//------------------------------// // Death Penaly, there's no escape // Story: The arrival of the lost Generals White Nightmare and Dark Moon // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// It was passed noon when the murderers arrived to Crystal Empire. They didn’t care if the people were screaming in horror, they were straight to their main objective: the crystal heart, they needed to free Sombra as soon as possible. The alarm sounded all over the place, making the Crystal Guards to go to battle trying to stop the monsters who wanted to get the most powerful protection of their people. Half of the guards were evacuating civilians; the other half ran to fight the Generals, but it was useless. The guards, leaded by Flash Sentry, were quickly defeated by Dark Moon alone. Flash tried to keep fighting but Dark Moon took him by the neck and asphyxiated him until he lost conscience. It was easy, too easy. “You have guts child, I give you that, but nopony can stop us. No matter how powerful you think you are, you’re just the shadow of a true warrior of the Old Days. You’re useless” White Nightmare chuckled. “Poor idiot, but he gained my respect. He tried to fight until the end” Dark Moon nodded. “Keep walking, love. The sooner we free Sombra, the sooner we’ll finish this once and for all” She kissed him and kept walking with him, saving her energy for the definitely moment. They arrived to the Palace of Shining and Candace, where they were received for a small regiment of unicorns, who began to shot magic beams to the monsters. White Nightmare sighed disappointed as soon as she received one attack, it was so weak. But Dark Moon just got more irritated; and finished all the soldiers with a single move; that was the power of the blue Pegasus. “Seriously idiots: if our own daughters can’t defeat us, what makes you think you can?” “Try to be nicer Dark Moon, at least the fighting spirit remains” Dark Moon rolled his eyes annoyed, but still opened the door for his wife as a good gentlecolt. At the next room they found Shining Armor ready to defend with his life the precious object. Dark Moon smiled pleased and disappeared behind a powerful Sonic Rainboom. There was no clouds, but it wasn’t a problem for somepony as Dark Moon. In a matter of seconds, Shining’s head smashed to the floor getting him unconscious immediately. At least Dark Moon didn’t kill him since he respected the pony life. One more room to reach the Crystal Heart. “You first, my dear” said the Pegasus opening the door for his wife. Candace: the last obstacle. She just stood there preparing her horn ready to protect the precious object. White Nightmare sighed tired of all. “Seriously, stop. Your people doesn’t know how to fight, how is a real war” said the white unicorn pulling the unconscious Shining Armor by his mane. “According to my daughter in law this idiot is the best warrior of all Equestria, and didn’t had a single chance against us. What can you do to stop us? You’re pathetic as warriors” “We’ll do our best” said Candace standing firmly. “The magic of Friendship, Harmony and Love demonstrated long ago that are our greatest defense. Monsters like you would never understand such beautiful things. If only your enemies had the power of Harmony during their time they surely could stop you” White Nightmare shrugged. “They had it, dear. Do you know the Tree of Harmony? I planted it myself, after personally killing the original Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. Oh yeah, I even used their death bodies to fertilize the ground and plant the tree as a symbol of the true power of all ponies. And guess what! I killed them piercing their hearts directly with my horn, just to feel closer to their deaths. That’s who I am: a monster who can’t be defeated by Harmony” Candace couldn’t believe it, those two were really her aunts’ parents? She just admitted she massacred people, but also profaned their bodies as nothing. This mare was pure evil. But still the pink alicorn was far from surrender, she ran to the murderers ready to fight until the end; and was immediately pushed apart by Dark Moon who held her from the horn, making her unable to use magic. “Go ahead White” “Thank you Dark Moon” said the white mare walking to the magical object and prepared to destroy it with her magic. “Please stop!” Cried the poor Candace. “We need it, without it we’ll be at the mercy of Sombra” “Sombra’s only crime was to dream about restoring the Empire’s former glory” said Dark Moon. “Besides, he’ll be under our commands. As the coward he is, he’ll obey me in everything so don’t worry about that idiot” White Nightmara attacked. A powerful explosion of pure love an good desires sent the two generals out of the Crystal Empire, crying in pain and agony. What just happened? “No one with a corrupted heart would be able to touch the Crystal Heart” explained a sad and stern voice behind them. “That’s why Sombra hided it instead of destroy it; every time he tried, he ended up like you, suffering in silence” “Celly…” said White Nightmare turning to her daughters. “The evilest you are, the hardest it’ll hurt” explained Luna joining to