"Twilight run!"

The young mare in question couldn't move as she stood frozen, struck stiff with fear as she watched as the dark knight approach her, his weapon still dripping blood, staining the cold stone below. Utter fear gripped her smaller form as she stared deeply into that blank, soulless helmet. The only thing that knocked the teen from her paralyzed stated was Raven when spun on her heels and absolutely screamed into her friend's face.

"TWILIGHT RUN!"

That quickly knocked the teen from her intense and immediate fear as her head snapped to her best friend as she focused on Raven's absolute look of horror. It was in that moment that Twilight didn't even hesitate further as she turned tail and ran! She needed to get help, she needed to get the princess!

For her part, Raven had just enough time to transfer into her Warframe as she turned around, drawing her sword to block the incoming strike from the gargantuan great sword that slammed into her smaller weapon. The impact was so strong, Raven's metallic boots garnered no grip as she slid several feet across the stone floor while her cryotic blade held fast against the possessed caber.

"I see you have found a new body," Hunhow stated as the red energy near the hilt of the weapon pulsed evilly with each word it spoke. "Shadow, cleave her from its chest!"

Raven grunted loudly, struggling to hold the man at bay while she did her best to stay strong, She couldn't give him an inch, lest she lose not only her life, but her Warframe as well. With every ounce of strength she could muster within Frost's systems, Raven pushed against the fallen Tenno with all her strength, but Stalker was far too strong, too powerful! She was rapidly losing strength in her legs as she was forced to her knee when Stalker grasped one of the two blades that made up the weapon and pushed. "Like hell you will!" Raven shouted in defiance to the sword’s declaration.

She could feel her arms shaking violently under the immense strength and her knees giving way further as the blood red energy began to get dangerously close to her armored head. She struggled to keep her footing as she was forced to a knee. Her struggling was intensifying as she too, pushed back against her own blade to hold Stalker back. If she lost Frost today, nothing would stop Stalker and his rampage! It was right when she started to lose all hope…

That was before a loud metallic clang filled the air as Stalker was immediately knocked from his feet and sent sailing towards a nearby wall.

"You have a lot of nerve attacking my princess assassin!"

"Bronze!"

The armored stallion, with spear and shield in hand, and a rather eager for a fight, stood protectively between his charge and the clear and immediate threat before him. He was the wall between life and death. Captain Bronze didn't waste a second as he was quick to reset his defensive stance as he lifted his shield into its proper position with it protecting his torso and his spear pointed directly at his target’s chest. Placing the tip of the caber against the ground, Stalker used it as leverage to push himself back to his feet before grasping his weapon with both hands and heaving it up and resting it against his shoulder.

"You have heart, I will give you that," Hunhow stated but Bronze was unable to understand the sword. "But it will be your downfall."

"I don't know what you just said assassin, but let me teach you a lesson!" Bronze shot back over his shield.

Like a shot from a gun metal banged, clanged, and moaned in agony as electrical sparks flashed off curved surface the stallions shield. Surprised by the sheer speed of the attack, the Captain grunted but his position under the weapons immense weight as he thrust his spear forward. Bronze was hoping to catch an opening in the armor, but the metal tip did nothing as it glanced off the Stalker's electrical shield, making him flash blue momentarily. Bronzes eyes went wide, the guy was protected by some sort of magic!? He didn’t have time to dwell on it though, he just had to hold the mysterious stallion at bay until reinforcements arrived! Pulling back, Bronze angled his left arm and subsequently his shield to the side and forced the gargantuan sword to the ground through the use of gravity and bashed Stalker on the back of the helmet with his shield, hoping to disorient him.

About halfway up a nearby wall, Raven hung there and waited patiently for an opening. It wasn’t until her friend was safely out of the way that she lept at her target. Stalker's shields flashed brightly a second time as she landed her powerful strike upon his open side before she fully landed with a roll as well. Raven didn’t let up as she pulled her Javlok from her back, extending the weapon o it's full length before she held it under her right arm and took aim. But she wouldn’t have the opportunity to fire as Bronze charged headfirst into the fight, preventing her from firing her weapon. Metal grinded and sparked once again as Stalker parried Bronze's spear thrust with his sword. The pair were forced to grapple one another before an opening presented itself for one of them to land a strike. Stalker pommeled the tan stallion in the chin, knocking him back and making his teeth clack loudly. Bronze grunted from the sudden strike as he stumbled backwards, blinking through his suddenly blurred vision. The strike though, a momentary blessing for the two Equestrians and a curse for the Stalker, had caused the tip of the gargantuan sword to punch deep into the floor due to gravity yet again.

But Stalker was quick to not let them breath as he pulled his partially buried weapon from the floor and swung wildly and with malicious intent. Bronze, who was still recovering, was quick to hold up his shield and block the blow with a bang. But Stalker would not let up and it left Bronze grunting with each violent impact against his quickly buckling and failing shield. The metal of Bronze’s well-made defensive tool moaned out and screamed with each dent it received upon its surface but the tool held just as intended, a testament to its engineering and craftmareship. But Bronze and his shield were enough to keep the assassin distracted long enough as an explosive shot hit the dark soldier right in the side, making him stumble and throw of his attacks. From just down the hallway, Raven continued to fire her weapon as she walked forward, never once holding back as each explosive round struck true right to the Warframe's chest, forcing Stalker backwards with each lethal explosion.

