Revenge of Fury

Chapter 6

Tyrant's Gorge

Red.

That was the only color Rarity could see. She began to panic. What was happening? Why was everything red? Where was she? What happened? Suddenly, a crack of blinding white bifurcated the redness.

"She's coming around,"

"Is she okay?"

Everything sounded muffled. She couldn't even identify the voices that were speaking. Slowly, things came into focus. She could see Fluttershy and Twilight looking down at her, worry in their face. What could have them so worked up?

A sharp pain in her lower abdomen immediately told her why. She yelped out, waking up fully. Everything came back to her in that moment.

The minotaurs. The battle. The blade.

The pain.

Rarity gasped out, everything coming into focus. Standing over her were Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Willus, all apparently relieved to see her awake. She tried to sit up, but Fluttershy immediately held her down.

"Don't sit, Rarity, we still haven't bandaged you yet,"

"What happened? How long was I out?" she asked.

"The minotaurs escaped, Reaper's disappeared, and I think one of the changelings died," Rainbow Dash said, catching her up to speed.

Fluttershy wrapped the cloth gauze around Rarity's torso, trying to apply pressure to the wound. "You should be fine," she said. "It's weird, really. The wound isn't even that bad,"

Rarity tried to stand up, slowly getting on her hooves. Already her strength was returning. "Well, at least I'll be able to make it to the hive now," she said.

In the past, Rarity would've given up at this moment. But now, something drove her onward. She wasn't quite sure what, but perhaps it was just her desire to change. She was tired of being the damsel in distress. It was time for her to show that she could press on, just as hard as Rainbow Dash or Applejack, or anypony else. She looked to her left, to see Twilight talking to a changeling with a silver carapace.

Well, not so much "talking" as "arguing."

"What do you think you're doing here?" the changeling demanded.

"We're on a peacemaking mission for your sake! We demand to see the Queen!"

"You will do no such thing! Because of you, good soldiers died here today!"

"Because of us? We only fought in self-defense, it's the minotaurs that killed your soldiers!"

The changeling grumbled. He would never admit it, but the mare was right. The ponies had no part in the slaughter, that was entirely the fault of the minotaurs. "And what? Just because of that, you think that gives you free reign to come lording yourself over us?"

"I'm not trying to lord myself over anypony or anyling, I just want to talk to the Queen!"

The changeling stopped. She had said "anyling." A simple thing, but it bothered him. She was a pony. There was no way she should know a word meant for changelings, right? That meant one of two things. Either she really did want to help the changelings, for whatever reason, or she was working with Reaper. There was no way for him to tell which, so he decided to play along.

"Very well. Your request is not demanding. We will take you to the queen," he said.

Twilight sighed in relief. "Thank you...uh..."

"Silicon," the High General replied.

"Thank you, Silicon. I am Twilight Sparkle,"

"Did I ask?"

Silicon walked away, returning to his soldiers. The carried corpses with them, and they all seemed as though they had just been through Tartarus. Twilight didn't blame him for his harsh demeanor. She returned to her friends, before noticing that she was incredibly tired. Walking just felt so difficult. She sat down, panting. Lightning walked over to her, casting a furtive glance at the changelings. "Twilight, are you okay?" he asked.

Twilight smiled at him. "Yeah, Lightning, I'm okay. Thanks for asking,"

"You know I don't believe that," he replied.

Twilight's smile disappeared. He continued talking. "I mean, first you couldn't use your magic in battle, and now you're having trouble walking. And let's not forget how you couldn't even pick up a glass of water back at the sheriff's office. What's going on?"

Twilight sighed. "It's nothing, Lightning, don't worry about it. Just stressed, is all," she said.

Lightning eyed her, not sure if he believed her. "All right, but if you ever need anything, just tell me, okay?"

Twilight nodded, and he left.

Silicon watched as his soldiers carried away the bodies. One approached him. "Sir, we won't be able to carry them back to the hive. We will have to bury them here," he said.

Silicon looked over the corpses, stained with bright neon blue blood. His face in stony expression, he replied to the soldier without turning. "Fine. If that is what is necessary, do it. What of Reaper?"

"We lost him, sir. We don't know where he went,"

At the sound of Reaper's name, Pinkie Pie perked up. "Reaper?" she asked.

The changelings turned to her. "What do you know of him? Do you know where he went?" Silicon asked.

Pinkie shook her head. "No, your guess is as good as mine. Why were those changelings fighting you guys? And why were you chasing him?" she asked.

Silicon thought for a moment. "Has Reaper never told you why he was exiled from the hive?" he asked.

