a post-Fall of Equestria story featuring a few of my OCs
In the wake of the Caribou invasion, a vengeful entity is awakened, an ancient forgotten race of pony emerges to drive out the invaders, a mysterious and powerful mare appears. what will happen next? their will be blood and death before the end, harmony will be restored but at what cost?
It seemed like a normal day at the crystal empire, as normal as it had been since the Caribou invasion. Mares subjugated to the whims of the corrupted stallions and caribou males. The city was a shadow of it’s former brilliance, it’s inhabitants’ were worse so. The ground shook all around the city, it felt like an earth quake the ground cracked and broke open with geysers of lava.
The city guard and caribou soldiers quickly stopped whatever they were doing, mostly raping helpless mares or carrying on like every other day. The lava seemed to have a mind of it’s own surrounding the city cutting off land access or evacuation. From above balls of flame rained from the sky. They too behaves strangely attacking the guard barracks and caribou soldiers. Guards and others scrambled to contain the flames while unicorn males attempted to part the lava to create an evacuation route.
Without warning from the lava sprang armed figures in jet black armor wielding blades that seemed to be made of pure lava, they had bat-like wings, two long ivory horns protruded from each creature’s skull, their tails were long with plated scales running along the bottoms. They looked like ponies straight from hell itself dragon like eyes gazed upon their foes. All hell broke loose, the attackers were everywhere, they came from below the lava and rained down flames from above as well.
In the throne room Shining armor tried to make sense of what was going on “What are they where are they coming from.” His field commanders had no idea. The head of the caribou was silent, this situation was bad even if they could get word out, and reinforcements would take far too long to get here. A sudden crash came from the ceiling as it broke apart. Something else came crashing in with the shards of crystal. A mare…a tall mare with a mane of flames, in her right hand a halberd of the same make as the invaders weapons, her body was black with odd red markings, she donned the same black armor as the other attackers, her’s though only covered the vital areas of her body leaving the rest exposed and free to move as needed. Her blood red eyes locked on the Caribou leader. “Where is the heart.” Her voice spoke with an air of command and a vicious tone.
The stallions in the room took a few steps back, Shining armor found himself frozen in place…this mare…what was it about her that frightened him so? The Caribou were not as awe struck as the ponies they quickly encircled the mare “You have a lot of nerve cunt, the heart is ours, this land is ours and every mare slut in it is ou….” The caribou leader never got to finish his sentence before he was incinerated by a torrent of flames from the mare’s mouth the parts of his body that were not covered by armor were burned to a crisp.
“Where is the heart?!” she bellowed this time slamming her hoof into the ground creating a scorch mark on the floor. The other caribou faltered for a second before charging the mare swords drawn crying out promises of punishment or death. The mare just sighed raising her blade taking the pole in both hands.
“Vermin.” The blade of the weapon was actually crystallized lava; the staff was made of obsidian. As the first caribou lunged the mare stepped to the side slashing at her attacker. The heat of the crystal cut right through his armor. His face twisted I both shock and pain as he fell to the ground clutching his side the wound had been instantly cauterized by the heat, his fur under the armor was now on fire.
Showing no emotion regarding the hellish shrieks coming from her first victim the mare turned to the remaining Caribou. “The Heart…where is it!?” She demanded yet again. They all rushed her at once this time. The mare was put on the defensive her hands working the pole of the weapon to block the vicious strikes from the caribou. They were starting to get the upper hand when the mare drew in a deep breath, seconds later another torrent of flames erupted from her mouth. One of the soldiers was smart enough to back off the two that were not were incinerated in their armor. The mare huffed and panted the fight starting to take its toll on her.
“This is the last time I will ask…” the mare stepped forward attacking the Caribou “WHERE. IS. THE. HEART.” With each word she swung her weapon at the soldier backing him into the corner. Before he could answer the stallions attempted to jump the mare from behind only to be taken down by two other mares. One with an sword and shield, the other with a pair of daggers.
“The city is ours Queen Inferna.” The sword wielding mare spoke.
“Good, and the heart?” the dagger wielding mare presented the defiled crystal heart to the queen, who then gave a sour look to the caribou.
It was over in an instant the caribou soldier was beheaded before her could speak. “This transgression cannot be forgiven.” She then looked to Shining armor who was still paralyzed by fear. "Did you find the Princess?” Inferna questioned
"Yes, she is…less then cooperative at present.” The dagger wielding mare spoke.
"Bring her and him down to the court yard. It’s time to make the traitor undo his mistake.” Inferna walked off without another word. The city was soon flooded with these odd looking ponies. Most of the stallions and caribou had been taken alive, Inferna stood at the base of the Crystal palace with the heart in hand. She looked as her forces gathered all the cities inhabitants in one place. “Crystal empire, hear me!” her voice boomed like thunder. “This has gone on for far too long, you may think us invaders, true very true, but are we any worse than those that came before?” She looked to the Caribou who had been captured. “Now then the road to restoration begins here, DISCORD, show yourself.” No sooner had she spoke his name then the embodiment of chaos appeared, he looked badly beaten up and as he looked over the crowd of abuse mares, guilt seemed to grip his heart, he turned away mumbling something to himself.
Inferna held the heart out “redemption begins here, discord.” He looked to the heart, corrupted and perverted much like equestria, this felt wrong while true he was the embodiment of chaos, this was not his kind of chaos. Discord snapped his fingers and before anypony knew the heart had been returned to its former glory its power restored to its true purpose. “Now, then, Sirona, come forward.” As Inferna spoke a young white alicorn with a two tone red and pink mane appeared at her side. “It’s time, time to heal the wounds of these mares.” With a nod the young mare closed her eyes and began a spell unlike any ever seen, it was not just her horn but her whole body that glowed she focused all her power. The first to feel the effects of the spell was Cadence, who’s horn slowly began growing back. The unicorn mares noticed the same happening to them. The pegasi mare’s wings were unbound as their feathers returned. While this was happening Inferna returned the heart to it’s rightful place. “Now…it begins…I’m coming for you Dainn.” With a clinched fist the mare watches as the lights erupt from the empire. One Caribou was released, and given a message….The Draconi were coming.
Sirona the young alicorn mare coughed blood as her spell was finished, she fell to her side needing two draconi soldiers to help hold her up. Cadence as well as shining armor looked confused, Inferna rushed to the side of the white mare as she continued to cough and convulse
"She over did it...take her inside and keep a firm watch over her." Inferna barked her orders and her soldiers obeyed moving the mare inside. Discord looked like he just wanted to vanish at that moment he turned his back "This is far from over Discord, but you've done enough for now, never forget...you double cross me and there will be no where to hide." Inferna seemed to be making that point VERY clear.
After discord vanished Inferna looked to the captives. "Shadow scar!" the queen called for her trusted commander.
"Yes my lady?" the young Dracony mare rushed up as she was called she looked similar to the queen only her mane was black with red streaks, her weapon of choice was a short sword and a small crossbow. her armor reflected her rank with it's diamond trim.
"Have half the Caribou soldiers executed in front of the other half then cripple the rest and send them back to their king." Inferna ordered with hate in her voice.
Shadow Scar hesitated "G...grandmother.." she started.
Inferna's eyes fell on Scar "That is an order!" she barked.
Shadow Scar recoiled and nodded "y...yes my lady." Shadow scar did as she was told. giving the order out to the troops. Inferna moved away from the group to check on solaria; leaving Scar to deal with everything else. "unbind the black collared mares, get the red and purple collars up here by the heart it might be able to partially restore their minds. Also clear the lava fields and move the rest of the troops into the city to set up defenses the Caribou will likely strike back hard and fast." as the orders came they were obeyed without question.
Cadence slowly found her fogged mind clearing as did many of the corrupted stallions now that the heart had been returned to it's former state the corruption was fading from their minds. it's effects however dwindled with range the further from the heart the lesser the effect. Shadow Scar moved with the sweep teams to find any other survivors that may be hiding.
Inferna stood over Sirona the poor girl had passed out from the backlash of her spells. "I will hunt down every last one of these vermin and teach them the harsh lesson of what happens when you mess with Equestria, for every mare enslaved i will see ten of them burn." The queen was clearly blinded with rage.
She moved to a window as the main force of the Dracony started arriving in the city. "we will burn away this injustice, and punish all whom stand in our way." The queen started laughing darkly "Then we will take this land under our wing...it's only natural they will still be weakened from both the war and what has been done to them."
Sirona stirred from her sleep still coughing and groaning. "Stay in bed child. There is nothing more for you to do." Inferna warned the alicorn.
Sirona sighed laying back in bed thinking about things...mainly her situation. The only reason she was free was due to three factors. One, she had just become an alicorn thanks to rewriting an old powerful healing spell to save her mother's life. Two, she had been lucky enough to live in a remote village far from any major cities, and three, because Inferna found her before the caribou did.
"Did it work?" She asked the dracony queen.
"It did but you were far too reckless. Exhausting that much power all at once could have killed you." The queen scolded.
"I'm sorry.." Sirona lowered her head. The one draw back to the healing spell, if it was over used it could have serious adverse effects on her body.
"You are to stay in bed until a doctor, other then yourself clears you to move about." Inferna ordered in a firm tone.
"Yes your majesty." Was the response from the alicorn.
With that all done, Inferna left the room. She went to oversee the sweeping of the city. She did trust her soldiers and grand daughter, but she was a firm believer in 'If you want something done right do it yourself.' Inferna was not your typical queen, when there was dirty work,to do she preferred a hands-on approach.
Inferna walked the streets watching the crystal ponies. Most avoided her but that was to be expected, she was a very imposing figure. Some would bow and mutter their thanks, but she knew, she knew it was out of fear. Still she walked among the ponies making sure they were all unharmed. Most were, very few had minor injuries but the worst of it was a few deep cuts.
Eventually Inferna found her grand-daughte, Shadow Scar, even her name made the queen a bit miffed. Her son Ignus was a smart young dracony, he could have had any dracony mare he wanted...instead he fell for an equestrian unicorn, Magi Scar, Shadow Scar had come out Dracony...but...she had the heart of an equestrian. Not cut out for dracony society.
"Scar I want you to move to the west side of the City and start sweeping there I will take this area." Inferna ordered.
"Yes ma'am." Scar obeyed without question. She already knew how things worked between her and her grandmother. Scar was better off out of sight and out of mind.
As Cadence returned to her right mind…she was mortified at the things that had been happening….that she allowed to happen. Shining armor was even worse off than his wife, all that pain and suffering, this evil that now ruled their once prosperous home…he had aided it in its rise to power. “Cadence…please forgive me.” He muttered in a broken voice. Cadence had no reply, she loved shining with all her heart…still though the corruption had begun to fade the memories did not.
“Some Princess I am…” she whimpered softly. Her mind fixated on her own betrayals. Shadow Scar was watching and listening to the two of them. She wondered if she should interject and say something. Better judgment won out in this situation, those two needed time to cope with the things they had seen and done.
Shadow Scar moved about the city. She swept the block where the caribou had been living almost certain they had some kind of hidden escape route or hide out here somewhere. Her suspicions proved correct when she spotted a caribou male darting down an alley way, her instinct said this was a trap but she couldn’t let him get away. Running down the alley the Dracony mare kept her eyes open for ambushes as the Caribou darted from alley to alley with the armored mare close on his heels.
