Book, Blade, and A Whole Lot of Magic

by Frustaz


Chapter 4

Illua stood at the head of her army. Foals clustered close to the human’s legs. Illua’s hair, long, and white, was half stained pink with blood of the guards from the tunnel to the cliff. She and her comrades all held faces of grim determination. However, compared to her stained appearance, the blade was sheathed, and the book remained closed at her hip.

In her hands, were two very distinct Flags. In her left, a Deep crimson flag that was turning brown from age and soot, emblazoned with the gold scales and a sword. In her right, a clean, green flag, untarnished by the hardships of war. Centralized on its plane, was the sign of peace, the White dove.

“I come to speak to Princess Celestia. I request passage to the city of Canterlot as an ambassador, or I shall take it as a conqueror. Allow us passage peacefully, and your lives will be spared by all present in my ranks.” Illua held the flag of peace forward.

The Pegasi guards raised their spears and their crossbows. A Unicorn leader of some rank called out from the parapet above. “You and your ponies are not allowed to pass beyond these gates, unless you submit in unconditional surrender, and atone for your crimes against the Crown.” He smirked for only a moment.

“So be it.” Illua kneeled down and hugged the foals. “I need you to go back to the camp. Have Zephyr Step and Wold take you back. Be good, okay?” The foals nodded, knowing what was to come next. She didn’t hide it from them, it would be worse to do so. They filtered back, getting out of the way of the soldiers she had trained. Illua downed a potion, and grimaced.

The unicorns levitated shields above the army, whilst Earth Ponies drew swords with their teeth. Pegasi mages collected mana in their wings, charging them with lighting. Illua raised the crimson flag. “Show the capital who truly represents you!” With her other hand, she snatched her tome up and opened it to a marked page. “Flarega!” A bead of light shot across the short distance to the gate, and tore it open with an explosion of white flame. There were no remains of the guards from the blast.

Illua let her ponies lead the charge, having them disperse into their units, capturing guard points and major passage ways, whilst Illua walked up the cobbled path directly to the castle. Each guard that approached her was immediately slain. Impaled by a stone spire. Decapitated. Incinerated. Shredded.

It wasn’t long before she was coated in the blood of an entire unit, her eyes burning with magic and fury. She approached the first of the castle gates. “Let me through, or you will add to my count.” A raised weapon. Another burst of arcane magic, and yet more bodies laying broken as Illua continued her warpath.

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The ponies in the room watched in horror, as each scene passed, seeing only the hatred and malice given off by the lone human. Rarity had fainted shortly after it had started. Pinkie Pie had deflated entirely. Fluttershy couldn’t stop crying. Twilight, Rainbow, and Applejack all looked on in wide eyed horror. Even Luna was taken aback. “Sister.. you survived this menace?”

“Luna, this isn’t done. This isn’t even the worst of it.”

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The smell of ash. The dripping of blood. The clicking of her boots on stone. Celestia watched as the avatar of war approached her, her blade glistening in the firelight of the buildings she struck. Families screamed as they tried to file into the gates behind their Princess.

“Celestia. I came to discuss a peaceful option. Your guards lay dead or captured. Nobles directly causing the deaths of many families under my banner are being raided and ruined. This must make me a villain, does It not?” The mistress of war spoke, her tone dripping with the venom of righteousness.

“Why are you killing innocents? Why must you-“ The sun goddess began, only to be cut off.

“Innocent my ass! The ponies you deemed of ‘noble lineage’ extorted, raped, and manipulated the common pony to do what? Line their pockets and plates, whilst mothers buried their children just before their own deaths? I’m fucking surprised it hasn’t happened sooner!”

“You could have sent a letter—”

“You ignored them, and had ‘Starswirl the kiss-ass’ reply to them in your stead!”

“You could have come—”

“Alone, and walk into a trap? Or did you mean for me to represent a species I don’t belong to by myself? Celestia, do you honestly think of me as the fool?” Illua spat out a mixture of her victims and her own blood. “I’m seeking Justice. I’m seeking an Equal opportunity for any being, regardless of what ‘tribe’ they belong to. For anyone to have the Right to pursue Happiness…. And all you’ve done is enable the privileged few.

