Forced Harmony. Slavery. How far from each other are these concepts, really? In the end, is the harmony that Spark wants for the Wasteland nothing more than the forced servitude under the pretense of cooperation, of joy, and of friendship? Are we to be slaves to the ideals of her type of harmony? Are we automatically forced to be kind, to be generous, and to laugh? Are we supposed to ignore pain, ignore hate, and ignore suffering?

Or are we something much more? Are we kind and cruel, generous and selfish, honest and lying? I believe we are all of these and so much more. The six concepts of harmony cannot even begin to comprise the complexity of a pony's emotional landscape. The life experiences of a pony shape them, define them, and guide them ever forward through life. And what is it truly for? Forced Harmony?

I reject that idea. Harmony, true harmony, is about accepting the differences and the emotions that make us who we are. It hardly needs the distillation of the six core values, because there is so much more to it than that. Pain, grief, love... these are things a pony needs just as much as they need generosity, kindness, and loyalty.

These are the things that make a pony. Not some ideal that is set atop a pedestal, but the real, honest emotions that define a pony.

Harmony. Slavery. Two different ideals, and yet... not so different at all.

My brain exploded. I had seen everything from balefire dragons to spirits of harmony in physical forms, and yet nothing... nothing would ever have prepared me to deal with a mare who was about to have foals. I was frantic, flailing about like a mad mare.

“Ohmygosh, what do we need? Do we need towels? We don't have any towels. WHY DON'T WE HAVE ANY TOWELS?!” I shouted, running back and forth in the clearing, looking for anything that remotely looked like a towel. “AND WHY DON'T WE HAVE ANY HOT WATER?!?!”

“Star.”

“OH AND WE'LL NEED SOMETHING TO HOLD THE FOALS IN, WE'LL NEED TO MAKE SOMETHING!!!” I proclaimed loudly. “WE'LL HAVE PATCH MAKE THEM... WAIT, THAT'S NOT RIGHT SHE'S HAVING THE FOALS!!!!” I grinned super wide as I flared my horn, trying to pick up what I assumed were spare pieces of fabric. Wait, that's not right. Why would we have spare pieces of fabric? And why were they green and mare-shaped?

Violet glared at me, her eyes narrow. She reached out and bopped me on the horn, knocking my magic out and causing her to drop to the ground.

“Star... WOULD YOU CALM THE FUCK DOWN?!” she roared.

I blinked. A cry of pain came from across the clearing, drawing Violet's attention. She trotted over to where Patch was lying. I slumped to my haunches, eyes wide. The green mare looked terrible. Her mane was ragged and she was breathing hard.

“Shh,” Lilith cooed softly from next to her friend. “It's alright, Patch. Just breathe, alright?”

“That's right, just breathe. You're gonna be alright, you just need to breathe,” Violet added. “Avira, help me prop her head up here.”

The female hellhound nodded, using a rock to bring Patch's head up a bit. Patch twitched violently.

“H-H-Hurts, ahh.. ahhh!” Patch managed to say. She shifted, trying to get up.

Violet pushed back, keeping her lying on the ground. “No no, you need to stay there, Patch. Your foals are coming, alright? Can you hear me?” Violet asked.

Patch nodded her head as best as she could.

“Good. You need to breathe. You're just feeling normal pains, but it's gonna get a lot worse so we need to give you some Med-X. Not a lot though, okay?”

Patch nodded again. Violet smiled and floated out two syringes of Med-X, nodding at Avira. The hellhound gently held onto the earth mare as Violet injected her with each syringe. I sat there, blinking and feeling very confused. I needed to help!

“But... but towels. It's... it's unsanitary!” I proclaimed loudly.

Violet facehoofed. “Would somepony kindly calm her down so I can pay attention here?!” she said.

Sunshine nodded, trotting over to where I was slumped. She smiled sweetly. I knew that smile. She wanted to stop me from helping! Well I wasn't going to let her!

“TOWELS! HOT WATER! FOAL CLOTHES!!!” I shouted, trying to push past Sunshine.

The pink mare grunted, flaring her horn and pushing me back into place with her telekinesis.

“Star!” she said. “You need to calm down! It's going to be okay! Just chill, alright?”

“But... but... I can't! We need to do something! She's having foals, Sunshine!” I yelled back.

Sunshine sighed and rolled her eyes, placing a hoof on my shoulder.

“I know she is, but Violet's got this well in hoof, alright? You need to calm down, you're not helping things,” Sunshine said. “You just sit there and wait, okay?”

“But... but... I can't...” I said, trailing off. “I can't help. I can't do anything?”

“Star, I don't think they need any help right now. Trust Violet, please?” Sunshine said.

My senses finally came back into play, and I sighed. No, Sunshine was right. Violet did really have things under control. I had wanted to help so bad I had let my common sense run away with my imagination. Right now they were sharing a lovely cup of tea under an apple tree in the back of my mind. I nodded finally.

“I'm sorry,” I said. “I kind of freaked out there for a moment.”

“You kind of did, yeah,” Sunshine said.

Another grunt of pain took my attention away from the pink mare. I looked over at Violet who was hovering over Patch, her horn aglow.

“What happened? What's wrong?” I said frantically.

Violet grimaced and my eyes widened even more. “It's fine, Star. She just needs to breathe is all. She's a little weak from the trip up here, I think,” my marefriend said. “You didn't eat like you were supposed to did you?” Patch struggled, her eye opening up to acknowledge Violet's question with a slight nod. Violet groaned. “Alright then, this is going to be rough for you then.” Her horn flared, running her magic over the earth mare's body. “I can't tell too much, I'm not an expert at this, but the foals definitely want out. It's just a matter of when. We can't move her in this state.”

“Great. What do we do then?” Lilith said, frowning.

“We're going to have to deliver the foals here,” Violet said. “It's less than optimal, but we don't have any other options.”

“But... we can't do that. What if –?” I started to say. I was interrupted by a loud ringing roar that came from far off in the forest below us. I turned my head towards the sound. It was followed by a thundering sound of something very big stomping on the ground. I could see trees ripping over from our vantage point, but was unable to tell what was causing them to fall. I grimaced, finishing my statement. “...something decides to investigate.”

Violet scowled. “Hopefully it's nothing but some random creature ,” she said. “We still can't afford to move her. If we do, we could endanger her and the foals.”

I stood, unlatching Stargazer from its harness. It hovered in the air next to me, gleaming in the light.

“This is something I can do to help,” I said. “Keep an eye on her, Violet. The first chance we have to move her and the kids, we will. But I don't believe for one second that we won't be attacked, not when the other Elements know where we are. Not while Spark knows where I am.” I looked at the others. “Nixis, Sunshine, Lilith. You're with me. Avira, you stay here with Violet. We're gonna try and secure this area as best as we can, in case something does try to come up here.”

Sunshine and Nixis nodded, the two walking over to where the path sloped down the mountain. Sunshine began casting her unique brand of magic, creating a barrier of vines that wrapped around two large rocks.

Lilith nodded, her expression sour. Clearly, she didn't want to leave Patch, but she knew she had to. She reached down, gently nuzzling her friend before picking herself back up. Violet stayed next to the earth mare, who was now panting and groaning quite loudly. Another roar sounded in the distance. This time, it was closer. I narrowed my gaze out at the forest. Something was coming, but was it just some random Everfree monster, or had it been sent? Patch cried out in pain again. I glanced over at Violet.

“Violet, is there any way we can keep her quiet?” I said. “She's likely to bring every nasty critter from all the way out to Ponyville and back.”

“Sorry, Star, she's gonna be in a lot of pain. We only have so much Med-X, after all. I'll do what I can, but I can't make any promises,” my marefriend replied. Her horn glowed softly, the magic rolling over Patch's prone form.

Another roar. More trees falling down in the distance. Something was coming, and it was big.

“Alright,” I said, turning my attention to the barrier Sunshine had created.

Nixis was busy reinforcing it with more rocks that he had brought over from the collapsed cave entrance. Lilith had taken to the sky, looking down the mountain path for anything that might be coming up it. I sat there for several tense moments, the only sounds being Patch and Violet. Another set of trees fell at the edge of the path leading up the mountain. Something very large bolted out of the trees and began to scramble up it. The sound of thunder accompanied it's every step.

“Incoming!” Lilith shouted. “I can't see what it is or get a bead on it!”

I grimaced. I knew it, I thought. Is it one of the Elements? Or something else? Whatever it is... it must be huge.

“Sunshine, keep the barrier up,” I called out. “Nixis. You and I will engage whatever it is. Lilith, you provide ranged cover. Whatever it is, it's NOT getting near her.”

Sunshine nodded, her horn glowing as more magical vines climbed up the makeshift barrier. I trotted up to one side of it, watching and waiting for the thing to finally show itself. Another roar floated up to us from the side of the mountain as a massive black beast came charging up. It's eyes were a deep red, all six of them. Wait... six eyes? I blinked, realizing that the monster not only had six eyes, it had three heads. I couldn't see much more than that, before the thing moved again.

I levitated Stargazer out, trying to get a lock on the monster with E.S.A.T.S., but was unable to for some reason. I shook the minigun, wondering if it wasn't still somehow on the fritz, but everything appeared to be working. The thing was just not able to be targeted! I growled under my breath. The Bitch whined above us, sending a missile soaring through the air at the path before the monster. The rubble exploded, but did not deter the black blur that went right through the flames. The beast stopped in its tracks, sending out a challenging roar that finally gave us a chance to see what we were up against.

As I'd already figured out, the thing had three heads, each one sporting a pair of red glowing orbs. Each head was canine in nature, highly akin to how a hellhound might look. Rows of shiny silver teeth lined the mouth of each head, long red tongues rolling out along with massive globs of drool. The beast's body looked like it shouldn't even feasibly support it, the bulky neck that split off into the three heads slimming down to a muscular canine body. Each of it's legs ended in a giant paw with razor sharp claws. It's tail tapered off, tiny glittering spikes adorning every few inches of it. It was a creature designed for killing.

“A cerberus!” Nixis proclaimed.

“A what?” I said. I had never seen such a creature before, but clearly Nixis had, or at least knew what it was. I stood at the ready, watching the beast. It hadn't started moving yet, merely standing there and studying us, like it was analyzing how best to rip us apart.

“A cerberus,” Nixis said. “I... I didn't think they were even real. According to some of the books I've read, they were originally guard dogs for the realm of Tartarus.”

“Tartarus?” I said. That was another new one on me. I'd never heard of such a place. It didn't sound like a very nice place, though.

Nixis nodded. He didn't get any further chance to explain what he meant. The giant three-headed dog snarled, leaping forward at the makeshift vine barrier. I grimaced, turning Stargazer downwards and firing, sending a blaze of blue laser light at the monster. It dodged in mind-air, somehow bending its body around the stream of fire. Landing, the creature turned its snarling attentions to me. One of its massive paws came out of nowhere, smacking me out of the sky. I grunted, hitting the ground with a *thud*. Within seconds, all three of the thing's heads were hovering over me. Its red eyes glared.

“Umm... good... doggy?” I said sheepishly. I could feel and smell the breath of the monster's heads. I almost passed out from the foul stench.

The beast lunged, and I reacted as best as I could, casting Shining Armor's shield. The three heads struck the shield in unison, roaring in anger as the purple barrier prevented them from eating me alive. The cerberus didn't get another chance to strike, Nixis’ attack turning its attention elsewhere. Nixis had leaped out from our makeshift wall and was running along the creature's back, slamming his claws into the base of the cerberus' necks. Howling, the beast bucked up, attempting to fling the hellhound into the air. Nixis clung to it, refusing to give up. His claws dug in deeper, forcing a cry from the cerberus. The monster’s frantic thrashing eventually dislodged my friend and Nixis jumped away, barely missed by a slash from the canine monster's claws.

