God of War: Equestria

Lightening scattered throughout out the throne room, each bolt reaching out from an orb in the centre. Princess Celestia and Luna were forced to use magic to protect themselves, as the bolts grew frequent and stronger, each one scorching the walls where it connected. Soon the ball of energy dissipated and in its place stood a Large Alicorn, its’ coat was pure white almost made Celestias' look grey, with a long flowing yellow, electrifying mane, a lightning bolt with a throne sat on the flank. Celestia walked towards the Alicorn, knowing full well of the powers it had. One wrong word could be fatal, and not only for Celestia, the whole of Equestria hung on this encounter.

“Zeus, you are not welcome here. What has brought this unexpected visit?” Celestia asked, keeping her distance, but looking in the eyes of the Diety before her.

“Where is Kratos?” Zeus demanded, his voice echoed throughout the room.

“He is in the underworld, retrieving Princess Cadence” Celestias voice was stern.

“It is too late for her now, with Hermes and Helios dead I believe I underestimated you Ponies.” Zeus replied, as he began to walk to the throne, the Princesses moving out his way.

“Kratos killed Hermes, and we do not know of Helios, there has been no mention of him.” Luna spoke; her words soft, yet Zeus picked up on the fear.

“I know what Kratos did. Hermes was always a fool, but my son none-the-less. Helios’ death was not at the hands of Kratos, but of your magic, Celestia.” Zeus had turned from facing the throne back to the Alicorns, his face was wrought with anger.

“I have not met Helios. You are the only God that I have spoken too.” Celestia insisted, trying to defend herself.

“I know Athena has been here, she always had a soft spot for Kratos. Helios came to take your sun, yet your Sun is still in the sky, and Helios is dead. Tell me then, how can the rider of the Sun Chariot in our world, not control yours?” Zeus’ mane began to flicker with electricity as he grew anger.

“Our Sun is not a chariot Zeus. It is a ball of fire, burning at immense temperatures and at a very far distance from this world. If Helios got close to it, he would burn, and even if he didn't he would be trapped in its’ centre.” Celestia informed, well aware of Zeus’ rage. Lightening snapped outside and thunder roared.

“You will pay for your insolence. Hercules and his army are close.” Zeus fumed, his mane bright with the electricity running through, as he walked to the spot he appeared, and faded into light. The Princesses stood in silence before nodding to each other, each one understanding what had to be done. Luna ran off to inform Shining Armour of the approaching army, as Celestia returned to Ponyville to wait for Kratos’ return.

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Kratos walked slowly, the room they had entered into was not one even he expected. It was long corridor; blood stained the floor like a carpet. Ponies were chained to the walls, some screaming, others quietly crying given up on being saved, not all were alive but all had wounds. Twilight and Rainbow walked together, studying the chained ponies, wondering if they could help.

“Can we help them?” Twilight asked nervously.

“No.” Kratos’ answer was quick and forceful. The ponies walked in silence after that, the only noises came from the tortured ponies moaning and rattling the chains with the remnants of energy they had.

The door at the end of the corridor was old and wooden; it creaked as Kratos opened it. The room the corridor lead into was large and dimly lit, two staircases at each side led up to a raised floor. The walls were bare, and the only decorations were the rusty metal railing and barrier of the stairs and elevated floor. Kratos cautiously walked forward, urging the ponies behind him to follow. A voice echoed throughout the room.

“Are you here to kill another Princess Kratos? My poor Persephone! Now I have a Pony Princess! HAHAHAHA”

“Show yourself Hades!” Kratos shouted at the air in front of him. There was no reply, the silence became deafening. Purple mist slowly began to rise in front of Kratos, who took a step back and brought his blades out ready for combat. Ponies rose from the mist; they looked like they had been rotting away before rising. The armour they wore was tattered and they wielded two curved blades.

It did not take long for the wraith ponies to move, creating other versions of themselves. Kratos took another step back, surprised as Twilight walked in-between him and the wraiths. Her horn began to glow as the wraiths began to move closer, and with a shot of purple magic one of the false Wraiths vanished. Twilight used her magic on all the wraiths, leaving the original two. Kratos slammed his two blades onto the top of one of the wraiths, sending it bouncing into the air where he grabbed it and, in a twisting motion, slammed it back into the ground. Rainbow dash took flight, and smashed the wraith into the wall. The other wraith descended into the ground, its blades spinning like a saw along the floor. Twilight had to dodge the blades, but Kratos prevented the wraith from attacking Twilight again by using his blades to rip the wraith from the ground. The wraith would have hit the high ceiling, if Rainbow hadn't bucked it back towards Kratos. The Ghost of Sparta launched an attack at an incredible speed, swinging the blades with such force and accuracy, juggling the wraith before finishing the attack by embedding both beds deep inside the wraith and smashing it into the wall where it turned to mist and vanished.

