//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: Castle Battle // Story: Picking Up The Pieces // by Silver Dragon Blade Wing //------------------------------// Everfree, Castle of the Two Sisters Main Hall Black Death slowly let out a breath, their odds were not in their favor. Two thousand Timber Wolves, more then he or his squad had ever faced before, were coming at them. He knew his group's strengths and weaknesses; the Changelings had carapace that would give them great protection but it had its limits, the two Juggernauts' armor was thick enough that the wolves couldn't harm them but they could only hold back so many. He knew Twilight and her friends could handle themselves but they'd never faced so many enemies at once. They had faced a dark Alicorn and a reality warping spirit in the past, but both of those were unconventional threats. Twilight had her magic, Applejack had her strength, Pinkie Pie had her... Pinkieness (like everypony else who lived in Ponyville, Black Death didn't even try to understand Pinkie), and her Party Cannon. Rarity also had her magic, and her skills with needles (he HATED needles of any kind). Fluttershy, despite what others would think, had her stare with would stop a few allowing them to be taken down and her flight to stay out of their reach.Rainbow had her flight and speed and Thunderlane had his flight. His squad had come prepared, both Rock Crusher and Night Stone were carrying a sword enchanted with 'Wolves Bane', an enchantment created to keep Timber Wolves from rebuilding themselves. It was not well known that Timber Wolves could not be permanently killed, whenever their forms were destroyed the magic that created them would simply go back to their place of origin to form a new body, but that took along time, long enough. Black Death himself was carrying a crossbow and Wolves Bane bolts. These bolts would explode on impact spending the enchantment over a wide area. Loading a bolt he took aim and fired into the front row. The bolt exploded taking out a good chunk of them while arcs of yellow energy surged through any wolves too close, at the same time the Juggernauts charged, slamming into the wooden wall and crushing any unlucky wolves in their way. Twilight, Shadow Light, and Dark Light fired bolts into the crowd taking a few down while Rarity combined her magic with the other Changelings to form a barrier against the wolves. The Pony fliers took to the air, launching quick hit and run attacks while Fluttershy used her Stare to hold a few still at a time. Time... to bite back. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dragonfly Castle Hall to Throne Room Dragonfly run as fast as his legs could carry him, he didn't know how long his companions could hold out so he had to be fast. "Here I come Jewel, I don't want to fight you but this ends here and now." Finally he reached the Throne room doors, pushing them open he entered the room. Looking around he saw no sigh of his opponent. Dragonfly was just about to call out when a voice sounded behind him. "Dragonfly long time no see." Spinning around he saw her. Jewelbeetle was above the door holding her double-headed four flange mace with large green crystals as the heads. She jumped down and landed in front of Dragonfly, Jewel stood about the same height as Dragonfly and had a long braided silver mane and tail, silver eyes and wings, and a red back plate. "Been quite a while as it." She said smiling. "Indeed it has Jewel. We don't have to fight you know." "I know Dragonfly, but even if the law was null and void, I don't have long left." "What do you mean? Did you reach the point of no return?" "No the Timber Wolves gave me enough, but with the side effect of the increased bloodlust." "That's why they've been attacking so much? I though you were controlling them." "I can't, I never meant to let it get so out of hoof." Jewel closed her eyes and let out a sad sigh. " Were any Ponies killed by my foolishness?" "There were injuries but nothing fatal so, no." She sighed again, this time in relief. "Thank the First-Mother." "Jewel, what did you mean by 'don't have long left'?" "...I have Carapace Fire." Dragonfly reared back in shock. "WHAT!?? How!?" "Notice how I'm not wearing any jewelry?" "Ya, which is way out-of-character for you. That has something to do with it?" "Yes, my... father infected a gem with Carapace Fire. I didn't know until it was far to late." Dragonfly mentality cursed Jewel's father. "He tried to use how close we were against us." Jewel nodded grimly. Carapace Fire was a deadly infection that very slowly killed the Changeling victim. It burned the protective carapace that covered the Changeling's body, weakening it til it became so brittle that even glancing blow could be