> TCB: The Last Witchblades. > by Neutral Boy > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue: All isn't lost yet. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruins of Houston. Utopian Harmony territory. Somewhere in Texas. ???POV: Feels like just yesterday I can hear the calm & loud chat around me. Busy news, cops chasing criminals, couples planning to take the next level, kids going to school, workers taking breaks, driving to restaurants, met family members, sports people in match ups, yeah the usual stuff. Yet now, I cannot hear them no more. Just only dust and echoes. Ever since this so called 'Equestria' country have made contact on our world, things haven't been the same for these past few years. Mankind has been put on defense and call to action when the Alicorn ruler, Queen Celestia, made a 'conversion bureau' to help humanity be cured and turned to ponies from all the chaos and everything that were consuming us. Does this ruler ever seen the whole history of human kind? Because the way I see, she's just another tyrant behind her innocent face grinning with insane madness to see an entire species wipe out from existence. A year ago, barriers have suddenly popped into multiple places and are slowly consuming every state and country, one by one. Starting in New York, California, Mexico, Rio, France, Sydney, Germany, Vietnam, and a few others. Then the next thing, there was some bombardment of magic hitting in my hometown and everyone flee for their life. Everything has been consumed all over the places, even my own neighborhood and the schools I went to. Me however, I miraculously survived the impact of the strange magic. Either I was somehow protected by someone or if there's something else going on. So I didn't think on it too much and wait for the coast is clear before find some shelter away from the Equestrian forces. Since then, my whole life has changed. The worse news however, not only have the humans been forced to turn into ponies by the magic potions, but also there have been reports of humans mysteriously missing. Not by the ponies or their own, but from something else. About 5 months ago, while I was hiding from the pursuits of flying pony patrols, I found something near small lake river. Carefully of not getting spotted, I stealth my way over to the object and moved a couple of rocks over to reveal an unusual grey gauntlet. When I slowly touched and picked up gauntlet with my hands, my body, eyes, and brain felt hazy for about several minutes before I felt myself ready to puke. After having to throw up and wash my mouth with water, I calm myself down and glance over to the gauntlet. For some reason, my hazy vision was telling me about how it can change the tide of war and perhaps save humanity from both the invaders and those messed up armies of machines. The next thing, I felt some rumbling on the ground. I look over the river to see multiple unknown figures heading right toward my location. Fearing that it might be the ruler's forces, I quickly picked up the gauntlet again and hightail it out of here. I glanced to my left shoulder to see those pursuers didn't look like ponies, but actually some form of unusual predator hunters I never seen before. Perhaps it could be those things the vision showed me. Suddenly, I felt a massive pain when one of those monsters scratched my back with their sharp claws and another one punches my injured. I flew away from the punch and toward a long fall of a large pond and I hold onto the gauntlet tightly to brace myself of an impact. I gasp when I came up to the surface of water and slowly swim across to the shore. Making it safely, I glance up the tall hills to see no hunters pursuing me. Sighing in relief, I got up and limply walk away to find any good shelter to rest in. Thankfully, I spotted a hidden military hideout with humans working there. Someone spotted me and run up to me before I collapse from the pain on my back and injured right leg. I was then transported to the hidden base and got treated of my injuries for a few weeks. Since then, I'm all healed up and made a few friends, but yet my mind still can't get over the strange images I had in my dream. It was the ones involving those machine hunters against dozens of figures with their weird gauntlets the same as the one I found. I asked one of my friends named Thompson, the medic who carried me to the hidden base, on what's been happening and are we winning or not. Thompson just shook his head to me and told me some very bad news. Turns out. . . more than 50% around the world is consumed by the barriers and most of the governments are losing their foothold grounds and some humans being already turned from the potions by the enemies. Not only that, but the ruler's six loyal element bearers; Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity Belle, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie are leading the attack all over the United States. He