Kratos turned to the other wraith, just in time to see it create more wraiths again. Kratos looked at Twilight, who gave a smile, before using the same magic as before. The magic worked at first; however a false wraith appeared behind and slashed twilights’ side. The cut was not deep, but separated her cutie mark, blood trickled down her leg as she lost her concentration. The false wraith began its next attack, bringing both blades up. The blades came down, aiming for Twilights back; Twilight had lost all focus on her surroundings. The false wraith would have sliced Twilight into three, if Kratos hadn’t taken the arms of the creature with one clean swipe. The false wraith turned to mist and Kratos turned his attention onto the two Wraiths that floated in front of him, Rainbow was flying around, attacking every so often.  As the wraiths approached, Kratos tried to tell which the real one was, and which was false. Kratos had to wait until they attacked to figure it out. The real one was faster and more accurate.

With this knowledge Kratos launched the false in the air, for Rainbow to attack, dodging an attack from the real one. Rainbow made short work of the false wraith, hitting it against a wall, and then slamming it against the floor made it vanish. She went to check on Twilight and her flesh wound. Kratos was juggling the real wraith with his blades. The wraith surprised Kratos, just as he was about to finish it, it vanished in cloud of mist. Kratos knew this wasn’t the usual wraith death. The wraith appeared behind Kratos, Kratos heard it and spun, but not quick enough. The wraith caught his left shoulder as he turned, Kratos stepped back as the blood began to flow. Kratos quickly finished the wraith off, ignoring the pain. Forcing both blades into the wraiths chest, Kratos slammed it into the wall several times, before ripping the blades out, bringing forth the shattered rib cage of the Wraith.

Twilights cut continued to bleed, the blood congealing on her coat. Rainbow Dash looked alarmed by the amount of blood, but Kratos could not care less about his gash. He had suffered much worse and lived. The pain almost acted as fuel to his strength. Twilight, however, did not like pain. She had brought bandages and plasters with her in her saddle bag. She applied a Bandage around her torso, covering the cut, using her magic. Rainbow had to help her move at first, but she limped up the stairs herself. Kratos was waiting for his companions on the floor above, studying a large door.  Kratos almost looked afraid of the door. It was similar to the one at the entrance; solid oak with cast Iron bars the width. Some of the bars looked worn and rusty, others looked almost new in comparison. The oak was splintered and stretched. Something wanted out.  Twilight was worried now, she was twitching at the slightest sounds, the courage she once had was gone; drained from the wound. Rainbow was still eager to explore, the fighting had got her adrenaline flowing. She could fight anything. Rainbow opened the door, needing some help from Kratos as the hinges creaked.

The room was dark, no lights were seen. Dash was nudged by Twilight who tried to use magic to illuminate the room, but either her magic wasn’t strong enough or the darkness was stronger than the light. The oak door swung shut, slamming behind the ponies, making Twilight jump. Kratos made his way forward, using the little light Twilight provided. Something was not right, something was breathing. Kratos stepped in front of Twilight and Rainbow Dash, expecting whatever was lurking to charge. Nothing came. Kratos continued to expect an attack, the silence was heavy, only light breathing could be heard.

A metallic clang was heard from deep within the shadows. Sparks appeared in the shadows, followed by the scratching of metal on stone. Then came the charge. Torches that lined the room exploded with light. The ponies were blinded by the sudden illumination. Kratos bucked, kicking his companions aside, before bracing himself. Something large hit him, he felt fur, horns and metal. Kratos’ eyes were still adjusting, as the creature pushed him up against the wall. The impact dazed Kratos, the creature brought up its weapon. Kratos would have been crushed to a pulp if Rainbow hadn’t flown into him and knocked him away.  Kratos got to his feet; his eyes had adjusted, his body ached.