fatal. It also damaged the immune system, leaving the victim highly vulnerable to sickness, and there was no cure for it. Thankfully it wasn't transmissible by any means, only the sick Changeling and only that Changeling would be effected, and the sickness itself was very, very rare. There was a long pause. "...So your dying, and you want to go out in battle and keep you honor intact." Jewel nodded her head. Dragonfly Looked her in the eye. "Than help us out." Blinking, Jewel asked, "What?" "Help us end the Timber Wolf crisis Jewel, as you said before, we're the only Royals left. So buck that law and fight the wolves along side us. You can both redeem yourself for causing this whole mess and still keep your honor by fighting along side us. The Kingdoms are gone Jewel, that means we have a change to rebuild, and do you really wish to fight me Jewel? I wouldn't stop you if you do, but I don't want to fight you. You have a choice to make, without your father's influence. I made mine long ago." He held his hoof forward. "What's yours Jewel?" Jewel looked away for a few minutes, thinking his offer over. It was true, they were the only Royals left, and did the law still apply after the fall of the kingdoms? That and she didn't want to fight him ether. Finally she turned to him, and placed her hoof against his smiling. "Your right Dragonfly, I do finally have a choice, and I chose to be an ally, not an enemy, buck my father, buck his legacy, and buck that law. Let's fight together, not each other." He nodded, "Let's go kick some wooded flank." "Now your speaking my language." They both rushed out of the room and down the hallway. "Hope the others are holding out okay." "They got heavy hitters so they should be okay." "Who do they have?" "They got Black Death and two Juggernauts, Titan and Spartan." Jewel laughed. "And that's why I liked Empress Nebula." A group of Timber Wolves suddenly blocked their path. The two Royals pulled out their weapons. "Looks like we'll have to fight our way through." Dragonfly said. "Seems that way." Jewel brought a hoof up and made a 'come at me gesture'. The wolves and Changelings charged. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ North Side Night Blade, Rainbow Dash, and Shadow Night flew done a hallway before landing to take a breath. Their group and a second group including Nightwing, Thunderlane, and Shadow Stalker had split from the main group to try and lure some wolves away to light the pressure on the main group, if only slightly. The wolves came at them, Night Blade bit the first one right on the nose, Rainbow flew right in punching and kicking like an action movie, and Shadow Light used his Wolves Bane enchanted wing blades. They fought for a good ten minutes before they got an unwelcome surprise. After the first group of wolves went down a new group came at them. The wolves in this group were smaller, had lighter shades then the regular Timber Wolves and blue eyes. Rainbow smashed one, only for it to rebuild itself almost instantly. The three Ponies jaws dropped at that. "What!" "The!" "HAY!!" Night, Shadow, and Rainbow shouted at the top of their lungs, not believing the sight before their eyes. "Faster regeneration! Since when did they get that?!" "I don't know, but this just got harder." "This is just great." They retreated further down the hall, the new wolves hot on their tails. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ South Side Nightwing, Thunderlane, and Shadow Stalker weren't having much luck either. They had just destroyed the first wave when another new Timber Wolf came at them. This one was bigger and had darker shades and red eyes. Thunderlane landed a blow on the head which normally would have brought the wolf down, this one didn't. It leaped at him teeth bared and mouth open, the wolf's jaws snapped closed almost taking a chunk out of the Pony's rump. "Yikes!" Thunderlane shouted as he barely dodged the wolf's teeth, losing only a few hairs out of his tail. "You alright Thunderlane?" Nightwing asked. "Yea just lost some tail hairs, better that then part of my plot." "This wolf can take more damage? Great." Shadow Stalker said with a grow. More of the same wolves appeared. The Ponies turned and ran down the hall, luring the wolves into the trap door. After the wolves fell into it the Ponies continued down the hall. "Hope the others are doing okay." Thunderlane said. