An Echo of What Once Was

“Incoming!” A voice shouted moments before the it was silenced by a deafening explosion that toppled an overhead bridge onto a the hull of a large purple dropship, tipping the ship which attempted to correct itself but only resulted in the phantom crashing into building, making the ruin collapse on top of it causing the phantom to detonate due to the several hundred ton to crush it and its cargo. The sky was crimson and thick with smoke from burning buildings and wrecks, purple and grey blurs littered the sky avoiding a mass of projectiles, explosions and burning wreckages, that sailed towards the ruined Caribou Capital below. The streets were filled with the burning skeletons of vehicles, the wounded and dead, discarded weapons, magazine, casings, blood and rubble. Majority of the casualties were delivered in the first few minutes due to those who were shocked by the intensity and brutality of the Alien invaders known as the Covenant, that for the first hour dominated the Armonian forces before their cruiser was blown apart by the UNSC Battle Cruiser that supported the attacking force before ultimately having her wings clipped by several Covenant batteries and was now trapped floating above the battlefield, bombarding what she could.

“Push forward!” Ordered a Unicorn stallion to his men that were hiding within a rundown café, a moment before a volley of plasma slammed into his chest, sending his smoking corpse to the ground as a group of black armoured tall Aliens known as Elites materialised out of thin air wielding two foot long light blue rifles that spewed blue plasma at the hunkered down inside the establishment, killing a few more soldiers before a heavy black cloud of smoke filled the surrounding area followed by the sound of the aliens screaming in pain and their weapons discharging at their hidden attacker in vain. After a minute, the smoke vanished to reveal a tall dark grey armoured Unicorn Mare with a long red cape, her horn was curved like a shark fin and had a flowing black mane and tail, her eyes were red while the white of her eyes were green that produced a purple energy from them. In her left hand she long broadsword that dripped with the purple blood of the elites that laid butchered at her feet, while she inspected a small device in her right hand before she looked to Armonian marines staring at her in shock.

“Continue pressing forward to the Castle, that is where the main battle force is converging, we capture that and them we can kill Daine and end this” The mare explained as she stepped out of the ruin and looked back down the street where she had come from to see several large green tanks rolling down towards them before she turned her gaze to look up the street to see a swarm of large green insects heading towards the tanks only to vanish in a grey flash. “What in Tartarus?” Umbra asked before she looked up to see that all the purple blurs vanishing in a similar fashion. “What is happening?” She asked again as the marine exited the café looked around.

“Ma’am, what happened? Why is it so quiet?” One of the soldiers asked causing Umbra to recoil when she realised that the background gun fire and explosions where gone, leaving being the sound of crackling flames and the soft squeaks of the approaching tank treads. “Where is the Plague Doctor!?” The Soldier stated in shock making Umbra look up to see the absence of the massive battle ship.

“How did I miss that?” She asked herself before looking to the castle, “The Mission is still the same, kill Daine and we win!” Umbra exclaimed before she took off towards the castle with the dozen soldiers following her.

(Caribou Castle)

“Okay, now that Mr Bell is gone… I guess I should honour my end of the bargain, otherwise Brother will kill me” The Hooded figure muttered as he looked around the throne room, beside his feet lay the mutilated corpse of the leader of the Covenant and closer to the door was the deflated husk of Immortal King Daine that the banished leader of the Armonian Army, force fed a plasma grenade. “Best create a double of him so they don’t try and bring him back” Baixao muttered before he walked over to a blood puddle that was Tony’s and knelt beside it. “This will do” He said as he ran his fingers through the puddle before it began to transform into the man he just banished, well at least part of him. “That should stop them from thinking he is banished” Bai said before he heard groaning behind him, causing him to turn to see Daine was regenerating himself. “Interesting, I guess you need to be killed in a specific way… This could actually be fun” Baixao chuckled softly before he placed his hand into a puddle of Daine’s blood and inspected it. “Hmm so there is someone with the ability to kill you for good, and he is close by… hmm interesting” Baixao thought for a moment as he rubbed his chin that was hidden beneath his hood and groaned in annoyance. “Shit, didn’t want to coat my chin in blood” He muttered before a white rag formed on his hand, that he used to clean his face before discarding. “Hold on tight Daine, as your end will be here shortly” Baixao chuckled as he rose to his feet and vanished into thin air a few moments before the main entrance to the blown open and five Armonian soldiers rushed in wielding assault rifles.

