"Faust! What happened to her?" The medic began attaching small wires to Rainbow Dash, placing them around her head, chest and neck. Applejack stared at her friend sternly, worry slowly replacing her calm demeanor.

"We opened a door and a bolt of lightnin' hit her in the back. At least, that's what it looked like…"

The doctor nodded. "Sounds to be of a magical nature, a booby trap of some kind. We should be able to-" The doctor stopped speaking as Rainbow Dash groaned and lifted herself up off of the gurney. All commotion in the room suddenly halted while she moved to the side.

With a massive heave, she expelled her stomach contents upon the ground. Applejack made her way to the other side and brought her friend back onto the gurney. "Dash! Ya'll alright?" she asked.

Rainbow Dash, her eyes squinted and her breath smelling of half-digested food, wrapped her hooves around her friend. Pulling Applejack close, the speedster stared into the farm pony's eyes and uttered five chilling words.

"We have to stop him..."

"What my sister did was for the safety of all. You clearly have withheld valuable information and technology from Equestria and its neighbors. In fact, we have reason to believe that you are stockpiling weapons, or in a more extreme case: preparing for an invasion."

Celestia's words struck Sevilin with the amount of sense that they had made. Yes, the introduction of such machines must have worried and upset the Equestrians, but to go to such lengths, and with a meaningful reason? Sevilin found it hard to refute such logic.

"While I would have considered the option, I believe it is best to simply ask someone a question." Celestia narrowed her eyes, while Luna took a step back. "Even now, as you leer at me, you know that you could have just asked me one simple question, and I would have answered it truthfully. The very fact that you have stooped to such methods is shameful and dishonorable."

Sevilin crossed his arms and glared at the two Princesses, his gaze never flinching. Celestia blew out a breath of pent-up air and responded sternly yet gracefully.

"Sevilin. You have kept many secrets from us, and when I say us I mean every being on this planet. You hail from a world of war and destruction, your people have clearly shown the potential to end entire star-systems." Celestia stepped down the slight incline to stare at the human. "Your presence carries a threat with it. I do not know if they will come after you for some reason or another, but we have evidence to believe that you are crucial to some type of military group."

Sevilin's glare never faltered. "They won't be coming here," he stated coldly. Celestia's wings flared out.

"And why should we trust you! What reason do we have to believe that an empire as mighty as your race's will not seek you out in order to reclaim you!" she shouted at the human. Sevilin kept his gaze.

"Because there is no empire left, Princess Celestia," he said with a hint of anger. Celestia's wings slowly placed themselves back at their sides, and the human continued.

"In the Roman Year forty seven eighty two, after two centuries of galactic domination, we faced a powerful foe. We fought long and hard against them, but in a decisive strike against us… they destroyed our origin planet: Earth." Luna stared at the human intently, as did her sister, while he explained.

"Although destroyed is not entirely clear. They used what my people called a Maximus Flamma, or Grand Flame. The weapon that they had called the Hrik'tag Baul ultimately lit Earth aflame. Every source of oxygen on the planet was lit by the Maximus Flamma, destroying the entirety of the planet, turning our oceans to gas and killing every life form residing there." Sevilin paused. "While I knew none on Earth, I had partners that did. When our squad discovered the news, we took a vow to avenge Earth."

"For twelve years afterwards the Imperium Romanum Coeli waged a blood-war on those that wiped out our homeworld."

Luna stepped further forward. "Blood-war?"

"Slaughtering as many beings as possible. Aimless genocide and destruction with the intent of shattering the opponent's morale while decimating their population. A blood-war is the epitome of chaos and horror. Civilians meant nothing in those times, they were just more fuel for the fires, or at least their bodies were."

The two Princesses listened with rapt attention, while these messages didn't particularly shake them, they had trouble imagining this bloodshed on a galactic scale. Sevilin continued, uninterrupted in his tale.

"After twelve years of senseless slaughter, sacrifice and suffering, our enemies had had enough. When our armada engaged their defenseless solar system, we found that their planet was gone." The human's brows furrowed and he grit his teeth. "They had utilized a new technology that allowed for a planet to be shipped across galaxies, landing them in a perfect position to outflank us."

Sevilin's jaw relaxed and he calmed himself. "Library Alexandria, the last surviving catalogue of all human culture was attacked in the year forty seven ninety seven, knocking our entire armada into a frenzy."

