//------------------------------// // Fallen Equestria; The War // Story: Fallen Equestria; Shattered Silence // by Endless Nightmares //------------------------------// Chapter 16: Fallen Equestria; The War Celestia and Luna sit together in the elder white alicorns study, looking over the reports of the progress on repairing the pilots aircraft. Twilight Sparkle is nervously pacing about, unable to contain her emotions. It's been a busy twenty four hours, her friends and loved ones now resting in the medical wing, her friend Pinkie Pie missing since the explosion in the dungeons. "Twilight...calm yourself, everything will be fine. We survived the initial attack, and I have every available guard scouring the entire city in search of miss Pie." Celestia says calmly, her eyes glued to the parchment before her on the desk. Luna nods, a weak smile upon her muzzle. Her eyes betray her own distressed emotions. "Your friends all fought valiantly against the parasite...they have done well to make us all proud. Believe in me when I say they will be given the best medical care available." Twilight turns to face them both, her wings twitching slowly. "I never knew the changelings would go as to so far like this...I knew they had magic, but I never expected them to overload themselves and turn into walking bombs..." She says in a haunted whisper. "Without Pinkie, we can't use the elements to fight Chrysalis...We may have just welcomed our death..." Celestia flicks her soft gaze to Twilight, a look of sadness upon her features. "Twilight....no pony knew they would do such a foalish act of cowardice. This isn't any ponies fault, believe me. Your friends did well...and all hope is not lost." The younger alicorn perks her ears up and listens intently to Celestias soft soothing voice. "What do you mean?" she asks. Celestia nods, a soft sad smile coming to her features. Her wings fold down slowly to her sides as she directs her full attention to her love. "I can still sense power within the element of laughter through the heavenly mechanisms of the magical currents. Pinkie is somewhere, and she's alive. " She sighs deeply. "I cannot tell what state she is in, but I feel that the energy there is still strong and full of life. Wherever she is, I can assure you she is safe and well. The catacombs beneath Canterlot castle run for miles under the citys streets. It's very likely that when the drone had taken its own life, she may have fallen into one and is perhaps lost and searching for a way out. If she is there, I promise you that the guards will find her and bring her back safely." Luna chimes in, nodding slowly, her own soft jade eyes looking into Twilights. "We also sent word to your brother and Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire. They know of our situation and state, and the last response we had gotten is that they will happily assist in the search and rescue of your friend. Furthermore, we believe they will send forces to aid us in the coming battle." There's a knock at the study door, getting the attention of the three alicorns within the study. Celestia clears her throat. "Enter." She calls out softly. The door opens, Captain Jolt flash entering the room. He has a worried look upon his face. "Princess, we have received word from our scouting troops...we have a grave problem, your majesty." He says, removing a scroll tucked into his armor. He hands Celestia the scroll and stands in front of the desk, his gaze locked onto hers. Celestia unfurls the scroll, reading on. As she does, her face pales, her eyes growing wide. "Oh Mother...." She whispers, looking up at him. "Is this true? Could this be accurate?!" She hurriedly pleads. "Tell me this is some kind of misconception or mis communication!" Jolt shakes his head slowly, grimacing. "It gets worse, princess. By our estimates, they will be here at nightfall. Word is that the queen herself is joining them in this, leading the fight. Our other scouts have confirmed Appleoosa, Horseshoe Bay and Baltimare have already been overtaken, with a possible loss of all hands. One of our own patrols there in Baltimare was wiped out shortly after they had sent a distress call." Celestia stands up on her hooves, a look of determination upon her features. "Evacuate the city to all of the safe zones, and muster the guards. Pull back every patrol, every scout and round up every able bodied stallion and mare that's willing to fight. This is now your top priority." She says. Luna and Twilight both look at the scroll, their eyes wide and pupils dilated to pinpricks. "Sister...this can't be..." She says shakily. "This army...it was bread for one specific purpose...How could she have gathered such forces unnoticed?" Twilight says, her own voice hollow with fright. "Princesses...if I may." The solar guard speaks up. "You must leave and get to safety. Over one hundred thousand drones are on their way here....it may be too much for us if we have to fight alone. You must get to safety and survive, all of Equestria needs you three alive. I joined this service to serve and protect you, and I have no qualms with laying down my life to protect that very core value and belief. Please...evacuate with the rest of your subjects, flee the nations borders if you must. You must get to safety." He clenches his hoof and makes his features rigid before them, to accentuate his point. Celestia, Luna and Twilight are all quiet for a moment, before the regal white alicorn speaks up, looking at him. "You have your orders, captain. My place is here, defending my subjects. Arm every guard with swords, blades and any weapon you can get from our caches and armories. Magic will do no good against these drones, as they have found a way to defend against it as was evidence of last nights surprise attack. I will lead the fight into battle against Chrysalis and her armies. I will not stand for this wanton destruction from such mindless parasites." The solar stallion nods, still somewhat protesting. He turns and exits the chambers, to carry out his orders. Luna follows after her sister who is leaving as well, bound for the palace armory. "Sister, this is foalish. He is right and you two must escape. I will lead this fight, and protect our kingdom." Celestia exits the room, trotting quickly down the halls. "No, Luna. I'm going and that's final. If you wish to run, then do so. Otherwise, join me and let us don our armor once more. I will not allow for this parasite to overtake and murder all we have worked for other these centuries." Luna trots beside her, keeping pace. "I already have mine full armor on, Tia. You mustn't fight though! Please hear me out and escape!" Celestia stops and turns to Luna, looking at her in the eyes. "First I am going to go make sure the element bearers are being treated well, then I am going to armor up lulu. This is my final answer. I am not abandoning our subjects in this fight to these wolves. It is our duty as their princesses to fight beside them and face any danger, this being no