//------------------------------// // 27-Catch You When You Fall // Story: A Changeling Queen Under the Griffon's Crown // by DungeonMiner //------------------------------// Chapter 27 Markus ran as fast as he could up the keep. Changeling bodies littered the ground, their bodies hissing like acid and bubbling wildly. He ran, passing by pool after pool of changeling blood. Something told him, somewhere, in the back of his mind, that he needed to hurry. He leapt over a pulverized body, not looking back at the pile of viscera and dust. He ran, flying down the hallways and the mess left in the wake of the Pendragon. He ran. He didn’t know why, but he ran. <<<|Ω|>>> Chrysalis lay there, broken. She could hear them yet. The incessant cries for her to dance before the imps. She stared up at the ceiling, the eyes no longer bearing down on her, but she could hear them yet. The pain echoed in her mind. It begged her to end it. Just end it. End it all. “And go where?” she asked herself. “If I die...then I’ll just face more pain…” Yes, but maybe you can share some of that pain. The thought made her laugh. “Haha!” Yes...Oblivion for everyone... “Hahahaha! Hahahahahaha! Hahahahahahaaa!” <<<|Ω|>>> The queen rolled over, laughing as she slowly propped herself up. Alan moved first, horn shining as a few dozen blades came smashing down on the goo bonds around their hooves. Shining was first to remove the inhibitor ring, followed quickly by Twilight, while Spike grabbed at the stuff around his mouth, breaking it apart as he removed it. The queen stood, getting the full attention of the ponies in the room. She kept laughing. “Oblivion!” she cried. “Oblivion for all!” They quickly readied themselves, Pinkie pulling her scimitars, Silver drawing Dustmaker, Shining drawing his wedding sword, all at the ready. All except Rainbow Dash, who sat still, having not moved since the others had set her down. The Queen cackled madly as she staggered up to her hooves. “Oblivion!” she roared, as her horn glowed. “Oblivion and the void!” And with that, the braziers went out, and the room was plunged into darkness. The large metal shutters of the throne room blocked out all daylight, the braziers were black, the embers cold as ice. There was only blackness. “Stay close!” Alan ordered. “Back-to-back, weapons out!” Chrysalis gave another laugh, her mad cackling echoing in the darkness. “Steady!” Alan said. “Be careful, she could attack from any direction.” “Oh, how right you are…” Chrysalis’ voice cooed. The tight ring of ponies was suddenly thrust apart as a large force shoved them away. Alan went sprawling forward into the darkness. He quickly gathered himself, standing in the darkness. “Twilight! Where are you?” he asked. “Over here!” a voice said to his left. “No! Wait!” the same voice called to his right, followed by a lavender light revealing his wife. Alan was suddenly body slammed by a beam of acidic green magic. “Alan!” Twilight cried, before a second beam rammed into her ball of light. She fell to the ground as the magical backlash slammed into her. “Oh, buck,” Alan said, picking himself up in the darkness. “Oh, buck,” Chrysalis echoed off to the right. She cackled again. “Behold! Behold the shadow of Oblivion!” “Anypony got a light?” Spike asked with a laugh, before unleashing a sudden jet of green flame. The room lit up as the dragon breathed, green light revealing the queen as she clung to the wall. She hissed at him before she spat out a blob of goo. The goo shot forward, sparking as it hit the flame, and igniting. The two flames, emerald and neon green mixed, and Spike howled in pain as the latter reached his mouth. The room went back into darkness. “Spike!” Rarity called. “Spike, are you alright?” Spike moaned a response. “Okay,” Soarin said. “Fire bad, good to know.” Shining lit up his horn, and yet another blast burst his flashlight spell. “Split up!” Alan’s voice called. “Grouping up makes bigger targets!” “No! Don’t!” Alan’s voice said again from the other side of the room. “Group up! If we stay separated, she can take us out easier!” “Don’t listen to her!” Alan’s voice cried. “She’s trying to make us an easy target!” “Hang on, Alan!” Twilight called, “I have a plan!” She said, as he horn began to glow. “Attack Plan Gamma Kilo!” she roared, before she started up her flashlight spell, running it like a strobe. Alan answered with two large blocks of mana-knives hovering on either side of his head. The blocks began to spin, before both of them began firing long streams of knives at the queen as the strobe light revealed her. The three combatants seemed to dance in the flashing light, Alan pivoting as he unloaded knife after knife at his quarry, while both Twilight and the Queen gracefully dodged the attacks being made at them. The Queen kept shooting beams of magic at the lavender unicorn, trying