From the Ashes

Alex was sitting against a wall in his concrete cell. The room was cramped and void of anything but a sleeping bag. His eyes were locked intently onto the dark cell doors that were no more than three feet from him.

'They think that can hold me?' He thought to himself. He had been contemplating an escape attempt for over an hour. Every fibre of his body urged him to breakout but then, where would that get him? He would only be arrested again a few moments later.

'Coming to think of it, why am I in this cell? I saved the base did I not?' Alex thought. Upon waking up he had been told everything that had happened. How the Queen was in custody and the King was nothing more than a pool of blood.

A smile tugged at his lips at the thought of the King being killed, and by his own hands none the less.

The quietness of the cell was shattered  when the sound of arguing came from outside. Alex groaned as the voices continued to rise.

*Bang*

The sound of a gun took Alex by surprise. He jumped to his feet and readied for what was at the door. The door was unlocked and his confusion only rose.

Patt was standing in the doorway. A bloody knife in one hand and a pistol in the other. “Patt... what are you doing...”

“We don't have time for questions.” He commanded. “The base has been compromised. All personnel are presumed hostile.” Patt said.

“In what way is the base compromised?” Alex asked as he moved to the door.

“Infiltrators able to take anyone’s appearance.” Patt said taking a step back allowing Alex to leave the cell.

Only once he was outside was Alex able to see what had happened. Two dead guards lay on the floor. One of them was lying in a large pool of blood and had a large gash in the side of his throat. The second was hunched up against a wall with a hole in his head.

“Infiltrators?” Alex asked.

“Yes.” Patt deadened.

Alex raised an eyebrow. “How did you know?”

“Their eyes glowed when I was speaking to them.” Patt said

“OK.” Alex said before he and Patt made their way to the brig's exit. “Would you mind telling me what I missed?” Alex asked.

“I'll tell you on the way.”

Patt had been following the marine that had spoken to him for several minutes now and he felt like they were going in circles. The marine had taken him down to the lower bowls of the complex and Patt's unease was growing by the minute. Every time Patt asked him what it was he was being taken to see the marine would say that he would need to see it himself.

Patt had already removed the safety from his pistol and had his had restring on it's grip, he wasn't going to take any chances.  Something felt off about the marine. He seemed to move as almost he was skipping, a slight buzz to his step. There was also the fact that Patt was sure he recognized him from somewhere.

The corridor that they were walking down was getting duller by the second as the lights spaced out. In the distance Patt could make out a small door resting at the end of the hallway. He hoped to see someone else down in corridors, but It was only him and the marine.

“What's your name?” Patt asked cautiously.

“Stevenson, sir.” The marine said, his eyes never leaving the door in front of him.

“That’s strange.” Patt said as he came to a halt and pulled his pistol. “The only Stevenson on this base died during the initial assault.” Patt said before pulling back the hammer on his pistol.

The marine stopped dead in his tracks only meters away from the door. He turned back with a confused look on his face. “Sir, you must be mistaken.”

“Oh, I'm not mistaken. Do you know why that is.” Patt asked, he raised his gun and took aim at the marine. “Because I watched him die.” He squeezed the trigger, the bullet impacted the man's shoulder and green liquid covered the walls.

The marine let out a shriek, he trembled in pain as he noticed the large chunk missing from his shoulder.

“What are you?” Patt asked in shock.

The marine smiled. Two black fangs emerged from his mouth and his green eyes turned a light blue. “My queen will feast upon you.” He spat.

*BANG*

The marine's head exploded in a shower of green and black meaty bits. Patt recoiled as a large piece of brain landed on his boot. Dark grey smoke began to rise from the marines body and the skin fizzled away.

The marine's body melted away until there was only a large headless pony. Unlike other kinds of ponies Patt had seen this one had a black, almost chitin like skin, a pair of bug like wings and it's body was peppered with small holes. Mostly around it's hooves.

Patt examined every aspect of the strange, bug like creature he could. Then it hit him like a brick wall. He turned to the door at the end of the hallway and sprinted for it. He listened intently and once he was sure there was nothing moving on the other side he turned the handle and went it.

