Chapter Ten

Daring Do stumbled against Blade's dormant metal form, trying to regain her balance after that pulse had shocked her entire nervous system. Regardless, the mare's concern began to grow more over Ay'therian's safety, seeing his Necrons either just standing there or had fallen on to the ground. The Canoptek Constructs were even forced to go offline, and not because of that mysterious red pulse affecting Ay'therian's Necron, but due to the strain it had put on Daring Do's mind… Never did the mare think that Ay'therian had been filtering what information or control which came to her, or that he put Daring Do as the second command node for them, until his psyche vanished from them.

At that time, control over each Canoptek Construct in Canterlot shifted to Daring Do, their thoughts trying to take over her own. The strain had proven to be too much for her, Alphion's A.I reaching out to her and pushed for the mare to do a stand-by shutdown order on all Canoptek Constructs within range. Daring Do managed to conduct the shutdown order, but left herself injured and helpless, completely cut off from the others. While Ay'therian's lords could regain control over their forces in mere moments, Daring Do was still new to it all and would require more than moments to regain control.

Gently, holding her right arm, Daring Do leaned her left side against the offline Blade. "Sorry for putting you to sleep, so suddenly, big guy." She winced, feeling the break in her right wing, before continuing. "But, having all of you in my head, at once, put too much strain on me." Daring Do placed her hand on to the Tomb Stalker's head. "Though, I plan on finding out what happened to the Phaeron, you can count on that."

Sounds of metal clanking on cobblestone caused the mare's ears to spring up, hearing two sets of steps and one seemed to be dragging their feet. This caused Daring Do to smile, remembering that higher echelon Necrons had more advance systems and that these could either be advancing Lychguard, patrolling Praetorians, or one of the lords conduction a visual damage inspection. It made the mare smile brightly, knowing help is nearby, and began to head towards those metallic steps… Not knowing who they truly belonged to.

Soon, through the smoke, Daring Do spotted a pair of Necron silhouettes, looking around. "Over here, lords!" She called out, drawing their attention. "D-Do you two know what has happened? Everything suddenly went-…" Once she had gotten closer, Daring Do noticed how strangely these Necrons were slouching, along with something draped over their metal forms in a twisted manner. "H-Hay… Wire…" Then, she saw that they were wearing flesh over their bodies, blood dripping on to the cobblestone streets, and their blade-like fingers… Her eyes going wide. "F-F-Flayed Ones!"
Daring Do skid to a halt, quickly turning back around and running away from the ghoulish Necrons. Their metallic wail echoed all around her, alerting other nearby Flayed Ones, before she could hear the pair chasing after her! If her right wing had not been broken, the mare would have flown away from them, but her options were now limited to either running or letting these monsters tear the mare apart. The latter not being an option at all.

However, in Daring Do's current condition, there was no possible way for her to out run the Flayed Ones. She could hear the crazed Necrons slowly getting closer, their metallic wails causing a chill of fear to crawl up her spine. Their rending claws reaching out to Daring Do, the mare's eyes going wide.

"Envoy, get down, now!"

Like it had been the words of a spell, Daring Do slid forward, right before a pair of war-scythes swiped over her and struck the Flayed Ones! Zalimor and another Lychguard quickly placing themselves between their ghoulish counterparts and Daring Do. Both stood with their weapons towards the Flayed Ones and a hand towards Daring Do, turned towards each other. They loomed protectively over her, even as the Flayed Ones stood back up and hissed.

"Envoy, the Praetorian Guard has created a protective perimeter around every Equestrian south of here, alongside any remaining online Necrontyr within the city." Zalimor informed, keeping his gaze locked on the damaged Flayed Ones, before noticing more coming into view… Far too many for them to hold off. "The gates are not too far from here, you need to get moving…" They spun their war-scythes forward and took a better combat stance. "Now. We will hold them off until you reach a safe distance."

Daring Do gave a nod, seeing the Flayed Ones suddenly charge towards them, wailing at those protecting her escape. "Don't die for me! The Phaeron needs his guards!" She yelled, running fast as both of her legs could possibly take the mare.

