Rainbow Dash felt the familiar jarring sensation of teleportation. She clasped Swordpoint’s hoof tightly until she felt her hooves touch solid ground. She opened her eyes to a shocking sight. She stood in a wasteland, surrounded by burnt trees, scorched earth, and jagged peaks.

Swordpoint released Rainbow’s hoof and closed his eyes. “I am home,” he said aloud, more to himself than to Rainbow.

Rainbow couldn’t speak. This horrible place… is his home? Everything reeked of death and fire, and there were no living creatures or plants in sight. Rocky mountains reached skyward in the distance, absent of snow or trees. Rainbow glanced at the sky, and she immediately noticed that the reaplings’ home was no longer directly above them. It was still visible, but it was further to the south.

Swordpoint tapped Rainbow’s shoulder lightly, and she jumped as if she’d been electrocuted. “I’m sorry, Rainbow. I did not mean to startle you.”

Rainbow smiled lightly. “No, it’s fine. I’m just… kinda shocked. You lived here? In THIS place?”

Swordpoint nodded. “Yes… All my life.” He held out his hoof toward the distant desert. “This is Ponynesia.”

Rainbow took a single step forward. “But… what happened here?! It wasn’t always like this… was it?”

Swordpoint shook his head. “I do not know. For as long as I have lived, this land has been ravaged. Forgive me, but there was something I wanted to ask you.”

Rainbow faced Swordpoint again. “Uh, sure… what was it?”

Swordpoint cleared his throat, shifting his gaze. “I… I wanted to ask you to forgive me.”

Rainbow was sure she misheard. “Wait… for what?”

Swordpoint finally brought his eyes to hers. “For my harsh words. I at last understand your feelings… and I should never have been so craven. Rainbow, I want to stay by your side.”

Rainbow’s heart raced. She wasn’t sure if Swordpoint was actually saying the words she was hearing. “You… want to stay?”

Swordpoint nodded. “Look around. This land is dying, and there is nothing for me here. I wish to stay with you in Equestria, and leave behind this foul place for the rest of my days.”

Rainbow was dumbfounded. The stallion for whom she had fallen was at last beginning to say the things she wanted to hear, and she found herself unable to reply. She felt that her heart would certainly explode.

Swordpoint was somewhat confused by Rainbow’s lack of speech. He placed a hoof on her shoulder and tilted his head slightly. “Are you alright?”

That would be putting it mildly… Rainbow thought. Finally, she opened her mouth and forced herself to speak. “Swordpoint, are you sure that this is what you want?”

Swordpoint’s stern expression loosened. He managed to give Rainbow a small smile. “More than anything. If we survive, I want you to show me everything about friendship. I wish to know what it is like to live in a world where domination and power do not rule. I want to be… your friend.”

Rainbow couldn’t restrain herself. She threw her forehooves around Swordpoint. “I want to be your friend, too!” she shouted.

Swordpoint was not ready for Rainbow’s embrace, and he recoiled somewhat when she hugged him. “Is this… what friends do?” he asked, notable uncertainty in his voice.

Rainbow’s face turned bright red. “Um, yeah! It’s called a hug!” She quickly released him, grinning sheepishly.

Swordpoint was filled with a sensation he’d never experienced. He felt warm… but he felt the warmth inside of him. It was like a wave, washing away all of his doubts and fears. In that moment, there was only him and Rainbow. He wanted desperately to put his feelings into words, but his mind could not find the proper terms.

He closed his eyes and immediately felt something calling to him from beyond his reach. He could not understand the words it spoke, but he saw a blurry image of a ruined city. He hastily opened his eyes again and turned back to Rainbow. “I’m sorry, but we must not forget our duty. Your friends… Our friends may be dying for us at this very moment. We must press onward.

Rainbow smiled, undaunted by Swordpoint’s reminder. “You’re right. Maybe now isn’t the time for this. We should go.” She stole a glance at Swordpoint before spreading her wings and taking flight.

Swordpoint panicked. He shot into the air after her like a bullet. He reached out his hoof until he could grasp her back leg.

“Hey, what are you doing?!” she shouted. She tried to pull her hoof away from him.

“You must return to the ground!” Swordpoint cried. He struggled to hold onto her leg. “Flight is forbidden in Ponynesia! The royal guardians will be able to locate us!”

Rainbow grunted. “So what?! We can take ‘em!” She shook free of Swordpoint’s hoof.

Swordpoint desperately tried to keep up with her, but she was much faster than he. “Did you forget what Speartail did?! The royal guardians are not to be taken lightly! If it were not for the Doctor, you would not be breathing, now! Please, listen to me!”

Rainbow chuckled and searched the landscape for any signs of the ruined city. She could see nothing more than deserted wastelands all around them, however. There was a flash at the edge of her vision, and she slowed down as she turned her head to examine it. This gave Swordpoint the time he needed. He caught up with her quickly and wrapped a forehoof around her midsection before diving toward the ground. The light whizzed above them, mere inches away.

