Chapters Chapter 1: Retreat from Canterlot
"ORION! WE HAVE TO MOVE, NOW! " Nyx shouted as more green beams pounded away at her shield. "I CAN'T HOLD THEM OFF FOREVER!"
"I KNOW!" Orion shouted back as he but the last piece of food into the cart. He quickly double-checked the store and told Nyx, "That's everything, let's move!"
"Right." Nyx said as she began to focus all her magic into a wall that would protect them from the beams, but for how long it would hold she had no idea. "On my signal we move!"
"Alright." Orion said as he got into position beside Nyx.
"GO! " Nyx shouted the second her magic reached it's peak. They were about halfway down the street when Nyx saw that her shield was failing faster than expected. There was a large crack in the section right behind Orion, and a beam was headed right for that crack. She grabbed him with a hoof and pulled him towards her as the beam broke through her shield and hit the cart's wheel. The cart tipped to the side, it's contents spilling over the pavement. Orion was going for some of the food when a beam almost got him in the head.
"Leave the food, lets go!" Nyx said as the line of changelings charged at the duo.
Battlement's barricade was in sight after they turned a corner, "Almost there!" said Orion.
"About time you showed up!" Battlement said as they leaped over the barricade. "And I see you brought some friends!" The squad of changelings opened fire at the barricade as unicorn soldiers tried to keep a shield up with what little energy they had left.
It was no use. The changelings power proved to much as the shields went down and the barricade exploded in a cloud of dust. Nyx and Orion were on the far right side of the barricade when it got hit and were able to back into a nearby store. They peeked outside and saw Battlement limping away from the wreckage and a Earth Pony mare crawling in the same direction. Two sounds of spells going off were heard. One hit Battlement in the head, exploding the second it made contact. The other hit the mare in the back, causing her to spasm uncontrollably as the stun spell began to effect her. Nyx held Orion back as he tried to get out there and help the poor mare.
"There's nothing you can do for her! Stay down!" Nyx whispered to him as the squad of changelings picked up the mare with their magic and carried her back to their base, most likely to be enslaved.
When the coast was clear Nyx and Orion crept out of their hiding place only to be met with devastation. The bodies of the ponies who held this line were strewn about the wreckage of the barricade. They began to walk back towards the camp were they could be safe from the changeling horde.
When they were about ten meters away from the last barricade protecting the camp Nyx stopped and shouted, "STAR!" Moments later a section of the barricade floated into the sky. As they entered they were greeted by the captain of the barricade, Flash Sentry.
"Nyx, Orion, you were due back here an hour ago. Did something happen to Battlement's barricade?" He said with concern in his voice.
"Inform Princess Cadence that Battlement is dead and that the barricade is destroyed. We'll be in the civilian quarter if you need us." Nyx said with a somber tone.
"Yes Ma'am." Flash said as he flew of towards Princess Cadences tent in the center of camp.
Nyx and Orion walked to their small tent in the civilians quarter to be greeted by mint-colored unicorn tuck Nyx's daughter, Dawn, into bed.
"Evening Lyra." Greeted Nyx. "How was Dawn today?"
"Quiet as always," Lyra responded.
"Thank's for watching her, I don't know what we'd do without you." Said Nyx,
"No problem, Nyx." Said Lyra. "I'll be heading back to my tent for the night. Come find me if you need me to watch her again."
"Thank's Lyra." Said Nyx as the unicorn left the tent. Nyx then turned to Dawn. She knelt down and lightly kissed her forehead. Suddenly Dawn jumped up and hugged her mother.
"You're alive!" She exclaimed, "You didn't come back at your usual time, I thought that they caught you!"
"No need to worry," said Nyx, "we just got held up."
"Yeah, those changelings couldn't catch us if they tried." Added Orion.
"Miss Nyx, Sir Orion?"
They turned around to see a member of the princesses guard.
"Yes?" Asked Nyx.
"Princess Cadence has requested an audience with you, Orion, and other leaders to discuss our next move.
"We'll be right there." said Nyx.
She turned to Dawn," We'll be back soon, okay?"
"Okay Mommy." Said Dawn through a yawn.
She and Orion then walked to the war tent to discuss the resistance's future.
"So it's settled then? We leave for Ponyville at dawn."
"Yes, Princess!" Said the council in unison. The meeting had been rather short. Cadence had brought together her council only to inform them of situation that they were already aware of. Dwindling food stores, ponies being killed and captured every day, the cloaking spell placed on the camp failing. They all seemed relieved when Cadence suggested a move to Ponyville, the rumored stronghold of the resistance against Queen Chrysalis and the changeling horde.
As the council was dismissed Cadence stopped Nyx to speak with her.
"Yes Cadence?" Asked Nyx.
"I'm surprised you didn't want to stay in Canterlot to try and find Twilight."
"It's true that I want to find her, but she wouldn't forgive herself if everypony died trying to search for her."
"That reminds me of something that I once said to her," Said Cadence.
"And what would that be?" Asked Nyx.
"That the needs of the many," Began Cadence.
"Outweigh the needs of the few." Finished Nyx.
There was a long pause until Nyx got up, "I'm going to start packing, I'll see you tomorrow Cadence."
"See you." Said Cadence as she left for her cot.
While walking back to her tent Nyx made a silent vow.
I'll find you Twilight, this I swear.
Chapter 2: Journey to Ponyville
An earth pony mare escorted by two changelings pulled a cart filled with prisoners down a burned out street in the outskirts of Canterlot. As she passed the crumbling buildings only one thought rang through her mind.
Serve your masters.
It was the only major thought that had crossed her mind in the past few weeks and it never seemed to go away. It was always there, never leaving her head.
As she continued down the road she overheard her masters talking about a subject that didn't interest her, but sense she couldn't voice her own opinion she just pricked her ears in their direction.
"What do you mean she wants a secondary food source?" The left one asked, "We have enough emotion in our prison camps and in our slaves that we can eat like kings!"
"The Queen says that a secondary food source is invaluable as it will not only feed us but our numerous slaves as well." The right one replied.
"But when they're harnessed they don't need to eat!"
"Then it's probably only until every slave is harnessed. And think about it, these ponies wont have emotion in them forever."
"True, and by the way, did you hear that the resistance is leaving Canterlot?"
"It's about time, they were starting to annoy the crap outta me!"
"Did you hear where they where going?"
"Where?"
"Ponyville."
Ponyville , she had heard that name before, but couldn't quite put her hoof on it as she struggled to pull the heavy cart as parts of her yellow mane fell into her eyes.
"Come on Cowgirl!" One of the changelings said, "We haven't got all day!"
"Yes sir," she replied as she put every ounce of effort she had into making the cart move.
News of the move to Ponyville spread quickly throughout the camp and by dawn the entire group was ready to move out. With the few remaining unicorns they had left performing a cloaking spell for the group to make sure that they weren't discovered.
After reaching a road hidden by foliage did they lower the cloaking spell.
"You're sure that this route will get us to Ponyville?" Cadence asked her navigation officer.
