Chapters The War-Maiden's Vengeance
Chapter II - The Acquaintance
News was spreading across Equestria about a mysterious vigilante. Almost every week, a changeling stronghold is found and all have been found to belong to Queen Chrysalis. What is odd is that in every assault operation, the royal guard battalions encountered a lone equine-like warrior, who has a large black scythe and pouches of kunai. The only part of the warrior that was not covered by the armor was her teal and cyan eyes. She frequently spoke to them prior to the battle and she identified herself as the War-maiden. She was not willing to say more, but the guards accepted any and all help they can find. Both Lunar and Celestial guards described her deadly efficiency with both physical strength and magic. Of course, the princesses were interested to meet her but the rebel never approached them directly. Of course, this anonymous ally gained much praise for her efforts.
However, the rebel was not concerned about this. Lilith had more important things to do. She had to meet a very important denizen. For the first time since her escape from Novo, a few months to be more specific, she used her shape-shifting powers. She took the form of a black unicorn with maroon eyes and a gray mane. Then, she used a spell to hide her weapons, so they would be invisible until she needed them. As soon as she was ready, she headed to the nearest train station and took a ride. Her destination was Ponyville.
Meanwhile at Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle and her brother Shining Armor were discussing about the war-maiden. "Twilight, this warrior may be a worthy ally, if we can find her. I've seen her abilities myself! She's brutal when it comes to her fighting." Twilight frowned, "I know, brother. I have read the reports myself. But what is making me concerned is the fact that she is able to fly and use magic, yet it's very unlikely she is an alicorn. What could she be and what is her motives?" Shining responded, "I say we take the chance. It is also unlikely that she is a friend of Chrysalis." The princess acknowledged this point, "That is true, but when shall this warrior come out of the shadows?"
Hours later, as the sun was setting, the two siblings were browsing through her enormous library to research anything related to a lone wandering entity similar to the war maiden. This was interrupted as they heard a knock on the front door. When Twilight opened it, there was a black mare with maroon eyes at the doorstep, "Princess Twilight, I presume?" She asked and bowed. The alicorn faced her, "Well, yes. Is there something I may help with?"
Lilith was nervous, but she kept calm. She faced back at the lavender pony, "Oh, I just wanted to look through your library. I've heard it is very immense." Luckily, the princess believed her and allowed Lilith inside. She looked around the house and stopped as she was looking at the ceiling, "What the..." she muttered as she looked more closely. She saw something barely moving and it seemed to blend in with the ceiling. It looked a bit too familiar. In all her years, she had even known what this was. It was something using an invisibility spell! She looked over to Twilight who was staring at her collection of volumes then back at the invisible figure. She identified the figure to be another changeling - all changelings have an ability they're born with that allows them to see another of their kind. The way it works varies when some can see another changeling through a simple disguise to those who can a changeling no matter how good the illusion is. Fortunately, Lilith was lucky enough to inherit the latter. However, this meant that the figure could probably see her as well. It raised what looked like a small object and glanced at the distracted princess.
She had to act fast, "Watch out!" She yelled and pushed Twilight out of the way. Right after that, she heard the whizzing of a dagger pass her by inches and pierced one of the books. "What in Equestria?!" Twilight was clearly flustered and Shining took out his weapon. "We're not alone here." Lilith said and her disguise faded back to her changeling form. She flew up to the ceiling, her scythe unsheathed. On the ground Shining looked up at her, "It can't be..." he trailed off as Lilith swung her blade out toward the assassin. The swing hit the changeling in the lower stomach. Its invisibility wore off and fell down on the main floor, not getting up immediately. Lilith landed next to it and observed the armor it had on, seeing an insignia that was too recognizable. She met its eyes, "Why did she send you?!" The injured changeling snarled, "To hunt you down, traitor!" The war-maiden sighed deeply and raised her scythe, "May you find peace in your eternal rest." In one swift strike, she ended its life, and a black liquid was slowly leaking from the lifeless body.
"You," Shining Armor began, "You're the war-maiden." He was shaken up and she had a grim expression, "Yes, I am." She glanced over at Twilight, "I apologize for the mess. I wish we met under better circumstances." Twilight looked back at Lilith who was cleaning her scythe, "So, a changeling fighting other changelings, now I have seen everything." Lilith grunted, "Yes, I suppose it is a very rare thing, but you must understand that I'm only after Chrysalis and her followers, not all changelings. We aren't all like her, it's just that she has a majority of my kind under her control. Perhaps I can explain myself, so you may be able to understand?"
