The captains and I motioned our way down the hallway before Elitan's guards arrived in an attempt to avoid unwanted confrontations; early issues proved to all of us that it was best to avoid the guards in this kingdom. Their wonderful commander 'Sir. Daniel' was the first to arrive at the scene being trailed by an army of at least two and a half dozen guards.

"You have requested my presence my king." Daniel conducted in a bow mock-seriously.

"Those nomads have taken my queen! Track them down and save her!" Elitan demanded. Daniel smirked at the ground for a moment before taking upon a stern facial expression and turning to Lord Armonia.

"How do you know that these foreigners did not abduct her?" Lord Armonia's eyes narrowed at the accusation.

"They may be unicorns and pegasi; however, they are not kidnappers and would not drop down to that level. They have no reason to conduct in such a manner for they are of a prestigious empire!" Elitan decreed causing all four of our eyes to swell up in surprise. Elitan had lost the joyful tone that he has been exhibiting all day and from Daniel's facial expression I could tell that he was not used to Elitan's new tone being directed towards him.

"Very well then," Daniel smirked as he turned to hide from the two while his face was still in my view. "I shall organize a team to hunt down these nomads; they will be ready by the next hour." He dismissed himself with the guards following him without Elitan's permission grimacing without reason.

"I am sorry for his insults Lord Armonia." Elitan's eyes were remorseful as he positioned himself in front of his steps. "I was so busy being arrogant that I allowed my queen to be abducted. I am so sorry for my earlier actions; I wanted Serentia feel like we are a prosperous kingdom and I have failed you all."

"It is fine King Elitan; I understand your motivation and I do not condemn you." Armonia approached alongside Elitan and simply stood aside in an attempt to ease the tensions that he felt. "I have to ponder though why you are posing that it is the nomads?"

"Lord Armonia, it is the possibility that makes sense. The nomadic tribes are agitated after the weeks we have spent bickering over them invading my soil and our current relations are strained even further because of upcoming agreements we are scheduled to have tomorrow. If they were to abduct the Queen they would have a bargaining tool to deploy tomorrow."

"I understand your thought process, but why would they want to harm their chances of peaceful negotiations with a kingdom that they are aware could crush them; maybe not quickly but as nomads they cannot sustain in long term fighting, nor can they afford the severe cost of warfare," Armonia pondered to him.

"Didn't you state earlier that you would not recommend warfare as a means for dealing with them?"

"That is because you wanted to use military might to extinguish a group of innocent nomads at the time; if they stolen the queen for ransom then that is an act of war against Tempeoca," Armonia explained. Elitan was an entirely new ruler now that his over-exaggerated pathos was gone and replaced with anxiety.

"I could think of another person that might be responsible for this case; however, like Armonia implied, it is not an intelligent idea to jump to conclusions." Lightning admitted as we re-approached the main corridor.

"And you would be..."

"Captain Lightning, one of the leaders from the Serentian guard command; Carnivorous and I were the ones responsible for flying here." Lightning pointed to his peer who was gazing a upon a suit of armor on a stand.

"Pleasure to meet you Captain Lightning."

"Pleasure is all mine Sir but please call me Lightning." Lightning smiled receiving one in return.

"Okay I have to ask." I declared. "Why are all the books at the library rewritten in your point of view?"

"Before I came to power my grandfather ruled over this land and removed all forms of literature from the kingdom. I attempted once I took reign to restore our history; however, as I went through the kingdom archives I discovered all the horrid things that my family has done to the members of this kingdom and I knew that I would not be able to recreate our history; so I funded writers to rewrite history starting with my coronation."

"For four centuries I held no connections to this kingdom" Armonia informed us.

"I am aware; that is why I invited you all here, I hopes that I could renew our former ties."

"Insulting my students and our breeds is not the way to renew our alliance."

"I am deeply sorry about that; I may have gotten a little carried away because to be honest I have never spoken with another person besides for my queen, Daniel, or the two messengers I have since taking power nine years ago. I am afraid that if I showed weakness then my subjects would assume I was weak and attempt to rebel."

I have never thought about the possibility of that before.

"Your subjects are upset with you King Elitan and view you just like the previous rulers I presume. The heavy taxation you place upon them harm their businesses and places them in constant fear of you if they fail to pay every year." I informed Elitan.

"Once again that is my fault. The guard demands such a heavy pay and I can not figure out a way to do it without taxation. I was hoping that guards would cycle the currency throughout the empire and at least stimulate the economy."

"The guards are supposed to be paying for their purchases? While Lightning and I were wondering around we witnessed a guard threaten a shopkeepers life over a loaf of bread claiming that you gave them jurisdiction to 'deal with' those who disobey." Carnivorous interjected

"I would never enforce such a harsh punishment! Even though I have threatened execution a few times I have never had the power to go through with the idea. My grandfather executed thousands throughout the kingdom and I am afraid that my subjects are still fearful after his control."

