The tension in the air was thick enough it was almost dripping down the walls. The Princesses looked between one another and back towards the undead knight, his tirade having opened their eyes to his mission, whether he was lying or not was debatable. They could not simply let him off with what he had done, even if what he said was the truth. Celestia and Luna gave each other a knowing gaze before turning to Artemis.

“We have yet to make a decision, bold Knight. Your actions dictate that you should be sentenced to death or worse.” Luna spoke firmly, stepping forward. “But if your words ring true, we ask that you peacefully come with us to the castle, so this may be further discussed.” Artemis glanced between the two princesses, placing his pup into his pack as he did. It would get him into the castle without much hassle, and should they attempt to put him in bonds, he would be close enough to stop it.

He gave a curt nod, putting his hands at his sides. “I shall accompany thee, but I shall warn you. Should any attempt to shackle me be made, I will respond with hostile action.” He warned, giving a accusing point of the finger towards both of them. “My patience for tricks and deceit is entirely nonexistent.”

“That is likewise for us, Knight.” Celestia spoke, her gaze forming a harsh glare upon him. Rolling his eyes behind his helm, he replaced the pup into his satchel. “We will make haste to the castle, it shall not take long at all.”

Artemis gazed at the two quizzically, watching as they flanked him and let their horns illuminate the bloodied streets. Shifting his eyes, he looked to the castle. ‘Tis a long walk, I doubt we’d get there before the sun-’

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a loud crack. His feet left him and white consumed his vision. Not even seconds later did he feel his footing return, along with an intense wave of nausea. He staggered in place for a moment, eyes blinking to clear the temporary blindness forced upon him. His extremities felt numb, blood rushed to his head, and his orientation was completely lost.

Next thing to register in knight’s ancient mind was the cracked marble floor he was laying on and the muffled voices filling his impaired hearing. As his senses came back, he looked brought a hand to his helm, slipping the glove under his mask. The cool steel felt delightful against his pounding head.

“-ight Artemis! Are you alright?” He heard the voice of the Lunar Princess. “We did not know that your kind has was this effected by magic.”

Artemis lifted his head and glared at the Princess. “It’s not a matter of affect, equine. I have simply never used that.... Method of transportation.” He stated as he shakily pushed himself up, ignoring the concerned gazes of the Princesses before him. When he was properly situated, he checked onto his pup. The small dog had a expression that told him the teleportation had been rough on it as well. After doing a quick check of the pup and his belongings, he turned to the Princesses and gestured forward with his hand.

Celestia nodded her head in the direction of the Throne Room, signalling with a hoof for them to follow. As they walked, the guards lining the halls tensed at the sound of Artemis’ boots. The rattle of his heavy armor echoed through the area.

Celestia signaled a guard to follow and the reluctant recruit followed after, keeping his head low as they walked. “Send an emergency notice to Twilight Sparkle, telling her that the creature is within the castle walls.” Celestia whispered to the recruit, the guard quietly gulping and nodding. “Hurry now, don’t waste any time.”

The guard nodded, giving a salute before turning on his heels and scurrying off down the halls. Artemis watched with a raised eyebrow as a guard ran down the hall, internally grimacing. ‘Lovely, more royalty...’ He annoyedly thought as they turned a corner and came upon the massive doors to the Throne Room. The group stopped as Luna commanded the guards.

“We are not to be disturbed during this meeting. No pony gets inside unless they are Princess Cadence or Princess Sparkle. Is that understood?” The guards each gave a stoic salute. With a firm nod, Luna and Celestia stepped forward, the immense doors slowly opening. Artemis hesitantly stepped forward, a hand subconsciously patting his satchel to make sure he had his supplies. A small yip gave him a smirk as he walked through the doors, watching over his shoulder as they closed.

The Princesses had walked the length of the room, taking their spots upon the thrones. The sight confused Artemis as he walked towards them, surely the king would have heard of this incident. As he reached the thrones, he looked to his left and right. With a deep breath, he turned to the Princesses and spoke.

“And may I ask why thine King and Queen are not here on this occasion? Does it not merit their attention?” Luna and Celestia glanced at one another, each shaking their head. Turning to face the Knight, Celestia cleared her throat.

“I am sorry, Knight Artemis, but the King and Queen have long since passed on. My sister and I are the current rulers of this nation.” Celestia informed. Artemis blinked, his mind processing the information.

“You are telling me.... That this kingdom is being commanded by children?” Artemis slowly asked, a hand slipped beneath his helm to rub his eyes. Luna and Celestia frowned at the remark, both their gazes hardening at the knight.

