Chapters Aftermath: A Changeling's Punishment
A bright flash cascaded across the sky, blinding almost everypony, with screams heard all around Canterlot
As I flew across the sky, I saw few fellow changeling soldiers pass by me, presumably dead, and heard screams of the frighten ponies. Defeat was clear, and all the time and preparations we had taken was all for nothing, it was all for shit.
"My fellow Changelings," a voice had yelled, one with confidence and power, "It is time we strike against Canterlot, and feed off of Celestia's precious little ponies." Now every Changelings attention was towards their queen, Queen Chrysalis. "We have waited many years for this moment, we have trained and fought for the power we needed to win, and we now have the strength to do so, and the right moment. General Ballose, start the briefing." I looked up and started to make my way up to her when I was called.
Looking over the crowd of Changelings, I swallowed hard, then cleared my throat, ready to give my speech. "Ahem- As our scouts have reported, there will be a wedding held for Princess Miamore Cadenza and Princess Celestia's head Captain, Shining Armour. This is a dangerous mission for Canterlot will be guarded 24/7, and sources say there's even a dome protecting the kingdom from any attack." I paused, catching my breath. "So in order to get in, Queen Chrysalis will infiltrate Canterlot while we wait for her command to strike. Once the order is made, Canterlot will be ours!" Yelling towards the end for more enthusiasm, and the crowd cheering with pride. Then I felt a hoof touch my shoulder, and a whisper in my ear.
"I will trusting you will keep a good lead for the army." Queen Chrysalis whispered in my ear, then lifting her hoof from my shoulder and called out, "We will fly at night, and you all shall wait for Canterlot to be ours!"
I laid motionless, finally on the ground after our defeat, fellow soldiers dead around me. I noticed Canterlot Guards were checking bodies for any life, until they found me. I didn't resist, nor could I hear what they were saying, but it was probably that they found a live Changeling to keep prisoner for interrogations. I knew this was my end and they wouldn't make it quick. But soon my thoughts were interrupted with being knocked out by one of the guards.
I looked at Chrysalis, forming doubt with the attack plans. Wanting to form words he couldn't speak.
"What is it, Bellose? If you wish to speak then do, until then you are wasting my time." She said coldly, looking at me. I could see in her eyes that she was confident in her plan, but was clouded by it.
"What if we fail, what will we do then. With the fact the The Elements of Harmony is now-"I started to speak up, but was harshly interrupted by the Queen.
"There will be none, and we will claim victory. If you so claim, just know I took the time to MAKE THIS HAPPEN!" She yelled, loud enough that half the hive could hear. But then she took back her composure. "I have laid out every detail to it's extent, I even made sure to train every one of you all to withstand their tricks to getting information about us, and out of every Changeling you had endured the most without breaking." She pointed to the scars on my chest, looking pleased. "Now, if you're done whining like a little foal, leave my presence."
Taking what she had said, I tried covering my doubt with it, and went out of her chambers and stared at the crowd of changeling celebrating their soon to be victory. Walking down the pathway to the barracks when I was greeted with a familiar face, and voice.
"General Bellose, Sir, would you like to join me for a drink.......sir?" the feminine voice asked nervously. This was even the first time I had heard he speak of me, though I've seen her around getting flustered when I looked at her directly.
"Sure, Sargent. I might as well get a few drinks to prepare myself for the attack on Canterlot." I replied, trying to get the thoughts of failure away from my mind.
Her face lit up as soon as I went to join her, motioning to follow her to the dining area of the hive, where most of the Changelings were to celebrate before the invasion. I walked over where the Sargent was sitting, her motioning me to sit next to her. As for the night before tomorrow night, steam blow off was good right?
"General.....I toast for victory!" She held her drink for a toast, and I joined along with her for it was good etiquette. After taking her drink, she told me this into my ear, "Sir, I say we should get more acquainted on a personal level, so you can stop with the Sargent and call me Xia."
I will be honest that I did not expect this from her.... I mean Xia. From what I could tell, she was a good soldier, not one to step out of rank for anything. "Sargent....Xia, this isn't a good time to be doing this sort of stuff. This...this is just-" I was cut off by her taking a little nibble out of my ear, in which I pulled back immediately.
"What's wrong General" she asked in a sultry voice, "We do this to sort of stuff when we're out hunting, does that mean we can't have a little fun with our own species?" She ran her hoof up against my chest, stopping at my chin. "I do like my stallions with some battle scars."
I stopped Xia right there, showing her that it wasn't the time at the moment. "Xia, I can't, I need to be focused for the invasion, so I'll have to decline your offer." Once I said that, I knew she wasn't all to happy for a "no" as an answer. So before she could do anything else, "As General of the Changeling army, I order you to your chambers for the night." I told her.
She huffed, walking away and not looking back. Then the bartender grabbed her glass, cleaning it and putting it back on the shelf, then elbowed me. "Seems like her mood was killed, I would've agreed with her motives though, if you catch my drift." he said patting my back before tending to the other Changelings.
I just sighed, walking back to my chambers, preparing for the fight ahead of us.
I could feel discomfort, like standing on the back of my hooves, and could feel cold air and smell the musky air filled with blood and dust. When my eyes were open, I saw a few Canterlot Guards, cell bars, and a lit torch on the wall. I tried moving a little, soon seeing that I was shackled against the wall, then I tried using magic, but there was a anti-magic ring on my horn. Seeing that there wasn't any thing good to this, I decided to make a pleasant conversation. "Hey, don't you ever feel like you could be doing something more productive, instead of standing. I know I do, want to hear it?"
They just stood silent, one guard swishing his tail.
"I could be unshackled and be ripping your throats out, watching die a slow and miserable death." I stated, be honest about it. But that hit one of their nerves because he kicked the cell, erupting a sound that echoed through out the dungeon.
But then there was something new that I could "enjoy". I heard a door open and hoof steps coming near me. And the smell was bad enough, royalty, the pampered sent after a day at the spa or something like that. But what disgusted me the most was the new pony in view.
"I see you've made your self acquainted with your new home, Changeling." The last word she said was oozing with hatred. "You see, you've made things for me a lot more harder for me and Princess Luna."