her older sister. “That’s why you’ll never be able to even touch it. Admit it, you lose” Dark Moon smiled a little. “So you set a trap for your own parents. I’m proud, my dears” “DON’T DARE YOU TO CALL YOURSELVES OUR PARENTS!” Shouted Luna with her Canterlot Voice. “YOU’RE NOTHING BUT CRUEL KILLERS, MERCILESS MURDERERS!” The Old Generals screamed with fury, making their younger daughter to shut up. “You dare to judge us?” Asked White Nightmare with the sadness and anger burning in her eyes. “Look around you: your vast Kingdom with beautiful fields, countless forests and lakes; even beautiful desserts. All of this is the direct product of war, you have all this because of us. If we weren’t massacre all those people; ponies would never have all they have now” “But most important: you two wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for violence” added Dark Moon. “We fell in love because we were the same kind of monsters. As a matter of fact, both of us have a fetish for violence, and get turn on after killing lots of people; and that includes the nights we conceived the two of you” Both Celestia and Luna tried to stay calm, but they knew their parents were saying the truth. All they had was because of the cruelty of White Nightmare and Dark Moon. Knowing she touched their sensitive spot, White Nightmare continued teasing: “Think about your enemies Celestia, have you ever wondered why Chrysalis always use cheap tactics and tricks to attack Equestria? Because she’s afraid, she know what the ponies are capable of; and that’s why she acts as a coward every time she have face us” “You did something horrible to her mother! You can’t blame her for that!” Shouted Celestia criying. “Yes we did” said Dark Moon calmly. “And we are proud, we became her worst nightmare” That was it, both Princesses attacked their parents with magic beams; but they easily eluded the attacks. It was too easy. “You’ll pay for your crimes and be judged properly!” Screamed Celestia charging against her mother. White Nightmare only immobilized her daughter with her magic. “Come on, you said you wanted to face me, remember dear?” Mocked White Nightmare. “I’m waiting my dear. Or are you saying this is all you have? Too bad” And smashed Celestia to the ground with great power. She was too strong. Luna gasped seeing how easily her sister was defeated, but stayed firm staring at Dark Moon. “You’ll pay for your crimes mother and father; and there’s nothing you can do to avoid justice. But even if you did terrible things, nopony deserves to be judged without a proper defense so Tia and I’ll do your best to do so; but we need you to surrender” Dark Moon rolled his eyes slightly annoyed. “Good luck taking us to be judged” he said calmly before taking his daughter by the horn and kicking her on the left. Luna screamed in pain falling, almost defeated. “You see? We’re too powerful for the two of you” A hooded figure jumped between Dark Moon and Luna, taking the Pegasus by the wings and violently throwing him to a rock that was near. Dark Moon prepared the counterattack but a powerful magical aura immobilized him. He turned to see what was going on, it was King Flames with a sight that said “It’s over” In the meantime, the hooded figure approached to Luna offering her something to drink. “It’ll restore your strength. Drink” Luna obeyed, and like the stranger said, it restored her forces at one hundred percent. With her job done with Luna, the hooded figure approached to Celestia offering some potion too. Celestia didn’t understand what was going on, until the weather turned cold and windy. White Nightmare understood too and tried to attack the hooded figure, but her opponent commanded several trees to catch the white unicorn with a powerful hold. Zikmu, supreme Witch Doctor of all zebras removed her hood. “Your daughters can’t take you to your judgment, that’s why we took the judgment to you” “Flames and Zikmu” mumbled White Nightmare with hate. “How is it possible?” Candace approached taking the form of Chrysalis. “We had a plan of our own. We knew the pathetic new pony army will never stop you, so I agreed to pretend to be Candace while she’s attending some things in Canterlot. It was a trap, now is over for you two” “For the first time in my thousands of years, I’ll rest peacefully and for real” smiled Zikmu. “The last of the horrors of the past will be destroyed forever” “And the phantom of war will be vanish from our memories once you give your last breath” agreed King Flames. “This is the end, there’s no escape from this” Eleven of the remaining Windigos materialized, along with their brother Discord. It was time; so they created a magical dome to prevent to anyone who wasn’t part of the trial enter to disturb them. They were ready. The older of the Windigos started the trial: “Enough chit chat, it’s time to start the process. Generals White Nightmare and Dark Moon, you’re accused of the following charges: Genocide, torture, mass murder, regicide and countless charges of violence. The sentence is inevitable: death penalty” The Old Generals prepared to fight, but King Flames used his draconic magic to appear powerful