difference of any other. It's time we brought the fight to the parasites doorstep." Luna shakes her head. "You must listen to reason, Tia, Equestria does need you, not me. Please, escape!" Celestia glares at Luna, a look of disappointment on her features. She sighs and walks off, her course changed and bound for the medical wing. * * * * * "I'm sorry princess, but I still cannot allow you or anypony else in to see the element bearers. Miss Apple is still in for surgery, as well as Misses Dash." Doctor Life Flight calmly explained to the regal white alicorn. Celestia grimaced and looked at him sadly. "Can you at least tell me their conditions? What of the lady Rarity? Is she alright?" She asked, concern laced deep within her voice. With a heavy sigh, the pegasus doctor looked at his charts, then focused back on the princess. "Rarity Belle is currently being held and treated in the intensive care ward for her significant burn injuries, deep lacerations and smoke inhaillation. It's not good...and we're unsure if she will survive the night, your majesty. Her back was nearly broken with the weight of that support column that had collapsed upon her. It's a miracle that she survived the impact alone." With a curt nod, Celestia had taken hold of the charts within her own foreleg and glanced it over. "It was lucky our commander was in the area to aid her when he was. Twilight already has a heavy heart with her friend miss Pinkie missing...I couldn't imagine how distraught she would be having to consider a funeral as well..." She trailed off, her features betraying her sadness. "Doctor." A unicorn nurse called from an open O.R. room door. "We're ready to begin work on Mrs. Shy. Please finish up and hurry in here as quickly as you can." With a polite bow, the pegasus doctor turned and walked off into the O.R. room, ready to begin helping Fluttershy. Celestia watched as he walked off, her heart heavy. She never expected this. Not once did the alicorn ever consider that the parasite would resort to utilize such dirty low tactics as to suicide bomb key sections of Canterlot, or do a death charge to disable the use of the Elements of Harmony. Celestia exited the medical ward of the palace, her hooves carrying her to parts unknown of the castle as she walkied aimlessly, her thoughts in utter chaos. The attack was completely unprovoked by Chrysalis, Celestia having not yet to even begun to give the orders to muster the guards, or her standing army. It's been centuries since the last major conflict, centuries since the last time she had to don her own armor, and charge into battle. This was a day she had hoped would never come. Around her, she watched as palace guards rushed about to their various posts, both Solar and Lunar guards working together. She sighed, stopping to look out a window as she slowly made her way through the grand halls of the palace. She watched for what seemed like an eternity as the skies dimmed with the setting sun. Her heart is heavy, her mind and soul weary from events recent. She alights her horn and called forth her magic, willing the sun out of the sky so her sister may raise her own celestial charge. With a heavy sigh, she made her way to the armory, finding Luna already adorning most of her Lunar armor. The same royal armor worn when they fought side by side together against Discord, so many moons past. "Luna." Celestia called quietly, entering the armory. "I see you've decided to fight then." Luna turned to her, after buckling the final leather strap of her protective leading edge guards. "Tia? What are you doing here? I thought I told you to go with your love, Mrs. Sparkle to flee the city? Leave this fight to me, mine sister. I shalt wipe these pests from our kingdom." Celestia ignored her, alighting her own horn. A large wooden cabinet opens, revealing her own solar armor resting upon stands. Despite their age of being thousands of years old, they still all looked high polished and as if they were just minted hours ago. The steel shined a brilliant shine and luster, the gems sparkled with an other worldly glow and glitter. The sleek edges of the weapons and armor gleamed, their appearance both awe inspiring and terrifying. This was the armor so few have ever seen, worn by the once warrior Goddess. The armor that had inspired legends, works of poetry and masterpiece art the likes of none have ever come close to. She grasps the pieces within her magic, each one being called to her. Celestia stands still as each piece comes to her, her magic willing them all to fall into place. First the back plate, flank guards and razor sharp wing guards come to her, clicking into their locations as her magic binds each one together, forming a flawless and seamless shield in those areas. Luna looks at her, wide eyed for a moment, before she narrows her gaze. "Tia..." She warns. Celestia turns to look at her younger sister. "Luna, we've been over this. I'm going into battle with you, and that's final." She says. She looks around for a moment, searching for the next piece of the armor, her bracers for her legs. "No, mine sister. You must stay here!" Luna hotly declares. "I will lead our troops against the parasite, you shalt remain in the safety of the palace walls." Celestia continues to ignore her younger sisters pleas, donning her armor. She levitates a golden hoof bracer on her foreleg, clasping the golden solar steel tightly around her fetlock and above her ankle joint. "Luna, you know as well as I that I belong on the front lines with our subjects, and I simply refuse to sit here and hide behind the palace walls while my little sister is out there risking her life. No matter what you say, I am going with you." Luna narrows her eyes to her sister and defiantly rips a portion of Celestias solar armor off of the nearby stands in the armory. "One of us needs to survive, mine sister. You have the experience of ruling this nation, you have the years of wisdom and the love of our subjects. You must remain here! Equestria can stand to lose me if I fall in battle this night. We have already lost the ability to use the Elements of Harmony, with the loss of the pink one and the damage to the others! Don't be foalish, and leave this to me!" Luna shouts. Celestia gives a stern look of disappointment to Luna, before picking up the chest piece of the armor off of the floor, and strapping it to herself. "My answer is no, lulu. Because miss pie has gone missing, and because the other bearers are wounded, I must fight beside you and the commander. His machine is still in the process of being repaired, and the weapons are being reloaded on board as we speak. I promise you lulu, if we drive them back I will consider the use of the super weapon you spoke of. But for now, I must come to the aid of our kingdom and fight." She says in a hushed tone. Celestia finishes mounting the last piece of armor from the stand, only leaving the golden and jeweled helmet and her claymore sword; Freyr. She straightens her wings, double checking the bladed