Twilight looked over to her brother and he shrugged, "Well, she must have a very good reason to be fighting against the Queen, especially since she saved your life." The three of them sat down and Lilith told her story. From the beginning with her protests against the invasion of Canterlot to her appearance at the home and everything else in between, she said all of it in detail. Twilight and Shining Armor were silent while they listened to the story. As she finished, there was silence for a few minutes. The mare faced directly at Lilith, "So, you were against her attacking Canterlot?" Lilith's expression hardened, "Yes, I was afraid my kind would have been eradicated by her irrational thinking. I was afraid of you and your friends since I feared of the chance of retaliation in response to the unprovoked attack."
Shining Armor now looked at her, "I see, but just one question. How did you know about the assassin's symbol?" Lilith sighed, "Well, I suppose I left out one tiny detail. I was her chief adviser and personal bodyguard." The captain raised his eyebrow, "That explains your fighting abilities and your knowledge on the outposts."
"Well, yes. Since I was the chief adviser, I organized special units and I'm able to recognize the various symbols they use. Well I did until the attempted siege of Canterlot since I refused to participate. Still, it's the False Queen's loss." Shining said, "That also explains why she didn't kill you immediately when you began criticizing her. You were too valuable for her to lose."
"Brother, I think we need to bring her to Princesses Celestia and Luna, soon. They'll make sure she's safe," Twilight stated. Lilith's ears perked up, "We feel the most safe before we meet our demise, princess. However, I would like to meet them." The alicorn nodded and looked to the changeling, "All right, then. We'll meet them soon, but I recommend you to have your identity remain unknown. Most ponies are still wary and uneasy about changelings."
"Understood." The war-maiden faced Twilight and Shining Armor, "May fortune smile upon us for our future trials." Afterwards, they disbanded and began to prepare.
Author's Note
Oh, geez, it has been literally a year since my first chapter. I've had various issues going on including writer's block in real life, preventing me from writing. However, I am already working on Chapter III so you will not need to wait for another year for an addition to my story. I hope you enjoy it.
The War-Maiden's Vengeance
Chapter III - The Meeting
A week later, Princess Celestia and Luna were watching over Canterlot and the younger sister observed the rising sun, "They will be here soon. Did your student say anything about this mysterious warrior?" The sun princess shook her head, "Surprisingly, not much. She did describe how if it weren't for the warrior, she would have been seriously injured or dead. Twilight Sparkle said nothing about her rescuer's appearance. I'm expecting it will be quite the bold reveal."
"At any rate, we should prepare for any unwelcome visitors."
"Agreed. Make sure the guards are at their post." Luna nodded and trotted back into the castle. Celestia observed the dawn horizon and said under her breath, "Let's just hope this anonymous hero is as good as they say she is."
Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor were close to the gates of Canterlot as Lilith was behind them. She was wearing her suit of armor a d took on her unicorn disguise for extra measures. As they arrived, she saw a large crowd of ponies in the streets looking at the group. "I see my deeds have gained some attention." Lilith stated warily. Twilight glanced back at her, "Well, of course. Why do you think the princesses are interested in meeting you?" The changeling grunted, "Fair point." The group went through the crowded streets, many ponies thanking the war maiden for her actions. Soon, the three friends reached the castle, which was heavily guarded. The front guardsman acknowledged the visitors and allowed them entrance.
Undoubtedly, Lilith was nervous. This was where Chrysalis was defeated months ago, and now she's here to look for an alliance, "Oh, the bitter irony," she said aloud. "Don't worry, my brother and I will vouch for you," Twilight reassured her. Right after that, there was a booming voice that echoed in the hallway, "ENTER!" Lilith almost forgot about the Royal Canterlot voice, "Wish there was a volume control for that," she muttered.
Lilith steeled herself as the doors opened. She would meet the leaders of the country who drove out her former queen, who also could kill her within a mere seconds. She sighed and trotted inside behind Twilight and Shining Armor, noticing that each side of the audience chamber was lined with heavily armed guards. She glanced over at the thrones, seeing Princesses Celestia and Luna sat upon them. Both of them rose and met the war maiden's eyes, "Welcome, wandering warrior," Celestia greeted. Lilith took off her helmet, her disguise still intact, "Thank you, princesses," she bowed and kept herself calm.
"We have heard of your many accomplishments defending our country." Luna said, "But I believe we all would like to know who you are," her eyes narrowed, "and please, do not lie."
