Black Gates: Fallen

The first stage of the plan had been initiated, and Twilight was startled as the cannons fired and boomed, tearing through buildings, and causing massive explosions in the distance. She watched trebuchets and catapults launch massive barrels of explosives and burning oil at the enemy encampment.

She’d never seen siege equipment actually used, hell she wasn’t too sure that Equestria even had any inside it’s arsenal anymore, magic and pegasi controlling the weather negated the need in most cases. At least she thought so.

After the third barrage of projectiles, the battalions prepared for the assault charged into the ruins, fighting as one massive entity.

Their war cries and shouts filled the air, trying to scare back some of the stranglers before they were overwhelmed with steel and sword.

“Alright! The mages are moving into the square, it’ll only be a few minutes before we’re ready!” Arkantos assured.

“Good… I’m wanting out of here more and more… it’s just…”

“Horrifying.” Arkantos finished. “I know the feeling… my first time was horrible too.”

“Huh?” Twilight asked.

“Don’t worry… from here on, it shouldn’t be much more then the two of us and Nightmare.” Ark smiled slightly.

“Ark…”

“Now isn’t the time, lest she start to bleed over that memory too.” He silenced her inquiry.

Twilight sighed, “Alright. Let’s get going.” The two walked to the now empty entry way to the cathedral grounds.

They noticed something strange, the sun was burning through the clouds above, for Twilight it felt as if Celestia herself had entered and was going to offer her support.

“My… Holy Sol even gives her blessing on this day.” Arkantos commented. “Perhaps all the gods are with us.” He chuckled.

“Couldn’t you just make it so?” Twilight asked.

“I’m only named after a god, Twilight. I’m no god myself. Even in this dream world, they still control their own wills.” Arkantos explained.

“Great, they wo-”

“No, in fact they work for those that they feel need it. A prayer to say, Arkantos, won’t get you much. But a sacrifice of your own blood in combat, a will unbroken by torture, a fist slammed into a table in anger, or even a direct charge into death will. He’ll bless your blade when you swing it back into the enemy. Break the very tools that your torturers use, or sometimes, as I’ve seen myself, have them backfire. The one who betrayed you will surrender to you, even if they had no indication that they’d do so. Or, he’ll strengthen your steel, your armor, your spirit. Your battle cry will strike fear into their hearts, and the fire deep inside will become a sweltering inferno.” He explained. “All things within his realm, war, loyalty, Brotherhood. He’s all things warriors strive to be, what all men and women wanted to emulate.”

Twilight looked at him for a moment, “You speak as if he was r-”

“Our gods were not born from each other Twilight. They weren’t born demi-gods, they weren’t born heroes. They rose to that status. The man I’m named after? He rose from the rank of slave, to that of king. King of not only men, but of gods. I’ll start with that tale, eh?” Ark offered, giving her his hand. “For now, we have something more pressing.”

Twilight nodded and squeezed his hand, the gesture assuring them both that they’d stand together. She noticed something now, he felt… hotter then before. “Ow! Are you turning up the heat or something?” She joked, withdrawing her hand in surprise, though she wasn’t really hurt.

“No! I haven’t… I was just about to ask you… are you using ice magic? You feel colder, almost verging on death!” He quickly embraced her, sounding a bit worried. “It should be impossible for her to influence yo-”

“I feel fine!” She didn’t shove him off, now that she was prepared for the heat she enjoyed it. “Wait… You say I feel colder?”

“Ye-” He paused now really remembering her wounds. “Wait… how are you standing? That should have crippled you for a little while longer!” He pulled back. “A-” He looked up at the sun, it felt as if it was calling out to him, extending a hand outwards for him to grasp. “I’ve heard of something like that… mana transference… but, it’s suicide… the power… it can twist and corrupt…” He muttered quietly.

Twilight’s eyes widened and she smiled brightly. “Ark! You know what that means?” She sounded giddy. “They found a way to help us!”

Ark’s mind was still a bit of a haze, and she noticed it. The area felt… hotter now. The sun was growing brighter. She quickly moved in front of Ark, grabbing his head and directing his attention back to her. “Look at me!” She ordered, his eyes darting to hers.

“S-sorry… I…” He stammered.

The area cooled off again and the sun returned to normal.

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked seeing the hint of fear in his eyes.

“I… I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I want this… this gone as soon as possible.”

