//------------------------------// // Simmering // Story: Terror Puppet // by Windrunner //------------------------------// ' Those walking torments still haunt any that must engage them in direct combat. Even the two royals feel sick to their insides upon viewing them for any length of time. On the defenders must battle regardless, or the world itself may be lost to an unending decay and complete madness which will storm across it until nothing living remains. From the beginning of this sweeping cruelty it has proven to be no idle threat descended upon them from the mists of the past. The cloak of history has been dire and ever so cruel within these stilted moments brought forth by some unrelenting hidden will. As they fight the heroic defenders have given limb and life to staunch this wound upon reality and suffer for it mightily. It hurts in all ways. Where did the hope go? It was practically siphoned away when the real terrors were unleashed upon them. Something has felt wrong about the entire battle thus far to all and every pony and assorted force arrayed here against a definite and most vile evil. A threat so unprecedented there is nothing with which to compare. The wooden waltzing terrors are bad enough. Those incorporating metals and corpses are ever so much more disturbing to see. The fight itself is an assault on the sensibilities of all living that encounter them. Worse still, some of their weapons are rusted and so unclean as to possibly inflict further pain on any unfortunate enough to be run through with them and live. Would-be healers weep to treat them. Worst of all this myriad vileness, their real enemies lay elsewhere. Not in the slightest danger from the rigors of deadly combat. For the now they can but endure the seemingly endless onslaught pouring onto the field in heavy numbers. Whoever is truly in command of this army is no mere combatant, but someone who has clearly endured many battles before. Their tactics and approaches match any. A true testament to the ponies chosen field commander that his orders and battle lines have stood up to the constant probing and skirmishes ongoing at this very moment. Lists of casualties pass his eyes in mere seconds and he adjusts as their opponents do. The fight of their lives has come knocking at their doorsteps. "There is little more we can do that has not been done. Recall all remaining forces to the final defense line." The commander stated, clearly upset as Twilight looked on. The relatively new alicorn still not fully adjusted to her responsibilities and role in things was studious as ever. She could see the haunted look in his eyes and knew she must take an action. "Commander, listen to me. You have done more and succeeded more than we could have hoped. So well in fact that should we survive whatever happens next I will instate a new honor rank, that of Commander Ascendant. None could have done better. No one. It is alright to bear pride in this." She placed her hoof on his shoulder a moment, he nodded slowly in amazement. A moment later Celestia approached as the commander went about some necessary outfitting. "That was a very nice thing you did, Twilight. I hope it may come true." Celestia said, almost distantly. It was hard to see her so saddened and upset over events. Who would not be? To have friends destroyed and even family long gone retrieved from their places of rest and thrown at them in vicious array was unbearable. Insulting as well on the deepest and most profound level. A deep level of hurt so wide in breadth it defies any possible description. Those who have found themselves fighting the remains of their own fathers, mothers, brothers and kin have been hard-pressed not to shudder and fail in the face of them. "How many more must fall to this scourge? My heart hurts so. And Moondancer..." Twilight said to Celestia, sounding quite weak of voice a moment. Her friend and mentor of so long placed a wing over her warmly. "That which is good and right will always win out, Twilight. No matter how much it hurts, no matter how harsh and devastating the blow. We must believe in that single truth. Always." Her words felt to warm the heart and raise spirits. She was always good at oratory, if perhaps lacking in some other areas. A slight indictment on Celestia as a leader. Very slight. She was after all well over a thousand years of age and still powerful. Something Twilight could not as yet even approach imagining living through. "Please forgive me for asking, Celestia, but if he truly loved you so much how could he bring these horrors to bear upon us and especially you? How could he do this?" Twilight almost teared up and was a little frightened to broach this subject once more, but Celestia smiled in response? It was confusing. "He did. As much as any can love another. I suspect this may not be him. At least, not all of him. But he is not entirely gone either, and I almost missed it, I noticed in our last encounter he called me dear.." Celestia went silent. It wasn't much, but it might be more than nothing. If there was any chance whatsoever of reasoning with this, it likely lay only there. A griffon messenger of very dark feathering, almost unseen in the dimness approached quickly in a huff. "Forgive the interruption, princess, your presence is requested in the rear triage area at once. I am to tell you it is urgent." She looked at Twilight and bowed their head slightly before taking off immediately. Celestia and Twilight, one of the few hopes in this battle looked to each other, and over to the commander. Both he and the entire command staff were donning the most ornate gleaming armor and dangerous looking weapons of all sorts. Even in the dimmed light they looked glorious. They would have to join in the fray when it reached the town. It would not be long now. "Go quickly, Twilight. It is about to get very bad indeed." Celestia waved her off. She was correct about that. Once engaged in the very town streets their struggles would only get so much more difficult. Twilight quickly made her way over the now somewhat unfamiliar streets. Making sure to stay below the shielding emplaced by her personal protege. Something she never anticipated having. Students, powers, duties, responsibilities. Right now the only one of import: protecting as much and as many as she could manage. In some way she was almost disappointed to have been held back by the others, but knew they were right. Wasting power and effort now could cost them the entirety. Everything, gone. It hurt to even imagine. She found Fluttershy standing in the doorway of a building set aside for treating the injured. Far as possible from the ever shifting battle lines skirting so close to town. Soon it may not matter where anyone was. "Twilight, come in quick!" She hurried followed inside towards a separate room to find her brother in a bed beside Starlight, who was surprisingly awake and a doctor hovering over them both. "Shining!" Twilight could not help but wince at how terrible he looked, but he opened his