” Sonata ordered firmly. Lilac had pressed an arc pistol to Thi’s head, leaving her to back away slowly. The sisters did the same. Lilac holstered her weapon before nodding. Sonata placed a hoof on my back and I felt a soothing breeze course through me. I felt calmer. And strangely… in command of myself. I looked at the console as the pain ebbed away, yet Din was still thrashing about.

I quickly scrolled through the options and canceled the interrogation protocol. Din slumped into her container, salivating from the mouth as her breath fogged up the container. Feeling much more relaxed, I proceeded to scroll through the new options.

>Interrogate
Commands
Status
Release

I pressed on commands and a whole list of commands scrolled down in front of me. My eyes fell on “Memory Logs”. Curious, I pressed the key and the image of Rosette flickered into view in front of Din. She was staring up at her as Din rightened herself painfully. Rosette held a hoof up to the glass, caressing it softly. Her head then turned, as if noticing somepony.

“Ouroboros isn’t supposed to be out of his cage.” Rosette spoke. We watched as another alicorn walked into view. The Queen Galaxae. The beautiful goddess mare smiled motherly at her.

“He’s due for his rite. The mortal realm needs stability. We can only do so much with a belt.” Galaxae’s enchanting voice replied. Rosette seemed irritated as she faced her.

“And you dare to enter this place as our queen’s image? You have no shame, Equualie.” Rosette spoke. My eyes widened in shock. Galaxae giggled.

“Even an immortal needs to comprehend the might of the Creation Mother’s light.” She grinned. Rosette snorted as she proceeded to whip out a device and began tapping away at it.

“What is it that you want? If it’s’ her children you are after, the answer is always no. Ouroboros may have been given a slap on the tail, but I will not have them in the hold of star bearers.” Rosette said. Galaxae walked over to Din’s container and caressed the glass smoothly.

“But you must understand. Her gifts are boons to your kind. Have you’ve not satisfied your curiosity? Or have you’ve grown… fond of them?” Galaxae smiled. Rosette glared at the mare.

“Dig as you must. But I am a busy mare. You are free to look, but I will not have you rotting this place with your filth.” Rosette said coldly as she seemed to disappear from view. Galaxae smiled and seemingly placed her hoof on her belly.

“In due time, you all will return to where you’ve originated. For it is your destiny.” She said. Rosette’s voice spoke from off the side.

“Enough of your games. Why must you bother me this day?” She asked coldly.

“I come bearing another foresight. One that would benefit you the most, Rosette Nebula.” Galaxae spoke.

“Address me in my title or not at all, oracle. Speak your part.” Rosette replied sternly.

“The seven maidens of the stars will be free once more. For a generation will be thrown into a perilous fight they cannot win. However, all would not be lost. For when you bring your people to their unified silence shall their victory be achieved. The mortals will pave the way for the generation that will change our entire laws as they see fit. A child I will bear, but cannot care for, will lead all of us into a guided peace. As is spoken by the Creation Mother.” Galaxae explained warmly.

“As if that can work at all. You are forbidden from siring due to biological and scientific incompatibility. Not like it would matter in any case.” Rosette replied dismissively.

“As you say. However… a powerful mortal who has begun his journey changing his world for the better will come visit our kingdom in search of answers. And I will have my child as prophecy foretells me.” Galaxae said, rubbing her belly a little. Rosette scoffed as she appeared back into view, her expression in disgust.

“You will never lay a… whatever it is you call a limb on my subjects. King Illion will hear of this.” Rosette retorted. Galaxae giggled.

“So, you have grown fond of them. A shame. However, I cannot ignore her foresight. All will be as foretold. And my dear Quiet Fire will rise above all.” Galaxae then looked to Din. “When that happens, I know that the stars will be at better peace. And the Creation Mother can rest well.” Galaxae then turned and bowed to Rosette. “Good day, Illion sas van Rosette Nebula.” Galaxae then proceeded to walk past her, seemingly calm and at peace with herself. Rosette snorted.

