-EQUUS, THE CORRUPTION BIOME-

On the very edge of The Corruption Biome, and towards the direction of The Crystal Empire, a large force of monstrosities that hails from the infection were gathered together. The creatures present came in the form of worm-like abominations, flying soul eating parasites, and even the infection’s own version of slimes.

Among them were various individuals which consisted of a few ponies and an anthropomorphic cat. In addition, a very large black and red centaur stood with them at the very front of the large force.

“Listen up! I’ll keep this brief but as you all know, Lord Ocram has enacted his own plan while we attack The Empire from the front,” Tirek declares as clicking could be heard from The Corruption’s monsters, “Let those fools put up their petty little barriers and brace their feeble weapons, it shall all mean nothing to our might!”

The monsters let loose various growls and click their mandibles in response.

“However, there is one among them who we must especially be wary of: Discord. That wretched clown is incredibly powerful and the chaos that will ensue from this fight will no doubt empower him,” Tirek then takes off a wrapped item that he held over his right shoulder and unravels it soon after, “We shall be rid of him with this: Grogar’s Bell!”

As this goes on and despite being able to hide their current emotions, Trixie, Sunset Shimmer, and Stygian all wince at the mention of Grogar’s Bell. However, Capper was noticeably confused as he leans into Sunset Shimmer and says in a lowered tone:

“I heard about the bell, but what in the world can it do?”

“Princess Celestia told me that it can drain someone’s magic power. It can also release that power and bestow it upon the bell’s user, or anyone else for that matter.”

“Ooooh… you magic users are kind of in trouble then...”

“Gee… thanks, cat.”

……….

“Now then, we have a plan to bring The Corruption closer to The Empire’s doorstep,” Tirek then lowers his gaze towards a certain earth pony mare,“Would you like to do the honors, Tzana?” He says with a devilish smile.

“Sure, but I need a drink after this,” She then clears her throat, “Listen up you worms, parasites, and you gelatinous dome-shaped things in between! The plan is simple: We’ll use The Corruptors and their infectious spit to create a path for us straight to The Empire. We’ll definitely meet resistance along the way who will try to purify our efforts, and I literally mean: Purify, thanks to their Purification Powder.”

The clicking of mandibles and ferocious roars are let loose once more.

“Luckily for all of you, you’ve got us!” Tzana gestures towards Tirek, Trixie, Sunset Shimmer, Stygian, and Capper, “The Corruption is literally your very own environment, as I’m sure you obviously already know. However, we can survive just fine both inside and outside of the biome. Therefore, we shall deal with any fools who dare to hinder us as we march towards that empire of weakness!”

Clicking mandibles and various forms of exclamations are let loose by the creatures.

“They want to hold onto their false hope? Fine! Then they can die with it as we crush any and all semblance of it! Let us turn The Empire’s ‘hope’ into fucking calamity!”

Upon finishing her declaration and while the creatures of The Corruption roar out in response, Tzana lifts her left forehoof high into the air as a swarm of Corruptors flew overhead.

“You all know what to do! So get your chitinous backsides to it and start spitting! Lord Ocram wants us there by tomorrow morning!”

By Tzana’s command, The Corruptors start to unleash their vile spit which corrupts and contaminates any surface the projectiles make contact with. This in turn caused The Corruption to spread as the flying entities continue their work.

“Oh, and just a forewarning. Due to recent events with some traitors that used to be in our midst, if you try to work against us… I’ll gut you like a fish! Also, If I catch any of you running away... I’ll kill you myself!” Shouts Tzana as she smiles devilishly and leads the army down the newly corrupted path, courtesy of The Corruptors.

---

-EQUUS, THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE-

As the light of the moon shines down upon the blackness of night covering The Crystal Empire, many light sources within various homes could be seen fading away as all were resting themselves for tomorrow’s event. In addition, Princess Luna had dispatched her night guard as various bat ponies surveyed the streets of The Empire, along with other species of The Coalition.

Within this blackness, a small group of individuals were currently making their way towards their residence as one among them comments:

“Yona hopes that bad pony regret actions. Yona not understand why they help monsters.”

“Meh, who cares? He’s getting what he deserves. Honestly, I’m surprised that The Princesses allowed everyone to watch his execution.” Gallus said.

“I, um, don’t want to watch that…” Ocellus comments.

“Heh, well I do! And no one’s going to stop me!” Smolder exclaims while beating her chest with her right claw.

“I’m kind of with Ocellus. Now, I’m always excited to see new things… but this is something that I might just pass up.” Silverstream says, and chuckles nervously.

“Let’s all just chill for a moment. We know that justice will be served and we should just trust the grown ups to take care of that guy.” Sandbar says while waving a dismissive forehoof.

“By the way, have any of you seen Cozy Glow?” Gallus questions.

“She told Yona that she go see friend. Yona think she meet us at-”

“Sorry I’m late, everyone!” Cozy Glow calls out as the group turns towards the flying pegasus filly.

“Hey there, Cozy!” Silverstream shouts gleefully with a waving foreclaw, “We’re just on the way back to the shelter before it gets too late.”

“Good thing I caught up with you guys!” Cozy Glow responds as she lands next to the group of youngsters and joins their ranks.

“Where’ve you been? Yona said that you went to visit a friend?” Gallus questions.

“Yup yup yup! He’s sort of a special agent.” Cozy Glow answers.

“What?!” The rest of the group shouts in unison.

