//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 - End Times "Prepare For War"* // Story: Fallen Stars // by Zachurra //------------------------------// Dante let out a heavy sigh as he kicked a rock down the road. “I’m tired of all this waiting around! Why are we so heavily on the defensive side? If we keep sitting on our asses and doing nothing, the Changelings will just continue growing in number as they prepare for a mass assault.” Twilight followed right behind him, watching the small rock tumble and make small hops into the air. “I’m sorry Dante, but Celestia gave everyone orders to hold their ground. I’m sure she has a plan to deal with the Changelings, but just needs a little more time.” “If she waits any longer, we’ll find ourselves surrounded by those things. They can change form, right? Who’s to say they haven’t already infiltrated the town, or even Canterlot for that matter?” “Since my brother’s wedding, a permanent shield has been placed around Canterlot, so I don’t think we need to worry about anything like that happening.” “It didn’t keep War out.” Twilight looked up towards the towering black Unicorn that walked alongside them. He said nothing and just kept his eyes forward. “Well,” Twilight continued, “The shield wasn’t meant to keep out somepony of your… race.” “You can call us Demons, Twilight.” Dante turned to face the lavender pony. “Trust me, there’s a lot of worse things you could call us.” Twilight shrugged. She knew that they didn’t mind the terminology, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. When she thought of Demons, she thought of something, well… more. The trio continued on their journey to nowhere in particular. Dante was simply making his rounds around town, while War and Twilight simply tagged along. “All I’m saying is that we should have gone on the offensive as soon as War killed off that first strike. We would have had them on the run and might have even ended all of the fighting right then and there. We certainly have the weaponry, and those ponies at Sweet Apple Acres can actually fight off more than just the urge to eat thanks to me.” At that moment, one of the soldiers he had been training came galloping down the street. He held a scroll in his mouth which he quickly handed over to Dante upon reaching them. Dante used his magic to hold the scroll before him and unravel it. His eyes darted back and forth. As he finished, a smile grew across his face and he rolled the scroll back up, slipping it under his coat. “What was that about?” Twilight asked curiously. “Well,” he began, smirking, “since everyone’s favorite Princess decided to put me in command of our humble little militia, I felt I was at liberty to send them on patrols further outside of the town itself. Particularly towards the north.” “Wait wait, you mean you ordered some of them to go off on their own? Towards the Changelings??” “Well, when you say it that way, it makes it sound like I’m the bad guy.” “You are a bad guy.” Dante responded to Twilight’s serious glare with a pair of big, innocent looking eyes. He chuckled softly, regardless of the fact that he was the only one. “If it’s any consolation, they volunteered. And besides, if I hadn’t given the suggestion, we wouldn’t have this.” He slipped the scroll back out and handed it over to Twilight. Snatching it from him, she began to read. Her eyes grew wider with each new line she read. “The Changelings are going to attack…” she said, weakly. “They are advancing. They will probably be here by midday tomorrow.” The playfulness in Dante’s voice had disappeared mostly, and he was now in his serious mode. “I’m also going to ask for your services in this fight, as well as that of your friends.” Twilight looked surprised at first to be included in his plans, “What do you need? Me and the girls have battled against the Changelings before, so I’m sure we can—“ “I need you and the girls to stay here.” Twilight looked liked Dante had just slapped her. “Wait, your kidding right?” she said, thinking he must have been pulling her leg. However, the normally childish pony showed no sign of humor in what he said. “You and the others aren’t trained to fight. I heard about your efforts back in Canterlot when the Changelings first attacked some months ago—“ “Then you know what we can do!” “—and of how you ended up being captured.” Twilight looked away and rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed. Dante continued, “These Changelings aren’t the same ones that you met back in Canterlot. I’ve fought them before, and they aimed to kill. No, you won’t be fighting. Instead, I want you and the others to use your Elements to erect a barrier around the village.” Twilight tried to argue again, but Dante cut her off. “You haven’t seen the other villages Twilight. I have. And there were a lot more dead bodies than I’d like to mention. Now, if you don’t mind, I want you find your friends and practice getting a stable barrier up. If you need any help, I’m sure War can give you a tip or two.” With that, he walked away before she could say another word. Twilight was more hurt than she’d like to admit about being shot down like that, but a soft touch on her shoulder gave her some comfort. She turned to see War looking down at her, who gave her a reassuring nod. Twilight was used to his silence by now, and could usually understand what he was trying to say just as well as Dante could. “Thanks War.” She said with a soft smile. Dante headed back towards Sweet Apple Acres. He figured that a battle with the Changelings would be a tough one, and the soldiers would need to be ready for the encounter. He had never really liked giving pep talks, especially to people he’d known for just a short time. But somehow, and for some ungodly reason, he was very good at it. As he walked along the road, deep in thought, he bumped into a small filly, knocking her over. “Woops, sorry kid.” He held out his hoof and helped her back onto hers. She was a small thing, with a yellowish coat and a rosy mane. She almost reminded him of Applejack's little sister. