Broken Worlds: A Sea Of Tears

Three Years Ago...

“This is it,” Celestia said bravely as she stood before the army of Canterlot, her back turned to her soldiers. “This is the moment you’ve been training for; BlackTech, the organization spearheading the human efforts in this war, has mustered a large offensive force in the plains outside of the Canterlot Woods in preparation for a massive assault on our city; we stand here as the first line of defense against their mechanized abominations and barbaric, human soldiers.”

The regal alicorn turned, her mane billowing behind her dramatically as her fierce gaze swept her army. “Today is a day of reckoning for all of us,” she declared proudly. “You have all trained hard over the course of your military careers, but the challenge you face today will be no mere practice drill; the risk is real, but the glory shall be greater than any of you could possibly imagine. So, mighty soldiers of Canterlot, I have only one question to ask you.” She stepped forward with one hoof as several points of light surrounded her, taking on the shape of curved plates that clamped onto her body as a suit of royal armor that sparkled in the light of the dawn sunrise. “DO YOU STAND WITH ME?!”

A resounding chorus of cheers swept the ranks of soldiers, and I couldn’t help but let a feeling of pride swell in my chest. Sure, I probably wasn’t going to be directly participating in this battle, but these were my people, standing valiantly against a force that sought to wipe them out and take their lands. It was like a scene straight out of a medieval movie.

The plan was simple: Celestia and Luna were each to lead an army of their finest troops against BlackTech’s own force, which we found had been mustering for some time just a few miles from Canterlot’s outskirts. I had stayed behind both out of choice and necessity; having returned to my alicorn form and thus at risk of overusing my magic, I was only to be used as a last resort, in case BlackTech was able to force our side to retreat to safety and tried to capture the city.

Of course, we were not entirely defenseless; I had been meditating on my powers since the hostile army was first noticed, and thanks to some extra help from Luna, Celestia, and Twilight, I was prepared to cast a spell that no pony had ever dared to attempt in thousands of years, since the days of the first Human-Pony war.

A spell that even Starswirl the Bearded himself was reluctant to use.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Twilight asked worriedly as I stood on the eastern balcony of Castle Canterlot, overlooking the city. I had brought Luna’s telescope with me so I could keep a close eye on the army so I would know the precise moment I would need to activate the spell.

I nodded stiffly. “I’ve looked over Starswirl’s secret journal forwards and backwards, Twilight,” I said confidently. “BlackTech won’t know what hit them.”

Twilight nodded slowly. “Yes, but you’ve never cast this level of magic before,” she pointed out. “You refused to practice it even once, despite my recommendation-”

I cut the purple alicorn off. “I couldn’t risk a misfire, Twilight,” I said quickly. “With my unnatural magical strength, I am the only one of us who is even remotely capable of casting the spell successfully. Luna and Celestia have been giving me boosts in my energy over the past few months, and I haven’t cast a single spell during that time. My magical energies are at the fullest they’ve been since Sanguis was in possession of my body, and I have no doubt that I will be able to perform as valiantly as Starswirl did.”

I turned and saw Twilight giving me a worried look. “I know, but… what if you don’t?” she asked in a hushed voice. “I mean, I don’t doubt that you’re nearly as powerful as Starswirl was, but there’s always a risk. You could misfire the spell, or use it too late, or…” she trailed off, looking away from me.

I nodded understanding and stepped over to her side, wrapping a comforting wing around her. “You’re worried that I still won’t have enough energy to cast this spell, even after all my preparation,” I said softly. “You’re worried that if I try this, I’ll die.”

Twilight nodded, her eyes scrunched closed as if she were trying to ignore the reality of my statement. “Just like my father... and my brother... and Flash,” she whispered, and looked up at me. “Please, don’t let me lose anypony else that I care about.”

