Deep within the catacombs of what was left of the former mountain stronghold of Canterlot, prisoners rioted. They had been left behind in their cells as Applebloom's Ark(so went the nickname) departed. Panicked yelps and screams bounced about the rock in a cacophony of madness, grief, and hatred.

"Looks like we were left behind" Sweetie noted, still drawling her words. The isolation cells were further into the mountain and as such, she and Discord were spared from most of the rioting. "I can't blame Applebloom, she has to save lots of ponies, I'm sure we aren't important enough".

"Enough of your whining!" Discord snarled, rubbing his head at the absolute boredom of it. "You're Sweetie Belle, the mare who took down Celestia! I had a meltdown when just one pony left me, you handled tons more!" Discord snapped, having had to listen to Sweetie's depressed mood for hours on end.

"And who left you?" Sweetie asked, showing some actual curiosity. Discord flinched at the question, the suppressors on him glowing as his growing rage was held back. They finally stopped glowing and Discord huffed, dropping the subject for now.

"I know that you aren't really being held back by those suppressors. So go. You should be able to get out" Sweetie mumbled, her horn blocker sparking and shuddering as a green light appeared on the tip of her horn. Discord widened his eyes slightly at Sweetie before the light disappeared. "I made my bed, I can sleep in it" Sweetie spoke with a bitter smile. "It's what's best for everyone"

"No one can save them" a voice called out, refined, but dangerous. Sweetie peered out of the bars of her cell and gaped at the sight of Neos, the corrupted alicorn floating in the air, surrounded by pinkish light. "Did you think that I wouldn't see this coming? I'm a scientist, I have to plan for variables" Twilight spoke, reminding Sweetie that even if the alicorn in front of him looked like Neos, Twilight was in control.

"How did she know?..."Applebloom murmured, shock paralyzing her body as she looked out of the avatar, only to see hundreds upon hundreds of Twilight's drones, the savage creatures having had enormous engines grafted onto them to allow atmosphereless flight. Where had she gone wrong? Was this karma for leaving Sweetie to die? For leaving so many Equestrians behind?

"What do we do?" Lyra asked, trembling in fear of a tentacled one that was moving towards their ship. Applebloom shook her head, breathing hard.

"Get out the combat avatar worthy ponies, have them make a shield"

"The idea wasn't even all that unique. Many races have tried it. All that awaits you is despair before the bliss of oblivion" Neos spoke, his voice eerily calm. "A regrettable consequence is killing you. But it must be done, for all our sakes" Neos declared, powering up a pinkish blast and firing it from his horn. Sweetie closed her eyes, waiting for the end. But it never came. She opened her eyes and saw a trembling Discord in front of her, the suppressors on him shattered and a hole bored through his chest.

"Great, I have to play hero now" Discord spoke through gritted teeth as the hole reformed. "Doesn't matter, I'll be good as new in ju-" he started before Neos fired thrice more, inch wide holes appearing in his neck and torso. Discord shuddered, standing back up once more. "Ah, keep doing that, almost tickles" Discord said, materializing a feather and scratching himself with it. Neos flashed forward faster than the draconequus could react and slapped him across the mouth, slamming him into the stone walls of the hallway with a loud crash. He didn't get back up this time.

"Enough, Neos! Your target is me" Sweetie spoke, raising his voice just a little. Neos put his hoof back down and prepared another blast for Sweetie. "You know, I've got to thank you. When the citizens went crazy after, I felt my horn itching. There was power inside of me, kind of like what Celestia had. But I held it back, I already know what happens when you use power without control. I figured Applebloom had it all handled. Now, I know she needs my help. So beat me, if you can" Sweetie snarled out, the horn blocker on her head turning orange from the amount of magic it was trying to restrain. Even now, sparks were shooting out of Sweetie's horn. Neos maintained his stoic look and simply charged up somewhat more.

"It doesn't matter, in the end, you still don't understand" Neos grumbled, his horn glowing a brilliant magenta. His ears twitched and he leaped back, just in time to avoid a javelin from impaling him. Even so, the blade nicked his cheek, leaving a red line in his flesh. The charge he had been maintaining dissipated as he turned to look at his assailant.

"Dang, Neos, you did not age well" Babs chuckled, hefting another spear from a quiver on her back. She was an absolutely massive earth pony, rivaling Big Mac in size. "You can't stop Sweetie when she's like that, you saw what happened the last time she got mad". Neos frowned, the blood on his cheek disappearing quickly.

"I have no memories. I am just a messenger for the mother of this world, Twilight Sparkle. It does not matter what you do, the Moon will crash into the planet and then, you will die" Neos spoke, a portal appearing behind him. The alicorn gave one last look before entering the swiftly closing portal and disappearing. Next Chapter: The Return Estimated time remaining: 10 Minutes