"Most of the way, yes," he replied," but we'll have to put the cloaking spell back up the last couple of miles if want to reach Ponyville in one piece."
"Lead the way then," Said Cadence.
"Yes Princess." He said as he led the group into the forest.
That night the group set up camp in the dense trees so that they wouldn't be spotted.
Nyx sat next to a low burning fire with Dawn sleeping comfortably at her side. Orion sat across from her, with a stern look on his face.
"What wrong Orion?" Asked Nyx.
"I'm just wondering why you wanted to leave Canterlot,"
Not this again , she thought.
"I mean, after you heard Twilight might be at Canterlot, you insisted that we join up with the resistance group there and try to find her, saying it was the least we could do for Shining Armor after his sacrifice in Fillydelphia."
"I know," Nyx said, remembering the day she lost Twilight all to well. "But you saw the situation in Canterlot. These ponies would have been slaughtered if they stayed there another night."
"Yeah," sighed Orion as a member of the guard approached their fire.
"I'm here to inform you that all fires must be out in 10 minutes and that Sir Orion will help scout out our route for tomorrow."
"Right, thanks." said Orion as Nyx put a spell on the fire to suck away the oxygen and snuff the flame.
"Goodnight Orion."
"Goodnight Nyx"
When Orion reached the edge of the forest he was about fifteen minutes away from the group. Peeking through the trees he could see a blue-tinted barrier spell surrounding the town of Ponyville.
Good , he thought, At least the rumors were true . From a distance he could make out fortifications through the shield, and the silhouettes of some buildings.
As he prepared to return to the group he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He turned to see a massive cart being pulled by a single mare escorted by two changelings.
He saw a black bulge on the back of her head and immediately knew she was harnessed, so trying to rescue her would be a lost cause. But for some reason he felt if as he had seen this mare before. He shrugged of this feeling and returned to the group to let them know that the path is clear.
When the group reached the edge of the forest they waited until mid-afternoon to approach the town so that they could be sure no changeling patrols were there.
As they neared the town the could hear sirens going off and the sound of unicorns charging their spell. As the group prepared their shield spells they heard a shout from the other side.
"IT'S PRINCESS CADENCE AND LADY NYX! LET THAT GROUP IN AT ONCE!"
As a hole in the barrier appeared the group rushed inside to their new home.
Mayor Ivory Scroll approached Cadence and Nyx as soon as the group was inside.
"Princess Cadence? Lady Nyx?" She asked.
"Yes?" Said Nyx and Cadence in unison.
"I take it your the leaders of this group?"
"Yes." Replied Cadence
"Then come with me, the president has a policy that she must speak with every groups leader when they first arrive here."
"Alright, lets go." Said Nyx.
"Right this way then." Said the Mayor as she led them towards the Town Hall.
The town hall was filled with bunk beds and air mattresses as Nyx and Cadence were led to the presidents office.
"Madam president?" Said the Mayor as they stopped at the door that led to the presidents office.
"Yes, what is it?" Said an irritated voice from the other side.
"You have visitors."
"I'm busy! Come back later!"
"But this really important!"
"On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is it?!
"An 11."
"If it will get you out of my hair then send them in!"
The Mayor turned to them, "She will see you know." She said as she walked away from the office.
As they entered the room they were greeted by a VERY familiar mare.
"Now, what is so important that you had to interrupt me..." She stopped abruptly.
Nyx felt her heart stop as she and Cadence stared back at the president of Ponyville. Nyx then looked down at the nameplate that sat on her desk.
RARITY, ELEMENT OF GENEROSITY,
PRESIDENT OF THE NEW EQUESTRIA
Chapter 3: Reunions and Exposition
The three mares stared at each other for the longest time, none of them willing to start off the joyous (or awkward) conversation ahead of them.
"You're both alive," said Rarity, "I...I knew the situation in Canterlot was bad for your group Cadence, and after Fillydelphia I thought the changelings had either captured or killed you Nyx." She clearly was having a hard time processing that one of the four princesses and the reincarnation of Nightmare Moon were both alive.
"Rarity," Nyx began, "those idiots couldn't kill us if they tried."
"Really? Those 'idiots' seemed to make quick work of Princess Celestia back at Fillydelphia."
"OK, hold up!" Cadence shouted as she stomped a hoof on Rarity's desk. "What happened at Fillydelphia?! Nyx and Orion keep mentioning it like it's some big deal! The only thing I know is that Twilight tasked my husband to guard Nyx and her friends, and that he died protecting them! Can somepony please fill in the blanks?!" She was clearly frustrated that there were secrets being kept from her.
"You never told her?" Asked Rarity.
"About the princesses? No. About Shining, Twilight and her friends? Yes." Replied Nyx.
"She has a right to know! She is pretty much the ruler of Equestria now after what happened there." Rarity said.
"I was waiting for the right time. And right now seems perfect." Nyx said as she turned to Cadence. "You might want to take a seat, because you need to hear every word."
It was a month after the initial attack on Canterlot, Manehatten and Ponyville. Princess Celestia received word from one of her spies that Chrysalis was holed up in Fillydelphia. After hearing this she gathered up Luna, Twilight, her friends and I to lead an infiltration of their base.
The chariot that held Nyx and Twilight flew over the skies of Fillydelphia as Princess Celestia looked for a place to land safely. This would have been a simple task if not for one thing.
The entire city seemed deserted.
They landed in Century Square, where Chrysalis' base of operations should have been. Shining Armor and his team were scanning the rooftops for any hidden changeling snipers.(1)
"This is too easy," whispered Nyx as they entered City Hall.
"You don't say?" Rainbow Dash spat,"We practically waltzed into the enemy base and there wasn't a single changeling anywhere outside."
"Do you think your spy was wrong Celestia?" Twilight asked.
"Metal Gear has never been wrong before, but this does seem quite suspicious." Celestia said as the group walked into the main hall of the building to find a beaten, bloodied stallion in the middle of the room.
"Metal Gear!" Celestia exclaimed as she rushed towards the fallen spy.
"Princess, don't.." He stopped mid sentence as a loud beeping sound erupted all around the group. Nyx looked around and several tiny red lights flashing in the walls and ceilings.
"GET DOWN NOW!" Shining Armor shouted as the building erupted in fire.
It was a trap, and we had walked right into it like a filly into a candy shop.
Nyx's ears rang like Hearth's Warming bells as she looked up from her crouched position. She could feel bits of shrapnel inbedded into her skin, she did a quick look over her body a saw no serious injuries. That's a relief. She thought as the dust around her cleared to a sight that she thought she would never see.
Princess Celestia, the Princess of the sun, one of the duo of god-like alicorns in Equestria, was lying over Metal Gear with two magical needles protruding out of her forehead and neck.
We were all in a state of pure shock, Twilight tried to use some healing spells with Luna's aid. but it was no use. Princess Celestia was dead.
Twilight raised her head into the air in a wordless wail of grief. Similar emotions were being openly shown throughout the entire group.
"Oh this is just perfect, Celestia's dead and I have three alicorns ready to join her." An all-to-familiar voice said from the top of the nearest staircase.