"Aw, and I thought you'd like the new setup we planned for you, it was perfect I must say, I'm disappointed you don't like it, Princess Celestia." I said with sarcasm, spitting at the floor trying to seem bad ass, but she wasn't having. "So, execution for me then, to show every Changeling what would happen if we mess with you?"
"No, I wouldn't quite say so, but I'll offer you a deal, You give us important information, and you'll live until you've dried out your usefulness, and if you don't comply, we'll use any force if necessary." Celestia replied, and what she said wasn't a cheap trick to get what she wanted.
Aftermath: A Changeling's Punishment
Luna's view of the attack on Canterlot
Luna awoke, hearing screams among the streets of Canterlot. She immediately went towards her window, seeing the streets flooded with Changelings and ponies. With the sudden look of anger on her face, armor materialized onto her, and then levitating a sword next to her as she jumped out of the window, flying to the streets to help with the defense of Canterlot.
While Luna was flying around taking out the Changelings in the air, there were even more on the ground, surrounding a small family of ponies into a alley way. This did not go unnoticed as for Luna landed on top of the leader of the Changeling squad, knocking him unconscious.
"Are thy wretches ready for a beating!" Luna said loudly, looking at the changelings now surrounding her, seeing a total of seven. They stood guard as they planned their new plan of attack on Luna. Suddenly two Changelings charged at her, trying to take her on from both sides, but Luna struck the first Changeling with a beam, going through it's chest, as she swung her sword at the other changeling, slicing off it's head and watches the body stagger back, then falling to the ground, then she looked at the other Changelings. Few staggered back, but still keeping attack distance, then four of them charged again, but abiding her attack motions. Luna swung her sword, but the Changeling dodged and shot at her. Thinking quickly, she levitated the other Changeling in front of the beam, and threw the body at the Changeling that shot at her. But while she was distracted by the two other Changelings, one pounced on her, trying to get a bite at her neck, but was stopped by Luna's armor. Luna shook him off quickly, rearing her hind leg and kicked him into the wall. She then was struck by a punch from the third Changeling, who was hopping from hoof to the other, throwing a few punches into the air.
"Get em Balboa!" yelled the first Changeling, now getting the body of his dead comrade off him. Luna threw her sword at the Changeling, striking him in the head.
"Hoof to Hoof combat, eh?" She pointed out, getting into fighting stance. "Hit us with your best shot." she said smugly. She charged at him, throwing her hoof at him. But he side stepped, grabbing her foreleg and tried throwing her, but failed, only to be the one thrown to the ground. Luna then stepped on his neck, choking the Changeling out, then looked at the last Changeling. He looked in fear, then tried to fly away, but was grabbed by the tail from Luna's magic, and was slammed into the ground. Then looking to the family of ponies, she ordered, "Get to the castle, it'll be safer there." The family nodded and ran to safety.
Then a squad of Canterlot Guards ran by, one spotting Luna. "Princess Luna, what are you doing out here?"
"We are protecting the citizens of Canterlot." Luna replied hastily, then asked where they were going, pulling out her sword from the Changeling's skull.
"There's a group of Changelings trying to break into the armory, Princess Luna." He said, "Are you going to join us?"
"We shall stop the Changelings, your squad shall protect and escort any pony outside the walls of Canterlot." She ordered, then she flew off to the armory, taking out a few flying changelings on the way. When she reached the armory, there was bodies of both Changelings and Royal Guards, the sight made her swell with anger. Right then and there, a Changeling Solider attacked from behind her, but Luna was quick enough to dodge and swing her sword at him, decapitating it.
"You have good reflexes, I must say." a voice called out from atop the armory.
Luna looked up to see the Changeling General, who was wearing a helmet and armor, going along with the Changeling theme. and called back.
"It's nice to see that some pony takes notice in our acquired skills, mind telling us thy name before your untimely death?" She threatens, readying a magic blast to shoot at him.
"My name and rank is General Bellose, and I'm afraid to tell thy Princess that she will be the one to die today." He replies mockingly, smirking.
Luna shoots at him, but is taken aback. General Bellose deflects it with a scythe. As if he wanted to piss her off more, he obnoxiously spins the scythe around, and stabs the blade into the roof, showing off how skilled he was too.
"If you were thinking that this was going to be an easy fight for you, then I am sorry to disappoint you, Princess Luna." He smirks, and adds on, "But if you want to fight me, then you shall show you are worthy by fighting through the masses."
Luna was annoyed and pissed off, and she was going to enjoy killing him now, she tried to fly up to him, but she was tied to a post by her tail, looking behind her, she saw the Changeling who did it, and kicked his muzzle in, sending him back to a lamp post. She then cut the rope, and slid it off her tail, and when she turned to the General, he was gone. But what had replaced him was another group of Changelings. They ran at her all at once, getting her off guard.
"Get away from the Princess!" a Guard yelled, followed by more battle cries. They now had the Changelings attention, and Luna was able to get free of their grasp.
She quickly ran into the armory, busting down the doors and the Changelings behind it. To make sure no other Changelings got in, Luna placed a magical barrier around the building. Making sure no pony gets in or out. Luna walked slowly, levitating her sword in front of herself, preparing for any attack. But when she walked into the main section of the armory, she saw the General standing in the middle of the room, a bit of light shining on him.
"It seems that you've taken care of my comrades, not that impressive for you are an alicorn." General Bellose stated, looking down at his weapon. "Did you know that the scythe was originally used for farming?" he asked, turning over the scythe. "Kind of funny that it would be used by the Grim Reaper, the guy doesn't seem like a farmer."
"Stop the chit chat and get on with your death!" Luna spat, throwing her sword at his head. But he dodged it by only moving his head to the side.
"Oh so eager now, why not calm yourself down, and think of what could happen if you join us." he said, taking her aback.
"What do you mean?" Luna asked, looking confused.
"We know about Nightmare moon, Princess Luna." General Bellose said, striking her where it hurt. "Think about, you can rule in eternal night, and we would help you accomplish that in return, letting us feed off the love of your subjects."
