Chapter 2
Down next to the lake Derpy and Applebloom were sat with a big picnic which mostly had muffins along with some apple tarts, apple fritters, apple pie and apple cobbler. Derpy looked over at the Young filly and smiled.
"lovely day today, isn't Applebloom." the young filly looked away.
"I reckon so." she sighed. Derpy put a wing around her.
"Hey, what's the matter. You can tell me." Appleboom looked back out across the lake " I just miss my big Sis and brother."
"Don't worry you'll see them soon. They just have a lot of responsibilities right now." Their conversation was cut short by a beeping coming from Appleboom's saddlebag she stood up and opened the bag. She pulled out a pad which was showing a Skyship was coming in.
"Hey Derpy, a ships coming in. Lets watch it land.” With that pulled on he saddlebag she ran off towards the hills. Derpy rolled her eyes.
"talk about dull Applebloom." she spread her wings and gave chase. it wasn't long till she caught up and lifted the filly onto her back.
"If you going to travel Applebloom, do it in style." she went faster keeping low to the ground the wind rushed through the little fillies hair as she held on. They reached the top of the hill from where the could just make out the shape of the Skyship in the distance.
"let's stop here Derpy." Applebloom Grinned.
“Why settle for a peak when you can see everything from lookout mountain.” she again took off and headed for the road up the hill.
Rainbow dash was busy with Thunderwing and Blossom-forth putting barriers on the road, to stop ponies going up the mountain. She was being picky on the positioning and was starting to irritate the two Pegasi.
"A little to the left. A little bit more.” The Two pegasi sighed at Rainbow dashes orders. But the sound of beating wings made all three look up. A grey and yellow shape was getting closer and it was not slowing down. Their was a smash as Derpy went strait through the barrier. A moment later came a voice echoed back.
"Ops...My bad." Rainbow Dash was furious.
“That feather brained Pegasi. I'll straiten her out yet.” Derpy and Applebloom stopped at the view point near the summit, with the Skyship much closer. Applebloom ran over to the telescope for a closer look. She looked at the ship and noticed the mid section was damage and she called out.
"Derpy! Theirs a hole in the Ship!" Derpy ran over and pushed Applebloom out the way to look through the telescope. She saw purple and black shapes at the hole and she instantly recognised them. "Lunarians!" She lifted her hoof blasters and started firing at the ship. Laser blasts peppered the ship and two Shadowbolts were sent falling to their deaths. The rest of them started to return fire at the source of the shots, but their aim was poor. Rainbow dash saw the Fire fight and also saw that it was Derpy who was firing at the ship.
"what in Equestria is that darn foal doing!"
A laser blast ripped through side causing an explosion on the Skyship. It started to list and Luna followed by the Shadowbolts poured out the ship.
"ATTACK!" she Cried. She levelled her horn and gave two blasts at the lookout point. The First shot hit below the point sending a shower of rock in every direction. Derpy grabbed Appleboom just in time for the next shot hit the back, sending the point crashing down the mountain. Derpy spread her wings to soften the fall and she landed near the bottom with Applebloom clutching to her back.
A Large Pegasi stallion Shadowbolt landed in front of her holding a beam rifle. Derpy shut her eyes for the blast but all she herd was a loud thump and the sound of the blast. At the last second Rainbow Dash had head butted the Shadowbolt in the chest and caused him to throw his aim. The blast went over Derpy's head and hit a low flying Shadowbolt mare. Rainbow dash landed in front of the two with a stern look and all Derpy could do was grinn.
"Not bad for a old timer."she chuckled. Rainbow dash went red.
“OLD TIMER! That's something you'll never be if you don't get back to the city!" Derpy pushed Rainbow dash out of the way of a green blaster bolt, just in time.
"Save it Rainbow Dash. let's get out of here." With that the three of them headed to the City as fast as they could.
Rarity was looking at the advancing Lunarians through the telescope and turned to talk to Twilight who came galloping up with Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo, behind her.
"Twilight, a precursory evaluation of Luna's offensive capability show we have a distinct tactical difficency." Even Twilight looked confused.
"In other words Rarity." Twilight was suddenly interupted by Pinkie Pie.
"we're outnumbered," she pulled her party cannon from nowhere in particular and fired at a low flying Shadowbolt. She missed and the pegasi fired back at them. Twilight and the others jumped out the way as the ground erupted beneath them. Twilight dusted herself of and started to give battle orders.
"Pinkie, you and Fluttershy! transform the city!"
Pinkie looked confused. "Twilight. This sounds like transformers to me"
"What in Equestria are Transformers Pinkie?" Twilight was even more confused.
"Never mind. Come on Fluttershy" she bounced off dodging laser blasts as she went.
