//------------------------------// // Fall of the Crystal empire // Story: Night Patrol // by Foxgear //------------------------------// Night patrol ch 12 By Foxgear “All ponies to battle stations! Squads one through five, prepare to launch! MOVE, MOVE, MOVE! We don’t have all day, get down there and fight!” Roars Gadget over the ship’s intercom as they blast Sombra’s army with a barrage of canon fire and lightning bolts. “Squads Six through nine fly around the city and flank the enemy, create a path for any survivors. Cannon operators keep a suppressing fire on the enemy don’t let them near us! Squads ten through eleven you’re on standby.” Trotting over the controls Gadget observes all the dials and doodads with a keen eye. Complex mathematical equations ran through his head as he calculates their fly time. “We have enough crystal energy to keep the cannons firing for one hour Princess Celestia, I repeat one hour, after that we will be sitting ducks and we’ll have to retreat. Be swift in your mission, find Princess Luna and her escort and get them out, anypony else is extra. After the one hour mark I’m afraid anypony left behind stays behind.” “Roger that Gadget,” Celestia replies on the deck of the Moon Cutter, the night hunters forming up her guard, “Celestia out.” “Faust’s speed to you princess, Good luck.” Celestia returns her crystal communicator to its place on her chest piece; it’s quite the handy little gadget, perfect for keeping up to date on things. Approaching the edge of the flight deck Celestia surveys the battlefield, finding utter chaos the likes of which could rival Discord. She’d hoped she'd never have to come to such a place again, but it just goes to show that for every tyrant taken down, another rises in their place. “Allow me to lessen your burden Princess,” said a Pony, taking Luna’s armor out of her magical grip. “It’ll be easier to fight unburdened, don’t worry I’ll make sure it gets to Princess Luna.” She smiles at the Rinin Pony with relief, her own armor was weighing her down enough already and carrying Luna’s with her would have worn her that much quicker. “Thank you, Uh…” Celestia looks at the pony’s flank, hoping to find something of hit to his name. There was nothing, just a number like the rest of the dragon ponies, this one was branded, 088. “Nico Vega,” The pony answers, “My name is Nico Vega, apologies for not properly introducing myself right off.” Celestia waves a hoof, “No, no it’s quite alright Nico Vega, and I appreciate the gesture. I hope to see you again after the battle." “Don’t worry princess,” he smiles, “I don’t intend to die today.” “None of us do, doesn’t mean it won’t happen Nico,” Speaks Overheat, snorting fire from his nostrils. “Now let’s cut the chit chat and get moving! Follow me to victory! Yahoo!” Celestia blinks as Overheat leaps right off the edge of the flight deck which was at least a couple thousand feet in the air and he had no wings. She leans over the ledge expecting to see splattered pony on the ground, instead she saw a trail of flaming hoofsteps leading right towards the enemy lines. “Don’t worry about him Princess he just likes the attention,” said Emerald Cutter, “Let’s not be left behind! Come on, patrollers charge forward for Equestria!” Emerald Cutter too leap off the ledge, her horn a glow with dark green magic as she summons a pile of emeralds from the ground and rode them into battle. Below the unloading Docks open with Rawhide and his troops pouring out onto the field. “Ready princess?” Killing Perfection asks unsheathing her swords. Celestia nods as she raised her hoof to the sky, “All ponies ATTACK!” Commander Bright of the Maredor Vanguard quickly rallies his soldiers around to face the enemy at their backs. He calls for their unicorn units to raise the largest shields they could muster against the cannon fire, ponies clamored under the shields like umbra’s as the cannon balls rain down upon them, however just because they were underneath a shield didn’t guarantee their safety. Cannon balls would bounce off the shields and roll down between the gaps at high speeds severing legs and splitting ponies in two as they haphazardly came to a stop. “Incoming!” A scout yells pointing to a bright glowing figure charging over the ruins of the crystal city. Spears were raised and pointed as they waited for the enemy, a hush fell over their ranks as the smell of burning flesh and brimstone enters their nostrils as the irregular beat of trotting hooves grew closer and closer till finally a skeleton of flame gallops over their hastily made barricade, wood combusts into flame and metal melts as the burning skeleton gallops past, sucking up all the air and leaving a trail of destructing in its wake. “Monster!” A pony screams in terror as everypony try to move out of the flaming pony’s path, but it followed them running them down, crushing them beneath its six legs. “Commander Bright, look over there!” Yells one of the captains pointing to the sky as a hundreds of green diamonds fall