The fight for Equestria

The two ponies who entered the throne room were not quite what Colt was expecting. Then again, knowing he had never laid his eyes on them before, there was no way he could have possibly known what to expect. The stallion was a pure red pegasus named Blaze Feather, and the mare, same as Colt, white coat and red mane and tail, was a unicorn named Storm Rift. They had introduced themselves to everypony present, explaining that Colt’s real name was Storm Blaze, and was a Unicorn, not any sort of an Alicorn.

Colt was sent outside as Celestia, Twilight, and Colt’s parents spoke about what had happened.

“They may look like me, but those are not my parents. Guess Celestia is quick to try and get rid of me.” Colt glared at the tiled floor. He sat there for a while, unsure of exactly how long until his parents emerged with Twilight.

“Well, we have everything set, we will spend the rest of the week in Ponyville, Storm Blaze.” Storm Rift explained. Colt did not bother to look at any of the ponies near him as they all made their way from the castle.

“Storm Blaze, what’s wrong darling?” the mare asked noticing how quiet he was being.

“Does it matter?” He snapped back.

“Colt, I mean, Storm Blaze, that is no way to speak to your mother.” Twilight said, surprised by his reaction.

Colt gritted his teeth as he wanted to lash out at all of them. He did not know who these ponies were, but he did not know if it would help saying so.

The three adults stopped in front of Colt, causing him to bump into them and fall to his hindquarters.

“Storm Blaze, you’re being quite rude, what is wrong?” The mare asked, seemingly in earnest concern.

“What’s wrong? WHAT’S WRONG!? You’re not my mother, you’re not my father, I have no idea who either of you are. I have never seen you before in my life,” he screamed. The two ponies took a step back.

“That’s enough!” Colt stopped and looked up at Twilight, who seemed angry. Colt wanted to stare angrily back at her, but despite everything, he felt he couldn’t stay mad at her. “Storm Blaze, we have already discussed everything, you’re going to be okay once you get back home with your parents. We know you’re still confused, the effect of that spell backfiring, caused not only amnesia, but it confused much of your memories. Give it time, and stay calm,” Twilight advised, her look of anger cooling.

“Twilight,” Colt said his eyes downcast, “I am not confused, but if you want to believe everything they are saying, then so be it.” He opened his mouth as to say more, but closed it and walked past her.

Twilight looked at Colt as he continued on, she glanced at his parents, who held looks of shock, but much sorrow, as they returned their gazer to her and mouthed an apology. Twilight shook her head to dismiss their concerns, knowing he was only lashing out for being so upset. She shook her head, trying to keep her thoughts clear. Celestia had made it clear, Twilight was not to interfere anymore and allow Storm Blaze to return to his parents.

No pony spoke after that, not during their walk to the train station, and not during the ride back to Ponyville. Colt was furious, the fire in him burned for a while before it began to cool. Once it was down to nothing more than embers, it left him feeling cold, and empty. He remembered all the times he had experienced this back on Earth when he lost his temper. It happened frequently when he got older and began to understand the futility of his anger so often misplaced towards others. Instead he began to think about the situation he was in, he certainly never had someone try to pretend to be his parents.

Well, there was that one incident he had been told about after he had been burned and shoved into a closet. His mother back home had told him he had been taken away from here right after that by those who were supposed to help and protect children by taking them away from unfit homes. He had been told by her that he was placed in a foster home, though there were many children, he had come to learn from that situation that he had been violated.

‘To think I had thought that one hell of a tall tale till it was proven otherwise by a doctor, much to my embarrassment.’ Colt was not able to continue hos thoughts as the train came to a stop, the announcer pony explaining they were at Ponyville.

Twilight, the other two ponies, and Colt all exited the train and began to make their way through town. They stopped at a large building where all of the ponies said their goodbyes, and Colt with his, ‘parents’ entered the building. They made their way up the stairs and into a room. As Colt made his way around the sparse room, he heard laughter. Turning he saw the two ponies change into changelings.

“Well, no point in saying, ‘I told you so’, considering I am not near anypony to say that to.”

“Yes, and now we can take you back to our Queen.” one changeling said.