I stared into her eyes for a long time, wondering if I could actually promise that nothing would happen. She was right; there was a good chance that I wouldn’t be able to cast this spell, and even if I did, there was also a chance that I wouldn’t be able to walk away from it. “I’ll try my best,” I said softly, “but remember that even if things do go wrong, and something does happen to me, it will have been a necessary sacrifice. I won’t promise that I’ll be around to see tomorrow, but I can promise that we will win this fight.”

I heard the sound of a war trumpet being blown in the distance, and Twilight and I rushed to the balcony to watch the battle. The two armies of Canterlot charged at the BlackTech offensive with swords and shields raised, and the human troops rushed them, donning metal exoskeletons and carrying rifles. We watched grimly as the battle raged, and many soldiers on both sides were killed. I watched as one stallion leaped in the path of a firing human, taking a bullet that would have surely killed one of his allies. In vengeance, that ally rushed the human and speared him on the blade of his helmet that reinforced his horn.

“You know, back on Earth, I played a lot of war games,” I said darkly. “It was intense and exciting when it was simulated, but in real life…”

Twilight nodded. “It’s like something out of a nightmare,” she finished for me.

I peered through the telescope and scanned the battlefield for the two commanders of our armies. I found Celestia bravely combating a squad of BlackTech troops with a combination of beams of solar magic and her signature white-and-gold halberd, while at the same time maintaining a shield that protected a few wounded stallions from further harm while the paramedics helped heal them.

“How's Luna doing?” I asked, and Twilight helped me turn the telescope over to the army my wife commanded. She and her soldiers fought as bravely as Celestia's, albeit more ruthlessly. I thought it fitting, since her bat pony soldiers were creatures of the night. Although it was a horrifying sight, I couldn't help but smile when she blasted a soldier with a beam of magic that melted his exo with him still inside it.

“Allen,” Twilight said worriedly, “I think it's time for the spell.”

I gave the violet mare a confused look. “What makes you say that?”

Twilight responded by pointing a hoof in the direction of the city gate. “Look!” she cried frantically. I turned and saw that there was an entirely separate army marching on the city itself; although the energy shield surrounding the city was raised, it would only sustain a direct assault for so long.

I nodded grimly. “Stand back,” I growled, and I stamped my hoof on the ground as a spellcasting rune burst on the balcony floor beneath me, releasing a gust that blew my name back. The edges of the rune glowed brightly and enveloped me in a cylindrical screen as I levitated into the air and focused my thoughts on my spell.

Ancient mineral, hear my call…

The ground beneath Canterlot shook slightly.

Save our world from its fall…

Several crystal spires roses from beneath the streets.

Obey what order you're summoned for…

The spires began to fire beams of blue light, which began to take on solid shapes.

Crystal Guardians, defend Equestria once more!

A shockwave blasted from each of the pillars, and the shapes they had generated took on the appearance of Crystal Sentinels, Valkyries, and assassins, each of them raring for battle.

“Go now, defend your city!” I commanded, my voice projected to each of the creatures I had summoned. Nearly two years prior, I would have run in terror at the sight of one of the Guardians, and I found it incredibly ironic that they were now under my command.

I slowly floated to the ground, now beginning to feel the burning sensation in my veins that came with taxing my magic. Twilight rushed over as her horn took on a glowing aura, and began channeling magic into body to speed my recovery. “This isn't part of the plan,” I mumbled with weak humor.

Twilight gritted her teeth as she poured more and more energy into me. “I’m improvising,” she said in a strained voice, and collapsed next to me when she could no longer hold the transfer. “You did it,” she mumbled weakly, and I quickly held up a hoof when she leaned forward to kiss me.

“I'm pretty sure Luna's going to get mad if you keep doing that,” I said with a chuckle.

Twilight blushed. “Sorry,” she mumbled apologetically, “it was just in the heat of the moment, same as last time.”

“I know.”

“I mean, you're a handsome stallion, and a good friend, but that's all we are: friends.”

“Right.”