wing guards secured to her leading edge bones. Luna shakes her head. "Thou should have listened to use it when mine flame and I told you to strike down the parasite with his weapon, Tia. Because we waited, we have now over one hundred thousand of the parasites drones marching unto our gates, and no word from the Crystal Empire as to their assistance. Had you of been less foalish, we would have wiped the parasite out in the blink of an eye, and been done with this endless nightmare." "And I told you, I couldn't condemn an entire race to death without trying for a peaceful solution first. Just be grateful that I didn't order the weapon destroyed or cast into the sun when I had snuck it off of the commanders craft that evening. I was worried you two would have went against my wishes and destroyed Chrysalis before we could even attempt peace talks." Celestia huffs out with annoyance. She sheaths the long solar sword upon her back, picking up the ancient helmet next. "I had always said...since our defeat with Discord that I would never allow you to fight alone again, lulu. I almost lost you to that monster, and I nearly lost you again several nights ago in the palace medical rooms...You're too precious to me, my dear sister." Celestia turns her head, locking her loving gaze onto the dark alicorns eyes. She lowers the helmet. "Luna...I lost you for one thousand years when the elements failed to cast Obsolescence out from your soul. One thousand years, dear sister...I could not bear the thought of losing you again for eternity. If we are to fall today, then I wish to do it together. Now please...stop this foalish behavior and let me finish preparing for battle. I will meet you on the front lines." Luna glares at her coldly, then nods slowly. "Very well...mine sister. Then I shalt leave you be, and see you there. May we fight tonight with honor, and crush the parasite into the dust beneith our hooves." She declares passionately. She steps away, heading for the door, her horn alit. "Indeed, see you there sis...ter..." Celestia wobbles in place for a moment. "Lu...Luna..." She gasps out. Her vision is failing, a sensation of vertigo overtakes her. The regal white alicorn crumples to the ground, out cold. Her breathing is deep and slow, as if she's sleeping peacefully. "I'm sorry...Tia." Luna whispers, coming back to her sisters side. She bends down and licks her sisters cheek affectionately. "But this is for the best...I promise." She nickers softly, rising to her hooves again. She levitates Celestia in her magical grasp, very carefully lifting the regal white alicorn beside her as she uses a teleportation spell, returning back to Celestias chambers. Once the flash clears, they re appear in the center of the well lit sun princesses private quarters. Luna gingerly sets her elder sister upon the soft bed, pulling a blanket over her. Her ears twitch and swivel when she hears movement behind her. "Twilight Sparkle." She bites out, turning around. Luna's gaze falls upon the whimpering smaller alicorn. She icily stares. "Mine sister is not well and needs to rest. See to it she does not leave these chambers and enters battle. You both must survive this conflict, and leave the fighting to me. Do you understand?" She says coldly. Twilight nods, understanding what it is the night princess was saying. "Did...did you hurt her, Luna?" She asks, swallowing hard. "Neigh...I merely placed her into a deep sleep. When she awakens, she will feel refreshed and have no memory of the armory. Keep her here, and away from battle..." Luna says quietly, turning away. "And Twilight?" She asks. The younger purple alicorn perks up her ears and turns her attention from the sleeping Celestia to Luna, who has her back to her. Luna is still facing the doorway, not looking at Twilight. "Yes?" "I never told you...how happy I was when you and mine sister wed, three years ago. I never told you how happy and grateful I was to accept you as mine younger sister. You are a good student, and a wonderful friend...You have made me proud and honored to call you that." She says. Luna sighs and continues walking out the door, not bothering to look at Twilight. She could hear the slow ragged breaths as she steps out, the distant sounds of quiet sobs as she closes the door. Luna's hoof steps echo in the empty halls, her armored hooves clacking against the cold marble floors of the palace. She makes her way to the hangar bay, where her flame is awaiting her. * * * * * Talon adjusts the heavy breastplate and bracers attached to his form, uncomfortable in the armor provided to him by Rarity, before she was attacked and hurt in the burning building hours ago. The forged sword gifted to him by Dark Fury rests in the scabard upon his back. He sighs, pacing around the hangar, awaiting Luna and Celestia to come so that they could head to the front lines. He watches out of the doors as more and more guards walk in lines, marching off to the battlefield just outside of the city outskirts. His guns have long since been depleted of ammunition, making this less of a battle of technology and more of a close combat fight with the parasite. He can hear the clack of armored hoofs approaching, as he turns around, only to be greeted by Luna alone. "Where's Sunny Butt?" He asks, putting out his cigarette in the bowl of sand. "Isn't she finished strapping up her armor?" Luna shakes her head slowly and comes beside the pilot. Her armor gleams in the moonlight as she walks slowly to him, the high polished Lunar steel gleaming and glittering on her wing guards. "No, mine flame. Mine sister hath taken my advice and remains in her chambers. One of us must survive this battle, to insure the prosperity of our kingdom. Are you prepared for battle?" He adjusts the armor again and clears his throat. "As ready as I'll ever be." They both turn and look to the warbird, which is still being repaired by several engineers inside the ballroom now hangar. Two unicorns work as a team, levitating the now repaired wing back into place, a third making all of the connections through the exposed panel. Over the last several days they have feverishly worked in shifts around the clock, repairs going all throughout the day and night. Much progress has been made, from the new landing gear to the replaced missing parts. The aircraft almost looks completely new once more, minus several missing panels open for working. Luna nods and kneels down a bit beside him, helping him mount unto her back. She rises to her hooves again once he's seated and turns, galloping quickly out with her troops and falling in line with them. It's this night she knows, that she and her flame may fall. It's under her moonlight, that the clashing of blades and shields will occur. Dark clouds loom overhead of them into the night as they make the walk, the heavens threatening rain, even against the will of the weather pegasi of Canterlot. Many of the city's occupants have since been told to evacuate to safe zones hidden within the city, others have