The castle was on full alert and all the guards were relocated and repositioned back at the barracks; several off duty guards were gathering at the sealed courtyard. Captain Vigile was frantically shouting out orders to any guard he came upon and told the non-guard staff to evacuate the area. The guards massed up in a 50x50 formation. They were all heavily armed with spears and swords.
"WE NEED MORE BOWPONIES!" Vigile ordered. "If we can't defeat them by force, we must pray that our arrows are fast enough to kill them. Anyone who dares to hesitate to kill the humans will be executed on the spot!" He said with a loud commanding voice.
All Starfall could do was watch as the mares and stallions prepared to march towards conflict.
Vigile didn't waste a second, flapping his wings and flying out at a speed that Rainbow Dash would be envious of. Starfall, still confused to what was going, was staring at the out of breath crystal pony pegasus. "Zenith, what is the meaning of this? What is code black?"
"Human threat warning." He answered immediately. "There has been not one, but three humans sighted! And from the looks of it, it’s dire."
Starfall was lost for words. He didn't know how to react, a large part of him wanted to jump up in joy and kiss the heavens, but another large part of him was worried if the humans that had been spotted were friendly. "How did we come across this information?" He asked.
"Apparently, a local pegasus saw them in the Everlife Forest. That is all I know, if you wish to know more you are going to have to see it for yourself, my lord" He bowed down. Despite fearing for his life, he wouldn't show any disrespect when talking to his King
Starfall pondered for a moment before he nodded. "Very well." The prince focused his magic and mind into where he wanted to appear in the castle. He rarely teleported and even when he did, teleportation was never his strong side. But he was powerful enough to teleport to the throne room, and in a silent black shroud, he was gone...
Starfall reappeared, but something unexpected happened, Vigile in a blink of an eye, charged towards the prince at an impossible speed with his blade at the prince neck, ready to kill him. But before he struck the fatal blow, Vigile realised it was the prince. He stared silently the boy for a few seconds, mouth gaping, before quickly withdrawing his sword and bowing down in his armour, trembling in fear.
But not of the royal he had just tried to kill.
The other princesses gazed numbly at the Captain. Starfall grimaced and snapped his head towards Luna. "Mother, what is this I hear about humans walking around in the Everlife Forest?" He asked, starting towards her. But Starfall's question was answered by noticing a shivering pegasus who looked traumatized.
"We do not know, Starfall. All this pegasus shouted was that there were humans in the forest." Luna said, sharply. Obviously with news like this. She wanted to know about these humans that were walking around the forest. In most situations they would dispatch a pegasus squad to gather information, but if they were caught and killed the humans would be flying their way to Canterlot, not walking. "I have had enough of this silence, Speak NOW!" Luna shouted out with the Royal Canterlot Voice.
The loud and booming of the voice, snapped the pegasus back to reality. He immediately jumped up and took hold of the chandelier like Fluttershy would when startled. Luna used her magic to teleport back the poor pegasus on the ground. Starfall was still lost for words how harsh everyone was acting, oblivious to the severity of the situation.
However, her methods worked and the old pegasus that had a gray fur coat and sky blue mane started to take slow and calm breaths. Eventually speaking. "Forgive me your Highness!" He knelt down, still a bit frightened from the lunar mare's outburst.
Starfall walked up to the old stallion and offer his hand. "No apologies are needed, Forgive us for our rude conduct!" The old stallion accepted the offered hand and rose up with the help of the Prince. "I hope you can understand that my mother is worried about this news." Starfall's kindness shined through and made the pegasus smile. "Take all the time you need to speak."
The gray stallion raised his hoof. "Thats not necessary. I'll tell you what I saw now."
"Before you start, would you mind telling me your name?"
"My name is-"
"General! I have scouted the area and I've found a village and a dragon cave at the other side of the forest!"
Hephaestion responded with a nod, as he sat on the log of a burned recently cut tree. He was a tank of a man, his broad shoulders and well-built arms protruding from his golden chestplate; armour forged in the shape of a lion in pain, an image that might as well have been forged in the very pits of hell itself. He turned his stone-like face to his underling, staring down at him with green snake eyes and a shark-like grin. a string of hair hung loosely over the right side of his face. His voice seemed to slither out of his mouth, the words weakly yet continuously dripping out of his mouth.
"Well done. We will start by giving the cave a visit and then we will move on to the village once we've gathered our strength. The dragon will take a lot of our power to slay. But the good news is that the dragon will make quite the feast." Cleitus shared a mad laugh with his general, as he slouched forward, not daring to hold his head any higher than his superior’s
In contrast to the strong intimidating figure of Hephaestion, Cleitus looked like a fish out of water, but never the less still had the shark like features of a veteran warrior: The shaven head. The scar across one of his eyes. His well toned arms and legs. However, as he cowered before his general, he felt his general’s cold, warm eyes wade over his slightly crooked nose. His long feet. His silver armour with the image of Tiger pouncing. The bead of sweat that ran gingerly down his left cheek. His general thankfully turned to where he was once staring, which seemed to be a patch of air.
"I've missed the taste of dragon meat.” said Hephaestion, gleaming. “I'm going to make sure to rip off its legs before we kill it!" Cleitus gave a dark chuckle. He turned to Klitos, a weedy shadow of a man who wore a dark hooded robe over himself. He sat patiently in the corner, waiting for the wind to blow.
"Cheer up Klitos! I promise I'll let you have most of the leg!" Puffed Cleitus.
The human didn’t visibly react to the mocking gesture and gave a low growl. He spoke huskly, as if something was caught in his throat: "I don’t care for food you fool! I am wondering what's changed...Its been two thousand years and I wonder what’s happened to our world...To this world. What's changed and what's the same. And what of the sun and moon goddesses?" Cleitus wanted to strike his friend with a massive warhammer. But there weren't many humans left in the world, so any ally destroyed was less chance of survival.