The room was large and circular, with 12 square pillars in a circle close to the walls. In the centre was the beast, studying the intruders. It had Ironwills shape, yet was easily twice as big. It was covered in armour, from hoof to neck. The helm it wore protected its face, but left the horns and the top of the head uncovered. Each hand was covered with the golden lion carved weapons of Hercules: The Nemean Cestus. A rusty sword lay shattered where Kratos was standing.

Kratos was surprised at how silent the Minotaur moved with all its armour; but knew the power of the weapons. Kratos studied his opponent; Rainbow had flown over to Twilight, still struggling with her injury. The Minotaur stared at Kratos, who returned the favour. Each warrior was waiting for the other to attack. The Minotaurs' head shot forward, letting out a grunt. In one quick move it turned and smashed Rainbow, who let out a scream, into a pillar.  Kratos moved swiftly, he tried to embed his blades in the armour around the Minotaurs’ wrist, only for them to bounce back without leaving a scratch. Rainbow was dazed, but she was used to hitting walls at speed.

Kratos attempted to take advantage of the Minotaurs’ loss of concentration, sending his blades towards a visible gap in the armour. One struck, blood spat across the room. The Minotaur hardly flinched as his blood stained his silver armour. It brought one of the Nemean Cestus down towards Kratos, who narrowly dodged it. The impact left a creator in the floor, the stone crumpled, knocking Kratos of balance. The Minotaur brought the same arm up and caught Kratos in the chest, sending him into a pillar. The pillar collapsed: Twilights magic making it fall away from Kratos. Rainbow tried to kick the Minotaur again, but failed to get close. She was like a fly to the beast; an annoyance rather than a threat.

Kratos regained his senses, still numb after the blow he took. Seeing Rainbow distract the Minotaur, though knowing the Beast was more interested than him, Kratos snuck behind a close by pillar. Kratos bucked the pillar cracking at the base; Twilight noticed his plan and helped it collapse onto the Minotaur: stunning the beast. Kratos moved swiftly to remove the beasts helm before it recovered, once the helm was off he slid down the back, removing the armour, just as the beast tried to shake him off. With the Beasts defence down, Rainbows kicks began to do some damage: helping Kratos gain some time.

Kratos made a move towards the beast, avoiding a punch that connected with Dash instead sending her into the roof, embedding a blade into the creatures’ chest. Kratos began slashing the beast with his other blade, eventually having to let go as the beast sent a fist his way. The Minotaurs’ body was shredded: the blood carpeted the floor. Kratos snuck behind another pillar, and began to prepare a buck. Just as Kratos was about to strike the pillar, the creatures’ fist burst through, sending stone everywhere. Kratos fell with the force. The Minotaur brought its head down towards Kratos, trying to impale the Ghost of Sparta with its horns. Its succeeded only to scratch Kratos’ back and side. Kratos hardly felt the pain, only the trickle of blood that discoloured his coat, and sent an attack back at the Minotaur, whose horn was stuck in the stone. The blades drew more blood, but the beast howled in anger and threw a Nemean Cestus at Kratos: forcing him to retreat. The Minotaur got its’ horn out, but Kratos had put a hoof in the Nemean Cestus that was thrown: It adjusted to size.

Kratos charged the beast, the Golden lion head denting the stone as he galloped. Kratos leapt over an attack from the beast, before launching his hoof with the Nemean Cestus into the Minotaurs’ chest. There was a load ‘crack’ the creature was sent back into the walls of the room. Kratos did not allow the Minotaur a chance to get out of the wall; he quickly embedded his blades in the creatures’ chest, and threw him into the centre of the room. The beast struggled to try and stand, but Kratos was on top of its’ back: equipped with the Nemean Cestus. Kratos brought the lion head down on the back of the Minotaurs head, forcing it into the stone. He did not stop hitting the creatures head, sending pieces of bone and brain across the room. He only stopped when Twiight called out, and even then he hit the beast several more times.  He dismounted and took the other Nemean Cestus off the beasts arm and regrouped with Twilight and Rainbow. They were still getting used to Kratos’ way of doing things: they would try and negotiate first; Kratos just killed everything.

