The Siege of Canterlot

WARNING!

The following story contains language, subject matter, and sexist themes that some readers may find unsettling or offensive. If you are uncomfortable with or triggered by such themes, it is advisable that you do not read this story. This work has no connection to the creators/artists of the "Fall of Equestria" comic, and as such any and all displeasure or complaints about this particular work should not be directed toward them or their viewers. If you see someone expressing offense toward this work in the comments, please do not be snippy toward them about it.

"How? How can we have missed this until now?" Grand Lord Megan said solemnly as she paced her throne room.

There was the soft clearing of a throat behind her and her guests, and Megan whirled around to see two more Val'Kyr striding through the door. One clad in heavy black robes and plated armor, his cloak and hair billowing behind him as he approached the throne. The other was clad in tighter, quieter leather armor, her bright pink hair clashing against the black and brown.

Lord Ryder, and his apprentice Phyaun had finally arrived.

"Ah, Matthew. Thank you for returning on such short notice," Megan smiled, sitting back down in her throne.

"What is this all about, my Lord?" Ryder asked, his eyes scanning over Tolrah and the quivering Equestrian who had been given a cloak.

"This Equestrian has come to ask for our help. While our efforts in the Core press on, Miss Rose here has brought us frightening news of our Equestrian friends."

Ryder raised an eyebrow as he took a seat in one of the chairs arranged in a circle around the throne, indicating to Phyaun to do the same. "Isn't it the responsibility of Princess Twilight to make appeals to us?" He asked. It was a question he already knew the answer to, as it was he who had given the clearance for Princess Twilight to enter the city.

"That is precisely why I called you here," Megan explained, "Equestria has been conquered."

Ryder raised both eyebrows in surprise, "Conquered? By whom?"

Megan shook her head, "Miss Rose seems to be unable to tell us. Whenever she tries, she is driven to hysterics."

Ryder pressed a finger to his lips in thought, "If Equestria has indeed been conquered, then I do not see why she has come here. If they were at war, it would be a different matter. But if Equestria has already been lost, I cannot see how we can be of any-"

At this, Ink Rose jerked up in fear, her voice finally returning to her, "Please! No! Don't make me go back there! Please!"

She fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around Ryder's waist, clinging tightly to him.

"I'll do anything, just please don't make me go back there!"

Ryder looked shocked as he pried Ink Rose's arms off of him, looking firmly down at her.

"I cannot help you if you cannot tell me what has happened," he said as his eyes scanned over a ring of seamless black metal around her neck, "...Where did you get this?"

"The new... k-k-king put them on... every mare and filly..." she shivered, recoiling as Ryder ran his finger over it, "S-Some are... r-r-red and s-some are p-p-purple..."

Ryder examined it. The collar was made of refined iron, the same that would be found on late sixteenth century humans, "Would you like me to take it off?"

Ink Rose sniffled and nodded. Ryder hooked his fingers underneath the collar and gave a gentle tug. The metal snapped at the point of pressure, and he bent it outward and off of Ink Rose's neck. Examining the now scrap metal, he hummed in thought.

"Miss Rose, I want you to tell me who put this on you, and why," Ryder said softly as Tolrah helped her back into her chair.

Ink Rose sniffled, "It was... he was my friend b-before the... before they came and changed him..."

"And why did your friend put this on you?"

"Because t-they do this to a-a-all mares... they make us into p-p-pets and p-playthings... like we're l-livestock."

Ryder looked up to Tolrah and nodded in silent agreement, "Miss Rose, Phyaun is going to take you to the resident quarter and give you a room to stay in. Myself and Tolrah will take a look at what has become of your home, okay?"

Ink Rose's head jerked back up, "You can't go there! It'll... It'll change you! The Crystal Heart does it to all the s-stallions!"

Ryder held up a hand and smiled, "I am quite certain that Master Tolrah can incapacitate me should such a thing happen. Phyaun, take her to an empty apartment, bring her some clothes and something to eat. And as soon as Master Ascentia returns, have her sent to my quarters."

"Aye aye!" Phyaun grinned, hoisting Ink Rose to her feet and leading her out of the room, "C'mon sniffly, let's get you all bundled up!"

Ryder and Tolrah strode through the streets of Canterlot, absolutely baffled. Two years ago, Canterlot was a bustling city of commerce, trade and diplomacy. Now, it's women were in stockades in the street, used as public 'facilities' while the walls of every building were plastered with posters of anti-mare propaganda. Ryder glanced at one, featuring a canary-yellow pegasus being mounted by a Kodo Beast with the caption 'Mares are less than animals.'

"Subtle," he quipped to himself as he and Tolrah approached the gates of Canterlot Castle, where two large creatures stood guard. Ryder recognized them almost instantly. They were caribou. Or at least something resembling the caribou he'd seen before on Earth. These stood upright like the other Equestrians, and were clad in heavy metal armor and each carrying a large spear.

"Halt!" one of the guards snapped, glaring at the two of them, "This cunt should be on her knees!"