"Rarity. Tell Octavia and Vinyl to contact Celestia for re-enforcements" Rarity saluted and ran for the comms tower.
Suddenly Twilight felt something pull on her tale. She turned around an looked into the big eyes of Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo.
"What can we do Miss Twilight?" Twilight was quick to react.
"Help me alert the other ponies. Then go to the command centre."The two fillies faces lit up.
"Yay cutiemark crusaders messenger ponies"
Pinkie and Fluttershy were almost at the transformation centre.
"Hurry Fluttershy". But Fluttershy was looking through her binoculars.
"But Rainbow Dash and Derpy are still outside the city!" Pinkie grinned at her.
"Don't worry they'll be fine. Their both in the last chapter" Fluttershy looked confused.
"what?"
" Nothing. Come on!" they entered the centre and started to activate the celestial city defences. All over towers opened up revealing turrets of every shape and size. As the Two ponies ran for the city centre the Shadowbolt Blackstar saw them and started to fire his blasters at them!
"Pathetic Foals! Theirs no Escape!" They went through the door and closed it fast. Blackstar stopped before hitting the door and looked in horror as the roof was closing above him. He flapped hard but he was too slow. His hoof was caught in the door and he was stuck. Now the sides were coming in and were going to crush him. In desperation he lowered his blasters and fired. BANG BANG. "Oww My Hoof he flew off with a smouldering Hoof making a trail of smoke.
All over, Celestians were manning their positions at the turrets and started to return fire. Sending Lunarians scattering. Celestrial city was designed to withstand an attack and the citadel could take a lot of punishment. Several ponies ran through the gate house and closed the doors, just as Luna fired several shots at them. But their was no damage. She shouted loudly! "breach their Defences!" Two mare Shadowbolts with cutting gear flew down and started to cut through the door with glowing torches.
"tough stuff. Eh Shrapnel."
"A little heavy on the carbon-Carbon." The drawbridge was pulling back with a Shadowbolt holding on for dear life.
Derpy and Rainbow dash saw the hole in the gate and also saw the Shadowbolts. Rainbow shouted over to Derpy.
"Those two are in our way," Derpy grinned at her.
"wrong their our way in. Woohoo!" She smashed into one of them sending her falling into the ravine below. The other looked up into the eyes of Rainbow Dash, who planted a hoof into her face. With a squelch it she fell stone dead. They closed the door behind them and ran for the Citadel.
Up in on of the highest towers, Vinyl scratch and Octavia were busy at work. As Vinyl was aiming her twin lasers, Octavia was calling out targets and adjusting the aim. Two Shadowbolts got close and one was blown to pieces. Vinyl punched air with her hoof.
"look out and shout. Oww". She heard the hatch behind open and quickly turned her chair to see rarity poke her head through the hatch.
"Hey Rarity, what's shaking other than this fortress." With that the ground shook from a blast lower down.
"Vinyl, Twilight wants to contact The princess at base one." Vinyl grinned and pulled on her shades.
"Here we go Tavia. We are going on air." Octavia rolled her eyes and activated the long range transmitter dish.
"PRINCESS CELESTIA, DO YOU READ ME. LUNAS FORCES ARE BLITZING CELESTIAL CITY WE ARE REALLY TAKING A POUNDING. DON'T KNOW HOW LONG WE CAN HOLD OUT."
Luna saw the dish glowing on the tower and acted quickly.
"Riff-tide! Jam those transmissions. NOW" The brown Shadowbolt saluted and took of with a handful of troops. They landed on the roof and started to buck the transmitter dish till it fell to city below.
Octavia quickly turned to Vinyl.
"We've just lost the dish!" Their was a loud noise above them! They looked up into the eyes of Shadowbolts attacking the glass dome. On of them smirked.
"First we crack the shell. Then we crack the nuts inside!" With those last words the roof shattered and they fell onto the three ponies. Rarity kicked the first but the second got her by the neck and was trying to pin her to the ground.
"Run you two! Save your selves."
Vinyl had just pulled a large black box from the corner as two Shadowbolts landed in front of her. She smiled at the pair.
"I warn you. I'll use it!" The Shadowbolts were clearly unimpressed as they laughed out loud
"And just what dose that do!" Vinyl's grin grew bigger and Octavia knew what was next and ran out of the way with Rarity close behind.
"Oh it's nothing special. It's just my bass Cannon!" she hit a red button on the top and the front panels drew back to reveal a Glowing blue speaker which suddenly sent out a wall of bright blue sound. The Shadowbolts screamed in terror as they were instantly vaporised and the sound wave penetrated the wall behind as well. The three of them looked out over the city. "Do you think you got through to Celestia?" Rarity asked Octavia.
"let's hope so. Or else were doomed.
