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>Your amplified eyesight cut through the extreme distance with ease.
>You watched as the signs of battle tore through Canterlot castle.
>You grit your teeth and hop off of the rock you had hoisted yourself upon.
>You grip your bolter and cast an uneasy eye on Shermanator and Gilda.
>Even after your fight last night, he’s still ready to go.
>He certainly was determined, you had to give him that.
“Alright, I’ve taken a look.”
>“And?”
“There are already signs of conflict. Anonymous is already inside the Castle.”
>At this Shermanator loses a little bit of color, before gulping.
>“Well, there goes the plan for a smooth grab-and-go…”
>You smirk slightly, disregarding his mumblings.
“I told you so.”
>“Shut it.”
>You regain your serious demeanor.
“The castle is on high alert. There’s no way we’ll get in on the chariot.”
>It was Gilda’s turn to grunt in frustration.
>“Just great! Alright, what now? How do we get inside?”
>You smile as you find your warp-spell reaching its apex.
“Hold on.”
>You clip your bolter to your hip and focus on what you know the Canterlot throne room to look like.
>You aim to teleport into the center of the throne-room.
>With a pulse of warp Energy, you are ripped through the membrane, dragging a smiling Gilda and a screaming Shermanator into the warp for the barest of seconds before surfacing in a corona of warplight.
>Almost immediately, you notice how intense things are.
>For starters, Celestia is tossing massive slabs of rock at a racing form that darts between crumbling pillars.
>And, most outstanding of all, she just noticed you.

>“What in Equestria is this?”
>She’s glaring down at you with unhidden disgust.
>“More humans? Does fate itself conspire to dethrone me?”
>Her lips curl back in a snarl, the air becoming heavy.
>Your hands fly up, a shimmering shield springing before your palms as a massive weight descends upon you and your allies.
>You clench your teeth, straining against this venerable goddess trying to crush you all to dust.
>The weight lessens as her eyes fly open in shock
>“Impossible…”
>Her amazement turns to ire as she realizes she nearly got hit with an arrow and slams another flagstone into a pillar.
>“I shall deal with you wretches aft-”
>“Gilda!”
>“Anon!”
>“Hey.”
>Shit.
“Over here, Celestia!”
>Your right hand pulls back and you swing forwards, a torrent of doom-bolts flying towards her.
>She bats them aside with but a thought, but she’s certainly paying attention to you now.
>You focus the warp around yourself and cast your form through the warp to land behind Celestia, grabbing your sword as you reform.
>You swing down at her flank, making the smallest of cuts as she recoils.
>She gasps in surprise from the attack before setting her face into a mask of focused malice.
“This is going to hurt.”
>She smirks slightly.
>“A lot, yes.”
>Weightlessness grips you for the third time as you are catapulted across the throne room, slamming into a pillar in a haze of concrete dust.
>You groan from the disorientation, righting yourself quickly as a slab of stone flies towards your helmet.
>You reach out and divert its path up, sending it flying into the air.
>As you stand, you extend a hand upwards and slam in down in front of you, catapulting the debris back at the alicorn.

>You credit your hit to being underestimated and she gasps as the flagstone explodes against her side.
>She wheels around at you, furious at your durability.
“I don’t know what made you so spiteful, but know this, Celestia…”
>You toss both of your hands up and lean into a massive shield that deflects a huge chunk of debris
“I will not allow you to kill this man.”
>She scoffs.
>“Pathetic! You have no say, no choice here, you pretentious creature!”
>With a twitch, she sends another barrage of stone to the last of the cover available to this world’s Anonymous, which incidentally forces both Shermanator and Gilda out into the open as well.
>Celestia marches towards the four of you, smiling.
>“Are you prepared to die, Anonymous? There’s no more room to run.”
>You hear some laughing from behind you but you don’t take your eyes off of Celestia.
“This is hardly a laughing matter, Anonymous.”
>He finally stops and simply pats you on your back.
>“You are as bad at keeping an eye on your surroundings as your student, Celestia.”
>You look up with Celestia and see the cracks in the roof snaking across the ceiling.
>With a thunderous roar, the sky falls upon you.
>Your hands fly up above you, a shimmering shield forming over you and your allies.
>Massive slabs of concrete begin to pepper down before finally crashing inwards with a roar of shattering stone.
“Get close everyone!”
>You pull your force field close, trying to focus it as much as possible.
>You strain against the weight and clench your teeth as you maintain the barrier long enough for it all to stop falling.