“Halt!” she shouted as she chased him down what seemed like a dead end. The caribou male only smirked as she neared him. “You have nowhere to run surrender now.” She demanded pulling her sword from it’s sheath, the weapon was made of the same crystal that the other draconi’s weapons were. The bolts for her crossbow were tipped with that same deadly crystal.
The Caribou did not falter. From above two more males jumped down catching the mare off guard she was swiftly disarmed. One of the assailants produced a muzzle fighting it over the mare’s mouth so she could not breath flames the second bound her wings with belts to ensure she would not fly away. The male she had been chasing moves up to her.
“Little cunt, not so tough now are you?” he taunted the bound mare. The other two continued to restrain Shadow Scar pulling her arms behind her back. After she was restrained to their liking they started removing her armor. They grinned seeing her breasts liberated from the heavy obsidian armor, the plate scales ran from the underside of her bottom jaw all the way down the front of her body to the underside of her tail, about three fourths of her breasts were covered in the surprisingly silky smooth scales.
"Ok boys let’s move her to somewhere more…private.” The male assumingly the leader smirked as he opened a door to a nearby cellar. The two Caribou nodded grunting as they halled the struggling mare down into the dark underground. The leader collected her weapons and armor, Closing the cellar door as he follows his companions down this was going to be fun for them, maybe not so much for her.
Down in the Cellar the two Carubou had Shadow Scar bent over a table her tail held up by a cuff that was now chained to a black collar around her neck. “we’ll need to figure out how they do that little fire breathing trick.” One of them commented as he swatted scar’s rear harshly. The bound mare gave a yelp and a jump as she felt the strike on her flanks an odd mark a four pointed Silver Star resting so its points are diagonal, in the center a red diamond with a black four point star standing upright. The male’s cared little about that and more about what was between those flanks.
The leader approached first smirking as he moved up behind her. “We are going to have fun with you bitch. Never seen nor heard of your kind before.” As he spoke the caribou unzipped his pants moving up right behind her. “Normally I’d fuck that arrogant little mouth of yours first but guess I’ll have to get right to the main event.” He grabbed her main pulling her head back “This is going to be the most agonizing chapter of your life.” He rubbed his semi-hard shaft against her lips, she felt hot much like a mare in heat yet he could tell she was not. Shadow Scar thrashed and growled as she felt this, the young mare had never been touched there before. The caribou male only grinned and pushed her down harder on the table.
"I love it when they squirm.” He prodded at her mind as his shaft grew hard and ready to violate the mare. Without warning or pause he rammed his length into her the Scar let out a muffled scream as she felt him forcing his way into her depths. His tip bounced off something at the first thrust. “Oh.ho.ho what have we got here a virgin?” he teased slapping her rear hard.
The mare jumped and let out a weak yelp as she felt this, she whimpered meekly as he pulled back and rammed into her again breaking through. Shadow Scar screamed and sobbed as she felt him break through into her deepest and most sensitive area, The male did not stop he began pounding away at her slamming himself as deep as he could with each thrust.
“Damn this bitch is hot...can’t imagine how she’d feel when she was in season.” He joked to his comrades who had disrobed themselves standing on either side of her stroking their members and waiting for their turn. Shadow Scar groaned as she was mercilessly taken by the caribou her body betraying her to the pleasures of the rough violation, her walls were soon soaking wet and clinching down on the male. “That’s it bitch just accept your place.” He whispered in her ear as he reached unfer her to grope her breasts, they were a decent size not too big not too small.
They felt a little odd with those scales covering most of them but it wasn’t unpleasant. The leader couldn’t hold out very long this mare felt so unlike any other he had. He gave her a few more slaps to the rear followed by one final full force thrust before he unloaded his seed into her. Panting he pulled out and stepped aside letting one of his accomplices have his turn.
The leader walked up to her face and rubbed his cock and balls on her face. The other male not wanting to have sloppy seconds decided to test out her other hole. As the mare felt his tip against her plothole she went pale whimpering and squirming weakly this was only going to get worse.
The Caribou male wasted no time in pounding the poor dracony's tight hole, thrusting in hard, fast, and deep. The ring leader grabbed Shadow Scar by the horns motioning for the other male to come around to the front after some whispering they look to Scar and grin. The leader moves to remove the muzzle as the second of his acomplices puts his cock head at her lips. As the muzzle is removed Shadow Scar attempts to draw in a breath only to have a cock shoved roughly down her throat. The ring leader put a knife to the dracony mare's neck.
"If you even think about biting I'll slit your worthless throat." He threatened. The mare could only sob as she was brutally rapped from both ends. The two Caribou had worked themselves up quite a bit watching their boss fuck this little slut, neither would last much longer especially with her thrashing and struggling, making all those pathetic slutty sounds. With a few more hard thrusts they unloaded into both her holes, tears formed in Shadow Scar's eyes as they pulled out their members still spurting cum her face and flanks.
The ringleader smirked and pulled her up placing the muzzle back on her before she got any ideas. "Ha! See they are not so tough when you strap them down and teach them their place." He boasted. After unstrapping her from thr table a pair of shackels were clamped firmly on her legs, effectively hobbling the mare who was then forced to her knees. Shadow Scar was hurting not just physically, but mentally as well. She was afraid that this was to be her future.
As the three contemplated what they were going to do to this mare next above on the streets search parties had already begun scouring the city. Inferna was less then pleased her granddaughter had not reported back with the rest of the squads. "Search every inch of this city! Find Shadow Scar!" She ordered.
Cadence and Shining had finally snapped out of their depression, both realizing that they couldn't change the past but what they could do...Was try to make amends for their betrayels. Shining had been released from his bonds as has Cadence the two assisted Inferna by mapping out all known places the caribou might be hiding. Inferna then redirected her search teams. If Shadow Scar had been hurt in any way the ones responcable would have hell to pay.
Inferna sat looking over a map of Equestria. Formulating her plan of attack. It was rather simple really, divide and conquer. Her forces along with the liberated Crystal Empire would split up. Inferna's forces would take Cloudsdale, Manehatten, and Vanhoover. Securing a foothold in Equestria. The Empire would cart captured ponies back across the border to reverse the brainwashing spell. The group in Manehatten would then be bolstered by reinforcements from the Empire and sent next to Fillydelphia, those in Vanhoover would move next to Tall Tale, from there they would move on Las Pegas once joined by those in Cloudsdale. The pattern would repeat until they had encircled Canterlot form all sides.
Inferna smirked at this, by that stage of the plan all the caribou in Equestria would be effectively cut off. Not that it would matter as she had a large group of dragons putting the torch to the caribou homeland. Having payed them in large amounts of gems and gold from her own little horde. Their defeat would be total and devastating. Such was the fate of any who dares try and take what is rightfully hers.
Speaking of things that were rightfully hers, her grand daughter was still missing. Her forces had checked every hidey hole in the City, no sigh of Shadow Scar any where. They had discovered one that lead to a underground railroad the tunnel had been collapsed to prevent pursuit. It mattered little even if they escaped and even if they took Scar with them, without the brainwashing spell or discord to help them, they would learn all too quickly that Scar was not going to take this laying down. She chuckled at the thought for a moment realizing the unintended joke.
"My queen...we found Scar's armor and weapons but she is no where in the empire!" A dracony soldier ran up in a panic.
"Scar can handle herself. I also intentionally left her in the dark on the battle plan for this exact reason." Queen Inferna seemed unconcerned at her grand daughters capture. In fact all things considered she expected this to happen.
The soldier bowed and headed out.
Cadence and Shining Armor were alone in a guest bedroom. Neither of them felt all too comfortable in the royal bedroom given the memories in there. Shining was brooding 'Again...I let myself get brainwashed AGAIN.' He cursed at himself. The wound from the Canterlot wedding coming back all too potently. He had done worse then fall victim to an oversized cockroach, he had abused his wife...his sister, the princesses...the female members of his own guard! This would haunt him for the rest of his days, as it would many a stallion.
Cadence was just as mortified. She had AIDDED in the downfall of Equestria, the humiliation and subjugation of her aunts, her friends, Twilight...she was the princess of love and she did such horrible things to the ponies in her care. Worst of all she ENJOYED IT! What could she do now? How in Equestria was she going to make up for all of this? Cadence had fallen into a deep depression made worse by the fact her and Shining could barely look at each other now. Shining out of guilt over what he had done, Cadence because of the memories of what he and she had done. They both sat on the bed looking away from the other.
"Cadence...I'm sorry...I'm so very sorry." Shining was the first to speak. He doubted simple apologies would make up for what he had done.
Cadence was torn. She wanted to just turn around and throw herself at her husband. To hug close to him and just cry, that ping of doubt in her mind was holding her back. Keeping her from embracing Shining and trying to heal both their broken hearts. "I..I know Shiny...I know, I want more then anything to forgive you. But...forgiveness for something like this...it will not come easy." She spoke with a quiver in her voice.
Shining lowered his head. He knew she was right, that simple fact stung worse then any blade, whip, or rock ever could. It stung his heart. Shining knew he was not alone, whole families were going to have to struggle to overcome the scars left in the wake of the caribou. Even if Equestria was freed, it would not be the same.
On a train speeding through the underground tunnels leading back to caribou controlled lands. A group of surviving Caribou warriors were looking over their prize. Who they had raped into unconsciousness. The king would not be pleased that the empire...the heart had been lost. Worse over they were facing a foe that they knew nothing about, Queen Inferna, and her entire army of flying fire spewing dracony. If nothing else they came back with a consolation prize. A dracony Mare, they could only hope their king would show mercy for this.
"Think they are following us?" One of the warriors asked.
"Doubt it, they are probably flooding the tunnel with Lava on the other side of the cave in to keep us from using this route to counter strike." Another suspected.
"Well...all things considered...we came back with something at the very least, bitch still out?" The second in command Inquired.
"Yeah Boss wants her dragged to the back of the train so he can 'Interrogate' her." One of the other two answered.
Scar groaned as she started to stir from her unconscious state. Two of the warriors instantly grabbed her pulling her to her hooves. Scar thrashed and tried screaming only to find herself muzzled yet again. Getting information out of her would be hard, if they were not careful she could fry them with her flame breath. The warriors started dragging her toward the back of the train. Scar fought and thrashed best she could against the two males.
The train was completely abandoned. Normally there would be mares chained in each pair of seats, the train was being cleaned that day all the mares save the cleaning staff had been put in the stables, even the cleaning staff after they finished. The only thing they had to show for their escape was one lousy prisoner. The one they were currently lugging back to meet their boss in the private royal car.
The leader of this band of warriors lounged in the royal car enjoying what he was sure would be the last days of his life. Returning defeated was bad enough, returning defeated with only one prisoner to show for it? That was a death sentence, still he waited for the prize to be brought to him. He would at the very least have something to vent his frustrations on.
The two entered the car prisoner in toe. "Hang her up in the center of the room." The lead caribou ordered.
The warriors complied untying Scars arms only to latch them to a pair of steel cuffs hanging from the ceiling. They then left knowing better then to linger. The leader stood up moving over to Scar. The first thing he did was land a hard punch right across her face. "Stupid fucking cunt!" He yelled at her giving another blow to her gut. "How dare you and your whore queen embarrass me like this!" He struck her side with a heavy booted kick. Scar gasped and groaned in pain as the beating continued, she was gasping and trembling with pain as the male used her like a punching bag.
"Oh you are going to suffer greatly, I'm just getting warmed up!" He threatened. As he went over to a closet getting a whip, a small dagger, a piercing needle and a set of rings. He also grabbed some larger rings and an odd circular tool that looked like it was used with the rings. It looked to be...a giant hole punch with a nasty blade to do the punching. He snorting gruffly as he walked back over to her. This was going to be sweet for him, not so much for her.