eyes and turned his head towards her. He was battered and injured severely, but not dead. "How is he?" She asked the brightly teal coated pegasus doctor with a shock of mane drooped over his face which he blew out of the way. He was clearly tired and moved slowly, but was obviously laboring to do everything he could for those who were gravely wounded. He looked up at her question. "He's lucky to be alive. Three broken ribs, multiple fractures, several abrasions and multiple contusions. Two lacerations. There were numerous unicorn healers near when it happened or..well luckily he's mostly alright. Please excuse me." He began tending to a pony out in the hallway on a stretcher in such dire condition she could very well die soon. Judging by her injuries she had fought hard, as expected of a royal guard. It felt so bad to look upon her. "Excuse me a moment." Twilight stepped out of the room and went towards her and doctor. Her eyes widened to see a princess approaching. "Princess." The guard almost went to get up. "No no, don't move. Dear soul, I see you have defended us bravely and with conviction. I am so sorry it demanded you be hurt so, please forgive us for asking so much of you." Twilight placed a hoof on the bed beside her, looking into her face and smiled. She was younger than expected, her life maybe cut short by all of this. Her breathing was heavy and ragged, difficultly drawn. It was wrong. Like everything else happening. Why? "Thank you so much for your service." Twilight bowed to her. The guard responded quietly. "Princess, you don't have to.." The guard said but Twilight hushed her. Other very injured patients looked on in a quiet awe of her doing such an unheard of thing. "Yes, I do. You are one our subjects, and we care for you greatly. All of you. Thank you." Twilight looked around the room, saddened by the sight of so many injured. She hoped this may brighten their spirits a little. She returned her gaze to the poor girl. She was fading in and out of consciousness, her eyes fixated on Twilight who sat and held her hoof. "It's..alright.." She sort of wheezed and ceased speaking as her eyes flickered shut. The doctor stepped in and listened to her chest then shook his head. "I'm sorry, she's gone." He softly pulled a sheet up over her and had an assistant wheel her out. The doctor looked heartbroken as Twilight let go. "I did my best..I couldn't.." So many were weeping or in pain here. The doctor teared up and wiped them away, "I have to get back to.." He went to say. Twilight stood to her full height, wings outstretched regally. "I ask only that you continue to do so. I know it hurts, but she is free of this pain now. For the moment focus on those who yet live. We can grieve for the departed later in true monument to their lives. I promise we will honor every last one of them in grand fashion and praise them all their sacrifice." A promise she hoped rang true to those around her. "I will do my utmost to ensure no such sacrifice here is in vain, I swear it on all their names and deeds." Twilight bowed towards the other patients and returned to the room, closing the door. Inside she found a shock. "That was wonderful, darling." Rarity and Trixie had slipped in through another door unseen during that display. "Trixie, Rarity!? What are you doing here? Are you alright?" Twilight stammered out, their horns did look okay now. Certainly better than before when they were blackened on the surface from so much strain and overburn. "Yes yes, we are alright. We came back because this is too important." Rarity responded. Trixie then interjected. "Also, can't have you showing me up again can we? No way would I be anywhere else." She said sincerely. "Are you kidding? Even I could barely have done what you did." It was a true complement from the princess. For once Trixie was taken aback for a second. "I..well thank you, princess." It was unusual for her to address Twilight in quite that way. Everyone knew how serious the situation was becoming. She went back to her brother. "And you ya foalish pony, you almost got yourself bashed to death! Be careful you dope!" She admonished him. He smirked back at her impishly. "Hi to you too sis. Good to see you're still intact." He grunted, and slowly rose to his hooves, heading towards his heavy plate in the corner. He was veritably wrapped in bandaging. "And just what do you think you're you doing?" She intoned, confused as the others looked on. "What do you think? Getting back out there." He began to don his armor. "Wait, you're hurt so badly." Twilight cringed a bit as he pulled and strained to get it on properly. "I can hurt later or rest when I'm dead like the rest of us. Right now we have a job to do, don't we?" He gave a wide smile to them as he said it, obviously in pain he was suppressing. "I guess you're right. Not just a captain of the guard anymore are you, brother of mine?" She said half-jokingly. "Oh ha ha. You ever notice we both made it to being royalty? Our paths just diverged a little in getting there. You think it's destiny perhaps?" He said and finished putting on the armor. It was so heavy and enchanted so much to give a fighting chance. He was strong despite being wounded. It was a clear strain for him to wear it now, but he must. "No way. We have earned our way several times over already. Rarity, Trixie. Stick with me for the rest of this. You are both unicorns and will be needed during whatever is coming at us next." Twilight motioned. "Hold it! You aren't going anywhere without me!" Starlight had quietly slipped out of bed. "But.." The princess went to say but Starlight hushed her in turn and groaned but was moving. "I don't want to hear it. Besides, I seem to recall saving you last time around first. I think that makes us even." Starlight gloated just a little. It evoked a bit of laughter from them all. "You..you are all stubborn as mules!..and I would not have it any other way. Let's get ready. This is surely going to be terrible." Twilight smiled, a heavy smile weighted down by responsibility but sincerity. "Back to it then." Her brother stated simply and they walked out to be greeted by an odd stirring in the town guards. "What is going on?" Twilight asked of a pegasi messenger that happened to be flying past who landed and saluted. She was still not used to that salute being given to her. She never imagined her path in life reaching princesshood before it happened. "Princess, all of the..three dragons have joined us and the things are pulling back!" She saluted and rushed off. "What trickery is this now, Twi?" Rarity said in a bit of a huff at the news. Dragons? So some got here in time to aid. "Let's get over to Celestia and see." She intoned and they all headed to her location. Their own forces were gathering in the town in numbers. More were left than she anticipated. That was good. They held up well under this onslaught. Both the royals were there. The town air was veritably crackling with magic as those of any persuasion towards magic incanted and intoned minor