Obsidian approached Silver as he left the building. "Friend. I need to leave the city. Are you taking your forces out into Equestria territory? Allow me to come, please. I think I'm starting to... see ghosts. Like your daughter there. Frightening." He shivered slightly.
Silver accepted Obsidian's help without hesitation. "I am headed for the Everfree Forest. You are a strong warrior, young buck. You would be a welcome companion. If you truly wish to come along, be prepared to leave at nightfall." He glared at Nightshade, who had floated behind Obsidian, preparing to jump at him. "My late daughter... who is not as funny as she thinks... is harmless. You have nothing to fear from her." As Nightshade faded from view, Silver turned and began walking towards the palace. "As for the other ghosts that you have been seeing, you should speak to the princesses. My knowledge on the supernatural is limited. I am heading for the palace now. Perhaps you would walk with me?"
Obsidian smiled and walked beside Silver. "I take it, from how you speak, she has been at your side since the day of her death, yes? Ghosts are oddities. As was that charm she wore when you fought... If you do not mind, what happened to that charm? Is it still in your possession?" Obsidian was trying to keep his mind off of ghosts and blindly changed the topic.
Silver hesitated. "It... It is. I have tried many times to destroy it, to rid the world of it's evil, but I have failed. Weapons, magic, even the heat of the blacksmith's forge, nothing has worked. Short of purifying the evil that corrupts it, I see no way to be rid of it. Sadly, purification spells are beyond even Nightmare Moon's capability." He paused, staring at the ground. "As for Nightshade... she appeared to me several days after I... after I murdered her. I was already consumed with guilt at the time, and I thought her to be a product of my own madness. She is not always with me. As she did in life, she comes and goes as she pleases. I do not know where she goes. I do not even understand what she really is. She is unlike any ghost that I have ever seen, as she still somehow retains her memories and her sanity. Such a thing should be impossible."
"Star? Do you have any idea where ven is? Because I have no idea…", Yclept said, stopping in his tracks
Not long after Ycept and Star were trying to look for Venquis, the Ryborian and his Crimson Roses appeared. He did not appear to be very happy, but liked Star and Ycept’s comfort. The Changelings under Chrysalis were going to make a suicide attack on Celestia, while the ones under Candace and Nightmare Moon remained at their sides. “I have just checked in on Queen Chrysalis. I have tried to stop her making this attack, but would not sway at all. This attack against her enemy, even against all odds, is suicidal. She will be remembered as a hero because of it.” Venquis said to the couple. “Oh, and if you’re looking for work. Crimson is leading the Zebrica campaign. You can come with me if you wish...” ------------------------------------------------------------ Crimson and Ocean, dressed in their respective republic uniforms were going to lead the Republic campaign into Zebrica, a large arid nation located just above the Crystal Empire. The Republic already held the southern half of it, the extra push north would be very important for the war effort. The same situation was happening in the other lands, with the lands of the Changeling and Deer cut in half. The only nations completely occupied were Ardelan, the Buffalo land, Griffonia, and Equestria itself. While the Republic had a huge chance of gaining the upper hoof in the war, the discovery of a gulag built into a mountain inside of Equestria could cement that. With Equestria suffering some revolutionary unrest, some facts about this place had leaked out. Apparently, Equestria puts in the ‘criminals’ that they did not want but cannot kill. Some figures inside of the gulag could completely change the war, with seven figures that will change the war, and the world once they are released. Now that news about this place was out, Equestria had tripled the guards defending the building. The New Lunar Republic will do anything to claim it, and the Equestrian Empire will do anything to defend it. The most important of these prisoners, and easily the most powerful. Prisoner Zero
"Perhaps she is not a ghost. Perhaps, with beings of such massive power around, your worry has manifested as you remember her." Obsidian shrugged. "All ideas, yes. However, likely ideas, they are." A small smile formed on his face, remembering the illusions of the unicorn that helped raise him. Jack wandered the halls of the super prison, with his armored companion disguised as a royal guard. "Zero... zero... where is zero. I was supposed to take zero out so long ago... I'm quite happy I let them live... hehehe." The necklace with Sombra's power jingled around Jack's neck, his cape shimmered with a magical aura, and a crown of various gems sat on his head. (I know I have no idea who prisoner zero is, but the elders company works in enough secrecy that Jack could have been sent to kill him, and never interacted with him directly.)
( I could tell you, but i wont incase of the dreaded spoiler alert.....) Prisoner Zero, his only name since he was imprisoned in the gulag had been in a stasis like state for the past two hundred years. Due to his overwhelming power, he has undergone several restrictions to keep his power in check. While he might appear to be unconscious, he could still telepathiclly talk and sense everything in the room. If it was not for the magic restrictions placed around his horn, he could have freed his companions and wiped out every single guard just with his mind. He was the strongest magic user in existence, considered a god and easily overpowering the Ryborians. "You should leave Jack, you're just wasting your time here." he telepathically spoke to Jack. "I know who you are and why you are here, so you should simply leave. I don't want to deal with you."