But Stalker had a counter.

He let his shields absorb each and every explosion before spun his weapon in his hands, holding it reverse style as the enemy of the Tenno used his blade as a makeshift shield. But now it was Bronze’s turn to attack! Charging forward, the captain thrust his spear at the man yet again with intent to kill, but just like the many strikes before it, it was all in vain. It helped none that Stalker saw the attack coming from a mile away. The armored man reached out with a thick glove and caught the tip of the spear in his grip and just as quickly jerked the weapon from the stallion’s hands, tossing it aside like a mere toothpick. Now without his offensive weapon Bronze was forced to use the remnants of his shield and all his training to avoid being struck by the razor sharp sword as Stalker began swinging at the closer target as he tried everything to kill his target. Unfortunatly for Captain Bronze, this was nothing like the stallion had ever faced before, training or otherswise! The metal and energy of the two weapons clanged loudly throughout the hallway as they connected with his shield and echoing off the thick stone walls of the castle. Much like Raven before him, the smaller captain grunted under the weapons immense weight as he tried to hold the weapon back, trying to keep it from punching through his head. He could feel his arms and knees shaking under the immense weight as he used every ounce of strength he had. He had to hold the stallion at bay! Captain Bronze glanced at his spear from the corner of his eye and was quick to form a plan and was just as quick to implement it. He pushed back with all his strength, removing the caber from the surface of his shield, throwing his opponents balance off just enough for him to escape. Captain Bronze dove forward, rolling over his tattered shield and reaching for his spear, grasping the wooden shaft with his right hand. Now, his original plan involved him landing on his hooves and taking up his defensive stance with a little bit of a respective flare. When in reality, he kinda just flopped on his back like a turtle before scrambling to get to his hooves.

But now with weapon in hand, Bronze watched as Raven swung the spear-like head of the Javlok over her head like a ruthless mace, causing sparks to flash brightly as the weapon impacted against the ethereal blade of Stalker's great sword. The assassin was quick to lift the weapon over his demonic, helmeted head, and blocked the incoming strike before it could connect with his body. Now it was Stalker’s turn to feel her wrath! Raven held her speargun in both hands, using her Warframes superhuman strength to her advantage, swinging a second time with even more power. Like a pair of trains, they collided like an earthquake as yet another explosive boom filled the air. This was the duel she had been waiting for and one she had intended to win! One of them was fueled by rage, the other hatred, and like an unstoppable force meeting an unstoppable force, neither one was moving, they wouldn't give in until the other was dead at their feet. Both Warframe's did their best to out push the other in their struggle for dominance.

It mattered little as the third party of the fight and like a raging bull, Bronze cried out with his best battle cry as he charged forward before he shield bashed the assassin a second time that day with his barely recognizable kite shield. The action sent the suited man sliding across the floor yet again as Bronze stood there panting and exhausted. In response to her freedom, Raven drew her sword and holstered her Javlok.

"Shadow! What are you doing!? Destroy the Tenno!"

Bronze didn't understand the words that came from the pulsing sword, but he didn't like how both it spoke and how his opponent shook his head before looking at the weapons pulsing core, then to the princess. Lowering his sword, Stalker rested one of its tips against the floor as he stood up before tightening his grip around the jagged handle. With a single swiping slash, an arc of pure, demon red energy shot towards the pair like a blast of magic. Raven was quick to jump straight into the air while Bronze activated his horn and disappeared in a flash of magical particles. The arc of energy impacted against the wall farther down the hallway, shattering and scorching the stone into mere dust. In a flash of magical particles, Bronze appeared just in front of the man, surprising Stalker and confusing him just long enough for Bronze to thrust his spear forward. His weapon didn't make it far, let alone connect with its intended target as it was caught between the two blades of the great sword. With a simple twist of the dual-bladed weapon, the wooden shaft of the stallion’s main offensive tool was rendered useless as the metallic tip snapped clean off and clattered against the floor.

The ground shook violently and suddenly as ~Raven~ landed between the two and grasped the broken spear point and used it like a dagger as she started swinging in tandem with her sword. Bronze was caught off guard as he stumbled backwards and stared in confusion at the jagged end of his now useless spear. He was quick to drop the equally useless shaft, letting it clatter against the floor before he reached across his body and drew his sword. Now flooded with adrenaline and a sense of duty, Bronze still had a job to do!

Tightening his grip on both sword and shield, he did what he did best…

Fight!

His hooves clacked loudly against the floor with each determined step as his armor banged against itself, but that was music to his ears, the beat of war drums. He was a soldier, bred from a long line of loyal soldiers for the crown. His family fought and died for his country. He would fight from the deepest pits of Tartarus to the highest of heavens and everywhere in between if he had too. To protect. To serve. To die if he must!

No pony touches the princess'!

"RAAAAH!" he cried out once he was close enough, letting the strength of his ancestors lead him forward into glorious battle! He ducked as the princess sailed in his direction and over his head where upon she landed somewhere behind him with a violent roll.

