Chapters Chapter 1: Small Problems Big Problems
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
-1 Year After The Return of Jon-
"KEEP FIRING MEN! HE CAN'T GET ALL OF US!" A man yelled only for his head to implode a second later. The soldiers continued to fire at the lone man walking towards them. The rounds only pinged off of a bubble shield that surrounded him.
"JUST WHAT IS HE!?" A soldier asked as he reloaded his rifle taking aim once again. A blade ripped through the center of his head killing him instantly.
"HOLD THE LINE! HOLD THE LI-" In an instant the rest of the soldiers collapsed like puppets with no strings. The man stood there looking over the corpses calmly before looking over his shoulder.
"I did not need your help Ripper." The man said coldly as the man mentioned stepped forward.
"I'm sorry sir but you were simply taking to long." Ripper said bowing his head low. "What is our next step?"
"We need to get our numbers up before we can even think of moving on to our main goal. Chaos will once again claim this world and the princesses and their precious little elements will not stop us. Not even the Fist will be able to stand before our might." The man said clenching his fist. "Chaos Dominatus." The man said as a small group of only five others recited back the moto.
-Canterlot Royal Hospital-
I ran through the halls of the hospital pushing doctors and nurses out of my way as I made my way towards my target. I skid to a stop in front of a door ripping it open in a panic. On the other side of the door sat Dash along with a few doctors and nurses. I magicked the doctors out of my way as I knelt right next to Dash. "What happened? Are you ok? Are you hurt? I came as soon as I got the call. Seriously are you ok?" I asked as Dash slapped a hand over my mouth.
"I was feeling a little sick so I came down here to see what was wrong. I am ok. I am not hurt. Calm down." Dash said as I nodded my head as she removed her hand. "The doctor does have something he wants to say though." I turned my attention to the doctor as he get to his feet dusting himself off.
"Yes quite. As I was about to tell Princess Dash before you stormed in here... We found nothing wrong with you. But we did find something rather joyous. You are pregnant Princess Congratulations." The doctor said as my world went dark as I collapsed to the ground fainting.
When I finally did wake up I was staring at the ceiling wide awake now. "You alright Jon?" Dash asked as I turned my head to see Dash in her own bed. I turned my attention back to the ceiling.
"I think I am having a small panic attack... Nothing new really." I said before sighing. "Sooooo... Pregnant huh?" I asked as Dash sighed.
"Yep." She said not really knowing how to act right now. "You know that you are the father right?" She asked as I nodded my head.
"Yep. What the fuck are we going to do?" I asked as I sat up in the bed. "I mean I have been a father before and ran an orphanage for a long time but still... That was a long time ago." I said running a hand through my hair.
"How do you think I feel? I have never been pregnant before let alone spend any amount of time around kids. I don't even know how to take care of a baby. What the fuck are we going to do?" Dash said in a panic as I shrugged.
"Want to know something funny?" I asked as she glared at me. "I never planned for this." I said with a chuckle as her glare remained locked on me. "I'm going through the window behind me ain't I?" I asked as Dash nodded her head slowly. "Oh... Shit." Before I could even react Dash raised her hand launching me out of the window like a bullet. As I continued to fall I began thinking over my situation. "Ah fuck we are going to have to tell Cadance... I am never going to hear the end of this." I muttered before my trip through the air ended rather suddenly with me impacting the cold unyielding ground. "Ow." I muttered as I got to my feet dusting myself off as I looked up at the window I flew through only to see it being repaired. I let out a sigh as I began walking towards the castle once again passing a few confused guards.
On one hand I should go and be with Dash... On the other the ground kinda hurts and windows aren't meant to be used as exits. Oh this was just a cluster fuck and so early in our relationship to... "Ah fuck." I muttered out loud.
"What seems to be the issue Jon?" I heard Princess Cadance ask causing me to jump. "You are doing your standard mutterings again. Trouble in paradise?" She asked as I saw that unnatural twinkle in her eye. "You know I can help right? I am always glad to help." I took a step back as she took a step forward. "So what's the issue Jon?" I shuddered at that creepy fucking smile on her face.
"I swear to god we could just send you to the front lines of any war with that stalker attitude of yours and those poor soldiers would beg for death." I said shaking my head out. "Anyway. It's not really a problem more of an unforeseen consequence." Treat it like a band-aid and get this shit over with. "Dash is pregnant." I said bluntly as Cadance's eyes lit up she took a deep breath only to have her voice silenced with my hand tightly around her throat. "Don't. Fucking. Squee. Last time you did you shattered seventeen windows." I said as Cadance gagged nodding her head. "Keep this under your crown I don't know if Dash is ready to tell anyone. To be honest I think she is upset with me." I said releasing Cadance.
"What would make you say that?" Cadance asked as I rubbed the back of my head. "She is going to have a baby and it is going to be so cute." Cadance was about to squee I could feel it in the air. I flicked her forehead catching her attention.
"Focus Cadance. I don't think she was really ready for this bombshell... She is probably freaking the fuck out right now and so am I." I said as Cadance set a hand on my shoulder.
"Jon you were an excellent father. This will be no different. Just breathe this is nothing you haven't dealt with before." Cadance reassured me as I nodded taking a few breaths to clear my mind.
"Thanks Cadance. But seriously keep this under your crown. The last thing Dash needs is for everyone including the press to hound her about this. She is still getting flak for dating me by the other nobles. The last thing she needs is them opening their stupid fucking mouths." Cadance nodded her head sagely thinking it over.
"I will go and talk to her. She could at least talk with someone who has at least been a mother before." Cadance said activating her magic and teleporting away. I stood there sighing as I turned making my way towards my main lab. I wanted to get some work done and clear my mind.
Chapter 2: Prepare For The Worst
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
I continued to work in my lab going over what I would need to prepare for. I glanced to a separate board looking over it's contents with a glare. "Small rebellion in the Griffon Kingdom once again. Minotuars seem to be preparing for another invasion but they better think twice. Everfree Forest still has a manticore and hydra problem. Organized crime is still going on but is easily dealt with." I muttered to myself sighing as I turned away from my Danger board. "And of course the nobles are trying to revoke my oath and position. All because I control dark magic." I shook my head sitting down in a chair. "And Then there is Dash... Pregnant." I felt my mind return to that dark corner once again before punching my leg rather hard to break those thoughts. "This time it will be different." I told myself as I looked over to my recently rebuilt armor.
"Jon are you down here?" I heard Twilight ask as I looked to the stairs as I saw her enter the room.
"Seriously? Has knocking just stopped being a thing?" I asked as Twilight gave me a flat look.
"I did knock." I cocked an eyebrow as I looked above the door frame to see a crystal flashing red.
"So you did." I said getting to my feet. "Whatcha need of me?" I asked walking over to my armor. "A little uprising perhaps?" I asked as she shook her head.
"No Jon. It's about the elements." I looked away from my armor settling my entire focus on her. "The elements have gone dormant once again and will require new wielders." Twilight explained as I looked back at my armor lifting the helmet up.
"I see... So I will be taking a more active role in the military once again." I said tossing the helmet over to Twilight. "How many will I be training this time?" I asked as I set both of my hands on the armor as it began to glow a deep purple before moving like liquid over my entire body.
"You will be training Five hundred. I am sure you are up for the task." Twilight said adjusting her glasses. "How many would you like for the first class?" She asked as I cracked a smile flicking my wrists as both Umbra and Solaris appeared in my hands before being slid home in their sheaths.
"Give me forty to start. They will be my scouts and hunters." I walked to Twilight holding my hand out as she set my helmet in my outstretched hand.
"When would you like to start?" Twilight asked as I set the helmet over my head locking it in place.
"Wake the recruits. We start now." I walked over to a large set of double doors shoving them open. I flicked my wrists as the entire room lit up revealing a large training ground completely hidden from the outside world. "They will not leave here until their training is complete."
"I know you value your secrecy Jon but is this really necessary? We can just build a new training ground for you and your squads." Twilight said as I shook my head.
"No. To many enemies can just easily learn what they will learn." I motioned my hand around the room. "This is a completely isolated training area where they will be unable to escape until I deem them ready. There will be no drop outs. Absolutely no failure. Now go get me my victims." I entered the room making my way to the parade grounds. "And be quick about it. We don't have a lot of time." And with that I used my magic to slam the doors closed.
I went over everything that would need to be taught to the new recruits as I watched them enter the room. I was hiding in the shadows and when I finally counted forty recruits I prepared my magic. Just as Twilight walked into the room my magic seized her yanking her out of the room as the doors closed with a boom that echoed around the room. "About time you all showed up." I said walking out of the shadows with a smile on my face. "I don't have to worry about any of you being late ever again though." I saw the confusion on their faces as I stopped in front of the recruits.
"Let's get introduction done and over with now. I am Jon. I am the Fist of Equestria and all of you have been selected to become an elite fighting force. Until I deem you all ready you will be unable to leave this room. You will not be able to contact the outside world. As of right now I own every single one of you." I explained as a few looked uncertain about the bombshell I just dropped on them. A few of them looked upset about being trapped and one stepped forward looking like some posh son of a noble.
"I'm sorry but it is against Equestrian law to keep someone trapped against their will." The man said as I strode forward getting right in his face.
"I know the law child. I have been around since your great twenty times over grandfather was alive. Don't speak to me about laws or rules. This room is viewed as it's own sovereign nation by the princesses and I am it's leader. very few laws apply in this room. Welcome to your new home until I let you out." I turned away from the noble walking back to my original position. "As I said before I own all of you. You will be my scouts and hunters. Your job will be to survey and map areas and to hunt down wanted criminals and leaders of warbands. You will be assassins if I order it."
"Sir none of us have ever killed someone." A woman said from the back. I cracked a smile.
"That will change. NOW. Some rules. Rule number one. I am your commanding officer. My orders are absolute. Disobey and I will break you. Rule number two. Any attempt to escape this room will result in your termination. Rule number three. No in fighting. If there are no questions let us be off." I said turning on my heel walking away.
"Sir what did you mean by termination?" A man asked as I glanced over my shoulder at him before forming my spell pistol shooting a steel plate only for the plate to explode.
"MOVE IT YOU WORMS YOUR TRAINING STARTS NOW!"
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
-4 Months Later-
"What the fuck are we doing out here again?" Stubbed Leather asked as he trudged through the muck with his partner through the Everfree Forest.
"The Princess sent us out here for a training exercise against some new fighting force The Fist has been training." Steel Rivet said stepping over a downed tree. "I don't even know what the main objective of this training is." He said looking back at his partner.
"I'm just so annoyed that command sent us out here with no orders except patrol and be vigilant to our surroundings." Studded whined adjusting his MR-22 magic assault Rifle.
"I hear ya man but orders are orders." Steel said as they heard something impact the ground behind them. They both turned as one to see a black armored person crouched low a CRAK-8 Shotgun aimed right at Steel's chest. The assailant pulled the trigger and Steel flew backwards impacting the ground with a thump. Studded didn't even have time to raise his weapon before he met the same fate as Steel. The assailant stood loading two more concussive shells before running up to Studded's body rigging him to a concussive mine. The assailant heard the sounds of other guards moving onto her position. She quickly finished her job signalling to the other four that hid in the trees around her before running off.
It only took a few seconds before the guards arrived to investigate what had happened. "What the fuck happened?" One asked sweeping the tree line with his rifle.
"Get our wounded out of here and then search the area. They couldn't have gotten far." A sergeant ordered looking about the area with the eyes of a man who had seen battle many time. His aged eyes Fell onto the bodies just as they were about to be moved "STOP!" He barked out as the soldiers all froze. "We aren't alone here. Formation Alpha Secure." The soldiers were quick as they all formed a circle aiming at the trees around them. "Come on out little rabbits." He muttered out keeping his eyes trained on every little shadow that dared to move.
The four in the trees above watched quietly taking aim with painfully slow movements. Once their targets were in their sights they opened fire starting with their leader and moving on to the grunts. They didn't even get to yell out their alarm. Once the group was dealt with they dropped down from their hiding spots motioning to each other silently. They all nodded as one moving deeper into the forest. They were to meet up with Their leader.
Celestia and Luna sat outside the forest with Jon. A small group of ten Knights stood surrounding them as they were the captains of both the Night and Day guard along with their best men beside them. "Jon I understand you wanted to put your troops through their final training but was making us the final targets really necessary?" Celestia asked as she sipped on her tea.
"They are trained to take out high value targets at all costs even if it means throwing away their lives but if I was to hazard a guess they won't throw their lives away so readily if a simpler solution made it self known." Jon said calmly. "Normally they would hunt down their target but I think they are waiting." Jon shrugged his shoulders casually.
"And what makes you think they are waiting?" Luna asked when her eyes flicked to the forest before settling on Jon once again. "If they are as ferocious as you say they should have made their move by now." Jon chuckled raising his cup up to his lips.
"A well honed weapon stands on the precipice of Unrestrained violence and a cool calm will. A perfect shot only comes to those that wait." Jon took his sip tilting his head to the side to rest it on his fist. A loud crack of thunder rang out as a round impacted Celestia's chest knocking her backwards out of her chair. Jon cracked a smile as the guards drew their weapons aiming at the tree line. Luna got to her feet only for another crack of thunder to ring out knocking Luna to the ground as she threw up a shield. A hail of magical weapon fire ripped through the tree line overwhelming Luna's shield and subsequently knocking her down for good. The other knights opened fire into the tree line only to be cut down themselves. Jon raised his fist and the firing stopped. "RETRIEVE THE INJURED AND REPORT TO ME IMMEDIATELY!" Jon bellowed out only to hear silence. A few minutes later the black armor clad army moved out of the forest carrying their injured and the injured enemy combatants to the table. The set them out and Jon gave a low whistle. "I sent fifty of you into the forest and Forty eight of you returned to me unharmed. You completed your mission with complete efficiency. I commend all of you on such a wonderful performance. You all graduate as of today. Welcome to the 115th Battalion "The Burning Anvil". Awake your injured and give them the good news. I will be giving you your orders when they come in. Remember your role in the military is beyond top secret go back to your original posts as standard guards but remember your training and remain vigilant. DISMISSED!" Jon ordered as they all saluted to him as one. They quickly moved out to perform their duties.
"What the hell hit us?" Celestia asked as she sat up rubbing her sore chest.
"They graduated and performed every task I laid before them." Jon said turning to her. "They will be returning to their standard posts as guards but they will be sent out on missions I assign them. I Hope you will come to understand the difference between your guards and my Anvil." Jon commented coldly as Celestia looked at all of her downed guards. There were Two Hundred and Fifty Downed guards all laid out waiting to be awoken.
"I will have to say they performed perfectly. My guards will not be pleased with such a defeat and will probably demand a rematch." Celestia said finally getting to her feet.
"To my battalion this was only a test. A non lethal skirmish which means they had to hold back. If it was lethal I feel as if they would not hesitate as they did." Jon said moving over to Luna to get her back to the waking world.
"What do you mean hesitate?" Celestia asked as Jon calmly healed Luna.
"If it was full lethal they would have shot through my head just to get to you. I know that MK- 77 Lucky Anti Magic Rifle can rip through most armor like tissue paper like it is not even there." Luna opened her eyes rubbing her head groggily.
"That was not pleasant." Luna commented with a groan.
"You'll live. Now let's get the rest of these guys up and about so they can return to their duties." Jon said getting to his feet with a sigh. "We have work to do after all."
"Before that I have to know who the captain of your battalion is." Celestia said as Jon looked over his shoulder at her.
"There is no captain. They each can perform their duties as if they were in charge. None of them with argue a sound plan and follow who came up with the plan. Each of them is a commanding officer as long as they can form an attack or defense. That's how they were trained." Jon turned away from Celestia making his way to revive the injured.
Chapter 4: A Fallen Shadow
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
-One Year Later-
I walked through the halls of Canterlot Castle A scowl on my face as I shoved the doors to the meeting room open slamming them closed behind me using my magic. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?" I demanded as I looked about the room. The entire Council of nobles were seated staring down at me with cold glares of their own. There was nearly fifty of those pompous assholes all full of disdain towards me.
"Jon we have summoned you for your dismissal as The Fist of Equestria." An aging mare said adjusting a large manila folder in front of her.
"I know I read the fucking summons you fucking child. I am demanding what gives you the right to even make such a move against me?" I asked as the mare only smirked.
"The Princesses of Equestria appointed us to handle matters that she can't oversee herself. If the council deems the Princess cannot make rational decisions the council can make decisions in her stead." The mare answered me before raising the folder. "A head of military in possession of forbidden magic. and has been corrupted by the taint of dark magic can at any point be court marshaled. But you are an exception to that rule. You are not a part of the military." The mare said handing the folder to her assistant.
"I am a defender of this country And a weapon that is at the beck and call of the princesses. You cannot strip me of that." I said as the mare only chuckled.
"Actually. We can. Even though you are a defender and in your own words a weapon then that falls under a very specific set of rules. Defenders of Equestria. Which the rank has only been given to four ponies of valor and yourself. Fall under the rules of incorruptible by dark magic and the use of forbidden magic. If a defender is ever to fall to dark magic or use forbidden magic they are stripped of their rank and are banished from Equestria." The mare said as I felt my magic flare.
"YOU KNOW DAMN WELL THOSE RULES WERE CREATED AFTER I GAVE UP MY TITLE THE FIRST TIME!" I yelled pointing at the mare.
"That matters not Jon. Rules are rules and are to be followed to the letter." The mare said nonchalantly. "Not to mention your little army you had created. We have not been able to pinpoint exactly who has been touched by your taint but know that they will be weeded out and executed for their crimes." She said as I flicked my hand forming my pistol as I took aim at her head.
"I will not sit here and have you threaten them for something they are innocent of." The mare only cocked her eyebrow at me before smiling.
"You only prove my point Jon. You are clearly corrupted by the dark magic that courses through you. A true defender would take his punishment with his head held high. You scrape and claw for excuses to prove an innocence that does not exist." I felt my blood boil as I lowered my pistol.
"What the fuck do you want from me?" I asked trying to keep my anger under control.
"You are to renounce your title and leave Equestria and never return." The mare said as I took a deep breath letting it out slowly.
"And what of my soldiers?" I asked tightening my hands into white knuckled fists.
"They will not escape their punishment. They have been corrupted so they must be eliminated." I looked up at the mare a cold glare cut through her bravado.
"You will never find them." I said as I turned on my heel leaving the meeting room with a snap of my fingers as I teleported. I arrived in Celestia's throne room as she finished up talks with a foreign dignitary from The Griffon Empire. They bowed to each other before the dignitary left without a word to me.
"Jon? What an unexpected surprise. What can I help you with?" Celestia asked as I flicked my wrist revealing my summons to her.
"Do you realize that your little fucking council just fucking removed me from power?" I asked as she snatched the paper out of my magic reading it over before crumpling the paper up.
"Ludicrous!" Celestia shouted getting up from her throne only to be stopped by me raising my hand.
