C.O.L.T.S II

Next chapter.

"HOLD THIS GROUD!" Rubios screamed as the darkling army advanced. Thousands of crystal warriors took up arms to defend their homeland. Rubios took position at front and center of the formation. Emeralda was leading the archers on the buildings above.

"Await my order." The voice of King Sombra said from a dark crystal to the Mordras.

"KILL THEM ALL! THEY WILL NOT BREATHE ONE BREATH OF OUR AIR OR STEP ON ONE DIRT OF OUR LAND!" Rubios screamed inspiring motivation in his troops. The very horizon had become blackened from the mass of darklings. The very ground was shaking as if the earth was splitting in two. Hundreds of fauna ran for their lives to escape the upcoming battle. The darklings outnumbered the crystal ponies five to one but that did not deter the spirit of the crystal warriors.

"Oh the chaos!" Discord said as the darkling army advanced. A platoon of fifty Mordras were behind him awaiting orders to attack, Discord told them to hold position and to only attack in the event the massive darkling army was defeated. The darkling army stopped several hundred feet away from the crystal formations, they let out a horrifying shriek that would have caused a lesser being to drop down with fear but the crystal ponies were not intimidated.

"RAHH!" The lead darkling yelled as the army charged for the crystal city. The earth rumbled as it prepared for the bloodshed it was about to endure.

"PHALANX!" Rubios ordered as the front line of crystal warriors formed a wall with their shields and put their spears in front ready to impale anything that dare cross its path.

"ARCHERS FIRE!" Emeralda said as thousands of arrows were launched into the air. Hundreds of darklings dropped dead from the wall of death being fired at them. The first darklings had made contact with the crystal warriors and were being slaughtered. The crystal ponies used their shields to push the attackers back and then impaled them with their spears. As more darklings died the crystal ponies were able to advance eventually pulling out swords to replace their spears. The arrows from above combined with the fighting force on the ground made the lines nearly impenetrable. Crystal warriors were being killed but not at the same rate as the darklings were.

XXXX

Solar Blitz grinned as he saw Pinkie Pie talking with his sisters, the three were getting along quite well. He went over to his elderly mother so he could spend some time with her.

"You have found yourself such a nice young mare baby Blitzy." Corona said as Blitz blushed at the nickname while thanking Faust that Autumn hadn't heard that.

"I really like her momma." Blitz said. "I want to marry her."

"So why don't you ask her?" Corona asked.

"What if she says no?" Blitz said.

"Oh you are just like your father!" Corona said laughing. "Took five years of dating before he worked up the nerve to ask me."

"I miss papa." Blitz said sadly. Like his teammates, his father had been killed in the war. Blitz looked almost exactly like him save a few different mane colors here and there.

"I'm sure your father is so proud of what his son has done, Celestia knows I am." Corona said hugging her only son. Despite Blitz's cheery mood, Autumn was more devastated than he had ever been, the loss of his younger brother was too much to bear. Wind Wiper and Little Mac had become good friends as the two were only a few years apart. Shadow chuckled as his little brother ran off with this comrades nephew. Deadeye would be having dinner with Twilight's family a second time as the first time did not go so well. Rainbow Dash and Soarin were flying high over the castle as a princess led her lover to her room.

"Its so good to have you back Big Mac." Luna said happily as she walked along side Macintosh.

"Eeyup, ah thought ah'd never see any of you again." Big Mac said. He considered the fact he was still alive to be nothing short of a miracle.

"What happened to your ear?" Luna asked now noticing Macintosh's severed ear.

"Ah lost it in battle." Big Mac said.

"Well that won't do." Luna said as her horn began to glow. Her healing spell amplified the healing magic within Big Mac's body and he felt a jolt as his ear began to grow back. Big Mac brought his hoof up to his ear as he felt the flap of skin present again.

"Ah can hear much better now! Thanks!" Big Mac said smiling happy that his ear was now back.

"Tis the least we can do." Luna said accidently slipping back into her archaic dialect. "I mean, It is the least I can do."

"You don't have to worry bout talking modern to me." Big Mac said.

