Previous Chapters
Close
Payment due (rewrite)1,656 words
A Whole New World (rewrite)917 words
School’s Bells (rewrite)2,247 words
Talons (rewrite)1,078 words
An Eventful Night (rewrite)1,672 words
Dream Princess (rewrite)476 words
Sun God (rewrite)1,234 words
Necromancy (rewrite)723 words
Swing (rewrite)1,693 words
The Dark King (rewrite)1,332 words
The Crystal Fair (rewrite)1,525 words
Discord (rewrite)1,729 words
Louis (rewrite)1,266 words
Ragnar (rewrite)1,006 words
Griffonstone (rewrite)1,903 words
Starburst (rewrite)1,570 words
Sweetie (rewrite)2,591 words
Beast (rewrite)2,534 words
Jury (rewrite)976 words
Judge (rewrite)1,305 words
Rage (rewrite)1,207 words
Unity (rewrite)1,383 words
Paid (rewrite)2,402 words

Paid (rewrite)

Twenty years, such a short time in my immortal lifespan, yet the most eventful time in a while. My body hasn’t changed with the rest of me, that much is true, but with the simple manipulation of bone I can be as tall as a stallion. The war may also weigh upon my mind like nothing else, but I still stand strong. Just as our people have done, and I am so very proud of them.

Music was an industry that was revolutionized by us, a side effect of the war. No longer is it a battle of classical against dubstep with their slow and clashing tones. I brought into this world Swing, Sombra brought into it the Blues, and Sweetie became the leader of Jazz. From the calming tones of the past, into the adrenaline rush of now. Our music reflects our citizens. Sad at times, but always continuing onwards. Upbeat, and screaming our names as we lead them ever further. Unified, even though division pecks at the door of our differences. And it is because of us, my friends and I, that this revolution has come about.

Speaking of friends, they have changed just like music. Apple Bloom became interested in civilian technology, and was quite good at it, shocking everyone around her. She still was an Apple farmer at heart, but realized our need for further resources. One of the greatest inventions she had was the Pip-Buck 3000. It started off as a huge machine made to tell farmers the optimal inputs and outputs to get the most out of their crop. Then, it started to read vitals, and take inventory. It can now do many, many things. From vital scans, aim assisting, maps, a heads up display, it even automatically assigns value to everything and can carry items, all whilst fitting on a hoof. First, it was distributed to us leaders, then soldiers, then Stables, and now civilians. She became the leader of ‘The Ministry of Production’. A Minestry dedicated to producing new technologies and more food to feed our people and soldiers. Sweet Apple Acres and her siblings in general have gladly joined under her, working harder to feed our growing nation. Their chief collaborators are the Stables.

Stables themselves are a bunker system to keep ponies safe should the war escalate. It was made early on in the war, so civilians could hide with the soldiers when the bombing began on our cities. It’s expanded to be there just in case the worse were to happen. Other than making that, Scootaloo has become a symbol for our warriors in the air. She was a diplomat early on in the war, but the need for diplomacy fell quickly. Now she leads the Air Corps, and the Wonderbolts themselves. She ascended to be the leader when Spitfire died in the middle of a spec-ops mission. It was a great loss for us all, and I know Scootaloo tries to be invincible in spirit so as to meet the expectations Spitfire would give her. With the exception of me, she does the most fighting. She always flys out with the Wonderbolts as an elite force, and it’s because of her many fights have been won. She leads ‘The Ministry of Air.’ Many Pegasi that have their talents within flying have joined under her, including her idol, Rainbow Dash. She takes her role more seriously than any of us, and the Pegasi follow her example, being the most nationalist and motivated of any army we have, barring mine.

And then there’s Louis, who is proud to be the diplomat who merged us and the Changeling Hives. The Hives have all started to regrow back to their previous strength under his careful care. He leads his own Blue Hive into battle many times, but not to kill or injure. He founded ‘The Ministry of Healing.’ It is dedicated to healing every soldier they find injured, enemy or ally. Many ponies such as Fluttershy have joined him in effort to stop mass destruction. He has built many new hospitals and clinics in our new land, and created many new medicines as well. Without him, this war would be much bloodier than it already is.

