//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16 Forging Through Fear 
// Story: Hole Hearted 
// by Akashic Brony 
//------------------------------//

	In the miasma mists of memory there was a door in the blackness. He approached it and pushing it open. As he stepped through the boundary he noticed his fur change color to a turquois. Yet again he was a rider to a dream body. The room was a dedicated archive. Shelves stood lined with scrolls. He saw a weak glow from a horn atop his head.
The Unicorn he was channeling moved deliberately in between the shelf aisles. Several choice scrolls flew from the shelves onto a large table in the center of the room. From saddlebags floated blank scrolls. Green magic seared through line work the original scrolls as maps and diagrams as they were copied.
“Quill Heart, what are you doing? Those scrolls are never to be copied.”
She turned to confront the interloper. “I was just copying them for reference. I just love architecture. I’m sorry, Shatter Shield.”
Shatter Shield was a powerfully built brown coated Earth Pony, his Royal Guard Armor had to be specially made to fit his frame. He looked on Quill Heart with gentle eyes. “I could be banished for letting you in here. No more. Okay?”
“Indeed.” she replied gathering up the scrolls and sending them back.
Shatter Shield sighed. “You crazy mare, I’m not sure why you’re so interested in obscure Unicorn history and architecture.”
“History is important and I like planning the layout to buildings.”
“Maybe, you’ll get your chance with architecture.” Shatter Shield nuzzled her neck gently.
Quill Heart ignored his affectionate gesture as she continued sorting out scrolls. “How do you mean?”
“I made lieutenant! Soon I’ll have enough bits for us to afford a new home, our home. You can plan it out and everything. Isn’t that great?”
Quill Heart nodded quickly as she shuffled scrolls back into their proper shelves.
“Maybe you can use one of these desi—” Shatter Shield unfurled one of the scrolls Quill Heart set on the table.
She turned quickly and rolled the scroll back up. “That won’t be necessary, I’ve already planned everything out. Our house will be upon a hill.”
Shatter Shield stared at her sternly. “I saw what was written there. Those are time tables of Royal Guard Patrol routes.”
Quill Heart chewed her words. “I wanted to find out… when you were on break—” She kissed him gently. “—so I could surprise you one of your shifts. I know how wary you can get all alone.”
His eyes narrowed. “Those guard rotations for the castle battlements. I work in the archives.”
“I—” She was left without a prepared excuse.
He looked about the room as if searching one for her. Shatter Shield placed a hoof on her mouth. “Whatever you have yourself involved in I’m sure we can resolve, together. Who put you up to this?”
“Nopony.”
“I have jeopardized my career for you!”
She shrunk back. “I’m sorry,” came Quill Heart’s calm tone.
He smiled nervously. “Okay, whatever no harm done. You were just curious. Nothing wrong with that, let’s get out of here.” He turned around motioning her to the door.
She smiled her best. “Sure.” Quill Heart silently shoved the scrolls into her saddle bag.
“I can’t let you keep those. Those have military applications. Leave them.”
She nearly jumped upwards. “Military appli-what?”
“I’m not stupid. I’ve put it all together, your hobby is really an excuse. I don’t know what you’re planning but leave it… for us.”
“I’m sorry.” Her horn glowed malevolent green.
The Guard felt the pressure against his neck. However his neck was thick. He turned towards her, walking despite her magic.
Beads of sweat ran down her face. “Go down!” She redoubled her efforts.
The stallion strained to resist her. “I lov—” He kept approaching.
She panicked. Sweeping a leg of his she caused him to lose his footing. With another magical jolt she smashed his head against the table. The guard’s body twitched for a moment before becoming limp and lifeless. She casually strolled away through the open door.
A gray stallion stood just outside. He tilted up his fedora. Amorpheus spoke. “Have you the documents?”
“We have the maps of the Canterlot patrol routes and all.”
“No loose ends?”
“What of the guard?”
“Dealt with: unfortunate fall that broke his neck. Less fortunate he fell for me.” She chuckled cruelly.  