"While the Library itself managed a hasty getaway, that placed it in a terrible tactical position." Sevilin put his hands in front of him and gestured with them, holding his hands apart. "Right on the eve of an Event Horizon."

Luna's eyes turned to saucers while Celestia wore a confused expression. "And what, pray tell, is an Event Horizon?"

"The death of a star: a horrible, horrible loss," the Princess of the Night explained. Sevilin snorted.

"You could call it that. What it actually means for those of us who have destroyed them personally is a collapse of a dying star, resulting in a fantastic gravity well. This gravity well then pulls in and breaks apart any matter caught in it, including light. There is literally no escape from an Event Horizon."

Sevilin sighed and cleared his throat. "Now, the Library's defenses were strong, yes, but our enemy's home planet was well equipped to give a thorough thrashing to her. Alexandria's distress signal went out, and our frantic armada warped as fast as we could to her location. That was six hours before the collapse of Medridios Seven, the dying star."

"It took a good four hours to reach the Library, and by the time we had, so had the enemy. With thousands of ships from them and only about six hundred from us; we were outgunned, surrounded, desperate and angry. None of those made for a fair fight… for them."

Sevilin now used his arms, motioning wildly and emotionally. "When the first ships fired, our Rubicon Gates were forgotten and we instead fired back. Three of their's and two of ours. The smaller, more nimble ships were sent out and did a good bit of damage, bringing one of their cruiser's weapons down. They appeared from above and the first Rubicon Gate was used, halting their fire long enough for our ships to retaliate with turret and railgun fire."

"We shredded the fleet above us, but took a massive backlash from the side, sending forty of our own cruisers to an abyssal end. An hour later into the fight, and we had the upper hand, miraculously. With several more offensive pushes from our most powerful War Cruisers: Nero and Spartacus, we were able to tear a hole through the forward assault."

"Another thirty minutes and we had the two split fleets scrambling for dominance against our sustained Hades Repulser Cannons, which systematically blew their shielding apart. Another fifteen minutes and they had begun to flee, leaving us a parting gift in the process."

Sevilin stopped his gesturing and his shoulders slumped heavily. "Their flagship, Ghy'ruhck, was rigged to blow. The explosion of its Thermodynamic core was more than enough to push us into the range of the Event Horizon. In an effort to save the Library, I flew to its hull in a battered cruiser and began pushing it away. Progress, however, was not successful."

"The star collapsed and I watched, helpless, as my comrades were pulled into blackness. I could see nothing in the direction of the Event Horizon, like my vision had simply ceased to comply. The pull on the back of the cruiser ripped it from under me, sending me through the bridge's window and into darkness."

"I fought the pull, but it was hopeless, my suit's reserve power cells were running dry. I looked behind me and saw the Library Alexandria tumbling into the void. With nothing left to lose, I sent all power to my suit's propulsion systems and rocketed after it into oblivion."

"You threw yourself to your own demise?" Luna asked of the human. The story was certainly dramatic and gut-wrenching, but that final part seemed weak. Sevilin glared at her.

"Yes I did. Imagine my surprise when I open my eyes and find myself hurtling towards a bright planetoid suspiciously similar to Earth. I thought I had died and gone to Elysium, but that was quickly dashed when I impacted the sea traveling at thirty-thousand kilometers per second." Sevilin deadpanned and continued on. "Of course it hurt, but the Conquistador is phenomenally tough. It was also the last time I wore it."

"I swam to a nearby island where I made shelter and scrounged for food for a few days. Within those few days, I received a distress signal from Library Alexandria. Checking my Universal Telecommunications Array Handset, or UTAH for short, I discovered the source of the beacon. I made it my mission to reach the location and establish a perimeter, securing the Library from outside alien threats."

Sevilin pointed a finger at the two of the Princesses. "This means ponies, griffins, changelings and anything else that I decide isn't human."

Celestia scoffed. "You can't possibly seek to withhold a trove of information like that. Such technology and culture is to be shared with all nations, just imagine the advances in medical and transportation we'd make."

Luna ruffled her wings. "Tia, I would heed Mister Jacobs' advice. Our intentions of healing and caring aren't shared by all others. You must see the potential for darkness in ponies as well. Such a vast store information beckon all those with greedy endeavors and ravenous minds to partake in it, which would almost certainly lead to war on all fronts."