Twilight could tell that each scar on Kratos’ body told its’ own story; who the enemy was, and how Kratos’ rage killed them. There was no point in asking Kratos, it would waste time and beside Kratos had a whole history unknown to the ponies: one of guilt and regret. They found a lever beside a small door, and left the room: leaving the Minotaur to decay. Princess Cadence needs their helps; if it wasn’t already too late.  It was another trot down a dimly lit stone corridor, in silence. Kratos lead the way, trotting with purpose as though he knew something that the ponies didn't. Twilight and Rainbow knew that Kratos had information he wasn't telling them but they were afraid to ask. They came to a wooden door at the end that Kratos burst open. They were greeted by surprise as they saw the next room. A large chandelier illuminated the room: it was narrow but looked nothing like the other rooms and corridors. Stairs were at the far side; covered in a red velvet carpet.

Kratos again led the way. Half way up the stairs a flute could be heard; coming from the darkness at the top. Kratos stopped; his face had an expression the other ponies recognized from when they first met. Was it surprise or fear? Rainbow wanted to ask but Twilight stopped her.  Kratos burst into a gallop up the stairs. Rainbow Dash started off to catch him, but slowing down so that Twilight could keep up.

“Caliope!” Kratos’ voice could be heard far in the distance. Twilight galloped as fast as she could with her injury. By the time Rainbow and Twilight had reached the top of the stairs, there were bodies littered around the room. Not just grunts, but ponies that looked just like Twilight and Rainbow. A Cyclops corpse lay against a wall: its eye at its feet. Rainbow and Twilight shared a look. Was this Kratos? Who is 'Caliope'? What about Cadence? The ponies took off again, going through the only door they saw, Rainbow had picked up Twilight to go faster. They could hear Kratos grunting up ahead, as well as metal clanging and bones snapping. Blood dotted the floor as they got closer to the noise, almost like a carpet at some points.

They found Kratos, and he was crazy. Something had snapped. Was it the flute? It could be heard just like in the other room. Kratos was slaughtering everything; even mares that seemed to be cowering, if they got in his way.  Kratos ripped the eye out of a Cyclops and leapt on to the back of a Minotaur, decapitating it. He threw the head in his companions’ direction. Nothing was going to stop him. With the last of the enemies gone, Kratos took off up more stairs towards the music. Rainbow and Twilight followed, catching up.

“What’s up, Kratos? Who is 'Caliope'?” Rainbow asked, ducking through a doorway. Kratos gave no answer but galloped with determination. The top of the stairs revealed two doors: One to the left, one to the right. Kratos stopped and turned to the ponies. “Your Princess is in there,” He said pointing to the door on the left. “Get her and find me. Don’t let her eat anything.” Without any hesitation Kratos went through the door on the right and disappeared from sight, though his hoof steps could be heard echoing.

Twilight and Rainbow went through the other door on their left, cautiously. It led to more stairs. They trotted up and up;, the stairs were winding and seemed to go on forever. Eventually the top could be seen, and sobbing could be heard. The ponies trot quickly became a gallop and they reached the top: what they saw was a surprise. It was a bedroom. A bowl of fruit sat on a wooden table, a large bed with silk covers lay against the far wall; there was even a wardrobe and a mirror. There was someone in the bed; Twilight went to check who it was. She pulled back the covers with magic and fell backwards in shock. It was Persephone: in human form. Well it was the skeleton of Persephone, dressed in a gown. Her skull  watching Twilight. The sobbing could still be heard, but it felt as though it was coming from the corpse.  Rainbow pulled the covers up over the rotten corpse of the old Queen of the Underworld, and helped Twilight to her feet.

They searched for the noise, and found a coffin under the bed. Twilight used magic to drag it out and open it. Sure enough there was Princess Cadence, unharmed. Her coat was grey with dust, and a few cuts to her legs, but nothing substantial. She was skinny though, her rib cage could be seen. She looked like a completely different pony. Twilight hugged her, shedding a tear, not caring about their usual greeting: there would be time later. Cadence climbed from the coffin, she struggled to stand and fell more than once. Eventually though with the help of the ponies, and she saw the fruit. She started off towards them, before trying to use magic, but she was too exhausted and struggled to lift an apple from the bowl: dropping it on the floor.

“Kratos said we shouldn’t let her eat anything,” Rainbow grunted trying to keep Cadence on her feet.

“I know, but look at her. She is starving. We don’t even know why we shouldn't let her eat.” Twilight replied, pondering the what Kratos had said.   Princess Cadence fell to the cold floor. Tears formed from Twilights eyes. “We can’t let her starve Rainbow.” She sobbed.

