//------------------------------// // Chapter Four: Assault of Canterlot Part One // Story: Loyalty in Brass: The First Encounter // by Mr BHunt //------------------------------// Swift Quiz, a brown unicorn with a orange mane and purple eyes, stared from over the top of his cards in his hooves. His pal Fury and another guard also stared from their cards, Fury was a pegasus with an orange coat and a grey mane. Suddenly Quiz threw down his cards, the other guards groaned and pushed their piles of bits across the table. "Quiz, you are a sly one." Fury said as Swift pulled the bits into his saddlebag, he chuckled but went quiet as a bell rang in the distance. "Ah buck, I gotta haul it to the gate!" The guard said as he threw on his helmet and dashed out of the door, both Fury and Swift followed suite as they put on their helmets and rushed out of the pub. They slowed down as they marched towards their patrol section, lower Canterlot, where their sergeant was probably waiting impatiently. A pair of high class citizens passed by, their noses held high with snobbishness dripping from their hooves, but the mare winked at Swift. Fury's eyebrow rose as Swift winked back, the mare giggled and hurried along. "Swift, Swift, Swift. You are one really sly unicorn, you know that?" He said. "Eh, must be the horn." Swift said, they both burst out laughing as they turned a corner. But promptly shut up as they came face to face with their sergeant, he glared at the pair. "You two are late, but that doesn't matter. Go to the gate, a request from the watch captain was received, said it was urgent." He said gruffly and moved to the side, the two guards quickly jogged towards the gate. Soon they came within sight of the archway that served as the gate, another one was positioned on the train tracks. The pair of guards immediately were greeted by another pegasus guard, a mare. Her green eyes were wide and she had beads of sweat dripping from under her helmet. "Only two? Okay, come on! Something strange is happening!" She said and galloped to the gate, then another pair of guards appeared, one was Swift's friend. He nodded at him as he and the other guard ran through the gate. Fury quickly followed the mare, but Swift hesitated. Was that his brother? "Speedy? Is that you?" He asked the stallion walking towards an alley, he stopped and looked up. He had a red mane and golden eyes, but the same brown coat as Swift. "Swift? Yes it's me." Speedy said and trotted towards his brother, but a faint horn caught their attention. Suddenly a scream erupted from the gate, the two brothers looked in fear as another scream was heard. Suddenly half of the mare was flung from the gate, her vacant eyes still wide from whatever cut her down, Speedy gagged and hurled on the stone path while Swift stepped back. Then Fury sprinted around the corner, his helmet gone and his face bloodied. The pegasus locked eyes with Swift. "BUCKING RUN!" He screamed as the Brass Knight skidded around the corner, it reached forward and grabbed Fury. It held him in the air, then crushed him and dropped the corpse. Then it turned to the two brothers, immediately Swift shoved Speedy down the alley and followed him. The knight slammed into alley and poked it's glaive through the entrance, but the two unicorns were too far. "FILTH! PESTS!" It cried as it tried again to attack the brothers, but they didn't stop. They rounded a corner and slid to a stop, Swift was barely breathless but Speedy was huffing and puffing. "T-that was the beast! I g-got away just as it a-attacked Ponyville, I watched it bring it's friends and burn the town!" Speedy said and collapsed to the stone ground, covering his face in his hooves. Swift sat down next to him and patted him, trying to calm his brother. But while they hid in the alley, the Behemoth struck. "Sweet Celestia! Run!" A guard yelled as the huge airship descended upon Canterlot, then he was cut in half by a huge bolt. Another two guards screamed but they too were cut down by the large ballistae bolts. Citizens panicked and chaos ran loud as everypony started to scatter, one resident noticed a shadow growing on the ground and he looked up. He couldn't scream as the heavy form of a Brass Knight slammed down onto him, suddenly the crowd fell silent as the knight stood upright. The knight slowly pulled it's sword from it's sheath. The slaughter had begun with a mare, the knight slashed her and whacked her with the side of it's sword. Another stallion was stabbed as the crowd returned into it's chaotic state, just as the knight cut down another pony, a squad of Brass Knights landed in the marketplace. They kick, slash and stab the residents until the marketplace was clear. Soon two squads of Cleaners dropped down and split up down the streets, the