Hell Hath Furies [Rainbow/Twilight]

>You quickly flick your dark, striped mane out of your eyes as you triple check your instruments.
>Wind ESE at 18kph. Barometric pressure 101.325kPa. Temperature 27 degrees C.
>Background levels of esoteric energies within expected levels...
>Your eyes twitch from dial, to gauge, to printout, and then back to the setup in front of you.
>The large copper ring looks fragile suspended from taught steel cables anchored to sturdy poles.
>Wires lead off of the loop of metal and run along the ground to various instruments and one is even taped to your horn.
>Everything looks like it's ready, the only thing left is Rainbow Dash. She'd better not be slack-
>As you turn your vision skyward you make out the unmistakable multi hued wake streaking toward your clearing here in the Everfree forest from Canterlot Castle.
"Okay. Deep breath, we need to get this right the first time..."
>You close your eyes and begin the simple focusing techniques you've known as long as you can remember, easily falling into the steps that summon your magic.
>You feel the wellspring of power open at your gentle caress filling your body with light as it cascades outward and collects into your horn.
>You begin to weave the threads of power into the tapestry of a spell as the energies swell and seek release, trusting Rainbow to do her part.
>The windspeed device starts to cycle up as you feel the air starting to be pushed in your direction.
>You open your eyes and concentrate your finely crafted measurement spell on your ring and watch as the lavender aura spills down the length of cable and envelopes it.
>A familiar vibrating hum starts to fill the air like the physical manifestation of tension.
>Your heart hammers in your chest in anticipation as the air begins to shriek in protest of the near mach speed quadruped hurtling toward you.
>You can't stop the massive grin that spreads across your face at the thought of all the data you're about to collect.
"It's time to catch a Sonic Rainboom!"

>"You want to WHAT?"
>You blush slightly as you quickly look around at the other Hayburger patrons eyeing you both curiously at Rainbow's outburst.
"Shhhh! Keep your voice down! And stop hovering like that! I've come up with a very intriguing method that-"
>"Twilight, are you insane?"
>The cyan mare settles a bit with her front hooves on the table and her rear ones in the seat, her wings still flung outward.
>"The Sonic Rainboom is...well...it's really powerful! That explosion fills the whole sky!"
"Precisely. Until you rediscovered it the Rainboom had been a myth that nopony really believed. I've been wanting to get some hard data on it for some time now."
>"You've seen me do it a bunch of times. And I'm not so sure I should be. After Scoots and the others made us realize it had something to do with our cutie marks-"
"But that's just it, don't you see? That one singular event is linked to each of the six of us and I don't believe it's coincidental. It doesnt make any sense, but the Rainboom seems to be connected to the force of Fate that guides each pony through their cutie marks."
>"But you've seen it, right? It's not any different each time..."
"Yes, of course I've seen it. But I haven't 'measured' it. The forces at play are a complete mystery, and I for one can't wait to figure out how it works!"
>"That's fine and all..."
>Rainbow takes a big bite out of her hayburger followed by a long drink from her soft drink. Your ears droop in sad anticipation.
"But...?"
>Rainbow heaves a sigh
>"...but as much as the Rainboom is, like, the most Awesome thing a pony could ever do...I dunno, it just kinda feels weird knowing that it had such a big, y'know, impact..."
"But, Rainbow...that's exactly Why we have to do this. I've been invited to give a lecture at Celestia's Magic School on magical theory and simultaneous cutie mark aquisition..."
>You notice her eyes start to glaze over and continue with a little annoyance in your voice.
"...and I need to have more data to better offer an idea about the evolution of cutie mark Magic!"
>You emphasize the last word by banging your hoof on the table, and quickly duck a bit as you realize you just made everypony stare at you again.
>Rainbow jumps a bit as you finish, and then settles a bit looking stubborn. You think quickly.
"I know it makes you uncomfortable, but I can't ask anypony else. Nopony can even start to perform that stunt, much less pull it off on command..."
>You hide a smirk as you watch Rainbow's chest swell with pride. She's too easy sometimes...
>"C'mon, Twilight. Who do you think you're talking to? I know you're just trying to fluff my feathers to get me to agree with you."
>Your jaw hits the table. She blatantly shows the smirk you were trying to hide a second ago.
>"It doesn't matter though. You know I'd do anything for ya. If you think this'll help, I guess I can perform the greatest air stunt known to ponies one more time."
>"Besides, you're a Princess now. You could always just 'tell' me to do it."
>Your ears droop once again and you stumble over yourself trying to reassure her that you'd never in a million moons do such a thing
>Before you catch the barely contained snickering that's shaking her shoulders as she watches you flounder.
"Uuugh! Fine! Good, lets go then."
>Your magic turns the paper wrappings from your three burger lunch and hayfries into tiny compact ball and shoots it into a garbage can across the room.
>"Wha? Right now? You want to do this now?"
"What? Don't tell me you have plans..."
>As she trails you out of the building you look without looking at the comfy pillow and blanket hung high up in the nearby elm.
>"...well...we just ate...and I did all the cloudbusting earlier this morning-"
"So you're free? Excellent. Let's go. I've been setting up the apparatus in a clearing in the Everfree forest since earlier this week. You wouldn't believe what I've had to do to prepare for this. I had to reread every major work on magical theory and spell combination while also looking up papers from journals about various ways in which spell magic is effected by weather conditions and vice versa. Did you know that Sunstream's spell for managing the flow of aircurrents operates by changing the temperature of different pockets of air, because I sure didn't. Then I had to get several pounds of copper and magically refine it to maximum purity so that it can conduct the...-"
>"...just kill me now..."

>The tension in your body mounts as electricity starts to shower away from Rainbow's extended hooves.
>You firm up your focus on the stitched together multi-spell spinning through the rune spiral engraved into the copper ring.
>You crouch, head low, and time seems to slow as you see Rainbow begin to cross the spell circle's event horizon with pinpoint accuracy, dead center.
>The rapidly collapsing pressure wave in front of the daredevil mare reaches its critical threshold just as her body is halfway through the ring.
>The shockwave collapses and rebounds, exploding into an eruption of colorful light perfectly encircled by the ring of shining metal.
>The air shrieks in protest as Rainbow comes to a complete stop above you and your eyes light up with glee as the energies start to channel outward to your instruments.
>The ring shatters into pulverized dust. Your face is barely able to register dismay as the concentration of raw power chain-reacts outward into a double explosion.
>You feel like the gears in your brain are turning through sludge. Immediately your horn ignites and pours its energies skyward where they collect and begin to spread outward and down like a wineglass filling upside down.
>The bow wave of prismatic annhilation races toward you ripping apart everything in its path. Your brother's spell may not enclose you quickly enough.
>You pour out every ounce of power you can muster as Rainbow shouts incomprehensibly behind you.
>The edge of the most powerful shield in Equestria slams down just as the crashing wave of destruction reaches its edge.
>The two incomplete spell structures meet at right angles and all hell breaks loose.
>You scream as the whole world seems to tilt violently sideways and you're momentarily blinded by a stray tuft of rainbow colored hair.
>Your wings extend in an attempt to right you even though you can't tell which way is up.
>An impossibly strong force drags you backwards upside down, your wings beating madly to flip you around.
>You spin on your axis and your eyes widen in horror as you witness Rainbow Dash vanishing into an enormous dark wound gouged out of reality, her lips forming your name.
>Your wings snap to your sides as you hurtle towards the screaming void torn open in midair without any conscious thought.
>You try to collect your brother's shield around you again as you cross the threshold, but your magic is torn from you as brutal cold rips the breath from your lungs.
>Again you flail in vain against the forces dragging you spinning into nothingness, there's a sharp pain in your head next to your horn, and you know no more.

