Not our world anymore (IC)

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight nodded and hastily tightened all the straps on her armor, she debated for a moment taking one of the extra battle-saddles they had brought along, but figured that she needed to be as mobile as she could possibly be, considering she was going deeper into the base than any pony else, "So are we going to ride you or are you going to carry us?" Airimus asked, now fully ready himself. Nimbus looked over, "This plan requires us to drop you in ontop of the train, so we're going to have to carry you. But thanks for reminding me, Twilight, Amalthea, Airimus, when we reach the train you're going to have to tell us when you feel comfortable with the drop in. You're the best judge on how well you'd be able to land on a moving target like that, but you'll need to push any fears you may have out of the way and think rationally about it." Twilight smirked, "Don't worry, Nimbus. We learn magic for a living, thinking rationally is something that's indispensable for us." Nimbus nodded, "Good to hear. Let's all get into position." Two Pegasi went to Airimus and Amalthea, and picked them up gently, then held firmly as they ascended. Twilight watched them until she was almost startled as she felt Nimbus' hooves clamp around her chest under her fore hooves. Twilight watched and wiggled her hind legs slightly as she felt them leave the ground, lifted by Nimbus' powerful wingbeats. On their own, Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy wouldn't have been able to attempt this sort of stunt, maybe Fluttershy if she were determined enough, but definitely not while Twilight was wearing this sort of armor. Nimbus was indeed a powerful flyer, it made Twilight wonder how fast she was, but she couldn't distract the Pegasus warrior right now with that sort of chit-chat.


The illusory Twilight Sparkle rubbed a fore hoof under her chin in contempt at the sight of Winter Bell, "You can't what?" she spat, "Prove that you're stronger than me? Well, you'd be right. You aren't. All you can do is sing like a cat that had its tail stepped on!" Twilight rounded the edge of the arena, "It was while I had been trying to rescue you, that I realized how much of an idiot I had been for making a friend out of you... All you've done is complain and cry, and worse of all, you think you have some sort of great gift, and you hope to use that gift to replace me as the Element of Magic!" Not giving Winter a chance to respond, the illusory Twilight stamped forward, toward her, "Well. Here I am, and don't worry, after all this, I'll make sure everyone forgets how much of a bother you were to them!"

[Blue Fox]

As everyone was lifted into the skies the faint sound of rumbling followed by a horn sounded and echoed from the distance. "Everyone brace yourselves, pick your landing zones and make your play. No mistakes" called Nimbus as the train drew ever nearer to the passing point. With in minutes the train roared passed the trees they were hiding in and The Wonderbolts instantly flew into action as they bolted from the trees with powerful flaps form their wings. They had to pitch their landings before the train reached the declining hill further up ahead otherwise the train would gain too much speed and would pull away from them too quickly to secure a landing. Not only this they wouldn't be able to keep up with the train to have the chance. The pegasi drifted off from the trains passing winds using the up thrust to glide them along side the train as it slowly pulled ahead, allowing them to slowly fall back towards the last two carriages. It didn't take long before they were due to be in position. "Here we go, it's now or never !" called Nimbus again as all the pegasi began to hover over the last two carriages waiting for their passengers to give them the drop signals. Amalthea was in the hooves of Wing Tear. She judged her landing before shouting a quick "Now !", the pegasus dropped her and she hit the top of the train, crouching to take some of the impact away as she secured herself. Wing Tear, having completed his drop successfully landed next to her and folded his wings. "On your mark Twilight" said Nimbus as she positioned her over the train as best she could.