"I had a feeling you'd be able to do that. Nice to talk to you." Jack lifted the side of his cape and pulled out a glowing golden dagger. "I know I can't steal your power... at least, not in your condition. You know about my plan, yes? Good. Then you know you're doomed to be here forever if you don't agree. Help me kill the princesses, Nightmare Moon and The Phoenix Queen. Then the elders. Then the world is yours... Of course you know I plan to betray you once you're weakened... but wouldn't you like to at least have the chance at freedom?" Jack smirked with the dagger clenched in his teeth. "but your answer is already decided, so I'll take my leave. Unless I am wrong..."
Nightshade appeared again, laughing as she floated over Obsidian's head. "You still haven't figured out what I am? How boring! Don't worry your pretty little heads about, you two will find out soon enough..." As she faded away yet again, she spoke in a whisper that Silver and Obsidian could barely hear. "The Everfree Forest may not be under Celestia's control, but the path there is. Please, be careful. Especially you, Dad. Holly will be very upset if you don't come home." Silver thought for a moment about what she had said, and smiled. "I think I understand now what has become of my little girl. Let us hurry to the palace. I am anxious to see my old home again, but I must first inform the princesses."
(Guess who’s back, back again. Midnight’s back, tell a friend....) Prisoner Zero’s ears picked up at the mention of the Princesses. He suddenly awoke angrily and phased straight through his cell and threw Jack straight across the room like a toy, alerting the guards. When Jack looked up again, he seen Prisoner Zero holding a sword forged out of magic at his throat. His hood had come off to reveal a white coated Alicorn with a deep imperial purple mane. His blue eyes pierced into Jack. “Don’t...you...DARE talk about my mother like that! You think you are the only individual to steal power from the weak, you talk about restoring equally to the world but you are merely an insect.” Before the guards could react, the afterimage that Prisoner Zero had created, the one holding Jack had disappeared. Prisoner Zero had never left the cell, nor can he leave it without him being released. To think that even in his most vulnerable state, he was still the strongest thing alive. “My mother was the benevolent Princess of Equestria. She abandoned it when the Element’s of Harmony disappeared. I would only agree that a symbolic clock is as nourishing to the intellect as a photograph of oxygen to a drowning stallion.” The Prisoner told him. “If you really want to make a difference to the world, overthrow my mother and rule the world’s strongest nation for yourself. You’re strong enough to do so, what’s stopping you from absolute power?” Prisoner Zero then rested back down on his bed and fell into his subconscious again. “You want to kill my mother, do it yourself. Only then will your ‘balance’ will be restored."
Jack stood up quietly, brushed off his chest and frowned. His companion ran to stop the guards, with a form of mind-control. "Your mother has nothing to do with balance. You take me for a mere mortal. I intend to go after a balance far higher than that achievable on this meager planet. What I needed was the power they have. I see I'm getting nothing from you though. I had hoped taking down the one who has kept you trapped would convince you. I guess we're done here then... I steal no power from those that deserve it. I am an insect only to gods... I had hoped to get some poison to take down a few of them." Jack faded out of visibility and the dagger dropped to the ground, with a small *clank.*
Silver and Obsidian walked the rest of the way to the Crystal Palace in silence. When they arrived, they found the Dark Princess waiting for them. Her armor had been recently shined, and she wore a saddlebag very similar to Silver Crescent's. The moment that she saw Obsidian, she cast a spell on him. "Do not worry. That was just the night vision spell that I already cast on your companions. I somehow seemed to have missed you with it the first time. If we are going to the Everfree, you will need to be able to see." Silver looked the Deer curiously, wondering how the spell could have missed him the first time. "Odd... oh well, it worked this time, so I guess..." He suddenly realized what the Dark Princess had said. "We?! Forgive me, Dark Princess, but ARE YOU INSANE?! YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF YOUR SISTER'S MOST WANTED LIST! SHE WILL NOT HESITATE..." "SILENCE!!!" The Royal Canterlot Voice was something that Silver had not heard in many years. The Dark Princess, satisfied that she had gotten his attention, laughed and continued. "You forget yourself, my knight. I am joining you, and that is that." She looked at Obsidian again, and frowned. "You look troubled, my young friend. What is wrong?"
While Nightmare Moon, Silver and Obsidian were busy travelling to the Everfree, Crimson decided that it was the perfect opportunity for the Republic to start advancing. While providing some level of ‘cover’ for the night princess, they could also retake the lost lands. Crimson and Ocean kissed each other before saying their farewells, both were going to coordinate the attacks in different lands. Archmage Crimson, or General Lionheart, was going to begin his campaign in Zebrica. Ocean however, would be taking the lands of the deer back. Something that Obsidian would find pleasing when he returns. With the discovery of the Gulag, prime information was sent to Silver about it. The prison was first an actual castle built with a with a panopticon style dungeon and was made to survive every siege, brutal winter, and every war. Century’s later, it became a prison for anyone Equestria did not want but couldn’t kill.” Every single high priority ‘Criminal’ was housed here, from innocent mayors to political powerhouses and former disgraced military commanders. However, the Gulag held much more than that, other than Prisoner Zero. This information would be passed to Silver before he left by courier, such as plans, drawings, and it's location deep within the Everfree. On the bottom of the page, was cursive writing that Silver would have known as Crimsons. It simpily said... "The key we hold opens the door to the future, Consider this as the door."