"Chrysalis!" Twilight screamed as she ran toward her, her mane and tail erupting in flame. But before she could reach the Queen of the Changelings a small, black, crab-like creature leaped on the back of her head and dug it's stinger like tail into the back of her neck. She let out a cry of pain as she staggered back and fell in front of the group, spasming as the harness began to take control of her.
"Shiny...get them...out..of here!" She said as changelings began to cut down the guard escort.
They cut us off from Twilight's friends as we made our way out of the buildings. The changelings destroyed our chariots, so there was only one way out.
"I'm not leaving you!" Nyx said as she unsheathed her sword.
"This isn't a discussion! Twily ordered me to guard you, and I'm ordering you to get out of here! You may be the former commander of the Shadowbolts(2), but if you die, Cadence will be the last alicorn ruler of Equestria, and I don't want that weight on her shoulders! Go!" As he finished changelings erupted from the building and threatened to surround the two.
"Good luck BUFF(3)," Nyx said with tears in her eyes as she flew away from the city as fast as she could.
The last thing I saw Shining Armor doing was bringing a sword down on a changelings neck. He was a good stallion and a an even greater uncle. After that I met up with Orion and Dawn at Midway and we made our way to Canterlot. And as for Twilight and the rest of her friends, we haven't heard from any of them since.
"That is, until now." Nyx finished as she turned back to Rarity, pacing the room throughout the entire story."How did you survive?"
"Pinkie and I were thrown into a hallway when the explosives went off, we were able to jump out a window and into the alley's." Rarity began, "After a week of dodging patrols we finally managed to leave the city and make our way here. We informed the townsfolk what had happened, and they initiated what the Mayor calls the "Republic Plan." Where a mare is elected as the president of a new Equestrian government until a new monarchy can be established."
"Wait," Interrupted Cadence, "You mentioned Pinkie, is she alive?"
"She came back here with me and became the one-mare-welcome-wagon. She's always the first one told when a new group arrives. And I am sadly one of the last."
"She's probably calling our party for arriving the 'Thanks-for-not-dying-on-us party." Nyx said with a slight chuckle.
"Well then, lets go find out, shall we?" Said Rarity as she walked towards the door.
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Chapter 4: The Mandatory Pinkie Welcome Party
Nyx, Cadence and Rarity were making they're way to Sugarcube Corner when they met up with Orion and Dawn.The little filly was skipping alongside Orion with one of the biggest smiles Nyx had ever seen.
"She seems happy." Said Rarity.
"Of course she is, silly willy!" Said a voice from behind the group.
Nyx, by instinct of course, unsheathed her sword as she spun around to face the voice.(1) The owner of said voice then jumped ten feet in the air, gasping at who she just reunited with.
"OMIGOSHOMIGOSHOMIGOSH! Princess Cadence and Nyx are alive, I shoulda known. This calls for a town-wide celebration, I'm gonna need streamers, tons of balloons, and, WAIT!" Said Pinkie Pie, as she reached behind her for something, pulling a turret-like cannon seemingly from thin air. "I have the PARTY CANNON 2.0!" She finished as she turned a dial on the side of the cannon, the label turning from, 'Birthday' to 'GET DOWN'.
"FIND SOME COVER!" Shouted a guard as the entire town went into panic mode, mares pulling their kids inside, unicorns putting up shields, and pegasai flying to the other side of the town to avoid the spinning turret as it prepared to fire.
"IT'S PARTY TIME! " Shouted Pinkie as she pressed the FIRE button.
A lone alicorn stood on a ledge over Canterlot, from here she could see all the way to the Everfree forest. Her interest had been on Ponyville for the last few days since she received word that the resistance had moved there.
Why did you leave? We were so close to finding you.
As she stood there a large dust cloud suddenly appeared at Ponyville, followed by a loud explosion. The alicorn flew off the ledge and toward Canterlot Palace. My Mistress is going to want to hear about this.
When the dust cleared from the Party Cannon's blast, it looked like a party fairy platoon(2) had swept in and decorated all of Ponyville for a massive party. Tables had new cloths on them, streamers hung from every object you could hang something on, there were tables with every kind of baked good imaginable on them. Across main street hung a large banner that read 'WELCOME BACK NYX AND CADENCE' in big, red letters.
"How did that cannon do all of this?" Asked Cadence as Pinkie folded up the Party Cannon to a box form.
"Oh, that's easy." Said Pinkie as she pulled a metal rod with a black line running down it. She pressed a small button on the side and a blue-tinted image appeared. "Gyro units in the main section below the gun to turn 360 degrees. Mass converters and teleporter technology transport supplies from Sugarcube Corner to wherever the cannon fires. And blast dampeners keep it from creating a massive shockwave that destroys everything!
"Wait a minute," Said Nyx as she inspected the image, "Hologram pads, mass conversion, and teleporter tech like that was only allowed in the military! How did you get all of this?"
"Stormcloud made it for me."
"Stormcloud?" Asked Nyx, "As in THE Stormcloud? The chief scientist of the Equestrian military's weapons development and research program? How is he even here?"
"He was here on leave when the ambush of Fillydelphia happened." Explained Rarity, "But we can worry about that later. Now is a time for celebration!" She said as she applied a spell to her vocal cords.
"CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! NOW IS A TIME TO REJOICE! FOR PRINCESS CADENCE AND COMMANDER NYX HAVE RETURNED! THE GUARD WILL REMAIN ON DUTY DURING THE FESTIVITIES, AND THERE WILL BE A COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW TO DECIDE THE FUTURE! BUT FOR NOW, REJOICE!
Nyx's ears pounded as Rarity finished her speech.
"A spell that gives you the Royal Canterlot Voice for a short time, impressive." She said as the party got into full swing.
"I picked it up from a spell book that Sweetie Belle brought home from the library one time. And speak of the devil." Responded Rarity as a trio of mares approached the group.
"NYX!" shouted the earth pony and unicorn as they rushed over to meet their friend.
"Sweetie Belle, Applebloom! you're both okay!" Said Nyx as the three friends embraced. Nyx looked at the pegasus. "Scootaloo? You okay?"
"You slimy, no good back stabber." Said Scootaloo as she approached the alicorn. "You got a lot of nerve coming back here after what you did." Nyx had hurt and confused look on her face.
Does she know about Rainbow Dash?
Scootaloo's stare then broke as she broke down into a fit of laughter. "You should see the look on your face!" She said as she put a leg over her neck. " How ya' doing, you old fighter? So good to see you. Listen, you gotta tell me stories about all the changelings you've..."
Nyx's mind trailed off throughout the party thinking that this was just a calm before a storm.
"And you sure that they are there?"
"Yes mistress," The alicorn responded, "They would not leave the city unless they had a individual of high importance in their group. Which I theorize to be Nyx and Princess Cadence."
"Hm. So our two biggest targets are celebrating being alive in Ponyville as we speak?"
The alicorn looked up, hoping for a certain command to be given.
"Prepare the troops."
The alicorn smiled.