“Crazy old coot.” She grumbled before looking up at Din. “It’ll be okay, my subjects.” She had taken on a softer tone, caressing the container. “I will ensure their power will not corrupt yours. For you are her chosen.” The visage of Rosette crackled and flickered before vanishing. All was quiet in the room. Sonata backed away from me. I was speechless. All of a sudden, the world around me was closing in. All eyes were on me, silently observing me.

I pressed a key, releasing Din from her container. She stumbled out of it, falling onto her side with a grunt. I walked over to her and eyed her.

“It wasn’t a lie…” I uttered with a shiver. Din rasped as she replied.

“I never… hid it. It’s why I chose you… I made myself clear at the very beginning of it all.” Din stood up slowly before facing me. “I never bothered to play with the idea for it served no purpose. I could not foresee the events we would partake in. Nor was I sure if that creature was lying to Doc herself.” Din rightened herself, looking down at me. “We are the product of the Creation Mother, given sentience to look over the balance should the need arise. The only thing Ouroboros has lied about, if I recall, is the fate we are being guided into.” Din eyed me suspiciously, as if expecting me to blow up at all this. And she is right. I was… angry. Confused. And yet… accepting. I guess I’m mad at myself for not really questioning it so much. I was too dead sent on ensuring things were working out okay for us. I threw my hood over my head, hiding my expression as I looked down at myself.

“So… I really am Starswirl’s and a primal’s kid… But then… how did… mom and dad?” I questioned.

“Fie… listen…” Thi began. I shook my head in response.

“At this point, Thi, I only want to know one thing. And when we find Equualie. I’ll have my answers.” I flexed my hoof before placing it down. “Yes… answers to my part in this play.” The room was silent for a bit. Cloudchaser then spoke up, having placed a gentle hoof on my back.

“You know… we don’t care if you are the kid of a god and a powerful wizard. Or the kid of a Royal Guard Captain and an overworked detective. I know it’s not my place to say this, but we know who you really are, Fie. This is just a… an inconvenience to your future.” She spoke. I didn’t look at her.

“My future?” I repeated. Flitter walked over.

“What my sis is trying to say is that even if you are the result of something more, that doesn’t change where you came from. They maybe your biological parents, but they didn’t raise you. Wild and Cloud Fire did. And it’s because of them that you are who you are now. You are Quiet Fire. The champion of Equestria and our friend.” She said.

“The sisters are right, Fie.” Thi said. “The nerdy mare in CSGU is the one I became best friends with. Not a demi-god. And if it ever mattered to you, then you wouldn't have gone out of your way to ensure we were all together and well.”

“And the fact we traveled enough to save several villages and countries, for better or worst, from their plights. You are an Equestrian, to the tee.” Scribble said. I was quiet as they spoke. I then cracked a smile and began to laugh. I laughed and brushed my snout with a sleeve before facing them, confidently.

“You didn’t need to convince me guys. You know how I roll. Besides, it’s bad enough I had to deal with Din’s antics to even care about being the kid of a primal and a figure head. I can only imagine the look Starswirl will have when we get back. Just to mess with the old codger for meddling with something he shouldn’t have.” I said. “Besides, I’m certain there was a lot more to that memory.” I faced Din. “What made you think of that one?”

Din studied me before speaking.

“Our confrontation with Serenity had brought back certain… memories. Ones before my hosting of Excalibur. The blanks are still there. And yet…” She trailed off. I smirked and placed my hoof on her chest coolly. She looked at me in confusion.

“Whatever it is, Din, we’ll get our answers once we find the Prisma Nexus. I have a feeling that everything will connect there.” I said. Din was quiet for a bit. She then coolly smirked at me and shifted her head.

“Getting cocky, are we? Guess I’ve rubbed off on you more than you thought. In any case, that shock made me remember where Rosette would mention of the Prisma Nexus.” Din closed her eyes in thought. “The heart of the castle is beneath the throne room. Tis not far from here.” Cloudchaser tilted her head.

“Isn’t that dependent on the castle?” She asked. Sonata walked over to the console, tapping at the keys. She paused and then looked up to Din.

