Crystal Knight

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The Outskirts
Crystal Empire: Crystal Plain
Barrel
Broken Barrel

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Crash!

The brown stallion slid down the tree and bent his legs as he stumbled forward. His sight was blurred, but that can happen when you get headbutted by a chimera. He shook his head clear and blew some of his light blue mane out of his face as he raised his iron shield. The beast was still there and it was… Talking. Again.

“If you had let me bite him he would be dead already!”

“And that worked so well last time when he almost cut you off.”

“Will you two–”

Screech.

The beast turned its attention back to the stallion in leather armor as he took his blade away from his shield. They growled at the annoyance and tensed their legs as plans went through their heads. Though each wanted the kill, they couldn’t deny what was affective. The ground shook as the chimera charged and the stallion raised his shield.

Unlike last time when he took the blow on his shield, this time the bent rectangle was dropped and the beast was side stepped. It dug its claws deep into the earth as it tried to turn, but the stallion was too experienced. With bent knees and longsword forward, the warrior lunged into the creature's chest. The two came crashing into the ground where claws and hooves flailed for purchase and vengeance. Very slowly they started to move less and less until not at all. The warrior pulled his blade free from their chest as sweat poured down his face. “About… damn… time.”

Stepping down from the creature brought the possibility of bruised ribs into a horribly painful reality. He undid the chest plate and glanced down before groaning at the massive purple bruise that had formed. His shield had taken the horns, but his whole body had taken the impact. Impacts. However, the warrior worried more for his fallen shield which lay on the grass. A quick inspection of the item made it painfully clear that he couldn’t use it. “Splintered wood, bent metal frame. Damnit. Shine is going to kill me for this.”

A soft smile filled his face as he remembered his kind wife. No, she wouldn’t ever do something like that. A long, painful trek through the woods brought him back to the small village of Barrel, or home as the warrior liked to call it. Ponies who saw him walking through always stopped and smiled at him, happy for his safe return. Being the only guard in a town like this definitely had its perks, but being home wasn’t one of them. The village also knew not to delay him long or to make him wait for he had more important things to check up on then them.

He opened the door to a nice house in the middle of town and quietly called, “Shine? Honey?”

A yellow mare came into the room in a green sun dress that matched her short mane. She wore a small smile which immediately grew upon seeing her loving husband. She tackled into him and gasped when he groaned. “Knight, are you okay?”

Knight waved it away with one hand. “Of course. Just some bruised ribs.” A smack resonated throughout the room as the back of his head hurt. “Yes?”

Her normally sweet voice came out in a harsh whisper. “Bruised ribs aren’t okay. You can’t just keep getting hurt like this. I mean, what would we do without you?”

He smiled at her as he gently embraced Shine Maker. “I’m sorry, but you know I can’t stop. I protect you by going out there and fighting those beasts and in doing so now protect our colt as well.” The two stand in silence as Shine gripped into his leather covered arm. They had had this fight many times, but neither wanted it today, not after Knight had just returned. He gently wiped away a tear that fell down her face and gave her one more comforting squeeze. “It’ll be alright. Besides, I have you two to come back to. I don’t think I need any more reason than that to not get myself killed.”

Shine slowly nodded and stepped out of his arms. “Thank you honey, but you know I won’t stop worrying.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Another small tear fell down her face as she turned to the stairs. “Lunar Beam is sleeping upstairs. Get out of your armor and come up afterwards. I’ll be waiting.”

Knight sighed. She had known his lifestyle when they got married and he didn’t think that had changed. An accidental cinching of a strap reminded him that he was wrong. Today had been a rookie mistake, and after seven years of doing this job he shouldn’t have made it. In fact, this was the fourth injury in two months and five monsters. Two months…. ever since Lunar was born. He shook his head as he tried not to dwell on it. They were waiting for him and he didn’t want to disappoint them.

Slowly he climbed the stairs that led to the room and gently rapped his knuckles against the door before walking in. Shine smiled at him and beckoned the stallion over.

“You need to be quiet. He only got to sleep about an hour ago.”

Knight nodded as he pulled the blanket away from the small form. He slowly extended a hand down and brushed the colt’s dirty blond coat. “Hi there little guy. Sorry I was away for a while. I wasn’t doing anything too dangerous, just my job.” He glanced up and smiled slightly as Shine gave him the dirtiest of looks.

“I am not doing this here.”

“Doing what?”

“Not while the baby is here.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

She sighed as a slight chuckle escaped her. “Alright idiot, come over here and kiss–”

Knock, knock.

Knight glanced downward and shook his head. “I’ll be right back for that kiss, alright?” He waited for her to nod and stood to leave. He trudged down the steps as his side ached with each heavy step. Another knock came from the door before he arrived and he finally opened it to a white stallion in golden armor staring back at him.

“Hello sir. I am here with the Equestrian army and we are recruiting all that we can along our way to The Crystal Empire. We were told to try this house.” He paused and looked into the hard eyes and set jaw of the pony and saw exactly what he had been hoping for. “Are you Knight Shield?”

Knight nodded solemnly as his chest started to tighten in fear. “Why are you all marching?”

“Reports claim that The Crystal Empire has risen again and that whoever was sent to pacify it failed. Now we are needed to make sure that whoever may rule it does not turn its forces against Equestria.”

“Not really sugar coating it, are you?”

The guard looked down. “Your village speaks highly of you. All three of them. This was merely the last one we checked on and I thought you deserved to know the truth if you joined.”

Knight bit into his cheek as he thought about the others that were at least technically under his protection but then glanced back as he heard a door upstairs open. “How serious is the threat?”

“Both princesses are going with as much of a force they could muster in such short notice. We could use every stallion available.”

Knight glared at him. “You rotten,” he stopped himself as he simply looked to his hooves. It wasn’t his fault that everyone knew him as a defender because that is what he was. What I am.

“Honey, why is there a royal guard at our door?”

The guard stepped back from the door and swallowed hard. “I think it would best for me to wait for an answer out here.”

Shine’s eyes widened as the door softly closed. “Is he offering a position? Are we moving to Canterlot?” Her smile slowly faded as Knight shook his head. “Then why would he be here?”

“They need me at someplace called The Crystal Empire.”

Shine paled at the grave tone. “No. They can’t have you.”

Knight opened his mouth to tell her that they needed him, but then closed it. They weren’t why. They never were. He slowly lifted her chin so that they looked each other in the eyes. “I can’t risk this getting back to you two. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

She forced herself not to look down, to not cry. Instead she merely slipped her arms around him and held him tight. “Just remember who is waiting for you at home, okay? Come home safe like you always do.”

He nodded and held her close. “I promise I will be back. You can count on it.”

The two separated slightly, but only so they could share one more lingering kiss before Knight stepped out the front door and left the yellow mare all alone in the cold room.

The Outskirts

“Someone get that tent pitched.”

“Hey, we need these picked up already you lazy bums!”

“Is this some foal’s schoolyard? Clean it up, now!”

Spear Tip watched as squad leaders yelled at their subordinates to keep things neat and ready for tomorrow. Most of them moved slower than they honestly should, but he couldn’t blame them as even his battle hardened hooves were sore from the almost two weeks of hard marching. One pony though was putting his whole squad to shame and at this point was almost pissing off the sergeant. He strode over to the squad and put on his best sneer. “Private Shield, follow me. As for the rest of you lazy idiots, get moving and clean this place up!”

Most of the squad scrambled to their feet and clumsily saluted as the only standing member strode over to him and slammed his hand into his forehead. “Yes corporal?”

The blue soldier wrapped an arm around Knight’s neck and started pulling him along. “That would be colonel, kid.”

Knight waited for when his face wasn’t caught in the captain’s armpit before replying. “Sorry colonel. Also, I’m twenty-five sir.”

Spear rubbed his forehead as the the other stallion simply stood there. “Doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you need to stop letting those layabouts avoid their duties and make them do their jobs.” He scowled further as he remembered his own posh living space back home in Canterlot. I hope Celestia and Luna whip us back into shape after this because this is embarrassing.

“It keeps me busy sir.”