Everywhere the battle raged with the citadel holding strong with it's heavy defences. The Cutie mark crusaders now rejoined were running every where passing new power cells for the ponies blasters but it seemed to be a loosing fight. Up in the cannon turret, Pinkie was trying to push a huge Party cannon into position. Fluttershy was pulling the body of Lyra who unknown to her, had passed away minutes ago into the room.
"Come on Fluttershy. Help me get the cannon in place. Luna's about to make a big push and we have to push back!" Fluttershy looked down at the bodies of Lyra and BonBon who were both covered in blaster wounds. with tears in her eyes she turned and ran to help move the cannon. The two ponies pushed as hard as they could but it would not move. Behind them Rainbow dash and Derpy came running in.
"Never fear Rainbow Dash is here." They both dug their hoofs in and at last the cannon started to move. The Cutie Mark crusaders came in as well and gave a helping hoof. Soon it was in place and Pinkie was grabbing a large cake to go down the barrel. Sweetie bell went to the window and looked outside at Luna's forces who were now at the base of the wall, out of reach of the turret above. Luna looked to five of her shadow bolts and they all gathered into a large circle. Luna's horn began to glow and a dark blue and a aura surrounded the Shadowbolts. Sweetie called out to Rainbow Dash behind her
"Rainbow Dash, look!" She came over and dread filled her face, as she had seen this before.
“Devastator!” The Aura disappeared to reveal a 30 foot tall creature with the shape of a pony, but more uneven. From its mouth came a voice which seemed to be multiple ponies speaking at once.
"Prepare for you extermination!" It walked to the turret and with one swift movement it demolished the weapon, in a green explosion. It then started to smash through the wall. Pulling sheets of armour plate and tossing them aside like tin foil. Pinkie was now ready to fire,
"Eat cake you meanies!" She pulled the trigger and the gun recoiled hard! The cake flew through the air with a whistle and as Devastator turned to see the source of the noise, the cake hit him square in the left eye. It groaned in pain but continued its rampage. The gun fired again, sending Shadowbolts scattering tying to avoid the Frosting assault. Finally in frustration, Devastator picked up a large piece of armour and threw it at the cannon position. It crashed into the tiny slit and caused a cascade of rubble to fall and crush the gun. The ponies got out just in time, but it was clear they were not going to last without help. Down in the city the fighting was fierce. It had turned urban combat with each side fighting, building to building. The Citadel was failing to hold the Lunarians back as one by one the towers were destroyed. Luna brought a fast night which made it harder for the defenders to see the onslaught of Shadowbolts. The city was illuminated by all of the laser and magic shots which were being exchanged. But the time morning came the city was a smouldering ruin with the citadel being all that was left. Luna called out loudly.
"Their defences are broken let the slaughter begin." Devastator ripped open the citadel gates and they charged through. Luna led the charge, with the horn levelled and charged. But suddenly their was the sound of engines above her and as she looked up she saw Celestia's personnel transport come through the clouds and begin to circle the city.
In the Cockpit, Princess Celestia was standing behind The pilots Fancy-pants and Fluer de Lis. She turned around to speak to the Ponies in the back.
"Wonderbolts! Destroy that monster!" Spitfire and her team all smiled at the words.
"We always love a challenge your majesty!" They dropped out of the ship and quickly the five ponies got into formation. Spitfire at the lead gave the orders.
"Everypony! Attack pattern 3! On my mark......GO!" They spit up and prepared their grappling hooks which they carried in the Combat gear. Spitfire was on her own and flew strait for the monster. It saw her and tried to swipe her out the air, with a gigantic hoof. But it was much too slow and missed, smashing it's flailing appendage into a wall with a mighty smash. Soarin and Fleatfoot now came in low to throw their cables at Devastator's front leg. Soarin missed but Fleatfoot was on the mark. She began to circle round and round the legs till they were bound tight. Devastator couldn't keep it's balance and fell into the building behind with a crash. It sat there pulling it's legs free, when RapidFire and Powerglide came in to unleash a torrent of laser fire which devastated the creature and also cause the building to collapse on to top of it.
Celestia's ship had finally landed at the dock and re-enforcements were sweeping into the city. She looked out over the ruins and saw that Luna had reformed and was charging again for the Citadel and Victory. Celestia spoke to her self in a soft tone.
"Luna must be stopped! No matter the Cost!" She spread her wings and took off towards the citadel. She flew fast and soon she came upon the rear of the charge. A Shadowbolt turned around just in time to be smashed aside but the Princess. Two others started to fire at her but the Alicorns magic just sent them ricocheting away harmlessly. She charged her horn and fired at the Shadowbolts in sequence. Each fell to the ground stunned or dead. She Landed at the front of the Charge, where with a quick firing of magic she sent them scattering.
