//------------------------------// // Chapter 71: Escaping The Colony // Story: The Last Human // by Blackdragn18 //------------------------------// “Oh that felt good.” I smiled as I crushed the pain in my side that was the sheriff under my tail. “I must agree.” Luna said as she rested on my shoulder. “Alright.” I looked down to the police. “Who else wishes to defy me?” None responded, after a moment they actually began to bow. “All hail lord Bolas.” One shouted. “They can’t truly be this dumb.” Luna said in shock. “They just saw you enter this form.” “Sadly they are.” I shook my head. “Alright, if you wish to survive you will do as you are told.” “What do you need master?” One of them asked, the others simply nodded. “I require the charm that I threw to you.” One of them quickly ran and grabbed it. “As well as the rock you see with the red button.” Another hurried and picked up the rock. “Here you are master.” I lowered my left hand and they placed the two items in it. “Excellent.” I raised my hand. “Now you will die.” “What!” One of them shouted. “But we did as you ordered.” “True, but I found your hospitality lacking.” Before any could run I froze all of them before swinging my tail and shattering the squad. I then grabbed Luna and placed her on the same hand as the rock. “Luna would you please press the button?” “Of course.” Luna took her hoof and presses the red button. After she did, the ground shook for a minute. I watched as the fountain split open and a large generator rose from the ground. It was definitely big, at least ten feet tall. It was a simple block, on the top there was a grate with a large fan, each side of the block had a rod sticking out, all of which were giving off blue electricity. “There it is.” I smiled. “Now all we need to do is destroy it.” I clenched my right fist and punched it. To my surprise as my large fist reached it, the blue electricity shot forward and created a shield as well as pushing my fist back. The sudden push caused me to lose balance and fall back. My body ended up landing on the house, crushing half of it. “What was that?” Luna asked as she climbed onto my face to look at me. “Some kind of magical barrier?” “Doubt it.” I shrank back to my human form. Catching Luna as she fell. “They don’t have magic.” I put her down. “Then what was it?” She asked as we walked up to it. “Let’s see.” I inspected the metal cube. When I made an experimental poke another electric barrier appeared and shot me back, I ended up landing in a nearby bush. “Well then.” “You ok?” Luna asked as I got up. “Yeah, it’s just a push.” I walked back up. “Well, I have no idea what to do.” “There may be someone who does.” Luna said pointing towards the mansion. “Assuming you didn’t crush him.” “Like he’ll tell us” “Do you have any better ideas?” “Fine.” I walked to the mansion. Once I got there I began to lift rubble in the area I knew I had last seen the mayor. After lifting a particularly heavy beam I spotted his arm. I removed the rest of the rubble around him. He was barely breathing, his lower half completely crushed by a chunk of wall. He looked up at me when I freed his head. “Sean.” He said weakly. “Hi.” I waved. “What did I do to make you act like this?” He wheezed. “I tried to treat you with love and respect.” “Yeah yeah.” I waved a hand. “I need your help.” “What is it?” “Wait, you’re going to help?” “Of course.” He wheezed. “You’re still my son.” “Alright. Anyway, how do I shut down the generator’s defenses?” “Upstairs, in my room there is a.” He coughed. “A key, under the bed. Hidden in a book. On the back of the generator there will be a keyhole. Use it to lower the defenses.” “Thanks.” I watched as the man smiled weakly. “Good luck son. I hope you lead a happy life outside of here.” He then closed his eyes. After another second he stopped breathing. “Hey Luna! I know how to shut it down.” I shouted to her. “Really?” She flew over to me. “How?” “Apparently in this guy’s room.” I turned heading for the stairs. Luna lingered on the body for a moment. “Sean, wait.” Luna hobbled after me. I stopped and turned to look at her. “What?” “Don’t you want to say anything?” “About what?” “You’re father. He did just die.” “Ugh.” I turned heading back for the stairs. Luna followed close behind. “He wasn’t really my father. Like you said, this is all a magical illusion.” “Still, wasn’t that at all like your father?” “How should I know? It’s been 912 years since I last saw him.” I put my hand on the railing as we reached the bottom of the stairs. “They could have made him look anyway they wanted and I’d have