“You would be wise to not assume, Knight.” Celestia spoke sternly, eyes narrowing at Artemis. “I have been ruling this Kingdom for over a thousand years and my sister having ruled by my side since her return.” Artemis glowered at the Alicorn.

“Do not lie to me, horse.” Artemis growled. “That is not possible unless you are a winged serpent in disguise or an undead.” Celestia’s gaze turned to a glare. Luna placed a hoof upon her sister’s shoulder, gaining her attention. Luna gave her a calming smile and turned towards Artemis.

“That may have be true in your time, Sir knight. But in ours, we are a breed of Pony that live for an exceptional amount of time.” Luna stated softly, trying to quell the fire building between the two before something destructive occurred. Artemis glared towards them both before sighing in defeat.

“Fine...” He stated before taking a deep breath. “We were to discuss what my pursuit in your land is, correct?” Receiving a nod, he continued. “Well, we have little time, so I shall be swift-”

Artemis was stopped as he heard a devilish reverberation. One so brutally powerful it sent him to his knees. A scream escaped him, startling the Princesses from their seats. Hands clapped against his helm while his pup leapt out of his satchel and began to whine loudly. As the pain stopped, his breathing became erratic and heavy. Quickly standing up, ignoring the nausea that began to sweep over him, he began to examine every corner of the Throne room.

“Knight Art-” Luna began before he turned and cut her off.

“Are there any other entrances to this room?” He asked in a rushed manner as he drew his sword. Luna took a step back and shook her head, the pup at Artemis’ feet whimpering and scratching at his boots.

“Good... Then this should be quick.” Artemis stated as he walked the length of the carpeted floor with the pup following at his heels, stopping as he heard Celestia trot up behind him.

“What do you think you are doing!?” she snarled, stepping in front of him with her horn lit ablaze. “Going to kill more of our guard?!”

Artemis stood unfearing as he gripped his sword tightly and drew his shield. He had no time to deal with her, opting to simply stand in place and prepare. “I would recommend thou find a safe haven away from this room, Princess.” he spoke as he opened his satchel and rummaged around for anything useful.

“And why-” Celestia was cut off by a distant scream from the hallway, it was followed by yelling and then breaking glass. A deafening roar of fury shook the walls, and the floor began to tremble. “What in the name of my mother was that...”

“My opponent.” Artemis spoke as he took a green flowery herb from his bag and quickly popped it into his mouth. As he chewed, a wave of energy passed over him. The trembling of the floor was rhythmic, and the loud screams of guards seemed to play a symphony of destruction and death. The distinct smell of brimstone filtered into the room, and an explosion rocked the room. The footsteps were close to the door now. Through the wood and metal, they heard another window shatter. It was accompanied by a scream that grew distant.

Smoke filtered in under the door, the footsteps stopped and a roar of anger reverberated through the room. Then, the doors exploded off of their hinges. The limp, charred form of a guard was hurled through the gaping opening and smashed through a window. There was another scream followed by a sickening splat. All those present in the room gazed at the new comer. While Artemis was calm, the princesses shivered.

Standing before them, growling with fury, was a tall human. It was obviously male, and it panted with rage. In the invader’s grasp was a massive, molten blade that glowed with heat. In his free hand, flames danced from his fingertips. From head to toe, he was covered in thick, charred plate armor of an old Dragonrider. Behind his helmet, his eyes glowed red. The princesses had never seen such a menacing red before. It perfectly accented the imposing red glow that seemed to radiate from him.

Celestia shook the awe from her eyes and turned to her sister, Luna already galloping over. When the lunar mare stood by her side, they both ignited their horns, preparing to eradicate the imposing figure that stood before them. The princesses released their power, sending a two toned beam of energy towards the monster. Instead of the beam of energy impacting and blowing the man through the doors and into the halls, the magic phased through him, blowing apart some furniture and decor in the hallway. Ripples of mist flowed from his body as if a rock had been thrown through fog.

Celestia and Luna worriedly looked to one another, hoping for an answer. The only answer they received was Artemis walking past them, shaking his head. Rolling his neck and picking up his wolf pup, he placed the dog upon Celestia’s back and patted its head. “You should move out of the way.” He spoke stoically, stepping away from her and her sister.

Celestia nodded as she retreated with her sister, both of the alicorns dumbstruck by the capabilities of the red creature. They stood at their thrones, watching in awe and terror as they two beings glowered at one another.

“Ah… So zhis is vhere you are hiding!” The invader said in a booming voice, Celestia and Luna noted it sounded as if he was from Germaney. “I must admit… Zhis is quite different from vhat I had expected…” He let out a deep chuckle, it sounded as if the souls of thousands were crying out for release.