>Your head throbs as your brain sluggishly trudges back to reality.
>"Twilight? C'mon, you're okay right? H-hey Twi, you haveta wake up. Come on!"
>Her voice is strained. Cracking more than usual. Why is she spinning you in circles?"
"Mnnf, Rainbow, uuggh, stop shaking me..."
>"You're awake!"
>You try not to hurl as you're dragged swiftly upward into a crushing hug.
"Aauck! Yes! Rainbow! Please, my head really hurts!"
>She drops her anaconda imitation and hops back quickly looking a bit embarassed.
>You rub a hoof across your face and feel the bump at the base of your horn, still extremely tender. It feels a bit sticky with blood, and you pull away a tiny cyan feather.
>"What happened, Twilight? One second it all looked like it was fine, then there was that big flash and you did something and then I was ripped through something to wherever this is and...."
>Her wings riffle nervously as she supresses a shiver
>"...I dunno. This place just gives me the creeps you know? Like, you have a way out, right? A way we can get back? Cuz I like a sudden vacation like any other pony but-"
"RAINBOW! Please. I need a second to think, and with my head hurting like this it's not that easy. One thing at a time."
>Her head drops a bit, but at least she finally quiets down.
>You take a deep breath and push the pain away long enough to perform a quick first aid spell. Medical magic isn't your strongest school, but this much should be fine. It seems to be only a minor concussion.
>The pain begins to subside and you're able to much more easily think. You set your horn aglow and take stock of your surroundings. Your eyes widen in surprise and worry.
>Gigantic fractal shards of what looks like obsidian (but you suspect it isn't) float and turn and spin like Hearth's Warming ornaments suspended from nothing in a black and featureless nothing.
>Swarms of tiny white and blue lights move and flow around them bringing the only illumination aside from your magic.
>They're like schools of fish, or flights of small birds mostly moving as one big unit but shapelessly and undulating emitting an eerie sort of wind in the trees noise. You mutter under your breath.
"Something...this reminds me of something. I've read about this. I know I have, but...what was it?"
>"Um...Twilight?"
"Just one more minute, Rainbow...I'm trying to figure this out."
>You look toward her as you begin to pace and your brain disengages as you get a good look at her.
>Dash is sitting there stiff as a board. Her eyes darting back and forth following the clouds of...whatever they are. Her wings constantly twitching and jerking as tiny tremors run up and down her legs.
>You trot over to her and put a comforting wing around her back.
"It's all going to be alright, okay? I just have to work out what happened and where we are and then I (deep breath) I can get us home. You don't have to worry."
>"W-worried? No way! The Castle of the Two Sisters is waaay freakier than this place. It's just..."
>She looks at you with an odd expression, she seems to have calmed a bit no matter what she says.
"Go on."
>"Well, they aren't here anymore, but...ah, don't worry about it. Let's just get out of here-"
"They? They who? Rainbow what did you see?"
>That odd expression again.
>"Okay, but it sounds weird."
>You nod quickly and motion with your hoof.
>"Um, okay, well I managed to catch myself and hover when I came through just before I hit the top of this, erm, shard thing, but then you came through and smashed into it like a stampeding buffalo."
>You grin a little and stroke your mane as she continues.
>"You were falling so I caught you. I tried to fly back up, but the hole was gone and you were hurt so I set us down a ways further up this thing. There was a little cut on your forehead that was swelling up so I stuck a feather to it to stop the bleeding like they tell us to in the Reserves, but right about then all of those little light things flying around started to go crazy."
>You look up to meet her gaze and can see that some of that nervousness has come back.
>"They just started jerking around and breaking pattern and flying randomly. It made my mane stand on end, y'know? I grabbed you again and flew us down here under this ridge where we could, erm, strategically defend ourselves. You know what I mean?"
>You nod again
>"Then from off in the distance some other lights appeared. Flying fast. I mean FAST, Twilight. Almost as fast as me, you know? There were four of 'em, and when they got close they flew up to where that hole was and just looked there and kept looking at each other..."
"They looked at each other? How could you tell? What were they?"
>"Um...well they looked like ponies, but...not like ponies."
>Your frustration must be starting to show on your face, because she looks bashful for a quick moment before she resumes.
>"It's like, they were all different, okay? One was glowing blue and she had wings like big fish fins, and a long slimy tail like one of Fluttershy's salamanders, and horns like a deer..."
"WHAT?"
>"Look I know it's weird, but I'm telling the truth! Another one was gold like hot metal with eagle wings and a swallow tail, but she had horns like that big ram at AJ's."
>Your pupils narrow to pinpricks as your eyes widen. Your mouth hangs open as several passages from your studies seem to fly across your mind.
>"Twilight? What's wrong? You believe me, right? I swear I saw them! I hid us so they couldn't see. After they flew around the shards a bit they floated off real slow, and then you woke up after they were gone. I promise they were here though!"
"I believe you."
>The words echo hollowly in your throat and tumble heavy from your mouth.
>"You do? Wait, why do you look so scared? Twilight?"
>You've crouched down onto the smooth, smoky-black crystal beneath you, your hooves involuntarily covering your head.
>"Twilight! Snap out of it! I don't know what those were or where we are, but we can get back. We've been through worse."
"I know what they were. I know where we are. It's never been like this before..."
>"What's going on then? Tell me and we can figure it-"
"Virgil."
>"What?"
"He wrote about this place in the diary he kept from when he said he traveled all the secret places between worlds."
>"Between...worlds?"
"Nopony ever believed him, but his works are a standard part of classical literature. But his stories describe this place and the ponies you saw."
>Rainbow sits in front of you and brushes her mane out of her face. She puts on a forced smile trying to make you feel better.
>"Soooo, what'd he say?"
"The way you described them matches his perfectly. Those were the Furies. We're in the space between the living world, and the underworld. Virgil called it Erebus."
>...
>"That's a bad thing, isn't it?"