no idea of the difference.” “You don’t feel anything about his death?” Luna asked as she flew up the stairs after me. “Luna, over the centuries I’ve callused myself against death.” I took a left as we reached the top of the stairs. “There’s no point in getting attached to mortals, they’ll die eventually. Be it from age or giant dragons crushing them.” “So death carries no weight for you?” Luna looked at me with interest as we reached the door to the mayor’s room. “Not the death of mortals. I have no connection to them, it doesn’t matter when they die. It was going to happen.” I turned the gold door knob and attempted to open the door. It didn’t budge. “Bolas! Something’s blocking it.” “No mortal relations? Really?” Luna asked, I noticed something in her eyes. Like she was leading me into a trap. “Nope.” I shook my head as I rammed into the door, it opened half way. Taking a step back I prepared for another hit. “What of a purple unicorn? Will her death mean nothing?” Luna said as I charged at the door. “What?” I looked back just before I hit the door, causing me to hit at a strange angle. The door broke none the less but I ended up ramming into the bed. As I recovered from the head butt with a metal frame I glared at Luna. “Thanks for that.” “I will take that reaction as a no.” Luna said as she walked in. “What reaction?” I asked standing up and cracking my neck. Looking back there was a noticeable head print in the bed’s foot board. “The only thing I see is you attempting to kill me.” “If I were trying to kill, you would know.” She said in a mocking tone. “Fine, we’ll get back to that one. What about your guards?” “I used to.” Lifting the bed a small book fell out of the frame. “But after two hundred years I gave up.” “Interesting.” “The only reason you care for mortals is due to the fact you are too busy relishing the love. Though for you I doubt it’ll go away.” I picked up the book. Looking it over I realized it was my father’s journal about me. “The attention doesn’t matter to me. I genuinely care for my subjects.” She glared at me before pointing to the book. “Is that what we’re looking for?” After I didn’t respond she walked up to me. “Sean?” “How did they know about this?” I asked staring at the book. “What is it?” “It’s the last thing I got from my real father.” “Really?” She eyed it. “So, does that bring any emotions?” “Yes.” “It does?” “Yes it does. This means they were rummaging through my memories, and pretty deep to find this.” I growled. “Wow. That’s some impressive mind digging.” Luna said with a look of small admiration. “If they were able to go this deep into my memories.” I opened the book, on the back of the cover there was a key taped to it. I tore it off and threw the book to the ground. “We need to hurry.” “Why?” Without answering I ran to the stairs still gripping the key. “Sean! Wait.” As I reached the first floor and turned, heading for the garden Luna flew up next to me. “Why do we need to hurry?” “Equestria is in serious danger.” I told her as we reached the generator. “What are you talking about?” Luna landed next to me as I moved to the back of the electric brick. “I still don’t know who did this to me, but whoever they are, they clearly went through most if not all of my memories.” I quickly placed the key into the hole. “That includes all the secrets about Canterlot, such as weak spots, hidden access points, and many more details to bring Canterlot and Equestria down.” “Oh no.” Luna said simply. “Exactly.” I nodded as the electric field of the generator vanished. There was a flash of light and then what look like a black hole appeared in the sky. “That’s our way out.” I turned to Luna. “You need to hurry and warn Celestia.” “Right.” Luna nodded before flying into the air. I then grew wings and flew after her. Let’s go find out who did this to me. Woo! Massacre! Most likely. I smiled as I gripped the charm. Let’s do this. Yeah Baby! I opened my eyes. I was in some kind of container. There was some sort of green tint to it. Quickly looking left and right I realized I was in some kind of catacomb. “Our forces will be ready to strike in three hours. With the capture of Manehattan and Appleoosa we are gaining power.” Looking to the left I watched as a griffin walked into the room, he was followed by an armored changeling. “Soon we will have control over the strongest country on this planet.” “Excellent.” The changeling spoke in a hiss. “With our knowledge of the countries weaknesses victory should be no challenge.” I closed my eyes as the two neared me. The container shook as someone tapped