"Really, you don't mind?" Luna said intrigued.

"Eeyup, ah actually like it better when you talk old like that, makes you stand out more." Big Mac said.

"Well in that case." Luna said. "We shall speaketh as thou desires Big Macintosh."

"Eeyup!" Big Mac said as the two shared a laugh and nuzzled each other. They continued towards Luna's chambers as two COLT-II Commands stood guard. Upon seeing both the princess of the night and the war hero, the two soldiers bowed in respect.

"At ease fellars." Big Mac said as the COLT-II's stood back up and nodded. Luna and Big Mac walked into Luna's bedchamber as the COLT-IIs opened the doors. It was just like Big Mac remembered: The walls were painted a hue of dark blue and purple, numerous sculptures and paintings of anything night related, and the large bed. He blushed as he remembered what happened last time he was on that bed. His thoughts were interrupted when Luna invited him onto her bed. Big Mac gulped as he sat on the large comfortable bed. He had forgotten how soft and clean it was. He closed his eyes as he felt a weight crawl on him, he opened his eyes to see Luna's deep blue eyes staring into his. Their lips moved together as they began to passionately kiss. That was about all they did since pre-marital sex was extremely frowned upon in Equestria, especially if it was a princess or a war hero. The two had abstained from going any further then kissing but they were completely all right with that as long as they had each other.

XXXX

Applejack exchanged small talk with Silent Shadow as Wind Wiper and Little Mac played a game of tag.

"So how was it servin with mah brother?" Applejack asked knowing Shadow was too shy to start a conversation, just like Fluttershy.

"He is a very good pony, I am happy to have served with him." Shadow said as Little Mac tagged his brother.

"Ah'm glad to here that, ah always knew he would be sumthin more than an apple farmer." Applejack said. Despite Big Mac's knew occupation his cutie mark remained his old apple core. Despite what others said, Big Mac was an Apple at heart.

"Your son looks exactly like him." Shadow said.

"Yup, it wasn't easy goin eight years without him but we managed. Now he's back an thats all that matters." Applejack said as her husband walked over.

"Hey are you hittin on my wife?" Skullcrusher said in a serious tone which caused Shadow to become very uncomfortable.

"No sir! I was just uh-!" Shadow began to say.

"I'm just bucking with you son." Skullcrusher said laughing. "Speakin of son, where is mine at?

"Pa!" Little Mac said as he ran over to his father.

"Hey there kiddo!" Skullcrusher said giving his son a noogie.

"Ah pa!" Little Mac said squirming to escape.

"Skullcrusher!" Applejack said rolling her eyes. She could of sworn her husband had rocks for brains sometimes.

"I should be going, I have to meet Fluttershy and show Wind Wiper to his room." Shadow said politely as he went to retrieve his brother.

"Kay then see ya!" Applejack said as she left with her family.

"Wind Wiper its time to go!" Shadow called.

"Aw five more minutes?" Wind Wiper said.

"But don't you wanna see Fluttershy?" Shadow asked.

"YES YES YES YES! I LOVE MS. FLUTTERSHY!" Wind Wiper said causing Shadow to smile. Wind Wiper leapt on his brother's back as the two headed for Fluttershy's hotel room. On the way they passed the Canterlot Spa. Memories of when Autumn, Blitz, and him destroyed were still fresh in his mind. The two eventually made it to Fluttershy's room as Wind Wiper leapt off his brothers back and bursted for the door.

"MS FLUTTERSHY! MS FLUTTERSHY!" Wind Wiper called out as the yellow pegasus opened the door.

"Why hello Wind Wiper." Fluttershy said hugging the colt.

"Fluttershy." Shadow said smiling.

"Shadow." Fluttershy replied as the two kissed on the lips.

"EWWWW!" Wind Wiper said making a gag face. Shadow and Fluttershy chuckled at the colts antics and the three settled down for some of Fluttershy's famous cocoa. The three sat there for two hours playing games and telling stories until Wind Wiper began to yawn.

"Looks like somepony is past their bedtime." Shadow said as he picked up his brother and placed him on a bed. He pulled the sheets over his brothers head and kissed him on the forehead. He then went back to the kitchen where Fluttershy was sitting.