>After a brief few seconds, you focus your energy upwards, tossing the rubble sky high.
>“Are you alright, Gilda?”
>You look down at the hunter.
“Yes, she’s onl-”
>There is a rumble towards the center of the now-leveled room.
>You cut yourself off and look to the source, dreading what you expect to happen next.
>Your eyes go wide as you watch Celestia pull herself from the rubble.
>It wasn’t that she had taken the full force of the roof, no.
>Nor was it that she had hardly a scratch.
>No, what caused you to worry was the tempestuous storm of heat that wrapped around Celestia, and the crazed look in her eyes.
>“Oh boy... Here we go.”
>Shermanator cracks his knuckles and rolls his neck, ready for anything.
>“You FOOL Monkey! You think you can best the God-Queen of Equestria?!”
>You were in the shit now.
>You grab your bolter and level it with Celestia, cutting her off half-monologue.
“Shermanator! Get Anonymous! Gilda! With me!”
>You draw the Element of Severity and you feel its power surge through you.
>For the first time, its full power is unlocked and you feel your Psychic powers amplified, your focus whet.
>Energy wraps around the blade as you dive to the side, a thermal of blazing-hot air scorching the rubble where you stood moments before.
>Your bolter kicks in your hand as you fire ineffectually into the maelstrom of power.
>Celestia glares down at you, her eyes alight with power far beyond your capabilities.
>You hoped the new guy had a plan.
>Your element manifests as Celestia blasts a geyser of heat at you.
>You bring your sword up and with a swipe dispel the magical attack, the heat dispersing almost immediately.

“Not yet...”
>You bite your tongue and draw your final arrow.
>This armored knight was making Celestia move far more than you could compensate for.
>At this rate, you would all be dead before the hour.
>You needed an opening and that knight-fellow was certainly distracting Celestia plenty.
>Your arrows are totally expended, save your special finisher, and you did not intend to loose that until it was a clear shot.
>God, who were you kidding? You came into this expecting to die.
>You looked over at Gilda.
>You wished she had listened and left, rather than SOMEHOW getting these two others and coming to help.
>If things went as they looked, your little Beata would be left without any parents.
>You just had to hope, maybe-
>“Screw this, I’m not letting Celestia kill Sorc. Oh, I hope she can forgive me…”
>You watch in perplexed shock as the strangely dressed gangster leaps out of your little cover-hole and runs at Celestia.
“Is he..?”
>Gilda nods
>“He’s very direct.”
>You grimace as you watch him fly through the air, fist outstretched, as he slams into Celestia.
“I can see that.”
>You notice acutely that they’re forcing Celestia back and through some strange sense of hope, you realize that you might just all make it out of here alive.
>You crouch low and begin to slowly stalk through the rubble, sneaking behind fallen pillars and higher rocks.
>You slowly wheel around as blows are traded in nothing short of an epic duel, though your attention is focused elsewhere.
>Your footing and timing has to be precise, you don’t let the battle going on in your peripherals distract you.
>You slowly draw your arrow and nock it, your eyes focusing on Celestia.

