Author's Note

Here's the prologue to the full re-write of Fallen! I'm hoping to do a much MUCH better job of writing this one. It'll be a lot longer both chapter and time wise. So, for the time I'm keeping Icy Wastes as connected to the first Fallen until this one is finished. But, this one will be more connected and close to Icy Wastes then the original Fallen.

If you guys have anything you want expanded upon, or explained in this story, go ahead and PM or comment. I'll put it in when I get the chance.

And if a chapter is heavy on exposition it'll be marked in the title as such and, while I would like for all the chapters to be read... they can be skipped unless otherwise marked as such.

Prologue: Escape?

Unknown:

The sounds of something going on outside the ruins of the castle echoed all around. Screams, shouts, the crackling of flames, the booms of spells being used and hitting targets, and unhallowed wails that couldn’t have been made by an natural beast filled the air.

The two hardened warriors still cringed at the sounds. First the entire world fell into madness, then this rebellion that just slaughtered indiscriminately. They thought that was the worst, but now… now something else had entered their world.

Now, the deposed and kingdomless Arkantos, and his loyal friend and teacher, Serya ran deep into the depths of the ancient castle of Horithans. The only reason they were here, and not attempting to make a worthless last stand at any of the fortresses that still stood was solely because of something the Oracle had said.

The words ran over and over again like some sick nightmare in Arkantos’ head. ‘Deep in the heart of magic, the lord of flames and war shall finally know peace.’

They had taken it to mean this ancient castle, the ley-lines in the kingdom were thought to have been birthed from an ancient swirling vortex in the depths of the ruins.

“Serya… w-what if this doesn’t work? What if the Oracle lied?” Arkantos finally spoke, glancing to the mage.

“She wouldn’t have… you saw what happened when she spoke, what happened after.” Serya reasoned. “They did… horrible, horrible things to them.” The mage shivered. “No. She wasn’t lying. And… if this doesn’t work, the least we can do is make sure… they have no magic to enter any other domains… if such a thing even exists.”

“Then we die as heroes.”

“Just as we lived, old friend.” Serya nodded, the two continued to traverse the dungeon. Slowly the crackle of wild and pure magic filled the air.

“We’re nearing it, aren’t we?” Arkantos asked.

“Yes… yes we are.” Serya said. “It’s… strange isn’t it? We grew up with magic… were taught it as something simple. But, getting close to a source like this… it’s wonderful.”

“Yeah… it makes me feel… powerful. It’s no wonder it was protected so heavily… hidden from all but the Royal Forces.” Arkantos said. “Thank the Gods they never found it… we may still have a chance.”

‘Destroyed in the depths of flame, the strings of fate no longer bind. Take heed Prince, your struggle has only just begun.’ Her final words said all alone to Arkantos haunted him even more.

They entered the massive antichamber was intricate and had carvings so ancient their meanings were lost to the depths of time.

“Wow…” Serya muttered quietly, the two approaching the well of magic in the center of the room.

“Now… what the hell are we going to do?” Arkantos sighed.

“Well… Prince… theoretically with this amount of power… we could do nearly anything.” Serya said. “Well… one of us could.”

Arkantos looked at Serya.

“It’d require one of us to stay behind… keep whatever spell we’re using active until the other’s through…”

“But couldn’t…” Arkantos trailed off. “You… wish to go back in time?”

“Or send you somewhere far, far away from here… so you can gain help, make sure THIS doesn’t happen somewhere else.” Serya nodded. “Look… Arkantos, you… you have a chance to stop this. You didn’t go insane like your father and mother… You stayed strong, lead us through the rebellion… tried to stand against those abominations. You, YOU can make a difference, not me. I can help you… I can help set things straight.” The older mage sighed. “Arkantos…”

Arkantos just stared quietly, unsure of what he could say or do.

“You have the intelligence, the strength, the charm to survive somewhere else… You could make a difference… and if not, you could make a new life for yourself… fight to defend something you love once again.” Serya said. “I… can’t.”

“No! I’m not leaving you alone to di-”

“ARKANTOS! Listen to yourself! The men out there are giving their lives to defend you! To make sure SOMETHING survives! And that something NEEDS to be you!” Sarya retorted. “So FUCKING SURVIVE!”

Arkantos stumbled back a little. “S…”

“Prince. You NEED to live! The Oracle said you can make a difference! You can win this for us! DO IT! Don’t think! Just act!”

“I…”

“Why are you scared? Would you rather become a puppet for those things? Those abominations? Or would you rather die knowing you tried to make a difference?” Serya questioned, already channeling the spell. “I know you want to die a hero… Please, remember what…”

“Don’t… don’t bring her up.” Arkantos shook his head. “Fine. Fine! I’ll go through… just… take care Serya. I’ll do this… and at least…”

“Thank y-” Serya was cut off as a dark humanoid shaped beast came charging at them from the blackened corridor. The beast took a swing and cleaved through most of Serya, dropping his body into the pool in the middle of the room.

With no hope of escape, and with the sounds of more of these beasts approaching Arkantos drew his sword. He was prepared to make his final stand.