"I remember this is what we had when we first met." Shadow said. "Seems like yesterday."

"Um yes it does." Fluttershy practically whispered. Shadow looked at her with dreamy eyes. aside from his brother she was the most precious thing is his life. A cold breeze blew in from the window causing Fluttershy to shiver.

"Here." Shadow said wrapping a blanket around her and snuggling next to her to give her body heat. The two soon fell asleep with smiles on their faces. Outside a rainbow maned pegasus watched Shadow with a keen eye to make sure he didn't try anything funny.

"Spying again Dash?" Soarin said as he flew next to her.

"NO! I'm just making sure he doesn't try anything funny with Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash countered.

"So in other words your spying?" Soarin replied.

"Uh... yeah." Dash said not gazing away from Shadow.

"I understand your concern but its Silent Shadow, he is the last pony who would ever even think of doing something like that." Soarin said.

"Which is all the more reason I should suspect him!" Rainbow said. Soarin facehooved at his fiancees stubborness.

"Trust me she's in good hooves." Soarin said reassuring her.

"Well if you say so." Rainbow said reluctantly.

"I hear there is a sale on apple pie!" Soarin said excitedly. "Let's go check it out!"

"Alright race you there!" Dash said as the two took off.

XXXX

"Oh not this again!" Deadeye moaned as Twilight used her magic to pick him up.

"F-f-fore the last t-t-time!" Twilight grunted under Deadeye's weight. "We are doing this!"

"But they probably hate me!" Deadeye said as he grabbed hold of a wall and used it to pull himself away from Twilight.

"Deadeye please." Twilight pleaded. "Do it for me."

"Ugh fine!" Deadeye said. It should be illegal for Twilight to be that adorable when she begged.

"Excellent! Now lets get you tidied up!" Twilight said as she used her magic to spray Deadeye with cologne and other types of scents that Rarity had lent her. Deadeye coughed as Twilight sprayed the cologne right into his mouth but the unicorn barely noticed. Deadeye then put on his dress blues uniform, he examined himself in the mirror as he walked with Twilight who pulled her hair back in a bun and was wearing a simple but pretty dress.

"Wait!" Twilight frowned as she used her magic to properly align the COLT Insignia patch going across his chest.

"Thanks sweetheart." Deadeye said.

"Now off we go." Twiilght said as the couple headed towards Shining Armor's and Princess Cadence's house. Once there, Twilight made some last minute verifications with the COLT.

"Please do not go off on my brother this time!" Twilight pleaded.

"I'll try." Deadeye said as Twilight opened the door and was met by her mother Twilight Velvet.

"Oh Twilight you look beautiful tonight!" Twilight Velvet said complimenting her daughters look.

"Hi mom." Twilight said hugging her mother. "Where is everypony else?"

"In the dining room dear." Twilight Velvet said. "Where is your guest?"

"What do you mean he is right behind me." Twilight said turning to see Deadeye still outside. "Oh for crying out loud! Deadeye inside now!"

"Ah ponyfeathers." Deadeye said quietly as he walked in. Twilight Velvet was frightened by the massive pony. He had slew thousands of enemies, won many battles, and berated her son last time he was there.

"Yes Captain Deadeye, please come in." Twilight Velvet said as Deadeye walked in. The three ponies entered the dining room where Twilight's father Night Light, Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, and their foals Milos and Terra were all seated.

"Twilight!" The ponies all said happy to see her. Upon seeing Deadeye they weren't so enthusiastic.

"Ah crap. I would rather be stuck under that rubble still." He thought so himself as the family gave him an awkward stare. Deadeye nervously sat down as the family continued to stare at him, he avoided all eye contact with Shining Armor. The ponies in the room did respect Deadeye for all that he did as a soldier but they were a little awkward with him after his last visit. Cadence brought out the food as the ponies began their dinner. Being the only pony there incapable of magic, Deadeye used his hooves to dig into his plate while everypony else used their magic only making the situation more awkward for Deadeye. Cadence noticed something different about Deadeye, last time the COLT was there he had an expression of anger on his face, now he had one of sorrow and regret.