The sergeant spent a moment searching Knight’s face for sarcasm but soon dismissed the idea. Spear wasn’t one to pass up a hard worker, and this private had just been outdoing his captain. He jerked a thumb to a large tent towards the center camp. “Go get yourself some food and relax. You’ll need it tomorrow.”

“But it isn’t my squad’s–”

“Get moving private!”

Knight stood there for a moment and bit into his cheek before shrugging and moving along. As much as he had been trying to be a good cog in the military machine, this definitely wasn’t where he wanted to be. He glanced to the grass underneath his hooves as he tried to stop the memories and thoughts from rising back up. That had been the real reason why he always worked so hard in camp, to keep himself distracted.

It didn’t always work though, especially since everyone expected the fight to come tomorrow. Sombra had let them enter the empire, even get to grass and warmth instead of keeping them on the frozen tundra like the war commander had expected. The flags the scouts reported in the distance proved that Sombra was active though and had an army coming. Knight bit into his lip as he wondered just how many would die the next day, but immediately tried to push the thought away and focus on surviving more army rations first.

Walking into the mess tent almost gave him a heart attack as he saw who was serving lunch. Knight had seen them around before of course, but that had only been momentarily at best. Here though, they simply stood for all to see and were even talking to any soldier who came up. Come on Knight. You’ve fought dozens of monsters before, you can take something as simple as this. He tentatively picked up a tray and walked forward.

Celestia gave him a warm and inviting smile before asking, “Liver or fish?”

For a moment Knight thought about how good ribs would be, but didn’t dare say that to the princesses. “Fish please.”

Celestia took the tray and kept her eyes down on the task of finding the best she could since no one else was in line. I really should look into getting better food for our forces. It has been too long since I checked on their regulations for things like this. She sighed for only a moment, but it was just long enough to catch the warrior’s attention.

“I’ll take liver if we’re out.”

She let out a slight chuckle. “No, it’s nothing like that.” A slight glance back over to him caused her to nod. “You drafted yourself. That is mighty noble of you sir…”

Knight shook his head vigorously. “Just Knight Shield princess, and please, don’t call me noble. I am merely doing my job as the one who guards my family. I merely never thought I would be doing it here.” He tried to chuckle slightly but soon had his eyes shut.

A soothing aura encased the soldier as Luna stepped over. “None of us did, but tomorrow we will prove to our enemies that they picked the wrong fight.”

The confidence was almost infectious as Knight smiled. “That… that is good to hear Princess Luna. May I get some corn please?”

She nodded and took the tray after Celestia. It was now Luna’s turn to look at the soldier, but her focus was more directed at the stallion then her job. “Your sword, it isn’t regulations, is it?”

A hand instinctively put itself just over the hilt. “It is mine. It has done me well for a long time and I’m used to it. I wish I hadn’t recently lost my shield, but I’ve been getting better at swinging one of the regulation heavy kite shields.”

“Swinging? Whatever do you mean by-”

A gray pegasus chose that moment to burst into the room and run to the counter. He collapsed against it in a panting heap and Luna immediately check for injuries. The tray levitated to Knight as she prodded the messenger and frowned. “Why are you in such a rush and yet not even covered in a comrade’s blood?”

Celestia put a hand on Luna’s arm. “Sister, do calm down.” Slowly a golden aura covered the scout and his breathing evened. “What do you have to tell us?”

The messenger swallowed hard. “It… it’s Sombra. He waves a white flag. He wishes to discuss with both of you a deal. At least… that is what we hope.”

Luna scowled. “It could be a trap, but I will admit the idea of avoiding a war from happening after so little time being back…” She turned as a hand gripped her shoulder.

Celestia ripped the hair net free from herself and erased any emotion from her face. “Get our armor prepped. If we go to talk to him, we will at least go prepared.”

======+++++======

Celestia scowled as she walked up to the black tent in the middle of the open plain. In the distance she could see banners held high and large tents pitched to house enemy troops. Enough to hold thousands, if not more.. “Luna, your thoughts?”

Luna came up beside her sister and grimaced. “I only feel two presences within the tent, but I can’t say I like this. Sombra never was one to give up, especially since I doubt he considers himself in the wrong, just as I did not when I first came back. We should just leave and not give him a chance to kill us out here.”

Another glance at the armies told Celestia that they were out ponied. Even if a thousand years has made us better, an army of that size could overwhelm us. And the death toll… She shut her eyes. “Sombra, come out here. We are not so foolish as to allow you to get us as we enter.”

A deep chuckle could be heard from within the tent and soon the flaps unfolded. He wore no armor, instead wearing a slightly ruffled white dress shirt and long black pants. A small smile from him sent a chill down Luna’s back. Both mares glared at him as their armor shined in the light.

“Hello Princesses. It has been too long.” Sombra’s smile quickly faded and he held up two fingers. “I have two deals for you. You can take either one, but I will take no deals or pleads that you have to give. Understood?”

Luna nodded while Celestia stood still. “Where is the other one?”

Sombra nodded and snapped. A toned, pink, pegasus mare came out of the tent and bowed to both of them in her gothic black dress. “Hello my ladies. I am Surefire and would like to apologize for worrying you.”

Celestia’s magic extended for a moment to help the small mare to get her hair out of her eyes, but a growl from Sombra stopped her. “Apology accepted Surefire, and I was not about to attack. You know that.”

“I haven’t seen you in a thousand years. From what I hear though, you turned into a bit of a tyrant while staying pathetically weak.”

“I have not!”

“Your sister?”

“She did that because I forced her to!”

Sombra licked his lips as Luna fumed and Celestia scowled. “Such things don’t matter here though. We have more important things to discuss, correct?”

Celestia forced herself back. Sombra was too confident and she was letting him toy with them. It doesn’t help that we both have been having a hard time hiding the stresses of war. “What are your two deals?”

Sombra nodded and assumed his colder manner once more. “My first is that you two submit now and become my royal concubines. From there you can attempt to advise me, but you will have to listen to everything I say and be stripped of your powers. Most likely, those powers will be into me.”

Luna stepped forward and growled. He pat her head and Celestia saw red tendrils flow out of Luna. “Sombra, we aren’t supposed to attack each other here.”

The lunar princess was shoved away as he scowled. “Do not accuse me of such a thing. Princess. I know the rules, but it is not my fault that you two are weak minded fools who cannot control your anger or fear.”

Celestia took another breath and kept her rage inwards. “Your next offer?”

Sombra resumed his own composure. He may think of the two as incompetent, but… No, that does explain why I don’t care about insulting them. I need to hide my hand or the whole ruse will be a failure “My second offer is for you to fight me. A one on two duel, me against you two. Whoever loses dies, and the winner of course gets the other's kingdom.”

Luna looked away in disgust. “Why would we do something like that? No matter the circumstances, Equestria won’t be-”

“Luna, be quiet.”

Sombra smiled as he heard the Celestia stop her sister. Luna wouldn’t like the idea because to do a noble duel like this counted on both sides being noble. However, not only is Celestia already annoyed and probably wants to shove a magical blast through my sternum, but she also values a chance to save her people too much. In just a moment or two, it should be coming.

“Why would you care about protecting your people when you could easily weaken us with them first?” Celestia kept her face a mask as she considered the proposition.

Surefire spoke up at this point. “He wishes to rule an empire that expands over all that he wishes. One cannot rule without people or an army though.” She glanced at Sombra and nodded to herself after he did the same.

Celestia bit into her finger while Luna fumed. It ultimately was up to her in making the choice, but that only made this harder. She looked back to her own meager encampments and looked to the ground. “We bring the weapons we plan to use and no one interrupts. With those rules set… I will fight.”

“It would not be a proper duel otherwise.” Sombra’s gaze turned to Luna. “And you?”

Luna puffed out her large chest. “I will not allow my sister to walk into danger without help, so yes.”

Sombra nodded. “I will see you tomorrow then.” He watched them turn away and start to walk away from his tent. Purple vapors came from the top of Sure’s shirt and he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Wait for tomorrow, and then do as you please.”