He froze instantly. The door lead into a massive room and it was filled with pods. Hundreds of them. The pods glowed with a sickly green colour and they lined every spot of free space. Even the roof was covered in them.

He approached the closest pod and looked at the person inside. A solider wearing a prison uniform was inside and he seemed to be out cold. Patt ran over to the next pod and his breath caught in his throat. Inside the pod was general McClain. He was missing his left eye and part of his left leg.

Bzzzzzzzz

Patt drew his attention from the mutilated body of the general and scanned the room the noise. He readied his gun and waited for the ting to jump him.

BZZZZZZZZZZZ

A deafening roar of buzzing ripped through the room. Dozens of glowing blue dots appeared at the far side of the room. Everyone seemed fixated on Patt. He took a step back and the dots followed his movement.

“Oh shit.”

Patt turned violently and sprinted for the door. The buzzing intensified. “Shit shit shit shit!” He yelled before jumping through the doorway and slamming the door behind him. He jumped over the dead body outside the room and continued running down the hall.

He barreled up the stairs and slammed the security door they had come through shut. He breathed heavily as he tried to catch his breath. “The general!” He blurted.

'If that was the general, who was in the control room?' Patt though before jumping to his feet. “Alex, I need to find Alex.”

“And now I'm here.” Patt finished as he looked around a corner. Once he was sure it was clear he continued on.

“Was the general definitely dead?” Alex asked.

“Yes, well I hope so seeing his injuries.”

Alex stopped dead in his tracks. “You said the creatures bleed green, yes?”

“From what I saw, yes.” Patt said as he continued down the corridor, not knowing that Alex had stopped.

“Then why didn't the guards bleed green?” Alex asked calmly.

Patt stopped suddenly. He kept his back at Alex for a moment before turning.

“Yes they did.” He said in the worst attempt at a lie Alex had ever seen.

Alex narrowed his eyes. “Cut your hand.” Alex said.

“What?”

“I said cut your hand!”

“This is a waste of time!” Patt shouted.

Alex took a step forward. “I will not ask you again. Cut your hand!” Alex roared.

Patt looked terrified. “This is obsur-” He didn't get to finish. Alex ran forward, he sent his fist into Patt's cheek and he was sent flying into the wall. A wet crunching sounds were itemized from Patt's body as he was lifted into the air. Green ooze was leaking from his nose and he was missing his two front teeth.

“TELL ME WHERE PATT IS!” Alex roared. Patt was engulfed in a purple flames leaving a large black creature to float aimlessly.

*crunch*

The creatures front left hoof exploded in a shower of green goo. It gave of a screech of pain and Alex could see tears beginning to form. “Where is Patt!”

“With the queen.” The bug cried. “The control room.”

*crunch*

Patt's day had some how got even worse. First he gets captured by some black, bug, pony things and second, one of them has taken on his appearance and headed to fetch Alex.

Patt looked to the right and saw the general and six of his senior staff in the same position as him. His arms were tied behind his back and a cloth rag was placed into his mouth.

Patt didn't fare much better. His arms and legs were tied and a piece of cloth had been stuffed into his mouth. His thing was red with blood when one of the creatures had hit him with a spell, and there was a dull thumping in his head when the marine that met him outside had hit him. The only thing he was sure of was that these creatures were diffinetly not the ponies he was used to fighting.

The creatures in the control room, seven in total, were speaking to each other in a strange language had never heard before, it mostly consisted of clicking and mild shrieks.

Patt watched in horror as another guard from the complex was pulled through the door by two men. One of the creatures broke away from the main group and stalked over. He watched the terrified looking man for a few moments before suddenly bursting into purple flames.

The struggling man tried to back away but was held still by the two men. The flames disappeared and a copy of the trembling guard smiled down at him. The imposter said something to the men and they nodded. Without a moments notice one of the men pulled a knife from his belt and slit the guards throat.

The Guard fell to the ground, drowning in his own blood. His eyes locked with Patt's for a second. Patt tried to look away but was entranced by the guards expression a mixture of fear and pain on his face before his eyes slowly closed.