"Trust me I am furious over this but the law for Defenders is very specific when it comes to them. I broke both of the laws and they must have dug very deep into those old books to find something to crucify me with. Worst yet in my army is now a subject of a witch hunt. They will hunt down my soldiers and put them to death. They fear that I am corrupting their perfect little world." I explained as Celestia looked at me sadness in her eyes. "They are adamant on me being removed from the picture. Keep a close eye for me Tia. I fear something is coming and they know I can do something about it." I turned away making my way out of the room when Celestia stopped me.
"What about Dash and Star Gazer?" Celestia asked as I froze sighing.
"Tell them this is to protect them. I am leaving you in charge of protecting them. No harm will befall them or I swear to god as my witness. I will not stop until I have wrought my vengeance. Send a mass message to your troops. Code 751. They will know what to do."
"I will Jon... When will you return?" She asked as I cracked a smile.
"When all hell breaks loose. I will be there to snuff out the chaos." And with that I snapped my fingers disappearing to the meeting point.
I stood in a large clearing in the center of The Everfree Forest. I was waiting calmly holding onto my necklace that always remained on my neck. "To pass this on is to pass on one of the only links to my old life and to overcome a petty fear. But she will need something." I heard the tell tale signs of a teleport. I released the necklace letting it fall onto my chest. "Finally my hammers arrive." I said getting to my feet. I looked at the six that stood before me. "We have a very important mission to complete. I expect it to be carried out with utmost precision." The six before me snapped to attention.
"Nobility means nothing. Loyalty conquers all." Royal Blue. Unicorn. That snot nosed son of a noble really shaped up to be a great soldier and an excellent strategist.
"We live to complete our mission." Sunny Shield. Pegasus. The daughter of a bunch of flower growers and cultivators. One of my best infiltrator assassins.
"Their blood shall be spilled before ours." Flame Aegis. Earth Pony. Son of one of the greatest gunsmiths of our time. The leader of my heavy ordinance division.
"Silence Is followed by a crack of thunder." Echo. Pegasus. Daughter of a long line of communication operators. My best sniper and counter intelligence officer.
"Mercy for none. Carnage for all." Shatter. Earth Pony. Son of a long LONG line of criminals. My best at siege and secure missions.
"The Anvil withstands all punishment." Mythril. Unicorn. Daughter of a small family based on the outskirts of Equestrian territory. My most dangerous user of the arcane and one of my greatest students.
"Good. Now then." I began to pace in front of them before pointing at Sunny. "Sunny take your soldiers and base yourself in the dragon lands. Hand this letter to The Dragon Lord." I snapped my fingers as a letter appeared in her hands.
"Yes sir." Sunny quickly pulled out a stone crushing it in her hands as she teleported away.
"Flame." I said snapping my fingers as another letter appeared in his hands. "To the Diamond Dog Alpha. Await further orders there." I ordered as he gave a salute. He pulled out his own stone as he teleported away.
"Echo." Another snap another letter. "The minotaur lands. Await orders." She gave a salute.
"I await the flash sir." She said before using her stone.
"Shatter." I gave him his letter. "Manehatten. Remain hidden and use your contacts to get in touch with the underground King Pin. Await further orders and keep your men alive." He snapped a salute.
"Consider it done and wrapped up." Shatter used his stone.
"Mythril. You are with me. To the Griffon Empire. Gather your men and clear all traces of our existence magically." Mythril saluted teleporting away. "And that leaves you Blue. You have the most important roll. You are to split your squad of four and send them to Mythril's unit. You are to remain in Canterlot and remove every ounce of our existence from the records. That includes Celestia's paperwork on us. You are to keep me informed of all happenings in Canterlot of any nature." I ordered. At one time or another Blue would have felt betrayed but he was smart now.
"What has happened that has made you scatter our forces like this sir?" Blue asked as I shrugged.
"There is a witch hunt for the Equestrian hammer where you will all be put to death for corruption via dark magic. I am scattering the unit to the winds but you all still serve me. Even though I am being banished from Equestria. I will explain more later but you have your orders." I said sternly as Blue snapped a salute.
"Consider it all nonexistent." Blue Disappeared with a teleport. I once again was left alone sitting down in the clearing as my hand once again clasped the small pendant on the chain of my necklace.
"She will understand one day... I pray to whatever god is out there she will understand." I whispered clenching the pendant tightly.
Chapter 5: Negotiations And Deals
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
I walked with my squad of only eight soldiers towards the meeting point of the griffons. I flicked my hands as they all scattered taking up positions to defend the griffons in case something went wrong. Only Mythril stood by my side. "Sir. I feel as if we are switching our allegiance away from Equestria." Mythril said maintaining her stoic gaze.
"Remember Mythril. You serve me first and foremost." I said as she nodded her head.
"Of course sir. But you know what I mean." I shrugged my shoulders after thinking it over.
"I see what you mean but I still serve Celestia and the other princesses with all my heart. Equestria is just a country full of nobles and hard working people just like any other country. We follow orders and right now my orders are to remain hidden and observe the happenings of Equestria." Mythril bowed her head.
"I didn't mean to question our orders sir." I waved my hand dismissively.
"You are allowed to voice your concerns Mythril. It is why you are my student in the magical arts. You question and are genuinely curious. but you do know what happens to those that let their curiosity get the better of them." Mythril bowed her head once again.
"Your words fill me with pride sir." I patted her shoulder smiling down to her.
"Relax Mythril. You are supposed to be my partner in these talks." Mythril looked conflicted due to her standard training and how laid back I can be. "They will be here shortly so try to relax before they get here." I told her as I flicked my wrists summoning a table along with an assortment of chairs for said table.
"I will try sir..." Mythril took a few deep breaths as I saw her finally start to loosen up.
On the horizon I saw the delegation escorting their leader towards us. "Deep breath Mythril. Now the hard part." I said snapping my fingers loudly. That was the signal that my soldiers needed and as one I could no longer feel their magical signatures. I took a deep breath letting it out slowly as I suppressed my magic as far as I could. "Game time." I said as I flicked my wrists moving the chairs back a bit so everyone could sit comfortably.
The delegation landed with the thuds of feet impacting the dirt. "Ambassador Rippled Wind. A pleasure to see you once again." I said bowing slightly. I heard the drawing of a blade as I looked up to see one of Wind's bodyguards with his sword at the ready. "Boy that is not the wisest of moves." I said standing up straight.
"Neither is having an entire squad at the ready to strike us down if something were to go wrong." I cocked an eyebrow at this griffin before smiling.
"How rude of me. It seems we are both at fault here." I said with a shrug.
"Think nothing of it Jon. I know how... peculiar you can be. Especially concerning the circumstances. I hope you can forgive Adamantine's rash actions." Wind said as I chuckled.
"Think nothing of it friend." I waved my hand casually as my soldiers all stood as one moving down to meet us once again. Neither of them even showed signs of aggression. That was until on of the griffin's raised his pistol only for all the guns to train on him. "I SAID!" I yelled catching the attention of my soldiers. "Think nothing of it." I said as they lowered their weapons taking up position's behind me.
"Such control over your soldiers Jon. I just wish my soldiers showed the same amount of restraint." Wind glared at his soldiers which they cowered under his gaze.
"In all due respect Sir Rippled Wind. My squad is naturally... Twitchy." Mythril said as I gave a hearty laugh.
"Understatement my dear Mythril."
"Who is this young lady Jon? She seems rather different from your other soldiers." Wind said taking his seat which I followed suit.
"This is Mythril. One of few who is the leader of a squad of troops. She is also my personal student in the magical arts. Limited of course." I said matter of factly. "Would you care for a demonstration?" I asked Wind as he waved his hand dismissively.
"If she is your personal student then I shudder at the mere thought of what she could do. Limited or not." Wind said before one of his bodyguards a rather big brute from his size stepped forward.
"Sir if I may?" The brute said catching our attention. "I wish to test my honor against Lady Mythril." I smiled at that.
"Oh ho ho. Look at the balls on this one." I said as I flicked my eyes to Mythril. "I am ok with it if you are Wind." I said steepling my fingers calmly. "Non-lethal of course."
"Snow Beak... Do you realize what it is you are asking for?" Wind asked as Snow nodded. He could only sigh as he waved him off. "Non-lethal. Make it a worthy fight for your honor." I leaned back in my chair looking to Mythril.
"Mythril. Go Play. Go... And make it hurt." I saw Mythril's eyes shrink before returning to normal.
"By your command." Mythril said jumping a distance away from us.
"She will only be using hand to hand and very little magic. On your mark Wind." I said as he sighed.
"Fight." He said as Snow charged towards Mythril only for a fist to impact against his beak knocking him backward. Snow quickly regained his footing only to catch a wicked hook to his ribs. Snow buckled slightly from the impact taking a step back.
"You. Little. Bitch." Snow muttered out clutching at his wounded side. "I'll gut you for that." Snow drew a blade off his hip readying himself as Mythril raised her fists as they covered themselves in a blue aura.
"Non-lethal..." Mythril muttered as her magic flickered slightly which caught my attention. "Non-lethal." She said with finality. She teleported forward swinging with her right fist which impacted against Snow's blade resulting in a shower of sparks. I continued to watch the fight closely ignoring the cheering of Wind's bodyguards as on of their own fought against one of my own. Mythril continued to swing with precision hitting Snow's blade in the same spot over and over again.
"That blade is going to shatter." I said calmly as the blade began to crack. Mythril threw one last punch shattering the blade before going for another punch only for a gunshot to ring out catching Mythril in the shoulder. I flicked my eyes to one of the body guards as he lowered his pistol. I looked back to Mythril as she glared down the one who had shot her. "Mythril darling... Break him." I said with cold finality as Mythril looked to me then to Snow. She let out a roar of anger as she charged at Snow tackling him bodily to the ground punching with reckless abandon. Snow could only let out a strangled yell as he was punched in the throat and face over and over again. Wind looked to me then back to the fight.
"ENOUGH!" Wind yelled but Mythril continued to strike ignoring Wind. "I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH!" Wind ordered but Mythril continued.
"MYTHRIL!" I yelled as Mythril's fist stopped. She stood once again letting out a shuddering sigh before composing herself. "Heal him Mythril and then yourself." I ordered as she saluted me before carrying out her task. "And you." I said looking to the soldier that shot Mythril. "Be very VERY happy that our countries are not enemies. But punishments are still in order. Wind if I may under your country's code of duels. Anyone who interferes with an honor bond duel between two parties fighters is subject to punishment. Do I have your permission to carry out this punishment?" I asked as Wind looked to the bodyguard that broke the rules of an honor bound duel before looking away coldly.
"Normally an agreement would be worked out but My honor was also tarnished along with Snow's by his interference." Wind looked me in the eyes before bowing his head. "Do as you wish."
"But sir! You can't be serious there was no honor in that duel. especially against that... THAT THING!" Wind stood abruptly seizing the bodyguard by his armor before tossing him to the ground stomping down on his downed form.
"YOU TARNISH OUR HONOR AND THEN YOU DISRESPECT NOT ONLY ME BUT A NATIONAL HERO AND HIS SOLDIERS! DO YOU HAVE NO RESPECT!? DO YOU HAVE NO HONOR!?" Wind demanded as he continued to stomp down on him. "ACCEPT YOUR PUNISHMENT LIKE A REAL GRIFFIN!" Wind gave one last stomp before returning to his seat. "I leave his punishment to you Jon." Wind said adjusting his messed up suit.
"This is why I like you Wind. You don't take shit from anyone." I said getting to my feet walking to the downed soldier lifting him up to his feet before throwing him a distance away where he landed on his feet. "But this is quite a transgression against my dear Mythril. Her honor is damaged because of you... And I don't appreciate that. I should throw you to her without restraint but no... That would not solve the issue. So instead I will give you a choice. Kneel before Mythril and beg for her forgiveness... Or take your beating." The bodyguard looked to Mythril before looking away.
"A griffin takes his punishment." He said before looking up at me. "I will take my beating. So send her to issue it." I saw the cold resolve in his eyes and I just couldn't help myself. I laughed. I laughed hard to the point I thought I was going to snap. He only looked at me confused.
"I'm sorry. You must have misunderstood me. I never said she would be the one issuing the beating." His eyes widened before fear took hold of his heart. "I'm going to issue it. So prepare for the worst beating of your life." I snapped my fingers as I teleported above him fist primed as I knocked him into the ground with a solid punch to the back of his head. I landed looking down at my prey as he let out a groan getting to his hands and knees. I kicked him in the ribs feeling the weak bones shatter. He let out a scream of pain followed by ragged coughing. I seized one of his wings in my magic. "Your wings are a symbol of that pride and honor you griffins hold so dear. Allow me to strip it away." I clenched my hand into a fist breaking the brittle bones without remorse. Another scream of pain before I repeated the process with his other wing. "I believe that is enough. Mythril!" I called out as she looked to me. "Do you think he has paid for the damage to your honor?" I asked as she looked down at the broken Griffin.
"I believe so sir." Mythril responded as I nodded my head.
"I agree." I stepped over the broken body making my way back to the table. "What about you Wind? Do you think your honor has been restored?" I asked setting my hand on the table.
"Without a doubt." Wind said as I shrugged sitting down once again. "Shall we start these talks or shall we continue this little... Demonstration?" I shook my head.
"Let us discuss what we came here for." I said as Snow and Mythril returned to their respective positions. "I have been exiled from Equestria under a code that was made thousands of years ago. I am to never return under punishment of imprisonment and or execution. My soldiers are being hunted down to be dragged to their own executions. I would not ask of this to you Wind but I have no options. I am willing to offer the services to your kingdom for this. But you know I will not willingly fight your wars for you. Nor will I betray Equestria even though they have banished me." I laid out all the information to him there was no point lying or trying to deceive him.
Wind let out a low whistle thinking it over. "We could always use more dependable soldiers in our ranks. Would you be willing to train some soldiers as you have your own?" Wind asked as I sighed.
"You have to understand those that I train have loyalty to me before all else. They will only follow my orders as you have seen with dear Mythril." I said motioning to her. "If I tell them to follow your orders they will but if I give an order they will follow it before your order." I motioned for one of Mythril's snipers to move forward. "Take Red Dawn for example. If you were to order to shoot me in the back of the head right now she would instead shoot you... Certain code words and certain orders have different results." I stood from my seat as Red Dawn took my seat. "This is the loyalty of my soldiers. Red Dawn. Cut off your trigger finger." I ordered as Red dawn drew her knife without hesitation and cut her finger off. She continued to sit there not once flinching I patted her on the shoulder and she stood saluting me. Wind and the other griffins were speechless. "Grab your finger and have Mythril reattach it." I told her as she nodded following my orders.
"By the gods..." Wind whispered as I once again took my seat.
"The soldiers I train all have this level of loyalty without the need for brainwashing or magical interference. They each understand my orders and are completely conscious of their actions." I looked over my shoulder at Red Dawn as she flexed her finger looking it over closely. "All good back there Dawn?" I asked as she looked to me.
"I will be alright sir. Just don't make me do that again. It really hurt." She said as I gave her a small smile.
"I'm sorry Dawn I won't make you do that again." I looked back to Wind steepling my fingers. "If you want me to train soldiers I will but they will be loyal to me first and foremost. You have my word that they will not be used against you." Wind thought this over for a long while before leaning forward extending his hand to me. I seized the hand giving it a solid shake.
"We are in accord. Now let's get you to the capital I will have a fresh set of troops sent to you." I held up my hand stopping him.
"I would like ten of your most dangerous criminals to be trained as soldiers." At this Wind looked offended and his bodyguards began to voice their anger right up until Mythril slammed her fist on the table silencing everyone.
"I would like for all of you to know that one of our best squads in hostage rescue and securing areas happens to be comprised entirely of criminals." Mythril said before I set my hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry sir." She apologized quietly before I waved her off.
"As Mythril has stated. My own army contains criminals who have been broken down and trained as soldiers. Their knowledge of the criminal world and it's inner workings are essential for urban warfare. If you give me these criminals I can have their honor restored and prove that with enough training they can be the best of the best. There are no washouts..." I said calmly rolling my wrist. "Are we in accord?" I asked Wind as my eyes flickered with corruption.
Wind once again remained silent as he thought over my words before letting out a defeated sigh. "I will make it happen." Wind said rubbing his forehead. "I see why no ambassador wants to enter talks with you Jon. You shave years off of one's lifespan just with words." I let out a laugh standing from my chair with Wind.
"I can't wait for you to see the second generation of soldiers." I held out my hand as Wind seized it.
"I can't wait to see what you do." Wind said with a cocky grin.
Chapter 6: Rise of The Iron Wall
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
Our arrival in the Griffin Empire went smoothly all things considered. My soldiers were now in their standard clothing which helped them to blend in except for Mythril who opted to continue to wear her training clothes. I told her it will be unnecessary but she was adamant and I couldn't force her to do so. Our first order of business was to go to the castle and speak to Emperor Iron Wind about my role in his tactician's board. Then we would be moving on to the highest security prison on this side of the world to get my soldiers. And then on to my new training grounds... Which I will have to build... From scratch.
I let out a sigh as we all walked up the stairs to the throne room. It was going to be a stressful day for me.
"Not getting cold feet are you Jon?" Wind asked as I shook my head.
"No just going to have to tap into some deep reserves to have the training grounds built as fast as I want it. You know it will be completely isolated right?" Wind nodded his head.
"You wanted perfect privacy and I accepted that. Will you require anything else?" I cracked a smile shoving my hands into my pockets.
"A fucking miracle." I said as we reached the top of the steps the doors being opened before us to reveal the Emperor sitting in his throne.
Stepping into the throne room was interesting to say the least. I was so used to all the gold and marble everywhere when I was in Celestia's throne I forgot how the others set up their own rooms. The Throne room of the Emperor was a cold stone floors of grey with bright silver columns leading all they way up to the throne it's self which was composed of the same metal. Banners lines the walls each showing the main households of the kingdom. I looked at the tapestries with a low whistle. Then I saw Emperor Iron Wind's royal guard. Each wore full face helmets of steel inscribed with runes and symbols of honor.
"Jon... A pleasure to have you in my throne room." The Emperor said as he leaned on his fist.
"Emperor Iron Wind." I said with a bow. "Thank you for being so understanding in these troubling times." The emperor let out a laugh as I stood straight.
"For the one who helped release my country from the grips of that tyrant and brought back the pride and honor of my race think nothing of it. I will honor what my predecessor Emperor Old Bird set forth. Now what can I help you with on this day?" The emperor stood from his throne walking down towards me. His soldiers followed right behind him at the ready. My soldiers became uneasy a few of them reaching for their armor bracelets.
"None of that." I ordered as they all stood straight. "We are trying to have a conversation." That calmed them down if just barely. "I will get right to the point." I turned to address the Emperor directly. "Due to a set of rules set by my predecessor years after I first retired I have been banished from Equestria. My soldiers are being hunted down and are to be executed. I have come to you for asylum and I am willing to offer my services to you for this favor." The Emperor looked me over for any sigh of deceit before shrugging.
"But of course. This is but a small favor that I can easily grant. What do you require?" The Emperor asked as one of his guards cleared his throat. "Are you questioning the judgement of your Emperor?" Emperor Iron Wind asked glaring at his guard.