Pinkie shook her head. "No, the most he's ever said was that he once was in charge of the military," she said.

Silicon chuckled. "Well, he didn't lie, so there's that," he said.

Pinkie was confused. Silicon cleared his throat. "Allow me to enlighten you," he said, before beginning to tell the story of Reaper and his exile.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Vertigo, Ajax, and the miniature army made their way into the gorge. The rocky formations were mostly in the shadows, with a few rays of dark orange light penetrating the darkness. It was odd for a location to have such poor lighting, especially at noon. Ajax pondered over why Reaper would choose such a location as his base.

It didn't take long to come up with an answer. About a decade ago, there had been a small rebellion against Chrysalis. These rebels had hidden in Tyrant's Gorge, taking advantage of the low light and uneven terrain. This had been the place of Reaper's greatest victory. He was placed as second in command when that occurred, and had to work for what was then the high general. The high general of the time was an old fool, and had deemed it a good strategy to send all of their forces in at once into the gorge. The rebels had been anticipating this, and attacked the main forces from higher altitudes. The high general was killed, and Reaper was forced to take charge.

He ordered a full retreat by flight, and the army escaped with only about two thirds of their forces. This time, Reaper made a new plan. A small group of soldiers were to travel along the bottom of the gorge, acting as decoys. Meanwhile, the rest of the army would cloak themselves and sneak up on the hidden soldiers in the walls of the canyon.

The plan worked flawlessly. The insurrection was quelled, and Reaper had acquired his new rank of High General.

Ajax had been quite young at the time of that battle, only a year old. He would hardly remember it if the story hadn't been told as much as it had. Reaper had always been theatric. It made sense, in a convoluted sort of way, that he would wage a war from the location that he started. That's probably what Reaper thought. That everything he had been through, all of the suffering and hate Ajax assumed he had endured, started here on that day in this gorge.

The force moved along the ground, when Reaper appeared. Behind his was the metal dragon that had saved them earlier. "Well, I think that went rather well, don't you?" he asked the group of soldiers.

The miniature army cheered, having suffered no casualties. All of the changeling losses had been on the side of the Queen's loyalists, and Reaper's revolutionaries had escaped mostly unscathed, save for a few wounds here and there.

Ajax and Vertigo bowed. "Your highness-"Ajax started before Reaper spoke.

"Your Highness! I do like the sound of that! King Reaper, lord of all changelings, savior of the hive!" Reaper interrupted, briefly lapsing into an egotistic monologue. "Or perhaps Emperor Reaper? It does have a certain refinement to it,"

"Your highness, I must ask," Ajax started again "Why did we retreat? We could've won the war before it started. We had the element of surprise," he said.

Reaper nodded. "Indeed, Ajax, what you say is true," he said.

"Then why retreat, sir?"

"Ajax, what you fail to realize is that I'd prefer if this revolution occurred with as little changeling blood spilled as possible. Those that need to die will die, but those who are merely mindless peons who simply follow orders do not have any reason to be killed. Not to mention, by retreating we have accomplished something far more valuable,"

"Which is?"

"Soon, panic will spread. The minotaurs will march on the hive, and kill those who oppose us for us. Then we will appear, saving the innocent lives within. Not to mention, we now have something very, very valuable. Hidden away in this gorge is a military compound, where we will make our base. Deep inside, we have a very special prisoner. Princess Phasmi!"

There was more cheering, as nobody bothered to ask where or how he had captured such an important figure. Vertigo spoke up. "So when shall we attack, my lord?"

Reaper was not paying attention, levitating something towards him. He placed the object, which was out of view, and placed it on the ground next to him.

"We attack tomorrow morning. We will take a tortoise formation, and march to the hive. Then we-"

"Uh, sir?"

"What?"

"What's the 'tortoise formation?'"

Reaper silently stared at the soldier who had spoke. He blinked.

"Excuse me?"

Silence rang through the army. One soldier coughed. "Well, yes sir. What's the tortoise formation?"

Reaper frowned, clearly angry. "Soldier, do you have no education in regards to basic combat formation?"

"Uh.....no?"

Reaper hissed. "How old are you?"

"Three, sir!"

Reaper blinked again.

"Ajax..."

"Y-Yes sir?"

"Are you aware," he began slowly, quietly. "That when someone needs an army, you supply them with adequate soldiers?"

"B-But sir-"

"You gave me schoolnymphs. Schoolnymphs, Ajax!"

"Sir, they have more heart than you give them credit!"