Zalimor snickered at the order, as he watched the Flayed Ones charing towards them. "She does not seem to remember, we were assigned as her guard." The two Lychguards lunged forward, counter-charging their crazed kin. "And the Lychguard will die protecting those they protect!"

Despite being out numbered, both Lychguards clashed with the Flayed Ones! Each swing tore into a Flayed One's chest, ripping its core wide open, before they went for their next target. They were matching their heightened skills, against ravenous savagery… With each kill causing the Lychguard to endure damage against themselves. Skill is not enough to withstand overwhelming numbers, especially out in the open, and they were starting to take heavy damage from claws coming in every direction. It got to the point where both Lychguard had sparking joints, their lights dimming or fading out. Zalimor soon lost his comrade, who had been torn apart by a group of Flayed Ones, managing to take seven down with him.

Zalimor cut down another two Flayed Ones, before one managed to tear his left arm clean from the Lychguard's joint, disposing of it with a quick swipe of his war-scythe. "Never thought I would fall against Flayed Ones… Protecting a mortal." The Lychguard took a one arm combat stance, his joints and damaged sections sparking with red energy. "Well… Least I will fall with honor." Another Flayed One lunged, Zalimor side stepping and cleaving it in half… But he soon found a second Flayed One ramming its claw deep into his side. "I am Zalimor! One of Phaeron Ay'therian's elite Lycguard!" He cleaved its head off, forcing the Flayed One's claw out of his side… Stumbling some. "So long as I stand here, functioning, none of you shall pass!"

His war-scythe cleaved Flayed One after Flayed One, refusing to give any ground to them, while suffering heavy damage. One of the crazed Necron even rammed their bladed fingers into Zalimar's upper right leg, but he continued to stand in their way. It required three Flayed Ones to attack at once, tearing their claws into Zalimor's core, to finally bring the lone Lychguard down… Falling into a scrap pile of Flayed Ones that he defeated. Zalimor struggled to pull his head back up, until light vanished from both eye sockets, and he fell limply on to the pile.

-With Daring Do-

The mare kept running, even as the sounds of Necron fighting Necron fell silent. Daring Do tried to head straight towards the city gates, but she was a good distance away from it, still... And Canterlot was not designed to be a straight shot anywhere, her broken wing preventing the mare from flying to where she wanted to go. Howling wails indicating that Flayed Ones were close and had spotted their newly found prey.

"Gates… Gates… Need to find the gates!" Daring Do repeated, eyes scanning for any streets leading to the city gates. "Have to get there, before-!" Five Flayed Ones appeared in front of her, cutting the mare off. "That happens!" She quickly doubled back, hoping to find a side street to use for a quick escape… But, more Flayed Ones began to surround her. All around Daring Do, the Flayed Ones closed in and prepared to take their newly found prey.

Panic and fear crawled up Daring Do's spine, not finding a way out from the closing Flayed Ones. Slowly, they approached their cornered prey, reaching towards her with bladed fingers. Daring Do closed her eyes, tightly, and waited for the inevitable.

"Not on my watch, you don't!" Three large frames shot by, a metal hand snatching Daring Do from the ground and placing her on to the back… Of a Destroyer Lord? This caused her to look up, noticing she is clinging on to Dar'kan's back, as he cleaved through the Flayed Ones, with two normal Destroyers rapidly shooting any that he missed during the pass. "You are lucky, Envoy! Zalimor alerted me to your situation and I was close enough to get here in time!" He informed, just as the three broke away from their pursuers and headed towards the city gates. "Along with the fact that you are important to our glorious Phaeron… Or I would not have even considered saving your life."

Daring Do did not know whether to thank Dar'kan, or smack him for that last comment. But, luckily, they arrived where the Equestrians had been rallied, Lychguard and Praetorian Guard forming a defensive perimeter around them. Behind these elite Necron, were Warriors, Immortals, and Destroyers; the lords managed to gain control over. Now, they had a chance to fend off the Flayed Ones, at least until Ay'therian returned and regain control over them.