fled to other parts of Equestria on the princesses orders. Some however, a great number have remained behind, to somehow or another assist in the fight. Luna looks around her as they trot forward, following the hundreds of guards walking ahead to the battle field. She sees some buildings still smoldering from last nights battle from the initial invasion forces of Chrysalis's army. Many shops have broken windows, other buildings are missing complete walls or sections altogether from several suicide attacks by the drones. More buildings in the area lay to waste completely, burned to the ground from the massive fire that overtook the residential and industrial districts of the once grand city. Luna's heart is heavy, when she passes and sees a dead foal and mare laying together in a darkened alleyway, likely casualties of last nights initial attack. Talon pats her on the side of the neck gently, to reassure her while riding upon her back. "We did what we could Luna...What we're doing now is the right thing, to defend the countless others here." Luna nods as she walks forward, finally reaching the battle lines. She can see her small regiment of three hundred Lunar Stallions, her own complete army standing proud and forming ranks, lead by Captains Aegis Shield and Stalwart Hide. She feels her heart sink, knowing that Dark Fury was not among them, his own life ending when the imprisoned drone had self detonated in the dungeons during questioning. To her left she sees Captains Jolt Flash and Iron sides, a newly promoted behemoth of an Earth stallion forming ranks with the Solar Stallions. She nods in approval and comes to a rest, standing before the nearly one thousand strong of the Equestria guard. She looks around, still seeing no signs of the reinforcements from the Crystal Empire or the Dragon Nation, and sighs. "I guess...we are alone then." She whispers, looking onward to the horizon. In the distance, she can see the large battle lines of Changeling drones marching to them, hundreds more in the skies above their own lines. She can hear the rattling of armor and quickened hoof steps within the lines of the Solar guard, some of them rearing back out of fright from the coming onslaught of drones. Luna cranes her neck back and glances at the pilot, looking to him for reassurance. Her own heart beating quickly with fear. His features are stoic like stone, his gaze fixed with a fierce determination and a steel resolve. He shows no fear, even in the face of such great odds. This gives her the strength she needs to steel her own resolve, turning once more to face the gathering of soldiers before her. She lets out a powerful whinny and battle cry, galloping before the front lines to get the attention of all guards. Luna draws her own sword, Umbra Noctus, the long sword of legend. Its blade glows a deep blue light, ancient ruins of black fire burning away steadily upon the blades bloodline. "Make ready!! Hold your ground!" She calls out, galloping again to the center. All of the troops quiet down and look to their princess as she speaks. "Hold your ground!" She calls out again as she slows. She shakes her head, loosening the reigns attached to her jawbone armor, so she can look at all of them. She takes a deep breath, and speaks. "Friends! My subjects...my brothers and sisters of Equestria!" She cries out to them. The pegasi guards all stop in flight and hover in place, listening to her. The area falls silent. "I see in your eyes...the same fear that would take the heart of me! Standing here in the darkness of the night, against this enemy! Perhaps the day will come, for us all to forsake the bonds of fellowship and the age of Equestria to come crashing down...In an hour of death, with Timber wolves and Demons upon shattered shields and broken hearts!" She stops in the center of the battle lines between the two sets of guards. "But it is not this day...This day we fight! This day, I bid you stand together! Not as guards of the Sun or the Moon, but as free ponies of Equestria, for our rights and freedom! Stand with me my friends, to protect our families, our loved ones, all those whom we hold dear to us!" Stand together, and fight! Let us send these demons straight to Tatarus, Let them dine in Hell this night! Stand proud, all of you, Ponies of Equestria!" She cries out, rearing up on her hind legs and kicking wildly at the air with her fore hooves. The lunar princess bellows out a powerful whinny of war that echoes like the crack of thunder. Battle horns blare from within the ranks, the guards all stomping and clashing their blades against their shields. The air is filled with the ripping sound of their thunderous battle cries, the ground shakes beneath their hooves as the all stand as one. Luna turns to face the coming lines of changelings, the army have stopped a short distance away. The guards all cry out together, unflinching, new found confidence in their princesses speech. They stand united, motivated, ready to protect their families, their loved ones. Ready to lay down their lives, if that's the calling that Freedom has asked of them this night. Chrysalis stands at the front of her army, smugly smiling at the feeble attempt of the two alicorn sisters to protect their kingdom. She looks at the significantly smaller force and sneers, disgusted that she didn't see the solar princess standing with her own troops. "Feh! I knew she would be afraid to face us....Celesssstia, you coward!" Chrysalis bites out to her nearby drones. She spots Luna and the pilot, galloping before the battle lines, and grins wickedly, hearing the muffled and undicernable words in the wind. "Send the first line, hold back the reserves for now. I want to torment them before we crush and devour our dinner, my children. He he he..." She laughs, her silken dual voice echoing upon the wind. The leading drone chatters orders to several, who spread out and issue the orders to the rest of the close by ranks. After a few moments, they reform the battle line and march forward, the ground shaking under their insect like hooves as they gallop with all of their might to the small deployment of ponies, rushing to them. A few lines of airborne drones follow suit, leading the charge against the guards ponies. "Onward, to victory!" Luna and Talon cry out in unison, charging forward. The dark alicorn bellows out a fiercely powerful battle cry, her horn alight as she holds her sword within her magical grasp. Behind her, the entire army of stallions rush forward with their princess into battle, their own battle cries echoing into the wind. The ground beneath them shakes like an earthquake under their stampeding hooves, as they charge forward. The two lines crash against each other, the sounds of steel tear through the air crashing against each other. Screams of pain are heard as troops from both sides take one anothers lives, the solar and lunar guards fighting as one unit together against the onslaught of drones. Iron sides as well as all Earthen stallions charge