First thing first he untied one of her wings forcing it open. Taking the giant hole punch he moved it to the center of one of her wing membranes. Scar screamed in pain as she felt the evil device punch a hole large enough to fit his fist through in the sensitive flesh. Blood ran down the inside of her wing as the perfectly circular bit of skin hit the floor. The male grinned forcing one of the large rings into the hole. This would make flying impossible. He repeated this three more times on the current wing. Then moved onto the other wing. Scar was howling in pain under the muzzle. Her whole body trembled and quivered.
Next he took up the piercing needle approaching the poor mare with a malicious grin on his face. "You will at least be presentable for the king you little slut." He growled moving to her breasts with one hand he toyed with her nipple grinning all the while. Scar thrashed and whimpered she did NOT like needles..and that was a pretty big needle...it had to be to make holes big enough for the oversized Rings that would soon adorn her nipples. They were a little thinner then an index finger. The mare thrashed and fought as her nipple slowly became erect. Her tormentor wasted no time in jabbing the needle through her flesh causing streams of crimson to run down her front.
The ring was popped in without delay. The warrior even giving it a few harsh tugs to make sure it was in good. The process was repeated with Scar's other nipple. The dracony mare hung limply hoping and praying her torment was over. Unfortunately it was far from done. The Caribou's hand slid down between her legs rubbing a certain spot that filled the mare with dread 'oh flames..no..' She thought to herself. The mare's cheeks flushed pink under her black coat. The rubbing continued until the intended target for the needle showed itself. With a swift motion the male pierced her clit slipping a ring that was slightly smaller then the others into place. It hurt but the flames it hurt.
By this time tears were streaking down scar's cheeks she was in so much pain. It seemed to be over for now though. "There we go, picture of s perfect slut." The lead caribou laughed moving closer. "But I'm far from done with you. Hang there for a while, I'm gonna go talk to the boys. When i get back...we will continue." With a cruel smile the leader walked off. Leaving Scar hanging there. She needed to escape some how some way she needed to get out of here while she still had the faintest inkling of strength.
It was time to begin the War in ernest. Inferna had the rail way tunnels into the Crystal Empire sealed with lava. The only way in or out of the crystal kingdom was now through the crystal mountains. Easily passed if you could Fly inferna was well aware of this. Posting regular patrols in the mountians to ambush any invading forces.
The first target to feel her wrath would be Cloudsdale. Her draconi had the advantage in the air, and she wanted to keep it that way. She marshaled her forces making sure they were readily equipped. Armor enchanted to resist lightning attacks as she knew the pegasi stallions would not go easily. But she had another plan in the works. One that would split the Caribou into two fronts.
Even now that other plan slowly started taking effect. In Equestria mares who were once mindlessly obedient were acting up. Stallions who were blindly loyal were questioning orders. Those that still resisted fought harder against their tyrannical overlords. The effects would only grow more and more potent the longer the Crystal heart stayed active. In days the mares who were once loyal would fight back in a week the Stallions would be rioting against the Caribou. That would cause the opening Inferna needed.
"My brave warriors, sisters and brothers of the eternal flame here your queen and obey. These foul caribou have corrupted this land long enough. We left our home in the flame lands for one purpose, to stop the caribou here, and now. Fly fast and hit hard my Draconi, for today we take Cloudsdale!" With a resounding cheer the draconi took to the air. Like a large black cloud they covered the land moving toward Cloudsdale.
The war had begin in ernest.
The army flying for Cloudsdale was massive, fifteen-hundred strong at least. It would not stay this way. A third broke off heading for Manehatten. Another Third for Vanhoover. The last remaining five hundred draconi flew straight for Cloudsdale. Heading up the Cloudsdale assault was War Scar, Shadow Scar's elder sister. War was nothing like her sister, she was ruthless and cunning, she would not hesitate to end any life that stood in her way. The flight took a hours night was just falling over Equestria when the attacks hit, all three ate the same time.
The Cloudsdale assault started pretty much like the Crystal Empire. Flames rained down in all directions causing panic and confusion. In this panic War seized the opportunity. Swooping in low she grabbed a caribou soldier by the throat "Start talking or star bleeding where's the leader?!"
"I ain't telling you nothing slut!" The guard spat...wrong move.
War took in a breath as if she was going to speak again only this time when she opened her mouth red flame leapt forth from her maw. She burned the Caribou's face to a crisp before stopping the flow. "Last chance who's in command and where can i find them!"
"C..comander Alexandre he's in charge of Cloudsdale..." The Caribou shrieked in pain.
Unfortunately for him all she really wanted was the name. With one swift motion she snapped the soldiers neck and threw him over the edge of the clouds. Continuing on she slew anything that wasn't a pony that got in her way. Ponies stupid enough to attack her would find themselves hit in vital points of their bodies that would make further confrontation impossible.
All around the city white clouds were being stained red with the blood of Caribou and Dracony alike. This was however a one sided battle. A majority of the cloud city's defenders were taken out before they ever knew what hit them. The situation was the same in the other two cities. The dracony had struck hard and fast crippling the military forces of all three cities. Casualties were high on both sides. The dracony loosing about fifteen percent of their overall forces. The caribou on the other hoof lost eighty percent in the first wave alone. Long into the night more and more dracony would pour over the border in battalions of five hundred.
Shadow Scar just smirked as she hung in the back of the train which was now pulling into canterlot's underground station. She could feel it in the air blood was being spilt this night...lots of it. While normally she would detest such actions. After the hell she had been through she would gladly murder every single one of these pigs, with a gleeful smile on her face. Her flanks hurt...a lot...that bastard commander had cut yes CUT her cutie mark off. Burning the flesh where it had once been.
She looked at his lifeless form. After he cut off her cutie mark the rage inside her had boiled over she had managed to swing herself as he turned around wrapping her legs around his neck and promptly snapping it. For good measure she stomped his head in. This was sure to get her the beating of a lifetime. But flames was it worth it. She savored her momentary victory as she felt the train stop hearing steps coming to the car. Scar lowered her head pretending to be passed out. The door opened and two caribou warriors came into the car, expecting to see Scar passed out on the bed and their boss standing over her.
The sight that greeted them however was not what they had expected. Their boss was dead on the ground, the mare was still hanging from her wrists, bruise and bloodied from the commander taking his vengeance. They walked up to the mare snarls on their faces. A heavy punch to the gut 'woke' Scar up. "You dirty slut!" The second on command raged. "I should kill your worthless ass here and now for this!" Another heavy blow to her already injured body.
"Cyrus woah woah woah. We need her alive." The other restrained his comrade.
"Alright Alexi, we will let the king decide her fate." Cyrus finally stopped his assault.
Scar was dragged limply through the streets of canterlot, the once beautiful city now corrupted to it's core, mares and fillies subjugated to the whims of stallions and caribou males. 'not for too much longer' scar thought to herself. But the city was different the those dragging her remembered. Mares were struggling more. Stallions were getting brasher about challenging the caribou males. What had these infernal draconi done? The heart...it must be the hearts doing.
The steps to the castle had to be the worst part of being dragged through town her legs were already battered and beaten. The steps served only to add more bruises and cuts to them. The carpet inside the castle was pure agony at this time. The King of the Caribou was sitting in the throne room unusual for this late at night. More unusual Celestia and Luna were more tightly bound. The king did NOT look happy by any stretch of the word. When his gaze fell on Scar she could literally feel the hatred for her like a vice on her lunges.
"Why have you come to my throne room unannounced." The kings voice was sharp and aggitated.
"Sir...the Crystal Empire...has fallen...the heart has been lost...and Discord has turned against us." Cyrus reported.
The kings eyes burned with rage. His carefully laid plans, his overwhelming invasion...it was being undone...by who and why? These were the questions in his mind now. Now the saying went 'don't shoot the messenger.' It said nothing about impaling them on a sword then decapitating them in an unimaginable blind fury. That being said Cyrus regretted being the messenger this particular time, for the five seconds he lived after delivering the message.
King Dainn, regained his composure returning his attention to Scar and Alexi. "What is that?" Dainn questioned.
"They call themselves Dracony my king...they are the ones that Invaded the Crystal Empire..we managed to capture her before escaping the city." Alexi explained. He then went on to describe the invasion in detail. What he had seen the Dracony do, what they had done to this mare in particular. He also relayed the events on the train and the death of the commander.
"You may go...but leave her." Dainn growled.
Alexi did not question he simply let Scar fall to the floor and went on his way. The caribou king grabbed Scar by the mane pulling her to her hooves. "You are in a lot of trouble little whore." His voice was dark as he looked over her abused body. As if sizing the mare up. "But death will be the very last thing you have to worry about....before I am done you will be begging me to end your worthless existence." The king dragged her off by the mane. She would suffer greatly, even without the heart he had ways to break a female.
Inferna received reports the initial invasion was successful. Cloudsdale, Vanhoover, and Manehatten were under her control. She wondered at her strategy for a moment. Should she take all the other cities and waste time...or should she mount an overwhelming assault on Canterlot and cut the head off the serpent right away? Certainly she could it was an option. But the discord was in the details, Canterlot was well manned and well defended. A full frontal assault would work but cost too many lives, no She would first starve the serpent. Cut off access to essentials and reinforcements. She'd then tighten the noose once all forces had been pushed back to the city all in one spot...it would be over before it began.
"Soon Dainn, very soon you will learn just how big a mistake you had made." Inferna smirked.
The order went out to proceed as planed. Tall Tale, Fillydelphia, and Baltimare they were the next targets. The Manehatten force was now one-thousand strong. Any pony with a free will was armed and armored, they would join the fight to free their home. News would soon spread, ponies who before had no hope of escaping this fate would find that hope again. Those who didn't have the courage to take a stand before would be inspired. This was all part of the plan...divide...and...conquer.
Inferna grinned everything was falling into place. Taking over the cities was just a distraction to get the caribou army dispersed, and away from Canterlot. "Make a king send all his servants out, and that king will be forced to stand alone." Inferna couldn't help but giggle at this. Of course she would have to get her youngest grand-daughter back as well. But scar was resilient, she could handle a week or two in captivity.
A messenger came to Inferna "The element of Loyalty has been located in Cloudsdale, she is in custody and being brought back here." The mare reported.
"Very good see that she is treated immediately. Upon arrival. What of the remaining five?" The queen questioned.
"Four are known to be in ponyvile, the fifth is in canterlot." Was the answer she got.
"Very well. Ponyvile is too close to canterlot for us to assault it now...hmm...send in the stealth squad. I want the elements in ponyvile to be extracted with haste, no doubt Dainn will move them once word gets out we are closing in on him." Inferna ordered.
"It shall be done my lady." The mare saluted and went to deliver the order.
The dracony stealth squad was a group of twenty dracony well versed in the art of infiltration, sabotage, assassination, and rescue. It was equally split in male to female ration, ten males ten females. They had been given the name Black Embers, and each member had proven to be highly capable. Lead by Crimson Blaze, this group infiltrated deep into Caribou territory they had several missions.
It had taken days to compile the intel on their targets, where they were, what was their way, and how they could use this to hurt the caribou by doing more then just recovering the holders of the elements. Careful plans were made, all factors and risks taken onto consideration as they figured who would be best for what assignments.
