Change of Plans
Aegis is awoken by the repeated sounds of thuds and knocks. He realizes the noise is happening right outside his quarter's door.
"Aegis, open up, you are hereby under arrest by the Royal Guard! Do not make use resort to force sir! Princess Celestia demands your seizure!"
"Dammit, how did they find out…? Mom… I gotta get to Sweet Apple Acres and fast."
"You have until the count of three sir! Open the door! One… Two… Sir, we will break down the door on three, open the door!"
"I'm ready for ya guys"
"Three!"
The door bursts open, nearly breaking off its hinges; the guards rush in and surround Aegis. They slowly advance on his position. Some have even taken stance to rush Aegis.
"Sorry guys, but I gotta get somewhere."
"Don't do anything Aegis, Princess Celestia demands you stand down and come with us."
"Well, good luck is all I have to say"
Aegis' horn glows a bright yellow before a bright flash of light consumes the room. Aegis dashes out of the room, knocking some of the dazed guards to the ground. Aegis continues to run, but struggles as he feels the sharp pain return.
"Son, what are you doing? This goes beyond foolishness!"
"I'm fine dad… I'll either do this right, or die trying, either way is better than sitting around doing nothing"
"This is all my fault son…"
The pain subsides from Aegis' head. He reaches the city gates, behind him he hears loud running and the warning sirens from the castle. He makes his way towards Sweet Apple Acres.
"Dammit, I only have time to grab Rainbow and AJ, the rest are too spread out. Maybe I can just lay low at the farm until we can gather the rest of the group."
CANTERLOT ROYAL CASTLE
LUNA'S QUARTERS
Celestia and a group of guards break into Luna's room. Luna sits on her soaked bed sheets and continues to cry as she talks to herself. Celestia and the guards walk up to Luna cautiously.
"Aegis… Why must you be so foolish… you are not your father…"
"Sister, come with us… we have much to discuss about your reckless son."
"He just wants to be like his father…"
"So be it."
Celestia gives a signal to the guards. Two of the guards walk up to Luna and shackle her hooves. Luna's eyes widen as she looks over to her sister.
"What are you doing Tia?"
"You are going to help us find your son Luna, regardless if you want to or not. And I want to know everything about the following days."
Celestia turns and exits the room, followed by the two guards carrying Princess Luna.
SWEET APPLE ACRES
"Come on Applejack, I still haven't gotten my reward."
"Will y'all hush about that, something big is going on. Ah can hear sirens and Ah have a feeling Ah know why."
Rainbow crosses her arms and gives Applejack a big sigh in response. She flies over, looks out the window, and notices a shadowy figure coming towards the barn.
"Applejack, someone is coming towards the barn. Can't tell who it is though."
"Ah see'em Rainbow and ah was right. It's Aegis! Looks as if he has been running for miles Rainbow, go get some water."
Applejack opens the barn door and signals for Aegis to come inside. Aegis rushes to the door, his armor drenched in sweat and barely staying on his body. He makes it inside and crashes into a pile of hay when he is unable to stop. Applejack slams the barn door closed and whisks out the lights.
"Applejack, I can't see anything, why did you turn out the li…"
Applejack corks Rainbow's mouth with her hoof. Distant thuds and yells can be heard just outside the barn. Applejack speaks in a hushed whisper.
"I need you to be quiet Rainbow. Have a feeling Aegis here is in some hot water, so let him rest and let the commotion move away from here."
Loud knocking at the barn door catches their attention. Applejack lights a small lantern and shines it towards Rainbow and Aegis. Aegis is leaning against a hay pile, exhausted and near unconscious. Applejack looks over at Rainbow Dash.
"Take Aegis and hide him Sugarcube, I think his plan might have backfired."
"Are you sure we should be going against the Royal Guard like this Applejack?"
"Ah don't know Rainbow… Now go hide him"
Applejack gives Rainbow a kiss and proceeds towards the door. Rainbow blushes and drags Aegis behind multiple haystacks. Applejack opens the door and presents a fake sleepily expression.