Dropping my shield, I pushed myself to my hooves, lifting Stargazer. I dropped into E.S.A.T.S., still couldn’t lock onto the cerberus, so I aimed carefully and let forth a stream of fire. The cerberus snarled as it took the full brunt of Stargazer's upgraded firepower, shrugging it off and batting at me with a paw. I reactivated my shield with a flare of my horn, taking the blow in stride. Something just didn't add up about this thing showing up now. It had to mean something. In the back of my mind, I really doubted that Patch's cries had drawn the beast, rather it was already on its way to see us. But why? A sliver of thought came forth. Cruelty... She must be back. She's the only one of the five who would operate by proxy like this, I thought. Shit... that's not good. My mind rolled back to the hydra I'd fought that the yellow alicorn had so casually discarded. If she was controlling the cerberus, there was no telling how rough this thing could be.

“Star!” I heard Lilith shout from above. “You alright down there?”

“Been better,” I called up, holding the shield up as best as I could while the cerberus attacked. It roared loudly, clearly frustrated that it couldn't get to what it had construed as easy prey. “Be on the lookout for a yellow alicorn. I've got a feeling this thing isn't alone!”

Lilith nodded, her attention turning to the sky to search for any sign of Cruelty. I glanced up at the cerberus, my horn feeling very strained at holding the shield spell for so long. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait much longer. Several long vines burst forth from the ground, wrapping around the cerberus' legs and holding it in place. The monster snarled, its attention turned away from me and to the vines. Dropping my shield spell, I lifted into the air, ready to strike at Cruelty if she showed.

She didn't. After several tense moments, the cerberus had managed to break free of its bonds and was attempting to scale the barrier that Sunshine Sky had erected. There was no sign of Cruelty anywhere. Had I been wrong? I scowled, bringing Stargazer to bear. I fired, hitting the cerberus in the rear legs. It howled in pain, pulling away from the barrier to try and leap into the air at me. My eyes widened as the sky was suddenly full of giant three-headed dog. It slammed into me hard, forcing me from the sky. I hit the ground, gasping for breath and starting to move before the cerberus could land on me. The beast thundered onto the rocks next to me, its red eyes turned right at me. All three heads were snarling. I pushed myself to all four hooves, shaking but alive.

“Where's your mistress, huh, boy? Why doesn't she show herself?” I muttered under my breath. My side hurt. Why did it seem like every time we ended up in a skirmish with anything in this forest that I ended up getting seriously injured? I was getting really sick and tired of it.

The cerberus was getting tired too. It's breathing was labored, the injuries it had already sustained from Stargazer's blasts slowly getting to it. I took a step forward. The cerberus roared in response.

I grimaced. “You're not here for Cruelty are you? What am I saying... you probably don't even understand me.”

The cerberus went silent, its red eyes fixated on me.

“Star!” I heard a voice from behind me. I looked back briefly to see Sunshine Sky and Nixis. “Are you alright?”

I nodded, my eyes returning to the three-headed dog. It wasn't attacking. Why wasn't it attacking? I took another step forward. It roared again in defiance. Then I realized what was going on. It was afraid of me. I had seriously hurt it, and it didn't like that fact.

“Whoah there... we're not going to hurt you, ummm... boy?” I said, chancing a guess at the creature's gender.

The cerberus growled under its breath, continuing its glare. I felt wing beats behind me as Lilith landed.

“No sign of that yellow alicorn bitch,” she said. “What's wrong with that thing? A minute ago it was all bite.”

“I think Cruelty is playing with us,” I said with a grimace. “She's definitely behind this... I can smell it. But I don't think this beast came willingly. It came because she told it to.”

“So it doesn't actually want to hurt us?” Sunshine Sky asked.

I looked back up at the cerberus. It snarled but kept its distance from us.

“I don't think so,” I said. I took a step forward, latching Stargazer to its harness. I lifted a hoof. “Look. We don't want to hurt you, but you were close to hurting my friends. I'm sorry I shot you. Can you understand me?”

The cerberus rumbled, but nodded slightly with its three heads.

“The beast is scared,” Nixis said. “I can smell the fear in the air. But it's fear is not directed at us.”

“What do you mean?” I said.

“Cerberus' like this one were tasked to guarding the deep dark places of the world that led to the realm of Tartarus, otherwise known as the Underworld,” Nixis said. “Of course, Tartarus itself is a myth, some place I've only ever read about in books. I've never seen an actual gate, or an actual cerberus before today.” He lifted a claw to his chin. “He must have been forced to be on the attack, instead of guarding. He fears the one who did that may return still.”

“Cruelty,” I said angrily. “Shit... and he just took us away from Violet and Avira. It's a fucking distraction!”

I hurled myself into the air, beating my wings hard to make my way back to the clearing further up the mountain. I landed, noting that Violet and Avira, along with Patch were still there. Patch was breathing hard and heavy, Violet hovering over her and doing her best to keep the mare calm. Avira stayed nearby, handing Violet anything that she was asking for. Something was off. Cruelty wasn't here. If this was a distraction... what kind was it?

“The kind that gets you, and only you, just where I want you,” a voice, silky and smooth through the whipping winds replied, as if reading my mind.

I turned, grimacing. There she was. Standing atop the ruins of the collapsed cave entrance that had felled the dragon. Cruelty. Her coat was marred and her wings were bedraggled, the gem in her chest only glowing faintly. A wicked grin emerged along her lips as she regarded Violet and Avira, who had just noticed her presence.

“Oh how sweet, new foals for me to play with. I shall show them the ways of true harmony.”

“The fuck you will,” I said, flapping hard and landing in front of her. “You'll leave them out of this, if you know what's good for you.”

“Mmm... you know the last time we fought, you quite surprised me, Radiant Star. But our bodies are far more durable than yours, and it didn't take long for mine to regain its strength,” Cruelty said, licking her lips.

“That was before I knew how to fight you,” I said. “Or haven't you heard? I killed Obsession and Deceit.”

“Killed? Hah! More like dispersed,” Cruelty said. “You may have managed to destroy their mortal forms, but as long as Spark controls the spirits of Harmony, we will never stop. And once we have our own bodies, we will rule the Wasteland in perfection!”

“You're fucking crazy, you know that?” I said, stomping a hoof. “You just don't get it. You think that just because you're some overpowered spirit that it gives you the right to rule?” I growled, unlatching Stargazer from its harness. “You don't! I won't let it. I will stop you, Spark, and this whole crazy thing!”

“You can certainly try, Radiant Star,” Cruelty replied. “But I think I ought to warn you. Your friends down the mountain will have to contend with my new pet. That was part of the distraction, after all. Separate you from them, kill them with a lovely little cerberus.” She giggled. “But you... I get to kill you all by myself.”

I grimaced. My friends could more than take care of themselves... I hoped. Thoughts of Steeljack filled my mind. I heard roars down the path and silently prayed to Luna that they would be alright. They would have to be. I glanced back at Violet. She nodded and went back to working with Patch. There was no moving her, or it would risk hurting her or the foals. I couldn't live with myself if I managed to get Steeljack's unborn children killed. I had to get Cruelty away from the others, and finish her off myself.

“Then let's do this,” I said, returning my gaze to Cruelty. “You. Me. Right here. Let's end this, Cruelty.”

“Oh yes, let's,” the yellow alicorn replied nonchalantly. She stepped forward, flaring her wings. Her eyes widened and I stopped dead in my tracks.

Shit, I remember this from the last time, I thought as I tried to move my body. I couldn't move. I couldn’t even blink.

Cruelty grinned widely. “Yes... You can't fight my powers, you pathetic excuse for an alicorn. Your body and your magic are too weak for me.”

I strained, trying to move even one muscle, but her Stare held me in place. “I'm not weak,” I said.

Cruelty snarled, her eyes widening further, my jaws slamming shut to keep me from speaking. She chuckled loudly.

“Really? You're pathetic,” she said. She lifted her head, expecting me to come back with some quip. I couldn't. “What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

Why can't I fight this? I thought. How can I fight her if I can't even move?!

Cruelty trotted up to me, keeping me firmly locked within her Stare. Her horn flared, creating a blade of pure yellow magic out of thin air.

“You know I was really pissed off that you destroyed me, but I think we can let bygones be bygones. I'll cut your head off, and you'll be dead. That sounds like a fair and kind apology, doesn't it?”

I struggled, flaring my horn, pouring as much magic as I could to break through the Stare. Shining Armor's shield spell blazed into existence, cutting off Cruelty's spell. Finally! I was able to move!

“Fuck you!” I shouted, sending out a wave of telekinesis that knocked the alicorn back. Dropping my shield, I forged my own magical blade out of magic and anger. I charged forward, slapping Cruelty in the side of her face with the flat of the blade. She growled, punching me in the face with her hoof. I reeled back, grunting. Cruelty pressed the attack, slashing at me wickedly. I dodged to the side, slapping her on the flank with my magical blade as she passed by me.

“You bitch!” Cruelty snarled, spinning about to flare her wings. Her horn ignited, shooting a blast of telekinesis that sent me flying into the pile of rubble below the cave entrance.

Pain shot through my sides as tiny bits of sharp rock dug into my skin. Cruelty hovered over me, floating her magical blade out beside her.

“You won't win,” I said. “My friends will come, and then you'll see just how powerful that magic really is.”

“The magic of friendship? Please. What a joke,” Cruelty said with a snort. She stepped over me, pushing me down as I tried to get up. Her eyes widened and her Stare kicked in once more, freezing me in place. “Your friends are already dead. My new little pet will see to that. Do you like him? I found him nearby, lost and alone. I was so kind to him. I gave him a job to do.”

“You mean you forced him here,” I spat. I'd seen the fear in the cerberus' eyes. The beast hadn't been there under his own will, and I knew it.

“Well... I am highly persuasive,” Cruelty replied. “Once I've disabled you, I'll kill the rest of your little friends and take you back to Spark. I might even take you back in one piece. I mean... it's not like she needs your life or anything, just your body.”

I growled under my breath. “You lay one hoof on my friends...” I started to say.

“Or you'll what? Kill me?” Cruelty tittered. “I don't think so. I am in control here, Radiant Star. The Elements will be victorious!”

“What makes you so sure about that?” I said angrily.

Cruelty's gaze lowered to Stargazer, which was still attached to its harness. I knew what she wanted. The shard. I flared my horn, disconnecting the gun and tossing it to the side. Stargazer clattered loudly as it bounced across the rubble, but I knew it would be fine. It had survived worse impacts. I grinned, knowing that Cruelty wouldn't be able to take her eyes off of me to go after it, otherwise risk letting me free of her Stare. It was her weakness, I had realized. She needed to be looking at her prey to control it.

“You won't get the shard,” I challenged.

“Oh, I'm not worried about your half,” Cruelty said, putting a hoof up to her mouth thoughtfully. “I'll have it soon enough. Then I'll go see Avarice at the gates. She's probably already there trying to pry out the last shard. I'm pretty sure that it won't come out though unless we have yours, though. I suppose that means I'll have to kill you now. I had so hoped you'd make this easy on me...” Her magical blade started to lower towards my throat.

“Yeeeeeeeehaaaawww!!” I heard a voice cut through the clearing.

A loud crash and a louder roar accompanied it, causing Cruelty to falter. Her Stare fell away, allowing me to move once more. I jumped away from the mare's reach, my eyes following where the noise had come from. Sunshine Sky was riding the cerberus, a set of reins made out of magical vines attached to each of the beast's three heads. Nixis rode behind her. The pink mare crowed again as the canine monster leaped across the clearing, snarling loudly at Cruelty. The alicorn mare scowled, flaring her horn and widening her eyes to cast her Stare.

“Oh no you don't,” I said, emitting a burst of telekinesis that knocked the yellow mare to the ground. Sunshine and Nixis jumped from the side of the cerberus to the ground.

“Good boy!” Sunshine said. “Now, go get her!” She pointed across the clearing at Cruelty.

The yellow mare screeched as the cerberus, clearly pissed at his former master, charged down at her. Cruelty's horn ignited, teleporting her out of the way up into the air. The cerberus wheeled about, looking for her. She growled under her breath.

“But it was my pet!” she shrieked. “How did you stop it?!”

“You forgot one thing,” Sunshine scoffed. “You forgot to be kind to it. Even big doggies like him need a little love, Cruelty.”

“That's right,” Lilith called out, landing next to me. “And you also forgot what we're capable of when we stick together, right Star?”