“Fine,” Rainbow said gloomily flying over to the bowl “Here’s a pomegranate. I don’t think we should give her too much.” Cadence looked up as Rainbow Dash placed the fruit in front of her. She muttered something, before taking a bite. It was the juiciest pomegranate she had ever tasted. The juice ran done her chin and formed a puddle on the floor. The moment she finished she no longer felt hungry, she felt weird. Her head became dizzy, as information surged into it. Her body floated off the ground in a purple aurora, she tried to scream but no sound came out: only the purple aurora.

Twilight and Rainbow tried to grab her in a blind panic; only to get burned when they touched the light. A loud, laugh came from the walls, it lasted what seemed for ages. When it stopped, so did the aurora that surrounded Cadence. Princess Cadence stood up, she felt strong now. Whatever happened did not hurt her: she felt the best she had ever felt. Twilight and Rainbow Dash hugged her, glad she was alive. They made their way back down the stairs in search of Kratos: informing the Princess of his deeds in Equestria.

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The drive in Kratos was powerful, he was three things in his previous life; a father, a husband and a warrior. The sound of Caliopes’ flute flooded his head with memories. He could only rush to the sound; though he knew it was most likely a trick by Hades. He had seen Caliope once before, after the incident, but that was in Elysium. He had to push her away, to save the her and the world: though she did not know that. Kratos continued up the stairs.  He reached a landing with grunts on it, but they didn't last long. He used the Nemean Cestus and knocked them into each other, shattering them on impact. More stairs lay ahead.Up and up he went; never tiring, never looking back.

The stairs finally gave way to a throne room, Hades stood tall in the centre. He was wearing his battle helm; it covered his whole face to his neck. Three slits that rose from the bottom to three quarters up allowed him to see and breathe easily, with horns rising from head. His tail was a purple aurora, as was his mane; his coat was as black as the charred walls. His hooks, the ones he used to rip the souls from Titans, were attached to his fore legs, similar to Kratos’ blades of Creation. Caliope was standing, in human form, beside the throne playing her flute, oblivious to what surrounded her. The Alicorn and the pony stared each down. Only the music from Caliope was heard.

“I see your new friends have found my princess,” Hades said interrupting the silence, before laughing.

“They will not fall for your tricks Hades!” Kratos replied, his voice as angry as ever.

“We will see won’t we,” the Deity insisted, walking to his seat. He placed a hoof on Caliopes’ head, who continued to play. Kratos readied his blades.   He watched Hades as he prepared for a fight. A purple aurora over took him, as spikes pierced through his skin Kratos knew that for each spike, Hades had the power of a soul. When the mist dissipated Hades stood and let a loud lengthy laugh: one of great mockery.  “It would appear there is a new Queen of the Underworld,” Hades informed Kratos, smiling. Kratos did not react.Hades, upset by Kratos, swung a hoof at Caliope turning her to mist and sending her back to Elysium.

“CALIOPE!” Kratos called, before turning to Hades; growling.

Kratos let the rage flow through him and charged the Alicorn down, sending his blades as often as he could. Hades deflected them without too much bother, before parrying and knocking Kratos back. Kratos slid along the floor on his hooves, once he stopped he charged again. Hades laughed. Kratos feigned his attacks, getting to the side of Hades. A quick equip of the Neamean Cestus, Kratos punched a spike the protruded from Hades. The spike left the torso, and flew to the other side of the room, a screaming soul followed. Hades grunted, and swung his blades as he turned. Kratos managed to avoid the hooks, but not the hoof Hades sent after. Kratos kept the Nemean Cestus on, determined to remove as many spikes as possible before killing Hades.

The Ponies studied each other, hesitant to move first. Hades moved, but not towards Kratos, he removed two of his spikes and threw them on the ground. The spikes vibrated violently, turning blue, and then the souls of ponies appeared. Two stallion pegasi each holding a spear under a wing. They immediately charged Kratos, forcing him to roll to the side. He left a blade in his place and cut a soul, turning it to mist. The other turned and charged again, Kratos rolled again. The blade missed this time. Hades, however, slashed him with the spikes: two gashes along Kratos’ side began bleeding. The hooks were firmly attached to Kratos, and Hades began to rip out his soul.

