Fallen (Original)

Several Days Later:

The parade and fanfare for the second arrival of the Elements and Arkantos was glorious. It surprised everypony in Canterlot. Most of all Nightlight and Twilight Velvet. Nightlight had heard war was on the horizon and to make it so announced that the biggest targets were in the largest city was suicide!

“You’re a godsdamned idiot! You know that? Are you DETERMINED to get my daughter killed?” Nightlight growled, having pulled Arkantos into a room alone to shout out his son-in-law, (or at least soon to be one).

“No! I have everything planned o-”

“And then… you have the gull to order Princess Celestia to house sold-”

“I KNOW WHAT THE FUCK I’M DOING!” Arkantos growled back, his anger surging momentarily. “They’re GOING to attack here! AND I MADE DAMN WELL SURE EVERY SOLDIER IN THIS CITY WOULD BE PREPARED!” His voice, thankfully was contained to this single room. “No one, besides Celestia, Chrysalis, Twilight, Luna, the guard, and Chrysalis’ drones know about this plan. And they’ve all agreed to it.I WON’T lose another home, or anyone else I love… not ever again.” Ark cringed, turning sullen at the thought of his lost family, and the news about his Uncle vanishing. Truly, Twilight was all he had left. It hurt him so much to even think about losing her. Though he smiled inwardly, he was playing his part well. In truth, all the ‘Elements’ in the city were imposters. Made to draw out the other forces without so much as risking them. Chrysalis had smuggled and secured Twilight and her friends in her hive. They’d be well cared for and protected.

Infiltrators had alerted them mere moments before they left to a possible spy in the midst. They hadn’t determined who it was, though thankfully from all the info gathered, not a single soul in Canterlot suspected what the soldiers were doing. Their plan had not been compromised. Even if it had, Shining Armor had a battalion of Crystal Ponies in waited to join the fray, along with Luna securing a scant few units of Bat Ponies and some Diamond Dog mercenaries to come up from underneath. Things were going according to plan.

Nightlight was quiet, searching Arkantos for any hit of a lie in his words. He found nothing, which made him feel remarkably horrid for accusing Ark of putting his little filly in danger. “I’m… Sorry… Ark. I just…”

“I know… I know. When… our foals are born. I already can tell… I’ll be just as protective.” Ark put his hand on Nightlight’s shoulder.

“Take good care of them. Or I will string you up.” Nightlight smiled slightly. “And… can you please bring her here to have them? I want to be at least the fourth to see my grandfoals. And… the less time I have to wait, the better.”

“We’ll see, though… you could just come to stay with us when she’s near term. I think it’d be nice to not have to move much… and you and Twilight Velvet being there, it’d bring a bit of peace to her mind.” Ark suggested.

“That sounds much be-” Nightlight was cut off by a loud, echoing BOOM. Both he and Ark froze up immediately. They nearly kicked down the door, Ark already in full armor, had his weapon out in front of him. Nightlight had teleported his old armor on and was wielding a short-sword and shield. He looked remarkable less intimidating then the black armored demon beside him, his massive bastard sword glowing white hot as flames danced around every ashen bootprint Ark left behind. Ponies were rushing away from the square, while guardsmen and other soldiers were charging in.

“Th-the Elements are d-dead! T-they were attacked first! M-monsters f-from the sky!” One pony barely got out as he collapsed in front of them.

“W…” Nightlight’s eyes widened.

“They were changelings! The real Elements are safe.” Arkantos whispered, instantly trying to ease Nightlight’s fears. “I’ll explain it all to you later, for now, we have to join the fight!” Arkantos charged head long towards the square, a tense and now agitated Nightlight rushing in right behind him. He had to find out if it was true for himself. If his baby girl was hurt… he’d tear apart every single living thing in that square with his own bare hands. The seething burning hatred consuming all.

If those things were going to fear Arkantos... they'd be absolutely terrified of the potential this angry father had held inside.