“This is Blue Team, we have found Daine… a…and the remains of the Captain” The Squad leader said over the radio as two of his squad members approached Daine with their weapons trained on the Caribou King. “Yes… With pleasure, Eliminate him” The Squad leader ordered moments before Daine shot up and impaled one of the marine’s on his sharpened antlers while he grabbed the other and used him as a shield as the remaining three marines opened fired on him.

“Don’t you know better than to try and kill a god?” Daine roared before he threw his head forward, dislodging the still living soldier from his antlers before said antler’s was coated in a black glow, causing silver and gold armour to form on Daine’s armour and a platinum long sword to form in his right hand. “I guess I have to teach you” Daine said as a gold face plate formed in his left hand, that he clipped onto the base of his antlers to protect his face.

“Light him up!” The Blue leader ordered as he began firing, only for the bullets to bounce harmlessly off his enchanted armour.

“Die” Daine Exclaimed as he launched forward and bisected the three. “Pathetic” Daine said as he walked over to the badly wounded marine and drove his sword into her chest. “Stupid Who…” Daine started only to be cut off when a tank shell slammed into his side, detonating and propelling him into his throne. “That actually hurt” Daine groaned as he got to his feet and inspected his now dented and blackened armour before returning his gaze to the entrance to the throne room to see a dozen more marines enter wielding heavy weapons.

“Kill him” Ordered one of the marines before Daine was hit with a volley of bullets and rockets, tearing apart what remained of his armour but leaving him mostly uninjured.

“Idiots, no mortal weapon can slay me” Daine informed them as his antlers light up once again before launching a volley of black projectiles at the reloading soldiers, except the attack was blocked as a wall of black crystal formed in front of the group while a black smoke flowed into the fight before materialising into Umbra with her sword drawn. “Oh Sombra, what have they done to you?” Daine said as he shook his head.

“This may not be the most fantastic thing that has ever happened to me, but it has given me the opportunity to live a normal life once again” Umbra said pointing her sword towards the Immortal Caribou.

“Oh well, I shall not kill you… I’ll promise that you shall enjoy your brand new life with me” Daine smirked moments before a crimson shield formed between Daine and Umbra. “What scared?” Daine laughed as he took several steps forward. “Why?” Daine questioned.

“This is not my doing bastard!” Umbra shot back.

“No, it is my doing Father” A masculine voice said causing Daine to turn to see a white Caribou in full silver armour with a burning Crimson mane and tail, a broadsword strapped to each side of his hip and a longsword sheathed in his left hand. A crimson and silver cape flapped lightly behind him as he circled around Daine until he was standing between Daine and Umbra.

“Danse, why are you not searching for the traitor that helped these worms steal our subjects?” Daine asked his son as the younger Buck strapped the long sword to the left side of his hip.

“They did not steal our subjects… they freed them Father” The Son hissed. “I don’t wish to harm you Father, but this has gone on long enough and you need to stop!” He exclaimed.

“You dare betray your own flesh and blood!? Then you are nothing to me!” Daine roared as he launched forward, only for Danse to draw both his broadswords and block his father’s attack with the weapons.

“Please, just surrender and I can try to get them to spare you” Danse begged before Daine kicked him in the chest, causing him to fall backwards while his father tried to follow up with a plunging attack, but Danse quickly rolled out of the way and moved to the other side of the shield.

“You have no hope of killing me with such pitiful weapons!” Daine roared as he used his magic to shatter the two broadswords that Danse was wielding, sending shards of steel into the younger male’s arms, chest and face plate, making him scream out in pain.

“God damn it father, listen to me for once, I don’t want to hurt you” Danse groaned in pain while moving his right hand to the longsword on his hip. “But I will if you force my hand!” Danse promised as Daine launched towards him. The prince took a deep breath and closed his eyes before drawing the longsword, which produced dark red lightning from it making Daine stop and look in confusion.

“What is with that sword?” Daine asked.