Chapter 5: Honest Freedom
The next morning the entire high council gathered in the Rarity's office to discuss the future of the executives of Ponyville. Nyx and Cadence sat on each side of Rarity. with the council sitting in chairs arranged in a zig-zag pattern to allow for all council members, eight in total to be seen from the Rarity's desk.
"I would like to thank you all for coming to this meeting." Began Rarity, "It's a rare occasion to have every member of the council here. No offense."
"None taken Madam President," Said Applebloom.
"Thank you councilmare Applebloom." Said Rarity, "Now I assume you are all here to discuss the, well, elephant in the room."
"Yes we are, Madam President," Said Silver Spoon, "I have taken the liberty of speaking with the members of the council before this meeting. And they have trusted me with presenting you our ideas for the well-being of the resistance."
"By all means councilmare Silver Spoon, present the council's plan." Said Rarity.
"Of course," Began Silver Spoon, "As you know, the Republic plan was originally designed for post-apocalyptic situations, or a highly unlikely multiple assassination of all the alicorn rulers. The plan states that a president will be elected until a new monarchy or central government can be established. The original plan for this meeting, which was supposed to happen in two days, was moved to today due to the arrival of Princess Cadence. Which complicates the Republic plan..."
"Get to the point Spooney!" Said Scootaloo.
"The point is that the council would like to see Princess Cadence as the head of the new Equestrian Government. We hope that this doesn't upset you Madam..."
Rarity was already switching places with Cadence. "What? I'm not the leader type. And besides, Cadence has more experience than me."
"Well, that was easy. But that is not the council's biggest concern." Said Silver Spoon.
"Well then, what is?" Said Cadence.
"The council would like to appoint Flash Sentry as the Commander of the military."
"WHAT!" Shouted Nyx as she leaped from her seat and almost tackled Silver Spoon but was held back by Rarity. "EXPLAIN YOURSELF!"
"The council believes that you should not have military power due to your, well....past."
"Wait a minute! Ya'll never asked us about that!" Said Applebloom.
"Because I knew you would side with her!"
"Because we know her! She's qualified!" Said Sweetie Belle.
"To lead a murderous special ops squad, yeah. To lead an army, no?"
"Then let me prove myself, give a squad and a mission, and we'll come back with no casualties." Said Nyx, her Muzzle inches away from Silver Spoon's.
"Alright then. Here's your mission," said Silver Spoon as she pulled out a holopad from her saddlebag.
"This is a six-pony job. You'll need three Pegasai, equipped with front-leg blades.(1) A strong earth pony, and two unicorns to pull this off."
"Your quite the tactician, Silver Spoon." Nyx praised, "But why only six ponies?"
"Our spies have discovered a caravan that will be going through the southern road with Applejack hauling it."
"You have my full attention," Said Nyx as she focused on the holopad.
OPERATION: HONESTY
Date: 11/26/33
Mission CO: Nyx
Operatives: Specter Mist
Orion
Scootaloo
Applebloom
Sweetie Belle
Objective: Rescue Applejack and other Prisoners.
You'll need to hit the caravan as it passes through that patch of tree's near the Everfree forest. Ponies hidden on each side of the road should prove useful.
"Alright, Orion, Specter, and Scootaloo will be on the caravans right side. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and I will be on it's left. Remember, Knives in the throat for quick, clean kills." Said Nyx as the group got to their positions and awaited the Caravans arrival.
When the caravan shows up, you'll need to take out the guards quick.
The caravan moved right in between the two groups and Nyx gave a sharp whistle that alerted the changelings to her presence. As the changeling neared her position, his three companions where pounced on by an orange, white, and blue blur as they brought their blades down on their throats. The changeling turned and was about to give a distress call. Her blade met the back of his head before he could make a sound.
Applejack might be harnessed, so getting her and the prisoners in the cart out won't be easy.
Applebloom and Nyx unhooked Applejack from the cart and Sweetie Belle grabbed her with her magic, her mane drooping to reveal a crab-like creature latched onto her neck.
"O'course she'd be harnessed. Damn changelings." Said Applebloom as she bucked the lock off of the cart, opening the gate for the prisoners to escape.
"Come with us," Said Specter Mist in his Trottingham accent. "You'll be safe in Ponyville.
We'll have Doctors on standby if Applejack is harnessed. We've developed a way to remove the harness without killing the host. The drug the harnesses produce is like morphine, so we put them on an IV of that and slowly burn through the harnesses stringer. And when that's through, well see about your position. (2)
Applebloom and Nyx stood next to Applejack's hospital bed, waiting for her to awaken from the operation that removed her harness.
"You think she'll be okay?" Asked Applebloom as she took a sip from a water bottle.
"You said that they've done this before, right Applebloom? She'll be okay."
There was darkness.
Everywhere she looked she was greeted by darkness.
Where am I.
She walked forward for a bit and found two doors. The one on the left had a bright light behind it. The one on the right had a much softer light behind it.
Am I dead?
She walked towards the bright door and heard a voice.
You think she'll be okay?
That voice was familiar, but she couldn't remember the name.
You said that they've done this before, right Applebloom? She'll be okay.
Applebloom! The name of her sister. Memories flooded back to her mind of all the times that they spent together. Her voice was behind the right door.
"Hold on Applebloom! Imma comin!
Applejack's eyes began to flutter open. She brought a hoof up to her forehead and mumbled something about cider.
"APPLEJACK!" Screamed Applebloom as she embraced her sister.
Nyx heard a light tapping on the door and went to see who it was. She opened the door to find Silver Spoon staring at her.
"Hey, Silver Spoon, What's up?"
"Commander Nyx, Stormcloud wishes to see you."
Chapter 6: Stormcloud's Fun House
Silver Spoon and Nyx walked past two houses that had massive chimney's with smoke billowing out of them. Stallions pulling cart's filled with glowing gems, scrap metal, and other raw materials were entering the house's garages and were unloading their loads.
"Have those house's been converted to factories?" Asked Nyx.
"Yes." Responded Silver Spoon, "They are mass producing the inventions of our beloved science director."
BOOM!
They turned to see smoke coming out of the second story of one of the buildings.
"I'm okay!" They heard a stallion yell as a pegasai fire control squad inspect the damage.
"Damn, we were almost twelve hours without an accident." Sighed Silver Spoon as they continued to the Golden Oaks Library.
"Wait, this is my house. Why are we here?"
Silver Spoon gave her a confused look. "You've been in Ponyville for two days, haven't you been in your own home?"
Nyx rubbed the back of her head, "Well last night was that big party. And I kinda passed out on a park bench after having one two many bottles of cider."
Silver Spoon facehoofed. "Okay. Then can you promise not to choke the life out of Stormcloud's assistant."
"Why?"
"Let's just say that you have a well, checkered past with her." Said Silver Spoon as she knocked on the door of the library.
"Coming!" Responded a mare's voice from the other side of the door.
I remember that voice. It can't be.
The door opened to a yellow coated unicorn mare with a red and yellow mane. "Silver Spoon! Are you here to check on the..." Her eyes met the Nyx's as she froze up.
"Sunset Shimmer, It's been awhile."