“Hey, I have a question, I know you can pose as any pony, stallion, or mare, but how the hell do can you tell your gender in your natural form?”

“What?” The two changelings turned to each other for a second. Colt used that second to charge at them, trying to barrel through them and to the stairs. He hoped if he caught them by surprise, he might be able to get to Twilight, or really, any pony available.

That is, until Colt realized he was running, placing all his efforts into the movements, but wasn’t going anywhere.

“You, this kid is being naughty. How should we punish him?” One changeling asked the other, as their horn was lit, holding Colt in the air just above the floor.

“I don’t know, I’m not the queen, so I don’t know how to take care of brats. Just put him to bed and let’s get on with the show. I am itching for some fun.”

“Wait, wait,” Colt said, catching their attention once again. “Can you at least answer my question, I really do want to know, honest. I mean form my position, neither of you look to really have the balls to do anything. Really, I don’t see any balls at all.”

‘You little bastard,” one said just before everything for Colt went black.

Twilight looked up from the book she had just begun to read, the sounds of screaming could be heard. “If that’s Roseluck and Daisy crying timberwolf again, I am so go-” Twilight stopped as she looked outside and saw the black carapaces moving around, both in the air and on the ground.

Twilight ran from her study, heading for the front door of the castle, “Spike, send a letter to Princess Celestia! Ponyville is under attack from changelings.”

A scream sounded from somewhere in the castle. Twilight slid to a stop and turned, eyes going wide, “Spike, oh no.’ She turned and began to search for the dragon assistant.

With a sigh, Celestia decided she needed to go for a walk. She left the throne room making her way through the halls of the castle. After a little bit of time, Celestia felt a strange sensation, she paused to consider it, and began to look around. It felt as if somepony were watching her. Seeing herself alone in the corridor she was in, she shook her head.

‘With everything going on, this situation must really be getting to me,’ she thought to herself before continuing on.

It was not long before the feeling returned, several times Celestia would stop and look around her and see nothing there. Eventually her wanderings brought her to the Lunar wing, where her sister stayed. With a small smile, the feeling of being watched fading in the back of her mind she made her way to her sister’s room and knocked, before calling out, “Luna, are you in there?” She waited, listening as the silence was drawn out. She tried to knock again, to find the door open just a bit. She looked into the room, finding the window curtains closed, and the room in pitch darkness. Celestia lit up her horn and allowed its light to shine through the room, first over the bed, before she moved it throughout the rest of the room. Indeed finding it empty of any sign of her sister, she huffed and stopped the light before moving and closing the door.

‘Odd, I would have thought Luna would be in her room sleeping for a little bit longer. Wonder where she is?’ With a frown, Celestia left her sister’s room behind her before turning down another corridor and eventually making her way to her own room. Her thoughts were on trying to relax as the feeling of being watched returned, though to a lesser degree. She ended something to rest her anxious mind, and she was sure a brief rest in her room, sipping tea, and reading a little bit from a book would help her. As she came to her door, she smiles kindly to the two guards standing nearby who dip their heads to acknowledge her. She opened the doors and entered her room, finding it strange that her room as well was dark. Well, perhaps thinking it was dark, in comparison to how she saw her sisters room was not quite accurate. Whereas Luna had thick dark curtains over her windows when she needed to rest during the day, Celestia had lighter, sheerer curtains so that even if she were to close them, it still allowed in a muted amount of light.

Celestia moved near to her curtains and used her magic to open the curtains, though before she is able to do so, she is hit hard from the side with a strong blast of magic. Stunned, she shakes her head, finding herself on her stomach, though not completely prone. She quickly stands and begins to look around, at first she does not see anything that was the root of the attack. She begins to edge her way carefully to the door in an attempt to get the attention of guards for help. As she reached the door, she spotted movement, her eyes going wide at seeing the red and white of her attacker, before another, slightly stronger blast hits her and sends her flying through the door.

She hears the calls of her two posted guards, before they are taken by surprise of her own attacker. Celestia staggers to her hooves and looks to the room, eyes narrowed as she waited for her attacker to emerge from the room. To her dismay, she watched as the young stallion entered the hallway white coat, mane and tail red, and eyes that were once an emerald green color, now altered to a darker shade with red pupils and purple smoke emerging from the corners.