"That was very good Princess." Deadeye said complimenting Cadence's cooking.

"Thank you Captain." Cadence replied.

"Honey I think its time for the foals to go to bed." Shining Armor said.

"But I wanna talk to Mr. Deadeye!" Terra and Milos whined.

"Its already 9:30! Thats an hour past your bedtimes. Besides you two have school tomorrow." Cadence said.

"Oh!" The two foals whined as they went upstairs.

"Now that the children are out of the room, is there somethin you two would like to say?" Twilight asked her brother and Deadeye.

"Uh." The two of them said unsure what to say to each other.

"You know its getting pretty late-" Deadeye began to say as he attempted to leave but Twilight teleported in front of him with a stern look on her face.

"We'll leave you two some privacy." Twilight said as everypony left the room. Twilight was hoping Deadeye wouldn't use this time to hurt her brother. Shining Armor and Deadeye sat their in silence for ten minutes. Deadeye could tell Armor was nervous and he couldn't blame him. Armor probably thought Deadeye was going to kill him.

"You don't have to be so tense around me." Deadeye said calmly.

"I wasn't this is just unexpected." Armor replied wanting to strangle his sister for putting him in this situation.

"We both know why we are here and I will say right now I can never forgive you for what you did." Deadeye said causing Armor's heart to sink. Cadence and Twilight were listening from outside and both sighed upon hearing this.

"I know, I don't deserve forgiveness and I certainly will not ask for it." Armor said.

"I'm not finished." Deadeye said. "I may not be able to forgive you but for Twilight's sake, can we start over?"

"You mean it?" Armor asked.

"I have no family left, Twilight is all I have left." Deadeye said holding out his hoof.

"Then welcome to ours, brother." Armor said shaking Deadeye's hoof as the two finally made amends. Twilight burst with joy when she heard the two greatest stallions in her life finally make amends. Twilight and Cadence ran into the room and hugged Armor. Twilight then went over and hugged Deadeye.

"I'm so proud of you." Twilight said to Deadeye.

"So is my father, so is my father." Deadeye said looking up to the sky.

XXXX

"I'm bloody tellin you ya twit! That one goes there and that one goes there!" Pip yelled to Featherweight who was trying to repair a COLT airship.

"It's not my fault these blueprints are written in zebrican!" Featherweight yelled as he frantically tried to decipher what the instructions told him to.

"Pip what do you know about airships anyway?" Spike said as he used his fire to weld two metal beams together.

"I know quite a bit!" Pip said.

"Okay, what are the aerodynamic dimensions used for the liftoff, flight, and landing of a model 3401 COLT airship?" Spike asked.

"Easy thats uh... x is equal to opposite b plus square root a." Pip began to say.

"Thats the quadratic formula genius." Spike said. Growing up in a library and with Twilight had led to him becoming quite an intellectual.

"Cheeky bucker." Pip said under his breath as the three COLT-IIs continued to work on the ship.

"Anypony seen Rumble?" Featherweight asked.

"Nope, and I don't bloody care." Pip said.

"Don't be so harsh Pip." Featherweight said.

"Why? He is a jerk! He never helps! All he cares about is killing something we fought with nearly a decade ago!" Pip said.

"He lost his brother." Featherweight pointed out.

"So did millions of other ponies. He is the most stubborn, insubordinate, unpleasant jackass I have ever met!" Pip said.

"You wouldn't happen to be talking about me would you?" A voice said from behind Pip.

"Oh Rumble! No no no I was talking about uhhhh Snips! Yeah Snips is a total jerk!" Pip lied.

"You lie like you fix airships shrimp." Rumble said noting the bad condition the airship was in. Rumble headed towards the airship and began working on it himself. After ten minutes, he did what two ponies and a dragon failed to do in forty minutes. He fixed the airship.

"Looks like this lazy, stubborn, insubordinate unpleasant jackass did a pretty good job." Rumble said as he walked away. Pip began to curse his bad luck.

"I need a bloody drink you two with me?" Pip asked Spike and Featherweight.