Metal ground against metal as swords sang their violent song and danced their elegant dance. It was a flurry of sparks and banging metal as the two fought with all their strength, doing everything they could to one up one another. Slashes, thrusts, blocks and parries were all performed by the duo as they clashed blades. Armor protected limbs, metal buckled, moaned and groaned with each strike while electric shields sparked, flickered, and blinked. By now, Bronze's shield was dented and scratched beyond all repair, so he was going to have to get a new one when this was all over. But thankfully his armor was faring significantly better than his forgotten shield. His armor was only dented here and there with a few scratches in places as well. Nothing a simple buffing at the castle smith couldn't fix.

Bronze lifted his shield above his head for one last strike before the demolished metal finally gave way as the great sword sheared its way through the top of the shield and halfway through it. Bronze winced but was quick to let out a sigh of relief as his left wrist guard held together. That could have been messy. Without missing a beat, the stallion dropped the shield, pulling his arm from the restraint and grip as he grasped his sword with both hands. By now, it was very clear that Bronze was tired and soaked in sweat, but he willed himself on. He would fight with everything he had!

He had the advantage in this fight, he was lighter, nimbler, and faster whereas his opponent was larger, slow, and if caught off guard enough, uncoordinated. With each strike performed by the assassin, Bronze got in several! Stalker would take one swipe and Bronze would duck and slash at the man's back. He would try a downward strike, which ended up getting buried in the stone floor and Bronze would never relent with his strikes. With each miss, Stalker was growing ever more frustrated.

And he finally had enough!

Just as Stalker missed another strike, he waited until the stallion got within arm's reach.

Then it happened.

"Gak!" Bronze gagged as a gloved hand suddenly wrapped around his neck. The stallion struggled to breath as he was slowly lifted into the air. Bronze released his sword letting it fall from his grasp where it clattered below his elevated hooves as he frantically pawed at the hand around his throat. Even through his struggles, frantic kicking, and rather pitiful attempts to break free, Bronze glared into the helmet as he did everything he could to try and break free. But just as he was about to teleport away, Stalker reared back and threw the stallion like a rag-doll. Bronze tumbled violently through the air before he smashed back first against a random table within the hallway and shattering the expensive vase that was atop the table. The good captain groaned as his back screamed out in agony from the hit. But he was still in this fight as long as he could get up and get his sword. He winced as he tried to stand up.

That’s when metal violently ground against metal…

And a single screech of his name echoed throughout the entire castle.

"BRONZE!"

At first, the initial strike felt like a punch to the gut but was quickly followed up by a sharp and agonizing pain in the stallion’s chest made him seize up. It was a pain like he had ever imagined. He had fallen, he had been struck, cut, and broke bones in his years of service, but this by far, was the worst pain he had ever felt, surpassing all of those injuries combined. He began to shake violently as he grit his teeth, trying to push past the pain, but it wasn’t helping… The stallion gasped loudly when he felt the twin blades of his opponent's sword punch straight through breastplate, right through his sternum, and right out the back and deep into the wall. He was shocked. He could only stare at the hilt and handle of the weapon protruding from the gaping wound his chest. He was kind of confused for a second as he started at the weapon with bated breath.

He coughed…

That was a lot of blood…

Blood sprayed and splattered everywhere across his armor, the sword, and the floor as he violently coughed a second time, which made him spit up more blood than the first cough. Bronze couldn't believe it, nor could he move as shock began to set it. He felt cold and rather embarrassed at letting this travesty happen to him. Then, the poor stallion gagged in utter and terrible agony when the weapon moved within his torso, churning his internal organs in ways that they were not designed to move as Stalker grasped the handle of the weapon with both hands. Friction alone was enough to pull his body from against the wall, its sharp edges grinding against his tattered armor before Stalker rested his boot against the defeated stallion’s right shoulder. Like unsheathing a sword from a stiff scabbard, Stalker pulled his weapon from the poor stallions barely breathing corpse.

Lieutenant Flare could only stare in horror at her injured friend as he lay at the feet of the unknown attacker, bleeding and dying from the immense and gaping wound in his chest. She was one of the first to respond when the castle wide order had gone out that there was an intruder in the castle and she was quick to grab her spear and her shield and charge through the halls of the castle. From where she had been in the castle, she had heard the fighting and was quick to respond. She knew that she had to get there quick... but she was already too late. She had just seen the tail end of the fight when she arrived and she was forced to watch ever single second as her friend was disemboweled right in front of her…

She locked eyes with him…

"Finish it…" Bronze mouthed.

Just as Lieutenant Flare stepped forward, fueled by rage and hatred, a thick wall of ice manifested itself within the hallway, cutting off her access to the fight. "NO!" Flare screeched as she pressed up against the frozen surface. She frantically pawed and pounded at the wall of ice, trying to find a weak point and get to her friend!

"I won't let anyone else get hurt," ~Raven~ stated as she lowered her arm from the wall of ice she had created before glaring at the man that had ruined everything! She spared a single, painful glance at her injured partner and did her best to ignore the rapidly growing pool of blood as Bronze coughed as he looked towards his princess with a single, pleading look. He didn’t want her to keep going. She needed to run. She needed to get away. "If you want me!" She held out her arms nice and wide, begging him to come after her. "I'm right here!"