'Oh, just my luck,' Lilith thought to herself, 'she sees right through my illusion.' She gritted her teeth and looked directly at Princess Luna, "Very well, Princess," she responded and sighed under her breath. Her horn glowed a bright green as her glamor quickly disappeared. She saw the surprised guards pull out their swords. Lilith merely smiled, "I know what I am, but certainly this does not obscure my deeds for your country, or am I wrong?" She looked directly at the princesses. Twilight stepped in front of the changeling, her wings spread out, "Don't attack her! If she wasn't here in Equestria, I would not be standing here today drawing breath!"
After a few tense moments, Shining Armor ordered the guards to put away their weapons. Princess Celestia raised an eyebrow, "So this is why you were hiding your identity?" Lilith nodded, "Yes, I was afraid if I revealed myself sooner, I would only provoke fear and prejudice. Also, I'm still a wanted fugitive because of my words against Chrysalis prior to my mistake. I did not want to risk you all getting harmed because of my presence here until I was able to reveal myself and explain my motives." She began to approach the royal sisters, "I was banished for disagreeing with her assault on Canterlot, but I ask you to heed my words, not all changelings are like her. We simply have no other queen with that kind of power or influence, for better or worse. I ask of your royal highness-es for permission to stay here or even become a citizen of this nation."
The two sisters narrowed their eyes at the war-maiden. Then, Twilight trotted to her side, "I believe she's earned it, Princesses. She has risked her life to save my own, after all." Celestia nodded, "This is true." She faced Lilith, "Kneel." The changeling did so and Twilight went to her teacher's side and the three alicorns stared at her. They stood up and their horns glowed bright auras corresponding with their color. They aimed at the kneeling changeling and in an instant, Lilith was surrounded in a sphere of pale yellow and purple light. The changeling was experiencing some pain as her armor began to chip away. While this was happening, she heard the three princesses chant with their booming voices in unison,
"Outcast of Novo,
Your deeds speak your desire
For Lilith, she was holding back from crying out in pain while the aura surrounded her. She kept silent and endured it as the princesses finished their chant. As soon as it was completed, there was a bright flash of light in the room. Lilith's legs felt wobbly, so Twilight and Shining Armor went to her side and helped her up. "Lilith, you may want to check yourself," Twilight said.
Lilith had a confused expression and pulled out her black scythe; it had a very different appearance. It radiated a bright orange flame along its blade, "What the?" She looked up at Celestia who smiled, "Consider this as a gift from myself." Luna spoke after her sister, "I also left a small enchantment on your kunai and their pouch. No matter how many are thrown, they will constantly replenish themselves." The war-maiden nodded and smiled, "Thank you, princesses." The lavender alicorn nudged her, "When I meant look at yourself, I meant your body. You seem to have a cutie mark!"
"What?!" The changeling looked at her flank. Most of her armor had been broken and chipped away during the ritual, so she was able to see her flank, each side bearing an emblem depicting a group of silver arrows and an olive branch right next to it. She was confused beyond belief, "But, how?" She asked aloud.
Celestia smiled, "Well, you are the first changeling ever to become a knight of Equestria, so the results were unpredictable since all knights acquire some sort of unique ability. Also, you may have more equine genes than we expected, so our magic possibly switched some of them on. However, since you are dominantly a changeling, so bearing a cutie work will be the only physical effect on yourself from this." Lilith, barely able to contain her excitement, only bowed again, "Thank you for being merciful on me."
The group bid farewell and as they left the castle, there was still a crowd of ponies outside, waiting for Lilith. She expected them to be stunned about her true identity, but she was pleasantly surprised to see them glad to see her. The war-maiden turned to Twilight, "So, this is my new home." She smiled at the changeling, "It is. We are glad that you are here, for we'll need your help. But for now, you need to meet more individuals who will help you in your quest." Lilith grinned and thought to herself, 'So, now I have a new home and will meet new friends. I'm very fortunate for this.' She stretched out her wings and looked up to the daylight sun, "One day, things shall return to peace, where this conflict between myself and my former queen is over."
The War-Maiden's Vengeance
While Equestria was the epicenter of harmony and love, there was a more sinister country. To the West was an ominous land, filled with barren wastelands known as Novo, the land of the Changelings. Yes, the same changelings responsible for the assault on Equestria's royal capital city, Canterlot. While this was the only time these creatures have appeared in the Equine country, not all of them are malevolent. While some changeling hives and their queens had honest and fair intentions, they were all overshadowed by the largest hive with a most tyrannous queen, and her name was Chrysalis.