Winter couldn't believe what she was hearing. None of this was true. She had never thought she was stronger and had only defended Twilights power by refusing to believe there was anything stronger then the Elements of Harmony. She would never dare try to replace Twilight, she looked up to them, all of them, as the saviours of Equestria and the smiled upon ponies of their beloved princess of the sun. The comments about her songs and her apparent complaining had stung, she thought she had been trying to keep up morale by staying positive. Winter thought on that for a second wondering if she had moaned about their situation. Her thoughts however were snatched when Twilight took some steps forward threateningly. Winter was dying on the inside. Twilight had been her best friend, her only friend. And now that was gone, along with any hope she had left. If it weren't for the little colt she had made a promise too, she probably would let Twilight kill her now. Her ears dropped to the sides as she spoke. "Twilight, I'm sorry. I really thought we had a stronger friendship then that and it kills me to know you think this way. But I cant let you end me here. Not when there's a pony that needs me" she said as she braced herself in a battle stance, or at least, a stance she would think had an advantage. Tears leaked from her eyes as her heart burst for the lost friendship. "Please... I'm begging you. Don't make me fight you" she pleaded.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight drew in her breath as the train came into view, and squinted to shield her eyes from the rushing wind as they approached it. She watched warily as the train's top seemed to rush at them, then stop suddenly. She supposed that Pegasi must be used to these sorts of dangerous-looking sights, but to her, it was a little terrifying. She watched the top of the train seem to shift about as Nimbus got into a better position to drop Twilight down onto it. They lowered from a height which Twilight was sure would have shattered all the bones in her legs to a height where she felt much more comfortable dropping down. She heard Nimbus call out for her to say when she was ready and, of course, she hesitated, if she tumbled off, the mission was effectively over for her, not just due to not being on the train, but because of the injuries she'd sustain after falling off and rolling and tumbling on the ground, she saw them start to move to be in a perfectly centered position and Twilight cleared her mind, "Now!" She shouted.

Twilight felt her insides instinctively wrap around themselves as Nimbus released her grip on her. It seemed like a few seconds, while she felt almost weightless, when infact it was no more than a single moment, before her hooves contacted the sheet metal on the train's roof. Suddenly forced to compensate for the train's motion forward as well as its rattling around AND the wind, Twilight nearly stumbled off and panic invaded her mind. She took a few steps in the opposite direction and found herself steady once again. Twilight sighed heavily in goddess-thanking relief. A few moments later she heard Airimus give out a, "GYAH!" As he dropped to the train's roof and landed on his stomach. Twilight gasped and started to go see if he was okay, but the human lifted his head, his face having been protected by the helmet he was wearing. Twilight steadied herself and began walking toward the back of the train, which should have been simple, but she found it very disorienting and scary. Wind was pushing her forward and scenery was whipping by forward as well, it all seemed backward. Twilight crawled over to a gap in the train cars between the last and second to last cars, already hearing Pegasi warriors bucking guards and other occupants into submission. The situation was under control by the time the lavender mare and two humans had reconvened in the train car, "Do we throw them off the train, ma'am?" Wing Tear asked Twilight, who shook her head at the proposal, "No, tie them up and gag them, let's not start New Equestria throwing prisoners off moving trains." As the others secured the prisoners, Twilight levitated off her helmet, her mane was already flat and caked with her sweat even though she hadn't even been doing any fighting yet. She silently hoped that her destiny wasn't to do many more military engagements.

Twilight knew that the plan had called for them to board the train about 10 miles out from the base, and she figured that her telepathic range was a little over that, since Talonopolis had been so big and she had been able to contact Luna from that park. She reached out with her magic toward their destination, she found a figurative wall of negative magical presences, which made her cringe just at the thought of delving into it, but she had to know if Winter was there and alright. She dipped into the magical presences and clawed her mind through it, until at last she found Winter's little beacon of light as well as some other ones. She also felt something strange, it felt almost like... Herself.


The illusory Twilight laughed, "You're really as crazy as I thought you were! You expect me, the Element of Magic, to just lay down and die because you made some promise!? I would have been shocked that you replaced me so quickly, but I guess I should expect that sort of betrayal." The scientist pressed the intercom, "Fight, you bickering fillies, or you get the toxin!" Twilight growled, "Let's get this over with, I don't feel like dying over nothing!" She charged forward, making her horn glow with her purple magic. But then, the magic vanished.

Back on the train, Twilight knew that something was wrong, and she began drawing on the illusory Twilight's magic because it was, in all technicality, her own, "What the hay is this!? Whatever! I'll just stamp you to death!"

[Blue Fox]

The pegasi crept silently through the last two carriages silently neutralising all of the guards and anyone who could be a possible give away. On Twilights orders they hadn't killed anyone, simply knocking them out and locking them down in a secured area, gagged and bound, as Twilight requested. They were fast, silent and professional in their approach. In the short space of ten minutes they had locked down the last two carriages and done a quick sweep to see if they missed anyone. "Now its the waiting game" Nimbus said as her pegasi returned with reports clear. She had them stationed around the carriages at advantage points by the doors and cover that could prove vital should things not go to well from here on in. In all honesty it wasn't this part which nerved them. It was being released into the belly of the beast itself without being noticed. There would be a hell of allot more opposition and security to deal with, not to mention the price of capture. But none of them could afford to think of such things. They had to remain head strong to see this through and keep a clear mind to look out for any potential danger ahead. "Wing Tear" Nimbus asked without looking at him. "Window clear Ma'am, twenty minutes until initial approach, additional five for train clearance and another five for docking procedure" he replied fluidly. It was impressive to see how organised they were that they could calculate there times to the minute.

