Chapter 14: Welcome to the war

A long strained groan and yelp of pain sounded, alas he was held firmly and almost violently in place as a cream colored unicorn continued to drain the magical power from the device that pierced his chest into a soul gem.

“Discord!... would you shut up? We are removing it as fast as we can without killing you…” Twilight was tempted to just swat him in the face to get him to shut up.

With “Princess” Fluttershy by his side he seemed a bit more at peace but being wounded and sealed away for so long seemed to humble the chaos spirit. He hardly even spoke other than the soft greeting he offered to Twilight when she entered. Twilight could not help but feel that he was broken, even if he was rescued from this device that sealed him, his spirit would continue to be broken and he would never be the same again.

“annnnnnd done!” the oddly shaped probe quite suddenly tore out of his chest. He gave a long pained groan as Fluttershy gave him a soothing pat on his head. The hole in his chest quickly closed and Discord looked down at his talon like hand. It glowed brightly with chaos magic before he dropped it to one side.

“….thank you Twilight… I did not think I would ever be free… I … honestly don’t know if I can just…. Go and wreck vengeance… but… I promise… I will do what I can… we will get our world back…”

“Good on you, you old bastard” Baldir’s heavy hand swatted Discord on the back. “We won’t need you in the fight… but it would be interesting to see you do your thing…”

Twilight looked back and Taara seemed to ignore them fidgeting with her pony form. She wanted to be in her normal human form but it was making everypony stare and scared the young.

“Taara?...” The old woman looked back curiously. “When is Rashala coming back?...”

“Well Twilight… she went back to get our armies… we can mobilize half of Tamriel… and intend to…”

“Can you really?...” Twilight looked concerned.

“Yes… we are the Dragon born… as of right now we are the only ones who have a legitimate claim to the ruby throne. If the world refuses us they know we will come back and force them to obey…” Twilight shuttered at the thought. She saw Taara and Baldir angry a lot but not so much ‘conquer a nation’ angry.

“I am honored that you would do all this for me… but I just feel it’s not right to risk the lives of YOUR people for my own…” Twilight let out a long and somewhat distressed sigh before a hoof clopped over her head with a firm bump.

“That’s something about me you should have figured out by now. I’m not doing this because I have to or feel I should. You are my friend and I WANT to do this. You know me well enough… I’m a Selfish, bitter, greedy, know it all, old woman and I’m sorry but you are getting our help. I don’t really care what your feelings on the matter are. No petty flying magical horse is going to out magic the Dragon born arch mage of Skyrim…” She grinned wide with a hearty chuckle. Twilight managed an authentic smile which made her feel better. Taara was selfish and prideful but she was still a good friend that Twilight was ever grateful for.

“Well… I really hope this all goes as smoothly as you planned”

-    -    -

A message was sent out to what little of the resistance they could spare over the entire kingdom and the surrounding kingdoms. Finally a word back from the small wonderbolt squad, they gathered forces in southern Equestria just as requested. This open display was instantly met with violence and organized assaults from Princess Melody’s army. Though much unlike all previous skirmishes the wonderbolts did not hit and run. They attacked with a large force and beat back the oncoming army. News soon reached the crystal throne and a heavy force was deployed to snuff out this newfound bravery. However, in two weeks when the main force finally reached the now no longer hidden headquarters of this ‘petty would be rebellion’ every last living breathing pony for 50 miles had mysteriously vanished. In fact, ALL the outposts all over suffered at least slight increases in hostility before receiving reinforcements. When those ponies reached their new stations ready for combat they came to find the entire station utterly void of sentient life unaware that they were becoming like only so much butter spread over a muffin too large to entirely cover.

“Equestiran magic is interesting yes… but your teleportation abilities only go so far… long distance portals are a rare thing in Tamriel but not impossible…” A cream colored unicorn quickly shifted into a bipedal old woman supporting her weight on the staff of magnus.

“Your majesty!...” The soldier hesitated in the presence of the woman who seemed so utterly alien to him, but continued sternly. “General Rainbow Dash has the special forces in position, General Derpy has the standard troops on standby, General applejack just checked in ready as ordered with the infantry to the south, the foreign mercenaries are all in their places Princess Fluttershy has the barrier up with all civilians inside…”

The one winged Luna nodded and looked at Taara who looked to Twilight as Ra’Shala seemed to melt into existence between them. “This one has made sure that your instructions were rigorously followed we await only your signal and the tear with the anchor.”