"Shadow, cleave the heart from its chest!"

Tightening his grip, time slowed as Stalker took a single step before he came forward like a shot from a gun!

The resounding crack of metal as Stalker's electric shields resonated like a bomb. ~Raven's~ fist connected and stayed connected to Stalker's helmet for what felt like an eternity before an explosive sound reverberated through the air. There was enough force in that punch that a small shockwave was visible before the man and his worthless blade were sent hurtling through the air with enough force to smash straight through the thick stone walls of the castle at the far end of the hallway.

There wasn't much time!

Grasping Bronze's forgotten sword, Raven transferred from her Warframe and started to render aid as best as she could. But the poor stallion was losing blood faster than she could stem it. Her hands were soaked in blood as she tried -and unfortunately, failed- to stem the bleeding. "Hang in there Bronze!"

By now, the wound was so bad, a large, visible puddle of the stallion’s blood seeped from his injured form. The gaping hole in his chest seeped the crimson fluid that stained his pristine golden armor.

Deep down, both of them knew he wouldn't survive...

Slowly and with a weak, shaky hand, the dying stallion grasped his princess's hand within his palm. Raven froze from her attempt at medical aid and lifted her head and gaze away from the wound and looked at the softly smiling stallion. "Princess…" he said weakly before he coughed, spraying blood across her nice clothes. The color from his fur was beginning to fade as he went pale. The poor stallion coughed violently, spraying blood yet again as his form was wracked with violent tremors. Waving Frost over with a weak hand, the Warframe stepped up and offered the stallion his sword as a show of respect and honor to the fallen warrior. Bronze, unfortunately lacked the necessary strength to hold the weapon up and let it land hard in his lap, the tip of the blade tinking against the floor. "Please… keep them safe…" he whispered as he gently squeezed Raven's hand before he lifted his other hand and rested the handle of his sword in her grasp.

"And kill that Son-of-a-bitch!"

"PRINCESS!"

Twilight continue to run, screaming at the top of her lungs as she raced through the halls of the castle after the one mare that could help. She ran as fast as he legs could carry her, even after they ached and her lungs burned for her to stop and take a breather. The girl screamed at the top of her lungs, startling several maids while several guards ran in the opposite direction towards the sounds of fighting. Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued to sprint as fast as her hooves could carry her. If felt like an eternity once she rounded that last corner just catching the princess as she was exiting the throne room.

"Twilight! Where is Raven? Are you okay-" Just as the mare began to ask questions, she was effectively silenced as one of the many windows that lined the throne room behind the pair shattered violently as a body came sailing through, smashing through one of the many stone columns as well. He landed with a roll, his large great sword clacking with each full rotation. Both mares could only watch as the dark warrior shakily rose towards his feet, using his sword as a crutch. But just as he locked eyes with the elder princess, a purple and white blur crashed into him, sending him smashing back first through the adjacent wall.

Outside, stone and broken glass exploded from the side of the castle, showering the ground below with dangerous bits of broken glass and debris while startling several of the servants and soldiers below. The explosion itself was so violent that it caught the attention of several Canterlot citizens in the area. They could only watch in horror as two ponies sailed through the air, crashing and rolling on the street. The darker pony landed uncoordinatedly and rolled across the stone street, smashing loudly into a ponies stall, sending cabbages in all directions. The other one of the two landed a little more gracefully with a slide.

Ponies dared not move as the twin horned bull pointed his weapon towards the dark knight, threatening him as the knight began to stand. Ponies were struck stiff with fear as the dark knight slowly turned his head towards the gathered crowd. He hissed something towards the bull before he rapidly raised his sword, spinning on his heels as he went for a slash towards an innocent mare.

The young butter collored teenage mare with long pink locks, dressed in a long flowing yellow dress screamed in horror as her short life flashed before her eyes.

Metal moaned and screeched as the sword showered electrical sparks everywhere. The dark knight cocked his head in confusion at the metal shield protecting the creature he was about to cut in half. From under the shield, Private Armor grunted as he held the sword back with his shield. With every ounce of strength, he had, the stallion thrust his shield forward, grinding metal as he retaliated, standing like a beacon of hope between the mare and the assassin. The poor teen mare promptly fainted just before a blue pegasus teen with a rainbow mane came to her aid.

"You have a lot of nerve attacking innocent civilians like that," the private growled. Reaching across his body, he drew his sword, not even bothering to go for his spear that was still lying on the ground where he had dropped it earlier. "You want a fight then I'll give you a fight!"

Stalker didn't have time to respond verbally, grunting when ~Raven~ wrapped both arms around his abdomen, suplexing him as she bent backwards, smashing his head and shoulders against the ground hard enough to crack the stone. Stalker folded in half from the strike as the princess rolled off of him. Just then, Privates Longbow and Dawn suddenly appeared, crossbow in the former and sword and shield in the latter. Longbow was quick to take aim, lining up his sights center mass before firing a single arrow from his weapon. It sparked off Stalker's shields, but he had no time to recover as Dawn went for the stab. He rolled to the side, dodging the attack as he kicked her in the side between her armor. Dawn winced, prying her weapon from the ground while Longbow was quick to reload his weapon.