wards and spells of protection and proficiency of all levels up and down on soldiery and armor alike. Strengthening and preparing what little they could to aid in their survivability and combat ability. It would have to do. "Sister, could we possibly have them on the gallop?" Luna wondered aloud. Celestia shook her head slowly. "Ah, Twilight. I see you and most of your retinue are here once more..good. Tell me, what do you see?" She asked. Twilight took up a position above on the command platform with a telescope and looked afar, then gasped. "Now who is this one supposed to be? That is no one I recognize or have heard of. There is even a flag bearer with them? What is this?" Twilight asked, feeling a slight shiver having looked upon them suddenly take her. Luna spoke. "You feel it now. That cold, worse than before. Dark and empty as a void of nothing. Sister, what new sickness of the heart is this? That one appears as the very ponification of Justice incarnate? That is senseless." Her speech was very grave. "Look closer my sister. Their armor. The flag, their banner, their livery. Who is with them. Do you not see the cruel joke? Not them. Not her! Anyone but them..." Celestia looked down forlornly and moaned as though in severe pain. Squinting and using the same telescope Luna nearly choked after a moment, her eyes having gone wide in shock. "What? Who is that? What's wrong?" Twilight wanted so badly to help her friend and mentor. Applejack and Pinkie stood by silently as well. The only one not present here was Fluttershy. That was expected. Her skills served better elsewhere. "I'm surprised you missed it, Twilight. That immaculate uniform. Such cruelty. This is bitter, a terrible hurt for my sister. Beside that gleaming figure of mockery stands the original general of the E.U.P. made a twisted sickness herself. General Firefly herself is held aloft there! How could they?" Luna choked back tears herself and continued. "The other dressed as Justice externally, is in truth..a representation of War itself. So disgusting. It sickens me. This is beyond depraved!" Luna sounded truly irate. How unusual for her. Usually collected like the night itself as befit her. "A final battle to decide our absolute fate. Where else would she be? But she should be standing at our side, not theirs. Not this." Celestia took a very deep ragged breath and steadied herself. "No, it is not her. This is an attempt to intimidate and dishearten and I will not fall for it. Firefly departed us long ago and should have been left to peace. This affront will not go unanswered." Celestia raised her head and the enhanced speakers scattered throughout Ponyville rang with her voice to address all. Everypony ceased any action and listened intently. "Friends and kin, my dear subjects. No..our loyal subjects. Our dutiful guards. Hear our words now." She spoke regally and with purpose. "The army before us has sought to break our spirits and failed. They have sought to break our bodies, and failed. Have sought to shatter our minds, and failed. Now they seek to taint, to stain the very honor and history of the wonderbolts themselves! An earth pony may well wonder, what does this matter to them? I will tell you. There was once an earth pony wonderbolt who soared the skies on a glider as a full and valued member! What of us unicorns you might ask? From the very beginning the E.U.P. welcomed all and found a role for any who wished to serve in their ranks in some capacity. This affronts all of your honor! Before us stands a slight to general Firefly herself! To this I say, let us show her spirit the full might, the honor, ability, and legacy of what she wrought so long ago and make her proud once more!" Celestia stood silent. A massive distant cheer went up throughout the whole town and quieted down once more. Luna spoke as well. "Yes, cheer. Be alive in the coming fight. Harry them and wield all the power we possess! Strike at them like never before! Let us not forget our allies forged in fire and flame with us who have hit them hard thrice over. I also inform you a small contingent of dragons have managed to join the fight with us and lend their strength! As they join, join me and stomp. Stomp your hooves, rake them with your claws and talons! Griffons, yaks, changelings and more. Dragons spout and spew gouts of flames so the very heavens may reverberate with our defiance, our battle cry!" A mass thudding was heard throughout in response to her and there were indeed a few geysers of flames upwards to spread hope throughout. She nodded her approval. They were ready. "Wow, Luna.. that speech was absolutely inspiring. You've been practicing your modern equestrian. I can tell. Did you read those books I gave you?" Twilight sounded excited herself. "Uh er..ah...ahem. Yes, I did. They were quite informative." Luna sort of stepped from hoof to hoof, blushing. Dash stood off to the side, looking to be in a huff. "Why, Dashie, whatever is the matter girl?" Rarity questioned. "General Firely is what's the matter. This is so insulting! She was the one Celestia there first chose to found the E.U.P. and I can't stand it!" Dash grumbled deeply. "Dash, I didn't know you took such pride in anything." Rarity joked, looking pleased. "Oh hah. Hmph." Dash crossed her forelegs, sitting as they awaited the next move. She looked quite different in that pegasus battle armor. It would surely not be long in coming. Their enemies generally wasted precious little time. "Something still bothers me. One pony alone could not possibly control so many puppets at once could he? All of this would take more power than all of us have together. Even adding Starlight and my brother. They must be using some relic or more than one?" Twilight mused. The royals agreed. There must be something more to it. Pinkie piped up. "I don't know what relish has to do with this." She said and the rest found themselves snickering. "Ahem. Pinkie, relic. Not relish." Twilight got hold of herself and explained. "Ohhh. That makes a lot more sense." She looked amazed. Pinkie would always be Pinkie no matter what. That felt kind of good to know. It was a good thing under this mountain of terror that was heaped upon them all. "We have been out of the loop for a good long while. Fill us in dears?" Rarity asked. Both her and Trixie went wide-eyed to hear the full extent of what was actually happening here in their absence. "Vile villainous and disgusting. He has betrayed pony kind this badly? I feel faint." Rarity was so disturbed she was not even speaking like her usual self. "They could also really use a fresh coat of paint.." Rarity would always be herself too it seemed. "Twilight, shouldn't we attack while they are gathering?" Rainbow Dash was eager to join in the fray again now. "No, they would not leave themselves open to a counterattack now. We would lose far more than gained in such an assault." Celestia though upset was still viewing things from a tactical and strategic level. Luna voiced her agreement of the assessment. The