desperately to blacken the flashing light. The others, meanwhile, used the light to try and regroup into a solidified force. The magical blades were almost whirring as Alan shot them up at the insectoid queen, trying to pin her to the wall. “Are you still angry, Pendragon?” He stopped, the blades ceasing to fire for a brief second, as Alan desperately tried to reel in his anger. Twilight shot him a concerned glance, which earned her a blast from the queen. “Twilight!” Alan cried as the strobe light stopped. “See what happens when you refuse me?” “Shut up!” he mentally shouted before rushing to his wife. A pair of talons grabbed him. “Stand strong, brother,” Julius said. “The Captain will take care of his sister. But now stand with me!” “I got her, Al!” he heard Shining say. “I got her, Al!” Chrysalis mimicked from the darkness. Alan and Julius stood back-to-back, or the closest quadruped equivalent, Julius’ claws scraping against the floor, and Judgement at the ready. Chrysalis’ insane laughter echoed in the room once more. Alan and Julius stared into the darkness, waiting for any sign of their opponent to strike at. Nothing. A blinding light opened up to their left as one of the massive metal shutters was suddenly flung open. Blinded, they could only feel the Queen’s arms wrap around the two of them as she laughed. “Death! Death and the Void for all!” And then, she fell backwards, smashing through the glass as she held both the Pendragon and the Prince in her death-grip. Twilight’s eyes went wide as she watched the three go through the window. No one had a chance to move as they watched them fall. Almost no one. A figure, a golden-furred griffon, ran past them. His legs were pumping, propelling him forward at a speed that Twilight could hardly believe. The shutter began to fall. The griffon kept running, spreading his wings as he dived for the window. And then the world was engulfed in darkness. <<<|Ω|>>> They fell. Alan had lost his grip on his sword back in the throne room, and was now falling. Chrysalis laughed maniacally, keeping her grip on her two captives tight. Julius struggled and pushed against the monster, but she would not let go. Alan quickly materialized a blade, and began wildly stabbing at the death trap he was now caught in. The blade bounced off the hard chitin of the queen, the rushing wind and wild falling making it almost impossible to find the small cracks between the plates. They fell. <<<|Ω|>>> “Get those shutters open!” Twilight yelled, as her magic reached out to reignite the braziers in the room. As red light flooded the throne room, the ponies began to scramble. Shining, Big Mac, Rarity, and Spike all ran to the shutter and tried to lift it, the unicorns using their magic while the other two pushed with all of their might. “Rainbow! Rainbow I need you to—” “I’m stuck!” Dash yelled. “She hasn’t let me go!” Her mind began to race. Ok, Rainbow’s down. Fluttershy doesn’t have the speed or the strength. Soarin could do it, but I don’t know if— “Twilight!” Shining yelled, getting her attention. Her head spun, and Shining held up a small bundle of feathers. “I think someone has a problem.” <<<|Ω|>>> An eagle’s hunting screech pierced the air around them, overpowering the sound of rushing wind. Alan looked up to see another griffon dive at them, his beak open and claws at the ready. The griffon slammed into the Queen, sending her spinning as she lost her grip on the Prince. The new griffon began to pummel the queen, mid-air, trying to break her grip on the Pendragon. Julius joined him, diving back down on the queen and grabbing her arms. Then his eyes wandered to the griffon beside him, and he finally got a good look at him. “U-Uncle?” Markus pushed against the Queen with his back legs, trying to pry her arm free. “Your Majesty!” he grunted. “You have to save the Pendragon…” “Un-...Uncle?” Markus kept grunting, his muscles finding strength from the nutrient bath he had soaked in. As he grasped the changeling’s arm, he kept grunting. “He’s your brother…” he said, barely audible over the sound of the wind in their ears. “And...take it from someone who knows better…” he grunted, before staring into the Prince’s eyes. “Family comes first.” And then, with a mighty heave, and a push from his hind legs, Markus shoved the Pendragon out of the way, and freed him. Julius dove for the Pendragon, catching him as he fell, and spreading his wings. Markus did not. He felt it the second he had leapt through the window. The shutter had closed on his wing and broken a bone as well as ripping out the pinions on his right side. He was not flying out of this… “Alright, Your Highness,” Markus said, as the two fell. “We’ve got some unfinished business, you and I.” “Oblivion!” Chrysalis cried. “The Void!” “Yes,” Markus said with a smirk. “We do have an appointment to make, don’t we?” And