Nightmare Moon, indignant at being teleported against her will, glared at Discord. "You speak in riddles, Draconequus! Are you on our side or not?!" Discord tugged thoughtfully on his beard. "Am I on your side? Hmm... I would have to say 'No.' The fact is, Moony, I am on my own side. I have chosen to help you and your allies only because it amuses me." Silver looked at Discord with curiousity. The God of Chaos was not telling the whole truth, that much was obvious.
Prisoner Zero was busy lying on his bed. His eyes were closed shut as he explored his dream world again. He had complete control of making and controlling his own dreams and making them as long as he wanted. Fifty years in his dream world would be equivalent to a week in the real world. It was dangerous playing around in those worlds, not being able to tell reality apart from the dream, but Zero never felt anything like it. The rusty door of the jail opened as several guards came waltzing into the door, escorted by a single Ranger. Even through Prisoner Zero appeared unconscious, he could still communicate and even physically harm his enemies in such a state. His cell was the only cell in his quarters, being placed and categorized in his own section. While his mother was categorized as a Category S in terms of power, Zero was on an entirely different level. The guards then came close towards the cell, allowing the Ranger to speak. “Prisoner Zero. You have earnt yourself quite a reputation of being known as something else entirely, you might even be the phoenix killer. Under orders from the head of the Ranger’s, you crimes will be punishable by de-“The Ranger suddenly flew across the room and was sent straight through the dark concrete wall, the impact crippling him. The other guards tried to attack, but all of them suddenly dropped to the ground lifelessly within the time span of just under a second. When the Ranger recovered, Zero was standing directly above him glaring at him. “The head of the Rangers does not act under Celestia’s permission; the head goes through various sources of officials. She would have not ordered my execution unless she actually knew that she could kill me, which she has failed to do so since my birth.” Zero then picked up the crippled Ranger, who was pleading for his life as tears streamed down his eyes. “And here I was to think that the Rangers were an honorable organization. Pathetic...” Zero said as he levitated the guard and threw him out of the cell door, landing directly onto his face. Zero’s afterimage then disappeared as he was then seen unconscious again. “Damn. I should stop using that technique; it appears to causing me more pain due to this restriction on my horn every time I use it. And even then, I cannot leave this room due to this cursed barrier placed to stop me from escaping.” Zero thought, looking back at his horn. “Hopefully word has spread about this place. Other then mother, I’m the only pony who knows about what has happened to the Elements of Harmony. If the truth were to be let out from here, then mother would experience a severe wake up call.”
Chrysalis considered Venquis' words for a few moments, and became more angry. As the Ruborian and his Roses left the throne room, she shook visibly. How dare he make such presumptions about her! Why should she care about being called a hero? As her other guards returned, they quickly grew fearful, for she exhibited the same emotion that the tributes had: Hatred. They dared not approach their mother for fear that they would suffer the same fate as their brothers and sisters. "Leave me, please." Chrysalis said, coolly and calmly. "Let me mourn. When the dawn comes, we will head for the Equstrian capital. Until then, please give your brothers and sisters their due and leave me be." When the guards left, the Changeling Queen sunk back into her throne and cbusied herself with planning Celestia's demise. ---- Star positively jumped at the chance to show off her new spells in battle. "Of course I would join you! We've dilly-dallied long enough!"
"Excellent. We are heading towards Zebrica where i shall command the campaign against Equestria for control of the kingdom. It is currently divided in half, with us having the south and them having the north. If we were to take Roam, their capital, then we will have a hugely strategic command post and make the conquest much easier." Crimson said towards Ycept and Star, who looked eager to go. "We wont be back for possibly quite a while, a week if everything goes perfectly. Several months or possibly years if everything goes south. Meet me at the gate in several minutes." he said as he left the couple. Venquis remained behind for a moment, checking a pile of notes before he followed Crimson. ---------------------------------------------------------------- "Something is wrong." Celestia begun. "Something is horribly wrong. I know that the changelings are going to attack, but they are taking longer than expected. That and my so-called 'secret' prison is no longer secret. Ensure that it does not happen again, double everything." Celestia ordered the warden of the gulag. If the secrets inside were to be found, it would be a crippling blow to her rule. Tens of thousands would switch sides to the N.L.R, something she could not afford. She could just kill every inhabitant inside, but some were worth more alive then others.