"NEVER!" Luna screamed, ramming into the General, catching him off guard. "I WILL NEVER BETRAY SISTER AGAIN!"
Luna grabbed her sword and had tried to stab him, but he kicked her stomach, launching her off him. He then grabbed the scythe, readying for a fight.
"I will make you wish you joined us." He threatened, charging at her, trying to land a hit on her, but she blocked it with her sword.
They both backed away from each other, regaining ground. Luna took the first shot, creating a bright flash, blinding him. Luna then swung at him, landing her hit, but it didn't do much for the armor he was wearing. But then he struck her jaw, knocking off her helmet, the punch knocking her back a few feet. Bellose stood up, recovering from the sword cut, he was about to make another move when he saw Luna duplicating her sword, and launching them at him. He quickly deflected it with his scythe, but one managed to cut half of his ear off. Howling in pain, he ripped off the helmet to get a better hold of his ear, trying to stop the bleeding. Luna took this as her chance to finally kill General Ballose, so she began charging her magic again, firing at him again, but he quickly put up a magical shield, but it wasn't strong enough to withstand the time length of the blast, so he was shot through the wall outside.
"It seems as though you lost to us." Luna said looking down at him outside the armory, holding a smirk on her face as she placed her sword against his neck.
Ballose then gave out a bright flash of light, blinding the princess this time, and he punched her foreleg, making her fall down to her knees. The sword with drew from his neck, he jumped up into the air, hovering above her. But as soon as he prepared to shoot at Luna again, there was a bright flash from the castle of Canterlot, blasting away every Changeling away.
When the princess regained vision, she saw that the General was gone, and wanting to find him, she flew into the air, seeing that there was no Changeling to be found in sight.
Present Day
"And so we had captured a Changeling after the attack." Princess Celestia was talking to Luna about the Changeling prisoner in the dungeon.
"Tia, what if the Changeling is a low ranking one, and doesn't know anything?" Princess Luna asked, not really into the conversation.
"The Royal Guards said that he was a General, and to my knowledge, Changeling Generals wore armor." Celestia said, making Luna more interested now.
"Did he say his name?" she asked, remembering General Ballose.
"Our first meeting wasn't as I expected, overall I just told him what'll we'll be doing to him. I guess you'll have to ask him." Celestia replied, making Luna get up from her throne. "Where are you going now? Celestia asked.
"To find out who he is." Princess Luna said, going to the dungeon.
Aftermath: A Changeling's Punishment
In my opinion, being chained to a wall sucked ass, but what sucked more was having chains run through the holes in my legs, connected to the ceiling. These royal dimwits decided to change the way of their slow "torture", making me hang upside down. Surprisingly, it was the same two guards that were posted in front of my cell. Smirking, I was about to make a snarky comment at them until I heard footsteps and some echoing voices down the hall, making me curious.
"Show us to the Changeling!" An all too familiar voice called out from the dungeon, making his stomach churn.
As hoof steps got closer, I remembered back to the day of the battle, it wasn't much, but one moment stood out the most. The hoof steps got louder as they neared my cell, the guard's reacting to somepony of royalty, for I saw them bow. The pony, or alicorn, finally came into my view. Even though my sight was inverted, I could immediately tell who it was. It appeared that the mare soon came to realize who I was, for she veered her head back, her eyes fixated on me, narrowing in anger.
"Why hello there..." I stated, staring directly into the lunar princess's eyes. "If it isn't the great princess of the night."
I snorted after finishing my sentence, attempting to spit at the princess, but it didn't go very far. I gave a frown, letting out a sigh at the failed assault.
"Your name, Changling...." Luna asked coldly, not wanting to get off track with her current objective. "What is it?"
"I'd assume you'd already know, Princess Luna." I scoffed. "But just for you, I'll tell anyways. The name's Bellose....General Bellose." I let it sink in, watching her recall back to her memories, smiling when she finally got confirmation.
"Guards, you may leave your post for the day." She stated, still staring at me as the guards left their post.
Once they were gone, Luna spoke up again. "I have to commend you for lasting as long as you did against me. Many others hadn't made that far in combat against me."
I was taken aback, noticing she wasn't speaking in third pony, but I kept my composure. "What, gonna give me a cookie for doing a good job?" I snickered at my own joke, expecting her to keep an annoyed look, but I didn't expect what I got.
"Would you like one?" Luna gave off a small smile, sitting down as she does so, magically teleporting a cookie just outside my cell.
I must've stayed awed for a while, for she snapped me back to reality by throwing a pebble at me, waving the cookie in front of me. I weighed my options, either die slowly without food, or die slowly with food.
"Yes.........?" It sounded more like a question as I said it out loud, but the cookie was rested upon my chest. I craned my neck to get it, but I wasn't that flexible. I was some what pissed, hearing an audible snicker from the princess, tilting my head in confusion as I looked at her.
"Why are you........What are your motives?" I asked firmly, wanting answers.
"You have intrigued me, your fighting capabilities almost surpassed my own, almost." She replied, but not finished. "But if I do recall, our fight was interrupted....."
I realized what she wanted, giving out a laugh, the cookie falling of my chest, breaking into multiple pieces. "You want to continue our fight? That's hilarious." I stated, my laughing coming to an end as she gave me a cold stare, her expression changed.
"Then lets make a deal......" The princess's words shocked me, a deal, what kind, but I stayed silent, looking at her with a blank stare.
"A sparring match, weapons of your choice, no magic of course...." Luna started off, smirking at what she'll say next. "If I win, you'll tell us everything you know, if you win......You will be set free."
My ears perked, her words repeating like a broken record inside my mind. "Set free" She had placed my freedom as a bargaining chip. I looked up at my chains, seeing them vine around my legs, going through the holes in them. Pondering, I questioned the chances of winning and getting out, assuming she's lying. "You promise, no pony will interfere?" I asked, making sure of her words. Watching her confirm with a nod.
"You drive a hard bargain I can't refuse....." I finally said, letting my head hang down, closing my eyes. "I'll do it......" I finished slowly, sighing.