it. “It’s funny how their greatest weapon is the one that will bring their defeat.” The griffin said. “So, no changes with him?” “Nothing of consequence. His heart rate and stress levels spiked for a few minutes but it was nothing disastrous.” The changeling told him. “Excellent.” I heard the sound of them walking away. I opened my eyes to see them enter a different cave. So that’s their game. Idiot? Is that you? Changelings and griffins. Two germs, one explosion. Who are you? Oh Bob, this is my new friend. Nick, nice to meet you. What kind of name is that? It’s an abbreviation of my full name. Nicholas? Can we discuss names later? Two armies are about to attack Canterlot. Right. I vote we kill all these idiots first. Shouldn’t our priority be to get home? You know, help out our friends. It won’t take too long. Their bugs and chicken heads. Besides, we could benefit from a warm up. I agree with Nick. Ha! Suck it! Ugh. Let’s begin. I reached into my pocket and removed the charm. Aw yeah! “I’m so bored.” A changeling said as he sat on a rock next to a griffin. “Me too.” The griffin sighed. “How come we didn’t get to join the invasion?” “I dunno.” The changeling shrugged. “Maybe they think we’re incompetent.” “Maybe.” The griffin lowered his head. “I just wish something would happen.” “Wish granted.” The two heard a voice behind them. Turning they both screamed in fear, looming over them was the human. While scary on his own, it was made worse by the armor, wings, and sudden growth in height. “That’s not what I meant.” The griffin said in fear. “Well, sucks to be you.” The human smiled as he raised one of his clawed hands. “You just had to open your big beak!” The changeling glared at his companion. “Yes, run! Run you filth!” I laughed as another column of fire enveloped a pack of changelings. Turning I shot an ice wall in the path of several griffins, freezing the exit. I smiled as I watched them claw at the ice. I then clenched my fist and spikes burst out of the ice impaling all of them. Nice! Oh, some are getting away. I looked to my left, seeing a large group of changelings running towards another cave. “Oh, don’t leave yet.” I flew over them, shooting acid I began to melt the area in front of them. Landing on the other side of the new trench I smiled. “I just want to play.” “What are we going to do captain?” One of the changelings asked an armored one at the front of the pack. “Attack!” The armored changeling shouted. After he said that the bugs began to shoot green beams of magic at me. All the shots merely bounced off my armor, not even leaving marks. After a few more seconds of magic shooting they stopped. I looked at them bored. “Are you guys done embarrassing yourselves?” None of them spoke. “I’ll take that as a yes.” I then turned my left hand into a dragon head and fired a line of acid at the left side of the pack. Changing my right I froze the other side. The armored one looked to his sides in shock. “Now then.” I shot forward and grabbed the cheese leg by his throat raising him up. “I need information.” “They’ve taken down Manehattan Princess.” A guard pony shook his head. “That’s the fourth town.” “Why haven’t our forces stopped them?” Princess Celestia demanded. “We’ve tried but they seem to know every single one of our tactics.” “Sister.” Luna burst into the throne room limping slightly. “We need to put Canterlot into a lockdown.” “Why?” Celestia asked. “Because they’re coming here.” Luna said frantically. “They know all the secrets of the city. There are many ways they can abuse this information if we’re not ready.” “How do they know all of this?” Celestia asked in shock. “They learned it from Sean.” “Why would Sean help the griffins?” “He didn’t willingly. Let me explain.” “Thank you for your cooperation.” I dropped the now brain dead changeling. That was fun. Yeah…Fun. Alright, you’ve killed everyone here, and now we know their plan. Let’s go kill more! They claim to have conquered at least four cities. That’s a bloodbath with our name on it. No! You saw their plans. We need to get home to help Celestia and Luna. Bah, you’re so boring Bob. Listen to your old pal Nick. The more we kill on the way home, the less there will be to fight later when they are more prepared. True. You’re seriously listening to this guy? He’s been around for what? Ten minutes. Shows what you know, Sean and I have been killing idiots for at least a day now. Ok, that’s enough. We’re heading home, if we just so happen to come across one of the conquered towns we’ll help them. Fine. The two said in unison. Excellent. I walked