-EQUUS, THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE-

Having witnessed Cozy Glow’s sudden disappearance, The Primordials were momentarily stunned in confusion as the green Primordial comments:

“Hm… How disappointing… My meal seems to have disappeared.”

“Aw, COME ON! I was just starting to have fun!” groans the red Primordial, swirling flames around themself.

“Silence, Omnicide, Slag Fury… Our actions will not have gone unnoticed by Ocram. We will fight once more, soon enough. Now come, we must rejoin our mortal form.” says Aquaius, swirling around Slag Fury in a kind of exotic dance as the filly reappears. Omnicide, for his part, disappears back into the fork as Ambient rubs her head.

“Ow. I shouldn’t do that too much.”

The pegasus captain rubs his head with a forehoof after recovering from his mind control, “Wh-what happened?”

“Uh… Let’s just say there were booms and bangs, and now Cozy Glow is… somewhere, I dunno.” says the filly, sitting on the ground and letting her wings fall limp.

“I still can’t believe that a filly did all of that,” He then looks towards Ambient, “But I’m glad you’re, well, a good filly.”

“Thanks, I guess. Wouldn’t say I’m a good filly, heheh… But thanks anyway,” she says, markings giving off a brief yellow glow before returning to neutral red.

“Yak want to ask you, what was that? Yak saw you become something else.” The yak guard comments.

“I guess you could call it my talent. When I was younger, my mom says I got blessed with primordial powers. That’s all I know, though.”

The pegasus captain chuckles, “Well, you helped us, so I don’t care if you turned into a Timberwolf. You’re fine in my book.”

“We should probably worry about the Princess, though… Just cause one threat got dealt with does NOT mean we won the war. It means we won the battle,” she says.
“The Princesses are strong, but you’re not wrong either.” The pegasus captain said.

“Well, let’s get going, then.”

……….

All the while, and soon after Cozy’s disappearance, everyone who was mind-controlled is now freed from the filly’s powers. All of the young individuals from the army were looking around in confusion; some commenting:

“Wh-what happened?”

“The last thing I remember was my head feeling weird…”

“Me too!”

“Momma?! Papa?!”

Incidentally, the same trio of pegasi fillies who tried to attack Ambient in unison, while mind-controlled, were rubbing their heads and commenting on how much it hurt. As if they’d flown into a brick wall.

……….

Among these young individuals was a recovering Apple Bloom, who seemed to have joined the army’s ranks sometime after what she had done to her grandmare. The young apple looks around and smiles when she sees her two fellow crusaders.

“Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom calls out.

“Apple Bloom!” The duo shouts back in unison as they all run into each other and come into a group hug.

“Apple Bloom!” The ever approaching voice of Granny Smith calls out, “Mah’ precious grandchild, what in tarnation’s got’n into ya’? Why did ya’ push down yer’ grandmare?” Tears were starting to form in the old mare’s eyes, “Ya’ broke mah’ heart more than you know by doing that.”

In absolute shock, Apple Bloom responds: “Wh-wha? Wha’dya mean ah’ pushed ya’? Ah’ could never do that to ya’, Granny Smith...”

“Allow me to explain, everyone,” The pegasus Captain said and clears his throat while his fellow guards of multiple species follow close behind, “The enemy possessed an innate ability to control each one of us…”

As the Captain explains these recent events, Ambient looks up to the skies, sighing as her stripes burn vibrant red.

“Hope we’re even now, Big R.”

Ambient shakes her head, stripes dimming, before twitching and looking downwards suspiciously.

“Something’s wrong. Captain, remember what I said about winning the battle, not the war?” Ambient says nervously.

“A term we soldiers are all too familiar with, especially with these recent events.” The pegasus Captain responds but takes notice of Ambient’s suspicion, “Something on your mind?”

“Listen carefully, Captain. Pretend that I’m a Princess, okay?” She says, her eyes darkening as she impales the earth below her with a forehoof and starts to rummage about as if digging for something.

The captain tilts his head in confusion, ears perked.

“I’m gonna order you to evacuate everyone you can. Especially the children, alright? Take them somewhere safe.” Ambient said as she pulled out her forehoof and held up a small Eater of Souls. It struggles in her grasp.

Confused and shocked, the Captain asks:

“Why do you have that? Wait, how did you-”

“Because they’re coming from below us, too.” Ambient interjects but is still holding the small Eater of Souls.