from the sky like arrows, piercing though shields and armor like a hot knife through butter. A pony riding on top of a wave of green gems flew overhead, letting their beautifully deadly projectiles fall down like rain upon them. Bright barely survived as he took cover on the underside of the hill he was positioned on. Looking out over his forces he was dismayed to see they were out of rank with many dead and wounded to take care off, but worse off all their morale has been utter shattered. “Commander…” “What the buck is it now?” He barks looking at the floating ship that had been the start of all his trouble. Riding down across the barren plains was an army of heavily armed unicorns and earth ponies with a big red pony at the front wielding a large pick axe in his mouth? Above them was a much more terrifying sight, hundreds of pegasus and dragon Ponies were flying straight towards them, led by a in posing figure clad in gold armor, wielding two giant axes. “Celestia…” Commander Bright shutters as the Princess of the Sun raise her twin axes with the sun shining right behind her, blackening out her body while shouting at the top of her lungs. “Ponies of Equestria, Attack!” Before Commander Bright could issue his orders the earth and unicorns were upon them, he blocks the pick axe with his shield as his support staff fell around him. “You think you can win earth pony! You can’t! You will fall here!” He shouts levitating a spear off the ground. The Big pony frees his pick axe and said, “We’ll see about that.” And then the pickaxe was lit a glow with magic, surprising Bright that an earth pony could use magic at all, he didn’t even have the chance to defend himself as the big pony’s pickaxe pierce through his shield, his armor, and then his head. “Way to go Rawhide!” “This is nothing,” Grunts the big Stallion, “Keep pushing! Time is of the essence.” “Aye, sir!” “Luna is that…” “It is dear Applejack,” tears of joy rolling her cheeks as her sister and her ponies of the night charge into the enemy’s rear, “The Moon cutter with Celestia and everypony.” “Heehaw! She made it! Nightingale made it! We’re saved everypony!” Applejack rears up whining as loud as she could. All the surrounding ponies rose up and cheer catching their second wind at the sight of reinforcements. “Look out below!” A pony falling from the sky shouts, crashing in front of Luna. “Ouch, should have adjusted for the extra weight before going into that nose dive.” Luna and Applejack blink as the familiar sight of Luna’s armor became clear as the dusted settles and pony wearing it dusts himself off. “Nico Vega?” “At your service ma’am,” The gray tone dragon pony said standing at attention, “I’ve brought you your armor and a message from Commander Gadget. The message is “Only one hour window to evacuate ponies, after that the Moon Cutter will be out of crystal energy for operating the cannons, all remaining power will be for the engines. Please try to get as many ponies to the Moon Cutter as possible” end of message.” Luna mulls over the situation. Off to the west Celestia was making her way towards Sombra with what looked like Killing Perfection. Overheat was running around causing havoc and Emerald Cutter was taking out key enemy points, while their ground forces over ran Sombra’s, by all accounts they should stay and finish the job, but looking around again at the vast army Sombra and Chrysa had at their disposal and possibly hidden reinforcements it was clear they had to retreat. “Nico fly back to the moon cutter and inform Gadget we are on our way, once the path is clear will make an all-out gallop for the Moon cutter. Everypony leave behind everything once the path is open make for the Moon Cutter and don’t stop for anything. Applejack, Fury, I want to you lead them to safety.” Luna removes Symphony’s armor replacing it with her own. She smiles solemnly as the pile of pink metal fell to the ground. “I will meet up with Celestia and hopefully we can take out Sombra here and now and let his armies scatter to the winds.” “Understood Princess,” Salutes Applejack as she went to work gathering the injured and ordering them to be made ready for transport. Fury nods following after her with Dusk trailing behind him, leaving Luna standing on the hill alone with Nico. “I could take the armor back with me princess, it would be no trouble,” Offers Nico Vega noticing Luna’s hesitance to leave the pink armor, but she shook her head. “No, it would burden you too much. Let it lay here with its true owner. However this is one thing I wish for you to carry and keep safe for fear I may lose it in battle before the day is done.” Carefully Luna drops Symphony’s engagement ring into Nico’s claw. The Rinin nodding in understanding and took off to the sky. Taking one last look at the crystal palace Luna bows her head to the home of her lost kin one last time and flew off to meet her sister. Celestia and Sombra lock weapons, black scythes meeting golden axes in a clash of sparks that had both ponies pushing with all