They broke into five teams of four, Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Omega. Alpha was charged with recovering AppleJack, at the same time they would cause unrest in Ponyvile by assassinating it's governing caribou and framing another high ranking caribou for it. Distrust would quickly be sewn into their ranks. It was standard tactics, a house divided is one doomed to fail.
Beta was charged with retrieving Rarity, while also sabotaging the Caribou armory in Ponyvile. They brought magic charges with time the resulting explosion and fire would cover their tracks and provide ample distraction for the five groups to escape with their extraction targets. Plus it would cripple the caribou for when Ponyvile was in sight, making taking the town easier and putting Canterlot within striking distance.
Delta would extract Fluttershy. While they are at it poison the warbeasts she handles and cripple the caribou calvery. As well as impede their efforts to recapture mares that had the courage to run away. The poison used would not kill the beasts outright, but rather render them useless and send them into a rampage. This was yet another point of softening the enemy's fighting power."
Gamma only had one mission but it was definitely one of the most dangerous. Extract Pinkie Pie. They knew the pink earth pony was highly elusive and if she did not want to come with them she would not. The four of them were the best of the best when it came to rescue. So perhaps they would be able to convince the pink pony to come with them, especially if they mentioned her friends were being rescued as well.
Omega's target was Twilight Sparkle, their destination Canterlot. They would sabotage key facilities, cause mass confusion and panic. And hopefully slip out with their prize. Their first target would be the mind wiping facilities, blown sky high before any knew what hit them. Next they's blow up the sky ships to cripple airborn defenses. Set fire to the castles gardens to give the caribou something to do while they snag twilight right from under their noses. If they saw the opportunity they would also take the princesses of the sun and moon.
Alpha squad was made up of two stallions two mares. Magnus, Imol, Azure Blaze, and Ash Fall. They split up. Magnus and Imol moved into the Town to carry out their duties. Azure and Ash moved for Sweet Apple Achers, they would set fire to those detestable plants. This would distract the Caribou guard while they moved in on their target.
Magnus and Imol moved through the streets of Ponyvile moving down alleyways, dodging guard patrols. They clung to the shadows of the moonless night. The town hall was their target. Before they could move in Magnus doused all the street lamps using Dracony magic which gave them unrivaled control over flames. They crossed to the town hall flying up the peek in window after window. Until they found their target.
Stupid Caribou didn't even lock the window. The two assassins crept into the room, Imol searched the room for a weapon that belonged to the Caribou. His search was rewarded with a letter opener laying on a writing desk. Perfect, Imol took the small blade while Magnus watched the door. Imol moved over to the sleeping Caribou, dumbass didn't even have a mare with him tonight.
Three quick thrusts. Heart, throat, base of the skull. The caribou never knew what hit him the blood stained blade was wiped off on the bed. The two dracony prepared to file our when they saw a blueish white glow in the distance. Azure and Ash had made their move on the farm. Guards were rushing through the streets. They moved out of the window closing it behind them. Phase one completed. Phase two...plant the murder weapon near the guard barracks. Easily done by just dropping it from above. They moved on to help the mares with their charge.
Azure and Ash moved around the farm after setting the fire. The caribou were distracted. They moved for the barn. Most likely their charge would be in there. The flew high over the flames thankful for the dark night, Azure and Ash landed in the hay loft. They could her grunting and what sounded like sobbing moans. Peeking over the edge they saw their charge, Apple Jack, being raped by a caribou soldier who should have been put trying to douse their flames.
The soldier in question had the farm mare pinned with her ass in the air and was thrusting down into her marehood hard. The sadistic soldier looked like he had given AJ some fresh bruises for no other reason than he could. The slick almost sickening sound of sex permeated the barn as he continued to take the mare. His hand raised to give her a few firm smacks to the flank. "You like this don't you farm slut!" He insulated as he continued thrusting in harder and deeper.
This guy was either blind or too wraped up in fucking the element of honesty to have not noticed the fire outside. Either way he kept at it until he shot off his load into her marehood. He grinned after that seeming like he was far from done with the farm mare. He pulled himself out. Watching hid spunk leak from inside the mare. His shaft still hard he moves it to the next avalible hole.
"Don't ya dare!" Apple Jack managed to shout before getting back handed hard across the face.
"Shut it whore you have no say in what happens here." The male barked as he rammed his full length up her tight plothole. Causing the farm mare to wince and groan. She HATED anal probably more then she hated these damned caribou. She tried to fill her mind with other things. But the cock being ramed up her back door would not be ignored.
Apple Jack was NOT enjoying this the strong willed farm pony had not yet been fully broken...true she did the work they made her do, only to spare herself and her family the punishment for disobeying. She laid there taking the pounding the Caribou was giving her squirming and struggling as she looked up seeing two odd shaped shadows in the hay loft. Apple Jack might have questioned it if not for what happened seconds later..
Ash couldn't take it any more she jumped down and drew her dagger. Thrusting it into the back of the Caribou's skull. The offending male never saw it coming and never had a chance to defend himself. Azure moved in after Ash knocking Apple Jack out she slung the mare over her shoulder. "Let's go." Azure and Ash took off heading for the rendezvous point. Where apple Jack would be handed over to the transfer team. They would take her to Cloudsdale and hand her off to the final team who would take her to the Crystal empire to recover.
Beta squad was all mares. Hell Fire, Lava Diver, Magma Runner, and Flame Song. Flame Song and Magma Runner had the easy job planting the bombs at the armory. As they were doing this they noticed the glow coming from the outskirts of town. "Ash and Azure already started. Lets get a move on." Magma urged as the last charge was set.
"Done, hope Hell and Diver are not having too much trouble with the dragon." Flame commented as she set the magic timer for the bombs.
Beta leader Hell Fire and Beta two Lava Diver...were having trouble with the purple dragon that guarded Rarity. The dodged his fists and tail while floating around the boutique of the former dress maker. "SPIKES RARITY! NO TAKE!" The dragon raged as he tried to crush the two intruders.
Lava Diver planted a hard kick to the back of Spike's neck. The only thing that did was piss him off. He swiped with his claws at the brash dracony, who backed away just in time to have his claws rip her thin plate armor. They were a stealth squad after all their armor was light and made for flexibility over durability. Spike moved in for another attack only to get a face full of purple powder from son kind of thrown paper packet.
The dragons world when dark as the sleeping powder was inhaled deeply as he was about to roar. With the dragon down thanks to Hell Fire's quick thinking. They collected (and knocked out) the traitorous white unicorn. Moving to extract the fight with Spike had roused the guards. But as if on que there was an explosion that drew the guards attention long enough for the team to slip out the back and off to the rendezvous point. Two down three to go.
The Manson and large stable on the outskirts of ponyvile were a simple cottage once stood was a detestable sight. Delta team couldn't wait to put this place out of commission. The four stallions. Flare, Eruption, Wild Fire, and Vulcan split up.
Flare and Vulcan set about poisoning the war beasts food supplies. And even a few beasts that were out cold. The spread the poison powder through the Stable as well. It wouldn't be long before the beasts started to go crazy. They made sure to put the poison in the outside troughs as well as the water buckets.
Wild Fire and Eruption were charged with finding Fluttershy. They killed any guards they came across tossing their bodies in closets or just out of windows. Until they came to meet the master of the stables. These two were not known for subtlety even though they were among the STEALTH squadron. They kicked in the door to the master bedroom finding the one in charge with Fluttershy at his hooves making the poor mare lick them.
Before he could even react a dagger flew through the air plunging into his chest. Fluttershy naturally tried to scream in horror but the two Dracony were fast. Wild Fire clapped his hand over her mouth. "Sh sh sh sh. Just sleep for a little bit." He knocked the mare out gently as he could. eruption finished off the leader by decapitating him.
"Sick fuck." Was all Eruption could say about tue dead Caribou.
"Time to go guys!" A voice called from the window. It was Vulcan. The beasts were starting to go crazy and wreck the place. They four Stallions of delta team got the heck out of dodge. Leaving what little guards were left to deal with the rampaging beasts. Three down.
Gamma squad moved in on their target ready to take her down by force if need be. They moved in while the chaos sewn but the other teams had the guard pony and Caribou alike in disarray. Powder keg, Iron Claw, Steel Nerves, and Primer were the four members of Gamma. Powder and Primer were mares, twins in fact. Iron and Steel were stallions, also siblings but iron was older then Steel by a couple years.
They moved in on the former party pony's current place of residence. Once inside the sight baffled them. Their charge had apparently broken loose and was beating the ever living hell out of the caribou guarding her. Shouting about restitution...did she mean retribution? The mare then turned to the four members of gamma. "What took you so long?" She asked letting the limp caribou fall to the ground.
The four just stared dumb struck. "How?" Powder managed to ask blinking quite a few times.
"Oh silly filly I could have gotten out any time i wanted, but i couldn't leave my friends i mean duh what kind of friend would i be if i just abandoned them? Really?" Pinkie hopped over to the four dracony energetically. "Well we gonna get going before those meany mean caribou find us?"
The four snapped back to reality, Iron grabbed the pink pony and took off the other three right behind him. This was....a lot easier then they all thought...but they had all heard about the pink mare and her ability to bend reality seemingly at will. Four down but the last...that would be a challenge.
Alarms sounded throughout Canterlot. The plan had gone off well so far. The guard barracks, sly ships and mind wipe facilities were destroyed panic and mayhem rocked the city. Omega was in full swing. Crimson blaze was charging down ally ways with his unconscious charge slung over his shoulder.
The plan had gone smoothly. The other three had split off the demolish the buildings. Leaving Crimson to do a snatch and grab of the lavender Alicorn. But the plan had gone to hell after that point. His other squad mates had been backed into corners. With no other way out. The chose death over being captured. The two mare's of his squad blew themselves up along with a large number of guards. The other stallion chose to die fighting.
Crimson himself had to get his charge out of the city no matter the cost. The caribou were on his hooves. He ran and ran until he came to a large park with a water fall spilling over the edge. Into a river. His wings had been damaged in a skirmish with the guards. Crimson made a split second decision and...jumped. The guards ran over to the edge to see despite his injured wings Crimson was gliding on the wind away from the castle. They heard a beeping at their feet before an explosion blew them away. One last parting gift from Omega.
Crimson was of course the last to arrive at the rendezvous point. His wings barely holding together. They all passed the mares onto the extraction team. Who took them toward Cloudsdale at high speed. The members of the stealth squad morned he loss of their comrades. But such was the way of War. Such was the danger of their jobs. Once morning came to Equestria, then the next round of battles would commence. There was little the caribou had left to brag about. With this latest batch of rescues there would no doubt. Be ponies rising up against the Caribou. This would give them the opening they needed.
The stealth squad was far from done. They had other targets to hit and more chaos to sew to divide the enemies attention and keep them guessing where they were going to hit next. Crimson Blaze would be forced to let Azure take over the Squad while he was taken back to the Crystal Empire to mend his wings.
Azure accepted this charge promising not to let Crimson down. With that done the team moved on to their next assignment. Sabotaging the Caribou's war effort when and where ever they could.
Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes only to cover them with a hand. A bright light hurt her eyes, she waited for the light to fade before getting her bearings. She was obviously in the Crystal Empire. She could tell that because the gleaming crystal walls that surrounded her bed. A head ache hit the young alicorn making her wince she lifted a hand to her head to touch where the ache was coming from.
Twilight gasped when her hand touched her horn...but how? She knew it had been cut off by...THE CARIBOU. Twilight tried to sit up in bed. A gentle hand stopped her. "Woah there. Take it easy." A voice like a lullaby spoke gently to Twilight. "You need to recover before trying anything brazen." The voice continued.
