Author's Notes:

Pre-reading credit for this chapter goes to Jinzou.

The first thing that hit Viscera’s eyes was smoke. She had faced fire before - as early as the Ponyville Riot, in fact. But this was no trick of the tongue. The smoke was so irritating that it stung at her jade eyes, even before it tore at her lungs with the subtlety of a bucking hydra. Fallen beams and scorching glass prickled at the frogs of her feet.

She’d idly started wandering, moving through the warped windows and plants stuck between blackened leaves and sodden bodies, whether she should have gone Thestrel. Surely the form must have had an advantage over her normal, slacking form. Like a higher tolerance to nausea.

Then Viscera found the crumpled, unmoving body of Berrytwist behind the counter, and a part of her wished the smoke had hit her harder.

To be fair, the incoming Royal Guard truncheon did do that, hard enough to knock her out.

“...I don’t get it, she just saw Berry’s body and blacked out!”

Viscera was still, yet Cori’s voice shot its way into the deepest recesses of her brain like Jasmine Leaf’s espresso. That brought her up from the depths of her troubled memory. “Oh no oh no oh no oh nooo…” she babbled, still in disbelief in regards to the scene she’d seen - no, created.

“Viscera! Thank Celestia you’re okay!” Rappid shook her awake. “We had to retreat to Dr. Hooves; Town Guards were all over the place! All we could do to battle the blazes!” Most of the gathered ponies there were coated with soot.

Cori herself was clutching the book that Viscera did not remember giving her, but that she was thanking the crimson pony for giving to her anyways. Rappid was busy looking over the helmet that Viscera didn’t remember grabbing, but that she was scolding her for ramming her head into when they found her. Gympis was busy talking with Dr. Hooves and Amethyst Star in a tone that Viscera didn’t remember using, but that Gympis said Viscera’s crying had devolved into.

Apparently, Viscera had missed a lot.

“What… happened?”

Rappid pointed to a helmet of silver and lavender on the couch next to the other. “We found a helmet at the crime scene. I think it belonged to Hel Gaulle!”

This time, Viscera could respond with more than two words. “We… have to get to Berry...”

“We cannot, Viscera!” Gympis yelled. “It's because Berry was declared-”

“-right now, it doesn’t matter!” Cori thrust the silver and lavender helmet toward Viscera’s direction. “Please Viscera, we don’t have much time. Derpy’s in the Boutique ”

But Viscera’s eyes were turning to the door in the house leading outside. And in trying to move towards it - to get back to Berry! - she ended up falling over her weakened legs. Within seconds, she was plummeting on the table. Her hoof smacked against a far different jewel-covered artifact; that of Derpy’s saddlebags, heaped on the living room table.

Dr. Hooves tried to warn her. “Wa-wait, we still haven’t found out why she brought it covered in-”

But he was too late. Viscera’s hoof brushed up on the diamond clasp of the mailpony’s satchel - and to her surprise, she was pulled into a sequence she didn't even know Derpy had. Reality bent around her as her Thestrel foresight triggered.

Viscera was in front of the Canterlot Train Station. One of the trains was already pulling out, and she could see the amount of ponies moving within - several of them from the ‘honeymoon harem’ Twilight had abducted. She noticed several of them were trembling. Some were bathed in specks of red.

As the train pulled away, she did notice another pulling up. And then she noticed a Royal Guard flying away from the main courtyard. He was a mess too, and he flew like the gates of Tartarus itself were rushing up to swallow him.

Only one lone pony was visible though, coming back through Canterlot. She - and even from this distance, Viscera could tell - was slow in her motions. A pegasi, her wingbeats taking her slowly up the catwalks. Viscera braced herself, even if she didn’t really know how to comprehend this threat. Or why she was scared of it at all, this was a memory.

Her head raised.

And then she saw Derpy. Her fur was caked with blood, her golden eyes wobbling. Tucked in her left hoof was a clump of peachy feathers.

The worlds she uttered, though, froze Viscera to the bone. “You have returned… I shall follow… you have returned…. I shall follow…”

It was the exact same words that giant magenta being with the gold headdress had spoken to her when she’d first teleported. “But WHY! Why are you saying this?” Her yell hit deaf ears. It was a magicalized memory, not an intervention.

But this time, the horror wasn’t just there. It was also in the face that first popped up on the emerging carousel. “Look out Derpy, we have to get going! I saw the hostages leave, the Guard will be on….” It was Minuette. And her jaw was plummeting into the metal of the friendship Express.

“Oh my god… Derpy what did you do?” Minuette yelled.

Derpy didn’t answer. Viscera couldn’t. Another drop of blood made a heavy split on the cobbled stone under Derpy’s floating forehoof.

“Derpy, what did you DO?!”