their might! Shock waves of magic rock the area, toppling buildings, cracking the earth wide open as the two titans’ wage war. One however held the advantage. Celestia had full control of the sky thanks to her wings, while Sombra was grounded with his one skeletal wing lying flat and useless under his cloak. With the aerial advantage Celestia was able to outmaneuver Sombra, avoiding his attacks with a mere twist of her wings, another benefit was her ability to launch her attacks from any height or angle while using the sun as cover. Sombra was on the defensive as he kept his weapons close to block the rain of axes assaulting him. He calls for aid from his soldiers, but the white pony that accompanying Celestia cut them down before they could get close and Chrysa was too busy trying to lead their armies on both fronts. The Defenders of the Crystal Empire were fighting fiercer than ever before trying to get to safety, while their allies hack their way through to meet them. He had no idea Equestria had such a fighting force at their command. “Quiet the impressive army Celestia! I wasn’t aware you had the stones to put your precious “Little ponies” in harm’s way or that you had a knack for the darker arts.” Sombra praised as he broke their stalemate and retreating into the narrow streets of the Crystal Empire to better limit Celestia’s movements. Celestia thrown off guard by his comments mindlessly follows. “Darker arts? What poison does thy vile tongue spew now Sombra?” Celestia shook herself, blushing madly as she coughs into her hoof. “Sorry, the thrill of battle as me thinking of times of old and that just kind of slipped out. Now as I was saying, darker arts? What nonsense are you spewing now Sombra? I have never… ugh… intently practiced the dark arts. How can you a pony who so easily gave himself over to darkness accuse me of doing such a thing?” Sombra chuckles sinisterly as he circles around Celestia, the white mare keeping pace, always keeping her eyes on him as he wants her to do. “Well I simply assumed. I mean who ever heard of such a large clan of dragon ponies? There may have been few born throughout the centuries naturally to give life to the legend, but so many and all fighting for you? I was not aware the ponies of Equestria were so… intimate with the dragons of Firehorn to breed such a number of Rinin.” “Oh well, you see that’s very easy question to answer, so simply in fact you probably wouldn’t believe it. I hardly did when Luna introduced them to me after discovering them in an old mine,” Celestia nervously replies. Her mind suddenly a buzz with political questions that could come up when the dragon ponies existence was made well known. “A mountain you say, sounds suspicious. Are you certain Princess Luna didn’t create them and simply lie you,” Said Sombra, relishing the look of doubt upon Celestia’s face, the Princess of the Sun was completely off her game. Discreetly Sombra lowers his remaining Skeleton wing tapping it lightly against the ground while he occupies Celestia’s full attention. “Really Celestia, think about it. Luna’s was losing favor with the public, it’s well known all across the lands that you are the one and only true ruler of Equestria. Luna is merely a side show, something show off when convenient. I’m sure you’ve “used” her more than once to gain favor with rival kingdoms. Why wouldn’t she want an army to dethrone you?” Celestia gasps, sputtering as her wings miss a beat causing her drop in altitude. “Luna, Luna would never do such a thing! You’re outrageous calms mean nothing! And what perverse propose are you daring to imply that I used my sister for? I would never do such a thing to Luna!” “Strong words and so many, almost like you’re covering up a lie.” Celestia burns red with anger, “I shall take no more of this foolery, En garde, Sombra!” Celestia charges blindly. Sombra raise his remaining wing as Celestia drew closer, he brings it down just as she was in range. A glinting light shining in the distance down the long street, flying fast as it travels through the air, Celestia didn’t even know what hit her till it was too late and took an arrow in the wing just as she was about to reach Sombra. She drops like a fly and crashed, skidding against the crystal street, leaving a trail of blood and feathers behind her. “Time for the sun to set, but don’t worry Celestia, I’ll take good care of your magic.” Celestia reaches out, straining to get her hoof around her axe, but Sombra stomps on her leg. She screams in pain as he raises his scythe for the final blow. Regretfully she closed her eyes preparing for death. (I’m sorry Luna) “CELESTIA!” Celestia’s eyes snap open, turning towards the sound of her name, her eyes weling up with tears as Luna flew in fast and hard, creating a trail of stardust behind her. “Luna!” Luna was flying high above the battle looking for her sister, when she heard Celestia’s cry, quickly she nosedives towards the sound flying faster than ever before. Rounding a corner she saw Celestia on