A thousand questions swirled in the mare's mind. Why was she in the Empire? Who was this? Was it over? Did somepony actually defeat the caribou? Where were her friends? Where was Celestia? The questions assaulted the princess' mind as bad as the memories of what happened. She sank back into her bed...she...had surrendered...she gave up because she was too weak to resist the mind altering magic.
"Where am I?" Was the first question our of her mouth. Her mind felt oddly clear. Free from everything that distracted her before.
"The Crystal Empire, one of the few places liberated from the Caribou by Queen Inferna." The voice answered softly.
"Queen Inferna?" Twilight knew of the dracony queen only from second hand mentioning by princess Celestia.
"Yes. Cloudsdale, Manehatten and Vanhoover are currently under her control. She will move on Tall Tail, Baltimare, and Fillydelphia today." The voice obviously a mare spoke again offering Twilight some water.
"Why am i here?" She asked.
"The queen sent her stealth ops squad in to extract you and your friends, thee of that squad gave their lives so you could be freed." The voice explained.
Twilight remembered now. She was about to the the center of a gang rape when that odd stallion in black armor came in. None of the caribou or stallions in the room were prepared for the sudden attack. The caribou were the first to fall in a flashing of a magma orange blade. The stallions in the room had been next. But rather then lethal blows. Her savior dealt crippling strikes that prevented pursuit. It was after that everything went black.
"How is my horn back?" Twilight asked finally looking over at the source of the voice.
The white mare with a beat red and light pink mane looked down at her. Pegasus wings protruded out of the back of what looked to be a doctor's coat. As Twilight's eyes went up from there she froze...on the mare's head...a horn a unicorn's horn. This mare was an alicorn? How was this possible? She knew that the coveted state of Alicorn was attainable by creating new powerful magic. So what was it that this mare had done to achieve this level of power?
"That would be my work. My crowning achievement a healing spell, powerful enough to even restore lost magic. My name is Sirona. Alicorn of healing." She introduced herself.
Twilight laid there in shock. A healing spell that could restore even magic? It did not seem possible...yet how many things did she and her friends see that should not have been possible. Twilight then noticed the mare seemed drained almost sick. "Are you alright?" She questioned.
"While powerful, my spell does have it's draw backs. My own life-force is used to fuel the spell. If i over use it or try to heal somepony too far gone, it could very well kill me. The reward out weighs the risk i'd say." Sirona smiled lightly but it was very clear, to Twilight any way that she was putting on a strong front.
"You said my friends were also brought here, where are they?" Twilight questioned almost too afraid to face them after her failure.
"They are recovering from their own wounds, the physical...and the others, I can mend bones, close cuts, regrow horns and feathers in the blink of an eye, but broken hearts and shattered trust...that i cannot mend with just a wave of my horn, no pony can do that." Sirona spoke with a heavy sigh.
There came a knock on the door. Sirona stood up, walking over to it, peering out to see a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail standing at the door, with a orange earth pony mare beside her. The two seemed to still be able to look at one another. But it was a passing glance. "She awake yet doc?" The pegasus asked before the earth pony could speak.
The voice trailed back to Twilight. She knew that voice but it seemed...drained of the vigor and life that it's owner once had. Twilight could only look down in shame. She had done this...she had failed dash and the others. She had given up and surrendered herself when she should have fought. "Yes she is, come in in, I think seeing the two of you may help her mood." Sirona spoke gently allowing the two mares. Who were only a little shorter the she was. Into the room.
Twilight tensed up as she heard the hoof steps approaching. What would they do? Did they come to see if she was alright? Did they come to yell at her and ask why she just gave up? Did they come to attack her? To get revenge for all they were put through because she couldn't fight back? More even worse scenarios played out in Twilights head. Visions of her friends putting her through the same hell they endured. Of having her wings or horn taken away again flashed through her mind.
As Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack came into view their expressions were not ones of hate or anger...but joy...they were happy to see Twilight, their friend again. Dash was the first to move she hugged Twilight tightly trying to fight back the tears and act like her old tough mare self again. But it was no use, Dash cried because she felt like the nightmare was ending. Now that they were all free they could do something...anything to stop this madness.
Apple Jack hung back a bit, she was relieved to see Twilight again but at the same time...Twilight had given up...at least she didn't sell ponies out like Rarity had done, but the fact of the matter was she surrendered. By her figuring, even if all six of them were back together, their friendship had been damaged...and would take far too long to heal no this war was going to be won with violence and blood. The magic of friendship was all but useless.
Fluttershy lay in her room just crying. She was happy to be free, but...those awful memories of the things she had done...and enjoyed doing. The butter-yellow pegasus was in shock, and it would take a very long time for her to recover. If she ever recovered at all. Her friends, the animals, they had all been humiliated, degraded, put on display like some kind of sick tourist attraction. But despite all that the one thing that clung in her mind...was when her 'rescuers' killed that caribou. She...had never even thought about somepony taking a life, ending another's existence. Never mind with such anger and hatred behind the act.
She hard something pop into existance behind her. Hovering near her bed with an absolutely heartbroken look on his face was, Discord. Fluttershy didn't know to be happy or angry to see the spirit of chaos. He had betrayed them...it was all his fault the caribou had taken over. It was his fault that she...her friends...and nearly every mare in Equestria were SUFFERING. "Fluttershy I..."
"Go away discord." She spoke in a love voice cutting him off.
"But Fluttershy..."
"I SAID GO AWAY DISCORD!" Fluttershy shouted at him her voice was broken, filled with sorrow, anger, and even hatred.
Discord recoiled at this. The one mare who had been the first to treat him as a friend. The one mare he hoped would be able to forgive him and give him another chance...didn't even want to see him. 'You deserve this...you stupid, stupid chaos god...' He thought to himself proofing out of existence he had to find some way to set this right. He also had to find a way to stop Inferna, he knew what she was scheming. He also knew the only one who could stop her and where to find said pony.
Fluttershy laid back down trying to drown herself in her sorrow, humiliation and fear. She just wanted to be alone, to cry it all out until no tears were left. She felt so pitiful and useless. She knew, she knew her home, Equestira was being buried in blood and fire now. Ponies killing...it felt so wrong like the two words didn't belong in the same sentence. She had to do something but what could she do? She wasn't a fighter, a leader, a tactician, she was a frightened young mare who's only talent was communicating with animals.
She could try combining with her friends surely the elements of harmony could...no the elements were not a weapon, they only pacified and purged, they would have no effect in this situation. No matter how she looked at it, the same truth came over and over again...she....was....useless.
Another element struggled with her self-worth but more importantly her conscience. "How could I...have done that." Rarity sobbed to herself. "How could i have sold out my friends...my family...my country." The fashion designer had locked herself away. This fit of drama however was well grounded. She had betrayed them. Turned her back on her friends to save her own hide. How could she have been so selfish? Was she not supposed to embody generosity? Giving selflessly to those that needed her? She would NEVER be able to face her friends again. They would never be able to forgive her.
The harmony was broken...because of her, the elements would not work as long as SHE was one of them. Their friendship was doomed because SHE had been so weak willed. So afraid that she did everything to ensure that she was spared. Now there was little to no hope, even if these strange ponies beat back the caribou. Rarity doubted they would just put things back they way they were. These were war ponies, conquers. They came only because they saw an opening, only because no pony would be able, or even willing to oppose them once they had finished off the caribou.
That train of thought made Rarity shudder, still her mind got back on her own pathetic actions..she couldn't just stay laying in bed wallowing in self pity she had to get up, had to at least try and talk with her friends. Beg them for forgiveness and hope they did not despise her. Rarity did just that, she pulled herself out of bed. Asking a guard to lead her to Twilight. She had to at least try and apologize for all this.
The guards complied, taking her to the room Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight were in. They opened the door for her closing it after she entered. The walk to Twilight's bed felt like the longest steps the unicorn had ever taken. She did not know what kind of reception to expect. Surely she would be yelled at, berated, insulated perhaps even chased out of the room. Still she needed to at least try. As she rounded the corner. Apple Jack and Rainbow were on opposite sides of Twilight hugging her tightly. They then stood up and faced Rarity. Dash was obviously not happy to see Rarity, nor was Apple Jack, twilight was indifferent. This was going to be a long awkward conversation.
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It felt like an eternity the four of them sitting in total silence. Not one said a word to the others. As if waiting for somepony, anypony, to say something to get this all started. As if on que the most random and cheerful of the group popped in out of no where. "Why all the long faces?" Pinkie joked, but it wasn't in her usual overly cheerful tone. "We are all back together again, even if Fluttershy just wants to be left along for a bit...we are all here....we should be happy..." The pink pony seemed to be struggling to hold a smile.
"It's not that simple I'm afraid Pinkie darling." Rarity spoke in a subdued tone.
"Yeah...i mean...just look at us...used to be when we were all together, it felt great, like we could do anything. But now.." Dash added in.
"Now we all have things we wanna furgit, things we wanna blame one nother for, and things we blame ourselves for." Apple Jack always brutally honest, as was her element.
"No amount of 'I'm sorry' will be able to fix what's been broken, the elements of harmony have been shattered at their cores." Twilight spoke somberly.
"If i may interject." Sirona chimed in. She had been sitting in the back of the room listening. "Things that have been shattered can be repaired, if somepony is willing to try to repair it."
They all blinked. That kind of advice...usually came from Celestia, or one of their hard learned lessons on friendship. The mares looked to one another then to the strange alicorn. "It will take time, but I don't think you are damaged beyond repair. I dare say you could become stronger from all this. If you are willing to pick each other back up and try again." Sirona stood and walked out of the room leaving the five mares to think on what she said.
"So...we have to pick each other back up...and try again." Pinkie thought on it.
"Girls...I'm sorry, I...I know that won't fix things but at the moment...It's all I've got." Rarity spoke in a low voice.
"I..guess we can try to forgive you Rarity...after all...the six of us don't have much left other then each other." Dash sighs.
"Yeah, auh reckon..we need ta stick together. All of us have been through nough that we don't need ta be fightin each other now of all times." Apple Jack agreed.
"We need to come together and help each other get over this. That's what true friends do, even after the worst happens they are there for one another." Twilight slowly got out of bed. "And right now we have a friend who is all alone." Twilight stumbled. Looking like she was going to fall. Dash caught Twilight holding her up.
"Yeah come on girls, we need to go help shy." Dash proclaimed.
It did not take long for the other three to fall in line. Moving to the door they asked to be lead to Fluttershy. They needed to all be together right now. To help support their friends who were close as family the rest of Equestria could sort itself out. They needed this time to themselves to mend their broken friends and be ready incase they were needed.
Fluttershy heard her door open, she turned to tell the guard she was not hungry when...she saw five familiar faces all looking to her. Her friends...they were here...they were together...and they had come to find her. This let the pegasus smile, for the first time in what felt like ages she could smile honestly and truly happy. The five mares made their way over to Fluttershy's bed taking their friend in a warm hug and holding her close.
The six were back together, but far from back to normal. It would be a long road ahead for them. After the things they had been through the horrors they endured. They would all never quite be the same, but in time they would be stronger from the experience. For the rest of the day they stayed in that room consoling one another. Trying to help mend the wounds of, body, mind, and spirit. In another part of the empire, two ponies would try and heal matters of the heart.