Rainbow kicked free of Swordpoint and spiraled toward the ground before landing softly below. Swordpoint landed nearby with a hard clop. “What was that thing?!” Rainbow shouted.

Swordpoint pushed her hindquarters urgently. “We must run! They’ll be upon us any minute!”

Rainbow only gave Swordpoint a confused stare. “Wait… who?”

Flustered, Swordpoint grabbed her hoof and pulled her. “I told you not to fly! That light was a magical spell! It would have torn your wings from your body! They’ve spotted us, and they will not let us go now that they’ve seen us breaking the law!”

Rainbow began to run on her own. “But wait, who are we talking about?! Those royal guardians?”

Swordpoint nodded rapidly. “Yes! The punishment for breaking the law is death, and the royal guardians play judge, jury, and executioner!” He glanced at the sky and saw exactly what he feared. Two pegasi clothed in the black armor of the royal guardians were approaching quickly, weapons drawn. Swordpoint stopped in his tracks and extended his wings. He concentrated his energy as quickly as he could and conjured his lance.

The royal guardians sped toward them with supernatural speed. Swordpoint raised his lance and prepared himself for battle. He could feel his muscles tensing, and a rush of pure adrenaline began to flow through him, seemingly slowing down everything. But just before they collided with Swordpoint, the royal guardians landed in front of him. One of them had a set of ethereal wings which dissipated shortly after landing.

Swordpoint was on a pure adrenaline high. “What do you want?” he spat. He recognized the pegasus, although the unicorn was unfamiliar.

The pegasus stepped forward. “Her mistress Omnia has been awaiting your return.”

Swordpoint stood his ground, crouching low to the ground. “I have no words for her, or for you… Flayer.”

Flayer tossed his lance to the unicorn, who quickly grabbed it with magic and caused it to disappear. “We are eager to learn what you have discovered about that object. And who is your companion?”

Swordpoint glanced back at Rainbow, who stood silently behind him. “None of your concern.”

The unicorn pointed to Swordpoint. “Please. You think that Omnia is blind to everything in Equestria? Did you think she would not know that you murdered Speartail?” His voice was raspy and cold. “And you can’t even recognize me. How dare you serve Celestia? You realize that you have committed high treason. You are the most wanted stallion in the country… and it will be Flayer and I who deliver your head to the Mistress Omnia.”

Flayer snuck a glance at the unicorn. “Well… that is partially correct, Slasher.” He conjured his lance quickly and thrust it at the unicorn. Slasher was caught off guard, and the lance easily slid through his vulnerable stomach.

Slasher gasped. “Brother… you… traitor…” He collapsed to the ground, a puddle of blood quickly expanding beneath him.

Flayer stared uncaringly at the body of his brother. “I will reap the reward, and I had no intentions of sharing it.”

Swordpoint spat at the ground. “Just as ruthless as ever, I see. You are damned.” He readied his lance.

Flayer lunged for Swordpoint, who swung his lance wildly. Flayer teleported behind Swordpoint, however, and swiped his lance at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow hastily jumped backward, and Swordpoint wheeled around to face Flayer.

Swordpoint’s teeth were gritted. “Leave her out of this!” he growled before creating a magical explosion where Flayer stood. Flayer sprung into the air just before the explosion and pointed his lance at Rainbow Dash before exploding in her direction like a bullet. He swung the lance toward her throat, but Swordpoint deflected it with his own.

Rainbow jumped up and began to flap her wings. “C’mon, Swordpoint, can’t you give me a weapon or something?!” she shouted. I’m tired of you always saving me. I am NOT a helpless filly, and I’m going to fight WITH you this time!

Swordpoint quickly conjured an ethereal dagger and tossed it to Rainbow, who caught it deftly. “Do not try to fight him head on!” Swordpoint ordered. “He will overwhelm you! Remember, he was trained for combat from birth!”

Flayer sighed. “Why must you talk so much? You used to be so quiet, Swordpoint. It’s a shame. Although I can silence you again.” Flayer rushed toward Swordpoint, his lance extended. Swordpoint raised his own, ready to deflect the attack. Before Flayer reached Swordpoint, he disappeared in a flash.

Swordpoint, thinking quickly, spun around. Flayer was just reappearing from his teleport, placing him feet behind Rainbow Dash. “RAINBOW! BEHIND YOU!” Swordpoint shouted.

Rainbow jumped forward and rolled to face behind herself. Flayer approached quickly, but Swordpoint slammed his lance again the hilt of Flayer’s. Flayer clumsily dropped his weapon from the impact, and Rainbow wasted no time. She seized the opportunity and drove the dagger into Flayer’s exposed chest.

Flayer only grunted and grabbed her hoof. He yanked on it and pulled out the knife in one swift movement. Blood flowed freely from his chest. He opened his wings and began to glow black once more. “We have seen the healing spell used by the unicorn. What a clever tactic. If only you’d spent more time researching magic, perhaps you would match my skill in its art.