She stood up, starting to trot away. "Preparations shall begin tomorrow, prepare to fight for your freedom, General." She said, looking back at me before she left, leaving me alone with my thoughts and memories.
"The hell did I get myself into......" I mused silently, the torch flickering being the only sound to be heard as I awaited my only chance of escape. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, and I could feel it.
THE NEXT DAY
Metal clanging of keys hitting iron bars awoke me, letting out groans of tired discomfort. Watching around five guards surround me, I snap at one of them, just missing their foreleg as he leaped back. I got a punch to the face as a result.
As they freed me from the ceiling, I dropped to the ground with a thud, letting out a grunt of pain. Soon dragging me out of my cell, I slid along the floor by my chains, musing at the fact. But my thoughts were interrupted by stairs. "Ow....ow.....ow.....ow....ow." I exclaimed, bumping my head on each step while dragged up them to the outside.
To my surprise, it was night outside, expecting to be blinded by the sun the "celestial highness" had control over. Finally they stopped dragging me, thank Chrysalis, and I was jabbed by one of the guards, forcing me to stand up on my hooves. I retorted with an aggressive snap at his spear, breaking the handle in two with my jaws, causing him to back off.
"That's right, watch yourself, prick." I thought to myself, glaring into the guard's eyes. But my attention was soon brought to Princess Luna as she coughed, loudly.
"Be prepared to lose, General." She exclaimed with haughty pride in her tone. She then pointed to the small armory, being guarded by ponies wearing dark blue armor, which I've never seen.
I walked over, the chains still entangled within my legs, but I didn't bother to remove them because I couldn't for they were padlocked as well. My eyes traveled along the table of weapons, musing over the amount they actually had. But something was missing, I could feel it.
"Do you happen to have a scythe?" I asked, looking to the guards and the princess, watching her give a nod to one of the guards. The guard had left, and came back with a familiar sight. I whistle in pleasure, taking it my hooves.
For some reason, I was actually able to levitate it, surprised. But I soon gave up wondering how, and walked over into a fighting position, the scythe spinning in the air with my magic, splitting it into two, now having two scythes. I smirked at all of their expressions, but Luna didn't have the same, she just had a smile, levitating two swords at her sides.
"The match shall begin on my mark." One of the guards said, but both Luna's and my attention were fixated on each other, ready to battle.
"BEGIN!" He shouted immediately backing out of the courtyard, watching us begin our fight.
Luna was the first to charge, swinging her swords at me, quickly countering her with my scythe, twirling it in the air, blocking her attack. Jumping at her, the scythe's spun around me, cutting the ground in front of me like a lawn mower. Walking slowly towards her, the scythe's begin to spin faster, affecting the air, creating the sound of a breeze.
Suddenly, a sword came down upon me, I quickly dodge, but the sword locks one of the chain links into the ground, limiting my movement. With a quick slash at the chains, I cut through it, the blade of the scythe swishing through the air. I soon bring the scythes back together, swinging them into a figure eight, creating a defensive stance. Countering each attempted slash made at me, knocking her swords out of the way.
As if time jumped, Luna appeared right in front of me, I dodged her, rolling under her, ending up behind her. She quickly spun around, slashing at my hooves. I jumped, but the chains dragged me to the ground as she hit them, falling down with a thud.
"Yield, if you know what's best for you." Luna firmly said, holding a sword to my neck. Quickly looking around, I spotted the table, using my magic to levitate the swords and knives, flying towards her with speed.
"Princess watch out!" One of the guards yelled to her, but to slow, they struck her spine, legs, cutting her ear.
She fell to her knees, cut up badly. I looked at her with no remorse, hearing her screams of pain as I stood up again. But I was immediately tackled by the guards.
But everypony suddenly froze in time, like a magical spell. But not, cause I turned my head to look at what the guards were looking at, my eyes widening.
"What is going on here!" Princess Celestia yelled loudly, almost making my ears bleed. She was standing upon a balcony, obviously looking angered at her loss of sleep. She looked down at Princess Luna, then me, her eyes narrowing at me.
I could tell I was screwed.
Aftermath: A Changeling's Punishment
It was the last straw, I was enraged..... all because of that lunar foal..... now I'll never be able to escape the chains that confine me in this prison.... I need to escape, report back to the hive..... get away from the hell I am trapped in......
"Psst...."
My ears perked up, not truly knowing were the noise came from.
"Psst...." I soon became assaulted by a stone followed after the noise again.
"WHAT!" I yelled at the pony throwing pebbles a me in a.... slightly....agitated manner. Opening my eyes to see another changeling to my surprise.
"Keep it down, shit-stick...." The changeling shushed me, soon fiddling with the lock to my cell.
I studied the sight, glancing over the changeling before me, realization hitting me like a carriage. "Sergeant..... Xia?" My confusion getting to my head, bringing me to attempt to stand, but pain immediately rushing from my legs to my entire body. I screamed out in pain, falling to the ground with a thud.
Soon finished picking the lock to the cell, Xia rushed to my side, looking over my wounds in examination. "Damn it.... I'll have to carry you..."
My chains then were removed, becoming unshackled, but I was in no shape to escape on my own. Xia hoisted me up onto her back, and rushed out of my cell, running into two guards walking down the hallway.
"HAUL-" The first guard was interrupted by an energy blast from Xia right to the chest, be knocked unconscious, while the other was rammed down by her, impaled by the changeling's horn.
"We need....to get out....quickly......they'll find out once we exit these chambers...." I grunted, interrupted by coughs and actions Xia was making.
"I think I already know that, but I didn't plan this far ahead." Xia replied with haste, making my head perk up and look at her, eyes narrowed and glaring at the back of her head.
"You're telling me this is a work in progress rescue?!" I wanted to whack her upside the head, but pain had stopped me from doing so, and she was breaking me out so there was the chance of being left behind if I had done so.
"Well we aren't getting much help from the Queen, so, we're out of luck."
Becoming silent, I soon realized that this rescue wasn't assigned by Chrysalis herself, but it was Xia doing so. Including the other Changelings helping if there were any. So I went along for the ride, the highly risky rescue attempt of escape, ride.