"Yes it has," She nervously responded. "About five years if I recall."
"Five years after you returned and almost killed me? Yeah I think it's been about that long.(1) Stormcloud wanted to see me?"
"Yes he does." She quickly responded. "He want's to show you his latest combat-specialized inventions."
"Alright then, lead the way."
She led them down the stairs to the basement and stopped at a door that read 'Authorized Personnel Only'.
"Twilight never wanted me inside the basement. It'll be interesting to see what it looks like."(2) Said Nyx as Sunset opened the door to the future.
There were tables loaded with blueprints, models, prototypes, gems, and every known bit of tech the scouts could get their hooves on. There was a cylindrical machine with a basket of crystals and gems being charged by a unicorn stallion.
"Uhh, Stormcloud?" Said Nyx. "You wanted to see me?"
"A moment Nyx!" He shouted, "I am charging these gems specifically for you! So please be patient!" The energy being put into the gems by the look of it had almost reached it's peak when a loud beeping was heard. He immediately removed his horn from the charging mechanism and put on a pair of glasses to greet them. "Silver Spoon, Nyx. I'm glad you could make it."
"It's Commander Nyx now, Stormcloud."
"Again! Well, no matter. We don't use formalities in the lab." Said Stormcloud.
"Okay then, what did you want to show me?" Said Nyx as Stormcloud walked over to a table with all kinds of gadgets.
"I only want you to test out a couple of these devices. But can you show me your sword first?"
"Um, okay." said Nyx as she unsheathed her blade and placed it on the table. Stormcloud picked it up with his magic and removed the hilt and placed a new one on it that had a small, blue gem on the bottom. He then handed it back to her.
"Press the button on the side, then test it out on that practice dummy."
"Alright." Said Nyx as she pressed the button. A low hum was heard and the blade stared to glow blue. she then swung it at the dummy and it went straight through. It fell over and left burn markings where she struck it. "Sweet." She said as she tested it out on more dummies.
"Now make a magical blade and make it strike the other blade."
She made a small magical knife and swung it down as hard as she could on the on the blade. The two blade's clanged together like two regular blades. "This technology will allow any blade to have the same surface make-up as a magical blade without using the magic to create and maintain the blade."
"Interesting," Said Nyx as she pressed the button again to deactivate the blade and put it back in the sheath. "What else did you want me to test out?"
"Just two more things. I need you to put on this leg band and press the button." She pressed the button. "Alright, now don't move." He conjured a blade and brought it down on her head. It never touched her. It had hit a thin layer of magical energy right above her fur. "Energy shielding, a thin layer strong enough to propel all non-magically powered weapons and magical bolts and blades for a few hits."
"Okay that's pretty awesome, but you've probably saved the best for last right?" Said Nyx as Stormcloud grabbed two hoof-shaped gauntlets. Each gauntlet had a small, blue gem in the center of each one. She put them on and stood up with them on and they made the front half of her body a little taller.
"Thrust one hoof at these targets." He said as he pressed a button and several targets rose up several meters away from the group. She began to walk towards the targets. "Stay right there and thrust your hooves at the targets please."
"Why?"
"You'll see."
She got into a position where she was standing on her back hooves and thrust her front left hoof forward. As her leg reached full extension in the air a small, blue blast erupted from the gauntlet and hit the dummy that the hoof was pointed at.
"Holy shit!" Said Nyx as she went into a shooting frenzy, blasting all dummies in the room. She finished the frenzy by blasting the last dummy with both hooves, vaporizing it.
She set her front hooves back on the ground. "Well that was fun." She said as a guard burst in through the door.
"COMMANDER NYX!"
"What's wrong?" Said Nyx as the soldier reached the group.
"Changelings have broken through the shield!"
Chapter 7: Assault on Ponyville Part 1
60 seconds before the end of the last chapter,
A lone sky chariot circled Ponyville, surveying the houses and defenses while looking for a specific point in the shield. The chariot then flew to the top of the shield and hovered over it while a black and purple beam shot out of the side of the chariot and pierced the shield. Large cracks began to form all of the shield until it fell apart, dissipating before it could hit the ground.
The clouds above the town then opened up to reveal a swarm of changelings. they charged up the impact spells and began to descend upon Ponyville. Anti-Air guns quickly began to pick off as many changelings as possible, and pegasai entered the sky with gauntlets attached to their forelegs.
The chariot circled the town a few times until coming down in the park. The chariots escort was immediately attacked by earth ponies and unicorns with strange, glowing swords. The changelings were barely able to hold them back as an alicorn in pitch black armor stepped out of the chariot and surveyed the battlefield. She already knew how to get to her destination. The hard part, well for her soldiers at least, would be getting through the town. She picked up one a blade that glowed purple from one of the corpses and began to walk to her destination as the commander of her guard approached her.
"My lady, we where ambushed upon arrival, but I have the situation well in..." He brought his hooves up to his neck and began struggling for air.
"I have no interest in your failures, Commander. I am here on a mission of my own!" She said as she released the commander from her grip. She continued her trek through the park unopposed until she reached the main street of Ponyville, where all hell had broken loose.
Her soldiers were actually falling back to find cover as energy blasts of all colors rained down from the sky and streaked across the ground. She walked towards to what appeared to be the most combat ready squad.
"Commander?"
"Yes ma'am, Delta Squad reporting for duty, ma'am." He replied.
"Very good. Follow me, Commander." She ordered as she walked towards the crossfire.
"With all due respect, ma'am, we haven't even broken through their front line yet. Our brutes can't even get halfway down the street before being cut down. To go out there would be suicide!"
She was about to cut him down when the changeling assault hover ship Reaper descended from the clouds.(1)
The ships appearance gave her an idea. "Leave their front line to me." She said as she extended her wings and took to the air. When she was right above the ponies she began to charge up the blade. When it could hold no more energy she rocketed towards the ground. When the blade hit the dirt it unleashed all stored up energy in a single blast. Every living thing in a twenty meter radius of that blast was turned to ash.
She removed the blade from the ground and began to cut down all the survivors until the ponies were retreating to other parts of the city. She continued her trek down the street when a yellow-coated unicorn stepped out of her destination, wielding one of the strange swords that glowed a bright yellow.
"Dark one!" She shouted. "You won't find anything here! Turn back!"
"It's been awhille, Sunset Shimmer."
"How do you know my name?" She Said as she got closer to the armored alicorn.
"You don't recognize your old rival? I'm hurt."
"What are you talking about?" Said Sunset Shimmer.
"Look into my eyes. Then you'll know who I am." Said the alicorn as she twirled the blade with her magic.
Sunset Shimmer looked into the alicorn's lavender eyes, and her blood ran cold.
"N-no....."
"Let's begin, shall we?" Twilight Sparkle said as she charged Sunset Shimmer.
Chapter 8: Assault on Ponyville Part 2
Picks up right after chapter 6
"How did they break through?" Asked Nyx as she was led to a tube big enough for a pony to fit in that pointed upwards.
"A single chariot was circling the town when a beam of dark magic shot from it pierced the shield. After that the clouds were pulled away to reveal an army of changelings." Said the guard as Stormcloud activated some kind of machine connected to the tube.