Den awoke, he sat up in their bed. He felt his cold sweat against his fur.
“I felt your presence during my sleep.” Echo stirred groggily. “I think there’s a bleed through as we become closer… you didn’t do anything in your dreams did you? Like open a door or any token gesture of entry?”
“Echo, who was Shatter Shield?”
“You entered my memories? Again?” Echo jumping up.
“There’s nothing pleasant in those is there?” He stood up as well and repeated. “Who was Shatter Shield?”
Echo looked away. “A Guard I was ordered to seduce. It was mission.”
“Am I a mission?”
“How could you ask that?”
“Shatter Shield, I heard his dying words. He was ready to accept you.”
“You’re different!”
“Did you tell Shatter Shield the same?”
“… I was different.”
“How about Constance the Lancer?”
Den was met with a smack on his face as Echo lunged. “I chose Constance, I loved him. Shatter Shield was picked for me.”
“Truth now, how many did you destroy before me?” asked Den.
Echo became still. “Would you like to know the names and exact methods?”
Den recoiled at her quick reply.
“I should like nothing coming in between us. Ask me, I shall tell you.”
“Just give the number.”
“Four.”
“Does that include… Constance?”
“Yes. I murdered each of them. There were good and bad ones.”
Den scratched his mane. “Your history doesn’t set a good pattern… am I to be your fifth?”
Echo folded her forelegs. “What do you think?”
“You were a soldier. I suppose you can’t be blamed for doing your duty.” said Den.
“I don’t need you to make excuses for me. I was both, a combat infiltrator. Shatter Shield may have been picked for me but in time I chose my targets. Never mind what they say, it got easier. I killed them.”    
“Four lives you took. I do not believe that I am so special... how am different?” said Den.
“We’re having this conversation for one.” said Echo. “Den… do you fear me?”
Den bit his lip. “Honestly… a little.”
“I see.” Echo lowered her head.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” He reached for her only for her to slip from his grasp.
“How else could you mean that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Even you…” Echo bolted out of the room.
“Wait!”






Den darted after Echo through the airship hallways. In a green flash he lost her in crowd of ponies getting to their positions.
“Figures, changeling.” said Den, defeated.
A hoof poked him. “Hey, I need to talk to ya!”
“In a moment.” said Den still panning the crowd for any tell tale sign of Echo.
“Now, hold here! You’re going to listen, you just can’t come back from the dead and ignore me.” said Blue.   
“I’m sorry, Blue. I’ve been distracted.”
“C’mere, there’s something you got to see.”

“Is that Princess Celestia?” said Den. “She’s so beautiful and serene.”
The alabaster white Princess lay upon a bed of fine silk as if slumbering.
“E-yup, she’s still in her coma.”
“What is she doing here? This is a warship heading to battle.”
“Well we were headed away before, you and Echo convinced us to go back.”
“The healers haven’t figured out how to bring her back?”
“She’s a living goddess, umm I reckon they haven’t a clue. Anyway you say Echo has the power of hundreds of live in her, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Have her use that power to bring Celestia back.”
“There might not be enough power for the plan then.”
“I don’t know. Celestia might be able to think of something better. She’s got like a millennia of info in her head. I remember when we were first told of the Griffin invasion she was calm when everyone was running like chickens without heads.”
“It’s a risk.”
“Whatever, ask her. See if she can do it.”
“We had sort of disagreement this morning.” Den frowned.
“Really? You two seem like two peas in a pod.” said Blue.
“Yeah well I told her honestly that I feared her. Her father’s dead, mother’s a maniac, I’m the only one she can confide in and I told her that. I couldn’t help it.” said Den.
“Argh, you’re always too honest.” said Blue. “Look, when your dad died—”
“Our dad. You’re family too Blue.” said Den.
“Thanks… but I tell ya I was afraid also. You seemed like you were going to follow dad down that cliff.”
“I was. I got to dad’s cliff. I thought of folding my wings and doing a little dive.”
“You what?! You jerk! Why are you alive then!?”
“Instead I met Echo that day.” He laughed. “We both had the same idea. I knew I had to save her, that sorta saved me. Seeing someone else try made me realize how foolish it was.”
“You idiot, go to her. Tell her what you told me.”






A convoy of three War Wings sped across the sky. In the center was a grander ship, painted red and gold. It was catamaran composed of two extended versions of its escorts. Its lengthier deck appropriately accommodated more port guns and swivel turrets. The bridge of the ship was a large luxurious glass greenhouse like structure.
“She’ll be surprised to see me I know it.” The giant brown Griffin chirped gleefully.
A black feathered Griffin spoke to the king. “King Hawkmor, Grimfeathers has promised to conquer Equestria for the Griffin Kingdoms. Just now we were notified of Canterlot’s fall. There is no need for you to personally—”
“Grimfeathers works too hard. I feel better now. I’m giving her a break.” said King Hawkmor.
“A break sire?” asked the advisor/handler.
“Rest and relaxation, everyone deserves some.”
“If our War Wings venture any further we will lack the fuel reserves to return to the Griffin Isles. It shall be the point of no return.”
“Hohoho, then we’ll just have conquer us a fuel depot.” King Hawkmor heartily laughed.
“Do they have those?” his own advisor questioned. The black feather griffin rubbed his forehead. “Wait!”
King Hawkmor had already hopped off his throne and down the carpetway.  
The advisor sighed. He muttered only he could hear. “Forgive me my Queen, only you can control this buffoon.”
Hawkmor laughed heartily. “Come follow me to the observation deck. I want to see our newest province, Equestria!”
King Hawkmor’s brow beaten handler chased after the Griffin.