“Ahahahah, fear... it tastes wonderful.” A high pitched female voice said. “Almost as nice as love.”  Patt turned to the voice and watched in awe. The creature before him was as large as the pony king and queen were but had the same appearance as the creatures in the room. A large jagged horn protruded from her head. She had a mane of light blue that looked rather like seaweed and her eyes were a ghostly green.

The smaller creatures and the human imposters bowed as she walked into the room. “Rise my subjects.” She spoke in English. “We must prepare.” A chorus of screeches filled the room as the Bugs fluttered into the air, held aloft by their small wings that looked incapable of holding any kind of weight.

She smiled before turning her attention to the tied up humans. “So.” She began. “ Which one of you is in charge.” She said before removing the gags from their mouth’s.

General McClain spoke first. “I am and I demand that y-” He didn't get to fish as a beam of green light smashed into his chest. He was through the air and collided with the far wall. Patt and the other men called out to the general but he lay motionless in a heap at the end of the room. His clothes were smouldering and black smoke arouse from the wound on his chest.

“Who is second in charge?” She asked giddily. The men stayed silent, only offering her looks of hate. Her horn glowed green and she zapped another man who Patt had known as Sargent Matthews.  He fell to the floor with a large burning hole in his chest that one could see right through .

“No one?” She asked with a wicked smile as her horn glowed again. She aimed it at Patt.

The ground shook as a deafening roar ripped through the base. The queens face fell. Her look of wickedness was washed away as fear took over.

“What was that.” She cried. A horrible shriek of pain filled the air and her eyes went even wider. She began shouting orders in the bugs own language and they buzzed out of the room and down the corridors.

Her head was shaking franticly as she mumbled. Patt could only just make them out. “No no no no no, to soon, far to soon.” Another roar filled the air and the room trembled.

“Which one of you is named Patt!” She yelled. “Answer me!”

The men said nothing. Her horn glowed again and she aimed it at Sargent. He closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable. Patt couldn’t bare the sight of it. “I am.” He yelled.

She turned her head to Patt and smiled. Her horn discharged and the man screamed as a hole was burned through his chest. Patt was speechless. “I'll fucking kill you!” One of the men roared only to get stuck by another green beam

“The look on your face says it all” The bug said as she shot the three remaining survivors leaving only Patt. He watched in horror as skin and bone melted from the heat of the beam.

Patt suddenly felt weightlessness as he was levitated from the ground. Rage ripped through him as his mind finally came to terms with what had happened. “I'll kill you.” He growled before being levitated in front of her.

The sound of screaming was heard down the corridor as pieces of bug flew through the air. She looked at Patt and smiled.

Alex squeezed with his hand and the bug turned into a gooey, green mess. He smiled at the green mess but his smile falterd as two more of the bugs charged him.

Alex flicked his wrists and sent a gust of air towards the bugs. They flew backwards and collided with the wall giving off a sickening crunch. He fell to one knee as a wave of nausea washed over him.

Alex gritted his teeth. “You are not controlling me!” He growled as a voice like ice laughed inside his head.

You can't hold me back forever.

More thumping came from behind and Alex tried to turn only to fall onto his side. Two soldiers were running towards him. Each in their respective combat armour and weapons.

“Sir are you OK.” One of the yelled as he knelt by his side. The dissiness Alex had felt washed away as he quickly grabbed the man by the neck. The second solider stumbled back at the sudden movement.

“Name and rank.” Alex growled, edging ever closer to the struggling marine. Alex lessened his grip and allowed the marine to speak.

“Corporal Donald 2nd battalion Fusiliers.” He croaked. The second marine was shaking, trying to snap the safety of his weapon but was failing.

Alex pulled a knife from petters belt and ran it across the back of the soldiers hand. He let out a wince of pain as red flowed. Alex let go of the corporal, he grabbed at his neck and began coughing violently

He turned to the second solider and he got the message. He pulled the knife from his belt and ran it across his hand. He winced a red blood dripped to the floor. Alex nodded, “What’s your name?” He asked the second solider

“Private Ramsay, Royal Marines.”

“The base is compromised. I need all available units to help at once.” Alex said.

The cast worrying looks at one another. Donald was the first to speak. “We are the only help you will get sir. The ponies are about to make another push and we were sent to investigate the sudden drop in communications.”