I nodded, grinning. “I'm so glad you guys are alright,” I said. “What in the hell happened down there?”

“Cruelty thought she had control of Snappy,” Sunshine said, glaring hard at the yellow alicorn. “You frightened him, you bitch.”

“Snappy?” I said, blinking. The three-headed dog growled in affirmation. I realized she meant the cerberus. I had to admit, it fit all too well. “Nevermind... Alright, Cruelty. The game is over. Give yourself up and I'll make this easy on you.”

“I don't think so,” Cruelty said with a sneer. “I saw what you did to the others. You won't catch me off guard like you did them.” Her horn flared, firing a blast of telekinesis at us. I responded by throwing up my alicorn shield, batting away the blast like it was nothing. When the light from the blast cleared, Cruelty was gone. Disappeared.

“Shit,” I said. “She fucking ran away!” The cerberus, or Snappy as Sunshine had so eloquently named him, let out a low howl. I looked up at him, smiling softly. “Are you alright?”

The three-heads bobbed up in down in a sequence of nods. One of the heads turned to nibble at the beast’s flank.

“Snappy here is a good boy!” Sunshine said, running up to the monstrous dog and wrapping her hooves around one of its heads. It rumbled happily at the embrace.

I blinked. Lilith stepped up to me and chuckled, placing a hoof on my shoulder.

“It's best not to question it,” she said. “I don't even get it, but when you flew back up here, Sunshine was able to get it to calm down. It's like a big puppy to her.”

“Can we keep him?” Sunshine interjected, grinning.

I blinked again. “I don't think that would be wise. He has a home he has to return to, I'm sure of it,” I said. The cerberus rumbled in affirmation. I stepped forward, a low growl emitting from one of its heads. “Whoa, boy. I'm not going to harm you. In fact... I owe you thanks.” I lowered to my front knees in front of the monster. “If you hadn't intervened I may have died here. Thank you.”

The cerberus regarded me for a few silent moments before taking a few steps forward. I felt its hot breath on the side of my face and then a tongue that gave me a very slobbery kiss. I chuckled, reaching up and patting one of the heads on the nose. The three-headed dog pulled back and turned, barking happily before it went scampering off the mountain cliff and back towards the forest. Sunshine groaned.

“Aww, I wanted him to stay,” she said.

“I know, but we can't just keep a cerberus as a pet, Sky,” I said, chuckling.

“Indeed. According to legend, the cerberus' are actually compelled to guard their homes. It's in their nature,” Nixis said. “I'm surprised Cruelty was able to get one to do what she wanted.”

“I’m not. That bitch... she probably forced it to do what she wanted with that Stare of hers,” I said. “And now she's fucking gone. The coward.”

“Any idea where she went?” Lilith said. “I don't relish the thought of her getting the idea of sneaking up on us again.”

“She mentioned something about gates, and Avarice,” I said, sighing out of my anger. I trotted over to where Stargazer had fallen. I picked it up in my magic, attaching it to its harness. It was a little scuffed up but otherwise was no worse for wear. I slid open the power compartment, the star-crystal glowing brightly still inside. “It sounds like they know where the final shard is already. We're going to have to try and get there before them.”

A sharp cry cut through our silence. I realized that in the midst of the brief skirmish with Cruelty that I'd completely forgotten about Patch and the others. I turned back and blanched white at what I saw. I closed my eyes and put my head to the ground, hearing the chuckles from the others.

“Jeez, Star, you act like you ain't never seen one of those before,” Lilith teased. “And I know for sure that ain't true.”

“I... I just... I think I'll wait over here, if that's alright with you!” I shouted.

I really hadn't needed to seen... that. It was uncomfortable for me to see a close friend of mine that exposed. I stood for what felt like forever, my eyes shut tight. Patch's panting and sharp grunts began to get more intense and then... they stopped. I almost fainted. Picking my head back up, I started to turn to make sure that she was alright when I heard the most incredible sound I'd ever heard in my life.

Crying. Two wonderful little voices filling the air with the sound of crying. I opened my eyes and saw Violet next to Patch. She was holding two young foals in her magic and was in the process of covering them up with parts of her own cloth barding. I trotted over, my curiosity finally getting the better of me. Patch was no longer so exposed, and was instead covered up with the blanket out of Violet's saddlebags. She lay there still, almost too still, and I began to wonder if everything was alright.

“Is... Is she...” I started to say before her good eye opened wide.

“I'm... I'm alright,” Patch breathed out. “Just... tired.”

Violet looked up at me and winked. “I should say so,” she replied. “These two took a hell of a lot out of you.” Her horn flared, bringing the two foals over to rest next to their mother.

By the light of Violet's magic, I saw them for the first time. The colt was a deep grey color, his eyes blue as his father's had been. His mane was spiky much like Steeljack's, but was instead a grand navy color. His wings were tiny, and he was a bit filthy, but otherwise whole and intact. The filly on the other hand was as dark a green as her mother, but with a brilliant black mane that held a blue streak through it. I could see her horn as I looked into her eyes, orbs of the loveliest shade of grey. I smiled widely as they stopped crying, gazing upon me with awe. I slumped to my haunches next to Patch, placing a hoof on her shoulder.

“They're... they're beautiful, Patch,” I said. “They're so amazing.”

“My... my babies,” Patch said softly, lifting her leg to bring the two foals close. They snuggled in with their mother, cooing quietly.

“Congratulations,” Lilith said, giving her friend a close nuzzle. “Have you thought of what you're going to name them?”

Patch nodded. “The colt... his name is Lightning Chaser,” she said, panting. It was clear that she was very, very tired. “And the filly... she's Starry Night.”

“They are excellent names, my friend,” I said. I reached down, extending my neck so that the foals could see me. “Hello little ones... I'm your... your godmother.”

Starry Night looked up curiously, lifting her tiny hoof and booping me in the nose. I grinned from ear to ear.

“Ohmygosh they're so cute!” Sunshine said. “I'm so so so happy for you!”

“I wish... I wish he could have been here...” Patch breathed.

I sighed, nuzzling my friend closely. Steeljack may have been gone, but he was here in spirit.

“He would have been proud,” I said softly.

Patch nodded slowly, turning her attention to her foals. She pulled them close to her body as they started to nod off.

I looked to the others. “I think perhaps we should let the new mother rest.”

“I agree,” Violet said. “Besides... we're planning on going back to Ponyville, right?”

I grimaced, shaking my head.

“No. Plans have... changed.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes. There's no other way,” I said, glancing over at Lilith.

We all had retreated to the other side of the clearing, leaving Patch to rest with her newborn foals. Nixis had managed to start up a fire as the night began to fall.

“Patch won't be able to travel easily on ground with the foals, and she'll be too tired anyways.”

“But, Star,” Violet protested. “We could use the supplies.”

“There's no time,” I replied. “Cruelty mentioned something about some gates, and meeting another of the Elements there. She said they knew where the last shard was. We need to get there before they do. They already have one of the shards, we can't let them have any more of them.”

“But... you want me to fly Patch back to Ponyville?” Lilith said.

“You're strong, Lilith. With the cart that Avira brought here, you'll be able to get them back safe and sound. Avira will go with you,” I said. “She can provide any cover fire for anything that might attack on the way out of the forest.”

“I will protect young Patch with my life,” Avira commented. “But I agree with the Ministry Mare. We cannot leave her here, nor can you take her with you into combat with the foals.”

Lilith grimaced, sighing. “Alright. I'll do it. I just... I hate leaving you guys,” she said. “I just have a bad feeling about it.”

“Listen, your power armor has a tracker in it just like a PipBuck, right?” I offered. Lilith nodded in reply. “Good. You'll be able to track my PipBuck tag then. Once you've gotten Patch situated, you can fly right back and join us. I promise we won't kick Spark's ass too hard before you get back.”

“Sure thing,” she said. “When do you want me to leave?”

“As soon as it's light out,” I said. “We should give Patch and the foals time to rest first. They need it. The rest of us will be leaving earlier. We have little time to catch up with Cruelty and this... Avarice.” I grimaced. I was pretty sure I knew which of the Elements that Avarice represented. Generosity, I thought.

“I still don't like this,” Violet said. “But it's best for Patch to get the care she needs. Lilith... can you perhaps pick up some more medical supplies as well?”

Lilith nodded. I stood, stretching out my legs. I needed to get everything in order.

“It's settled then. Everyone, prepare your things and say your goodbyes,” I said. I trotted over to where Patch was lying, smiling softly as she opened her good eye at my approach.

“So, you're leaving,” she said. It wasn't a question.

I sighed, nodding. “Unfortunately,” I replied. “Avira and Lilith are going to ensure your safe return back to Ponyville, by the means of air carriage.”

“I heard. I've been trying to sleep, but... I want to make sure they're alright,” Patch said, her head motioning to the two foals cradled next to her. They murmured but continued sleeping. I noticed that she was starting to look and sound much better.

“It is understandable,” I said. “I wish there was another way, Patch, but there isn't. You need to be safe. I promised Steeljack that I would protect you.”

“I know,” Patch replied. “You know what he mouthed? When it... when it happened?” I shook my head. “He told me to go. That he loved me. I could see it clear as day. I need... I need to live so that I can take care of them. They need me. So... I'll go. I don't like it, but I'll go. I just hope... I hope you find what you're looking for.”

“I... I do too,” I said, giving her a quick nuzzle. “I bid thee farewell, my dearest of friends. And to your foals... I shall see you soon. I love you both.”

I stood, smiling as I watched the rest of my friends shower Patch with affection and goodbyes. I trotted outside of the group, glancing down at Lilith. She looked disconcerted.

“Are you sure about this?” She asked. “You're trusting me with an awful lot here.”

“I'm sure. You've come a long way from Lust, my friend,” I replied with a smile.

“Some nights I don't feel like I have,” Lilith said, snorting.

I rested a hoof on her shoulder. “Trust me,” I said. “You have. I trust nopony else to take care of Patch, Lilith. You can do this. Just return safely to us.”

Lilith nodded after a few long moments. I knew she would be just fine. I looked over at Avira. She was cradling Para Bellum in her claws.

“It has been quite the honor to have met you, Ministry Mare,” she said. “I pray to the great beyond that you come back as well.”

I smiled, thanking her and then trotting past to gather our things. Within twenty minutes we were ready to get going. Lilith and Avira stood vigilant next to Patch, loading up the cart to be ready to go at first light. I started down the mountain path leading back to the forest, Violet, Nixis, and Sunshine Sky at my side. The forest path was eerily quiet, far more quiet than it had been before we had set foot into it. No insect sounds, no general forest life, nothing. All in all, it felt... wrong.

“Does anypony else feel like we're being watched?” Sunshine said, her eyes scanning the dark forest for anything bad.

“Yeah... when did this place suddenly get so creepy?” Violet replied.

I grimaced, pushing my way through the underbrush. I didn't disagree. There was a wrongness to the air that felt like the whole forest was watching us carefully. I didn't like it.

“Something's up,” I said. “The whole forest is on edge. I just hope Patch and the others get back to Ponyville alright.”

“I am sure they'll be fine,” Nixis commented. “For now, let us focus on the immediate concerns...” He sniffed at the air. “Like running.”

“Running?” I said, cocking my head in confusion.

Loud noises suddenly came from all around us, the sounds of groans and the rustling of the underbrush. A pony shaped monstrosity appeared from the trees to our left. It's body was covered in a very familiar blue plant. Killing joke, I thought, grimacing. The creature howled, its voice inequine as it shambled forward. Two others appeared behind it. “Running it is, then!” I started into a canter, spurred forward by the others who were matching my speed. The joke-covered creatures followed behind, their slow shamble making it relatively easy for us to keep ahead.

“Keep running!” Violet shouted. “Don't let them touch you!”

The path ahead of was getting more overgrown by the minute. Growls and groaning emanated from the monsters. Despite their slow movement, they were keeping on our tails easily. I didn't understand it. I pushed through the last bit of forest to find myself at the base of a cliff in a small clearing. My eyes widened. We were trapped! I screeched to a halt, turning about and unlatching Stargazer. Violet did the same with Thunder Flash. We stood and waited. Then one of the monsters burst through the trees, lifting a hoof. Several blue tentacles erupted from it, shooting across the clearing at us. I growled, lifting my alicorn shield around us. The tentacles struck it, deflecting away. The joke ghoul retracted the tentacles, instead sending them into the ground. My eyes widened.