Once the Destoryer Lord put Daring Do down, he began to set up his Destroyers' battle line. Prae'tor had been the first to approach the tired mare. "Envoy, are you alright? When we received Zalimor's distress signal, we feared they had swarmed you." He asked, as a Cryptek Lord approached right after.

"I am fine, Dar'kan managed to get me out, before they could do such a thing." Daring Do answered, as the Cryptek Lord examined her for injuries, Tamzar walking up with two of his Deathmarks. "Hope they managed to get away, there was a whole horde of those things chasing me."

The group of Necron Lords looked at one another, not sure if they should tell her... That it was a broken shield distress signal, only used when Lychguard fall and who they were wprotecting being in danger. "Envoy, the distress signal…" Prae'tor looked at the others, who both nodded, and then back at Daring Do. "Meant they were slain in battle…"

Daring Do's eyes went wide, ears folding back into her mane, and falling silent. "They're gone?" All three nodded in response. "I-I should have known, there were so many of those things… No way they could have fought them off." A thought came to her mind, looking up at the three. "We need to get ready! The Flayed Ones are not very far away!"
Tamzar placed a hand on to her shoulder. "We are preparing, take a look, Envoy." He motioned behind her, the mare doing so.

Every mustered Necron had formed up in a horseshoe formation, shield bearing Lychguard as their fronts. Behind them, were Praetorian Guards with war-scythes, prepared for either the Lychguard to fall or any Flayed Ones that managed to get past those in front. The next few ranks were of Warriors, Immortals, Destroyers, and Heavy Destroyers; that had been brought back online. They were all prepared for battle, each one ready to die where they stood, not willing to give any ground. Triach Stalkers and Deathmarks giving range support.

"Even with this many, we may not hold for very long." The Cryptek Lord noted, leaning on his Staff of Light. "If we had the Canoptek Constructs, we would stand a better chance… But, for some reason, we cannot reactivate them."

"That might… Be my fault, actually." The lead Necrons looked down at Daring Do, who gave a nervous giggle, tapping her index fingers together. "When that pulse hit, so many thoughts came to me so fast, every construct asking for instructions, or what was going on… Alphion told me to do a mass shut down, before I was overwhelmed." Her gaze went to the offline Alphion, with Aloe caressing his large head, still lying dormant.

"She took control over every single Canoptek Construct deployed in this city?" Prae'tor looked towards the Cryptek Lord. "No moretal could withstand that much of a strain, and it should have gone to us instead… Lord Nyrthal, explain this!

"I honestly do not know, Prae'tor… Maybe it is the scarab placed upon her neck." The Cryptek Lord noted, walking closer to Daring Do, moving the mare's hair and placing the clawed fingers on to the dormant nanoscarab. "It must have sensed something between her and the Phaeron, believing she the next link in our active command structure." Nyr'thal looked at the other two. "Retrieve Lord Dar'kan, and pass this on… Hold long as you possibly can, I will prep the Envoy and coach her on controlling what Canoptek Constructs she can muster."

Prae'tor gave a nod, as he and Tamzar went to their defensive lines, Dairng Do looking up at Nyrthal. "W-What are we going to do, Lord Nyrthal?" She asked, causing the Cryptek Lord to look back down at her.

"What are we going to do? I shall tell you, child." Nyrthal suddenly fully squatted in front of the mare, placing both hands on to her shoulders, eye glowing brightly. "We are going to defy all logic!" The sound of his tone made Daring Do believe, somewhere in that metal body, Nyrthal was squealing with excitement.

-With the other Lords-

Prae'tor stood behind his Praetorian Guard, Dar'kan right next to him and Tamzar setting up with his Deathmarks on rooftops. The lead Praetorian slammed his war-scythe on to the ground, creating cracks in the ground where it struck. "We draw the line here, Necrontyr! The Phaeron swore to protect Equestria, and in his absence? The duty falls to us!"

Flayed Ones shambled around the corners of nearby buildings, their claws drenched with fresh blood, and Caribou flesh draped over their bodies. Wails came from their slit-mouths, as they moved towards the Necron lines, knowing where mortal flesh had been hidden.

