Rise of The Solar Empire

    Twilight felt Critious’s grip on her wrist tighten, like a vice he held onto her, pulling her along. His rage fueled breathing was audible to Mitch and the unicorn. Mitch tried to keep up, but his body was exhausted, both from the run, and from lack of sleep. Then all three were knocked to the floor, with Princess Celestia having knocked them over. Critious growled, and threw himself at her, throwing punches left and right, but his blows missing each time. Celestia knocked him over with her magic, and she went over to Twilight, to tend to her, but then she was stabbed through the shoulder.

The Princess yelled, and Critious choked her, glaring at her, “You have always irritated me,you pathetic princess.” He then threw her to the floor, then stepped on her back, then threw her out a window. Mitch then lunged at Critious, tackling him.

“Run Twilight!” He yelled, and Twilight ran.

Mitch Tried to hold him down, but the much stronger human overpowered him, and threw him into a wall.“Why do you fight for her?” He extended his sabre, and stabbing his shoulder. “I will not kill you, but I will not make this pleasant for you.” Mitch was thrown into another all. “If you knew what is to become of her, you would not be fighting for her.”

Mitch tried to stand up and fight, but he knew it was pointless, so did his opponent. After a few seconds, Mitch fell over, his body unaccustomed to wounds, and functioning during a fight with such little energy.

Critious stood over him, placing his sabre over his neck, and singed his neck hair and hair. “Stay down, and you will not be as harmed.” Critious grabbed Mitch, and ran after Twilight.

After passing Applejack’s dead body, Twilight Sparkle began to cry, falling to her knees. but she didn’t have time to grieve for her friend as Darth Critious arrived, and picked her up. “Miss me?” He said, and wrapped his arm around her, and jumped down the stairs near them, but this was not the kind of grip that a friend put around someone they want to protect. No, this was the kind of forceful grip that someone does to a captive, all vestiges of the feelings Critious once harbored for Twilight now gone.

Mitch jumped down too, but he fell on his chest, Critious just scowled at him, “Clumsy fool.” He got up and dusted himself off, his body still not functioning properly from exhaustion.

Imperial Guards held the Royal Guards that survived, including Polaris, and Flash, who were both on their knees. “My lord, what do you wish us to do with these, these?” He couldn’t think of an insult great enough for them.

“Take Flash Sentry, my master has plans for him, and let Polaris live so he can tell the other guards of us, you may kill the others.” Darth Critious said, and Twilight was horrified, “Take me to my shuttle.”

The ImperialGuards surrounded them, and they marched down the castle halls, Twilight looked out the window to see if her teacher was ok, but the shattered glass where she had fallen was devoid of her, so Twilight took that as a good sign. As they went through the castle, Twilight and Mitch become more and more horrified as they saw the dead army of guards. Mitch pulled Twilight over to him, and said, “Don’t worry, they want us for something, they won't kill us.” I hope, Mitch thought.

Darth Critious threw him a vile glare.

“What, I’m a ‘glass-half-full’ kind of guy?” Mitch shrugged.

“I know,” Darth said, “And I find it one of your most repulsive qualities.”

Caught off guard, Mitch had no idea how to respond to that. Continuing to the Imperial ships landed outside, the encircled captives slowly approached a large transport.

“BroadShield, take my ship back to the Black Sun, I shall escort them to her highness, The Empress.” Darth said, and BroadShield bowed to him.

Critious lead them into the transport, the troopers went to their stations, but Critious came with them to the holding cells. When Twilight Sparkle, Mitch, Darth Critious and Flash Sentry were all in, Critious closed and locked the door from the inside, the loud metallic CHUNK! was audible. Promptly sitting in his meditation position position, he spoke to Mitch, “Wake up the pegasus.”

“Why?” Mitch asked.

“Because I instructed you to.” Critious replied.

The tan pegassi groaned.

“I’m not doing it.” Mitch said, “Not because I don’t want to take orders from you, but because I despise him, and don’t want him anywhere near me when conscious.”

Breaking his meditation, and looking at Mitch, “You it please you if you were allowed to hit him to wake him?”

That, actually would, as Mitch harbored a deep rooted hatred for him, and Twilight knew that he did. “I still won't, I want to, but I won't.”

Swiftly, Critious went over to him, going from sitting several feet away, to standing right in front of him in a matter of seconds. Critious’ face was so close to Mitch’s, that he could feel the heat of the assassin’s breath. “Have you forgotten what he had done to you, the anger he caused you, the pain?” Mitch had told nopony about that except Twilight, only she knew the true extent to which his anger went to. Before Mitch could answer, Critious continued, his yellow rimmed eyes staring directly into Mitch’s, “Now is your chance to unleash that anger.”