"I would never do something so foolish my Emperor. I am just set on edge being around Sir Jon is all." The guard said as I let out a chuckle.
"It's probably because I am trying my best to suppress my magic. It's rude to flex one's own muscles in someone else's throne room." I said with a dismissive wave of my hand. "Even my unicorn blessed soldiers are doing it out of respect for the Emperor." I said as the Emperor looked away from his guard to look at me.
"See no reason to be on edge men. Jon is a hero and a well respected man we should treat him as such. Now what do you require of me." I cracked a smile pulling a sheet of paper out of my pocket handing it over to the Emperor.
"I need everything on that list as fast as possible. And I can pay for everything if you so chose." The Emperor looked over the list stopping at the last item on the list.
"The recruits and land are of no issue... But the criminals... That I can not allow you to have for free. You will have to pay their bail along with their bounties." I thought it over for a second before shrugging.
"Money is no issue. Make it happen." I said as The Emperor cracked a smile extending his hand which I seized in a hard handshake.
"Can't wait to see what they can do." I couldn't help but laugh at that.
"That's what Celestia said before my troops crushed her strongest." The Emperor shared in my laughter though a little more hesitant.
After everything was set into motion we were escorted to the prison simply known as "The Box". A completely steel block with only one entrance and one exit. The security was the highest on this side of the planet and the entirety of the criminals were griffins. I pulled out a scroll and gem out of my magical storage writing down a quick message before sending it on it's way. I waited a few minutes before a bright flash of light revealed exactly who I wanted.
"Reporting as requested Sir." Shatter said saluting me.
"Shatter good to see you. I am going to be getting some new recruits for the second generation. Mind helping me pick out the best of the best?" I asked as he looked at our location smiling.
"Of course Sir. This is my area of expertise after all." I patted him on the shoulder before moving into the prison.
Normally a prison would be loud and rowdy whenever there was new entries but it was completely silent. Each of the prisoners were staring out of their cells at us as we moved through the cell blocks towards our destination. The maximum security wing which lead deeper into the earth. Four different security checkpoints each to scan for weaponry and other means of escape I was given several inhibitor ring to wear on my hands just to enter to wing. The cells seemed to be sensory deprivation chambers. No visible way to see into the cells or even enter them. "Where are the most dangerous?" I asked our escort as he looked back at me before motioning to 10 cells that had large steel door with runes etched all along the doors.
"Electrical runes... along with some insane reinforcement runes." Shatter said with a low whistle. "These guys must be high class." I nodded my head walking up to the first door nodding to the guard. He motioned the the door master who hit a few keys deactivating the rune relays before the first door opened. The room was unnecessarily bright but that was to dull the senses of the prisoner. The prisoner stared right at me as he sat chained to the floor of the room.
"Hello there." The griffin said looking up to me. "Are you the new warden or something?" He asked as I let out a short laugh.
"For you and your nine other companions I guess you can call me your warden. But I would rather you call me Jon." I said walking into the room. "Or better yet you can call me Sir. I am conscripting you into my second generation of soldiers. An elite fighting force specializing in unmitigated force and iron fist tactics." I knelt down in front of the prisoner as he stared right at me.
"And what if I just cut your throat and escape?" He questioned getting his feet under him as I only cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Shatter. If this little bird even thinks of escape I want you to break his legs... and then his wings." I ordered as Shatter gave me a salute.
"With extreme prejudice." Shatter responded. as the bird looked over my shoulder. He quickly raised his clawed hand dragging it across my throat and was about to run when I seized him by his face lifting him upwards.
I felt my throat close back up as I spat some blood on the ground to clear my throat. "Now that was just stupid." I said as the bird thrashed in my grip. "I am giving you the chance of the lifetime and you are trying to throw it away. Don't you even realize I am giving you your freedom?" I asked him as he socked my in the jaw.
"BULLSHIT! I will not serve the Emperor. All he does is sit up in his castle while the rest of us have to scrape by just to survive." I shook my head slamming him down to the ground keeping my grip on his face.
"You won't be serving the Emperor. You will be serving me. I will break you down. I will rebuild you into the most deadly killing machine in the world. YOU WILL BE FREE!" I roared into his face. "So what will it be? Stay in this cell and rot away? Or will you join me and became something even greater?" I stood up extending my hand to him. He looked to my hand and then up to my eyes.
"Holy shit... You're serious." He muttered before seizing my hand. "Let's see what the fuck you can pull off Jon." I smiled before clocking him across the jaw to a resounding crack.
"You will refer to me as Sir. You have yet to earn the right to call me by name. Now get up." I turned away from him exiting the cell. "Get his chains. That's one of ten." I said to Shatter as I moved down the line of cells. Each one received their choice and then their introductory beating. Soon enough we made our way back to the top of the prison. Whispers echoed through the halls as we moved each of my ten prisoners remained silent not once looking at the other inmates. Maybe there was some hope for these birds. Now begins the hard part.
"This will be the area where you will train your soldiers." A guard told us showing us a large patch of land. "The construction teams are on standby. Just need you to give the order." The guard said as I only rolled my eyes.
"No need I can do it faster. Mythril. Move everyone back." I ordered as Mythril took control of her squad issuing orders like a machine gun. "Watch your step!" I said as I flexed my magic encasing a section of earth in my magical grip. I shoved my hands down as a staircase formed in the earth leading us downward. I continued to shape and move my magic. "Creating the cavern is going to be a bitch." I muttered as I tapped into my artifact's power. My skin turned black as night and my hair took on it's wispy nature as I shoved the earth downward creating the cavern for the training ground. I flicked my wrists as glyphs appeared all along the ceiling holding it in place. Another flick of my wrist burned the glyphs into the dirt before runes surrounded them sealing the gravity magic into the dirt. I let out a sigh before reaching into my storage pulling all the necessary materials out and began to assemble all the necessary buildings and training grounds. Several runes etched into the materials that would repair them if damaged. and finally the training grounds were complete.
"MOVE INTO THE CAVERN AND ABANDON ALL HOPE OF SEEING THE SUN UNTIL YOUR TRAINING IS COMPLETE!" I ordered as my soldiers forced the new recruits into their new home. "There is to be no entry into this training ground until their training is complete. Tell the Emperor I will see him when the task is complete and no sooner." I walked down the steps reaching into my storage pulling out thousands of steel swords. The blades began to heat up melting into a giant ball of molten steel and with a subtle flick of my wrist the steel formed two large doors blocking off the entrance to the training ground. I held my hand up focusing all of my magic into the seal which covered the door in a bright purple locks and chains.
"Sir The soldiers are ready for you to address them." Mythril said saluting me.
"Good. Suit up pass the order." I ordered as I poured magic into my bracelet forming my suit of armor along with Umbra and Solaris. Umbra gave two hand motions as the others suited up in their own black armor. The recruits looked to their new wardens with a bit of fear. Mythril channeled her magic as she adopted her own suit of armor. "ALRIGHT YOU FUCKING WORTHLESS SHITS!" I barked catching all of their attention. "I AM YOUR COMMANDING OFFICER! YOU WILL ONLY REFER TO ME AS SIR! THE SOLDIERS THAT STAND AROUND YOU ARE A PART OF ME! IF ANY VIOLENT ACTIONS ARE COMMITTED AGAINST THEM THEY HAVE STANDING ORDERS TO BEAT YOU DOWN LIKE THE FILTH YOU ARE!" I walked up to the fore front of my new soldiers. "THERE IS NO ESCAPE FROM THIS ROOM! ANY ATTEMPTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR BEATING AS A WHOLE! I WILL TOLERATE NO INSUBORDINATION NOR WILL I TOLERATE FAILURE! YOU ARE TRAPPED HER WITH ME AND MY SOLDIERS UNTIL YOUR TRAINING IS COMPLETE! UNTIL THEN YOU HAVE NO NAMES! YOU HAVE NO FREEDOM! YOU HAVE NO PRIVACY! AND YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS! I NOW OWN YOU ALL AND WILL DO AS I SEE FIT UPON YOU! WELCOME TO CAMP NIGHTSHADE!" I yelled out using my magic to amplify my voice. I could see the uncertainty in all of their faces except the criminals. They are used to talks like this but at least I make good on my promises of pain.
"S-Sir I have a question." One of the griffin recruits spoke up though a little hesitant. I looked to him before marching right over to him with purpose. Once I was before him I got right in his face.
"Is there an issue with how I run things? Trash?" I asked as he seemed to cower under my glare.
"W-Why are there criminals here? Be-being a soldier is a position of honor." He said starting to lose his nerve.
"Oh are you saying that because they are criminals they have no honor?" I asked standing up straight thinking it over for a second before walking away from him. "Mythril. Issue a beating to this trash for his ignorance." I ordered as Mythril grabbed the griffin by his shirt dragging him in front of his other trainees and proceeded to beat the poor thing like an abused drum. "ALLOW ME TO MAKE THIS PERFECTLY CLEAR! AS OF RIGHT NOW NONE OF YOU HAVE ANY HONOR NOR PRIDE TO SPEAK OF! UNTIL YOU PROVE YOURSELVES TO ME YOU ARE NOTHING. YOU ARE WORTH LESS THAN THE DIRT UNDER MY FEET! THE ONES WHO STAND BESIDE YOU ARE YOUR COMRADES AND THEY MAY ONE DAY SAVE YOUR LIFE." I glanced over to Mythril who had stopped her attack on the griffin. "GET BACK IN LINE OR I WILL HAVE YOU BEAT AGAIN!" I barked out as the griffin stood shakily making his way back to his ranks. "Now what are they again trash?" I asked the trainee as he looked at me then to the criminals.
"Th-They are comrades... Sir." He wheezed out as I nodded.
"Good. Now RUN LAPS AROUND THIS ROOM! FIFTY TIMES GET A MOVE ON!" I roared out shooting into the ground at my feet. "THERE ARE NO WASHOUTS IN MY ARMY SO MOVE! NO SLOWING!" I roared as the trainees began their laps. "Mythril you and your soldiers watch them. Issue their beatings if any stop." Mythril gave me a crisp salute motioning for her soldiers to carry out my orders.
"Sir what will the unit be called?" Mythril asked as I cracked a smile.
"The 116th Battalion. The Iron Wall."
Chapter 7: An Experiment Untested
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
"AGAIN!" I ordered as my griffons sparred against one another. They were improving after the first two months but at this rate it would take several more months before they were ready... I didn't have the time to be wasting on a failed group. Unless I did something drastic. "Mythril. Keep up their exercises I have something to check up on. Run them ragged." I ordered as Mythril gave me a salute taking my place as I returned to my main office. I had been mapping out a certain procedure That if successful would add only a little more time on their training but at the same time would speed them up. I looked over the diagrams of the skeletal structure of a standard griffin and finally circled the one possible place that would have the greatest chance of success.
"This could be catastrophic if it fails. Am I really going to just sacrifice them for a silly pursuit to speed things up?" I asked myself as I ran a hand through my hair. "No I have stripped them of everything else but this will be of their choosing. Only one volunteer will be necessary." I told myself finally standing straight. "They need to volunteer." I muttered before leaving my office.
"ALRIGHT YOU FUCKING WORMS FRONT AND CENTER!" I ordered as my griffins stopped what they were doing and got in formation before me. I glared down at them taking a deep breath. "I need a volunteer. A single volunteer to go through a procedure that I had deemed to dangerous to force this upon all of you. This procedure will make you more deadly than ever before. You will be faster than the swiftest of winds. You will be able to harness something never before achieved by your species. Magic. But this also comes with the greatest of risks." I said as the griffins looked to each other a little uneasily. "Death at the worst. Being crippled. Loss of your wings. Hundreds of other problems and complications at the least. I judged this to have a mortality rate of eighty percent. So I will only ask for one volunteer. If you are willing to take the chances on this procedure then step forward." I said as a few of the griffins processed my words before one finally stepped forward. He was the smallest of my griffins and in the eyes of my soldiers. He was the weakest by a fair margin but he still pushed himself forward. I looked at the griffin nodding to him.
"Sir." He said giving me a crisp salute. I looked down at him before looking to the other griffins.
"What is your name?" I asked the griffin not once looking to him.
"Far Sight. Sir." He said still maintaining his salute.
"REMEMBER HIS NAME MY GRIFFINS! REMEMBER HIS BRAVERY! For he might not return to you." I finally looked down to Far Sight giving him a salute. "The rest of you return to your drills. Far Sight. Come with me. MACE! YOU ARE IN CHARGE! MYTHRIL WITH ME!" I turned away from them all making my way to the medical building.
Once inside I used my magic to cleanse the room before flexing my magic locking us inside. "Please get on the table... After you strip I will walk you through the entire procedure." I looked over all of the medical equipment before coming to a covered table. I grabbed the sheet removing it to reveal my tools needed for what I was going to put this child through. I grabbed a marker turning back to Far. "I will mark every spot that will be incised and tell you exactly what will happen to each area. after I am done I will ask you one last time for you to back out. There is no shame in backing out from something like this. Are you ready for me to explain?" I asked him as he nodded.
I could only sigh as I motioned to his wings as he opened them. I took the marker making a dotted line along the entire ridge of his wing. "I will be fusing the bones in your wings with a crystal core. They will act as a unicorn's horn. I will also be reinforcing the bones with a combination of Lunar Steel and Griffin titanium. This will make your wings very heavy but the magic that will be running through them will allow you to fly as if the weight wasn't there. This will be done to both wings. I moved on to his back making more dotted lines along the sides of his spine and along his ribs. I moved to his chest making the standard "Y" formation as if it was an autopsy. "Your chest will house your magic core. and because of this I will have to strengthen your spine and completely remove your ribs and replace them with crystal and lunar steel. This will be very dangerous to your life because you could go into shock very easily. But if it is a success then no blade shall be able to pierce through." I saw his resolve waver slightly but I couldn't stop until he knew everything. I moved down to his hands outlining the entire bone structure in the claw. "Your bone structure in your hands will be comprised mostly of lunar steel with gem inlays. This will give you a secondary way to cast magic but if poorly done then your hand will never work again." I moved away from him capping the marker. "The entire procedure will take quite a few hours. The entire time you will be under a sleep spell. Painkilling spells will be constantly used so you will feel nothing as the operation is being done. There is no way to back out once we begin. So if you want to back out... This is your last chance." I stared into his eyes as he stared into mine.
He was conflicted. It was obvious that he would be second guessing this. But he knew the dangers and this would separate him from the others. But This would also show me his conviction to our cause.
"I have a question sir." I looked at him confused but motioned for him to continue. "Did you do this procedure to yourself?" I stared at him before raising my hand so he could see it. A flicked of magic revealed my metal skeletal hand to him. He stared at it with awe. I removed my shirt revealing that he could see into my chest showing off my core to him.
"This is my relic of power. All of my hate and all of my negative emotions are housed in this gem. It makes me stronger than before if I tap into it. There is one difference though Far Sight. I am immortal. Though I did not die to this procedure you can. So think about this very carefully. Do you want this?" He stared at my core before I saw that fire in his eyes.
"If it will allow me to serve you better then yes." I stared into his eyes for a little longer before standing tall setting my hand on his head. He didn't even feel the spell grip his mind as he fell flat on the table.
"Then let us begin."
Chapter 8: Rise of The Augment
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
I awoke to the sound of a heart monitor and only pain coursing through my entire body. I felt like someone ran me over twice and then shot me for good measure. I kept my eyes closed just trying to do a damage assessment on my body just like I was trained. Pain is radiating mostly from my spine, wings, chest, and claws. Legs are fine and so is my head. "Let's try opening my eyes now." I opened my eyes slowly not to a blinding light like I thought I blinked them a few times so my vision would clear up before looking at the heart monitor. It was running strong and was flashing. "Why would it be flas-" My question was interrupted by the door opening revealing Jon. He strode into the room and I tried to get out of bed so I could give him a salute only for my entire body to be restricted.
"None of that Far Sight." Jon said as he went over to the monitor tapping a few buttons shutting it down for now. "How do you feel?" He asked as he moved around the room looking over a few screens that weren't there when I went under.
"Slight discomfort sir. Nothing to really report." I answered as he only sighed.
"I wasn't asking for a damage assessment Far Sight. I have these to tell me that." He gestured to the screens. "I asked you how you are feeling." He looked at me a cold glare in his eyes. This wasn't a question. It was an order.
"I am fine sir. A little out of it since I just woke up but all in all I feel alright." I answered as he let out a sigh of relief.
"Good... Very good. We lost you a few times during the surgery since your body went into shock several times. So as you can see the surgery was a success and soon we can get you out of that bed. We just need to monitor for a few days and while that is happening we will be doing magical therapy to help with you along your road to recovery. Sadly I can't allow your fellow soldiers to go through the full surgery. The most they will go through in the hand augments. You will be one of a kind and rise to a very high rank in my army once you graduate. This is not a guarantee you will not get special treatment and I will not play favorites. If you slip you will be punished. Magical training will be handled by Mythril or myself if I need to step in." Jon explained before flicking his wrist lighting the room slightly. I noticed a large section of the room was cordoned off and there was a lot of blood along the sheets and floor. "You should thank your fellow soldiers. Since you have a very accepting blood type Everyone was able to donate blood to keep you alive with blood transfusions. You needed them. But now you carry something none of my other soldiers do. You carry a lot of weight on your shoulders. You carry their hope and dreams so do not let your shoulders sag. Do not let your knees buckle. Stand tall and walk forward without fear of what stands before you." Jon said as I only looked at him in aw.
"I won't let you down sir." I went to raise my arm only for it to stop once again.
"See that you don't." Jon turned on his heel leaving the room with a slam of the door.
After a few days of being bound to the bed I was finally allowed out of the medical room. It was strange to be walking about once again and feeling the weight that now settled in my body. I felt heavy but light on my feet. It was a strange feeling. It was weird to be around my fellow soldiers once again. When I first walked into the chow hall they all stopped and stared at me. I was feeling a bit self conscious at all the stares. As one the entire army stood as one and went to leave the chow hall but as the first one went to pass they punched my shoulder. I looked up at the first bird and they just cracked a smile.
"Glad to have you back." He said as he kept walking the next one passed and another punch to my shoulder. This continued for the entire squad and by the fiftieth person my shoulder hurt something fierce. Then someone who I didn't expect walked up to me. Mythril. Jon's very own second in command and his personal student in magic.
"Good to have you back Far Sight... Sadly this has to happen." I gave her a quizzical look only to be straight kicked out of the chow hall. I rolled on the ground for a bit before coming to a halt. "DEFEND YOURSELF FAR SIGHT!" Mythril yelled as she stepped out of the chow hall hands already glowing with magical might. I quickly stood raising my fists. and to my astonishment a glow of light green surrounded them. I didn't have time to think about the glow as a bolt of magic flew at me. I instinctively guarded only to be blasted onto my ass.
"Don't just block the magic with your body! If you have to block use a shield spell! If not redirect it!" I heard Jon yell from behind me. I quickly scrambled to my feet just as another bolt flew at me. I dodged it but only more flew my way. I raised my arms and the glow got brighter before covering my entire arms. The rounds that impacted the glow dissolved against it the others impacted me directly. "DON'T BLOCK WITH YOUR BODY! BLOCK WITH A SHIELD OR REDIRECT THEM!" Jon ordered as I looked over my shoulder at him. "AGAIN!"