next Squad was accompanied by the Brass Centurion. "FOB is under our control Centurion!" One of the knights reported as it saluted, the Centurion nods. "Good, more squads are on the way, we are going to burn this filth out!" The Centurion roared and the knights raised their weapons in a cheer, screaming caught Swift's attention. He and Speedy snuck down another alley and came face to face with a horrific scene. One of the Cleaners was burning the entrance to a house, a unicorn stallion was yelling from one of the windows. Another Cleaner was dragging another resident towards a large pyre, a pyre of pony corpses. As Swift's eyes widened, a group of foals were kicked into the open area and huddled together. A trio of Cleaners primed their Inferno Rifles and aimed at the group, their screams echoed in Swift's ears. A knight walked towards the burning pile and threw a bundle of guard armor into it, Swift silently moved away from the scene with his brother. "Swift?" Speedy asked. Swift continued down the alley. "S-Swift?" Swift spun around to glare at Speedy, who recoiled at the stare. "We need to rally the guard, we need to get to the palace." Swift said slowly, a more flat tone entering his voice. "I'm going to need your help, can you do what I ask? Without hesitation?" Swift asks. Speedy looks into his brothers eyes, he nods. "I'm ready to help, Swift." "Good, we need to get to the closest guard house, inside is a communication gem. I need you to gather any weapons, armor or even guards to help push back these invaders!" Swift stated and gallops out of the alley, Speedy easily staying close. "Got it, wait... isn't that a griffin?" Swift narrows his eyes as he peers around the corner of another alley entrance, a griffin was dragging a unicorn from his home, the griffin was in a full face helm and had a axe strapped across his back. The helmet was made of brass, Swift's eyes widened as a Brass Knight marched past without a second glance. "Something's not right, don't trust anything that shines like a mirror, got it?" Swift said to his brother, who nodded. "Good now we gotta move-" Swift stopped abruptly as he listened to the strange sound, it was almost like thudding. Then a massive Cleaner came around the corner, it's footsteps like thunder. It had two hoses running from the right side of it's face and over it's back, into a pair of large tanks that were strapped on. It's eyes were like grates, revealing a strange orange light within. But it's weapon was the strangest of all. The Inferno Rifle had another tube that ran alongside the one from the gun into the tanks, but the barrel seemed to glow a faint blue. The large Incinerator looked around and spotted the griffin, who pointed over his shoulder as the house. The Incinerator lumbered over and took aim with it's Inferno Rifle at the home, then shot an extremely hot wave of napalm at it. The house exploded in blue flames, the brothers could feel the heat from the alley while the Incinerator seemed to not notice. But it did notice the two brothers peering from the alley, it tilted it's head and advanced towards them. Speedy took off down the alleyway just as Swift turned his head to where his brother was, then he promptly followed after his brother as he heard the crackle of a fire growing near. The Incinerator watched the two unicorns run, then it turned and wandered back to the FOB. But on the way it heard a faint whimper, it looked around, then it's gaze landed on a cart. The Incinerator lumbered over and listened closely, a faint sound of a caught breath. The soldier put a hand under the cart and lifted it up, underneath was a little white filly. She slowly looked up at the massive Incinerator, then she screamed. The Incinerator immediately threw the cart aside and grabbed the filly, it held her close to it's face and glared at her. "P-p-please don't hurt me..." She whispers and the Incinerator just glares, then it drops the filly and stomps on her. Upper Canterlot A squad of guards tense as the makeshift barricade that they had placed shuddered, a faint snarl was heard from the other side. Then another thud and the barricade shuddered again, one of the unicorns was straining as he pushed back against the barricade with his magic. "Come one, hold it! Hold it!" A Sergeant ordered as another thud caused a mare to yelp and step back, she looked around at him. "When that thing breaks through, we're dead! You hear me? Dead!" She yelled at him, but still moved forward. Then disaster struck. The unicorn screamed as his magic suddenly flew back at him, slamming the stallion into the ground. A moment later, the barricade exploded and the mare was hit by a hunk of stone. She crumbled to the pavement, her helmet clattering beside her as a line of blood emerged