It was another of those awkward days for Cadence and Shining Armor. The two had finally gone back to the royal bedroom decidng if they can't face their pasts, they are not going to be able to have a future. Cadence looked to the bed and shivvered the memoeies came rushing back. Memories of shining dominating her. Taking complete control and not letting her have any say in the matter. It sent a shiver up her spine...and it was hard to say wiether it was a good shiver ot a bad one. Cadence tried to repress it to tell herself she wasn't like that. But the princess of love had always been...curious.
Cadence shook her head 'you are a terrible pony...and a worse princess. Personsl fetishes are just that personal.' She thought. Truth of the matter was this hadn't been some experiment with her husband. It was something forced on them both by a mind altering spell. Furthermore it wasn't just her and her husband that hat been effected. Oh no it was every mare in the Crystal Empire, and Equestria. The princess of love corrupted so easily she coild not be rid of the shame she felt. Perhaps worst of all she could not look to Shining for support. Not with the amount of guilt and shame he was feeling.
Shining Armor was disgusted with himself. After all he had been raised to believe, after all he had vowed to his beloved wife. He fell prey to mind altering magic...just like he had at the wedding. He hurt his wife beyond belief even if it had seemed like she enjoyed it at the time. It was. Only because of the tainted Crystal Heart, besides that fact there are some things you do NOT do to a pony. Taking a unicorns horn or a pegasi's wings that is among thr highest sins in all of equestria. A sin he committed enmass how many mares had he personally dragged to be...proccessed? How many had he done himself?
Shaking his head Shining focused on the task at hand. He and Cadence had agreed. They would bot try to move past this. The first step was removing the repulsive additions to the bedroom. Anything and everything that reminded them of what had happened had to go. All the cuffs, chains, and other such equipment. Thank celestia for the Dracony, they were all too willing to help get rid of these horid things. "Yes I want ALL of it gone." Shining spoke to the mare in charge of helping them. A dracony with a silver coat accented by dark gray belly scales and stripes, the same dark gray mane, and a pair of aqua eyes. Her name was..Mercury he thought.
"Of course Sir, don't worry, well make sure it all gets removed." Mercury responded. She coordinated the removal with a few stallions.
Both Shining and Cadence did not have to wait long before their bedroom had been purged of everything the Caribou had installed. The team of dracony left them both to suffer yet another awkward silence. Cadence knew they would never move past this if they did not talk about it. She was the Princess of Love after all she KNEW what needed to me done to try and save what her and her husband once had. She knew and yet the words did not come easily to her.
"Cadence...I'm sorry...this is the second time I let some spell take me over...and the second time you ended up hurt because of it." Shining was the one that broke the silence.
"Shining...I'm...I'm sorry too, i felt something was wrong with the heart...I kept having those dreams...but i did nothing. I just sat there and waited...hoping they would just go away instead of trusting my instincts and checking to see if something was actually wrong." Cadence admitted shamefully.
Another silence this time it was less awkward and more of a pause to take it all in. Shining Armor had noticed his wife acting strangely. He had noticed and he did nothing. Figuring as she had it would go away on it's own. 'How foolish do you get?' Shining asked himself. 'You knew...you KNEW something was up but you didn't ask.' He was brooding now 'Some husband you are.' Shining kicked himself mentally.
"Shining...there is something hi have to confess." Cadence took a deep breath. She laid it all out on the table. What she was feeling, what she was thinking. Her shame, her pain, her secrets, all if it was laid to bare before her husband.
Shining did the smartest thing he had in a long time he shut up and listened to his wife. He took it all in being as impartial as he could. Her admission of being curious about that particular area of kink, oddly did not surprise him. She was a princess after all, more often then not ponies in places of high authority have a secret yearning to see what it's like on the bottom rung of the latter. That aside when Cadence started crying Shining's hesitance was wiped away. He went over and embraced his wife gently. Running a hand through her mane and holding her close.
"Shhhhh...not another word Cadence. I understand, i don't hate you...I'm not disappointed, or angry at you. If anything all i am is happy that we are free. That you don't have to suffer any more." Shining did his best to comfort his wife. Rubbing her back tenderly as he had in the past before the fall.
"Oh Shining." Cadence hugged him tightly. Yes..she had needed to hear those words from him. It would not fix everything, but at the very least it lowered her apprehension on getting close to her husband again. Neither of them had to suffer alone any more, they had each other once again.
In Canterlot there were no heart war ing reunions or attempts at reconciling the past. Only the rage of a tyrant king who had just lost six of his most prized and iconic captures. Heads rolled figuratively and in the cases of the guard captains who failed to stop this infiltration quite literally. "YOU INCOMPETENT, LAZY, MORONIC, FAILURES!" King Dainn raged at his guard. Pony and caribou alike. The last few days had been nothing but one humiliating defeat after another Canterlots left and right flanks were now occupied by dracony. Any attempt to retaliate is blocked off by lava flow. Forget about fighting in the air even the pegasi had trouble countering the dracony in aerial superiority. Airships? Big freakin targets is all they were. The king was infuriated to no end.
Sitting at his sides the two princesses of sun and moon had a new addition to what felt like eternal misery. A dracony mare was now forced onto her hands and knees in front of the throned. Held there by shackles and chains, portions of her body were covered in the scars from the king's abuse. If Scar believed in hell, she would contemplate how it compared to the last week or was it more then that? She could not tell he kept her blindfolded at all times, muzzled save for when he placed and O-ring gag in her mouth.
Her wings held painfully in what ever pose the king felt like chaining them. She now had clamps with D-rings running down the length of her wing arms. Chains attached to different points of her collar or the full set of cuffs she now wore. Iron cuffs on her upper arms, wrists, upper legs, ankles, and even a belt with D-rings. The king made it so he had complete control over Shadow Scar's body.
"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT ALL OF YOU!" The king bellowed.
Not wanting to risk the ire of their king all present emptied from the throne room leaving Dainn alone with the three mares. He promptly stood up and gave scar a swift kick in the ribs, which were already bruised from last night's beating. "YOU! YOU AND THE REST OF YOUR VILE RACE!" He kicked her sharply again. Scar yelped and whimpered, there was nothing she could do but pray he would just end her suffering. No such luck, he brought out the whip. The sound of muffled screams soon filled the air as Shadow Scar was given a fresh batch of lashes to her arms, legs, and flanks.
He then wrapped the whip around scar's neck and started strangling her. Scar choked and gasped for air her body trembled and shook. This was not the first time he had done this to her. In fact the first day he had her the king made her think he was going to hang her. She remembered the noose around her neck, him standing there holding her up as she gasped for air. Just when it felt like she was going to pass out he dropped her. Making sure she caught her breath before doing it again.
This time though he let her go before it looked like she was going to pass out. "You are lucky that cunt of your's feels so good bitch, other wise you'd be dead already." Dainn taunted. He then moved behind Scar and knelt down. She knew what was coming next, he always did this after her beatings and torture. She heard his pants lowering, felt him against her cunt for a brief moment before the King rammed into her.
Scar yelped and thrashed as she felt him enter her sore folds. There had not been a day gone by that the formally virgin mare had not been fucked roughly by the King since she came into his possession. He thrust into her taking out his pent up frustration on the poor mare's insides. Hilting himself with ever hard fast thrust making scar groan and sob from feeling. Her body rocked with his thrusts as much as she hated it...her body had other things to say. "You know you like this you dirty whore." He began the mental assault, smacking her flank where her cutie mark used to be.
Scar could only yelp, moan, whimper, and sob. There was no escaping it her body trembled and quivered taking in the pleasure as well as the pain. Her sex dripped as the rapping continued it's usual course. Dainn abusing her flanks, grabbing her by the horns and pulling her head back painfully. Which scar suspected was the only reason she had kept them, because the king found them as perfect sex handles. The room filled with the sound of him sliding back and forth roughly into her. Scar held out for as long as she could against this assault on her body. "How much longer you think you will last? A minute? Ten seconds? Face it slut, fight and struggle all you want, your body knows were it belongs!" He ground that point into her head by pulling nearly all the way out...before ramming full force back into her.
Scar wouldn't last much longer like this. Her arms and legs were starting to buckle she felt it building. Within a few more minutes scar finally broke and came to her orgasm, her tormented body shouting it's protests as bruised muscles tensed, blood rushed to open wounds and her already sore marehood clinched down on the relentless kings length.
Dainn was in heaven he wondered if all dracony mares were this tight and this hot inside. Her inner walls felt so good when she came, the hot velvety walls milking him eagerly as any proper slut should. Who was he to deny such a need whore. He lost control pumping his load deep into the mare. He could hear her groan and son feel her body on the very edge of collapse, it was all made better by how helpless and weak she looked. Deprived of her sight and her voice even her ability to move with out his say so. She was to him the vision of what all females should be.
Dainn pulled out grinning as he did going around to her front of her. Grabbing her by the mane and pulling her head up. The O-ring gag was firmly in place. He always had that in place when he brought her into the throne room. She was a good little fuck stool and he planed on making full use of that open mouth. Any thoughts of fire breathing were doused when they discovered putting an anti-magic ring on her neck negated this. Her collar was specially made to have the same effects as a magic supprsssor. Scar knew what was coming even though she couldn't see she knew, by sound and smell.
Dainn again grabbed her horns and thrust into her throat giving little to no care about the mare herself. He used her throat as he would any other hole. Thrusting into it effectively muzzle fucking his prisoner, his bitch, his little dragon pony slut. He could see tears flowing out from under the blindfold and that only made his mood all the better. Her tongue thrashed around under his length as he continued thrusting into Scar's throat. Her breaths had to be short and well timed if she hoped to keep herself awake during this.
"Come on whore suck!" Dainn ordered smacking scar across the face hard. Scar yelped and whimpered doing as he said. Scar hated herself for this. But she learned early on not doing what he said made little difference. He'd find some way to MAKE her do as he commanded. She sucked him as he fucked her muzzle. The king grunted and groaned he was about ready to blow, instead of in her mouth he pulled out at the last second as his cock started to burst it's load. Scar could feel and smell the cum being sprayed onto her face and it felt humiliating.
Dainn cleaned himself off with her mane, leaving the dracony to collapse at his feet. "Yes that's right you dumb cunt. Tremble at the feet of your superiors." The king kicked scar in the face. "You are pathetic." Was all he said before calling his guard to all her off to his chambers. She was to be in her usual spot, hanging in the center of the room by her wrists and ankles. He would continue her 'lessons' later. For now he had a war try and win.
Back in the Crystal Empire Inferna was reviewing reports and mapping out the next step of her plan. "Canterlot is in sight. Ponyvile, that's our next target." Shr marked the town on her map. "We will then be able to come at Canterlot from all sides, take out the railroads, cut off every possible escape route out of the City. This game is drawing to it's close Dainn, soon, very soon we shall meet face to face." Inferna grinned darkly "Once your head is on a pike...Equestria...will be mine for the taking." She let out a evil laugh after that.
Her plan was going perfectly. Now she was but a few short steps from victory and it tasted so sweet. Before these fools even realized it She'd have the elements, the princesses, and anypony else who could oppose her in chains. To make sure no one tried anything she'd have to show just how serious she was...and what better way then to end the life of their precious Princess Celestia.
Ponyvil would be the sight of the final battle in this short war. Dainn himself would lead the caribou. On the other side Inferna was taking command of the joint forces of the Crystal Empire and her Dracony. This was it the deciding battle, win or loose it all. Infena and Dainn knew this. For nearly a month everything had boiled down to this. The bearers of the elements of harmony, Shining Armor and Cadence all stood with the army. There were only a few ponies standing with the caribou, ones who had thought the way their conquers had before the mind altering magic.