says that if we don't do something soon to act quick, then all of the states will be gone and the other countries will be next. Sighing in frustration, I think back on the gauntlet, ponder on if this thing can perhaps help us or turned against us. So later, I told my friends to meet up with me inside the command room. From there on, I showed my friends, officer ranks, and scientists the gauntlet glove to explain myself of how I escaped the pursuers and all the way up to finding their hidden base. At first they didn't actually believe me, but one of the scientists named Dr. Winston believed me and examine the glove. He also pulled out a booklet about ancient artifacts to turn some pages over until he stopped at the page of a similar picture of the gauntlet. Winston says that he and a friend of his also found a similar, but different gauntlet during their research investigation of missing people. He told everyone that once these gauntlets are put on, the special gem on top of the wrist activates and transforms the users as the reapers of abyssal chaos, Witchblades. Witchblades, I wonder if they are the ones who battle those machines in my vision dreams? If they are, then I can find the secret origins of the gauntlet I have now and form a combat team since I can't actually face all the enemies alone, including those six bearers and the hunter I encountered. I asked Dr. Winston on where exactly did he and his friend find the gauntlet. He told me the last known location he found it; Tokyo, Japan. . . . . . I guess this'll be a long week to get there. > Chapter 1: A shift in the storm. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Utopian Harmony Empire. Canterlot Headbit Base. Inside the medical station, a anthro pony captain named Shining Armor and two of his guards enters the station. The captain didn't look happy when he saw multiple civilians & soldiers were all waiting to get checked up on their bruised bodies and missing limbs, even a few soldiers have died from losing too much blood. Sighing, he turns his head to see a cadet messenger saluting to him. "Report, how's the conversion progress in the human world?" "I'm not sure captain, we've gotten reports of taking more human lands a few days ago and succeeded. However, two of our squads were ambushed by something else that's not human nor pony. Only four ponies were still alive and wounded, the others are confirmed to be all dead. The one responsible for this is still out there." Gritting his teeth in anger at this report, Shining slammed his fist into a wall. Making the cadet and his guards flinch at his unexpected reaction. Calming down, he looks at his messenger. "Dammit, it's the ninth squad we lost so far. I better go report this later to my majesty, she won't be very happy. For now though, lead me to the surviving team cadet. I need to speak with them." "Yes sir!" While the Shining is pondering over on what to do next, something else is going on outside the base. In the Canterlot Garden, a stone Draconequus statue named Discord is quietly laughing from feeling and hearing the distortion of both harmony and chaos going out of control. "Oh little Sunbutt, how the mighty have fallen. Once a beautiful pony who endured countless years of suffering, now became something far worse than Equestria's past time of villains." Discord uses both of his eagle and lion hands to slowing get them ready. "You forgot a few fatal mistakes of your devious plan. You may have used your element pawns to seal me a second time for good, but I have a fail-safe plan. In case something were to happen with Equestria and other countries around the world. Since Harmony's knights turned dark, then why not Chaos's knights turn to light as well?" With a snap of both fingers, his whole statue body begins to fall apart. "Enjoy your "PEACEFUL HARMONY" times Tia cause it'll be the last you'll ever see it again." Discord made one last maniacal laugh before his whole statue body collapses to the ground. Ruins of New York City. Utopian Harmony territory. 35 hours earlier. . . On a rainy night at 8 p.m., three U.S.A. marine soldiers are nesting in the 15th floor of a bank building. They were stationed there by one of the commanders in order to find out how many pony soldiers there are, look for any survivors not converted yet, and collecting Intel on finding a way to push back the barriers. The first one is Wilson, Sargent leader of his squad called Molar. Second is Piers, a scout sniper to detect enemies at long distances. Last one is Aurora, a medic officer to tend the wounded, whether they be ally or enemy. Both Wilson and Aurora are checking on their gears while Piers is at prone position near a broken window with his silencer sniper rifle out. He looks in the sniper scope to see no signs of survivors or enemies, until he spots multiple figures of pony soldiers. "Sarg, I got eyes on four enemy patrols sighted at 12 o'clock on the streets, several miles away." Hearing