chains around them; a special kind of chain that also restrained the magic power. Zikmu and Chrysalis strengthened the spell and for everyone’s surprise, also Celestia and Luna. Now they were completely at the mercy of the jury. As King Flames said, there was no escape. “So let’s begin by introducing the jury” said Discord solemnly. “All the Legitimate Rulers, the ones who are still between us: Flames, King of all Dragons; Zikmu, Supreme Witch Doctor of all zebras; Queen Chrysalis, governor of changelings… and Princesses Celestia and Luna, who are here as judges of mercy” Lightings began to appear all over the dome, infuriating the Generals. They were like cornered predators, more dangerous than ever if they manage to get free from their chains. King Flames looked at the Princesses: “Is an honor to finally meet you, Luna and Celestia. Sorry for enter to your territory without properly introducing ourselves but I trust you understand, this is a situation completely out of the ordinary. Better finish this later than never” “The honor is ours, King Flames” bowed both Celestia and Luna. White Nightmare screamed in anger: “HOW DARE YOU TO BOW TO THAT REPTILE? DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE DID TO US? TO YOUR OWN PARENTS?” Dark Moon just stared to Flames, with pure hate in his eyes. “STOP IT!” Ordered a Windigo. “Now, let’s begin with our trial. The death penalty is already decided, but how you’ll die; that’s what we’re about to discuss right now. Any suggestions, oh jury?” Chrysalis shrugged. “Is almost impossible to make them pay for every single life they took from us, so does it really matter? I only want to end this as soon as possible, I highly suggest a quick death, no elaborated ceremony; just take their lives and forget about them already” Zikmu took an obsidian knife from her saddlebag. “Chrysalis is right, let’s just finish it. If one of them die, the other will have the same death so we can pierce a heart and that’s it” “What do you think, judges of mercy?” Asked Flames. Celestia let escape a small tear. “We never used a method as severe as death penalty before; but we agree to finish this the quickest possible. So go ahead, finish it already; they are our parents and we love them, but we also know what they done in the past so we can’t object against death penalty” “Just, can we listen to them for the last time?” Suggested Luna horrified of her own words. “In which way they want to die?” White Nightmare defied with her eyes to her daughters. “In which way you say, Luna? Well, what the zebra says. Let’s finish this once and for all; but we have only one request” “The one who should kill us is no other than Flames” finished Dark Moon. “Go ahead reptile, finish what you did that night. Take our lives” Flames raised an eyebrow, making Dark Moon continue: “You took everything from us, everything except our lives. Do you think you’re better than us at refusing to kill us? Well, congratulations reptile, what you did exceeds our own cruelty and evilness. We loved our daughters more than anything else in the world, but you kept us away from them. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW IT FEELS TO KNOW YOUR BELOVED ONES NEEDS YOU BUT YOU CAN’T BE ON THEIR SIDE? And when we got free from the prison you locked us, we realized that we lost them forever and nothing we could do will gave them back to us. They see us as monsters, there’s no worst feeling for a parent than that. So, FINISH THIS ALREADY FLAMES! END OUR MISSERY!” Flames looked at the Old Generals’ eyes with a blank expression. Then he lowered his head and took Zikmu’s knife approaching to them. He placed the tip on Dark Moon’s chest and closed his eyes, but he couldn’t. “What are you waiting for? DO IT!” Ordered the blue peasus. Flames shook his head, lowering the knife. “During that time I let you live because I wasn’t capable to take a life of a parent in front of their children, and I still can’t. I know this is the right thing to do, but I can’t Dark Moon. Don’t force me!” Dark Moon looked to Chrysalis then. “What about you? Shall I remember you I used my hooves to rip off your mother’s head? Go on, you know how much you hate me. I won’t blame you, do itW “Yes my dear, remember how I psychologically tortured you by forcing to dig your own grave just after you buried your mother? Come on, have some revenge, it’s free” mocked White Nightmare. Chrysalis looked at the knife. “Yes, this is my chance. I’d love to force White Nightmare to bury her dead husband, but as soon as he dies; she’ll die as well so I can’t. Still, if that were possible I won’t do it. I’m evil and all, but I swore to myself to never be the monster that made me into this. No, I’m not a monster” She sighed and began to walk outside the dome. “Sorry for telling you the truth about them” apologized Chrysalis to Celestia and Luna before she left. “But you should understand that my mother’s memory is claiming for justice. I’ll see you again, there’s no doubt of that, but not now nor sooner. This is something I wish to not to see” Then she vanished from sight. Discord sighed. “As Spirits, we are forbidden to kill mortals. Zikmu, Celestia