With the location of the Nightmare Cult’s hideout given to her by the now deceased prisoners, Celestia ordered an immediate counterattack. It would be an operation off the books, never to be recorded or remembered in history; it would quick, quiet, and forgotten. Princess Celestia ordered her troops, both Solar and Lunar, to be equipped with Class S weaponry which was only to be used during war.
Celesta herself brought in armor and weapons she had not used in centuries. Besides Lightbringer, she also carried a golden glaive that held the symbol of her cutie mark on both ends of the steel. It was known as Sun Striker, otherwise known as Lámlia in the ancient tongue. Discarding her regalia, she had chosen to wield the swiftest of her armors that was made by the legendary smith Helmfaestys. It was like having a second golden skin: one that could reflect nearly all weapons and magic. It was sleek, curved in the right places, and heavily protected in her sides.
Even before orders were issued, it was clear what they were going to do. Nopony dared to argue with a princess, whose anger was shining as bright as the sun she wielded. Taking direct command over a company of three hundred soldiers, they flew by wing or by pegasus-drawn chariot in the direction of the Everfree Forest under the cover of the night. Landing a couple miles outside of the town, she ordered her unicorns to prepare transportation runes so that the rest of their forces could arrive. At the same time, she cast a powerful illusion over their base of operations, so that nopony could stumble upon them.
As the company of prepared warriors waited for their comrades to join from Canterlot, Princess Celestia stared into the Everfree Forest where, hidden in the dark woods, the Nightmare Cult’s base of operations was located. How foolish of her not to realize they would operate all these years in the very location she had banished her sister. If it were any other day, the memories that she once treasured in the past with these woods and their surrounding lands would have brought both joy and sorrow to her mind.
Instead all she could think about was her daughter, lying in a hospital bed thanks to the very hooves of these monsters who would be delivered into the river of Styx from her very blade. None will live. None. I will end this cult once and for all, like I should have done years ago.
“What is the plan of attack?” asked Shining Valor as he walked toward her side. Despite being well into his retirement, his eyes still held the same vigor he once had in his youth. Dressed in his favorite purple and white armor, he had two silver bladed cutlasses with purple guards that held his family’s signature star symbol as pommels.
“I’m going to cast a very powerful and dangerous spell that will cause chaos in their ranks,” muttered Celestia, closing her eyes. “I will lead our troops through the front gate while you lead a platoon of fifty through the back. There is a secret passageway you can use that I remember. Slay every one of them.”
“Every one of them?” asked Shining Valor with wide eyes.
“Every stallion, mare, and foal,” muttered Celestia, growling. “This is not a battle, this shall be a purge. I will wipe this accursed cult from my lands. I have seen too many die and suffer for their insanity and I almost lost my daughter because of them. I will burn them all.”
Shining Valor said nothing. He only closed his eyes and sighed, “Princess Celestia, we will do as your order, but know this. At some point in your life you will regret what you did.”
“Noted. Issue orders to some of the Lunar Guards to move out and kill any sentries in the forest,” ordered Princess Celestia.
Shining Valor bowed and left, his words hollow in Celestia’s ears.
When a full legion of guards arrived, Celestia gave them their orders. Many were not pleased with the idea of the entire extermination of a group, even if they were a terrorist cult. That’s when she told them of everything the cult had done since its formation. Every grim, dark, and uncensored version of events that they believed were different or never heard of such incident at all. After her tale, the voices of dissent grew silent, replaced with hardened stares that better fitted these veterans.
Like a silent army of panthers, the first group swiftly moved through the forest following the instructions that Princess Celestia had given them. In less than two hours the entire castle was surrounded. Any cult sentires that were discovered were swiftly and unceremoniously dealt with before they could raise any alarm..
Despite having only a single rope bridge that could only support a very few number of guards at a time, Princess Celestia already had a plan to correct this for her unicorn and earth pony troops. They stood waiting for the signal from Shining Valor’s team to know they were in position as well. For a long time there was no sound from any of the waiting forces. Many of the soldiers around her were silently muttering prayers, asking for strength for the coming battle and forgiveness for the coming task.
Celestia only wished for the strength; she had no need for forgiveness.
