Not our world anymore (IC)

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

The hallways seemed to have the same rough aesthetic as the Harmonic Citadel, but more advanced in a way. This facility must have been built later on in their stay on the world. It was interesting to Twilight, but she remained behind Starling, supplementing his headlamp with her light spell. She would have to admit that the purple light hardly did the alien architecture justice, however. As the more neutral light from Starling's headlamp showed that the walls were white and slightly shiny, "I have tapped into your primitive communication devices." the construct said through Twilight and Starling's COM systems, "Already the ones above have tried tests several times, but the waves cannot penetrate the facility's walls and the rock and water. I will have the station's communications array relay messages between them and you, from now on." Twilight blinked and nodded, "Soo... Tell us about this creature." Twilight said, "What are we going to be dealing with?" The construct loaded its information a lot more quickly than the orbs in the Infinity Skyhall, they hadn't been kidding when they had said that the Elves were more advanced because they had lived for longer.

"In our language, its species are called 'Archons'. They have been, until recently before this facility was evacuated, classified as 'Destroyer'-summoned daemons. But its species are, in fact, intelligent inhabitants of the Warp. Ones who are not corrupted by the Destroyer's power are exceedingly rare to the point of 0-1 being the only one we have encountered thus far, as a species. The ones who are, however, are called Dark Archons, and are extremely dangerous, as they feed on a being of this reality's Magic by drawing it out through a ranged psionic ability cast through their hands, and once one is deprived of Magic, they then move on to Life Force. Uncorrupted Archons are, ironically, only capable of adding magical strength to others by sacrificing their own. I was granted this information due to it being pertinent to facility security." Twilight stopped dead in her tracks, the mere mention of a creature that existed was capable of stealing away a being's magic as well as their life force, horrifying her, "F-f-feed on Magic!?" Twilight repeated, "A-and... Life Force!?" It was nearly inconceivable to her, killing something to feed on it was one thing, but to feed on magic fell into a whole other ballpark for Twilight. It was a simple yes or no to her next question which would determine whether or not she wanted to turn around and go right back to the surface and maybe catch some tea with her friends back at the keep, "This one i-is one of the good ones, right?" Twilight asked, "Of course." the construct responded, "If a single Dark Archon were active in this facility, interior threat levels would be approximately 780%."

[Blue Fox]

Starling had also stopped when the construct began speaking of this 'Archon' species. He didn't like the sound of it at all and was basically about to turn around and have this place blown up from the outside. But then it confirmed that it was actually good, which sort of swayed him to continue on. "Well this just keeps getting better" Starling mumbled. He was a little annoyed that this place had been built under his family area since this place would make the area no longer desirable as a relaxing spot. But he guessed it hand to end sometime and he would surely find new places and memories with Twilight anyway. He turned a corner and continued on. The good thing about the light in his helmet as that they had improved it from it's previous version on his old armour. Where as the old one would follow his head movements, this one followed his HUD reticule and pivoted on its own axis. It made searching in the dark that much easier as he could continue to separate his attention if he needed to. There also appeared to be a brightness option so he could change how powerful the light was, which of course was on full power right now. He walked down the corridor, checking his improved motion tracker to check Twilight was still right behind him, which she was. As they approached the end there was a sign on the ceiling which said, 'Cell Block" with an arrow pointing forwards to a door which seemed to be locked tight.

Starling tried to open the door to find that it really was sealed tight. "We regret to inform you that this door is on lock down and we are unable to open it.. there is another route-" Starling didn't wait as he turned and bucked the door with all his might making a loud bang as the door flew from the doorway. The door hit the floor in a twisted mangled mess and Starling smirked at how much more power was now in his hooves, "You were saying ?" he said a little sarcastically. "We are happy to inform you that the way is now... unlocked" it said making Starling chuckle. As they walked through the lights came back on and Starling deactivated his head lamp. "So if this thing is friendly why is it being kept in a cell ?" he asked suspiciously.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight winced as Starling bucked down the locked door they had come upon. She was about to advise that there may have been a reason why the door was locked down, but the construct would have informed them, most likely, if there was any danger beyond. The information load times were roughly equivalent to the time an intelligent being took to recall something, "It is a protective custody... 0-1 sought Runegard's aid and shelter from its corrupted brethren. According to records of what 0-1 has spoken to this construct about, as well as the former Elven, Pony and Human workers in this facility during its time of full operation, there is a rebellion taking place within the Warp. Information confirmation is shady at best, but it would seem as though the two belligerents are the Dark and non-corrupted Archons. According to 0-1's testimony at the time of his arrival, the uncorrupted Archons were losing the war." The construct paused, "More information can be acquired by means of Runegardian personnel or an AI construct specialized in historical cataloging on that subject. I'm sorry."