Taara nodded calmly and Luna took in a deep breath. “Are you certain of this Twilight?... we WONT get another chance ever again…”

Twilight nodded firmly and her eyes narrowed. “There is a time for harmony… and there is a time for war… That mare desecrated our world and our beliefs… she will be purged and Equatria will fall back into the hooves of its rightful rulers…”

Luna nodded, still full of fright but content enough in her trust in Twilight. “Its your move Arch mage…”

Taara grinned and reached into her bag. Gripping firmly she motioned to them. “Avert your eyes unless you want to go blind…” Flicking her hands up she wrenched open the scroll and her powers blasted forth. “Open… and come forth… by my right as Dragon born… by the power in my blood hear me Akatosh and call your children forth…”

The elder scroll strained with power as a rift tore open from the throat of the world to their location and the massive flood of Akatosh’s children blasted forth followed quickly dark portals opening with all manners of strange creatures pouring in from other dimensions lead by a draconaquus holding the Wabajack easily doubling his no longer crippled power. Legions of ponies from the air and the ground flooded in, Minotaur, Griffins, bat ponies even changelings and more closing in on the crystal empire. Quickly ponies lined the walls that now surrounded the city. However, chaos instantly started to brew up within the great walls as they faced a foe they could not identify. Humans, elves, orcs, argonians, Khajiit and more erupted from under the city effortlessly killing and passing the guards Princess Melody had assigned to watch over the mirror which had been fuming with energy since Twilight had returned.

“Goodness…I never thought I would see this day…” Luna stared at the events unfolding before her as her mechanical wing spread just like her long since gone feathered wing once did. If this was really considered a war and not just a late execution she would have to amend the Equestrian dictionary.

“Remember the plan you dumb horse…YOU deal with princess bitch… we will try and overpower her brother…” Baldir in his human form was quite a sight to see leaping up the castle walls as all of Equestria charged in to fight for their freedom.

The only cause for concern was the flood of endless dragons which quickly erupted from the crystal citadel and flooded outwards to meet the oncoming forces. However, Equestrian dragons were no match for the children of Akatosh and his eldest son Paarthurnax. The magic that tainted the minds of the Equestrian dragons could not touch the power of those who were created to dominate all other living beings. But, for every one Thu’um bearing dragon assaulting the great city, three slightly weaker treasure hoarding monsters came crashing into the oncoming forces.

Taara, Twilight, Luna, Baldir, and Ra’shala met close to no resistance before they reached the door. “This is it Princess… you ready?” Taara breathed calm as she stared over at her friend.

Twilight looked about her soaking in all that was being done to repair what she knew she could have prevented had she not been trapped. She grimaced at all the violence but nodded. “I am ready…” They forced open the door and there they were.

Calm and confident, her eyes glanced at the invaders with a face that screamed power. All about her magic enhanced gems and jewelry shined brilliantly. Bronze armor stared emotionless into empty space, his overbearingly massive dark powers flooding out his eyes like they were ablaze with black and green flames. Princess Melody stood up from her throne which had a blatantly obvious new addition of two heavy crystals on either side. One containing a white unicorn. Aged and wrinkled, a purple mane and three diamonds on her flank. The other princess Cadence just as Twilight had remembered her. Both the mares frozen in the crystal like statues. It was unclear whether they were alive or dead but Melody flaunted them all the same as she stepped down from her throne and her lance levitated from its place to just over her shoulder. Bronze Armor’s vacant eyes widened and he let out a pained scream as his power flared in a massive ungodly display of power.

“Don’t keep us waiting…” Taara grinned as her body lit up with magical power like the heart of the sun.

“Mul! QaH DIIV!!!” A mask and armor of energy flooded over Ra’shala’s body as her blades drew.

A long pained yell which quickly turned to a savage and brutal dominated roar sounded as Baldir’s body contorted and shifted into a furry savage bundle of muscle claw and fangs.

Twilight looked to Luna and back towards her friends, she drew in a breath and twirled her staff, Luna twirled her twin blades and the silent confirmation was made.

The legendary three dragon born rushed in at the Godlike stallion as the two princesses rushed at the dark and twisted princess of domination.