Mitch broke eye contact, forcing his face away from Critious’, shutting his eyes, not wanting to give into his anger, not for Flash’s benefit, but Mitch’s own, he could feel his anger boiling over. Feeling his hand clench into a fist, Critious smiled, and turned Mitch to Flash Sentry.

“You know what you want to do, now do it!” Critious said to his ear.

“No,” Mitch proclaimed, “I’m not going to, Twilight would not approve of that, and I do not know how you know so much about me, but if you do, you must know that she is the only thing I have to hold onto in this universe, and anything that could cause me to lose her, even if that means not releasing my anger at him.”

Critious snarled, Mitch was tougher to crack than he first expected. “Fine, I guess I will need to do it myself.” Critious picked up the blue mane of his prisoner, and threw his face on the floor, hearing his nose break.

“GAH, SON’V’A’BITCH” He held his bleeding nose, he looked around at his surroundings.

“Great, now he’s awake.” Mitch said sarcastically, Twilight glared at him.

“Trust me, geek, I’m not happy you’re here either.” He replied.

Critious walked over to Mitch, and whispered “My offer to pummel his face in still stands.”

“I’ll think about it.” Mitch meant what he said, anger compounding each moment.

The transport shook, signaling that they had docked with the Black Sun, “Follow me.” Critious shoved his way past Flash, knocking him back on to the floor, and using his powers to open the door. Mitch followed, but before he could, Twilight grabbed his arm.

“Don’t listen to him, I know you hate Flash, but there are other ways of dealing”

“MOVE IT TUNGSTONHOOVES!” Critious yelled. Both turned to his direction.

The deep purple eyes of Twilight looked into his, “Remember what I said.”

Mitch ripped his arm free of her grip, “Easy for you to say, you loved him.” He spat, rage pulsing through his neurons.

His sudden change in tone horrified her, she just made her situation much worse. Mitch walked past Flash and grabbed his shirt, and threw him backwards into the wall, the ringing from the impact. Twilight did not help him, her priorities were on Mitch. When Twilight reached Mitch,she could see he was fuming, she could almost see the clouds of smoke coming from his ears. Troops surrounding him.

“Now do you see what you do to people, Twilight.” Came Critious’ voice behind her, he sounded close. Turning to face him, only to find that he was directly behind her. “Your love, and compassion makes them monsters, just like you did to me.”

“What did I ever do to you? I don’t even know who you are.” Twilight said.

“That is true, to an extent, but there is nothing you can do for Mitch, no matter what you tell him, even though I know you have no love for Flash Sentry, no matter what you tell him,”

His knowledge of them was not only abundant, but on target. “How did you know what?” Twilight asked.

He pushed his face into hers, almost gloating. ”He won't believe you.” Critious backed off, and folder his hands behind his back, “When you will try to save him, as I know you will inevitably try to do, all you will do is push him further into my grasp. Now if you would please accom

Knowing he was attempting to be polite, but she got the jist. The twosome walked in silence to the Empress’ chamber, Critious’ cape swaying back and forth as he walked. Around him Twilight felt a sense of familiarity, a presence she knew, but could not explain where from. It was polluted, twisted from its original form. It did not take them long for them to reach the Empress’s chamber, where several guards formed a line to separate Mitch from Flash, both glaring at each other with hatred, seeming to prevent the two from attacking each other, more Mitch attacking, as Flash’s current state limited his offensive potential.

“Greetings my Empress.” Darth Critious said once he passed the guards, and knelt before the Empress’ stairs that lead to her throne.

There was no reply.

Darth was puzzled, Empress Solious never left her chambers without informing him “Empress?” Darth called. Raising his wrist communicator to his mouth, he said, “Major Sky Stryke, where is the empress?”

A female pony answered. “She went on a negotiation mission to the changeling homeworld, didn’t she tell you?” The major replied.

Angrily Critious told her, “No, no she had not. Did she tell you why she did not tell me this herself?”

“Hey, don’t you get snippy with me Crits.” Major Stryke.

Flash snorted with laughter, “ ‘Crits’?” Critious turned to him, and magically choked him, enjoying listening to him gasping for breath.

“How many times have I told you and the troops not to call me that?” Critious questioned.

“Actually, never.” She said.

“I shouldn't need to, that is no longer a name I go by.”

Flash laughed again, “You seriously went by that? Wow, you’re a bigger dork than this piece of geeky garbage.” The pegasi pointed towards Mitch, that sent him over the edge, his last bit of self-control lost, Mitch pushed through the troopers, and while Flash was laughing one off, Mitch slugged him, shaking his arm do to feeling like he pulled a muscle in it. Thrown several feet away, Mitch walked over to him, and as he tried to get back up, Mitch stepped on his back. Though unaccustomed to the field of combat, Mitch certainly was no slouch in a fight.