Viscera’s tongue felt like it weighed a ton as she came out of her vision. “Viscera, did you see another vision?” Cori was in her face immediately. “Tell me! Was it important? Did it show her attacker?

“Look, this might be for the best; I don’t know what to even tell her!” Dr. Hooves retorted. “First Minuette, now her! At this rate-!”

That mention of the Minuette brought her back to reality. “We have to find Derpy.” Viscera croaked.

Gympis cocked her head. “What does the strangely irised pegasus have to do with thi-”

“She killed all those Guards! That’s why Hel went into the flower shop!”

“And we had to move further into the city because of that?” Cori bellowed. “I don’t even know where they got that much Guard presence into the shop! Between Roseluck’s leaving and your return, that couldn’t be more than minutes!”

“We-we have to get moving!” Viscera couldn’t tell them just yet whose mantra she’d heard coming from Derpy’s maw. She’d figure it out later. Later.

“At least take a look at this!” Rappid, for the third time, brought the helmet to Viscera's line of sight. “It was at the same location as that fire - and where Derpy was! We have to know why all of this insanity happened!”

Viscera didn’t want to. She’d already seen more than enough of how Derpy had acted during the Twilight wedding. But curiosity reigned supreme again.

Viscera now found herself in the streets of Ponyville. Yes, Hel Gaulle was there, but so was Flash Sentry. Her heart stopped for a moment. What was he doing?

And then Viscera found out that the peach-coated Royal Guard was walking without a wing. Suddenly, she knew who that appendage in Derpy’s hand likely belonged to.

She could also see them make their way to the Roseluck’s Botanicals store. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” asked Hel, voice gruff as ever.

“Since I’ve been to this locale, I’ve been belittled, mutilated; robbed of my wing and my beloved princess’ last chance of sanity.” Flash’s head shook as he spoke, but nothing he said implied he thought otherwise. “I don’t know what this new Equestria is, but all it seems to create are monsters. The Crystal Pony I thought understood me has fallen in league with monsters. The mare I loved has become a monster.”

A pang of regret struck Viscera as Flash turned, and she caught sight of the eyepatch on his face.“

“If I must become one to avail myself of the horrors around me... the horrors that crippled me. then so be it.“

Then Viscera saw Derpy, unseen by anypony but the three of them, land near the store. “Roseluck, where are you? I’ve found this strange stone. It’s this stone, I think it made me attack those people in Canterlot. Roseluck?”

“Perfect.” Hel Gaulle’s gaunt grin grew. “Two of Minuette’s friends in that statue, one in that stupid truck. And Derpy’s gonna bring us to the pisspoine’s headquarters.”

Then the two Royal Guards went into the store. Viscera couldn’t bear to watch it this time, but she was forced to.

Forced to see how they’d struck that place and found Berryshine at the counter.

Forced to see how Hel swiftly leapt atop of her, scoring blow after sickening blow on Berryshine.

Forced to see Flash identify a flash of yellow tail disappearing into the basement -where Viscera and Cori started their first caper- and how she started in after Derpy.

Above all else, though, Viscera was forced to see these two formerly opposed Guards set together on that very store before leaving.

But then Viscera saw three more things.

She saw Roseluck, Pina Colada, and Powder Puff arrive just after Hel and Flash left. The three ponies' eyes went wide as they saw the fires. Roseluck pulled back Puff, giving off a shower of tears before they all left.

She saw a glowing light coming from the basement, where the bulk of the flames had started. She recognized it, but originally didn’t know from here.

The third phenomenon, however, came from a new player entering the fray. This one was a tan pegasus, one with white veils draped over her head and barrel. She looked flawless. Irreverent. She reminded Vis of the being she’d seen in that dark chamber her Thestrel teleports so often took her to. But for her, however, she had dived into the building, a mare of action.

Viscera’s biggest suspicions were confirmed, the second she saw the golden coat overtake the blackening planes of Derpy Hooves’ coat. As the new mystery pegasus brought out Derpy by her scruff, Viscera knew just what had allowed Derpy Hooves to survive her ordeal.

That glow was familiar because she’d seen it on the first day of her arrival in Gotham. So did Rappid, and Cori, and Gympis.

Derpy had an Equilixir Stone!? Derpy’s the fourth Thestrel? But the only one who'd had it was…

And suddenly Viscera's body was rocked with another shudder. Daring was in the Crystal Empire! Hopefully she’d gotten out. Also, why had she been in the empire? And if so, where was she now?

The scene ended with her seeing the galloping crimson pony approaching the burning shop beforehand, the scene twisting away before Viscera could come face-to-face with herself.

Cori was moving to the door of Dr. Hooves’ house “...look, Rappid. We’ll need to find Cadance to marshal such an attack. But I’m sure I can. Come on, we’ll start the rounds no-”

“NO!” VIscera’s arm shot out to catch Cori’s foreleg. “That one… that vision, it told me what I needed to hear.”