Finally, they heard the three cries of a raven, and Celestia went to work. To the surprise of her forces, she walked calmly out into the open clearing before the bridge without a shred of fear in her eyes. Two Nightmare Cult guards, who wore the armor of the lunar guards a thousand years ago in undoubtedly some perverse worship to her sister, spotted her in disbelief. Naturally, they shouted warnings to the archers and guards near the castle who started to mobilize. They then charged at her, weapons ready to take her head as they screamed praise to Nightmare Moon.
Princess Celestia gazed upon the two lazily and raised Lámlia high above. In a single swipe, their heads detached from their bodies and landed beside her on opposite sides, their blood splashing her hooves.
With those two taken care of, she then began to glow with a red aura that emitted heat from her body. All stood to watch as flames began to dance around her like a tornado, even her eyes and mane were burning with fire. If anypony was to look down from the sky, they would see a mini-storm of embers dancing in circles around a demi-goddess.
Gritting her teeth, Celestia summoned her spell to take shape and the flames rose above her head. They soon came into the form of a giant three-eyed phoenix which gave out an eardrum-ruining cry of rage. Before the Nightmare Cult could do anything, the phoenix charged to the front gates and exploded.
Following that came the cries of agony and a cry to attack by Celestia.
The cult stood no chance after the spell that Celestia launched. Nearly half their members were wiped out by the explosion and fire, their bodies burnt to the point where their bones became ash. Armored pegasi flew down from the air, firing their lighting bolts from their crossbows or digging their spears into the flesh of the nightmare worshipers.
Just as ordered, their armaments were not just turned to those wielding weapons, but also those without. Nopony was spared in the aerial assault. Celestia and a few unicorns cross the bridge and placed the teleportation runes on the outskirts of the castle, allowing them to teleport their troops without crossing the bridge. Pushing the doors open, Princess Celestia and her guards entered the castle.
That’s when the massacre began.
For in this slaughter in fire, there was no spared. Mothers tried to shelter their children before they were stabbed. Old ponies who did their best to defend their people in the name of their imprisoned princess were cut down like weeds. Young colts and fillies cried over their mothers bleeding bodies before they had their throats sliced. Many more screamed glory in the name of Nightmare Moon, throwing everything they had against the cursed sun princess. It would be their last thoughts before the mithril blades ended their existence.
No pony, however, was more of a demon then Princess Celestia. Any pony she saw bearing the symbol of Nightmare Moon she killed without hesitation. Be it by sword, spear, magic, or even crushing a cultist’s head underhoof. Her fury was insatiable.
No casualties on her side occurred that night. There were no known survivors on the other side.
When at last the flames had died out, when the sounds of steel against steel were silent, and the cries of mercy were no more, only then was their a great moment of quietness before the dawn broke into the morning sky.
A great blood red dawn.
***
Celestia didn’t dare open her eyes and look upon her student’s face. She didn’t need to because she knew she had forever broken the image Twilight had of her. Like Shining Valor said, there came a day when she regretted what she did and she would forever more. For many months afterward, she had nightmares of every soul she had slain, hearing their pleading cries in her sleep. Visions of her slaying all in her path were as vivid as her own reflection in a mirror.
It was the night she had darkened her soul. It was the night she had gone against everything she believed in. Some of the soldiers who were part of that slaughter forgave her before handing in their resignations. Most would continue to serve her and would forever be loyal, but they never forgot that night.
She had just been so angry. So worried about Sunset and what happened to her. Celestia would have only feared what would have happened if she had lost her daughter. No matter what she did in life, she would never be able to make it up to the souls of those who died that day, nor to the ones who were forced to end them. It would be the final nail in the coffin that would descend her to Tartarus when she died, of that she had no doubts.
She heard the sound of hoofsteps slowly walking towards the door. Looking up and opening her eyes, she saw Twilight walking towards the exit, but she stopped just as she opened the door. Slowly, she turned around and, with tears in her eyes, whispered a sentence that shattered Celestia’s soul.
“How could you?”
And with that she left.
Celestia, after checking if the room was still soundproof, began to cry.
She was not the only one. Because a purple alicorn also cried. She cried for Sunset. She cried for her mentor. She cried knowing that things would never be the same again.
Her world had just been shattered by the very pony that built it for her.
Damn... this is a powerful chapter, and one that this story needs.
This is something I appreciate; a fic where the author is not afraid to break the mold and the accepted rules concerning certain characters. You have given Celestia an added depth of character that is rarely ever seen. You have given her flaws that make her much more relatable.
