//------------------------------// // Storming the castle // Story: Destiny Book 2: Time Traveling Foal Sitters // by SirScribe //------------------------------// As the roof crumbled around them, Sea Crest and the Doctor reappeared in the main hallway. Strapped onto Sea Crest’s back was the chest containing the super weapon known as the Cataclysm. The Doctor was still against the idea of using it, but history was on the line. With the hallway clear, the duo ran off toward the lower levels for Applejack. Speaking of Applejack, the apple farmer dove out of the way as a massive stone chunk crashed into the organ. Metal flew in all directions as Applejack ducked for her life. She looked back up to see the once beautiful oak and gold relic turned into scrap. She picked herself up and ran toward the door and into the Doctor and Sea Crest. “Applejack! You’re alright!” the Doctor exclaimed. The apple mare cracked a grin. “Ah survived Nightmare Moon an Tirek. Trust me doc, ah’ve had worse days,” she said. Sea Crest peered into the organ room. He chuckled lightly. “Beside the fact that a 300 year old organ was just destroyed, I think it’s about time we get out of here,” he said. The Doctor looked inside and both of his hearts dropped. The seat that Applejack was on was impaled by the debris from the ceiling. Applejack waved for his attention before taking off. With the Time Lord in tow, the two stallions explained the plan very briefly as they continued to run through the castle. From the sound of it, there was a battle going on outside and the changelings paid the intruders no attention. In fact, what was happening outside was more important than the ponies who escaped the day before. “Ah though ya said…” “I know what I said, but we have no choice. Sea Crest, what exactly are we looking at?” the Doctor asked. “Once the Cataclysm is up and running, we must find cover. The energy burst acts as an explosion so something sturdy will work. The changelings in the room will lose their shape-shifting abilities as well as whoever is leading them. Without their power to help them escape, we will force the leader will be forced into an ultimatum. Those changelings will pay for what they did to His and Her Majesties!” Sea Crest cheered. Applejack felt uneasy. With the Elements, or Rainbow Power, they’ve always been able to reform their enemies. Sea Crest’s plan was taking their victory to the next level with revenge. “And yer sure Celestia and Luna are safe back home?” The alicorn nodded. “The Cataclysm won’t affect them so long as they stay out of the Everfree Forest. We keep them there, and the worst that could happen is me losing my ability to fly and conjure magic. Unfortunately there are entire settlements within the area. Either they’ve got the evacuation order or they’re going to experience a great magical blackout.” The chest on his back was getting heavier the longer he thought about the plan. “So ah don’t understand. Doctor, ah thought ya didn’t like that there Cataclysm,” Applejack explained. The Doctor gulped. “I feel like I’m running around in circles right now. I did the same thing once a long time ago, but this is the end of it. Either Equestria burns before it is created, or entire generations will go without magic for a temporary amount of time. We cannot risk it.” “But Celestia and Luna are already princesses in Equestria,” Applejack argued. “Time is in flux, Applejack. Today could very well be the day Celestia and Luna die and history as you know it would cease to exist. There wouldn’t be a future to go back to. Hell, you wouldn’t even exist if we fail here,” the Doctor said. Panic filled the apple mare as she continued running. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. This should not have happened,” he mumbled. Another explosion rocked the castle, creating a giant hole in the wall. Fearing the worst, the Doctor shielded Applejack as debris landed around them. Sea Crest cautiously peered out of the hole and gasped. Royal Imperial Airships bearing the Sun and Moon on the flag descended from the heavens. The cannons were blasting away at the castle, destroying entire nests created by the enemy drones. Changelings scattered as they tried to return fire, alas, the alicorn military was proving too strong for them to do anything. The airships slowed their descent as they neared the landing docks. Sea Crest gave a sigh of relief. “The Alicorn Army. Somepony on site must’ve been able to send a message to our troops in the north. The changelings now don’t stand a ghost of a chance.” One of the balloons touched down at the landing port nearby. Sea Crest never stopped smiling as the inhabitants of the balloon flew toward the trio. The alicorns were all decked in gold armor and visors and wielded spears. The lead pony touched down in front of Sea Crest and chuckled. “As I live and breathe! Commander Sea Crest, its been too long since I have last seen you.” The pony removed her helmet. Sea Crest chuckled. The alicorn mare in front of him wore a yellow mane with white stripes and hypnotic emerald green eyes. Her mane was short and curly, surely showing off her sharpened horn. Her arm, much different than the rest of the gold armor, was decorated with beautiful battle scars and obvious signs of damage. “Solar Shine? By the stars, its been too long since I’ve last seen you. How long has it been?” Solar grinned, her smile illuminating the room around them. “I remember the siege of Rainbow Falls, but then again, the armor makes us all look the same," she said. "The years have yet to be kind to you, have they?" Sea Crest nodded in agreement. “Doctor, Applejack, this is captain Solar Shine. Solar was the first mare to enter the armed forces and engage in active combat. She is, by far, the greatest warrior I’ve seen on the field.” Solar smirked. “And Sea Crest wets himself at night.” A spark of magic shot from Sea Crest. “I-I don’t do that. It was a long day and somepony put my hoof in a bowl of warm water.” “The perks of having an understanding commander. We got your message requesting backup and came as soon as we secured the Griffon Embassy in the north.” She revealed a scroll and levitated it towards the trio. "Thank goodness you sent it, otherwise we wouldn't have ever know what had happened." Sea Crest met the Doctor’s eyes. “I didn’t sent you a message. We were just wondering who sent it.” Applejack nodded. Solar Shine looked over and smiled. “King Cosmos requested we work with the population, and the last thing I expected from you was work with Earth Ponies. Very