Entering the royal archives, the assembled group (with the exception of Whirlwind Kawena, Solaris Luna, Terra Firma, and Princesses Twilight Sparkle and Midnight Dazzle) were awestruck at the size of the massive room.
"Sufferin' succotash..." Yami said, mouth agape.
"Quite impressive, I know." Solaris said. "I've only been Princess Twilight's apprentice for a few months, and I doubt if I'll EVER have read the same scroll from these archives more than thrice by the time I've learnt all I can from her."
Whirlwind Kawena cleared his throat.
"Oh, yeah; getting back on topic..." Solaris said as her horn glowed, making an old battered up scroll fly off of a shelf and within reach of her.
"This scroll predates Princess Luna's betrayal and subsequent transformation into Midnight Moon. Solaris and I have been studying and deciphering it for a few weeks, and we think it may have something to do with why you're here." Terra said. Twilight quirked an eyebrow.
"And why have you not brought this scroll to my attention before now?" she asked. Solaris and Terra gave a weak chuckle.
"Well... We wanted to see how far we could get on our own, Princess Twilight." Solaris said, looking down at her own hooves in mild embarassment. Twilight smirked slightly, shaking her head in amusement. Changing back into human form, Whirlwind Kawena grabbed the scroll and set it on a nearby table, gently unfurling it.
"Archaism 101, guys." he began, running his index finger over the ancient, almost indecipherable text as he began reading. "In the era before time's conception, there existed a race of Equestrians known as the 'Ancient Ones'. These Equestrians, of which there were originally seven, possessed the first Elements Of Harmony, including one that many considered to be... Out of sorts. The name of the Ancient One whom possessed it was Lunaris Umbra, and his element was spontaneity. As life went on, Lunaris became rather agitated, due to constant criticism for his wild and unpredictable personality, but moreso for the fact that it seemed as if harmony was in full existence, even without his element. Eventually, his unpredictability, combined with his inability to cope with how the world seemed just fine without his element's existence drove him to insanity. Corrupted by his very element, a dark magic transformed him into a being of pure darkness, of unadulterated anarchy. He destroyed all but one of his brethren, leaving only his counterpart to stand against him. She was able to fend him off, leaving him bruised and infuriated. However, he left her with something, too: unborn life. Before his betrayal, Lunaris and his counterpart had been lovers. He swore vengeance on that day, vowing that he WOULD return, and that when he did, his power would have increased ten-thousand-fold. As he soared off, though a portal to another realm, he proclaimed for all of Equestria to hear: 'From now on, all whom DARE to oppose me shall henceforth address me by a new title... KAOS EKLIPSE!'."
Whirlwind Kawena rolled the scroll back up.
"It goes on to say that Eklipse's counterpart, one Angelique Starlight by name, sealed herself away somewhere that only her descendants would think to look for her, in the event that he DID return. What it DOESN'T say is WHERE she is." he said as he put the scroll back in the archives. Yami gave him a 'Duh' look.
"No duh, Sherlock. Of COURSE it's not gonna say where she is! That'd make it all the easier for this Kaos guy to find and DESTROY her!" the experiment said, getting a room of unamused looks in return for his smart-aleck tone. Lilo spoke up next.
"Are there any clues as to who Angelique Starlight's descendants might be?" she asked. Whirlwind Kawena smirked at her.
"Don't forget, I've gone through all this stuff before in my own timeline. Angelique Starlight's descendants are Princesses Celestia and Luna. Makes sense when you think about it: Angelique Starlight controlled the sun and Lunaris Umbra controlled the moon. So naturally, their descendants would have the same abilities!" he said, folding his arms behind his head. A distinctive *Shhhlllurr-POP!* sound re-directed everyone's attention to the now spell-free Midnight Dazzle.
"Muh lipth an tongue awe THO numb wight now, you jackath..." she mumbled, trying to speak. Whirlwind Kawena rolled his eyes.
"Well, maybe next time you'll be able to keep your yap shut WITHOUT magical intervention, eh?" he replied smugly. Midnight frowned, immaturely sticking her tongue out at the time traveller. This little moment was interrupted by the sound of glass shattering above the assembled group.
"Aw, nuts... I completely FORGOT about this guy!" Whirlwind Kawena groaned, facepalming. Descending from the window above the group was an ash-grey pony with what appeared to be dragon wings in place of the usual feathered pegasus wings, his midnight-black mane and tail messy and unkempt, and his crimson eyes as draconic as his wings. Snarling, the figure revealed a set of sharp fangs, which dripped a highly acidic saliva onto the floor, fizzing and bubbling as it melted through the tiles.
"What business have YOU here, half-breed? Midnight Dazzle asked, her tone indicating a familiarity with this particular pony. The figure snarled, his reptilian tongue darting out in annoyance. Whirlwind Kawena pushed Midnight roughly out of the way as he transformed back into his pegasus form.
"SHE is annoying, is she not?" Drakkus addressed Whirlwind Kawena, while glaring daggers at Midnight. Whirlwind Kawena gave an equally intense glare at Midnight.
"Trust me, I wouldn't be standing within the same UNIVERSE as her if I had a choice... Back on topic, though: I don't know what business you have here, but what I DO know is that YOU of all ponies shouldn't be seeking out trouble!" Whirlwind Kawena said, looking the dragon/pony hybrid directly in the eyes. Drakkus made a sound that was somewhat a cross between a snarl and a hiss before speaking.
"I am here to make all fair and right in this pathetic world, in accordance with my new ally, one Lunaris Umbra by name." the draconic pony said. Everyone else in the room went bug-eyed. Whirlwind Kawena frowned.
"Drakkus..." the time traveller started, thinking of how to put his next sentence into the archaic manner of speech that Drakkus was used to. "...Thou hath been deceived. Lunaris Umbra is but a pseudonym, a false name to disguise one whose evil knows no bounds. He is the Ancient Betrayer: Kaos Eklipse!"
Drakkus Darkwing went slack-jawed, his slitted pupils going as thin as they could in furious realisation.
"THAT UNHOLY BEAST?!" he roared. "THAT ABOMINATION TO THE BALANCE BETWEEN LIGHT AND SHADOW STILL LIVES?! I SHALL TEAR HIM ASUNDER FOR DARING TO RETURN!"
Roaring draconically, the pony/dragon hybrid took off through the same broken window from which he initially entered, leaving only a broken sound barrier and many de-shelved scrolls in his wake. Renard Amour did a low whistle.
"He sounds ticked." she remarked, quirking an eyebrow. Whirlwind Striker spoke up.
"We can't deal with that now. We've gotta find the secret location of Angelique Starlight!" he said. His older self nodded.
"Exactly. We better show this scroll to Princesses Celestia and Luna; they'll no doubt be able to point us in the right direction." he said, everyone else nodding in agreement. Rushing out of the room, the group failed to notice a certain cybernetic Experiment watching them from afar, his right eye glowing a low crimson...
(A/N: Ooh! Aren't you just WONDERING what'll happen next?! Stay tuned for more!)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but my own creations.