Celestia nodded solemnly. "I suppose you are right, Luna. While we have all seen the horrors of war, this world has not come into conflict for nearly nine centuries." Sevilin inclined his head.

"If I was certain that the technology would be beneficial to peace and prosperity, I would gladly open the doors of the Library to you. However, Alexandria's knowledge is just as destructive as it is helpful. The power to heal comes with the power to kill, that was how our medicine adapted. A new weapon would be created, a new procedure would be developed to minimize casualties. While it is terrible, it had worked for us." Jacobs bowed to the two Princesses. "Thank you for your time, Princesses."

The ponies bowed to him as well. "And thank you for your explanation, Sevilin Jacobs," Luna replied for her sister and herself. Sevilin nodded, turning around for the double doors.

Before he could reach them, they were pushed open and seven Praetorians were pushed aside by dozens of Equestrian soldiers. Amidst the shouting and clashing of metal, Celestia raised her voice.

"What is the meaning of this?!" she shouted angrily. Rainbow Dash appeared behind the Equestrian troops with Applejack supporting her weight. With one hoof, Rainbow Dash pointed at Sevilin, fear evident in her eyes.

"He's going to assassinate them, stop him!"

Sevilin's face twisted into a scowl. "What? How dare you accuse me of an assassination attempt!" Celestia and Luna adopted looks of confusion as well. The Praetorians filed around Sevilin with their massive shields deployed to defend him from the troops.

"I heard it from one of your soldiers! She said that you were waiting to use your power to overthrow the Princesses and usurp the throne! That's why you've been hiding in the Whitetail Woods and gathering so many resources! You're planning for war!" Rainbow Dash screamed back with hatred.

"…war?" Sevilin cocked an eyebrow. "What are you-?" Sevilin heard a howl of pain and saw that one of his guards had been struck by a magical bolt. The horn of a unicorn soldier was powering down, and the other Praetorians formed up around the human again.

Luna stamped her hoof. "What is the meaning of this treachery, Sevilin?" Confused by the question, Sevilin was at a momentary loss for words but quickly brought back his previous composure.

"I have no idea what these baseless accusations are formed upon, but I do not take kindly to them." Unsatisfied with the answer, Luna gathered the Praetorians in her magic and tossed them aside. Responding in kind, Celestia's horn lit and trapped Sevilin inside a magical barrier.

Sevilin let out a shout of surprise while the troops surrounded him, all the while Rainbow Dash pointed an accusatory hoof at Sevilin. The human pounded and screamed at the field, swearing in a foreign tongue.

"You have ten seconds to explain yourself, human," Celestia's voice rumbled threateningly. Sevilin stared at her in open-mouthed disbelief.

"I have done nothing but help you! Rainbow Dash is spouting nonsense, now let me out of here!" He looked desperately over at his Praetorian guards, who lay slumped together against the wall. "Don't lose your heads, think!"

"We think that the Elements of Loyalty and Harmony have just given us a look into your plot." Celestia and Luna advanced on the trapped man, their glares fixated on him, and not on the windows around them.

CRASH

Within seconds, griffins and pegasi burst through the glass of the palace, distracting the Equestrian soldiers. With the distraction, Sevilin's forces rushed through the doorway and wrestled with the Equestrians.

The tide turned, however, when the two immortals got involved. Sevilin's troops were flung to and fro, hitting walls and impacting the floor. The clash was a terrible loss for Sevilin's soldiers, what with the Princesses involved. With all of his backup unconscious or simply too wounded to get up, the immortals faced him again.

"Now, you will tell us just what that was abou-"

"BLAST 'EM AMA!" called a metallic male voice.

"Firing."

Two concussive blasts threw the Princesses across the room, and the barrier spell shattered. BoBo blitzed into the chambed, scooping Sevilin up onto its back while AMA loomed menacingly behind them. Once BoBo passed by the heavily-armed machine, it retreated with BoBo.

"AMA, get all Sanctuary forces onto the sky-wagons and get us out of here!" Sevilin shouted at the top of his lungs at the robot. AMA made a confirmation ping and shot off in another direction.

Sevilin held onto BoBo tightly, his brows knit in confusion and hurt. "What's happening?" Next Chapter: Chapter 14- Bellum Paro Estimated time remaining: 32 Minutes