"Gather as many soldiers as you can and form a defensive perimeter around this building. Not a single changeling can discover this basement."
"Yes ma'am!" Said the soldier as he bolted up the stairs. Nyx was about to follow him when she felt a tug on her tail. she turned around to see Silver Spoon holding on to her tail with her teeth.
"What the hell! Let me go!"
"You want to get right in the fight Nyx?" Stormcloud asked.
"Yes! Ponies are dying out there! They need me!
"Then lay down in the tube please."
Nyx went to the tube and got into a torpedo-like position in the tube. Stormcloud closed the top of the tube and went over to the console controlling the device.
"Funny that you chose the torpedo position."
"Why?" Nyx nervously asked.
"Well, you are inside of a launch tube after all."
"Wait, what?!"
"Have fun!" Said Stormcloud as he pressed a big red button.
Nyx felt a rush of air push through the tube and propel her through several magical speed booster rings until she finally reached the end of the tube a shot straight into battle.
(had to put this here for effect, fits the scene PERFECTLY)
Youtube Video
Nyx had entered complete pandemonium. Changeling squads were engaging the air guard and some squads were retreating in order to draw a few groups away from the main swarm. Changelings were using impact spells on buildings in an attempt to destroy them.
"This is crazy!" Said Nyx as she blasted a nearby squad of changelings.
"I know! We finally get to show those bastards what we can really do!"
"Stormcloud? Where are you?"
"Oh I'm still in the basement, I'm just using the communicator on the energy shield. It tunes our brain waves so that we can communicate on a mental level!"
"English please!"
"It's basically telepathy."
"Cool," She said as a group of changelings was cut down by two pegasai. "Orion! Scootaloo! Thanks for coming to the party!"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Said Orion as he used the hoof gauntlets to blast a few changelings on the ground. "But killing a bunch of grunts will get us nowhere! we need to find the commander of this swarm and take him down!"
"That'll be harder than you think!" Shouted an all to familiar voice right behind the trio.
They turned around to see two pegasai in black armor staring them down. The one on the right had cyan-colored fur and a rainbow mane. the other was cream furred and pink maned. The only thing they shared was the glowing, green eyes.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" Said Nyx as she prepared to fight Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Just as they were about to begin their fight a long, black ship descended from the clouds.
"Overkill much?" Scootaloo asked.
"Silly," Giggled Fluttershy,"There's no such thing as overkill!" She said as two blades emerged from the armor on her forelegs.
"We just wanted to celebrate our return to Ponyville with a festive little bloodbath." Said Rainbow Dash as she unsheathed he sword.
"Orion, Scootaloo, listen up!"
"Yeah?" Said Orion as he activated his gem-sword.(1)
"You two need to distract them so I can get above that ship."
"Why?"
"You'll see."
"Alright," Said Scootaloo as they charged the duo, "But you owe us!"
Nyx began to climb high into the sky, far above the ship in mere seconds. She then got into a position to where she became a large shadow over the vessel. Her mane and tail disappeared, replaced by starry masses of magic. She then cast a spell on her throat before focusing all of her available magic into her horn.
This is gonna be fun.
CHANGELINGS OF THE REAPER! YOU HAVE KILLED YOUR LAST INNOCENT!
She felt the last bit of magic feed into her horn, it was ready.
FEEL THE POWER OF NIGHTMARE MOON! ECLIPSE CANNON!
A large, black beam erupted from her horn, skewering The Reaper and causing several explosions to go off inside the ship. when the beam dissipated, the ship fell onto a meadow in Sweet Apple Acres.
(Stop music here)
Nyx was exhausted, using almost all of her magic to create that laser. Her mane and tail returned to their usual states, and she slowly descended towards Ponyville.
"Orion, Scootaloo, give me a sit-rep."
"Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy have been knocked out, and are resting in the infirmary." Replied Orion as the Changeling swarm fled thee town.
"NYX, GET TO GOLDEN OAKS LIBRARY! NOW!" Shouted Cadence over the com-channel.
Nyx picked up speed, that library was invaluable. She couldn't let anything happen to it. She would kill any Changeling that made it's way inside. But when she met up with Cadence in front of the library, her heart stopped.
Standing over the beaten, bloodied body of Sunset Shimmer was Twilight Sparkle.
"Well hello Cadence, Nyx." She said as she removed her purple gem-blade from Sunset's leg. "I've been looking all over for you."
Chapter 9: Duel of the Alicorns
"What do you mean by 'looking everywhere for us'"? Said Cadence as she readied her pink gem-blade in case the dark alicorn decided to attack.
"I mean that my mistress has a very keen interest in the two of you. And she gave me the job of bringing you both before her." Said Twilight as she picked up Sunset Shimmer with her magic. "And this piece of garbage got in my way." She said as she threw Sunset over to them. She landed with a loud thud as the two alicorns ran over to her body.
"She alive, but we need to get her medical help now. SERGEANT!" Cadence said as a unicorn soldier quickly ran over to her. "Get her to the infirmary. We'll deal with Princess Sparkle."
"Yes Princess!" He said as he picked up Sunset and made a rush to the infirmary.
They watched him until they heard a sharp whistle from behind them. They turned to see Twilight impatiently twirling her purple gem-blade around with her magic.
"Are you two ready to fight?"
"Of course." Said Nyx as they slowly approached Twilight.
"We can take her, we just need to form a plan." Said Cadence as the distance between them and the dark alicorn slowly closed. "I'll take her front while you take the left.."
"We take her NOW!" Said Nyx as she charged Twilight, only to be met with a wave of magic tossing her to the side. Before she could recover an arc of lightning connected with Nyx, burning her fur and heavily injuring the young alicorn.
"Nyx!" Screamed Cadence as she ran over to her, only to have a purple wall separate them. She turned to Twilight who was slowly walking towards her.
"Your fight is now, not later, not after you check on her, now." She menacingly said as she picked up Sunset's yellow gem-blade with her magic. "She exhausted most of her magic when she took down that assault ship. She is in no shape to fight." She said as she fired lightning at Cadence, only for her to block it with her gem-blade.
"That spell is dark magic, where in Equestria did you learn something like that?"
"In order to be a master on a subject one must study all of it's aspects. And it helps when your mistress is an expert on that particular aspect."
"So old Chryssi is giving you lessons on dark magic? Interesting."
"Enough talk! Let's see how you fare against me! Two swords vs. one!" Said Twilight as she charged Cadence, who blocked her multiple strikes with ease. It seemed to be going well until they got into a blade clash, Twilight's two blades pressing down Cadence's single blade. Twilight pushed Cadence back and then blasted her into the side of a tree.
"So this is the power of the leaders of the rebellion? Pathetic." She said as she lunged at Cadence. Her pink blade blocking the swords directly in front of her eyes.