Sombra is our diplomat for the Crystal Empire, using his cunning to have Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor decide to join the Union. With the crystal imports, our economy is booming, and Sombra is to thank for it. One day he visited Ponyville, and found a specific pink pony in a gingerbread house there. Thus, ‘The Ministry of Joy’ was made, with Sombra as leader, and Pinkie Pie as his right hoof mare. Their mission is to make it so our citizens to not give into despair or sadness, but instead move into each day with a smile.

Our main stallion for producing weapons is Black Smith. He took the simple idea of a gun, and expanded upon it in many different ways. Now there are smaller pistols that pack quite a punch, rifles to hit targets from afar, assault rifles to fire accurately and quickly, and even guns that can put out hundreds of bullets in a few seconds. He’s also fashioned armor to protect from these weapons as our enemy gets their hooves on it. His best project is called power armor. It gives ponies the strength of a bear, the durability of a tank, and the mobility of themselves. He also has done experiments with crystals and made laser guns, and plasma guns. Rumor has it that Rarity of all ponies is helping him with the design of his armor. Rumor, and eyesight, also has it that they’re in love. They just have yet to figure it out.

Sweetie Belle and I have flourished over the years. I find every time I’m around her to be the best moments of my long life, and I seem to never tire of her presence. Even the most interesting creature in Tel’la De Rus doesn’t hold a candle to Sweetie. We try the best we can to be together as much as we can, and I always savor the time we meet next. No matter how sparce our meetings are now, with how work tears us apart, I think I might propose to her soon. However, work comes before us, so that is a while to come. She has created ‘The Minsitry of Voice’, a surprising choice for her. She not only creates music, but seemed fascinated with the voice. She talked with Pot Hitter, and he shared in her fascination. She decided to help with the war when she saw how I stressed with it, and now has a following of mages who use their voice. Necromancers, Pyromancers, anyone. They go out onto the field, and weave their strife upon the enemy with their voice. Then they go home, and make their songs, so our citizens can hear and be inspired.

It was a meeting with two individuals that made her decide to go down this path. Before then, she led Music, not Voice. But there are these two warriors. Orcs, from Tamriel. Dovahkin and Ghorbash the Iron Hand. Dovahkin has the ability to cast magic by shouting, a thing he calls the Thu’um. This, combined with the strange Orcish language they spoke, inspired Sweetie to change to Voice. These two warriors have proven themselves invaluable, producing a new race of warrior rivaled only with the Red Hive. They have traveled with Mass Offense all over the war, allowing him to grow to be the head of an army. These two seek the dragon, Alduin, and have searched for him with my help. Last week we found him, and I believe they shall be fighting today. My best wishes traveled with them, even if they wield such archaic weapons.

As far as I am concerned, my Ministry is dedicated only to the war. I was always the most warlike of any of us, so when the time came to make a Ministry, it was an obvious choice. I am the leader of ‘The Ministry of Death’ for that is what we bring upon our enemy. Raven’s Reapers, my elite group of power armor wearing death dealers. The Necromancer Guild, a group of Necromancers led by Twilight Sparkle that produce skeletons to fight in the war. Twilight took a liking to my knowledge, and so did many others. Now, they make soulless puppets to fight in the war.

The war is almost over. There only are a few more places that we have yet to break. Today we take the most important. As of now, Fillydelphia and Baltimare should be taken over. This war has produced many horrors. Robots are a minor one, but nothing as bad as the nukes. Some strange combination of magic and science has made a bomb that will destroy everything in a ten mile radius. Somehow, the enemy got it after we made it. I think there is a spy somewhere in the higher tiers.

We are now the rulers of this land as well. Luna disappeared into her room two years ago, and seems to be in a broken state of despair, only being able to take care of herself. With her gone, leadership fell to me and my friends. We already were seen as the real leader before, but now we actually have full command of Equestria. It’s a position I never thought I would have, and I hope we can bring Luna back.

I’m sitting in my Ministry building, waiting for a transmission. I see a message pop up on my terminal, “Put that up on the screen.”