interesting Crest,” she said. “Anyway, we’re here in full force. I am the commanding officer of the reinforcements you see above you, but we’re at your command sir.” Sea Crest grinned. “Brilliant. Okay, first we need the entire castle back under our control. Changelings have already armed themselves with alicorn technology, except for some of the private sector equipment. What do we have on the outside?” “Three hives around the castle have been destroyed and reinforcements are being driven toward the west. Remaining forces must’ve reinforced the throne room where their king is. Sentries around the castle are currently engaged with our remaining forces.” The Doctor nodded. “Okay, I want remaining alicorns to continue engaging the sentries. Changelings must have another battalion of drones and soldiers hidden within the castle walls. Inform the Higher Command and have them dispatch more troops. Once I give the word, I want our forces to immediately retreat from the forest. We’re going to utilize Project Cataclysm.” The soldiers beside Solar gave uneasy looks to each other. “Are-are you sure? You won’t be able to utilize your magic nor your flight for a very long time. If this doesn’t work, you will be vulnerable.” Sea Crest nodded. “That is payment for total victory in this war.” Solar Shine nodded. “I trust you Sea Crest. Make us all proud.” The Doctor smiled. “Remember, once you get the signal, get to safety. There’s a small village not too far from here. Go there and hold your position until further orders. The Changelings may try to rebound,” he said. Solar Shine looked over at him. “Excuse me?” Sea Crest chuckled. “Sorry, but he is a trusted pony of their Royal Majesties. He and his companion were charged with protecting the young princesses until King Cosmos and Queen Solaris returned from their meeting with the draconiquus king,” he explained. “What he says is correct.” Solar agreed hesitantly. “All forces, move out! Secure the perimeter!” The alicorns flew off. "Good luck Crest," Solar Shine said before leaving the trio once again alone in the hallway of the castle. The airships ascended, firing upon the hives the Changelings created. Applejack turned to Sea Crest, who was busy watching the airship Solar Shine was in fly off. “Ya didn’t tell ‘er about Celestia and Luna?” He sighed. “Not yet. I doubt they even know Cosmos and Solaris are dead. We must continue the mission before everything falls apart!” The two Earth Ponies nodded in agreement as they continued their trek toward the throne room. Changelings tried to slow them down, but it was Applejack’s quick thinking that got them through so many blockades. With her apple-bucking strength and lasso, any Changeling who tried to stand in their way were either strung up or knocked out. Another explosion rocked the castle. Outside, alicorns descended from the heavens as entire hives grown on the spires were attacked. Changelings immediately charged their horns to defend whatever was left of their earlier victory. Solar Shine roared her battle cry as armored ponies clashed with Changelings. Already ponies and Changelings were falling out of the air with spears embedded within them, although neither side was currently worried about numbers. The three ponies dodged a falling stone pegasus as they finally arrived at the throne room doors. While the Doctor kept his eyes on the statue, Sea Crest wiped the sweat from his brow as he readjusted the chest on his back. Kicking the stone head off, the Doctor could now rest a little bit easier. “Are you ready?” Applejack stomped the floor. “Ready!” The Doctor eyed the chest. “I asked myself that last time and I still wasn’t.” Sea Crest ignored him as he kicked open the door. Green fire enveloped another airship as it was sent crashing down toward the royal gardens. Solar Shine deflected a magical bolt as she reared up. “LONG LIVE THE KING!” she called out. The troops behind her cheered in response as the continued the surge. They slammed into another hive, shaking out the remaining Changelings inside. As the alicorns charged in with spears and magic, the Changelings took the form of soldiers wearing the same armor. One thing they didn’t count on, however, was how the real alicorns fought alongside each other. As alicorn forces stormed one of the hives grown on the castle, an entire battalion of alicorns surged from the airship with one of them carrying a very well important flag: the symbol of the cosmic night and the beautiful day converging to create a spiral galaxy. As the flag bearer charged onto the castle. “ASSUME RANK!” the lead alicorn commanded. The alicorn troops cheered and stood in formation. Fifteen alicorns stood shoulder to shoulder, creating a wall. As more changelings began to arrive, the alicorns had their magical arsenals charged and ready for any kind of action. “MAKE READY!” Changelings stormed the tower where they met the alicorn wall and immediately tried running to safety. “FIRE!” Once their backs were turned, the alicorns let loose their magic bolts at the Changelings, stunning all of their targets. Solar Shine touched ground in front of her troops and raised a hoof into the air. “Victoriam Equinus!” The troops behind her repeated their victorious battle cry as they surged through the castle with reinforcements already arriving from the North. The wooden door of the village cabin opened slowly as the young Princess Luna poked her head out. “Sister, do you hear that?” she whispered. Princess Celestia, with her pink mane obstructing her vision, followed suit. “That’s a lot of booms and bangs. Where’s Sea Crest?” “I saw him enter the Everfree Forest. Maybe he’s got a surprise for us,” Luna deduced. Celestia shook her head. “I don’t know. He didn’t let us know he was going in there,” she argued nervously as she eyed the forest borders. “Maybe we should wait here until he gets back.” Luna chuckled. “What, you’re not scared of going into the spooky forest, aren’t ya?” she teased. Celestia’s face burned pink. “W-what? O-of c-c-course I’m not afraid. Why would I be afraid of a big and spooky forest?” she responded. “I say we should find Sea Crest.” Luna giggled. “You’re scared of the dark, aren’t ya? C’mon, you know you are.” “Stop it Luna! I swear, once we get older, I’m gonna get you back for this,” Celestia promised. Luna laughed. “The day you get me back, I’m gonna be living on the Moon.” The two alicorn fillies exited the cabin they were in and quietly snuck into the Everfree Forest, unaware a unicorn stallion was watching them leave their sanctuary.