Deep in Mitch’s bones, he felt long hidden magic awaken itself, the darkness that permeated his mind and body took control. Mitch lifted him up, and slammed him into a wall, leaving a large dent. “Your constant,” He threw a punch, using one hand to keep Flash steady. “Idiotic,” Me threw another punch, “Incessant chatter is not helping our situation.”

Twilight tried to run over to them to stop Mitch, but Critious held her back. “Now do see what you have done to him? Do not fret, he will not kill Flash, that is my job.”

Back at the fight, or rather, the beat down of Flash Sentry, Mitch was filled with so much anger, all directed at Flash Sentry. Forehooves braced for Mitch’s rage fueled onslaught, the human broke through his block. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to do this.” He raised a fist to Flash face.

Laughing came behind everyone, more of a cackle or raspy chuckle than laughter. “Good, good.” Everyone turned to face the new arrival, it was the Empress.

“My Empress.” All imperials said, Critious included, kneeling before her dark cloaked figure. Mitch got the idea, and knelt before her, seeing it as the most prudent course of action.

The Empress scanned the crowd, a smile came to her white lips as she picked out Mitch and Twilight, She looked over to Flash Sentry, who was on the floor, a tooth missing “I have been expecting you, Commander BroadShield, escort them to their accommodations. All other troops leave, I wish to speak with my apprentice, alone.”

BroadShield walked up to the human and unicorn, “Follow me,” Walking out of the empress’ chambers, Mitch, who was still seething with rage, was surrounded by troops and Twilight Sparkle, who was avoiding Mitch, her head had begun to throb, and mind was clouded here, as if just being on this station was obscuring her magic and ability to think.  Twilight shook her head to try to clear it.

The more distance Mitch put himself and the Empress’ chambers, the more his anger melted away. The troopers lead them to the detention block, and each was sent to a separate holding cell. The troopers positioned themselves in front of the cell, and one went behind Mitch. Grabbing Mitch’s collar, the trooper threw him into the cell, his head hit the overhang over the bed, rendering him unconscious.

Electricity coursed through his body, screams of anguish emanated from Critious’ throat. “What have I done to displease you, my master?” Critious pleaded, gasping. The Empress shocked him again, making him scream in pain once more.

“What have you done?What have you done!?” She snarled at him. “What you have done is ignore your mission, and my teachings, pursue your own personal agenda, and more importantly, instigated a conflict between Mitch Miller and Flash Sentry!”

Critious tried to gather himself, and stand up. “I thought you wanted me to case conflict between them? As well as procuring Twilight Sparkle for the next phase of the plan?”

“NO, you insolent foal,” She blasted him into the wall with her magic, making a massive, human shaped indentation where he contacted it. His body fell to the ground, and he did not other to get up, only lie there. “When I instructed you to stir up conflict with them, I told you not to use your powers of influence over him, his anger must emerge naturally, with out you implanting seeds of wrath in there. I know he despises Flash Sentry, but you must not force him to anger, that will only drive him closer to Twilight.”

A constricting force wrapped itself around his throat, impairing his breathing, and he was magically lifted over to the Empress, who held him in the air above her, a black sleeved arm extended.

Suddenly, she released him, and he fought for breath, coughing and hacking, “I will let you live, if only because you are my apprentice,” She ascended to her throne, “And because you shall serve me better in the future.” she sat down, and her throne rotated to view the stars.

Darth decided now would not best time to ask her about her visit to the Changeling home planet. Turning to walk out of the chambers, a smile grew on Empress Solious’ lips.

“Oh, and Darth,” She turned her head 90 degrees, “I have decided your reward, bring Flash Sentry to me tomorrow, as well as the human and Twilight.” She turned back to the stars. “They shall bear witness to what you shall do. If you wish to attempt to redeem yourself, see if you can not stir up some tension between them.”

    Critious smiled gleefully, “Don’t worry, I shall do my best.”

“Before you depart, take this.” The Empress threw something down the steps, a small object, klinking as it fell. “Give this to Twilight.” Critious lowered his hand, and it rolled into his palm. Inspecting the stall, metallic band, he asked.

“You want me to propose to her?” Critious jested, knowing the true purpose of the insidious device he held.

“No, do not attempt comedy, it is not your strong suit. Also, don’t act as though you never thought of that in honesty.” The Empress dredged up his old feelings for Twilight, he once loved her so much.

“I was a different man back then, and she, a different mare.”Folding his hands behind his cape, he continued, “You have since opened my eyes to her true nature, I no longer hold those feelings for her.”

“Good, then see to your new objective.” The Empress ordered. Doors parting to allow Critious to exit, he teleported himself in a fiery red burst to the detention blocks.