“Oh yes, he has a great plan that will bring about a great change!” Cozy Glow shouts excitedly.

“Well don’t leave us in the dark, tell us! Ooh! This is so exciting!” Silverstream exclaims.

“Hey! You kids need to get to the shelter right now,” A stallion bat pony calls out from above as he then lands before the group, “You know that curfew has been put in place for the safety of all within The Empire; especially when it comes to you youngsters.”

“We were, um, j-just making our way there, s-sir.” Ocellus responds shyly.

Taking notice of the young changeling’s demeanor, the bat pony comments:

“Ah, don’t mistake my tone for anger or anything like that. I just want you children to understand how important this is. The Corruption is upon us all and we’re just taking the appropriate steps to keep you all safe.”

“We understand, sir.” The group replies in unison, although Gallus in particular rolls his eyes, as the bat pony nods in response before saying:

“Good to hear. Now go on ahead and make for the shelter with due haste.” The bat pony then flies away as everyone else present continues to trek towards their destination.

……….

The stallion bat pony then lands on a nearby rooftop, still able to observe the group of young individuals, as a sudden spire of green flames overtakes his form. In mere moments, the bat pony is revealed to be the former ruler of the changelings: Chrysalis.

Suddenly, a puddle of darkness materializes itself nearby as the equine shape of a dark alicorn starts to rise from the ‘liquid’.

“So that’s her, huh? Ocram must be desperate if he employed a filly.” Chrysalis comments.

“Thy form might not seem like much, but thy filly makes for the perfect operative.” Princess Luna responds.

Chrysalis growls, “If she hurts my Ocellus, I don’t care if my next action jeopardizes our plans… I will make that filly suffer.”

“No harm shallst come to thy young, we swear it.” Luna assures.

“If those words came from Celestia, I wouldn’t beli-” Chrysalis catches herself, “M-my apologies…”

Luna narrows her eyes, “Tis fine, but we do urge thee to refrain from ever saying that in front of us ever again.”

Chrysalis shrugs, “Fair enough. It’s been a strange turn of events, hasn’t it?”

“Doth thou pertain to our current circumstances?”

“Yes. I mean, just look at us... a bunch of former enemies working together against The Corruption.”

“We certainly wouldn’t say that we don’t like our current circumstances.”

Chrysalis raises an eyebrow, “Oh?” She then smirks, “You mean to tell me that you wouldn’t mind seeing me locked up?”

Luna chuckles, “Mayhaps in the distant past, but not anymore. Especially after thou revealed to us thy true intentions some time ago. Not to mention thy contribution to the multiple conflicts with The Corruption.”

“Just don’t go hugging me and getting all sappy with your friendship.”

Luna chuckles, “Tis a fair agreement. However, we must admit that it would sadden us greatly to see thou return to thy old ways. After we defeat The Corruption.”

Chrysalis remains silent for a moment. Then, she takes a breath and says:

“We’ll see what happens, Luna. I can’t make any promises since I don’t even know if I’d be able to keep them,” Chrysalis then lowers her head, “However, if you’d do me this favor, I’ll at least try to remain neutral when all of this is over.”

Luna tilts her head in a combination of confusion and curiosity, “What doth thou ask of us?”

“For a very long time, there’s been a dream of mine that plagued me for as long as I can remember.”

“A dream? Doth thou wish for us to investigate?”

Chrysalis chuckles, “That’s what I like about you, Luna. Always straight down to business,” The changeling then ponders on something for a moment, and says: “In the dream... everything is just covered in a black fog and barely seeable to my own eyes. It’s difficult for me to explain but it’s like I’m standing in the middle of all of it while some unknown event is taking place beyond the fog.”

Luna raises a forehoof to her chin, “Tis the first time we hath ever heard of a dream of such description. Usually, the dreamer is able to somewhat forge their surroundings in thy own dream. Whilst they can not often control the dream’s events, they can forge where the events take place.”

“That’s exactly what makes this dream unusual,” Chrysalis responds with a waving forehoof, “I can’t control any of it, but I also feel as if I somehow know what’s going on beyond the fog. And yet, I also don’t remember the details but I just know that something has happened to me.”

“Can thou remember any details that thy managed to see at all? Through the fog?”

“Not see… but I could hear three names in particular.”

Luna continues to ponder on this, which prompts Chrysalis to continue:

“Two of these names always make me feel… happy,” Chrysalis then shudders, “But the third… I can’t explain it but that name sends a chilling fear down my spine. Sometimes it even causes me to wake up from the dream.”

“May we inquire about the revelation of these names?”

Chrysalis nods in response and closes her eyes, “The first two are: Echo Silhouette and Chrysella,” Her features then become fearful, much to Luna’s bafflement, “But the third name is pure horror for me…”

“Chrysalis, forgive us if this is intrusive but what is the name? Please, it may help us with entering thy dream tonight.”

What happens next absolutely shocks Luna as Chrysalis’s body begins to shake uncontrollably. The dark alicorn drapes a wing over the changeling’s quivering form as Chrysalis was barely able to keep herself together.

“We art patient, Chrysalis. Reveal the name when thou art ready to do so.” Luna says with a sympathetic expression.

After moments of Chrysalis shaking in fear, all while Luna’s wing remains placed on the changeling’s back, Chrysalis takes a deep breath and says:

“Y… Yharim.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 6 - Battle In The Dream Realm. Estimated time remaining: 20 Hours, 45 Minutes