"The problem is that they do not know better! You should go inform them that you are not your grandfather and that you have plans for a brighter future in Tempeoca." I announced with optimism. "What about your father? How was he as a ruler?"

Elitan was silent for a minute before mumbling under his breath "my grandfather executed thousands throughout the kingdom" and turning aware from our observing eyes. None of us were expecting the feeling of dread that rapidly engulfed the castle. Armonia proceeded in front of Elitan and placed his arm on Elitan's shoulder.

"Do not worry King Elitan of the Tempeoca Kingdom; we understand your intentions and what ever happened to your wife we will find her!" he whispered to Elitan.

"She is not my wife." he motioned his head upwards. "She is my sister and the last surviving member of my family. When I stated I did not want children earlier because I did not want a challenge to my power I was lying. I do not have a wife and my sister is more important to me than any other mare in the kingdom." I approached him and placed my left foreleg on this other shoulder and sighed causing him to stare in my direction.

"My sister may not be the only surviving member of my family; however, I will not stop until you get her back! I know what it means to have a sister that cares for me and if it was not for her I would not be where I am today. If it was not for everypony here I would not be here today!" I stared into every single one of their souls leaving Armonia for last. "Thank you; but now it is time we take action! Carnivorous follow the commanders forces using your skills; if they need help assistance please provide it, but if it is the other thing, well you know know what to do." He smiled at the proposal for it was the first truly interesting thing to happen all day for him. "Lightning and I will take our own method for tracking down your sister!" Lightning nodded accepting the plan. "Lord Armonia... would you look over Elitan with you abilities and keep him safe? I have a feeling that we are not dealing with a few pissed-off nomads here." Armonia gazed at me and provided a single nod.

"I will do what I can... Sir Bladz"

"What?"

"We should be getting on our way if we want to be successful in saving the Queen" Armonia claimed before motioning Elitan to follow and the two disappeared behind the internal doors.

"I am going to be enjoying this" Carnivorous glimmered as he sped out through the door.

"You just gave him the best job he could wish for" Lightning rejoiced.

"You think he can handle it?"

"He was not chief scout leader and now captain of the scout corp because he was bad at his job; if I was you I would be worried about the safety of the unlikely person that has gotten on our bad side once he gets a hold of them."

"If that is the case, let's go!" I climbed upon Lightning's back as he braced his wings.

"I think it would be good to know that we will be flying at high speeds this time and you might want to prepare yourself." Lightning reached into his breastplate pulling out two small computer chips, one of which he attached to the side of his temple. "Here put this on your right temple; might feel weird at first but you will get used to it."

"Why do I need this? And what do you mean by high speeds? Wasn't the previous flight high speed?"

"Well for you maybe. The chip transmits neurological signals; spoken words in the mind are read by the chip and then translated into auditory neurological signals that produced the sensation of sound. Also put in these ear plugs"

"And why do I need these?" I inquired as I attached the sensor to my temple and inserted the ear plugs.

"You will thank me later when you are unable to hear a single spoken thing we say?"

"What!" I demanded, however, lightning was on the move and within seconds we were in flight inside the castle; upon clearing the castle doors I felt the two of us accel rapidly while wind ambushed my eye sockets. Lightning's entire body shook over after maybe thirteen seconds from leaving those doors and then everything went quiet and still.

"Congratulations you are flying on the Lightning Express" I turned to witness a white and navy rainbow continuously formulating behind our rear.

"We are flying supersonic!"

"And here you were thinking Lightning was just a cool guy with large wings!" I could tell that he was laughing at me even though my sensor was unable to pick up emotional reactions.

"I see why they call you Lightning for sure now!"

"This is not my max speed! You want to see my max speed?"

"Will it aid us in finding Elitan's sister?"

"Can't promise you that, but I can guarantee we will get from one place to another quicker if we wanted to." I was just about to encourage Lightning on when a black feather magically began to float beside me after ten minutes of flight.

"Hey Lightning? There is a black feather here that is floating what does that mean?" Lightning must of panicked when I stated that because he almost lost control at this high of a speed flinging me wildly as I barely held on. The trip that took us three hours to complete would only take us roughly a quarter of the time at this velocity.

"Bladz, you better hold on!"

"Why?"

"That black feather is from Carnivorous' wing! When he is in trouble he uses a feather to notify Ryan; however, because the guard is nowhere near here he must of addressed it to me! It is time for you to experience the true reason I am name lightning!" Lightning's speed escalated tremendously in seconds as the tip of our flight path formed a white point in front of us.

"I thought we already passed the sound barrier?"