“Underground!” I shouted, extending my shield below us just as two of the thing's tentacles burst out from underneath us. They smacked into it hard, pulling away. The joke ghoul just stood there, waiting. Three more of them appeared from the brush. Then another three. They had us surrounded. I grimaced. “Shit. I can't hold the shield for too much longer. If any of those things touch us...”

“Yeah... killing joke. We know,” Violet breathed, keeping Thunder Flash trained on the impassive group of plant things. “They're like... like ghouls, only...”

“Animated,” Sunshine finished. “Animated by killing joke. Fucking mockery of life. Everypony hold still. I can handle this.”

Her eyes flashed and her horn lit up, sending a wave of magic through the ground. Several large stalks of vines burst from the ground around us, creating a barrier of vegetation that blocked the view of the joke ghouls. Sunshine roared, pouring magic out of her horn. A colossal vine pushed out of the ground, acting as a platform that carried us up to the base of the cliff. I breathed a sigh of relief as I let the shield spell drop, stepping off from the stalk onto the cliff with care. I looked down at the ghoul-like creatures. They were staring impassively up at us as Sunshine dismissed the vines. She panted hard from her heavy magic use.

“They're not very smart,” I said, grimacing. “They don't even seem to be trying to get up here.” I felt a hoof tap me on the shoulder. I turned, my eyes widening. Surrounding us at the top of the cliff were roughly twenty more of the creatures. They groaned, shuffling towards us. The creatures were a lot smarter than I'd initially thought. “Oh.”

“Fuck,” Violet said. “We're gonna have to fight our way out. How long can you keep up your shield, Star?”

“Not long enough,” I said, raising Stargazer along with my shield spell. “We're going to have to make this quick.”

I lifted the gun, dropping into E.S.A.T.S. I queued up as many shots as I could against the group of monsters. Dropping the spell, I let loose, sending streams of blue light at the joke-ghouls. The magical energy punched through several of the monstrosities, filling them with holes and knocking them to the ground. Violet had floated out Thunder Flash, sending blast after blast of silver fire into the joke-ghouls. It wasn't going to be enough. My horn flickered as I struggled to keep the shield spell up.

“Star, you alright?!” Sunshine shouted, her magic working overtime as well to create vines that attacked the surrounding creatures. She was sweating profusely, her horn flickering as well. “I can't keep this up too much longer! I really wasted myself casting that big vine!”

“Look for an opening and take it!” I called back.

I grimaced. There wasn't any opening though, not that I could see. I really really REALLY hate this forest, I thought angrily. It seemed like every step we had taken in this place was just waiting to eat us alive. I roared, unleashing hell with Stargazer. It was the only thing I could of to do. My shield was still working, but not for long. The joke-ghouls were already testing its strength by pounding against it with their tentacle-appendages.

Then I heard a roar. I looked up, seeing a large black form in the distance. The cerberus. It had somehow managed to find us again. My eyes widened, hoping and praying to Celestia that the thing was still friendly to us. The three-headed dog snarled and snapped, challenging the joke-ghouls. The plant-creatures turned, starting towards the cerberus, which happily turned tail and started to run. It was giving us a chance! The joke-ghouls began to follow after, apparently considering a three-headed dog easier prey than three ponies and a hellhound. I wasn't about to argue that logic however.

“Snappy!” Sunshine called out.

I scowled. I wasn't sure what would happen to the big dog if the joke-ghouls caught up with it, but I wasn't about to stick around and find out so they could do the same to us.

“Everypony run!” I called out, charging forward into the brush, sending sprays of fire at the straggling joke-ghouls. They dropped instantly and I broke through back onto a path. The others followed behind and we ran straight for several minutes before finally stopping. I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized that the joke-ghouls weren't following us. I dropped the shield spell, wincing a bit at the headache I was developing for running it for so long.

“Is everyone alright?” Violet said, quickly dropping her bags to pull out bottles of water for everyone.

Nixis nodded, his paw outstretched as he held onto Sunshine Sky.

“I'm fine,” she said, wobbling a little, but standing nonetheless. “I can keep going.”

“I think sitting sounds like a good idea, myself,” I replied, smiling at the exhausted pony as I slumped to my haunches. “Sunshine, come over here and sit. You need to rest more than anyone else, you really overworked your magic again.”

“I'll be alright,” Sunshine protested, but I glared at her hard. She nodded silently and sat down next to me. She wobbled a bit more, but was able to get down fine. “Okay I suppose I could use some rest. But what if those things come back? What if they got Snappy?”

“I'm sure that 'Snappy' is just fine. He is a magical creature after all,” I said.

Violet sat down across from us while Nixis stood watch, sniffing the air. “Nixis? You smell anything?”

“No. Those things... they are gone from our vicinity. I cannot smell the cerberus, either,” he said calmly with a shake of his head. Sunshine gasped softly in reply. “I agree with Star however. Cerberus' don't survive to live as long as that one did in this environment without being at least somewhat resilient.”

“See, Sunshine? Nixis said a bunch of big words. He'll be alright,” I said, grinning. Sunshine rolled her eyes, taking a swig of her water. “Feeling better?”

“A little,” she said. “I've never made a vine that big before.”

I nodded, my mind drawn back down to Stargazer. I opened it up and focused on the star-crystal core. It flashed for a brief second and shot forth its light that only I could see, showing that we weren't far from where the final shard piece was. In fact, it was just through the brush up ahead. Closing the power core up, I grimaced.

“We're close,” I said. “I only wonder if we've managed to beat Cruelty and Avarice here.” The others were looking at me, expressions blank. “What?”

“I... I forgot to ask earlier, but since when could Stargazer shoot magical energy?” Violet said. I blinked. I realized I had forgotten to tell anyone else about what Twilight had told me. “I mean... I thought it was just a minigun... but that was a gem core you just looked at.”

“That... that's the shard pieces,” I said simply. “Twilight told me that it was all part of a supposed power source that was originally designed for Stargazer. It was to convert it into a magical energy weapon.”

“Twilight told you that?” Violet said, her eyes wary. “Star... I'm not so sure that's a good idea to listen to her. She's the whole reason we're in this mess to begin with.” I rolled my eyes.

“I know, Violet,” I replied. “But Twilight has helped me figure this out, how to stop Spark. I need her help.” Violet grimaced, looking like she wanted to say more. I stretched out, standing up. “We don't have time for this. We'd better get moving. If Cruelty and Avarice get their hands on that last shard piece, we'll be in big trouble. You okay to go, Sunshine?”

The pink mare nodded, pushing herself to her hooves. “Lead the way,” she said, smiling.

I nodded, taking the lead position once more. We carefully crept forward through the forest, the line of magic pointing me to the shard piece fresh in my mind. I broke through the last bit of brush, my eyes widening as we stepped into the clearing. It was a dark hollowed out section of the woods, filled with ruins and rubble. In the center of it... was a gate. A massive stonework thing built out of rock that was as black as any night. At the top of the gate, in the center of the arch, was a glittering stone. The shard! I thought. I took a step forward, feeling the temperature drop instantly. That certainly wasn’t normal!

“Star...” Nixis breathed. “This place... it's wrong...”

“What do you...?” I said, my eyes focused on the shard piece at the top of the gate.

Nixis growled under his breath. “That's a gate to Tartarus,” he said. “The Underworld.”

I blinked, taking long moments to compose myself before speaking. The shard in the keystone glittered brightly, giving off an unhallowed glow that permeated every inch of the clearing. The gate itself was untarnished by the ages of time. A stone door sat between the two arches, giving off the impression that it went somewhere, but behind the structure only lay the rest of the clearing.

“Tartarus,” I said, my breath appearing in front of my face as I spoke. The temperature had dropped considerably since stepping into the clearing, and I was starting to feel the chill. “I thought you said that was a myth.”

“I did,” Nixis replied as we continued into the clearing. “However, I also thought that cerberus' were myths, and we encountered one.”

“Not just one, you pathetic fools,” a cruel and wicked voice called out from across the clearing. “The one and only.”

My eyes went up to one of the ruined structures. Two alicorns stood there. One of them I recognized. Cruelty, I thought. The yellow alicorn stood behind the other alicorn, a grimace of fear in her expression. The other alicorn regarded us impassively. Her coat was white as snow, her mane carefully groomed and absolutely perfect, it's magnificence glittering in the darkness. Her eyes shone a bright purple, and the gem in her chest matched their color perfectly. Her tail curled around, styled to bounce like a spring.

“I'm assuming you're Avarice,” I said.

“That would be correct, darling,” she said with a grin. Her voice was... soothing and silky, almost like a mother reassuring a foal that they would be alright. “And what my companion says is quite correct. You didn't just encounter any cerberus. You encountered the Cerberus. There was only ever one.”

“What do you mean?” Nixis said, his expression one of confusion. “The books I read...”

“Your books were wrong,” Avarice said, turning to Cruelty. “Why don't you show them, my dear?”

Cruelty's eyes lit up, like she had been praised for something. It was clear that she was afraid of this other alicorn and sought her approval. I narrowed my gaze at Avarice. What did that say about her, and her abilities? Cruelty stepped forward, opening her mouth and emitting a harsh guttural roar. The trees to the east of us began to fall down as the three-headed dog appeared again in the clearing. He growled loudly. At us.

“I'm afraid that you were quite mistaken about a lot of things,” the yellow alicorn said. “Cerberus wasn't being mind controlled. He wanted to help us. This was just a ruse, to get you here.”

As if on cue, Cerberus snarled. I grimaced. This whole thing had been a trap. One big trap to force us into a conflict with two Elements. Spark was getting smart. There wasn't a lot of ways out of this fight, without Steeljack or Lilith around our firepower was low. Three unicorns and a hellhound an army did not make.

“But... Snappy helped us,” Sunshine said quietly. “He was afraid of you!”

Cruelty scoffed. “Of course... because I asked him to,” she said as she happily fluttered over to the three-headed dog. She gave him a light nuzzle, grinning widely.

“But... but he helped us attack you!” Sunshine shouted. “You're controlling him again! He's not your pet!”

Cruelty spun about, glaring at the pink mare. Her eyes were red with rage.

“What do you know? Huh? He's not just a pet, he's my SNOOGY WOOGUMS!” She cried out. “And he's the nicest puppy I've ever known! So you shut your mouth!”

“That's not very cruel,” Violet deadpanned.

“I'll show you cruel,” the yellow alicorn snarled loudly. Her wings flared, ready to spring into action.

“Cruelty, darling, that will be enough,” Avarice snapped.

Instantly the other alicorn stopped, mutely nodding and flying back to stand next to Avarice's side.

“So, you tricked us. Why?” I asked.

Avarice tittered lightly. “You see, Radiant Star, after you destroyed both Obsession and Deceit, and after your little visit with Spark, she decided it was time to put you down for good,” she said. “After all, she only needs your body. Your life and your friends are expendable.”

“Well she won't fucking get that,” I said forcefully. “I'll do whatever it takes to stop her.”

“So vulgar, darling,” Avarice replied, looking back at the yellow alicorn standing beside her. “Cruelty, my dear. Your little pet can finish the others. I will handle her.”

Cruelty nodded, a wicked grin creeping along her face. “Oh Cerberus?” she called out. The giant dog's three heads perked up immediately at the call of its master. “Be a good little puppy and kill them.”

The dog snarled, turning towards us. It snapped, breaking into a charge. Violet moved to the side, bringing Thunder Flash to bear. She fired, hitting the dog square in one of its heads, causing it to falter.

“Star, you get the shard, we'll handle this thing,” she said.

Nixis leaped into action, drawing Cerberus' attention. The three-headed monster roared and scampered towards the hellhound.

“Are you sure?” I said, eyes widened.

Violet nodded, sending another blast of silver fire at Cerberus, causing another cry of pain from the monster.