"Nothing we should be concerning ourselves with now, Nightmare Moon..." Obsidian talked slowly, as if lying to himself, trying to convince himself it was true. "If we are all going, we should head out. Soon." He spun his staff quickly onto his back, then nodded, saying he was ready to go.
"Very well, then. Let us be off." The Dark Princess ran ahead to the city gates, where the Night Guards were already waiting. Silver looked at Obsidian, sniffing the air around him. "I was going to warn you about how dangerous the forest can be, but it would seem you already know. Ever creature born of the Everfree has a trace of it's magic within them. I sense it quite strongly in you." The Deer and the Lunar Pegasus met the Night Guards and impatient Dark Princess at the gates. "Shall we go, Silver? I have decided..." An explosion of magic shot from Nightmare Moon's horn, surrounding the group in a brilliant white light. When it faded, they were standing in courtyard of Castle Harmony. "...to save you a long and dangerous trip. Welcome home, Silver Crescent." Silver looked around. Something was wrong. The wild animals that usually ran around the castle, most of them descendents of Fluttershy's beloved "critters," were nowhere to be found. "We are not the only ponies here... Night Guards! Form a defensive perimeter around the castle! Nopony gets in or out without us knowing about it! Obsidian, protect the Dark Princess!" Silver flew towards the castle tower as fast as his wings would carry him. The air reeked of chaos magic. He flew through the open window, and came face-to-face with Discord. The Draconequus grinned. "You DID get my letter! You're late."
Crimson and Ocean were walking downstairs when they seen Venquis, Star and Ycept. The mage and the pegasi were dressed in uniform that indicated that they were about to leave the city, and each other, to take command for the Republic’s army in two different lands. “Hello again, Is something the matter?” Ocean begun. -------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia was speaking to one of her loyal changeling spies that had just returned from the badlands. The spy told her everything about Chrysalis plan to get vengeance on the Queen of Equestria. Celestia appeared to look concerned about the changelings, but also hid an expression of a sadistic smile. “Are you sure she is going to make her move against me soon ?” Celestia asked. The Changeling responded in a series of clicks from the Changeling tongue. The Changeling then looked concerned about her kind , and what will happen to them. Celestia then gave the changeling an apologetic yet calm and trustworthy smile. “Dont worry. The ones who have come to Equestria has made the right choice, the others of your race have betrayed you. Some align in an unstable queen, others align with my sister. This might sound harsh, but we need to cut off the head of the snake.” Celestia told the changeling. The changeling’s expression turned to shock but then lowered his head when she believed in Celestia telling the truth. “Very well. Get the others to safety, we’ll stop your mother.” Celestia ordered. The changeling then saluted then flew out of the palace doors with its buzzing sound. Two rangers then stood beside Celestia with a Solar Flare, awaiting orders. “The heretic Changelings has bothered me long enough, wipe out every single one of them when they attack the city, then burn Chrysalis Empire to the ground. This should send a message to the other Changelings, and the rest of that republic my sister rules. Wipe...them...out. All of them.” The Phoenix queen told them. They both saluted as they left the palace. Within that same day, the metropolis of Canterlot was turned into a fortress. She was ready to take down the Changelings, and she wanted to execute Chrysalis personally. To really wake her enemies up, she was going to do something that has not been done in many years. Magically broadcast the execution across the world, which was possible due to a recent invention by her scientists.
Silver was confused. "Letter? What are you talking about, Lord Discord? I did not recieve any letter." Discord frowned. "Oh, really? NIGHTSHADE! GET IN HERE!" Nightshade appeared beside Discord, grinning. "You called, Gramps?" Discord looked at the ghostly Pegasus with a mixture of anger and amusement. "You hid the letter, didn't you? How devious of you! I honestly don't know if I should be furious or proud." He snapped his fingers, and Obsidian and the Dark Princess appeared in the room beside Silver. "How nice of you two to join us. Now, let me explain why I asked you to come. And I DID ask you to come, even if Nightshade here kept you from getting my message..." Nightshade giggled. "I regret nothing!" Discord looked at her in annoyance, and continued. "Anyway... I cannot fight in your war directly. There are rules that even the God of Chaos must follow. What I can do, however, is help you to help yourselves."
Obsidian Had been shocked when he had been teleported, and a moment later told to protect the princess. His mind was still registering what had happened when he saw the pink tail from back at the kingdom run between some trees, and the same two sounds echoed in his head, followed by a slightly deeper pitched laugh, as a shadow flew over him. Then suddenly, he was looking at Dicord. His head still spinning, he was incapable of responding, and just rubbed his head.
