Three figures stood around the map of Equestria. The country and the surrounding dominions, lay broken and burned by the toils of war. It had started with an attack that had no reason and no warning. Celestia had received word of a new colony taking root in the far south. As per equestrian custom she attempted peaceful diplomatic contact. There was no initial response, and the delegates returned without having gained access to the settlement.
Three months passed with no word from the colony, but on the morning of the summer sun celebration when Celestia and Luna were to perform their duties they struck. Two black arrows were fired from the peak of mt. Equis spearing both princesses through the heart and pinning them to the side of the castle. Not even Rainbow Dash, the fastest flyer in Equestria could reach them in time. With the diarchy slain the enemy descended on Canterlot like a plague. Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends barely escaped with their lives. In the months that followed Twilight took the mantle of rule as Equestria’s only princess.
For three years she commanded the EUP in a campaign against the enemy, but it was futile. They were a force unlike any before, a seemingly unlimited hord that continuously hammered on Equestria's defenses. The fall of the Crystal Empire and Twilight's subsequent capture signed a turning point in the war. The position of command passed on to her niece Princess Flurry Heart. Out of desperation Flurry Heart formed an alliance between herself and the last two leaders of their world, Lord Ember and Thorax. In the two years leading up to the final battle, the alliance’s defences were pushed back bit by bit until all that was left of Equestria was The Everfree forest, Ponyville, and the Castle of Harmony.
This is where the final stand was made, this is where our story begins and ends. As the three figures stood around the map, they knew that by sunset they would either succeed, or die.
Castle of Harmony
Map Room
5 years after fall
“Princess, I've just received word that our forward offensive measures are in place. What are your orders mam?” Asked the pegasus at the communication console.
Flurry Heart examined the map, ignoring everything except for the forest, town, and castle. “Are the changelings soldiers and dragons in position?”
The unicorn sitting next to the Pegasus turned to look at her, “Affirmative, Lord Ember and signaled confirmation over twenty minutes ago.”
Flurry looked at the figure sitting across from her, “And the bolts?”
Captain Spitfire did a quick scan of the room with her one eye, “They're ready to fly with the dragons, yes.”
The princess sighed and looked up at ponies around her. “This is it you know, the last fight. If we don't break them now we’ll lose everything that's left.” She got misty eyed for a brief moment before a hoof brushed her withers.
“It'll be ok Hearts, we’ll win this. Everypony who gave their lives will be avenged and we can start rebuilding the world.”
“Thank you Thorax.” She held his hoof in her own, “You've always been so kind to me. When this is over we can finally settle down someplace quiet and out of the way.”
He chuckled at that, “That does sound nice,” he gestured to the rest of the room, “but I think it's time to begin.”
She sighed again. This was it, everything was in place. The civilians were safe in the castle. The changeling and equestrian armies were poised and hidden among the town buildings. The dragons and Pegasus were camouflaged in the clouds. Everyone was waiting for her to give the order. She turned to the unicorn and pegasus.
“Pumpkin, Pound, give Spike and Pinkie the signal,” she grinned, “let's get this party started.”
Everfree Forest
Castle of the Two Sisters
In the darkness of the early morning on the highest tower of Castle Everfree, two figures stood in the darkness of the early morning.
Beep
One of the figures flipped open a communicator, “Heyo! This is Pinkster and the Drake, here with all your explosive needs. You need it toasted we’ll give it to ya roasted! Hey Pumpkin, what's the sitch?” Spike facepalmed. “Pinkie keep it down, you didn't spend all night setting those bombs just to get caught now.”
Pinkie giggled and flipped her com closed. “Sorry Spike I'm just excited. Also we just got the go ahead to start. Are all the fuses set?”
Spike nodded and held up half a scroll. “Yep, all of the fuses are made with this special paper Starlight made. If this half is burned with my mail-fire, the other half burns at the same time. What we got here is high explosive, simultaneous chaos.”
Pinkie looked sad for a moment, “Discord would be proud.” She perked up, “Ok you blow the camps and I'll get us out of here.” Spike nodded, “Yea don't want to be around for the-mmmf”
Pinkie named her hoof in his mouth, “shhhh Spike don't ruin it for the reader.”
He raised his eyebrow and shook his head, “Right sorry. Ok now get ready to do your thing because here we go.”
“Yea! Let's light this party candle, cupcake!”
Spike’s face heated as he raised the scroll to his mouth. “Stop calling me that,” he grumbled before breathing on the scroll. Instantly hundreds explosions ripped through the enemy camps scattered throughout the forest. This was also the single for the next attack. The clouds above disappeared as the dragons flew into position.
