CHAPTER EIGHT
They continued through the forest after clearing the river, until at last they came to a broken bridge, the only way to the place with the relics. Fluttershy turned to Dash, and nodded, before flying down the ravine the bridge was across, grabbing the rope the bridge attached to, and flying back up and tying it across. "Halt," Mica ordered. "I must contact our reinforcements. Markon, with me."
The two moved away from the group. "Have you ever heard of an dragonopathic choir?" Markon shook his head. "Thought not. They're very rare, and very dangerous. Normally one dragonopath is strong enough to punch any message through. Unfortunately, the same is not true for unicorns. I'm going to need to link up with you and channel your psychic power to send our message to the relief. Just lay your horn on mine, and close your eyes."
Markon obeyed, despite the obvious undertones following the act, and was just closing his eyes when they opened again. But not in the world. In the Warp. In front of him was Mica, who too had her eyes open. She was calm, and said "Let go of your power. I will provide the guidance." Markon nodded, and breathed out his power. It rose like a stream of lightning, and Mica shifted it, funnelled it together, refined it, until it was a white hot beam of pure power, at which point she sent it streaking into the 'sky'. "Come now, Markon. They'll be coming now. We had best rejoin the others."
They left the Warp, and returned to the others in the physical world. They waited, in silence. Rations were consumed, tales were told, and many of the other things people do when trying to pass the time. Two hours passed before the sound of marching feet heralded the arrival of their reinforcements. From the forest came a thousand strong force of pegasoi, here to serve the Equisition and the Principality. Their leader came to Mica, and bowing, said "M'lady, we are here. What is our objective?" "The castle over the ravine. My companions and I will be following you. We must secure the relics held in the chamber." "As you wish, m'lady." The pegasus signalled to his men, and they took off across the ravine, following him in. The Equisition group crossed the bridge and entered the castle after.
Inside, the pegasoi had taken the first chamber quickly, slaughtering the few defenders. Fighting now raged in the second and third chambers, but the Equisition were here for what was in the first chamber. Five stones were held aloft on some kind of stand. Quickly, Mica used her horn to levitate the stones off and carefully landed them on the ground. Before she could try to activate them, a purple cloud entered the room. It reformed into Nightmare Moon. She sent the group hurtling back with the power in her horn, and grabbed the stones. Mica recovered quickly and dived towards them, being caught in the funnel as she teleported away.
"She can't be far away!" shouted Markon. "She must have gone somewhere in the castle! After her!" The group followed him into the second chamber. Blood and bodies littered the floor, mostly that of the cultists. The leader of the pegasoi was here, with five others looking at a diagram of the castle. "Sir, chambers four and five are still facing heavy resistance, and we've found cultists hiding in chamber three waiting for us to pass and surround us," reported one of the five. "Move forces back and clear out chamber three. We can't afford to be dealing with deserters," ordered their leader, when he noticed the Equisition group. "Good to see you. Have you accomplished your mission?" he asked. "No. Our Equisitor was kidnapped with the objective by a heretic, who teleported nearby. Which chambers are still untouched?" "Chamber six. It's the last, and we have been unable to muster our forces sufficiently to do any more than prevent attacks from there. We can send our defenders in with you, if you need." "No. We'll need to go there by ourselves. Anyone else will be foals to the slaughter." "As you wish."
After a quick look at the map, Markon lead the group on to chamber six, heading through chamber three. The room was flashing with light, and the pegasoi guarding the entrance were getting shaky. "Principial Equisition," said Fluttershy, holding aloft her rosette, and the guardsponies let them through. They climbed up through the staircase, and entered the room. The room was empty except for two ponies; Mica and Nightmare Moon.
"Your friends have joined us, foal, and what a pitiful bunch they are. An Untouchable barely strong enough to block a unicorn, an Eversor who doesn't have rage flowing through her veins, a novice Psyker, a half-sane Acolyte, a Guardspony pegasus who's afraid of heights, and an Arbite who couldn't save her mummy or daddy. Hahaa...And these are the ones the Equisition has to rely on. Well, do your worst. It makes it far more fun to kill you while you're still horrified over your complete failure."
Mica summoned up the stones, and passing one of them to each of the group except for Markon she said "You will be defeated, Nightmare Moon." "Fat chance, foal." "Nightmare Moon, in fealty to the Princess, our undying lady, and by the Elementa Harmonae, in the name of the Ordo Herequinas and the Equisition, I call thee heretica, and declare thee banished from the light of the Goddess-Princess." At these words, a spark hit the stones being held in the air by Mica's magic. Lightning began to encircle them. Another spark. Another. Another. Sparks continued to flow from Mica's horn, and Nightmare Moon's expression turned from smug certainty to horror.
"The Harmonae are represented here. Rarity the Harmonae of Generousity, giving of her ability with no question as to need. Dash the Harmonae of Loyalty, risking her life to save even those who had hurt her. Pinkamena the Harmonae of Laughter, bringing relief to her friends and dread to her enemies. Applejack the Harmonae of Honesty, never letting go of her value of truth and objectivity. Fluttershy the Harmonae of Kindness, willing to do that which would save pain to those she knows." A light appeared in the center of the room, and a sixth stone descended. "And now the last, the Harmonae of Psyonics. I claim thee. Nightmare Moon, thee are to be destroyed. Beg the Princess to have mercy on thy soul and merely destroy it rather than leave it for the daemons to devour." A rainbow appeared from the six Harmonae, and hurtled straight at Nightmare Moon. It wrapped itself around her. A bright flash filled the room, and all inside were knocked out.