>You begin to shift your weight to match her movements, slowly swaying with her to get a sense of her.
>You brace your foot against the bow’s bottom and rise, pulling back with all of your strength.
>You steady your hand, your eyes falling into a lull as you let yourself be guided by instinct and intuition.
>You take a deep breath.
>This had better work…
>Her corona of solar energy is blinding, but you’re not about to let a silly little thing like vision, or a lack thereof, stop you.
>Your breath leaves your lips as you focus in on the target and in a single blink of an eye the arrow flies.
>For a brief moment, you panic, thinking you missed as Celestia swings to the side.
>The arrow looks ready to strike the one dressed as a gangster and you begin to feel fear well up before a coherent thought can be formed.
>But in just as quick of a movement, Celestia takes the shot for the smaller brawler and with a yell she staggers, her magic failing from the surprise attack.
>A flurry of sword blows assail her with a spray of blood as she tumbles back, her magic refusing to come to bare.
>With a cry, she falls, bleeding, to the ground.
>Was it…?
>Could it be…?
>You drop your bow, run to Gilda, and wrap your arms around her.
>Finally, this whole ordeal, this whole nightmare, was over.
>After a long, silent moment, you look up at the other two humans.
“Thank you, both of you. I’m not sure I’d still be alive if not for your aid.”
>The smaller one smiles and shrugs.
>“Another man needs a hand, we help out. Name’s Shermanator, this big guy is Sorcerer. Good to meet you.”
>You smile, clasping Shermanator’s hand.

>“I’m glad we could help, but we need your assistance, Anonymous.”
>You nod absently, more concerned with getting out of here.
>The crunch of rock and snapping wood rises as you turn to leave, motioning for the other two to follow.
>All you wanted was to see your little girl, Bea-
>“Don’t...”
>You stop, your heart leaping to your throat.
>“…You dare…”
>Your eyes go wide and you spin around as Sorcerer and Shermanator ready for the renewed battle.
>“.. Turn away from ME!”
>A massive, blinding spear of light lances from her horn at you and you can only stare in horror as it spee-
>“Anon, Move!”
>You feel a harsh shove as Gilda pushes you aside and for a brief moment you see her face of concern before it contorts into pure agony as a hole is seared through her chest.
>She lets out a pained scream that is quickly joined by one of your own.
>No, no no no!
>Not Gilda, no, not like this!
>You killed Celestia, you did it!
>Why did she have to take your Gilda, your precious wife, the light of your life?!
>You are horrified, shocked, you can hardly even think about what has happened.
>Your Gilda, she’s…
>You feel a coldness come over you, like a blanket made of ice draped over you next to a warm fire, smothering the warmth that it touches.
>You bury your face in what remains of Gilda’s soft feathers, your tears staining her down.
>You would die here and your little Beata would grow up an orphan. Worse, if Celestia yet lived, she would…
>No.
>Celestia could have your life.
>Gilda was willing to give hers.
>But Celestia could not—would not—have your daughter’s.
>You rise and glare at Celestia as she gathers her powers yet again.
>You needed your bow.

>Your tired limbs were filled with renewed strength as you sprinted for your bow.
>Why you let it leave you at all, you were unsure.
>Shock at victory?
>You should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.
>Stupid move, Anon.
>Beyond stupid.
>You dive for your bow and pull it close to your chest.
>You were noticeably lacking in arrows but that wasn’t about to stop you.
>You sling your bow over your shoulder and grab a knife from your thigh.
>It wasn’t really your style to get close; way too much could go wrong. However, now was not the time for caution.
>You moved as silently as possible amid the battle, hugging the ground.
>Sorcerer slams a gauntlet against Celestia’s snout and she stumbles backwards, giving you an opening.
>With a scream of pain and rage, you leap atop Celestia, bringing the knife home in her neck.
>Everyone looks surprised at your sudden appearance.
>You’re too busy sticking your knife deep into Celestia’s neck to give a shit and a half about what they think.
>You wanted blood, Celestia’s blood.
>She took your Gilda.
>Now, you would take her life.
>You twist the blade and grimace in cold satisfaction.
>She screams out in pain, blood gushing from her neck wound, as you hang on by the hilt and her polychromatic mane.
>Shermanator levels a devastating haymaker that sends you flying off of Celestia and sends the Princess to the floor.
>She kicks rapidly, trying to keep her aggressors away as Sorcerer grabs a flailing leg, raising his sword high.
>With a strained yelp, Celestia releases a blinding light that blasts Sorcerer away.

