“Ok... that isn’t good.” Ocean said, she could feel the vibrations in the water of something large. When she focused on the vibrations, she knew exactly what it was. “Everypony on the land, NOW!!!” she said loudly. The rest of the group quickly made to land and aimed their weapons towards the hydra.
Silver had run into a Hydra once before, when Mayor Mare had hired him to remove one from a bog near Ponyville. "Be careful. To kill it, we have to destroy the heads. The problem is, when it loses a head, it grows two more to replace it. We need a way to seal the wound and prevent regrowth."
“I have an idea.” Ocean flew up into the air and then did a 90 degree turn with her sword which carved the hydras heads clean off. Crimson then levitated himself into the air quickly and then shot a sealing spell in the center of each head. Crimson and Ocean then landed to see that the hydra was trying desperately to regrow, but having great difficulty doing so. “I don’t think this will hold him. Silver, would it be possible to destroy the heart?”Crimson said.
"only one way to find out". Robin pulled out his crossbow and fired a tunneling dart at his heart. normally it is used create a hole in rock so he could fire a dart into the next room or plant a spy camera. he then loaded a explosive bolt before turning to the others. "Guys, things are about to get messy". he then fired the ticking bolt into the hole made by the tunneling dart.
Silver watched as the creature exploded. "Impressive, but unnecessary. Without it's heads, it would have been dead within seconds, anyway." He turned his attention to Ocean Wave. That was nice work. Aerial combat like that isn't something that can be learned. You've got great instincts, kid. I can see now why Celestia trusted you for this mission."
“I aim to please.” Ocean said proudly. She managed to clean up some of the blood and guts that came from the hydra. It stunk and she looked disgusted about it, but it could not wipe the smile from her face. She turned around to Crimson who had managed to help beat the hydra without equipping a single weapon. He wasn’t covered much, but his highly detailed and durable Armour had almost changed colour. “Great job Crimson... I never knew you were so good at magic” “And I never knew that you were so good at aerial combat, keep it up.” Getting a compliment from her so called boyfriend made Ocean feel much better about herself then what she already did. She looked at the opening, but had to question about how and when will they get to Sollus. “Ok. Let’s go take down an Ardak Luvanis.”
Silver looked at the group. They were skilled warriors, much better than he could have hoped for. It saddened him to think that they would all be dead soon. A normal Alicorn was an immortal being of incomprehensible power. A super-powered Alicorn... No matter what happened, Silver would go down fighting.
Crimson had to admire Oceans enthusiasm and aerial skill, but knowing that she is facing against a Ardak Luvanis scared the daylights out of him. He knew about the stories or nightmares more accurately, about their power and about the 3 who have ever achieved such a state. It went from the first Ardak Luvanis known only as Caesar before Equestrias foundation, and then Sollus presently. However, the stories of Dark Plague scared him the most. Stories of entire cities and empires being obliterated in a blink of a eye and his whole life dedicated to killing Celestria were stuff of legend and fairy tales. He wanted to become something like this, to have stories written about him in centurys to come. He wanted to be remembered for doing the right thing. It was why he joined the military....
"We need a plan. If this 'Sollus' is even half as powerful as we've been led to believe, we won't last five seconds if we attack head-on. We need an advantage, something to allow us to stand up to such power." Silver reached into his saddlebag and pulled out the jar of powdered Poison Joke. "The Everfree Forest is a beautiful, dangerous place. Magic flows through it like water through a river. Certain Everfree plants, like Poison Joke, also contain this magic. In it's pure, unaltered state, the plant has a mind of it's own, and is uncontrollable. However, if Poison Joke is processed correctly, a pony with a strong will can harness the magic to his or her own ends." Silver set the jar on the ground. "This is my weapon of last resort. If we use this on ourselves, we can alter our bodies, or even our minds, into something... new. The effects would only be tempory, and it is unquestionably dangerous, but it may be our only hope to stand against Sollus." Silver watched his comrades carefully. He understood that his plan was crazy. He wondered how they would react.
"I've been on many missions. Exposed to poison joke and so silver speaks the truth. I've gained a higher state before under there effects. Although I could hardly run or cast magic for 24 hours after it wore off. So we better make the most of it".
"This is not normal Poison Joke. Essentially, powdered Poison Joke is bottled chaos magic. It takes a very strong mind to wield, and it is very dangerous to use. I suppose that you should see it for yourself." Silver opened the bottle and sprinkled a small amount onto himself. "You must have a clear picture in your mind of what you want to happen. You must not try anything too outlandish. Stick with what you are familiar with. I'm sure that you've noticed similarities between the Lunar Pegasi and the Dragons. That's why, for me, this transformation makes sense." Silver's appearance had changed completly Though he still retained his basic size and shape, his physiology had been drastically altered. His entire body was covered in diamond-hard scales. His hooves, front and back, had been transformed into dragon claws. His teeth had grown sharper, and his tail had grown longer. He had become a perfect hybrid, half pony, half dragon. "It is your choice to make. This magic is very similar to Discord's own powers. You can gain incredible power, but you would be risking your sanity."