“What?”

“Everything. Who killed her, why… and how I can beat them at their own sick game.” Viscera smiled weakly. “But we’ll need a special somepony on board. Gympis, you’re on me.”

Viscera and Gympis were within the Carousel Boutique within minutes. Rarity was quick to answer the door-taps, and marveled at them nearly trampling Spike on their rush inward.

“Whoa! Might wanna slow down there!” Spike yelped.

“Can’t, we need this to be quick, actually.” Viscera shot a look toward Derpy Hooves in the corner. Indeed, one of Rarity’s finest blankets was cocooning her, though it still was unable to wholly conceal her scars. A slight spring of anger rose up, but it was soon washed over by opportunity. Her inner pony clicked her tongue at this, the sound chattering in Viscera’s skull like clockwork.

“May I first say what an honor it is to meet the Facesmasher without combat erupting.” Gympis nodded as she faced Rarity.

“For what, dears? I don’t underst-?” Rarity’s breath hitched as she stared at Gympis. “Wait, Facesmasher?”

“Yes, I thought it was surprising too, luv.” Viscera ignored the slight blush on Spike’s face. “But we have a plan. Shining’s book - the one Cori got - had a lot of info in it. One in particular struck my fancy, and I think it’s why the Crystal Guards were set to take your Equilixirs.”

“Spill it out then,” Spike was almost bouncing on his feet. “If it can help us strike back at the Queen I’m all for it!”

Viscera spat out one word.

“Exactly what is an ‘Engage’?” Rarity’s plucked eyebrow rose.

“Only one way to find out. And we don’t have time to preview this like Cadance did.” Viscera turned back to Rarity. “Which means we need a plausible story for why we have an Element.”

Princess Gympis quickly whispered something into Rarity’s ear. The fashionista’s face fell a bit at her last words, but it soon straightened out. “I see.”

“Are you sure of this, fellas?” Spike’s arms were at his sides in a second. “If it’s what I think it is, I think we need more time?”

“We’re giving you that. Enough to make sure we’re comfortable afterwards.” Viscera turned to them both. “There’s a good chance we don’t come back from this.”

“Wait a minute! Now how dare you think your lives are so expendab-”

“Not that way, Rarity.” Viscera belted out. “I… just meant that... we’ll have to be out of Ponyville for a bit; besides, Cadance said where she’ll be in several days’ time; you’re to tell her I’ll be there too.”

Rarity's eyes got some of their luster back at that. “Well, fine then. I understand then, darling… just make it look convincing.” Rarity turned her cheek to Viscera. “And not around the front hooves either, I just had them healed.”

Gympis winced a little bit at the imagery that Rarity’s last word suffered. Then, at a nod from Viscera, she reared back her right forehoof. Aiming it carefully at Rarity’s face, just behind her eye, she thrust it forward.

The sun was directly over Ponyville this time. It was the day after.

Viscera was flipping through a newspaper, herself. The words “Ponyville Loses its Berryshine.” was stamped on the side. Every other second, her hooves either absentmindedly moved another page within the pager, or flipped back to look at the header. Each time, her look rolled toward the clock set up outside Town Hall.

Then a glowing purple sun tore through the plaza of grass just outside them Everypony around them finally started screaming when Queen Twilight, Princess Dash, Princess Toxic Haze and Shroud rolled through.

Viscera standing up to them without retreat, however, got the gathering crowd talking. Encircled around the five quadrupeds, they heard every snarl from Twilight’s group; and every measured breath from the thief in front of them. “What took you so long?” drawled Viscera, her tone level.

“Because I had to hear that you, the heroes of Ponyville, decided to assault one of my Element holders.” Queen Twilight shot back. “Plus you claimed to have some method of stopping me, and given that you’ve done plenty of stopping me during the time...“

“Better ponies might have called them ‘friends.’” Viscera’s snout crinkled. “Or talked about them without salivating.”

Queen Twilight only twitched her wet lips up in a leering grin. “Speaking of things that’ll get me wet, you’re fully aware I can kill you, right?”

Viscera chuckled. “You won’t, though.”

“What makes you think I haven’t found a way to already, Thestrel or not?”

“If you did, I wouldn’t be standing here and neither would you.” Viscera's wry smile only stood her out from the sea of scowls and clenched teeth. “Also, then you’d never know how I managed to do this.”

Before Queen Twilight's maw could move to ask ‘do what?’ the Element of Harmony in Viscera’s hand activated. Prismatic light jetted from its jewel to the one atop the malevolent monarchs crown. However, Princess Rainbow Dash was but a small twinge faster. It was her Element of Loyalty that caught Generosity’s glow.