“This was given to me by a being named Baixao… it was created to kill you!” Danse exclaimed as he fully drew the blade causing crimson phantoms of him to launch forward and slice across Daine’s body at incredible speed before vanishing into thin air. Daine only stood there for a moment before he turned to dust while Danse collapsed to his knees as his body smoked and he panted not noticing that the barrier he had created had fallen and several marines had surrounded him.

“Stand down” Umbra ordered the soldiers before she approached Danse and knelt in front of him to see that he had passed out on his knees. “Get a medic” She ordered before she looked to the remains of Tony and sighed. “Poor Cadence” Umbra sighed.

(Outer Rim of Milky Way Galaxy- Plague Doctor, Several Years Later)

“Come on Ming, this is unreasonable” a hooded being complained as he materialised within a room filled with large metal cylinders that had windows on the front of them, all were empty save for one, that was filled with what appeared to be a sickly green cacoon.

“Brother, remember what I taught you” A second hooded figure said as he materialised beside the shorter one.

“Don’t be sadistic and cruel” The shorter man replied to his older brother.

“And what did you do Bai?” Ming asked as he looked at the Cyropod that housed the cacoon.

“What about you slaughtering just about an entire species?” Baixao retorted with a huff while crossing his arms.

“They imprisoned Eli… what I did can not be undone… this is why I don’t want you sink to my level little brother” Ming said as Baixao sighed. “And stop with the creepy echo voice will you” Ming added.

“You are no fun” Bai replied as his voice shifted to a regular style.

“Yes I am… but anyway, let’s send him back to… “Ming was saying before the gravity suddenly vanished and the pair began to float.

“And who do you think you are touching him?” A voice demanded over the intercom.

“We are friends, no need to worry as we will be sending him home to Equis” Ming said as with a click of his fingers, gravity returned to the room.

“What? How did you… what are you?” The female voice asked in confusion as Bai and Ming chuckled.

“That does not matter, what matters is fixing what my brother has fucked up” Ming added as Bai grumbled and a holographic woman materialised on a podium next to the inhabited Cyropod.

“How can I trust you?” The woman asked as she looked to the two hooded men then at Anthony. “And how do I know that you even have the power to send us back?” She asked.

“Us? Do you wish to return with him?” Bai asked as Abigail nodded.

“Yes, I would like to live out the last few years I have before I go Rampart” She said sparking the interest of the men.

“Rampart?” Ming asked.

“It’s what happens to AIs when we reach seven years of age… we pretty much think ourselves to death” She sighed.

“Oh, hmm I think I can fix that… we just need transport to send you both back, Bai I believe we have guests approaching… would you be kind enough to find a suitable vehicle for these two?” Ming asked as Baixao nodded before vanishing in a flash of dark grey. “Now, best to leave no trace of what transpired here, anyway you can destroy this ship?” Ming asked making Abigail nod before she vanished from the podium. “Now that we are alone, let’s get to work” Ming said before grabbing the pod and ripped the door off, tearing a chuck of the chrysalis that was attached to the door, resulting in the thick liquid inside to rush out along with the man, who unfortunately slammed into the ice cold grated floor below him making him groan.

“Fuck” The rust haired man groaned as he pushed himself up onto his arms and knees and rubbed his face with his right hand moments before he suddenly freaked out and fell back onto his ass as he looked at his slightly tanned right hand and arm, making Ming cock his head slightly in confusion before he noticed a metal right arm still inside the pod.

“Ah, looks like you regrew your arm” Ming said making the red haired man look to him and inspected him head to toe before he attempted to push himself to his feet, which ended up making him fall face first back onto the group, making Ming smirk beneath his hood before noticing an aqua green band around his left arm.

“Who the hell are you?!” Tony questioned as he used the control console next to him to pull himself to his feet.

“I am a friend… my naked friend” Ming said as Anthony looked down and blushed at his naked form. “Need clothes?” Manus asked which Tony nodded in response. “Okay hold still” Ming said as his hand was surrounded in a faint violet glow before a heavy coat and pants formed before the hooded man, which he offered to Tony moments before a rumbling was felt through the ship, knocking Tony back onto his ass.

“What the fuck?” Tony groaned as Abigail reappeared back on her podium.

“Critical damage to the ship has occurred due to the other battle cruiser opening fire… most likely due to your brother.” She said, not looking at Tony. “Get Anthony out of here before the ship is destroyed” She ordered Ming.