this, Wilson and Aurora take out their binoculars to see the enemy. All three of them spot each of the patrols splitting up different directions. "Looks like both the patrols are splitting up, probably looking for any survivors in the city." Wilson said, watching the patrols carefully. "You think any of them know of our location?" Aurora asked him. "I highly doubt that Aurora." Then suddenly, Piers looks to the left and spot a survivor surrounded by those ponies. "Sarg, Aurora, I found a survivor at 9 o'clock near the collapse college ground. He's surrounded by those pony guards. Although for some reason, the kid's not running away, screaming, or calling for help." They see one of the soldiers walk up to the survivor with a conversion potion. "It's your call Sarg." "Hold your fire Piers, we don't want to give away our location. Let's just wait and see if the other team can rescue him first before they convert him into a newfoal. Although, I just can't shake the feeling that something's very wrong." The soldier stops in front of the survivor and opens up the bottle. Before going to pour the whole thing out, the survivor suddenly jumps at the soldier and begins to bite viciously at the neck. Both the humans and ponies were shocked of this sudden attack as the pony shook their heads and attack the human. The kid turns his head at the soldiers and jumps away. The ponies tried to attack at all sides with their weapons and magic, but surprising the kid dodges each of them as it tears apart and kills each of the soldiers, one-by-one. The other patrol spots their comrades in danger and chargers at the enemy. Tearing the head off of a pony, the monstrous kid turns it head at the patrol and roars at them before killing off more ponies. Including breaking a unicorn's horn and tearing off both a pegasi's wings. Before going to finish off the remaining patrol member, a blast from behind hits the kid's back. Turning around and roaring at someone close by, the murderous kid jumps high on a building and jumps again to move far away from the enemies as the other figure chases after it. Back at the bank building, the Molar team were stunned in shock to see of what happened tonight. "Wilson, what do we do now?" Aurora says, covering her mouth to not vomit. Shaking his head, Wilson turns around and grabs his gear. "Change of plans, we better go inform Headquarters and all four teams on what we just saw here." Elsewhere, present time. . . Outside of a closed school, a grown mare pegasi is walking while wheeling a human girl who isn't able to walk for a while. Both became good friends when they first found each other somewhere at a beach. The human and pegasi look in the sky to see dark clouds largely forming in. "S-Scootaloo, I'm scared." The girl says in a scared tone. The girl's body relaxed when she felt two hands rubbing her shoulders. "It's okay, I promise to protect you no matter what." Scootaloo whispers softly to her friend. Scootaloo looks closer to see the barrier still engulfing each human lands as she glares at it. 'Damn you to the deepest depths of Tartarus, Celestia." Her mind said in a cold dark tone. > Chapter 2: Hold of our loose sanity. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the ruins of Sydney, a squad of human soldiers is pinned down by the royal guards and converted ponies. "Hold the line men! Don't let them get through!" The squad leader yelled out, shooting and killed two guards. "Bad news sir; We received word that we've lost both Echo and Strider team!" His radio comrade told him. "Dammit, at this rate our reinforcements won't make it in time!" One of the royal guards tries to throw the bottle potion at the squad leader, but got shot and killed by the leader's sniper member who's backing up his team not far away using a silencer sniper rifle. "Okay change of plans, we're abandoning this position and head to the escape point! We'll split into two groups! Phoenix, George, Sonia, your with me! The rest of you, go to the warehouse and keep our civilian safe from enemy hands! Let's move out!" "YES SIR!" His teammates acknowledged out loud. One by one, his units retreated while Phoenix waits and pulls out a couple of grenades. "EAT THIS YA FREAKS! GIVE MY BLOODY REGARDS TO YOUR SLUTTY PRINCESS!" He pulls the pins and throws them at the enemy, earning several kills and injuries. Once that was done, he tosses the smoke grenades on the ground and masks his escape before joining up with his leader & squad members. Back with Scootaloo, we see her and a human friend eating some sandwiches Scootaloo has made. "This looks delicious Scootaloo, I never knew you have cooked my favorite meal." "Heheh it's alright Rihoko, I learned it back where I came, feels like just yesterday." The female human named Rihoko notice her friend's tone is off, but decides to ignores it for now. Once both of them finish their meal, Scootaloo hops up and proceeds to push Rihoko's wheelchair. "Ready to go see some