-clop-clop-clop-
>"Well done, little Alicorn. I'm surprised you reached the correct conclusion so quickly!"
>Rainbow immediately leaps and spins around putting herself between you and the new voice with her wings spread and her head low ready for a fight.
>You find that you've also leaped back to you hooves and have a repulsion spell crackling along your horn ready to fire.
>A rather coltish pony seemingly formed out of a silvery, glittering mist with two stubby horns sits comfortably in mid-air softly applauding your analysis with a faint smile.
>"We so rarely get any visitors from the living world in our humble little corner of U̧̨͈̳͉̭͙̪͈̠͍̔͊́ͧ̆̅N̊̑̈̎̊ͦ́̅̚͏͖̟̪̗͖͟I͔̤̼̹͉͍̼̪ͯ̅ͪ͂ͪ́N̛͕̬̙͓͙͚̱̮̓ͧ́͜T͐͐҉̮͓͙̙̫͖E̗̤̥͙̣͔ͪ̋ͅL̮̥͉̟̩̓̿͝L̛̛͉͚̇ͥ͞I̞̝͇̿̒̊ͪ̅͗̚G̡̛̭̞̩ͩͣ̄ͬ̾̐͋̍̾͟Ỉ̧͎̮̙ͨ̉̏́̃͟B̷̛̙̣̰̪̙͆͋͛̒̆ͩ̀L͗͋͏̶̧͚̳̺͖̼ͅÉ͖̤̹̥̪͓̾ͣ̉͢."
>You shake your head to clear the static of that last word. Curiosity starts to bubble up past your apprehension.
"We didn't exactly come for tea. Who...er, what are you?"
>"Stay back, Twilight! I didn't see him with the others, but he could still be-"
>"Oh gods forfend! I have nothing to do with those boorish clods. Nor do I have any intention of causing or bringing you any harm."
>"Yeah, right. I don't trust this guy, Twilight."
>The spectre rolls onto his back and eyes Rainbow Dash with an amused expression.
>"You don't say..."
>You step around Rainbow and gently nudge her with your wingtip.
"It's okay. Stay on guard, but we need some answers."
>"Now THAT'S the adventuring spirit! So, Twilight, right? I am Agathodaemon. Call me Agatho. What would you like to know?"
>Your mind spins into motion recalling everything you've learned about classical mythology and brings up the entry on agathodaemons.
>"Agatho-what? Are you, like, some kind of pony soul?"
>The mist-pony slowly rotates in place and smirks at Rainbow.
>"Hardly...but those..."
>He gestures at the clouds of synchronized swarming lights. Rainbow's gaze follows his hoof and her eyes widen at the implication.
"Agathodaemon. Spirits of luck, health, and wisdom. Often recognized as companion spirits to heroes and adventurers of the ancient world."
>"Ooh! Right again! It's nice to know that we're remembered fondly by the upstairs lot."
>"W-wait. Hold on a sec. Those are, y'know, ponies flying around up there?"
>Agatho pulls a silvery bit of himself into a string and starts making a cats cradle with his hooves and horns looking a bit disinterested.
>"They were when they yet lived. Those who pass before their allotted time for whatever reason or those who have abandoned the protection of they who would guide them come here. The Furies you saw earlier gather them up and take them to, oh wherever they feel they should go. It's all rather boring..."
>Rainbow gulps and looks over at you, but you have other questions burning in your mind.
"I've used the Oracle at Equus in Canterlot to go to Tartarus on official business before, but I've never been here. If this is Erebus how did we get here?"
>Agatho's entire demeanor lights up like the sky over the Crystal Empire as he begins to float in circles.
>"THAT is a good question!"
>"Hey!"
>He sticks out his tongue at Rainbow.
>"The way that you arrived here..."
>He floats closer so that he's nearly nose to nose with you as Rainbow tenses up.
>"I have no idea!"
>He laughs and flings himself backwards through the air.
>You roll your eyes and start to heave a sigh when he suddenly flips and zooms right back into your face.
"Aack!"
>"BUT! I can tell you a few things, little Alicorn."
>Rainbow stops in mid-air, halfway through a flying tackle.
>"I can tell you that in this place, the strings of Fate play a beautiful and complex symphony of action, inaction, and consequence."
>He begins to slither through the air in a spectral dance no living thing could replicate.
>"Their melody and harmony slide and mix. Crash, and roll. Soar and dive. Always different. Always the same."
>He comes up abruptly and stares right through your eyes.
>"But in recent times, every so often something actually changes. Something from the living world, something Fantastic, rakes across the strings of Fate like a blade across a harp. Their timeless song is shorn from the anchors of reality for an instant and sent streaming in a thousand directions from the released tension."
>The intensity of his gaze is petrifying.
>"It shakes the very pillars of Heaven and the Fates are forced to move like they never have before to regain control and restring their instrument."
>He barks a short laugh releasing you from his gaze as he swims gracefully away.
>"And those old biddies sometimes fail to get it all back in the same place where it was."
>Rainbow ruffles her wings and looks between you curiously.
>"So, that means...the song changes?"
>You both look at her with mild surprise causing her to look slightly bashful and defiant at the same time.
>"What? I'm paying attention!"
>Agatho flows toward her and she physically holds herself from backing away.
>"Indeed. But today was even more different..."
>He begins to slide around her as close as he possibly can with a very curious and interested look on his face making Rainbow more nervous by the second.
>"H-hey, back off!"
>"...different because Today, the strings of Fate weren't just cut for an instant..."
>You start to walk toward them. Agatho's strangeness is uncomfortable at best.
>Agatho stops directly in front of Rainbow, fixing her with that paralyzing stare of his.
>"...it's like the whole of the instrument was cast from atop the Mount, and hurled all the way to Tartarus..."
>Rainbow's eyes are wide as dinner plates and she begins to quiver under his powerful hold. Light starts to flare up your horn.
>"...and now that I look at you, my little pony, I can see quite clearly the marks left on your essence by those shredding threads of causality...just exactly what-"
>You see Rainbow's chest start to hitch as she struggles to breathe and release your magic, instantly teleporting Rainbow Dash out from under his eyes to behind your outstretched wings.
"Enough, Agatho. I think I understand what you're saying, but keep your mind warp to yourself, please."
>He glares offended at you for a moment, but then shrugs and resumes his liesurely swim through empty space.
>"Fine, fine. I doubt I'd discover what I wanted to know in any case. You ponies can be so confoundingly thick sometimes..."
>"Hey! You-"
>You spin around quickly and motion Rainbow to silence and mutter a quick whisper
"Don't let him get to you. He's just mad he can't influence us both. I still need some more information so back me up if he tries anything."
>Rainbow winks at you.
>"Got it."
>You turn back toward Agatho and take a deep breath.
>"Done with your little pow-wow?"
"For now, yes. So, tell us how we can get out of here."
>Agatho's face splits in an almost feral grin.
>"Finally, the Right question."

>Agatho's fluid movements become faster and more impulsive.
>"I assume you are aware of how the Oracles function?"
"The Oracles are trans-dimensional gateways to other planes of existence accessible by those who have recieved certain permissions."
>The chunk of information tumbles out before you even really think about it. Some habits die hard.
>"Correct. They run through the stacked planes of where and when at right angles. If one is on good terms with those who control their entrances they can be used to travel from one plane to the next."
>Rainbow audibly yawns and flexes her wings.
>"So, we just need to find this gateway and go back then?"
>Agatho waves a hoof and sighs gently.
>"So much for paying attention. The Oracles are controlled in this place by the Furies. You did not come here via an Oracle. Nor did you obtain any permission to do so. So far as they are concerned you are lost souls like any others and they will treat you as such."
>Agatho turns his attention away from Rainbow and locks eyes with you again. You steel yourself in case he tries to lock you down.
>"Of the four of them you need concern yourself only with one. She is called Tisiphone."
>You sit down hard, your mouth hanging open a bit.
>Rainbow puts a hoof on your shoulder and gives you a questioning look.
>"I take it that name is known to you?"
>Agatho's smirking and dancing at your discomfort doesn't exactly help.
"Virgil wrote about her. From his time in Tartarus. She's the taskmaster of the Pits. She watches sleeplessly from her tower over all the souls that are imprisoned their to ensure that they can't ever escape justice, and she presides over her domains with a flaming whip."
>"She's THAT one?"
>You look over at the increasingly nervous Rainbow Dash.
>"That one. The one who looked like white hot metal. She had a whip hung on her back."
>Rainbow Dash quickly shakes herself and tosses her mane out of her eyes.
>"Doesn't matter. What do we have to do?"
>Agatho gives Rainbow an appraising look.
>"Hmm...well, the first thing would be to locate the Oracle. It's in Castle Thyranum somewhere around here shaped from one of the larger shards."
>He giggles a bit as he gestures out into the sparkling void.
>"Then all you have to do is get the key from Tisiphone. Couldn't be simpler, right?"
>You take a deep breath with your hoof to your chest, and then exhale while extending it outward.
"Okay, find the Oracle, get the key."
>You look over at Rainbow again and feel calmer at the sight of her determined face.
"I don't know how yet, but I think we can do this. I'm counting on you, Rainbow."
>"Psssh! Don't even worry about it Twilight. We can handle this no problem. I say we do a sneak attack! Y'know, tactical stealth stuff!"
>Agatho practically chokes himself laughing
"She can see in every direction and never sleeps, but there may actually be a way..."
>That shut him up even if you don't quite believe it.
>You smile at Rainbow Dash and turn to speak to your 'guide'.
"Is there anything else we should know?"
>He sighs and rolls around lengthwise.
>"Barbaric. How uncouth to just up and ask a catchall question like that. Have you no sense of drama? Fine. There is one more tiny little thing."
>He darts off into the distance and around the back of another much smaller shard.
>"Um...is he coming back?"
"I think so. Though I wouldn't put it past him to consider my question answered just with that, and then leave..."
>You hope that isn't the case. But you have to consider it with how much this creature reminds you of other aquaintances of yours.
>Your fears are quickly stymied when you see him emerge from the other side of the shard a few minutes later carrying a small bundle.
>"Wonder what that is..."
>Agatho swoops in and dumps the bundle at your hooves.
>"There. You two can already fly so this is all I can really do to give you any advantage."
>Rainbow hoofs the bundle apart and picks up what looks like one of two thick leather cloaks. They do NOT smell nice.
>"What in the hay is THIS?"
>"I hope you aren't turning your nose up at my gracious and Entirely Unnecessary gift, are you Ms. Rainbow?"
"Of course we aren't!"
>You grab the other cloak with your magic and try to catch Rainbow's eye, but she's too busy inspecting the cloak to take a visual reprimand.
"But, um...what exactly is it?"
>Agatho just stares at you. You fail to prevent yourself from blushing.
"I-I mean, I know it's a cloak, but what does it do?"
>"A Much better question. What you hold is a Soul Shroud. It is made from the skins of crocottas and steeped in the vital essence of my foul little counterparts the kakodaemons. It will mask your presence here and make you appear as nothing more than one more soul flying in the ether."
>You look at the smelly mess with a newfound appreciation.
>"So That's why it smells so bad..."
"Rainbow!"
>"What? It's not like I'm ungrateful or anything. Thanks, Agatho."
>The mumbling spectre actually perks up at her gratitude and you quickly bob your head and follow suit.
>"Well, it was nothing really. Part of the reason I'm even talking to you mortals is in the hopes that you make life a bit more miserable for my Kakodaemon cousins. Having you flap around with bits of them protecting you is a delicious bonus."
"Part of the reason? What's the other part?"
>"AND we're All out of time. It has been an absolute JOY talking to you my dears, but I really must be going. Ta-ta!"
>You try to say something, but Agatho leaps upwards and spirals into himself whirling smaller and smaller until he flashes out of existence.
>"I kinda liked him. He had some serious Awesome Points."
>You just stare at Rainbow for a second, but then shake your head at a loss for words.
"Alright Rainbow, now we need to come up with a plan."
>"Now you're talkin'! Lets get the heck out of this place."
>You nod and start laying out the basic idea you've got so far.