A sigh escaped her lips. “Yes, my lord.” With that said, she went to take down the tent. Tomorrow was to be a busy day and the two of them had to make it back to base so her lord may sleep.

Crystal Empire: Crystal Plain

Sombra took in a sharp breath of air as he looked out over the blue and green crystallized field that they now stood upon. Beside him Surefire stood, her tunic and loose pants blowing slightly in the wind. She brushed a strand of yellow hair out of her eyes. “There is a lot of them.”

He could only nod as two figures started making their way over to his location. “More than I had expected. Are you sure your knights will not be overwhelmed?”

A small smile crossed Surefire’s lips. “Even if we are, our lives are merely pennies to fund your dream, my lord.”

A slight chuckle came from Sombra. “You have always known just what to say.” He glanced back as the armor of his opponents shone in the light. “You should be going. That way you have plenty of time to get dressed and join your squad.” He turned to her when she stood still. “I gave you an order.”

“I… I know, but are you sure you do not wish for me to stay here? Be closer at hand, if not merely for moral support?”

He sighed deeply as he noted the wringing out of her fingers. “Such a loyal assassin, aren’t you? I promise, I will be fine. Fulfill your part, and the two of us will get the dream I imagine.” He paused for a few moments and gave the side of her face a gentle brush. “I may even reward you by making your dream come true afterwards. I know your loyalty deserves much by now, my queen.”

Her eyes widened at the words and she bowed deeply to hide the excited blush across her face. “I look forward to our foes falling before your boots.” She then spread her wings and took to the sky.

Sombra couldn’t help but grin at the flying figure. She had been his lead assassin before being trapped for a thousand years and had easily slipped into being the head of his elite Crystal Knights. He knew she had strong feelings for him and his plans, and he would be lying to himself if that fact did not comfort him on the colder nights. A scowl came across his face as he started to shake his head. Come now Sombra, now is not the time to dwell on past misconceptions of what rulers should be like. You came here to kill the princesses, and that is exactly what you will do.

Speaking of which... He stepped forward in his light chainmail tunic and leather pants that were padded by a small metal plates within the fabric, all designed to encourage movement. This was a drastic change to the princesses’ own enchanted armors. Celestia was clad in gold while Luna wore cold, black iron. “Come now girls, not willing to wear something a little flashier for today?”

Luna turned away and Celestia sighed. Both of their armors covered most of them, an almost necessity seeing as they were fighting not only a unicorn, but someone with control of the very environment they stood upon. At least, if nothing has changed. “We are not here to play games, Sombra. We are here for the duel you arranged.”

He nodded slightly to Celestia, taking in the thin rapier by her side and the dual daggers and longsword that Luna carried. So they haven’t changed, even after all these years. Thank goodness. “Come now, a little banter before a fight is almost customary.”

Luna growled at him. “I doubt coming in your peasant’s clothing is customary.”

Sombra raised an eyebrow. “I suppose. Though, I wanted to offer you another chance to not fight before we began and they fit far more for such proceedings.”

Luna chuckled as she glanced beyond Sombra to the ‘army’ that was a few hundred yards away. “I don’t think you’re in a position to claim that, what with that pathetic force you call an army backing you now.”

His gaze hardened and his right fist clenched. “I would not be so quick to criticize if I were the one to be made a fool simply by a few hundred flags.”

Celestia held up a hand to cut her sister off. “We estimate your real force to be maybe one to every four of our own. Those are not good odds for you, so please be so kind as to lay down your weapons and we can discuss a peaceful route to end this violence.”

Sombra looked between the two for a few moments before shaking his head. “You still have to fight me, regardless of how many troops I have. Or have you turned into some sort of tyrant willing to kill my paltry force because it wouldn’t take you more than a few moments of bother.”

“I would never do such a thing.”

Luna couldn’t stop Celestia as a cruel smile spread over Sombra’s lips. “How true, I suppose. About not doing anything at least. In fact, I believe your niece found that out first hand as my cock took away everything from her right in front of her dying husband.”

Celestia paled. “Yo-you didn–”

Sombra’s smile spread over his whole face as oily, black tendrils came from Celestia to him. “I think I remember her even praying. Something like, ‘Sunshine, sunshine.’ I can only guess it was hoping you would come to save her. But you didn’t, did you?” His face became deathly serious now, only inches away from Celestia’s as Luna unsheathed her blades. “Instead, you just sent some simpering purple sop who couldn’t give two fucks about anything but a test. A test–”

“Shut up!”

“That you–”

“Shut up!”

“Gave.”

Crack.

Neither mare had been watching Sombra’s feet, having been too wrapped up in watching his hands and face as the tension had risen. His steel boot had slammed into the ground and before Celestia could react, a black spike came up from the from the ground. She barely moved fast enough not to be spitted right there, but instead received a gash over her right cheek.

The armies, full of ponies who expected to see their diarchs relieve them of all worry, prove that nothing would go wrong that day, didn’t see Luna slice into Sombra’s side and push him back. They only saw what looked like Celestia being wounded and stepping back.

Luna jumped back as Sombra brought around his massive greatsword. She tensed her legs, ready to spring forward, just as a heart shaped glow appeared beneath his chainmail. She shifted her aim for it, but her knife shot out at the same moment that hundreds of black tendrils enveloped him. Her dagger screamed off of metal as they swirled around his form.

A black, gauntleted hand shot out of the writhing mass and grabbed her arm before yanking her off balance and then throwing her to the ground. The tendrils started to become whole as a spiked, iron greave came down on her stomach. Luna’s own protection spell was all that stopped her ribs from shattering. Sombra came out from the mass with a dark aura surrounding his body and full heavy armor.

Celestia watched as Luna rolled away from Sombra and a large cloud of dust filled the air, originating from where his sword had met the ground. She had to focus, had to get the image of that bastard doing… doing... She shut her eyes tight. Luna is in trouble. Whatever happened when he came back, it has changed the circumstances and you have been a fool for falling for his tricks. Now grab that anger, focus it, and protect your people! Her eyes popped open with bright suns instead of pupils.

Luna continued her own retreat now as she tried to come to grips with the sudden speed that Sombra seemed to have gained, and the feeling that she was somehow being attacked by a greatsword that was wielded with the speed of a dagger. She pushed back with her wings, ducking beneath his swipe and putting him between herself and the magical surge she’d just felt. Sombra stood staring straight down the path of a giant ball of fire and light.

The ensuing explosion shook the ground as Luna flew back to her sister. “Impressive.”

Celestia panted and shook her head. “It has been far too long since I’ve been in comba–”

Luna tackled Celestia out of the way as a jet black beam shot through the air right where they had been standing. Sombra stepped out of the dust, scowling. “Get back here!”

Celestia spread her wings and shot into the air while Luna turned around to face their opponent. Sombra scame forward, his armor scratched and his left arm and leg uncovered from the blast. His sword came through the air, but he expected Luna’s dodge. What he hadn’t expected were the dark blue sparkles that were left in the air as his foot stamped down on nothing. He growled and glanced up to where the two sisters were.

They glanced at each other as a crystal spire rose up from the ground, launching Sombra into the air. Celestia’s horn glowed a vibrant yellow and the blast shot him straight back to the ground. Luna’s follow up coated him with dark blue magic, pinning him to place. “It won’t hold him like last time.”

Celestia nodded and started to hover closer and closer to Luna. “Lets make this quick then, and don’t hold back. Kill him, don’t just seal him.”

Luna looked back to her sister and nodded as her horn started to glow. Sombra looked up from ground and started to hyperventilate. A strange sense of deja vu came over him as those two hovered in the air with him pinned to the ground, desperately attempting to free himself before their horns touched. Any moment now, he would be gone, turned into shadows again, forced to feel that painful agony for another thousand years. He shut his eyes as a tear came down his face. My kingdom. My land to rule, to control, to make my own as I wish instead of being trapped in a bubble by these witches, all to be lost again.

Crack!

Celestia’s eyes gazed deeply into Luna’s. Any moment now their magics would connect, their auras would become one, and she would become one with her sister for just a moment, a feat they had done only a handful of times before. She watched as Luna’s cocky smirk suddenly changed, and instead of feeling a surge of power and love, she felt fear, surprise, and above all else, pain, just before her sister started to fall.