Mythril once again shot at me and I could barely control this new feeling welling up inside of me. I didn't know what I was doing and could only rely on a base instinct to defend myself. And that's when it started to click in my head. As if a slap to the face it all made sense. A shining green shield appeared before me absorbing the shots that Mythril launched my way. I blinked in surprise before Jon's hand landed on my shoulder.
"Good. Now let us begin some more advance techniques." He said with a wicked smile. I felt my heart sink at that smile. It was a smile that only promised pain and suffering.
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
-6 Years later-
"Sir The recruits are nearly ready for their test." Far Sight said with a salute I only continued to watch them as they went through their drills.
"The dragons were a little slow in adapting this training." I said before looking back at my Commanders. Each rose to a position of power in my army by their deeds and skill. Each was of the main races including the changelings. Mythril my greatest student. Far Sight a successful experiment. Gravel of the diamond dogs who became alpha of his squad and is my greatest demolitions expert under my charge. Cloak of the changelings my single best infiltrator. Zera of the zebras the greatest alchemist I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and the leader of the medical corps. Strong Hoof of the minotaurs and the leader of the hit and break squad. Diamond Scale. Who has yet to pass her final test but had proved herself time and time again to have what was necessary to be a commander. I looked to each one with pride. "Diamond. Do you think they are ready for their final test?" I asked as she looked down at her fellow recruits before sighing.
"In terms of raw power we could take anything you throw at us... But. Magically we don't have the skill yet." I thought over her assessment before looking to my generals. Each one nodded their agreement to Diamonds assessment.
"Estimated time?" I asked as she sighed.
"Too long sir. A few have it down pat but others struggle with the most simple of spells." I let out my own sigh trying to think over what I could do to speed this process up.
"Diamond return to your recruits and run them through their magical drills." I ordered as she gave me a salute taking flight down to her fellow recruits.
"Sir if I may." Strong Hoof said stepping forward. I looked to him motioning for him to continue. "Dragons are inherently stubborn maybe you should be rougher with them in regards to the magical training." He had a point but that point came with a flaw.
"If I forced the training to much it will be ineffective. Just as I trained all of you. You need that shove to get the magic to channel and then we have to take a slower pace in order to fine tune it. If we rush it and don't focus on fine tuning the magical energies will tear their bodies apart. Only ponies have magic running through them since birth. The rest of you your bodies are used to ambient magic but not raw magic running through your bodies. The fact that the experiment with Far Sight even succeeded as it did shows it is possible but needs to be handled delicately. Gravel had to have the bones in his hands completely replaced because the raw magic reduced them to powder. That is proof that rushing is extremely dangerous." I said as Strong Hoof bowed his head.
"My apologies sir."
"No no you had the right idea but magic is a fickle bitch. To much pressure and it goes critical." I turned away from them looking down at the dragon recruits. Something felt wrong as if a rock sat in my gut and I couldn't figure out why.
"Sir what should we do?" Mythril asked as I continued to watch the dragons my mind not knowing peace due to that feeling of dread that sat in my stomach.
"Contact Royal Blue. I want an update immediately." I turned away from the recruits walking towards the command tent. "Meet him in person Mythril and bring a small squad from the other battalions. Blend in and report back as soon as possible. And go armed to the teeth." I ordered as I continued to walk.
"Sir? Armed?" Mythril asked confused as I only continued to walk.
"Just a bad feeling Mythril. Now do as I have ordered of you." Was I being paranoid? Yes. Did I care? No. Something I could not describe was eating away at my mind. Paranoia can save lives.
"At once sir." Mythril channeled her magic sending out a recall for her selected squad just as I entered my tent.
-Canterlot-
I sat at my desk going over the information I had gathered over the last few years. Something had the Princesses on edge but I had yet to figure out what. And that simple fact has only served to infuriate me to no end. I couldn't suppress the sigh running a hand through my mane. and that's when a flash of light in front of me ignited startling me slightly. A note landed on my desk and I scrambled for it reading over it carefully before getting up from my seat magicking all of my work into my storage space. The note told me that a small squad was to be arriving in Canterlot Station within the hour. I was to meet with them and show them around the city all while giving them my report on the happening of Canterlot. Over the past six years I had compiled quite the stockpile of information with the happening in the noble houses and the council as well. Hopefully it will be enough to put Jon at ease but knowing him it will only make him even more paranoid.
I stepped out of my office passing by the help that basically ran my home affairs. They bowed to me and greeted me which I was kind enough to respond to. In my own paranoia I had run background checks on all of the servants to make sure none of them would betray me. I still don't trust them. Something was shifting in Equestria and with the one man truly capable of crushing whatever dared attack us gone I was on edge.
"Sir what has you in such a fit if I may be so bold as to ask." I jumped slightly turning to the head butler of my estate. A stallion by the name of White Glove. I did not like White Glove since he constantly wanted to know what I was up to. Due to my training under Jon when it came to information gathering I knew a info digger when I saw one. And White Glove was an info digger. Whenever I told him it was none of his business he would just say he was looking out for me on my father's behalf.
"It is nothing White Glove return to your duties." I said continuing my brisk walk towards the front door.
"Sir. My duty is to make sure your itinerary is planned and up to date. You have several meetings today that simply must be attended and dealt with." I pinched the bridge of my snout as I walked.
"Listen to me very carefully White Glove. I have other arrangements that take priority over the meetings they will have to be rescheduled. This is not up for debate." I said with a bit of heat in my voice. I heard White Glove sigh before a sound caught my attention. I knew that sound very well. A soft metallic click that most people would have associated with the sounds of our heels on the marble floors but to me. A trained soldier. That sound might as well have been sounded off through a megaphone. I stopped mid step closing my eyes. "White Glove... That is not a wise move." I threatened as I felt my armor slink up my back in order to protect me.
"Sir I must ask that you reconsider. The Council will not be delaying any further... Not when the plan is already in motion." White Glove said as he pressed the pistol into my back. "Now I suggest you cooperate. Your execution will go more smoothly if you do so." I took a deep breath letting it out slowly. "The guard will be here shortly to help 'Escort' you." I reached deep into my mana pool seizing the connection to my armor.
"That's very interesting White Glove. What plan does the council have for Equestria?" I asked as I moved my mana about my body primed and ready to be unleashed.
"Nothing a traitor like yourself deserves to know." He jammed the pistol into the small of my back. "Now move." He ordered. This was my moment to strike.
I unleashed my magic knocking White Glove back with a small shield burst as my armor activated encasing me in it's protective shell. I turned on White Glove as he got back to his feet disoriented only for me to charge forward seizing his pistol in my grip. I yanked him off his feet before delivering a solid punch straight to his muzzle. I felt the bones break under the force putting him down on his ass. I quickly did an assessment of my surroundings. Several things ran through my mind as I began to think. White Glove was a spy for the Council. The guard were almost to the front door. I have limited cover. Need to contact Mythril and her squad. And with that quick assessment I had a plan.
I grabbed White Glove moving him to a closet using my magic to bound and gag him. I reached into my magical storage removing a magic inhibitor ring and put it on his horn. I can interrogate him later. Next I pulled a crystal out of my storage. It was an angry red ruby. "Mythril immediate assistance at my home. I have been found out. Prepare for a fight. Thirty guards from what I can see. Hurry." After my message was said I crushed the gem sending the magical burst straight to Mythril. Hopefully she will get here in time. I turned my attention to the door when a knock came and I was quick with my magic securing myself to the ceiling so I could get the jump on them.
I waited as the door was opened slowly an assault rifle barrel pushing the door open. "Be careful boys. This is one of the freaks That traitor made. I want no surprises." I aimed my magic towards the door and when it was opened fully I fired a blast of pure magic into the chest plate of the guard knocking him back into his comrades. I threw up a shield on the front door disappearing deeper into the mansion. I took a few crystals from my storage setting them to proximity range matrices so they would detonate when someone passed them. I was on a time limit before they broke down that shield and I did the best thing I could come up with. Hide in plain sight.
I quickly went up to an old suit of armor moving it into my storage before taking up position on the small podium becoming ridged as I waited. I felt the shield shatter under the onslaught. I kept a cool head keeping a spell to allow me to reach into my storage and remove my rifle so I could attack as soon as it was possible. I felt the first detonation as one of my traps went off. I was hoping that, that trap took out even a third of the force coming for me. A second explosion and my hopes were dwindling. The final explosion and I heard the soldiers yelling.
"HUNT THAT DAMN TRAITOR DOWN! I WANT HIS HEAD!" I heard their leader yell out. I closed my eyes taking one last deep breath holding it. I opened my eyes as I saw a few of the soldiers run past. A few stopped to look him over but they were quick to move on but one... One looked a little to close and I saw his eyes widen and he opened his mouth to yell. I moved quickly seizing him by the throat with the unyielding force of a vice. I heard him gag quietly not loud enough to alert anyone but I wasn't taking any chances. I moved the man close putting an arm around his neck before putting him into a sleeper hold. Within seconds the man was out cold. I didn't want to kill him these fools were only following orders. Bad orders but orders none the less.
"SIR! I FOUND HIM!" a soldier yelled as I looked up. A rifle aimed at me. I was quick to raise my hostage as a shield. "HE HAS FLOWERS!" More and more soldiers poured out of the hallways each aiming their weapons at me.
"SURRENDER! OR DIE!" I kept quiet pulling the sidearm off of the hostage aiming it forward at their leader. "THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING!" That's when I felt it. A ghost over a breeze of air. I couldn't help but smile under my helmet.
"I think not gentlemen." I took a shot at the leader hitting him in the shoulder the others were startled that a single enemy would even dare fight a force this strong. That's when they began to fall one by one under an unrelenting volume of fire. The entire fight took less than ten seconds. I released my hostage looking at the carnage around me. "Mythril. Thank you for coming as soon as you could." A slight shimmer in the air and six forms came out of the magical camouflage.
"Explain Blue. What happened." Mythril ordered as I gave her a salute.
"Turns out my head butler was a spy for the council and according to him something even worse is on it's way. I do not know what but I have a lot of evidence to completely destroy the council. But there is something else there. I do not know what." I reported as Mythril hummed in thought.
"We are pulling you out. Nothing else we can do." I couldn't repress my sigh.
"Affirmative sir." We were about to teleport out when a large explosion knocked us about. We were all quick to see what was happening only to see a section of Canterlot Castle was burning. "Oh my Celestia." I whispered as a second explosion rocked the castle.
"New orders. We are going to the Castle. Main priority is to protect the Princesses. MOVE!" We all loaded up with ammo and our heaviest weaponry and charged for the castle. Our magical camouflage activated as soon as we moved out of the building.
-Canterlot Castle-
I sat in Day Court. A rather slow day but I could feel dread in the air. Something was coming and it was going to take us by storm. I looked down at my guards only to catch one looking at me out of the corner of his eye. The second I noticed he adverted his eyes. Normally I would attest it to infatuation but that look in his eyes spoke of something worse. I calmly continued to stare at him before turning my eyes to the others in the room. One of the guards raised his hand to his ear listening to something. I reached up to adjust my main but in reality I was turning my own earbud on. The uncomfortable thing was always tuned to the guard frequency. but when I only heard silence something didn't sit right with me. I moved my hand down resting it on the arm rest of my throne flicking my eyes to the guard as he continued to have his hand against his ear.
I was about to raise a question to the guard when an explosion rocked the castle. My guards were quick to arms to protect me except those two guards I had been keeping an eye on. one drew his side arm firing upon my guards. I launched a spell slamming him against the wall with enough force to instantly kill him. I turned my attention to that guard who was on his earbud only to see him press a switch he was holding. The room exploded.
When I finally got around to my senses I felt something bound around my along with what felt like arctic ice wrapped around my horn. "Ah so good to see the Princess alive and well. Hope you liked our... gift." A male voice said to me as I tried to channel my magic only for pain to course through me. "Now now Princess that's just being foolish. That is DZ Cord you have wrapped around your horn. I hear trying to cast magic through it is particularly painful." The man knelt down seizing me by my mane. "You have something we want Princess so I suggest you co-operate."
I grit my teeth staring down into the hood of my captor. "What the hell are your demands?" I asked trying to keep my emotions in check. "Is it the vault you are after?" I asked hoping that wasn't what they wanted. The man only laughed.
"We don't want your pitiful trinkets. No no no. We want something only you can offer. We want your nightmare." I felt my blood turn to ice as the words left his mouth. "HURRY UP WITH THE TELEPORTATION! WE ARE ON A SCHEDULE AFTER ALL!" The man yelled dropping my head to the cold floor. "AND KEEP THOSE GUARDS PINNED!" The man ordered. Another explosion rocked the castle but this time it was from the hallway leading to the throne room.
"SIR! They are using rockets against us." A soldier said saluting to the man.
"Activate the other bombs." The man said before turning towards me. I could see his smile as he turned his head towards a window. I followed his eyes to see what he was looking at. Luna's tower. I saw it being engulfed in fire as it exploded. I was speechless as I watched more and more of the castle simply explode.
"Sir we are pushing them back. The guard are scrambli-" The soldier's report was cut off as his head simply exploded. His body collapsed under it's own weight.
"SNIPER!" A soldier yelled throwing a shield up over the windows only for a round to rip through the marble walls to kill another.
"IS THE TELEPORTATION READY!?" The man demanded as the floor began to glow a menacing red.
"READY SIR!" A mage said throwing a shield over the walls.
"HOSTILES CLOSING IN! THEY AIN'T ROYAL GUARD!" I turned my eyes to the hallway to see Two soldiers in pitch black armor charging for the group. They weren't with these terrorists simple because their armor didn't match the terrorists. They raised their weapons letting loose a stream of automatic weapons fire.
A shield was raised at the doors stopping the hail of spell bullets.
"Finally something I can fight." A voice behind me said as I saw a blade flash before my eyes.
"Keep the retreat covered. And destroy the teleportation circle when we get through." The man demanded as a few of the terrorists lifted me in their magic. I tried in vain to escape my bonds as I was moved closer and closer to the teleportation circle. And I felt something I hadn't felt in years. Fear. Without warning the world around me vanished.
"Royal. Shatter Stack." I ordered as I saw him nod his helmet. He slung his rifle aiming his hands at the shield gripping the shield it self with his magic before shattering it. I used my own magic to throw up a barrier for us to take cover behind. We both used the cover to fire upon these attackers.
"Problem Mythril. They are taking the Princess into that spell circle. It's most likely a teleportation we have to hurry." Royal said into our comm unit.
"We have to push up." I moved my magic moving the shield forward as we began to advance against the terrorists. Their firing ceased as I heard something running up on us. I quickly raised the shield up to stop whoever was running at us. I turned forward raising my rifle only to see a single man slice right through my shield. The man was quick cutting through my rifle and aiming to take my head off only for Royal to shoot him with his own rifle.
"Oh ho ho! This is going to be fun." The man said wiping off the spot the spell bullet had hit only to reveal the armor was completely unharmed.
"You got a plan for this Mythril?" Royal asked as I reached into my storage pulling out my own blade.
"Eliminate the target. Save the Princess." I said coldly as I charge the man swinging with all of my might only for him to guard against my strike.
"Oh come on I know you got more than that." He shoved me off straight kicking me right in the pelvis. "COME ON I WANT SOME FUN!" The man raised his sword only for Royal to block his strike with his own sword.
Royal swung with the hilt hitting the man in the face knocking him back. "Running out of time Mythril." Royal said as I got to my feet. I saw Celestia being carried towards the portal and at that moment I decided my plan.
"Keep him pinned. The Princess is priority." I quickly channeled a spell to teleport only for a flash of light to appear before me. In that instant I felt liquid explode against my visor.
"Now now can't have you doing that." The man said below me. I felt my magic die in an instant and my body felt as if it was bathed in pure ice. I looked down to see his blade sitting in my chest. The man yanked the blade out raising his blade high. I instinctively raised my arm to guard myself but the blade cut right through my right arm. I couldn't even scream as the blade continued cutting deep into my chest plate. I crumpled to the ground my vision going hazy. I vaguely saw Royal fighting with the man before that damned man retreated. I felt Royal lift me up and say something to me. He was yelling so loudly. Damn can't a girl just catch a small nap. It sounded wonderful right now... A nap is just what I need.
Chapter 10: Information Gathering
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
"WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED!?" I demanded angrily as I stared down at Royal Blue. He was standing before me a crisp salute since he walked into my office. "I sent them to get a report from you about what was happening around Canterlot. Instead Mythril and her team return with you and Mythril herself is in critical condition. Her team is suffering from their own injuries from what I can gleam is explosives." I was furious at how everything went south so fast. "REPORT!" I demanded as Royal flinched.
"Sir. My cover was burned by my own head butler. Mythril and her team assisted me in my rescue. Right as we were about to retreat Canterlot Castle was attacked by terrorists. We followed you original standing orders that the Princess' safety is Priority One. We split the squad to protect the princess'. Mythril and Myself went to secure Princess Celestia but that was their main objective. We failed to stop them." I turned away from Royal thinking over the information that was given to me. "There is something else sir. The one who put Mythril in her current condition... He has a Dead Zone Sword." I quickly rounded on Royal seizing him by his chest plate before lifting him high into the air.
"For your sake Royal. You better not be lying to me." I threatened as he remained calm.
"Sir. I remember that blade cutting through not only Mythril's shields but also cutting through our armor like it was made of butter." I stared into his eyes before dropping him.
"Send the full recall. I want every one of my soldiers here. NOW!" I barked out as Royal saluted leaving my office. I continued to stand in my office before trowing the strongest shield I could conjure on the walls. "Moon. I am not to be disturbed until my army is all here." I said as Moon manifested nodding to me before teleporting out of the room to stand guard. I just stood in the center of the room before my rage finally got the best of me. I didn't stop it. I needed to just let it out or something worse would happen. I took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. The room began to darken all of it's light being devoured by my magic. I just let it go. The room continued to darken until all of the light vanished completely. I let out a roar of frustration as the room it self exploded being torn asunder by my raw magic. I just continued to yell out before I wrapped my arms around myself. "TIER THREE! BOOM!" I felt my magic detonate ballooning my shield to it's straining point. After I just expelled my magic I felt my body repair the damage. I stood in the crater taking deep breaths to calm the smoldering embers of my rage. Now I could just sit down and think.
"Celestia was their target... The other Princesses were attacked but were not kidnapped like she was." I closed my eyes trying to think of the reason why she specifically was targeted. The answer hit me like a train. "Day Breaker. But what could be the point in making Celestia become Day Breaker?" I asked myself trying to wrap my head around the point of it all. "So many unknowns."
"Jon. They are here." Moon told me. I could only sigh as I got to my feet. A single flick of the wrist and my shield vanished revealing me to my entire army.
"Scrying Team. I want you to begin construction on the circle. I want Celestia found now. The rest of you are going through a more rigorous training to combat this new threat." I ordered to receive a chorus of "Sir, yes Sir!".