"That is not the sound barrier! That is a ball of solid electrons that are beginning to be ripped from the atoms we are passing by because of our speed."

"WHAT!"

"That ball is solid electricity! Prepare yourself we are entering the speed of nuclear electrical currents!" Just as Lightning proclaimed that the ball exploded, completely engulfing us in lightning that roared around us forming a cocoon of solid electricity. I attempted communicate with Lightning; however the high electrical interference prevented the transceivers from functioned. A blue spark traveled alongside Lightning and struck my transceiver. "Do not try to talk; know and the electricity will speak for you! The electricity will carry your thoughts to me."

I focused on my thoughts and felt the spark emerge, "do you know where he is?"

"Yes; I will be flying upwards in a few moments as we approach him... I need you to let go and do not worry I will catch you afterwards!"

"After what?"

"This lightning can be used offensively I believe."

"You believe?"

"I have never flown at this speed. Armonia just told me that there was a speed for violating electrical balance... I was pulling your leg when I said that I was able to fly faster."

"How do you know what all about the nerve impulses then?"

"I honestly can't tell you that for I don't know why! Carnivorous will be safe because our armor is designed to be lighting resistant so we do not get harmed in violent storms; however, you are going to have to jump... NOW!" I let go as momentum continued to push me upwards. Lightning reversed course aiming straight at the ground. The moment he hit was inarguable as his lightning cocoon imploded inwards and then created an enormous dome of cyan lightning that was self contained yet probably managed to light up the entire kingdom in light. Then there was stillness as I found myself plummeting to the ground.

"LIGHTNING!!!" I screamed in fear. Within the last thousand feet of my fall I felt myself slowing as Lightning grinned lowering me to the ground and then collapsing.

"What happened?" I demanded to Carnivorous.

"I don't know! There was a flash, and then lightning hit the ground, and everything went flying and there was this ball of lightning, and then he flew up and got you and now he is on the ground!!" Carnivorous bolted over to Lightning. "Lightning! Lightning! Lightning! LIGHTNING!" Carnivorous busted into tears over Lightning as he laid there still. "LIGHTNING! WAKE UP LIGHTNING!" I trotted over and rubbed his mane. "Oh Lightning" he mumbled.

"Will you shut up! you are giving me a headache" Lightning cracked his eye open and attempted to smile. "Did I get them?" Lightning's face was engulfed in an expression of pain as he attempted to retract his wings and found himself unable to. "I think I will be laying here for a few seconds," lightning joked in good faith.

"I wish I could allow that Lightning; however, we have to get going soon." Carnivorous paced once again in an new form of anxiety.

"Where is Elitan's sister?" I accused

"Thankfully not here or that blast might of killed her." Taking in realization of that statement he scanned the area in confusion and then pondered into the skies. "What happened to the mass group of guards that were around here?"

"No clue; how did you even get trapped in the first place in the middle of nowhere?"

"I was tracking Daniel and he stopped at this location for a while. I stayed here observing for about ten minutes when  suddenly something smashed into my wind injuring it. I can still fly; however, I wouldn't have been able to out fly them."

"Them?"

"The guards! They came out of nowhere by the dozens surrounding me! I was able to hold the first two waves off, but as more came I was overwhelmed with my advanced abilities in maneuverability stunted. They all had grown wings of a weird formatting and pinned me down."

"Their wings were they of normal appearance, yet somewhat crooked and the feather tips appearing a little bit sharper than normal?" I inquired.

"Yea; how did you know that?" I swallowed my gut and picked at the soil.

"Where did Daniel go?"

"That was what I meant to tell you! He charged off back towards the castle after leading me into this trap! I think the Queen is still at the castle and Daniel allowed Elitan to blame the nomads for what he did!"

"Carnivorous... those things were Sepeti!"

"Sepeti? What are Sepeti?"

"Followers of Sypherous, who formulated to gain revenge after his fall over a thousand years ago. Daniel must be one of their cardinals and is trying to take over Tempeoca to restore Sypherous' reign." I hesitated as I gazed into the mid-afternoon skies. "You know that armor you were looking at yourself in?" Carnivorous nodded. "I think I have seen that design before in a textbook in Armonia's library... that is Sypherous'!"

"Lightning! You feeling better?" Carnivorous roared. Lightning pried his eyelids open and managed to stumble to his feet.

"I am not one hundred percent but I can manage. You ready to go?" Lightning managed to pronounce. "Also can you carry Bladz this time?" he nodded and within moments we were on our way towards the castle once again. "So we are dealing with an evil earth pony then?"

"I am afraid not Lighting, leaders of the Sepeti are unicorns highly skilled in dark art. How do you think the guards were managing to hide their wings?" I admitted.

