//------------------------------// // Free Reign // Story: Hell Hath No Fury.... A Darksiders/MLP Crossover // by Deemo //------------------------------// A simple morning greeted War as he strolled through its peaceful streets, though something was 'unusual' there was no one outside their homes arriving at Twilight's house he knocked and waited but there came no reply, knocking again he waited but yet again no reply, the once bustling town of Ponyville was now as desolate as a ghost town visiting house to house there were no signs of life anywhere. Searching his equipment he pulled out a mask, terrifying in appearance it seemed to fit the Rider perfectly, known as the Mask of Shadows this face mask allows its wearer to see into the Shadow Realm a place where those who walk in the light shall never gaze upon, the mask glowed as War's vision turned orange hidden objects became solid and unseen creatures became seen as black bug like ponies walked amongst the streets hidden in plain sight, their poison green eyes scowled at him only for War to return the gesture. "What are these...things?" the Red Rider asked himself before continuing to search the town. 'If these things are here where are the rest of the citizens?' War thought before a familiar cyan blur rushed towards him before stopping inches away, it was Rainbow Dash "Hey... um War?" she asked hesitantly "Have you seen anypony around? I mean there doesn't seem to be much stuff goin' on around, its so quiet and what's with the mask?" "Humph" was his only reply, eyes more focused on the bug-like ponies beginning to converge on him from all sides hisses and spitting began to fill War's equine ears as their horns began to glow a poisonous green. "Move" he ordered gripping ChaosEater in his hoof he swung his blade around him in a wide circle, Rainbow Dash's eyes widened as several headless changelings fell to the ground, green blood pooled around their bodies. "WHAT THE BUCK WAS THAT" Rainbow screamed her face becoming sickly green at the gruesome scene War left behind "Wait! those are.......changelings?" "So that's what they're called" he muttered Rainbow watched as hundreds, no thousands of changelings revealed themselves their onyx black bodies and emerald green orbs filled her sight "Go alert your princess, there are more in the town" he ordered "What about the others? shouldn't we find them first" the cyan mare questioned "No, time is of the essence now GO!" he restated angrily Not wanting to incur this stallions' wrath further Rainbow Dash fled the scene a rainbow trail followed her as she sped towards Canterlot, War watched as she left his gaze now turned to the amassed creatures before him. War watched as several armored changelings cleared a path towards him a tall female changeling stood with them judging from her physical differences as well as the crown upon her head, she was their leader. "Who are you?" the swordsman questioned his blade pointed at the queen "I am Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings and you have just slain six of my children" she hissed menacingly "Your children's safety does not concern me Chrysalis" he mused "I'm certain you can make do with a few less numbers" "Ha you think you can defeat me? you are outnumbered you cannot possibly defeat my entire horde by yourself, surrender and I will spare your life I might even make you my personal guard" she offered "Bribery is a coward's tool" War spat "If I am to die by your children, then so be it" emphasizing his point by standing on his hind legs before holding his blade in a one two handed stance. "Then die fighting" she shouted "Feast my children" the horde hissed and screeched in approval as they surged towards him Swinging his blade into a backhanded grip War plunged it into the earth blades erupting from the earth as the first wave of changelings closed in. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash's wings flapped rapidly as she sped towards Canterlot she had to warn the princesses for all she knew the stallion would be dead, in a field of corpses, spying Princess in the throne room she let out bursts of speed before slamming into the glass. Princess Celestia watched as Rainbow Dash smashed into the hard marble floor, the princess rushed over to the speedster her eyes spinning as she tried to speak "Invasion, W-War, Help, Changelings, Ponyville" was all she could mutter before dropping unconscious Deciphering her words, Celestia summoned a quill and parchment scribbling frantically she levitated it over to a nearby guard "Send this to the Barracks, Ponyville is being invaded" she ordered Saluting the armor-clad stallion rushed out of the throne room leaving Celestia alone to her thoughts "This is not good" she murmured "I hope our friend is holding out well, knowing him when he first arrived this will be a massacre" Oh how right she was. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- War tore through the waves of changelings that rushed at him, his scarlet shrouded stained green and his armor splattered with blood as he hacked, slashed and cut through the never-ending hordes of changelings. Fire and debris littered the battlefield as changelings were flung everywhere. War knew he could not last forever, and already he could feel his strength fading as blasts of magic impacted his heavy armor as he butchered them like pigs. Chrysalis for her part was screaming in outrage, countless numbers of her children lay on the cobblestones as severed bodies and limbs as well as gallons worth of changeling blood pooled around the Nephilim. Reaching behind his back he drew a large scythe demonic in design it was known as Harvester, swinging the scythe with grace and power he swung the cruel blade, bright blue orbs rose from the bodies of its victims before floating into the horseman's glove throwing the scythe it spun in midair grinding the insects into meal. the Harvester returning to him switching to Tremorfist he began to smash the earth with all his might, massive shock waves of force disorienting the changelings, only for them to fly into the air bombarding the horseman with their magic. In an instant War began to retaliate to their ranged attacks with the help of Mercy the large pistol ripping chunks of flesh and chitin from the airborne changelings, their bodies falling to the ground like rain, but as more and more of them took the place of the fallen the bombardment of missiles was too much for the horseman to handle, falling to his haunches he shook off the blows but exhaustion and injuries began to their hold over him, blood flowed freely from his wound his armor hung loosely from his body, his shroud tattered his armor shredded he lay amongst the rubble weak and feeble. "Impressive little colt, but your strength has failed you" the changeling queen scoffed, charging her horn she let forth a powerful beam of poison green energy the column engulfed the rider before he could even scream. Chariots packed with armored guards landed on the outskirts of Ponyville picking up their armaments they took up formation before entering Ponyville, Rainbow Dash however was assigned to help locate the missing citizens as they scouted around the town, visiting each house and every possible area. A large crater greeted the sight of Celestia's guards as they entered the square, taking up a phalanx formation they awaited orders from their commanding officer, none other than Princess Luna herself clad in dark blue and silver battle regalia she stood at the front line her gaze determined and spiteful towards the remaining changelings that stood opposite the crater. "Stand down Queen Chrysalis, otherwise we shall use necessary force to subdue you and your children" Luna declared "Never!" she screeched "After what your kind did to us we shall never forgive you. My children starved in the Badlands whilst you and your sister did NOTHING to assist out plight, reap what you have sown Luna" "You brought that fate upon yourself Chrysalis, invading our country during a time of peace" she responded "A wedding was ruined because of you!" "My children starved before that stupid wedding" she replied venomously "We were desperate for food, and yet you deny us a necessity to life? for that you will suffer" Millions of Changelings revealed themselves, bloodthirsty and hungry for vengeance the new arrivals began to charge their horns before unleashing a rain of green. "Royal Guard!" Luna commanded "Subdue Queen Chrysalis use lethal force if necessary" The Guards let out a loud bang as they clashed their spears against their shields before advancing in a testudo formation their large shields absorbing their magical attacks as hordes of the bug-like ponies swarmed the guards they changed formation, forming a wall of shields as they came into contact. War lay under layers of rubble and earth as he struggled to his hooves his eyes burning with rage and hatred for both the ponies and changleings, his blade's edge glowed bright orange as he held it within his grasp, looking up at the surface he watched as the battle above took a turn for the worse, though Celestia's guards were well trained they were swarmed and destroyed by sheer numbers of changelings. War's gauntlet glowed with golden light, his 'master' appeared before him. "You must keep fighting War" she encouraged "How? Their numbers are too much this form restricts me" he grumbled slumping against the stone "How would your family feel? would you let your brothers and sister mock you for losing to these.......things?" she goaded a risky choice of words one would say. War growled in a dog like way before rising to his feet his rage giving off a violent red glow. "Go get em big guy" she squeaked casting a bolt of energy striking his gauntlet"By the power invested in me I give you the power needed to end this fight, go forth rider and show them how a horseman does his job!" His form began to glow his height increasing, no longer restricted to a quadrupedal form he returned to the bipedal nightmare all of Creation learned to fear, the Red Rider now in free reign. Drawing to his full height the Rider let loose a primal roar, leaping out of the crater he crushed those that dare stand in his way, all conflict ceased when they saw him, an aura of dread and fear emanated from the Nephilim as he readied his sword. Luna's eyes widened in fear, knowing that he is no longer restrained she called out a new order. "New Orders" she bellowed "Subdue the biped at all costs, no restrictions" Even Chrysalis trembled at the emotions she was absorbing from the Rider, this thing was powerful and letting it loose will yield bad results for the both of them "My children, destroy the ape" she hissed "feast upon him, and only then can we take down the Royal Guard" War marvelled at their sudden alliance, both changelings and ponies surrounded the Rider their weapons and magic at the ready but the Nephilim had already prepared for this, red energy began to leak from his body. the violent aura of his body began to strengthen, all of Equestria felt a powerful surge of violent power, Celestia herself felt it her eyes filled with fear as she realized the situation at hand, The Red Demon awakens. Let The Slaughter Begin