Inferna's Dracony sealed the battlefield off with Lava flows. Their arial forces stood ready to block any retreat. There would be no escaping this battle save in a box. Not that any on either side would desire it any other way. From across the field the armies stared at one another. Waiting, watching, daring the other to make the first move. It was a young Caribou soldier that loosed the first arrow striking a airborne dracony in the shin. All hell broke loose. A rain of fire cascaded down on the caribou, as the ground soldiers loosed battle cries and charged.
Both sides collided blades met, shields buckled and blood soaked the ground. The dracony's lava crystal weapons could rend through enchanted armor as easily as butter. Their onyx armor was hard as dragon scales. Yet still they fell in battle against their foes. Neither side gave an inch. The caribou were tenacious, the dracony merciless, stepping over the bodies of their fallen comrade with oaths of vengeance.
Inferna could only smirk. This had worked out better then she planed. For as the caribou's main force battled here. A secondary flight of Dracony assaulted Canterlot. War strode through the streets of the capital city her great sword hungry for more caribou blood. Her forces were all over the city. Swarming in like a plague of locust and cutting down any non-pony that crossed her path. Majority of the cities defenders were out at Ponyvile leaving canterlot open for attack.
By the time this battle was finished. Even if the caribou won. War would have some nasty surprises waiting when they returned to Canterlot. Infena cut a bloody swath through the Caribou lines. Their cavalry had been crippled but the stealth Squad and further decimated by arial strikes. The few war beasts that were left were held back to defend the king. This battle was going south fast for the caribou.
Scar laid on the kings bed her arms and legs bound tight so she could not move. Luna and Celestia were similarly bound, laying in cages on the opposite side of the room. Scar heard something outside but she couldn't see still. Being kept in the dark was not something she enjoyed. But it sounded like fighting and explosions was she finally being rescued? Her answer came moments later when the blindfold, no all of her restraints and chains simply vanished. Save the anti-magic collar. There floating in front of her was Discord.
"Much better wouldn't you agree?" The chaos spirit asked. Scar looked herself over. All the injuries she had suffered were gone, her wings were even healed, save one thing her cutie mark was gone the wounds were healed but her flanks were blank. She heard another snap and saw a bright flash of light. Sacr looked to where the light had come from, laying on the bed beside her was a familiar suit of armor, A great sword and great kite shield. "You better put that on and get ready. The guards will come rushing in here at any moment." He warned.
Scar quickly got up searching for the key to that damnable collar. Discord generously provided said key. Free from the anti-magic collar, scar hurriedly strapped on the heavy onyx armor. The strength enhancing enchantments kicking in almost instantly. Next she grabbed the shield which bore the Dracony royal family crest. The sword was long and broad with a shallow u shaped cross guard. These were her fathers, the crystal blade seemed to resonate in her hand. Scar looked over to the two Princesses "help them." She spoke in a near commanding tone.
The caribou were monsters. She had seen the extent of their cruelty and their perversion. No more she would not allow this land to suffer under the caribou any longer. Feeling the fire in her heart buring brighter then ever Scar headed for the door. "Today you all face retribution.". Scar kicked open the door to the chambers startling the guards that had been rushing down the hall. She stepped out slowly her armored hooves clicking on the stone floor. "For your crimes against Equestria and it's people!" A flaming aura solwly wrapped itself around the young mare. "You will suffer!"
The caribou faltered at first then rushed her. The first to reach her fell to a swift stroke of her sword. The second managed to get a swing in with his sword, the shield came up blocking the attack swiftly followed by a torrent of flames roasting him in mere seconds. The last few pressed and attack keeping Scar behind her shield and driving her back. Scar took a sudden jump back as one of them swung. This momentary shift allowed her an opening to impale one of the remaining three on her blade. Retreating back behind her shield as the other two resumed the assault. Scar surged forward as the both swung knocking both off balance scar impaled one on her sword the other on the pointed tip of her shield.
She heard clapping from behind her she turned expecting another adversary. Instead her sister War was standing here. "And here i came to pull your flanks out of the fire."
War had recived her orders. Rather then join the battle at ponyvile she was to take the forces at Couldsdale. Including the freed pegasi and assault canterlot. When her spys saw Dainn leaving for ponyvile, it was too perfect a chance. The king had left his castle lightly guarded in his arrogance it was the perfect time to strike and should the battle at Ponyvile fail, War and her troops would be in position ot ambush Diann and his exausted forces when they returned to Canterlot.
War was more then happy to oblidge as she had reasons of her own to want to sack Canterlot. The Dracony royal family was...a disfunctional lot to say the least. The matriarch of the family Inferna, wanted nothing less then for Dracony to rule suprime over all the 'lower' pony races. Ignus, her only child, wanted a peaceful co-existance. This ultimately lead to Ignus and his father Volcas killing each other in a duel. War the eldest of his two daughters was always too busy watching out for the younger sister Shadow Scar. Who's unicorn mother died after giving birth.
They had taken her sister, whom she had raised like a daughter. They would burn for what they have done, if there was so much as a hair out of place on Scar's mane heads would roll. War whielding the Great Sword left for her by her father sugred through the air with the rest of her forces. They used cover of a storm that had blown in from the Everfree to advance on the captial city. 'hang in there Scar, I'm on my way, flames help any idiot who blocks my path'.
About the time the final battle began. War and her troops arrived, at first they let the storm hammer the city forcing nearly everypony indoors. Then she waited for the cities pegasi to come and try to clear the clouds when they were close enough she called the charge. The freed pegasi cleared the storm with little effort. Opening the sky and revealing that Canterlot was now under siege.
Flames rained from the sky impacting on the city and exploding. Causing panic and meyhem to break out, the dracony dive bombed to the streets imediately engaging any caribou or pony guards they came across. It was not long before the city itself became a secondary battlefeild for the final push to liberate Equestria. War ran through the streets her sword slicing through those in her way as she rushes the castle. She knew the commander would be there. That's always the first thing you do cut the head of the snake, then burn the body to ashes.
The castle was where the majority of the Caribou retreated to those that were not inside when the officers were all accounted for were locked out and left yo their fate. The Dracony and Cloudsdale pegasi swept through the city like a tidal wave of retribution, cutting down any non-pony that got in their way. The caribou made one fatal mistake when retreating into the castle, they forgot their enemies could fly. The ramparts of the castle which were lined with ballistas and catapults were decimated by the rain of fire brought down by the dracony. Archers fell screaming from the walls they were forced to abandon the outer defences and retreat into the castle itself.
Pegasi and Dracony infiltrated through the upper floors of the castle War herself crashed through a window near the kings bedroom that's when she heard it "For your crimes against Equestria and it's people!" There was a pause. War could sense the power. The power that belonged to one mare. "You will suffer!" War rounded the corner watching her sister fight with a strength and passion she had never seen her give. War could not help but feel a sense of pride as Scar executed the guards with skill and precision. War couldn't help but clap even when her sister turned on her with that murderous look in her eyes. "And here I came to pull your flanks out of the fire." War chuckled lightly.
"S...sis." Scar stood going over to war and hugging her tightly for a moment. "What's going on? Why are you here? Have we won?" Scar had so many questions.
"I'm here to take Canterlot, we are mopping up the last of the caribou in the city, and I do not know. The king left his castle to go fight our grandmother and her troops. He so arrogantly left this place lightly guarded so we struck hard and fast. Even if by some chance they win at Ponyvile they will find us here waiting for them. While they are blooded and beaten we will be rested and ready." War told her younger sister.
"Right Celestia and Luna are in here. Grandmother will be happy to know they are not beyond help." Scar seemed happy this was almost over. If only she knew Inferna's master plan. Even war had been left in the dark about her plain to seize Equestria as her own. This plan was nearing it's completion just one more step.
Dainn looked over her shoulder to Canterlot, the city was burning her could see that. Only now did it hit him he had been tricked. This battle win or loose was the end of everything he had planned and schemed for. Even if the won, recaptured the bearers, Candece and Shining armor. That victory would be momentary followed by a swift defeat. His forces were being decimated in this battle, they would not stand a chance against the forces in Canterlot. Though the prospect of victory seemed a pipe dream now, his forces were down to nearly a handfull. The enemy on the other hand easily outnumbered them and they knew it.
Inferna strode forward. "DAINN KING OF THE CARIBOU, HEAR MY VOICE AND HEED MY WORDS. IT'S OVER YOU DO NOT STAND A CHANCE. SURRENDER NOW AND FACE PUBLIC EXECUTION OR CONTINUE THIS FARCE AND FALL BY MY BLADE. IT MATTERS LITTLE TO ME WHAT YOU DO, YOU AND THE REST OF YOUR VILE RACE ARE DOOMED." Inferna's voice boomed with the force of thunder.
"I WILL NEVER SURRENDER TO A STUPID CUNT LIKE YOU, KNOW YOUR PLACE!" Was the kings reply.
"VERY WELL, SOLDIERS OF THE ETERNAL FLAME, READY....CHARGE!" With that order the dracony charged the final line of the caribou's deffences.
"FOR THE QUEEN!" Was the cry from the dracony.
The two armies clashed once again. The ground shook with the force of armored hooves, the air was filled with the sound of clattering blades and cries of pain. The land had been burn to a barren wasteland, no longer holding the beauty it was once known for. The soil was saturated with the blood of dracony, pony and caribou. Ponyvile itself had suffered damage from stray fire balls. Equestria was deeply wounded in this conflict, some scars left may never heal.
Inferna carved a path straight to the king. Axe met halberd in a violent clashing of steel on onyx. "You have more fight in you then that little cunt my men brought me." Dainn taunted.
"Scar is weak, she is half Equestrian after all." Was inferna's only response as she shoved him back going for a rapid thrusting attack.
"For the Queen of Flames, you certainly are cold." He fired back blocking or dodging the strikes.
The two rulers locked blades again and again. The soldiers around them gave room, each side knowing better then to interfere with this fight. The quips kept coming with each strike, block, and counter. The combatants hammered at the other's mind as well as their body. Inferna had finally hears enough out of the arrogant king. When he raised his axe for an overhead swing she took that opening charging foreward she impaled Dainn through the chest. As soon as the king let out a cry of pain the entire battle just stopped.
Both sides watched as the king's Axe fell from his hands. Inferna quickly pulled her blade out spinning on her heels she decapitated the caribou leader his body feel to the ground in a lifeless heap. Inferna slammed her right hoof on his body threw her head back and roared in victory. This sound was soon accompanied by the dracony finishing off the rest of the caribou. Inferna then took a deep breath and let a black fireball sail into the sky and explode. That was the signal that the battle was over and they had won.
Twilight, her friends, Shining armor and Cadence were all shouting happily, it was over it was finally over. Their celebration would be cut short. As they were all surrounded by Dracony. And struck so that they were knocked out. Chains and magic suppressors were quickly placed on them. Up in canterlot, the princesses of the sun and moon recived similar treatment. It was only now that War and Shadow Scar were told the queens plan....Celestia would be executed the next day for all to see.
The citizens if Canterlot were all gathered in the court yard of the castle looking up with faces of rage and betrayal. None dared try and make a move against their betrayers after seeing what they had done to the caribou. Inferna stood proud a smirk on her face, it had all gone so perfectly. The war was won, Celestia was now kneeling before her awaiting her execution. In all truth Inferna did not even try to hide her joy at seeing the little ponies shouting and cursing her. She looked to the sun princess her horn and wings had been healed. If only so she could kill Celestia while she was in prime condition and fully aware of who it was that had defeated her.