"I can sense your still in there Twilight!" She said as she struggled to keep the blades back. "Chrysalis thinks she's turned you, but I know your still in there! Please, break free!" She said as the Twilight's blades pushed Cadences blade into her eyes. She let out a loud scream as she fell to the ground, her hooves covering her eyes. Twilight put an anti-magic collar on Cadence and turned to Nyx, the young alicorn was getting up and had an expression of pure hatred in her eyes.
Good, she's begun, said a voice in Twilight's head. Bring the Princess of love and the other captive here, she will follow.
"Yes mistress," She whispered as she shot a small bolt of lightning at Nyx, who fell back to the ground. "Well this was fun." Said Twilight as she grabbed Cadence with her magic. "Come to Canterlot anytime for a visit sweetie!" She said as she flew off with her new hostage.
Nyx tried to fly, but she was quickly overcome by a wave of darkness as she slipped into unconsciousness.
Chapter 10: The Trial of Nightmare
Nyx opened her eyes to a starry expanse.
Isn't this the place where Twilight was made into an alicorn? She thought as she got up and looked around. There was no one there until she heard an unfamiliar voice next to her.
"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise."
She turned to see a jet-black unicorn stallion wearing royal battle armor. She would've thought this to be a simple construct made by Twilight to screw with her head, but the one thing that identified him was his horn. Instead of being black like his fur, it was blood red.
"Who are you?" She asked as the stallion's eyes examined her.
"Your mother never told you about me, did she?"
"I'll ask again, who are you?" She said as she pulled out her gem blade.
"To some I am a god. To others I am a demon. But you may call me Sombra, former king of the Crystal Empire." He said as the starry dimension gave way to a large room with a single door on one side. A table and two chairs rose in the center of the room. The table had an orb resting on top of it. "Take a seat, young one. I wish to tell you a story."
Orion was sitting next to Nyx as she lay in a hospital bed. She was brought there after several soldiers witnessed her defeat at the hooves of Twilight Sparkle. Her defeat and the capture of Princess Cadence was just one of the troubles that the resistance was facing. Reports filed after the attack counted at least half of the resistance's soldiers either dead or wounded. Several buildings had sustained heavy damage, including the factories for gem blade's and gauntlets.
He shuddered as he thought of what would happen when Nyx wakes up. He was part of the Shadowbolts during their last mission. He knew what would happen if Nyx lost control of her emotions.
"This orb contains a story called The Trial of Nightmare. It is not the best of stories, but it is a story nonetheless." Said Sombra as he and Nyx sat down at the table. He tapped on the orb with a hoof and it immediately sparked to life, playing clips of a young alicorn playing with other foals.
"This is the story of an alicorn who will always be faced with challenges." He said as the orb played more scenes of happy times. "The alicorn never remembered most of her childhood, and she grew old to have a heart full of hatred. She overthrew the royal sisters and ruled Equestria for several weeks until she realized that all that hate was not hers, so she returned leadership off Equestria to the sisters. They punished her by reverting her to the age of a filly. She was content with her life for years thanks to her loving mother and her friends."
Nyx's legs were shaking in fear, if he knew all of this, then he probably knew about that event. She wanted to stop him, but simply couldn't find the strength to do so.
"Years later she refused royal status and joined the military. She went through the brutal training and the horrors of her deployment to the war-torn nation of Savannah. She met a nice stallion and married him after her third deployment. She became a legend among the military. Her squad, known as the Shadowbolts, had the least amount of casualties, no failed missions, and over one-hundred confirmed kills in a single deployment. A few years after she was married she had a foal, and her husband was sent on a special mission for the military."
Her heart was racing, the one moment she never wanted to relive was about to be played on a memory orb in front of her.
"The husband did not come home. He went missing in Zebrica and the alicorn went in with her squad to find him. They found him, but he was on deaths doorstep. A village of terrorists and their families had captured and tortured him. I'll let you watch this part as a movie." He said as noise began to come out of the orb.
Nyx was sobbing uncontrollably as she held the body of her dead husband in her hooves.
They killed him,
"Commander? We need to go." Said a Shadowbolt who was standing over her.
They must pay.
"Commander, they have soldiers surrounding the hut!"
We will make them pay....
"Yes. We. Will." Said Nyx in a voice that sounded like two ponies talking at once as she lowered her husbands body to the ground, her mane and tail turning into starry masses, and her eyes becoming pure white.
She stepped out of the hut as her team looked at each other with terrified expressions on their faces. They had never seen her act this way. And they could only guess what was happening as the screams of mares, stallions and foals echoed throughout the night.
"She gave into the darkness for fifteen minutes. When she stopped, she could not remember what she was doing, but the dead foals at her feet gave her a pretty good clue. She then ran, her squad willingly taking the blame for the massacre. She ran home, acted like it never happened, and suppressed her dark emotions for as long as she could. But there is one thing that she never learned. No matter how hard you try, no matter how kind and selfless you are, there will always be darkness in your heart." He finished as the light within the orb blinked out.
"How do you know all of that?" Said Nyx, her voice shaking.
"I have been watching you for a long time. You show great potential in being one of Equestria's greatest heroes, but you ignore your fatal flaw."
"And what would that be?" She questioned.
"You do not embrace your heritage."
"What?" She said. "That doesn't make any sense!"
"You are seeing this from the wrong perspective. You see yourself as some kind of white knight of Equestria, while others see you as Nightmare Moon. If you embrace Nightmare Moon, you will become far more powerful than you already are."
"That still makes no sense! Luna drained me of Nightmare Moons powers years ago! Nightmare Moon shouldn't exist anymore!"
"Then why did you wipe out that Zebrican village?" He said as his hooves slammed on the table. "Did you wake up that morning and say 'I'm going to kill a village full of innocent mares, stallions, and foals today!' Or did a darker force take control?"
"I...I don't know...." She said as she wondered what made her kill those zebras. Was it really premeditated? Or was a darker force controlling her?
"Nightmare Moon is clever," Continued Sombra. "Your mother and her friends thought they defeated her, but she came back three years later and nearly succeeded. Then you thought that you defeated her."
"What do you mean 'thought'? I did defeat her! I blasted my dark side to Tartarus!"
"THEN WHAT IS THAT!?" He shouted as he pointed a hoof to his left. She looked over to see a black mass twice her size resting on the edge of the room.
"It....it can't be...." She whispered as they approached it.
"Behold, your inner darkness."
"Why is this here?" She asked, nervous that she was standing so close to the dark entity.
"This is not the darkness of Nightmare Moon, but your own feelings of hate and contempt for others. This is something that even the purest of souls contains." He explained as Nyx took a few steps back. "There is another reason that you here."
"What would that reason be?"
"Are you aware of transformation?" He said as they returned to the table.
"You mean the magic of changing a thing into something else, yes I am."
"What about alicorn transformation?"
"Huh?" She replied, giving Sombra a confused look.
"You see, alicorns have a transformation that they can undergo for combat purposes. Luna's was Nightmare Moon before you were separated from her." He explained as the orb showed scenes of Celestia and Luna transforming to combat Sombra. "The transformation makes you faster, stronger, and smarter. But it relies heavily on dark magic and a pony's inner darkness for it to work. If used enough, it can corrupt the user, making them a soldier of darkness."