"Once we find Tisiphone, we have to get the key off of her as quickly as possible."
>Rainbow nods and flexes her wings.
"I don't know how resistant these Furies are to magic, but I think our best bet will be if you stay hidden behind the shards, and I pack as much power as I can into a hold spell. If we time it right, even if she's only held for a few seconds you can come rushing out and take her key."
>"Sounds good to me."
"This plan hinges on the idea that Tisiphone only knows about me until the trap is sprung. You have to stay hidden until just the right moment keeping something directly between you and her."
>Rainbow Dash does a little loop da loop and gives you a confident smile.
>"No sweat! In training Spitfire calls this a 'pincer attack'. I know all about it. You set up a frontal assault and when they're dealing with that, BAM!, your other group hit's 'em from the flank!"
>You grin as she slaps one hoof into the other to demonstrate.
"Precisely. But before we can do that we have to find the Oracle. Here, put on your Shroud. Ew. And lets see what we can find."
>"Um..."
>You look over at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What's wrong?"
>She looks a slightly bashful for a moment.
>"Well, um, I was wondering..."
"Yeeeeeees?"
>"It's, um, about what Agatho was saying...I mean, I understood about what we have to do, but what was all of that about Fate and songs and instruments and stuff? It sounded important, but he talked funny and when he looked at me it kinda freaked me out, so um what was that all about?"
>You just look at her for a sec. Really look at her.
>She's come a long way. Before she would've just ignored that whole conversation. She's discovered a desire to LEARN!
>"Uh, Nevermind. I know that face. That's your flashcard face."
>You discover you're hovering with tiny wing flicks and have a stupid smile on your face.
>You quickly pull yourself together and land while trying to look as wise and Celestia-like as possible.
"Oh, Rainbow Dash. I don't have any flashcards. I'm just happy you're interested."
>"Here we go..."
"If Agatho's description can be trusted (and I believe it can) he's describing the magic that binds everything together and drives it forward in history."
>Rainbow nods. She's actually LISTENING! You want to Dance! (Keep your hooves on the ground Ms. Sparkle)
"He said that something in the living world, our world, disturbs the flow of that magic and messes it up. And he said that today it's effect was stronger than ever."
>Okay, alright, okay. Here's the payoff!
"So, what do we know of that can warp Fate magic, and had a stronger effect today than ever bef-"
>"THE SONIC RAINBOOM!"
>You both leap up into the air and spin around each other.
"Exactly! See? We've already discovered more than I hoped from my experiment!"
>"Yeah! Who'd have thought it was even more awesome than we thought!"
>She offers up a hoof bump. You respect it.
"So now, grab your Shroud. We have to find this Castle Thyranum!"
>You both pull on the heavy hooded cloaks that cover you from nose to tail, and ear to hoof.
>"So, um, is there a magic password like in Daring Do, or what?"
>As she speaks you see the air (or ether you guess) gather itself around Rainbow and begin to shimmer.
>"Whoa! Twilight, it's starting to work on you!"
>You look down but you only see your hooves and the cloak spread out around you.
>Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof has completely disappeared in exchange for a brightly glowing orb of silvery blue light.
>"That's so cool! But I don't think mine is working...how'd you get yours to turn on?"
"You look just like one of the other...orbs up there to me, Rainbow. I think it just changes how you look to outside observers."
>"Oh. So I'm a glowy thing now?"
>She flies up and does a few simple aerial maneuvers.
>"Did I stay covered up?"
"Yeah. The illusion didn't even ripple. Good Shrouds."
>You fly up to meet her.
"Alright, lets go find this Castle. We need to try to stick to the other clouds of...you know. So we don't stand out too much."
>The Rainbow orb bobs up and down a little
>"...sure. Let's go. I'll take point."
>The two of you soar up and out toward the nearest mass of swarming souls near the top of the shard you were on.
"Hang on, Rainbow."
>She stops and comes back your way.
"Once we get into that mess we could easily lose each other. Here, let me put a spell on us that will let us track each other."
>"Wait, but won't that let somepony else see that we're not actually orb things?"
"No. I can tailor the spell so that it just effects us. After that we just have to fly slow enough that you don't leave a big rainbow wake across Erebus."
>"Lame."
"Hush. Just stay there a second..."
You're curious about how the cloak effects your magic anyway, so this is a perfect opportunity.
You fire up your primordial energies and lay a simple spell over the both of you without issue.
"There. Now we'll each leave a wake in our path that the other can follow, but nopony else can see."
>"Cool. C'mon, we're burnin' shardlight."
>You smirk and follow.