Silver was curious as to what Discord was hiding, but he was even more curious about something that Nightshade had said to him right before he left the Crystal Empire. "Lord Discord? My daughter mentioned Holly. Is she here? I have not seen her since..." Discord looked at him seriously. "Since when? Since the day you murdered your daughter and then betrayed your most loyal friend?" He laughed. "Don't worry about her. She has already forgiven you. She simply decided that she would be more useful here. Haven't you noticed that the animals are gone from the castle? They are with Holly, just outside of Ponyville." He snapped his fingers, and looking glass on the wall began showing an image of Sweet Apple Acres. As Silver and the others watched, Holly appeared in between two trees, stalking something. Discord grinned. "This... you need to see." Holly sniffed the air. The scent of apples was almost overpowering, but her sensitive nose picked up something far more sinister. The barn ahead was full of explosives. The Equestrian army had taken over the farm, tossing the current generation of the Apple Family aside like yesterday's garbage. The farm was now being used as a base for a team of Equestrian Rangers, tasked by the Phoenix Queen with taking control of the Everfree. A large scouting party that had entered the forest a week earlier had been wiped out. The lone Earth Pony that had managed to crawl, mortally wounded, out of the forest, told of green-eyed demon wolf that had mercilessly slaughtered his companions. Holly stood up and howled, signaling her rather unique team to attack. A group of Rangers, initially terrified by the sudden appearance of the "Demon," somehow found enough courage to rush the Timber-Wolf. As soon as they got within striking distance, all hell broke loose. The trees around Holly and the Rangers fell, forming a wall of lumber and cutting off the Equestrians' escape. As the beavers that had brought down the trees ran for cover, Holly made short work of the Rangers. The Rangers still sleeping in the farmhouse were rudely awakened by the door being torn from it's hinges. The last thing that any of them ever saw was the massive bear that ended their lives with it's deadly claws and teeth. The final Ranger had hidden in the barn. As the sounds of fighting began to die down, he peeked out from his hiding place and saw a small mouse with a strange box on it's back running towards the crates of explosives. Moments later, as the mouse fled back outside, he got a better look at the box. On the side was printed, in bright red letters: MATCHES. The Ranger barely had time to curse his horrible luck before barn exploded in a ball of fire that was seen all the way in Canterlot. Silver watch the fight in shocked silence. He had never known just how smart his old friend was. She had led a group a playful forest animals to victory over some of Celestia's most elite soldiers, and had suffered no losses. As Holly and her team regrouped at the edge of the forest, Discord snapped his fingers and the looking glass went back to normal. He looked at Silver Crescent and laughed. "Impressive, isn't she?"
"Quite the show Discord... Are we here merely to be audience to this performance, or is there a real reason you took us?" Obsidian looked down and saw the cloth around his leg. He put it in the back of his mind, focusing on the more important matter at hand. He turned back to Discord and stared him down with a blank expression. Jack hovered, invisible, in the air of the arched cieling to Celestia's throne room. He watched Celestia adress guards of varying types, which bored him greatly. Wanting to get her alone for a moment, he spoke, only to her. "Phoenix Queen." His voice echoed in her head loudly. "Put away the guards for a second. You need to rest yourself. This excertion will harm you." He was glad he'd never had any kind of interaction with Celestia, which would allow her to recognize him. Even in her state she would merely think his voice were her own thoughts. Then he'd have a chance to make a special deal with the princess. One he was hoping would turn out better than his attempt at Prisoner Zero. He almost sighed out loud at the thought of his failed attempt at the prisoner. He had even lost one of his weapons in the process.