Mitch, Mitch, MITCH!. “Gwah.” Mitch awoke, his head still throbbing, he felt the front of his head, where a large welt had formed.It was painful to the touch.

“What happened to me,” Mitch said, looking at his surroundings, “But more importantly, where the heck am I?”

Shaking his head to clear it, he heard the voice once more. “Mitch.” It had a feminine familiarity, but he couldn't place it, the thick walls obscured her voice, and unable to remember where he was. Nothing in his mind felt right, as if someone else had been in his head, and now he was just being returned control.

    “Wait,” Mitch said, looking around, seeing the cold, sterile Ponintium cell. Slowly the memories came back, the castle, the station,THE STATION! It was only then he remembered where he was. Rushing over to the wall, he said, “Twilight, is that you?”

    “Yes.” Came her distorted voice.

    With head pressed to the wall, Mitch mouthed a thank you to Luna that she was there. “Are you ok, they haven’t hurt you?”

“Yes, I’m ok, aside from being shoved inside a cell, that is. “Twilight responded through the Ponintium walls, “No, no they haven’t.”

“Good, that’s good.” Mitch said, unsure of whether she heard him or not. “Is it just me or does this place make your head feel,” He struggled to put the words into the most scientific terms he could, “Feel, like.” the words still eluding him.

“Like your minds bee smashed into a dozen pieces?”

Thank you! “Exactly, andand something's keeping me from putting all the pieces back together.” Mitch said, thinking he sounded crazy.

No answer came for several seconds. “Mitch,” Even through the distortion the Ponitanium created, Mitch could tell she was concerned. “What happened back there, did you...”

Mitch remembered that too, and his answer was honest. “About Flash, yes, that was me, my mind may have been clouded, but I knew I wanted to tear him apart, and I tried to resist, you need to know I did.”

“I know,” Twilight said, her eyes full of concern for Mitch, “But I also know how much you hate him.”

Exhaling, and looking up, “I understand, and I should have stopped, but that guy, he just kept egging me on.”

“Flash?” Twilight asked.

“No, that guy in black,” Mitch tried to think of his name, but his brain was still in pieces, nothing was in the correct spot, “What was his name?” Mitch asked.

The voice that answered was not Twilight’s, “‘His’ name is Darth Critious.” He spoke in a chillingly cold voice through the small slip in the door. Sliding open, the door revealed the imposing black armoured figure. “”Greeting, human.” with hand extended, Mitch was forced into his grip,the right hand of the shadowy assassin gripping his collar. “Come with me.”

Pulling Mitch along, his feet were dragging on the floor. “Open the door.” Critious said to the guards, who promptly opened the door to Twilight’s cell. In there, she was lying against the metal wall, sat on her legs, feet away from her body. “Step forward unicorn.”

Hesitant, Twilight did not come. “It’s ok, come on.” Mitch said, who was hanging from Critious’ grip, and holding onto his arm so his shirt didn’t stretch.

Twilight was still not certain she wanted to stand.

“Oh for the love of Celestia, STAND!” He yelled at her, and out of fear, she stood bolt upright. “Good.” Critious dropped Mitch, and leapt over to her, putting her into a headlock, which she struggled to get out of. “Do not struggle.” Came his calm voice into her ear. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the metal band, inscribed with various symbols. Placing it on the tip of her horn, he slid it down her her head, and then he leapt back to Mitch, and gathered him before he could stand once again.

Around Twilight Sparkle’s head, her purple magic crackled and bolted, she held her head in pain, and then a large burst of magic came, hitting them like a tide. Around them, a furious swirl of purple magic raged, with Twilight floating, eyes pure white, but it was over in mere seconds. She fell to the floor, and she touched the band, in response, it shocked her with her own magic. “What did you do to me?”

“Magical inhibitor, an insidious device my master employes to neutralize unicorns magical abilities,”Critious replied. “Of course there are other methods, all of which I am well versed in.” He turned to Twilight, and Brought her to her feet, gripping the back of her neck tightly to make her compliant.

“How did you get one of those, the only ones-” Twilight started.

“Are in the Canterlot archives restricted zone?” Critious said, “I am well aware all of ponykind believes their oh so precious Princess Celestia had rounded them all up, but my empress has many of them. Remarkable little devices, so many uses, among them making unicorns and alicorns alike bend to my will.” Critious flooded her body with dark magic, trying to tap into her neural network, but the inhibitor blocked him from accessing her memories. At his failure to retrieve information about the remaining targets in the Grand Plan, he threw Twilight to the floor. “Take her to her new cell.” Darth growled to his troopers.

“Um Critious, may I ask, why did you just put them in those cells if you were going to change them?” One female asked, normally Critious would have decapitated her onsite for questioning him, but he was in a particularly good mood.

“I have my orders.” He replied.