Reaper growled. "They are fit for maintenance, like all the other schoolnymphs! Not combat!"

"You saw how they fought, sir! They will do you well!"

Reaper sighed. "Very well. But..."

Reaper: I know that you're powers of retention

Are as dim as the light is inside.

But thick as you are,

Pay attention!

My words are a matter of pride.

It's clear from your vacant expressions

The lights are not all on upstairs.

But we're talking kings and successions,

Which means you can't be caught unawares!

So prepare for the chance of a lifetime!

Be prepared for sensational news!

A shiny new era

Is tiptoeing nearer!

Soldier: And where do we feature?

Reaper: Just listen to teacher!

I know it sounds sordid,

But you'll be rewarded

When at last I am given my dues!

And injustice deliciously squared!

Be prepared!

Cheering rang through the crowd. "Yeah, be prepared!" Vertigo shouted. "We'll be prepared! For what?"

"For the death of the Queen,"

"Is she sick?" A soldier called out.

"No, fool, we're going to kill her. And Phasmi too,"

More soldiers cheered. "Yeah, great idea! Who needs royalty?"

"No Queen! No King! La La La La La La!"

"Idiots! There will be a king!"

"Hey, but you said-"

"I will be king. Stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again!"

"Yeah!"

"Alright!"

"Long live the king!"

"Long live the king! Long live the king!"

Army: It's great that we'll soon be connected

With a king who'll be all-time adored!

Reaper: Of course, quid pro quo,

Your expected

To take certain duties on board.

The future is littered with prizes,

And though I'm the main addressee,

The point that I must emphasize is

You won't get a sniff without me!

So prepare for the coup of the century!

Be prepared for the murkiest scam!

Meticulous planning,

Tenacity spanning

Decades of denial

Is simply why I'll

Be king undisputed,

Respected, saluted,

And seen for the wonder I am!

Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared!

Be prepared!

All: Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared!

Be prepared!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

"And that's how it happened," Silicon finished.

By this point, all of the ponies had gathered around to hear the story. None of them truly knew why Reaper had been exiled, and now that they did, his secrecy was made obvious. He clearly had a perfect life at one time, and he threw it away. But that wasn't how he saw it. He thought that it had been taken for him. So when Silicon explained that Reaper was leading a revolutionary push fueled by his own lust for vengeance, they were only a little surprised.

"Well, I think it's obvious what we need to do now," Willus said. "Somepony has to find Reaper and get some sense into him!"

"Ah agree, this is something we gotta do," Applejack added.

Twilight shook her head. "The Princess sent us to make sure that a war doesn't start with ponies and changelings. I think we need to handle that first before anything else,"

Shamrock nodded in agreement. "Not to mention the threat of the minotaurs and Thunder Horn, which is probably much greater than Reaper," he said.

The disagreement between the ponies probably would've exploded into a larger debate, had Rarity not suddenly been washed with a feeling of intense weakness. Staggering, she slumped forward, her breathing labored.

"Rarity! What's happening?" Fluttershy exclaimed.

Rarity focused, trying to bring back her strength. As soon as the attack of her internal systems began, it ended, and she stood up. "I...I don't know. I just suddenly felt really weak,"

Silicon gestured to one particular soldier. "You. Scan the white unicorn," he said.

The soldier nodded. As his horn glowed, so did Rarity's entire body. The changeling's eyes widened.

The changeling cleared his throat. "Poison, sir. The minotaur must've been using a poison blade," he said.

Then it all clicked for Fluttershy. No wonder the blade itself had done minimal damage, that had been the intention all along! Thunder Horn didn't want Rarity to die quickly, he wanted her to die slowly and painfully, suffering so Shamrock could see what he had caused. "Is there anything we can do?" she asked.

The changeling nodded. "The poison is too severe to treat here. She has only a few hours to live. If you want her alive, we need to get her to the hive, to a doctor," he said.

"Well, you heard the guy! We need to get to the hive now!" Lightning Hawk said.

"You guys do that, we need to go have a chat with Reaper!" Rainbow Dash said, clearly quite upset about the whole situation.

Pinkie Pie nodded. "If we don't talk to Reapy, there's no telling what he'll do!" she said.

The changelings all visibly shuddered at the sound of the name "Reapy."

And so it was decided. Twilight, Lightning, Shamrock, Derpy, Rarity, and Fluttershy were to go to the hive. Meanwhile, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Willus, and Applejack would go try and find Reaper.

If they acted quickly enough, perhaps they could diffuse the situation.

Perhaps life would be normal again.