“You managed to override the system?” She asked puzzled. Din smugly grinned.

“It was a painful shock.” She hummed before walking towards me, vanishing inside of me. I looked over to Sonata as the alicorn shifted a frown and began tapping away. Thi rubbed the back of her neck.

“How did…?” She asked.

“I’d rather we remain focused on the task at hoof.” Sonata spoke as she made one final press of a key before stepping away. “I’ve locked this quadrant of the castle. We should move through without any unwanted surprises for now.” She turned on her hooves and proceeded to exit the room, Lilac following not too far behind. Thi sighed and shook her head.

“This place just keeps getting better and better…” She sarcastically replied before looking at me with concern. “Are you going to be okay?” I smiled reassuredly to her.

“Yeah… I know what I have to do when we get to it.” I replied. She smiled and pat me on the shoulder.

“We can always count on you, Fie.” She said. We left the lab behind, Din seemingly quiet as we did. I know Din has been keeping things from me, but she always only speaks what she wants us to know. And she’s never hidden information for her desires, save for the one occasion to the others. She’s always been upfront and no non-sense when asked or answering. If I asked the right questions, just as she had told me before, she would answer. But what can I do now? It doesn’t matter what my birth rite is.

I am Quiet Fire. Fie to my friends. Champion and Demon of Equestria. A mare who thinks hotcakes should be the global cure for everything and ex-alcoholic lazy ass. Yeah… I’m me. I always knew this. I’ll get my answers in one way or another as usual.

When we left the area, I was taken aback by the immediate change to where we were originally. The hallway looked regal. Clean and sterile. Not a single ounce of any decay or weathering. Sonata led the way, galloping down the hall as Lilac had picked up a transmission from the strike teams. They had managed to arrive at the throne room and are engaging with a hostile alicorn. As we barreled down the hall, we could hear what sounds like the clashing of steel and arc fire.

Sonata swished her head and the massive oak doors opened before us. We halted and ducked as several of the strike team ponies were thrown out of the room. Looking ahead, we were shocked to see that the strike teams were incapacitated. We walked in the room, staring at the tall alicorn towering over even Sonata by several inches. This alicorn levitated a Triad pony by the neck with their magic.

The alicorn is dawned in sharp, sleek golden armor, a red and white shoulder cape draped over the side, tattered and ruined. Upon further inspection, the armor had chinks, scratches and dents in them, yet looked recently polished. We noticed a pale, almost skeletal, white coat hidden under the armor, ragged and a little overgrown at the hooves. The alicorn shifted its’ head in acknowledgement of us. The alicorn threw the pony at us, causing us to avoid the rough tumble.

The alicorn faced us, a helmet only exposing the lower jaw of the pony. We could see silver long matted strands of a mane growing out of the bottom of the helm. Coming out the back of the helmet, the mane flowed just like Celestia and Luna’s would, only silver and faint. The ghostly alicorn waited silently, as if sizing us up. It wasn’t until its’ horn glowed and with a swift slicing motion above it, a giant, finely crafted and glimmering fierce broad claymore impaled the ground in front of it after emerging from the dark hole that was cut into reality.

It placed a hoof on the cross guard, staring us down.

Two bright lights escaping from the benevolent star of the Illion Kingdom. So… the star hath faded into nothing. Then allow I, the immovable wall that is the sword and shield, Grand Captain vallian sal na Deci Illion von Maximize contain them in her stead. A voice, kind but stern resonated in my head. All who dare to defile the legacy and glory of the might of the Illion Kingdom shall kneel! The alicorn easily withdrew the claymore from the ground and shouldered it with ease with one hoof, the weight of the weapon clearly causing him to slump a little. But he remained firm. Commanding. And started walking towards us with surprising ease. I stood up and readied myself with the halberd, the others readying themselves as well.

“Out of the frying pan and into the fire.” Thi said with a nervous smirk. “What’s the plan?” Sonata narrowed her eyes challengingly at the advancing alicorn.