>You follow the ghostly trail left behind as Rainbow streaks across the speckled shardscape.
>It's a little annoying to maintain your following distance as she continuously changes speed and direction.
>She's either mimicking the real spirit orbs in the most bombastic way possible, or she's having trouble flying slowly enough to prevent her colors from showing.
>As you pass from one teeming mass of ethereal essences to another you both begin to fall into an easy pattern.
>Rainbow seems to have picked up their seemingly random rhythm, and by following her trail you are both able to swim with the others almost naturally.
>At first the nearness of the pony souls all around you was incredibly unnerving.
>You'd secretly hoped you wouldn't have to go near them even as your curiosity threatened to leave you burned from the inside out.
>Orb Rainbow had initially hitched around the outside of the first cluster and led you around the outside, but soon enough she almost languidly led you into them and began to fly smoothly again.
>You were a bit concerned, but as you followed you realized that these...souls...don't seem in any way sinister.
>In fact, upon closer inspection the vast majority of them seemed to be giving off a feeling of, hmm, contentedness? Yes. Comfort and serenity.
>Occasionally a whisp of fear or uncertainty or dread and a few other complex negative emotions would touch you, but then they'd peel away in the wake of more good.
>"This is Awesome!"
"Mmhmm..."
>Even Rainbow's usually ecstatic descriptors were calmer and more laid back.
>You pan your eyes back and forth across the endless crystal studded blackdrop.
"Where's a castle? One of these is supposed to be...hum..."
>The thrum of good vibes envelopes you like a warm blanket. You feel like you've just woken up after a long night of study and you have that warm, cozy, hyper-comf-snooze feeling all over.
>Thanks to your athletic pegasus friend you have no trouble following along in the complex spirals and swirls that gently carry you around and through the shards.
>You just have to follow the group, or Rainbow...whatever. You don't even really have to pay attention.
>It's like floating on a cloud down the Warm Bath River and just soaking beneath-"
>"TWILIGHT! Snap OUT of it!"
-SPLACK-
>A wing catches you across the face. For what you suddenly realize is at least the second time.
"Huh? Wha-?"
-SPLACK-
"Gah! STOP! Rainbow! I'm okay!"
>You peer through your crossed forelegs at a nearby orb. The only one that, like you, is no longer swarming with the rest.
>"Oh, thank Luna! Are you sure you're alright?"
>You hear a gentle rustle as though her wing were being readied...
"I'm fine! Don't smack me again! What just happened anyway?"
>"I dunno..."
>You swear you can hear the blush.
>"I just started to feel all woozy and happy and stuff. Then I thought that all I wanted was to fly around with the other orbs and just, I dunno, chill I guess."
>The Shrouded Dash slowly bobs and dips sheepishly.
>"But then, I remembered I have to help you get us out of here, so I tried to find you...but you weren't behind me anymore. I thought I'd lost you."
>"Then I found your trail, but you wouldn't listen to me so I, well, I maybe sorta...overreacted..."
>Her story makes you feel like a total mule for letting yourself get schmoozed by the orbal vibes. You give her an apologetic look, but quickly realize she can't see you so you just grab her into a hug.
"You didn't overreact. It creeped up on me so slowly that it just didn't register. I'm sorry, and you shouldn't be."
>Rainbow returns the hug warmly for a moment before thumping your shoulder with her hoof and pushing away.
>"Lucky for you, you've got a Wonderbolt watchin' your back, huh?"
"Wonderbolts *Reservist*"
>You grin as you stress the second word.
>"HEY! You know good and well that I'll be first string in NO time. I'm as good as any of those ponies! Better than most!"
"I know, Rainbow. One of the nice perks of being a Princess is that I get to see your team fly up close so often. I'll be front row for all of your exploits."
>"Heh, yeah. Try to hold back your obvious favoritism though. No one could blame you, of course, but it'd be bad for morale."
"Okay, okay, lets try to focus Rainbow Dash. We've gotten sidetracked, but we still have to find that Castle."
>"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. When I freaked out and went all around trying to find you I spotted it."
"You what?"
>"Yeah, it's over this way. You can see it after you get around that big shard. C'mon, I'll show you."
>Struck dumb for the umpteenth time by Dash's in-flight hyper observation you mutely follow along.
>Back to following the semi-transparent trail that only the two of you can see, you gently peel away from your current cloud of souls and around a large floating shard.
"Sweet Celestia!"
>"I know, right?"
>Far off in the distance you can clearly see the largest shard you've yet come across in the expanse of Erebus.
>The sheer size of the thing makes judging its exact distance a difficult prospect.
>And high atop the angular monolith sits a carved (or maybe grown?) castle whose design looks like it came from King Sombra's most lascivious dreams.
>Edges, spikes, spires, spindles, facets, towers, bridges, the building is a testament to the concept of dangerously sharp.
>"Get down here, quick!"
>You snap your jaw shut as you see the Rainbow nightlight speed down to stop behind a bit of jutting crystal on the nearby shard.
>She becomes recognizable again as she tosses back her hood and motions you with her hoof.
>You swiftly fly down next to her and mimic her hood removal with a questioning glance.
>"Keep low. I saw something bright moving around out there."
>You nod and sling your body low to peek out from behind your cover.
>Sure enough, four bright lights shine outside the castle's sinister parapets.
>As you watch they float slowly in a circle before breaking away and streaking off in different directions.
>Thankfully none of them head your way.
>You let out the breath that you hadn't realized you were holding and hear Rainbow do the same.
>"Whew, where do you think they're going?"
"Probably to act as psychopomps and collect souls according to their contractual domains."
>Rainbow clears her throat slightly and you suppress a sigh.
"Each of the Furies should be corralling souls to take to their proper place in the underworld."
>"Oh. Hey, wait. Does that mean that they wont be back for a while?"
"You're right! This may be our best chance to get inside and find the Oracle!"
>"What're we waiting for?"
>Rainbow slaps her hood over her face and shoots off into the distance. You're forced to follow suit or be left behind.
"Slow down, Rainbow!"
>You hiss the reprimand as loudly as you dare.
>Rainbow immediately drops her speed and the colorful blaze behind her fades from view.
>"Sorry...Ugh! I Hate this!"
>You're still approaching pretty rapidly, but some amount of haste is appropriate since you don't know when your hosts will return.
>At least Rainbow is taking a circuitous route around and over the nearby shards surrounding your destination.
>As you close in and begin to get better glimpses of the enormous castle shard you notice what looks like a fine mist surrounding it on all sides.
>It looks like it may be some sort of magical defense, but its hard to say since there are a few clouds of circling souls even here. They're flying into and out of it quickly with no seeming difficulty.
>Dash whispers something back to you that sounds like some sort of military tactics reference, but you are focused on the strange mist.
"Just give me a second. I need to check exactly what this is..."
>You come to a gentle hover and power up a pulse of unbound magic energy.
>Dash whips off around the side of a nearby shard. Probably acting as a watchpony. She's good at that kind of thing.
>You let the burst of magic loose at the mist and attune your sensitive horn to catch the parts that reverberate back.
>Sort of like a magic sonar, this technique allows a Very knowledgable mage to understand something magical without disturbing it.
>The soft waves of lavender light wash outward and begin to return.
>Confirming your visual appraisal, the mist appears to be a physical fog, but it's tinged with complex patterns of dark magic that flows and ripples.
>The sensation tickles something in your memory, and you try digging for it with zeal.
>"NOW!"
>A seven colored streak of light explodes past you and into the mist barrier causing it to cascade and ripple before beginning to violently contract around the invader.
"RAINBOW DASH!"
>"Wha...? Twilight! Why didn't you...ack! Get off me! HELP!"
>The memory slides into place as your wings beat frantically and all too slowly to get you to your friend for the second time in recent memory.
>Light flares around your horn as you try to call up everything you can remember about combating dark magic.
>You know this magic now. He had to have learned it somewhere. You'd just thought of him a few minutes ago.
>Sombra.
>You have to save Rainbow Dash.

