//------------------------------// // Prologue: Visions of Steel, Steam and Blood // Story: The Clockwork Sword: The invasion of Equestria // by Clockwork94 //------------------------------// The land of Equestria, is not the same anymore… Dark clouds covered the sky. The ground is covered with the blood of the fallen royal guards. The cities were burning so the forests and fields which were close to them. This land used to be full of live, light and lush. Now, it became a wasteland... a bloody, bloody wasteland. A white alicorn named Celestia is walking through this dark landscape. Her eyes saw the atrocities of the recently discovered species. Her memories were crystal-clear like the first time. It began with a simple excursion, they were called humans. They came from a world without magic or harmony. They settled down in the west coast of Equestria. Their mission was to explore new lands. What called the attention of the citizens was their technology. It was way advanced. They can be strong to resist the forces of nature, they were capable of fly without wings and they could perform wonders without magic. But the greed in their hearts of these monsters became huge and it fueled the gears of war. Their real goal was to achieve global domination, nopony can’t stand against them. Soon, their machines brought chaos to the land, but the ponies have their skills. Together, the humans pulled back from the bastion they founded. The final battle was already won; Celestia sent all the troops to finish with their misery. She committed the huge mistake of her life. What happened to the magic of the world? What happened to the might of the princesses? Where are the Elements of Harmony? Some ponies were asking those questions since the beginning of the storm. After three months of storming the huge fortress, a massive device was erected in the top it. When it was activated, the tables were turned. The giant tower of coils and rotors changed the atmosphere and no earth pony could work the land. No pegasi could change the weather. And no unicorn could perform magic spells. They became vulnerable, so the living creatures which depended on them and the elements of harmony as well. The magic friendship wasn’t enough, because there was no magic at all. The next days, Equestria became into a living nightmare. The tree of harmony was destroyed by human heavy artillery. The cities fell, so the castles of Canterlot and Ponyville. The Crystal Empire was no match for their supremacy, it took one day to destroy the crystal heart so the morale of the crystal army and its citizens. She shifted her sight to reality. The flashback was interrupted by a weak breathing. She stopped in the middle of the battlefield. A soldier was resting against a wrecked stone wall. His armor was covered in blood, so his spear and shield. He opened his eyes to see her majesty one more time. -“They… They…” He contemplated the horrors that the race could achieve, in the battlefield. He made an effort to complete the sentence. “They were too powerful. We couldn’t stand their weapons. My comrades fell in front of me. They lost their limbs in the explosions. I ended their suffering, for good. It was… horrible.” His time in this world is ending. -“Don’t try too hard to breathe. Your duty with the kingdom is done. Let your brothers finish this.” Her voice calmed the dying soldier. -“How painful death could be?” She sat down next to him, and then she placed her head close to his, whispering words to his ear: “I don’t know... But try to close your eyes. You will see a light at the end of the tunnel... Go to it.” He closed his eyes and the tears of the depressed princess fell to his blood-covered visage. -“Thank you… your… majesty…” The world has lost a part of its light. -“Ah Princess Celestia. Is good to see you again.” A deep voice came from behind. -“You monster! Haven't you done enough damage here?” She shouted to the masked two-legged creature. -“Oh, excuse me you majesty. Shouldn't a war cause this kind of damage? Oh yes! It should.” -“Why are you here, human demon?” -“Such harsh words for the one who rejected us, from your ‘utopian’ society. And indeed, this war was caused for your actions against us.” -“You wanted us to kneel to your king and his dark throne. You’re just a tyrant who wanted the power of this land for your selfish purposes, like the rest of them!” -“With ONE difference, princess… We are many and you are alone” Then, a huge group of soldiers wearing gas masks were carrying six ponies and another human with a black canvas bag covering his face. -“I’m sorry princess; they ambushed us in the Everfree forest. We couldn’t escape.” Said the purple alicorn named Twilight Sparkle. -“Take this scum and this traitor to their princess! Prepare the rifles for a quick execution.” The soldiers began to release the safe lock of their weapons and the ammo was charged to the gun chambers. Only one bullet is going to be used this day. He approached her and he whispered: “Any last words, your majesty?... No?... Well then” He returned to his position. -“Listen carefully, this is the day when the immortals finally meet the reaper and from the ashes of the old kingdom, a new superpower will ascend to rule this land, and their enemies will suffer the edge of the clockwork sword. Long live the king! Long live the throne of steel!” -“Long live the throne of steel!” They shouted. The nightmare ends with the heavy breathing of Celestia in her bed inside her room. It was two in the morning, three weeks after Tirek’s attack. -“Sister, are you alright?” -“I just have the most terrible dream.” -“Why do you think I’m here? You know as well as I that this was not a dream, but a vision.” -“Then we haven’t much time, we must be ready when the time comes.” By the moment these words were said a human expedition to the new world has begun. Both sisters knew that the upcoming events could carry the destruction of Equestria and the kingdoms and tribes attached to its borders.