Twilight let out a breath knowing the answer to her question before she even asked it, "Do you know what connection the Archons might have to the Destroyer aside from that?" The construct immediately spoke, a not so good sign, "0-1 asked that he divulge that information to you, Twilight Sparkle, directly." Twilight blinked, "So... This... 0-1... He's asked for me alot, obviously... Did it ever mention Winter Bell at all?" The construct loaded for a moment, then spoke, "Thus far, 0-1 has not mentioned Winter Bell to this construct."

[Blue Fox]

Starling grumbled something about that possibly being a good thing as his scanners worked the walls and corridors for absolutely anything that could be a potential harm. In his mind he was once again leaving that kind hearted stallion behind to be replaced by the head strong leader stallion he was within the military. It wasn't something he thought about as it was a simple state of mind he set between in certain situations. And that sort of thinking intensified whenever there was someone around who could be harmed. Despite Twilight's armour being far superior to his thanks to Luna he still wasn't convinced she was protected enough for him to be at ease. Finally they reached the last doorway with a sign that read 'Cell Block 1'. Starling proceeded and after a brief look around, saw a figure looked towards them from the end of the new corridor in its cell. He took a deep breath before continuing on as his power hooves clunked against the futuristic floor of the elves. As he approached he walked to the left a little to allow Twilight to move forward and speak with this 'Archon' thing. He had his weapon trained over the head of the 'Archon' in case something didn't go as planned. He wasn't even sure if his weapon could penetrate the glass like shielding that separated them.,

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight blinked as she approached the glass-like barrier to look upon a creature that she couldn't quite compare to anything else she knew about, even from this time, looked out out at her and Starling. It didn't really look like a creature at all. If anything it more reminded her of a Centurion Golem. However, it had no mechanics for joints, infact. She blinked a few times, the Archon's limbs and neck weren't really attached at all! The floated in proximity to eachother by some sort of unseen, unsensed, force. The Archon inspected them for a moment before suddenly going ablaze in blue light and lightning arcs in the 'gaps in its body'. Twilight jumped back at the seemingly awesome power the Archon seemed to wield ambiently, however, it was still producing absolutely no magical presence. Whatever it was, wasn't magical in the traditional sense. It gazed upon the two with now fiercely glowing eyes, and the light and other effects grew less intense, to a more 'idle' state, "In Arudiim, Twilight Sparkle... Starling..." a voice emanated from the Archon, possessing a strange resonance to it that didn't match the sort of environment they were in, "I may know now, that the blood that has been spilled, has not been in vain... That the promises of the Song Queen have not gone dishonored." Twilight drew in a breath and went forward once again, she had come this far, there was no reason to back down now, especially in the face of one who was hinted at being a potential ally, "M-my name is Twilight Sparkle... It's nice to meet you...umm... 0-1?"

The Archon placed a three-digited claw on the glass separating them, its solid glow eyes seemingly searching every inch of Twilight, despite not moving at all, "A temporary title, for a temporary phase of existence..." it said, "My true individuality is known as... Tsar. Your individuality is known as Twilight Sparkle. You are the leader of young wielders of the Elements that bind your world. The one who was saved from the Stigmatization... Known to you as the Destroyer."

[Blue Fox]

Starling took steps to move in front of Twilight but stopped when it seemed like it was only awakening. He couldn't deny that the... thing was unlike anything he'd ever seen or come across in his life. He couldn't even compare it to anything he knew of magic. He also couldn't even feel the magic the thing wielded, which disturbed him a little. He watched as it spoke to Twilight and didn't say a word. He couldn't... he didn't even no what to say on the matter. Outside the soldiers were waiting as they had prepared themselves in a defensive formation around the entrance to the underground bunker. Word had been sent out to Princess Luna and Lord Commander Spike to keep them informed and a dispatch had been sent out filled with an extra group of soldiers for reinforcement. It was unknown if Winter and the other of Twilight's friends were coming too but they would also be informed as her safety was considered to be something that concerned them.

(I am so blocked right now :/)

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

"You mean what the orbs in the Infinity Skyhall were talking about? The delayed time spell?" Twilight asked, Tsar nodded its strangely-shaped head, "The ones from the cycles before saved you and the other from the Destroyer, and brought you here to fulfill the plan they might have told you about." Twilight nodded, lowering her head and looking away for a moment, "They told me I might've had to get rid of my foal... I'm not happy with them." the Archon placed a claw on the glass once again, "They are merely machines, built to send you a message, Twilight sparkle." it said, "It is your choices that define you as a being who is truly alive. It was the choices of countless ones before you that lead to your birth, and your choices can help lead to countless more, after you. However, the choices you now make as a wielder of the Elements than bind your world are heavy... As the Destroyer seeks your destruction. Were it to destroy the Elements of Harmony, as you call them, the world would be at the Destroyer's mercy, and life would end on your world."