Alex listened carefully to every word he had said. 'there was no way they would already launch a counter attack. It was to soon' He thought.

“How long till the pony force reaches the base?”

“Scouts say that at their current speed they will reach the base in twenty minutes.” Donald said.

“We need to get to the control room.” Alex said.

“Yes, sir!” Both of the men shouted.

“Lets move.” Alex said before setting off down the corridor towards the two dead changeling’s. He stepped over their limp bodies and continued on. The control room was only one flight of stairs above him.

Donald and Ramsay stopped to look at the two bugs. “Sir, what exactly is it?” Ramsay asked. Alex stopped and looked back at them.

“I have no idea but we must hurry.” Alex ordered.

“Yes, sir” The two soldiers said before running after Alex.

“How many mages survived the last battle?” Alex asked as the total number of casualty’s was unknown at the time of his imprisonment.

“Only eight sir.”

“Eight...” Alex shuddered at the number. At the beginning of the battle there had been sixty mages.

Ramsay spoke up again. “Only six of them are combat ready sir. The other two are in no state to fight.”

“Who are the survivors?” Alex asked hopping that some one had known survived.

“I don't know sir. All that I know is that they are all graduates.” Donald said.

“Well fuck.” Alex sighed. “You're telling me that not one single qualified mage survived?”

“Yes, sir.” Donald said sadly. “At the moment your are the most experience magic user on this base.”

Alex was silent. 'I surely can't be the last one?' He thought. 'Someone must have survived.'

“Sir, contact!” Donald shouted. Alex dropped the train of thought for a second and looked to where The two soldiers were aiming their weapons. On the stairs that lead up to the control room, lay a man breathing heavily with a hand over his chest.

“Help me.” He wheezed before going into a coughing fit. The two soldiers rushed forward as Alex stood in the hallway. He looked at the man and noticed something worrying. There wasn't a single drop of blood on him.

“Get away from him!” Alex roared.

“Sir, he is injured and needs medical attention.” Donald shouted back as he and Ramsay knelt by his side and began to look him over.

“The enemy can be anyone.” Alex said as he checked the hallways for any sign of an attack. “Cut his han-” Alex didn't finish as a beam of green light hit him in the shoulder. The light burned a hole straight through his shoulder blade and he fell to the ground screaming.

Donald didn't even have time to register what happened before the injured man pulled a knife from under his hand and plunged it into the solider neck. Donald grabbed at his throat in a feeble attempt to stop the torrents of blood but it had no effect.

Ramsay Frozen in shock didn't have time to notice a second man run down the stairs and tackle him to the ground. The man began to send punches into Ramsay's face. The marine tried in vain to block the punches but they were coming to fast.

Alex was screaming in agony. The beam had Burt a hole straight through his left shoulder that was wide enough to put your fist through.

I can make the pain go away. Alex growled. All you have to do is let me in.

A scream of pain was heard as the man plunged a finger in Ramsay's eye. He floundered around in pain before the man did the scream to the second eye. Ramsay's screaming became louder as the sound of bones cracking could be heard.

Oh, will you look at that. Wonder how long he will last.

Ramsay let out a blood curtailing scream. *Crunch* He stopped struggling and went limp.

Not long I see.

“Get out of my head!” Alex cried.

Nope.

“What about him?” One of the men asked. “Did the queen want him?”

“Yeah, alive.” He said with a smile.

The man who had crushed Ramsay’s skull rubbed the blood onto his shirt. “You grab him.” he said.

“Aww, thanks.” he laughed. He raised the same knife he had use to kill Donald and waved it in front of Alex, inches from his face. He pressed it against his neck and cut.

Alex was powerless to stop him. He felt every millimetre of the blade slide along his throat. The pain was unbearable. He tried to speak only for it to come out as a gurgle. Tears formed at the sides of his eyes as his vision began to fade to black.

'Not like this, not like this' He screamed to himself. He was growing weaker by the moment.

Just let me out. I can fix everything.

'No, never'

Then I guess they all died for nothing, Max, Kevin, Raygan, Patt. 'Shut up!' You let them all die. 'NO!

“NOOOOO!!” Alex roared. The two men flew backwards from unseen force and landed in aheap on the stairs. “I will kill all of you!”