"You dare to speak to me in that way maggot! I will have your hide carved into-"
"ENOUGH!" Hephaestion roared out. "I've waited so long for our freedom and revenge and I will not let your petty squabble be my demise! We march towards the dragon in the next hour. We need to gather our magical power; if we want to survive we have to stick together. We are brothers bound by sword and sealed with blood now and forever."
The two warriors glanced at each other with regret dripping in their faces. "Brother...Forgive me for my spiteful words, I am troubled with being encased in ice for two millennia." Cleitus eased his grip on his weapon and lowered it.
"I accept your apology, and I suggest that we move on, the sooner we kill that dragon, the safer we will be."
After several hours of walking in the forest. The three humans finally arrived at the cave. Cleitus grabbed his large warhammer and gripped it tightly. Klitos removed his twin swords from their sheaths as they glowed with indigo fire. Hephaestion prepared his large shield, proudly donning it on his left arm. The shield's face was shaped as the head of a dragon with Hephaestion's magic fulling it to endlessly breath fire. The three humans took their stances and stood outside of the cave like guardian statues.
"Dragon of this forest, hear me! me and my brothers challenge you to a battle to the death! Come forth coward and answer our cry!" Hephaestion roared out the challenge as loud as he could. A powerful gust of smoke was shot out of the cave. In any other scenario, ponies, gryphons and minotaurs would run for their lives, but the three warriors stood their ground. Fearless in their pursuit for the dragons power and death. The fury of hell and tartarous itself was burning inside of them and not even a dragon's roar could make them move a single inch to retreat.
A powerful tremor could be felt as the dragon slowly made its way out of the cave. But as it revealed itself. The dragon was a lot bigger than they had anticipated. yet this did not sway their resolve.
"Insignificant mortals! You dare challenge me!" As the dragon was building up its fiery breath. Its sharp reptilian eyes saw creatures it hadn't seen in mellania. "What sorcery is this! Humans!? Your kind were eradicated from the face of the earth!" In a ironic twist of fate, 50 foot dragon started to hesitate fighting the humans.
"I assure you, we are quite alive...- NOW KLITOS!" The swift human appeared out of nowhere and with a single slice of his blades, the dragon's left leg was detached from its body. His swords were in a inferno of hellish purple fire. The dragon Roared out in pain that echoed through the forest, undoubtedly heard by the village heard from beyond the forest.
The dragons eyes burned with rage and quickly inhaled to consume his enemies in flame. The dragon quickly inhaled and breathed out fire that consumed everything in its surrounding. The dragon crept a painful smile as he was still reeling from his pain of losing his leg, but his magic would allow him to grow a new one. But his victory was short lived, as the smoke lifted, the human standing in front of him was still standing, even tho he never raised his shield to protect himself.
"You overgrown lizards never learn do you? Your dragon's breath is useless!"
The dragon scoffed and raised its claws as it was prepared to crush the lowly human standing in front of him. However this time the, the human raised his shield to protect himself from the strike and as the large claws were swung downwards. The claws collided with the shield, but miraculously the human wasn't even affected by the powerful attack. The dragon stared at the human who was bristling with confidence. "You are out of time!" He shouted out with a evil grin.
The dragon was confused. But his confusion was quickly answered as he felt a slight tingling up his scaly spine. A maniacal laughter could be heard...on top of it.
It was Cleitus...Running up his long spine and towards his skull for a powerful blow that would instantly kill the dragon. However he wouldn't just lie down and wait for it to happen. The dragon started to shake its long neck and Cleitus started to go a bit off balance, but it did not stop him. he kept on going and as he came closer and closer. "MORTAL FILTH! You dare stain my back with your presence. I shall send you to the heavens above before I send you to tartarous below!" The dragon flapped its mighty wings and set forth towards the sky. In just a mere few seconds. The dragon was above the clouds. It could still feel the human, gripping one of his spines. When he reached the peaks above the sky, and the air started to get thinner. The dragon descended back on the ground. Its wound was starting to heal and Cleitus lost his grip and started to fall with the dragon. The mighty wyrm gave a toothy grin as he could see his prey about to meet its end. But as the dragon was going to slow its fall with its wings, a sudden stinging pain could be felt and nothing happened...The dragon quickly looked to his wings and saw that there was large holes cut open that had recently started to expand from the pressure of air...There was nothing left now...The fall wouldn't kill him but it would prove to be just powerful enough to leave him at the mercy of the humans down below...
Everyone was dead silent...Starfall didn't know how to react at the story. A dragon being slain by three humans just barely the size of its claws... One with swords, sharp enough to cut through dragon bones... One with a unbreakable shield and enough strength to withstand the direct attack of a dragon, and a mighty barbarian with enough courage to fall thousands of feet in the air without thinking twice about it and a hammer large enough to crack a dragon's head open lack a walnut.
Vigile was in deep thought as he was pondering over what kind of weapons the humans were wielding. "Your highness, it sounds like the human with two swords was using obsidian dragon scale swords and the other two weapons were most likely black limb metal..." He said turning towards Celestia.
Luna and Celestia were troubled by this...This meant that their weapons were powered by their emotions. And the combination of them being survivors of genocidal campaign wouldn't make the situation any better. "I know of them..." Celestia spoke with a cold voice. Her usual bright and positive tone was completely gone and unlikely to return anytime soon. "Hephaestion...Klitos...Cleitus. The general and lieutenants of Alexander's army before they turned on him. They’re pathetic creatures, knowing only how to cause pain and suffering, how to enjoy hurting others, abusing others. Creatures that’ll never know love..." she sighed. “It’s almost pitiable.”