Twilight gulped, it had always been a sneaking suspicion of hers the the defeat of her and her friends was pretty much the rite of passage for any evil plot to succeed, "So if I were to face the Destroyer with only the other Element Wielders, it would have destroyed us... I gathered that much. That's why Winter Bell was brought with me. Is that why you wanted to eventually meet with us?" Tsar shook its head, "No... I wanted to tell you that the Cycles are something much more... Something almost beyond your current understanding." Twilight blinked, but then narrowed her eyes, "What is there to it? This AI construct told me that the Destroyer has your people at war, that it corrupts you. How much more sense could it make than none?" Tsar lowered its head, almost in a gesture of shame, "There were those among my people who loved the feel of magic from this world. Those who gave into an insatiable desire to consume magic from this world became the Dark Archons. Who are the true malevolent minds behind the Destroyer and its attacks on this world."

[Blue Fox]

Starling listened as much as he could before his mind began to hurt from all the information. It was hard to accept and hard to absorb as he simply couldn't fathom what he was being told. He remained silent still as he observed the conversation between the Archon and Twilight. It was then that he heard a blip of an incoming call echo through his helmet and Twilights. "This Is Captain Wave Storm, the reinforcements have arrived along with a ... charcoal coloured pony who claims to know you, please confirm" said the captain before the COM blipped out to await their reply. Starling, who was still overwhelmed by this new information was too busy absorbing the information to reply. Twilight was a high enough rank to make the call anyway and while she was down here, had nearly as much say as Starling did. From time to time Starling had wondered weather it would be worth having Twilight enlist for the simple reason that she could make official orders. It would benefit her if she needed anything or information relayed faster. But the only problem was that it would be extremely hard to get her enlisted with command considering the incident with her disappearing to the Imperial palace.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight had to take a moment to regather herself, absorbing the information that Tsar had just given her. It seemed unfathomable, but she knew she had to treat it like any other threat to Harmony she had faced so far. Nightmare Moon, Discord, the Changelings... and now the Dark Archons. This time, it was only more widespread, and what she and her new and old friends would need to do and understand was much deeper and more complicated. She wondered for a moment if it were wise to bring Winter down here as well, with it still being rather impossible to gauge exactly how strong Tsar was, and whether or not it was a threat, "Tsar... I'd like to bring Winter Bell down here, but you understand that I have no way of knowing if your dangerous, or even if anything you just said is true..." Tsar took his claw away from the glass, "I am one of the greatest warriors of my people, we are a species that does not share the chemical, magical, and electrical impulses that you would call, emotions... I am extremely dangerous, Twilight Sparkle... But not to you. Not now." As could be predicted from a being that claimed to not have the same set of, if any, emotions; The response confused Twilight, "A conversation between myself and Winter Bell would benefit us all, however your emotions lead you." Tsar then said, giving Twilight a more straight answer. Twilight now knew that subjectivity was a moot point with Tsar, at least on this level. She took in a deep breath, "This is Twilight Sparkle. Tell Winter that it's okay to come down here." she said over the COM, "AI construct, can you guide Winter here?" she asked, "Affirmative." the construct responded.

[Blue Fox]

Winter began to make her way towards Twilight, being guided by the AI construct as she went. It was scary considering she couldn't see a thing for the most part and the low rumbling of electrical's didn't help at all. If she didn't know that Twilight was up ahead she would probably turn back now. The rest of the reinforcements remained back at the entrance on standby until they were called down. Winter had came after hearing that something was up. Amalthea wanted to come but Winter suggested that she stay and take care of Rex and Leafrun instead, which she agreed on. She wasn't quite sure what to expect down here but she knew it had to be important. She also had no armour on since Luna wasn't finished making it for her. Not that she particularly needed it. After all no one said anything violent had happened yet. She eventually found the broken twisted door and passed through the doorway into the light. She continued on until she saw Twilight and Starling, with some kind of ....thing. She paused unsure what to do. "T..Twilight" she said as she trotted closer and a much slower pace then normal. Starling turned and saw Winter giving a curt nod to let her know it was ok before backing up slightly to make room. Winter noticed this and gave a small unsure smile before approaching Twilight.