towards a nearby wall. Putting my hands together I made one large dragon head, I then shot a fireball at it, after the large explosion a nicely sized hole was created. I spread my wings and flew out. Hold on, from that changelings memory this path would lead us to Manehattan. It will? I didn’t notice. Sure you didn’t. “Alright.” Princess Celestia looked at the line of guards in front of her. “Based on this new information from Luna the griffins and changelings know almost everything about Canterlot. I want all entrances sealed. I also need more guards to be working on the magical barrier.” “Sister.” Luna spoke up. “What?” Celestia looked at her irritated. “What of ponies that are fleeing here from other towns? If we shut the gate what will become of them.” “Very well. Continue the trains. However, I want all ponies on them checked to ensure they are not changelings.” Celestia turned to the guards. “Now go.” “Yes Princess.” The guards saluted. Wow, Manehattan has seen better days. I had to agree as I neared the town. Several buildings had been destroyed and there were some small fires. Once I got close I decided to land on the outskirts. Landing I removed the charm and reverted to my usual form. What are you doing? I looked at the charm to see the eye glaring at me. “Being tactical. If we can sneak further into town then we can maybe find the commander and kill him first.” Hey, look who’s thinking with his head instead of claws. Lame. I rolled my eyes and put Nick in my pocket. Walking towards the town I transformed into a griffin. “Halt!” A voice ordered as I neared the town. Looking a bit ahead I spotted a griffin in gold armor with a spear eyeing me. “What’s your business here?” “I was sent by the king to deliver a message.” I said. “I need to meet the commander.” “What’s the message?” The griffin asked. “If I just told everyone willy nilly I would lose my job.” I walked towards him. “Now would you kindly let me inside?” “I need some kind of identification.” The griffin kept his spear pointed at my throat. “To make sure you aren’t a changeling or pony in disguise.” “Ok, I’ve stopped caring.” I grabbed the spear and yanked it out of his hand. Spinning it around I jabbed it through his skull, smiling as his body fell to the ground. “Oh well.” I grabbed his corpse and dragged it into a nearby bush. I think we’ll get further if we use this guy’s form. True. I began to transform until I had taken his look. Grabbing the spear I turned and walking into the town. Inside the town look even worse. The streets were covered in blood, I passed several dead guards as I neared the town square. In some of the towering building’s broken windows dead ponies could be seen. This is a lot more brutal than any of their other attacks ever were. Yeah. They’re going to pay for this. For what? Take me out, I wanna see. Not now! “Hello captain.” A voice said. I looked to my left to see another armored griffin this one wearing red standing next to me. “How was the patrol sir?” “Excellent.” I nodded. “Nothing dangerous.” “The commander will be glad to hear that.” He nodded. “Are you heading there now?” “Yes I am.” I looked at him. “Is he still where he was when I left?” “Yes sir, town square. Hasn’t moved.” The griffin smiled. “He’s talking to king. Apparently after this war is won we will all reap the rewards.” “Wonderful.” I forced my own smile. “Well, carry on.” I then continued towards the square. “Manehattan has been secured completely my lord.” The griffin commander told his king, through a crystal ball. They had used recently enslaved unicorns to power this new form of communication. “All survivors have been captured and imprisoned.” “Excellent work.” The king smiled. “Soon we shall make our move on their capital. Celestia will fall and the griffins will rise.” “What of the changelings?” “When this is over we shall rid ourselves of them.” The king looked away for a minute. “I must go. Keep up the good work commander.” The image in the ball vanished. There were several sighs as the unicorns relaxed. The griffin smirked at them. “Don’t get too comfortable, it’s back to the prison for you.” “Commander.” The griffin turned to see his loyal captain approaching. “Ah, you’ve returned. I trust everything is calm.” “Yes sir, no ponies or changelings in sight.” The captain saluted. “Excellent.” The commander nodded. “Come with me captain.” He turned and headed for the capital building. Passing the unicorns as they were dragged back to the prison. He smiled at the sight. “Isn’t it refreshing captain? After centuries of living in fear of these