forward, trampling the smaller insect like drones beneath their massive armored hooves, crushing and killing them as they barrel through the lines of battered drones. Unicorn stallions using their magic weild several swords at once, twirling and slicing with them, cutting down untold numbers in the frey as they push forward. The pegasi guards in flight as well as the bat pony Lunar guard intercept and tangle with the airborne drones, their wing guards shearing through several waves of them like molten hot knives through butter, enchantments upon the blades making them sharper than any sword crafted by blacksmith ponies in Equestria. The battle rages on, blood shedding everywhere from both pony and drone alike. Luna rears back, bringing down her alicorn hooves upon two changeling drones' heads, crushing them and splattering out their contents and blood upon the ground. She swings her sword violently in a circle around her, leaving a trail of flames in its wake as she cuts down more and more drones. The ponies so far, are winning. In the first moments of battle, the superior training and will of the guards has decimated the initial ranks of drones, dwindling their numbers down to half of the initial wave. Talon has since dismounted, rushing on foot as he clashes with the parasite. With a mighty swing of the sword, he beheads several closely packed together, cutting down more and more of them. A drone tackles him down, embedding its horn into the pilots breastplate. He flips the drone on its side, removing a dagger from his belt and stabbing the drone in the throat with it, before breaking off the horn and clutching it in his hand. As another drone approaches, he twirls on his knees and stabs another in the chest several times with the broken off horn, killing it before it could rise again. He scrambles to his feet again, yelling out as he continues fighting. The battle rages for several minutes, before Luna gores the last drone with her horn, rearing back her head and flinging the carcass off behind her. She's breathing hard. All is quiet for a moment as she looks around, glancing at the guards. Much to her surprise, they haven't lost more than only a few guards in the initial attack. One of the Solar Stallions, Iron Sides, rears back and cheers, eliciting a cheer from the rest of the army. They all cry out as one, shouting of their victory. Talon raises his sword above his head with his arm, cheering wildly as he flips Chrysalis off with his other hand. He shouts and laughs, being as vulgar as he can to the parasite queen. Several guards see his actions and join him, a few going as to so far as to turn around and shake their flanks at the parasite army. Luna turns and sees this, also amused. She pants raggedly as she laughs, joining the fun. Within in the moments, the entire surviving guard does the same, mocking the changeling army and mooning them effectively, under the moonlight, with the moon princess. Their tails held high to give Chrysalis a good eye full of 'Buck you.' Chrysalis sneers, unamused by the display. She growls, bearing her teeth. "Send in the rest. KILL THEM!" She shouts. Chrysalis bounds into the air, hovering as she watches. The entire army surges forward, rushing to the guards, alicorn and pilot. "Make ready! Reform the line! Reform ranks!" Luna cries out in a hurry, mustering all of the guards to prepare for the changeling armys advance. They continue rushing forward, the ponies all holding their ground as they prepare. Pegasi above have formed a line, ready with a plan to deal with this situation. "Hold!" Luna calls out, watching them draw closer. Talon grips the sword handel tighter, standing beside Luna as the army advances. He glances at her, a fierce look upon his face as he bares his own teeth. "Hold!" She calls out again, ready for the next attack. "HOLD!" She calls out again, the changeling army drawing closer. When she could see the shine of their eyes, she grins. "NOW!" She bellows out in the royal canterlot voice, signaling the next plan. All of the guards dive to the floor, as Pegasi swoop in as a perfect line closely overhead. The pegasi guards all fly wingtip to wingtip, their wing guards rigid and poised as they zip by the heads of the guards ponies. They zip through quickly, clashing with the drones before them. The wave surges forward in a flash, their plan revealed; their wing guards and blades cutting down the row after row of changelings, beheading them before any could react. As the pegasi fly off and pull up, hundreds of drones drop to the ground instantly, causing a pile up on their end, more and more of them crashing into one another, trampling others and killing parts of their own army. Luna and the guards all rise to their hooves, charging forward to attack the drones directly now in the confusion. They rush forward into the chaos of the drones, leaping over the dead bodies as they rejoin the frey. Luna swings her sword violently as she reaches the first group, cutting down all within her path. As several rush her from the sides, she deploys her wings in a snap, the bladed portions of the leading edge of the guards cutting deep into the smaller unarmored drones, some being cleaved in two as they helplessly fall into them. The battle continues to rage on, more and more bloodshed as the drones and Equestrian guard clash. What the guards don't understand while they're fighting however; is that they're being surrounded. The drones suddenly back off once the remaining forces are encircled, leaving a wide open ring around the guards, alicorn and pilot. They all stop in the confusion, finally seeing the fatal flaw of their plan. The drones all chatter and screech at them. Pacing and circling the smaller remaining group. Luna glances around through her blood soaked helmet and mane, seeing this. 'Only a few hundred of our army is left. Too many have fallen! we're too badly out numbered!' She curses under her breath. Talon backs up beside her, his back to the alicorns. "Looks like this is where it ends." He whispers, confused as to why the drones stopped after encircling the group. He looks around, disheartened at the sevear losses within the clash. By his estimate, the drones wiped out the better part of seventy percent of the royal guard, leaving at most two or three hundred ponies alive. "Then it is a good night to perish together, mine flame. But we will not go down without a fight!" She snarls, twirling her sword Umbra beside her. "Let them finish us...I know we shalt find honor among our fallen in Heofon!" Captain Jolt Flash stands beside Captain Aegis Shield, holding his sword in dread, watching the drones come closer, awaiting death to come for him. "Heh...I never thought I'd die next to a bat pony." He muttered under his breath. Aegis Shield glances to the Solar Stallion and grins. "Then how about death with a friend instead?" Jolt Flash, the Solar captain laughs at this and nods, his fierce gaze upon the approaching drones. The drones begin to advance and come closer, only to