“Allow the Demon and I to cause the distractions.” She began. “Focus in chipping away at the armor. The Grand Captain doesn’t spoil himself with the best materials the kingdom offers.”

“Y-you sure about that??” Cloudchaser asked, my friends clearly intimidated. I’ll admit, the sheer presence of this alicorn gave me goosebumps. So decrepit but hasn’t aged a day. Sonata nodded.

“I do not know the captain personally. But he is a foal idol to our people.” She replied. I nodded.

“Ready Din?” I asked her. Din smacked her hooves together.

Time for a little payback! She cackled. Sonata and I flourished our weapons before quickly rushing the alicorn. To our shock, the captain swiftly slipped by us with amazing speed and bore down on the others. With a loud crash that knocked everypony away off their hooves, only one pony stood. Thi held up Excalibur, struggling to push back against the alicorn. Sonata and I quickly rushed him, our weapon primed to strike. Once again, in-equine speed caused me to find myself crashing into a pillar and falling hard onto my stomach.

I winced in pain, pulling myself up from the ground. Thi was on her side, using the sword to push herself up, already bleeding from the head. Sonata, unfortunately, had her face buried in a crater with the captain standing over her.

“How…?” I rasped as I stood up and adjusted my halberd. Din growled.

I’m starting to remember why he genuinely pisses me off so much… Din snarled. Arc fire then rung out. I looked over to see Lilac taking aim and firing. The bullets bounced off the armor. When the alicorn shifted to look at her, she then began to gallop away. I only blinked once and suddenly the captain had her pinned against the wall with a hoof, choking her. I felt a warmth flow through me and Din smirked. Two can play that game…

With blinding speed, Din rocketed me into the side of the alicorn, denting the side of his armor and sending him back in a stumble. He turned to face me, readying his blade. Din wasted no time in directing me, taking control of me to match the blinding speed and strength of the alicorn. We sped all over the room, our blades clashing with one another. Time slowed for us as one clash led him to deflect my halberd. He retaliated with the butt of his claymore against my chin.

However, I let my head and neck turn with the impact, making the impact hollow and allowing me to twirl in the air to deliver a powerful downward hoof kick over the helmet of the alicorn, sending him downward and crashing hard into the ground. Din hissed gleefully as she twirled and rocketed me down, shattering the side of his armor with a heavy blow of my hoof. The captain was surprisingly spry as he spun away from me, the armor flying off of him.

Shifting his claymore back onto his shoulder, he lunged, only to get blind bucked in the side of the helmet from Sonata. The alicorn crashed into the wall and stumbled off of it.

“You are weak!” Sonata called out. “Stand down captain! My business will not be halted by a dying patriot!” The captain rightened himself and faced her. With no words, he seems to make a dismissive gesture at her. Sonata flared into a blinding light as she blinked out of sight, only to reappear at the hooves of the captain. The armor shattered, save for the helm. My eyes widened. He did look skeletal, but to see that his entire body hugged his own skeleton was a disturbing sight didn't prevent him from being imposing. Sonata scoffed as she readied her sword and shield.

“Lay down your arms and rest. There is nothing to protect here anymore. I’ll see to it.” She stated coldly. “On my honor to our fallen majesties and my mentor, you have my word.” The alicorn seemed to study the captain silently. Sonata blinked away as the captain swung the claymore and aimed it at her.

You of our kin blood know that our glory is not to be looked down upon. I will not have thee defile our reign with heresy. The voice resonated.

“Heresy!?” Sonata balked angrily. “How dare you mock a scribe of our kingdom!! After all the boons my mentor provided with the kingdom, she entrusted me to see to our slumber! You only ever cared for blind faith! Tis why your own pupils led the life they did! And you would mock our benevolent star for faith?!” The alicorn shifted angrily, swishing the claymore to his side.

She doomed our kind to a suffering unquenchable! She hath fallen from her place to be among mortals of all beings! She brought the blasphemers into our ranks and hath interfered with the very balance our Creation Mother cherished! She is guilty by association and genocide! And you would vouch for a heretic?! The captain’s voice, cold and demanding now, echoed in my head. Sonata’s horn glowed as she reached out for Lilac’s saddle bag. She withdrew the skull of Rosette Nebula and held it gently in her hooves, looking at it.