Sombra ran towards the site where Luna was falling, but Celestia recovered from her shock just a moment too soon. Another large crash of fire and light cut him off before he got too far. Celestia landed next to Luna as she shook on the ground and she immediately threw up a barrier to protect them as she assessed damages. “Sister, stay still.”

“It… it hurts. Celestia, it hurts.”

“I know, just give me five seconds. Erect a barrier or something.” She smiled as Luna’s horn glowed. “Good girl.” Celestia’s own magic was already coating Luna and starting to attempt to heal the fractured ribs that her sister had just received. She turned her over and stared at a purple crystalline shaft that stuck into the base of her left wing. “How?”

A sudden slam against the field brought her attention to a large crack within her shield and the arrowhead that now stuck through from the direction of Sombra’s men. Her eyes narrowed as she stood up and drew her rapier, ready to defend her sister from both fronts if she had to. I hope.

This was about the same time that the shock had finally worn off on Spear Tip and he shook his head furiously. “Men, get up! The bastard cheated and now we need to get in there to set the scales right!” He stumbled as the ground shook and a dark cloud that had surrounded Sombra sank into the ground.

A large wall of black crystal started to slowly rise between Sombra and the Equestrian army. Spear’s eyes followed the massive columns and grimaced as they cut off just before interrupting the enemy’s ability to get behind it. He looked to his lieutenants. “Get your troops up as fast as you can. If we don’t get over there soon, the Princesses will have almost a hundred more enemies on top of them!”

“Bu-but sir, he just–”

He grabbed the stallion by the collar and growled. “Do I look like I care? Now move!” He tossed the stallion and watched as others started to move. A quick glance back up, and he saw another two shafts go behind the wall. We need to move. Now.

The squads soon surged forward. Despite the hurry, they knew better than to completely abandon formation, lest they wanted to be lose their numbers advantage to a bad start. Sombra’s army stayed where they were, but a strange mixture of auras started to appear at the front. A command was given and shieldman soon were to the front of each squad in order to take any magic that may have been coming.

The auras sank in at the same time as Sombra’s men surged forward. The shieldman soon found themselves alone as spikes of blue, green, and purple crystal rose up from behind them and impaled the front ranks of the Equestrian army.

Knight Shield took the brunt of his first attacker’s sword against his shield as he thrust outwards, cutting open another enemy’s stomach. A third came, but a heavy push against his new army issue kite shield forced the first off and into the second. He felt his mouth drying as he backed up towards the wall that was getting most of his kindred shield users killed. A quick glance up allowed him to spot arrows flying above him as pegasi tried to come over the wall as backup. Those aren’t the large ones, though. Not like the one that took Princess Luna down. His attention came back forward as he had to quickly back and now felt the cool crystal against his back.

Boom!

The section of the wall next to him suddenly came apart as thick pieces of shrapnel cleared the men in front of him. A small swarm of arrows filled the gap and felled another group of enemies before any more infantry made their way through. The reinforcements were quickly cut off though, as green spikes impaled a few while closing the gap, albeit briefly. Knight couldn’t linger on his luck or the chaos though. Equestrian or Sombric, neither mattered, not when compared to the pink mare with a bow almost the size of her body that was firing oversized, crystal arrows behind the black wall.

He made his way slowly through, ignoring the death around him and concentrating on whatever lay before him and wore the wrong armor. Knight couldn’t focus on the fact that the person who he had just spitted on his sword had a face like his or any others, only on the fact that a monster had to be killed and as always, it was his job to kill the monster.

Surefire continued to fire upon the weak barriers Celestia erected with a small, sick smile over her face. She had made the princess unable to walk because an arrow through her leg, but it was that, or one through Luna’s skull. Sombra of course wouldn’t relent, not that he had any reason to with a Celestia who was hampered by only being able to fly. Flight that would do her no good because if Celestia went too high into the air, Sombra would have a clear path to her sister, but on the ground she simply couldn’t beat Sombra’s destructive force while her arrows shot past her head. Just as it should be.

A purple glow came from next to her and a dark green stallion with black hair crawled out of it. “You need to get better at that.”

“And you need to pull your weight. Scan for the troops that get too close, or you’ll get the lancing you deserve.”

For a moment she considered ignoring her second in command’s words as he sank back into the ground, a special trick he still wouldn’t share with her. However, she couldn’t deny he was at least somewhat correct, though she would keep that ‘as you deserve’ comment in mind for after the battle if the prick was still alive. Besides, my lord has it under control over there, just as I do over here. She kept her arms at full draw as she spun on her toes a full one hundred-eighty degrees and fired her heavy shaft into a shield man coming towards her. Another arrow was already growing out of the ground and she panted as the shard in her chest grew hot.

Knight flinched slightly as the man next to him crumpled, his limbs contracting to the arrow that made up his chest cavity. He didn’t stop though, not when he could now see a clear path straight to his target. This also meant that she could see straight to him as she plucked the arrow out of the ground and started to pull back. He could almost feel the tension in the bow building as sweat came down his brow. He had to force his hands to loosen. Too tight, and he would screw up.

Thwack

Surefire’s eyes widened as the brown shieldman deflected her arrow off a now bent kite shield and started to spin. Her eyes grew wider as he charged forward by thrusting the shield forward once it had come full circle. She deflected the sharp edge of the shield with her bow, but the impact caused the crystal to shatter as the stallion drove his sword into the ground to stop himself.

Knight turned to face her and found a purple blur coming straight for him. A sharp pain filled his side and he only stopped her backstab by thrusting behind himself. The effort was rewarded though with another strike against his other side. He didn’t bother with them for more than a moment, remembering that he had more important matters than simple cuts to deal with.

She smirked as the bottom of his kite shield bit into the crystal ground and he seemingly disappeared behind it. She watched the sides and ducked low as she came around. Only, no one was there and the shield soon and she paused long enough for the shield to come crashing into her, destroying what little balance she had on the blood slickened ground. Knight lowered his foot back onto the ground and came down with his sword quickly in an attempt to stop her from recovering.

The hurried attack cut through Surefire’s light armor, but it was not fast enough to stop her from rolling away just in the nick of time. Knight was just about to follow the roll when a sudden stab of despair filled his chest. He collapsed to the ground and barely managed to deflect an incoming spear with his sword. His mouth was completely vacant of moisture as one word screamed over the din of the battle.

“Sombra!”

Surefire bent low behind some of the other soldiers, trying to think while she shaped the crystal beneath her feet into a new bow. That must have been Luna. If I can just get one, maybe two– Her head flared in pain and she shook the notion away. Used up too much making walls and the earlier volleys. Besides, my lord can do this. I just need to get out of here and see him at the castle. Yes, that is what… She glanced up and saw one of her fellow knights get overwhelmed by a small squad of troops and run through. Her blood chilled as a tear came to her eye.

“So-Sombra made me their commander.” She gritted her teeth and pulled the bow out of the ground. “I… I can’t fail him, not yet.” She swayed on unsteady feet as she reached for the arrow growing beside her. The nuisance had finally gotten back up, having traded a hole in his armor for getting back his shield. “Just need to take you out first, then I can go. Just need to take out my target, like a good little assassin.”

Knight charged forward as she grabbed the arrow. It was quickly put against the bow and she started to draw back. Still, he did not slow. She made it to full draw, a point where the strong arrow could pierce through solid steel. Still, he did not slow. She loosed the arrow and watched as his shield flew off into the distance, no longer attached to its owner. Still, he did not slow. She closed her eyes as her chest burned in agony and the soldier’s longsword came forward. A tear ran down her face as she stood there, unable to move. She barely whispered “I’m sorry,” before she could feel the sword tip pierce her chest.

Shoonk.

Slowly, a blood covered greatsword was pulled out of the white mare who it had been thrust through. Her fiery hair finally returned to its normal triple colored luster before it stopped shimmering or moving. A broken gauntlet grabbed ahold of her throat and the princess was lifted into the air for all to see as the black wall came crashing down.