"Prepare for battle, Necrontyr!" Prae'tor ordered, the Lchguard slamming their shields forward, Praetorians readying their war-scythes, and ranged Necrons zeroing in on their targets. "We stand our ground!" The Praetorian Leader pointed his weapon forward. "Open fire!"

Every ranged Necron fired, sending beams of light straight towards the approaching Flayed Ones! Many were knocked down, chests burned open by the gauss blasts, but the ghoulish Necrons kept coming. The Lychguards quickly braced, their lines buckling when the horde collided with them, barely holding. War-scythes and hpyerphase swords quickly shooting out, impaling what Flayed Ones were waiting on the other side of their shield wall. Soon, the Triarch Stalkers began firing from where they stood and Deathmarks sniped from their own perches.

However, despite the rapid firing beams and phantom blades, there were far too many Flayed Ones.

Prae'tor watched the Necron ranks starting to give, unable to stop the horde. Against mortals, this force would be unbreakable, but they were up against a vast force of crazed Necron. His forces were not enough to stop this, many of the sane Necrons falling. "We need to find a better defensive position…" Prae'tor thought, looking around, before noticing something, the Flayed Ones reacting heavily to attackers. "Dar'kan!" He called out, earning the Destroyer Lord's attention. "Gather what Destroyers you can, and try to lead the Flayed One into the Plaza!"

"Confirmed, we will get them there!" Dar'kan impaled anther Flayed One through its core, throwing it aside. "Destroyers, with me!" He shot off, over the Necron lines, with a group of Destroyers and Heavy Destroyers. Though, despite their fast-moving skids, some were brought down by ravaging Flayed Ones swarming them.

Luckily, Prae'tor's hunch had been correct, many Flayed Ones following Dar'kan and his Destroyer. "Alright, all but the Stalkers and Deathmarks, follow me! There is a faster way to the Plaza!" He held the war-scythe up, then slayed a Flayed One that tried to pounce on to the Praetorian Leader. Thy quickly dispatched what Flayed Ones remained and rushed down a nearby alleyway.

Though, Nyrthal remained with Daring Do, along with for other Crypteks, coaching the mare. "You must concentrate, child… Control over the constructs must be absolute, subjugate them to your will." Daring Do continued to concentrate on reactivating the Canoptek Constructs, those around her blinking faintly. "If you do not subjugate their thoughts to your own, then it will be you who will be subjugated."

Red arks of energy sparked from Daring Do's body, blood oozing from her nose. Several more Canoptek Constructs started to move, even Alphion started to move again… Until Daring Do let out a pained gasp, her eyes snapping open and the Canoptek Constructs going back offline. "I-I can't, the strain is too much!" She announced, holding on to her head. "It feels like something is keeping me at a limit…"

"A limit?" Nyrthal stroked his chin for a couple of moments, thinking. "Maybe it is that…" The Cryptek Lord began to ramble about something, moving behind Daring Do. "I could do that, but it would be illogical to…" A chill went down the mare's spine, feeling Nyrthal's fingers mess with her nanoscarab. "Ah, there we go, right there."

"Eeep!" Daring Do squeaked, a red pulse bursting out of her body.

The pulse sent Nyrthal, any Necron or Equestrian nearby, backwards. When the Cryptek Lord managed to push his cloak away, and see what had happened, he recoiled back. "I… Should not have done that."

-With Prae'tor-

The Necrons had formed a defensive circle, shield bearing Lychguard being their outer layer again. Prae'tor stood at their very center, with his Triarch Praetorian Guard, Dar'kan and what Destroyers that managed to survive as well. They stared down an onslaught of Flayed Ones, wailing towards them. "Ready!" Prae'tor called out, what remained of their online ranged combatants taking aim. "Show no quarter, Necrontyr!" We shall keep them distracted until the Phaeron returns!"

The Flayed Ones began their charge, heading straight for the Necrons. Echoing wails filled the plaza, another slaughter was about to begin.

Prae'tor tightend his grip, pointing the war-scythe forward. "In our Phaeron's name, open fir-!?"