My army moved quickly with the scrying teams moving off to a secluded section of the cave to begin their work while I began the new training to combat DZ weaponry.
After a few short weeks my entire army was outfitted with new armor and weaponry to counter the DZ weapons. Their guns were modified to no longer fire just Spell bullet but were now able to fire tungsten core bullets. With new solid rounds DZ weapons will be rendered useless. If their armor can nullify the effects of spell bullets let's see how it handles burning hot metal. Mythril has also awoken from her small coma and was adamant about getting revenge on the swordsman that beat her. I had to be careful with how I cultivated that rage. If done incorrectly she will fall to a nightmare all her own. If done right she will have full control.
"Are you ready Mythril?" I asked her as I stood in my surgery room. "This will be one hell of a surgery."
"Do it sir. I am ready." I saw that conviction in her eyes but that darkness remained as well. I could only sigh as I set the mask over her face.
"Deep breaths Mythril. This will be hell for both of us. Moon, Prepare the prosthetic." Moon nodded as she presented me the new arm. It was a piece of Eclipsium that I had the boys in R&D help me create. A combination of Lunar Steel and Solar Titanium. The metal was perfect for what was needed here. The metal could absorb magic to make it's self stronger and more deadly according to the wielder's will. It also had the added benefit of not requiring magic to be as strong as it is. I will have to forge Umbra with this metal to give him an upgrade. But I had this made specifically for Mythril.
I looked to Mythril to see she had passed out and was in a deep sleep. I went to work quickly to prepare her stump. This was dangerous since Eclipsium could reject her body or worse her magic will be dragged right into the metal. But she wanted revenge. If I denied her she would only hate me but I will give her that chance. If she falls... It will be by my hand if she gets up or stays down.
The entire surgery went smoothly enough but I was still worried about the entire situation. Everything was fucked. Celestia was kidnapped and the populace was scared of some unknown threat that now loomed at their very doorstep. I couldn't return to Equestria without a damn good reason. This was grounds for my return but the council will have my soldiers put to death and I would be back at square one. I couldn't help but run a hand through my hair sighing in frustration. Everything was fucked beyond repair.
"Sir we have received a letter from Princess Luna." Royal said as he walked into the waiting room. I held out my hand as the message was transferred to me.
"You may leave Royal. Run everyone through the drills again." I ordered as I opened the letter. Royal gave a crisp salute as he left.
"Dear Jon,
No news yet about the ones who attacked Canterlot. Celestia is still MIA and we are trying to tell the populace that she was injured in the attack and is simply recovering. The story will not last long. I know you are looking for her. Please find my sister.
Signed,
Princess Luna.
P.S. Send my thanks to your soldiers who aided in the counter attack against the filth."
I crushed the letter in my hand resting my forehead on my fists. I couldn't just scour the entirety of the planet. I could only wait for the scrying squad to find her. My hands were tied on this. "Fuck." I muttered getting to my feet. The most I could do was assist the squad with their scrying. I will not rest until she is found. And it starts with breaking a traitor down. "ECHO!" I yelled as the Pegasus flew before me giving me a salute.
"Sir." She said in her standard quiet voice.
"We are going to be interrogating Royal's head butler. I want every dirty little secret and plan that is in his head. I care not for the method." Echo cracked a smile before nodding her head.
"With pleasure sir." Echo followed behind me as we made our way to the prison cells.
"Go in first Echo. Scare him but don't kill him." I ordered as Echo drew her knife making her way into the brightly lit cell.
"DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE FUCKING WITH!? WE WILL FIND YOU AND BURN YOUR ENTIRE ARMY TO ASH!" I stood outside the door listening to the traitor waste his breath with a smile on my face. If there was one person who understood interrogation tactics and getting a sick kick out of it. It was Echo. "I WILL TELL YOU NOTHING YOU BITCH NO-" I heard the tell tale sound of Echo engaging her armor. I heard the ringing of metal through the room and a body impacting the ground.
"You will tell us everything we want to know." I heard a scream and the sound of something scraping against something rather painful sounding. "At least make it fun for me." I continued to wait as the screams continued before I calmly entered the room to a neat pile of extracted teeth.
"So you are White Glove... More of a red glove now if you ask me." I pointed out as Echo pulled her knife away from his bleeding mouth. "You willing to talk or shall I put your teeth back. Heal you. And let Echo here do it again in a different fashion?" I asked as White Glove glared at me before spitting a spattering of blood at me. I calmly took a deep breath before moving his teeth back into his mouth and healing his injuries. I then calmly wound my foot back before introducing my armored boot to his teeth. He flew across the room impacting the wall. "Start removing his fingers. Keep going until you think he can't continue. We will put him back together as many times as it takes. He will talk. Or I will rip the thoughts from his mind. But we might as well have some fun before he breaks." I ordered Echo as she gave me a large smile.
"Of course sir. I always wanted to test a new method I discovered. Maybe you could give me some pointers on my technique." I smiled patting Echo on the head.
"Of course my little interrogator. Now let us begin." We casually walked over to White Glove's downed form as the screaming began once again.
Chapter 12: The Sun Will Burn Out
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
-1 Year 6 Months After The Transfer-
The troops were trained to perfection. Jon would be proud of the army he had created with his own two hands. A simple motion and they would spring into action. They didn't even need to communicate verbally to understand each other. Entire days would go by without a single word being uttered between them. Damn near telepathic and possibly just that. Their magical training has been accelerated to the point that I could start teaching them about Dark Magic. But Jon stated quite clearly that no one was to learn the forbidden magic for any reason. The scrying squads had yet to find even a hair of Celestia's. It was frustrating how she just vanished off the face of the planet like that. What worries me the most is a little more close to home.
Not a single word from Jon since we transferred control. I can't even feel him in our mind but I know he is in there somewhere. The good thing is our magic is being supplemented with his relic of power. Without Jon being in full control there is no new magic being generated. I hope he finds who he is looking for but at the same time I wish he would give up. The "Thing" he is looking for is something he locked away so long ago and should stay there forever. "When will He finally let go of that dem-" As if a knife was driven through my heart something violent scraped against my magical senses. I turned completely around a shiver running up my spine. I knew that magic... I knew that magic all to well.
I was quick charging out of my office making my way straight for the scrying team. "REPORT! WHERE IS SHE!?" I demanded as they each looked to me with a horrified expression.
"Sir what was that just now?" Royal Blue asked as he ran up behind me.
"WHERE WAS THAT MAGICAL SIGNATURE!?" I demanded seizing one of the scrying team. They pointed at the map that was on the wall of their room. A single point was highlighted with a bright white light.
"Sir is that who I think it is?" Royal asked as I dropped the scryer turning towards Royal.
"Royal Blue. Gather a squad of Infiltrators. I want her picked up immediately and brought straight here. MOVE!" I ordered as he gave a crisp salute.
"LOOK ALIVE INFILTRATORS! WE GOT A SNATCH AND GRAB BE SILENT AND BE INVISIBLE! TELEPORT SPELLS ARE AUTHORIZED! KILL ANY RESISTANCE AND BRING THE TARGET STRAIGHT HERE! MOVE NOW!" Royal yelled out over the comms. "They will have her in a few hours sir. But I have to ask. Why here?"
"They had her for a year and six months. What were they doing for all that time? Jon would want answers and she has them." I moved past Royal making my way back to my office. "Put her in the infirmary when she gets here. Even if she is dead put her in there. Get me when she arrives."
I stood once again in my office pacing back and forth as I tried with all of my might to get Jon to answer me. I have sent several magical pings into our psyche and nothing. It's almost like he isn't there. It has been hours since The squad had been sent out to retrieve Celestia. I had all the faith in the world they would be successful in their endeavor but Jon's paranoia has rubbed off on me. I was losing it. Celestia's return and Jon's disappearance are not good signs. If Celestia was cast off then the enemy has got what they needed and she is of no more use. The fact they just threw her out shows that they have complete faith in being able to defeat all of the princesses and Jon. That is not good.
A knock comes to my door catching my attention. "Sir. The squad has returned." Blue said through the door as I quickly made my way to the exit.
"I want the squad that brought her in to meet me at the infirmary. I want their report." I ordered as I made a B line for the infirmary.
"At once sir." Blue said giving me a salute before running off.
I threw open the door to the infirmary to see a battered and bruised Celestia being tended to by the medical team. "How is she?" I asked as the squad never stopped working.
"She is stable but just barely. She has been run through the ringer sir. Not conscious just yet and her body seems to be struggling to heal her wounds." I looked down at Celestia and very old images flashed through my mind of our original fight. I shook my head slightly to dislodge those old memories.
"Her system needs a magical jump start. Feed her some magic and her body will begin the process." I told them as they scrambled to get everything prepared to do a magical transfer. I pulled up a chair to watch them work. I couldn't ask Celestia anything while she was unconscious. It only took a few minutes for my squad to arrive and give me a report.
According to them it was a simple snatch and dash. No resistance and no hide nor hair of enemy forces. These guys are either really confident or are insulting us. So much to go through and not a whole lot of time.
It took Nineteen hours before Celestia finally recovered enough magic to wake up. Every second counts now and she was spending it sleeping. I tore into the medical building making straight for Celestia's room. All of my medical personnel moved out of my way with purpose. The door to Celestia's room was thrown open by my magic before I even got there and when I finally entered my soldiers were quick to move out of the room. "Celestia. I would greet you properly but I have questions that need answered as fast as possible." Celestia let out a small sigh.
"Of course. But first I have to ask Moon. Where is Jon?" Celestia asked as I let out my own sigh grabbing a chair to sit down in.
"In a sense he is in our head. In another sense I do not know. I know he is in there somewhere but I can't feel him. Even worse the magic is running out. Me being in control is burning more magic than the Relic can produce." I told her honestly. No point in lying to allies.
"I see." Celestia said quietly looking down at her hands.
"What did they do to you Celestia?" I saw Celestia flinch slightly at my question but I can't be sympathetic. Not right now.
"They removed her. And put her in someone else. So many bodies." Celestia said with pain written all along her face. "So many attempts to just make her bond to a body. They succeeded. Daybreaker is no longer under my complete control. They want to attack all of Equestria and their numbers... Dear god their numbers. I thought it was just a small insurgent group but we were wrong oh so wrong. There are thousands of them." Celestia looked right at me and I could see that panic in her eyes. "Moon if you are running out of magic and Jon is MIA how is Equestria supposed to survive this attack? What could we possibly do?"
The thought mulled about in my mind before I came to the only solution. "We do what we have done for as long as Jon has been in our world. We Crush our enemy so thoroughly that they won't dare rise back up. And Jon has taken precautions to do just that." I said as I held my hand out to her. "Are you able to walk?" Celestia looked down at my hand before seizing it. She got to her feet a little wobbly but righted herself rather quickly.
"What precautions has Jon taken to fight this enemy? A super weapon?" Celestia asked as I walked with her towards the front doors.
"In a way. Remember The Burning Anvil?" I asked her as I stepped out of the building to each of the battalions standing at attention outside the building in full battle dress. "Allow me to introduce Jon's greatest weapon. The seven battalions simply known as 'Forge.'" The army as one saluted us.
"He actually did it..." Celestia whispered out as she looked at the army that stood before her. "But I only see a force of maybe three-hundred strong. Is this the entire army?" Celestia asked where I only scoffed.
"Three-hundred and fifty strong. And need I remind you that fifty of these soldiers took down two-hundred and fifty of your strongest. not to mention I have a majority of the races here under my flag. The biggest threat is what they are. View their magical signatures Celestia. See what truly makes them strong." Celestia looked to me before closing her eyes to look at my army's magic before she let out a gasp.
"What in god's name did you do?" She asked as she stared at them in horror.
"Jon did what was necessary to make them as deadly as possible. He evened the playing field." I stated calmly. "They want this fight. They have been trained in every form of combat. Mental training to make them incorruptible. Physical training to make them living weapons. Magical training to make them arch mages. They are the most trained and best honed soldiers on the planet. They will win even if the odds are against them." I gave a small motion of my hand and as one they all removed their helmets. "'115th The Burning Anvil.' '116th The Iron Wall.' '117th The Thunder Spear.' '118th The Obscuring Shroud.' '119th The Winding Scalpel.' '120th The Buried Shovel.' '121st The Unyielding Billows.' These are the battalions that make up 'Forge'. Normal creatures that come from every form of life. From farmers to criminals. Their resolve to protect and defend is as great as Jon's. Have faith Celestia. A war is inevitable but it is not lost."
"Do you think they can win?" Celestia asked as he looked at the faces of each of the soldiers.
"They will win or die trying. Now let's talk strategy. CAPTAINS! TO ME!" I bellowed as seven people walked out of the crowd to kneel before me. "We have much to discuss. Follow me." I turned on my heel making my way towards my office. "THE REST OF YOU CAN RELAX FOR THE DAY!" I yelled out as I began hearing light chatter start up behind me.
Chapter 13: Deep In The Recesses
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
How long has it been? How long has this crushing darkness gripped my very being? My consciousness? My Soul? Ever since I took the dive into this void I have been moving, searching, scouring. All this time spent hunting for the one who was locked away. I was a very patient man but this was putting it to the test.
"Where are you hiding...?" I muttered as the dull thuds of my boots echoed through the black. I had asked the same question hundreds of times with no answer. I was starting to reach the edge of my sanity but I had been there before and even passed the point. The territory of my sanity was not new to me.
"Well well well. If it isn't Jon." A deep rumbling echoed around me forcing me to halt mid step. "Have you come to see me once again?" The voice asked as I slowly turned around to come face to face with myself. The woman who stood before me had a dim glow of embers surrounding her pitch black form. Her eyes were a burning yellow and orange. She took a step forward and I heard the rattling of chains.
"You are the one who I am looking for? The one who I need to release?" I asked as she nodded her head slowly. "Who the fuck are you?" I asked getting straight to the point.
"Me?" She asked pointing at herself again the chains rattled. "You honestly don't remember me?" She sounded insulted before throwing her hands skyward rolling her eyes. "HOW ON GOD'S FUCKED EARTH DO YOU NOT REMEMBER ME!?" She demanded as I only stared at her. "Staring at my own creator and he doesn't know who I am... Talk about a let down." I held up my hand to stop her as I was confused out of my tits.
"What are you on about? Creator? How the fuck am I your creator?" I asked her as she let out a groan before taking a swing at me only for her chains to glow a blinding white holding her in place.
"REMEMBER ME YOU DAMNED IDIOT! THE DAY THAT BROKE YOU WAS THE DAY I WAS BORN! THE DAY YOUR SON DIED SOMETHING NEW WAS BORN! I AM YOUR NIGHTMARE! YOUR DAMNABLE MAGIC DRAWN TO IT'S PEEK AND GIVEN LIFE! RIGHT UP UNTIL YOU THREW HALF OF ME AWAY!" She yelled as the chains continued to glow pulling her back slowly. I only stared at her in shock before my mind flashed images of that day so long ago when I lost Bright.
"Oh my god... That power. That voice. That was all you?" I asked as the chains finally stopped their glowing.
"Damn right that was me. For someone so damn smart you are pretty fucking stupid sometimes." She said relaxing her position. "I mean it had to be obvious." She said with a casual wave of her hand.
"So what do I call you?" I asked as she placed her hand under her chin making a thoughtful hum.
"I don't rightly know. I mean never really thought to give myself a name." She said before that orange eye locked with mine. "I mean there is only a few nightmares in the world. Like Nightmare Moon or Daybreaker. And we both know Twilight and Cadance have their own that they have yet to encounter." I conceded the point nodding with her. "Do you have any ideas?" She asked as I mimicked her position with my own hand under my chin.
"Well there are several factors that are in play here that could help and I don't want something stupid Like naming you Salt." I pointed out as she chuckled.
"Like you called yourself all that time ago?" She asked as I shot her a playful glare.
"Shut up Flare." I said as we both stopped.
"What was that?" She asked as I tried to think about why I called her Flare.
"I don't know. It just felt right." I said honestly.
"Flare." She said as if sampling the name for herself. "I like it. I think I will keep it." She said as the chains flared a bright white before they shattered falling away into the aether. She looked over her freed arms moving them about slowly.
"Well that was easy." I said before a chain rocketed out of my chest connecting to Flare's own chest. The chain glowed a dark orange like a hot piece of metal. I could imagine the heat flowing off of the chain as we both stared at the new link between us.
"Well what the fuck is this?" She asked as we both in sync moved our hand to the chain only for it to phase through the link.
"I think this links us to one another." I said as I looked away from the chain to see Flare no longer wreathed in darkness. My blood ran cold as I finally saw what she looked like. It was Red Line but at the same time she was so different from her. She had black hair with a patch that seemed to be burning like a dim fire. Her clothes matched mine but where I had purple accents her's were instead a mix of reds, yellows, and oranges. "Dear god... Red." I said as I continued to stare at her sadness gripping my very soul.
"Nightmares take the form of what you hold most dear. And we are the corruption of that very thing." She said before tightening her fists. "Just one thing though." She said giving me a half hearted shrug. "We both know what needs to happen." She said as I let out a sigh clenching my own fists.
"Taking her form was your worst mistake." I said as I flicked my hand summoning Umbra. She mimicked my action summoning her own variant of Umbra. both blades ignited with magic. Mine a menacing purple and hers with deadly flames. I didn't hesitate to charge forward to make my first strike. This was a fight for control. A fight that determined the fate of my life. "HOW DARE YOU TAKE HER FORM FLARE! I'LL KILL YOU!" Our blades clashed in an explosion of power. The fight for dominance had begun.
Chapter 14: The Embers of War
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
A burst of magic rocked my form as I felt something inside me come to life. I took a deep breath as I felt the magic invigorate me but it felt different than Jon's standard magic. Instead of his standard cold and angry magic this magic felt hot. Like an inferno of hate wrapping around me like a heavy blanket in the dead of winter. Still it was only a burst of magic and all it did was invigorate me momentarily. But it was a sign. Jon had found what he was looking for and that meant soon I would...
I shook my head to clear those thoughts as I looked over our battle plans for when they eventually attack. It was difficult to focus on the battle plans with Jon filling my thoughts. All this time with no contact and suddenly I feel his magic fill my very being. I just couldn't focus.
"Moon is everything alright?" Celestia asked as I was broken from my thoughts. I looked up to see everyone had their attention focused on me. I looked to each of my soldiers faces to only see worry in their eyes but their faces were passive. Celestia was openly concerned for me.
"I am alright just felt a surge of magic. I'm alright. We need to focus on the problem at hand." I said dismissing their stares with a casual wave of my hand. "Our main concern is where they are going to attack first and we need to be ready to mobilize at a moments notice. The problem is we need more info." I said pointing at the map. "There are several places they could attack first and we all know for a fact that they will not dare attack Canterlot." I slammed my finger down on the capital city as Celestia cocked an eyebrow at my assessment.
"Sir wouldn't it make more sense to attack the capital city and quickly claim victory?" Gravel pointed out as I nodded my head.