Reagle laid out his various weapons on the ground against a white a sheet. There was a sword, several daggers, bombs, and even a nail file. The Griffin inspected each article for defects. He replaced an old grenade fuse when he saw the other one was moldy.
“How do you fly with so many things?” Zaza leaned against the doorway.
“I stretch my wings and flap.” said Reagle, smirking.
“Feeling cheeky? You’re usually like that when you’re nervous.”
“I could bite my leg off. Yeah, I’m bloody nervous.”
“Why? Should you not be relieved? You do not have to confront your father.”
“Exactly that is what’s got my feathers ruffled. I want to beat some sense in that old feather bag.”
“I heard tales of King Hawkmor’s skill and will in the past. Is your father someone that you could defeat?”
Reagle took his sword and twirled it in his claws. “You forget, you’re talking to The Whirlwind Prince.”
Zaza chuckled. “I haven’t forgotten, but isn’t your father called The Tornado? One metaphor trumps the other.”
“Nicknames or no, Griffins are blowhards. I’m not taking his reputation at face value.”






Echo’s ghostly mane was carried by the wind. She sensed the presence of another.
“How did you find me?”
“You and I both seem to like high places. I have a confession that day we met on cliff. I was actually thinking along the same lines as you.”
“Den? What are you saying?”
“My dad had died… I was thinking of jumping. It must be destiny we met that day. We saved each other.”
“Destiny is death, I don’t believe it. That cliff is popular suicide spot. In fact I went there because of newspaper article… maybe it was your dad.”
“I—”
A Royal Guard rushed to observation deck interrupting them. “Enemy ships spotted!”






The Thunderhead cruised along its cloud cover hiding the smaller Zebra airship in its wake. Through the windows they spotted three War Wings on a parallel course to their own.
Den and Echo joined everyone on the bridge.
“That’s my father! The Valkyrie is the Griffin Kingdoms’ flagship.” said Reagle.
“They haven’t spotted us.” said Zaza.
“Good, we get first strike.” said Blue.
“Blue one it may not be wise to attack such a ship.” said Zaza.
“Hold on, let’s surrender.” said Echo.
“Wha?! Say whaaa?!” said Blue.
“We’ll take their ship. They need only dock with us.” said Echo.
“What have you in mind?” asked Reagle. “If you intend to storm their ship, then we’re outmatched numerically.”
Echo gave Den a sidelong glance. “I shall show them true fear.”






Squads of Griffin Hawkers awaited on the boarding bridge with weapons at the ready. Behind them were dark feathered disguised Changeling handlers. The door opened and they rushed ahead. They were stopped by a single Changeling.
“Prepare for fear… and despair!” Echo laughed eerily. Her horn glowed with malign magic.
The soldiers screamed grasping their heads and dropping their weapons. Some of the Griffin soldiers even vomited. They crumpled into fetal positions, shaking from overwhelmed senses.  
“What did you do to them?” asked Zaza.
“A trick I learned from my father. I’m breaking them.” said Echo. “Now I will remake them.”
“Remake?” asked Den.
“A trick I learned from my mother.” Echo nodded then turned back towards the boarding bridge full of incapacitated soldiers. Her horn glowed again. She forced the soldiers heads towards her. Echo’s eyes gleamed. “I am your mother, your queen, and your goddess! Serve me unto death! Take this ship in my name!”
A Changeling disguised as a Griffin officer arose first. “All hail Queen Larvi!” The Changeling officer ran backwards waving his saber. With green glints in their eyes the other changeling soldiers and officers followed.
“You brain washy-ed all of dem.” said Blue.
Echo rolled her eyes. “I’m sure we have time for well-reasoned argument and speech.”   