"What in the hay are y'all doing wakin a mare up so late?"
"I apologize ma'am, but we have a fugitive on the run, we wanted to ask if you have seen anything."
"If ah did sir, ah don't think I'd be asleep."
"Hmm"
A loud crash emerges from behind Applejack, catching the attention of the guards.
"Ma'am, who else is in here with you? Would you mind if we searched around ma'am?"
"Come on Applejack, think of something…"
"Are you coming back to bed dear?"
A voice rings out behind the hay. Rainbow Dash emerges with a sly look. At the sight of the guards, she blushes and walks up to the crowd.
"Aye, what where you doing back there ma'am?"
"We are a couple sir, what do you think we were doing?"
"Aye… Uh… sorry to interrupt your night ladies."
The lead guard blushes but keeps his composure. He signals to his guards. The crowd of guards soon leaves, trotting in the direction of Ponyville. Applejack sighs in relief.
"Phew. Thank goodness ya came when ya did."
"Yea yea, just know that you owe me Apples."
Aegis emerges from behind the hay. Breathing heavily as he walks over towards AJ and Rainbow.
"Aegis, what in the hay is going on?"
"My mom… *pant* she told Princess Celestia about my plan. They tried to arrest me."
"Arrest?"
"We need to go through with the plan tonight; they will find me in the morning."
"And what about Twi and the others?"
"We just need Twilight…"
"Alrighty, we will leave in about thirty minutes Aegis, give the guards some time to distance themselves."
CANTERLOT ROYAL PALACE
HOLDING CELL
"It pains me to see you like this sister, but you must understand how severe your son's actions are."
"He's going to fight Sanguinis… He won't return after how far he has taken this… I have to help him…"
"Sister!"
Luna snaps her attention to Celestia.
"…I'm sorry Tia. I love you… If you really want to stop Sanguinis… Go to where you first saw him, most certainly you will find him there…"
"What are you…"
Luna's horn glows bright as she begins to slowly fade. She closes her eyes as she whimpers.
"Guards, stop her! Luna, Stop!"
By the time the guards open the cell and charge at Luna, she disappears. Celestia slowly walks into the cell, anger apparent on her face. She turns to her guards.
"Round up the troops and relay them to that position, this ends tonight!"
A guard rushes to Celestia, sweating and panting as he tries to convey his urgent message.
"Princess Celestia, Silver's memorial was attacked. The glass case was broken and Silver's armor is gone."
SWEET APPLE ACRES
"Alright, time to head out and get Twilight."
"Aegis, Ah been thinkin… Twi is Celestia's student. Aren't y'all afraid she will send a letter to her?"
Aegis looks down as he gathers his thoughts. He gazes out towards the night sky with discomfort.
"Maybe your right AJ…"
"Besides, we three are strong enough to handle two magic wielders. Simple stuff, Ten second battle."
Aegis smiles and gives the couple a tight hug.
"I do need to tell you something though guys… What I have done to come here, I cannot return, but I don't want your reputations slandered by assisting in my actions."
"Hush up, we know darn well what we are getting into, now lets go."
"Yea, this unicorn guy is going to get what's coming to him for sure."
The three set out to the Everfree Forest, where Aegis first encountered the two mages.
Aegis feels a sharp pain in his head.
"Son, now that what you are about to do will change your life forever, whether you win or lose this fight, nothing can go to how it used to. I just hope you know what you are doing son, I have a feeling the battle with Sanguinis will not be what you expect it to. It is time to tell you. I know Sanguinis, he was in the Royal Guard. An amazing mage, until he fell into the dark arts. He was forcibly removed from the guard and banished from the city. Son, the dark arts have endless capabilities. You must be careful and try your hardest not to summon me Son."
Aegis, AJ and Rainbow Dash arrive at the open area of scattered elements.
"How do we even know where to look partner? Remember they just disappeared when they left."