Another silence snuck up in the room. Luna however was the first to break it. "Captain! I want you to take this pegasus for further questioning." This command snapped Starfall out of his trance. Two of the guards grabbed the poor pegasus as he was dragged out of throne room to the barracks and then the jail cells.
"Please, Your highness, I need to get back home to my family!" He cried out, fearing for what might come next.
"I am sorry but we need to ask you further questions regarding your claims. You shouldn't worry about getting him at this time." The guards escorted the old pegasus out of the throne room, leaving only the royals and guards.
"Mother! How can you bother that poor old stallion with further questions? He has been through enough, shouldn't we let him go home to his family?" Starfall protested out as he raised his head to his full length in act of defiance.
"I'm sorry Starfall, but we need to know everything about the humans in the forest, everything down to their boots." Starfall was taken back by how cold his mother was when a threat was present.
"The stallion already told you everything he saw and heard and yet you treat him like he was some enemy of the nation. And another thing, why were you so forceful with him? We are not above anyone and we will speak to them with respect."
Luna gritted her teeth at her son's insolence. "And you are one to speak? You cannot begin to understand the danger Equestria is in if we allow this threat to run rampant. If that pegasus was telling the truth, they are skilled and powerful warriors that could easily slay a dragon, what do you think they will do to Ponyville once they reach it?"
Luna's words sunk heavily Starfall as he was terrified what those humans were capable of if they reached Ponyville or any other village. However Starfall wouldn't change his mind. "Despite our fears, we cannot treat our precious ponies like this. Even when threatened, we can never compromise who we are!"
Vigile saw how this disagreement was spiraling into arguing. "My apologies your highnesses but I need to prepare the royal army for the coming events." Vigile's interference caught both of the royal's attention as they were meeting eachother head on with different points of views.
Luna had no attention to stay and argue with her son while three very dangerous humans were running around in the Everlife forest. "I shall join you after I've dusted off my armor. And You young man,” She sighed and shook her head “We will have this discussion later." With those words Captain Vigile and Luna left the throne room. Leaving a very frustrated Starfall to ponder over the recent events.
Starfall was relentlessly pummeling the punching bag in the exercising court of the castle. Frosthowl was witnessing his masters distress and was carefully keeping his distance. Not that he was afraid, but he wanted to give him his space. He could easily sense his masters anger, being a wolf he was in tune with his inner beast and ferocity.
Starfall however was lost in his thoughts as he gave one powerful blow after another, luckily the day had arrived which gave the prince a chance to exercise his day light strength, were it night, he could easily had torn the bag in half. He gave it one final powerful blow and started to catch his breath again. at this, Frosthowl stepped forward and took his fighting stance.
"Not yet, I need to catch my brea-" He took a large sip of water out of his bottle as he was dying for a refreshment. "-my breath!" He gave it a few more seconds before he also took his stance towards his friend.
Starfall slowly stepped to the side and circled his opponent. Frosthowl quickly followed and went with the flow. Frosthowl started out with growling at his opponent, but that did not make the brash prince back down. A few officers usually came to the court to also keep themselves in shape and to watch a sparring match between the human and wolf.
"Are we gonna dance all day or are we going to fight?" Starfall asked with a teasing smile. Frosthowl reacted by quickly trying to knock down the human with a strike of his left paw, but Starfall quickly rolled to the side and dodged the painful blow. But he wasn't given a chance to pick himself up and Frosthowl launched himself ready for the killing strike, but again, Starfall had predicted his friends next attack so he laid perfectly flat on the ground, letting him bypass the wolf above him. Frosthowl had not expected this and instead of using his master as a landing pad, he lost his momentum, giving Starfall the chance to jump back on his feet and quickly pursuing the large white wolf.
Vigile silently watched the blood brothers fight, the great warriors playfully sparring, only using a mere fraction of their strength and skill yet still fighting at a military level. Starfall jumped up on Frosthowl's back with a slight help of his wings, and Vigile marvelled at what an asset he they would both be in the military. Prince Starfall, The wolfrider. What a symbol he could be, for strength, for kindness, for justice. Starfall grabbed on to Frosthowl’s neck and locked the hold. "POINT!" He yelled out. Frosthowl immediately stopped in his tracks, allowing Starfall to dismount and put his feet back on the ground. Vigile sighed.
He wasn’t here for Starfall.
"Impressive, what does that make? 2-10 to Frosthowl?" The familiar voice of Vigile caught Starfall's attention.
"Vigile? Aren't you supposed to be busy getting the guards ready?"
"We are still waiting for any able bodied soldiers, most of the pegasi and unicorns are useless against humans."
Starfall raised his right eyebrow at the response. "Dont you think it might be an exaggeration to bring along an entire army to take down three humans? Sure they may be experienced fighters but it still seems farfetched."
Vigile gave a low chuckle. "When your dad first arrived at ponyville, squad 09 were completely humiliated, and he also put the princess in a little bit of shame and most of all, he was unarmed and wasn't giving his all. But now we are facing up against three very experienced veterans that we have no idea over just how much power they consumed before their disappearance."
"You talk like you know these humans."
Vigile shook his head. "I dont, but the princess briefed me quickly on who they were. You could say it was Alexanders BFF and two lieutenants. I would be as stupid as Shining Armor if I wouldn't have any insurance of our victory."
Vigile's harsh tone put the young prince in a awkward moment. "Well then I'll guess I'll stay here and...Wait for you to come back?" He slowly turned his back on the Captain. Before he could leave, he was stopped by Vigile.
"Wait Starfall!" Starfall turned back around to face the armored pegasus. "The reason I came down here was...-" Vigile took a deep breath before he continued. "I could really use Frosthowl's help."
Starfall was stunned by the request. "WHAT!?" He yelled out with a blank look on his face.
Vigile took another deep breath. "Look, Starfall, I need all the help I can get, and me and my men would feel better if we had a 6 foot wolf covering our flanks. I promise you that he will return to you...Even if I have to give my life for it to happen."