Star nodded in reply to Venquis' orders. She assumed that maybe the Ryborian thought that Star would want to say goodbye, or something along those lines. He couldn't be further from the truth. With Yclept's, and even Sombra's, help Star was able to reconcile herself and all of her "selves" into one. She quickly realized that the only things she wanted in life were, to put it bluntly, absolute power...and Broken Parson. She glanced downward at the thought that she would even have to choose between those two someday...but she would cross that bridge when she got to it. "Parson," Star remarked, "If the land is disputed, then that means that there were casualties." She flashed an evil grin before returning to her sweet smile. "Would you rather learn how to perform mass healing...or raising the bodies of the dead?"
"You wish to know why I asked for you three in particular?" Discord had seated himself in his throne, suddenly very serious. "The answer is simple. Jack. Even I do not fully understand who or what he is, but I do know one thing. He's dangerous. He seeks to destroy both princesses, and I suspect that he will not stop there. He may even seek to destroy the gods. If he is allowed to continue unchecked, all of the world could fall into chaos." He chuckled. "And NOT the good kind." Silver Crescent and Nightmare Moon were confused. Neither of them had witnessed Jack's attack on Venquis. They had heard of him only in the story told by the Ryborian, and knew almost nothing about him. Discord suddenly grinned. "You three are exactly what I need. Moony, you are one of the most powerful Alicorns, ever. Silver, you are perhaps the the most fearless warrior alive. Obsidian, you are a skilled and honorable fighter... and I suspect that you have some connection with Jack. At the very least, you must have some information that can help us." Silver took any threat to the princess seriously. Whatever Jack was, if he was after Nightmare Moon, he needed to be dealt with. "Very well. How do we find this creature?" Discord jumped up out of his throne, suddenly excited. "Oh, that's the best part! You're going to have your old friend Midnight help you!" He smiled deviously. "You three have a jail to break."
Celestia looked up towards the roof, trying to look for the one speaking. She realised that this stranger was speaking to her telepathically, not to mention the power greater than her own. She waited until her guards left the room entirely as she looked up onto the ceiling. “Give me a second. I just need to do something.” Within that moment, the entire room simpily vanished unto a black void. The darkness was then replaced with multiple galaxy’s that appeared in the horizon, it also made Jack reappear onto the surface. “Jack. Nightshade told me about your little talk with Venquis Razona, and my guards had just told me just then about your so called attempt to speak with my son. If you personally wish to, please don’t speak about him. We don’t like discussing about him. If possible, can we make this quick I’m expecting an invasion soon. Now.” The void then changed again where Jack was standing on an empty room with the exception of Celestia’s throne and a chair. Behind a glass wall where a red supergiant twenty times the size of the sun. “Shall we get to business?” -------------------------------------------------- Crimson, Ocean and Venquis were walking side by side discussing the situation. Ycept and Star were making their way across the city towards the gates. When everypony arrived, Crimson and Ocean looked sadly at eachother. “Crimson. Just remember that if i were not to make it out alive, remember that i’ve loved you since we were young.” Ocean said towards her husband. Crimson smiled at her and then both kissed. “And i have always as well.” Crimson added. They then seen Star and Ycept walking in the distance, slowly coming closer to them. Crimson would be using a powerful teleportation spell while Ocean would be flying to the buffalo lands to take command. Almost everypony in the group would be heading with Crimson.
Jack smiled at Celestia. "Quite impressive princess. Unnecessary, but impressive all the same." He smiled. "I though I was better than getting caught breaking into a prison. Hehe, back on topic. My business here is merely two facts I have decided to inform you of. First, your sister is going to present herself to me, and she will die by my hoof. Or at least she will be drained of all her strength and power. Second, I'm coming after you next. Why tell you? Hehe, because I seek to kill gods. You aren't strong enough yet to be of any use. I want you to gain some new tricks before I come after you." A non-existent wind blew by and and his cape fluttered, the portal to his arsenal visible on the underside for a mere second. Obsidian blinked blindly while Discord explained everything. "The connection you spoke of was temporary. The elders he serves, took control of me temporarily... but I can sense him in the second world. He has some form of otherworldly condition affecting his mind. He wants revenge on his masters for something they have never done. That's all I know." He had a fearful emotion on his face, showing his knowledge of Jack's power. He would stand no chance against Jack, but he felt Silver was one of their best bets at defeating him.
