The Infinity Complex

Ch.1 - Dark Tidings

The Infinity Complex: the source of Alicornian power in Equestria. Sparkling blue and purple diamonds streaked across the infinite black of space; the contrast created was impossibility incarnate, for the splendor of such a setting was tantamount to nothing in all the observed cosmos. But such delight, which would have afflicted most ponies from the continent of Equestria, was not shared by the intruders to this fair realm; only greed, for the limitless energies stored within the boundless expanse, was present in their hearts.

Within this secluded section of the universe resided the manifestation of the Alicorns' power: the Insum Astrum. The Alicorns harnessed the perpetual nuclear reactions, gaining immortality and impossibly powerful magic. The latter allowed the Alicorns to accomplish divine feats such as raising the Sun or manipulating the entirety of Equestrian weather. However, the arcane conducts required for the continuation of life in Equestria were rejected by those who dared to raid this discrete domain, a domain once known to only four Alicorns.

"I told you we would make it. How could you have ever doubted me?" belittled the Overseer. Through the portal, the pony placed a single hoof onto a bridge of twinkling starlight. Unsure of the stability of such a fabrication, the Overseer turned to address the Other.

"You go through first!" ordered the Overseer, moving aside to allow the Other passage through the portal. The Other scrutinized the glowing ring. It pulsed regularly with sapphire light, humming softly.

Glancing back at the Overseer, the Other cried, "But, D--" The Other's eyes went wide; the Overseer's hoof smashed into them. The assault sent the Other flying back into the machine that assured their entrance into the Infinity Complex. The Overseer trotted towards the fallen company, and proceeded to strike the Other many more times, until the charming pony bled from a multitude of lacerations.

"Your hesitation is troublesome," declared the Overseer, who wiped the bloodstained hooves on the Other's silver fur. "From here on, you shall call me Master."

"Y-yes, Master," stuttered the Other, cowering under the imposing, and newly christened, Master.

"And look what else your reluctance has cost us." The Master pointed a hoof behind the quaking Other. The trembling pony turned to face whatever the Master had indicated, but ensured the Master remained in peripheral vision.

Fully turned, but confirming that the Master remained in peripheral view, the Other discerned what the Master gestured towards; the machine that maintained the portal, which allowed the pair entry to the Infinity Complex, was slightly damaged. Upon the distorted shell of the device resided several cracks, which allowed the ponies to view the sporadic flickering of sickly sapphire light pouring out.

"It seems you have broken the machine. I don't expect it to last long," stated the Master. The Other broke out into a cold sweat and looked more closely at the device, trying to discern if they would be stuck together forever. Consequently, the Other relinquished the peripheral view of the Master, if only for a second. But a second was all it took: the Master's back hoof swung around the Other's body, slamming into the pony's ribs. The impact sent the Other reeling through the portal, lungs failing to pull in air. Seeing the nebulous bridge below, the Other’s eyes squeezed shut.

Falling into the starlight structure, the Other found them adjusting to cushion the fall. The Other's eyes opened: the starlight bridge stared back at the pony, a welcome sight. The stars are so soft, thought the Other, snuggling into the comforting structure.

"I'm impressed," announced the Master, stepping through the portal into the Infinity Complex. "I didn't expect you to survive."

The Master surveyed the boundless energies of the endless expanse. A smile slowly covered the interloper's face. So much power, and only accessible by the Alicorns? What a waste. The Master trotted further down the light bridge. The Other began to rise from the consoling platform, but was forced down again as the Master stepped over the Other's battered form.

"I dare say, partner, you have done well, exceeded my expectations even." Such compliments were unlike the Master to bestow. "I believe you've earned your reward... close your eyes."

The Other's eyes closed instantly; the pony shivered from head to hoof; a smile curved the Other's lips. The Master was only known to compliment the most despicable of ponies, an occasion only recorded twice (at least in the Other's memory). However, the Master's schemes usually backfired, souring the joyous occasions which seldom occurred. But now that it was only them, what could go wr-- that's when the Other felt the knife.

A blade slashed the Other's throat, splitting the carotid arteries. Blood began to violently pump from the Other's body, mediated by the rhythm of the pony's arrhythmic heart. The Other collapsed, twitching. The cordial bridge again nursed the Other's fall into a distinguished descent. It's so warm, were the Other's last thoughts before the pony's soul flowed from the corpse like the river of blood which drained over the edge of the bridge.

"I am sorry, dear friend." The Master wiped the bloodstained blade against the Other's fur, restoring the shine of the lethal tool. "But there is simply no room in this dimension for both of us."

The Master before rising, grabbed the Other's glasses. Not like they were needed, thought the Master, while shoving the Other's corpse over the edge of the light bridge, watching the blood-dry cadaver disappear into the eternal black of the Infinity Complex. Finally, with uncanny accuracy, the Master pitched the glasses through the portal and into one of the numerous cracks in the casing of the portal device. The machine, unable to cope with the addition of the alien mass, exploded, cutting the Infinity Complex off from the rest of the world.

And so, it begins. Millions of screens manifested beside the bridge. The Master's memories, some forgotten, others remembered, were displayed upon the projections. One such broadcast presented a playback of the Other's death: with the naive pony's eyes closed, the Master severed the Other's carotid artery.

The blood began to flow again.

***

5:30 am

Twilight awoke from her slumber. She stretched each limb, getting a few cracks and pops from each leg. She sighed as the ache from hours of stagnation faded. A soft melody, sung from the rooftops by larks and sparrows alike, graced the Alicorn's ears. Twilight flung the covers to the side and slowly lifted herself from the downy mattress. Trudging towards the staircase, she passed the still snoring dragon, Spike. Once she reached the main floor, Twilight proceeded to the door: collecting the morning mail was her responsibility, being the early riser. Opening the door, she reached out to retrieve the meager amount of envelopes, but something on her doorstep caught the Alicorn's eye: a package. The parcel was large, rectangular, and wrapped in brown paper, no doubt heavy. The groggy Alicorn strained her magic; both the mail and her horn began to glow a sparkling violet. Twilight levitated the package inside to observe the curious object in peace.

Twilight dropped the assorted envelopes on the table and focused on the mysterious parcel. She flipped it over, revealing an unsealed letter. Twilight opened the missive, and read the text:

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I hope you like what you see.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Curiouser and Curiouser. The letter wasn't labeled with a return address and was absent of a signature. The writing was simple, and didn't establish the note as a significant document. But the enigmatic nature of the message was like the grip of an Ursa Major: unyielding and irrepressible. So, despite her natural caution on such mysterious articles, Twilight ripped through the brown paper like a savage beast, the need to know at an unbearable level. With the package opened, she gazed upon her own reflection.

A reflection that had no wings.

Twilight screamed.