the ground with Sombra’s scythe hovering overhead. Crying out her sister’s name she toss her star blades forcing Sombra to bring his scythe around to block. Not missing a wing beat Luna tackles the unicorn king to the ground, tossing him over Celestia and continuing to struggle against him hoof vs hoof on the ground, kicking, bucking, and even biting him in her rage. “STAY (punch!) AWAY (punch!) FROM (Bite!) MY (kick!) SISTER!” Luna rages blindly, inky black energy misting off her coat as she continues to pound Sombra into the ground, even managing to dent his armor, and breaking the bones beneath the plated steel. “That’s enough Luna,” Said Celestia struggling to get to her hooves. “Luna!” Celestia’s voice snaps Luna back to reality. Turning to face her just in time for an arrow to whiz past her head skimming the outer shell of her helm. Luna seethes as she touch the gouge in her helm, “Sniper.” “That’s what I was trying to tell you, now come on let’s get out of here!” “But Sombra,” Luna pleads wanting to finish off the unicorn king once and for all, but another shot from the archer had both her and Celestia fleeing for cover as volley of arrows assaults them. Once in relative safety and catching their breath, Luna caves in “Fine let’s go.” Luna took off flying only a few feet before Celestia coughs reminding her that she could not fly. “Right sorry,” Lifting Celestia up with her magic Luna took flight, glancing back at the down Sombra, wishing she had a clear shot to finish him as several unicorns appear around him covering him in a magical shield. (There will not be a third time Sombra, I swear it!) “My liege you are injured!” “Thanks for stating the obvious Australian Sniper.” Snarling Sombra toss his helm aside wincing as he walks, yet never breaking his stride as he surveys his troops. Turning to the unicorn commander Sombra said, “I want this place wiped off the map! Gather our remaining forces for an all-out attack!” “At once my liege,” The commander salutes. Sombra watches him run off, then turns his attention to the floating ship, with feral growl he marched towards the object of his failure determined to bring it and everypony on it crashing to the ground. “I swear none of you will live to see tomorrow.” “We are nearly there sister, we are almost home,” Said Luna excitedly as they neared the Moon cutter. Time was nearly up and flocks of ponies were being marched on to the floating ship. Somewhere in the crowds Luna manage to spot Alto Melody, the pony she’d met at diner the night before and Symphony’s friend, she was relieved to discover she had made it. On the flight deck many ponies cheer and waves, happily she waves back. “Princess.” “Killing Perfection?” Luna gasps not expecting the white Rinin to show up on her flank. “What’s the matter?” Grimly Killing Perfection points downward where a line of down beaten crystal ponies stood against the Changeling and Maredor hordes. “I understand, please take care of my sister.” Luna said dropping Celestia into KP’s claws and diving down. “Wait Luna,” Celestia screams. “Go back we can’t leave her!” “I have my orders.” “But…” “Do not worry,” KP said, “We will not leave our princess.” Celestia ease her struggles and watching helplessly as her little sister became a blinking black dot. “Shiny Stone what is it do you think you’re doing?” Luna demands as she lands next to the old pony. Three changelings leap at her but three well placed magic shots made quick work of them. The old stallion smiles as he knocking a changeling to the ground, stabbing the bug pony with his spear. “Well the old timers and I thought we’d buy the younglings some time to get aboard, besides someone gotta watch you’re flanks, might as well be us. We have a little fight left in us, enough to hold them off for spell or two at least.” “But that’s…” “It is what it is princess. We’ve had our time. Let us have this one last moment of glory to let the ponies of the world know that we of the old guard stood our ground so that next generation could flourish.” Luna looks on sadly at the line of brave souls standing before her. She’s seen similar sights in the past, old soldiers looking for one last chance of glory to go out screaming their lungs out as they charge ahead to their deaths usually taking with them countless young colts with them to satisfy their lust for that moment. These ponies were vastly different from those old fools before them. They weren’t simply throwing their lives away just to throw them away. They were paying the price for freedom for those that come after them. “I understand Shiny Stone. Know this day, we Princess Luna of the Night, will be witness to your bravery this day.” “Thank you princess, now I believe it’s time for you to get out of here.” Shiny stone points out as a mass of black armored ponies lined up across from them, Sombra at the head of them looking very, very angry. “Go, go now!” Shiny stone yells leading the charge. Luna hesitates for a moment not wanting to abandon the brave knights, but the