“W-what the heck is this and why does it feel so awesome?!“ she got out, the bolt atop her necklace blindingly aglow.

Viscera’s smile crept up inches further. “Becuase it involves the thing you love the most now; fucking a unsuspecting quadruped.” Her eyes locked on the beam connecting their Elements. “Believe this is called an Engager of Harmony. Funny thing, those trinkets you power your abilities through. The late princess feared another being might wreak havoc with the Elements.” Calming her heart, Viscera continued. “She feared a lot of things, rightfully so.“

“And I suppose you’re going to obit about that alabaster whore?” Yet Twilight’s eyes didn’t leave her pegasus lover. Princess Dash’s hooves went to the shaved ends of her mane, kneading the stubby bolts cut into her hair at the feeling pumping through the Elements’ link.

“Nah. Never much liked history. Too much of you in it.” Viscera did not even bother looking at Dash. “Basically, welcome to Harmony’s failsafe. Each Element can be called on by another, to remove them from their holder. Loser loses their Element.”

Twilight’s eyes shot open. “You went into my castle to find this out, didn’t you!?” she bellowed. “And what’s stopping me from just killing your stupid fuck-ass right here and now?”

“My dashing good looks and actual fashion sense for one, for two…” drawled Viscera. “The anti-magic barrier this Engager match prepares, for another.”

“Bullshit,” Prince Toxic spray of saliva almost seemed to sizzle on the patches of ground next to Viscera. “If this was a thing that bitch Celestia could do, why didn’t she do so with Luna?! Or Discord? Or your Queen!?”

“Queen?” A light chuckle shook her frame, It felt like an eternity since she’d done it last. Especially against them. “Your crew burned down a store with Derpy in it and she’d make a better Queen than Twilight.”

The pitched gasps and shouts at Viscera’ statement. Both Twilight’s and Toxic’s horns ignited at this, only to fizzle out within the sparking barrier forming around them all. The beam between Viscera and Dash’s necklaces intensified. “So here’s the deal: me and my three, against Dash and her three. Winner takes the loser’s Element. And…”

“How are you even able to do this.” Shroud’s words weren’t a question. “None have heard of this maneuver before.”

“We shouldn’t have. This option was only available after an Element-bearer killed the only pony Celestia knew the passing of would take an Element’s abuse.” Viscera’s head lowered. “Herself.”

“Clever cunt.” Twilight tittered. “You’re such a strange creature, my little pony. But having your head on a pole to rape that grin off will actually make my day better. Besides - I made a vow too.”

“We’re not marrying until you and all your friends are dead.” That hiss came from Princess Dash. She was still floating in the air, her grin turning sadistic as she stared at the crimson pony. “And thanks for making it sooooo easy, brat.”

The glowing leylines around both Elements quickly spread into a widening prismatic ring. “Cool. Another thing about all this is that… Well, no single pony can just evoke this Element’s power. No, you’d need enough to ensure that and since I’ve taken an Element of Generosity...“ Some slight jeers accompanied Viscera’s statement. “Manifesting this Engager with it involves ponies that have generously given their time in service to them.”

A roll of golden flames brought forth Goldilock, her swirling albino mane tickling at her neck, as the embers did at her forelimbs. The second burst of light, right from the edge of Ponyville Preservation Society building, resulted in the arrival of Princess Gympis. Both were in their Thestrel forms. Despite their one-mare disadvantage to Twilight’s group, they could have powered the town itself with the electricity in their glares.

“You accept, Twilight?”

“Know the next time I say this will be over the fireplace I mount your fuck-pillow body over.” Twilight said that first line. She and Dash did the second, their eyes dimming as they looked at each other. “We do.”

Princes Toxic Haze and Shroud moved out to flank Queen Twilight, since she had no barrier. Goldilock and Gympis turned to face each of them, backs turning slightly to Viscera.

“Now, how did you expect to evade m-GLAH!”

Before Queen Twilight could finish her words, the first part of her grand plan struck - literally. Gympis and Goldilock swept out their rearlegs, sweeping them into Twilight’s front legs. The horseshoes helped protect her, but she was still driven to her haunches. Viscera’s rearlegs went into action soon after, kicking the Queen off the front door of her Golden Oaks Library.

A marble-sized lump was quickly passed from a pouch on Viscera’s side, hurtled toward Queen Twilight. Twilight didn’t see it, what with the flurry of Shroud tendrils that Godlock rolled into to guard from Haze’s sorcerous bolts.

She certainly felt it though, when a blue bolt shot out from the tree canopy and enlarged that object to the full-size food cart it was.

“WHAT THE F-”

An ocean of broken wood and crushed cantaloupes blocked the front of the library - and its former occupant - from view.