Ryder cast a sideways glance to Tolrah, then back to the guard, "I am afraid I do not follow, sir," he said innocuously.

"Does this bitch belong to you?" the guard snarled.

Ryder shook his head, "She belongs to no one. We are outlanders from a far away planet. We are friends to Equestria, and to their Princesses."

The guard laughed in his face, "You haven't been here for a while, have you? The Princesses don't run this kingdom anymore. No mare does."

"I can see that," Ryder said, as he and Tolrah looked around at the spectacle that the streets had become, as two Equestrian men approached a mare in the stockades with a grin on their faces. Ryder gave a tiny wave of two fingers, and the Equestrians seemed to stop in their approach and turn the other way, leaving the mare be.

Turning back, Ryder nodded politely to the guards, "Perhaps you would allow me to speak to the new leadership?"

The guard smirked and lifted his spear, letting him through, "Your bitch has to wait outside."

"There is no need for Tolrah to wait outside," Ryder said softly, giving his fingers another wave.

"Actually, she can go in," the guard said almost immediately, letting Tolrah through.

As they strode into the entrance hall of the castle, Ryder cast a concerned look Tolrah's way.

"You've been awfully quiet," he remarked.

"Given the environment, perhaps it is best if I remained that way, my Lord," she quipped as they ascended the stairs to the throne room, "When in Rome."

Ryder nodded, understanding Tolrah's desire to keep the situation from escalating. The two were permitted to enter the Throne room, and Tolrah's fortitude to keep quiet was truly tested upon seeing what had become of Canterlot Castle. The throne was decorated with four Equine horns. One white, one midnight blue, one pink, and one violet. As Ryder cast his eye down to the foot of the throne, it did not take much imagination to see where they had come from.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were chained up at the base, their horns removed and their wings clamped into tiny, wooden casings. The same black metal collar around Princess Luna's neck, while Celestia bore one in red. Upon the throne, sat  large caribou in ceremonial armor and a loincloth, grinning as the two entered. The Crystal Heart hovered above them, uprooted from it's former home in the Crystal Empire. As they drew closer, Ryder could hear quiet, unintelligible whispers in the back of his mind. It seemed that Ink Rose had not been lying about the effects of the Crystal Heart.

'Take her...'

Next to the throne were two Equestrian guards, both unicorns. One white with a blue mane that Ryder recognized as his daughter-in-law's brother, Shining Armor. The other red with a yellow mane and equally yellow eyes to whom Ryder was unfamiliar with. The other two Princesses were nowhere to be seen.

'Take them all...'

"Well well well," the caribou on the throne smirked, "What have we here?"

Ryder and Tolrah appproached and nodded their heads. "I am Warlord Matthew Ryder, of the Val'Kyr," he said softly, bowing his head, "We have had dealings with Equestria in the past. My daughter is wedded to one of their Princesses."

The caribou laughed, "Mares don't have wives. They don't have anything. I believe your daughter is sorely mistaken."

Ryder didn't dignify this with a response, "I have sources that tell me that the Equestrian government has recently seen new leadership. I do not suppose I may ask about this?"

'I... was... pure... once..."

The caribou stood up and approached him, looking down at the Val'Kyr with a smirk, "I am King Dainn. I rule Equestria. All of it's holds, it's property, and it's mares belong to me."

"Indeed?" Ryder asked with a glance toward the Princesses. Celestia was looking at the floor, while Luna's eyes were locked onto him, looking both afraid and angry. Ryder gast a glance directly to her, and noticed the way she seemed to strain against her chains. It was clear that Luna had not taken her eyes off of him since he and Tolrah had arrived. "Tell me, where may I find Princess Twilight?"

"There are no more Princesses," Dainn spat, stepping back, "The mare cunt that used to be Princess Twilight is probably in Ponyville. If you want to use her, you'll have to talk to the mayor, Spike."

Ryder chuckled, something that drew a glare from both Princess Luna and Tolrah, "I have no intention on using anybody, your majesty. I am married."

'Betrayed... by... my... crystal child...'

Dainn scoffed, and returned to his throne, "Why have you come here, outlander?"

"Simply to... welcome to the new neighbours," Ryder smiled, bowing his head, "I trust Equestria's alliance with my people remains intact?"

Dainn's gaze shifted to Tolrah, "Perhaps..." he said with a growing smirk.

Tolrah's eyes narrowed, "Your majesty, I do not appreciate such a gaze."

"Nobody asked you what you thought, cunt!" Dainn snapped.

Tolrah glared as a swirl of frost began to gather in her palm until Ryder cut across her, "You majesty, despite our politeness, our two civilizations are very different. If your gaze is to convey what I believe it conveys, our women are not a tradeable commodity."

Dainn snorted, "You don't seem like much of a ruler if you can't keep your sluts in check."

Ryder smirked, "I am not the Val'Kyr's ruler. I am second in command to Grand Lord Megan Ryder."