"Sure why not?" Spike said as the three headed back into the city. It was pretty late so the only places open where cider pubs. The COLT-IIs headed for the nearest cider pub and walked in. It was mostly empty meaning more cider for the COLTS.

"Three Sweet Apple Acres Cider please." Spike said.

"You got it boss." The tender said as he pulled out three large mugs of cider. Pip felt the cool sweet liquid quench his thirst. He heard the bell ring as three new customers walked in.

"Well i'll be." Featherweight said as Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle all entered.

"Hey Sweetie over here!" Spike waved his hand to the three mares.

"Hey look its Spike and the others!" Sweetie said as the three mares headed over to the COLT-IIs

"So hows it hanging?" Scootaloo asked Featherweight.

"Pretty good, how bout you?" Featherweight replied.

"So awesome!" Scootaloo said as she recalled what had just happened prior.

Thirty minutes earlier.

Prince Astro yawned as he lowered the sun. Since there were two Solar rulers they alternated each day. He was about to head to his chambers with Celestia when he saw three familiar looking mares down below.

"Thanks fer comin y'all." Applebloom said.

"No problem Bloom, we were excited to see Big Mac too." Scootaloo said.

"Yeah what she said!" Sweetie Belle said.

"You three haven't changed a bit." A friendly voice said from behind. The three mares turned to see Astro behind them.

"MR BUNNYHOP!" The three mares said as they ran in to hug their old friend.

"Its good to see you all again." Astro said as he embraced the fillies who brought him back from the darkness. He laughed at the nickname Deadeye had given him to hide his identity.

"We haven't see you in years!" Sweetie Belle said.

"I know you are all grown up now! You even have your cutie marks!" Astro said.

"Us? I can't believe your a prince and married to Princess Celestia!" Scootaloo said.

"What about you girls? Got any stallion in your midst?" Astro asked as the former cutie mark crusaders told him about each of their crushes.

"Hmmm, Spike, Featherweight, and Pipsqueak, ah yes I remember them. The Young COLTS, never thought they'd all actually become COLTS." Astro said. "Well these three COLT-IIs certainly have gotten the luck of the draw with you three."

"What do you mean?" Applebloom asked.

"Girls like you certainly are unique, don't tell my wife I said that by the way. You three are the bravest, most determined, creative, and prettiest fillies I have ever met, again don't tell my wife I said that." Astro said. The three mares blushed as Astro complimented them, Astro was like a father to them and they always looked up to him as a friend since they met ten years ago.

"Thanks Prince." They all said hugging him.

"You can call me Mr. Bunnyhop and if any of theses COLT-IIs cause you trouble you know where to find me." Astro said.

"Thanks Mr. Bunnyhop! G'night!" The three mare said.

"Good night girls." Astro said as he flew back to his tower.

Present

Each COLT-II gulped when they heard the part about Astro saying he would deal with them if they caused any harm to the fillies.

"Well that was certainly nice of the Prince." Featherweight said.

"Indeed, what say we all share a bloody drink? My treat." Pip said as the the three mares and the COLT-IIs sat together happily in the pub.

XXXX

"And here I thought this was going to be a challenge!" Rubios yelled as he impaled another darkling. The crystal warriors had killed tens of thousands of darklings and the darkling army was beginning to thin. Discord watched from a distance as the crystal which housed King Sombra's soul began to glow red.

"Pathetic weaklings, send in the Mordras Discord." Sombra ordered.

"But of course." Discord said as he gave the Mordra's the signal to attack. One hundred of the superpowered dark beings lunged towards the crystal castle at unnatural speeds.

"My queen!" A crystal archer said to Emeralda. "Reinforcements coming from the east!"

"Let us give them a warm welcome!" Emeralda said she ordered the archers to aim towards the incoming Mordras.

"FIRE!" She yelled as hundreds of arrows were fired at the incoming enemy. Emeralda was shocked when the arrows simply bounced off of the Mordra's armor. Rubios saw this too as he pulled out his shield.