>Springing to your feet, you can’t do anything as that damned creature plants a searing beam across the room, nearly melting Shermanator.
>You try to move away but are grabbed by some force and hurled across the room into Shermanator.
>You both collapse in a mess of tangled limbs, swearing loudly in frustration.
>You quickly shove Shermanator away, looking up in time to see Sorcerer block a magical attack with the flat of his blade.
>Fire flies from his palm just as a lance of light splashes across his armor, tossing him backwards with a thunderous crash.
>You pull away as chips of stone and fragments of mortar fly everywhere when that armor grinds into the rock.
>You shield your eyes and look up at Celestia.
>You were so close…
>How did you let your guard down so easily?
>“I have had enough…”
>She’s visibly tired and limping.
>At least you did some serious damage.
>“…Of you Humans…”
>C’mon Anon, get up…
>You don’t move and you die, here and now!
>Your legs painfully respond and you begin to budge, before you look up at Celestia
>“.. Screwing with everything.”
>As her spell builds in intensity, she takes Sherminator’s, Sorcerer’s, and your own slacked, shocked expression as fear.
>Your mouth hangs open as she gathers a finishing spell.
>It can’t be…
>“Time to die, Beasts.”
>Your eyes go wide, your mind straining to understand what’s happening.
>“How serendipitous, I was about to say the exact...”
>With a wave of her hand, black, oily smoke tinged with a blue mist leaps from Gilda’s hand and envelops Celestia’s horn.
>“…Same…”
>Blood oozes from the hole in Gilda’s chest as magic dances about her talons.
>“…Thing...”

>You are Anonymous the Lich and you are relieved to finally be rid of the constant focus on maintaining this mortal form.
>With a flick of your wrist, mana floods your form as the griffon body you possessed begins to decay without the pulse of a beating heart and the surge of black mana.
>You casually extend a hand, stopping a building sun-lance in Celestia’s mind.
“Please, child. Show some respect to your betters.”
>Your other hand flies up and a spear of frost slices up into Celestia’s head, punching through it.
>No blood comes from the wound as it passes through flesh, bone, and gray matter, shredding the psyche within.
>She screams, oh, does she scream, such a beautiful sound of her inherent inferiority to your magnificence.
“Yes, it does hurt, doesn’t it Celestia? Having your mind invaded by a ‘Lesser’ creature?”
>You laugh darkly, reveling in having facial features once more.
>Your cacophony of harsh laughter coming from every shadow about the throne room all at once, Gilda’s voice laced with your own whispering malice.
“You hold yourself so far above humans, hm? And, why is that?”
>You dash to the side effortlessly under magical levitation, your Griffon wings hanging limply like a cape.
>She attempts a spell, but her resolve is so weak all it takes is a simple wave and the attack crumbles like dried out cheese.
>”What.. Are you?”
>Her chapped lips rattle out the question as she strains to focus, her head throbbing.
>Atleast, it should be, you created that spell yourself seven thousand years ago.
“What am I?”
>You give a gentle flick, and a geyser of flame licks Celestia’s coat, a shimmering shield barely protecting her in time.