Viscera and her crew then went to work. Viscera and Toxic Haze went hoof-to-hoof against each other, smacking forelegs ento each other. The powerful Goldilock used Gympis’ hold-down of Shroud’s tendrils to attack the Shadow Pony. This left Gympis free to tackle Dash, just as she was getting over the surprise attack on her beloved.

The pattern continued for the next few minutes, even as the ring for their Engage came into being around them. The citizens of Ponyville watched this back-and-forth with suspicious awe, still unbelieving. Viscera kept Prince Toxic too close for him to effectively use his mist on her, and the bolts generated by his horn were kicked into rooftops and treetops. The close angle also meant no Blood Stones; even with Viscera’s visor, she was too close to not be affected.

Goldilock and Shroud were a different story. Her Thestrel wings kept her agile enough to avoid the tentacles, whippling lances of obsidian etching out the barriers of their Engage. But despite this, they also kept her too far to actually do much damage to him. The closest she came was with her limbs, the flames licking at them from furious flight keeping her too hot to grab.

Rainbow Dash and Gympis were in the air, two Princesses slamming kicks into one another. Only the close proximity of the Engaged barrier and the other two Princes below prevented Dash from outpacing Gympis. Only the relative durability of her Thestrel form kept Gympis from transforming into a form that could overpower Princess Dash. The edge in strength went to Gympis, and the growing bruises on Dash’s cyan fur showed it.

Queen Twilight, however, had compounding issues of her own:

“How are you-?!” A throw of a marble by Viscera made its way to Queen Twilight. A crackle of light met it halfway from the leafy cover of Golden Oaks, and suddenly a wrecking ball was slamming Twilight into the ground in front of it.

“Cut it out~!” Another throw, a different food cart crashed into her.

“I swear, I will put my left hoof THROUGH YOU-~!” An entire statue, helpfully borrowed from the fountain was grown to its full size before it crashed down on her.

That particular lash had actually sent enough planks into the trees that Viscera could see the faint outline of the jewel-shaped mane. Cori’s jaw worked furiously, as she tried to keep Twilight from jumpin in the efraw..

But her stress would make her aim sloppy. The next marble Viscera sent - a dot in the air - would be missed by her horn-bolt, and the manifestation of a water truck inside the Golden Oak Library shook the house so much it sent her tumbling.

Cori raced to the Engager central spot. Right at the edge of the barrier, her hooves struck against the clear wall, repelling her. “Wait, Vi! I can’t get in!” Then her eyes widened. “Then who’s your fourth?”

“You’re going to find them. Bring them here.” Viscera grabbed a piece of paper off of her belt and handed it to her. Cori was originally confused by how it looked, but something immediately clicked for the ambassador.

Don’t despair.
It’s not all over -for you, or for Equestria.
No one can stop you with your new gift.
Keep it close: Rappid, Gympis and I have the same Thestrel talent.
You’re all that can stop you now.

Help us, and we can help you; through your pain and your powers.
Only by fighting back can you be rid of your demons.
Only by roasting the Queen now can Equestria heal.
Voices are being snuffed out everyday by her.
Engagement’s happening in Golden Oaks.
See you there, my good Thestrel-lized friend.

Cori’s eyes dwindled in size. “Is this why we didn’t…?“

Viscera, after delivering another blow to the charging Toxic Haze, continued. “You’re not above stealing away people for dangerous stunts, Cori. We can take something away from these monsters.” Her view swept to Gympis, “Find her or I will.”

“You wouldn’t.”

Viscera's stare into Cori made her tremble anyways. “R-right.” Quickly she leaped through the crowd.

“She’s right - ugh!” Goldilock clutched at the tendrils of Shroud that dug into his site. “You wouldn’t.”

“Important thing is that she thinks I will.” Viscera dodged yet another beam from Prince Toxic, then grabbed his head and twisted the beam into Dash’s back. “And now-”

“Arrrgh!” That was Gympis, recoiling from a lucky Dash hit.

“...we play the waiting game.” Viscera's grin slowly vanished upon seeing Queen Twilight slam her way out of the wreckage. Her eyes swung back and forth, two amethyst sights looking for something to fire upon.

Goldilock snarled as her wing flap took her above another whiplash of spiked obsidian. “My least favorite game.”

“Mine is this ‘Trivia Trot’!” yelled Gympis. “Relaying information for nothing is a sucker’s game!”

Viscera's response would have been 'Yeah, you'd say that', but it'd be hard to get out with Prince Toxic Haze's mist hitting her in the mask. Metal scored over with black mars as she recoiled from the blast, but Viscera remained upright.

"GAAH!"

This time, Cori's attention was quickly brought to the four ponies currently in the ward Viscera's notice had brought her to. "I'm starting to notice a pattern in you meeping when I show up." Princess Cadance said.