suddenly stop within a few steps. A loud whinny pierces the wind and night sky in the distance, drawing every ponies attention to the mountain side. There's a large strobe of light in the distance, almost as bright as the sun. Luna, Talon and the remaining guard look up, panting and exhausted from the fight. There, upon the cliff; a sight that they welcomed. Cadence of the Crystal Empire stands at the cliffs edge, rearing back on her hind legs and letting out a powerful battle cry. Her horn alight and casting out a powerful magical aura. She lands on her fore hooves, wings spread out in a daunting display. The alicorn adorns silver and red armor of crystal and steel, that shines and glistens brightly with an other worldly glow. The ground trembles and shakes, as beside her thousands of hooves march as one to the cliff side. They stare below at the frey, forming battle lines as they approach. "Leave none alive!" She calls out, pointing to the drones with her armored hoof. "For Equestria, we will defend Canterlot and my aunts! Go forward!" Shouts Princess Cadence. Beside her, Prince Shining armor stands proud and silent, his own armor mirroring that of hers. He raises a horn in his fore hoof and blows, sounding a resounding bugle signal to the rest of the army. "For Equestria!" He shouts, as they begin to charge down the cliff side. The ground shakes beneath their hooves, as untold numbers of crystal ponies surge forward in a tidal wave of death. Cadence continues to alight her horn, the Light of Love from the Crystal Empire driving back and blinding the drones as they approach. The remaining changeling army, some twenty thousand turn and rush to engage the crystal army, all ignoring the remaining royal guard, pilot and alicorn to see to the new threat. As they continue their rush, yet another final threat to them appears. Swooping down over the peak of the mountain, comes the death they all feared. Legatus and seven other grand dragons dive bomb the drones from the sky, unleashing torrents of hell fire from their great maws upon the rear lines of the drones as they pass by, and setting the ground ablaze in their path. Luna, Talon and the remaining guard stand wide eyed at the display, watching as the battle rages between the Crystal Empire, Grand Dragons and the changeling drones a short distance away. "They came!" A royal guard cheers. "Our allies came to our aid!" Luna pants raggedly and smiles, looking to her flame. Talon nods, raising his sword once more. "Lets finish them!" He shouts, running back into battle. Luna gallops forward beside him, as the rest follow suit. They all shout a fierce battle cry, rushing forward to flank the distracted drones. The four armies engage one another as more Grand Dragons appear over the horizon, roaring loudly and shaking the foundations of Equestria. * * * * * Chrysalis walks the emptied halls of the palace, licking her fangs as she senses with her feelers, sipping at the air. She can sense the energy of an alicorn close by, feelings of love and fear heavy in the air. 'My prize is close...' She whispers and she slowly makes her way down the halls of Canterlot Castle, finding her way to the wing of the Solar princess. 'He he he...so my children are being slaughtered...I can always make more. With the heart of the Sun Goddess as my meal...I can easily make more. Celessstia...you're mine. All mine...HA HA HA HA!' The queen continues forward, her feelers sipping and detecting the location. She comes to the door of the sun princesses chambers, grinning wickedly. She whirls around and bucks the doors wide open, splintering the heavy ornate doors and breaking the hinges with her powerful armored hooves. She steps forward, her eyes glowing bright green. "I've come for you...Cowardly Wench!" Twilight rises to her hooves, her gaze locked on Chrysalis. "You! Go away from here, parasite!" She shouts. Twilights wings open in a snap as she lowers herself into a defensive stance. She moves into position between Chrysalis and the sleeping white alicorn. "Asleep whilst my children slaughter her own sister and guards? So pathetic...tut tut tut." The insect queen sneers, pacing closer to the younger purple alicorn. "I put you in those caves once, foal. Step out of the way or I'll do it again. Leave my prize to me!" Twilight growls, pinning her ears back. "If you want her, you'll have to get through me first, you evil bitch!" "Oh? Picking up on the creatures language now are we? You two should have listened to him you know...such a shame your namby pamby princess is too weak to take a life. I know all about the secrets of the banshee now, thanks to the pilot. His mind really was weak you know. So easy to rape in his dreams. Once I take Celestia with me to the hive...I'll leave this city to perish with the weapon." She says mockingly in her silken dual voice. "It's amusing how with a just few dirty tricks and tactics, I could overpower you. I didn't even need that demons power to finish you." "Demon?" Twilight asks, croching. Her gaze locked on the sauntering Chrysalis. "What demon? Is he the one that made you immune to our magic? Is that how you were able to kill so many innocents?!" She shouts. "You didn't figure it out?" Chrysalis mocks, raising a hoof and looking at her armored bracer, appearing bored with Twilights questions. "It was oh so easy. Discord gave me these gifts, just so I could break you. And all he wanted in return was such a worthless trinket, the horn of an alicorn. Oh well, I'll just break yours off after I kill you, perhaps that will do. Oh wait...that's right, you're not a real Alicorn. But what do I care?! Time to die foal!" Chrysalis shouts, lunging at Twilight as a surprise attack. She tackles Twilight to the ground, sinking her fangs into the younger alicorns wing as she pounces on her. Twilight cries out in agony, rolling on her side to attempt to knock Chrysalis off. She bucks and kicks wildly with Chrysalis upon her, fighting back against the larger and heavier insect pony. "Get off of me!" She shrieks out, fighting against her. Chrysalis yanks back with her maw, sinking her teeth in deeper as she tears. She pulls hard back once more with a mighty yank, ripping the wing clean from its socket, then shearing it off from Twilights back. Blood spurts out quickly from the wound as she gets off of her. The alicorn rolls onto her back, kicking wildly with her hooves as she screams out in pain, Chrysalis laughing all the while as she spits out the alicorns torn off wing. "So delicate...you'll die so easy, Twilight Sparkle!" She sneers, rearing back and crushing Twilights chest under her heavily armored hooves. She pounces and comes down again and again, beating and bludgeoning Twilight under her crushing weight. One of Twilights fore legs breaks and snaps under the crushing blows, making her scream out in agony as she fights back against her. The alicorn sobs and wails loudly in pain, unable to fend off the queens attacks. Chrysalis kicks her off to the side, smiling wickedly. "Tut