We soon reached outside of the dungeon, Xia bolting across the courtyard to the other side of it from where I was held captive for who knows how long. We were about to make it to the streets of Canterlot to change into a pony disguise, until our path was blocked by few more Royal Guards, and thus I was thrown off Xia, and watched her fight off the guards by herself.
"XIA! WATCH....." I was cut off.... a beam of magic blinded me as it hit Xia, creating a bright flash of light with tints of gold and yellow.
What was seen..... what I had witnessed was Celestia take action.
"N-no! Please! So mercy!" Xia screamed in agony, Celestia's magic engulfing her form, lifting Xia into the air.
"You have done enough for me to show you no 'Mercy ', Changeling." Celestia replied, anger and annoyance in her voice.
Screams, screams of pain and agony.....torture, all at once they filled my ears as Xia was slowly torn to pieces by Celestia's magic, being ripped apart limb by limb. I couldn't watch but I couldn't look away either. Tears streamed down my face as what was left of her body fell to the ground limply.
"Time and time again, I'm trying not to loose myself, but you're not making this easy for me, General." Celestia said, but all I could do was look at Xia's remains, her eyes..... her eyes, looking into mine. Shivers ran down my spine as I was lifted into the air by Celestia.
"Just end it here!" I shouted weakly, only getting a snort of laughter from the Princess.
"After what you and your friend have done? Oh no I don't think so."
Suddenly I was thrown across the courtyard with her magic, hearing my leg snap on impact, crying out in pain.
"You believe I will grant you a painless death? After what you have done to my subjects!"
I was picked up again, and thrown down onto the ground again, bringing more pain to my broken body, gasping for air as I screamed out in agony again, grasping for what little life I had left.
I looked around through by blurred vision, blood soaked and filled with tears, I saw the courtyard filled with ponies of yellow armor. Each one watching the sight before them intently, eyes wide for few, blank stares for most.
"You should be greatfull for me giving you the opportunity for a peaceful transaction of what information you had." She exclaimed with quiet rage in her voice, glaring down upon my broken frame.
"And what...... would I...... receive....." I coughed out weakly, choking on blood that poured out from my muzzle.
"A reasonable death."
I stared into her eyes, seeing no remorse for what had occurred, she had no reason to give mercy. She looked back into my eyes with narrowed rage, I could feel her very emotion burning into me.
Slowly, I began to stand up on what little bit of energy I had left, my body burning, pain coursing through every portion of my body. I wanted to fall down, lie down and die.
"Let's........ have a match....." I croaked, blood spitting out from my muzzle with each word, causing for Celestia to step back to avoid the droplets of my blood.
"What?"
"Fight me...."
We were at a stand off, two creatures locked in steely eyed gazes, fixated on each other to see who'd make the first move. I stepped forward first, causing her to step back.
"Fight....me....." I repeated myself, stepping closer to Celestia as she drew a sword onto me.
"Stand back!" A guard had hollered towards me, but was silenced by Celestia.
"It's a fight you want? A fight you'll get, then."
With that, I charged towards in a blind rampage, my pain subsiding as adrenaline filled my body. As if it was lightning, Celestia swung her sword at me with great speed. I barely managed to duck under her sword, slicing off half of my horn, but I still charged at her.
"Princess!" The guard yelled again, followed by a few others into the grass of the courtyard. Surround the scene before them.
Once in distance, I attempted to ram her, almost stabbing her with my horn. Celestia, with her wings, took off into the air, and had managed to swing her back hoof towards my face, kicking me onto the ground.
I got back up again, charging once more at her. Filled with rage, all I could do was charge at Celestia with every bit of emotion and strength I had in me. Celestia on the other hand wasn't even breaking a sweat in this fight, only making small adjustments in her stance to avoid my rams against her. The battle had a clear victor, but I kept trying, and trying. Blinded by the hell I was put into by Celestia.
"Stop this madness, changeling, you know you can't win."
I only grunted at Celestia's taunts, rage only becoming the driving force for me in this fight. I charged at her once more, leaping into the air, landing on top of Celestia, catching her off guard. I bit into her neck, viciously tearing into with my fangs.
Soon I was thrown off again, hearing another snap in my leg, but I didn't feel it. I was going to charge at Celestia once more when I fell to the ground, looking down to see my hind leg was completely limp and broken, blood flowing from each crack embedded in my leg. I looked back to see Celestia towering over me, sword drawn to my neck.
"Time wasted, nothing gained, energy spent for nothing. Only to bring a feral beast to my city in return...." Celestia said coldly, my only response was translated into hisses and screeches, unintelligent sounds escaping me.
She was about to slay me, the monster she created over time, and rid my existence from her land. But was stopped.
"Tia!" An all to familiar voice cried out, making me look over to see Luna look in horror at the sight in front of her.
"Luna, not now...."
"But this is not the way, Tia! You are blinded by rage towards this creature. Just look at what you're doing!" Luna pointed at me, motioning for Celestia to take another look.
Celestia then back away, seeing the sight before her. I was again, a broken soul, grasping for what little life I had left. Tears in my eyes, streaming down my face. My feral nature told me to continue to fight, but I stayed still, pain returning to my body.
Celestia dropped her sword, and fell onto her haunches, looking at the sight in front of her in horror, raising a hoof to her muzzle at what she had done. "I've been blinded, this whole time..... I was controlled by anger, and I didn't even know it." Soon tears were streaming down Celestia's face, Luna running up to her sister in a comforting manner, caring for her as best as she could.
I began crawling, slowly to nowhere, I just crawled away. But I was stopped by a guard, who held a spear to my neck, causing me to stop in my tracks.
Before I was knocked out, I looked once more over at Sergeant Xia, her remains scattered, rage filling me once more, but stopped by the blunt force of a hoof to the back of my head. Black becoming the only color I could see in what I could only hope were my final hours.
Luna's P.O.V.
Luna comforted her sister, hugging her tightly as she wrapped a wing around Celestia. "Tia, it's ok.... It's not your fault..."
"I was consumed by anger I couldn't control... I'm afraid... I might...." Celestia was silenced by Luna once more, brought in closer to her in the hug.