“Ok we out!” Pinkie grabbed Spike’s arm and jumped off the tower.
“PINKIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…”
Spike’s screams faded as they vanished into the foggey ravine surrounding the ruin.
As the first dragon carpeted the forest in flame, the enemy scrambled to return fire. Six passes were made before the enemy managed to regroup. They launched into the air only to be met by the battle hardened pegasi protecting the dragons. They fought viciously but as usual the enemy seemed to be without end.
Castle of Harmony
Map room
The princess studied the battle raging over the forest. It was easy to see that her forces were being overrun. “We need to get the enemy on the ground, the rest of the solders can hold the line at the edge of the forest.”
Spitfire looked up, “Should I make the call?”
Flurry Heart chewed her bottom lip as she thought it over. “Yes, it's really the only way. I'll make the preparations.” She turned to the communications console. “Pumpkin, Pound, send word to Fluttershy and the areal teams, we're enacting operation awesome bomb, the dragons will know what to do. Have her move the medical teams back to the secondary location afterwards.”
They nodded and began relaying the information to the field. Spitfire snapped her communicator closed, “All right she's enroute to the field, ETA,” she smirked, “Ten seconds flat.”
Edge of Everfree
Medical Tents
“HURRY GET THE WOUNDED TO COVER!” Fluttershy screamed, “WE HAVE LESS THAN TEN SECONDS BEFORE-” Two large dragons dropped down from the sky. One was red with yellow under scales and the other was three shades of green.
“Ms. Fluttershy, we are here to provide cover for you and the wounded,” the red one said. Fluttershy nodded and the two dragons crouched down, and spread their wings. Everyone hunkered down beneath them and waited.
At the same time, all the dragons had landed and were shielding the pegasi with their wings. The enemy, seeing this as an opportunity, began to cluster up and form a writhing black mass in the sky. The red dragons ears perked and he leaned down, “Ms. Fluttershy I would cover your ears, this is going to be loud.” She nodded and did so. In the distance a faint scream could be heard, growing increasingly louder.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAAA”
-BOOM-
A streak of rainbow rocketed into the black mass before detonating. The blast of color and sound pulverized the enemy en masse, scattering them around the surrounding area. The contrail arched up and over the forest and back towards the castle as bodies rained down around the battlefield. Without hesitation the dragons and pegasi rose, gathered as many of the wounded as each could carry and flew back to the town.
Castle of Harmony
Map Room
“Princess, we are receiving word from the arriving troops.” Pumpkin paled slightly. “I-It looks like no one came out of that unscathed. Reports coming in of burst eardrums torn wings and other contusions resulting from the sonic attack.” She paused and sighed in relief, “No casualties reported from the blast.”
Flurry let out the breath she had been holding, “Ok have the crusaders move all the civilians to the hive under the castle. Give Fluttershy and her team all the room they need to work.”
“Ma'am, the enemy has regrouped and they're marching toward the town.”
She studied the map in front of her, “ Have all the unicorns gather in the town square and begin launching mortars at the clearing between the forest and town. Earth ponies and changeling are to form a perimeter around the town border and only engage enemy stragglers.” The orders went out, and a few minutes later, Pound shook his head. “The strategy is effective. We are holding the line at the clearing, but the unicorn solders will tire quickly at this rate. The enemy continues to appear endless, if this keeps up they will overrun the town!”
The princess thought hard about her next decision. “I wanted to save this as a defensive measure, but i think it's time to send-”
-BANG-
The double doors slammed open and a bluish grey griffon stumbled into the room.
“Griffin special intelligence, courier number six, Gabriella reporting in!” she huffed, trying to catch her breath. “Ma’am, I've brought a message directly from General Gilda stationed in the fringe camps.”
Spitfire, having just taken a swig from her flask sputtered. “ The fringe camps!? Thats a ten day flight from here.”
Flurry gave the flask a disapproving glance and walked over to the exhausted griffon. “Thank you Gabby, I'll take the message and you go rest with your fellow crusaders.” Gabby passed the letter over, saluted and headed down to the hive tunnels.
Thorax watched as a somber look etched itself deeper and deeper into the Princess's face. “Is that letter what I think it is?” he asked her.
“If my theories are correct then this letter will inform us that enemy reinforcements have arrived and are enroute to our location as we speak.” A depressing silence washed over the room as she opened the envelop. As her eyes scanned the letter they suddenly stopped and became huge.