“And what of you?” The hooded man asked her concerned.

“No time, besides the only way to get a hard copy of me was in the bridge, which is now destroyed.” She said with a sigh. “Take him home please” She begged.

“Alright, good luck” Ming said as he turned to Tony, who had finished getting dressed and was now looking at the Artificial intelligence with a sad expression. “Ready?” He asked.

“As I’ll every be, goodbye Abi” Tony said.

“Bye Tony, say hey to everyone for me” She asked in which Tony replied with a nod before the pair vanished in a flash of violet.

(Equis, half an hour later)

“Mr Bell?” Ming asked as he knelt down beside the man who had been silent ever since the pair had arrived on Equis, he simply sat against a tree starting off into space not responsive to Ming’s attempts to talk to him, the pair had arrived to find that Baixao wasn’t anywhere to be found, much to the relief of Tony seeing as their last encounter was not a good one. “Anthony!” Manus shouted, finally gaining the man’s attention.

“Yes?” Tony asked looking at the still hooded man.

“I have been trying to tell you that I have to go find my brother and that I have to leave you for quite a while” Ming explained.

“Right, so what do I do?” Tony asked as Ming looked around and thought for a moment.

“Sanctuary is three miles that way” Ming said pointing north. “I will leave you some gear and money so you can get by until you can get everything back on track” Ming said to him, causing Anthony to sigh.

“Alright, but answer me this… how long have I been away from here?” Tony asked him.

“In all honesty, I have no idea… you see time isn’t consistent between universes, you could have been asleep for a couple days in your universe and it could have been centuries here or vice versa” Ming said.

“So what? I have to be incognito for a bit to see how long since I have been missing?” Tony questioned.

“Yes unfortunately, because the last thing you want is to fuck some woman, only to discover it is your great, great, great, granddaughter” Ming explained.

“Ah… fair enough” Tony said with a slight hollow chuckle before pushing himself to his feet. “So north you say?” Tony asked.

“Yes and here” Ming said as he clicked his fingers, causing a crate to form. “In there you will find some clothes, backpack, and a cloak because they are good and hiding one’s face and finally some money” Ming explained, in which the man nodded and walked over to it. “Either Baixao or myself will see you soon” Ming said before vanishing into thin air.

“Don’t rush” Tony said quietly while he changed clothes and packed the backpack with excess gear and money before putting it on over the cloak. “So north… I hope it hasn’t been too long” Tony muttered as he slipped on the boots that were in the crate before he started walking towards the town.

(Crystal Empire)

“Alright so we’ll be away for at most three weeks Auntie, are you sure you can handle this?” A Pink quadrapedal Alicorn with a colourful mane asked the tall dull white bipedal Alicorn that sat upon a crystal throne wearing a long revealing gold gown as her pink mane and tail flowed in a non-existent breeze.

“Cadence, I have plenty of experience in ruling before so stop worrying and enjoy the Friendship games with Gold and the kids.” Molestia replied with a soft smile.

“I-I know Auntie… but make sure to…” Cadence started, only to be cut off by the older mare.

“Why are you stalling? Is this because Twilight decided to have the Friendship Games in Sanctuary this year?” Molly asked causing Cadence to lock up. “Sweetie, it has been such a long time since Tony passed away… you have moved on so please stop avoiding going back there, it is kind of messing up your relationship with the others” Molly said causing the younger mare to sit down and sigh.

“But I broke up the herd after Umbra returned with Tony’s ashes, I doubt they would want anything to do with me” Cadence sighed.

“Cadence just go, they still care about you because I know I do” Molly said rising from the throne and walking over to the mare.

“You are my aunt, you have to” Cadence stated making Molly giggle before wrapping her arms around the pink mare.

“That may be but I still live in Armonia and talk to them, they have told me that they miss you” Molestia said.

“R-really?” Cadence questioned.

“Yes, now get going, it is rude to keep Gold and the girls waiting” The older Alicorn said, getting a nod from Cadence before the two hugged again and Cadence exited the throne room while Molly returned to the throne and sat down on it. “Buck how does she sit in this thing comfortably?” She complained quietly as she shifted.