“I hardly think that’s what you should be concerning yourself with right now.”
>You give a snap of your fingerbones, the rocks buckling and groaning, before exploding from beneath her with a torrent of shards.
“But, I’ll humor you.”
>Your beak pulls a flawless imitation of a smile, your cheeks accenting perfectly
“I am Anonymous, much like those three behind you. Or, more accurately, sparingly alike to them.”
>You swing at a sharp angle out of the way, your left wing cracking painfully.
>Damned flesh, it would seem some nerves were still aware.
>No matter.
”Forgive the Griffon suit, it was merely a means to an end. I can promise you, my true form is far more terrifying to behold.”
>You give a few quick flourishes, and with a whispered word of power, your entire form comes alight in power, a deep rumble and buzzing coming from the shadows all about the Throne room.
“Behold, Celestia, true power.”
>There is a massive roar as you are flooded with mana, some creature beyond the vale feeding you energy.
>With a swift motion, golden light impacts your three allies, as their wounds begin to heal, their exhaustion leaving them.
>To be fair, Sorcerer didn’t need it, he was already on his feet and flying at Celestia, sword raised for a downward slash.
>You simply levitate in the air, watching, occasionally laughing as Celestia weakly strikes back.
>For all her power, she could not possible hope to defeat the four of you, working in concert.
>.. There were four, last you recalled.
>Where had the ranger gotten off to-
>Oh, yes, there he is.
>Snapping Celestia’s horn off and stabbing her with it.

>You watch as the light begins to fade from Celestia’s eyes.
>You lean in, close, the blood from her wound pouring over your hand.
“You had no right to try and take neither my life, nor my freedom from me.”
>All of your hate and anger turned to this single moment, you look at her with cold eyes.
“You started this. Not me.”
>You give her a rough shove, and she falls to the floor, dead.
>It was finally over.
>You sink to your knees, exhausted, before looking up at the upright Gilda.
>Your mind is numb, but even now you can master some vague confusion
>What in the actual fuck what that wearing your wife’s skin?
>”Is that…”
>Shermanator slowly approaches Gilda, who regards him with a blank, flat look.
>”Yes, Shermanator, it is I, Chronicler. Did you have a question, or were you simply confused?”
>It was Sorcerer’s turn to ask questions.
>”How long?”
>With a smirk, Gil-No, this ‘Chronicler’, turns its attention to the Giant.
>”The whole time. The real Gilda had already left-and was infact not present-by the time you had arrived in the village.”
>You needed some answers.
“So where is my Gilda?”
>The doppelganger smiles, looking down at you.
>”Rest easy, Anonymous, she is no further harmed than your child, and will infact be along shortly.”
>You look, aghast, at the deathly face of your love, now speaking in a layered voice, another deeper, scraping tone just beneath Gilda’s.
>”However, I would be more concerned about their future, you see.”
>You look at it sideways.
>It takes this as permission to continue.
>”There exists a threat far greater than Celestia to your child, and indeed all of reality.”

>You sigh.
>”This is, infact, why we have come here. Helping you was a small payment for any aid you could give us.”
>You can’t believe this shit, all you wanted was a quiet life, and now you were destined for some big battle of fate?
“No. Find someone else.”
>You turn to leave, but are stopped by the next words you hear.
>”Very well then. Please, hand us back your cloak, then?”
>You wheel around
“What cloak? I’m not wearing a cloa-“
>Holy shit.
>You look at yourself, a dark blue cloak wrapped around your shoulders, a blue gemstone in the center clasping it around your neck.
>How did you even get this on?
>”That, is the Element of Sorrow. When you saw your love, Gilda, die before you, it called out to you.”
>Green flames begin to lick at the doppelganger, as its body begins to shift, sharp cracks and the sound of ripping ligaments being blocked out by your shock.
“So, you’re telling me…”
>Rising, a human skeleton in a black robe stands where once the not-Gilda was.
>”To the effect of you being chosen to aid us, yes. You are the only one who can stop this beast.”
>You let out a pent up breath you didn’t know you were holding.
>They saved your life, without their aid, you’re not entirely certain you could have gotten out of here in one piece.
“I want to see Gilda- The real Gilda, and then maybe- Maybe, I’ll come with you.”
>With a nod, Shermanator takes over.
>”Take your time man, seems like she’s plenty happy to see you too.”
>Oh, hello Gilda.
>Oh, hello floor
>Oh, hello Gilda’s tongue.
>Your attention is wholly elsewhere now, and you ignore the conversation above you.
>”We shall leave when he is done.”
>”Alright. Uhm.. Chron? What’re ya doin’ with Celestia?”
>”Do not trouble yourself with it...”