“I'm sure, just go. We can handle this,” my marefriend replied. “Sunshine! Use your magic to ensnare it!”

“But... Snappy...” Sunshine said, and I realized that the pink mare was highly upset at the revelation that her former pet was not really her friend.

Violet snarled loudly. “Snap out of it, Sunshine!” she shouted. “We need your help!”

Sunshine nodded weakly, her horn flaring to cast her vine spell at the legs of the three-headed dog. I grimaced, turning my attention to where Avarice and Cruelty stood. The white mare glanced at her counterpart.

“Go. Keep your mental link with Cerberus. Do not engage,” she said. “Yet.”

I could hear the venom dripping in her voice as Cruelty nodded, taking wing to land on another part of the ruin where the others were busy dealing with Cerberus. I grimaced again. I couldn't spend the time to make sure my friends would be okay. I had to trust that they would pull through this. There wouldn't... couldn't be another Steeljack.

Avarice looked down at me and grinned. “Now then. Radiant Star, is it?”

“That's right,” I said. “I'm guessing that you're supposed to be Generosity?”

“Indeed, darling. That was my name, once long ago. Now I am Avarice, and my beauty is second to none,” the white mare replied. “I suppose then that we should start. You want the crystal, I want the crystal and your head on a silver platter. Seems like we both want something.”

“I want you to leave us alone, you bitch,” I retorted. “Spark will never succeed. I will stop you and this whole plan of yours.”

“How frightfully uncouth of you,” Avarice said. “I am afraid that I cannot let you stop us. Soon, we will have true physical form, and we will rule this... Wasteland you ponies have created. But enough of that... let us begin.” Her horn glowed briefly, flickering out with no noticeable effect.

I narrowed my gaze at the white alicorn, lifting Stargazer into the air. It had worked well against Obsession, so I figured it would work well against this one too. I fired a blast of blue light at where the mare was standing, the beams hitting some sort of invisible wall and bouncing back towards the ground. I yelped loudly as they nearly hit me.

“What in the...?” I said. “A shield spell? Please. Be more original.

Avarice chuckled, her voice carrying all around me. It was like it was everywhere.

“Oh... you are quite amusing, Radiant Star,” she said. “This isn't a shield spell. It's a prison.”

My eyes widened. A faint shimmer emanated from in front of the white alicorn, and her image shifted. I spun about, realizing that I couldn't see the others anymore. Not even Cerberus or Cruelty appeared. Just an empty ruin and every facet of it containing an Avarice. Several of the images were distorted, stretched, or only contained her head. I realized that she was right. I was trapped inside a giant crystal prison. I couldn't tell how many walls there actually were, nor exactly how big the place even was.

Her horn. That must have been the spell she cast, I thought. She's fast. I growled, sending a blast of telekinesis at one of the Avarice's. It splashed against the surface of the wall, revealing a perfectly flat facet of crystal. A burnt spot remained where I had struck it. Avarice merely cackled.

“I'm afraid that won't do you any good, darling,” her voice echoed throughout the crystal prison. “This prison is absolutely flawless. You can't escape.”

I scowled, charging at another one of the reflections, slamming into the hard crystal wall as the image flickered. Avarice laughed heartily as I pushed myself back up. I tasted copper. I grimaced, wiping my mouth with a fetlock. I felt blood come away. My jaw was burning, but I forced through the pain to spin around and lift Stargazer into the air.

“Show yourself!” I called out. “Fight me for real! Coward!”

“Coward? How uncouth,” Avarice nonchalantly replied. “I'm no coward, Radiant Star. I am a lady. And ladies simply don't duel the way you beastly Wasteland ponies do.”

I roared, sending a stream of fire across the inside of the prison. It struck the wall, the image of Avarice disappearing as the beams bounced off. How in the hell am I supposed to break out of this? I thought. I don't know shit about counterspells. I'm not even sure what kind of magic this falls under! Where's Violet when I need her, she'd know all about this.

“Then prove it!” I called out, trying to bide my time. I hoped that I could goad the white alicorn into an actual confrontation. “Come out here and fight me!”

“Oh, you are quite the silly one, aren't you?” Avarice said. “I don't intend to fight you, Radiant Star. I'm capturing you. Once my dear Cruelty has taken care of your friends, we will take you to Spark. Your body will provide the magic needed to carry forth our ascension to Goddesses of the Wasteland.”

I blinked. Of course. It was a distraction tactic. Keep me occupied while the others were killed or worse, and then whisk me away to my ultimate fate. Well I wasn't going to let that happen. I had to do something. I flared my horn, casting a teleportation spell to see if I could escape from the prison. The magic exploded, sending me reeling back to the ground. Pain exploded in my horn from the magical feedback. Avarice laughed heartily.

“Did you really think you could escape so easily?” she said. “This place is barred from teleportation magic. Any effort to cast such a spell will eventually kill you. So do keep trying, darling. It's quite amusing.”

“F-F-Fuck you,” I stuttered, trying to get up. “I will escape, and I'll save my friends. You won't keep me here!” I managed to get to my hooves, trying to process what to do. I knew that Avarice could see me through the prison. What if I gave her nothing to see? Could I block her from view so I could have some time to think of a way out?

My horn ignited once more, reaching into my mind for as much magic as I could possibly harness. Instead of attempting a teleportation spell, I sent a wave of telekinesis out that impacted every possible surface around me. The disjointed walls and ceilings of the crystal prison immediately went black under the impact of the magic, dimming the light present in my prison. I squinted as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. I sat for several minutes of silence before the other alicorn spoke again.

“You are starting to very much annoy me, Radiant Star. I can see that going quietly is not going to work for you,” Avarice said harshly. “I shall have to destroy you myself.”

I grinned. This was exactly what I was hoping for. A shape formed out of crystals at the far end of the prison. Avarice appeared in the flesh, her horn flaring as she created a brilliant sword made of crystals.

“Nice of you to finally show yourself,” I said, igniting my own horn and creating a magical blade. Stargazer reattached back to my harness.

Avarice grinned wickedly. “I warn you, Radiant Star,” she said. “You will not survive so easily against me like you did with the others.”

“Bring it on,” I replied cockily. I needed to throw her off her game somehow. Get close enough to cast the memory spell. A close combat sword-fight was just the thing I needed to do that.

“Very well then,” Avarice said calmly. Her magic coated the blade she had created, and then suddenly there was utter chaos. The blade split apart into fourteen distinct crystals, each one spinning deadly as they came across the clearing at me.

I yelped loudly, using my own blade to try and deflect when one of them came close. One of the crystals tore past my defense, grazing my shoulder. It burned! I cried out in pain, lifting a hoof to the wound. It had already cauterized itself! The crystals were searing hot! I growled, charging forward with my magical blade.

“Fancy spellcasting won't get you anywhere!” I shouted, intent on thrusting at Avarice's throat.

The white mare grinned, flicking her horn. The crystals from her blade came together again, blocking my strike before dispersing once more. I jumped back just as four of the things struck the ground. Avarice laughed darkly.

“Is that the best you can do, darling?” She said, her voice light and airy. “I find it hard to believe that you of all ponies could have defeated Obsession and Deceit. But then again... neither of them were as strong as I am.”

I growled again, sending my blade back in for another strike, this time a slash. As expected, Avarice's crystals blocked, sending my magical blade reeling. It hit the hard crystal, disappearing in a flash of magic.

“Oh no,” I said angrily, taking the opportunity presented. “I'm just getting started.”

I was gambling on the fact that it took time for her crystals to form and disperse, but it was the only idea I had at the time. As quickly as I could, Stargazer came up and I dropped into E.S.A.T.S. Time stood still as I queued up my shots. I released the spell, my minigun taking aim and spewing lasery death at the white alicorn. She reacted faster than I'd assumed, using her spare crystals to try and deflect the fire. One of the blasts grazed her face, burning her slightly. She snarled loudly.

“You... you've marred me!” she howled, placing a hoof to her now imperfect face. “HOW DARE YOU?!! I will destroy you for that!”

The glow of her horn intensified, gathering more crystals into the air to fill into her blade. Soon, twenty shards of crystal buzzed and spun around the white mare. She roared, sending each and every one of them zipping at me. My eyes widened and my horn flared, instinctively casting Shining Armor's shield spell. The crystal shards struck it like nothing I’d ever felt before, hard edged fire in dozens of different locations at the same time. Somehow, the shield held. I grinned.

“What's the matter, Avarice?” I catcalled. “You get a beauty mark you don't like?”

I grimaced as another wave of crystals battered my shield. My horn was already feeling the pressure of keeping up the spell. It wouldn't last for very long. I needed to cast the memory spell, and soon. How were the others holding up against Cerberus? How long had I even been here? A third wave of crystals slammed into the shield, finally shattering the magical barrier. Avarice stood, huffing and puffing as she maintained her control over the shards. Was she tired? I couldn't tell.

“I... I must admit that you are indeed quite strong,” she said calmly. I raised an eyebrow. She was far more calm than she had been a second ago. “I haven't ever had an opponent quite like you, darling. I must commend you for that. You even managed to... to mar my face. No one has ever done that before.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “You've had other opponents besides me?”

Avarice grinned. Yeah... that's right. Start talking, I thought. Keeps you from killing me sooner.

“There was a time when the Elements of Harmony were real ponies, you know,” Avarice said. “Before the Tree of Harmony, before the time of Discord. When Equestria was wild and free, just as this forest is. When the ponies of the world cared more for it than they did themselves.”

“And you were real then?” I said. I had never heard this story before. The Elements were flesh and blood ponies once? What had happened to them? Was that why they wanted to have bodies again? I grimaced, shaking the thoughts from my mind. This was just to keep her talking. I had to have a plan to get in close. Maybe a teleportation spell would work, I thought. But the prison is warded against that... unless... the prison is only warded from trying to teleport outside of it! Inside still might work!

“Indeed, I was. I was once a proud and noble alicorn,” Avarice replied. “My friends and I... we each walked the paths that led us to our specific virtue. The Element of Harmony we represented.” She scowled and I frowned. That wasn't a good sign. “Oh, dear. I see what you're doing. You've got me monologuing! How silly of me to fall for that. I shall resolve to make your death quick, Radiant Star. Then we won't have to deal with such niceties as conversation.”

The crystal shards in the air began to hum and buzz again. I flared my horn, hoping that I was right.

My efforts were met with some measure of success as I appeared in an explosive burst behind Avarice, knocking the white mare forward to the ground. She grunted loudly, struggling to get back to her hooves. I floated out Stargazer, bringing it to bear across the alicorn's face, breaking her concentration. Her floating shards fell to the ground, crashing loudly against the rough crystal surface.

“Stay down!” I shouted, using my weight to pin her.

Avarice snarled, her horn igniting again to try and regain control of her shards. I lunged forward, sending my own spell out of my horn as the tips touched, and the world fell away into absolutely blackness.

“Really, darling, you are quite lovely. I'm sure he'll propose,” I heard Rarity's voice before I saw her.

I blinked. The city I was in was deathly familiar, albeit far cleaner than I had seen it. Manehattan. Ponies flittered to and fro through its crowded streets. Billboards for Sparkle Cola were accompanied by war propaganda posters that reminded the citizens of Equestria about the evils of the zebra.

The Ministry Mare of Image herself trotted around the corner, accompanied by a fetching young earth mare, the latter clad in a cute little scarf and a beret while the former wore a dress I'd seen her in as part of her station. Flanking the two of them were two unicorns, identical in the trappings of security detail. The younger mare nodded, her cream coat shining in the sun.

“I... I don't know, Rarity,” the mare said. “He said he wanted to talk. You know what that means!” She stomped her hoof. I couldn't help but grin at that. She was terribly cute.

“Coco, you must have some faith in yourself. You are one of the most talented fashion designers in the country, not to mention the head of your own magazine. He'd be quite mad to not want to propose to you,” Rarity replied seriously. “Besides... you getting married would mean I would get to design your dress. It would only be right, after all.”

Coco rolled her eyes and giggled as the two ponies found a quiet place in a nearby park to sit. I followed behind, keeping tabs on the memory as it continued to play. Rarity nodded at her security detail, who disappeared, saying nothing.

