Ruined Canterlot

~1 hour before the attack~

The CMC were all on their way to the Canterlot Stadium where the were going to watch the flying shows. Scootaloo was mostly excited because Rainbow Dash was going to be in the show as a guest of honor. Apple Bloom didn’t care much for the show, she would rather look at the other parts of the city, and Sweetie Belle was lost in thought, thinking about her studies with Twilight.

“Woah, this is sooo coool!” Exclaimed an excited Scootaloo. “I can’t wait to see the flying shows, and maybe we’ll be able to talk to Rainbow Dash too!”

“Scootaloo calm down, we’re almost to the stadium.” Apple Bloom wasn’t too excited about the shows, but she knew that Scootaloo would enjoy them.

“Hey guys, what’s that?” Sweetie Belle asked as she saw a dark figure in a nearby alleyway.

“What’s what?” Apple Bloom answered.

“That.. Nothing.” It was apparent that they did not see it, so she gave up.

“We’re here, we’re here!” Scootaloo screamed out in joy.

The three arrived at the stadium, and were directed to their seats. The lights soon died down, and the Wonderbolts flew in from all directions. Colored lights of green, blue, yellow, orange, and red spotlighted them. They flew around doing their tricks, flipping and rolling. They came to a stop and made a circle when Rainbow Dash flew in with her first trick which she called “Phase One.” After her second trick “Phase Two” she flew up higher than the highest cloud. She flew down faster than the speed of sound, causing a Sonic Rainboom. The audience sat in awe for a moment before cheering out like there was no tomorrow.

But there may not be, not for them.

Changelings flew in from the sides and top of the stadium, letting of their war cries. They swooped in, more every second. The amount of changelings in the stadium tripled the amount of ponies in the stands. Attacking anything in sight, they ravaged almost everypony in a matter of minutes.

“What’s going on!? RAINBOW DASH!? HELP!!” Scootaloo cried out.

Applebloom stuck her muzzle, attempting to shut her up. “Be quiet, we don’ wanna call ‘tention to ourselves!”

Sweetie Belle looked at her fellow crusaders, seeing the look of fear in their eyes. “C’mon girls, we need to get out of here.”

Scootaloo refused to budge. “Not without Rainbow Dash.”

Sweetie Belle was furious at Scootaloo. “PONIES ARE DYING LEFT AND RIGHT AND YOU WANT TO WAIT FOR RAINBOW DASH!?”

Scootaloo whimpered. “I’m.. I’m sorry… We should go… Sorry...”

The trio began to make a break for the exit when a changeling swooped down in front of them. It was soon followed by a cyan pegasus with her hoof out.

The changeling was struck with the almost 50 mph strike given by Rainbow Dash and fell to the floor, jaw almost ripped off. She then turned to the three fillies huddled together.

“You guys okay? I saw you in the stands and I was worried if one of the monsters got to you.”

“You mean changelings?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“How did you-”

“There was a book in the library over mythical creatures, I thought the things looked familiar.”

Before Rainbow could respond, another changeling swooped down. She grabbed it in mid flight and threw it on the ground, which caused it to writhe in pain. Rainbow bit its wings, and stomped on its horn. The changeling blacked out from all the pain, and Dash stood in triumph.

“Good job, he was a better warrior than most of my soldiers. Though I am the best.” A deep smooth voice called out to Rainbow Dash.

“Who the hell are you!?” She called back.

“I am General Puff, faithful servant to the queen. I am the strongest and most intelligent changeling under Chrysalis’ rule.”

“Ha, and what makes you think you can beat me? The best flier in all of Equestria?”

“I will simply break you first, then kill you. And the fillies behind you.”

Rainbow Dash responded to that with a gasp and a growl. Puff was not your average changeling, he wore a red suit with a black lining. He wore a helmet made of silver with red splotches, likely dried blood. And instead of the blue color, his eyes were a deep metallic yellow.

Puff dashed towards Dash, and grabbed her by her wings, twisting them by the bones.

“AGH!!” Rainbow Dash cried out in pain. She collapsed from the pain, as the wings are one of the most sensitive parts on a pegasus’ body.

“Scream, scream and bow!” Puff cried out in victory, as he quickly overpowered the mare.

“DASH!” Scootaloo cried, trying to get to her adopted sister. To her dismay, the other crusaders wouldn’t let her get near Dash. “LET ME GO! I NEED TO HELP DASH!” Scootaloo lashed out with a quick jab to Apple Blooms nose, causing her to lose her grip. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Scootaloo ran as fast as she could towards Rainbow Dash, only to be stopped by General Puff.

“Oh, are you here to save your friend?

Scootaloo looked up, and made the mistake of looking in Puff’s eyes. “Y-ye-yes!” Scootaloo shouted.

“Oh really? Do tell, how are you going to do this?”

“With my friends!” Scootaloo looked back at her friends, who in return tried to hide behind the seats.

“It seems to me that they’re not going to help. Just like your wings. Let me get those for you.”

Puff reached down and grabbed her right wing and pulled up. *RIIIIIIP* Scootaloo’s wing was torn straight out of its socket.

“SCOOTALOO!” Rainbow Dash and the other crusaders called out.