Reagle stormed past as if possessed but he held purpose in his eyes. He had armed himself with a cross bow and another on his back. Zaza followed closely with her spear. A couple of changeling soldiers attacked from a side hallway. Reagle reared upwards and drew both crossbows firing them. He dropped the weapons as they were unloaded.
“To your left.” said Zaza smacking down a controlled Griffin.
Changelings and possessed Griffins charged from around a corner.
“Got it.” Reagle drew grenades and lit them with his claw flints. He chucked the bombs hitting the head of a charging Changeling. The soldier tripped and blocked the rest of his squad. The explosions rocked the ship slightly. The backdraft blew Reagle’s red cloak back.  
“Do all the work why don’t ya?” said Blue, impressed.
“This way to the Command Bridge.” said Reagle ushering them with his sword.






Echo telekinetically threw a guard against a wall knocking him out. Den smacked down a guard with the length of his lance. They entered the massive chamber with Reagle and Zaza taking the vanguard.
Black-feathered Griffins guarded King Hawkmor. The giant Griffin leaned against his equally impressive claymore sword gripped with both claws.
Echo stepped beside Reagle. “I am Princess Larvi Ascendant Queen of the Changelings, submit unto me or be destroyed.”
The black-feather Griffins transformed in her presence.
A leader amongst them, stepped forward. “What is going on? We have been told of no such thing.”
“Hold your positions.” said King Hawkmor to the changelings.
“Dispel my father! He still thinks those changelings are his personal guard.” said Reagle.
“Sure.” said Echo firing beam at King Hawkmor. The magical spark hit harmlessly against the giant brown Griffin. “He’s not under mind control.” Echo gasped.
“How can that be?!” cried Reagle.
“So this is how it ends? My own son turns against me.” said King Hawkmor.
Reagle turned towards his father. “I thought Grimfeathers brainwashed you! What of your headaches?”
“I have consulted doctors. I have brain tumescence. The affliction is inoperable. This was before even Grimfeathers.” said King Hawkmor.
“Dad? I didn’t know,” said Reagle.
“In a decade’s time, I will be dead. However it seems you were too impatient to wait for even that!”
“Father! Odin damn it! You think this is about your crown!? You old idiot, I could have kill you a dozen times over.”
King Hawkmor lifted up his massive claymore sword. “Oh ho? Is that so? I will yield and give you my crown if you defeat me in a duel. However with reward comes risk. I will not hold back.”
“Alright, I accept but you can keep the head ornament.”
The large Griffin moved with far greater speed than his ponderous size would suggest. Skidding across the metal floor his sword sparked as he swung for a low blow. Reagle jumped over avoiding the blade’s edge however King Hawkmor spun completely around to deliver a second strike. Parrying the blow Reagle was sent flying to the side almost smacking against the glass window of the bridge.
King Hawkmor laughed. “Perhaps your earlier words were but bold boasts.”
Reagle rebounded off the glass. “Speed and strength you have however you are lacking.” Flying with his sword, he lunged.
The grander Griffin was forced to block. Reagle rolled sideways avoiding a downward swing that cut the metal floor. Reagle retaliated jumping in close before Hawkmor could counter. He held a dagger to King Hawkmor’s throat.  
“All of it has made you inflexible combined with your age, you are no match.” Reagle sheathed his sword and dagger.
“Lectured by my own son.” King Hawkmor chuckled as he clambered to his feet.
“You dishonor, mom!”
“Is it so wrong for me to be happy again? In my dying days you would deny me that?”
Reagle threw up his claws. “Yes, if it is with a harpy! Grimfeather’s cares nothing for you. She offered her tail to me. You have terrible taste in ladies.”
“I don’t believe you... The harpies are simply misunderstood.” said King Hawkmor.
Echo barged in. “Yes, but not my mom.”
“You’re Grimfeather’s daughter?” said King blinking. “Ah I do not recognize you without your disguise.”
“Yeah, Reagle’s right.” Echo said angrily. “My mom is a monster. Her true name is Chrysalis, she has brought nations to their knees. She has to be stopped.”
“Treasonous words!” one of the changeling soldiers lunged with a lance.
Den impaled the soldier with his own lance.
“Den?” said Echo.
Den smiled. “I got you.”  
The male Changeling advisor of Hawkmor spoke. “I am 1st Lieutenant Mandible Soldier Caste, Princess Larvi there are orders to capture you.”
Echo turned towards Mandible. “Are you in any position to do that now?”
“No.”
“Submit then and serve me.”   
Mandible smiled. “Make me your Captain, and I will.”
Echo rolled her eyes. “Vice Captain.”
“Hail Princess Larvi!” Mandible then looked around. “Who is to be my Captain?”
Den stepped forward. “That would be me.”
“A pony?!” said Mandible his face in shock.