Starfall was didn't speak. He turned his head to look at Frosthowl who was also lost for words...Or barks. Finally he spoke. "I cannot make such a decision, if he is sent out to battle, then it will be his decision, not mine."
Vigile stepped closer to the noble wolf. "Well Frosthowl? What'll be?"
Frosthowl looked at the humble Captain. Friend of his masters father, Champion of Equestria and the closest thing his master ever came to having a father where his own was gone, even Frosthowl liked the Captain as he was very accepting of him ever since he could remember.
His decision had been made, He inhaled a large portion of air before sticking out his chest and giving a howl loud enough to wake up all the morning sleepers of Canterlot. Vigile and Starfall didn't need to ask to know that was a resound battle howl. "Thank you Frosthowl, Now lets get you geared up, I had this incase of an....Emergency." As the pair were about to leave. Frosthowl took one last glimpse at his master. Before being given a reassured nod by Starfall.
"Don't worry Frost, you'll be safe with him" He whispered to himself. Starfall proceeded to grab his training equipment and make his way back to his room.
Dressed in casual attire and his hair still a bit wet from the shower. Starfall decided to start with the paperwork for the day, despite him not sleeping through the night thanks to the meeting, with his Immortal clock soon to stop ticking, sleep will be a thing of the past...same with food. But his walk was interrupted as he heard a large barking of orders being thrown around in the courtyard.
"MARCH FORWARD!" Vigile ordered. He was leading a impressive large army around 500 stallions and mares. It had taken them a 10 hours to get armored and briefed on the threat. Many of them were afraid of never returning, after all, they knew about the stories of humans being the harbingers of war and with their Captain being on full alert did not help their confidence. Frosthowl was also there, clad in bright silver armor, protecting his exposed body.
A large portal opened in front of the closed gate and the soldiers started marching towards it with Vigile leading the march and Frosthowl at his side. Starfall however, was watching everything transpire from his room. "Good luck Vigile...I hope you return safely."
Two years ago...
Starfall had just left his room after taking a shower after what had transpired last night. He opened the door to find Vigile standing outside...Waiting for him. "Vigile?" Starfall asked a bit confused and afraid.
Vigile gave a salute. "I was hoping you and I could have a talk?" He asked in a neutral tone. which even frightened Starfall even more. He had read about romance novels where the father of the mare had disapproved of the lovers relationship and threatened or even caused harm on the lead male.
"Y...Yes of course!" He snapped up and stepped to the side allowing the aged pegasus in to his room. "So....What did you wish to talk about?"
Vigile did not appear to be frustrated or mad...Rather disappointed... "I heard what transpired last night...I came to check up on you and see how you were doing?"
Starfall widened his eyes in surprise by Vigile's lack of frustration. What was even stranger, he was sympathising with him. "Aren't you mad about me causing your daughter unnecessary grief and taking her out without your blessing?"
Vigile was shocked by Starfall's answer. "Mad!? Why would I be mad that my daughter was to date The Prince of Equestria? My dead best friends son and a nice young stallion who treats mares with respect?"
Starfall was about to reply before he realised just how stupid his reasons were. "When you say it like that, it kinda makes it sound like it was the worst thing ever that we did not get together." He gave a cheeky smile to ease the tension.
"Well? How are you doing?" He asked again.
"Well...I can't say for sure, but I feel a little better after having a chat with a certain mare..." His eyes widened again as he mentioned the one night stand in front of the Dinky's father. "Uh! I meant that I met-"
Vigile started to laugh out laugh and gave the prince a powerful slam on his back. "Well its about time that you became a man, I guess the mare I saw sneaking out earlier was that Certain mare?"
"Oh come on! You still aren't mad?"
"What's with you being obsessed about my anger managment? And to answer your question, I am not mad because Dinky is engaged, as much as i hate to say it, you have no obligation to her whatsoever so its none of my business who you decided to ba-...Anyhow, Its too bad that you two didn't end up together, I'm sure if your dad saw you right now, he would cry his eyes out in joy of the thought of you and Dinky being together..."
Starfall smiled slightly at the answer to his question. "You sound disappointed." He said with a small chuckle.
Vigile, his hoof on Starfall's arm. "Of course I'm disappointed. I want to see you happy as well. And in my opinion I think you and Dinky would be perfect together." He stopped his sentence mid way as he didn't want to throw disinfectant on the still open wound. "But thats life, you can't always have your way. And besides, even though you are not my son, I always thought of you as my own."
Starfall woke up. With a bad feeling lingering above his head, as a horrible storm was coming. He glanced outside to see it was starting to rain..."Frosthowl?" He called out, but nopony responded or came to his call. Starfall glimpsed at the clock and saw it was 3 pm. He gave a disappointed sigh. "Less and less sleep for each passing year." mumbled to himself as he removed the cover. But as he set foot on the ground. Starfall felt an excruciating migraine burning his mind.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME!?" However, instead of an answer to his affliction, he was given a dark and murky vision.
Starfall found himself in a voidless plane, beyond time and space.
"Hello?" Starfall cried out. But none would answer. He looked around trying to see if anyone would present themselves.
After what felt like an eternity, the voidless plane took shape of a devastated world...The sun had been consumed and the moon had been shattered to a million pieces, scattered like his mothers stars. The ground was dead of life and water. But the worst part was the silence...
"What in the name of all that is...-" Starfall could not believe what he was seeing. He could neither hear any birds chirping or crickets giving off their noisy presence, the wind itself didn't even bother to blow as everything was standing still...But time was still moving.