"I-I'm sorry, Princess." Cori finally got out. "I lost us the Crystal Empire by leading Twilight in. I should have checked the statue, I-"

"No, Ambassador Cori. I should have been more alert." Cadance nodded. "I was the one ponies like Rarity," and she turned to one of the two bedridden ponies between her and Daring. "And Derpy," Cadance pointed to the other. "And Shining..." That phrase held on the tip of her tongue, her body shaking at the remembrance. "But Twilight, in taking Shining's body, reminded me what first drove my heart."

Cadance's sweep revealed the sparking Crystal Heart, tucked under one of her wings. "Where did you-?" Cori started.

"There was more than one reason I wasn't visible." Finally, Daring Do had spoken. "More than one why being here isn't always the best option for my luck."

"How so?"

"She said... ask 'spearhead' darling." Rarity was next - her face was full of bruises, one that had Cori gasping as she saw them. "Don't worry about us, darling. I had my doubts of Vis's plan, but..."

"Seems her plans are the best of ours. S-she was the one who'd first volunteered to go into the fire. And she was the one who first moved to save Berry. And... she does so much and never brings it to any of your doorsteps." Cori's gaze went downward. "And all I do is bring trouble to everypony I meet."

"Now now, none of that." Cori jumped - not only at the words, but that it was Rarity who said them. "She is far from perfect. So am I, so is everpony. We are all only as good as the focus on the good we do; the friendship we maintain, the bonds we choose to strengthen."

She turned to the other patient on the cot next to her.

"And apparently, Viscera sees something in her; else she wouldn't have interred us both here. Let her see what Viscera has in store for her. And what we can have in store for the Queen."

Cori, after a long moment, nodded. She brought the letter to Derpy Hooves, who cracked open an eye past her bandages to see it. Her words. Her golden gaze traveled over each sentence. And then, they dimmed when she looked at the first letter in each of them.

A thunderous yellow light pulsed off of her, and Cori stood back in amazement. Then Derpy's eyes, wide and glowing, turned to her. And in a clap of thunder, they were both gone, only a slight burnt ring around her bed showed they'd left.

"Up to them now, isn't it?" Daring tentatively asked.

"Up to all of us." Cadance's nod was solemn, her voice softer than the sheets around Rarity. "You've a task in Trottingham now, Daring; we need a safe place for the Crystal Heart. And I have one in more places." Eyes shot to the sun-filled window. "To keep Equestria safe from the mad Queen."

Daring nodded as she turned to leave the room. "I only hope you all know what to do - and what you're doing - from here."

“...do you not get we’re trying to beat you to death!” yelled Princess Dash, failing in another pass to smack into Gympis.

“We do, you’re just terrible at it!” shot back Viscera

Another laser blasted out and struck the ground, nearly burying Viscera in an avalanche. “Give us a minute.” hissed Queen Twilight.

BOOOOOUSH!

Two lightning bolts struck the lighting rod atop Golden Oaks Library, tearing it apart in a violent shower of sparks and shrapnel. Another then struck the pile of debris outside that treehouse, blowing out into a pillar of flames.

And from those very white-hot kindling came…

“Is that another Thestrel?!” yelled Mayor Mare. Indeed it was; winged like Goldilock with curling whips of white feathers from her neck. But she was different in drastic ways, too.

Her ears were strangled tufted on one side. A cloying band of gold stitched out across the left of her maw, and her eyes flickered in a maddening way the others didn’t. But she charged out with even more fervor than the other, and her momentum took her right for Toxic Glow.

Queen Twilight didn’t even notice it at first. It took this being rushing in and flooring Toxic in one hit that did it. And then again. And then kneeing her in the face as she rebounded off the edge of the Engage enclosure and knocked him down with a brutal lariat.

Dash went for one of the few ponies not mesmerized by the mystery Thestrel’s debut. She decided to make more out her own intro, attacking her with one of the carts she’d snatched from the Ponyville center.

The timber from the cart twisted around her form, caused gasps from the gathere Ponyville town, and did absolutely fuck-all to stop her from moving. Specifically, one of her hooves turned into a claw, and latched around the cyan pegasus’ throat. Lifting her up and moving to her hind legs, the new Thestrel slammed her into the dirt from a seven-foot height.

“Who’s this?”asked Goldilock.

“Dis, I’ve decided to go with!” Viscera’s shoulder shifted as Shroud was steered toward the mystery Thestrel. Just as he scrambled to all four limbs, Dis reared back and punched him into the alleyway behind Sugarcube Corner.

A snarling ball of chitin and green sparks charged at Dis. Avoiding Toxic was as easy and simple as a low duck. Hoisting the rebounding changeling by the throat for a second neck slam into the dirt was even easier.