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Main Hall Black Death had been right on the Juggernauts being invulnerable to the wolves, but also on that they could only hold back so many. So far the fight and been even but the wolves were slowly gaining ground, pushing them back. It didn't help that he was almost out of Wolves Bane bolts either. Pinkie's party cannon had jammed so she had grabbed Twilight, held her by the neck and tail, aimed her horn at the wolves, and started pumping her tail up and down rapidly. Pinkie was also for some reason wearing a red short-sleeved shirt, a brown vest, and a bandolier of, of all things, cupcakes. Rhino looked a bit confused by that. "Wha...?" "It's Pinkie Pie, don't question it." Black Death deadpanned. "What happens when Twilight runs out of magic?" Which happened at that exact moment. "And I jinxed it." Rhino said facehoofing The two groups that split off earlier rejoined them and told them about the new wolves. "Oh that's perfect, what's next." Rhino growled. As if on cue, a giant Timber Wolf appeared. "Oh fate, why must you be so cruel." Spotter said. Rhino looked into the sky, "!!" "Whoa Rhino, language!" Seeker scolded. The giant wolf stepped forward, only for a large green projectile to smash through it's chest, causing the wolf to explode into tiny pieces. The projectile landed and the green energy faded revealing Jewelbeetlie and Dragonfly. "Nice timing my Prince,. but why is Jewelbeetle with you?" Seeker asked. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Rhino arching his back in anger. "We were going to have the but... considering the fact that the two of us are more or less the only royals left we decided buck that law, we can make new ones." "Dragonfly told me I had a choice, after my father's death." Jewel looked up and smiled. "And I choose to help end this." Rhino marched forward with a look of rage. "And you think our hive or I are going to let go of the bull that you put us through?!" "No I don't at all." "Exactly!! You put us through such utter-" The sound of glass breaking could be heard breaking as Rhino's mind processed what Jewel had said, "-wait, what?" Jewel let out a long sigh. "Rhino, I fully admit that I wasn't a kind leader, I had always pushed my hive too hard. But I wasn't blind to it. I wouldn't even try to justify it at all, I was too hard on my hive, and now their gone." She let tears run down her cheeks. "As much as I wanted to lighten up, I couldn't." Jewel wiped her eyes. "I saw how much pain I caused, and I wanted to stop, but my father would always 'remove' the ones who were to weak." Rhino's expression changed from rage to confused, then sorrow. "Oh, that... actually explains a few things." Twilight turn to Seeker. "Jewel's father?" Seeker's face turn grim. "Jewelbeetle's father was... let me put it to you this way; even princess Celestia wouldn't be able to stand him for more then a half a second, if even that. He was an ego-manic, narcissist to an extreme, and one of the cruelest Changelings to live. The only thing he ever even slightly cared about was his legacy. He more often then not forced his influence on Jewel, forcing her to do things she was against." "He was that bad?" Applejack asked. "Worst," Titan said. "Much worst." "Jewel wasn't his first child," Spartan said, his voice dark, "just the only on he keep." The Ponies looked horrified. "Even Empress Nebula, who is possibly the nicest Royal Changeling one could ever meet, hated his guts. In fact she was waiting for any excuse to 'remove' him, and Chrysalis of all Changelings hated him. He was so hated that when Black Saber ended him, he was one of the four Royals Saber had killed, the other Royals said their only regret was that they didn't do the deed first." Seeker said. "In fact, the other Royals flat out said that Saber did them a favor." "Then... why does Rhino hate Jewel so bad?" Rainbow asked. Jewel answered. "Because I... took the life of a Changeling that Rhino was very close to. She had be badly injured in a training exercise, I wanted to help her as she would have healed fine given time, but my father, who hated what he viewed as weakness, took control of my mace and he...-" she set her weapon down and pressed her head into her hooves. "-...forced me to bring it down on the Changeling's head." Her body shuddered as the memories of that terrible day came back. "I tried to fight it, I honestly did. But he was stronger. And the worst part, he made it look like I had done it on purpose." Jewel was shaking like a leaf by now and she was full on bawling. "Two years, Two years I had nightmares so bad I couldn't sleep. I had to go to Empress Nebula to be able to sleep at all. I always saw her face, that face called me 'murder' over and over again, I was trapped in an endless maze with no escape, and no matter how far or how long I ran, her face taunted me all the way. Even worst, my father hit me hard enough to knock me down and threatened that if I didn't follow his views, that I would join my siblings." Finally she turned and buried her face into Dragonfly's chest sobbing like no