“I was actually surprised to hear from you, Rarity,” Coco went on to say. “I was under the impression that you didn't want to speak with me anymore.”

“Darling! Don't ever think that,” Rarity said, placing a hoof on Coco's shoulder. “You're one of my oldest friends, after all. What would ever give you that idea?”

“I just... I just thought you might have been mad at me over Suri,” Coco said with a sigh. “You two never got along well, and I know she said some... things.” Rarity smiled.

“I will admit I was... distraught over the fact that you had hired her,” she said. “But I could never stay mad at you over that. You were only doing what you had to for your business, and I was being called to assist Luna with the Ministries. How is Ms. Polomare these days?” The Ministry Mare's horn lit up, two glasses filled with wine appearing from nowhere. She offered one to Coco, who took it graciously.

“She's... better,” Coco said, smiling. “She's done a fabulous job managing the models, the magazine spreads, you know.”

“To be honest, I'm jealous just a tiny bit, darling,” Rarity said, taking a sip of her wine. “To be young, and to be free to do what you want with your life. There are days when I wish...”

Coco cocked her head. “Wish what?” she asked.

“Nothing to concern yourself with, my friend. Now, tell me more about this special somepony of yours,” Rarity said with a coy smile as she took another sip of her wine. “Is he handsome?”

Coco grinned. Time fell into a frozen state as I noticed the white alicorn behind Rarity. Generosity looked down upon the Ministry Mare of Image with a warmth I hadn't ever seen.

“I miss her greatly,” she said. “I had forgotten just how much she put the needs of others before herself. A true spirit of Generosity.” The spirit mare looked up at me and smiled. “I'm sorry that it had to come to this, Radiant Star. Spark's strength is overpowering the spirits of Harmony. The corruption is too deep to save any of us.”

“It's not that deep,” I said, narrowing my gaze at her. “I know that I can do it. I have to. The world depends on it.”

“I admire your dedication, darling,” Generosity replied. “But the stronger Spark becomes, the more the corruption spreads to her.”

“Corruption?” I said, raising an eyebrow. Generosity nodded in reply. “You mean... Nightmare?”

“Indeed. Spark's soul, her magic, were tainted by the Nightmare. Her dreams of power fueled by the megalomania that was Nightmare,” she said. “Power corrupts, Radiant Star. Never forget that.”

“I... I need your help, then,” I said. “Spark is dangerous. She's going to sow destruction throughout Equestria.”

Generosity narrowed her gaze at me. “You know as well as I do that I can't help you directly, Star,” she replied. “Spark still has control over us. I can give you the opportunity to destroy the gem, but that is all.”

I nodded, glancing down at Rarity and Coco. I suddenly realized something, looking back up at the alicorn.

“You spoke before about being a real pony, a real alicorn,” I said.

Generosity closed her eyes for several long moments before she said anything. “Six friends, brought together by the same six virtues that bind ponykind,” she spoke softly. “Yes... I was once flesh and blood. My real name has been since lost to history. I don't even remember it myself.”

“What happened to you?” I asked.

“Life. It happens to all of us, Radiant Star. We fought, we squabbled. Eventually, we split. Even powerful magical beings like alicorns can experience the loss of friendship,” Generosity said.

“But you're... the Elements of Harmony,” I said. “How could that happen to you?”

“There was one who sought to destroy the wonder and friendships that we had built,” she explained. “She was the Shadow. Nightmare. She succeeded in splitting us apart. We were offered a second chance, to save our world we had to give up our physical forms. We were bound, flesh and blood, to the Tree of Harmony. It became our prison, our blessing, our curse. We were able to transcend the Shadow's influence, for a time. But she evolved as well, corrupted us. The Bearers were our strength, our rock in the storm, our light shining in the darkness.” She sighed. I looked back at Rarity, the frozen mare brilliant in the sun.

“There's a new bearer out there for you too, you know,” I said. “You must have felt it. You can be with them. Give life back to Equestria. Be given that rock back.”

“You're right. I can feel their presence out there,” Generosity said.

“If Spark takes that away from you, this world is doomed,” I said. “It will be as it once was, like Nightmare once tried to make it. You don't really want that. Equestria needs the Elements of Harmony.”

Generosity sighed, going silent. We sat there awkwardly for several moments before she spoke again.

“Fine. I will do what I can to aid you, but only because you've made a compelling case. I would not see Spark dead for her crimes, though,” she said.

“I will do what I can to save her,” I replied with a smile.

Generosity smiled brightly herself as the memory began to fade to white.

My eyes opened groggily, the memory fading from me as I stood over the prone form of Avarice. The white alicorn's eyes flared angrily as she shuffled back away from me. I noticed that trapping her in the memory hadn't disabled the crystal prison. It must have been one hell of a spell to survive its caster being disabled temporarily. Avarice snarled loudly as she stared me down.

“What did you do?!” she roared. “Insolent little bitch, who thinks that she can make us remember! I will destroy you!” Her horn ignited, the humming shards of crystal appearing in the air around her. I counted quickly. Twenty-five.

“I gave you the opportunity to see the truth, Avarice,” I said calmly. “Now... stop this madness and surrender. I promise I'll make your dispersal quick.”

“Never!” Avarice said angrily, bringing the shards together in a brilliant blinding blade. “Meet my magical blade, you disgusting beast!”

The shards split apart again, soaring through the air at me. I grunted as I jumped to dodge the first shard. The second hit me in the shoulder blade, setting my skin on fire as it tore away chunks of my flesh. I cringed through the pain, sending a blast of telekinesis that knocked the shard away. I needed to destroy the gem. Generosity's spirit could only give me so much time.

Avarice wasn't ready to go down without a fight, though. The white mare charged forward, bringing up her blade, the shards hurtling at me at speeds I didn't even know were possible. I yelped as another piece of crystal bit into my side, panting as I tried to come up with some way to fight back. Avarice was strong, no doubt about that. The alicorn's pent-up fury had released itself in a flare of malice.

“I will destroy you, Radiant Star!” Avarice roared as I scrabbled backwards away from an errant shard that had nearly missed my hocks. “Your dead body will herald the new age! The age of Harmony for all ponykind! I will ensure of it!”

“You're ensuring nothing, Avarice! That's the corruption talking!” I shouted as I dodged another shard. “You're letting it get to you! Fight it! Turn the Nightmare away!”

Avarice replied by sending three shards right at my head. I ducked to the side, grunting as I hit the ground. There was no reasoning with her. Her anger was only fueling her skill with the strange splitting blade she wielded. I was barely keeping away from each strike. I growled, sticking up a shield, hoping to block any more attacks, but it was destroyed just as easily by a battery of crystals.

Come on, Star... get it together! You're wasting too much time! The others could be dead, or worse! I thought as I flared my horn, pushing back with another wave of telekinesis. The shards were clearly receptive to the skill, but pushing them around was considerably more difficult. Was there something different about how she used them? I needed to know more, but there wasn't enough time to really analyze her talent. All I knew is that there was no way I could beat it unless... Wait... that's it! I wonder if I can do this too! I thought frantically.

My horn ignited, reaching into the magic required to make my own blade of solid magic. The purple sword appeared out of nowhere next to me. I scrunched my nose as I figured out what to do next. Was it just as easy as splitting it into pieces? It was worth a shot! I compressed harder with my magic, solidifying the blade until it appeared to be completely opaque and made of pure amethyst. I panted and began to separate the pieces off until I had five. Five shards floating in the air before me. I grunted as I caught Avarice's eyes. A sharp grin emerged upon her face, but something told me I'd clearly caught her by surprise.

“So... you think you can match my skill?” She said. “I'm sorry, darling, but five shards is nowhere close enough to defeat me.”

“I can sure as fuck try,” I deadpanned back, floating one of the shards up so that I could inspect it. It was pure and cold to the touch, tinged by the light purple that made up the amethyst's core. It responded to my telekinesis like it was an extension of myself, humming and buzzing while it waited for my command.

“Very well then,” Avarice said. “We shall do this properly then. A true alicorn duel. You see, Radiant Star, my magic is rooted in the most ancient of skilled arts, the way of the blade. Every alicorn, every unicorn that can master this art has a blade of their own, much like a cutie mark.” She gestured to the floating shards around her. “Mine is called Vorpal, named so for its destructive and dangerous properties. Fear it, for it shall be your doom.”

“Well... for right now, mine's called 'fuck you',” I replied angrily. “And I don't put much stock in doom. So let's just see which of our little toys is better, alright?”

I grinned, charging forward and flaring my horn. The first amethyst shard went soaring across the crystal prison, aimed for Avarice's shoulder. It was blocked by several of her own. I growled, whipping about with a second shard while she was concentrating on my first. Blocked. Third shard. Blocked. Avarice looked highly amused with herself as I held my fourth and fifth shard at the ready. I grimaced. Avarice was seriously the strongest I'd had to fight so far, and I wasn't sure how much time I had before Generosity could no longer allow me to disperse her.

I charged forward, floating along the final shards as I ran. Avarice's other shards were pinning down my three others, and I couldn't move them. I needed to somehow catch her off guard. Avarice merely grinned as I made my way at her. She was clearly unamused. I flared my horn, sending my last shards spiralling around each other towards the white alicorn, fully expecting her to block it. At the last minute I dispersed all of the shards, forcing them to disappear. Avarice's shards struck the crystal ground harmlessly. I leaped, spreading open my wings as I landed on the white alicorn.

“What the –?” she cried out.

I stretched out a hoof, slamming right into her perfect little face. Immediately her shards dissipated, her horn sparking as I hit it. She growled loudly, but I gave her no chance to get back up again. Using my full weight I pushed down, holding her still.

“You were too confident, Avarice,” I said, floating out Stargazer. “You tell Spark I'm coming for her. I'll save her, and this whole thing will end.”

Avarice's eyes widened as I lowered the minigun to level with her chest crystal. Pushing off and landing roughly to the side, I squeezed the trigger, unleashing blast after blast of magical energy into the white mare. The beams struck the crystal, causing it to crack. I grimaced as I stood back up. The mare's purple eyes were cracking up, the orbs furious with rage.

“You won't win, Radiant star!” She howled. “This world will be o--

Her words cut off sharply as the shard in her chest finally exploded, her body going still. A heavy rumbling began to emanate from all around me as the crystal prison I'd been trapped in began to dissolve. I blinked as I found myself back in the same clearing with the gate. A howling sound erupted from nearby, and I snapped to attention. Cerberus was on the run, charging away into the underbrush. My friends stood victorious, staring down Cruelty, who looked seriously pissed. My friends were okay! They weren't dead!

“Star!” I heard Violet call out. I trotted up next to her.

“What in the heck happened here?” I asked.

Sunshine grinned. “Sent Cerberus packing,” she replied, motioning at Cruelty. “Turns out by distracting this crazy bitch, she loses control over him. Easy peasy lemon cabreze!”

I smiled, looking up at Cruelty. Her eyes found me, and she scowled even more.

“You may have defeated Cerberus, but you can't defeat me,” she boasted, snarling as her eyes widened.

I felt my own eyes widen as she unleashed the Stare. My friends dropped their guard immediately. I stopped dead in my tracks, caught in Cruelty's magic. She gazed woefully upon the ruins of the crystal prison that Avarice had created.

“However... it seems you have defeated Avarice. How unfortunate. She would have liked to see your demise.” Her eyes closed and I felt the Stare lift. I was able to move again! “Now... witness the true power of Cruelty.” The yellow mare opened her mouth and a low tone began to emanate from it.

The gate hummed loudly from behind us. I spun about, watching as a crackling energy poured forth from the stonework. The shard at the top was flickering, powering the portal that had appeared there. Cruelty's eyes opened and she continued her haunting tune. My eyes widened as the first thing slid through the doorway. It was... inequine, massive and glistening with some sort of oily substance. It howled as it saw us.

“Come forth, creatures of Tartarus!” Cruelty shrieked. “Come forth to your new master! The gatekeeper, Cerberus, is no longer here!”

The creatures of Tartarus! I thought, looking back at Cruelty. Is she fucking insane?! I grimaced, lifting Stargazer.