commander and his staff were outfitted now fully and looked to be a force to be reckoned with. They lined up in shimmering array and readied themselves. Surely it would be soon and the enemy would return in full force. "How many do you think we have left, and the enemies disposition?" The commander would likely not have time for a full count to be taken and asked for an estimation. For the moment pony forces held up exceedingly well. "Half each or a little more of what we started with. It has been a nearly even battle except for those..terrifying things." Twilight indicated. Those monstrosities of puppets with massive power and odd abilities. Only one more was felt to be present. "It will come after us again presently, won't it dear sister mine?" Luna already knew the answer but asked anyway. "It will. This one feels much different. You sense it right, Twilight? Starlight?" Celestia looked towards them. "I don't know about you but everything surrounding this entire battle has felt wrong. I don't think anypony in a hundred miles could avoid feeling this however. This just feels even MORE wrong!" Starlight shuddered a little. She was also still ragged from that hard smash she took earlier and looked terrible. "Are you sure about this, Starlight? You could flee to the crystal empire with Sunburst and assist in its defense if we fail.." Twilight suggested. "No. I will not run away with my tail between my legs. This has become a second home to me and I will protect it to my dying breath even if it is flattened and must be rebuilt. It is the least I can do for you and yours. You helped pull me from such a dark place. I won't abandon the ponies I have come to love and care for." Starlight glanced towards Trixie who blushed slightly at the look. "Trixie..will not run either. She will stand and fight." Trixie stepped forward, and somewhat jokingly spoke in her stage persona. "I don't know how much I can help, but whatever I can do I will. I'm just an illusionist." She said demurely. "Do not belittle yourself, especially now. Illusions can be supremely powerful as this war thrust upon us has proven. If only you were in Canterlot when it started. With your knowledge of illusions you may have seen through their trickery sooner and been able to provide us warning." Celestia extolled. Trixie bowed a little, almost shocked at the compliment. "I don't know what to say, princess. Trixie is humbled you believe in her." She looked a bit melancholy now. "We all deserve respect for our accomplishments. Big or small." Celestia and Luna stood together and beamed. "He will be coming soon with whatever is left of that joke resembling an army. Have we a plan?" The commander said. "Only one. When they come, throw everything that's left at them. Don't hold back. Weapons and equipment reserves mean nothing now. Tactics win battles, strategies win wars, but in this I think we are at the end of both.." Celestia trailed off. "I dunno bout y'all but my hooves are itchin' to start hittin'" Applejack was rested up and ready for a brawl. "Good, we're gonna need the heavy-hitters too." Twilight said as she gave a nervous glance backwards. "I do have a question. How did those three fully grown dragons even get here?" Twilight asked, quite curious. "When we sent out missives explaining to everyone equestria might fall and endanger them all some came flying." Luna began to explain. "Only that small group could make it. They found the very cloud cover above rebuffed them and even wounded some with some mystically empowered lightning so for many many miles they..walked. It seemed geared specifically to halt dragons. Only three managed to tread their way here. The rest could not get through. They are true allies to our cause. Powerful warriors to have with us. It is good you gained their trust and respect, Twilight. A question then, where is Spike in all this? I have not seen him on the field during any action as yet." Luna looked impressed by their sheer will to join the fight. "They could die here and came to our aid anyway. I know dragons are renowned for strength, courage, ferocity and endurance, but having had to walk all that way... As for Spike, he has been ensuring something for me. He is present." Was all Twilight would say about that for now. "I hope it has been worth his absence throughout all the fighting." Luna said in her usual cool demeanor. "It..might well be.." Twilight said a little distantly. "However things may be, we are about to face a powerful foe indeed. Stay alert. I know everypony is tired, hurting or much worse. I have informed those being treated for injuries that if they can so much as stand then they must fight. It is such an awful thing to demand of them." Celestia was truly dismayed by it all despite her outward appearance of control and calm. An art learned over centuries of leadership. Portraying oneself thus always kept those around her more focused. "Belief is a truly powerful thing, Twilight. We believe we can win. Perhaps we can. If any of us thought otherwise we all would have fled by now. We must keep our wits about us. Since this entire battle has been one huge delaying action on our part it must be made to count. Their final attack will be brutal, Pinkie, Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity. Starlight. You know by now the horrors that have been sent in mannered array against us. Are you prepared to face this doom with us? I would not hold it against any of you if not. You have done more than it is our right to ever have called upon you for." Celestia looked to each in turn. The entire group slowly nodded their heads. Pinkie was unusually quiet and subdued. That hurt a lot. "None of you deserved to see such suffering. You are brave and strong examples of pony kind. Since we have some time as enemy battle orders are set. Twilight, if they would accept though it means little and is a trifle I wish to now bestow upon each of your friends the title, Dame. Also your absent friend. Each a true and ardent defender of equestria and all it stands for. Step forward if you will accept this honor." Luna intoned in her particular regal fashion. They all glanced at Twilight. "What's'at mean Twi?" Pinkie whispered loudly with a hoof up the opposite side of her face. "It means you are being knighted, Pinkie. All of you, this is a great honor." Twilight looked actually happy for a moment. "I hope you do not feel it vain of me to bestow this now, but we may not see the morrow. I offer this as the only thanks I may yet offer thee." Luna looked at each of them with a proud gleam in her eyes. "Aw shucks, princess Luna. Ya'll know ah ain't one for fancy titles and all that, but considerin'.. I humbly accept." Applejack stepped forward and bowed, followed by the rest beside her. "Then I hereby decree each of you guardians of equestria with all such title entails." Luna rested her horn on each of their shoulders in turn and with it aglow adorned each of them a crosswise sash displaying a medal of rank then stood back. "I will attend the same