tomorrow, said Royal embracing her tightly. There wasn't a dry eye among the others either. The mane six, Thunderlane, and Spike were hugging each other crying. Black Death's squad had their helmets off and heads bowed low, tears flowing from their closed eyes. Dragonfly's Changelings looked like they'ad been told their own Royal had died. Black Death's face was a mix of sadness, sympathy and appalled shock. Slowly he brought a hoof up to the gem that covered his left eye and gently rubbed it. Rhino just... sat there in shock, staring at the floor, all feelings of anger long gone. Truth be told, he now felt like a total plot-hole. All these years he'd been blaming the wrong Royal for the loss of his close friend, a loss that had been the last straw for him. Looking up he just now noticed she wasn't wearing any jewelry, and that deeply confused him. Rhino walked up to Jewel and gently tapped her side. She slowly turned to look at him, Rhino seeing the genuine remorse in her eyes. They sat there for a minute, then Rhino reached up... and hugged her around the neck, which she returned. No words were spoken between them, it wasn't necessary. A howl of more Timber Wolves snapped them all back to reality. "Time to end this." Jewel said standing up, her voice husky. "Jewel, what did you do to these wolves?" Rhino asked. "I...-" She snuffed. "-feed off them, which caused this whole crisis. I never meant to let it get that far." She looked up at the approaching wolves. "I don't know if I can ever redeem myself for everything I've done, but I'm wiling to at least try. Even as I don't have long left in this world." "What do you mean Jewel?" Darter asked. "My father infected a gem with carapace Fire." Every Changeling but Dragonfly, who already knew, recoiled in shock. Rhino felt like a white hot blade of guilt had pierced his heart. There was a pause, finally Thunderlane asked, "I'm guessing Carapace Fire is fatal, and are these wolves the last ones?" "Yes it is-" Jewel answered and, after scanning the wolves, continued. "- and just this wave and one more to go and this crisis will end." The wave of Timber Wolves fell quickly but by now they were tiring out, even Black Death and the Juggernauts were slowing down, and this next wave was bigger, a lot bigger. "Guess this might be it." Spotter said. Black death turned to his squad. "it's been a real pleasure and honor serving with you boys." "Same from us to you sir." Nightwing said, the rest of the squad voicing their agreement. "Girls, Thunderlane, Spike," Dragonfly said. "I'm sorry you got dragged into this." Jewel also voiced her sorrow. "It's okay, we always had a feeling that someday we would come to something like this." Twilight said, the others viced their agreement. Seeker spoke next. "Titan, Spartan, the wolves wouldn't be able to hurt you, please take care of the rest of our kind if we fall today." "We will." The two Juggernauts said in unison. The wolves charged, the group braced themselves. A giant Timber Wolf leaped, only for two projectiles to impact its chest with enough force to knock it back into the forward group of wolves. The projectiles exploded taking the giant wolf and those around it out and stunning the rest. "What the...?" Dragonfly asked. Two figures land in front of them, crossbows at the ready. The group recognized them instantly. "Dragonfly... aren't those..." Twilight began. "Changeling Hive Guards." He finished. "Then that means." Spotter said. A tall figure land in front of them. Slowly a green glow formed around the clasp holding the cloak that covered them appeared, then the cloak was opened and flung away, revealing... "Mom!!" "Empress Nebula!!" The Ponies, and one Dragon, were speechless. Nebula turned her head to look at the group with a soft smile. "Rest now my friends, you've done enough now." She turned back to the wolves. "We'll take care of these piles of firewood." Black Death suddenly said, "What... if she's here, that means..." A Thestral wearing a mix of Thestral and Changeling armor landed next to Nebula, followed by two more Hive Guards. "DAD!!" "BLACK SABER!!" Said Thestral turned to them. "Hey son, bro, been a long time hasn't." The remaining wolves recovered and charged. Needless to say, them didn't have a chance. Four Hive Guards, a Changeling Empress, an elite Thestral, and four Juggernauts (a head smaller then Titan and Spartan) from the rear quickly boxed in and ended the wolves. After making sure the wolves couldn't just rebuild themselves, the newcomers turned to the group. Only for Nebula and Saber to tackle hugged by their son. "Mom, Dad, I thought i'd never see you again." Dragonfly cried happily. His parents returned the hug just as happily. "Good to see you to son. Let us get a look at ya." Saber