“Storm Blaze, why would you do this?” Colt grinned, making Celestia feel as if she were being watched by a predator.

He no longer hesitates to attack, momentarily forcing Celestia onto the defensive as he attacks her again and again. Through her defenses, she tries to reason with Colt, to calm him, and get him to lsiten to reason. Only when he breaks through her defense and actually pushes her to the edge does she stop trying to reach out to him. Instead, she now works to bring down the threat. All through out the castle, the two move, fighting, Celestia occasionally trying to use her wins and superior knowledge of magic to gain an advantage. Yet, to her surprise, he keeps up with her, for everything she uses, he found a way to counter her, and again she found herself grounded, working to fight back.

It does not take long for Celestia to find her way back to the throne room, where to her relief, several guards are posted and immediately work to try and help Celestia.

Colt uses his magic to create a field around the two and continue the fight. Celestia presses her attack more now, knowing that to try and keep them separated from her guards requires more concentration and power. She sees him weakening and moves to finish the fight only to find him vanish before her eyes, the shield falling apart.

“Well, now, Celestia, I see it is true about how powerful you are. My, if I didn’t have an escape plan, I am sure I would have met my end.” Celestia looked around, as the voice echoed around the vaulted space of the throne room.

“No, you would not. Storm er, Colt, listen, you must stop this, put an end to this before things get out of hoof.”

“Out of hoof? Hmm, I think it is already past that, considering what I did to your sister, dear sweet Luna.”

Celestias eyes widen as she hears this, “What have you done with Luna?”

“Oh, not much, just had to make sure she was out of the way for now. Tell you what, let’s play a game. I am sure you can win, as long as you’re not a sore loser.”

“This is no time for playing games. Show yourself, now,” Celestia demanded.

“Aw, but I want to have some fun. Let’s play a little game of chase. I already have a good head start back to Ponyville, can you catch me before anypony get’s hurt?”

Celestia screamed in anger, stamping a hoof.

Celestia looked around, finding the various residents of Ponyville doing their best to fight off the small horde of changelings as her chariot landed on the ground. She gave orders to the guards and sent them off, keeping only a few near her knowing they would not all leave her despite being more than capable of taking care of herself. She made her way through town, stopping at the address she had been told. She looked up to find a light turned on in the room above.

“This is Princess Celestia, by order of the crown, I demand you show yourself!” She called out using a stronger version of the Canterlot voice that Luna had once used after her return from her banishment. She watched and waited, before spotting shadows moving across the ceiling as if bodies were moving in front of the light.

Above her, the window opened and out flew two changelings, each with a grin on their faces. They flew about in front of the building as if afraid to go near Celestia as she was now.

“Where is the foal, Storm Blaze?” She demanded.

“Oh, looks like somepony is mad.” One changeling, laughing.

“Hmm, wonder what mom would do in a situation like this, huh?”

“Well, you know we do have our orders to make sure our new friend gets home.”

“Oh, you’re right. Oh just imagine what it will be like when we can accomplish that and mother will be able to return.”

Celestia frowned, “Your, ‘mother’ was defeated before, and she will be defeated again.”

The two changelings, much to Celestia’s anger, merely laughed this off.

“I doubt that, considering our new friend, oh, and that one is the final piece of the puzzle.” One changeling spoke, pointing a black hole filled hoof back at the window.

“Enough of this. We have already fought back this little raid of yours. You have already lost, if you value your lives, then you should surrender.”

The two changelings looked at one another and laughed, “Oh, this is so wonderful. She really doesn’t know, does she?”

The other tisked, “Do you think we should tell her?” A shrug was the only reply, “Well, I know I’m bored, so why don’t we have some fun?”

“Oh, I like how you think. Yes, I agree, we should have some fun before this comes to an end.” The two changelings looked at Celestia before flying off to opposite sides of her and flying in to attack.