Starfall surveyed his surroundings even more. What he saw next...Would never leave his mind. He walked to a pile of bones...The bones of two medium sized ponies that had their heads disconnected from their bodies...But also the bones a large...-
"FROSTHOWL!" He ran to the pile of wolf bones and fell down on his knees in disbelief. As he tried to make contact with the remains of his loyalest of servants, he simply went through it like he was non-existent. Starfall was at the verge of tears as he couldn't take more of what was happening.
But his misery would not end there. He felt a bone chilling sensation as he could see his steamy breath in the cold atmosfear. The world was alive again and Starfall saw that his hands had shrunk in size. The ground was covered in snow and Starfall was kneeling in front of a bled out Ice wolf. "Oh no...Please Lightbringer save her!" He cried into the wolf's furry stomach. But it had appeared that his prayers had been answered. For the wolf had started to move again. Starfall rose back to his previous composure and with joy he smiled...For the moment. The wolf opened its eyes with a fiery red eyes glowing it snapped and attack Starfall.
Starfall reacted by flinching away. But the pain never came and he dared to open his eyes again to see he was infront of a gravestone.
Prince Davios Sunbright
"Forgive me for my mistakes. May you find peace in whatever afterlife that is ahead of you."
Crystal King Alexander-
"Davios Sunbright...?" Starfall thought to himself. "Sombra!?"
A bright light started to take form behind Starfall as he turned around to confront this strange light. He was wary of these constant changing of atmosfears and was bracing himself for what was coming next. The light took the shape of a impressively large stallion, with white fur and a golden burning mane, similar to his mothers and aunts.
"You called, and I have answered. It is wonderful to finally meet you, Cousin" He spoke with a adult voice and with power and strength behind it. There was no doubt in his mind that this was the son of Celestia and Alexander.
"You know of me?" Starfall asked.
The large stallion, just slightly shorter then Starfall, nodded. "I do. Our grandmother has had her eye on you since even before my birth and your father has always watched you, ever since he joined me upp here."
Starfall was humbled by his cousin's choice of words. "Why am I here? Why have you been pestering with my mind with these terrible visions?"
Davios leaned his head back in slight surprise. "I have done no such thing. For after...These are not off my doing, but your own."
"Excuse me?"
"You called me here and your visions are of your own creations...You seem to be in turmoil with yourself." Davios spoke as he put his hoof to his chin in thought.
Starfall was taken back by the weird suggestion. "What do you mean turmoil with myself?" The human prince asked.
"Like me, you were prone to never back down from a battle when presented. You are the son of a warrior as skilled as my father. We both have the curse of battle in our blood. I had my fair share of fighting back when I was alive against the minotaurs and dragons. But while your family is participating in battle, you are sleeping in your comfortable bed..."
"I am no warrior or hero as my father...I am a good duelist I admit. But I am not ready to take someones...Life." Starfall lowered his head in slight self loathing. "I dont think I can ever claim a life willingly...I feel compassion for all living life."
"You know what they say: The first, is always the hardest." The words sunk deeply in Starfall's mind as the world started to fade away once again. "Remember these words: The harder you try to hide your True self, the faster you succeed in releasing it."
"DAVIOS!" Starfall jumped up in shock as he returned back to reality. His eyes were scanning the room rapidly and he was paranoid of the next vision that never came. He slowly started to ease his breath and drop his stance. However, even if the visions were over. The crystal princes' words were still echoing inside Starfall's mind. "I need some fresh air!" He said as he stormed out of his room. He ran to the balcony.
The sight of all of Canterlot made the prince stare to all his subjects below. He saw the faces of the pure and innocent newborns. He could also see his aunt Rarity with her husband, strolling with their newborn daughter in her foal carriage. He could not make out much of the baby, but he saw them just returning from the park. He looked upon them with such envy. They didn't have the world resting on their shoulders and didn't have to worry about a nation wide crisis...Their lives were solely focused around each other. The feeling of innocence had over the years slowly been leaving Starfall as he grew up. All who looked upon him knew that this was the son of the legendary Crystal King Crimson. Always hiding in the shadow of his father. But Starfall always did wonder. Could he become a hero like his father? But heroes are only born in the time of need. When a threat against the innocent presents itself to cause dread and terror...
Starfall's mouth opened in his realisation... The guards of the castle were absolutely terrified from the humans arrival. His mother was dreading the terror she had gone off to face and Vigile... Time after time he had always been there to pick the young prince up when he fell. May it be him learning how to walk, or covering for him when he used to raid the kitchen for any meat or sweats.
"No more..." Starfall narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist. "I refuse to sit and watch as my friends and family are putting themselves in danger!" And with a simple reaction from his shoulder blades, Starfall expanded his magnificent wings. rarely had he done that, but now they were extended to their fullest 4 meters. The prince took a few steps back and gather his courage for the leap of faith. "No...MORE!" He ran towards the edge and leapt off the balcony.
Such a sizeable flyer caught the attention of the townsfolk and they all gazed and the breath taking sight. The prince...Was flying. One of the guards pegasus guards at the gate flew up to the prince.
"My lord, it is not safe for you to-"
Starfall stopped mid flight. With fire of determination in his eyes he gave the guard a death stare. "Sergeant, Do I look like a child!?" He asked with strong, stern voice.
The guard was caught off guard by such a question by what used to be the friendliest soul in Equestria. "I...-"
"Do I look like a child Sergeant? Answer the question!" He said again.
"No my lord!" He answered terrified.
"In that case, hand me your spear and stay out of my way..."
Hephaestion glanced over the horizon as he slowly emerged out of the forest with his companions. He saw the gathered army and what drew his attention the most, was the princesses. He also noticed that they were slightly different from before with the change of mane and ornaments. He grinned, anticipating pain and bloodshed. He spoke with his snake voice differently from earlier, the words clear and constantly shooting out of his excited grin.