from beneath her mane. The breach was engulfed in dust, faint sounds of footsteps from the other side unnerving the guards. Then a glint of light appeared from the dust. "Shit!" One of the last guards yelled as an axe was hurled from the cloud and struck the head of the guard, he grunted and fell to the side. Then the Sergeant and the last guard heard garbled breathing, they spotted the large shape of the Incinerator emerging and recoiled. Soon a pair of griffins appeared alongside the large soldier, the Sergeant charged them, but they quickly cut him down. The last guard just stood in the middle of the road, the Incinerator walks past and the two griffins follow. One pulls his axe from the face of a guard and moves towards the pony, who finally looks up. Suddenly she charged him, her sword in her mouth. Then the other griffin spun around and slashed her legs, the mare screamed as her skidded to a stop in front of the griffin. He lifted the axe above his head and slammed it down through the mare's head, he pulled the axe out of the mare and put it on his back. "Bloody filth." The griffin muttered and followed the Incinerator, the other one hesitantly followed, but not before she whispered an apology. Canterlot Castle Celestia and Luna moved quickly through the halls of the castle, passing many guards. One turned and followed the two sisters. "Princesses! Both the Lower and Upper levels of Canterlot have been breached, most of the Royal Guard are either dead or missing, and now I've lost contact with the Lower guard house." The captain said to the two sisters, they stopped and turned to look at him. "What... what are we going to do?" He asked, a number of guards watching the conversation. Then Celestia sighed. "I don't know, we've lost most of Canterlot and now these invaders are approaching the castle-" In the distance a horn sounded, then a faint explosion was heard. "-bombarding the castle, evacuation is the best option at the moment." Celstia stated sadly, the captain just stared at her. "Evacuation? Princess, that airship is destroying anything that lifts off, already five airships have been destroyed by it. We can't evacuate, it's not possible!" The captain said, some of the guards murmured in agreement. "And to move the last of the citizens through Canterlot to the main gate and train station is just suicide, we're stuck." The captain stated, but Luna shook her head. "No, there are tunnels that lead into the caves below Canterlot, old crystal mines that have been abandoned. We shall move the citizens through there." She said, but still the captain shook his head. "We would they go? The only closest place is Ponyville, and that's out of the picture." He says, then sighs. "We're done, it'd be better to just give up-" Suddenly Celestia's hoof slammed onto the marble floor. "Captain, you are part of the Royal Guard, it is your objective to protect your fellow ponies! Right now you're talking about giving up? Captain there are ponies that are depending on the guard, if we need to, we will fight through this hoard. We will get these ponies out of here!" Celestia stated and slowly the guards in the halls stood straighter. "Captain I want every pegasus guard available to form up in the throne room, every single unicorn and earth pony are going to push through to the main gate. I will personally lead the charge, Luna I need you to lead the pegasi to that airship, tear it apart." Luna nodded, then her horn glowed a faint blue. "All pegasi, move to the throne room, we are going to take down the airship." She stated, her magic moving the words into the ears of the Royal Guards. Soon the pegasus guards cheered and charged to the throne room. But just as they started rushing, one of the large windows along the side the hall suddenly exploded. The group stopped as a single Brass Knight slowly shook itself, then it grabbed two long spears that had something wrapped on the ends. "WITNESS ME!" It shouted and charged at the ponies, the two spears over it's head. The knight leapt forward at the startled and thrusted both spears into a trio of guards, the spears exploded and rocked the hall and sent the guards stumbling. Celestia and Luna stood tall as the dust cleared, only a bloodly mess remained of the guards. Two guards looked at each other in awe and anger. "This hallway is several hundred hooves off the ground, how did..." The first guard groaned and put his hoof to his head. "No clue, but we are gonna make them pay for what they've done." The second said loudly, almost immediately the crowd of guards roared in agreement and charged down the halls, with the pegasi flying overhead and the Princesses leading. Luna pushed over and flew into the air and turned around. "Come Our subjects! We will lead thou to glory!" She