"Everypony back! Get out of here! Go!" Shining Armor ordered as he started to wave and usher ponies out of the hot zone. Ponies were quick to turn tail and run while others tried to hide and watch the fight unfold. Back in the street Private Dawn and ~Raven~ locked blades with Stalker, fiercely holding him at bay while Private Armor continued to clear the area by shouting and waving his arms. Through the chaos a small squad of guards who had been on patrol along with a few of Canterlot's finest pushed their way through the crowds. The officers were quick to take control and started shouting and waving for ponies to clear the streets while the guard jumped into action. They charged forward, locking shields in a phalanx formation as they tried to keep the threat contained.

By now the castle was on full alert.

Bright red flares were shot high into the air from the castle, exploding into puffs of red smoke. Guards from all across the city were quick to drop anything they were doing and head for the castle. They dropped charges, spilled food and drinks, and shoved they way past anypony in their way as they made a frantic beeline for the castle. Commanding Officers and Non-commissioned Officers were shouting orders at the top of their lungs, screaming for guards to get their flanks in gear and get to the castle! But the guard were quick to find the fighting outside of the castle instead. The more that arrived they tried to contain the threat. Like the first squad before them, each and every mare and stallion locked shields until the circle was complete around the assassin. With reinforcements now available, Privates Dawn, Armor, and Longbow were quick to pull back through an opening.

~Raven~ was reluctant to leave, but eventually decided that was her best option. With a single leap, she sailed over the line and behind her guard, leaving Stalker alone in the center of the circle.

"Surrender!" one officer shouted from outside the circle. "Or you will be dealt with accordingly." As if to accentuate the point, the gathered guards stomped forward, tightening the circle. "Drop your weapon!" he shouted a second time, yet again, the guard stomping ever closer. But even under the threat of spear point, Stalker still refused to release his weapon. “Final warning!” Yet again the guard stomped forward, now they were well within thrusting distance of their spears. All they had to do was wait for the order. Raising his weapon over his head, the guard went tense as they prepared to attack…

Stalker raised his weapon over his head slammed the blade into the ground, point first.

Everypony let out a sigh of relief.

It didn’t last long as Stalker leapt into the air, smashing both feet against the hilt. It drove the weapon further into the ground as a massive shockwave of blue energy radiated from the weapon, sending the guards ponies sailing backwards and off their hooves. Only a few behind the initial line, that weren’t knocked down by their fellow squad mates, stumbled over the pile of bodies and into the fight.

It was a slaughter...

Stalker pried his weapon from the ground and impaled the first stallion under his chest plate and swung the poor stallion off the weapon and into another stallion. One mare went for the swing, but Stalker was too fast with a slash of his own. She screamed out in agony as her arm was severed at the elbow, grabbing the seared stub with her remaining hand as she fell backwards. Another stallion landed a glancing blow but received an elbow to gut and was immediately beheaded when he doubled over. Two mares locked shields as they went forward like a battering ram, but they weren’t fast enough to dodge the next wild strike. The mare on the left was sliced across the face while the other was blinded by the electrical sparks that flared into her unprotected eyes when the dual-edged blade made contact with the top of her shield.

One stallion dove forward, grabbing Stalker around the neck and pulling the assassin into a headlock as he locked arms. Two more stallions went for the stab and slash respectively, but the first received a kick to the gut in response and tumbled over a body. The next stallion got a strike in, but was headbutted as he too, stumbled backwards, grasping his face with both hands. With one arm, Stalker reached back over his shoulder and grabbed the arm of the stallion that was holding him, pulling the boy forward and over his back. The stallion landed hard with a grunt on his front, but was quick to prop himself on his hands, only to watch as Stalker spun the weapon over his head and sliced at the stallion’s neck, causing him to go limp.

~Raven~ smashed her weapon against the Stalker’s in yet another flurry of sparks to keep his from hurting anypony else. They fought for dominance yet again before they pushed back, both of them sliding down the street as they went. Longbow dove forward, rolling over the bodies before he leveled his crossbow and fired. The arrow deflected harmlessly off of Stalker’s sword as he charged forward, causing the younger stallions’ eyes to go wide. Longbow was quick to get to his hooves as he pulled on the string, cocking the weapon and reaching for an arrow from the scabbard on his back. He would never fire the arrow though as the wooden weapon exploded in his grasp as he used it to try and block the incoming strike, showering him in splinters. Longbow dropped the two broken pieces and haphazardly danced around each strike aim for him, frantically trying for his sword still sheathed on his hip! Private Dawn reached into her pocket and wrapped her fingers around a set of brass knuckles and threw a strong haymaker.

A resounding crack filled the air as Stalker’s head buckled to the right, dropping him to a knee.

She hung there, panting as she glared at the stallion before her, knowing that she finally put him in his place!

He slowly turned his head towards her and stared her down. The poor mare’s eyes went wide while her ears splayed back in terror. “I’m sorry!” she whimpered softly just before he backhanded her. The resounding slap echoed off the walls of each building as she was sent spinning through the air. Longbow could only watch as his friend went sailing out of control before his attention went back to the killer before him. Longbow went for his blade and drew it just in time to deflect the initial strike aimed for his head, but that threw him off balance!

