A Fractured World

(Canterlot)

Celestia watched as several guards ran back and forth, setting up for a siege. Rainbow Dash was leading several of the Wonderbolt that were station to watch the border to see when or if Scorpio’s army approaches. The door open and Twilight entered the room.

“My dear student, thank you for coming,” Celestia said as the door closed. “I must ask your friends help once again.”

“What do you want us to do?” Twilight asked. Celestia cast a spell and a floating map appeared in front of them.

“From what we gather so far is that the three leaders; Scorpio, Gemini, and Aquarius. All three of them experience fighters and have commanded several of the troops. If they have at least half of them sworn to them, they can attack at several points. I’m going need you to have your friends go to these three points.” The map glow on three separate areas: The Crystal Empire, Canterlot and a mountain range that rest just under Cloudsdale. “I need two of you to go and protect Candance. If we lost the north, it will be hard to regain it. I also need two to go to the mountain under Cloudsdale. The rest of the Wonderbolts are doing a training exercise in the caves and I have been able to get any messages to them. The rest need to stay here and help try to talk them down.”

“I understand,” Twilight said, looking at the map. “What if the humans get involved?”

Celestia turn as the sun slowly rose, casting its early morning light.

“I fear for what is going to happen to them more than what will happen to us.”

(The portal. Human side.)

General Burner looked at the scene before him and swore. Several tents were on fire and about twelve injury men. The tent that covered the portal was now torn and the sky turned to dusk. He also had to deal with two Congresswomen but one of them disappear into thin air. And if that wasn’t enough, he was getting reports that an incident happened at Governor Ryan’s home estate. Early reports were indicating that it was a bloodbath and that Ryan was missing.

A loud crackle caused him to turn to the portal and watch as one of the ponies he saw earlier emerge from the portal. It was the one with a darker coat and blue mane. He believed the name was Luna. He started to reach for his side arm but she raised her hoof in a peaceful motion.

“Wait.” She said quickly. “I’m here to help.”

“Help?” Burner snorted at look at the ruins of the camp. “So far, your kind has caused me a pretty nasty headache. Why should I believe you?”

“Because something tells me you just had something pose as one of your own and disappear? Am I right?” Luna answer. Burner crossed his arms, leaving his side arm in its holster.

“Maybe. Was it one of yours?” He asked, studying her for her response. She nodded and look to the east.

“I sense her energy. She is moving to the east.” Luna stated, walking past Burner. “This place is… overwhelming.” She turned to Burner. “Unless it’s my sister, don’t let anything else pass that portal.”

“And what do you plan to do?” Burner asked, watching her wings unfold.

“Bring a lost pony home. Whether she wants to or not.” Luna said before shooting into the air.

(Canterlot)

“Does every pony know where they’re going?” Twilight asked. She had discussed with the group about the plan to spread out. As she expected, some of her friends were a little confused.

“Why am I not going to the Wonderbolts?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I did this training exercise several times. I know the route like the back of my hoof.”

“But I need you here to help the Wonderbolts secure the sky here.” Twilight explained. “Rarity and Pinkie Pie can get through the cave easily and if they are going after Spitfire, that means they are going to expect flying fighters. This will hopeful throw them off.”

“But why are you not going to the Crystal Palace? Why is it me and Fluttershy?” Apple Jack asked.

“As much as I would love to protect my brother, I need to stay focus,” Twilight said, looking out to the ground below. She saw several troops moving below. “I’ll have Starlight teleport you two to the Crystal Palace in a minute. Please keep them safe.”

“We will, Sugercube.” Apple Jack said and with a quick hug from the two, Starlight teleports them in a flash. At that moment, a loud horn blew from the west.

“An army approaches from the south!” Was shouted from a scout in the towers. The remaining group went to the south window and saw a large army on the horizon. The flags seem to show the sun being blocked out by a figure of a unicorn, Pegasi, and earth pony standing in victory.

“I guess this is it,” Celestia said, looking as the army approach. “I had hoped to never face this day again.” She took to the air and turn to her armies. “My fellow ponies, listen closely.” As she saw the faces of fear and confusions, looks of angry at those who betray and those with thoughts that they will not make it home. Celestia cast a spell to amplifier her voice and started her speech.

“As many of you know, we are being threatened by an army. An army being led by some pony you all have known, General Scorpio. Some of you know the ones who decided to join his side. Some of them are your brothers, your sisters but most importantly, they are your friends. I will not ask you to fight them. That is something I cannot ask you. But you must know that Scorpio is asking them to fight and he has neither the patience or mercy that I have. He hasn’t seen what war can really do. He is blinded by hatred and is poisoned by the thought of hatred. I cannot promise that your loved ones will leave unharmed but I will promise this. I will protect you all till my dying breath and I will punish those who threaten us.”

There was a moment of silent, then the whole group responded in kind.

“Hail, the princess! Hail, the protector of Equestria!” The soldiers cried out.

(Across the field.)

“So, she thinks she can scare us with a speech.” General Scorpio said, smiling while watching through a telescope. “It almost an adorable. Alright soldiers, draw your arrows!” The sound of several bows being drawn filled the air and Scorpio raised his left front hoof in the air. He was about to bring it down when he heard something. It was coming from behind them and coming fast. A high pitch scream that seemed to rattle his very bones.

A loud crash caused him to turn around and what he saw was not what he expected. Several of his fighters had moved away from a figure that had crashed down onto them. What Scorpio saw was a figure that was cover by a pair of white feather wings.

“What is your name and rank, Pegasus?” Scorpio demanded. A soft chuckle came from the figure.

“Oh, I’m not a pegasus.” The figure said and the wings unfolded as Scorpio watch it stood up. He saw the man he had shoved in a hole standing before him, with wings. “I am your reckoning.”