Daddy? Why did that man say? "I was only following orders?"
Because he is a coward son, and the one who ordered him is the true personification of evil.
seriously, what is with people putting genocide into stories? It just makes the whole story seem like a pathetic attention grab cause edgyness
When Celestia said she would wipe out the Nightmare Cult she wasn't kidding, of course Shining Valor was also right when he said she would come to regret being so ruthless.
I do wonder though, does anyone outside of Celestia and those who took part in the assault know what went down, or do they just believe that there were no foals present at the cult's hideout?
If Evowizard saw this then he would try and murder you
One word to describe Shining Valor: hypocrite.
He was the one that incited Celestia's wrath, pushed her to take action against the Cult at a time when Celestia had anything but a cool head and calm mind. He knew that she was pissed off, knew that she could be capable of what is best described as a true horror, told her to do just as much; and right when they're on the precipice of said unforgivable actions, he gets cold feet and asks her to reconsider? Forget you, Shining Valor.
Consequences will never be the same.
5871030
Yeah, on the second point, people underestimate how difficult keeping a secret is. It's especially silly if it's also meant to be a warning: "Screw with Sunset and I'll slaughter your whole family!" Warnings have to be widely spread to have any meaning.
You can, at best, have one or the other. There's no way to have both. And if it isn't meant to be a warning, then it's just mindless mass murder to assuage Her Highness's bloodlust.
Umm...wow. Just...wow. I originally thought when reading this story that Sunset left Celestia when she ever finds out that she's her daughter, but after reading this chapter...I changed my mind. My theory now is that Sunset left Celestia because she found out what she did and was furious that she could do such a thing, and she became afraid of her. That would hurt Celestia to the core, her own daughter being afraid of her.
She was not seeking justice in any way shape or form, all she sought was vengeance for Sunset, and used crimes relating to the cult as a whole rather then those that did them to whip her guards into a tranquil fury to slit the throats of mere children. Which considering that they'd be choking to death on their own blood would be a pretty painful way to die.
I almost imagine that Twilight might make sure those guards never would approach her territory at all once she discovered those who did this deed.
Edit: Oh hey a downvote.
YAY out of character characters committing acts we have know for at least the past few decades are absolutely unforgivable in any way and should result in said character being taken away from any form of power at the least, but, you know, it's a story about talking horses so whatevs
Okay then, here - have some backlash.
i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt203/backlash2009/BacklashLogo-2.jpg
Okay, done. Get back to writing.
This is definitely going to be a divisive issue.
I mean yeah it was horrible that she ordered a purge like that, but at the same time it was a cult that saw fit to kill entire families to further their cause.
Honestly there is no "right" answer.
If she kills them then she becomes the monster they always said she was, but in so doing she saves the lives of countless ponies that could have been victims of the cult.
If she spares them then she is allowing this cult to continue its murderous actions of kidnapping and killing, but at least she took the high road right?
Sometimes your only choices are bad and terrible...there are no good options.
I believe she made the right choice for the wrong reason. She chose correctly in purging the cult, but she did it in anger and vengeance which is wrong.
I read this with indifference. Then I noticed I had some treats coming out of one eye. Congratulations, you are one of few who made me have feels.
ALL HAIL PRINCESS LUNA, GODDESS OF THE MOON!!!
Sorry Celestia, I get that you needed to stop the cult, but killing foals? No. You do not murder helpless and innocent children for their parents crimes, period. Even if you argue the leave no one alive to take revenge spiel, there HAD to have been some young enough to not remember what happened who could've been taken to orphanages just like Sunset Shimmer. If she'd done true genocide of EVERY member of EVERY cultist's family, then she would've ended up killing Apple Jack and her whole family as well. Shame on you Celestia. If in order to slay the monster you end up becoming the monster, it doesn't matter if you won the war, in the end, you still lost.
Not saying I don't like this story, it's a good story, but I can't stand injustice.
Celestia ALREADY lost her war. Her blindness cost her hers only family. Her lies cost her hers daughters.
Nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest.
Ironically, it's Celestia's flaws that turn her family against her.