That's when it happened…

Long wailed loudly into the air as his leg was severed below the knee, sending the poor boy crashing to the ground as he grabbed at the wound. He continued to curse and hyperventilate as the man loomed over him, weapon in hand, ready to strike that final blow. Longbow’s life flashed before his eyes and even though he was missing a leg, he was not ready to die!

Stalker took a step forward, trying to keep his balance as if something hit him in the back and forced him forward slightly. A pair of lilac arms wrapped around his torso and heaved him into the air. For the second time today, he was suplexed into the ground.

A pair of hands grabbed Longbow by the shoulder straps of his armor. "I got you 'Bow," Private Dawn assured as she started to drag her wounded friend away from the fight. She had fared no better as her right eye had swollen shut and a cut on her cheek just below her eye was oozing blood. She was quick to get him around the corner and in the hands of other guards before she went back for another. Dawn then grabbed the mare missing an arm and repeated the process, dragging the mare to safety before running back for another. She grabbed one of the more severely injured by the collar, dragging him away as the wall of a nearby building exploded, casuing the mare to wince and reflexivly lift an arm to heild her head before ~Raven~ came leaping out of the demolished building and back into the fight. Dawn grabbed a larger stallion and heaved but she couldn't quite lift him.

"Dawn. Dawn. DAWN!" a voice shouted at her, finally grabbing her attention. "He's dead!"

"What?" she breathed, blinking at the stallion talking to her. The girl was exhausted and had been working on autopilot. The poor girl didn't even realize that she had grabbed a body that was clearly missing a head. Shining Armor was next to her with both a concerned look and an actual survivor in his grasp. Dawn dropped the corpse, gagging at the sight before she moved next to her companion and started helping, getting the actual survivor to safety. Once they were safe, Shining Armor was quick to get back in the fight while Dawn headed back to get another survivor.

Back at the fight, ~Raven~ held Stalker by his chest piece, smashing the Warframe through a brick wall and into a random building, freight training him into and through several tables and chairs of a random restaurant, startling several unaware patrons in the process before they smashed through a window and into another densely packed street. Right behind them, Shining Armor was hot on their heels, jumping and hopping over several bits of debris and shattered tables while a number of other guards followed suite, checking on anypony that may have been hurt in the process.

It was at this point that the gates to the castle had opened as Lieutenant Flare, a massive contingent of guards, and a fully armored Celestia exited the courtyard. The solar mare, clad in bright golden armor from head to hoof, wielding a large halberd lead the charge in the frantic search for her daughter. She needed to get to Raven! They were quick to find the carnage of the first major fight and the injured and dead that littered the street.

"They went that way!" Private Dawn shouted as she pointed in the direction that the pair were last seen. Just down the street, the second story wall of a random building exploded into dust and debris as a black mass sailed over the street and impacted into the wall, not a second later ~Raven's~ Javlok sailed past, smashing deep into the wall and exploding in a massive ball of fire. The long horned Warframe came crashing down like a missile as she landed on top of Stalker's back with both heels while he sailed away from the explosion.

"Hang on Baby!" Celestia shouted at her daughter as she took to the skies with a single flap of her armored wings, weapon in hand. Like a razor-sharp and heavily armored bullet, the princess aimed the thick spike of the weapon forward, using every ounce of momentum she had and impaled the assassin clean through the gut, pushing him down the street and smashing him into yet another wall. Celestia pulled back just in time as the entire wall began to collapse around her. With a single flap of her armored wings, the mare pulled back and let that part of the building crumble.

That was going to be expensive…

Glancing over her shoulder, the mare was relieved to see as her daughter's armored suit approached her while reloading her spear-like weapon. The two shared a quick hug, since Celestia's full helmet wouldn't allow her to kiss her daughter before they released. The fight was finally over. Several guards approached from the rear, asking and questioning the pair to see if they were okay.

"You think you've won, haven't you?" The demonic voice spoke from the red and white sword that sat cockeyed in the ground. That drew the attention of everypony as they turned towards the weapon with confused looks. "It has only just begun! Shadow!"

The debris pile suddedly exploded as bricks and large hunks of debris shout out from the pile at lethal speeds. Raven was quick to form a protective Snow Globe that deflected and protected both her and her mother, along with a few guards. Others weren't so lucky as they were pelted by debris. The globe dissipated not a second later by Stalker's hand as he tackled the Warframe and dragged her down the street back towards the castle. Celestia was quick to chase after them while Lieutenant Flare was forced to watch.

That was the end of the line for the orange mare. With her anger finally reaching its boiling point, she closed her eyes, held out her hands, and began to speak in a strange language that no pony recognized. Black wisps of smoke emanated from the corners of her eyes as the shadows that hid in each and every little crevasse shot towards her from all around the street, casuing the remaining guard to jump and flich. She tapped into a force so powerful, so ancient, and evil, only a select few were ever allowed to practice it. Her blood red eyes shot open as she spoke in a dual toned, demonic tone, "Ancient spirits of old give me strength! For together. We. Are. Legion!"