*******************************

>Your hooves clack loudly on the expensive looking tiled floor as you cross the lobby and approach the receptionist.
>The bored looking pony looks up from a stack of notes and a rather thick appointment book and grazes you with a disinterested look.
>"Name?"
"Um, Rainbow Dash."
>"Just a moment, please."
>She flips several pages back and runs her hoof down a list of entries in the ledger, and then looks back up at you curiously.
>"Do you have an appointment?"
"N-no, I didn't make one...But I'm one of Rarity's closest friends! Just tell her I'm here. She'll want to see me."
>"Ms...Dash. I don't want to sound difficult, but Ms. Rarity is a very busy pony and can't be bothered by every-"
>"Rainbow Dash! How delightful! How ever have you been, Darling? Memo! Bring us some coffee and make a little room in my schedule for my visitor, please."
>The receptionist pony only looks slightly bothered and nods.
>"Wrapping up that brunch today gives you about fifteen minutes of wiggle room, Ms. Rarity."
>"Perfect. Come along, Rainbow. I feel as if we haven't seen each other in AGES."
"It HAS been ages..."
>You grumble and follow behind her.
>Through a set of ornate double doors you find yourself in the lavishly decorated office/workspace of the premiere fashion designer and CEO of Equestria's most popular clothing brands.
>Huge picture windows on three sides give you breathtaking views of the Manehattan skyline from your position nearly eighty stories in the air.
>Having an office in the sky didn't impress you as much as it might other ponies, but Rarity's taste had appointed the place in a unique style that even you could appreciate.
>Rarity trots over to a circle of overstuffed silk cushions with a small wooden table all carved from a single piece of wood and sinks into the nearest one.
>"Have a seat, Rainbow. I wish you'd told me you were coming so that I might have made more time for you. As it is even this small window will be cutting things rather close."
"So, things are going well then?"
>"Oh, it's far beyond anything I'd ever dreamed! Who'd have guessed in a few short years I'd go from opening a few satellite boutiques to the fashion guru of Equestria! But, I'm far more interested in how YOU are doing, Rainbow Dash."
>Memo enters from the double doors and levitates a tray bearing a steaming coffee pot with fixings and mugs down onto the table before inclining her head and leaving.
"Um, yeah. Everything's going great, y'know? The Wonderbolts are here in Manehattan for a show, and I was on rotation with the Reserves as a back up flyer. Fleetfoot pulled a muscle earlier, so I actually got to fly with them again."
>"Oh dear, that's horrible for Fleetfoot, but I'm ecstatic you got a chance to show your stuff again. Any word on moving up out of the Reserves?"
"Well, unless somepony gets a major injury or retires their team is pretty set. There's also a waiting list based on merit, but I've been doing well..."
>You busy yourself mixing some cream and sugar into a cup of coffee and try to act nonchalant.
>"Rainbow, darling. I may not live in Ponyville anymore, but I can still tell when something's bothering you. What's the matter?"
>You look up and see the genuine concern in her eyes. Maybe you can still talk to her like you used to.
"Uh, I sent...um, invitations. And tickets, y'know? To todays exhibition. I sent 'em to all of you. I just thought...how come nopony showed up?"
>It's Rarity's turn to shift uncomfortably on her cushion and not meet your eyes.
>"Oh, Rainbow. I'm terribly sorry. Memo showed me the invitation and the tickets, but I thought it was just the Wonderbolts courting my company for possible business so with my plate so full right now I didn't schedule it. I'm so sorry."
"Oh, it's cool. I know how busy you are now...but...what about the others? I haven't really heard anything from them lately..."
>Rarity takes a sip of her coffee with her ears still drooped low.
>"Well, let me see. Twilight has spent the last several weeks in a summit with the new Dragon Lord trying to hammer out her Friendship Accords...she probably won't be back in Equestria for a couple of months."
>"Applejack was just here last week and we were planning out a series of caravan routes to quickly distribute Sweet Apple Acres product across all of Equestria and expand her customer base. She had to go back to begin the harvest."
>"Pinkie Pie has the ribbon cutting ceremony for her new Trottingham Party Palace tomorrow morning, and Fluttershy went with her to experience the huge menagerie they have there."
>"It's just bad luck, darling. I'm sure they all wanted to come, but things have just gotten so busy lately."
>You just nod with your nose buried in your coffee. Everypony is doing so well. They're all accomplishing their dreams...
>"Rainbow, there's no need to look so down. Everypony will be back soon, and I'm sure we can compare schedules for a lunch together or something.
"Yeah, lunch..."
>It's impossible to keep the bitterness out of your voice.
>"Rainbow Dash! I'm surprised at you! Everypony has been working their hooves to the bone to get where we are today. We may not have as much time to socialize as we used to, but that's no reason to be crass."
"Look, I'm happy for you guys. Really. I just, sometimes I wish things could go back to how they were."
>"You're too focused on the past, Rainbow. This jealousy really is unbecoming. Perhaps if you'd spent a little more time working toward your goals instead of napping and partying you wouldn't be stuck in the Reserves."
>You feel like you've taken a lance to the gut. Your ears sweep back as you try to push yourself through the cushion and into the floor.
>Maybe she was right. Maybe you don't take things seriously enough, and now everypony is leaving you behind...
>"I think that's quite all the time I have this evening, Rainbow Dash. Please feel free to contact my personal assistant if you want to come by again..."
>The uncharacteristic coldness in Rarity's voice makes you certain that her schedule would likely be too full.
>You get up and begin to slowly walk back out of the office, your head hung low.
>Rarity has changed. She'd never talked to you like that before. Maybe they'd all changed...maybe you should just leave Equestria and try to make your life far away...
>Their faces flash through your mind. Your chest feels empt and painful as you think of maybe never seeing them again.
>Fluttershy, with her innocence and her love of all things great and small. Pinkie Pie with her crusade to make the whole world smile. Applejack's true and unshakeable faith in other ponies. Twilight's love of knowledge and eagerness to solve any problem.
>And Rarity. Her openness and giving nature that lets her spread beauty and light to everypony no matter how high or low.
>That Rarity would never have said those things. She would know how hard you'd worked. She'd KNOW that you weren't jealous of their success. That you just wanted to see your friends.
>You stop right before you reach the double doors.
>"Is there something else you need, Rainbow Dash? I really must return to my work. I'm sorry, but I just don't have anymore time for you today."
>Something's not right here. This isn't the Rarity you know.
>"Rainbow, either say something or please show yourself out. I'd hate to have to call security..."
>A tiny bookish voice seems to echo through your mind..."-ld on! Don't let it consum-"
"You're not Rarity."
>The flat certainty in your voice shatters the silence and makes the mare across the room jump a bit.
>"I beg your pardon? I-"
"No. You can't have my pardon."
>Your head is starting to hurt
"You're not Rarity. She'd never act like that. Never say those things. She'd give everything she has to anypony who needed it. Time, bits, clothes, whatever."
>Her voice comes across dripping with snark.
>"Rainbow, you're delusional dear. I suppose even being a Reservist is too much stress for somepon-"
"Shut UP! I'm done with this. I don't know what's going on here, but I'm done."
>"-just a little...bit...more."
"Twilight?"
>You heard her voice, but where is she?
>Wait, weren't you just somewhere else? How are you in Manehattan right now? No, no everything's wrong. And your head HURTS so MUCH.
>Twilight's triumphant voice crashes through your mind and the whole world around you explodes into fragments.
>"GOT IT!"

*************************

>Your magic pulses as you continuously modify your counterspell to catch every move the changing and undulating dark spell makes.
>Rainbow is doing better than you could have hoped. You and Spike had gotten caught in a weaker version of this spell in the Crystal Empire and had been taken in immediately.
>She seemed to be fighting it well, but her face was contorted in pain.
>The spell bucks and shifts wildly trying to throw off your counterspell, but you won't be bested by an effect you've seen before. Even if it is a lot stronger.
>Rainbow Dash lets out a piteous moan and you think you hear her call your name.
"C'mon...just a little...bit...more."
>You flick and twist the lavender energies cascading out of your horn, and slide them in around your bound friend. Then like a tight knot slipping loose, you pop her free.
"GOT IT!"
>The torment miasma dissipates as Rainbow instinctively snaps her wings open to hover while holding her head in her hooves.
>You hoofball tackle her into a mid-air hug.
"OH thank goodness you're out of that! I can't BELIEVE you were resisting that, Rainbow Dash! How did you hold out against the illusion? Spike and I got trapped completely by a much weaker version from King Sombra and we barely got out of it. What did it show you? Was it really horrible? I-"
>"Whoa! Hang on, Twilight...agh, my head still hurts, but it's going away..."
"Ah, sorry. I-"
>A piercing sound somewhere between a roar and a shriek cuts across the expanse of Erebus. It seems to come from everywhere loud enough to make your ears hurt.
>"GAH! What the hay is THAT?"
>Rainbow Dash clutches her head even tighter as the sound fades away.
>A tremor of fear and worry rustles it's way up from your hooves to the top of your mane.
"I think they know we're here..."