“Stow your worthless tidings, heathen, and let us get this over with.” Artemis snarled as he gripped his blade tightly, his eyes locked onto the phantom and boots grinding against the floor. “Your blade shant stain this world with anymore innocent blood.”

“Oh ho… I zhink it vill, mein friend.” The phantom raised his sword and stood in an offensive stance. He slowly stalked forwards, the smell of sulfur and brimstone seemed to fill the entire room. Artemis grit his teeth and began to circle his enemy, glancing towards his enemy’s weapon, he grimaced at the blade of molten metal. His shield would be worthless against such intense heat and magma.

As the Phantom drew closer, an idea sprung to mind. Loosening his grip on his shield, sprinted around the Invader and whipped his shield towards his enemy, putting as much power behind the throw as he could. The phantom raised his flaming hand and a ball of fire flew forth, it slammed into the shield and sent it sailing through the air before it embedded itself into a wall. Several inches from Celestia’s head.

The princess let out a yelp and instinctively covered her face, flinching away from the metal projectile. It glowed red from the heat, singing her coat ever so slightly. She and Luna looked at the fight with uncertainty while the pup buried itself into Celestia’s mane from fear. They watched as Artemis rushed forward, taking the opportunity to get in the first strike.

His blade clashed against the Phantom’s head, sparks and ash cascading from the strike, leaving a nasty scratch across the face of the helm along with a sizable dent. As the beast of a man’s sword swung into the air, Artemis rolled across the marble flooring, readying himself once more as he found his enemy lumbering towards him once more.

“You fight vith strength!” The phantom bellowed, bringing his molten sword down onto the floor. Jets of flame exploded from beneath Artemis, sending him into the air and the ceiling. His lower body burned as he fell back to the ground. “BUT I AM STRONGER!” The phantom laughed loudly, his boots cracking the marble floor as he stomped towards Artemis. The burned knight was slowly struggling to stand, with another chuckle the invader kicked him onto his side. Artemis groaned as he faced away, thinking quickly for a way to save himself.

“Zhiz vas truly a disappointing fight, mein friend.” Said the menacing voice of his opponent, his shadow loomed over him like a shroud. As swift as he could manage, Artemis turned on his side and lobbed a large glowing sphere at the Phantom, the object crunching against his helm. As it connected, a blinding flash of blue fire and light erupted, sending the Phantom back a few steps. As his opponent was staggered, Artemis rolled to his feet and readied his blade again. With a slight groan, the invader rolled his neck. There was a spitting noise and several teeth fell from beneath his helm.

“Now… Zhis is getting interesting!” The phantom said, obviously smiling behind his helmet. “Come on, svinehund! DO YOU VANT TO LIVE FOREVER!?” Celestia and Luna covered their ears at the volume of the shouting. Meanwhile, the phantom took a wide swing at Artemis. The knight took a leap back and readied his stance once more.

“No, you blasted fool. I just want you to die!” Artemis roared in his own window shattering tone, rushing forward and ramming a fist into the side of the Phantom’s head, leaving a large dent in the side. The phantom swung his blade and slammed into Artemis with the flat of the blade, sending the man into a wall. It was followed by a swift blast of fire to the chest.

Artemis growled as a hand idly rubbed the scorched chest plate and rolling his shoulders. The fire from the blast had spread to several tapestries on the wall, and the marble floor was scorched and cracked. Growling to himself, Artemis rushed forward at his enemy, gripping his sword with both hands. He rolled to the side as the Phantom brought down the massive sword. Letting his rage take hold for a moment, he began to aimlessly slash, hack, and pound against the Phantom.

His sword sent sparks and chips of metal as he slashed, the Phantom raising a plated arm in defense as it was slashed and chipped. As an arm would raise, Artemis would give a wicked slash. As the flaming blade would swing, he’d deliver a heavy punch. To Artemis’ surprise, the phantom began laughing. Even as the strikes continued, he laughed. It was manic laughter, and each time he laughed there was still the sound of thousands of souls crying out.

The Princesses watched in horror and shock as they watched the once calm and collected Knight savagely attack as if he was a starving wolf hunting a deer. Even the monstrous laugh of the creature in red struck them to their cores. Never had they seen a fight so painfully tedious or foes so devastating.

The Phantom reached out with his hand and grabbed the blade as Artemis brought it down for another swing, with a grunt he stood to his feet and spun. The force was surprising, and hurled Artemis through the air. He ended up slamming into one of the pillars that supported the roof, cracking it and shifting it out of place. He barely had time to recognise the pain however, as a blinding light filled his vision. It was bright, brighter than a thousand suns.