When she decided to attack Equestria, there was no changeling more irate than a certain member of her own hive. The rebel's name was Lilith. Other than the Queen, she was the only changeling in all of Novo to possess Equine eyes, which were dark teal rimmed with cyan. Many hive members have speculated that Chrysalis and the maiden were related in some way but it was disproved quickly. But this did not mean our protagonist didn't possess great mental and physical strength. But her patience with her Queen ran out as soon as Chrysalis arrived back from the failed attack on Canterlot.
"You were a fool to not heed my words." Lilith scolded at Chrysalis. Both of them had fire in their eyes, especially Chrysalis since her servant was being disrespectful but continued to listen. "Granted, I did not expect the Royal Couple to stop you but you realize our blood was shed for no reason!" She stomped her hoof down on the ornate black floor hard as her large black sycthe nearly got loose of it's restraints on her back. She continued on, "We could have all perished by your recklessness, Chrysalis! Those six mares were already able to defeat Discord, something that was damned impossible for us changelings to accomplish, but your greed for Love shrouded your vision of how many lives would've been lost." She sat down and glared at the queen, looking directly into her eyes.
The monarch stood up on her hooves as she growls at Lilith, "How dare you speak to me like this you vile maiden. I had a good reason to attack those creatures, and that was to expand Novo's boundaries."
Lilith rolled her eyes, obviously knowing Chrysalis was simply lying, but she decided to play by her little game, "But our country's twice the size of Equestria! We don't have to expand, but we need to defend ourselves if we're actually going to be invaded by some great army. But no, you keep wasting changelings' lives for your personal gain."
The queen's mouth was agape but after a few seconds, she got closer to Lilith, their faces barely inches away from each other, "True, our country's big, but I don't invade for my own gain. We need to watch those other creatures besides those ponies."
Lilith resists the urge to punch her in the jaw for that and instead said, "To provoke more enemies? Sure, spy on the Dragons of the North and the Griffons of the South, as if we need to sign more death warrants!" She scoffed.
Chrysalis had enough of this disrespectful hatch-ling. Her horn glowed an eerie green as she lifts up her servant. The other changeling wass not afraid as she maintained eye contact with her. Chrysalis said angrily, "You speak of treason and heresy, and I shall hear no more of it!" With her magic, she attempted to throw the other changeling hard to the floor, but Lilith's magic countered allowing her to land on her hooves, "What's the matter Chrysalis? Can't take criticism well? No wonder how free speech is lacking here. It's being squashed by a False Queen ." She taunted harshly as she spits on the floor right next to Chrysalis's hooves.
The queen was highly enraged by the rebellious worm as she yells, "THAT'S IT! You're exiled and banished from my hive! And don't be comforted, Lilith, as soon as you're gone, I'll find where you are hiding and I shall kill you myself!"
The maiden simply grinned as and pulled her great black scythe off her back, "Sure, sure, Chrysalis, you can do that, but you'll have to catch me."
Soon after that, she extended her translucent wings and swiftly rose from the obsidian floor. She flew into the dark corridors illuminated by green lights as she navigated through the large catacombs searching for an exit. Chrysalis's guards already received news of Lilith's betrayal and attempted to pursue her, but fear was set into their hearts not wishing to risk their bodies being mangled and hacked by the angered changeling.
With little time wasted, she flew out of the dark hive into the wastelands of Novo. As she flew, she thought to herself, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend ." She changed direction and flew east to Equestria.
Chrysalis watched the young changeling fly high away from her hive. Her anger subsided as her personal guard asked, "What are you going to do now, my Queen?" She turned and faced him, "We are going to wait until the time to strike is when that traitor is at her weakest state. But for now, send out small patrols to find her and bring her back here. It won't matter whether she's dead or alive, as long as she's brought back here. Understood?" The guard nods and trots out of her chambers. Chrysalis giggles hardheartedly, "Oh, when I get to have my revenge on you, I'll crush you and make you regret your treason."
Unbeknownst to our hero, that split decision will cause drastic changes. She will meet new allies that are priceless for her and will unite likely enemies other than just changelings and equines. Lilith believes she started a small rebellion with a simple goal: Killing Chrysalis. But her role will be even more important than that, she shall be responsible for something greater than the tyrant's death, but I shall not reveal it, since it would ruin the surprise for you.
Author's Note
All I ask is that enjoy or the story or give constructive criticism of how to write better