It was then that Twilight started working. Throwing herself against Dis her blows drove the winged Thestrel back. “Remember-me-you-stuplid-little-pisspony!” she yelled between each strike.

But Dis’ actions already turned back the tide for Viscera’s group, and she was soon falling Gympis and Goldilock as well. Again, it wasn’t wholly enough to pull down Queen Twilight,

And all the while Princess Dash stayed in the dirt-ridden pit Dis had slammed her in. Even as the barrier around them pulsed for the seventh time in blue sepia, she only moaned.

Cori’s horn flashed-up again, even with her outside the ring. A heave of Dis’ rearleg, and Twilight was sent tumbling over the supersized axel just outside their barrier. Viscera threw the rest of the bag toward her opponent as Cori shot out a bolt, the remnants of Barnyard’s Bargains came to fall upon the alicorn.

It didn’t stop Queen Twilight entirely. Now that she was outside the Element-made barrier, she threw up one of her own to take the brunt of the impact. The sea of violet-pink light shimmered and cracked around the force.

But it was enough to keep her from Princess Dash.

The circle of light pulsed for the tenth time, then finally shattered with a rending crash. Even Viscera had to clap her ears with this, as she doubled over. It was Cori, however, who would see the end result of the first Engage - sparkling-up, the shards of the barrier around them pulsed into Dash’ Element of Loyalty. Then it snapped off her neck violently and fell to the ground before them, ominous as the hush that’d fallen over the crowd.

Suddenly, seven Twilight’s struggles ceased as she saw Viscera slowly approach and pick up the necklace. The small thunderbolt in its center twinkled in Viscera’s eye, but offered no further resistance as she lifted it. Whatever it was, it was no longer the Element of Rainbow Dash.

The powerful moment was shattered by the yell from Twilight, one issued just as the Element of Loyalty was lifted in Viscera's triumphant grasp.

“ENOUGH!”

The purple aura around her, cloying to her like her rage personified, But her magic went no further. “Congratulations, Vis. You and your friends won. And now it’s time I told you what you win.”

“But no worries, Mayor. You’re going to win too! Because I’m going to free you from this dreadful blockade you’ve had. Starting effectively within the hour, that air lock is lifted.”

“A pity you’ll need something to keep from falling into empty air.” Shroud hissed, staking out from behind Sugarcube Corner.

“How so, Queen?” This time, Viscera’s eyes widened. Queen Twilight had just lost an Element. Before her very eyes, her own betrothed had something taken from her. And another Thestrel had overpowered the cabal she got together.

“See, we’re not saying there's no ban on ponies coming in and out of this city... '' Toxic Haze’s hissed. “We’re moving it to a more deserving group.”

Queen Twilight’s chuckle shot through Viscera’s veins like a saline drip. “Look upon ye heroes and despair, Ponyville. Because within the hour, they’re not allowed within five miles of this city. They anypony who harbors them… we take our time with them. Luna can tell you how that’ll go.”

Twilight turned to him.

“Just like I’ll know where you all go.” This time, she stood up among the scraps and debris, without a bit of strain or stress. “Run and you’ll die tired. Hide and you’ll die cramped.”

With a snap of violet magic, the Queen, Princess Dash, and the two princes were gone. Viscera could feel her heartbeat in the suffocating silence, its thump-thump a steady metronome.

Mayor Mare was the first to move. Crossing the gap between the crowd and the heroes, she steadily tried to get out her next few words. “Listen, you all… it’s nothing that we can handle to keep you here. We’ll take every precaution, move you from house to house if nee-”

“No.” Viscera’s eyes didn’t leave the Element of Harmony swinging from her clawed forhoof. “That threat wasn’t to us. It’s to you. We showed we can handle ourselves.”

“B-but we can...”

“Miss Viscera is right.” Princess Gympis took three steps and was suddenly in front of the Mayor. “We are sorry for this… but it is best Ponyville be safe from the Queen. If that means we cannot be here, then so be it.”

Viscera was next. “We’ve got places to be ourselves. Gympis lost a Queen, Cori’s lost an Empire, Rappid’s lost time, I’ve lost. Well…” She leaned in to the mayor and whispered in some words to the flax-coated politician. Ignoring her dropped jaw, Viscera continued. “I figured you should know. I’m sorry for holding her from you. But it’s time for her to leave Dr. Hooves’ lab.”

“A-and go where?” Mayor Mare asked. “It was all we could do to keep her stable. And I don’t-”

“She’s fine.” Mayor Mare gasped. Daring Do paid no attention to it. “Can’t say going with her-” Daring’s hoof pointed to Viscera. “-is the best option. But with what Hooves has told me about her and Viscera… it might be the safest. She’s all they’ve got. And… The Queen will go for her if we don’t.”

