Author's Note

A few people asked me when I would update a few of my other stories. I am still busy working on my cartoon, but in my downtime, I really wanted to write this. I'm sorry I didn't update those stories yet, I just really wanted to write this, and I hope you like it.

Chapter 1

Canterlot. Once the abundant and thriving metropolitan capital of Equestrian society. But that was once upon a time. Its current condition hid its one glorious image. Dark storm clouds hung overhead, yet there was no rain or thunder. The streets of this once great city were lined with bodies, some dead, some still living. Those that still lived fought until the bitter end in bloody combat. Some of these warriors were ponies, clad in brilliant golden armor. Their opposition? Two legged creatures that stood three times the height of their enemies, dressed in dark, jagged armor. As this battle for the city raged, a much more instrumental fight was going on inside the castle.

The double doors to the throne room shattered as a white Alicorn propelled through them. Princess Celestia hit the floor with a thud, cracking her ribs. Splinters, blood and matted fur decorated her body. It was a kind of pain that she hadn’t felt in centuries. She weakly raised her head to gaze at her attacker, who slowly walked towards Celestia.

He was tall, six feet, three inches. He wore heavy black steel-toed boots, and brown pants. His shirtless torso showed off well-defined muscles, and numerous battle scars. His shaggy hair was silver, though it was hard to see with the ragged and torn cloak that covered his face. But you could see his eyes. This was because they glowed red, with a purple mist emitting from them. His eyes were hateful, and showed no trace of the humanity he once held dear. Wrapped around his cloak were medium sized chains, which appeared to move and flow on their own. Lastly, he wore black fingerless gloves on his hands. The man stopped walking, and now stood tall in front of Celestia, ten feet away. And then he spoke.

“Do you see this devastation?” he asked in a deep voice that commanded both respect and fear. “All this bloodshed could have been avoided. I did not want it to come to this. But YOU chose to deny me.” He held out his right hand, and the chains that wrapped around it shot off towards Celestia, wrapping around her neck, lifting her into the air. She struggled to fill her lungs with air, but failed miserably. The last thing she heard before she blacked out was; “All of this, is your doing.” The last thing she thought was; ‘He’s right,’

Twenty years ago

On the outskirts of the town of Ponyville, existed a large mansion. Cement pillars, and large set of double doors decorated the manor. But behind the mansion were acres of land. Tall pale creatures were abundant, working the land, while ponies with spears and crossbows watched them with their scornful gazes.
The land was also littered with small, poorly maintained wooden shacks. Outside one of the shacks were a group of armored ponies along with some of the pony ranch managers. Inside the shack were three humans. A man, a woman, and a small child, no older than six. Also inside the shack were four ponies, Two were armored soldiers. The third was a blue stallion with a black stenson hat, and a black vest.

The fourth was a Carmel colored stallion, with gelled back black hair, and a tie. The female human was huddled with her child in her arms, while her husband stood defiantly in front of them. The stallion with the hat took a step forward, pulling out a large knife.

“Listen here boy,” he said with a southern twang. “Your master, Filthy Rich sold your son. He now belongs to the Human Gladiatorial Entertainment Corporation.”

“I don’t give a fucking damn!” replied the man, who then tuned to face his owner. “Master rich, please, don’t let them take my son! I’ve served you loyally haven’t I? Well my son can do the same! Please!”

“Sorry, but I’ve been paid a hansom sum of bits for your boy. He’s a gladiator now,” replied the pony.

“No!” cried the woman. “You can’t take my baby!” The two pony guards began walking towards the family, prepared to take the child away. The father stepped forward and kicked one of the ponies in the head, knocking the helmet off his head, as well as rendering him unconscious.

“You filthy beast!” yelled the other guard, as he drove his spear strait into the gut of the father. The male human looked down, eyes widened in shock as he saw the weapon piercing his torso, blood slowly leaking down from the wound. The pony withdrew the spear, causing the man to fall down, to the ground.

“Lemont!” cried the woman. She ran to her fallen husband, while her son began to cry in fear and sadness. The other guard used his magic to lift up the woman, and move her away from the dying man. The pony with the hat and vest walked towards the boy and grabbed him, and proceeded to drag the slave out the door.

“No! Let me go! Mommy!” cried the young boy, but the cruel black hearts of these ponies were not moved. The group left the shack and shut the door, locking it from the outside. Filthy rich trotted over to some of the other guards present.

“I’ can’t imagine she’ll be a very obedient slave now. I have no further use for her. Burn the shack.”

“Yes sir,” said one of the unicorn guards, who used his magic to send a ball of fire strait towards the shack. The fire spread quickly, and all could hear the screaming of the wife. The boy screamed as he saw his mother burn alive. The pony dragging him pushed him towards two guards, who grabbed him and shackled him. The pony with the hat stood in front of the boy.

“You’ll make a fine warrior. All we need to do is break you. What is your name human?” In between sobs the boy was able to answer the stallions question.

“It’s-it’s Matrax.” An evil smile grew on the face of the pony.

“Heh heh. Matrax. That’s a strong name. Matrax, the gladiator.”