Chapter 19 : A Hope From the Depths
The stage was set for the final encounter with the "Reborn" armies. Fluttershy equipped her "Crystalline Relic". She thought back to the desperate circumstances that led him to bestow upon her this great gift. She was ready. She was willing. She would have her vengeance.
Atop the Volcanic Plateau the Reborn prepared the final assault on Ponyville. Trixie stood before the army and spoke.
"My dear Reborn. I am Commander Trixie of the 501st Reborn Legion. I have been asked by The Great One to lead you in this glorious assault on the Unbroken remainder of Ponykind. I ask that you put your trust in me as I will put my trust in you. I no longer fight for my own glory, but for the glory of THE GREAT ONE!" The crowd exploded into applause at her words.
The Reborn began a slow and terrifying march down the Volcano. From miles away the footsteps could be heard. It was the sound that ended a million lives. The sound that brought the downfall of the Equestrian empire. It was the sound of death itself.
Fluttershy stood at the entrance of Ponyville. It was time to end this once and for all.
King Sombra stood upon his crystalline battleship. The Reborn army led by Cadance the Reaper was at his doorstep. He smirked as he called upon his dark powers to erect a large wall of black crystals around his Empire. He turned and faced his remaining commanders.
"Commander Shining Armor, You are to take the remaining royal guard and station them at the gates of the Empire. If my wall fails you must stall the Reborn for as long as possible. Commander Zecora, lead your people to the Crystal Heart. If she gets past Shining Armor you are to destroy it. The rest of you will join me in confronting Cadance BEFORE she has a chance to enter the empire."
Without a word the ponies were off to defend the Empire.
The gates of Tartarus burst open as Cheese Sandwich inserted the royal key.
"In the name of Princess Celestia of Equestria, I have come to grant a royal pardon to Tirek the Destroyer. By way of the Orb of Infinity I grant him freedom!"
Tartarus began to violently shake as the cage was dragged from its depths.
"What fool would willingly free me?" Tirek asked, genuinely confused.
"The Alicorns have fallen. We need your help to rid the world of a great evil magic." replied Cheese Sandwich.
"Why would I help the ones whom locked me away in the first place?" Tirek asked.
"Because the power we need you to absorb is more than that of all magic in Equestria. It is enough power to destroy the entire planet if you so wished. We only hope that you will grant us mercy when the battle is won." Cheese explained.
Tirek could not resist such an offer, no matter how implausible it seemed.
"I will come with you Pony, but you will be my first meal if you are found to be treacherous!"
Cheese Sandwich turned to lead Tirek away. He grinned.
The prison was completely sterile. No color. No stimuli of any kind. White walls. White Floor. No door to be seen. The only sound that could be heard was that of his own heartbeat and the flow of his own blood. This was hell for him. He could conjure nothing to ease his now deteriorating mental state. He could not even speak to himself. He was alone. He was breaking.
Discord sat. Motionless. He had tried for the last 2 weeks to find a weakness. Nothing. He was in a hell tailor made for him. At least in his stone prison he could hear the chatter of the surrounding ponies. He had never felt more helpless. He would do anything to escape. ANYTHING.
And that was what he was counting on.
Cadance stood before the black walls of the Crystal Empire. Her power increased with every step toward the Crystal Heart. She would soon hold in her hooves the most powerful of the "Crystalline Relics". She would be rivaled in power only by The Great One himself.
"HALT!"
From above King Sombra screamed at the army. it was much larger than he ever thought possible. Twenty thousand reborn stood at his doorstep. At that moment he knew this would be his final battle. His Changelings followed him without hesitation. They only numbered four hundred, but they would fight to the last to protect the king.
Cadance never broke her sadistic smile. She never replied to him. She simply pointed a hoof in his direction. The Reborn began to swarm.
The changelings began to take the forms of the Reborn, in the hopes of causing confusion. This would be their downfall. Even as they transformed, they began to scream in agony. The entire army fell to the ground, dead.
Sombra was at a loss. All he could do was stand. Stand between the massive army and his Empire.
Fluttershy stood firm as the Reborn marched toward her. She showed no fear. She HAD no fear. She was prepared to die today.
"YOU'RE going to stand against us? I almost feel bad for what we're about to do." Scoffed Trixie.
Fluttershy said nothing in return. She never broke her gaze at the Reborn.
"CHARGE!" Screamed Trixie.
The Reborn slithered toward the yellow pony. She held out a single hoof. Twenty reborn fell to the ground. A burst of energy and bits of metal had erupted from her hoof. They continued to swarm toward her.
"NOW" Screamed Fluttershy.
Trixie tossed a crystal behind the Reborn army, creating a large deep hole in the earth between Fluttershy and the Reborn, and Trixie. Fluttershy shot a smile to Trixie. The plan had worked flawlessly.
Atop the highest tower of Canterlot The Great One watched the world fall to his armies. The Crystal Empire would soon be his. Ponyville will be a black scorch mark on the earth. The Everfree Forest will expand over all of Equestria.
The world would fall to his will.