"Born by monster, forever monster." It's your thoughts, Sunset?
media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6odkq8jNo1qbolbn.gif
Brillian, Rated R. This chapter is brilliant. Yeah, I know that a lot of people isn't going to be happy for seeing Celestia acting like this, but, as 5872151 said, could we really say that any of us would do any other thing? No. She was blinded by rage and fury (and believe me, I know a lot about it) for almost lost her daughter and she had seeing enough of the cult. She crossed the line, no doubt, but I understand her. Nobody is perfect.
Also, Twilight's reaction is... perfect, just perfect. You did an amazing job writing it.
The whole chapter pains me, but I couldn't think any other better option.
I remember that in the past, in other fics, I said I hate you for doing characters suffer. But this time, I bow down to you.
5870892
Genocide is a real life thing. It happens. It, sadly, adds a real aspect in a story. Would you not want a group, cult or not, dead because they either tried to, or succeeded in killing your family?
Well gee, Twilight, what was she supposed to do? Let the insane evil terrorist cult that tried to kill her and her daughter stay alive? Wow, that's a great idea!
Celestia didn't go far enough.
Damn. This chapter was BRILLIANT! I loved reading it and it made me feel abit of emotions over the cult, and Celestias anger. I wouldnt have killed the kids, but I can see the soundness in her tactics.
5873846 no, i wouldn't, and you're right, there is such a thing as genocide, and it is universally condemned as one of the most barbaric acts. That kind of thinking is what has caused some of the most terrible things imaginable, if you want to claim that, go ahead
I love the way everyone here just goes right on ahead defending the characters actions as though they have ANY experience with death, with killing. As though they have any experience with being a monster, as though they can even imagine the horror of such an event (ps, you can't). Seriously, all you morons who say shit like "oh i would have gone further" or "Who wouldn't have this reaction." need to realize, you have NO CLUE how anyone would react in this situation and that you have NO IDEA how evil and sadistic you sound when you say it
5877073
I don't want any image spared when I read. It's the same thing when I watch tv. It's fucked up, but the fact that it happens means I don't want to be ignorant to it. I've had the issue of being sheltered most of my life, I don't like it.
5877799 it's not that, I agree that hard hitting themes and whatnot make good entertainment, it just pisses me off when people defend the characters actions, in this case people literally condoning the slaughter of children, does that not seem just a little wrong to you? Censorship is not what I was trying to talk about at all.
Now if you are talking about being sheltered from real life horrors, trust me, it's better that way
I suppose my last point would be that i just don't like out of character characters generally, thats just a personal thing really. And so many people do it with Celestia's character to try and get the edgy factor (always works) thus it's become super cliche, again, just a personal thing, i mean, you can just make up a new character if you want, it's called an OC
5877816
As a quick note, yes life sucks and I hate knowing a lot of what's going on, but I prefer knowing instead of finding out through something happening to me, or, worse, a loved one, shattering my ideas of how life is.
I don't think the writer is defending celestia in this one. I can see anybody making the same decisions as her if it were to happen. A thousand years of trying to keep the group from doing damage, without killing them off, which clealy allowed them to feel they can do what they want, then they decide to attack her and her daughter, nearly killing the latter and putting her in a hospital. I can see where she had enough. Ya, she shouldn't have done it, but passion can bring out the best and worst of people.
I also feel that the best thing to keep in mind is that this is in her point of view, until it's brought back to the present. The guards didn't like it, most had quit immediately, (I'd also imagine many would kill themselves because of the guilt.) and twilight is not happy about it, and I doubt she would ever be.
I have to wonder, at this point, if luna knows. I can't remember if it was mentioned or mot.
5877863 first point, i agree, i thought you meant you want to experience that sort of thing
second, i am not talking about the author, he/she can write whatever they want, it's their story, my only judgment on that respect is based on whether i find it entertaining, but that's another matter. I am referring to those in the comments section
third, that is again just plot stuff, the characters can be however the writer decides to make them (though that doesn't mean I will faithfully agree with every CHARACTERS point of view, in this case i definitely don't), though as i said, it's just a matter of me not liking out of character characters, writing celestia this way is like writing applejack as someone who hates apples, or writing rarity as not useless.
finally, i don't think it's been mentioned yet
5877887
Sorry, I generally don't pay attention to the comments As far as when people are referring to other commenters is concerned. Lol
The feels the feels
I'm sorry, but I just can't imagine Celestia doing that sort of thing. In this chapter she's more insane than the Nightmare Cult ponies.