“NOW I AM BECOME DEATH!” The phantom shouted with a cackle. “ZHE SHATTERER OF VORLDS!” For a brief moment, time seemed to freeze. Celestia and Luna stared with slack jaws as they watched the invader draw his arm back, the appendage glowed with white intensity before the phantom’s laugh seemed to snap time back to its normal pace. He shot his hand towards Artemis, and both princesses clenched their eyes shut. Even then, their eyes burned as if a second sun has formed in the throne room.

“Oh what a jovial sight...” Artemis hacked out. Milliseconds later all he was felt was pain, a massive explosion rocked the building. The windows shattered, and Artemis was pushed through the support pillar. It shattered and pieces of stone were flung like toys out of the castle, taking a large section of the roof with them. The debris rained down on the city below, while the once pristine marble floor had been transformed into eerie, green glass.

The Princesses blinked in awe and horror, the once pristine white walls and marble floors surrounding the blast radius were charred black and cracked. The right wall near the entrance of the throne room was now completely missing, the heavy winds of their altitude wafting the smell of burnt flesh and molten stone through the air.

“Ironic, mein friend.” The phantom said, obviously smiling behind his helmet as he stalked towards Artemis who was laying prone on the floor. “I use zhe power of zhe sun to spread zhe vord of zhe moon!” There was a chuckle from his throat as he used his boot to kick Artemis onto his back. “Now, hear me, mein friend. Zhe moon is your god now!” The phantom reached down and grabbed Artemis by the throat, then held him off the ground.

Artemis thrashed as best as he could in the Phantom’s grip, using his arms to hold himself up so he could breath. The Phantom found this humorous, and he chuckled as he lumbered towards the gaping hole in the room. When he got there, he looked down and then at Artemis.

“Zhere are some very sharp looking fence pieces down zhere, zhey should minimize zhe pain.” Said the invader in an almost caring tone. With a final chuckle, the Phantom extended Artemis out over the ledge. “Farevell, mein friend.”

Artemis looked down, then at the phantom. Thinking quickly, he used the last of his strength to grab the invader’s arm and twist his weight. There was a surprised yell as the two of them began to plummet towards the ground, Artemis used the element of surprise to his advantage and managed to twist the tank of an invader towards the ground.

Artemis began to snarl as he gripped the Invader by the chest piece of his armor and began to mercilessly pound his fist against the helm of the Phantom. Each punch landing created a new dent in the horned helmet, blood occasionally flying from the eye holes and mouth slits. The wind rushing by intensified as they fell, the ground coming closer and closer. Within a blink of an eye and one final punch, they both land with a nearly catastrophic impact.

The sound of metal crunching filled the air along with flesh being torn apart. Earth, dust, and rock was thrown into the air as they landed, an ear-shattering echo piercing the sky. All was silent as a fog of debris clouded the area.

Celestia and Luna had rushed to the gaping hole in the castle, having watched as the two plummeted to the ground. Looking to one another, they nodded and spread their wings. Celestia kept hold of the pup on her back as they glided down to the ground, using the air beneath their wings to help clear the clouds of destruction.

Before them was an immense cavity in the earth, showing the depths of the world beneath the castle. Crystals were clearly seen, jagged stalactites and stalagmites of varying minerals and gems poked from the ground and exposed ceiling. The sun seeping in through the breach forced a glow out of the crystals, big and small, giving an oddly pleasant glow. And at the bottom of the cave sat Artemis, clutching a spear head that was jammed within his shoulder.

Next to him laid the dead invader, the twitching body that had been first impaled upon the fence then a massive stalagmite. The phantom’s helmet had fallen to the dirt revealing the face of the invader. He looked like a young man, if the knight had anything to go off of. That was all he could discern, as almost every visible piece of flesh was covered in grotesque burn scars. The laughs that came from his opponent slowly began to turn into hacking coughs.

“Heh… It has been so long since I have felt zhis…” He rasped. “So… Cold.” With that the body went limp and evaporated off of the spears and rock, leaving only the blood of the fallen phantom to pool across the floor. Artemis looked up at the entrance, seeing the princesses horrified expressions.

Author's Notes:

Okay! So here is the rewrite that sets up the next Chapter! Mostly the same, with a few key differences.
As usual, hoped you enjoyed it and don't forget to R&R! If you find any mistakes, feel free to PM them to me and I will change them as soon as I can!

Phantom: Dragon Rider Armor, Smelter Sword, Pryomancy.