“This isn't good,” Nixis said calmly.

I shook my head in response. The monster lumbered across the clearing, propelled along by two twisted legs. Its eyes were a deep red, pulsing and gleaming as it lunged across the clearing. I took the first shot, sending a barrage of blue light at the monster. It cried out as it hit the ground, steam pouring from where I'd managed to hit it. The portal shimmered, more of the oily beasts slithering out of it.

“Not good at all!” Violet exclaimed, lifting Thunder Flash. She took several shots of her own, hitting the monsters hard and fast with beams of silver fire.

The first of the creatures met us as Nixis leaped into the fray. He ripped apart the creatures with bare claws, snarling and snapping. Sunshine stood off to the side, surrounded by three of the beasts. Her horn flared, grabbing all three of them with vines that shot out of the ground. She smashed them together, piling them into a heap. Meanwhile, Cruelty stood above the scene, cackling madly. I brought up Stargazer, pumping a blast of magical energy into one of the approaching monsters. Five more poured out of the gate.

“There's too many of them!” I shouted above the roar of the mob. “I need to take down Cruelty! Her magic's fueling the gate!”

“Get to her!” Violet called back, firing another round with Thunder Flash. “We'll be fine! We can hold them off!”

I grimaced, but finally nodded. I flapped my wings, lifting into the air and landing on the ruined section of the building across from Cruelty. The yellow alicorn's eyes were wild, the pink in them shimmering brightly.

“You can't stop it now, Ministry Mare!” she shouted. “It's too late! The gate is open, and without the gatekeeper, the beasts of Tartarus will come forth and ensure our victory!”

“You're fucking psycho, Cruelty,” I said calmly. I needed to distract her, get her to break her concentration. I took a step forward, pointing at her with a hoof. “It's time we ended this. Avarice is gone, and now it's your turn.”

Cruelty narrowed her gaze at me. “I don't think so,” she said. “I don't know how you destroyed Avarice, but I will kill you for that.”

Her horn flared and I heard a massive groaning at the gate. I turned to see the gate begin to expand. Something very very big was attempting to force itself through the doorway. I growled, turning back to Cruelty. A shimmering yellow shield surrounded the mare, a wicked grin on her lips. Whatever was going to appear, it wouldn't be good.

“Cruelty!” I called out. “You have to stop this! You're going to cause worse things to happen!” I took another step forward, the roar of whatever was going to come through stopping me in my tracks. I glanced down at the others.

They were holding against the oily creatures, but they were beginning to close in on them. The portal was opening wider and wider by the second, and there wasn't anything I could do to get through Cruelty's shield. I growled under my breath. I had to do something! I turned, lifting Stargazer and sending a blast of magical energy at the shield. It bounced away harmlessly, leaving the yellow alicorn unharmed.

“Star!” I heard Violet call out.

I looked down, my eyes widening. The portal yawned widely, a massive red eyed beast with jaws bigger than my entire body poking out of it. I was about to teleport the others away when I heard it. The most beautiful sound I'd ever heard. The pitched whining of a weapon I'd missed.

“Stay the fuck away from my friends!” Lilith shouted, the pitched whining followed by the explosive impact of a missile striking the foot of the gate. The black mare soared down, grinning as she unleashed the full power of the Bitch at the portal, sending the monstrosity reeling back. Lilith crowed, the gate collapsing in on itself. Cruelty's shield dropped, the yellow mare's eyes widening at the failure of her spell. I grinned, taking the opportunity presented by her. I swung Stargazer like a club, smacking the alicorn upside the head with it. She fell backwards, hitting the ground hard.

“Huh... that was... a lot easier than I thought it was gonna be,” I mused, stepping forward and igniting my horn. I lowered my head, sending the stream of magic from my horn to Cruelty's own. I touched the tip of mine to hers, the world falling away into nothingness.

My eyes adjusted to the soft light and I spent a few moments trying to get my bearings. I was in some sort of Ministry of Peace hospital room. A pony rested at the far end of the room, laying just so I couldn't tell who it was. The door opened, revealing a butter yellow pegasus with a pink mane. She wore a simple doctor's coat, her silky smooth wings poking through the holes on each side. She trotted over to the pony's bedside, pulling up a chair to sit on.

“Good morning, Cloudchaser,” Fluttershy said softly.

The pony in the bed shifted, turning over slightly to gaze at the Ministry Mare. I gasped softly when I saw that the pegasus had been burned all along her side, bandages doing their best to cover the worst of the injuries. Her wing on the burned side was wrapped up, but it looked small and weak. Another set of bandages covered half the mare's face.

“Good morning, ma'am,” the mare replied. Her voice was throaty, like she hadn't had water in ages.

“I understand that you had a small incident with the orderlies earlier this morning,” Fluttershy said.

“I... I didn't mean to,” Cloudchaser said weakly. “It was... it was too much.”

Fluttershy smiled warmly, reaching out to place a hoof on the mare's bed. Cloudchaser rested her own next to it, sighing.

“It's alright, Cloudchaser. Nopony here blames you for it. War Time Stress Disorder gets to all of us,” Fluttershy said. “I've spoken with your doctors. They feel that it's for the best if you remain here until you can be properly treated.”

Cloudchaser's eyes widened. “But I... I was supposed to be discharged!” She cried, trying to push herself out of her bed. I cringed. “My sister was supposed to come pick me up! I can't have WTSD!!”

Fluttershy remained calm, a grimace forming on her face.

“Cloudchaser,” she said, instantly stopping the other mare in her tracks. “I am very sorry about this, but what's done is done. You need psychiatric help. Your sister has been informed already about the change in plans. She will be here this afternoon to visit you. I know what you've been through was traumatic... so please... lay down.”

“You... you don't know what I've been through!!” Cloudchaser started to shout. “I could have died, Fluttershy! That dragon could have killed me! Instead I get to live the rest of my life like a fucking flightless bird!” She lowered her head. “Actually... you probably already know what that feels like.”

Fluttershy frowned. “Now, Cloudchaser, we both know that was uncalled for,” she said. “I know that you feel responsible for what happened during that mission, but you know that nopony involved blames you. Even Rainbow testified at your court martial.”

“Yeah... and she said she wished she'd never put me in charge, that I was a newbie. That I didn't know what the fuck I was doing,” Cloudchaser snorted. Her good eye was full of rage of pain.

Fluttershy remained stoic, despite the fact that the other mare was shouting her in the face. Finally she reached out and grabbed the other pegasus in a hug, taking her by surprise.

“I'm sorry,” she squeaked. “I'm so, so sorry...” Her squeaks devolved into sobs.

Cloudchaser couldn't take it anymore. She too began to sob uncontrollably. Time slowed to a crawl as I noticed her. Kindness sat by the window, looking out upon the hospital grounds. She turned to regard me.

“Radiant Star,” she said simply, glancing furtively at her hooves. “I wish that this meeting could have come about on... better terms.”

“As do I,” I said. “We both know why I'm here. I need your help in severing the link to Cruelty.”

Kindness nodded silently. I trotted over, slumping to my haunches next to her.

“I... I can do that,” she said. “I want to do that. I'm afraid, Radiant Star. Spark is growing in strength. She's getting ready to cast her spell, but she needs you to do it.”

“Why me?” I said. “What makes me so special that she needs me?”

“I... I do not know,” Kindness said. “I only know that she wants you. You were strong enough to reject her once. Maybe she believes your host body will give her the strength she needs to cast the spell to bring us into the physical world?”

“I can't let that happen,” I said. “You don't belong there. You belong with your Bearer. The world needs your Element, it needs Kindness. Not Cruelty.”

Kindness looked down at her hooves, nodding slightly. “I wish... I wish that I could go back and be with her,” she said, motioning at the silent Fluttershy. “She was such a wonderful pony. So loving, so kind. She loved the world more than anypony else I'd ever known.”

“Until the war,” I said casually.

“Naturally. War wasn't in Fluttershy's nature. It never was. Sure, she tried to do her best to end it, but in the end she ended it the only way she knew how, by killing everything,” Kindness said. “I was saddened the day she gave the megaspells to the zebra. She was trying so hard to get everypony to cooperate, to work together. It just wouldn't work.”

“But it can,” I said softly, something finally clicking in the back of my mind that I'd worked so hard to understand. “We can learn from our mistakes. Learn from our past. Grow from it. The world isn't our fault, and neither are the little things that happen in it. We have to take responsibility for our own lives, and keep moving forward.”

“A grand sentiment indeed,” Kindness replied. “One I can only hope takes root in the Equestrian Wasteland, Radiant Star. Harmony is about caring for one another. This world desperately needs that.”

I smiled, nodding in reply. “I promise, I will do my best,” I said. “It's all I can do, but I promise to work towards that goal. Every day, working towards harmony. I will save Spark. I will. I don't know how yet, but I can't just destroy her. She's Magic for pony's sake! The world needs her to guide the new Bearers, whoever they may be.”

Kindness lifted her gaze to meet mine. “Then go,” she said. “Go and defeat my physical form. I will not make it hard on you. She will be weak. Defenseless. Destroy the gem and disperse her.”

I grinned widely as the memory began to fade to absolute white.

The memory spell faded and I opened my eyes. I was still standing over the prone form of Cruelty. The broken mare glared at me, but she made no attempt to stand to fight me. I glanced down at the others. Lilith's appearance had turned the tide of the fight against the oily creatures from the gate, which now lay in ruins. The keystone holding the shard lay several feet from the destroyed structure, still shining brightly in the darkness. Lilith hovered in the air next to the others, talking excitedly with them.

“Get it over with,” Cruelty said.

“You aren't going to fight back?” I said, feeling very confused. “The others at least tried to fight back.”

“There's no use,” Cruelty replied. “I could use my powers on you, but you have your friends. I'm outnumbered, and I know it.”

“You could run away,” I mused.

Cruelty scowled. “I could, but I'm not a fast flier,” she said. “To be honest... I'm done. Severing my ties with Kindness... I'm afraid I couldn't keep up with you in straight combat if I tried.”

“I see,” I said. I flared my horn, summoning my blade. The five segmented amethysts hung in the air around me, humming and buzzing, waiting for me to command them. I looked down at the yellow mare and grimaced. “I... I guess this is it then.”

Cruelty nodded, closing her eyes. One of the amethyst shards soared down, slamming into the gem on her chest. It cracked and dissipated, Cruelty's body disappearing with it. I breathed a sigh of relief, slumping to my haunches. I dismissed the blade spell, grunting. I thought about what just had happened. I didn't feel bad about defeating Cruelty. She had nearly killed my friends and almost brought forth an army of monsters from Tartarus.

“Hey Star!” I heard from the ruins below, breaking me out of my thoughts. I craned my neck and glanced down, seeing Violet. She was waving. I groaned, sitting up. I flapped my wings, carrying myself down to the others. They rushed up to me as I landed.

“Are you alright?” Sunshine said.

I nodded, smiling. “I'm fine,” I replied, looking over at Lilith. “What are you doing here? What happened to Patch and Avira?”

“Patch and Avira are fine. They're back in Ponyville by now,” Lilith replied with a smile. “Turns out the mountain wasn't all that far from the edge of the forest. We got there in record time.”

“Well, I'm glad you made it back in time,” I said. “We really needed the help. Now if you'll excuse me for one second, I have something to do.”

I turned to where the shard rested inside the keystone. My horn flared, lifting the shard out of the stone. I lifted Stargazer, opening its side and temporarily removing the star-crystal. The two merged together in a blaze of purple light. The crystal began to glow brightly, firing a blast of light into the air that I knew only I could see. It pointed across the forest, and I knew just where. The Cathedral. Where Spark was.

I floated the crystal back into the power core of Stargazer, closing it up. I sighed.

“Everything alright, Star?” I heard Violet say from my side.

“It's time,” I said. “The last shard. Spark has it already. We have to go there.”

“Where is 'there'?” Sunshine asked. I grimaced, pointing with a hoof to the north, where the light had been pointing.

“The old castle,” I said. “That's where Spark is. She's at the Cathedral.”