The door to planning room of Thunderhead could barely accommodate the size of King Hawkmor. Now packed in the room where a series of changeling officers lead by the newly appointed Vice Captain Mandible. The motley assortment of allies ringed the planning table.
“Okay we have the Thunderhead and Valkyrie, a Zebra ship, and two War Wings. I’m likin’ our odds a lot more now.” Blue said jumping slightly.
Den shook his head. “That may be however our forces aren’t unified. Coordination between ships is going to be difficult.”
“A ground force would be harder. Unit cohesion will be a nightmare.” said Zaza.
“Unit cohesion you mean team work right?” asked Blue.
“Yes Blue one, team work is very important,” Zaza smiled.
“How about alike units, like Pegasi and Griffins? Can we blend them like a smoothie?”
“Our military doctrines are vastly different. Even amongst our air units. Griffin Hawkers are trained to rely upon bombing runs rather direct engagement like Pegasi troops.” remarked Reagle.
Echo scratched her head. “Chrysalis is sure to supplement her troops with brainwashed infantry, they’re less effective individually but with Changeling handlers they’ll act as one.”  
“Military leaders can only hope to have that much control over their troops. That sort of unity and harmony is going to be hard to beat,” said Den.
Mandible sneered at Den then turned to Echo. “Princess Larvi, who says unity or harmony is all strength? That’s the Equestrian way of thinking.” said Mandible. “The larger enemy will be laggard in their response. Swift is the small squad, more maneuverable is the short spear.”
Echo looked surprised. “Those are his words. You were student a student of Master Amorpheus?”
Mandible nodded. “It was terrible thing, that Chrysalis killed such a great soldier.”
Reagle scratched his beak. “We can’t fight them relying on combined arms tactics, what shall we do?”
“The Changeling way, we divide and conquer.” said Echo.






Den was left with closing remarks of the meeting. “Alright everyone, we have our roles. Tomorrow, it is do or die. Make ready your forces.” said Den.  
“Aye!” said the cry from the many members of coalition.
As everyone shuffled out of the war room, Den lifted a hoof to stop her from leaving. “Echo.”
She replied with a slight nod. “Den.”
“This Changeling named Echo, she is flawed but she loves me and I love her.”
Echo relaxed slightly.
“Different reason brought us each to that cliff, however we walked away together.”
She asked meekly with hope in her eyes. “Do you still fear me?”
“Yeah—”
Echo winced in pain. “Must you be so honest? Could you at least lie?”
“Hey! I’ll get over it. I’m stronger than that. We’re stronger.” Den whispered the next part while nibbling her ear. “It’s also a bit arousing.”
“Oohhh!” Echo blushed. “You’re learning to be naughty.”
“Well you rubbed off on me.” said Den.
“We’ve done plenty of rubbing together haven’t we?”
Den chuckled licking Echo’s ear.
She pulled away. “—After our victory. We should save our strength for the fight.”
“Right. I’ve been selfishly talking about just my feelings, how do you feel? I mean tomorrow, we assault Canterlot.”
“I’m afraid, how else do you think I feel? I have to do combat against my mother. She has defeated a Sun Goddess. She has a whole host of higher magics.”
“You can do this.”
“The same doubt, fills me with fear.”
“I’ll be there no matter what comes.”
Den pulled her close hugging her. As he shifted he felt the weight of the powder pouch in his saddlebag. It was the same dispel powder that could kill her.






Husk and Arista strolled through the Canter Castle hallways. Changeling soldiers standing guard left their posts and followed after them.
“We’re doing this now? Impatient aren’t we?” asked Arista turning to Husk. “I thought we were going to wait for Princess Larvi to start the revolution.”
“I have served Larvi in the past. She would be a good Queen.” Husk stopped for a moment. “However, enlightened dictatorship is still a dictatorship!”  
Arista draped a green scarf around Husk’s neck. “Who will lead our people?”
Husk tied a similar green scarf around Arista. “No more Queens, no more monarchs! No longer shall we live in fear of tyrants.”
Arista raised a brow ridge skeptically. “If you’re planning to make us a republic, that requires a majority. So far we are only a third.”
Husk continued walking. “We do this now. We will win popular support afterwards.”
“Afterwards?”
He stated flatly. “The majority of our army is starving because of her orders.”
Arista smiled in realization. “They say an army marches on its stomach.”
Storming purposefully through the hallways, Arista and Husk collected more followers on the way. The blue eyed Changelings soldiers shifted the hue of their eyes to the green color of spring and revolution.