to Fluttershy later if it proves possible. I hope I may. Good fortune to you all in the moments ahead of us." Luna gave a rare smile that warmed the heart and emboldened the soul of all that beheld it. "Are these magical!? I feel all giddy!" Pinkie bounced up and down like a schoolfilly. "Pinkie Pie you're aaalways giddy!" Rainbow Dash joked waving her forehooves about and they all laughed together in a needed moment of levity which brought smiles even to the surrounding personal guards, hostilities would resume soon. enough "Though yes, these intricate badges of honor have minor protections inscribed upon and into their very makeup." Celestia said after the laughter subsided. "May they serve you well. You best prepare yourselves as you are able. I am certain their next assault will come within the next two hours and will be intended to break us entirely. The presence of three dragons will only bolster us so much and perhaps even enrage the enemy." The commander trotted over to them in his finery and looked very impressed as he spoke. "It amazes me what little things can mean in dire moments. Rainbow Dash. I have only one real further order to give you and yours for the duration. Survive if you are able. If this does not come to pass, well..I will see you beyond the veil. Inform your squad and give Spitfire my commendation on spectacular combat flying." He saluted and they all returned it then went about their business. "Luna..do you not feel that other..presence? I think it might be..one of those..." Celestia spoke oddly haltingly. "You don't mean..it can't be such a thing." Her sisters expression became truly shocked for a moment. "Yes, it is there. All this overwhelming power has kept it masked underneath. There is a named weapon on the field." Celestia responded. Twilight leaned forward a little at the unusual phrasing. "Forgive me but, what is a 'named weapon'? I don't recall ever reading anything about that?" Twilight was always curious. "An ensorcelled weapon of old used in the ages of strife. Like the scythe from before.." Luna glanced at her injured leg. "Perhaps worse. They were imbued with terrifying maledictions of destruction and mayhem the likes of which we have never seen in our time. Much like the medals your friends now bear, but a thousand times over more powerful than even us combined. I imagined them all destroyed many ages ago. They are things that do not belong in this world. Any evil we have faced is as nothing before this one approaching. Whatever it costs, it must be sent back whence it came. It would seem he was not lying about his ability to leave our world bereft of all life." Celestia looked truly shaken by this. "Don't worry, my friend. We will put an end to this madness. We will." Twilight patted her gently on the side in comfort. "This here stallion is gettin mah hackles up a mite bad Twi." Applejack sounded quite upset by this point. "This is getting us all mad A.J." Rainbow had a look of sheer rage cross her muzzle. "Wait a minute!" Pinkie Pie suddenly said loudly making them all jump a little. "Oops, sorry. If we all get super angry doesn't that mean they've done what we don't want him to do to us and we already lost?" Pinkie was super serious about this as was apparent by her demeanor. They all went slack-jawed for a second. "She is right. Losing ourselves will not avail us here." Luna nodded her approval of the thought. "True anger does not become us or represent the real truth we have fought so hard for all our lives. Falling to it would shatter our resolve. We fight for love and peace, bear that in mind." Celestia had regained her composure proper. "Get a little rest if you can. It will not be so very long." The royals waved them off for the moment but bid Twilight stay a moment. "Yes?" She asked. "If you have any plans for this one, it is time to share them." Luna fixed her gaze straight at her. Even as a princess herself that was disconcerting. "Not a plan, exactly. There is the weapon I have been holding in reserve. I.. truly do not wish to use it. If there is any way to avoid it whatsoever.." She went to continue but Luna raised her hoof. "That is all we need to hear. If you have kept it this long then you have great reason." Luna looked over to her sister. "Yes. If there was ever a time to keep something for, it is soon to be upon us. Why we have been beset by such horrors we may never know, but they are here. This may very well be the end of us. Should we be found wanting, let us make the truest effort of it nonetheless." Celestia said grimly. How unusual for her. "Aye, dear sister. I feel it necessary to apologize once more. I allowed myself to slip into some of that same terrible darkness once and for that I am sorry.." Luna nodded to her curtly. "No need, sister. You suffered more than enough for it as well. Let us go put on our finest." They strolled off to waiting guards. Twilight sat there pondering a moment before heading off for a little rest herself. She checked in on Fluttershy. "Hey. How are you doing?" The question was probably silly. "I'm..okay. I just never thought..." Fluttershy teared up a little. Twilight looked at her and tears flowed forth as well, giving each other a tight hug. "You didn't deserve to witness this. None of us did. I'm so sorry." Twilight wiped them away. "Are you staying? You don't have to be here.." Twilight asked. Fluttershy slowly nodded. "If I'm going to lose my friends I wouldn't be anywhere else." Fluttershy said quietly as she tended to yet another injured guard who seemed to have lost an eye as his head was wrapped in thick bandaging. Despite this he was insisting to be allowed back out onto the field. Such proud warriors were here. "My you're a tough one, aren't you?" Fluttershy said to him. "I will not sit idly while others fight for me." He was as true to the guards code as could be. "I won't stand in your way. I bid you give us your absolute best, as one of the best is watching us in spirit." Twilight told him. He nodded and trotted out. "What did you mean by that?" Fluttershy asked. She hadn't heard, busy in the treatment area as she was. Other patients ears pricked at the question as well. She and they went a bit wide-eyed as Twilight explained what they were facing. "So that's what that noise outside was. How could anypony in all the world be this evil, Twi?" Fluttershy swallowed hard as she spoke. There were few who could be more stressed than her after all. That was so painful to see. "I don't know. I don't want to know. I just want to put a stop to this horror. Like we all do." Twilight said and excused herself to gain a few moments much needed respite. She barely managed to find any sleep for going on a week now and it was finally starting to catch up to her. This would be a most inopportune time to do precisely as she instructed the commander not to. Succumb to fatigue. She informed a solar guard to fetch her the moment any puppets approached again. Nearly immediately she fell slumped into a half-dazed rest upon a cot in the tent