Kratos grunted and struggled as his soul began to leave. He swung his hooves in an attempt to escape, but hit nothing. He grabbed the chains that connected to the hooks, pulling his body onto his soul. Re-equipping the blades of Creation, Kratos swung at Hades. Rotted flesh was parted from Hades body, and the hooks were removed from Kratos. Kratos quickly dissipated the pegasi soul, and turned to Hades. The God of the Underworld, ripped out three more spikes, creating three Unicorn souls. They separated, running in different directions, before turning and using magic to fire energy at Kratos. Kratos blocked the initial bolts, before using the Golden Fleece to reflect the bolts at Hades. The bolts hit, but did not seem to do much damage. Kratos grunted and dodged the next round of energy bolts, running towards the closest unicorn soul. A quick hoof punch to the face of the soul just before it fired sent the bolt towards another soul, striking it and making it disappear. Kratos shoved a blade in the souls’ chest, before turning, and parrying a bolt back towards the last soul. It struck, and the soul vanished.

Kratos turned to find Hades, only for the Alicorn to be gone. Kratos turned, and searched for the God, but there was no-where he could hide. Kratos felt a blow to his chest as Hades appeared beside him, before being bucked into the far wall. By the time Kratos recovered, Hades was gone again. Kratos swung the blades wildly, knowing that hades was near. He quickly equipped the Nemean Cestus again, but felt two hooves on his chest, followed by a stone wall. As he tried to stand, Hades sunk the claws in him again. He felt his soul being pulled out again, seeing the faint blue outline. He tried to pull it back, but he was struggling. He decided to charge Hades. Hades tried to remove the spikes from Kratos but it was too late

Kratos smacked him back into a wall, before approaching the stunned God. There was no mercy in Kratos. The Nemean Cestus struck Hades head constantly, the helm dented before breaking off into shards. Hades face was ruined. The jaw broke through the skin, his eye sockets were sunk into his face, rotten flesh hung from the fore head.  The shards from Hades’ helm formed five Spartan warrior ponies. Each one equipped with sword and shield, the pressed on Kratos; forcing him off Hades’ body. Hades’ laughed as the faces of each pony seemed to cause Kratos Deja-vu.

Kratos re-equipped his blades, the Nemean Cestus were too slow against trained fighters. The souls circled Kratos, each holding the spear steady, using the shields attachd to their fore legs to protect themselves. Kratos couldn't see an opening to attack so he waited patiently for a chance. When the Spartan souls had surrounded him, kratos knew his only option: he leapt. Blocking an attack from a soul, and replying with one his own, the soul vanished. Kratos turned to see the other souls had regrouped, and brought out the Nemean Cestus: he was aware Hades was lurking in the shadows. He smashed the ground with both hooves; the Nemean Cestus’ amplified the strength and rippled the stone floor towards the souls. Quickly, Kratos brought out his blades and sent them towards the souls, the blades struck just as the shockwave knocked the souls off balance. Two souls were hit, the other two managed to compose themselves quickly enough to block the blades. The souls charged, spears held firm and straight: Kratos waited. When the spear tips were within touching distance, Kratos struck them with his blades, snapping the spears. The souls struck with their shields however, sending Kratos back. The Spartan Ponies retreated and regrouped.

Kratos felt Hades’ presence near, so he ran towards the souls in the centre of the room, raising his blades and slamming them on top of their shields, sending them into the air. Kratos dispersed of them quickly and turned to find Hades.  Hades’ was hiding in the shadows; though without his helm missing he couldn’t move far without becoming noticeable. Kratos waited, listening. A loose stone rolled across the floor, scratching as it moved. Kratos didn't need another hint he knew where Hades’ was: and Hades’ knew that.

Kratos rolled to his side quickly, avoiding Hades’ claws. He sent the Blades Of Creation towards Hades, striking him on the chest. Kratos followed the blades, slammed Hades into a wall. Using the blades, Kratos pinned Hades’ by the hooves, leaving his legs free to dangle. Hades’ claws ripped off easily enough, though some rotted flesh stuck to them. Kratos sunk the claws into Hades’ chest, pulling out his soul. Hades’ struggled, though he was weakened by the fight: Kratos’ thirst for vengeance fuelled his strength. Hades’ managed to get an arm free, but it was too late. Kratos absorbed the soul of the God, watching as he Alicorns’ body fell limp. He turned in exhaustion to find three wide eyed ponies staring.  Nopony spoke, just stared at each other.