On it is a soldier wearing power armor, saluting me, “Sir! Head Paladin Mass Offense reporting!”

I nod, “Good. What is your report? Good news, I should hope.”

He snaps his leg back down, and nods, “Both in Fillydelphia and Baltimare our offense has worked. We await your order to storm the nuclear bunkers!”

I nod, “Permission-“ I’mcut off by a roaring sound in the transmission.

I see him stumble around, and turn around to face the bunker. Out of the bunker, a missile comes flying out. He collapses to his knees, “Dear Luna. They’ve done it. They’ve launched the nukes.”

I slam my hoof down on the intercom button, “Code Red! Everyone run for the Stables!

I look up to see Mass Offense salute me, one last time, “It was an honor to serve, Raven. This is Head Paladin Mass Offense signing-“ he’s cut off as an explosion rings sounds out behind him.

Everyone behind me is rushing out as quick as possible, hoping beyond hope to get to the Stable five minutes away. I sigh, and press a button to hop onto an emergency broadcast.

Faces start to pop up on the big screen.

“This is Sweetie Belle reporting in!”

“This is Scootaloo reporting in!”

“This is Apple Bloom reporting in!”

“This is Louis reporting in!”

“This is Sombra, reporting in.”

I sigh, “Ravens Breath reporting in. Good, we’re all here. This... this is goodbye.”

Then Apple Bloom speaks up, “I do hate to say it, but it seems like I’m gonna have to leave first. Nuke looks about five seconds out.”

Her channel goes out after five seconds. Scootaloo tears up a bit as she looks to her side, “Welp, not gonna lie, there’s one headed right for me as well. Should’ve built in the air. Goodbye, everyone. It’s time for me to leave.”

Then her channel goes down as well. Louis slams his hoof down, “Those bastards! Do they not know how many will die from this? All of my efforts... the Hives... the lives saved... wasted.”

His channel cuts out, and I can hear the explosion in the distance. Sombra smiles sadly, “Nuke on me as well. Maybe... I remember the tests of it’s power against crystal. If I make a bubble of crystal around the city, I can save it.” I can hear a grunt of exertion, and Sombra pants on screen as his horn lights up, “I can protect myself as well. Ponies from the Stable can find the city and me when the radiation clears.” He turns to look at me once more, “Estoy orgulloso de ti. Llegaste a mí con tristeza en tus ojos y vacilación en cada paso y palabra, con gusto saltarías a la muerte. Y ahora, tu muerte viene y la odias. Aprendiste a amar la vida, y los que te rodean. Dejaste de sobrevivir, y comenzaste a vivir. Y me siento muy orgulloso.”

I smile back, “Sombra, sabes que eso es solo por ti. Me enseñaste tanto con una simple sonrisa. Nunca tendré otro amigo como tú, nadie podría comparar.”

He starts to have his crystal crawl up his body. In his final moments before crystalisation, he smiles at us, “Nunca he visto un par más adecuado el uno para el otro. Adios Amigos.”

His screen shuts off, just like all the others. Sweetie looks out of her window, and slightly smirks, “Well, saving me for second to last? I’m flattered.”

I lean into the screen, “Sweetie Belle.”

She turns back to me, “Yes, Raven?”

I look out my own window as a nuke approaches, “I love you Sweetie Belle, I haven’t said it enough. Our death may approach quick, but it has given me new found confidence. Sweetie Belle, will you marry me?”

I hear her laugh, and see a single tear fall from her eye, “Yes, it would’ve always been yes. I love you Raven.”

I lean in once more, and look her in the eye best I can, “This is not goodbye, Sweetie Belle. This is see you later. I will find you after this, and I will bring you back. I will not allow destiny to steal you away for eternity.”

Her channel goes down as she gives me one last smile.

I see the nuke slowly approach, and I think. Why? Is this what happens when I do the right thing? Is this what Celestia would have wanted? Why leave me last, to torture me?

I can feel my flesh disappear with the nuke’s blast. And one resounding thought goes through my head.

I will find them. I am Ravens Breath, and I will not allow destiny to take me.

This is not the end, no matter what any god has to say.

3,106 views

253

Previous Chapters