"How would one use such a spell?" She asked, intrigued at what she was hearing. If she could transform, she would stand a better chance of defeating Chrysalis and freeing Twilight.
"Cast a transformation spell fueled by dark magic on yourself. But remember, it can corrupt the user if it is used too long. So you should use it sparingly."
"Thank you Sombra. Before I go, I have to ask you a question."
"And what would that be?"
"Why did you help me?" She said as they walked towards the door of the room.
"I won't ever get a second chance, but you have been given a second chance. I don't want you to waste this chance."
"Alright then. Good bye Sombra." She said as she walked through the door and back into consciousness. As she woke up the voice of Nightmare Moon rang through her head.
You will never escape me.....
Chapter 11: The Final Mission Part 1
Orion had been resting his eyes when he heard Nyx groan as she woke up. He thought he heard her mumble something about never escaping something, but brushed it off as post-sleep ramblings.
"Nyx, your awake!" He said as she pulled the electrodes from her body and got out of bed. "You should stay in bed, Twilight just beat the tar out of you."
"She did, but alicorns can take a lot more damage that a regular pony. I wasn't even at my full strength then." She replied as she stretched her legs and wings.
"What do you mean?"
"I was magically exhausted." She said as Orion opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped when Nyx continued speaking. "You may argue that when my mother fought Tirek that she used a lot more magic that what I used to fight. You may remember that she absorbed the power of all the other alicorn magic in Equestria, including mine. Using an eclipse cannon of that magnitude takes about ninety percent of my magic, and flight requires little to no magic at all. But sense magic exhaustion sometimes has an intoxication-like side effect, I ended up charging Twilight and cost me and Cadence the fight." Nyx finished her stretches and walked towards a window to stare at the mountain city-turned-fortress, Canterlot.
"You are aware that Cadence has been captured, right?" Asked Orion, Nyx nodded before resting her chin on her hoof, with an expression that screamed 'I'm thinking.'
"And what about casualty numbers?"
Orion pulled out a report and began to read. "Thirty-six dead, forty-seven wounded, and two missing, one of the missing being Cadence while the other...." He stopped as Nyx turned to him.
"Don't tell me," She began, her voice trembling. "They took her, didn't they?"
Orion swallowed hard and readied himself to subdue Nyx if it happened again. "Yes, they did. They kidnapped your daughter, Dawn."
Nyx closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened her eyes and walked towards Orion. As she walked past him she said one sentence to him.
"Call them in"
Nyx had been sitting at Cadence's desk in the town hall for forty-five minutes when a group of ponies she had longed to see walked through the door.
Rarity, who was the 'President' for a few months took a seat next to Orion. Who, along with the three other stallions in the room, took a trip through the town armory, outfitting themselves with the best tech that the resistance had. Each one of them had pitch-black assault armor covering their bodies.
This trio of stallions were known throughout the town as the 'Task Force'. They gained this reputation by joining the local law enforcement and quickly became the go-to group when it came to bank heists, hostage situations, and anything else that couldn't be stopped by the threat of Celestia. They were each a different race, so that they could tackle any job that came up.
The leader of the group, Slipshot, was a tan unicorn with a dark-brown mane and a red cross-hair cutie mark. He was known for being an avid smoker, with a large cigar usually hanging out of his mouth.
Whiteout, the earth pony of the group, had a snow white coat and black, mohawk-styled mane. His cutie mark was a sword resting on top of a blue shield.
The last member of the group, Specter Mist, was a white pegasus with a grey mane. His cutie mark was a knife shrouded in mist.
Nyx was dressed in something that she thought she would never wear again. She was wearing custom Nightmare Moon armor. Her facial expression was unreadable.
"I assume you all know why you are here." The group nodded as she continued, "Then you'll know that you may not come back from this. I want all of you to be sure that you truly want to go on this mission." She said as the look Rarity's face went from curious to a look of dread.
"Nyx, are you going to do what I think your going to do?" She asked, her voice wavering as she connected the dots.
"Yeah," Nyx replied, walking towards the door with her squad following her. "I'm taking whats left of the ShadowBolts to Canterlot, and I'm going to give Chrysalis what she wants."
"What do you mean?"
"Chrysalis has killed Shining Armour, brainwashed my mother, and kidnapped my daughter and my friend. She clearly wants Nightmare Moon to return so that she can try to control me."
Rarity felt a strong sense of dread at Nyx's next sentence.
"I'm going to let Chrysalis know Nightmare Moon's opinion of a Changeling-ruled Equestria where she is nothing but a puppet. And it is going to be a very bloody opinion.
There were many sky chariots just laying around Ponyville after the battle. The Changelings liked to use the pegasai pulling the chariots as living shields to deter attackers.
So when a sky chariot pulled by an armored pegasus arrived at Canterlot in the middle of the night, most guard changelings thought of it as some secret scouting party.
What wasn't expected though was when the chariot started glowing a dark blue. The glow intensified until a large, blue, pony-sized orb of magic leaped from the chariot and sped towards the ground at a very fast pace. It hit the ground with a thunderous boom, awakening most of the Changelings taking up residence in Canterlot.
A small group of Changelings had gathered around the crater the orb had made. The crater was still filled with a cloud of dirt and dust. But when a large silhouette of an alicorn appeared, many of the observers began to run for their lives.
The dust settled around a pitch-black alicorn with dark blue armor covering most of her body, her gem-sword ignited and floating next to her head.
Nightmare Moon had only one thing to say:
"It's good to be back......"
A group of fillies and colts accompanied by an older mare were sitting around a low burning fire in the civilian quarter of the resistance camp.
The children were drawing on sheets of paper while the mare waited patiently for them to finish.
"Alright, what did you draw Silver Star?" The mare asked as the last colt finished.
"It's a picture of when all this began," the colt began, "you see, I was in school when they came. We were at recess when we saw all these black specks in the sky, then Miss Cheerilee told us to go inside. But then a green beam hit her in the back. After that more beams came down from the sky as they landed. Buckeye and I were able to get away, but we haven't seen any of our classmates or miss Cheerilee since that happened." Silver Star said as he held up a picture of changelings shooting at the helpless schoolponies.
"And Buckeye," The mare asked the next colt, "what did you draw?"
"It's what I heard happened to the military," he said,"I heard from some of the fighters that the changelings attacked all the bases at the same time, killing all the soldiers." He finished as he held up a picture of a military base being attacked by changelings.
The next few pictures depicted more images of destruction and chaos. One drawing depicted the changeling brutes, a larger, tougher species of changeling. Another drawing depicted the Harness, the spider-like device that is placed on the back of a ponies head, allowing the changelings to control their minds.
The last and youngest filly, Dawn, drew a picture of a black alicorn with a violet mane and a shield cutie mark helping a blue pegasus with a black mane fight off a group of changelings.
"It's my mother and her boyfriend fighting the changelings." Dawn said, "They wanted to fight in the war because the changelings captured my grandma and some of her friends. They were safe this morning, but I don't know if they're safe now."
"And why's that?" the mare asked.
"Because they're out fighting right now."