Winter thought this seemed.. out of place for Twilight, she never seemed to be the type of pony to gloat about being an Element. But maybe it was because she was angry. Or upset. Or whatever this horrific turn was. Winter was too upset and devastated to care anyway. This was her friend, trying to end her life. When Twilights magic faltered Winter seized her chance. When Twilight had claimed she would stamp her out Winter had already began charging her own magic. Her eyes were puffy and red and yet still they leaked fresh tears that stung her cheeks. "Forgive me" she whispered before breathing in a large amount of air and releasing it into her most powerful shout she could possibly summon at that time. It was not out of anger, hate or anything else that she choose to push as much power into it as possible. She just thought, if it was quick...... She wasn't able to finish the thought. The room lights dimmed momentarily when the shout released striking Twilight mid section. Blood and purple fur ripped from her body as she was catapulted into the far wall with bone crushing strength. The glass on the window pane cracked from the pressure and the sound travelling around the circular room made Winters ears ring. She looked across the room at Twilights body, limp and unmoving. She had done it, the only mare in her life she ever called a true friend, dead by her own hooves. She fell to the floor in a wreck, her mind and thoughts crashing with one another as they waged war over right and wrong. Her heart burned and her head was sore from the hurt. She continued to stare at Twilights body for what seemed to her like an eternity before a voice called over the intercom again. "The door is open. Guards will escort you back to the common area, thank you Subject D-7" said the human before the buzz of the intercom echoed out. When Winter left the room, the illusion disappeared into a pony manikin, what was left of it.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight felt the strangely external source of her own magic suddenly be extinguished. She had been drawing on it to amplify her search efforts for Winter, but now she couldn't feel anything from her... Anything. Twilight felt panic and began digging through the many dark and gloomy magical presences in the base, 'I can't find Winter anymore! Where is she!?' Twilight frantically contacted random presences, looking for her friend, 'Winter!? WINTER!!?' She begged on a broad scope, she simply could not distinguish her anymore, "Winter!?" Twilight said aloud, a little loudly as well. Some of the Pegasi and Airimus and Amalthea looked over, worried. Twilight opened her eyes, her pupils tiny in fear. The two humans rushed over, "Twilight, what's wrong!?" Airimus asked, now very worried himself, "I-I can't find Winter, she was there for a moment, then I lost her." Nimbus trotted over, "In my experience, magic is just as trustworthy as technology, not at all. If we stick to the plan, you'll be able to confirm it with your own senses, until then, we're comitted and this mission is going to succeed! You got it, Twilight?" Twilight gulped and nodded, dreading now that she was putting Nimbus and her Wonderbolts as well as possibly the last of her friends in this time in danger over nothing. But she couldn't think like that, she couldn't give up on her!

"What the hell was that!?" The head scientist said to an apprentice back in the arena observation chamber, "She killed her, that's what you wanted right?" The head scientist shook his head angrily, "I wanted there to be a fight! If I had wanted her to just slaughter that manikin, I would have said so! And it would have been rolled out in chains! Why did its magic cut out!?" The apprentice raised his hands in neutrality, "I did exactly as you told me to do, use the magic matrix circle we found in that mythical Sun Princess' journal!" The head scientist groaned and shook his head dismissively, "Well, next time, make it better! Got it!" The apprentice nodded, "Clean that up!" The head scientist said disgustedly, pointing to the manikin.

When Winter reappeared in the Common Area, Leafrun instantly began trotting over, happy to see that she was at least walking out under her own power, he then froze when he saw her face, "Wh-what happened, Winter Bell?" Leafrun asked, "What did they do now? All of my friends who were just about to join the Order all had that look on their face..."