she currently occupied. It would not last nearly long enough. Protected as she was surrounded by hundreds of resolute guards and loyal servants, mages of the highest standing and all manner of magic practitioner and potions maker alike she was not safe here. Nor would anywhere in the entire world be safe if this was not ended conclusively here, now. It would drag on for who knows how many years until it all fell with none who could stop it. It was clear, they did have the power to cleanse the world of all who would fight for it and their right to go on and would use it without remorse or pity. No mere army of any caliber could contend with this kind of onslaught. Her thoughts waxed and waned, mulling over the past days. Their short-lived triumphs and rapid losses. There with her eyes half-lidded Twilight beheld a short daydream wherein a yawning bottomless precipice opened out wide before her winged figure. A dark and endless well bereft of life and care, but it was somehow alive with activity which gazed into her very soul. There was disdain for her there, little more than empty tracts of vile mountainous hatred made manifest somehow. Twilight shuddered in the dark before this mighty entity composed of little more than anger itself. She awoke with a start and groaned. She held a hoof to the side of her head as if she'd taken a great slam there, moaning. "This has gone on too long. It has to be ended. I may have no choice but.." She glanced outside where an odd sound was rising. Twilight rose and stepped outside to find the guard she'd instructed to wake her. "Princess Twilight, do you hear something? It sounds like, singing?" The guard tilted his head. It did sound like that. She made her way to the royals, finding her brother and the commander there. "Rainbow Dash, are all the pegasi.. singing something?" Twilight asked of her longtime friend and now battle hardened warrior as well. She looked ragged and worn as they all did, but ready to pick up the fight at any time. Luna nodded. "It is an old pegasi battle hymn, Twilight. Rarely used. A little bit modified. They have earned the right to sing it, I think. Yes, sister?" Luna looked over to Celestia. "Anything which keeps them going at this point." Celestia said curtly. She looked more tired and weary than anypony Twilight had ever laid eyes on in her entire life. That point may hurt most of all. There she stood in all her glory, glinting polished regalia barely lending its light to her features. Diminished somehow. Lesser feeling, looking. Strained and tired for centuries woes, trials and tribulations. Yet still she stood there, monumental as the very rock of Canterlot Mountain itself. Alongside her the only thing Twilight wished was for this to be over, to stand with her mentor once more on the great battlements of Canterlot castle and watch the bustle of the ponies living below. That felt a distant dream from long ago. Did she ever really stand on those lofty heights? It felt like this battle was dragging on for ages and eons. The horror, brutality and mystery of it all vexed her mightily. Slain families that deserved no such fate, father and foal alike were not spared this indignity. The utter humiliation of being turned into weapons of war dug at the psyche of all who faced them down. All this Twilight witnessed in the past days. Mothers corpses strung aloft like playthings only to march and maim and kill their own. Even a rare few hippogriff skeletons stalked the battlefield. However they wound up in the enemy cohort could only be guessed at. They must be ancient as well. How old were some of these she wondered? Some must be thousands in age. The dracolich was of an age untellable. What new horror awaited across from them? Preparing to step forth and bring carnage with it once more. Dash looked less annoyed now and more like a tornado of emotions made flesh. "My dear teacher, I am so sorry this happened to you. To all of us. If anypony did not deserve this, neither of you.." Twilight said to the royals. "It is alright. I have made my peace with it. What has happened is over, what comes next is up to us. Listen to them." Celestia waved out over the throng of pegasi singing their age old battle chant, carried through the air far and wide. "Hoof to hoof we stand together Basking under gracious light Marching forth to sound like thunder Heralding the faithful night Side by side we fear no sorrow Soaring skies of black or grey Victory calls us to tomorrow Our enemies shall not win the day" "Never thought ah would see such a sight, Twi." Applejack still very keenly felt she did not belong here and it could be seen in her face. Her eyes though angered were also haunted by all which had transpired over the last week. "We've all been through a lot, but it is almost over. Either way. I intend to make it our way." Twilight said with conviction and determination. Pinkie Pie held up of all things a tray of truly delicious looking cupcakes, all frosted and sprinkled. The finest any had ever seen. She looked expectant, though not her usual self she was still Pinkie. "Wanna cupcake? They're superliciously extravagantly scrumptious!" Pinkie held out the tray. Twilight felt like laughing. She barely managed to hold down the urge to do so. "I..those look lovely, Pinkie. Sure, why not?" Twilight and each took one which proved to most definitely be one of the bakers finest creations to date. It tasted sublime. "When did you find time to make these, miss Pie?" Luna asked as she also partook, Celestia and Twilights brother as well. Utterly delicious. Mouthwatering. Eating them felt like something from an age long gone and nearly forgotten already. The commander took one as well, earning a look of surprised delight from her. "These gotta be the best durned cupcakes I ever tasted, Pinkie!" Applejack could not help but blurt out. Pinkie smiled wide a moment. Something which had been missing for far too long already amongst this misery. "I wanted to do something for my friends. My best friends. Just..just in case.." She was almost aquiver on the edge of tears. "It's alright, Pinks. We're all here together right?" Rainbow Dash smiled at her. "Right, we gonna show them what fer?" Applejack said to Dash. "Oh yeah." Rainbow said as they smacked their hooves together. "They are coming. You all better be ready for this." The commander indicated towards the enemy lines where the amassed horde of distressing puppets lurched in formation towards the town. They seemed countless in number. "We could be no more prepared than we are now. Sound the alert." Shining Armor ordered as he took lead of what remained of crystal empire forces. The towns staunch defenders sprang to life as they readied for an all out assault. The three dragons that managed to make it here arranged themselves abreast to cover both corners and the center of town. Despite their impressive power and size they alone would not be anywhere near enough to turn this. Enemy forces carried powerful weapons to match. "That was good. Unfortunately this