more beautiful flowers and beaches?" "You bet!" So Scootaloo pushes the wheelchair as they gone to the parts they would like to see. Both have seen some beautiful flowers and plants sparkle while other ones were presumed dried out since no one has taken great care of them. It pains Scootaloo and Rihoko, seeing all of those things haven't been watered enough, being abandoned or forgotten just like that. After some time, Rihoko wanted to have a conversation. "Hey Scootaloo?" "Yeah?" "I use to go on walks with my mom. We would always go traveling to amazing places, eat different foods, sight seeing around town & cities. She does kind of spoil me sometimes, but I didn't mind." "She sounds great, but what about your dad?" "I never remembered him in my life. My mom is the only one who take good care of me. We have been separated a few times by those mean people, but my mom never gave up to save me." "Speaking of her, do you know on where your mom is?" "I don't know to be honest. I really wish that she was here right beside me, I miss her sometimes." Knowing her friend feels sadden, Scootaloo nuzzles Rihoko's right cheek and a small smile. "I'm sure that whether if she's alive or not, she wants to see you smile and happy." "Thank you." Both of them shared a warm heart moment, but Rihoko asked her something that's on her mind. "How about you Scootaloo?" "Huh?" "Whatever happen at your own home? Did you left or something?" Scootaloo fell silent for a moment before muttering her words. ". . . It's sort of complicated to tell you." "Was it really that bad?" "Most of the times, usually I don't bother to tell anypony about what happen back then. Although, since no other pony nor human is around while we're alone, I can at least tell you on some of the stuff of my life before and after Equestria made contact with Earth." ScootalooPOV: I was in a very rough shape after escaping from my abusive home of my former parents. You wouldn't believe on how many times I had to put up with those two ponies I called my mom and dad. Whatever happen to them, either they got arrest or perhaps killed, not my problem. Days later, I made it to a town called Ponyville. In those weeks, I had to make every supplies I can salvage or steal from market. Though my pure emotions returned when I came across the athletic mare named Rainbow Dash, my awesome mentor and future sister who I can look up to. She even has an element bearer along with her friends as well. We did hang some times with her being an exercise coach and having sleepovers. She also fought alongside her friends against powerful forces from what she told me. Battling villains like the Mare in the Moon; Nightmare Moon. The Draconequus Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony; Discord. The Shapeshifting Changeling; Queen Chrysalis. Finally the Shadow Umbra Stallion of the Crystal Empire; King Sombra. I was honestly surprised and shocked that Rainbow and her friends are actual heroes in my eyes. Not only that, but Rainbow is also going to be tutoring me to become the next Wonderbolt. "That must be nice, having to be getting a big sister and mentor." Rihoko said, smiling to her. "It was a good life, until things have started to change suddenly and my whole world grew dark." Scootaloo's ear flop down and Rihoko sees her frowning. "I'm guessing that occurred during and after Equestria made contact with Earth?" "Yep, you nailed it." Ever since pony kind has made contact with humans, things have drastically changed over time. The once peaceful Equestria I've known in my life, became a decaying Empire seeking expansion power by converting all human life into our own race. Curtisy of the one who started this whole Tartarus mess; Princess Celestia. In her ruling, she has control over all her subjects and newfoals. Rainbow Dash became distant from me and joining the Wonderbolt crew in battle against the humans. Even her element bearer friends have also joined the army by the orders of Celestia. Everyone that I knew grown distant elsewhere while I became alone again. I felt tears in my eyes, all these years of hanging out with my friends and sister, have suddenly vanished. My heart ache into tiny pieces when everything in my life has grown cold and dark without the warm feeling of comfort or light of emotions. So with no support, I ran away from Ponyville and landed into one of the human settlements. Over the past hours and days, I saw many humans and ponies slaughtering each other. The liquid potions invented at Canterlot are thrown at humans, converting them into newfoals with creepy eyes and smiles. It was unsettling at times that I threw up sometimes just thinking about it. One day however, again my life changed when I was branded as a "Traitor" of Equestria. I saw some royal guards including one of the Wonderbolt cadets surrounding a few human innocent civilians. One of them has already been forced to convert and joined the guards. I felt my whole body shaken