I sighed deeply. “So, now what? Since the battle is pretty much won at this point-” I was cut off by a sudden rushing feeling in my head. I looked into the telescope and gasped when I saw that the humans were actually repelling the Guardians with their gunfire. “How is that possible?” I said in a hushed voice. As each Sentinel, Valkyrie, and Assassin died, I could feel another wave of dizziness sweep over me. I staggered as Twilight quickly leaned on me to hold me upright.

“They were prepared,” I mumbled weakly, “they must have used the remains of Drayke’s Guardians to research what could be used to hurt them…”

Twilight nodded grimly. “Should I give the signal to retreat?”

I grunted affirmatively, too dazed to even speak, as Twilight fired a Bolt Spell into the air that exploded like a firework, a sign to all Equestrian soldiers that they were needed in Canterlot. I forced myself to my feet and looked through the telescope at our two armies battling on the plains. I could see Celestia’s troops leading a bold retreat, but Luna and her comrades weren’t as lucky. “Luna’s pinned down out there,” I growled, “I have to help her!”

Twilight placed a cautionary hoof on my shoulder. “Allen, you can’t go out there! You can’t risk casting a teleport spell after using Starswirl’s Guardian Spell!”

I looked the alicorn in the eyes. “Yes, but you can,” I pointed out urgently. “I need to get down there, now.” I wasted no time in rushing to my bedroom and donning a suit of Canterlot Guard armor. Seeing myself wearing it in the mirror sent a wave of guilt washing over me; I had it modeled after Shining Armor’s own personal armor, in honor of his sacrifice to protect me, but now it just served as a reminder of how many lives I had put in danger during my time here.

“Alright, Twilight, I’m ready,” I said certainly, and the violet alicorn wasted no time in casting her magic. I was enveloped by a bright purple screen that faded away moments later to reveal the battlefield before me.

“Help!” I heard Luna’s panicked cry sound from the distance. I stamped my forehoof, activating my suit’s spring-locked blades that protruded from the shoulderplates, hooves, and helmet, and charged into the battlefield with a cry of outrage.

“I’m coming, Luna!” I shouted, growling as I bucked a fallen soldier who was trying to use his last moments to slow me down by grabbing at my hind legs. When I arrived at Luna’s location, I saw the distress she was in; a group of heavily-armored BlackTech soldiers had her surrounded, and it appeared as though their enhanced armor made them resistant, if not outright immune, to her defensive spells.

I let out an infuriated scream and tackled one of them, headbutting the suit’s helmet and shattering the visor. I heard the operator inside cry out in agony, and I wasted no time in leaving him to die as I charged at another soldier.

“Get the nets!” I heard one of them cry, and we found ourselves tangled in thick, black cables. “Get them out of here, quickly! We’ll hold off the others,” he commanded, and the armored troops dragged us over to some kind of aircraft and hooked us onto it. “Go, go, go!” he shouted, and we began to ascend.

“Allen, I’m stuck!” Luna cried, and I looked over to see that the net containing her was bunched up in some places, constricting her legs and twisting her body in an odd contortion.

“Teleport back to Canterlot,” I growled, beginning to use my blades to saw through the cables, “I’ll catch up!”

Luna looked around fearfully. “I can’t use my magic!” she cried, “this net is preventing me from gathering my energies!”

I widened my eyes as the net gave way, and I found myself gripping it with my teeth. “I’m coming!” I growled, struggling to climb the cables and get closer to my ensnared wife. “I’ll cut you out!” My grip wasn’t holding very well, though, and Luna could see this.

Luna shook her head. “Just let go, Allen. I’ll be fine,” she said reassuringly.

I let out a pained growl as the my jaw muscles strained to hold the cable. “I’m not losing you again!” I screamed, struggling to get every extra inch I could.

Luna looked at me with her beautiful, green eyes, and I could feel my heart snap in two when she spoke. “I love you,” she whispered.