>Rainbow Dash shakes off the last of her headache and you both immediately fly for the nearest opening in the castle exterior.
>You swoop low and flash inside single file to find yourselves in a corridor dimly lit by the passage of a few meandering souls.
"They're probably on their way back here now. We have to split up and find the Oracle as quickly as possible, I'll-"
>"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold up, Twilight. We aren't splitting up. You never leave your wingpony. We're allowed to separate if we need to, but I'm not letting you go off on your own."
>Her expression brooks no arguement, and you don't have time to try. Besides, you didn't like the idea either.
"Okay. We'll stick together. We've gotta go fast though."
>"Don'tcha have some kind of spell you can do to, I dunno, maybe detect the portal thing or something?"
>You look away hastily.
"I was just about to do that! Just gimme a sec..."
>You try to ignore her knowing grin.
>"Riiiight."
"Concentrating!"
>You call up a spell to detect shifts in space-time. Just one of the many spells you had woven into your detection equipment for the Rainboom a lifetime ago.
"Hmm...I'm sensing something, yeah something big. It's several floors below us. It has to be the Oracle. There's nothing else registering."
>"What are we waiting for, then?"
>Rainbow lightly jumps off the floor and zooms off down the corridor with you scrambling in tow.
"Do you even know if this is the right way to go down?"
>"Er...flyer's instincts! Going the right direction is simple for Experienced flyers."
"Oh really? I suppose you have some kind of Rainbow Sense now?"
>"Maybe. I probably have powers nopony's ever even thought of!"
"Oh, how mysterious! I suppose you've-"
>You come up short as Rainbow Dash stops up ahead and gives a mocking bow while motioning with her hoof.
>You look through the opening on her left.
>It's a bucking staircase.
>"You were saying?"
"Ah...but...that's...THAT DOESN'T PROVE ANYTHING! That was pure LUCK!"
>"Spitfire says it's better to be lucky than skilled, and it looks like I got both!"
>She cackles and sloops lazily down the staircase.
>You swear when this is over you're going to sneak into her cloud cottage and shave her tail.
>You shake your head and begin to stomp down the stairs before cringing at the noise and going back to flying.
>A few twists, turns, and dead-ends (HA!) later Rainbow leads you into a large circular room filled with swirling turquoise light.
>You look at the humble, unadorned stone archway seething with colorful energies.
"This is it. It looks exactly like the one at Equus in Canterlot."
>You always thought these gateways had a dangerous beauty.
>"um...Twilight? What's that?"
>You look over toward her and see a wall of shimmering energy passing into and across the room taking up all the room from wall to wall and floor to ceiling.
"Get over here, Rainbow! It looks like some kind of detection spell! Here put your hood up. We have to get out of here and try to find Tisiphone."
>She flips the hood over her muzzle and begins to shimmer into her cloaked form, and you quickly follow suit.
>You both quickly exit the room before the spell can overtake you and head back up the hallway.
>A voice echoes off of the stark faceted walls as you pour on the speed.
>"Come out, little lost souls! You've trespassed where gods fear to tread. Come, and face justice and you shall find mercy. Delay and you will know pain unending."
>The voice sounds like wind chimes in a summer breeze. Its comfort a stark contast to the cold words it utters.
>"Whatta we do, Twilight?"
>Her whisper cuts through some of the terror stiffening your limbs.
>You take a deep breath.
"I hope this is right..."
>Your horn flares briefly and fires your sonar spell out into the walls and hallways.
"I think there's just one of them..."
>"Ooh! Curious, are we? So that's where you are. If you want to know about me the best way is to meet, of course."
>The voice purrs with amusement and seems to be drawing closer.
"Rainbow! I think it's her, lose yourself in those souls down the hallway, I'll hide over here and try to make an opening for you."
>You hear an audible gulp and the Rainbow orb bobs and zooms down the hall.
>You try to get some moisture in your throat as well and busy yourself trying to join the swarm of souls a little ways back.
>It doesn't take long. A bright light seems to be coming up one of the adjacent corridors approaching with measured ease.
>As the light comes closer to the intersection you begin to hear sounds of snarling, snuffling, and snapping of jaws.
>You're momentarily blinded as the Fury walks into your corridor.
>Her radiance floods the entire hallway like purest daylight.
>She's tall. Almost as tall as Princess Celestia.
>Her coat is the color of molten gold and just as bright. Burnished metallic eagle's wings spread regally from her shoulders, and a swallow's tail trails majestically behind.
>Great, iron gray horns like those of an aged ram coil away from her amused expression.
>In her right hoof she hold the leashes of three terrifying monsters. All ridges and scales and teeth.
>And undulating around her with its handle enveloped by some infernal magic writhes a long, wicked lash seemingly formed from fire and ash.
>It takes every iota of your willpower not to simply stand frozen in awe and terror at the sight of her.
>But your mind is laser focused on one other small detail of the new arrival.
>Around her neck. Bound by a thin golden chain, is a large and ornate KEY.
>You fly in formation with the other souls whose patterns have grown increasingly agitated by her approach.
>Your mind churns at mach speed trying to think of a way to pull off enough of a distraction for Rainbow to take the key.
>Y'know. Without dying in the process.
>At least your disguise is buying you some tim-
>The leashed monsters raise their snouts into the air and start snuffling and flexing their jaws.
>"Playing hide and seek? You'll find I'm VERY good at That game. Come my darlings. Find the wicked little pony for Mama!"
>The slathering beasts (they look like some horrible cross between an aligator and a large hound) immediately begin to pull the leashes in your direction.
>Time to think fast like you never have before.
>You haven't felt a magical aura like this since you fought Tirek.
>Can your spell even effect a creature like this?
>The monsters are drawing her closer, apparently Agatho's cloaks don't mask your scent.
>Oh, horseapples. You'd gotten used to it, but the cloaks themselves reek like a hoofball team.
>Even if she seems to be aloof and not paying much attention, you know she sees in all directions.
>You'll just have to try to control her attention.
>You hope Rainbow Dash is ready.
>"Hmm...you seem to be well hidden, but- Oh! Well, what have we here?"
>You'd dropped out of the cloud of souls and thrown your hood back.
>You try to manage one of Rainbow Dash's fiercer competitive grimaces.
"My name is Twilight Sparkle. And you're the Fury Tisiphone."
>"Oh, aren't you just Adorable! And an Alicorn too? Yeesh, down boys! So sorry for my little pets. They seem to have taken a bit of offense to your choice of attire."
>It clicks with a start that your cloak is made from skins that look very similar to her 'pets'.
>"So you know who I am. Wonderful! That should save us some time. For the crime of trespass I shall remit you to the pits of Tartarus. There to reflect upon your choices and repent of your hubris. What say you?"
>You barely hear her pontificate. While she was speaking and holding her pets in check you spent the precious few seconds hammering together an array of magical formulae.
>Taking your brother's shield spell, inverting, reducing area, making the envelopement field malleable, crafting reinforcement matrices to cover weaknesses incurred by the weaker spellform, precisely fitting the spell parameters one upon the next to accellerate the casting, building reserve energy for release...
>"Amazing. You mortals usually have more fire than this. Only one mortal in a few million will have the sense to submit to her masters."
>Your head which had been bowed under her gaze as if in penitence snaps up.
>Your eyes meet hers, clear and widening in surprise and you can just make out the huge burst of lavender light reflected in their deep golden pools.
>The spell erupts from your horn in multiple layers of overwash. The recoil scoots you back several feet.
>The spiraling spellform slams into the golden hellspawn and instantly wraps around her entire form.
>You open your mouth just in time to watch the spell shatter into countless dissolving fragments.
>"Such impudence...you really thought you could-"
>You spin on one hoof and launch yourself into the air with your foreleg outstretched.
>Your wings snap open just as Rainbow's hoof hooks into yours and yanks you down the hallway in a stream of rainbow colored light.
>Tisiphone's key dangles from her other one.
>A familiar roaring scream tears down the hallway causing you to lose your grip on Rainbow's hoof.
>You beat your wings harder and faster than you ever have before.
>Ahead of you Rainbow struggles to stay on course as the sonic hellstorm crashes over you.
>"YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST RUN AWAY?"
>You round a bend in the corridor and race toward the 'window' at the end.
>Your heart hammers in your chest as you gulp air and force your screaming muscles to work harder.
>Rainbow must be trying to fly out and around to re-enter through another opening and get back to the Oracle.
>She snaps her wings tight to her sides and bursts through the opening.
>You try to follow suit, but you don't get your wings tucked in quite as fast as you should have and the right one clips the edge.
"Aahk!"
>"Twilight?!"
>The stunning force of your collision sends you spinning, and you come around quick enough to see back down the corridor.
>Tisiphone's burning might widens the hallway by several feet as she careens toward you at impossible speed.
>Her eyes and mouth stretch wide in an apocalyptic rage as you see her lash whipped back over her shoulder.
>You try desperately to pull wind with your injured wing as your rotation takes your eyes away from her.
-SHHHKRAAAAACK-
>A line of purest agony slashes across your body.
>The impossible shriek ripped from your lungs in the face of such pain is snapped short as the tip of the lash flips around your throat.
>"NO NO NO! TWILIGHT!"
>You can't move. Not even a twitch. Your whole body is seething with white hot pain, but it all seems to have just shut down.
>You feel Rainbow Dash's hooves scoop under you and can hear her suddenly hiss in pain as she pulls the whip's end off of you.
>"I gotcha! Here we go!"
>Your body registers extreme protest at the sudden accelleration, but you can't so much as squeak.
>"THAT'S RIGHT, FLY! COME ON. GIVE ME SOME SPORT. DROP THE DEAD WEIGHT AND TRY TO ESCAPE!"
>That's right, Rainbow. You have the key. Just let me go.
>"HA! You're lucky I'm giving you a handicap! You'll never catch me, and I'll never drop my friend!"
>No, Rainbow. What are you doing?
>Even with the wind blasting your face as you're carried tucked in Rainbow's hooves you can hear the powerful wing beats of your assailant approaching fast.
>"C'mon, c'mon, just a little more..."
>Rainbow's wings are a blur of sound and motion, you've never seen them move this fast up close.
>"YOU THINK YOU ARE FAST LITTLE ONE? I'M NOT EVEN TRYING."
>"Is that what you always say when you lose? Cuz I think I'm gainin' on ya!"
>"IMPUDENT WRETCH! I AM THROUGH WITH THESE GAMES!"
>You can feel Rainbow's heart and lungs straining to pour on more speed, your vision is beginning to blur from the air pressure.
>You can hear a crackling like static, the sound of wild magic starting to cascade. Tisiphone is casting her final spell.
>We did good Rainbow-
>"Al...most...there...
>"ENOUGH! YOU AND YOUR FRIEND WILL DIE EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY UNTIL THE MOUNT FALLS INTO THE SEA! I WILL WATCH YOU WITHER INTO A HORROR UNSPEAKABLE AND MAKE YOU WATCH AS I DO THE SAME TO HER! IT IS YOUR FATE!"
>You can hear the sound of her lash drawing back, she must be right behind you now.
>"Uugh! Oh YEAH? Well I know something that can SHATTER Fate! A SONIC RAINBOOM!"
>The whole world seems to explode in a massive detonation of color as everything suddenly distorts in your vision.
>Your body is crushed into Rainbow's forelegs from the sudden massive burst of accelleration.
>The strangely elongated crystals hanging around you streak past as you turn toward the castle.
>It's strange, everything is so quiet except for the rushing sound of wind around you.
>But you're no longer buffeted by it. It seems the air is being pushed up and around you both.
>It's...Serene...
>A series of blink-speed maneuvers takes you in through a window, down a corridor, around two corners and into the Oracle room.
>It's only been a few seconds...how?
>In the last split instant before you collide with the portal, you look up to see Rainbow Dash extending a hoof with the key ahead of you.
>Her mouth open in a fierce, silent yell, and tears streaming back from her eyes.
>A bright light flashes and you feel a heavy impact as you hit what you presume to be the floor and go sliding along a bit.
>"AAackh! Ow! Is somepony there? HEY! ANYPONY! HEY! YEAH YOU! GET US SOME MEDICAL ATTEN...."
>She seems to be okay now. Good. You're sleepy anyways.
>You aren't quite sure where you are, but you know Rainbow's got things covered.
>She's always there when you need her.

