//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: Piece Captured // Story: Martin: The Endgame // by CrypticMetaphor //------------------------------// 00 Alan landed and regarded the crater with a look of contempt as a flash of light appeared behind him. Out of the light stepped the three false rulers of Equestria who stood and stared at the crater with smiles. Discord floated above the crater and peered inside and began to laugh with glee. Discord floated down beside Alan and placed his talon on the human’s right shoulder, “WELL DONE MY BOY!” Jinx nodded in agreement, “Very good, I had my doubts about you.” Chrysalis maneuvered her way behind the human and shape shifted into her Earth form and wrapped her arms lovingly around Alan neck, “You have done well my Black Knight.” Alan smiled at the contact from the queen, “Thank you m’lady.” Rainbow Dash noticed this and her face turned bright red, “You!” Chrysalis flashed Rainbow a toothy grin as the cyan mare went in for a fight. Twilight however prevented her advancement as the villains laughed in triumph. Jinx raised his hands, “Citizens of Ponyville,” he then gestured to Martin’s body which was lifted from the crater, “Let this be a reminder of who is in charge in this kingdom. If ANY attempt to over throw our rule again you shall share his fate!” The villains along with Alan and Martin’s body vanished. All of the ponies were both shocked and saddened at this massive turn of events. No words were exchanged as they all trudged back to their homes in silence. * Martin awoke screaming but stopped when he looked around. He was in a plain white space that had nothing in it whatsoever. He was wearing his wrecked battle torn clothes, but all of his wounds and dirt were gone. Martin looked around once more in confusion, “Where am i?” A pony in a black robe appeared before him, the only thing was the pony had no skin and seemed to have a unicorn horn that was curved and scythe like. Martin jumped to his feet in surprise as the burning red dots in its sockets focused on him, “Jesus Christ!” The pony looked from side to side, “Who?” Martin sighed, “Never mind, I’m dead aren’t I?” The pony shrugged, “If you could call it that.” Martin was confused at this, “What do you mean?” The pony paced in place, “Your spirit has left your body. But your body isn’t dead, at least not yet.” Martin raised an eyebrow, “Huh?” The pony exhaled, “You’re having a near death experience.” Martin looked around fearful of his situation, “Holy shit!” The pony shook its head, “Don’t worry, it happens all time.” Martin pointed shakily at the pony, “Are you the grim reaper?” The pony shook his head, “One of them, the one your thinking of presides over Earth. I met him once; he’s a bit of a downer though.” Martin nodded, “I’ll bet.” The pony clapped his hooves together, “Alright, here’s how this works. You are literally on deaths doorstep here and you have two options.” Martin sat down and stared into space, “Live again or die right?” The pony nodded, “Pretty much.” Martin continued to sit in silence, “Can you give me a few minutes please?” The pony slowly vanished, “Sure.” * Alan stared at Martin’s prone form in the cell he stuck him in. Chrysalis approached from the left and shifted into her human form as she brought Alan into a hug. Chrysalis smiled as she petted Alan’s hair, “My knight, are you feeling regret?” Alan looked at the Changeling Queen, “No…” Chrysalis traced a finger across his face and produced her nail with a tear on it, “Really?” Alan nodded again as he once more looked at Martin’s body, “yes…” Chrysalis gave him a peck on the cheek, “Good boy. Now come along, we are having a banquet in honour of your victory.” * Lupe was pacing in Twilights lab as the frazzled unicorn was going over paper after paper of test results, “I told you before Lupe, your fine.” Lupe stopped, “No I’m not! For close to a month I have been having massive headaches and strange episodes and I want to know what’s causing them!” Twilight cringed as a nearby apparatus smashed into the wall by itself causing Lupe to jump in surprise, “OH shi…I am SO sorry.” Twilight waved her hoof, “it’s fine, were all under a lot of stress.” Rainbow Dash entered the room and looked over at her friend, “Stress is a bit of an understatement.” Twilight trotted over to Dash, “Is Applejack alright?” Dash immediately looked to the side with an uneasy look, “She’s…better.” Twilight gave her a half look, “What did she do?” Dash waved a hoof, “Nothing, but just for a future reference you might want to stay out of the reading room for a few hours.” Lupe sat in the testing chair and sighed deeply, “I’m so lost right now.” Twilight looked over at a table that had Sortitus’s cloak folded on it, “Usually by now he or the Princesses would appear and say something to lift our spirits.” Aequivalere spoke up behind Lupe which scared every being in the room, “I guess you’ll have to settle for me.” * Martin sat beside the reaper pony, “I have to ask…does dying hurt?” The reaper pony shrugged, “It depends on who you ask.” Martin nodded, “Makes sense.” The reaper pony tilted his head slightly, “Have you decided?” Martin looked unsure into space, “I need to ask. What will happen if I die?” The reaper pony didn’t sugar coat the answer, “All shall perish.” Martin chuckled half-heartedly, “No pressure.” The reaper pony nodded, “If you live, you will save them but feel more pain.” Martin sighed, “Either way doesn’t look good for me does it?” The reaper pony nodded, “Unfortunately.” Martin nodded, “I’ve made my decision then.” * Jinx and the villains were all eating in silence when Chrysalis spoke up, “So what shall we do about that little insurrection that attacked us? Surely we will not let them all just walk away with a slap in the hoof.” Jinx nodded, “Yes I was thinking about that. Killing Martin was nothing more than flinging dirt at a white dress. I believe we should fling red wine instead.” Discord raised an eyebrow, “What do you suggest?” Jinx looked at Alan, “Go to Ponyville,” Alan leaned forward as Jinx crushed his wine glass into dust, “And exterminate every creature you see.” Alan bowed as he stood, “It shall be done, my lord.” Jinx laughed as he jabbed Discord with his elbow, “He called me my lord. I LIKE this kid.” * Applejack was being restrained by Phobos whom came after Aequivalere’s arrival. He was currently preventing her from rushing out of the library to go to Canterlot and to, “firmly plant her hoof somewhere between Jinx’s lungs and colon”. Everypony was trying to calm her down until Twilight appeared with Aequivalere, Rainbow Dash, and Lupe. Lupe stopped in mid-stride, “We have to end him before he ends us.” Pinkie Pie stared at her like she was crazy, “Are you loco in the coco?! Sortitus couldn’t even beat Jinx!” Fluttershy nodded, “Plus Alan is really scary now.” As if to emphasize the statement a loud explosion accompanied by screams was heard. This caused everyone present to rush outside and witness Alan destroying buildings and causing mass destruction with a cold mask of a face. Twilight trembled slightly, “Oh no.” Rainbow Dash set her jaw as she stepped past her friends and onto the street accompanied by many objections. Rainbow Dash then yelled at Alan, “HEY!” Alan turned his attention, “What?” Rainbow cracked her neck as she flexed her wings, “I know your still in their Alan. But nopony humiliates me, ESPECIALLY if that somepony is MY special somepony.” Alan laughed, “Oh really?” Rainbow crouched into a threatening stance, “Really.”