Luna then looked at the guard who hovered over General Bellose's, now unconscious, body. Motioning for the Guards to take him away, and to clean up the dismembered body of the other changeling.
"It's time to raise the moon.....Tia, go get some sleep, you'll need it for the days ahead." Luna nudged Celestia to go, giving a comforting smile.
"Thank you.... Luna, I...." Celestia was about to say something else before being cut of by Luna.
"Sleep, go get some rest, Tia." Luna said again, getting up in order to raise the moon, motioning to her sister to go once more, giving another hug.
The two princesses parted ways, Luna staying behind as she watched the day soon become night, looking up into the stars.
"May life show you mercy......"
Author's Note
I am sorry guys for a late chapter, I think? You guys haven't expressed any complaints yet so I think I'm doing good. Or at least I hope so. I've just been busy.... So, yeah...
Happy Readings everyone!
Aftermath: A Changeling's Punishment
THE HIVE
Queen Chrysalis was sitting on her throne, her Changeling subjects buzzing around doing various activities around the hive, the noise creating a slight annoyance to her ears. She tapped her hoof impatiently, still awaiting on a plan to conjure up in her mind to have her General return into her hooves.
Being around 2 years since they first tried and failed to capture Canterlot, the known where-about of General Bellose were unknown besides the fact he was being held prisoner. Besides all of that, Chrysalis had been thinking of a plan, scheming of a way to get the General back, and all what was needed was time.
"From a Queen to a Princess, I will have my General back, dear Celestia. Just wait and see for what I do to ponies who cross me like you have....." Chrysalis muttered under her breath in a vile tone, eyes narrowing and soon closing into a fit of laughter, maniacal laughter.
Canterlot 4 years later
The same nightmare replays in my mind, every single time, it's always there. I'm chained, broken, imprisoned in a literal hell. I never thought I'd make it this far, 6 years of hell and yet I'm still alive.
I scream out in confusion and anger, startling the guards to my cell. I long since stopped caring about them, no snarky remarks or comments against them. Like became a blur that never ended, an endless blur of suffering for me. I was through with it.
"Unchain the prisoner, the Princess wants a public speaking with him." a voice called out to the two guards stationed at my cell. I didn't have much interest, but my ear still perked.
"I can't do that, Captain. The prisoner is to remain down in the cell at all costs."
"Then shall I get the Princess down here to correct this... misunderstanding?" The voice spoke out again, making the guards nervous with his tone.
To a surprise, my cell was unlocked and I was brought out from it, and dragged along the dusty stone floor, (Which wasn't a surprise).
By the time we were outside, the sun had blinded me until my vision became restored and had thus adjusted. I then felt a stallion's muzzle edge close to my ear, making me flick my ear in irritation.
"Bellose, I want you to listen closely..." The Captain whispered into my ear, catching my attention. "By the Queen's demand, we are here to retrieve you and bring you back to the hive."
I was about to respond in question, but he slapped me, silencing me. Turning my head to look up at the stallion in anger. When I met his eyes, I witnessed them flash from blue to green, and back. Completely catching me off guard. My maw opened and closed, but no words came out.
"Keep quiet, we'll take of the rest..." The fellow disguised Changeling said, motioning for me to look forward as we continued down through the courtyard path way.
As we passed along multiple patrols of royal guards, we were finally stopped by another Captain of the royal guard, a real one.
"Where are you taking the prisoner?'" The Captain asked cautiously.
"The Princess wanted a public speaking with him, finally proceeding with his execution." My escort replied, lying through his teeth.
"The Princess hadn't informed me that we were holding an execution for the...... Changeling......" The Captain's face changed into a stern expression of curiosity, leaning close to my escort. "What's your identification, Captain?"
Without hesitation, my Changeling escort suddenly punched the real Captain in the throat. I watched as the pony fell to the ground like a rock. Rearing back a few steps, I looked at my escort once more in concern.
"Keep running till you get to the gardens. There's another group of us waiting there to help you further escape from Canterlot." He said, motioning for me to run quickly.
Doing what I was told, I ran as fast as I could, creating a panic amongst the guards and then a cluster of ponies along the way. I soon came to a small blockade of five royal guards as they tried to block my path.
"Stop right there, Changeling scum!" One of them shouted, holding out a spear in my direction, and when I didn't stop, he threw the spear right at me.
With quick adjustments, I ducked under the spear, sliding along the dirt pathway into the guard, performing an uppercut, landing the punch right into his jaw. Soon becoming surrounded by the four other guard ponies, I quickly realized the risk of staying and fighting them off.
"Stand down if you know what's best for you." A royal guard exclaimed, holding a spear pointed into my direction. Little did he know I didn't care about what was best for me.
Immediately, I rammed into the guard, knocking him down to the ground. Repeatedly throwing punches into the guards face. As soon as the other guards started moving in on me, I picked up the spear, prepared to kill anypony in my way of freedom.
As they were moving closer in on me, the third royal guard, behind the two others, suddenly changed. The guard, or now changeling, took hold of the other two guards heads and slammed them both together, knocking them out.
"Well then..... that was...." I started, confused and impressed at the same time, trying to find the right words to describe what had just happened.
"That was subtle?" The other Changeling said, finishing my sentence.
"Not exactly...... Shall we get going?" I asked, dropping the spear in my hooves and came down all fours, prepared to bolt.
The changeling nodded, and we started running to the gardens once more.
By the time we got there, I followed the other Changeling into the maze, supposedly to where the other group of changelings were. But thus when we finally reached the rendezvous point, our escape plan had been compromised, noting the dead bodies of my fellow Changelings.
"My my.... Six years and now you have back up for your escape, General. Well done." I looked up from the bodies of my comrades, to the same damn Alicorn, Celestia. The smug look on her face pissed me off. She was sitting down on a bench, a sword that brandished her style of white and gold by her side, impaled into another Changeling corpse.
"I'd say it's about fucking time I did escape." I replied, letting my anger go into the tone of the remark, my gaze narrowed at her, anger filling my thoughts.