The entirety of both armies stood there in shock as golden power filtered into the tyrant that stood in the open field. He dropped the lifeless rag and walked over to the other corpse that populated the plain he had fought on. Outcries and sobs could be heard as she too was drained of any remaining power.

Sombra, in only a few shreds of armor over his broken chainmail now, then bent down and planted his hands firmly against the ground. With a mighty roar, the crystal shone a bright angelic white and a calming, deep blue. The pools of light slowly focused until only two small symbols remained. Symbols that Sombra now pulled out of the ground; one a sun, the other a crescent moon.

Only now did he turn to the armies and saw the blood covered battlefield that lay at his empire’s doorstep. A small, satisfied smile crossed his lips before a green stallion pulled himself out of the ground. “Yes, Fissure?”

The knight grinned at him. “Shall we examine the new troops?”

Sombra glanced at the man as the cries of sadness and pain grew ever louder. “I will do so with my second in command.”

The grin did not leave the stallion’s face as he beckoned Sombra to follow him. The soldiers parted before the pair in silence. None of them knew what to do, not when confronted by the man who had killed the princesses, even if he walked with a limp.

Knight kneeled panting as the emptiness that had invaded his body at the same time as his sword invaded his opponent refused to leave. It didn’t hurt, but the force of her death… it had left him numb. Only being kicked off of his kill caused his head to start working again. He looked upon Sombra as he knelt beside his opponent, examining her.

The stallion beside Sombra could see the veins starting to bulge out on the leader’s forehead as he stared at the gaping hole that had once been where the one heart that had ever loved Sombra laid. Now it was gone though, and he couldn’t even grieve. Not while in front of his new soldiers. Slowly the tyrant came up and turned to the crowd.

“If any of you warriors wish a life outside the dungeons where you will starve until you die or start eating each other, you will join my army. I will take volunteers, but know those who don’t, even if you still don’t resist, will be treated the exact same because you brought arms against the Empire.” He could watch as the gears in the stallions’ heads turned, but none responded. That is, except for the shaking hand that belonged to the one that he had just kicked. He walked over to the brown stallion. “You wish to join me? After what you have done?”

Knight slowly stood up, gritting his teeth against his newly bruised side and keeping his right eye closed, ignoring the throbbing welp on his skull from where his shield had nicked his temple in the final charge. He looked into Sombra’s eyes. “We lost, which puts my family into danger. I… I know a lost cause when I see it, and I don’t want to make my family wanted simply because I believe in a now dead diarchy.”

Sombra stared at the stallion. He wanted to hate him. Wanted to rip his head off and take his vengeance. The tyrant couldn’t though,not when she would have wanted his dream to be aided by someone strong enough to defeat her. He glanced back and grimaced.. “Your family? You would die for them, wouldn’t–”

“In a heartbeat.”

Sombra nodded and walked away, the stallion’s resolve proving just high enough to ensure loyalty. He carefully reached into Surefire’s chainmail as he bent low and kissed her forehead before pulling out the stone firmly imbedded into her chest. He then walked back and solemnly gave Knight the jagged piece of crystal. “If that cuts you, you will gain power matched only by my knights. It is how they manipulate the crystal like I can, and it gives them great strength and defense, just as it and fear does to me.” He tapped his chest, the black crystal heart now being able to be seen through the shattered links of his chain mail.

Knight went to take it with his right arm but soon found it unable to be used now that his adrenaline had worn off and the dislocated joint screamed in agony. Once he had the shard though, he dropped it into his sword sheath and glanced back at Sombra. “I… I am allowed time to make up my mind, correct?”

“Yes, you are.” He then grabbed Knight’s right arm and pulled him into the air, screaming. “One of you has already defected, now the rest of you should if you desire to keep your lives. It is ultimately your choice, but the agony you will feel in my dungeons will be a thousand fold what he goes through now.” He then dropped the stallion and waited as the Equestrian force dropped their weapons. “Good. Now, I have a couple hundred tents that need to be packed by my army. That is your first job before you report to the barracks.” He looked to his new, temporary commander. “You make sure nothing happens and that no one disturbs me unless it is you. Understood?”

“Understood, King Sombra of Equestria.”

Barrel

Knight Shield took in a deep breath. In front of him and his squad was a timberwolf, but it wasn’t growling. Instead, it simply stood there, watching the soldiers. He stepped forward and and cocked his head.

“Sir!”

He held up one hand and growled. The beast stepped back and faltered slightly on its hind leg. A smile spread across Knight’s face as he tried not to let himself get distracted. He couldn’t help it though, as the creature faulted more and a slight chuckle escaped his lips as he felt tears sting his eyes. He brought one arm up to wipe them away, already scolding himself for enjoying this so much.

Crunch!

His arm was down in an instant, but he could already tell how he had screwed up. He looked down at the young pegasus next to him who was lifting his longsword away from the few branches he had smashed off the beast. Knight grit his teeth and turned away from him. The small squad watched as their leader left, scratching their heads as to what had just happened.

======+++++======

Spear Tip sighed as he looked down at the map. “We’re running out of supplies.”

The dark green unicorn shrugged. “As long as we find a town soon enough, I am most certain they would allow us to ‘appropriate’ some resources.”

The old commander scowled at the comment, but simply shook his head instead of cursing out the jackass beside him. “I wish we could find one of the new guard posts again and resupply.”

“Come now, that would be against our prime directive: expand and conquer. I would expect such disobedient thoughts from a vagrant or one of those bandits we slaughtered last week, not from a goody two hooved Equestrian Commander. Now, shall we continue onwards?”

Spear almost broke his teeth as he tried not to punch his ‘co-commander’. He knew the truth, though. Sombra had needed as many soldiers as he could get, loyal or not. Experience and skill had given people top priority, so many of the old Equestrian units had been given positions of power. Unfortunately, to keep an eye on them, many of them had also been given a moral advisor, like Knife Edge.

Knife shifted his weight away from Spear. “You know, if we do want one of those outposts or forts to want to give us supplies, a few slaves would probably be a good idea. Act as a nice gift to smooth over any problems we have with them.”

Spear stepped forward and growled. “If you bring those up one more–”

“Sirs?”

Both of them turned to Knight as he nodded to them. Knife ran a hand through his gray hair and stepped forward. “Yes, sergeant?”

Knight Shield swallowed hard and let out a deep breath, still uncertain as to whether or not to tell them. Come on, you’ve spent two months with these men. They’re reasonable… enough. His heels clicked together and he gave them a firm salute. “I believe I know of three small towns in the nearby vicinity. The closest one to us is called Barrel, and I can assure you that we will be greeted with open arms by their citizens.”

Knife chuckled. “And why in the world would we? So far no one else has been smart and decided to lay down like a bunch of good whores.”

Spear put a hand to Knight’s chest as the brown stallion surged forward. “Barrel? If I recall correctly, that is your home.” He waited for a small nod before continuing. “And you’re absolutely certain that they will accept us, despite the flag we bear?”

Knight glanced back at the major before taking in a short breath and nodding. “I protected them for years. They will know that if I decided to bring a garrison of fifty into their homes, it would be for a reason.” He growled at Knife as he opened his mouth, but the unicorn merely spread out his hands and shrugged.

Spear nodded slightly. He looked to his men and sighed as the fatigue caught up with him. After a month of fortifying the empire, being under Sombra’s training regiment and then finally being assimilated into his army, all of his remaining men had been forced to march. Ever since, they had been cutting through the populace, or at least, the populace that was left. The whole thing disgusted, even causing some screw ups on his part like leaving the Manehatten post before they could get some real supplies. Too many good mares had been in irons for Sombra and his lords to have their slaves and workers.

Now though, now we have a chance to rest without one eye open.

Spear spread the map in his hands out further. “Corporal, point to where on the map that you think it should be. My second-in-command will mark it with his magic, and we’ll leave immediately.

Knight eagerly nodded and started to examine the map. “If we’re in Cracked’s territory, then the Hydra’s Den is over here, my fight against the chimera was here and… right there. This should be the spot.”