Violet's eyes widened. “Isn't that where Red Eye's slaver headquarters used to be?” she asked. I grimaced in reply, nodding. “Well, that's great. Are you sure that's where Spark is?”

“I've seen it,” I said, putting a hoof to my chin. “At least I think I have. It was a bit of a dream, but I talked to Spark.” I began latching up my gear, attaching Stargazer to its harness.

“So this is all based on a dream you had where you talked to Spark?” Violet said, raising an eyebrow. “Are you sure you're alright?”

“I'm fine, Violet. Trust me on this,” I said. “I'm not crazy.”

“I never said you were, sweetheart,” Violet replied, smiling sweetly. “Alright, alright. We'll go there. We should get going then. We still have one more Element that hasn't shown up yet, too.”

“I know,” I said, grimacing. “Laughter. I have a bad feeling about that one.”

“Off to save the world then?” Lilith asked, grinning. She flexed her wings and I chuckled, nodding.

“Something like that, yeah,” I said, starting off into the underbrush.

We traveled deep into the forest for the better part of two hours, hearing nothing more than the insects and thankfully seeing nothing else that wanted to kill us. I kept gazing at the forest, wondering what was next. We were going to Spark. To finally end this journey that I had been on for what felt like so long. I didn't know how I felt about that exactly. I wondered what the others thought about all of this. There was still so much we didn't know, that I didn't know about the journey ahead.

What was going to happen to me? I didn't know. But I knew that I would have to make the journey as best as I could, and try my hardest to save Spark. Each encounter with the Elements proved that the world needed the virtues they represented. The world needed Magic, Kindness, Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, and even Laughter. Laughter. That worried me. The final Element had yet to appear, and that frightened me to no end. I was worried that when she did, I wouldn't like it.

“So what's the deal with this Cathedral?” Lilith said while we walked.

“The Cathedral was the headquarters of a slaver named Red Eye. Well, at least that was where his headquarters was after he left Fillydelphia,” Violet explained. “It was supposed to have been destroyed after the Lightbringer paid him a visit.”

“Except that Spark rebuilt the most important part,” I said, cringing at the dream that I'd had with Spark. “The part where the taint vats were built.”

“Taint vats?” Sunshine asked.

We pushed through another set of brush, revealing a ridge that looked down into a valley. There it was. The Cathedral. The structure was ruined, broken into hundreds of pieces of rock and rubble. Sitting on the far end of the valley was a giant ship, made partially out of clouds. It was overturned, pieces of its hull laying on the ground, it's insides exposed to the air. I grimaced. The entrance to the place would be near that ship, I assumed.

“Yeah... taint vats,” I said. “Trust me. Taint is not good stuff.”

“I... I see,” Sunshine said. “I'll take your word for it.”

“We're going to need to go down there,” I said, pointing at the ship. “The entrance to the Cathedral will be there.”

The others nodded. I started down the hill, keeping my eyes on the structure. Did Spark know we were this close? Did she know that I had defeated Avarice and Cruelty? I was sure that she had. She knew about Deceit and Obsession. She had to know that we were on our way.

The journey down the ridge only took about twenty minutes, putting us on level ground with the ruins of the Cathedral. As we made our way closer towards the ruined structure of the ship, I began to notice movement ahead. I tensed up, unlatching Stargazer instinctively. It floated up next to me and I narrowed my gaze at the ship.

“Star,” Violet said, placing a hoof on my shoulder. I looked down at her. She smiled. “It's okay. There's nothing there.”

“I saw something,” I said angrily. “There's movement up ahead.”

“Hello!” a voice said, cutting through our argument.

I looked up, blinking as I noticed the other pony. It wasn't an alicorn, thankfully. It was... a unicorn? The stallion was a light blue in color with a dark blue mane. He wore what appeared to be simple rag-like clothing. A smile was on his face.

“Um, hello?” I replied, nudging Violet. “You can see this too, right?” She nodded in reply, her expression blank.

“Welcome to our home, weary travelers,” the unicorn said. “My name is Silver Sage, mayor of this town.”

“Um, hi,” I said, latching Stargazer back onto its harness. “I wasn't aware that there were any ponies living out here.”

Silver Sage nodded, smiling brightly. “I'm sure,” he said. “Most ponies don't even know we are out here. If you'll follow me, I'll take you up into the town proper.” He motioned for us to follow him and turned back towards the ship.

“You mean you live up there?” I asked, pointing at the ship.

“Yes, of course. The Overcast has provided a lovely home for us,” Sage replied. “It is where the Children of the Cathedral have made their home for some time now.”

We made our way to the edge of the ship where Sage motioned for us to enter an elevator. The elevator took us up, depositing us onto a main deck. I blinked. Ponies of different colors and races flittered to and fro, smiling and waving. I blinked again.

“The Children of the what?” Sunshine said.

Sage chuckled. “We are the Children of the Cathedral, of course, my friends,” he said, leading us to what appeared to be a conference room. “Please, take a seat and rest. I will send for some food.”

My stomach growled, agreeing with that sentiment. Silver Sage spoke softly to one of the other ponies outside the hall, who promptly trotted off.

The light blue unicorn turned back to us and smiled. “Now then, while we're waiting on that, what is a group of travelers such as yourselves doing this far out into the forest? It's not every day we get to see a hellhound.”

“I appreciate that you did not run away screaming at that,” Nixis said calmly.

“Yes, well... we are all taught to accept anyone, regardless of race,” Silver Sage said. “It is one of the tenets we try to adhere to. We are a peaceful society, born out of the slaves that Red Eye once imprisoned here.”

“You were once slaves?” I said, cocking my head.

Silver Sage nodded. “And slavers,” he said. “Once Red Eye was gone, we really had nopony to tell us what to do. We learned quickly that out here we couldn't fall into the slaver versus slave operation. We had to help each other in order to survive.”

“I see. Well, we are only here to deal with some business, so we'll be out of your manes soon,” I said. “Although we do appreciate the hospitality.”

“It is our pleasure,” Silver Sage replied. The pony from before opened the door to the conference room, entering with plates of sandwiches floating in their magic. I took mine and began to devour it greedily. It had been so long since I'd had anything absolutely substantial that I couldn't help myself.

“Thank you for the food,” Violet said after she had also cleaned off her plate.

“Of course. Now then, you said you would be moving on soon,” Silver Sage said. “Where are you going that is so important?”

I grimaced, knowing what my answer would be. “The Cathedral itself,” I said. “We need to get in there.”

“But... nopony has entered there in quite a long time,” Silver Sage said, his eyes widening. “It's desperately dangerous.”

“I know, but there is somepony there that I need to see,” I said. “I had hoped that you might be able to show us the best entrance.”

“I... I know of an entrance,” Sage replied. “You must understand though, the Cathedral is regarded as holy by our community. It is sacrilegious to enter it.”

I narrowed my gaze at him. “Regardless, we still need to enter,” I said, sighing. Sage looked apprehensive at this. “Look. Let me level with you. There's another alicorn inside the Cathedral, probably way deep. She's planning on casting a spell that will grant her ultimate power and bring to life the Elements of Harmony in physical form. From there, they'll subjugate the Wasteland into forced harmony. If I don't get in there and stop her, we'll all be mindless slaves to dangerous spirits. Make sense?”

Silver Sage's eyes twitched. He finally nodded.

“I... I see,” he said. “I will... I will show you where to enter. However, the others must not know of this. If they were to find out... well... I would not be looked upon favorably. Which is a nice way of saying that I'd be branded a religious heretic and most likely murdered.”

I smiled. I knew I had a way with words and I had just secured us an entrance into the Cathedral! I was doing so well. Still, something about how friendly these ponies were being felt a little off to me.

“Don't worry. Just tell us where the entrance is, and we'll be out of your mane. You won't even have to show us where it is,” I said. “Nopony will have to even know that you told us.”

Silver Sage paused for a moment but finally nodded, grimacing. “Okay. The entrance is near the lowest level of the Overcast's decks. You can reach it by taking the elevator down and exiting via the ruined hull,” he said. “The elevator is just down the end of this hallway.”

I pushed myself to my hooves, smiling. Finally, some help! Things were looking up for a change.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Silver Sage,” I said. “I am afraid however, that we should be going. We have no time to waste.”

I motioned for the others to follow. We left the conference room, Silver Sage looking on from the hallway as we made our way to the elevator. I looked back at him. The stallion had a fierce expression on his face. I've got a bad feeling about this, I thought, opening up the elevator door. I nudged Violet, watching warily as the elevator door closed.

“Heretics!!” I heard a shout. “They attacked me and forced me to reveal the location of the holy place! They intend to breach it!”

I facehoofed. Silver Sage was selling us out, of course. The stallion's shout was followed by the shouting of other ponies as they rushed to stop the elevator. Fortunately for us, the elevator began to descend just as they reached it. I flared my horn, using my magic to accelerate our downward journey.

“As soon as we hit bottom, everyone run until we hit the entrance,” I said, grunting under the force of the elevator’s weight.

“Are we even sure he gave us the right location?” Violet asked.

“Regardless, run. We'll find an entrance and get inside,” I said. The elevator slowed to a crawl, opening up into a ruined section of the Overcast. At the far end of the hallway was a gaping hole, leading out into a burned patch of land. Several feet away from the edge of the hull was a bridge, half broken but still useable. Beyond that was a set of double doors that led into the ruined Cathedral.

“There!” Sunshine called out.

We began running, hearing the pounding of hooves as the crazy religious ponies gave chase. I had to slightly question myself on how fast this whole deal had gone south, but chalked it up to crazy being crazy. Ponies living all the way out in the middle of nowhere without any other social contact had to be batshit crazy.

We made it out of the ship proper as the first of the Children of the Cathedral appeared on the deck. Two unicorns, each brandishing magical energy rifles. They took aim and fired, missing us completely. I found myself being thankful for bad aim. Eventually, we found ourselves close to the edge of the bridge.

“Keep going!” I shouted. I took a step onto the bridge and stopped dead in my tracks.

Standing in the center of the ruined bridge was a pink alicorn. Her mane was a rat's nest of insanity, her eyes a blazing blue. The gem that sat in her chest was also a brilliant blue. I looked back behind us. The Children of the Cathedral had also stopped as they too noticed the other mare. The pink alicorn grinned widely, bouncing in place.

“Ooh! New friends! I like new friends! Who wants to play a game? I know I do, and I know just the game! It's the one where you die!”

Author's Notes:

Woo! Chapter 34 down and for the count. There was so much to get covered in this chapter, it wasn't funny. Patch's foaling, the end of Cruelty and Avarice, and the final step towards the Cathedral, and of course our resident party alicorn showing up at the end!

If you managed to catch the reference, Avarice's abilities are a nod and homage to AestheticB's incredible fic “The Immortal Game”. I read a lot of non-FoE as well, and this is one fic I absolutely recommend to everyone. If you like dark combat and gritty stuff, I really think you'll like it.

Of course, you all know what that means... Chapters 35 and 36 are upon us next. Including the Epilogue, we are two chapters and the Epilogue away from being completely finished. So here's a little scheduling info. First off, the plan is that I am going to write/edit 35, 36, and the Epilogue, but we'll be releasing them staggered within the same week. Have to build a little suspense after all. To those of you who have stuck with this long, I greatly appreciate it. You guys are awesome!

Onto the plugs. You can always, always ask Star questions at http://askradiantstar.tumblr.com. Also feel free to check out my wife's art at http://luckystarmlp.deviantart.com!

My story fic plug of the week is for “Fallout Equestria: Hooves of Fate” by Sprocket Dogginsworth. It is an absolutely wonderful fic, with a great little premise. I highly recommend it!

Also, Starlight is being edited in the early chapters, in addition to being recorded by the awesome Heartshine! Check out the audio book here!

Much love and thanks to Wirepony, McMesser, and Heartshine for all their work on this beast. You guys are super awesome. Again, if you'd like to donate, you can send to volrathxp AT gmail.com, if not that's okay, but I'd love you if you did!

Finally, much thanks still to Kkat for creating this fun little world. It's been a wild ride, and I am pleased to nearly be completed.

Onward and upward!