Inside the citadel on the upper level Luna stood. She turned around at the sound of hooves, to look strait onto the eyes of her sister.
"Sister!" Luna Exclaimed.
"Stop this Luna! You've caused enough destruction for one day! If you don't surrender then one shall stand and one shall fall." Luna sneered at these words.
"Why throw away you life so recklessly, my dear sister." Luna's voice was even sterner this time.
"That's a question you should ask yourself Luna!" Celestia snapped.
"No I'll rip you apart with my bear hooves!" She launched herself at Celestia and the two of the them crashed to the floor with Luna on top. She tried to smash her hoof into her sisters face. But Celestia used her rear legs to Lift Luna in the air and land her against a wall. In fury she quickly aimed he horn and fired. Celestia was barely able to dodge and a deep red burn to her left side showed this. With one quick movement a hoof planted itself in the side of Luna's head. She fell back daze by the blow and found that she couldn't focus her horn. Celestia came in close with another blow but was winded by Luna's rear legs ramming into her stomach and sending her flying back across the floor.
Down below the ponies were watching the clash of these two titans who seemed to be evenly matched. Derpy suddenly ran for the stair with a resolute look on her face. "I have to help Celestia!"
Rainbow Dash tried to stop her.
"Stay away Derpy! That's Celestia's fight!"
Back above Luna had got hold of a long metal shard and with great speed she threw it at her sister, where it found it's mark. Celestia cried out in pain as she looked down at the wound, which was staining her white coat red. Luna lunged at her to Finish the fight, but Celestia gave her a powerful right hoof under her jaw and sent Luna crashing backwards.
Celestia stood up and charged her horn. From down below their was a call out.
"Finnish her of Princess. Do it now!" Luna was pushing herself back in fear of her sister and that glowing horn. Suddenly she notice a blaster which was hidden by a piece of debris. The tiniest of smiles crept on her face and she thought fast. She raised a hoof to her sister.
"No more Princess Celestia! Grant me mercy, I beg of you." Celestia did not seem convinced.
"You who are without mercy. now plead for it! I thought you were made of stronger stuff." Luna grabbed the pistol, but was suddenly set upon by a Grey Mare with blonde hair.
"NO YOU DON'T LUNA!" She roared. She had her hoofs around Luna's neck trying to choke her. Celestia shouted loudly
"OUT OF THE WAY DERPY!" In one quick motion Luna pulled Derpy in front of her to use as a pony shield. She aimed the blaster at Celestia and fired
"FALL! FALL!" She cried, firing the blaster rapidly at the wound she had made earlier. The shots sent Celestia rearing up in pain just to collapse backwards with such force her Crown and Necklace both cracked. Luna threw Derpy to the side and walked over to her sister. Her left eye was swollen and she was bleeding from the top of her head. She looked down at her sister on the floor. “
I have waited an eternity for this! It's over sister" Celestia looked up at Luna. She drew her back legs close and in a quick move she bucked with all her might at Luna's necklace.
"NEVER!" she screamed as the hoofs smashed strait through the necklace and rammed into Luna's chest with a cracking of ribs. The force of the impact sent Luna staggering back till she slipped over the ledge. On the way down she hit several other ledges till with a thud she hit the ground.
Celestia tried to stand but she fell to her knees. Derpy ran over to help her. Tears were streaming down her face as she helped the wounded Princess.
"Celestia forgive me" Down below a handful of Shadowbolts had surrounded their fallen leader. Blackstar walked up with a thick smirk on his face.
"How do you feel mighty Princess." He kicked her with a hoof and turned away.
"Everypony to the Dock! Let's get out of here." Luna looked up at one of the Shadowbolts. "Don't leave me Blitzwing" She groaned. Blitzwing knelt down next to her
"As you command my Princess." With the help of another they carried her broken body on their backs to the dock. The Remaining Celestian forces had grouped and were all firing at them. Fluttershy stood next to Rainbow Dash. "The Lunarians are retreating!" Rainbow dashes face was amazed at what she saw.
"Celestia did it! She turned the tide!" She fired her blaster at the running enemy. At the dock the Shadowbolts commandeered one of the smaller ships for their escape. Shots were filling the air around and also hitting the craft. Two ponies got into the pilots seats and strapped in. The last Shadowbolt came up the Ramp and Blackstar closed the hatch.
"Pilot! TAKE OFF!" With a roar of the engines, the small ship took to the sky and was soon out of sight.
The battle was over and even though they had won the day. The death of so many ponies gave everypony the bitter taste of defeat in their mouths.
Then they herd Derpy cry out. "MEDIC, MEDIC QUICK. THE PRINCESS IN DYING!
End of Chapter 2