tut tut...so weak. I'm bored with you." She says, turning her attention to the still passed out Celestia. Crysalis licks her bloodied lips and grins sardonically, narrowing her eyes as she slowly makes her way to the bed. Twilight lolls her head to the side, looking through her remaining eye at Chrysalis as her mind is in a fog from the pain. She's bleeding heavily, one of her legs broken, a wing missing and several broken ribs. She's missing teeth from a blow to the face, and her other eye damaged. One of the blows crushing and breaking the bone socket, a fragment of it puncturing her eyeball and blinding her. She rolls to her belly and struggles weakly to her hooves, her horn alight as she does. "Ge...Get away...from her!" She weakly croaks out. She grasps a hot fireplace poker in her magical aura, bringing it close to her. Chrysalis turns her gaze to the weakened and battered alicorn. "Give up, sparkle. It's over." She says, raising her muzzle to her as she turns back to her prize. She opens her maw and exposes her long sharp fangs, slowly lowering her head to Celestias exposed and bare neck. Twilight flings the fireplace poker at Chrysalis, penetrating an open area of the bug queens armor, jamming the sharp end as far as she can within the parasites body. Twilight leaps onto Chrysalis with her remaining strength, biting with her teeth into Chrysalis withers and neck, chomping and drawing blood. Her horn still alight, she stabs Chrysalis again and again, until the queen bucks her off. Chrysalis lays down weakly for a moment, blood seeping from her deep wounds. She pants hard, glaring at Twilight through her bloodied mane. "You foalish whelp! I'll kill you after all!" She screams out, charging forward. A flash of golden light streaks past her at blazing speed, as another golden super heated bolt smacks Chrysalis in the side, sending her into a wall. Celestia groans as she rises from the bed, glaring at Chrysalis through her blurred vision. Chrysalis can see the anger and fire within the sun princesses features. "Not. Another. Step. Parasite." Celestia says in a low growl. Chrysalis staggers to her hooves, her jaw agape at Celestia. "Impossible...your magic should have been worthless!" She shrieks out. Celestia slowly rises off of the bed, wobbling around and making her way to Chrysalis. Her mane and tale ignight into a blue hell fire, rising to the ceiling. The air around her shimmers from the heat she's emitting, as her eyes turn from the soft magenta orbs to draconic slits. Her armor melts off of her and pools to the ground in golden liquid metal as she steps, the tile cracking and liquefying under her every step. "Then it would seem your plan was flawed. Mortal." Celestia sneers, her vision finally clearing as her power amplifies. She glances over to the wounded and unconscious Twilight, then turns her cruel gaze upon Chrysalis. "You. Will. DIE!" She bellows out in the royal Canterlot voice. The windows of the chamber all shatter under the concussive shockwave, as she fires another bolt at Chrysalis. Chrysalis dodges the bolt and scrambles to her hooves, rushing out of the chambers windows as she takes to flight. She frantically alights her horn and opens a flame portal, turning to face Celestia when she reaches it. "I'll be back! You foalish whelp! This isn't over! Someday, somehow, I'll get you! I may have been betrayed this night, But I shall return for your life! " She shouts, as she turns and leaps into it as another volley of bolts fire her way. Chrysalis disappears in the fire, returning to the safety of her hive cavern. Celestia bolts out the window herself, her power completely destroying the wall and causing chunks of marble and stone to drop to the courtyard below. She is alighting the night sky with her powerful aura as she dashes after Chrysalis, her rage out of control. She unleashes a massive primal scream into the air, lightning streaking the sky and crackling with her thunderous shout. The portal closes mere inches before she reaches it, passing through the fire harmlessly. She shouts Chrysalis's name in a fit of rage, her voice so powerful and concussive , all of the palace windows shatter instantly and rain down glass shards into the palace grounds below. * * * * * Legatus stomps upon the ground, crushing dozens upon dozens of drones under his massive clawed feet, whipping with his massive tail and sweeping down a hundred at a time. "Come onward and fourth you curs! I'll show you how we brought the PAIN in my day!" He breathes a massive jet of hell fire from his mouth, turning them to ash as he roars out loudly, the concussive force of the sound alone knocking the disoriented changeling drones into a daze. Cadence flaps her powerful wings, releasing a gust of gale force winds with her strength and blows a drone back in a whirlwind before rushing forward with a crystal sword and cutting it in half. She glances with a fierce grin upon her muzzle, seeing Shining Armor slaying more and more drones, helplessly attempting to scurry away. The remaining drones begin to retreat, perhaps less than a dozen remaining alive. They stumble over the corpses of drone and pony alike, falling and flailing helplessly. Crystal ponies run them down in a stampede, leaving one last drone attempting to take to wing to escape. Luna rushes from behind with her sword Umbra, striking the final death blow and cleaving the drone in half with blinding speed, reducing the final one to ash from the swords power. As she lands, panting and out of breath, the wounded alicorn crumples to her knees upon the ground. Shouts and cheers are heard all around her. Cheers of joy, cheers of victory. The battle raged on for what felt like an eternity, the might of Equestria coming together against a merciless enemy and claiming victory this night. Talon limps to her side, collapsing to his knees and embracing her as he drops the sword, panting and exhausted. The guards and ponies alike cast their helmets into the air all around them, cheering a proud battle cry and victory into the air. It's when they hear a thunderous primal scream they turn, seeing a blazing blue fire in the sky. Even at the great distance from the castle, they can feel the heat being emitted from the fireball that is Celestia, the light so bright they all raise their wings, hooves and shields to their eyes to hold back the blinding light of the sun princesses rage. Luna looks on, knowing the reason why Celestia would have slipped into this. She can feel the hatred and rage from her sister within her breast, sensing the anguish and pain. "Talon...we must return to the palace." She whispers. "What is that Luna?!" He asks, shielding his eyes from the blinding light with his hand. "What happened?!" "That...is mine sister. She has awakened...and she is enraged. Luna pushes her weakened and drained magic as far as she could to sense what has occurred, before witnessing the enraged white alicorn bolt back into the chambers in a flash of speed, the force of her going so