This wasn’t the first time Rainbow had seen kratos kill a God, but she was as shocked as the others. The silence was interrupted as three apparitions appeared around Cadence, forcing Rainbow and Twilight away. The apparitions formed as ponies, towering over Cadence. Each one wore a crown and armour, as well as an elegant beard. They knelt. Princess Cadence shook in fear, but a single voice boomed throughout the Underworld. "Hades’ is dead, and so begins the reign of Queen Cadence." The words lingered for a while, but as they vanished so did the ghosts.

“What were they?” asked Twilight, who ran to check on  Cadence.

“They were the Judges of The Underworld,” Kratos replied, trotting over to the ponies. “They Judge the souls in the Underworld. I told you to make sure she didn't eat!”

“We are sorry. She was so hungry, we couldn't let her starve. We were tricked.” Rainbow said, hanging her head in shame.

"What will happen to me?” Cadence enquired. The words Queen Cadence echoing in her head.  “You rule the Underworld. You are trapped to forever rule.” Kratos said his voice was rather angry. He headed downstairs, forcing the others to follow.

“What? Why? All I did was eat one pomegranate,” Cadence forced out, as she followed the mysterious white and red pony. This whole scene was confusing her. Why was she even taken in the first place?

“Hades claimed you as his. He did the same with Persephone in my world. When I killed her, when she tried to destroy the world, he demanded vengeance. With Zues’ attack on this world, Hades’ took you to be his new Queen.” Kratos responded, retracing his steps.

“You mean you’re really not from this world? I thought you girls were exaggerating.” Cadence said fearfully, thinking as she spoke. “That would explain the two legged corpse I saw when I was brought here.”.

Kratos turned to face Cadence, her pink coat shone bright despite the lack of light. “Do you know where the Pits of Tartarus are? I assume you know this place well, know that you are the Queen.”

Cadence thought for moment, “That’s weird I do. Follow me. You will have questions to answer on the way, the girls ”have told me about your time here," She said, brushing past Kratos. Kratos gave a sigh and followed.

The walk through the Underworld was long, the sights were memorable; from Charon rowing souls up the river Styx to a large stone pony looking as if it was holding up the rock that lay on its’ shoulders. Kratos kept as silent as possible though the other ponies kept asking questions about what they saw, and Cadence asking about her new role. Queen Cadence never got lost on the journey; or didn't make it seem like she did. She happily just spoke to Twilight and Rainbow Dash about what had all happened and checking with Kratos.

The ponies soon came upon a large opening, light shone in from Onyx crystals that shimmered along the far side of the wall. A Cerberus dog watched the ponies from the darkness, but sensing Cadence it kept its’ distance. Kratos kept an eye on it as they trotted across the cavern, but it remained lying down. The Onyx crystal revealed the shadows of ponies on the other side, one unmistakably being Princess Celestia. Kratos equipped the Nemean Cestus and started working at the crystal, each contact sending a ‘chime’ echoing in the cavern. Several hits later and the crystal exploded, revealing four tired yet excited ponies and one serious looking Alicorn.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash rushed out of the shadows and into light. Kratos stopped Cadence from stepping out, which provoked a reaction from the four ponies who didn't enter the Underworld.  “It’s OK girls. I can’t leave this place. I done it to myself, It,s not his fault. This is my home now.” Cadence began to weep. She would live forever in hell.

Princess Celestias’ face lost all expression, shocked at the news and at the worst of times. She went to hug Cadence, followed by the mane six. Kratos stood to the side, only Pinkie gave him attention and that was a cupcake.

“I am sorry Cadence, but we have a war on our hooves. We need to get to Shining Armour quickly; he is training the guards and volunteers. Zues’ army is approaching. We will visit soon.” Celestia spoke solemnly, letting go of Cadence. The rest of the ponies held their heads low and said their good byes.   Princess Celestia turned to Kratos, and beckoned him to follow. He did.

Celestia informed him of Zues’ plans, and the war, and pleaded that he helps train and lead the army. His Spartan warrior upbringing, his knowledge and experience of being a general to the greatest fighters in the world: all helped him make his decision. They would be in Canterlot tomorrow. Leaving Cadence in the shadows of Tartarus the ponies left, vowing they would return and see her.

The God Of War would lead the ponies.