yelled and flew around a corner, the pegasus guards cheering and following. Soon Celestia slammed open the doors into the entrance way, now a makeshift camp for the survivors. They all looked up at Celestia with curiosity in their eyes, then a unfortunately familiar face popped up above the crowd. "Auntie! Why are these peasents here! I demand an answer!" He shrieked from below, a large group of ponies groaned, surprisingly most were rich folk. Then immediately fell silent as Clestia put a hoof up, except Blueblood. "I can't stand another moment in this stressful environment! I demand better treatment-" Bluebloods rant was cut short as the two doors opened, immediately guards rushed down and readied themselves for battle. But only a pair of unicorns walked in, one was wearing guard armor. Slowly the guard made his way towards the pair of stairs, but not before Blueblood ranted yet again. "Where were you?! Canterlot is under attack and you're just slacking off?!" He shrieked and the guard stopped, something in the stare that he gave Blueblood scared those around him. "I've come up from Lower Canterlot, I've seen far more then you in your entire bucking lifetime." Swift said coldly, the crowd gasped and Blueblood looked extremely insulted. "For your information, I am far above you, peasant. So you should watch what you say!" He said smugly, Swift spun around and made his way towards Blueblood with a cold glare. "I'll tell you exactly what I saw, you stuck up little shit." Swift growled as he approached the shocked Blueblood, surprisingly no guards intercepted and Celestia watched from the top of the stairs. Swift marched up to Blueblood and looked him dead in the eyes. "I saw my best friend die, I've watched as ponies burned and were slaughtered, I watched fillies be burnt alive... bucking fillies. I'm here now, not from slacking off, oh no. I'm here to assist these ponies, so you should know that you are included, or does your single brain cell not get that?" Swift finished and spun around away from Blueblood, then he marched to the Princess. "You have a lot of nerve, guard. What is your name?" Celestia asked calmly, secretly enjoying the face of Blueblood. "Swift Quiz, your majesty. I have come with my brother Speedy, we have brought weapons and reinforcements." Swift says as a large group of guards walked through the doors, most with packs of weapons. "From what I've seen your majesty, both Upper and Lower Canterlot have fallen, invaders with flame weapons are everywhere and... and there's a hoard of griffins on their side." Gasps ran through the crowd, even Celestia looked surprised. "Griffins? This puts us in a dangerous position, but I thank you my little pony. Now come, we are going to move through Canterlot, we need all the help we can get. Celestia said and Swift nodded, then Celestia walked forwards. "My little ponies, the Royal Guard and I will push through these invaders, we will clear a path to the main gate. You will be scared, I understand but I need you to be strong. You need to realise that this is our last chance, or we all will fall here. Now then..." Celestia coughed and turned to the Royal Guard. "GUARDS, CHARGE!" She yelled with her mighty Royal Canterlot Voice, everypony cheered and the Royal Guard charged through the doors, soon followed by the citizens. But in the throne room, Luna was just about to begin the attack on the Behemoth Throne Room Luna gazed at her troops, suddenly realising something. Her horn glowed and her voice was yet again amplified, but only to her guard. The Lunar Guard. "My loyal Lunar Guard, follow me to glory, follow me to that airship and tear it apart! We shall defend our friends, our family! For Equestria!" She yelled, almost immediately the doors of the throne room were slammed open. A large amount of purple armored batponies marched or flew in, among them was a guard with a determined expression. "Princess Luna, the rest of the Lunar Guard is on the way. Currently we are the only ones here, due to some being scattered in the fighting." The guard reported with a salute, Luna nibbled her bottom lip. "How many guards does thou have?" She asked, the guard looked disappointed. "70, not many are at the castle anymore, they went down to stop those invaders." The batpony answers, a clear tone of failure in his voice. "Captain Violet Scar is currently in the sky with most of our forces, if she sees you, then no doubt they will help." The guard states, Luna nods. "Violet is quite loyal, very well." Luna muttered to herself then turned to her mixed battalion. "Come my soldiers! Through the shattered windows! Go forth to the airship! My Lunar Guard will accompany me to assist the captain. GO FORTH!" She shouted and the pegasi bolted through the windows, then she followed