cries of her ponies from the moon cutter make her take flight. As she glides she looks back as the crystal ponies where surrounded, they shined in the sunlight sparkling like a beacon against the darkness. Slowly the circle grew tighter as the crystal ponies fell one by one, by the time her hooves touch the flight deck the light was gone and tears fell freely down her cheeks. “Luna!” Celestia shouts breaking away from the crowd. The sun princess nuzzling her neck ,her own tears mix with Luna's. “I’m so glad you’re safe. Come we must go now, before Sombra has a chance to give chase.” “No.” The crowd of ponies was struck into silence as Luna turns towards the massive horde with her horn a glow with magic. “We finish this now! Night Hunters to me! Dusk you too!” Overheat, Emerald Cutter, and Killing Perfection took up positions on Luna’s left flank while Applejack, Sixes, and Fierce Fury stood on her right. Dusk nervously stood next the princess as she links their magic together engulfing her and the ponies on her right in a midnight blue aura. “I cannot do this without your help sister.” “Very well, we shall finish this together.” Celestia said solemnly as she took up position on the opposite side of Dusk from Luna, her own golden magic expanding and covering Overheat, Emerald Cutter and Killing Perfection and then channeling through Dusk completing the link. The sister’s rose into the air their magic’s crossing between each other, massive amounts of magic pass between them and the nine ponies, raising them all into the air. The princess’ colors invert, Luna’s coat turning white, while Celestia’s black as they cross their horns releasing a powerful beam of magic at Sombra who was riding atop of a giant red crystal, his own black magic swirling around him like storm. “LUNA! CELESTIA!” The unicorn king screams as he rose toward them, firing a massive blast of magic. “SOMBRA!” The sister’s yell as their blast collides with Sombra’s. For a moment there was a pause as the two titanic attacks struck, pushing against one another seemingly tied in power, till soft “clink” sound echoes. The alicorn amulet upon Sombra’s chest cracking, finally reaching its limit, the gem shatters bursting into the sky and scattering across the lands leaving its owner defenseless. “No, no, no, nooooooooooooooo!” screams Sombra as the sister’s attack completely engulfs his. The colorful display of magic hit him dead on, his armor cracking as the light ate him from the inside out. “I will not let it end like this! This is not over!” With his final cry Sombra cast one last spell before his psychical body burst into crystals. The remains of the crystal empire were covered in smoky darkness engulfing the entire city and every pony in it and dragging it beneath the ice, leaving a vast icy wasteland in its place. Celestia and Luna fell to the flight deck exhausted and bitter as they watch the once shining city disappear. They had fought so hard, lost so many, even defeated their foe, yet it felt like they lost. A gentle hoof massage her back, Luna looks up into Applejack’s sad smile as the earth mare helps her stand. “Come on, it’s ok Ah got ya, let’s get you inside and some hot cider.” Said Applejack as Sixes helps Celestia. Exhaustion hit Luna like a ton of bricks as she leans heavily on Applejack for support, sleepily she said, “Some cider and food does sound good right now, but I think I’d prefer a good bed first.” At that moment Luna’s stomach rumbles loudly, earning a chuckle from the surrounding ponies and even Celestia whose stomach also growls. Blushing Luna covers her face as she broke out into laughter. “I guess food first, then a bed.” “Gadget,” Luna calls out, the unicorn was busy hugging his daughter to death but stops to give her some air as he addressed his princess. “Yes, ma’am?” “Take us home as fast as you can, I’m feeling a little home sick.” “At once princess,” Salutes Gadget before running off with Dusk in tow, no doubt they had much to talk about on the way home. After some food and drink Luna laid down on her personal cot, her eyes heavy, yet her mind a buzz with thoughts. She was alive. Celestia was alive. Applejack, Dusk, Nightingale and Fury were alive. A lot of ponies were dead too, Symphony, Treble, possibly Cadenza, Shiny Stone and countless others lost forever. “I’m alive,” She whispers before the calling of sleep finally took her. As her eyes fluttering shut she saw a figure stand over her and run a hoof through her mane, the gesture was familiar and always helps her to get to sleep when she was troubled. “Celestia,” Luna mumbles sleepily as a smile spread across her lips. Celestia mirrors Luna’s smile as she settles down on the floor of the cabin with her head on Luna’s cot. She didn’t care if she had own room with her own bed, she wants to be with her sister again, even if it was only for tonight. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” Celestia whispers as she too enters the world of dreams. Her hoof wrapped protectively around her sister.