Scootaloo stood there in shock and disbelief, knowing that she was going to die this day. Die in front of her friends and her adopted sister. She began to cry, not that she was going to die, or the pain surging her body. She cried not because she would never fly in her life, or that Equestria was going to fall. She cried for life, and happiness. She cried for the ones around her. And when the first tear left her eye… A dark hoof swung towards her, knocking her down. The changeling general grabbed her left wing, and tore it off. Blood began to seep from the empty socket when Scootaloo gave her final breath.

“SCOOTS! I’LL KILL YOU! I SWEAR ON MY LIFE, I WILL KILL YOU!” Rainbow Dash was furious, she felt the rush of adrenaline through her body, and charged the changeling. Puff however, saw this coming and sidestepped her, tripping her in the process. As Dash fell, Puff brought his hooves on her neck.

“R-Rainbow Dash?” Apple Bloom whimpered.

“Oh little fillies, it seems your friends are gone, where are you hiding… Come out and play.” Puff was speaking in a rather sing-songy voice, though still threatening.

Oh little fillies

Come out and play

For we’ve fun to had

We’ve things to say

Jokes on me

And jokes on you

We will play

So very soon

Come to me

and you will see

Your filly friend

and Dashing fool

The things we’ll see

The things we’ll do

The things I will do to you

Rip your wings

Smash your bones

Fun like this

Never gets old

Oh my fillies

Come out and play

For we’ve fun to have

We’ve things to say

Close your eyes

Walk the way

Follow me

To death and pain

Puff’s voice was captivating, and Apple Bloom started to rise.

“Apple Bloom!” Sweetie whispered harshly at her friend, but despite her protests Apple Bloom continued to walk towards the singing general.

When General Puff saw her walking towards him, he smiled. His teeth seemed sharp as wicked knives, and there was a small orange feather lodged in his teeth.

“Welcome little filly, welcome to hell.”

He sunk his razor teeth into Apple Blooms neck, and tore a chunk of her neck off of her. When she hit the ground, Sweetie gasped. She sat there wide-eyed at her dear friends who were no more.

“Oh where, oh where is that final filly?”

Puff began walking through the seats, edging closer and closer to where Sweetie Belle was hiding.

“Oh little pony, where are you hiding. I just want to play.”

Puff was just a meter away.

“Want to play hide and seek is it? I love that game, I always win.”

3 steps, 2 steps, and a single step away. Puff seemed to tower over Sweetie Belle, and as he looked down, his eyes looked fiery red. He smiled,

“Hello there little pony. I believe it’s my turn to pick the game.”

Sweetie looked up.

Puff suddenly stopped advancing, staring at her horn.

“You are a unicorn. Come with me.”

Sweetie stood still.

“I said, COME WITH ME!” Puff’s voice boomed like a rocket, causing Sweetie to jump.

She stepped towards the general, and then stopped.

“I did not wish to do this. Hold still or this will hurt more than it needs too.”

Puff flew above her, wrapping his hooves around the young unicorn. His skin was rough, causing Sweetie to wince, and she couldn’t find a comfortable position no matter how hard she tried.

The two flew above Canterlot, giving Sweetie a view of the city below. Or, what was left of it anyway.

There were changelings running through the streets, attacking anypony they saw. She saw ponies trying to fight back. Though no matter what they did, more and more kept coming, attacking like ants.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Puff broke the silence.

It was then Sweetie finally spoke to him. “It… It’s so terrifying.. Please tell me Puff, why are you doing this?”

“Why because we can of course.”

Sweetie fell silent.

“Is anything troubling you my little pony?”

“Why did you not kill me? Do you want me to suffer? Is that why!? Do you want to keep me as a slave for your disgusting queen!?”

“Is it not obvious? I killed the others because they did not possess abilities like you. You are a unicorn, and you seem to have quite the potential. I am bringing you to the queen so we can expel your magic on a powerful spell even Princess Celestia herself could accomplish.”

“But-”

“You are not the only unicorn we’ve gathered. There are already plenty of unicorns, including a magical mare by the name of Twilight Sparkle. She was quite the trouble getting her to cooperate, but she came along just nicely when persuaded otherwise.”

“You.. You’re evil.”

“What is your name filly?”

“My name?”

“Yes, your name.”

“I.. I am Sweetie Belle, Cutie Mark Crusader co-captain.”

“Now listen here Sweetie Belle, I am not evil. I am outcast by my own kind, and my kind is an outcast to all of Equestria. We are considered monsters, degraded like a common timberwolf. Not even the most kind hearted soul would accept us. Do you understand?”

“Fighting won’t help..”

“Do you think we’ve not tried other methods? Every diplomat we’ve sent to try to reason with Celestia, has been struck down on sight. Not a single soul accepts us, and I believe we should show them how accepting we can be.”

“I… I didn’t know..”

“Of course you didn’t. No-one does.”

“I’m sorry..”

Puff was struck with a wave of confusion. “You’re.. Sorry?”

“Yes, I’m sorry that you have to live as an outcast… I feel that way sometimes too… Back at home, Ponyville, these girls in my class treat me and my…” Sweetie stopped, recalling what had happened. “When I do this spell, what will happen?”

“I don’t know. I was simply told to gather able unicorns.”

When the two arrived at their destination, Puff released Sweetie. The sides of her skin now red from the changeling’s skin.

“Here we are, Canterlot Castle.”