Without a second thought, Celestia stood up and with great speed, she drew her sword and stabbed the Changeling right next to me, killing him instantly.
She then lowered her next to whisper into my ear, taking the opportunity while I was frozen in shock at her actions. "We've been through this before, General..... Just give up now."
Celestia was about to slice me down until another voice called out from behind her, followed by a blast of magic of a green hue. Celestia managed to dodge the blast, turning around to see the figure who had attacked her, eyes widening.
"Not so fast, dear Celestia. We still have business to attend too." The voice called out again, her vile bug like tone emanating through out the garden.
"Chrysalis......" Celestia muttered under her breath, getting into a defensive stance, sword drawn and all.
"Queen Chrysalis." The voice called out again, finally coming into view for me, I saw my Queen. Ready to fight for my return into her ranks.
"My Queen? What are you doing here?" I asked, worried for my Queen's safety.
"I cannot leave behind a Changeling who has more use to me and our conquest." Chrysalis replies, her gaze kept upon Celestia, still in stance for combat if needed.
"Unfortunately, Thou will have to leave thy Changeling behind!" I grimaced, knowing that voice all to damn well.
"Luna! What are you doing?!" Celestia called out to her sister, the situation becoming more stressful by the second. She soon flew to her sisters side, while I ran over to Chrysalis's side, creating a four pony stand off.
"We shall take the General, dear sister. We assume you can handle yourself perfectly well." Luna exclaimed in her usual old Canterlot voice, seeing it was a habit of hers over the years I was trapped here.
Besides from the two Princess's conversation, Queen Chrysalis and I had one of our own. I must say, it wasn't a welcome back.
"Don't screw up this time, You take the Lunar foal, I have a score to settle with dear old Celestia."
I didn't say anything, for thus my gaze was adverted to the Lunar Princess. As quick as lightning, we both separated as we bolted into a half circle around the two Princesses, forcing them back to back. Celestia and Luna looked back to one another, giving each of them a confirming nod before they bolted to their selected targets, I getting to face Luna while Celestia faced off against Chrysalis.
Luna was the first to throw a punch, I countered with a block and two jabs to her torso. As a result, she fell, but then hopped back and conjured a sword of her style to use in combat. She charged once more, her sword following suite, sweeping over my head as I ducked barely in time.
"Stay still, vile trash!" Luna screamed in anger, sword slicing through the air with keen precision, but I kept dodging her efforts of attack.
"But where's the fun in that?" I retorted in a snarky manner, grinning at her failed attempts.
I felt alive again, adrenaline shooting out within me as I was fighting. In a way... I enjoyed it. At long last I was having a successful attempt of escaping, after six long years of being confined with in the dungeons of Canterlot. I smiled, landing few punches and jab, but I still got my own injuries. But for me it didn't matter, I was along side Queen Chrysalis in this battle, so I knew for sure that this time, this time we will succeed in this battle.
Once more, it was another stand off against this lunar princess. "Consider this round three?" I exclaimed once more, exhausted from this battle that was taking longer than I liked.
"Stop this chit chat and fight us!" Luna yelled with exhaustion in her voice as well, the battle taking a toll on our stamina.
She suddenly dropped her sword and charged at full speed, readying a punch to follow through. I prepared to block but thus I was too slow. Suddenly Luna appeared before me, landing the punch right into my chest, knocking the wind out of me. I gasped for air, tongue and all, as droplets of blood spilled out.
"GAGH!" I screamed out in pain as I was launched back into a stone statue, crumbling on top of me as my body literally shattered it into pieces on impact.
In a glimpse through the stone bits, I saw her smile in appreciation for what had occurred. But in her distracted state, I began to throw the stone bits from the now broken statue at Luna, landing couple of stones after another, but with her magic, she began to throw them back at me, piercing my body, some even impaling and passing through my body. I screamed in this new found agony, placing a hoof over the wounds that was caused by the stones.
I examined myself, and noted that I was bleeding profusely and realized I couldn't stop all of the bleeding. When I looked up, I saw Luna tower over me, a grin on her muzzle and enjoyment in her eyes, holding her sword against my neck. I then looked over to Chrysalis and Celestia, and saw what would be my doom.
"Fall, fall in front of the Princess of the Sun, Chrysalis. Realize the mistake you made in challenging me once more!" Celestia chanted at the top of her lungs, charging up another round of magic against Queen Chrysalis.
"You haven't won just yet, Celestia! I Will Be Back!" I heard Chrysalis yell as she shakenly stood up and magically teleported away. Just as she left, I then saw few Changelings in the sky fly away, some being shot down and realized I was being left behind once more.
Celestia then joined her sister's side over me, glaring down upon me. "It seems that your rescue has failed, once more....." Celestia stated, no emotion in her voice.
I stayed silent, knowing that it was over for me. It was one thing to fail a rescue operation, but twice meant that there was nothing that could be done in my favor.
"Just kill me...." I demanded weakly, "You can't gain anything from me, just do it and get this mess over with."
The two princess looked at one another, nodding at the truth and looking down upon a broken soul once more, their final decision on what to do with me made once more. It would be over finally.
Canterlot Town Square
4 Weeks Later
"Mares and Gentle Colts, We bring you all hear today to witness the execution of the General Bellose of the Changelings..." The crowd gasped at the news, but all listened well intently at what the announcer had to say. "For crimes of the Changeling Invasion on Canterlot, Attempted assassination of the Princesses, and the Murder of innocent Royal Guards to the Princesses, General Bellose will be executed on this day by hanging!"
The announcer had finished his speech, I was finally brought up to the stage, were my life would come to an end by a rope. I looked amongst the crowd of ponies, observed the crowd's expression of fear, shock, and anger. I stood shackled as they carefully brought the noose around my neck, cautious that I would retaliate, but thus I didn't.
"Any last words, Changeling?" I was asked finally, knowing that it was time, and so I stayed silent. The executioner was given the go ahead to pull the lever of the trap door below me.