Suddenly, and mere seconds after Ambient's words, the earth all around them starts to quake chaotically as a large worm-like entity erupts from the crystalline ground all around them.

Gritting his teeth, the Captain turns to his fellow guards and shouts: “Guards! Let’s get these children to safety! Gather up any citizens we can along the way!”

“You got another way out? The ‘front door’ isn’t exactly your best option.” Ambient comments.

“Sure do!” The pegasus Captain responds, “I’ll keep this brief, but King Sombra created various escape routes throughout The Empire during his ‘rule.’ We discovered many of them and used them to our advantage.”

Ambient nods, “Good, I’ll leave you all to it.”

The red filly spreads her wings and was about to fly off to combat the worm entity, but the pegasus Captain extended a forehoof, “Wait! Aren’t you coming with us?”

“I’ll buy you some time to escape, now move your asses!” Ambient orders as she rushes forth and flies high into the air before crashing down upon the worm entity’s head with her right hind leg.

As the two combat each other, the pegasus Captain acts quickly as he and his fellow guards escort the crowd to safety.

The Empire itself was slowly but surely becoming a chaotic battlefield as many more worm-like monstrosities erupt from the grounds of the crystalline foundation.

-THE CRYSTAL STADIUM-

The thrashing tentacles of Blueblood’s head move about chaotically as he attempts to strike at his foes in the form of General Seaspray, Prince Zaku, Prince Rutherford, and King Domihaus. Nearby, Blueblood’s ally, an Eater Of Souls born from his body, contends with Gilda, Zalan, Chrysalis, Thorax, and Pharynx. However, what was most curious about this entity was that unlike most of the other soul-eating parasites, this one was twice their size. In addition, it was also capable of self-regeneration.

As this conflict goes on, Shining Armor is at a safe distance away as he tends to a newly recovered Smolder and Gallus, both of whom are now freed from Cozy Glow’s mental grasp. As it turned out, the unicorn Prince had to knock them both unconscious after obeying their “Master’s orders.”

“Wh… what hap-” Gallus says while rubbing his head with a claw. He then cuts off his words and suddenly exclaims: “Cozy Glow?! Where is she?!”

“She’s the one who did this to us!” Smolder exclaims after she recovers.

“Whatever happened seems to have passed. You two are alright now,” Shining Armor responds before narrowing his features, “Now listen to me, I need you two to gather as many citizens of The Empire as you can and take them to some of its escape routes.”

“B-but, we don’t know any of-” Suddenly, Smolder’s words are cut off as both she and Gallus’s forms are covered by a magical aura. With an alighted horn, Shining Armor comments:

“There, you both have the relevant knowledge to access the escape routes. Now get going!”

“What about you guys?! Don’t you need more help?!” Gallus questions.

Shining Armor smirks, “We can take, Blueblood. Besides, how can we call ourselves the leaders of our respective nations and kingdoms if we can’t face our foes head-on?” The unicorn Prince winks, draws his demonite forged blade, and runs off to join the fray with Blueblood himself.

Both Smolder and Gallus watch the battle take place within the stadium momentarily. They then turn to each other and nod.

“Let’s go to the shelter and try to find the others; I don’t want to leave them behind.” Gallus comments.

“Yeah! I’m all for that plan!” Smolder exclaims while bumping her chest with her left claw.

A sudden series of coughing injects itself, “I’ll come with you, youngsters.”

The duo turns their gaze towards the source of the voice and coughing, as Gallus questions with a raised brow:

“Shouldn’t you be over there fighting with the other leaders, old fart?”

“Don’t you give me that, Gallus!” Grandpa Gruff responds, then coughs again, “Besides, not only am I too old for that, but Gilda is fighting on my behalf,” The old griffin then looks towards Gilda in the distance, which in turn was performing evasive maneuvers in combat.

Grandpa Gruff chuckles, “She’ll make a good replacement for me someday. And will lead the griffons in my stead.”

-OUTSIDE THE EMPIRE’S BARRIER-

Just outside of The Empire’s barrier erected from The Crystal Heart, The Coalition’s forces stood at the ready. The immense force stands in formation as those who wield long blades, spears, and axes are at the frontlines while melee-based individuals who possess shorter weaponry are positioned behind them. Set at the very rear of the army were ranged-based ‘infantry,’ mages stood alongside them.