A few quick whispers between Spear and Knife later, and the light blue stallion came back, wrapping an arm around Knight. He cleared his throat. “Alright, listen up. We’re changing course to a nearby town.” An audible groan came from the troops and he smirked. “However, do not expect a fight. We have a wonderful offer here that no other garrison in this army can get. We’ll be dining on one of our owns wife’s cooking by this time tomorrow!”

A palpable tension filled the air before someone gave out a loud cheer. Many quickly joined in, relieved to hear that a break may be on the horizon. Spear clapped Knight on the back. “I hope that isn’t too much pressure on your wife.”

He shrugged, a smile spreading across his face. “I think you’re challenging their stomachs more than her.”

Spear let out a large laugh before clearing his throat. “Alright, enough celebrating. We’ve gotta get moving before we can have that. Squad leaders, get your men together; we march in ten minutes!”

Knight nodded and ran back towards his troops. “You heard him, get up.” The first one up was the pegasus who almost immediately was slinging his pack over his shoulder and beaming at him.

“I can’t wait to meet your wife. From what you’ve said, she sounds like a wonderful mare.”

Knight picked up his own pack and started walking towards a larger grass path that would be the fastest way to the village, his own eagerness turning into cold determination. “She is.”

The scout waited a few moments, expecting more from him before he held his hand out. “My name is Bad News. I switched from third squad a few days ago.”

Knight blinked a few times before starting to laugh. His medium armor shook with him as the rest of the squad fell into line. The laughter went on just long enough for it to stop being contagious and to start making the squad think he had gone insane. News scowled slightly. “It isn’t that funny.”

Knight wiped a tear away from one of his eyes. “Sorry, just, I haven’t had a decent reason to laugh in almost two months, and to know my new scout is named Bad News is simply too stupid.”

News glared at his superior. “Thank you for the vote of confidence.”

The squad started moving as the order for Knight to take point was given. At first military rank was kept, but the excitement that hummed in the air could be felt by everyone. Nice, warm beds, good food, and company beyond the murderer next to them was simply too tantalizing not to talk about. Knight turned to his scout. “So, what part of the Equestrian force were you?”

News set his jaw and steeled himself. “I wasn’t. I’ve always been a part of The Crystal Empire’s force.”

Knight went silent for a few moments before nodding and scratching his mane. “Were you in the battle?”

The scout was quiet for a moment, simply staring at Knight before slowly turning away. “Yep.”

“Where?”

“Towards the middle, relaying messages from the few commanders we had and getting them to different squads. Of course, I felt damn near useless as the knights were the ones really running things. You?”

Knight and News bent down to help push a fallen tree out of the way. “Hmph. Well, I guess I was closish to you seeing as I had to dive right into the heart of your force.”

News’ eyes widened. “Wait, does that mean you were the one who took out Sure?”

“Yep.”

He let out a low whistle. “I mean, she had plenty of distractions, but–”

“I got lucky.” Knight moved forward, the rest of his squad shocked at the statement before surging forward to catch up. By then though, Knight could see an all too familiar wooden wall and his heart rose. He couldn’t help it as his hooves started pounding into the grass and dirt.

At an almost dead sprint, he met his little town, his mind focused on one thing. He ran through the town, ignoring the quiet stores, the empty streets, or the total silence that filled the air around him. Knight had one goal, and nothing else mattered, not after so long. He opened it a crack and smiled as he peered in.

There she was. Her green mane framed her face perfectly as her eyes widened at seeing him. Tears filled her eyes as she clasped her hands over her mouth. Knight could feel his own eyes sting as he opened the door the rest of the way and started to step in. He couldn’t think of a single moment where she had looked more beautiful. Shine took a step towards him. “Kn-Knight?”

“Wah!”

Both parents glanced up, but coming back down, Shine’s eyes weren’t on him, but to looking to the side. Her body slumped, she stumbled a bit, and opened her mouth, but Knight already knew what was coming. He twisted his body, but the moment still came like knife between his ribs, mainly because it was.

His shield came off of his back and against the pegasus’ skull in almost no time and sent the attacker sprawling over the floor. The door was wrenched the rest of the way open and he barely had enough time to unsheath his sword and deflect the edge of his opponent’s blade. He lurched forward and did a light tackle against the stumbling pony, causing the aggressor to crash to the ground. Knight rushed forward and grabbed Shine’s arm. “Come with me.”

Shine’s eyes stayed glued to Knight’s open wound and she started to stammer, unable to say anything as the blood of the first pony started to seep into the wooden floors. For a moment she resisted his pull and got her hand free. Knight stared at his hand in disbelief and he looked back to her. “Shine, you know I would never–”

A blast of magical energy cut him off as it blasted off one of his shoulder pauldrons and caused him to stumble. His second assailant had just gotten up and knocked Knight to the floor by slamming his blade against Knight’s shield. The pony raised his blade and grinned maliciously just before a piece of steel ran through one side of his body and out the other. Blood poured down from him as News tumbled out of the way of the magical blast aimed for him and grabbed Knight’s hand. “We have to go!”

Knight glanced back at Shine who was backed up against a wall, sobbing. Lunar’s cries from upstairs rang in his ears and he shut his eyes tight. “I’m not leaving without them!”

“If you don’t–” This time it was News’ turn to be cut off as the unicorn from the stairs blasted a hole into him with a lance of magic through his light armor. For only a single moment Knight and News’ eyes met. Knight could see the pain and anger in them, but he was still here, still trying to help him.

While I tell him to die. He grabbed his shield and held it up, his feet set firm on the floor as the next magical blast spread over it. “Clear us a path out while I make sure we don’t get picked off.”

News nodded as Knight moved towards the stairs. The scout grabbed the front door and slammed it shut. It came back quaking as the soldier that had been coming through fell back. “The rest of the squad’s been doing their share, so we can go.”

Knight contemplated charging the unicorn for a moment. They’re outside risking their lives for me though, protecting me when I should be protecting them. He glanced back at Shine one more time, her form curled into a ball into the corner. Besides, she’s never with me when danger is around, and that is exactly how I would prefer it stay. He quickly followed News out the front door just as another blast shot past their heads.

Outside, Knight found Tartarus. Unicorns were picking off single members of his platoon while pegasi were air dropping anything from lamps to safes onto troop’s heads. His own squad already had three dead laying on the ground in front of this one building, despite only having half as many ponies in front of them. Knight swallowed hard and bellowed, “Retreat!”

His squad were shocked for only a moment, but the moment Knight and News charged past them and their leader’s shield smashed two opponents on their asses, they decided that they just might be able to. It was only a few more moments later when Knife’s voice could be heard bellowing above the chaos, calling for a general retreat.

Knight and his squad rushed into the nearby woods, panting and holding onto their open wounds. Knight could feel the blood that matted the fur on his right side, and could see the bloodstain on News’ armor. They all looked at each other before looking back at the town, able to hear the hoots and hollers of celebration. Celebrations they were supposed to be having. Slowly, the group trudged back, resigned to field dressing and rations for the night.

======+++++======

“Who are we?”

“Equestria’s Defenders!”

“What did we do?”

“Beat Sombra!”

“When did we do it?”

“Today!”

News watched from the shadows as the blue mare yelled to her troops. Her rainbow hair bounced in the cool night breeze and stood out like a beacon amongst the crowd. He breathed a sigh and turned away, trying to ignore the gnawing in his belly. The leader had been spotted, so now it was time to wander the town and figure out how to get some sort of edge after half their platoon had been massacred. The surprise attack had been devastating, and even if they forced these ponies out into the open tomorrow, they now had the numbers’ edge. Hence why we scouts are all here as spies, no matter how stupid that is.

News moved away from the main square and started going towards the only other light that was on in the town. A few fires dotted the place, but no ponies were there by now, not that many would ever want to be around a burial pit for any longer then they had to. One form did join his surveillance though, a single yellow mare who stepped to the edge of the pit. His eyes widened as the mare continued to move about, her light green hair almost shining in the firelight.

Sniff.