-Epilogue-

>"Oh! How WONDERFUL! I so rarely get visitors, you know. It's always something about my address, or the distance, or the menacing clouds of eldritch horrors! Any excuse! I swear..."
"Yes, yes. It's nice to get out from time to time. Would you be so kind as to put the kettle on? The trip is a trifle chilly, I'm afraid."
>"But of course. Everything went well I trust?"
"Better than I expected. But you already know all of that, don't you."
>"Yes, well I've been spending a lot of time with some new friends of mine, and I've learned that sometimes it's politer to ask."
>You smirk as you watch your host flash around the room in various shapes and costumes.
"Politer. Yes, of course. Who would've thought you'd take an interest in such creatures. You never cease to surprise, Lord Dis."
>You try not to jump as he appears coiled around you in a sinister, loving embrace.
>"Now now, let's not be slipping into any bad habits. I gave up that name ages ago, you know? You wouldn't want to be unkind to your host, would you?"
"Gods forfend! And I trust You have your end of the bargain?"
>He sparks back across the room to gather a beer stein and a champagne flute for your 'tea'.
>"Come now, Agatho old friend! Why straight to business? I have a lovely stack of board games I've just been ITCHING to try."
>You suppress your impatience. It wouldn't do to appear impertinent.
"As much as I love games, my Lord, I must admit that I am anxious to receive my payment."
>"Of course you are. Yes, I suppose you have earned it. Just a moment and I'll get it. NO PEEKING!"
>He tiptoes over to a massive iron vault across the room that wasn't there a second ago and begins to spin the gigantic tumbler.
>"Oh Agatho! Cover your eyes, please! I meant it when I said 'no peeking'."
>Your eyes had practically already rolled to point back behind you but you slap a silvery hoof over them to humor him.
>"Thank you. Now for the combination. Six. Ah, here we are!"
>The vault dissolves into a rain of corn flakes as he pulls the handle.
>This being is truly maddening.
>"And here YOU are, my dear friend..."
>He holds in his claw a pure, crystal phial. Clearer than clear, and filled with what looks like spun starlight.
>"Nectar of the gods...my last phial."
"I'm sure it is."
>You take the phial reverently and envelope it into yourself.
>"Not going to take it now?"
"I'd like to savor my promotion, thank you. I've waited...I don't know quite how long for this."
>"You're welcome. Stop by again sometime. I'm a whiz at Clue, but I can never manage Sorry."
>You can't help but to grin at that one.
"I'll take my leave then."
>You move toward the door despite its best efforts to avoid you, but something nags at the back of your mind.
"So, er, I know they got out, but did they make it alright?"
>You turn to look back and find your host lounging lazily in a tireswing while sipping a smouldering ice cream.
>"Oh ho? Could you possibly be worried for their welfare?"
>His feigned nonchalance digs at you a bit, but you stand your ground.
"Think what you want. Those two were interesting at the very least."
>"I see...well, they were both injured when they came through..."
>He rolls over to lie upside down on top of a large canteloupe.
>"Rainbow Dash had torn several muscles and Twilight had extensive injuries from Tisiphone's lash."
>You know what that lash is capable of. That little Alicorn may never-
>"BUT, it turns out that our very own Princess Celestia (may her reign continue unending) had some pull with one of the Furies and traded for a salve from Charon of all ponies."
"That's......okaaaaay....."
>"I know! Who'd have thought? Anyway, they'll both make a full recovery so you can give them a surprise visit on the way to visit me when you come by next."
"I'll....think about it."
>"You do that. Enjoy your new position, and don't let it go to your head. You never know who has hidden favors just waiting to be called in..."
>You sigh and nod, taking your leave.
>Those two really were interesting though.
>For mortals anyway.

[End]

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