One very particular mage was among this force, along with various others: Star Swirl The Bearded.

“Pillars! Prepare yourselves for the coming struggle!” He exclaims.

“Has anyone seen Stygian?” Rockhoof inquires in confusion.

“Yeah!” Flash Magnus exclaims, “Now that you mentioned it, I haven’t seen him ever since we formed this army to wait for The Corruption.”

Star Swirl pondered on those words momentarily before raising his forehoof into the air.

“I trust Stygian completely,” Star Swirl’s words catch the attention of the other Pillars, “We already made the mistake of not believing in him once before. I shall not do so again.” The other Pillars nod in response with regretful expressions.

Star Swirl chuckles, “He’s undoubtedly busy performing tasks meant to aid us in this battle, or The Empire’s citizens. Let us do our part and get to our stations!”

“Right!” The rest of The Pillars exclaim in unison as they start to take their respective army positions.

……….

Within the barrier and further behind the army was a gathering of flying individuals donned in their demonite armor. Griffons, dragons, changelings, hippogriffs, pegasi, every species capable of flight were ready for combat.

Incidentally, famous flying squadrons such as The Wonderbolts stood among them as Spitfire exclaims:

“Listen up, Wonderbolts!” This garners the attention of the team’s other members, “This is undoubtedly going to be our biggest mission AND our greatest ‘performance’. Rainbow Dash isn’t here to fight alongside us, but let’s do her proud!”

The rest of the team stomp their hooves in response and a celebratory gesture.

“Our Element Of Loyalty stood bravely against that giant monster, Razeem,” Spitfire comments with a regretful expression, “I always regretted not being there for one of my fellow team members, and I can only hope that she’s doing well wherever she ended up at. So let’s follow her example and stand up to The Corruption’s army!”

“Mind if we tag along?” Flash Magnus inquires as he approaches the group, having overheard their conversation. However, The Pillar also brought another pegasus who he ran into and brought along with him by their request.

The eyes of The Wonderbolts shoot wide open as they see a very familiar pegasus mare who tried to hide behind Magnus. The mare then sighs as she steps around The Pillar and says:

“Listen… I know none of you probably wanted to see me again. But I’m here to help and… I’m sorry for what I did that day.”

Spitfire was the first to recover from the shock as she walks forward and momentarily stares at the pegasus mare before saying:

“If you’re truly here to help us, then forget about the past for now… Lightning Dust.”

Suddenly, something catches everyone’s attention as the entire army are drawn towards the source: The Corruption’s forces.

……….

Out in the distance, the army could see the darkened skies of The Corruption drawing ever closer as several of a particular species of its abominations paved the way for the biome of sin: Corruptors. The giant flying entities continued to spit their corrupting projectiles as it, in turn, expanded the biome itself.

The Coalition’s forces could soon see all the monsters of The Corruption as the monstrosities drew nearer. A giant red and black centaur with white hair can be seen stomping proudly at the front of The Corruption’s army while several individuals marched alongside him. Specifically, these individuals consisted of several ponies and an anthropomorphic cat.

The Corruption’s forces halted their approach as The Corruptors stopped firing their infectious projectiles. Slimes born of the biome bounced to and fro as large worm-like entities reared up and prepared to lunge forth. Flying parasitic life forms floating high above as they click their mandibles in anticipation.

Tirek smiled devilishly at the coming conflict, but Capper, Trixie, Sunset Shimmer, and Tzana stood firm while also inertly apologizing for what they had to do next. However, when it came to Tzana, doing something of this nature wasn’t all that new to her. While she certainly never lead an army of abominations born from a biome of sin, she was no stranger to seeing the unpleasantness that accompanied it. She was an earth pony mare with a steeled heart and pure will.

Tzana walks forth, clears her throat, and shouts: “Good morning, everyone!” She garners the attention of The Coalition’s forces, “I’m sure you’re all prepared to fight to the very death and to defend those you love! To that, I have only one thing to say!” The mare then smiles devilishly, “I hope you all kissed them goodbye! For today, I’m sending you ALL straight to Tartarus!”

The worm and parasite monsters of The Corruption click their mandibles in response while corrupt slimes hopped in anticipation.