[Blue Fox]

As the train sped onwards towards hell Wing Tear spoke up again. "Ten minutes till five minute clearance...then we're in" he said, this time without being asked by Nimbus. Nimbus however nodded and began ordering her warriors to check equipment as she explained fall back positions and contingencies for failures. Not that they could afford any. If they were caught or noticed they could threaten Winters life if they tried anything. And that would prove to be very problematic. When Nimbus was done preparing her squad they were approaching the tall towering gates of the Sorcerers base. The large complex towered over everything menacingly and screamed negativity. The vibes of horror emanated from the place with pulses of dark energy, consuming and tainting everything magical it touched. "Here goes nothing" mutter nimbus as the train began to slow as it came to the large gates for clearance. Amalthea wondered if it really was just food stuff coming in on this train, or weather it would contain possible victims for their torture and tests. She had tensed up as the train slowed feeling the anticipation of what was going on. She looked to Twilight wondering what he plan was for exiting the train. Of course they knew where they were going but they wouldn't know when the coast was clear to leave. She guessed they would be relying on Twilights magical senses to get them off the train initially.

Winter tried to pull together a smile for Leafrun when she saw him trot over, but she wasn't able to. The pain in her eyes and in her face stained her like a stubborn stain on a gala dress. She had killed a pony, and a friend... she had thoughts of what the other elements would think and what the princesses would think of her. Did they share Twilights same thoughts ? did they all think she was a usless waste of space...does it even matter now ?. Her purpose, everything they had worked towards was at an end for her now. She only lived for one thing now. Her new anchor, Leafrun. She had made him a promise and she intended to see it through. She may have lost her personality to an extend along with her innocence and other aspect of her soul which made her Winter Bell. But for as long as she was needed by a pony such as Leafrun, her soul refused to give over. Time was surely running out for her though... much more of this and she may just let them kill her. Other then for Leafrun living just didn't seem desirable any more. She wiped her eyes with her fore hoof. "I-Its nothing, honestly" she said as her hoof fell to the floor. "And don't you worry, I'm not planning to join their Order any time soon" she said as she forced a smile, although it died fast.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight took yet another deep breath to clear her mind of all the worry she had been feeling lately, she had to only concentrate on pinpointing the Order soldiers outside. She put all her concentration into it, and she could then feel the Earth Pony-like presences of the the non-magic-using, gun toting guards hired by the Order. They were just as dangerous, if not more, because their presences didn't blaze with iridescent magic. She felt the waves of magic flow around a few Order Sorcerers as they inspected the train cars, her breath became more baited as they approached their cars. She held a hoof up for everyone to stay hidden as they passed by the cars. Their presences were so prominent this near her that she barely dared to even breathe. But the Sorcerers simply confirmed that the car was there as it was supposed to. Their incompetence showing as they failed to realize that well over half a dozen guards in the two cars had mysteriously gone missing. One of the tied and gagged guards started bumping around and making muffled noises in an attempt to alert the guards outside. Twilight looked over in a panicked stare, Nimbus was on top of it however, but her action made Twilight once again realize just what was about to begin. With a swift hoof motion, Nimbus snapped the bound human's neck. The sound made Twilight instantly feel nauseous. She let out the quietest shudder she could before she re-concentrated on the presences outside, soon the presences within the train complex area faded. Twilight looked to everyone, "It's time... Remember, you're free to engage once Airimus, Amalthea and I are at that side door." Twilight then gripped the door with her magic and swung it open and hopped to the gravel next to the tracks, levitating her helmet and planting it back on her head.

Leafrun had been here long enough to see right through the charade. The few of them who had the courage to say it, had at least that much of themselves left to admit it, Leafrun had to force it out of Winter, or it would consume her even faster than it had any of his other friends before her, "Everyone, everyone says that... But some have told me what happens after a test like one that'd leave you like that... My friend, George, itwas because he was forced to kill his mum... My friend, Platinum had to kill her husband..." He tearfully looked at the ground, "But even if you don't talk about it, Luna will be along soon to save us, right?" Meanwhile, Rex had finally been released into the Common Area. He had a muzzle on and it looked like he had his claws filed dull. He watched Winter and Leafrun from a distance, unsure of whether or not to approach Winter. They had sent him off with a glimpse of a video of Winter killing Twilight. He didn't believe it was true, since he had sworn he had seen Twilight escape.

[Blue Fox]

Nimbus and the squad fell in behind Twilight as they hot the gravel. They immediately established formation as they searched for enemies. "Move" she whispered as they all began moving into the maze of shipping creates. Because of the maze like structure created by the shipping creates they would be relying on Twilights sense for this part. Once they got to the side door Nimbus had planned to unleash hell as they made their distraction attempt. Fortunately they had a plan to prevent them from being overwhelmed. Not only could they fly but they were also considerably faster and therefore harder to hit. They would only hold out for so long but they were sure they could buy them enough time for them to secure Winter and get out again before they made a tactical retreat. Of course during this distraction they would kill as many enemy as they could to whittle down resistance and to make it easier for them to pull out. Wing Tear had also calculated that reinforcements would be on their way and they would have to be out with in a thirty minute time window. Otherwise they would all be doomed. Nimbus took the lead as she listened to Twilights every word. She silently crept up behind a guard and jabbed a powerful hoof into his neck, snapping it instantly. She caught the body and with a gentle flap from her wings she lowered it to the floor before dragging it to the shadows.