fast, the railing on the balcony buckles and falls crashing to the gardens. Luna rises to her hooves and pants raggedly, the pilot mounting her back once more as she gallops back to the palace among the cheering from the ponies. Luna races as fast as she can through the empty streets of Canterlot, portions of her broken armor falling away and clattering behind her as she does. Blood drips in her wake upon the cobblestone paths from her and the pilots wounds, leaving a trail back to the palace. They rush through the gates, Luna's lungs burning in her chest as her heart beats out of control. What greets her in the doorway of the palace, is magenta glowing draconic orbs in the shadows of the darkened doorway. Celestia storms into the courtyard, Luna backing up quickly as she stares down her elder sister. She sees tears streaming down Celestias muzzle , blood running down her wings and sides. Upon Celestias back and draped carefully, was a broken and severely wounded Twilight. Celestia sniffles and cries out in rage, looking at the pilot in the eyes. Her breaths are ragged as sobs wrack her body. "Kill her!" She screams out in rage. "Get in your damned machine and drop that bucking abomination upon her head! Send the parasite into the abyss!" She seeths out. "Slaughter them and end their lives, wipe the changeling race out of existence!" Her tears glisten and fall to the cold ground in the winter night, the tears so hot they sizzle upon impact, releasing a puff of steam. Luna and the pilot stare onward in horror at the sight of Celestia, disbelieving their eyes. Celestias ethereal mane and tale have transcended into a blazing inferno of blue flame, yet it was cool to the touch. Hey eyes were glowing magenta draconic slits, much like Nightmare Moons. Her coat had an other worldly orange glow about it, a warm heat wafting from it. The air smelled of sulfur and brimstone, melted steel and ash. The pilot swallowed hard and nodded silently. Celestia turned slowly, her head hung low as she re entered the palace, bound for the medical wing. The halls were filled with her heart wrenching sobs and cries as she walked, causing the dark alicorns blood to run cold. "Luna...I have to go. The order has been given..." Talon says quietly, stepping forward. He stops when the alicorn grasps his hand in her mouth, causing him to pause in his footsteps. Luna releases him and looks at him in the eyes, then slowly leans forward and kisses him. "I'll go help with Twilight, then meet you in the hangar. Lets finish the fight, mine flame. It's time we punish the parasite for her treachery." Luna trots past him, bound after her sister to the medical wing, going as fast as her weakened body would allow now in her low state of energy. The pilot stands still for a moment, watching her walk away as she does. With a resolute nod, he coughs and makes his way for Luna's chambers. * * * * * He puts on his flight suit after wiping off the remaining changeling and pony blood from his hands, placing the armor off to the side in the corner. He has since dressed his own wounds with a small medical kit in his satchel, all the while thoughts of what he was about to do racing through his mind. It's just like that day only a few months ago, when he was pulled here. Like that day, he was given the order to destroy an entire way of life, an entire people with one absolution and weapon. Like that day, he was ordered to drop mankind's greatest abomination; a thermo nuclear bomb. He sighs as he tightens his boot laces, then rises off of the bedside and grabs his flight helmet, making way for the hangar finally. The halls around him are empty. No ponies pass by. This isn't the same palace he became so used to, seeing ponies cheerfully make their way about. This isn't the same place where smells of sweet confections permeate the air. Sounds of melodic laughter, cheerful hoof steps and chatter. Nor was he walking beside his beloved midnight blue alicorn, his friend and love. No. Now he makes the same walk he did once before, alone and to his mighty war bird. The thoughts continues to run circles through his mind as he approached the ballroom doors, the thoughts of tonight. The air is filled with the heavy scent of blood, ash and smoke from the burning buildings in Canterlot. He pushes open the heavy oak doors laced with gold and ornate carvings, entering the well lit room. The engineer ponies have since cleared out, the war machine since completed during the raging battle. He steps to the fuselage and sighs heavily, looking around for his alicorn. The room is empty, the sounds of the equipment and machines all around him his only company in the still night air. He takes the steps up the side of the fuselage and enters the cockpit, looking over the newly rebuilt systems. He begins entering in the power up sequence, the computers powering on and lighting up the displays. "Going without me?" Luna calls out to him, entering the hangar from the front and opened bay doors. She steps slowly, limping to the nose gear. Her wounds still have not been treated. Talon stands up in the pilots seat, resting his arms upon the nose of the aircrafts canopy glass. "Luna...Stay here, tend to yourself and your sister. Tend to Twilight and look after the others. I'll be back shortly. This is a mission I have to fly solo." He calmly states. Luna shakes her head, continuing to limp forward. She spreads her achy wings and winces, closing them again. "Mine flame....mine love. Let me come with you. I wish to seek revenge upon the parasite as well!" She cries out. Talon only sighs and sits back down, looking at her. " Not this time Luna. Stay behind, and make sure the kingdom is safe. I promise you, I'll come back to you." Tears well up in her eyes as she makes her way to the folded canard of the aircraft, climbing up upon it to the cockpit. She stands on the side, her fore hooves resting on the gunnels of the cockpit. She slowly falls to her knees, then to her belly, looking at him. "Please mine flame...allow me to come this flight. I don't wish to be parted with you!" She chokes and whispers out. Talon leans forward and kisses her passionately, then returns to his position. "Luna...trust me. This is something that I have to do. You are needed here. Your kingdom and ponies still need you, your sister does. If you wish to help, just guide me from the control center. I'm counting on you." Luna nods, tears streaming down her muzzle. She leans in and kisses her love once more on the lips, closing her eyes. They hold the kiss for a few moments, a span that feels as if it were an eternity before she breaks away. She nods again with a smile, gazing into his eyes. "Promise me....promise that you shall return....when you return, I wish to celebrate a proper honeymoon..." She whispers a small laugh. He smiles and runs his hands through her blood soaked mane, caressing her as he does with love. "Promise." Luna steps down off of the canard as he closes the canopy, the engines powering up and beginning to howl.