The black aura surrounding Flayer concentrated on the wound in his chest. He waited for it to close up… but it didn’t. Instead, the flesh around it began to turn black and decayed, and he felt sickly. “Wha-what is this? The spell… it should have worked…” He coughed weakly before leaning over and vomiting a mess of green and sickly blood.

Swordpoint watched Flayer writhe in pain. “You have poisoned yourself. The darkness inside you infected your magic. It is very well the same as rubbing venom into a wound.” He placed his lance to Flayer’s neck. “I will end your suffering.”

Flayer grabbed the hilt of the lance and shoved it into Swordpoint’s chest before standing once again. “You forget yourself, Swordpoint…” He coughed again. “I have a duty, and I will not rest until it is complete. Even if I succumb after your death.” Flayer picked up his lance and unsteadily faced Swordpoint.

Swordpoint sighed. Flayer’s sad state served only to remind him that he, too was once like Flayer. He no longer felt hatred for the stallion, instead feeling it replace with pity. “You can hardly stand. You will never keep pace with us.”

As if this was a direct challenge, Flayer jumped into the air at once. He tried to flap his wings, but he couldn’t gain any height, only slowing his descent to the ground.

Rainbow stood behind Flayer. She caught Swordpoint’s eye and nodded. When Flayer landed on the ground again, he stumbled forward several steps. Rainbow hastily closed the gap between the two of them, wrapped a forehoof around his head, and used the dagger to slit his throat.

Flayer placed a hoof to his bleeding neck, which had already begun to turn black and sickly. The venom was spreading quickly, causing total agony within him. As the poison ravaged his organs, he felt as though his insides were on fire. He collapsed to the ground, where he lie, twitching and bleeding, until his blood had run dry.

Swordpoint gazed at Flayer’s remains. Though he no longer lived, the poison still ran through him, corrupting him and causing his body to decay. “This is the truth behind evil,” Swordpoint said, more to himself than to Rainbow. “It corrupts the body and mind. Using such an evil will to call forth healing magic just gives it an entry point.” When Swordpoint had finished talking, the only thing left of Flayer was his skeleton. The poison had eaten the rest of his body like an acid. “Evil is a hungry force. It always wants to consume more.” He lingered for a moment before walking away from the skeleton. “We should depart before they send any more teams after us. I’m certain Omnia already knows of this intrusion.”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “No problem here. We should get a move on.” She glanced at her wings for a moment. “And, uh… I’m sorry. Is there any way we can fly low without being noticed? Maybe just a few feet off the ground?”

Swordpoint nodded. “Yes. The magic doesn’t detect anything under a distance of twenty feet to the ground. Just be sure to stay low enough. I may not be able to save you from another of those magic turrets.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Did you say… magic turret?”

Swordpoint nodded grimly. “Yes. It’s a tower which harnesses the natural magic of the earth to attack enemies. The spell which tears off wings is commonly used in them.” He pointed in the distance. “Now let us depart. They will be searching for us.”

Rainbow took a final glance at Flayer’s skeleton. “The price of evil, huh…” She shrugged and took off from the ground, making sure to stay close to the earth. Swordpoint followed behind her.

--
Omnia sat on her throne, watching through Flayer’s eyes as he fought with Swordpoint and his pegasus companion. She enjoyed the violence, and shuddered with pleasure when Flayer killed his brother. After the battle had ended, she broke her spell and stood. “Well, that’s certainly a warning I should give to the guardians…” She stopped and considered this for a moment. “On second thought, that was so delightful to watch. I would not mind seeing it again.” She daintily trotted down the staircase toward the double doors which led to the castle foyer.

Omnia motioned to the door guard, who immediately stepped forward and opened the grand double doors with his magic. He entered the doors ahead of her and cleared his throat. “Attention! Her royal highness, the Mistress Omnia!”

Omnia entered behind the unicorn, tossing him aside with her magic. The knights and royal guardians stood in the foyer, bowing low to her. “My faithful servants! I have orders for you.” She scanned her loyal guards and guardians, seeing unwavering fealty. “Your commander, Swordpoint… He is a traitor. I want his head… although I’d prefer to see him captured alive with his companion, a blue pegasus with a rainbow colored mane. I will reward their captors generously.” A smile danced across her black lips. “And I do not care who brings them to me, nor do I care what methods you use. Just keep them alive. I will show Swordpoint the price that traitors pay in Ponynesia.”

Her guards and guardians saluted in unison. “All hail!” they shouted together. They swiftly stood and departed the room through the castle’s grand double doors.

Omnia couldn’t stop smiling. She could see that Swordpoint cared for his companion, and she wanted nothing more than to use that to make him suffer. It’s a pity. I had such faith in you, but you dared to serve that wench I once called “sister.” My kingdom is safe, and I don’t care if Equestria burns to the gods-damned ground. It will be mine soon enough. She let out a small chuckle and trotted casually back into her throne room, slamming the door behind her.

Author's Note

...

Soon, my friends. It will all be over soon. One way or another.