Robin meditated for a while before taking some dust. A clear vision in his mind. Hie slightly got bulkier, his horn sharpened, his mane and tail messier, hooves became paws. Finally his irises became golden. "hmmm, heavenly wolf hybrid. (turns invisible then back again) with in built prey hunting cloak. Cool".
Ocean and Crimson looked at each other and agreed with nods. "We are going to use it just before we face Sollus, the last thing we need is for it to run out at the worst time possible." Crimson said, Ocean then continued. "I agree, im going to wait as well." Ocean then looked at Crimson, who was holding a communicator. "This will be our last chance to call for backup. If this happens and the leaders send help, the nations army will face off against the main force while we focus completely on Sollus. If we dont, then the poison joke better last us for several hours..." Crimson ended.
"The effects usually last about twenty-four hours. Whenever you're ready." Silver's eyes lingered on the Earth Pony that had come with them. "Perhaps Crag should wait here. If backup arrives, they'll need someone to explain what's happening." He dove into the lake and entered the underwater passage to Sollus' castle. The most difficult fight of his life lay ahead.
Crimson looked down at the lake. He feared that his death would happen within the next 24 hours, and that the end of the world would happen just like everypony predicted. Ocean stood beside him to help him with his last moments of peace. "Ocean... there were two reasons that you were chosen for this mission." Crimson said. Ocean looked at him in interest. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Celestria chose you because you are one of the very best Pegasus soldiers in Equestria, but she never told you why you where chosen..." Crimson pulled out his locket from which he received from his Auntie as a child. He opened up to show Crimson at a much younger age and Winter smiling next to him. "The truth is... i loved you ever since we meet as a child. Ever since that afternoon, you were always in my dreams.... it's just that.... im sorry that im acting like this." "Dont be sorry..." Ocean then grabbed Crimsons head and kissed him as soon as she could. Crimsons eyes widened in excitement when the kiss was over. "Glad to see that you remembered me Lion-note." Crimson laughed at the childhood nickname that no pony has called him in over 10 years, referencing his tallent as a musician rather than a solider. Crimson then equipped his weapon and looked at Ocean again. "Once were done with this mission... why dont we have time to ourselves. You know, something romantic like going to the movies..." Ocean smiled and her cheeks turned bright red in embarrassment but then faded. "I would love that, just like i love you."
Crimson and Ocean followed after Silver not long after he left under the water. Once they went underneath the passage to come up for air, they loaded their weapon to finish off Sollus once and for all. “Hold up for a second... let me see if I can find him.” Crimson said as he began to concentrate his mind onto a unique ability he was born with which allowed him to know anypony within a 50 km radius. Ocean looked concerned but knew that Crimson was doing fine. “Fifth floor, seven rows down and a hundred meters south from our position. There appears to be no guards whatsoever, they all must be fighting against the paraspites Silver sent... or maybe backup has arrived. It’s like he knows we are coming.” “He’s close... it’s just a walk to the main room from now. There goes a stealth opportunity
Silver grinned. The fun was about to start. "We still have an opportunity to suprise him. I'll go in first and attack head on. I'll try to buy you three enough time to get into position for a whatever it is that you're planning."
"I'll just stick to the shadows". The longer it took the more he looked like a wolf the only thing left was the snout.
Silver placed his saddle bag on the ground. "There are two healing potions in here, as well as the Poison Joke. Take what you need. If we're lucky, I can buy you four minutes. Use it well." Silver took flight and rushed down the hall as fast as his wings would carry him. Within thirty seconds, he reached the door to the throne room. He smashed it open and flew in. Sollus was waiting for him. The instant that Silver entered the room, he was struck by a torrent of flame. In his usual form, he would have be instantly incinerated. In his current form, they were simply an annoyance. Completely immolated, his vision obscured by the the flames that engulfed his body, Silver could not see the creature that he was fighting. He could, however, hear Sollus' breathing, and dove towards the sound. Silver attacked with his claws, and felt the creature's flesh tear. An instant later, he was struck by a heavy blow that sent him crashing into the wall and cracked several of his ribs. Still engulfed in flame, his armor glowing red from the heat, Silver attacked Sollus again and again, tearing at the king with his claws. Each successful attack was met with a brutal counter-attack. He would not last much longer. If only he could see what he was fighting...