Celestia looked at Jack in disbelief, and then began to laugh loudly. She then looked at the figure with a sadistic smile and look in her eyes, the eyes of a madmare. “This is a joke. You possibly believe that you would have enough power to kill me and simply waltz away and pretend like nothing ever happened. You simply have no idea just who you are dealing with. You are indeed powerful, but you’re a fool. I create miracles, like turning water into gold, transforming steel into oxygen. You want to become a god? Your greatest accomplishment is barely coming into play and yet you are still a tool for a false belief.” “You have my permission to take my sister down, but you will not...kill...me.” The Phoenix Queen said the Star disappeared and both of them reappeared in the palace. “Thank you for your time, but time is starting to run out for you. Might want to put your plans into motion quickly before you are found out.”
Nightmare Moon saw Obsidian's fear, and smiled kindly at him. "You have nothing to be afraid of, young buck. I have known Discord long enough to know that, despite his... unbalanced... nature, he is no foal. If he believes you up to this challenge, I am inclined to agree with him." She glared at Discord, who had, just to be contrary, transformed himself into a foal. "How very amusing. Now kindly act your age and tell us your plan." Discord took his Draconequus form again, snapped his fingers, and pointed to a map that had magically appeared on the wall. "This is the Gulag. It's a secret prison built by Celestia to hold high value prisoners. You know, shoplifters, vandals, powerful Alicorn princes, that sort of thing. It's where she's keeping Midnight Dawn. You remember Midnight Dawn, don't you, Silver? You two nearly destroyed Canterlot the first time you met. How long ago was that?" Silver smiled at the memory of one of the most vicious battles of his life. At the time, a magic spell had temporarily transformed him in Alicorn. He had managed to fight a corrupted Midnight Dawn to a stalemate in the skies over Canterlot before the prince finally came to his senses. He could still remember the joy on Celestia's face as she was reunited with her son. But that had been a different time, back when Celestia was still a kind and just ruler. "One hundred and seventy years, Lord Discord. I still cannot believe how much has changed since then."
Jack had predicted Celestia's response, and it had been part of his plan. Celestia didn't seem to realize that Nightmare Moon's power added to his would more than allow him what he needed to destroy Celestia. He only had one worry. Luna's guardians. "Very well. Good luck, princess." Jack vanished into thin air. Obsidian could only stand there, confused. Discord couldn't be right, could he? Jack had the most powerful abilities and weapons of history, Obsidian stood no chance. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me, but I do not think I can can be of any assistance..." The prison aspect intrigued him though. The super prison's contents was everything he stood against. "but I shall fight anyway. Maybe Jack will end me, but if he is removed in the end, it matters not. Power hunters like him should not be allowed to exist.
Discord sighed. "Oh... fine. If you're really worried about going up against Jack, then let me help you out. As a Child of Everfree, you are connected to the forest, and it's magic. I can get you the power you need." Discord snapped his fingers, and an orb of glowing green light rose from the floor and surrounded Obsidian. "The Forest will grant you what you need, but you must concentrate! Focus on the power you desire, and the Everfree will give it to you! Focus, and be reborn!" The glow filled the room, blindingly bright. It increased in power and intensity, forcing Silver and the Dark Princess to close their eyes, or risk blindness. After several minutes, the glow subsided, and Silver Crescent opened his eyes to look at the new Obsidian.
A gold chain hung from his neck, with an apple shaped amulet. A black mask covered the area around his eyes, and wrapped around the back of his head. His mane had black stripes, and his teeth had sharpened to fangs. His entire body seemed to glow with a faint golden light, even though his coat seemed to be a shade darker than before. The grey of his eyes faded to a pale green color. Obsidian stood before them, and let out a low growl. "Let us hunt, brother and sister..." He smiled, baring his new fangs at Discord. "The children of the Everfree hunger. Show me our meal before you become it." He let out a more high pitched growl and seemed to be joking.