with her guards. Suddenly a guard at her side was tackled by a griffin, one from the hoard in the sky. A collection of gold and purple against brass, Luna quickly summoned a sword and cut down a griffin charging her. He choked and fell with his talons at his wound, Luna threw the sword forward at the griffin, she screamed as the blade pierced her back. Luna dashed forward and pulled it out, suddenly a yell from her left caught her attention. It was a pair of Lunar Guards back to back, one without a helm and showing a distinct scar. Luna shouted a warcry and slammed into a griffin that was above the pair, then she slashed and hacked until most of the griffins fell to the city below. "Ah, Princess! Glad you could join us, how's your day going?" Violet asked casually as she parried a blow from a griffin's axe and slashed a wicked sword across his throat, then she spun in the air over a spear thrust. "Now is not the time, captain. We need to destroy that airship!" Luna shouted as she tore an axe from a griffin and lopped it at another. "Got it, Princess. COME ON, TO THE AIRSHIP!" The captain barked, the other Lunar Guard blew a warhorn and flew towards the airship. Luna flapped her wings furiously alongside the growing Lunar Guard forces. They hovered over the airship and Luna looked around, her loyal guards were ready. She yelled and pointed her sword at the ship, the Lunar Guard surged forwards and slammed onto the deck of the airship, Luna landed on the stern. A pair of knights spun around and one immediately thrusted forward with it's sword, Luna parried the attack and slashed twice at the knight's face. The other knight lifted an axe over it's head, but Luna just grabbed the knight with her magic and crushed it. The two knights dissolved into ash, Luna looked up and noticed only one knight remaining. It was standing with it's hands outstretched and glowing, quickly Luna dashed forward and cut deep into it's shoulder. The Smile Knight shuddered as she pulled the blade out, suddenly a purple mist flowed from the wound and what seemed like a hand started to climb out, a knight that was fighting with a guard nearby noticed this. "The Helmsman is Corrupt! Get off the ship!" It roared and pushed the mare back, then it with others leapt off the sides of the ship. Luna flew backwards and landed on the deck as the Smile Knight collapsed to the deck, convulsing as the hand pushed out. Then it went still, a Lunar Guard slowly stepped up the stairs and neared the body. Suddenly the Smile Knight slammed it's hands onto the deck and pushed itself up, it tilted it's head at the guard. Then it's third hand grabbed his face and squeezed, the guard screamed but fell silent. Luna quickly took a glace to her sides, her guard looked determined. Luna smirked to herself and reached her blade, the Smile Knight pulled three axes from the ashes on the deck and charged the Lunar Guard and their Princess. Upper Canterlot Swift Quiz shot a beam of purple magic at a knight, it crumbled quickly. Swift slashed at another as a earth pony guard leapt up and stabbed a spear into the neck of the knight. The pair nodded to each other and separated to clear the way, Swift was one of the Vanguard and had a lot of ponies counting on him. He turned a corner and spotted a Cleaner pulling a colt from a pile of rubble, then it pointed it's rifle at him. Swift roared and sent a huge blast of magic at the Cleaner, it slammed into it's shoulder and sent the soldier spinning. The colt bolted and fortunately ran towards the convoy of residents, Swift looked up at the airship and saw seven knights dropping from it. Suddenly, running tore his attention back as a knight charged at him, but it was stopped by a wagon getting slammed into it's head, a unicorn came from an alleyway and locked eyes with Swift. "My turf..." He simply said and went back into his alley, Swift ducked as a large axe sliced through the air. He grabbed the head of the knight and threw it over his head, the Brass Knight slammed into the pavement and Swift slammed his sword through it's throat. Then her heard running, a pair of heavy footsteps. He looked up as the Brass Centurion and a knight with a cracked faceplate marched around the corner, the Brass Knight slammed the butt of it's glaive onto the ground and stood straight. The Centurion looked at the knight. "This one is dangerous, take him down. We can't have pests like him." The Centurion stated and went back the way it came, the Knight spun it's glaive around and pointed it at Swift Quiz. Swift breathed heavily as the knight lowered it's glaive. "I will slaughter you like I slaughtered your children!" It roared and charged, Swift stood his ground but moved his sword over his head. Then he dashed forwards, eyes ablaze with rage.