It was then that the pool began to glow brightly, casting a light all around the room, banishing back the darkness from the beast revealing it to be a twisted undead human. It screeched in pain, clawing at its’ skin, using that moment of weakness Arkantos lobbed it’s head off.

He looked quickly around the room for a way out, and his eyes moved over the dagger his fallen friend had been carrying. He picked it up quickly and noticed that the pool was creating a portal. He took a deep breath and prepared to dive through the portal to wherever it may take him, but he was given no time as another beast, this one being revealed to be a recently deceased royal soldier, tackled him, driving its’ claws deep into his shoulder and causing them both to tumble through the portal.

Meanwhile:

It was a relatively calm day, Twilight and her friends were out exploring Celestia and Luna’s old castle, just collecting items and seeing what they could find that was hidden away.

“So, anything in particular you want Twilight?” Dash asked as the two dug through the still standing library.

“Books on magic, history, anything that’d be of use in my own library. Just… if it looks big and important, go ahead and grab it.” Twilight said.

“Psshh… I’m sure you say that about everything…” Dash muttered.

“What was that?” Twilight glanced to her.

“Nothing.” Dash shook her head. “I’m just going to go search for some books… nerd.” She flew off, digging through various shelves haphazardly (much to Twilight’s disdain) throwing books down to the ground.

Twilight shook her head slowly exploring the rest of the massive library.

“Twilight, Rainbow Dash! Ah found somethin!” Applejack nearly yelled. The other two mares darted out of the room they were in.

“Where are yooooooooo…. Ooooh shit, what the hell is this…” Dash muttered as they entered a massive room which a portal had now opened up in.

“It just… appeared.” Rarity began. Every one of them was hanging back not sure what the portal was.

The bright green glow of the portal itself reminded them all of changeling magic, so Dash, Applejack, and Twilight were on the offensive. Until two large creatures came tumbling out of the portal, one a pure inky black pony-like beast. The other appeared distinctly to not be a pony, and had the others claw buried in its’ shoulder. The shadow beast leaped off and left the others body behind, turning its’ gaze to the cowering three mares in the corner. It appeared unconcerned with Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash.

The shadowy beast that now more and more reminded them of Sombra’s shadow beasts took a few steps away from the body only to have a dagger thrust into its’ leg. “Rule… One… make sure I’m dead.” The second creature growled, now revealing itself to be male.

The beast screeched in pain and stumbled over, falling onto its’ face.

“You… evil… disgusting abomination…” The male creature slowly climbed to his feet.

Twilight could see the male creature was bleeding profusely.

His hand began to glow brightly with fire. “You beasts turn into wild animals when thrown against training…” He tentatively stuck his fingers against the wound, biting back his own cry of pain as he primitively sutured the wound. “Then… you ignore the strong, leaving yourselves open.”

The shadowy beast struggled to wrench the glowing dagger from its’ leg.

“H-how…” Rarity muttered.

“I won’t… let you… live… If I die… you die too!” The male creature growled, raising his broadsword with one hand, which surprised all the girls since he had just been bleeding out. He brought it down HARD on the shadowy beast, the shadowy magic dispersing revealing it to be a now completely dead royal soldier. ALL six of the mares turned to not look as his blade cleaved the body in half. “And… i-i-in flame…”

“NO!” Twilight snapped raising a shield around him.

“BE PURGED!”

The pillar of flame broke through the top of her shield and sent him violently into the wall of it. They heard a sickening crack and the scent of burnt flesh filled the air.

Twilight dropped the barrier, she and Applejack rushed to check to see if the male was still alive. All that was left of the other body was a pile of ash, armor, and the two weapons used to kill it.

“H-holy shit…”

“He just saved…” Applejack glanced up to the three cowering mares.

“He’s still alive!” Twilight said quickly, ripping his helmet off. Underneath was something that couldn’t ever be called a pony. “W-what ever he is we need to save him! Dash, you’re the fastest one of all of us, go back to town and alert the hospital that we NEED help now!”

Dash nodded and was off in her usual sonic speed. It wouldn’t be long before he either died due to exhaustion or succumbed to his injury.

“His shoulder’s still bleeding…” Twilight used her magic to press down hard on his shoulder. “Rarity, get his armor off, teleport it somewhere… we need to see what other injuries he has.” She ordered. “Applejack, you help me press down on his shoulder once the breastplate is off.”

“Got it.” Both mares said. Rarity immediately teleported his breastplate off, dropping it nearby, Applejack was pressing down into his bloodied shoulder immediately. “Uuuh… Twi, Ah… Ah think…” Applejack began in a mumble.

“Shit! We’re just making it worse! Get back!” Twilight shoved AJ away, her magic managing to magically staunch his bleeding as well as keep his shoulder intact. “One of you needs to go…”

Thankfully for all of them, Celestia had just come to town, so she and a large contingent of Royal Guards teleported in. Several medical officers rushed to the unconscious being and began to tend to him.

“What happened.” Was all Celestia said.