She read it again, and again, and once more just to be sure she wasn't mistaken. She began to shake and the paper fell from her hands onto the map. The shaking became a tremble, almost spasmodic until she couldn't hold back anymore. Barking with manic laughter Princess Flurry Heart doubled over and would have fallen if Thorax hadn’t caught her. He sat her down in one of the six thrones and picked up the letter. After reading it, he sat down with a vacant stare. “By the wings of Faust.” he whispered.
“Ok that's enough nonsense. What's the blasted thing say?” Spitfire snatched up the letter and read it out loud.
General Gilda of the Equestrian Alliance
Griffin Intelligence/Reconnaissance
Current position: Trottingham
I’ve seen nothing but a solid march of the enemy for almost two years, but today their rear ranks left the city. I waited three hours for reinforcements to arrive but none came. I’m sending this letter by direct courier to inform you that the enemy is not infinite. Their end is coming, just hold on a bit longer. I will keep all the fringe camps on high alert until ordered otherwise.
Stay cool
Gilda
Spitfire looked up from the letter, “This was ten days ago. That means-”
Flurry slowly stood up, “It means,” she pointed out the window to the forest, “that this is a all that’s left of the enemy.” she turned to to Pumpkin and Pound who had wisely stayed quiet the whole time. “Order the unicorns to advance and switch to suppressive fire, the changelings and ponies are to fall back to town hall. It's time to end this, send in the thrasher.”
Edge of Ponyville
Crossing Bridge
As the ground forces retreated, a lone figure stood in the center of the bridge. The enemy halted their advance. They new this figure, clad in a stylish trenchcoat and fedora.
“My my darlings,” the figure chuckled. “There's no need to play coy, I'm sure there is plenty of moi to go around.”
A scratchy voice came through the figures communicator. “Rarity, stop antagonizing them and DO something!”
Rarity sighed and shook her head, “Rainbow, you are one of my best friends, but your ability to ruin a dramatic scene is incredible.” A small group of the enemy peeled away from the whole and shot toward Rarity at breakneck speed… only to explode into finely diced chunks within feet of her.
“Now now, it’s not polite to interrupt a lady when they're talking.” she pulled a single spool of steel thread from her coat. “I'm afraid you'll all have to be punished,” she liked her lips, “again.”
The enemy surged toward the town. Rarity simply walked forward, her horn glowing. Glints of steel flashed and everything within ten feet of her was reduced to horderve sized bits.
“Oh my. I fear if I try to take you all at once, things could get,” she grinned, “messy.” The wall of death surged outward creating a barrier between the enemy and the town. Anything that came in contact was decimated. Rarity yawned, “this is rather boring.”
“I thought you were going to say unsatisfying,” Rainbow chimed in.
Rarity huffed, “honestly, did you think I would stoop to making sexual innuendos in the heat of battle?” Grumbling could be heard over the coms. Their was a surge in the enemy's ferocity, putting strain on Rarity’s steel barriers. “Rainbow could you be a dear and thin them out with a pass or two?”
“I would Rares, but I got my wings full with another problem.”
“And what would that be?”
A huge beastlike enemy smashed its way out of the forest.
“Behemoth!”
It charged towards Rarity flattening its own kind in the process. “Pff, is that all? A minor annoyance like that isn't even worth my time.” The Behemoth reached the barrier only to meet the same fate as those around it. Unfortunately the thread did not go undamaged and Rarity had to quickly restitch the section.
“There, that wasn't so bad.”
Five dozen came charging out of the forest.
“Ok, that might be a problem.”
“I got ya covered Rarity. Spits, Shy and I are dropping the titans.”
An eyebrow was raised at this. “While I do appreciate the much needed help, doesn't that seem a little excessive on the Princesses part?”
“Na, the Princess just got word that the enemy ran out of steam ten days ago. Everything you're fighting right now is all that's left.”
Rarity's eye widened at that, and a crooked smile slowly crept onto her face. “Well then, I guess I won't need to restrain myself will I.” She threw open her coat revealing dozens more spools of thread. They all levitated out and the barrier was reinforced tenfold. “When the three of you drop your loads, land by me. Nothing is getting past now, and the safest place for Fluttershy and Spitfire is here.”
There was feedback in the com and Spitfire’s voice blared through it, “Whaddya mean safest place!? I ain't blind yet you old maid!”
Rarities eye twitched, “I’m only suggesting that we have some backup in case something unforeseen happens. Now if you'll excuse me I have some unruly ruffians to keep at bay.”
Spitfire looked down on the surprisingly one sided battlefield. “Doc, Crash, were coming up on the dropzone.” Fluttershy and Rainbow nodded in acknowledgment. “Get ready to drop the cargo in three, two-”
“What’d ya’ll just call me!?”