Though he didn't show it, Silver was quite suprised that Obsidian had taken on such a vicious form. "We'll be hunting soon enough, young buck. I suspect you will have ample opportunity to test your new powers when we get to the Gulag. Midnight Dawn is no ordinary prisoner. If I know Celestia, she will have Solar Flares guarding him." Nightmare Moon's eyes were drawn immedietly to the amulet around Obsidian's neck. "An apple... like the Element of Honesty. It suits you, Obsidian" Discord yawned. "Blah blah blah. How amazing. I changed my form fifty time before breakfast. It's nothing to get worked up over. Now, can we focus on what's important? There's a deranged... whatever the hay he is... running around with the powers of a demi-god and a massive chip on his shoulder. He needs to be found, and Midnight will be able to track him. Now get ready to go. I took the liberty of restocking the armory for you."
Midnight was levitating inside of his jail cell, floating in the air in his usual unconscious form. His hood concealed the Alicorn’s head and the rest of his body. The guards were changing, one replacing the other every ten hours, with a group of ponies dressed in normal guards armor. Midnight could tell in their movements that he was not being guarded by normal infantry. He was being guarded by undercover Solar Flares. When none of them were looking, two of them entered the cell and placed a device onto the ground. It appeared to be a magical crystal held in a strange mechanical device made of gold. Shortly after, the two Flares left the room in silence as the device began to project a holographic image of his mother. Celestia, whom was being dressed in her own special version of Solar Flare armour was smiling at her son. As a golden crown with the centrepiece of a large ruby was placed on her head. “Hello Midnight. How’s life been treating you in my wonderful establishment, it must be quite the resort.” The Phoenix Queen sarcastically told her son. Midnight looked up at the hologram, and his expression turned from calm to hateful. “Don’t play dumb with me. You betrayed me, you betrayed all of us. Word has it that your sisters republic is the only thing stopping you. Another word has it that my friends which saved you all those years ago from the Ardak Luvanius are alive and well, through your ‘improvements’ have you not?” Midnight said calmly, trying to regain his composure against the one who locked him up. Celestia let go a smug smile. “You seem to be well informed. Yes, both of those are true. But we will see which is the stronger side soon enough.” Her maid’s stopped moving and stood still as her armor fit her like a glove. She then walked around the room to parade her armour at the prince. “You like this. Put it this way, me and the weakened pathetic excuse of the Changeling queen known as Chrysalis are going to be throwing a party in Canterlot, but you’re not invited. She gave us the invitations and we will be throwing party games, such as who can survive the longest. And my personal favourite, guess the changeling! It’s going to be so much fun.” “So why did your so called ‘Solar Flares’ deploy this device in the room, allowing me to talk to you. I assume that it can do more than that?” Celestia smiled again, this smile was more sadistic however. “It certainly can. These are currently being deployed all over Equestria and everywhere on the entire continent. Those who cannot make it to the party will be saddened that they got no invitation. So i will send a live footage to them of me giving all of us their gifts. For the first time in history, my execution of Queen Chrysalis will be shown across the continent, destroying Changling morale and giving the republic a much needed wake up call.” “You’re sick. Once I get out of here, I will cast down your empire bask in the dying agony of those who hold it dear.” Midnight said again. Celestia ‘s smile than disappeared. “It was fun talking to you my son. Let’s discuss our situation again sometime.” was all she said before the hologram disappeared. Midnight looked at the device sadly, knowing that his mother was not the same as she used to be. Even with the Alicorn Purge almost a thousand years ago, she was not as bad as she was now. If one wanted to kill her, Midnight thought about going for the head. Because she no longer had a heart.
Obsidian walked to a window. He stared out the window and his eyes flashed green. A small bird outside the window's eyes flashed the same color and saluted with its wing before taking off. He smiled before turning back towards Discord, Silver, and Nightmare Moon. "You speak of Jack, yes Discord? Powers of a demi-god is understating him. Perhaps you don't know, but he has an arsenal of the greatest weapons in history... and he..." Obsidian took a deep breath through his nose. "He is coming for you sister. He believes he can take you. He will be waiting in the prison..." Jack waked around a small statue and smiled. Several small birds flew overhead, and as he glanced up, they turned and dive-bombed him. He spun around teh statue and the birds turned back to the sky right before they hit the ground. "That was... odd."