As they flew in, they seemed to glow and change, the one to the left became Twilight Sparkle, while the one on the right changed into Luna. Celestia took a step back, her eyes widening for a moment before narrowing, “You have chosen the worst possible time,” Celestia growled out as her horn lit up. Just before the changelings could reach her, their bodies began to glow in a golden light, quickly consuming them completely. There came screams that were quickly silenced as the light came to it’s full intensity before fading.

Quickly, Celestia teleported into the room and looked around, quickly finding Colt on a bed, fast asleep.

‘Whether you are a part of this intentionally, or not. It is clear you can not be left as you are.’ Celestia thought as she lifted Colt in her magical grip and teleported with him to the ground outside. She and the few guards with her made their way to the chariot she had arrived in.

Twilight had worked hard to fight off the few changelings that had invaded her castle and attempted to attack Spike. With them pushed back and now fleeing with several others away from Ponyville, Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. She and Spike both made their way out of the castle, where Twilight Spotted the princess, with Colt laid out beside her, take off with the royal guard puling a chariot.

Twilight called out to the princess, hoping to find out what was going on and why she was taking Colt. The princess merely glanced back at Twilight as the chariot took off in to the sky. Twilight skidded to a halt where the chariot had just been, watching as her former mentor and her adopted son left Ponyville.

“Colt?” Came a demanding voice, breaking Colt form his sleep. Groggily he opened his eyes, groaning as his head swam. Looking up, he tried to focus, the colors of the room he was in seemed to move as it felt like the world tipped to the side. It took a moment to fight back the nausea and to gain his focus. He glanced down, to find himself chained to the floor, looking up he could see Celestia sitting on her throne.

“Do you know what is going on?” Celestia demanded.

“What?” Colt asked uncertainly.

“Do you know what is going on? Did you intend for things to have transpired as they have?”

“I-I don’t understand.”

With a sigh, Celestia closed her eyes for a moment, “My sister, Luna, the Princess of the night lies in the hospital wing, where doctors tending her say she is in a coma. Changelings have attacked Ponyville, putting many in danger, and two changelings, who posed as your guardians revealed you were a part of what is transpiring. I will ask once more, do you know what is going on?”

Colt looked at Celestia with confusion clearly etched on his features, “No, I don’t know what is going on. Why are you accusing me of, whatever it is you’re accusing me of, and have me chained like some animal?”

“I fear, that it is unsafe to trust you on your own, whether you are under Twilight Sparkle’s care or not. I will have you remain here, under close observation to ensure that you are protected.”

“You mean you want to lock me up and hold me as a prisoner,” Colt accused.

Celestia stared at Colt for a time, “Please, do not consider yourself a prisoner, I-”

“Stop, whatever you’re about to say is no doubt a load of crap. I do not want to hear it. I know your kind Celestia, there are those like you back where I come from. Just because you think you have this power over others you think you can wrongly accuse one of something they are innocent of. You also do not care if I know what is happening or not, you only care that I am the bad guy, since you cannot do anything more than hold distrust in your heart and mind.” Colt lowered his head, face contorted in rage, “I am so sick of you idiots always thinking I am some sort of danger to others. I do not hurt others so long as I remain in control of myself, but no, you all think you know better.” Colt closed his eyes as he shed a few tears, his body growing hot, as his anger began to cloud his judgement. His mind was now filled with all the memories of those of his past life who had accused him of hurting others, he knew what it was to hurt others, and it frightened him, ever since his mistake as a child, he had worked hard to try and remain in control of himself. It was always avoid conflict, avoid speaking ill of others, always put others needs before his own, be sure to do what he could for others.

He was beyond his breaking point as everything came rushing back, doctors thinking they knew better, making him take medicine through needles, strapping him down to a bed, just because he had admitted to one doctor he had felt so worthless in his life and thought it best if he did not continue to live. They lied to him shoved him into a small room, tied up like some animal, knowing he had expressed his fears of being in closed in spaces, as well as being cornered. His heart pounded in his chest, the blood rushing in his ears, he felt worse now than he did when he was waking up. As the heat in his body increased, he began to feel sick, he staggered, though nearly falling over since he could not move more than a few inches.

He heard a noise and looked to find a group of guards in golden armor that had been surrounding him closing in. He couldn’t tak eit again, he couldn’t be locked away and treated like some wild animal, like some monster.