Just then, the cable finally slipped from my teeth, and I plummeted to the ground as the craft sped off towards BlackTech’s base. “NO!” I screamed, spreading my wings and catching the wind as I sped off after the craft. After an hour of chasing, however, I felt my wings suddenly lock up from fatigue, and I plummeted into the forest below. The pines softened my landing, but even if they didn’t I probably wouldn’t have felt the impact; I was already in so much pain. My mind was ablaze, and my heart was shattered into numerous pieces.

I gritted my teeth and teleported to the Canterlot throne room.

~-~-~-~-~

“Why the hell did you abandon her?!” I screamed when I fully materialized in front of the throne, where Celestia sat tiredly. My blood was on fire again, but my fury numbed the pain.

Celestia looked down at me angrily. “I am as upset as you are, Allen, but the other soldiers and I are lucky to be here ourselves!” she snapped. “Had we gone back to save Luna, the rest of our army would have fallen, and Canterlot would be entirely defenseless.”

“Shut up! Don’t you dare tell me the logistics of your strategy!” I shot back, my blood boiling like lava and my mind churning like a stormy ocean. “That was my wife, and she’s gone because of you!”

Twilight spoke up. “Allen, please, calm down,” she said gently.

I whirled around and stomped up to her so our noses touched. “Do not tell me to calm down, horse,” I growled, and the lavender alicorn flinched. “Where were you when I was trying to save her? You’re just as guilty as Celestia!”

Twilight gave me a defiant look. “I had to stay back and keep watch on the city!” she protested. “Since you took off to save Luna, I was the only alicorn here to command the few soldiers we had!”

I gritted my teeth and let out an enraged roar, whipping my horn at one of the stained glass windows that decorated the room and shattering it with a magically generated crystal spike. “Allen, please,” Celestia said insistently, “now is not the time for lashing out!”

I looked Celestia in the eyes, and she looked fearful when she saw mine were now glowing white as my magic became more and more unstable. “The mare I care about more than anything could be dead, or worse,” I growled, “and I am holding you, and you alone, personally accountable!” I stalked over to her, my every step leaving behind a jagged, crystallized hoofprint. “Mark my words, Celestia: I will make you pay for what your irresponsibility has caused!”

Celestia narrowed her eyes. “And just how do you plan to do that?” she asked, sounding like an amuse parent challenging a disobedient child.

I grinned craftily as my horn took on a bright glow, and I marched to the center of the room. “Let’s see how long Canterlot lasts with only two alicorns defending it,” I replied, and the room was enveloped in a sea of blinding white light.

~-~-~-~-~

“Allen?” Twilight called worriedly as she regained consciousness, “Celestia?”

Twilight heard her former teacher’s voice. “I’m here, Twilight,” she said worriedly, “but I think we are alone now.”

Twilight looked over and saw a large mass of jagged crystal had formed in the center of the room, almost like a frozen explosion. “No,” she whispered disbelievingly, “he can’t…”

Celestia nodded mournfully. “His powers finally got the best of him,” she said plainly. “His emotions, his magic, they were always connected. I feared it would only be a matter of time before something horrible happened.”

Twilight couldn’t look away from the glittering mess that Allen had left behind. “Was there anything that could be done?” She asked sadly.

Celestia shook her head. “Not anymore,” she replied quietly. “Though he was already broken, Sanguis’s possession only further damaged Allen’s mind. It was not a matter of ‘if’ he would lose control of his power, but ‘when’.”

Celestia walked over to Twilight and placed a comforting wing around her. “Go and rest, Twilight,” she said comfortingly. “I’ll take care of this mess.”

Twilight nodded and began to walk away. “Wait,” she said, pausing and staring at one of the crystal masses sadly. Taking careful aim, she fired a thin beam of magic at it and carved a small chunk away. “He’ll come back,” she said to herself as she exited the throne room, carrying the shard of white glass with a gentle telekinetic grasp. “He always does…”