A tidal wave of nanoscarabs crashed into the plaza, washing away the Flayed Ones' frontlines! More and more continued to pour in, creating a protective barrier around the Necrons, while also quarantining the Flayed Ones. Canoptek Spyders hovered over buildings, carrying slain Necron, and began to rebuild them, while scarabs brought more. This baffled Prae'tor and Dar'kan, who simply watched the contructs hold off their attackers.

Tamzar suddenly appeared next to them, walking over. "Lords, we have a major problem."

"What is the problem? The Canoptek Constructs are online, and holding off the Flayed Ones?" Prae'tor asked, looking at the Deathmarks.

"Agreed, all I see is a victory." Dar'kan noted.

Tamzar pointed behind them, a tidal wave of nanoscarbs approaching from the gates. "That is our problem!"

Riding the tidal wave of nanoscarbs was one angry looking Daring Do! Except, her eyes were glowing with red gauss energy, matching electrified arches snapping off her body, the mare bleeding from her eyes. Her robe flowed around Daring Do, almost like the unstable energy flowed into it, nanoscarabs forming shifting armor. Next to the mare, Nyrthal trembled on Pincer's back, obviously fearing what he accidently created. Even when she landed, Daring Do radiated with gauss energy and power.

Three Flayed Ones attempted to pounce up into the air, but swarms of nanoscarabs dismantled two of the Flayed Ones while Blade appeared from underneath the one behind her and tore it in half. Such a displayed shocked both Prae'tor and Dar'kan unable to avert their eyes. "Still don't see a problem." The two said together, before thinking. "The Phaeron is one lucky bastard."

"It is a problem, because…" Tamzar bonked their heads together, wanting them to think. "Nyrthal overloaded her scarab! She is aware of our roles, especially yours Prae'tor!" He noted, pointing back at the emporewed Daring Do. "She no longer perceives us as allies, and gained control of any Canoptek Construct that enters the city!"

"Prae'tor… Dar'kan… Tamzar…" The echoing voice of Daring Do caused them to freeze, slowly turning around and saw that sadistic smile on her muzzle. "None of you are truly loyal to Phaeron Ay'therian, only in it for your own gain… And one of you is prepared to slay him, at a moment's notice." She held a hand up, the sadistic grin and wide eyes screaming of an over protective lover. "I will dispose of all three of you, before a threat ever comes to my beloved Phaeron!"

"By. The. Silent. King!" The three yelled, before Canoptek Wraiths leapt from the ground and towards them. "Handled one problem, only to gain another!" Prae'tor yelled, as they began to defend themselves.

Nyrthal continued to tremble, watching his fellow lords were being attacked. "Nyrthal…" Daring Do saying his name, in an echoing voice, caused the Cryptek Lord to straighten up. "Only reason you are unharmed, is because by my beloved Phaeron may require medical attention and repairs." Her glowing gaze went to him. "Am I understood?"
"Y-Yes, Mistress." Nyrthal answered, watching Blade press its head under Daring Do's left palm, allowing her pet and lean against it. "She has become a literal Queen of our Canoptek Constructs." He thought, looking at the other lords, glad that the nanoscarab swarms were busy. "We need to find a way to-?"

"I do hope you are not thinking about finding a way to shut me down." Daring Do continued to watch the other lords defend against her Wraiths. "Are you, Nyrthal?"

"Of course, not, Mistress. That would be illogical and ill-advised." Nyrthal answered, becoming even more worried. "Not good, she is already predicting us… It won't be long before the nanoscarb fully integrates." His gaze went between Daring Do and the struggling lords. "Without the Phaeron, only one could stop her, and I don't think-?"

A massive beam of red light struck where the Flayed Ones were gathered, obliterating them and the nanoscarabs blocking them! This caused Daring Do to leap from her lounging position, staring at the smoking crater. "What!? How!"
The answer came, as a shadow was cast over Canterlot. All eyes went up to the sky, seeing a massive black, moon crescent, warship hovered over the mountain side city. Its initial attack was quickly followed by volley after volley of red beams from its cannons, striking where Flayed Ones were massing. Ghost Arks even dropped from areas around the ship, filled with both Warriors and Immortals, each given orders to cleanse the city of any surviving Flayed Ones. This tombship had a name, and the lords were hesitant to speak it, fearing that doing so would summon its commander… All within Ay'therian's Dynasty feared their capital ship, the Reaper's Hand.