so they fell. <<<|Ω|>>> “He’s up!” Spike said, looking out the window. “And Julius?” Shining asked. “He’s got him,” Spike confirmed. “They’re gliding down to the ground now.” “Where’s the Queen?” Twilight asked. Spike looked down the length of the tower. “At the bottom.” <<<|Ω|>>> Markus stood still with his eyes closed. He knew, before long, the demons would come for him and turn the rest of eternity into hell. Literally. But still, he wanted to have at least the illusion of decency before he was dragged away. A long second passed. Another second passed. “Enjoying your nap?” The familiar voice that was far too close to his ear, sent Markus falling backwards, and into...a bunch of flowers? The voice laughed again, and a talon reached down to him. Confused, Markus took the talon, and was lifted up to his feet. The world around him seemed to stretch forever in all directions, except for the hill that was to the...was it West? He wasn’t sure, there was no sun to gauge direction by. The flowers that surrounded him were of every color imaginable, and there were even some that he could not imagine, laid out like a carpet of living rainbow. And the griffon holding his talon, smiled. “It’s good to see you, again, brother.” Markus blinked. “C-Calius?” The dead king laughed, before hugging his brother. “It is good to see you here.” Markus gripped at his brother, and felt tears come to his eyes. “C-Calius? Calius is that really you?” Calius gave his brother a squeeze. “It’s me, Markus. You’re here. Welcome to Hanorlan. Welcome to Paradise.” Markus looked at his brother, tears in his eyes. “I...what...what am I doing here?” Calius gave his brother a look. “You di—” “I did terrible things, Calius,” Markus told him. “I...I killed hundreds of ponies, I sent a whole third of our army to its death! I...I don’t deserve Paradise! I...I can’t be here!” “Markus, it’s a little more complicated than that.” “No!” Markus said, pushing the dead king away. “No! I-I shouldn’t be here! The...the ones I killed are here! You’re here! I shouldn’t be here!” “Markus…” Calius chided. “These...these talons...do you know what these have done?” “And who made your talons?” a voice asked behind him. Markus spun, and found himself staring Faust in the face. “Tell me, Markus, who laid down the foundations of the earth? Who wrote the Law of the earth and set it into motion?” She smirked as she looked down at him. “Surely you know, if your memory is that much better than mine.” Markus dropped to all fours, an action that was both a bow as well as a an attempt to hide from her. His beak trembled as he beheld her, and his voice shook as he spoke. “Hail, Winged Creator, may your—” “That’s enough, Markus…” she said gently. “So what seems to be the problem, Dear?” Markus desperately tried to disappear amongst the petals, and squeaked when he spoke next. “I…I don’t think I belong here…” Faust raised an eyebrow. “And why not?” “I...well...I’ve broken the Law…” “You have, have you?” she asked. “Well, now…let’s see…” she said, before turning to look through a massive book. The pages flipped under her gaze before suddenly coming to rest. “Markus Ironclaw..." she said to herself as she read. “Lied...hated...murdered...lied...lied...hated...stole…yes...I’m seeing at least four broken rules in the last six years.” Markus nodded. “So...so I don’t belong here, do I?” She looked up from her book. “Who said that?” “You did…” Markus said. “You say that you will carry out the Law, for you are just. You have said that the punishment for breaking the Law is the Hells. So I should not be here.” Faust smiled. “Let me tell you a secret, Markus.” she said, before taking a walk through the flowers. Markus followed at a short distance. “You know how devils and demons are depicted as masters of the contract and fine print?” Markus nodded. “I wrote the Law. I know it far better than any demon of Hell could hope to know. And I know I wrote in a small provision, a tiny little sentence. One that allows someone else to take on the punishment of another.” “Why would you put something in Law like that?” Markus asked. She smiled before looking off to the left. Confused, Markus followed her gaze, and then felt his jaw hit the floor. There, only twenty feet away, was another pair of alicorns. One was definitely Celestia, although, she was shorter, younger, and her mane was very much pink, but it was definitely her. The other was Faust...again...somehow… “I don’t know why you bothered, Mom,” Celestia said. “If they broke the Law, they broke it. They deserve what they get.” “Is that so?” Faust asked her. “It is!” Celestia insisted. “And, what would happen, Celestia, if someone you loved broke the Law?” Celestia rolled her eyes. “It would be sad, but whatever needs to be done, must be done.” “So you would obey the Law to the very end?” “I would,” Celestia said. “Even