Twilight hugged him tightly for a moment. “You’re safe.” She assured.

Arkantos nodded slowly, “Alright…” He sighed.

Twilight stepped back, she took his hand this time and lead him to the massive cleared square. “Just you and me now.” She laughed.

Arkantos smiled, “Sadly… it won’t last for long.” He said, glancing around for a moment. “You ready?”

“Of course.” Twilight nodded. “And I know just the way to get her here.” She took in a deep breath. “But, it’ll make us visible to everything.”

“Oh boy… So much for having the element of surprise.” He laughed as he drew his sword, his free arm igniting as he prepared to light his sword on fire. “Let’s do this.”

Twilight nodded and fired off a massive and otherwise impossible tower of light. But with the excess magic flowing through her… it felt natural and she liked that feeling.

Meanwhile:

Nightmare Moon was FUMINGshe’d been tricked by the pathetic human, and her greatest nemesis. Her friends were mere foalsplay if she had a body. Twilight was the real threat, hell, even the human with all his skill was worthless against her. It’d take little to simply kill him, at least it would have if that fucking unicorn hadn’t gotten involved. She was SO DAMN CLOSE when he was laying unconscious on the hospital bed. She’d almost broken through! Then Twilight Sparkle, Celestia’s perfect little student got friendly with him.

“DAMN IT ALL! I CAN’T FAIL!” Nightmare roared. In truth, this entire time she didn’t want Twilight. She’d be too difficult to take over, at least right now. If she had been able to seed herself completely in Arkantos’ mind she’d grow in power… torturing him for a few nights before letting him sleep and regain his strength… eventually revealing herself to him, offering a way out of the nightmares. She knew Celestia would cut him off, she knew Celestia would seed doubt and chaos in his mind, making it all the more horrible for him.

But now, but fucking NOW Twilight was in here, fighting alongside him.

“DAMN IT, DAMN IT, DAMN IT!” Nightmare growled, slamming her fists into the table she was standing over. “ALL OF YOU ARE USELESS!”

The leaders gathered around her backed away, “We’re sorry Mistress…” One apologized.

“You’d better be!” Nightmare snapped. “These fools are assaulting everything if we waste any more time…” She trailed off as she saw the massive tower of magical light.

“My my… getting a bit cocky?” Nightmare grinned. “Take out his forces, then loop around to wherever that is. If I don’t succeed first that is.” She took flight immediately, flying quickly towards the area where Twilight and Arkantos were waiting for her. As she flew closer, she felt something else that made her smile grow. "Oh Celestia... you've forgotten your own darkness haven't you? Here in my own realm of nightmares and dreams... with even a sliver of her essence... Mmm, maybe they weren't as much of a threat as I thought..."

Her gaze shifted to the burning sun above. “My sweet, sweet sister… the higher you go, the farther you mustfall. And fallen you have… though you refuse to admit it.” Her grin grew more malicious. She landed on a still standing roof. “Such a welcome sight, dear sister!” Nightmare grinned at the tall figure on another nearby roof. “It’s been so, so long…”

The figure turned to Nightmare, “Yes it has. And the whore herself thought she could keep me locked away forever… but now, NOW I will have my time…”

“Oh… and here I hoped to bathe the world in night.” Nightmare laughed. “I suppose I can settle for torturing all those that abandoned us. Starting with…”

“The royal whores themselves.” They both said.

“The human is already beginning to give in. All that’s needed is for…” The figure said.

“Patience, dear sister. Don’t you feel it?” Nightmare shushed.

“Yes… I do.” The massive mare grinned, “They’re weakened… they wanted to defeat you.”

“My… they forgot how cunning we can be… locked away for so long…” Nightmare sighed, crossing her arms.

“Perhaps we should let them win? Or… believe they have?” The figure offered. “Give them a false hope… and wait for the right moment…”

“And strike out at both of them.” Nightmare sounded giddy. “I knew you still had it in you, sister!”

The tall mare laughed. “She didn’t call me Daybreaker for nothing.” The mare was engulfed in flame now as she cast off the false form. “Let them free… We’ll bide our time… Now that we’re reunited…”

“Shouldn’t I engage them at least?” Nightmare chuckled. “They seem so intent on fighting me…”

“No… No let them think you fell in their little assault.” Daybreaker waved to the forces managing to break into the camp.

Nightmare nodded, “Wonderful.” She cast a simple spell, releasing the dream from her grasp.