Inferna then looked back behind her. Those that stood chained in a row waiting to see their beloved princess's head roll down the steps of the castle. It was too sweet a victory. This would crush the ponies spirits and make it known the price for defying her. Inferna licked her lips as she approached the kneeling princess. "You lost Celestia, do you see now how WEAK you are compared to me? Do you see that i did what you could not? Of course you do." Inferna boasted smugly as she stood up her halberd lowering in front of the princess. The blade looked like it had just been sharpened. "I had it polished just for the occasion, you should feel honored really." The queen continued to gloat.
Celestia did not answer. She refused to give Inferna the satisfaction that she had won. The sun princess could only look down in shame, for all her arrogance and cruelty Inferna had been right about one thing...Celestia had failed her ponies. She failed to stop the caribou, She failed to fight against them, and now she failed to stop the dracony from taking the place of the previous tyrants. She noticed something however. One dracony that wasn't celebrating or smirking. One that carried a sword and sheild.
Shadow Scar was fighting herself in her head. This wasn't right she knew it, something had to be done...but what, the others would kill her if she tried anything. Her grandmother was untouchable, there was no way to challenge a ruling made by the queen. Unless you were to become the Queen yourself. Wait...become the queen herself? Was that possible? No, the current ruler would have to die, and even if Inferna died War would take the throne. No there had to be another way...think she had to think. Scar then looked at her father's shield. 'father...what should i do?'
Beside her Inferna was moving beside Celestia raising her blade and preparing to let it fall on the solar princess. Scar thought of her father, and then something came to mind...something that happened when her grandfather had wanted to go to war with Equestria. Inferna's blade was decending time seemed to slow. This is when it hit Scar, the solution to the problem of how to stop Inferna. Everypony closed their eyes especially those chained behind Celestia. They all expected to hear the sound of flesh being cut and a head rolling down the steps. Instead another sound hit their ears.
CLANG!
The sound of metal being struck filled the air. When all eyes opened shock spread across their faces. A shield had come to block the deadly blow...a shield held by a young Dracony mare.
"What is the meaning of this Shadow Scar!?" Inferna raged at her granddaughter.
"I cannot allow this to happen. You've gone too far, Queen Inferna, by my right as second born daughter of crown prince Ignus, I here by challenge you to a duel of succession." Scar fired back.
Inferna froze. She had never expected this...from war maybe but Scar? The little wretch that barely had any back bone what so ever had just cited ancient dracony law. Making a challenge to her in public, a challenge that effectively halted all her plans. Could she deny it? No that would make her look weak. Could she strip Scar of her right? No the challenge was already issued even if she disowned Scar it would be grandfathered in. All eyes were on the queen there was no way out. She'd have to duel Scar to the death.
"As you know grandmother, once a challenge to the throne has been made, all decrees and sentences are suspended until such a time as the duel is completed. Meaning until you defeat me, you cannot harm a hair on Celestia's coat. Refuse the duel and i will invoke the right to remove you from the throne on the grounds of being unfit to rule. As it is ancient custom all challenges to the throne must be met as a matter of honor." Scar continued to recite.
'damn you Ignus...i should never have allowed you to teach her ancient dracony custom' Inferna cursed. She had no way out. Once the throne was contested she could no longer function as the queen, meaning she could not charge Scar with treason. Inferna pulled her blade away from Celestia. "Very well Shadow Scar, you want to challenge me? So be it the duel shall be carried out right here in the castle court yard. Right now." Inferna hissed at her granddaughter.
A large area was cleared in the court yard for the duel. The rules were simple, no fire, flying, or magic of any kind. The duel of succession was all about skill and strength. Each combatant was given non-enchanted armor, and allowed to use the weapons of their choice. Inferna kept her halberd. Scar her father'e Sword and Shield. The duel would continue until one fell. It was a barbaric and bloody practice. Rarely invoked unless one truly believed the current ruler was unfit to hold the throne.
Scar and inferna circled one another. Scar knew her grandmother's fighting style, inferna in turn knew granddaughter's. Inferna moved first with a quick rushing thrust. Scar batted the blow aside with her shield going in for her own thrust attack. Inferna countered by sweeping the pole of her weapon around striking Scar in the gut. Scar stumbled back a bit as inferna came in with a horizontal slash. Blocked again by the shield. Again and again the two clashed. While on lookers cheered. The dracony cheered for their queen. The other ponies found themselves cheering for Scar. Inferna drew first blood with a vertical slash after kicking Scar's shield to the side. The slash struck Scar's cheek making a deep cut.
Scar retaliated shortly after that with a slash to Inferna's unarmored tail. Neither side gave the other an inch. For each wound recived they gave in return. It was a long and bloody duel. Scar's right eye was nearly taken out. Inferna lost a wing. Before all was said and done. The two combatant could barely stand. Scar cried out as she charged Inferna throwing her shield at her grandmother. Inferna batted the shield to the side this left her open as Scar moved in for the kill. Blood splattered the ground as inferna was ran through with Scar's blade. "May the eternal flame embrace you." Scar whispered as she pulled her blade out of Inferna's chest. The queen collapsed to her knees weapon still in hand.
War watched the battle indifferently. Scar had chosen this path, far be it from her to stop her. Sirona on the other had...was afraid she knew what was riding on this fight the fate of Equestria was in the hands of this one mare. Yet, how many times had the fate of this land been in the hands of one or few? They both watched as the fight continued. When Scar's right eye was damaged war had to hold herself back from entering the fight. Sirona had to fight the urge to go over and heal the young mare.
Still they could only watch until that last blow was rendered. Inferna fell to her knees but was still alive. Shadow Scar pulled her blade from inferna and turned her back walking away slowly, the queen went to move but found her body would not respond...Scar had hit her spine. That last thrust had immobilized the queen.
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING SCAR, FINISH IT!" someone in the crowd yelled.
"It IS finished. My opponent can no longer fight, for too long have we all been like her. Rabid dogs clawing and biting at our friends and family. The dracony need not be ruthless to be strong, if we allow ourselves to become that way, we are no better then the caribou." Scar looked over her shoulder to her grandmother who was still kneeling on the ground coughing up blood her hand pressed to the wound in her gut.
"......" A silence fell over the crowd.
"To be honest, I myself did not expect to win. I fought anyway, I fought because my heart would not allow this injustice!" She roared at the crowd.
Inferna sat there she was bleeding out slowly 'foolish girl...just like...your father...' it was then that Inferna realized it 'just like your father...a true dracony...' inferna's vision went black and she fell to the ground.
"There was no need for a final blow. My last strike severed a vital artery, and her spinal cord. I gave her these last few moments to make peace with her defeat." Scar walked over to her grandmother who's eyes were still open. "My your soul live on and kindle the eternal flame. Queen Inferna, daughter of Pyrosia." With her respects paid she looked to each Dracony. "As my first act, I declare this. Let the Equestrians go, return control of their country to the rightful rulers." As Scar gave the order the dracony obeyed, the princesses and the others were released. War moved over to her sister and bowed.
"It will be an honor to serve you..Queen Shadow Scar." War was humbled by her younger sister
"Please War, it's just Scar to you." She smiled at her sister.
"Aye, Scar." Is all she said back.
Sirona came rushing over the Alicorn looked ready to heal Scar's wounds, but the new queen shook her head. "Tradition demands i let the wounds from the duel heal and scar naturally. It is proof that I faced Inferna and won." Scar then looked over to the freed princesses and the other five mares "please excuse me, but i think I need to get an early start on foreign relations."
Discord nodded. Seems his plan worked out well in the end. Sure he COULD have done something directly but that would have done little to placate the Dracony. Besides it was a beautiful bit of chaos. The granddaughter whom everyone thought was just a weak half equestrian bringing down the high and mighty dracony queen. Besides if she HAD failed all he needed to do was snap his fingers and things would go the way he wanted. Discord may be the embodiment of chaos, but he was also highly intelligent and did not want to throw away the dracony, after all they could prove useful to Equestria. This was for all intents and purposes the best outcome.
It was only now did he decide to show himself. Only now that he knew the danger was passed did he dare show himself to his friends...'former friends' the thought to himself. They all stared at him with mixed reactions, on the one side they were glad he was okay, on the other he had betrayed them. Scar was the one to come to the rescue in this situation.
"I never got a chance to thank you, Discord. For helping me were it not for you, I more then likely would have died as would Luna and Celestia." She spoke in a calm soft tone.
"I couldn't just do nothing." Discord answered in an unusually mopey tone.
"I it was also you who restored the Crystal heart." Another voice chimed in. It was Cadence.
"Inferna made it clear what would happen if I didn't." Discord mumbled.
"By the guilt on your face, you'd have done it anyway." Scar commented.
"..." Discord said nothing.
It was then a butter yellow pegasus mare came up to Discord. He knew this mare well his first real friend Fluttershy, the guilt in his heart surfaced yet again. "Discord...I'm sorry for snapping at you back in the empire." Fluttershy spoke in an even lower then usual voice. "I didn't think about how hard this was on you...I...was still mad at you." She admitted. Poor Discord's heart sank even further. "But you tired to make up for it...so...thank you." She finished. The other five nodded lightly.
"I know a few flowery words and apologies are not going to make things right...but maybe...if you all give me another chance...I swear i will try and make it up to you and all of equestria." Discord finally spoke. There was a unanimous nod followed by a light hug, Scar chose to stay out of that one, she was not well aquatinted enough with these ponies. That was when Celestia and Luna approached
"Queen Shadow Scar." Celestia addressed the new dracony queen.
"Princess Celestia." Scar nodded back.
Everyone could feel the awkwardness of the situation. If only they knew that not to long ago Celestia, Luna, and Scar had all gotten to know each other on a VERY intimate level. The three could scarce look at one another without a small blush forming on their cheeks. It was a very long silence before the two much older mares and the young queen finally mannaged to speak. "I...wanted to thank you for saving not only my life, but for freeing Equestria." Celestia finally said.
"I didn't do much saving...War and my Grandmother did that...I just...well...you know where i was for most of it..." A deeper blush formed on their faces.
"Be that as it may, we are in your debt.." Celestia responded.
"With permission from your highness, the dracony would like to stick around and help rebuild what we destroyed in the War, it is only right that we do so, and perhaps we can start a healthy relationship with you..er...i mean Equesteia." Scar realized a little too late that she had worded that last part oddly.
"Aid would me most appreciated, young queen." Luna finally said something.
This would only be the first in a series of talks and negotiations, the Dracony and Equestria would enter a long term union in order to drive out the remnants of the caribou. Rebuild the destroyed lands, and attempt to heal the scars left by the Caribou. Sirona, stayed on with the dracony as an official envoy of Equestria. War Scar worked with the Equestian and Crystal empire militaries to route out and destroy the caribou. She also oversaw a trade of armor and weapons to better equip the lunar and solar guards. Scar worked with the other rulers to establish trade agreements, a long term peace treaty, and the opportunity for dracony to be come citizens of Equestria should they so choose. This pact was soon dubbed the trinity, as it bound the three kingdoms, Equestira, The Crystal Empire, and the Kingdom of Eternal Flame. To threaten one was to invoke the wrath of the other two. While Equestria's scars are far from healed the future looks hopeful.