“Then what do you suggest I do? I’m not the tyrant you think I am! I am not an absolute ruler, who’s word is Law!”

“If you cant fix it, then die.”

Illua lunged at Celestia, emancipating her wing from her shoulder, staining the once pristine coat with a constant flow of blood. “You allowed me to see and be stained by the darkness of a world once renowned for love and light… just like your sister.” Illua flicked her blade at the wounded warrior, coating her face in her own blood.

“Show me you truly deserve the title of Goddess.”

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“How.. how are we supposed to protect ourselves against that?” the purple princess looked horrified, turning to her mentor. “Is that why you don’t fly often?” Rainbow Dash’s concentration was broken by that comment, her own horrible realization choking her up, as she looked over at Celestia.

“While I was healed… I could have died that night, and not just from the Injuries. I could have died from blood loss. Illua not only knew how to fight me, but she knew how to make the fight a session of torment.” The sun goddess trembled, only to be comforted by her contrasting family.

“Celestia…” Luna nuzzled into her Sister, her own anger building in the back of her mind.

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Celestia hobbled into the burning hedge maze, her ears and head turning at every sound. Her wing was gone, the other was pierced, and hung at her side, inoperable. Her front left hoof was blackened from being struck by Illua’s magic. She had other small cuts, but they were nothing to the constant pain in her wings and hoof. She felt.. mortal.

“Celestia. Why do you run? Do you wish to escape your fate? Do you want your death to be private?” Illua spoke, the voice of a nightmare seemingly overlaid, giggling at her attempts to evade her.

The injured diarch limped towards the statue of Discord, the only unharmed thing in the garden. “D-Discord. I need your help. Please help me share your curse over to this nightmare, and I shall see to it you will be given a fair chance of justice as soon as my sister returns.” No response besides maniacal laughter echoing in her mind.

“Seems like even Discord is joyous at your defeat, and gets to see it in the front row.” Illua rose her blade, ready to strike. “Any final words?”

The wind whistled amongst the flame, as Illua provided her final mercy. However, it was her downfall. The flames turned an Icy blue around the combatants, and closed in, with Discord’s laughter echoing. “Very Well, Celestia. I shall grant you this boon. However, This is the last bit of my magic until I am freed. I do truly hope you keep your word to me better than you did to your ponies to protect them…” Discord Laughed again. While his statue never moved, the petrifying spell scattered across the ground, and ensnared the human’s feet, while stone, flame and wood surrounded her, binding her in place as the Element’s curse took root.

“Clever Celestia… However, I know this won’t keep me trapped for a thousand years. I bet I will be freed by the very monster you just dealt with. And you will only blame yourself. Maybe he might even help me just to END YOUR HYPOCRITICAL EXISTENCE!” Illua screamed, just as she was turned into one of the statues that decorate the garden.

Celestia called for the rain with the last vestiges of her mana, crying out in pain as the consequences of her actions broke her persona.

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“She is a threat to life. I regret not peacefully working with her then, and I was not ready for her release from stone… It took this entire battle for me to change my stances in court, and to put the nobility in their place.” Celestia’s eyes were wet with the same tears she shed in the memory, wiping them away with a wing.

“The Elements look distraught. They have dealt with the Nightmare, a changeling queen inflitratiing their society, Discord and his shenanigans, A tyrannical mage-king, and even a permanent resident of Tartarus. All who could be clearly defined as evil, in some manner. However, this human not only has shown mercy and kindness, but also tried to be peaceful… Is she even truly evil?” Luna spoke up finally as the crystal’s vision ended, looking at the group. “I would suggest you spend the night here. I will see if I can track her down this evening, whilst I ward your dreams from re-enacting what you saw today.”

Luna stood and replaced the crystal for her sister. “I’m off to raise the moon. Would you like me to set the sun as well?” Celestia nodded, allowing the maids to enter.

“I’m going to retire for now girls. The maids will escort you to rooms. Please take this evening and plan for your encounter with her.” With that statement, Celestia left, her thoughts manifesting as mutterings under her breath.

“Mother help us…”