News’ hair stood on edge as the smell of heavy alcohol filled his nose. He glanced over and saw a white unicorn pass him by. The hole in his shoulder throbbed and he scowled at the image of the annoyance on the stairs coming to mind. He pulled his cloak tighter around himself, but the unicorn didn’t notice. Instead, he moved forward, straight for Knight’s wife.

All water in News’ mouth evaporated in an instant as the mare was turned around. At first it was gibberish, small, little shouts that he couldn’t quite make out, that he could ignore. A rip filled the air and her shouts became louder and louder. He tried to entirely shut out the cries for help, knowing going out there to help would be damn near suicidal, at least in the long run.

“You aren’t half the stallion he is.”

News wasn’t looking there way, but he could easily imagine it. The snarl of the stallion as the drink becomes too much. The curling of his fist as she lay on the ground. Her muscles bracing, expecting the impact that her shut eyes would protect her from seeing. The resonating sound of his fist against her face was the last straw.

He started crossing the open ground, each smack of his fist hurrying his pace. He could hear her cries becoming smaller and smaller with each step. It was almost without thought that he pulled out his knife. The unicorn’s insults of whore and traitor led his blade as it slammed into the top of his skull.

News twisted the knife before pulling it out and throwing the body to the ground. He lunged forward and thrust into the bastard’s throat, covering himself in the aggressor’s blood. There he stayed, waiting for the final convulsions to stop as both stallions were covered in red. FInally, he stood and walked back to the yellow mare who stayed still on the ground.

Slowly, his hands came around her back and neck before he put his ear to her mouth. The two fingers against her broken neck was all that he needed though. News shut his eyes and felt tears come down his face. It was the first god damned good piece of news any of us had gotten since we started this fucking march, and of course I have to be the one to ruin it!

“What are you doing?” Applejack walked into the firelight and scowled at the cloaked stranger. “I don’t recognize you, so where did you come from?”

News’ heart leapt into his mouth and he said nothing as he turned to her, bloody knife in hand as he knelt over the dead mare. Applejack’s hair stood on edge and she noticed the dead stallion to the side, but also the lack of blood on the mare. “What happened here, and I would reckon you’ll want to speak fast.”

“He… he was drunk, and angry, and I… I don’t think he approved of her being with…” News grew silent for a moment before shaking his head, knowing that if she hadn’t figured it out by now, revealing his loyalties would only bring him closer to death. “Once he started beating her, I came over and tried protecting her. I promise I’m being honest.”

Applejack bit slightly into her lip before kneeling beside him, looking over the town’s healer. She checked the body before nodding slightly. “You need to go. Others will be here soon, and I would rather you not have to die for trying to do what’s right.”

News spent a moment staring at her, noting the tears coming into her eyes. He then stood up and ran. His hooves thundered against the ground as he made it back to camp. He panted hard as one of the other soldiers took ahold of him and started leading him to their planned destination. Despite his small, exhausted pleas, he wasn’t allowed to go find Knight and let him know. He first had to report back.

Knife looked up as the soldiers came in. He sucked his lips in and scowled slightly. “What brings you back so fast?”

News took in a deep breath. “Sir, I have to find Knight Shield.”

“No, what you need to do first is report back. Now, are you going to listen and fly straight like a good pegasus, or am I going to have to break your wings?”

News decided it would be best not to argue and simply get the brief over and done with already. “Sir, I left the town after witnessing the death of Knight Shield’s wife. I will confess that I was spotted by one of their leaders, but she let me go. I… I can only guess as a repayment for me trying to protect the mare.”

Knife nodded and scowled. “So, what you’re telling me is that not only did you compromise every spy we have there, but you also came back with no real useful information.”

News grit his teeth. “Yes.” He fell back as a bolt of magic caught him square in the chest. Knife’s boot was swiftly planted on his ribs and drove him back to the ground. “Sir, you can’t just kill more men. That isn’t going to help you.”

“You’re absolutely right. However, I can claim you were kidnapped by the enemy and that they tried killing you for answers. Trust me, it’ll help sell our truth to Knight.” Knife pushed down with his boot and started twisting it.

“Ung. Our truth?”

“Yes, that those whores who call themselves the leaders of this puny rebellion executed his wife for simply the act of loving him.”

News saw red and tried pushing up. “Spear won’t let you.”

Knife’s boot left his chest, only to slam into the scout’s side. “Well then, I guess it’s a good thing he was one of the many casualties to today’s battle. How sad really. He was such a fun, faithful fool. Now though,” he slammed the foot back into his side, “we need to get you looking right.”

Broken Barrel

Knight Shield rubbed at the bridge of his nose as his squad started to tighten their armor in the early morning sun. He had been on sentry duty just before daylight and the long hours were definitely catching up. Not that I slept before my shift anyways.

His eyes ran over the small encampment, searching for his scout. As much as he had hated all of yesterday, that was no excuse to not thank him. And yet, “still no News.”

“I wouldn’t say that so quickly.”

Knight glanced back as Knife unceremoniously dropped the black pegasus. “News!” He knelt low and inspected the cringing form, noting the lacerations, bruises, and blood that now adorned his body. A low growl escaped him as he looked up at Knife. “What happened?”

“You don’t want to–” He stopped as Knight’s hand came up and grabbed his collar. Already a small flame was in the squad leader’s eyes, and Knife knew just how to stoke it. “I promise you, it’s better if you just forget about it.”

“I left my wife behind to protect him and my squad, so I would speak, now.”

It was hard, but Knife just barely suppressed a smile. “Oh… that, that’s terrible to hear. And to think you did it for such honorable reasons.” A low growl was all Knife got. He could see the bags under Knight’s eyes and the whole scene just became more delicious by the second to the commander. “Fine.”

“Last night, News attempted to save your wife. Instead, he was captured and tortured, and barely escaped before they decided to take his life. Your wife on the other hand was decided to be too much of a threat as she was likely to give secrets to the enemy. My condolences.”

Knight slowly let go of Knife’s shirt and stepped back. “Bu-but she wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“And now today we march to our deaths, unable to retreat, lest we want Sombra to end our lives because we failed.”

“But our child, and my squad, and…” Knight wrapped his arms over his stomach, not sure whether to scream, or cry. Tears stung his eyes as he tried to process all of it, but nothing wanted to work, nothing wanted to respond. In the emptiness, a single voice spoke up.

Use me.

Knight reached into his armor, almost against his own will as his hand clasped around the small leather pouch within. He spent one more moment considering it before deciding it was more than worth it in order to destroy these monsters. A sharp pain filled his right hand as it clenched the crystal tight.

Everything around him turned dark and he soon found himself in almost complete emptiness. The only thing within the blackness was a single wisp of pink that floated to him. It glowed as its words resonated within him. “Tell me, what do you want?”

“I want her back. I want to have been able to protect her.”

“You can’t have that, so what will you do?”

“Then I will rip out their spleens and feed on their eyes before I let them take another thing from me!” The words shocked Knight, but at the same time, felt all too right.

“Understood. You… you will be fun. Just, don’t kill yourself.” The light surged forward and entered Knight’s hand. Immediately, he was back in the encampment, but now his mind didn’t take in the wounded soldier he was supposed to care about or the bastard across from him. He only knew his targets weren’t there, but he knew where.

Knife watched as a red aura surrounded the brown stallion, originating from his palm. “Good. Now, I want you to–” A small cloud dust erupted in his face as Knight took off into the forest. “Get back here!” He waited a few moments, able to hear the slowly fading sounds of the brush being torn through. He glanced around himself at all the soldiers who now stood staring at him. “What are you idiots doing? Get up, get your armor on, and follow that fucker!”

News slowly got up and stumbled a bit. He met eyes with Knife and both scowled at each other for a brief moment. News then turned away, determined to make sure Knight was alright.

Alright was not quite the right word to describe him though, as he found the wall to the village and promptly used his shield as a battering ram, crashing through the wall and even into one of the houses. The soldiers within were only half armed, still having been getting ready for the battle, and watched as the dust cloud cleared. Anywhere a large splinter had embedded itself into the intruder had a red, jagged crystal covering the wood and wound. Knight looked around and narrowed his eyes as the first opened his mouth.