In moments, another red beam appeared next the leads, Daring Do calling off her Wraiths. The beam was not an attack, but more of a way to transport a small group of Necrons to a pin point location. But, only one appeared from the beam.

He looked a lot like Ay'therian, but did not have a crown and a chin piece like Nyrthal's. Even had a head piece like the ancient Neighgyptians, some kind of glaive in his right hand. The Necron's eyes were locked on to the overcharged Daring Do, as if he were examining her. The four lords blurted. "O-Overlord…"

"Samael." Daring Do grinned, drawing her whip. "I know of you… If something happens to Phaeron Ay'therian and the princesses, you are next in line for the crown." She wrapped the whip's length around her leg. "You are the biggest threat to my beloved Phaeron." The mare shot forward, her broken wing being stabilized by nanoscarabs. "I will end you, before there is a threat to him!"

As she approached, only one sound came from the Overload, a simple snicker, before he disappeared… Appearing right above Daring Do! "You are ten millennia short of being a match for me, child." Samael slammed a foot on to Daring Do's back, and forced her on to the ground with said foot. He placed his right hand on to the nanoscarab, moving two fingers and caused a clicking sound to echo.

Daring Do screamed in utter agony, as feedback from the nanoscarab's limiter, coursed throughout her body! After a few more agonizing moments, the mare's eyes stopped glowing, gaining a tired look, before she passed out and every Canoptek Constucts suddenly went back offline. But, things did not end there, Sameal lifting his weapon up and prepared to remove Daring Do's head. "No!" All four lords shouted, appearing around the Overlord and grasped his arms. "You cannot slay the Envoy, Overlord Samael!" Prae'tor ordered, using his war-scythe to lock the Overlord's glaive down.

"She has become a threat to any leader with our Dynasty…" Samel started knocking the other lords away with a sudden pulse of energy. "As Overlord, it is my scared duty to eliminate threats to the Dynasty."

"The Envoy is also Princess Flurry Heart's Caretaker!" Dar'kan noted, skid allowing him back up.

Nyrthal managed to get back on to his feet. "She also shares an illogical bond with the Phaeron, which allows her to control over the Canoptek Constructs over us." He noted, arms swung out in a pleading motion. "It would be illogical to terminate her!"

"My decision is final!" Samael dictated, causing the other lords to recoil back. "None of hold higher rank in this matter, nor is the child important enough to risk our entire command for!" The Overlord grasped his weapon in both hands, aiming it at Daring Do's neck. "To protect our Dynasty, she shall die-?"
"Enough, Samael." A single voice boomed around them, as they were all blanketed by an aura of rage and despair. "Lower your weapon, or it will be I you contend with next."

Samel spun around, the newcomer being enough to force him into a kneeling position, head bowed. "As you command… My Phaeron."

Ay'therian stood in front of his personal Lychguard, five carrying a cloaked object in their arms, cloak flowing within the wind. Every Necron present began to kneel, Canoptek Constructs coming back online and quickly bowing. Their master hand finally returned, and retaken control over his forces once more.

"We have already lost so much here." Ay'therian strode forward, his tone empty. "I have enough to grieve for, do not add another." The Phaeron walked past Samael, and knelt next to Daring Do… Carefully taking her into his arm. "Samael, have your forces divided up and patrol the reclaimed territories." He stood back up, carrying the sleeping mare, and headed for the gates. "I am returning to the sanctuary, with my family, and do not wish to be disturbed."

They only watched, as Ay'therian left with the Lychguard, carrying Daring Do close to his metal form. All of them were silent, unable to comprehend their master's sudden action, until Dar'kan looked towards the Praetorian leader. "Best follow him, your override may be needed."

"Agreed…" Prae'tor started, his forces already following the Phaeron. "But, I hope it truly is not needed…"