Mayor Mare, after another long break, finally nodded. This time, Viscera turned to her three fellow fighters. “Take every moment you can here in this hour, luves. Any of you who want to continue fighting the Queen… Gympis can tell you where I am.”

Goldilock reverted to Rappid, turning to follow Viscera as she ambled away. But Mayor Mare’s amber hoof jutted in front of her path. “You’re… going to leave soon. I feel you must know something before you go playing rogue.”

Rappid raised her forearms in an attempt to wave the Mayor off. Three words caused her to freeze.

“It involves Featherweight.”

With the enclave of Zecora’s hut, the four - Viscera, Rappid, Gympis and Cori - finally convened. The afternoon sun, red as it ever was, was just a little bit bright, painting their meeting location in rich tangerine hue.

“We’ve gotten the last of the arrangements in order.” Cori’s tone was a bit more strangled.

“And where are we going in such a rush-“

“Cloudsdale.”

Cori’s face brightened at the words, hoping she’d misinterpreted “Right, sorry. The blockade’s over, so we’ve got to get you back to talk with your superiors.”

“Yes.” Rappid’s tone was dead-level. “And I’m going to find a way to erase that cyan-colored shitstain Dash from its history books.”

“Well.” Gympis chirped. “I did not see this development from before.”

“Before, I didn’t have a kindly mayor telling me as a going away present that….” Rappid’s next few words lodged heavily in her throat. Biting it down, the verbalization began again. “Mayor Mare told me everything. About Dash, and what type of mare she’s become… and how many more mares she’s killed.”

Viscera couldn’t look Rappid in the face.

“You know… I was one of the first to lead the efforts to clear her name. I wasn’t earlier, especially after the Wonderbolt deaths. But then we found Gilda dead, and the Cloudsdale Council arrested Wind Rider for this. Turned out it wasn’t him, none of us found out. Rider would never know, hung himself in the cell. Bound his wings too, stuff like that normally triggered flight-or-fight in all or limbs.”

Her tears started to flow.

“I begged, the day I became Mayor, to come down and help get back Dash. Guilty or innocent, I said no pegasus with her talent deserved to be on terra firma. But I still thought she was innocent; that she had to be, that nopony from our city would be that evil…”

“Then... this.” Viscera’s two words only made the scowl on Rappid Fires’ face grow.

“We’re moving now. The second you tell me just who’s coming along with us.”

“And why we didn’t know you’d extorted an Element from Rarity to trigger your plan.” Cori added. “Could have helped with the whole; nearly freaking out when I saw her in Ponyville Hospital' thing."

“Wish I could say it was because I don’t trust anybody.” Viscera turned to look at each pony before her in turn. “But… it was because Rarity told me to rough her up.”

“Wait, why?” Cori gasped.

“Needed to make it look like I took her Element by force. Which is also probably why Twilight’s electing to only go full ham with us as detached from the other Elements as possible.” Viscera visibly shuddered at this. “Makes sense, right? That she would be so generous with her welfare for our sakes?”

“Certainly. You are her kin.” Gmypis drew up, her magena eyes sparkling. “She is respectable in that regard.”

“Speaking of which...” Viscera tittered. “Loved seeing you tackle Dash. Go, Facesmasher!”

Wild splotches of red popped up on Gympis’s face.“...please do not call me that.”

“You’re right, sorry – you are younger. Facesmasher Jr., instead.” Another rustling of the bushes brought Viscera’s attention. “Guess we can move now.”

“Wait - how so?” Cori asked. “We have no way up there. And if we did, I’ve only one Cloudwalker spell for us all!”

“Amethyst will suit us up before we go; and Rarity’s work before was on the balloon used in Iron Pony II.” Viscera looked to the thicket behind them. “And there they come now.”

Behind up the walkway was Withers, Amethyst Star and Derpy Hooves, her head still covered in that Thestrel-lized coat. Behind all three of them was a large chamber, almost the height of all three ponies put together.

“Thank you Amethyst, for letting us do this.” Viscera nodded to the fuchsia unicorn, studying the metal obelisk behind them. “And I apologize for borrowing her some more.”

Amethyst sniffed. “It’s fine. I’ll be seeing her soon anyways.” She motioned to the chamber pod behind them. “Want we should wait until you’re at Cloudsdale before-?”

“No. They waited long enough.” Viscera snapped two buttons on the chamber, the front corner shuddering outward with a steady creak. “Mares and gentlecolt, the mare I saved in the riots.”

Not a word passed between any of them as the doors opened. Not even Cori made a sound, through the hooves over her maw may have had something to do with it. She and Rappid were the only ones who’d immediately recognized the plum coat, the pin-pricked green eyes, the sunflower-stamped flanks.

“It’s nice to see you again… Miss Cheerilee.”