if it were, say...Luna or Harmony, for example?” “Even then,” Celestia affirmed. Faust took a long look at her daughter. “I see,” she said simply. The two Alicorns then faded away, leaving Markus and Faust staring at empty space. Markus nodded. “I see…” he muttered. “You did this to save Luna…” A hoof pushed at his shoulder, turning him to face her. “I wrote it to save you, Markus. I wrote it to save everyone who would accept my help, and the destiny I gave them.” Markus hunched over, and sighed. Faust gave him a gentle smile. “Markus...let me tell you a little secret, Markus.” Markus looked up at her. “For three years, you sat in that prison. For three years, I sat there with you.” He blinked. “I sat there, and I went to war against the hatred in you. I sat there with you, and tore down the fortresses of bitterness in your heart. I wiped the slate for you, and then you stepped up to the destiny chosen for you.” Faust embraced him. “There is nothing you can do to earn your redemption, Markus. Luckily for you, you don’t have to.” The hug lasted for a long second, before Faust broke it. “Now, are you going to let all that fighting I did go to waste, or are you going to say hi to someone very special?” Markus blinked before a very confused look passed across his face. “Daddy!” A voice cried, and Markus head snapped towards the source. A young griffon, a lioness, ran towards him, and Markus could not believe his eyes. Eva, little Eva, tackled her father and hugged him tight, leaving the general’s head spinning. “What? How? Huh?” Faust laughed. “She never had the chance to live on the earth, so I worked with her parents, and since they had never really met, they agreed.” “It’s so great to meet you Daddy!” Eva said. Markus looked down at the hatchling, and then took her up in his arms, and held her tight. “E-Eva...my little Eva…oh, Eva…” Faust smile. “Now go along. Your father has been waiting to talk with you, something about that fishing trip he promised you.” Markus walked forward, holding Eva the whole way, and heading for the hill. Faust smiled, before turning around and facing the horizon. After all, she couldn’t go to Paradise. She had a few trillion punishments to take. Just not yet. <<<|Ω|>>> As noon struck that day, all across the Empire, massive, ethereal heads, each depicting King Julius Ironblood appeared over the cities. “The Iron Crown has been destroyed, and the Queen of the Changelings is no more. All changelings are to be killed on sight, and all traitors are to be arrested. If a traitor kills ten or more changelings, he shall earn his pardon. I am King Julius Ironblood. My word is law, and I have spoken.” <<<|Ω|>>> Julius, Alan and Twilight stood before the small boulder. Earlier that day, Markus had been splayed across it, his neck broken. Now, it merely stated thirteen words: “Here Lies the Unnamed Hero of the Empire We Shall Remember His Sacrifice.” The sun was setting, and Julius sighed. “I’m sorry Uncle...I miss you…” Alan nodded. “Thank you, Markus, for saving me twice today.” Twilight nodded in agreement. “Rest in Peace, Ironclaw…” Silence hovered over the three of them. Alan checked the sky, and then whispered to his wife. “Come on, Twi, let’s leave Julius for a moment.” The two unicorns walked away, leaving Julius alone. A long moment passed. And then Julius spoke to the small tomb. “Goodbye, Uncle…” <<<|Ω|>>> Alan laid next to Twilight as they sat in the room Julius gave them. They had sat in silence, both digesting the information they had given each other. Alan mulled over the news of Twilight’s pregnancy, as well as the fact that she had decided to come anyway, despite knowing it was a terrible, and risky idea. Twilight, meanwhile, mulled over Alan’s...trip back to his world. The two months it has been for him...where he thought she was gone. The little would-be fling that he had almost had. It was a little bit too much to swallow. Alan laid his head across her back, and sighed. “I missed you, Twilight, missed you too much to really be mad at you. Even though I should be really, really, mad.” “I…” Twilight began. “I am not okay with this Amber lady, but considering she doesn’t exist, I think I’ll make it.” Alan smirked. “Is somepony jealous?” “You can’t be jealous of someone that doesn’t exist,” Twilight said simply. Alan smiled before embracing his wife, and showering her neck with kisses. “If it makes you feel better,” he said, “she had nothing on you.” ------------------ Alright, guys. To wrap up, I’m going to give you guys a little more slice of life stuff to laugh at, and then… Well…let’s just say we’re going to have a pretty awesome epilogue. “Everything set up then?” Pretty much. “So are we going to see the baby?” Yes, actually, but not now. It’s coming soon, though. “Alright, everyone! We’ll see you next time!” “Be sure to leave a comment!” Bye!