Alex lunged forward before the men had a chance to react. He grabbed the closest one by the head and lifted him up. He shot his head forward and dug his teeth into the man’s neck. Green goo went everywhere as Alex tore of a chunk of flesh and let him fall to the ground.

No! you are supposed to give me control! Me!

The second man tried to ran but was stopped when Alex grabbed him by the neck. He beat tirelessly at Alex's arms and began to scream. His skin shifted position and began to rupture. Green goo sprayed everywhere as the man was turned inside out.

Give me control! Do you hear me give me-

“I will no longer answer to your temptations!” Alex roared.

… you need me.

“We shall see.” Alex growled before making his way up the last flight of stairs. He turned the final corner and stopped. Five drones were waiting for him. He threw his hands forward and sent a beam of light into the two closest bugs. They immediately turned to ash.

The other three drones fire the same green beams from earlier at him. He ducked and the three beams whizzed past his head. The bugs watched wide eyed as Alex ran towards them. Two large sabres that appeared to be made entirely from fire, materialized his hands.

Alex cut two of them in half with a single swipe. Their bodies fell to the ground with a wet plop. The last bug, frozen with shock, did nothing but stare at the dead bodies in front of him. With one final swipe the last of the bugs was dead.

Alex flew towards the control room, leaving sickly green footprints in his wake. He got to the door and place his hand upon the cold metal. He pulled it back slightly before smashing his palm into it again.

The door flew from its hinges and went flying to the far side of the room.

“Alex get the fuck out of here!” Patt yelled as Alex walked into the room.

Patt was being held a few inches above the ground by the bugs magic. A large black knife was placed at his throat.

“So, you finally join us.” The large bug said to Alex.

“And you are?” Alex growled.

“I am Queen Chrysalis. Ruler of the changelings.”

Alex watched the changeling intently. She appeared to be the same as any of the other, changeling only larger.

“Now put away those swords of yours. Please” She said cheerfully. Alex didn't move. She moved the knife slightly and it pushed further into Patt's neck.

“Don't do it.” Patt said. Chrysalis jerked the knife again. “This isn't a movie! kill the bitch!”

“Oh isn't he just precious.” Chrysalis chimed.

*BANG* For the Princess!!

The roar caught Alex of guard. He turned his attention to the main gate that he could clearly see through the broken windows of the control room. Ponies were rushing into the fort and were being mowed down in hails of gunfire.

“Ah, just on time.” Chrysalis grinned. Alex could see many of the soldiers suddenly flash into purple flames. A changeling drone was left in their place and in the confusion the lines began to break.

“Now, drop those swords please.” She smiled. Alex hated the smug way she looked at him.

“No.”

“What?” She replied, sounding honestly confused. “Drop them or I will kill him.” She said, motioning to Patt. He smiled.

“And does he appear to fear death?” Alex said again, trying to sound as calm as possible even though the words hurt so much to say. “Idle threats will not work on someone who does not fear death. They simply prolong the inevitable.”

She stared at him for a moment. “So be it.” She removed the knife from his neck and stabbed it into his stomach.

The room fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

“Noooooo!” Alex threw his hands forward and pushed at the air.

Alex flared his hands forward and in one quick motion pushed at the air. The Queen went flying and slammed Into several of the many computer screens that lined the far wall. He flared the magic in his hands and sent two beams of light into the fallen queen. She screamed in agony before falling silent.

“Patt!” Alex cried as he ran over to his friend. He had a hand pressed tightly against the stab wound but it did little to stop the blood. He was breathing heavily and blood red spittle flew from his mouth after every breath.

“We need to get you out of here.” Alex said. He Pressed both hands against the wound earning a loud wince from Patt. No matter how much pressure he placed on the wound the bleeding would not stop.

“Don't think that helped much.” Patt wheezed.

“Shush! Don't talk, just stay still.”

“It's over Alex.”

Alex shook his head. Tears were forming In his eyes. “No-”

“Look out..outside.” Patt grunted. His breathing becoming weaker by the second.

Alex didn't need to. The once distant sound of battle was not as distant as it was before. Alex's hear sank. He could hear people screaming, even over the roar of battle. 'They made it this far back already?' He thought.