“She suffered far more than what you can imagine. She has done everything she could when the Celestiales invaded. And yet, she was left with no choice. The differences in our kind was too much. And to ensure we would not suffer that ever-building downfall of our kingdom, she decided to pull the plug. This realm is no longer worth protecting. For none shall be able to find it. She brought our fallen majesties to rest upon their corruption.” Sonata caressed the skull.

“Indeed, she may have doomed our kind over differences between our tribes. But who’s to say that mortal influence wouldn’t affect the others and slowly seep into our own? Take it from me. Mortals are ever stubborn in defying differences for the sake of keeping things the same. And we were no better.” She looked back up at the alicorn. “Our kind grew too peaceful. Our experiments uncaring due to complacency and our pursuit ever continuing unhindered. You will never understand the price of sacrifice, I am afraid. For yours was put into a dying wish.”

She seemed to have expected a sudden, angry attack from the captain as she blinked behind him and decapitated the captain with ease. Time seemed to slow.

“Rest, captain. Your service hath been fulfilled. Allow us to continue the protection of the last boon to our kind. For I, Illion sos vas Moonlight Sonata, will ensure our might remain with me.” And just like that, the captain’s body slumped, having rested itself into the claymore it impaled at the last moment, the head rolling along the ground. Sonata floated down to the ground and studied Lilac. The zebra mare shakily pushed herself off the ground and painfully saluted. I flew over to my friends, who surprisingly looked beaten despite Thi taking most of the brunt.

“You guys okay?” I asked worriedly, helping Cloudchaser to her hooves.

“Could use a special mgfhh!… kiss and band-aid from our doc.” Thi rasped, limping over to us. Scribble didn’t react and instead went to work ensuring we were good enough to continue. Flitter cracked and stretched her wing.

“By Celestia’s mane… we didn’t even get a chance to do anything… who even was that?” Flitter rasped. I looked back to the fallen alicorn. The helmeted head looking back at me.

“Somepony who tried to keep the pride alive.” I replied. Thi glanced over to Sonata, who was addressing those that were still able to fight. The captain seemed to go easy on the strike teams as they were beaten and battered, but surprisingly still alive.

“Sonata certainly is deadly… I’m starting to question my luck.” She sighed as Scribble wrapped her hoof. I gave a small sincere smile.

“She didn’t have a primal empowering her back then. But… I still think you got extremely lucky with her still. I’ll be honest… I feel like we also got extremely lucky against the captain. And even more so that Sonata is with us. If we had gone into this blind… well…” My friends exchanged glances. Din scoffed.

I’m glad to be rid of the captain. Bastard… She growled. I studied the fallen captain. To think that who was once an idol to his people now a husk of what he probably cherished back then. Something told me that not everything was at it seems. But we have no time to consider the matter. The sickening feeling I was getting suddenly had me on high alert. Sonata must have sensed it as well as it interrupted her speech to her troops, forcing her to look around.

The spacious throne room went dark. A hissing, whispering laugh could be heard around us. The voices began to echo:

Lead us. Lead us. May he reign.

Din cracked her neck.

Seems we were followed. She hummed coldly. We made our way over to the center of the throne room as the room began to fog with a dark cloud. The whispering voices stopped and all was quiet. Too quiet.

“Just one thing after another… I’m already over this place…” a Triad pony spoke.

There was a mumble of agreement. Din directed my gaze towards the towering thrones and my eyes narrowed. I could make out a figure sitting boredly on the throne. It shifted when it noticed itself being spotted and stood up. My eyes widened a little. Loud stamping echoed throughout the room as all eyes faced the figure. The figure made one motion with an arm and the fog dissipated, revealing to figure to be Tyrone the Centaur.

“You just had to open your mouth.” A Triad mare spoke with an annoyed groan.

The centaur grinned at us, his eyes glaring a fierce purple.