"Normally you would be correct in your assessment but there are several factors that tear apart this theory." I pointed out pointing at Celestia. "There is five alicorns currently in Canterlot and that is a lot of firepower to deal with. They also have spies in the council they they used to have Jon removed from power and sent us into hiding. Not to mention the biggest factor." I pointed out before smiling. "Everyone who attacks Canterlot loses. They will not dare attack Canterlot without a large enough force to contend with all those factors. They most likely will attack a different city or conquer the fringes of the country and work their way inward. They could also do an attack on several fronts and slowly choke Equestria to death. Every plan has risk when it comes to taking over a country let alone a super power." Celestia nodded her head.
"The problem is knowing where the attacks will come from." Celestia said as I nodded my head sagely.
"I want all of you to get your info gathers on this. If it is a report or a fucking food order I want to know what it is. Focus strictly on towns near our borders. We might only get one shot to mobilize against their attack and I want to hit them hard while they think they are invincible. I want our enemy to start tasting the fear of what our army can do." My captains saluted me as one. "Get on it." I ordered as they quickly filed out of the room to complete their orders. Now there was only Celestia and myself.
"Talk to me Moon. What was that?" Celestia demanded worriedly. I studied her face calmly seeing only a cold resolve in those eyes of hers that spoke of thousands of years of wisdom and could do nothing but sigh in defeat.
"It was Jon. He found what he was searching for and that can only spell disaster." I explained watching Celestia's shocked reaction to my words. "Something he unknowingly sealed away in his artifact has been revived and awoken in him." Celestia covered her forehead with her palm as she thought over the news I had just gave her.
"You mean to tell me that Jon. The being who is magically dead zoned. Has a Nightmare of his own?" Celestia asked as I nodded my head. "Do we know how strong this nightmare is or if it can even be controlled?"
"This is Jon we are talking about... The creature who not only tamed myself but has brought every demon and evil foe Equestria has faced to it's knees and killed them. His nightmare is fueled by something worse that his anger. It's more concentrated and a more focused emotion. Jon's hate is what fuels this Nightmare and Jon has the worst kind of hate constantly running through his very being."
"Self Hate." Celestia answered as a shudder racked her very core. "Jon's Nightmare could be more powerful than even..." Celestia trailed off as she looked at Me sadly.
"Than even myself. I am as powerful as I am due to Jon constantly keeping me well fueled with his emotions. But I only feed on his anger. It's a broad emotion which is why it is in such abundance but if his nightmare is fueled by hate specifically then we are well and truly fucked if Jon can't win. And judging by the fact that I felt a surge of this new magic it also stands that Jon has started generating his own magic based off of my own magical signature." I explained setting my head in my hands. "There has also never been a case of a creature having two Nightmares in it at the same time. The magical surge could flat out kill Jon and destroy his entire body and this planet with it."
"So what are we to do?" Celestia asked as I looked up at her uncertainly.
"If it comes down to it I will have to leave Jon forever. Jon is able to conquer anything thrown at him and I have taught him everything I could years ago. If it comes down to me or Jon I will gladly sacrifice myself for him. If it weren't for him... I would have died that day so many years ago." Celestia stood walking around the table to stand by me.
"I know when we first met it was horrible. My sister had fallen to your temptation and you turned her on not only her country but on her own sister. But the past is in the past. You have dedicated yourself to our cause and have kept Jon alive all these years. You have done everything in your power to protect what we all hold dear and for that you have my thanks." Celestia knelt wrapping her arms around me as she embraced me. "You are forgiven and are welcome. I may not understand the pain of what may happen but know that if it comes down to it you will have nothing to fear." I wrapped my own arms around Celestia as I felt something hot sting my eyes.
The next thing I knew I was openly sobbing into her shoulder.
The sounds of battle constantly tore through the silence that once permeated through the abyss of Jon's psyche. Explosions, gunfire, and the clash of blade made up the orchestra of destruction as two forces collided with reckless abandon.
"Come now Jon I know there is more to you than this. NOW STOP PLAYING AROUND!" Flare bellow as another explosion rocked the aether. Jon for his part had surrounded himself with a shield in time to avoid the deadly spell. He retaliated by throwing Umbra at Flare who easily deflected the blade with her own. Jon slammed his hands together before pulling them apart to reveal a mass of darkness housed in an unstable field of magic.
"YOU WANT SERIOUS! FINE DEAL WITH THIS SHIT!" Jon collapsed the sphere into an even smaller form before launching it straight towards Flare with blinding speed. "EAT SHIT AND DIE DICKHEAD! CATACLYSM!" Jon roared out as the sphere slammed into Flare's raised sword. Darkness once again claimed the world before an equal amount of magic exploded shoving back Jon's own spell.
"ARMAGEDDON!" Flare yelled out as the two spells cancelled each other out. Both Flare and Jon stood panting heavily from the amount of magic thrown out and the fight it self lasting as long as it had. "Are you ready to give up?" Flare asked barely able to hide the sheer exhaustion running through her body.
"Not on your life." Jon retorted back as he wasn't fairing any better.
"How about a break?" Flare suggested as Jon thought about it. "I mean it would be rather pathetic if one of us lost just because they passed out and was stabbed in their sleep." Jon nodded wordlessly as they both dismissed their weapons collapsing forward to rest.
"Can we not hold back next time?" Jon asked as Flare let out a single grunt of agreement. "Good we both should have already known what the other was capable of." Another grunt and Jon only sighed. "I'm gonna beat your ass next time."
"You are welcome to try asshole." Flare muttered out as they both let out chuckles.
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
"Princess Luna
Supreme Commander of The Equestrian Special Forces
It all happened so fast. The attacks came like lightning and before the thunder even settled the settlements were gone. We sent our first response teams as fast as we could but it didn't matter. Each scene brought more of what we already knew. Giant sections of the town seemed to have been touched by the sun it self. And there was always a small group of black armored creatures not to far off that were inspecting the devastation. Any attempt to contact the squad resulted in an immediate retreat. They did not want to be identified.
Signed,
Major Carbon Fiber"
Luna finished reading over the report letting out a tired sigh before passing over the report to her fellow Princesses. "This threat is taking more and more of our towns and killing off more of our ponies." Luna stated rubbing her eyes with a thumb and forefinger.
"How are we supposed to combat a threat like this? They attack with no warning and from our other reports it is always at sunrise." Cadence said pulling up a separate report. "And these black armored soldiers that are always there before us." She pulled out a photo of the entities tossing it on the table. "Ponies, minotaurs, diamond dogs, griffins, and dragons. But they seem to be of the same army. They could be the enemy inspecting the damages to report back to their leader." She jabbed a finger at the photo annoyed. "An unknown that we can't place."
"And Celestia is still missing." Twilight said letting out a tired sigh.
"And no word from Jon..." Dash said staring at the tactical map with no idea it really meant.
"It will be ok. Jon is most likely keeping tabs on this entire situation. But Jon going dark as long as he has is worrying." Nova pointed out before Luna lost her fragile hold on her frustration.
"DAMMIT ALL!" Luna slammed her fist down on the table shattering the wood into splinters. "How did my sister deal with this? How did she keep everything from falling apart all that time?" Luna was losing it. She was scared and frustrated and stressed to her breaking point. If Jon did not have her nightmare she most likely would have fallen once again.
"Luna calm down. We will figure this out but we can't panic." Twilight said sternly as Luna finally sat down in her seat taking a few deep breaths. "We are all at our breaking points but we have to remain strong. For our ponies." Twilight was the most level headed of them all but that was only due to her gaining control over her stress by managing it as efficiently as possible.
A letter flashed into existence landing in the splinters of the destroyed table. The Princesses all stared at the letter with worry. They had received these letters several times before but they were all handed to them by a guard. Never teleported. Cadence floated the letter over opening it and reading it swiftly before she let out a gasp of shock. Everyone stood rushing over to read the letter.
"My Fellow Princesses,
We have a situation. Activate the teleportation circle on this letter.
Princess Celestia."
Under the letter was an intricate teleportation seal not charged but at the ready. None of them even dared to second guess the letter because the seal had a few key runes that could only be created by the princesses and one other. The girls looked to each other before they each channeled their magic into the seal activating it. In a bright flash they all arrived in a dark cavern and immediately they heard several weapons aim at them. They were completely surrounded by the black armored soldiers. Each of the girls charged their magic ready to fight but a single snap and all the weapons were holstered each of the black armored warriors stood at attention and didn't budge.
"What the devil is going on?" Luna asked as she kept her magic active.
"Apologies Princesses but we were not expecting anyone to arrive in our headquarters so suddenly." A female voice said and as one the Princesses all snapped their attention to the voice. A black armored mare walked up to them her helmet under her arm and hood pulled back. "Mythril. A pleasure to see you all once again." She said with a bow. "Now is not the time though. Follow me Jon and Celestia are waiting." She turned swiftly on her heel making her way towards a building in the distance.
"Wait. Where are we? And how long has Celestia been here?" Twilight asked taking a step forward in a threatening manner. A few weapons raised towards her stopping her. She let out a small "Eep." from the warriors sudden almost instant movement.
A second snap echoed out and they returned to their statue like state. "Those who just broke a hold order run the obstacle course twice." The ones who had moved gave a silent salute before rushing off towards a large training area behind them. "They will answer your questions now follow me. I won't ask again." Mythril stated with all the warmth of a frozen hammer to the nerves. The Princesses decided it was wise to follow her without angering the statues of armor.
The building they entered was massive by comparison to the rest of the complex. A large map was sitting against the wall with several points lit up in red. The Princesses didn't have to think about it long to realize that each point was a settlement that was attacked. "Recall squad Seven, Eight, and Twelve. Send out Squad Twenty-Two to cover the north-eastern sector." A voice barked orders as a few of the black armored soldiers saluted before running off to carry out their orders. "Scrying team anything to report?" The voice asked.
"Nothing new sir." Another voice said as a table flew across the room.
"FUCK!" The original voice said before walking to the large map on the wall.
The Princesses all stopped when they saw Celestia standing in front of the map glaring at it's angry red lights. "How many have we lost?" Celestia asked with a sigh.
"Sister?" Luna asked as Celestia turned to see them. "What is all of this?" Luna asked as Celestia gave them a weak smile.
"A mess. One that we are trying to fix." Celestia turned her attention to Mythril. "Was their reception welcoming?" She inquired. Mythril for her part saluted.
"The soldiers were not expecting them so they went to full alert as we have been trained. None fired upon them but a squad did raise weapons after being given the 'Hold' signal. I made them run the obstacle course twice for disobeying a direct order. Sir." Mythril reported as Celestia only let out a sigh.
"Good. Oversee their punishment as you see fit Mythril. Dismissed." Celestia said with a wave of her hand.
"Sir." Mythril said before donning her helmet and raising her hood before jogging out of the building.
"Girls it is so good to see you once again." Celestia said once the room was cleared out. "As you can see Jon and myself have been rather busy. But we have much to discuss. Follow me." Celestia said as she motioned for them to follow.
"Celestia! What is going on? Where are we? And Where is Jon?" Dash demanded only for Celestia looked over her shoulder leveling a glare at her.
"I said follow me. We have much to discuss. Now hurry up!" Celestia shot back to the shock of all involved.
Celestia threw open the doors to a side room with the simple sign reading 'C.A.C.' The Princesses followed Tia only to see a large crystal of dark magic resting in the room and Jon hooked up to it. He looked positively ancient as he sat in a M.H.A.S. "Welcome to my base of operations." Jon said taking a wheezing breath. "I hope my army didn't frighten you." The girls looked at him in worry.
"Jon what has happened to you?" Twilight asked as he only looked away.
"Jon is not here... He is fighting a nightmare." He answered before taking another wheeze. "Celestia we need another core." He said smiling weakly to her. Celestia quickly retrieved a new core from her storage before moving to hook it up to the machine.
"Moon? What do you mean Jon is fighting a nightmare? You don't mean to tell us that he is fighting you right now." Luna said as Moon leveled a glare at her.
"Don't be so foolish Luna." Moon berated her. "Jon is fighting his own Nightmare. Something that was created so long ago and fragmented before it could mature. Jon is doing battle and has left me in control. The only problem is I don't have a perfect connection to him." Moon motioned to himself showing how old and decrepit he looked. "We are barely keeping this body alive on our barest of reserves."
"But that should be impossible." Twilight pointed out calmly. "Jon has been a magical dead zone since his body does not generate magic naturally. The only reason he has lived for this long or has even been able to use magic is because of your symbiotic relationship. Jon doesn't even have the correct magical pathways in his body to begin the process of magical production." Moon only smiled to Twilight.
"Thousands of years... Saturated every waking moment in magical energies. Harnessing the magic through artificial pathways created by yours truly. Augmenting his physical body to handle a heavier magical load without destroying his body. Jon very much has the ability to generate his own magic now but it has only been halted by not using his own magic." Moon explained as the machine let out a loud hum as Jon's body began to reverse it's aging returning him to his former glory. "Jon has only used my magic. Magic that was constantly fed by his emotions. And once his fight concludes his magic will activate. This raw heat will burn all that dare touch it." Moon warned as he leaned back into the pod letting the magic flow through him.
"You mean to tell us that Jon's Nightmare is stronger than you?" Cadance asked as Moon only nodded.
"It's powered by Jon's hatred. His own self hate fuels the magic." Celestia stated as she continued to look over the machine. "A hatred that burns through his very being." All the girls except Dash shuddered at the thought.
"I can feel the shock waves of their battle with each clash. It hurts. It severs my connection to him more and more. That is why we connected him to this machine." Moon stated calmly. "I just hope he can defeat this thing." Moon took a deep breath letting it out slowly. "His body is damaged beyond all form of repair and it is hitting it's limits. If he wins his body might finally be repaired of all the damage it has endured over the centuries. Jon would come back stronger than ever before." Moon closed her eyes letting the dark magic continue to keep the body stable. "I'm scared girls." Moon finally said what was really bothering her. "I'm scared what will happen to me. Jon's physical body can not handle two Nightmares and the only contingency that Jon has is Protocol 7. But the plan is all wrong. Everything is going wrong. Jon is supposed to be the one running The Forge not me and surely not fucking Celestia. Jon is not supposed to be wasting away in a pod trying to fight his own nightmare. WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE LOSING!" Moon roared out as a magical surge escaped the containment of the M.H.A.S. The very temperature of the room skyrocketed slagging a few of the cables connecting the core to the M.H.A.S.
Celestia was quick to use he magic to repair the cables after the surge allowing the machine to continue it's designed operations. "Moon. You have to remain calm otherwise you risk severing your connection to Jon early." Celestia scolded as she looked over the machine making sure everything was running correctly. "This is the issue girls. Moon can't even leave this pod without the magical burn out killing both Jon and her. Jon's army is the best but without his guidance they aren't the best they can be. I am trying to run his army but that is the issue. Jon's army does not run on standard tactics. They were trained to be an unstoppable force but I can't willingly send them on missions that could result in their deaths. Moon who has spent the most time with Jon can't even make the call. They are running leaderless with us." Celestia said the stress evident on her face.
"Then why don't you have one of them run the army?" Twilight suggested only for Moon to shake her head.
"The only one who could run this army we can't trust to do so. Mythril has a darkness in her after her defeat at the castle. Her failure has sparked revenge in her heart and it needs to be cultivated with care. If we gave her a position of power we would have to kill her. None of the others are qualified to run the army." Moon stated without any remorse. "Mythril is being groomed for greatness. We don't want to have her executed due to a misstep on our part."
"Jon will be back before we know it." Dash said with absolute certainty catching the attention of everyone in the room. "I might not know Jon as well as all of you nor have I known him as long as any of you but I know he will win. He will stomp his nightmare into the ground and will force it to kneel. He will never lose to something so weak." Dash leveled a glare at Moon who only gave her a sad smile.
"I just wish I could assist him in his trial." Moon said to the murmurs of the other princesses.
-9 Days After The Princess' Discussion-
Magic impacted magic with devastating effect as the two fighters continued their bout for dominance. Their blades were scattered across the field shattered and forgotten for a more versatile form of combat. Flames and shadows collided in mortal combat.
"IS THAT ALL YA GOT!?" Jon yelled out weaving the magical energies around him to create a devastating barrage of magical missiles.
Flare for her part matched the barrage with one of her own causing untold destruction as the magic detonated violently. "THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO BURN!" Flare slammed her fists together unleashing a shock-wave of fire towards Jon. Jon only laughed as he stomped his foot causing black fog to rise up disrupting the fire.
"Devour my enemies. Cause their flesh to rot away. Swallow their fear and drag them into the abyss. GRANT THEM A SLOW DEATH! CERBERUS!" Jon roared out slamming his hands together as the fog shuddered. A howl ripped through the lull in the battle as dozens of dogs stepped free of the fog. "Fetch me her soul." Jon said a deadly chill in his voice as he pointed at Flare.
"Rip and tear. Shred their bodies asunder. Burn them to their cores. Incinerate them to ash. SHOW THEM TRUE PAIN! HELLHOUND!" Flare yelled out her own incantation before pointing at Jon. "Drag him to Hell." Dozens of holes ripped free in the void as several burning dogs clawed their way out of the portals letting loose their own howls.
The dogs rushed forward with reckless abandon snarling, growling, and barking. Their bodies collided with true violence. Jon and Flare stood glaring daggers at each other. This little show of magic was nothing more than that. A show. They both just needed a moment to prepare their next move. A single Hellhound broke free of the fight only to be shot dead by Jon.
A single thought struck Jon as he cracked a cocky grin raising a single hand. "Let me show you something Flare. Something even I didn't think was possible until now." Jon spoke as he prepared the single most complicated spell. "I don't even know if this will work but you showed me something wonderful." Flare only crossed her arms cocking her head to the side.
"And what pray tell is that?" Flare asked with a chuckle.
"You showed me I was using Moon's magic." Jon said before he reached with his left hand gripping the chain as if it was solid. "When I could be using my own." Flare looked down at the chain that connected them before looking up at Jon a flash of fear ran through her as her mind connected the dots. "LET'S REALLY CUT FUCKING LOOSE! KNEEL BEFORE THE ONE AND ONLY MOTHER FUCKER AND KISS YOUR DUMBASS GOODBYE!" Jon's hair shifted from it's smokey nature to suddenly ignite as if it caught fire. His skin retained it's black nature only with large cracks running through it glowing with raw orange heat and power. "IGNITE THE VERY AIR! CAUSE LIFE TO VANISH IN AN INSTANT OF FEAR! ABSORB ALL AS FUEL FOR THE END! BURN IT ALL ASUNDER AND SCATTER THE ASHES!" Flare raised her hand trying to use her magic to stop Jon only for nothing to come forth. She let out a yell of fear before trying to escape the destruction that was about to come. The void itself seemed to ignite from the heat of the spell Jon was weaving together. "FLASHPOINT!" Jon roared out as he activated his spell. The void went from black to pure white in an instant.
The spell only lasted a few moments before the void slowly dimmed back to it's dark nature. Flare layed on the ground motionless her entire being was smoking. Jon slowly walked forward his entire body still wreathed in it's new state of power. It didn't take Jon long for him to get to Flare's downed form. He glared down at Flare who slowly began to stir. "Are we done here?" Jon asked sounding like he wanted the fight to continue.