“We had a good run,You and me.” Patt wheezed again. His voice no more than a whisper.

A fain smile grace Alex's lips. “Yeah. Yeah we did.”

*Clop*

“Aarghhh!” Alex let out a deafening scream, white hot pain enveloped his right shoulder. He felt weightlessness as he was thrown across the room. He crashed into the wall next to the door and landed with a thump.

“Ah, So easy.” A voice said

Alex shook his head turned to the noise. Chrysalis stood over Patt with a blood red dagger in her magical grasp.  “Now come with me, I have some one who is dying to meet you.” She grinned.

Alex pushed past the pain in his shoulder and rose to his feet. He reached back and winced when his hand came into contact with the wound. Crimson coated his fingers.

He raised his left hand and aimed it at her. He charged his magic and let loose. Nothing happened. He tried again only to fail for a second time.

Chrysalis's grin grew wider, “Something wrong dear human?” Alex's eyes shot to the dagger. “Ah yes Detrozine. Extremely rare and has a strong effect on human magic I've heard.”

Alex's mind went into over drive. 'Not good, really not good. That dagger should have been destroyed years ago.” His pupils shrank until they were pin pricks.

Run

Chrysalis's grin somehow became even bigger. “Ah so the stories are true then. It does have an effect on humans.”

*Bang*  “Arggghhh” Chrysalis jumped to the side. Her chest leaking a light green ooze.

A smoking pistol was held loosely in Patt's hand. He balanced the gun on his chest and tried to pull the trigger for a second time. His eyes were locked on the stunned Chrysalis.

The gun fired again. The second bullet skimmed past Chrysalis, missing her head by no more than a mere inch.

Her horn glowed green and in a blink of an eye the magic discharged. The beam of green light hit Patt directly in the chest, His eyes lost focus and his hand went limp. Patt was dead.

“Now that that's sorted.” Chrysalis grunted. Before turning to Alex. He stood motionless. His gaze transfixed onto Patt's lifeless body. The strength in his legs faltered and he fell to his knees.

Chrysalis’s horn glowed. Alex was scooped from his feet and levitated into the air. His eye never left Patt's lifeless body as he was drawn closer to her. She moved him directly in from of her. “Sadly you will not share is fate. I have someone who wishes to meet you and she doesn't like to be kept waiting.”

She extended her wings and gave them a quick buzz. She went to the massive hole blown in the side of the room and jumped. She took flight, her large wings buzzing quickly like a swarm of hornets.

Alex was defeated, He hung limply in the queens magical grip as he was flown over the ensuing battle. Humans ran in all directions as the hordes of ponies never seemed to end. The ground was completely red, not a single inch of the grey concrete could be seen, blood and bodies had buried it long ago. Everything Alex had held dear was gone. Patt, Max his family,friends, even hope.

“Ah, there she is.” Chrysalis chimed. She went into a deep dive before coming to a sudden stop a meter from the ground. Alex felt the magical grip around him disappear and he fell to the ground with a grunt.

“I have him.” Chrysalis said.

“Good.” A emotionless feminine voice said. “Have you found my mother?”

“She has been... executed.” Chrysalis replied in a hushed tone.

Alex slowly looked up and set eyes upon the creature Chrysalis was addressing. She was an alicorn and stood at least six foot tall and had a coat of pure white. Her mane was a mixture of light rainbow colours that seemed to float in the air, and she was clothed in a set of bright gold armour. Flanking her were three royal guards each wearing a suit of golden armour.

Her eyes burned red and the white alicorn turned her attention towards Alex. “Is this the one that killed my father.” She demanded.

“Yes, Celestia.”

“Take him to the front and hang him.” She ordered two of the guards beside her.

Alex couldn't bring himself to move. They had lost, There was nothing left to fight for.

*Snap*

A dark smiled twisted onto Alex's lips. “Ahahahahah.” Alex laughed.

The attention gained Celestia's attention. “Why are you laughing!” She demanded. Her eyes flaring white hot in the process.

“Because.” Alex's face dropped all emotion. “I have NOTHING to hold me back..” And his eyes turned green.