Winter looked down at Leafrun, she could see the worry in his eyes and the fear of her becoming one of them. She knew it wouldn't happen, not while he was here. She shook her head. "I'm sorry Leafrun, its just to painful for me right now, but please know I'm not going to leave you" she reassured before adding. "And I'm sure the Princess is already on her way now" she said with a smile. They might have abandoned her but she knew the Princess would not leave ponies in this place. Luna would bring hell to the world for what they're doing to ponies here. Winter hadn't noticed Rex. She had been to occupied with Leafun and she had been oblivious to everything else, guards included. She was exhausted, physically and emotionally. What she needed was some rest.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight chanced a glance up at the castle which was, even from here, she could hear the unearthly sounds of the corrupted magic taking place within its walls, and the eerie red light washing from the few windows there were. She felt a little glad that she wouldn't have to be going up there, because there was nothing but 'classrooms' and living quarters up there. She then felt a presence which sent her head reeling back to ground level. She quickly motioned for everyone to find hiding positions just in time as an Order Centurion Golem stomped through an aisle of shipping containers. It swept its red eyes over the darkness, then moved on. Airimus let out a quiet shudder, having studied Centurion Golems enough to know how strong they would be in an actual combat situation. They wouldn't be a threat in the narrow hallways they expected, and wouldn't be a threat to the Pegasi either. Twilight motioned for everyone to follow once she was sure the golem had moved on to another area of the complex. She spotted the door just up ahead, and breathed a sigh of relief. Soon everyone would be back in their element, rather than this tense sneaking, she turned to Nimbus and the others, "Alright, as soon as Airimus, Amalthea and I are through that door, "Do what you do best... And for the Goddesses sake, be safe." she said worriedly.


Rex at last managed to at least dismiss the video he had been shown enough to approach Winter, although he didn't know how he would be able to communicate with either her or the Colt. Leafrun nodded warmly as Winter gave him hopeful words of Luna being on her way to save them. He hoped that it would be soon, "Mwecher Mell..." Rex sounded off, "I' mwee, Ech." Leafrun looked, startled, and utterly confused as to what exactly Rex was. He had never seen a baby nor adult dragon before, he didn't even know anything like dragons even existed.

[Blue Fox]

Nimbus gave Twilight a smirk as she responded. "Don't worry about us, if anything... be worried about them" she said confidently as she raised her head high. The pegasi warriors nodded to Twilight individually as they all reassured her of their skill. "They don't call is The Wonderbolts for nothing" she finished before turning to her squad. "All right, everyone get to your positions, as soon as Lens Flare gives the signal that they are through the door we bring hell" she said. The squad responded with a quiet cheer before Nimbus turned back to Twilight. Once you and your friends are out side we will regroup on you and cover your escape. Good luck" she said before they scattered into the darkness, heading to their vantage points to cause the most devastating initial attack. They were going to target the most crowed areas first and blow down the towers on the outer walls. If they were left, they would gun them down as they made their escape. Thsi was going to take some considerable amount of stealth and timing. One miss calculation and they risked blowing a tower into their escape route effectively locking them inside. No this had to be done with the utmost professionalism and care.


Winter was also started as she saw Rex, she was overjoyed to see that he was ok but cringes as she could only imagine what they may have done to him. He seemed unharmed, and they seemed to have unarmed him of his natural weapons. She could only imagine how uncomfortable he must feel with that muzzle lock on his face. "Rex !!" she said. "I'm so glad your ok" she said as she put a fore hoof around him in an embrace as she lowered her head onto his. When she let him go she eyes his muzzle lock to see if she could remove it. Unfortunately it was bolted and locked with some kind of key. And trying to force it off could clamp it further hurting him. She looked sympathetic for a second before she turned to Leafrun. "Leafrun this is Rex, a friend of mine" she said before turning back to Rex. "Rex this is Leafrun" she finished. She knew Rex would have trouble communicating but she thought she might be able to translate some of his words.