is going to be extremely bloody. Even if we could match them hoof for hoof we cannot hope to contend with them by weapons alone. The presence of dragons at our aid warms my heart, but this is like no battle ever recorded. Be on your guard, everyone, and keep your wits about you. They have doubtless kept the worst of it for last. I would." The commander in his impressive gleaming gilded armor stated more as matters of fact than anything else. everypony nodded in agreement. There was never any doubt about the enemies intentions to absolutely crush all remaining resistance here. The gathering puppeted horde was difficult to gauge in number, but likely about as expected. The heavy puppet was actually leading from the front. It lurched as it walked like the rest, but this one was far more detailed. It wore the heaviest full armor any had ever seen. It was ornate and intricately detailed. It seemed every last inch of it coated in gilding and runes whose purpose could only be guessed at. It was all black and gold, the helm had obvious glowing runes above each eye gleaming blue so intensely it seemed to form horns above the horn which already protruded from it. Strapped to the right hoof it wore a gold buckler shield emblazoned with of all things a sun in fine relief, covered in wicked looking spiky protrusions to deter any attacker. In its muzzle it carried a sword of clear pony make. The ebony black hilt and golden blade was etched throughout with runes so thoroughly it was made difficult to so much as look upon. The glowing blade was obviously beyond deadly. Anything unfortunate enough to be struck down by such an obviously evil blade would surely be completely destroyed. This was a weapon made for nothing other than total annihilation. A complete anathema to pony ways and thinking. All who looked upon it could not help but shudder. "Why..why would anypony have crafted such a despicable thing? It is ugliness incarnate. Beautiful work, but I can tell it is disgusting underneath. Such fine work, but why Twilight? Why?.." Rarity stumbled over her words even as she took in the craftwork. "There have been a few ponies throughout our history that did not understand or care for the truth. That kind of evil always costs more than it gives. Always. There is no doubt." Twilight said resolutely and sure of her words. Luna nodded. "Twilight is right. This is a sickness on the world brought about by wicked machinations and a complete lack of anything beyond hate. That kind of power demands a price so high it is idiocy to even consider paying." She said, unusually bluntly for the princess of night. Beside the slowly approaching terror was the skeleton of general Firefly. This must hurt Celestia so badly inside, they all thought though more attention was being paid to the awful puppet and that horrific blade it carried. What new manner of terror did this represent? Each attack presented some new misery and this would surely prove the same. "My poor friend. To be so desecrated this way is reprehensible and unforgivable. The perpetrators of these heinous acts must face justice for their actions." Celestia was unusually quiet, staring at the lurching puppets heading for the town. The golden hoofboots the large one wore were practically wreathed in little arcs of what looked like lightning, and similarly absolutely covered in dark runes of vile power that could be felt so much as seen. horrifying in all aspects. "So, this is the representation of..War?" Twilight asked of her mentor. "It is. I never thought to see such an apparition astride a battlefield. It embodies all the horrors of war indeed. The black cloak it wears over that armor is soaked in pony blood.." Celestia pointed out. Rarity held a hoof to her head and almost fainted for real at the suggestion of such a thing. This almost seemed beyond things ponies could or would ever do. "This is sick. Cloaks coated in blood now? I have never heard of these magics or tactics." Starlight could not help but interject. It was truly a horrifying thing to behold, and the feelings it elicited only getting worse on approach. "Shock value, little more. Pay it no mind and let it not affect your judgments or actions as that is their wish and want." Luna bid. She looked out across the wantonly inflicted field of pain and dead, shaking her head. "Of course, princess. They want to devalue us, make us sloppy or careless in our reaction to their outrages. Everything they do has been hideous and purposeful. Every last action intended to cause pain on all possible levels, but they face us." The commander was right as he spoke, confident and sure of their righteousness. His retinue agreed. Soon enough battle would be joined again and this would determine the final result of all their efforts to stymie the enemy in their tracks. "Well Twi, looks we're in for the big game now so ta speak. We can win this if we just hold it together, right?" Applejack said with that distinctive twang to her speech. Twilights expression naturally showed deep thought and concern with a measured intensity. She grit her teeth. "Yes." Her terse response did sound assured of this despite the gravity of the situation before them. The lurching horde of puppets and slung corpses appeared almost like an immense mass of insects trudging towards their beloved town. "I spent so much time here. I do not want to see Ponyville destroyed even in its own defense." Rainbow waved over the town. "We all have a lot of good memories here. Mostly good anyway. Everyone encounters a few rough patches along the way, but this.. there is no excuse or reason to take away life like this. It is wrong." Twilight blinked a few times as she spoke. She was clearly fatigued simply from seeing it all unfold. Applejack pat her on the back. "Y'all know how ah feel bout this town. If they tear down every brick of every last home we swear it will be rebuilt to the last detail. Every single one. Right Dashie?" Applejack certainly loved the town and was known throughout as they all were by now. No one could live there for long without coming to see and know each of them in their turn. She nodded. Somewhere out there was a pony who had fallen so low he would without pause or care threaten the entire world. Not just ponies but everyone everywhere. It seemed to speak only to madness. All throughout Twilight found herself thinking about him. What could drive anyone to take any measure so drastic as to inflict merciless destruction on every single living thing? His intention was stated to do so with no ambiguity. Inflict pain and kill. The concept alone tore at her mind, the very antithesis of all she stood for and attempted with all her being to embody and live up to. Occasionally she'd failed in this and knew that was so. Such failures did not come close to driving her to a feverish madness or want to brutally harm others. Twilight also knew there was no possible way somepony in the grips of utter madness could have arranged for such an errand. She'd faced off against evil forces