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around here little one. What’s your name?” The little filly looked up at the oddly dressed Alicorn. She seemed reluctant to talk to him at first, but lightened up a little after he gave her a warm smile. “My name is… Spring Rose.” “Spring Rose, huh? Pretty name for a pretty filly.” He chuckled warmly as she looked away and blushed. He could tell she was used to such compliments, but it was still embarrassing to hear. He put his hoof on her head and scruffed it up a bit, “Oh, don’t give me that look. Trust me, be happy you don’t have my name.” “What’s your name?” she asked, the blush disappearing. “Pestilence.” “Pestilence… like, sickness?” “Yup, that’s me.” She muttered the word a few more times. He could tell it was making her feel sick just by saying it. “Don’t hurt yourself kid. So, if you’re not from around here, where are you from?” Her smile faded and her eyes went back to the ground. “My village was attacked by Changelings…” Dante simply stood quietly in front of the small filly as her eyes began to water. What should he say? What could he say? Without thinking, Dante pulled Spring Rose into a tight hug. “Don’t you worry… I’m here to make sure that these Changeling guys are put in their place.” ------------- Fluttershy and the rest of the girls were exhausted from their training. They had spent the last few hours trying to perfect a barrier that would keep out anything that attempted to break through. Their efforts were more or less successful, but it was still hard work. The group had split ways, agreeing to wake up early so they could be prepared for the oncoming attack. Fluttershy opened the door to cottage and walked in slowly. She yawned heavily, as she was normally asleep by this hour. Trying to rub the sleep out of her eyes, she used her tail to gently flick the door closed. Angel hopped to her leg and hugged her. She smiled softly and returned the light embrace. Giving her bunny a smile, she jumped slightly when a thump was made on the door behind her. Who could be here at this hour? She wondered. Upon opening the door, she was met by the shadow of a familiar black stallion. Her smile almost immediately returned as she welcomed War inside. She didn’t mind his late night visits. In fact, she enjoyed the company far more often than not. “Hello War, is there something you need?” she asked, trying her best to erase any sense of sleepiness in her voice. War looked at her for a moment before continuing to walk past her, towards the window that he usually sat by. She followed him closely. She was always patient with him, knowing he would speak when he found the right words. He watched the moon as it began its new journey across the sky. Normally, the eye makes very rapid movements as it searches for something to focus on. War, as with everything else, was slow in these movements. Because of this, Fluttershy could almost always tell whatever he was looking at, no matter what it was. She began rubbing her eyes again, trying to force herself awake. War had still said nothing, and Fluttershy was beginning to worry. “War?” she said, trying to get his attention. “I fear…” he said after a moment longer, “that the Changelings with not survive this encounter…” She looked at him curiously. Wasn’t that how he was supposed to feel? Then why did he look so sad? Fluttershy didn’t like violence either, but she still knew that there was just no other option at this point. “They are lost… But that does not mean they deserve destruction…” His eyes smoothly moved from the bright moon to the shy mare beside him. “Only I deserve destruction…” “You don’t want to hurt them, do you War?” After a moment, War nodded. His eyes moved away from her and looked towards the floor, at nothing in particular, “I… am tired… Tired of battle… Tired of War… Tired of Anger, Carnage, Destruction… Desolation…” “Then why don’t you just stop?” War’s eyes shot back to her. The look he gave her made it seem like the idea was absurd, unthinkable. She looked away nervously, but tapped in to her inner assertiveness and decided to press on. “No one is making you fight… Why do you feel like you have to?” “It is expected of me…” he said, simply. “I am a sword… forged for a purpose… My wielder determines who I strike and who I defend…” He opened his mouth to continue, but no words came. He simply looked down at Fluttershy as she tried to embrace his large body. She looked up at him and smiled. “No one is going to make you fight War. It is your decision. Not the Princesses, not Dante, nor I are going to ever tell you what you must do.” She placed her hoof gently against his chest plate. His eyes followed it as it pressed against his cold armor. “You have a soul… and it belongs to you and only you.” There, in his eyes, was that emotion again. That one emotion that she just couldn’t find a name for. Whatever it was, it grew bright. It outshined the tiredness and sadness that normally occupied his eyes. Before she could find a name for this emotion, War put his hoof under her chin and brought his face closer to hers. She began to blush uncontrollably as he locked eyes with her. His normally cold, intimidating stare now seemed softened and tender. He looked deeply into her eyes, as if searching for something. She felt his eyes penetrating her mind, looking deep within and gazing at her very soul. She could feel her face burning, but his hoof held her still. After the seconds had seemingly passed like hours, he closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers. She was speechless. She opened her mouth, but her voice had abandoned her. When he moved his head away, only be an inch or two, he opened his eyes again. From the way he looked at her, he seemed to be content with what he had found. As if she could not become any redder, she whimpered softly as he kissed her nose softly. His skin was normally cold to the touch, but Fluttershy felt as if she would start steaming at any second when his surprisingly soft lips touched her skin. The night felt as though it could last forever, and Fluttershy became one of the only living beings to see War shed his armor.