in terror at the time when the remaining civilians were up next. In my head, I didn't want to see another being converted again. So when the Wonderbolt cadet tries to pour the liquid out, I scream out loud in anger as I got out of my hiding place and ran after those monsters. None of them didn't react in time as I use the sword I got from stealing a deceased guard and I chopped the cadet's left arm off, dropping the potion on the ground. He yelled out pain before I slit his neck with my sword. I turn my head to the civilian and told them to escape, which they did comply and ran off away from us. My head turns again as I see the royal guards glaring at me while the other one comforts the deceased cadet. Thinking now might be the time to run, I ran away from the guards as they chase after me. A few of the unicorns try to use a spell to stop me, but I barely dodged them. I made some maneuvers by turning at each buildings from left to right, making sure they lost my trail. After running for like a few minutes, I collapsed and try to catch my breath as the coast is clear. My emotions came back and I cried out that I just killed a pony, especially a member of the Wonderbolts. I didn't know on how long it was after I cried myself to sleep, but I had to go in another location spot. One that isn't occupied by Celestia's forces or the newfoals lurking around. Upon walking and running for hours, I stumble on a beach sighting and found an unconscious human on the shore. ". . . And that's how I encountered you Rihoko." Her friend was left speechless of hearing Scootaloo struggling in the year and losing everyone when being left behind. "S-Scootaloo, I had no idea you have gone through so much in your life." "Well now you know. Are you mad or disappointed that I left everything behind?" "No, but I am glad that a part of you did the right thing of protecting the civilians, even though it's too gruesome." Scootaloo showed a small smile and ruffle Rihoko's hair, much to her frowning and telling her to stop. Before either of them continue to talk, they heard the sounds of disembodied moans coming their way. Some figures of converted newfoals appear and slowly walking towards the two. "Conversion. . . . gooooood for Celeeeestiaaaaaa. . . . humanity. . . . baaaaaaad.~" One of the newfoals said. "Stay behind me Rihoko." Scootaloo says, guarding her up front. 'This is bad, I left my gear and weapons back at the school.' Her mind said. 'Ah well, looks like I'll have to do this the old fashioned way.' She sees the converted newfoals coming closes as she readies herself, gripping her hands into fists. "Bring it on! Any of you even think of laying a finger or use a potion on Rihoko, I'll gladly send you all into Tartarus!" One of the newfoals lunges at her and she duck before she uppercuts the foal with her right fist. Two more charges as she bucks them with her hooves and legs. Multiple newfoals have appeared while she can barely tries to take them down one by one. 'At this rate, I can't hold out all day while I can barely hold them off.' "SCOOTALOO!" Her friend yells out as her eyes widen of seeing a newfoal holding a potion and aiming it at Rihoko. Before it was thrown, a katana is seen out of nowhere and it slices the newfoal's head off, making the headless foal drop the bottle onto the ground. Scootaloo sees a lone human figure backing her up by slicing more newfoals up using his katana. To her surprise, he's not alone as figures in different hiding places throws knives & shuriken, killing more newfoals. "Who are you?" Scootaloo asked the katana human. "No time for introductions, do you know of a safe place for you and your friend?" "T-There's a closed school not far from here." "Very well then, you two go now while me and my team cover you." Scootaloo hesitates, but nods as she grabs the wheelchair and heads off with protecting Rihoko. When they were away, the katana guy whistles to his soldiers, taking out the remaining converted. (Elsewhere. . .) At the Sweet Apple Acres, a teenage pony mare looks on the grave tombstone of her deceased grandma. She remembers the last conversation when her told her some honest words before passing away. "Ah know ye have a hard time with Applejack being away Applebloom, but ya have ta grow strong. If ya really feel bad and want ta make things right again, ya better first forgive yourself and then find yer friends before the blinded conflict takes their lives." "Just remember, ya won't be alone ta stop the war. Fer the blades of angels will guide us to the darkest times." Applebloom wipes her tears away as she knows on what to do. "Ah won't forget your words Granny Smith, Ah'll do my very best ta make things right." So Applebloom walks back to her house. She packs up her supplies and writes a note to Big Ma before heading out and to find her friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Wherever they are, she hopes in her heart that none of them are in deep trouble.