"Celestia and Luna! It is fantastic to see you again, its been a nice couple thousand of years!" Hephaestion spoke with a sarcastic malice in his voice. "I see you and your ponies have built up courage from the last time we pillaged, raped and killed your kind!" Celestia and Luna remained silent and narrowed their eyes in frustration. "Forgive me, did I touch a nerve? I will make sure to cut out more after I've disemboweled your sister!"
"Leave these lands, Monster! You and your kind are not welcome here!" Luna shouted out with her royal canterlot voice.
Heaphestion laughed manically with Clitos. "Where is Alexander? Aging did not fare well with him I see?" A large beam of blazing fire was shot out of Celestia's horn and as expected, everything surrounding the humans was destroyed except them. "Now now, Celestia, you and I both know that magic doesn't work on us. Make this easier on yourself and surrender for a quick death. You've lived for far too long and its time that someone should...Replace you."
"NOT WHILE I STILL STAND!" The booming voice of Vigile caught the attention of the humans. "FIRE!" A volley of arrows on fire rained down upon the unsuspecting humans. A black thunder, struck the hundred arrows.
"You will have to be faster than that!" Klitos replied as he returned to his general's side.
Vigile clenched his teeth in frustration. "Direct fire!" Another flurry arrows were shot direct against the humans but came to a sudden stop and turned around to face the ponies. The arrows with a fast speed were shot back towards the ponies. A large barrier protected all of the ponies except Vigile as he was standing outside of it. two arrows attached themselves on his armor but barely made through to the other side of the plate. "DELTA SQUAD!" Vigile shouted out. The skies filled with armored pegasai charging towards the ground with their spears ready to impale the humans.
"DOM VRO DA!" The large quaking sound of a shout could be heard as the pegasus stopped flapping their wings and their bodies fell directly towards the ground and suffered heavy injuries.
"CHARGE!" The ground quaked as the several hundreds of soldiers ran charged towards their enemy. To kill and die for Equestria.
Hephaestion sighed. "Enough of this! Clitos, disband them!"
"GOR VI OOF!"
All the soldiers fell neck deep in the earth rendering them unable to move. "Sister, we have to help them!" Just as Celestia and Luna were about to free their subjects. They were being choked by Klitos.
"You two have caused enough trouble!" Celestia and Luna could fell how they were slowly losing air and their lungs were unable to inhale fresh air. Klitos, quick as a flash brought the two princesses in front of Hephaestion. They both saw that they were in the mercy of their worst nightmare.
"And here I thought it would be more difficult...Oh well. Say your final goodbyes to your sister, Celestia." Hephaestion smiled as he drew his burning black sword.
Tear were forming in Luna's eyes as she realised that her final moments with her son, was a fight. Her eyes glittered as she saw him raising his sword.
"Good bye Luna, it was a pleasure while it lasted." Luna closed her eyes, awaiting her fate.
But instead of a quick death. She heard a loud howl off in the distance. "PROTECT THE QUEEN!" She recognized the voice of Frosthowl. Several packs of regular forest wolves charged towards the humans.
"Clitous, Klitos! Regroup!" The swordsman cut down several of them, while several others met their fate in the hands of Clitous massive war hammer.
Frosthowl with his massive fangs ready to tear apart Hephaestion ran at a speed which the human could not counter with. Frosthowl pounced him to the ground and stomped on his meager human arm. Hephaestion screamed out in agony. Frosthowl was about to finish him off with one large bit to tear his head off. But was knocked on his side by the massive hammer.
"On your feet, General!" Clitous picked up his comrade from the ground, still in pain from the attack. But he would have his vengeance against the wolf who had dared to strike him.
Vigile, still embedded in the ground was struggling against his restrain, but his mere pony strength would not suffice for this fight. "I have no choice but to use my armor..." With a thought, the armor started to give off a glow, resembling the sun.
"A fine specimen of a wolf, too bad you would not have joined with me when you had the chance." Hephaestion took his stance towards the large pale wolf and swung his sword. But before it could make contact with its flesh. A metal clinging sound could be heard. It was the Vigile in his fully enveloped armor and his diamond sword. His face was replaced with the one of a dragon, his blue eyes were giving off a burning aura as they were hidden in the darkness and his wings were also protected. His wings had razor sharp talons.
Hephaestion was annoyed from the constant interruptions. "KLITOS! Show this amataur, the skills of a master swordsman." Vigile quickly disconnected his sword away from Hephaestion to deflect Klitos' sword.
Frosthowl recovered from his injury to reunite behind Vigile. "Frosthowl, You take the one with the hammer. Mister Hot shit sword is mine!"
Hephaestion gave a laugh. "The odds are against you, we were the best of the best warriors of our world. You might be fast, but Klitos is faster. That wolf might be strong, but Clitous is stronger. And I have both their strength and speed. What could you possibly counter with that?" The sky flashed as a large flying creature could be seen diving towards the ground. The winged creature created a gust of wind as it landed on the ground. sand and dust was blinding everyone temporarily. Forcing them to look away, and as their eyes recovered they saw him...
Starfall rose from his knees with his spear still impaled in the ground. "I hope I am not late to the party?"
Vigile gave a confident smile. "What took you so long?"
The three humans were standing in complete shock to the reveal of a new human with hair color they had never seen before. "Who are you, stranger and why are you siding with these weak ponies?"
Starfall pulled the spear of the ground. "I am Prince Starfall, Descendant of Alexander, Son of Commander Crimson Phoenix, Son of Princess Luna. I fight with these ponies to protect my nation and my family!" The three humans took their stances against the human. Hephaestion summoned his large bulwark, Klitos emerged from the shadows with his blades at his sides ready to strike and Clitous rose his hammer from the ground. " Do you have any idea what your ancestor did to us!?" He sniffled, agrilly.
Starfall did not flinch. "What happened in the past doesn't matter, but if you seek conflict, you will be quickly dispersed of!" He replied.