or Luna; the responsibility is yours” The Supreme Witch Doctor took her knife, knowing that it wasn’t fair to ask the Princesses to kill their parents. She approached to the murderers, and dropped the weapon. Dark Moon laughed amused, but then the zebra recovered the knife and stabbed the monster in an eye; then she took it back and cut his throat. It was over, the zebra even had a sadistic smile on her face. “Have fun in hell” The same wounds appeared on White Nightmare. That was it, they died, finally died. Zikmu looked at the two death bodies and sighed in relief. “Now I can sleep. Good bye ponies, perhaps we’ll see you again some day; but not too soon. I want to get the fuck out of here as soon as I can” And she disappeared in the forest. Luna and Celestia were devastated, their parents, their beloved parent were executed right before them; but the worst part was that they knew they deserved it. Daughters of murderers: that shadow was going to chase them forever and ever. King Flames placed his claw gently on their foreheads. “Shhhh, it’s over now. I know it hurts, but you more than anyone deserved to know the truth. You’re not like them, and that’s good. Just try to learn something from this experience and let it go as soon as you’re ready. Listen to your elders, this doesn’t have to end like a tragedy” The Spirits were waiting, only waiting. Finally, the moment came, when a powerful white light appeared on the dome. On the inside of the light tower, the all could see a black unicorn with red mane; completely restrained with burning chains. He was in a terrible pain, but somehow managed to stay calm. “Death Ride” mumbled Flames. “My enemy, it’s being a while” said the unicorn first looking at Flames and then to the Princesses. “And you should be my granddaughters. It’s so good to see you after all this years; the last time you were so little and pretty. But now you’re so beautiful and powerful; just as I always imagined you” The Windigos faced him. “So you came, Death Ride” “It’s my part of the deal, right?” “What are you talking about?” Asked Flames. The oldest of the Windigos shrugged. “As Spirits, we’re forbidden to kill; even to declare death penalty. But under this circumstances, we agreed to break the rules because somepony decided to make the ultimate sacrifice. Thanks to that sacrifice, the death penalty will have a completely new purpose: to purify” From the tower of light, two foals floated down to Celestia and Luna. A white unicorn filly; and a dark blue Pegasus. Death Ride looked at the little ones with sadness in his eyes. “The terrible things they did, the tortures, the massacres; it was all because of me. I transformed my Kingdom into the powerful Empire; I was the one who had the goal to exterminate all the other races from the earth. And I was the one who turned my baby into the cruelest and merciless killer of all times… and I also was the one who encouraged the monstrous acts instead of prevent it; that’s how something as mentally ill as Dark Moon turned into a General instead of receive the help he needed. This was my fault, and if there was something I could do to save my little girl and her beloved from an eternity in hell, I will do it. Even if that means to I carry with their respective punishments. Both Princesses’ eyes widened. “Take care of them, okay? They deserve a second chance. And whatever you do, don’t make my mistakes. So I’m leaving now” And that was the end, the definitive end. The Spirits were the first ones to disappear, along with Death Ride; and Flames walked away like Zikmu and Chrysalis. The Princesses were now alone with the colt and the filly peacefully sleeping at their hooves. …………………….. The white unicorn was the first one to awake. She was in a comfortable bed surrounded by teddy bears and such; and right at her side was a Pegasus colt about her age who was still sleeping. Celestia approached slowly. “Hi, did I scare you little one? My name is Celestia and I am…” “Save it” sighed the unicorn. “I’m regressed but not amnesic. So, this is what happened to us. Not too bad considering all what we did” Celestia shook her head with sadness. “Mother, do you realize we can’t allow you to repeat your actions during the Old Days, right? And even if on the inside you’re still a grown mare, it’s my duty to raise and educate you as a filly to instill the values of Friendship and Harmony” The unicorn nodded slowly. “My father is suffering even more than he should; and all because of us. The least we can do is try it” Celestia smiled. “I’m glad you understand, mom. So in the first place we have to left the past in the past; starting by that horrible name. You’re not White Nightmare anymore. Now, your new name is Aurora” “And what about me?” Asked the little Pegasus awaking too. “I can’t keep the name of Dark Moon now? “You’ll be Eclipse” smiled Luna. “Something beautiful and mysterious at the time” The Generals nodded, resigned to their fate; and hugged their daughters who lovely wrapped them between their wings. A new life was given to them and they should take their chance, especially if they were with their beloved daughters forever.