I mean, I get the mothers love thing, but anyone in their right mind would at least THINK about the innocent FOALS involved. It's not their fault that they were born and raised amidst crazy killer ponies. The older Cult ponies needed to be exterminated (even the seniors, since they probably did some pretty evil acts when they were younger), but honestly, the foals? Babies? That goes too far.
I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to give this a thumbs down and take it off my favorites list.
5884519
okay, thanks for reading
5871582
I don't agree; While her primary motions seems to indeed have been vengeance, it was vengeance motivated by the tragedies the cult caused and the fact that they had happened because she hadn't acted directly before. I also don't see her 'whipping' anyone into any sort of fury. She simply gave her orders, knowing they would be obeyed regardless of the ultimate cost to her and to them.
5872011
I'm not necessarily arguing it for it, but children are often like their parents (I mean they're related genetically, so duh.). Leaving them alive would have left her with a group of ponies that would likely harbor and a grudge in addition to be more inclined to to stick with the cult regardless. The original ponies were persuadable and their offspring likely to be also. -- Also, they might not necessarily be 'innocent' depending on your criteria. They are being raised in a culture of ideological bloodshed, at least in theory. Technically they were all helpless against the onslaught and it is unlikely any would have been allowed to escape alive even if they had fled immediately or pleaded for their lives.
5873910
I agree, at least in the sense that inaction wasn't really much of an option.
5877073
You might be surprised at how your feelings could/would change if something actually happened. Intellectual level arguments are lovely right up until they meet the real world. Perhaps you would still hold the 'moral high ground', but in all likelihood you'd be pressing for some kind of revenge.
In any case I wouldn't really consider this a genocide. It's like they were trying to wipe a pony species or particular color/body type off the planet. This is dealing with a violent group of what are essentially treasonous criminals whose own ideas may very well be diametrically opposed to those of Equestria in general.
I think Twilight is over-reacting a bit. It's an event that's over and done and which happened, afaik, before they met. Her false image of Celestia is of her own (i.e. Twilight's) making. She should know better than to idolize. Twilight is being pretty judgmental here and, from the story, probably has very little familiarity/experience with the issues that pushed up to this. It's not as though Celestia just went off in a drunken rage and killed ponies. Just because one has violated one's ideal may forever change the perception, but it ultimately does not change the pony into something they weren't already.
It's a tad annoying that Twilight is often painted as a foil to Celestia, apparently devoid of conflicting feelings or real perspective on the issue. That is, if Celestia does something bad, Twilight has to go and be better than that or chastise Celestia or simply shun her or something. Stuff like that.
5918616 I'm not referring to the decisions twilights character makes. I am talking about the authors total lack of plot exploration or creativity. when a story is just a re-hash of a show, it makes for a very boring read.
5918616 As someone who is completely different from their family I disagree, and even if a child does have the same personality characteristics as their parents that is still NO guarantee that they will go down the same path that they do. Think of it this way, could YOU stand over a crying and frightened two year old toddler, or a baby that's even younger, and yank their head back by the hair then slit their throat in cold blood? Anyone who's able to do so, orders or not, is a very sick and evil individual. I am completely against the harming of children in any way, no matter what the reason. I understand that war often has collateral damage, or people can die by accident, but Celestia deliberately and thoughtfully flat out said, kill them all, including the children, in a situation where the children COULD have been saved. There is NO excuse for that and nothing anyone says can convince me otherwise.
Wow. Well, that happened. Why do I get the sense that Celestia going against her principles like this to eliminate this threat against her daughter is what is going to drive Sunset into darkness in the first place?
I'm glad I finally caught up with this story. I look forward to the next installment. Keep up the good work.
5949744
Read the next chapter. Yeah, Celly totally goes blood knight.
Oh my gosh plz tell me there is more to come.
6015989
Yes
6015990
Thank Celestia, I just started reading this yesterday, work drive me crazy cause I couldn't read this awesome story.
I have a feeling that the cult is a stand-in for Al_Quaeda/ISIS/etc. Celeste's moral crisis kinds reminds me of Bush-era politics.
Um......
Celestia did absolutely nothing wrong. She got rid of a group of terrorists that were willing to plunge the entirety of the world into eternal darkness that would undoubtedly kill a large portion of the population.
Celestia's massacre was justified in its actions, both being personal and for the sake of her fellow countrymen.