Clitous started to twitch in madness induced anger, Klitos' swords started to burn with a black fury that none of his comrades had seen and Heaphestions shield seemed to devour any light that was shunned upon him, like a black hole. "WE WERE IMPRISONED FOR TWO THOUSAND YEARS, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH WE'VE SUFFERED!?"
Still, Starfall did not back down. "For good reasons!" He spoke as he surveyed the field full with immobilized ponies and heavily injured pegasai. "Its time for you to return to your prisons!"
"NEVER!" they all spat out. A large beam of magical energy was shot directly at Starfall. Vigile was not fast enough to counter it.
"STARFALL!" Luna cried over her son. But as the smoke cleared, The prince, remained unharmed. "What?" She couldn't believe her eyes. A magical blast like that should have torn even a ursa minor apart.
The three humans who had cast the attack were in shock, they thought if they could hit him He would have been obliterated. "What sorcery are you playing on us, demon spawn!" Hephaestion hissed.
Vigile and Starfall were lost for words until it hit him. "You've got to love mother nature...Or the Luna's mom." Everyone was looking at the prince in confusion... Luna, who let out a low chuckle.
"His father was immune to pony magic, after all he was human. But Starfall is a hybrid of both, just like Sombra, making him immune not to Pony magic...-"
Starfall let out a amused smile. "-But human magic..." He muttered to himself.
The three humans scowled.
"It will not change the outcome! I WILL ANNIHILATE YOU!" Roared the humans before quickly picking out an opponent and charging towards their targets.
Clitous charged towards Frosthowl as he swung his mighty warhammer, but Frosthowl countered the blow by striking back with his enormous paw. Making both of them stagger back. The wolf quickly recovered and headbutted the human in the chest.
"Nice one! Now its my turn!" He jumped back on his feet and started swinging around his hammer like a tornado. The hammer gave of a powerful glow and as much as Frosthowl wanted to take his chances, he could never risk his own life to upset his master. He decided to counter the spinning by running along with it. Making a blow that would have been fatal, more of a flesh wound. "Ha, you fool! Now experience the black magic held inside the hammer!"
Frosthowl howled in pain as the wound felt like it was petrifying him. He moved slower and slower, he still had his strength. "Try and evade my attacks now!" The human swung again, striking the albino wolf's left shoulder, sending him on his side, unable to move.
The large Ice wolf barked in defiance against his victorious opponent. "Oh you're still alive? Well I have to say I am impressed, a dragon would have been killed by a blow like that. It would be such a shame if a strong companion like you would have been put to waste." The crazed human gave a sinister smile. "Gol Ha Dov!"
Vigile clashed swords with Klitos as they both moved faster than any of the other ponies could make out.
"Impressive, you are as fast as He was, but are you as cunning?"
Vigile gave a cooky smile. "Try me mother fucker!"
Klitos looked confused to the meaning of the word, but quickly ignored it and accepted the challenge. He disappeared into the shadows. "Can you strike what cannot be seen?" The voice of Klitos echoed in the field. Vigile was looking for his opponent. But in a quick gust of wind, he dodged an invisible blade that scratched his armor.
"You afraid of losing to someone who is two feet shorter then you? Come on! Fight me like a Man!" He shouted out. The wind changed again and Vigile, faster then the wind, turned around to clash with the upcoming sword.
"Interesting choice of words coming from a pony!" Their clash of might was disengaged again as Klitos returned back in the shadows.
Vigile gave off another cocky smile as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, letting the humans magic and movement be the center of his vision.
As Vigile closed his eyes to focus on the magic source, he could see through his eyelids, He could see everyone's magical aura and their sound made it easier for him to make out their next move. Klitos went for the attack, but his strike was blocked by his opponents sword. Vigile took the chance and gave a powerful blow with his front right hoof and struck Klitos' eye, Sending him on the ground. The captain of the royal guard, and the best friend of a genocidal human, had no mercy or honor of fair fight when it came to a threat against his family and home. His white wings quickly took flight to impale his defeated foe. Kiltos turned, rage in his
"NOT SO FAST!"
Starfall rammed the tip of his spear into Hephaestion shield, with a force that made him stagger backwards. "You may not look it, but you are stronger than I had expected. But you clearly are no Alexander!" Starfall didn't reply and whirled the spear, a show of skill to intimidate. "Come on, son of Luna, Show me what you have to offer!" Starfall flew up in the sky, away from the battle. "Clearly you do not disappoint!" He hooted as he surveyed his opponent in the sky.
Starfall smirked, there wasn't much of a battle to begin with. "If that amazes you, then feast your eyes on this!" Starfall left his position in the sky, revealing the sun and blinding his opponent who was gazing at him."
Hephaestion looked away, as the sun stole his vision. But as his sight recovered, he saw the winged warrior flying towards him. A large slashing sound could be heard... The spear landed in the general's shoulder, driven to the ground and unable to move. The human general screamed in agony as he felt his entire body shaking in shock of the wound.
Starfall stared at the human for a short while as he fumbled around, convulsing with shock and pain as if he was not prepared to take it. How easy it would be to kill him. To hastily remove the spear embedded in his elbow and shove it right back down in his face. How simple the act of killing the only other real human he ever met would be. He face shifted from rage to confusion, as he began to marvel how frail even these creatures were.
He almost forgot he was in a battlefield.
"Gol Ha Dov!" The loud thundering boom made Starfall turn his attention towards Frosthowl and Cleitus. Frosthowl was on his feet, standing like a statue looking at his New master. "FROSTHOWL!" Starfall called out. But he did not answer.
Cleitus gave the young prince a sinister smile. "He belongs to me now! He is such a fine beast… I think I’ll call him... Gorehowl!" Gorehowl looked at his master as he called. "Kill the boy!" The moment the order was issued Gorehowl charged towards his former master. Starfall made a dramatic leap away from Hephaestion, who started to drunkly cackle with the rest of his strength as he realized what was happening. Starfall got up and turned to his former friend.