‘But, is that not what you are?’ Came a strange voice in his mind. There, flashes of other memories came forward, people beating on him with their fists and belts, saying they were punishing him, the pain of being burned with boiling water, the pain of an older boy when he had been taken away from his mother removing his diaper and hurting him on the inside, this and more memories flooded his mind. The panic his body was experiencing seemed to grow, ‘Yes, a monster. Why else would others have done so much to punish you. They could see it, just as you saw their fear of you in their eyes. Look! Look at those around you now,’ Colt, becoming less steady on his legs glanced up to the faces of the guards. Despite the world beginning to try and tip further he caught the looks of a few, there it was. Again, beyond their false bravado, there was unease, uncertainty, and fear in their eyes. His mind seemed to take this in as he stared them in the eyes, and he could see a reflection of himself, and indeed he looked like some sort of stranger creature. Chained to the ground, fighting against the restraints, as they approached, leveling spears at him. The last thing he could see, was a strange cold look in his eyes as it felt as though he were sinking into himself, a cold darkness surrounding him.

He had to fight, he didn’t want to become lost in that and be lost to it, all alone, without the closeness of others. He struggled to fight against it to keep himself surfaced, it was like trying to remain afloat in a seemingly endless sea drawing him down into it, draining him of strength.

It was then he felt something, a sharp pain followed quickly by an overwhelming heat. A light all around him seemed to fight back against the darkness, and he reached out for it, reaching as if this was something that could save him. He wanted to be away, to leave those who would see him as the monster that he was. He wanted to be with others, and to enjoy life and happiness, but to his mind, this will never happen. Monster’s do not live life like others, in the stories he had read, the monsters were always feared and spurned. True few who were not the same as the masses could endure him, but it never lasted, eventually even they came to hate him. To be alone, it was his fear, and yet, at the same time, it felt as if it would prove to be his salvation.

But it felt as though his life were in danger, what was he to do?

Colt reached for the fire that was beginning to consume him, he did what he could to embrace it, allowing it to burn him, but also to fill him. So long as it could keep the fear and darkness away, so long as he could not feel cold and alone, so long as this fire could fill that void and help him when he needed it, then he would take it. In that instant, it felt as if he were breaking, and he could see the fire change itself as it latched on, and filled him. Changing into a wild beast, fangs bared, mouth open, and a horrifying roar emerged from it, a roar, that he felt himself echoing.

Colt opened his eyes, the fire burning within him, the guards, and even Celestia taking a hesitant step back, as the scream echoed throughout the throne room. His horn lit, before a deep rumbling shook the ground. As the ponies looked all around, the ground beneath them began to crack, before stone from below them erupted all around. Breathing hard, Colt looked around seeing the destruction he was making, he began to feel tired and cold. He shook his head and strove to bring back the fire, finding it ready as long as he focused on the negative emotions that had been boiling beneath the surface.

“You want me to be the monster, then I will be the MONSTER!” Colt screamed the last word sending out lights from his horn. Fearing an attack, Celestia threw up a shield as several guards jumped to intervene. Colt saw them, some going to protect Celestia, others jumping or climbing over the stone to get at him. In that moment, he shifted his mind and brought the light in close to him, allowing it to cover his body. Just as those guards nearest him leaped, he watched as the scenery around him changed.

What had just been a large bright room, now became a dark filthy alley. He struggled to remain on his hooves as he stumbles, feeling cold and weak, and tired.

‘Maybe, I’ll just take a little nap.’ He thinks as he collapses and his eyes slowly close.

“So, what will you do now? If he get’s caught, we won’t be able to do anything with him.” Chrysalis pointed out, as she watched the crystal glowing, the scene playing out before them within the once clear stone.

“Yes, we certainly don’t want that, at least, not yet. Spick?” The stallion of all black spoke to the crystal.

Well above the alley in the air, hovered a familiar form resembling Colt, but with green translucent wings buzzing to remain aloft, “Yes?” Came the response, its eyes glowing.

“I need you to take him and hide him until we can figure out what to do next. Do you think you can do that?” There came a brief grunt of acknowledgment, to which Blackheart smiled.