The mare fell forward, screaming in agony and scaring the shit out of her fellow guards as her body began to change. Her bright fur turned a darker and rather faded shade of orange as the sounds of bones cracking and rearranging themselves could be heard as her skin seemed to crawl like something was alive inside her back. Her ears changed into that of a thestrals while a pair of bat-like wings suddenly protruded from her shoulder blades. Flare's eyes turned into thin slits like a cat on the prowl as the possessed mare leaned back and screeched. And a screech so unlike anything, pony or otherwise could make. If the Boogeymare was real, she would be hiding under her bed at this very moment. The dark alicorn unfurled her wings, and with a resounding crack, shot off with enough force to violently knock the remaining guards off their hooves.

"I'll show you pain. When I suck the life from within you!"

This was the power of a dark, ancient vampiric magic. Lieutenant Flare peeled her remaining armor from her body like a tin can with her jagged claws. She was now faster and stronger than anything anypony had ever witnessed. She was even stronger than Celestia. She clenched her jaw of ragged, dagger like teeth as she pushed her new form to its limit.

Back at the Castle the two Tenno smashed through the exterior wall and into the castle grounds. Several exotic animals scattered and ran, screeching and crying in panic as they went. But the pair never relented as they were a flurry of strikes and sparks. A blur of black and purple faster than the eye could process. Celestia came in low and fast when an opening presented itself, sticking her right hoof out and smashing it square against Stalker's chest armor, shattering both the chest peice and his electrical shields. The Warframe folded around the hoof in a flash of blue light and sparks before physics took over and he was sent violently spiraling out of control. He came to an very sudden and immediate halt when a greyish orange blur smashed into him from the side before it teleported out of sight and appeared above him and drop kicking him back into the ground.

~Raven~ spared a glance at the possessed mare as she landed next to Celestia as all three of them approached the smoking crater with bated breath.

They barely had time to react as Stalker came out swinging like a mad man. His right shoulder guard was broken and jagged and his syandana was tattered, but overall, he himself was unscathed. A loud clang filled the air as Celestia used the solid metal shaft of her halberd to block the attack, but there was enough force behind the attack that it still threw her terrible off balance. With a guteral screech, Flare grabbed the dual blades of Stalker's great sword with her elongated fingers and held on with all her strength as the two grappled for control over the weapon. She hissed at him, spraying saliva across the front of his weapon as he suddenly spun her. Like a strange looking dancer routine, where the lead was trying to intentionally murder his partner, Demon Flare lost her hoofing and her grip on the weapon as she was sent spiraling out of control, skipping across the ground like a rock on the surface of a lake.

Stalker used his momentum to fire off an arch of pure blue energy at the charging ~Raven~. Desperately, she dove over the blast as it impacted against the ground. The shock wave that was produced was enough to throw her off course as she started to tumble through the air. Stalker stepped forward, bending at the waist to dodge her flailing for, but it was not enough to save him. ~Raven~ extended her arm as far as it would go, wrapping her fingers around the hooked tip of Stalker's blade, dragging him with her as she sailed over the top of the castle wall and off the edge of the mountain.

"RAVEN!"

Celestia and Lieutenant Flare could only watch as the pair of Warframes smashed against the wall and toppled off the edge of Canter Mountain.

The pair of armored humans tumbled uncontrollably as they smashed down on the rocks below. Stalker folded in half around a large boulder as he glanced off of it while ~Raven~ landed on her side as she smashed shoulder first with a puff of dust as she began to roll uncontrollably. Where upon they tumbled down the side of the mountain as gravity took hold. This was the worst side of the mountain to boot. The west side of the mountain was the steepest and most jagged. The jagged rocks, boulder fields and steep cliffs were enough to put even the most experienced of explorers to the test. Large boulders and sharp rocks broke loose and began to tumble along with the pair, creating even more hazards.

In an act of desperation, Stalker stuck his feet out to try and stop himself but it did nothing except lock his knees and vault him forward while ~Raven~ threw her hands forward to try and stop herself but ended up rolling, cracking her back on a large boulder. They continued to roll and tumble out of control as they approached a random cliff. The rock field towards the cliff had drastically changed in geography, with less larger boulders and with more larger stones. It was just enough for the pair to land on their front and back, sliding down the field like some sick drag race. Both of them were more concerned about trying to stop!

Stalker held out his arms and legs, frantically kicking and grabbing at anything solid enough to grab onto while ~Raven~ tried to dig the pointed tips of her boots into the ground while simultaneously pushing her hands out to try not to hit anything in her path. All their frantically movements did nothing as they slid off the edge of the cliff. They tumbled head over heels before smashing back and shoulders first into the debris field below, folding in half on contact before they started rolling uncontrollably yet again. This was when they decided to fight back.

They stll had quite a ways to go.

When Stalker reached the arch of one of his spins, he swung his weapon, firing an arch of energy at the opposing Tenno. ~Raven~ threw up her arms, her shields flaring brightly as the strike threw her momentum even more out of control. The two of them crashed smashed down head and shoulders first and arching yet again. This time Raven fired a fist full of pure ice at Stalker, missing him by a mile before they hit the ground yet again.

They continued to fight one another with every bounce and arch they made as they tumbled down the mountain. By now they were about a third of the way down the mountain and had reached maximum velocity.