"REFORM THE LINE! TAKE THEM HEAD ON! CHARGE!" Rubios screamed as thousands of crystal warriors let out a shout as they charged the Mordras. The Mordras swung their maces back and hit the first crystal ponies with full force breaking every bone in the ponies bodies. Numerous crystal warriors tried to stab the Mordras but were stabbed themselves first. The darklings took this advantage to move in and kill any crystal warrior who was distracted by the Mordras. Walls of dead crystal warrior began to pile up as the Mordras continued their onslaught. One brave crystal warrior charged a Mordra only to be picked up and have his throat bitten out by the monster. Rubios was heartbroken and dumbstruck at seeing his army defeated so easily, he began to wonder what instigated this attack when it hit him.

"The crystal heart." He said. "PROTECT THE CRYSTAL HEART!" He ordered as the remaining crystal warriors ran to protect the crystal kingdom's source of power. Crystal warriors fought to the dying breath in the streets of the crystal city as they tried to stall the invading enemy. Emeralda and her archers had pulled back to defend the crystal heart after nearly being decimated by a Mordra. Hours passed as screams of terror and death filled the quietness of the night. The smell of blood and death was everywhere. The crystal city had been razed to the ground as never ending waves of enemies continued to attack. Two Mordras had been brought down by the crystal ponies at the expense of four hundred crystal warriors. Soon Rubios was pushed back to the crystal heart and was frantically trying to defend it with his wife and what few soldiers he had left.

"NO RETREAT! NO SURRENDER! NO PRISONERS! NO MERCY!" Rubios screamed as he impaled a darkling with his spear trying to install morale in his battle weary and tired troops. They crystal army had never faced such an enemy in over a thousand years. Cannonfire and catapults continued to level the city as more and more crystal warriors fell to the Mordras. Rubios saw a Mordra going for the crystal heart so he ran to protect it.

"AS LONG AS I DRAW BREATH YOU SHALL NOT TOUCH THE CRYSTAL HEART!" Rubios yelled. The Mordra growled as it prepared to charge. Rubios went to deliver a hit but was struck by the Mordra's fist which caused his ribs to break. Rubios fell to the ground clutching his stomach in pain. The remaining crystal warriors were slewed by the Mordras as Emeralda ran to her husbands aid.

"Emeralda don't!" Rubios screamed as the Mordra stomped Emeralda into the ground breaking her spine. The rulers watched helplessly as the Mordra took the crystal heart and gave it to Discord who had teleported with the crystal containing King Sombra's soul.

"Excellent work, now chaos shall rule this land!" Discord said as he put the crystal heart next to the crsytal containing Sombra's soul. Rubios and Emeralda looked to see their worst nightmare. The crystal containing Sombra's soul begun to glow as a red gas was released from it. The gas took the from of a unicorn as thunder and earthquakes accompanied the return of the evil one. Sombra stood a head taller than Rubios and was heavily muscled and armored.

"It feels so good to have a body once more." Sombra said as he growled. The Mordras and darklings bowed down to their master.

"King Sombra." Rubios spat with disgust.

"I have come to reclaim my throne." Sombra said.

"Over my dead body!" Rubios said as he used what little strength he had left to charge Sombra. Sombra used his horn to impale Rubios as they crystal king charged.

AH!" Rubios screamed as he felt Sombra's horn rip through his skin, muscle, nerves and organs.

"So ends the reign of Rubios!" Sombra yelled as he fired a magical blast from his horn which blew Rubios into two pieces.

"BROTHER!" Emeralda screamed in pain as she saw her husband blown to bits.

"Such romantic nonsense." Sombra said as he curb stomped Emeralda's face into the ground smashing her skull and killing her. Sombra smiled as he ascended the castle stairs to his throne room.

"It feels so good to be home." Sombra said laughing as his army took over the rest of the city enslaving whoever had survived the battle.

"My lord the natives have been enslaved and all resistance has been crushed." Discord said to Sombra.

"Excellent, Celestia and Luna could not stop me from this, Equestria is next!" Sombra yelled as he saw Canterlot Castle in the distance. A dark cloud began to form over the crystal kingdom as the earth trembled in fear.

The evil King Sombra had returned.