As if like a snake, the noose tightened around my neck, constricting me once I fell through the trap door as it opened below me. I almost struggled, but I stopped knowing that there would be no mercy. I could feel the burning in my lungs without oxygen, suffocating as I soon came to loose sight. In my final hours before I become lost to the world around me I saw one thing. My gaze adverted to the Princesses, who looked back at me with no remorse nor emotion, just blank stares.
As if the curtain finally came to a close, the lights dimmed. The show came to an end, my time was up and I accepted the fact. There would be no more. And all came to a peaceful end, my suffering drifted away as well as my life. No more...... and thus thy play was over, a result unlike no other, there were no hero's, and thus only villains.
My body hanged, swaying in the breeze as the ponies watched, slowly exiting the town square as the presentation was over. I died...... but what few would consider a sad ending, for me it was a happy ending. A smile planted on my muzzle in my final seconds, I was glad for it to be over.
THE END
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed this story for what it was worth. It may not be much to few, and for others it may not be enough, but thus I enjoyed writing this tale, and I hope again that you would enjoy it too.
To all, happy readings and a good night.
Aftermath: A Changeling's Punishment
Things get a whole lot interesting
Current Time Elsewhere
"My Queen...." A random changeling scout, not raising his head to look up at his queen while bowing. "I have reports of General Bellose, one of our spies have found him."
The changeling's ears perk, hearing the Changeling Queen chuckle. "Still alive? What use does he have to her...." Chrysalis asks questioningly. "Does she think she can gain information from him?
"Shall we send out a rescue platoon?" The scout asks, still not looking up at her.
"No.......Bellose can get out on his own.......if he can't." She pauses suddenly, before continuing. "If the General can't escape, he'll find a way to end his pathetic life..." Chrysalis finishes her sentence, looking up and off into the distance from their temporary FOB. "I can ensure he wouldn't let out any information about us. Even if he had to die to keep our secrets as secrets." She looks down at the scout again, waving a dismissive hoof for him to leave.
Chrysalis then laid down, resting her head onto her hooves in thought. "You won't get anything out of him, Celestia.....You haven't won just yet." Finishing her thoughts, she looks up once again into the night sky, thoughts drifting towards General Bellose and his current situation, but her mind is drowned with the overflow of tiredness, sleep slowly consuming her, and begins to drift away into slumber.
Back at Canterlot Hell-Hole
After the little match I had with Luna, which was soon discovered by the sun goddess herself, Celestia. In other words she was not happy with what had occurred to her little sister and went into rage, or what I assume was rage. She didn't send me to the sun and I'm stuck with my head being forcibly shoved into a tub of water for around 10 seconds at a time. Although refreshing, it wasn't fun......
"What in the hell did you think you were doing." A voice exclaimed with anger dripping from every word. With that my head was brought up from the tub of water, and looked at the sight from beyond the bars of my cell.
"I was......fighting for........my freedom......with your sister.." I gasped between each word, catching my breath and keeping it finally. "It was...her idea to fight....me. It was her...deal" I finally finished, slowing down the gasping for air.
Celestia stared at me with disgust, looking at the guards with a nod, once again I was dunked into the water.
"Highly unlikely, Luna would never hold a duel for your freedom." She glared at me again, nostrils flaring.
I coughed once my head was out of the water again, letting out my reply. "Ask her...yourself....you cunt.." I retrieved a punch by one of the guards after saying that.
"Watch your tongue, Changeling.....Your chances of survival are becoming very slim, so don't make it worse." Celestia retorted. She was about to say something else, but a guards suddenly came up to her and whispered into her ear.
"I have a question.....are Changelings heat resistant?" Celestia asked suddenly, making my ears perk up.
"Huh?" I asked dumbfounded, wondering what she was getting at. But all I saw was her giving another nod to the guards holding me back, and suddenly pull me back from the tub of water.
"It seems we'll have our own little experiment." I heard her say, watching her levitate iron bars about the size of the holes in my legs to the guards holding me down, sliding the iron bars into the holes in my legs.
"The fuck do you plan on doing!" I yelled loudly in protest, watching her horn glow, then the iron bars, feeling heat suddenly emitting from them.
"Oh nothing, just testing out a new way of getting information..."
The iron bars begin to burn, the intense heat burning my hooves, and it was getting to be quite uncomfortable. The pain soon became unbearable, letting out a scream of pain as the iron bars got hotter, turning slowly into an orange glow, sizzling my hooves. "You.....you.....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" I tried to insult the alicorn, but my pain filled screams were cutting me off.
"Remove them...." She said as the iron bars were removed. I looked down to see that all four of my hooves looked some what melted, blood that was soon leaking out from them were boiling and bubbling.
"Now.....you're going to tell me everything you know about the Changelings we don't know, and you'll spill out everything for me."
I couldn't look up at her, my attention was focused on my hooves. I couldn't even tend to them for each movement I made with my hooves led to more pain and blistering, cracking the chitin exo-skeleton surrounding them. "You bitch!" I yelled loudly, echoing through out the dungeon.
"That's not very nice.....tear off his wings, maybe he'll learn from his mistakes." Celestia said dryly, motioning the guards to do as she said.
I suddenly felt my wings being pulled apart, being stretched to their limits until...."AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" I screamed in agony, my wings being slowly ripped off like ripping out a sheet of paper from a book, so effortlessly, but still with struggling. I was going to scream again, but choked on my pain. I laid there open maw, tears forming at the end of my eyes while my vision became blurry. I looked up again before I became unconscious, seeing the smirk on that princess's face brought only anger and disgust to me, suddenly loosing sight and any form of thought, passing out on the floor of my cell.
Canterlot Royal Medical Ward
Luna was laying down in a gurney, bandages wrapped around her wounds. Thinking back to the fight she just had with that changeling general.
"I guess he had his eye for an eye..." She quietly said to herself, placing a hoof onto her ear, half of it missing. Looking back at how she cut half of his ear off as well. Luna looked out the window, the night sky still bright with the stars. "But.......the deal has been cancelled......."
Author's Note
WHOA, WHAT?! So you mean to say General Bellose won't gain freedom?
Hope you guys are enjoying this so far, I say it's kinda of a pain to right a long chapter with out any Ideas. :P