"I will not fight you Frosthowl!" Starfall spoke as he stared down the wolf. This statement made Cleitus laugh
"Foolish boy! Do you think this is some sort of fairytale? You cannot save your precious dog with words. The only way to survive is to KILL!" He spat out. Starfall looked away just for a second, but that proved to be his undoing. Gorehowl tackled Starfall to the ground as he stared down his prey. His massive fangs were a sight to behold. The prince was staring his lifelong friend in the eyes. To frightened to move. but not speak. "Gorehowl FINISH HIM!" Gorehowl looked back and forth to his previous master and his current one. Confused to what to do.
"Frosthowl, this is not you!"
"DO NOT LISTEN TO HIM AND TEAR OUT HIS HEAD ALREADY!" Clitous shouted out anxiously.
"Break his magic Frosthowl! You are slave to no one!" ...Frosthowl was fighting the magical compulsion set on him. He was fighting ferociously with his entire core against Cletius’ magic, he would not kill his Master...His friend...His family. "I am sorry I failed your mother! But from this tragic event I met you! We became the bestest of friends, you gave me something I never could’ve dreamed of having… A brother." The final words felt like a spell that had removed the bonds of Frosthowl.
"CAN YOU HEAR ME YOU WORTHLESS DOG!? KILL THE BOY ALREADY!" Cleitus Shouted out again as he stepped closer, prepared to do the job himself. Frosthowl winked at Starfall before beginning to viciously snarl at him. Cleitus stopped and darkly grinned. The two began to circle one another until Starfall was in front of him.
“THAT’S RIGHT YOU WORTHLESS MUTT!!! KILL HIM!” Starfall rolled to the side as Frosthowl leaped at the unprepared human soldier. Cleitus, paralyzed with fear, could only scream helplessly as Frosthowl’s fangs entered his eyes and was abruptly silenced as the wolf ripped off his head. The limp body fell to ground, blood pouring out of where the human’s head once was.
Starfall released the breath he was holding in the whole time. "You scared me there for a second." He picked himself up and looked at the dead human. "If aunty Rarity would be here, she would have commented about him being Such a brute. You know, after she’d passed out 20 times at the sight of blood." He turned to Frosthowl, who spat out the human head in his jaws in disgust. He grinned, relieved to have him back.
"Have at it, General!"
"I admit, you are a better swordwielder then I am, but I will not lie down and die after being imprisoned for two millennia."
Vigile, his body frozen by a restraining spell, growled at use of magic by his opponent. "I'm not surprised that a pussy like you would cheat in a fair fight!" He spat at the human.
"You were about to strike me down as I fell on the ground. Are we really that different you and I?" Klitos spoke coldly as he looked around the battlefield and saw his general lying in the ground wounded by the spear that belonged to the hybrid.
"GENERAL!" he ran towards him, with the pony still in his grip. "Sir, you're injured!"
"Tell me something I don’t know, lieutenant." He replied back while gritting his teeth in frustration, but when he saw the pony in his grip, he stopped gritting and smiled. "Quickly, let me devour that pegasus!" Klitos removed the spear with his magic and offered the helpless pegasus to his general.
"Have at it, General."
"Fuck you!" He spat at the human’s feet in loathing. Suddenly a purple chain was seeping out of his body. Vigile felt as his entire life was being drained from him. His armor was removed and he saw how his blond mane turned gray and his white fur coat did the same. He felt weaker and his bones felt more fragile. Unbeknownst to him, He was starting to look older and older until he was nothing but a barely lifeless husk. He fell to the ground as the general was done with him.
"Good, my wound is fully healed now." Both the humans turned their attentions to their still standing enemies but stopped in shock as they saw one of their comrades had become decapitated mess on the ground.
Starfall also stared in utter shock. His mouth was hanging open and his eyes swollen open with tears about to seep out. His breath quickened and suddenly felt like his body was about to puke. He fell on his knees, his breathing kept getting worse and worse, He grabbed hold of the grass as suddenly. everyone could hear a shifting of noises inside Starfall's body, Like muscle,nerves and bones were being rearranged forcefully. He gave out cry of pain at his misery and loss. "VIGILE!" The voice of Starfall was gone, and replaced with the same of...Alexander.
"General! Whats happening to him?" Klitos asked out in terror.
"Zeus mercy...Its...Its Him" He replied in disbelief. A unnatural storm came from nowhere. Thunder and lightning struck the ground.
"I...I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU!!!" As he roared up to the sky in fury the world had never seen before.
All over the world, clouds of darkness formed in its corners. The dragon langs, Gryffindar, the Zebra deserts, the planes of the toraja, Saddle arabia and the Crystal empire all fell to the darkness that was Starfall's unmeasurable rage. In her throne room. Keristrasza stared out in her clouded kingdom, as she knew that the Avatar of Legion, had been reborn.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Everyone stared. Celestia and Luna had cast a counter curse on the ponies and now all their eyes were on Starfall, whose silhouette hung in the blood red sky as if he were an angel of death.
The three humans, including Cletius’ head were lifted from the ground as they witnessed their final moments alive. Klitos flailed around pathetically, his mind consumed in terror, while Hephaestion stared into the young hybrids face. His eyes were blood red and his wings feather color had been changed to black, just like Alexander.
"Hello again, old friend." He croaked. Then, slowly, he closed his eyes and, sighing calmly, tilted his head down in defeat. Starfall flicked his hand and in a flash, the three humans had exploded into a bloody mess.
Unknown Location
In the darkness, not one, not two, but seven pair of eyes glowed and the creature smiled to itself before going out on a fit of Laughter.
End of Act III