said as they separated. "You've really grown after these years sweetie, you've become quite a fine stallion." Nebula said with a proud smile. Dragonfly rubbed the back of his head with a light smile. "I did have help." Seeker, Rhino, Darter, Darter and Jewel walked up. Nebula spoke to Seeker first. "Seeker darling, I see your looking well." "Hello Empress Nebula, I have been doing well." "Seeker, you know you don't have to call me that anymore." "I know, its force of habit, and I'm showing respect." Nebula chuckled. Titan and Spartan walked up next. "Great to see you two as well" The two Juggernauts smiled and bowed. Nebula just smiled, then turned to the other Changelings"Rhino, Spotter, and Darter. Glad to see your doing good as well." She then turned to Jewel. "And Jewel..." Her smile faded a bit. "I know of your sickness." Jewel nodded grimly. Nebula then continued, her smile brightening. "And I might have found a way of curing it." Jewel's head snapped up in surprise. "I thought carapace fire was incurable." "It was, til I found leads on healing it." Saber spoke up. "Shes been researching carapace fire ever since her exile." Jewel looked hopeful. "You mean... I could live a full life." "It'll take time, but it is possible." Jewel warped her forelegs around Nebula's neck. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." She cried happily. The ponies walked forward next. "This is your mother and father Dragonfly?" Thunderlane asked. "Yes, everypony, this is Nebula Sheen. Mom, these are..." "Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Thunderlane, Spike, Nightwing, Rock Crusher, Shadow Light, Night Stone, Shadow Stalker, Dark Light, Night Blade, Shadow Night, and Black Death." "...Okay that makes things easier." "My darling, that mane... it looks simply divine, I can imagine so many possibles." Rarity said examining Nebula's mane and tail. "Well Rarity I'd be happy to come over and model for a bit when I have time." "I'd love that." "Miss Sheen-" Twilight started. "Please Twilight, just Nebula will work." "...Okay, Nebula, if you don't mind, I have so many questions regarding Changelings." "Let's make an appointment for that." "Well Dragonfly, I can say she's a darn-sight better looking then Chrysalis." Applejack commented. "Why thanks Applejack." "BLACK SABER!!!" The sound of Black Death shouting angrily at his brother caused heads to turn towards the two Thestrals. Saber was slowly backing away from his enraged brother. "Bro, I know that"- "Don't 'bro' me. You disappeared of seven years, Seven Years, no note, no word, nothing. Do you have any idea how much Mom has worried about you?! I was Scared you were dead!" Black Death was now nose-to-nose with Saber. "There only three reasons I'm not beating you to a pulp right now." "And those would be?" Saber asked nervously. "One; I don't think my nephew would like his uncle beating the crap out of his father. Two; Mother made me promise not to. And three," He suddenly grabbed Saber's chest piece, and pulled his brother in to a bone crushing hug. "I'm just too happy to see you alive and well." Saber quickly returned the hug. "I'm sorry I disappeared for so long Black, but circumstances beyond my control kept me from getting a hold of you." "You and I are going to have a long talk later." Nebula just shook her head with a small smile. "Lets go home." "Before we do there's something I have to get." Jewel said. "What is it?" "Something very important to me." Jewel went back to the Throne room with the others following, and went over to the left one, she reached under it and pulled out a belt with a single green saddle bag. She looked into the bag, and sighed in relief. "What's in the bag Jewel?" Dragonfly asked. Jewel walked over to them, opened the bag, and pulled out a Royal Changeling egg. The others couldn't believe their eyes. "Jewel... is that egg yours?" "Yes it is." "Who's the father." Jewel just smiled. "You are Dragonfly." Said Royal looked shocked. "Me?? How." "You remember that night we spend together?" "Yes... oh. Jewel, if I'd known..." "You don't need to apologize Dragonfly, I didn't find out till much later. By that point, too many things were happening a once for me to tell you, and after the hives fall I had to go into hiding." She paused for a moment. "I wanted to give this to you after are duel but things changed." Dragonfly gently took the egg from her. "So I'm a father now." "Yes, and if what Nebula said is true, our hatchling will have a mother as well." Nebula nodded, now she had extra reason to help Jewel. She looked quite happy to be a grandparent, so did Saber and Black Death. "Is that everything Jewel?" Saber asked. Jewel nodded. "Okay, let's go home." They left the castle and headed back to Ponyville.