A little further down the mountain and completely unaware, a departing train that was slowly winding its way down the mountain was directly in the path of the out of control fight that was headed straight for them. A loud bang resonated off the roof of one of the cars, causing everypony aboard to scream as the roof suddenly dented inward and a large purple and white object flashed past the windows facing towards the valley below. Several ponies turned towards said windows to see what it was, but all they could see was what appeared to be a pony tumbling terribly out of control as he rolled down the mountain. What happened next was even more terrifying as Stalker smashed back first through both walla of the train. Ponies screamed out in absolute terror as the car suddenly jerked, pulling off the tracks slightly from the impact as the fallen Tenno sheared his way through the second wall of the train.

Farther up the mountain, Celestia flapped her wings as hard as she could as both her and Flare tore after the out of control pair of warriors. She was absolutely helpless as she watched her daughters armored frame haplessly continue to spin, tumble, and smash their way down the mountain and all while wildly trying to attack each other at distance, even occasionally locking blades when they ended up getting close enough, but they never had time to even strike one another before they were back to their violent tumbling.

It would continue the entire length of the peak. Uncontrollable tumbling and rolling as they seemed to hit every boulder, rock, and pebble on the descent. It felt like an eternity for both Tenno and for the two watchers before they finally, finally, they reached the bottom of the mountain. Both Warframes landed hard as their momentum had finally come to a crashing halt as they came to a painful roll. And Raven felt each jab, edge, and poke from every rock she hit, and her mental state was overloading with agony. Stalker for his part landed with a violent roll, stumbling violently as he tried to gain his footing, but ultimately fell forward, his weapon tearing from his grasp and landing point first in the dirt several meters away.

They were both hurting...

Badly...

~Raven~ propped herself up on shaky arms as she carefully got her feet underneath her. Her shields had absorbed most, if not all the blows but the momentum and impacts could still be felt with each hit, but now that her electrical shields were done taking abuse they flared to life, shining a bright cobalt blue before settling into their clearer surface. She stumbled as she stood up, holding an armored hand to her head as her fusion began to clear. The armored teen shook her head and slapped her helmet slightly to get her sensors back in order. She slowly took some tentative steps forward, still stumbling as she drew her sword.

~Raven~ had to take this moment while it was still present. She continued to walk towards the still downed Stalker before she stumbled yet again, this time she fully lost her footing and dropped to a knee. She was exhausted and Frost was definitely injured and would require a lot of time to heal his internal wounds. ~Raven~ pushed herself back to her feet but didn’t make it another step when Celestia and Lieutenant Flare landed next to the Warframe, immediately supporting it.

“Stop. Stop!” Celestia urged as she rested her hand on the Warframe's armored chest.

“We… we need to kill him now!” ~Raven~ panted as she tried to push the two armored mares away, but they were stronger.

“You should have headed her advice!” Hunhow warned, causing all three of them to turn back and stare at the pulsing sword. “Shadow! Kill them all!”

The possessed blade began to wiggle, then shake violently before it pried itself from the dirt and shot off right at the two mares and Warframe. Celestia and Flare didn't hesitate as they dove for the dirt as ~Raven~ stepped to the side, grasping the weapon by one of the blades as it sailed inches from her chest. Her boots dug deep into the ground, digging small trenches in their wake. She came to a rapid halt, pulling at the weapon with all her might as Stalker stood before her, arm fully extended as he willed the weapon towards him. ~Raven~ pulled with all her strength, channeling every ounce of power her suit had left into his arm and legs. In her suit she grit her teeth and lifted her armored leg and slammed it against the ground, inching the hovering weapon away from the Warframe before her.

The sword was starting to panic!

“Shadow! Shadow, help me!”

She lifted her other leg and slammed it against the ground and pulled away. Stalker clenched his fingers as he started to pull on the weapon, dragging her several inches in the opposite direction she wanted to go. She was starting to panic as she felt her fingers starting to slip!

Just them, a golden glove and an orange hand wrapped around her own, pulling the weapon back with all their might!

“Shadow? Shadow!”

Then came the crack.

Hunhow continued to scream and beg for help from his dark guardian as the structural integrity of the weapon began to give way. The joint where one of the blades connected to the hilt made a loud tinking noise, indicating the smallest of cracks in the metal. That would be the weapons downfall. ~Raven~ felt the blade jerk in her grasp as it started to buckle. By now, Hunhow was starting to really panic! With one last jerk of her systems, Raven pulled the weapon in vertically and used her boot as a wedge between the two blades…

She pried…

And the weapon snapped right in half!

Hunhow's metallic voice began to flicker, crackle, and fade as he spoke his dying breath. “ “Shadow! P-Protec-c-ct… me...“

A beam of red energy shot from the weapons hit, striking Stalker square in the chest, causing the Warframe to seize as the power that he was once granted and now long wielded was severed straight from the link. He began to seize and shake violently as he hovered in the air before he curled into a ball of fear and terror. Like a black-hole, particles of red light that bleed form the swords hilt, targeted the levitating Warframe as it started to rapidly condense around his form, causing his armor to glow red hot before it was too much…

In a flash of blinding light, the lethal assassin violently exploded as the three survivors were thrown from their feet and hooves…

Author's Notes:

So on my, chapter dump story... I guess is what I am calling it. If you want to see what I had planned for chapters 29 and 29, go ahead and check it out. Especially if you want to be left hanging.