"So you saying that we are going to have to go against a powerful unicorn that has the current intention to murder us?"

"I never said that, but yes I am afraid."

"Bladz.... your amulet?" Lightning stated pointing towards my neck. The sapphire had taken on a bright glow that sparked anxiety through my mane.

"We have a problem I believe guys... I think Lord Armonia might be in danger now; it usually only glows when he about to send me a letter." Silence emerged over the ground as we completed the final leg of our flight and the castle doors came into sight. The doors upon closer observation; however, was going to be impassible as the doors were locked shut with a dark and powerful magic I noticed upon landing. "I do not know this castle, is it possible that there is another way in!" I cried out.

Carnivorous smirked at my distress. "There is always another way in." before I knew it I was soaring up the castle walls being carried by Carnivorous with Lightning following, landing eventually on the roof.

"You have got to be kidding me!" I addressed to Carnivorous. He shaked his head in disagreement. "Do I really have to jump down a chimney?" To my remorse he nodded and I found myself skidding myself down a chimney that to my surprise had not been used in ages as the two slowly hovered down behind me.

"At least it was clean," Lighting joked even though I found no humor in it. We were upon an enormous dining hall that must of doubled as a ballroom as the tables were movable. A single light was radiating from the hallway and a voice; Daniel's. Rushing out of the room we attempted to maintain our stealth. The armor was missing! Creeping to the throne room we peered inside to witness Lord Armonia and King Elitan standing inside a protective bubble that Armonia must of conjured  up; Daniel standing outside it waiting with a predominant horn now appearing on his skull.

"Where is it!" he demanded.

"What reason do we have to tell you!" Elitan reputled.

"Foolish rulers! You cannot stay in there forever or your precious queen will suffer to  her grave!"

"What have you done with her?" Armonia requested noticing our arrival in his perivials.

"She is suffering from a corruption spell in the basement! You could go in save her if you guys would lower this cowardly shield and tell me where the armor is!" Armonia was pleased with Daniel's ignorance as Daniel has just gave away the Queen's location.

"I think we will pass!" Elitan's eyes dilated in concern as Armonia quickly halted him from speaking by jabbing him in the flank. "Don't" he whispered to Elitan.

"Carnivorous! You need to head down to the basement and save Elitan's sister! A corruption spell is easy to break, it works by concentrating evil magic in a single location; once the door is open the room will not hold the spell pressure that the curse requires." I commanded to him. He nodded in recognition and stormed towards the secondary hallway in hopes of finding a stairwell. "Lightning you feeling okay?" Lightning unsure nodded.

"I will be fine, a large sum of my energy has returned. Just it does not make sense to me."

"What?"

"I have trained numerous hours at my hardest and have never ever seen a lightning particle form; that time it just happened and I have no idea how." Lightning's face was lost in thought.

"Enough! Tell me where the armor is!" Daniel spat. "If you will not tell me I guess I will have to force you to tell me!" Daniel's eyes bursted into a scarlet glow as his skin bubbled and appeared to be charcoaling; a new Daniel was formed with this one standing a fair three inches taller. "Tell me scum!" The floor surrounding the dome blackened and for the first time I witnessed something in Armonia's eyes that I would've never expected. Fear.

"You plan to get us to speak by threatening to send us to Sypherous' dimension of void! Where did you even get the ability to conjure that!" Armonia demanded.

"Oh Armonia how long has it been and you have forgotten my face."

"NO! I cannot be you! You were destroyed!"

"That is what you think! For over a thousand year I laid dormant attempting to regain my powers and after being able to conduct in many of my spells I took control of the guard here and waited for a reason to lead you here. I have waited a long time for this day!"

No! I lost control of myself as I marched myself into the middle point between Lightning and Sypherous. I closed my eyes and breathed as he became aware of my prescence, yet I did not expierence fear.

"Here to watch your pathetic leader be vanquished so I can reign forever!" he nearly choked in his laughter.

"Lightning do not let him do what he is about to do!" Armonia exploded from his lungs. Lightning stood confused and tilted his head.

"I am sorry but the only one who shall be vanished today is you Sypherous!" My voice was not natural and originated from all directions. My eyes flung open presenting a solid white color and my horn flailed in a plethora of an alternating rainbow of colors.

"STOP HIM NOW LIGHTNING!!" Sypherous was locked in fear causing his void dimension to close. Lightning rushed forward grabbing me and knocking me to the floor unconscious as I was beginning to ascend off the ground and generate a mild windstorm throughout the castle in rage.

From the lost you have been found. You have created what is never to be formulated. You are the one who has the potential and the one who has been bestowed with the ability. We have awaited your arrival for we, The Nothing, have begun to see the light because you have shown us. Because of you Bladz, we are now free! Go! Complete what you are meant to be!