His shield slammed into the stallion’s gaping maw and his head turned into a spray of red as it was smashed against a wall. One of the others tried coming over, but got a swift kick before the narrow point of the kite shield was embedded deep into his chest. The third one came down and Knight simply waited for the bait to come to him.

Doors started flying open as the outcries of one of their comrades filled the air. What they saw gave them all a moment for pause. Slowly making his way to the center of the village was a brown stallion with a sword in one hand, and a shield and their comrade’s intestinal tract in the other. Those who were right in front of him waited the longest though, as they saw the expressionless face and a thousand yard stare that depicted an utter lack of care for what was going on now.

Knight watched as the first few came, falling for his bait. If I am to rid my town of all these monsters, I must face them all. If they are given the chance to run, or no reason to stay, I will lose them. He stepped back as the first one arrived, his spear catching nothing as Knight spun and slammed his shield into his back with a loud snap. The next got him to finally bring his blade up, cutting open the stallion’s stomach.

For a brief moment a sharp pain filled his world and he looked down to see a pegasus who now had her daggers embedded firmly into newly formed red crystals on his chest. His head crashed against hers before he brought his foot down on her skull with a sickening crunch. Another blade caught his attention from behind, but the pain wasn’t bad. No, it was merely a signal telling him where to swing for his next kill as the shards on his face started to spread.

Rainbow Dash finally exited the top of the house she and Applejack were staying at, her head throbbing from the celebration last night. She unsheathed her set of daggers before reaching for a cinderblock and getting her tail yanked back. Looking back, she saw Applejack scowling and holding onto her. “What are you doing? Can’t you hear their screams?”

“Of course I can!” Applejack yanked her friend to her feet. “But were you even going to look at what was happening?” She forced Rainbow to see what she had already seen from the window, which was a stallion covered in red magic and blood who shrugged off any attack, and usually then killing the pony who had just wounded him. “I count ten bodies already. You tell me, especially with the rest of his force and whatever reinforcements he may have gotten, whether or not we can take that.”

“But we just won! This was going to be the first of so many… so many,” Rainbow glared back at Applejack as she clenched her teeth and slammed a fist against her friend. “You call it this time. I did it last.”

Knight’s eyes widened as he got done retrieving his shield from the last corpse and saw that the rest were running They aren’t allowed to run. I haven’t had my fill yet, I haven’t killed them all, I haven’t– A rock cut off his thoughts as it slammed into the side of his head. He barely got sight of his new prey before they ducked into one of the houses, but that didn’t matter. I’ll just tear it down.

He crashed through the door, as a rather annoying, high pitched whine filled his ears. The brief sight of a black wing caused him to sprint up the stairs, and he entered the bedroom just as the dead man picked up a small bundle from within the solitary cradle in the room. Knight tried to move forward, but something was resisting him. Resisting the fury.

“Wake up, Knight. He still needs you.”

Knight got his foot to move and started to trudge forward, the crystals on him starting to entirely mask his face and body. He let out a growl as his blade started to rise. The bundle shifted more and a dirty blonde hoof poked its way out as the foal inside cried harder.

“You don’t want to do this. You’re going to die if you push any harder.”

The crystal covered his eyes, bathing the world in red. The blade reached its apex, glinting in the sunlight coming from the windows. And then, it came down.

Crack, crack.

News panted as the crystals on Knight’s body started to weaken and splinter. The blade had fallen only centimeters beside him and the foal, and he swore the colt knew from how silent he had become after the swing. Finally, the crystals broke, and every wound they had stanched split back open. Knight looked up at News before going to a knee. “Help… me.” The world turned black for him soon after as he fell to the floor.

======+++++======

Knight opened his eyes, a dim, magical light buzzing just over his head and a dark blue mare holding a clipboard at his feet. He blinked a few times as his whole body screamed at conciousness. “Ow.”

The mare almost jumped out of her skin and stared at him for a few moments before straightening out, but also starting to visibly shake. “He-hello Knight Shield. How are you feeling?”

His vision lost focus for a moment and he felt something in him starting to rise. “I hurt.”

Her horn started to glow and she gently pushed him back against the bed as the soothing aura took effect. “Just go back to sleep sir, and rest. You’ve been unconscious for almost a month.”

Knight’s eyes popped open and he sat up, only to then double over in pain, the thing within him rising to a small boil. He started to pant and the nurse ran out of the hospital wing. What in Tartarus is going on? There is no way I was out for a whole month. Another spasm of pain ran through him and this time he saw the small red aura that was emanating from his hand, calling to him. Simply thinking about the power made his thoughts more pointed and almost seemed to pump adrenaline through his veins.

Sombra soon came through the door, spotting the slowly building storm of energy around the brown stallion. His horn glowed and a sphere of energy radiated from the tyrant king. Knight’s anger quelled almost instantly, replaced by primal fear and a feeling to bow. His breathing evened out and the aura was no only a few wisps coming out of his palm. “Wha-what did you do to me?”

“From what I’ve heard, stopping you from almost killing yourself, again.” Sombra stopped at the foot of the bed, the nurse cowering behind the tall stallion. “Do you even know what you did?”

Knight put a hand to his head and started shaking it. “Not really. All I can remember is…” He became very quiet as he remembered the news. The soul shattering news. Tears stung at his eyes, but this time he ignored the energy that beckoned to him.

“You won the fight that day. Apparently, you single handedly chased off almost a whole platoon of ponies, saving them from not only the enemy, but also from their own idiotic fears.” Sombra scowled and gripped into the metal railing.

Knight scowled as his memory started coming back. “Yeah, but how did I–”

“You took the power of The Crystal Heart, and apparently got a lot out of it. You will make a fine knight.”

“That wasn’t… what I was about to ask. How did I survive?”

“Your platoon told me that the blood transfusions, sleepless knights, and even the lack of treatment on their own wounds were nothing compared to what you had already paid to save them. Simply a situation of eye for an eye really.” Sombra was quiet for a moment before tapping his fingers against the rail. “I would like to offer my condolences. Your son already is safe within my nursery wing, and I would understand if you wanted to see him, spend time with him, things like that, and I will gladly give you the time to do so if you so require.”

He bit into his cheek, his memories slipping to all of the hours lost to simply watching him. They couldn’t stay though, not when compared to seeing his son falling into the shadow of his blade. “No, I can’t.” Knight squeezed his side and used the pain now, calling on some of the bubbling power as he stood on shaking hooves. “I want out as soon as possible.”

Sombra watched the stallion sway side to side for a few moments before crossing his arms. “Why?”

“Sir, I tried killing my own son. I want at least a chance to deal with this before…” He gripped his head as tears started coming to the edges of his eyes.

Sombra nodded slightly and put a hand gently on his shoulder. “You need another week of rest, and then I’ll let you go. Understood?”

Knight looked at him. “You’re going to allow this?”

He nodded. “I knew of a time once when I was like you, when I thought I was wrong. I couldn’t imagine that what I was imagining was even real, or something a pony could think about it. If you need time and will help me, I will not stop you, especially if it ensures my peoples’ safety.”

Knight bit into his cheek and shut his eyes as he readied himself to sit back down. “What is my assignment?”

Sombra shook his head. “First I need you to request something of you, a change.”

Knight’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of change?”

“Your name.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“It is connected to old ideals, to thoughts of nobility. I allow my knights to be called as they are to abuse that image in others eyes, to try to garner trust. I cannot have them truly believing in such ideals though, as your name suggests.

Knight stayed silent for a few moments before letting out a small sigh. “What did you have in mind?”

“Something simple, so it won’t affect you much.” A small grin crossed Sombra’s face. “Night Shield.”

Knight winced as the barest flicker of a smile came across his face. “Yeah, I think I can live with that.”

Sombra nodded and stood. “If that is all you need then, I should be going. There is still so much to be done.”

Night knocked against the bar over his head to get the other stallion’s attention. “You never told me my mission.”

He nodded and smiled slightly. “Bring me Twilight Sparkle.”

Author's Note

And with this, the story ends, leading into Age of Terror. Thank you all for enjoying this, and if you wish to support me as I continue with my works, my patreon is here.