ponies we finally will take our rightful place.” “The griffins certainly will get what they deserve.” The captain agreed as they entered the large dome that was the capital building. It was the most intact in the town as they planned to use it as a barracks. They passed several rooms, most housing griffins, and one that was a new food court. They continued walking until they entered the office of the mayor. “So.” The commander shut the office door as the captain entered. “Let’s discuss our next move.” “Of course.” The captain nodded as he followed the commander to the desk which had a map placed on it. “Alright.” The griffin pointed to Manehattan on the map. “Our orders are to meet up with the rest of our forces outside of Canterlot. We will be working as a second wave after the initial attack.” “That’s a good plan.” The captain nodded. “Sadly you won’t be a part of it?” “What?” Then a spear was jabbed through the commander’s throat. The captain’s face twisted to a sadistic smile. Then the griffin transformed into every griffins worst nightmare. “You.” The commander said weakly. “Yes me.” The human smiled as he lifted the spear into the air, forcing the griffin up with it. “I have to say, I’m surprised how efficiently you guys conquered this town.” The human laughed. “However, it’s time to show you filth how taking a city is done.” The human then walked towards a wall next to the door and jabbed the spear into it. “Don’t go anywhere.” The human laughed and left the room. “Let’s make some fried chicken.” I laughed as I grabbed Nick and activated him. Entering my armored form. Time to see which of them burns brightest! “Boom!” I shouted as another group of griffins exploded. I was flying over the city bombing the griffins with fireballs. I spotted another group running to get out of the town. I laughed before shooting a fireball at the base of a building as they passed it, the massive rectangle of stone tipped and crushed all of them. Brilliant! What was that! There may have been innocent ponies in there! Don’t be silly, the griffins have them all locked up in the prison. Yeah, so shove it! “Sadly I think that’s all of them.” I flew toward the griffin camp in the center of town and landed. Looking around I found no more chicken heads. Aw man. Can we go free the ponies now? Fine. I sighed as I headed toward the prison. Stepping over the occasional charred griffin. When I reached the cold stone block that was the prison I saw there were no guards. “I guess we scared them off.” I smiled as I reached it. Tearing open the gate I walked in. “Hello? Is there anybody here?” The prison seemed abandoned, there was no light other than a small ceiling window letting in a weak beam of sunlight. “No, please we didn’t do anything.” I heard a voice say. Following it I came to a large cell with what may be the entire town shoved into it. “I’m not here to hurt you, I am your liberator.” Just then I heard the sound of electricity. I turned just in time for a griffin to stab towards my torso. I flinched waiting for the shock, but the spear ended up hitting my armor and actually breaking. The griffin looked at the spear in shock. “Well, that’s not good for you.” I smiled before using my claws and slashing across his eyes. He screamed in pain, backing up as his eyes bled. Then I kneed him in the face, finishing by grabbing him by the tail and swinging him into a wall, leaving a satisfying blood smear along it. “That was fun.” Nice! I loved the opening cut. Thank you. Sean, Nick, help the ponies! Oh yeah. I turned to face the cell again. “Now that he’s dead I can help you.” I walked to the cell and grabbed the bars using my strength I tore the entire door off its hinges. Throwing it across the room I clapped my hands together. “There you go, freedom.” I heard the sound of hundreds of hoof steps running away. “Thank you so much.” I turned to see one of the ponies bowing to me. He was dressed in what looked like a suit. “No problem, I enjoyed helping you.” I said as I cleaned my claws. “You’re town isn’t looking too good though. “I know.” The pony hung his head. “It will take months, maybe years to repair it.” “Don’t worry, after I’ve finished my genocide I’ll get Celestia to help you.” So are we heading home now? Bob asked as I spread my wings. Yep. I then shot into the air. Several of the ponies waving goodbye to me. Um, this is the way towards Appleoosa. Another one of the conquered cities. It is? That’s just a happy coincidence, we may as well help since it’s on the way home. Yeah, help. That’s the word I’d use. I heard sarcasm in his voice.