Dainn laughed loudly, as did his guards and Shining Armor, "And to think, I thought this whelp looked intimidating! Armor, get him out of my throne room and take his angry cunt!"

Ryder raised an eyebrow as Shining Armor moved to escort him out while three caribou guards advanced onto Tolrah. Ryder remained rigid and unmoving despite Shining Armor's attempts to make him move while Tolrah freezed the caribous' feet to the floor the moment they had gotten too close.

"Your majesty, I do not wish for this to grow out of control or for anybody to be hurt," Ryder said softly, turning to leave with Tolrah, "We shall take our leave and-"

"Outlander, help us!" Luna exclaimed struggling against her chains, "They've brainwashed our ponies! Made us into sexual fodder! My sister and Princess Twilight aren't themselves anymore! The Crystal Heart is a perversion unto itself and this ursurper is a-"

"Shut up, cunt!" Shining Armor snarled, driving his foot into Luna's cheek.

Ryder turned back to the throne, his eyebrow raised while Tolrah looked positively livid. "Pardon me, Princess Luna?" he asked.

'It... burns...'

"Help us!" Luna begged. Shining Armor moved to strike her again, but found himself locked in a telekinetic grip as Tolrah held her fingers rigidly, "This is not a change in leadership! We were betrayed by Cadance! These cowards brainwashed the men and women of Equestria! We are slaves!"

"Nobody told you to speak!" Dainn growled.

"I told her to speak," Ryder said firmly, "What is it that you wish for me to do, Princess?"

"Kill this usurper! I've seen your kind destroy entire cities single-handedly! Free us!"

"I'd like to see them try, bitch!" Dainn growled.

Ryder shook his head, "I cannot do that, Luna. I have told you before that my people are not your personal conquerors. If Equestria truly wished to rebel, they would have done so." He guestured to Princess Celestia, who was nuzzling Dainn's leg and mewling softly. "But, as I have seen, they do not."

'Help... me... please...'

"They are brainwashed! They are not themselves!" Luna pleaded, straining harder against her chains as she tired to stand and approach, "Where is Ascentia? She would understand!"

"She is not here," Ryder said softly, turning to leave and motioning for Tolrah to follow. Luna's desperate pleas and Dainn's raucous laughter followed them out through the gate and into the street. As soon as they were free from the gaze of the palace, Tolrah grabbed Ryder by the shoulders and dragged him into a nearby alleyway.

"What the hell was that in there?!" she demanded, "Luna begged you for help and you just turned away?!"

"And what was I supposed to do?" Ryder asked, raising one eyebrow, "Kill Dainn and throw Luna back onto the throne?"

"Why not?!"

"Tolrah, I understand how angry this must make you, but you are not thinking," Ryder said, taking a poster off a nearby wall, "Look at this. This is not the hand of one man ruling through fear. This is complacency."

Tolrah looked down at the poster. It was Princess Twilight in coveralls, holding her arm like one would when flexing their bicep and grinning widely. In her hand was a stallion's member with the caption 'We Must Do It!' The similarity to a poster from Earth with a far different message almost made her gag.

Ryder threw the poster down at shook himself out of her grip, "I will not deny there is foul magic at play, Tolrah. I could hear the Crystal Heart in my head pleading for help as well. But killing one caribou will solve nothing. As she said herself: the men are brainwashed and a good portion of the women have been reconditioned. I kill their king, they will simply put another on the throne. I cut Princess Celestia free, she will simply go right back to the foot of the throne. I put Princess Luna on the throne, another will simply drag her off of it again."

Tolrah sighed and turned away, "I'm sorry, my Lord. I... I was too... emotional."

"It is understandable," Ryder said softly, laying a hand on her shoulder, "You have as much affection for the Equestrians as Ascentia does. That is precisely why she is not here. If she could see what has become of her wife, nothing would stop her from slaughtering every last man, woman and child in her way."

"She will have to come home eventually," Tolrah explained, "When she sees what has become of her home..."

"That is precisely why something must be done," Ryder finished her sentence for her, "But I cannot be the one to do this. All the caribou and Equestrians will see is one man challenging another for power. Princess Luna and Ascentia will have to be their symbol to rally around."

He glanced out to one of the stockades, where a mare was locked in. He took notice of her distress, which was unlike the bliss written across the face of the mare next to her. Noticing her collar was black while the happy mare's was red, be began to piece everything together. Princess Luna's was black and she had pleaded for help, while Princess Celestia's was red and she seemed quite happy. In the poster, Princess Twilight's collar was also red and she was just as happy. Even advertising to the people.

"And it would seem that the caribou have made finding the dissidents far easier for us," he smirked, "Tolrah, I want you to return to the Capital and speak with Miss Rose, as well as brief Ascentia on what has happened. Tonight, I will break Princess Luna free and find a safe haven for her and any other unhappy Equestrians."

"Why you?" Tolrah asked, looking confused.

"Because I intend to discover what has become of my granddaughter," Ryder smiled.