"Hmm"
A voice is head hovering above them. Unseen but heard the voice continues to speak.
"I had a feeling you would be coming back and I am ever so joyed you did. I hope you three are ready to die."
Sanguinis and Deity slowly land on the earth in front of Aegis. Rainbow and AJ ready themselves for a fight. Sanguinis looks at Deity and gives her a slight nod. Her eyes glow a deep red as she steps forward.
"To scared to fight us yourself Sanguinis?"
"Ha, don't flatter yourself child, I wish for mere entertainment before I break you."
"Aegis, just like we practiced at the barn. Be ready!"
"Oh? You three made a little routine? Can't wait to see it."
Rainbow flies towards AJ and grabs her hooves. Gaining speed as she flies straight towards Deity.
She does a quick spin and hurls AJ with all of her momentum. AJ straightens your legs, aiming straight at Deity.
"Fools, I can easily block your silly attempt…"
"Aegis, now!"
Aegis' horn glows a bright red and fire swarms around in front of Deity. Applejack goes right through it causing the fire to spiral into Deity's spell shield. The heavy dropkick sends Deity into a violent tumble against the earth. She struggles to regain her stance as she spits up blood and stares at Applejack.
"You… bitch, I hope you don't think that was enough to finish me."
"No, but I know this will. And watch what you say missy."
Applejack charges at Deity, giving her a powerful kick to the torso and sending her up into the air. Rainbow flies over and with both hooves, slams her back down to the ground, cracking the earth around her.
"Hmm, what a disappointment… guess I'll have to deal with you three by myself."
"Hehe, three against one, Ah think we have the uper hand mister."
"Oh, don't worry about me dear, it won't be that way for long."
Sanguinis' eyes glow red, and Aegis feels burns come across his whole body. His veins and heart begin to pulse as the burning increases. Aegis' horn emits a white orb.
"How does it feel to know the things keeping you alive, are now about to turn on you boy? Where is your father, shouldn't he come out and save his precious son?"
"Son, I know what is going to happen, resist the need to summon me, or the consequences will be severe."
"I can't dad, I need you…"
"Summon your father! You need his help!"
Aegis struggles as the burn cripples his body. His horn glows brighter until the orb explodes, consuming the room in light. The burning in his body ceases.
"Ahh, so good to see you again Silver."
"Aye. Wish I could say the same to you Sanguinis…"
"I see you gave your life for that fool you call a Princess."
"It was my duty Sanguinis, something you never learned."
"Well, as much as I would love to fight you, I have a much sweeter idea. And I am sure you know what I plan to do."
"Aye, but good luck doing it!"
Silver charges at Sanguinis, but he levitates beyond Silver's reach as he casts a spell. Silver looks over at Rainbow and yells at her.
"Rainbow! Stop him from casting that spell. Go!"
Rainbow nods and bolts towards Sanguinis. Sanguinis notices her and with little effort, forces her back down to the earth with such force, she is knocked out on impact. Sanguinis horn emits a dark red orb. Silver lowers his head and turns to Aegis.
"Son… He is going to rip me away from you…"
The orb bursts and Aegis soon feels an intense pain in his head. Silver's image also being distorted. Aegis yells at the amount of pain surging through his head.
"Remember son… Be strong."
Silver's coat fades into a dark black and his mane a deep red color. His eyes go blank.
He struggles to resist the change. The pain subsides from Aegis' head as lays on the ground, sweating and exhausted.
"Boy… you played the cards just as I wanted you to. It's a shame that your Silver's son. Such a disgrace to his blood. Wouldn't you agree Silver?"
"…I am… sorry… son"
"Shut it, now finish him!"
"I'm not a disgrace… I'm tired of failing. No… Not… This… TIME! I won't… GIVE UP!"
A bright burst of light shines off Aegis. An infinity symbol appears on his flank as he arises and prepares to fight.
"You'll pay for what you have done Sanguinis, I vow it!"
"This should be rather fun"