“ONE!”
In one swift movement the three “titans” were released.
“YEEHAAAA-”
-BOOM-
Three simultaneous craters were formed. In the dust three figures could be seen. The biggest chewed on a stalk of straw, the smallest showing no emotion whatsoever, and the third wore a tattered stenson on her head. The com crackled and Pound Cake’s voice came through. “Alright Applejack, the Princess wants you three to handle the behemoths. Rarity will continue maintaining a defencive perimeter around the town, Dash and Spitfire will remain on standby. Another team is enrought to your position to clear out the smaller enemies for you.”
The enemies around them were recovering from the impact. “All right Big Mac, Maud, you ready to throw down.”
“Eeyup”
“Yes”
The three jumped out of the craters and made to intercept the behemoths. Maud, being the fastest reached them first. She hurled herself at the closest beast and peppered it with punches, beating it to a pulp. Big Mac steamrolled his way through the smaller enemies and tackled another one. After getting a grip, he ripped it in half. The other behemoths had finally taken notes of the three and were now charging at them. One set it sights on Applejack but she just stood there with her front legs crossed.
“Go ahead punk,” she tipped her hat up, “make my day.” It let out an unearthly roar and barreled towards her. “Right,” she said with a grin and ran at the beast. Just before they collided, Applejack pivoted on her right foreleg, coiled her haunches and bucked the thing right in the face. The front of the behemoth was flattened and its back burst like a rotten apple.
“Heh, still just as soft.”
The fighting continued until there were six behemoths left, but the three earth ponies were having trouble fighting through the hord.
“Consarnit when’s that backup gonna get here?” Applejack shouted through the fighting. Maud fired out a quick jab, destroying the enemy in front of her.
“Right now.”
Dozens of explosions cut swathes through the enemy ranks. A pink blur raced past them and dived through a hole in Rarity's barrier, (that she barely made in time) did a summersault and stuck the landing.
“The party has arrived!” Pinkie said as slightly singed confetti burst around her. A spout of green fire erupted beside her as Spike also arrived.
“Pinkie, don't ever do that again.”
“Do what silly?” Spike opened his mouth to respond but paused. He looked around.
It was quiet.
The area between the Everfree forest and Ponyville was completely ravaged, but the sounds of battle had ceased. Rarity used her magic to scoop a path out of the piles of oozing cubes. There standing in the middle of the still smoking battlefield were three very worn out earth ponies. Fluttershy peeked her head out from behind Rainbow Dash.
“I-Is it over?” she asked quietly.
“Looks that way sugarcube.”
Castle of Harmony
Map Room
Tears ran down Flurry Hearts face as she embraced Thorax. “Its finally over. After five years its finally over.”
Thorax continued to hold her as she shed tears of joy. His eyes wandered to the map and froze. Flurry noticed his sudden stiffness, “wha -snif- whats wrong?”
Thorax broke the embrace and turned flurry towards the map. They watched in bewilderment as a circle of pink magic started at the edge and slowly started moving towards the center.
“Its an illusion spell.” Thorax said.
Flurry rubbed her eyes and looked closer, “Yes, a great and powerful illusion spell. Honestly what could she have possibly gained by doing thi-” the words froze on her lips as the circle passed over the enemy spawn camps set up in the surrounding dominions. Griffinstone’s had been pulverised, the dragon's lair had been vaporized, the badlands’ reduced to ash, and the Crystal Empire spawn camp was simply gone.
“Well now we know why the enemy ran out of reinforcements,” Thorax said as he relaxed. “I guess those four finally managed to escape. Its no wonder this spell failed when it did, she would’ve had to cancel all previously cast magic in order to make the enemy base in the Crystal Empire just vanish like that. I wonder why they didn't escape earlier though.”
“That's not the question we should be asking,” Flurry pointed at the map. “We should be asking is, WHAT THE HAY IS THAT!”
As the circle reached Canterlot, it revealed a second somewhat smaller mountain behind mt. Equis. Thorax felt his blood run cold. “Did...Did it just move?”
-Fweeeeeeee-
-POP-
A single firework burst over the planes between Canterlot and Ponyville.
There was no hesitation. “Pumpkin, Pound, Thorax, you're with me. Order the special forces, remaining troops, and everypony in the castle to retreat to the hive. Have the dragons moved to Pinkie’s caves under Ponyville. Inform them that I am enacting the archmage protocol. No one is to leave the safe zones for any reason.”
There was a small scramble as everyone packed up. As they made their way to the underground Princess Flurry Heart whispered, “May Faust have mercy on us all.”