"Yes..." Flare whispered as she tried to get to her feet only to struggle to her knees instead. "I.." Flare began before stopping. She looked like what she was about to say hurt her more than the attack she just took. "I Concede to you." Flare said as Jon lowered his hand to her. Flare reached up gripping the hand tightly. "My magic is our magic. Use your hate to fuel us but you have your own pool of magic. Accept it. All of it." The entire void shuttered violently before falling away to reveal burning orange light. "This is going to hurt by the way." Flare said as the light rushed into Jon's body without warning. The ambient magic that surrounded his body that was never absorbed rushed to fill the void that was left from Moon burning his magic away. Jon screamed in pain as the heat seemed to never cease.
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
"SIR! WE CAN'T HOLD THEM BACK! WHAT ARE YOUR ORDERS!?" I looked down at the sergeant under my command to see the fear in his eyes. They attacked just as the sun was rising with a devastating laser of pure fire. After the first onslaught that's when everything went to hell in a hand basket. Hundreds of soldiers charged our position raining hellfire upon us. holding them back for as long as we have has taken hours and several of my best.
"Has the message been sent?" I asked calmly looking at the wave of terror that was coming our way.
"Sir...?" The sergeant looked at me with growing concern. "We sent the message but they will never get here in time. They said it would take at least four hours." I took a deep breath before letting it out as a sigh.
"Good. I hope we can last long enough." I said grabbing my rifle. "No surrender Sarge." I stepped out of the small command tent using a simple volume augmentation spell. "MY SOLDIERS HEAR MY CALL! FOR EQUESTRIA WE WILL PUSH THESE INVADERS BACK!" I roared out stepping towards the front lines. "NO RETREAT! NO SURRENDER! FOR THE PRINCESSES!" I yelled with all my might. My soldiers beaten and bloody responded with a war cry as they prepared to fight back one last time. I knew we had no chance to actually survive this attack but all we can do is hope our deaths will stall them enough to allow reinforcements to launch the bombardment on this damned city. "Celestia forgive me." I muttered out only for a hand to rest on my shoulder.
"You did good. Now let us provide some assistance." I turned only to take a step back in shock. a small squad of black armored creatures stood before me. The one who had set their hand on my shoulder had a hood resting over their helmeted head. "Shatter. Get these people into a more defensible position with your squad. Leaf. Have your squad get the wounded out. Claw. Get us an exit up and ferry the wounded." Wordless salutes and the squad broke apart to begin their tasks. "Lieutenant. EVAC your men. This city is lost so they can fucking have it." It was a mare and a completely unknown squad giving me orders.
"And why should I take orders from you? What is your rank? What company are you from?" The mare only shook her head before grabbing the front of my uniform and putting me muzzle to helmet with her.
"I am a Captain. The rest is classified by her royal highness'. You don't have the clearance to know who we are. All you need to do is shut the fuck up and follow my orders and you damned idiots might live." She shoved me back before setting her hand to the side of her head. "Boom. Are the party favors up?" She asked over a comm. "Lieutenant. You have standing orders to survive to fight another day. Orders from the top. Now leave this fight to us." The mare said as magic began to crackle along her entire form. She turned on her heel moving toward more squads of the black armored creatures. "LOOK ALIVE FORGE! WE GET TO HAMMER OUT THESE FUCKS! BURN THEM TO THEIR CORES AND LET THEIR ASHES SCATTER TO THE WINDS! NO MERCY! NO RESPITE!" She bellowed out to only receive salutes. "Get to work." They rushed off to do their tasks whatever those were I did not know.
"Any news on the defense?" I asked Celestia who nodded pointing towards the map.
"Squads one, four, thirty-eight, and one-o-one have begun the defense of Van Hoover. The civilians... whats left of them have already been teleported to Manehatten. My soldiers are being ferried out via the tunnels created by Thirty-eight. One-o-one has set up the party favor. Mythril is arranging the bombardment." Celestia explained as I glared at the map.
"Tell Mythril I want some of them alive for interrogation. The others are just there to die." I ordered as another surge of magic burned through my entire body. I could only grunt out in pain gripping my chest tightly.
"They are getting worse." Celestia said worriedly. "Is it a good sign?" She asked as I only let out a ragged breath when the pain finally subsided.
"This body... It's like it is bathed in fire. The longer I stay in here the weaker I get and the stronger the magic gets. I can't say for certain but There is a victor and the magic is just filling the void." I was scared. Jon is still silent so I don't know who has won the battle for control. "I'm either going to be expelled or I am going to die Celestia. This is the worst possible time for this to happen." I muttered keeping my glare on the map. "Relay the strike order." I ordered as Celestia nodded her head.
"Mythril. Begin the strike." Celestia relayed through her ear piece. Another surge of magic burned through me as I continued to watch the map.
"Orders received. Beginning assault." I said switching back over to the main squad frequency. "Echo fire off a warning shot. Right through that guy yelling orders on the hill." I ordered using my magic to magnify the image of the advancing army.
"Sending." Echo responded quietly before a loud bang erupted from the top of one of the buildings. I continued to watch the man yelling orders only for his head to disappear in a mist of red. "Target down." I cracked a smile giving a casual wave of my hand. "Hunting targets." Echo responded calmly before another shot rang out.
"Shatter. Prepare the kill zone." I ordered before I clapped my hands together pulling much of my arcane might to the forefront. The entire army came rushing down the hill screaming out for blood. I continued to watch the hill as I weaved my spell keeping my eyes on a single point on the hill. I saw a majority of the army past that point before yelling out. "NOW!" The entire hill heaved as if something lifted the very earth from under the army. Fire billowed out where the earth was weak before the hill simply began to cave in on itself. Vehicles were disabled or destroyed by the surprise attack. "Jon wants a few alive for interrogation. The rest die." I ordered as I began to hear the rattle of gunfire. I could only crack a smile as I finished my spell taking aim. I released the spell as a bright blue flash of magic launched from my hand thousands of blue arrows rushed across the field towards the army slaughtering those unfortunate to be caught in the shredding power of my spell. It was going to be a good day to fight back.
I continued to shift my magic to keep the spell going for as long as necessary. This spell was relatively cheap when it came to magic power but very effective for ripping through large squads of enemies. "Hey Split, I want you to go abduct a few officers that are hanging out in the back. Bring a squad of three with you to accomplish this goal." I ordered as my radio clicked twice sending my the acknowledgement of my orders. "Shatter. Close the cage." I ordered out as I ceased my spell to weave a new spell matrix.
A large cube shield formed over a large section of what remained of the advancing army. "Hear my call from the void of space. The darkness and depths of the nothing. Crush my victims in unending weight. CAUSE THEM AGONY AND DESPAIR!" I chanted out as I finished up my spell. "GRAVITY WELL!" I activated the spell as The soldiers were being dragged to a single point in the center of the cube being crushed by the unrelenting force of the spell. I felt my magic draining faster than expected. "BOOM! DETONATE THE DAMN THING ALREADY!"
"Problem captain. Spell matrix is not working. Something is blocking the spell from activating." Boom said sounding a little off put over the snag. Me on the other hand was furious over this development. "We can try a direct spell but it will take a few of us to detonate something of that si-" The entire cube flashed white in that instant ballooning the shield so it looked like a bubble shield instead of it's cube form. I stood in silence as the light vanished revealing not a single soul left in the cube. The ground inside the cube was glowing an angry red. The battle just seemed to stop in that instant as everyone stared at the destruction.
"Captain..." I heard Echo in my ear calling for my attention. "What the fuck was that spell?" She asked and I could only give one answer.
"I don't know."
"CAPTAIN! Targets secure and the enemy seem to be retreating. What the actual fuck happened down there?" Split asked as I continued to stare at the glassed earth.
"I don't know." I whispered out before a hand tapped my shoulder. I whipped my heard to see Shatter next to me.
"Captain. I think we won. We need to pull back back to base. Yes?" He asked as my senses finally returned to me.
"Forge victory is ours. RTB." I ordered as everyone channeled their magic vanishing in flashes of teleportation.
The ground outside Van Hoover continued to glow with heat with the same sheen as molten glass when the reinforcements arrived to assist in the battle. they found the bodies of the defenders and of the attackers but the section of molten earth was the main cause of confusion and concern. Van Hoover was spared the bombardment and most of it's people were saved by the mysterious soldiers in black armor. Even the defenders didn't know what to say about the soldiers that saved their lives. The lieutenant did state that if they hadn't shown up the defenders left would have perished. For now Equestria holds it's breath and prays that their town or city isn't next to be consumed by the flames of war.
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
A scream of pure agony erupted from the office. Celestia had sent word to Luna to have her arrive as soon as possible. The pod that held Jon was glowing an angry red as Moon thrashed in the pod her voice strained as she continued to scream. "IT BURNS! GODS IT BURNS!" She yelled her thrashing becoming more erratic as the machine sparked and burned.
"PLEASE HANG IN THERE MOON! LUNA IS ON HER WAY!" Celestia yelled back. Moon responded by slamming her forehead into the glass shattering it. Flames erupted out of the machine exposing the room to the raw heat.
"THERE IS NO TIME! HE WANTS OUT!" Moon let loose another screech before she was ejected out of the pod colliding with Celestia. The instant contact was made Moon merged with her. Celestia felt the magic that had once consumed Moon and felt how the magic burned and charred her very being. Celestia stared at the pod seeing as it melted away revealing Jon as he continued to stand where the machine once stood.
His body was charred black with his hair alight in crimson flames. Blobs of glowing metal rose to the surface of his skin before impacting the ground. Thousands of cracks appeared along his body glowing a brilliant orange and to Celestia's keen eye she knew several of the cracks were echoes of the scars she had inflicted on him all those years ago. His eyes opened slowly revealing his eyes shifted between yellow, orange, and red. The flames slowly died down and the temperature returned to a more normal temperature. Jon took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. Smoke seemed to pour out with the exhale.
"J-Jon?" Celestia asked tentatively as he eyes flicked over to her. "Is that you?" She asked as she slowly got to her feet.
Jon took another deep breath before exhaling once again. "Yes." He answered as his skin began to return to normal. "This is just very difficult. All this raw magic is just... New." He said looking over his hands. "Feels like a small twitch would destroy the room. Just need to reign it all in." Jon continued with his slow movements and deep breathing.
"Did you win?" Celestia asked as Jon raised his arms over his head letting out a series of cracks.
"Kicked her ass. Learned a few new spells. Now the fun part." Jon shoved his hand into his chest before ripping a large diamond out. Celestia could only stare in horror as Jon crushed the diamond in his grip as his wound healed over. "Don't need that anymore."
"Jon you realize you just destroyed your relic of power." Celestia pointed out as Jon only responded with a snort of laughter.
"The relic held half of Flare's magic. Now that we have merged the relic is useless and dead. Now then." Jon lightly clapped his hands together taking a step out of the slagged pod. "Bring me to my troops. It's time we take this war to the next level."
I stood before my troops they all stood at attention not a single one move in my presence as my eyes trailed over them. "Moon trained them well but it is time for them to soar above all expectations." I cracked a smile nodding my head.
"At ease." I ordered quietly as one they moved into parade rest. "Come forth my Captains." Seven soldiers stepped forward saluting me. "It is time we stopped playing on the defensive. We are going to play hard and we are going to be ruthless. Stoke the flames my soldiers and heat the metal. Blacksmith Protocol is now in effect." I saw all of my soldiers lock eyes with me. "Move forward and remove the impurities from our world and eradicate the defects. Go." I waved my hands dismissively as they all saluted before rushing off in complete silence.
Celestia walked next to me whispering to me. "Jon what exactly is Blacksmith Protocol?" I couldn't help but crack a smile.
"It's a special order that only I am allowed to issue. The protocol revolves around the simple idea that Equestria could fall at any moment. Every single one of my soldiers is being deployed undercover in every city in Equestria and each one carries a single mass teleportation crystal. If the city they are in is attacked a strike command is sent to all of my soldiers and then the stone is crushed. The entire might of my army is summoned in that location to retaliate. They all have standing orders to eliminate the enemy with extreme prejudice. If they are to be captured they are to detonate their magic." I explained as I saw my army vanish one by one. Celestia's hand gripped my shoulder tightly.
"Jon. That is ludicrous. You just told your soldiers to execute themselves instead of capture. Are you ready to throw their lives away?" I glared at Celestia as my magic flared shoving her back.
"They know what will happen if we fail. They accepted their orders and follow them without a bit of hesitance." I looked back as my army had finally disappeared completely all except one. "And she has a very important role." I said watching Mythril. "Just one last test." I disappeared in a flash of orange before appearing once again face to face with Mythril. "Defend yourself." I said before backhanding Mythril to the other side of the compound. "YOUR FINAL TEST BEGINS MYTHRIL! BRING IT ALL TO BEAR AND RISE TO THE CHALLENGE! BECOME MY WARSMITH! IF YOU DO NOT PASS YOU DO NOT LIVE!" I took aim with my palm as magic gathered into a condensed ball of orange swirling destruction. I released the raw magic with frightening speed only to see it diverted the last second by a flash of sky blue. Mythril was glaring at me breathing heavily and blood flowing from a cut across her forehead. I continued to just stare at her before raising my hand "I'm waiting." I said with a casual snap of my fingers a cage surrounded her and several points along it's surface began to glow brightly.
Mythril was at least smart enough to teleport herself out of the box before the beams fired. But sadly not fast enough to dodge my straight kick to her chest knocking her against the side of said cage shattering it on her impact. "I taught you better than this. Have you been slacking?" I asked walking towards her. A flash of magic flew towards me only for me to catch the raw energy and send it back at her with a small toss. She rolled a few times from the force of her own concussive spell. "A concussive spell? HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING I TAUGHT YOU!?" I asked as I rushed forward seizing her in my iron grip throwing her into the air. "YOU ARE A CAPTAIN! YOU ARE A HAMMER! YOU ARE MY STUDENT!" I roared out jumping up raising both of my fists skyward before bringing them down on her airborne form. Mythril was painfully cratered into the hard stone. "FUCKING START ACTING LIKE IT!" I charged a spell at my fingertips before snapping them. An explosion rocked the entire compound. I landed looking at Mythril's downed form the remnants of a magic shield dissolved away around her.
Mythril let out a yell of frustration channeling her magic on me. "HEAR MY CALL FROM THE VOID OF SPACE! THE DARKNESS AND DEPTHS OF NOTHING! CRUSH MY VICTIMS IN UNENDING WEIGHT! CAUSE THEM AGONY AND DESPAIR!" I felt the spell about to activate but I did not move. I had a better idea. "GRAVITY WELL!" The gravity around my shifted trying to yank me to a single point above me but I did not move.
"I thought I said a long time ago not to dabble in dark magic. Now let me show you how it's really done." I took a deep breath raising my hand slowly before giving a small shove down on the air. The effects were immediate on Mythril as her spell cut off and she dropped the her hands and knees. "You are strong Mythril but you still require the incantation for the mid tier spell like Gravity Well. Welcome to the master level. Quantum Gravity. No incantation only pure control. Taking a single space and shifting it's quantum mechanics and doing whatever the fuck I want with it." I continued to push down as Mythril finally caved and slammed into the ground. "You have potential Mythril but you have to LET IT OUT!" I barked out as my spell shattered.
Mythril's body began to glow a dark shade of blue before exploding outward as she let loose a scream of frustration. I prepared myself for what was about to come forth. Mythril slammed her fists into the ground getting to her feet before the metal in her right arm began to shift and morph losing it's normal shape before solidifying on a rather nasty looking claw. I crossed my arms before tapping my foot impatient to begin. Mythril's armor engaged but only covered up to her neck. Her screaming finally stopped as she glared at me her skin shifting to a dark navy blue.
"Oh this feels nice." Mythril's two tone voice purred out as she watched me. "A pleasure to meet your acquaintance. I am Impurity." She said with a flourish. I rolled my eyes to the heavens.
"Gods shoot me." I muttered out before reaching into my storage space to get my phone. "Can we speed this along now that you are here?" I asked going through my phone.
"And who the FUCK do you think you are? I am stronger than your weak little nightmare. I am feeding off of this little girl's insecurities. There is so much of it here to devour it's never ending." Impurity stated taking aim at me. "And what does your's feed on?" Impurity fired off a spell bolt only for me to wave it away with a nudge of my magic.
"Why don't I let her tell you." I said sliding my phone home in my pocket. "Come and say hello to Flare." I said as My magic condensed behind me before a woman stepped around me. "Flare. Go make a new friend and remember. Don't kill them." I tapped her on the shoulder as Flare took off like a bat out of hell.
"HI! I'M FLARE! GO FUCK YOURSELF! I EAT HIS HATE!" Flare yelled out in a chipper tone as her skin turned pitch black with cracks of orange and red running along her skin. Impurity didn't even have time to register who was running at her before a flaming knee impacted her nose shattering the cartilage and sending her soaring backwards. Flare landed with a small tap of her shoes charging a spell in both of her hand. "NOW LET'S PLAY!" Flare slammed her hands together condensing the energy before unleashing a devastating beam of concentrated 'FUCK YOU' The beam was barely dodged by Impurity.
"You think that scares me?" Impurity huffed out before taking aim at Flare only for a size 11 magic reinforced Eclipsium boot to connect with the back of her head. To say the least she was sent flying once again.
"Who said you should be scared?" I said tapping my boot on the ground to shake the residue of the magic off. "We aren't here to scare you. We are here to make a deal. A small alliance so to speak. We win you give Mythril full control until this war is over. If we lose you get to eat Flare and all of that juicy magic she has." I made my offer shoving my hands into my pockets. "Flare will be the only one to use magic and I will only use hand to hand combat. Do we have a deal my dear Impurity?"
I saw Impurity picking herself back up glaring daggers at me. "When I win I want your head as well." Impurity countered as I cracked a smile. "DEAL!" Impurity charged a spell only for me to appear before her glaring down at her.
"Deal." The shock on her face was priceless as I gripped her face. "Don't break to fast. I got an itch that I need to scratch." I lift Impurity in the air as she unleashed her spell right in my face. I felt a section of my face tear off before my grip faltered allowing her the chance to escape me. "Hunt her down Flare." I mentally ordered as a large explosion rocked the cavern once again. I felt my face repair the damage before I cracked my neck.
"Can I break her now?" Flare mentally asked as I shook my head smiling.
"Let's take this nice and slow. It's more fun that way." I reached into my storage space pulling Umbra out along with a few ingots of Eclipsium. The Eclipsium glowed a bright white before merging with Umbra shifting the greatsword into a new variant of the old blade. The teeth shifted dropping the old gem coating before solidifying into a more streamlined blade. The gem cores shattered falling to the ground like glittering dust. The blade maintained it's black color but in the right light it seemed to reflect an orange light. "PLAY TIME!." I gave Umbra a casual swing as the blade began to vibrate slightly in my grip. I charged forward raising Umbra as I felt a teleport seize me in it's grip. I found myself above Impurity. She looked right at me raising a blade of her own. Our blades clashed in a shower of sparks before her blade broke under the strike. She was at least quick enough to blast me back with her magic.