Tzana continues: “Oh, and one more thing before we start our little dance!” She then turns around and gestures towards the giant worm-like monstrosities: World Feeders. Four of the large worms slither forth, raise their heads, and rears up as if ready to spit towards The Coalition’s forces.

“Fire!” Tzana exclaims with a raised forehoof. The worms then thrust their upper bodies forward and let loose very particular projectiles like makeshift catapults.

……….

Seeing the projectiles approach, some among The Coalition’s army shout:

“Watch out!”

“The enemy is firing at us!”

“Get ready to retaliate!”

“Archers! Mages! Prepare to return fire!”

However, everyone’s eyes open wide in horror as they see what these projectiles truly are: Dismembered heads. Specifically, these were the dismembered heads of The Coalition’s forces who undoubtedly tried to stop The Corruption’s approach but failed. Faces of pure horror overtook the army as some among them react:

“S-sweet, Luna!”

“This is barbaric!”

“Oh god… it’s, Phil!”

“No! My husband! Those monsters killed my husband!”

Absolute disgust and sorrow emanates from the army as some could see the decapitated heads of friends and loved ones. However, The Coalition’s forces are pulled out of their shocked state as they could feel the earth all around them shake chaotically. Many looked around to and fro in confusion, but others seemed to recognize what was causing this phenomenon.

A large mound of corrupted land erupts from behind The Corruption’s forces as a very familiar large entity raises its upper body and rears its head: The Eater Of Worlds.

……….

Tzana shrugs, “Eh, they seemed to get the message,” She smirks, “You could say: We gave them a ‘Heads-up,” The earth pony mare then chuckles before she raises a forehoof and exclaims: “Let’s stop fucking around! Attack!”

A series of earth-shaking movements is let loose in response as the worm-like monstrosities lunge forth with bared anticipation. Corrupt slimes hopped hurriedly towards The Coalition’s forces while the flying parasites swarm forth with clicking mandibles.

The Eater Of Worlds burrows into the earth and disappears before everyone’s eyes.

Tirek roars out before running forth and joining the rest of The Corruption’s forces.

Tzana and her fellow agents observe this momentarily as she turns her gaze to Sunset Shimmer.

“Things are about to get bloody. You sure you’re up for this?” Tzana questions.

Sunset stares off into the distant empire, “We’re already this far into the game. Too late to have any regrets now. Besides, you need to infiltrate The Empire during this conflict.”

Tzana nods in response and turns her gaze towards Trixie, Stygian, and Capper, “You three good? You’d better not get cold feet out there. Princess Luna is counting on us.”

“Trixie does want to know… what if Trixie is forced to, you know…”

“Kill someone?” Tzana responds, Trixie flinches, “Take it from someone who’s had to do that from time to time,” Tzana thinks for a moment, “Scratch that, I killed a fair amount of ponies, not to mention some other species.”

Trixie’s mouth drops while Stygian and Capper listen attentively. Tzana then turns her gaze towards The Empire and comments:

“I hope you’re doing well, Fizzlepop.”

-EQUUS, THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE CASTLE, THE CRYSTAL HEART CHAMBERS-

Both Luna and Cadence appear within a sizeable crystalline chamber. In the center of the chamber was the rotating form of The Crystal Heart, positioned between a crystalline stalactite and stalagmite. However, both alicorn’s faces turn into absolute horror as they realize the shattered remains of the chamber’s former addition: Celestia’s crystalline grave.

“What? Who?… Who dares to defile our sister’s resting place?!” Luna exclaims with anger, confusion, and a hint of her Canterlot voice.

”Oh, but we dare... Luna.” A haunting and echoing voice answers as the hovering form of The Hivemind, Ocram in his restrained form, lowers itself before them.

“What have you done with my aunt’s body?!” Cadence demanded angrily.

“Answer! Foul cur!” Luna roars out with a flashing horn.

The Hivemind laughs before responding: “Why don’t you ask her for yourselves?”

These words naturally throw off the alicorn duo but before they could inquire about anything, a familiar but horrifically adjusted voice sends a wave of absolute shock down both Luna and Cadence’s spines.

“I’m right here, dearest sister… niece.”

My apologies for disappearing these last few days. For those who are unaware and to put it simply: I had some issues with my internet provider.

All is good now and the uploads shall return to normal.