Celestia's Dusk

“Did you hear something?” The guard glimpsed around the external area of Celestia's chamber. There was nothing. Just a stone corridor, a torch on the wall and a bleak silence.

“Nah, just your imagination.” The other replied. He sat beside his colleague, digging into a bowl of some of Equestria's most delicious apples.

The guard still stared down the hallway, seeing nothing, but having a sense that there was some sort of unknown presence lurking nearby. “I think there's something down there.” He squinted, focusing his eyes on a suspicious oddity. There was a distinct shadow looming around a corner. It formed a very peculiar shape. “Can you see that?”

No reply. His acquaintance met his fate, there was only a sudden pain in his back which ended his life in less than a second. There was not even a sound, no shudder, not a squeal for mercy and no chance either. Only an instant death.

“Hey? You there?” He turned to see the body lifeless. That was saddening, seeing a good friend with the life stripped from him before he saw it coming. What was it? There was a stream of blood pouring from the back of the unfortunate victim.

But there was no time to look over his dead friend, he had to find the culprit of this crime. His horn was at the ready, prepared to conjure any sort of spell which would defend him and the entrance to the throne room of Canterlot castle.

There was courage in his eyes. Whatever was attacking, he would be ready to fight down. Nothing could pass his vision. He surveyed the area, checking all possible spots for the intruder to be hiding. However, he did not move from his post in front of the door, protecting the Princess was his main priority.

The effort was valiant, but the one who murdered his friend struck again. From the ceiling they came, driving a spike of some kind into the back of the royal guard, deeming him to the same fate as the other. In less than a second a thump landed on the ground.

The guards were down. The intruders eyes were set to the prize. Celestia. His intentions were assassination, and after handling two professional guardians who sat on the highest ranks, this could be a danger to the Princess.

The mysterious figure, recognised as a cloaked, hooded, stallion unicorn, pushed the huge doors aside. As he barged in there were only two eyes to lay attention on him. Celestia was alone, sitting on the throne of her grand hall. As the eyes of the two foes met there was an instant understanding of why this moment was between them. 'How' was another matter.

“I presume you come from Direlake Forest?” Celestia greeted, not once being fazed by the disastrous criminal confronting her.

“Princess.” He nodded. “Your time is at an end.” His voice didn't create a disapproving sound at all, nothing which could be complained about. It was not strange or mysterious, just normal, if not a bit different. He pulled his hood down, revealing the face of a murderer. A grown stallion, dark in the eyes with a poorly tendered black mane. His coat was grey, matching the shadowed style nicely.

“I knew you would come. I didn't know when, and I do not know how you would escape the trap I set for you.” The alicorn knew exactly what the enemy wanted. The throne. In all the struggles this pony was prepared to fight there was only one target he was pursuing, though not the only he would settle for. The death of Celestia would suffice nicely.

“Only two of us escaped. I think you know who the other would be.”

“Hmm. Then which one are you?” The princess rose from her seat, standing on all four hooves with the horn above her at the ready. Soon it would begin.

He held up his chin. Before committing the greatest murder Equestria had ever feared there was surely a scene to be made. “I am Cawthrux, the one who shall rest poison in your heart.”

The deity chuckled. “Ha! You have come far then. I congratulate you on infiltrating my castle, impressive.”

“I am no fool, your majesty. Infiltrating a castle of yours is like wandering in through the front gate. You betrayed our family and now I have been given the pleasure of granting you the most dishonourable death of all.”

“Then strike me down.” Her wings spread to their full extent. The bone structures stretched and dominated a vast space surrounding her with the elegant white feathers which gleamed like magic.

The unicorn paused before reacting. Planning thoughts travelled through his mind. The chance for an attack was bait, nothing more. Her battle strategy was unsheathed and ready. His was encased, but prepared to be swiftly flung like a wild animal pounces at its prey. But that was exactly what she wanted, too obvious from the smile on her face.

If there was one thing Cawthrux knew about the goddess' battle style it was that her strength was his weakness. Celestia could undoubtedly fight through a battle of endurance. He picked off his victims in a blink second. So this would have to be fast.

That was sadly not an option, Celestia knew he would strike with speed and she was ready to defend. Perhaps there was a way around it...

Could he cause a distraction? Distract a ruler for a single second? Was that possible? There was a way, one with little chances of success and a high price of failure... But to kill a legend, it was worth a try.

He removed a dagger from one sheath which rested around his neck on a belt. It was held in his right hoof, giving the impression he was about to throw it straight towards his nemesis. His horn glowed for a brief second, enchanting the dagger which emitted a light glow. He filled the princess' predictions by sending the dagger flying for her face.

Her horn lit up almost instantly, creating a large shield made of pure light which appeared in front of her. The dagger struck and shattered, but not before causing its collision with the shield to spark furious bolts of lightning which jumped around the entire room.

The distraction worked. It was more of a surprise, but it worked none the less. Cawthrux had escaped the view of Celestia, all she saw in front of her was a black cloak lying on the floor of her room and no trace of her opponent. She could only cower, covering her eyes and tensing her wings, folding them in slightly.

She anticipated the pain would come, and it did. A dagger throbbed right into the side of her back. She suffered. With her endurance she managed to survive, it wasn't the only dagger which struck her hide, and it hopefully would not be the last. Cawthrux stepped back, success was achieved, but he did not anticipate the final strike of his enemy. A final glow of Celestia's horn pushed him back and started to create an earthquake. The whole castle shook and the bells were heard.

The entire castle recognised this spell, it was like the structure itself knew what to do. Guards trotted towards the throne room, knowing full well that she was definitely occupied. And Cawthrux, he found himself in a position where he needed to flee before anypony found him. Window. It was a straight forward jump for him and his magic, but there was time to bid his farewell.

“You're done, Celestia, betraying us has brought you your reward.” He spoke right into her ear as she whimpered on the floor, burning up from the pain. The dagger was still there, surrounded in blood and threatening her life force. “I think you know why it hurts so much. And now I must leave.” With a smirk he beamed a missile to the stain glass window which was decorated with a pattern of Celestia raising the sun. It smashed into pieces.

Guards rushed in, aiming their attacks on the unicorn climbing for his escape. A few dozen missiles shot by, completely missing any intended targets. They failed to catch Cawthrux, he had already disappeared through the window and there was no doubt he could make it out of Canterlot unscathed.