before. This felt different. Manic, raging. Hatred was there for certain, but why? "I can't understand. This goes against everything I know. Everything I feel. Why is there such anger out there?" Twilight muttered loudly enough for the others to hear. "It doesn't matter anymore. It is here and coming for us. Why is of no concern until we win the battle, Twilight." Celestia said, sounding more in the moment. The throng of puppets was closing with the defenders, slow as it was. Steadily writhing. This was surely another display meant to intimidate and dishearten, sicken even. To some degree it worked. The approaching chill was so much worse than ever. That puppet held immense power as the others, but also some weapon heretofore not unleashed against them for whatever reason. Each was worse than the last. How long could anyone endure this? The odd downwards pressure was back along with it. Not so strong as with the king puppet, but enough to hinder movement and make each action require focused planning if it was to be survived. This was truly intended to break them at last. The commander strode about commending and offering appreciation for all the guards hard fight so far. They deserved it. So many dead. How many would it take? This thought ran throughout each and everyone present. Could they stand up to this after so much? The answer would be forthcoming soon. "It approaches. Shall we go greet our guests, dear sister?" Luna spoke gravely though it sounded as if a joke to be made. "We shall. There is no chance of negotiation or surrender even if we were so inclined. We may as well hear whatever further depravity it has to spill before the coming bloodshed. Anything to give these brave souls a few more precious moments of life." Celestia stood still a moment before taking the lead beside her sister. The contrast between was always striking. Celestia was always warm. Luna mostly distant and aloof, cool. Both were always approachable and friendly since their being reunited after a full millennia spent apart. Between them all they did hold significant power. Arrayed behind them were remaining mages and scurrying guardsponies taking up whatever position might afford a chance of survival or at least taking out as many of the roaming horrors as they possibly could before the inevitable end. Pegasi squads arranged themselves accordingly. Still could be heard the resounding battle hymn floating upon the air. They would put up a good fight whatever happened. The commander and retinue stood to the front. Normally this would be folly. Here it did not matter. "Everypony else, engage any chosen target at will when the signal is given." He took a deep breath and continued. "Listen to me, friends. None of us are alone. Don't get caught in a position you cannot hold. Move about. Switch it up. Fight hard. Hit hard. Pile them up in droves for every pony and every friend taken from us, for every inch forward. This land is our home and our duty to defend it with all our might. Show them equestria will not fall now or ever. Fight well and we will see it through to the day for we are the royal guard, and we stand in unison!" The commander announced throughout the enhanced speakers about the town to a raucous cheer resounding in return. If these might be his final words he meant them to uplift and inspire insofar as he was able. It was working. He looked down and sighed. "I don't make speeches. Never liked it. I prefer action." He said, a little ruffled from public speaking. "Speaking of action, time for me to get ready for some." Rainbow Dash headed off to her squad. Twilight, Starlight and Trixie along with Rarity remained behind the royals as instructed. For whatever it might be worth they were present. Pinkie Pie and Applejack chose to assist the next closest squad. Most would likely be swamped with many anyhow so decided to try and keep any they could alive. "Well this isn't quite how I thought I would be spending my last moments." Starlight said. "You mean their last moments, right Starlight?" Trixie said encouragingly and smirked. "You're right. How silly of me." She smiled at her a moment. "Oh, curse it all." Trixie hugged Starlight, tightly squeezing. "Don't get yourself killed, alright?" Trixie almost sounded like she was begging. "Same goes for you. Do what you can. Anything. You too, Rarity." Starlight said as they separated. "Oh I have something in mind, darlings." Rarity said in her usual manner. Starlight was curious but there was little time for much else. The puppets were getting ever closer. Easily within yelling distance now. The awful puppet with its own retinue continued ahead of the rest and they stopped in lockstep. Celestia and Luna walked forth as if this were a normal parlay of some fashion. Celestia spoke first before it even had the chance to do so. "Invaders. We demand your surrender. That your leader immediately step forth, be judged for their crimes and atone for them in all their severity." It was delivered most seriously. The puppet slowly turned its head from side to side. That gaze delivered its own chill feeling as though piercing straight through and looking behind them. At first a slow sound almost akin rose to a quick cackling wail from within it. Luna almost looked amused by this obvious antic. The voice from this one was different. As though a hundred voices spoke as one, almost echoing. Cold and empty laughter. Emotionless. Wrong. It abruptly ceased. "You demand? Do you not know what stands before you? There is nothing you can do to stop this, beloved." It was definitely him speaking but something about it felt incorrect somehow. "The only thing that is in front of us is a bad joke which must be repelled as it is abhorrent. You will face justice!" Luna said darkly herself, magic almost flaring up around her at the words. "Beloved? You would say such a thing to me after doing all this? You have taken life after life!" Celestia responded to it angrily. Such a rare emotion to witness cross her muzzle. Generally so refined and regal. Never easily prone to anger at all. "And soon I shall take all life. I offered to let you live yet you have chosen pain over a quick death. You may arrange yourselves as you see fit. It will do you no good. Your doom faces you." Such a cold and unfeeling sound it registered as. "You have defiled the dead and murdered without the slightest bit of mercy! What kind of monster are you?" Celestia practically quivered in front of this perversion standing right there. The lofted skeleton of general Firefly off to the side and behind a little. This had to be particularly difficult for Celestia to see and remain so unyielding as she was. Once again that horrible cackling erupted but seeming to come from many puppets at once this time as she looked around at the menacing mass of them. Every last one ready to inflict even more pain amid magnifying horror. "And what mercy did I ever receive? Your choice was made. I never had one." It turned with its small group and went back to the rest. --- War has come.