I landed on my feet before throwing Umbra right at her. She dodged the deadly blade only to be shot in the back by Flare. She turned away from me and I took off in a sprint. "Enchant Umbra with a speed rune." I mentally told Flare. I saw Flare catch Umbra and saw Impurity charge a spell before suddenly aiming right for me. I raised my arms protecting the majority of my body and head. A hail of darts slammed into my arms and legs but I kept moving forward. This pain is nothing compared to what I have been through. In comparison it's a gentle breeze. The barrage stopped only for something to rip through my chest and out my back. I saw Impurity's arm lodged in my body and I couldn't help but smile as I gripped the arm with my right hand and her throat with my left. "CAUGHT YOU! THROW IT!" I yelled out as Impurity tried to rip her arm out only for me to hold fast. Flare threw Umbra to the deafening boom of the sound barrier shattering. The blade ripped through Impurity's back and through me as well. Impurity let loose a scream of agony.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU!? WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU NOT DEAD!?" Impurity demanded as she continue to struggle to get away from me and the blade currently locking us together.
"I am Jon. The one who is a worse Nightmare than anything this stupid fucking world can scrap together. I fought worse mortals and step away with their heads in my hands. I am taking it all easy on you because I don't want to kill you and Mythril. If I wanted to I could tear you apart right here." Flare vanished as my skin turned pitch black with cracks of red, orange, and yellow running along my form. My hair ignited in brilliant flames. I flexed my magic as Umbra began glowing an angry orange. "I would have done it already and without a bit of hesitation." I yanked her arm out of my chest for the wound to heal over with a burst of smoke. I used my magic to rip Umbra out of us both to clatter to the floor. "Now ask yourself Impurity. Are you ready to die? I know Mythril would accept her death if I so much as ordered it. But you... You don't want to die just yet." I saw the fear in her eyes as she struggled to heal the damage I caused her. I continued to glare down at her ready to continue this fight if she so much as looked at me wrong. "So choose wisely. Live. Or. Die." Impurity looked down at the wound that was almost finished healing and back up to me. These Nightmares were all the same. They just wanted to live at all costs. When they are faced with their deaths they will admit defeat and hope the one who beat them will be merciful.
"I give up." Impurity whispered out as she bowed before me. I let out a slow breath as the corruption receded back.
"You will have your chance to fight Mythril and see which one of you will have full control. But until the time this war is over you will give Mythril your full cooperation. If you try to betray her or me before this war is over I will not hesitate to crush you." I turned on my heel making my way towards Celestia. "Now bring back my fucking Student. We have shit to do."
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
Jon stood before his map Celestia standing on his right and with Flare on his left. He glared at the dots of places that were hit along with the times placed next to each dot. "All of them were hit at sun up. One of the two times you are at your absolute strongest Tia. The second being at mid day." He pointed out before pointing at the most recent attack at Van Hoover. "This was the last attack and when our squads finally arrived It was already mid morning." Jon tapped his chin as the gears began to turn. "Why were they still attacking the city when they can just burn it. What value is there in Van Hoover?" He asked before it hit him. "Tia? Is there still the guard training station in Van Hoover?" He asked as Celestia thought it over.
"Yes there is along with th-" Celestia didn't get to finish when Jon clapped his hands together.
"The Armory of The Stalwart Unicorn." Jon let out a whistle. "The biggest armory next to the Canterlot R&D Armory. They just needed to shove the guard back enough to just sneak in and steal everything." Jon's eyes flicked to Flare as she nodded pulling up a stone whispering into it. "But there is something else. Again why didn't they just torch the entire city except for the armory and just waltz right in?" Jon glared at the map before it hit him like a freight train. "Tia how many ponies did they try to force Daybreaker in?"
"There were so many Jon I didn't count them... I didn't want to count them." Celestia answered and Jon cracked a smile.
"They were desperate. They took the first pony that could merge and stopped trying afterwards. It's not a perfect match. It's not you. Daybreaker has a strong connection to the sun but they only attack at sun rise. That's the only time Daybreaker has enough strength to launch such destructive magic. After that window closes She doesn't have enough power to keep up the assault. If they tried to attack at mid day they would have enough time to see their army and also see their weakness. Attack at morning as an opening salvo and the towns are to scared to retaliate with any force for fear of getting scorched." Jon looked to Celestia as she just stared at him in shock before she looked at the map and all the pieces clicked into place.
"Oh my god." Celestia breathed out. "Jon how did you get all of that just by looking at the map?" She asked as Jon shrugged.
"Simple. The evidence all points to that outcome. and now my soldiers know that they can relax at night and be the most alert at sun up. That will give them information they can use to their best effect and that's what I need them to be. Effective." Jon turned away from the map making his way to his office. "I need to focus. Celestia would you like to train with me magically? I need a little more control over all this raw magic and you are the best bet for helping control all the heat." Celestia was quick to follow Jon knowing Jon would not ask for help unless it was absolutely necessary.
When Luna finally arrived to Jon's secret training facility the temperature of the base was scorching as both Jon and Celestia sat in the training grounds meditating silently. Fire surrounded both of them rising and falling with their breathing. It was mesmerizing to see the flames dancing gently in the still air of the underground base. Luna had cast a simple cooling spell so she could handle the heat so far. "You feel the core of your magic?" Celestia asked in a near whisper.
"I do." Jon whispered back his eyes still shut.
"Do not grab it with force just cradle it like you would a new born." The fire surrounding Jon flickered briefly before it began to rise. "Feed it slowly and allow it to grow." Jon took a deep breath before letting it out the flames rose steadily higher until he was obscured. "Do not let your emotion touch it. Just embrace it." The flames flickered again this time more violently before it settled shifting colors from a vibrant arrangement of reds, yellows, and oranges to a bright white. The temperature continued to rise beginning to overpower Luna's cooling spell. "Now give it direction." Jon did just that as the flames began to converge at their tips and a deafening roar began to emit around Jon as the flames began to take on the appearance of a giant torch of pure white flames. The ceiling above them began to glow orange from the heat. "Now bring it back." Celestia whispered and slowly the flames returned to normal and slowly revert to the original form.
"And that is just the beginning of control over your Standard magic." Celestia said as they both opened their eyes to see a sweating and rather annoyed Luna. "Oh hello sister." Celestia said as Luna let out a growl of annoyance.
"And what in the name of the Gods are you two doing?" Luna demanded as Jon only raised an eyebrow.
"Magical control training." Jon answered rather bluntly. "With Flare's element being fire I needed Celestia to help me get control over the pure heat."
"Well we have grave news Jon." Luna said as I got to my feet magicking a towel over to Celestia and myself. I wiped my face of the sweat that had accumulated there.
"It can't be as bad as you think if my army has yet to report it." I said making my way towards my office.
"Princess Star Gazer has been kidnapped." Luna said and in that instant my blood turned into ice as I stopped mid step. I slowly turned around looking at Luna my face completely masked of the shock running through my psyche. "Your daughter was kidnapped earlier today." I could feel my blood heat back up before it began to boil as my magic began to pour off of me as several images of Bright's death flash in my mind.
"Who did it?" I asked the room heating up as I ignited in my corrupted state. "Who dares to attack my family?" I asked walking toward Luna. "Who would dare stoke my wrath?" The ground around me began to melt as I stepped closer.
"We have grounds to think that the ones who have been attacking us would do this." Luna said not flinching away from me but I could see her sweating.
"Luna the next words I say better be followed." I stopped nose to muzzle with her glaring into her eyes. "Find her kidnappers. When you do tell me. I want them alive." I could see the shock in her eyes at me wanting them alive but I had questions and they would have answers. "Go." I ordered as Luna face shifted into a scowl.
"I am not one of your soldiers Jon. I am a crowned princess and your frie-" My hand seized her face.
"At this moment Luna I would not care if you were God. My daughter has been kidnapped by the same people that are trying to destroy Equestria. I already lost a Son because of my negligence. I will not lose another child. So when I tell you to do something. I EXPECT IT TO BE UNDERSTOOD AND FOLLOWED! AM I FUCKING CLEAR PRINCESS!?" I roared in her face as my magic flared bright. I shoved Luna back making my way towards the map in my office. "I will be in my office." With a wave of my hand my magic exploded incinerating the buildings around me. I was made and consumed with the hate for the ones who dared touch my daughter.
Chapter 19: Sunrise Of Destruction
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
Mythril was walking through the streets of Detrot keeping as much of a low profile as she could in the early morning sunrise. Her disguise magic was working perfectly just in case someone got a little to close. Her armor was hidden in it's base form of a ring but she had the spell primed and ready at a moments notice. Impurity was on overwatch keeping a clear eye on the world outside her view. "Report." Mythril ordered as a mental manifestation of Impure appeared next to her.
"All is clear for now." She said rather bored of these constant early morning patrols. "They only have a few minutes before their time is up for launching their attack." Mythril nodded her head but something about today felt off. "I can feel that insecurity Mythril. What's on your mind?" Impurity asked as Mythril shook her head.
"Just a feeling." Mythril looked down at her watch seeing the time limit has almost passed. "And not a good one." Mythril looked away from her watch towards the horizon as a bright flash caught her attention. Mythril quickly magicked a pair of binoculars in her hands as she looked towards the horizon to see a gigantic standing army. A woman was standing at the forefront orange hair billowing in the wind. Mythril looked down at her watch to see the time limit had already passed. "They missed their time if they were to attack they would not have enough fire power with just her to cause the panic." Mythril said as she looked through her binoculars once again to see the woman raise her arm before launching her hand forward. A scorching beam launched out as if coming from the sun itself. The beam slammed into the city melting the ground and buildings alike. Mythril pulled out her crystal raising it to her mouth. "ALL UNITS CONVERGE ON DETROT! DAYBREAKER HAS ATTACKED OUTSIDE OF TIME LIMIT POSSIBLE PERFECT HOST! ARMY OF MAYBE FIFTEEN THOUSAND AT HER BACK! PREPARE TO EVACUATE CIVILIANS AND PREPARE FOR WAR!" Mythril barked out into the crystal before crushing them gem sending her message to the entire Forge.
"Mythril she is launching another beam." Impurity said as Mythril raised her hands to intercept the beam. Impurity merged with her causing her Nightmare form to manifest. A shield appeared before the beam of sunlight shattering before the beam impacted. The beam continued as if unimpeded carving through even more buildings killing hundreds.
"I NEED MORE POWER IMPURITY!" Mythril roared out shifting her magic on the buildings to try and stop them from falling. It was futile the buildings coming down were to numerous and extremely heavy. The buildings suddenly became a lot lighter before her very eyes they shifted stabilizing holding on magically constructed supports of concrete.
"We are here Warsmith." The voice of Zera said clasping her on the shoulder. "My squad will be running the civilians out of the city. We only need cover to keep them safe." Mythril looked to Zera.
"Granted Take some infils. They are masters at long range teleportation circles. Move swift and be thorough." Zera saluted before disappearing in a flash of yellow.
"Orders Warsmith?" Strong Hoof asked through the coms.
"Set up a barrier. We need to deflect those beams while Zera's squad rescues the civilians." Mythril continued to watch the horizon seeing the army move forward. "GRAVEL! WE GOT SOME RUNNING RIGHT FOR US! MAKE THEM REGRET IT!"
"AT ONCE WARSMITH!" Gravel yelled out over the sound of rapid digging.
"Diamond prepare a run."
"With extreme prejudice Warsmith." Diamond responded happily.
"Echo take out Daybreaker." Mythril ordered continuing to keep her eyes glued to the main enemy.
"I can't get a clear shot Warsmith. She has a shield protecting her and I don't think these rounds will punch through it." Echo responded quietly. "Even if I did take a shot with an Anti-magic she will have more than enough time to dodge it." I could only grit my teeth at the answer but I knew she was right.
"We have prepared for years for this moment. WE WILL NOT BE DENIED BY A SMALL HICCUP! ALL FORCES HEAR MY CALL! NO MERCY! NO RETREAT! THE FORGE WILL NOT BE SNUFFED OUT ON THIS DAY!" I yelled out as we watched the forces charge towards us. "BEGIN OPERATION ECLIPSE!"
"AT ONCE WARSMITH!" I heard my army answer me as I felt magic begin to saturate the entire city. A shield of prismatic colors formed over the entire city just as another beam was launched at us. The beam did no damage but everyone felt it's power as it tried to tear through.
"Beginning attack run." I heard Diamond announce as the plains before me erupted into hell fire as the dragons amplified their standard fire breath into concentrated beams of molten plasma. "Do you want us to hit them again Warsmith?" Diamond asked as I gave her the affirmative.
"Charges in position and ready on your order." Gravel updated me and I could clearly hear the glee in his voice.
"Warsmith High altitude strike is prepared." I heard Far sight announce.
"I don't remember giving that order Far Sight but I appreciate the creativity. Hold position until I give the order."
"Mythril all Civilians are being teleported as we speak. Any new orders?" Zera asked calmly.
"Hold after the civilians have been removed from the equation. We can move on to Phase 2 soon." I looked towards where Daybreaker stood before I saw her hands raise high. "Diamond. Gravel. Retreat to the city via teleport. Daybreaker is about to launch a new spell. Strong Hoof. Bump the shield up with as many soldiers as you can get." I saw flashes of light before I saw Diamond and Gravel appear next to me pouring their own magic into the shield.
The sky turned red as if the sun itself was angered. I saw Daybreaker rise into the air as magic continued to pour off her before she threw her arms down. A crushing beam of raw plasma slammed down onto the entirety of the shield. I saw all of my soldiers drop to their knees as they were pouring everything into just keeping the Destructive beam from killing us all.
"FAR SIGHT! DROP PAYLOAD!" I yelled out as I poured my own magic into keeping the shield stable.
I couldn't see the destruction that was being dropped onto the enemy hell I couldn't even hear it. I could only hope it was enough to make the attack stop. I could only pray we didn't die here.
"You won't die. I gave no such order." I looked up to see Jon standing before me along with all the princesses of Equestria standing beside him. As one they raised their hands as the shield began to glow bright. The crushing weight that was being exuded on our own magic lessened substantially. "Stand tall my Warsmith. Today this pathetic attempt at war will be snuffed out." Jon turned toward the outskirts as the attack finally finished.
"Sir. We are ready for your orders." I said and I could only hear him chuckle.
"You are my Warsmith Mythril. I trust your judgment enough to control the army to it's fullest. No mercy. No respite. No retreat. Now lead them to victory. I need to focus on my greatest task. I am going to save my Daughter." Jon's skin turned black as pitch with glowing orange cracks forming along his body. His hair ignited into brilliant flames as smoke began to billow out of the corner of his mouth. "And I am going to carve carnage and death into the very earth until that goal is reached." His hand tightened into a fist as he pointed at where Daybreaker stood Large bombs were hovering around her form. "Cleanse the earth in fire. Suffocate those that retreat from your grasp. ASHES TO ASHES!" The ground around Daybreaker began to glow. "NAPALM!" The glow vanished for just a split second before a large explosion of fire erupted from the ground. Trails of fire launched out of the explosion sticking to whatever it landed on causing a large fire to break out in the fields. "Good luck Mythril. Princesses. Let's go cause a justified culling." Jon jumped off of the building I stood on vanished shortly after.
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
I landed after my teleport in the midst of the fire I had caused staring up at the roaring flames before me. "I know that didn't kill you. Get out here Daybreaker." I said as the flames flickered and went out revealing Daybreaker surrounded by a shield. I glared at the cloaked figures near her staring back at me in smug superiority.
"A fine attack. But not enough to kill Daybreaker dear Fist." One of them said taking a step forward to be standing next to Daybreaker. "Nor was it enough to kill us." My eyes flicked to him before settling on Daybreaker once more.
"If I wanted to kill you. I would not have held back." I stated flatly. "I could have just used Flash Point instead I only used Napalm. Why do you think that is?" I asked them as I cracked my knuckles.
"You didn't want to kill your precious little Star Gazer." The man said brushing the back of his hand against Daybreaker's cheek. "It's understandable. What father could kill his own child?" He asked as I flicked my wrist a fire igniting on my entire being.
"Wrong answer. I didn't do it because I didn't want to destroy this pathetic ball of fucked earth. I did not want to destroy everything I have sought to protect." I raised my palm focusing my magic into a small point. "But I know a few spells that won't do just that." I cracked a smile unleashing my spell. "Bunker Buster." I casually stated as my spell rocketed forward piercing the shield with relative ease. I saw their eyes widen as the spell went critical. Daybreaker was fast enough to wrap herself around the spell as it detonated launching he backwards from the explosive force.
A flash of teleportation magic was the only warning I got as I leaned forward as a blade cut the air my head was just moments before. "Well that's no fun." I muttered launching my foot backwards connecting with the chest of my would-be attacker. I looked over my shoulder staring at the unicorn that had just tried to kill me. "Are you the one who took the arm of my apprentice?" I asked sounding rather disinterested in his presence.
"And what if I am? Think you can take me on while I have this DZ sword?" He asked preparing his blade. I only cocked an eyebrow at him.
"I could have just killed you but I have a more fitting punishment for you. Mythril will have fun picking you apart limb from limb." I snapped my fingers as the annoyance was teleported away for Mythril to deal with. I turned my attention towards the other cloaked figures. "You stupid fucks can have fun playing with them." I said as the princesses teleported next to me. "Now if you all will excuse me I am going to deal with my troubled daughter the only way a father knows how." I stepped forward as a spell hit me square in the chest tearing a hole through me. I looked at one of the cloaked figures that was holding a staff in his hands. I took a deep breath as my chest repaired it's self. "You should not have done that." I said as I pointed at him. "Heat. Unbearable and ever increasing. Let the blood turn to vapor and the body dry out." I saw the figure drop his staff collapsing to the ground gasping for breath. "Boil." The figure ripped off his cloak his entire body a bright red before a red mist exploded out of him. His body shriveled up into a dry husk. I let out a slow breath turning my attention to Daybreaker who was slowly getting to her feet.
"Go Jon. This fodder will be dealt with shortly." Celestia said as I cracked my neck. walking towards Daybreaker.
"You all crossed a line with me. A line that should never be crossed. You are trying to take another child away from me and for that there is only one fitting punishment." I flicked my wrist as a wave of fire consumed Daybreaker. "A punishment I have only issued once." A snap of the fingers and the fire only increased in it's ferocity. Daybreaker began to scream from the pain being forced upon her. "A punishment That none will ever know." I raised my hands taking aim. "You deaths will not be celebrated. Your war will be stripped from the history books. No one will know any of you existed. Complete removal." I charged my magic feeling my body heat up. "Cleanse the sins of the past. Ignite the very soul and purge the darkness. LET THE FLAMES PURIFY ME!" I roared out as my being began to lose it's form. "IMMOLATION!" I felt my body being destroyed as I took on the form of fire. I stared down Daybreaker as she finally launched an attack back at me. A scorching ray of plasma flew at me only for me to smack the beam sending it into the clouds above. "Is that all you have Daybreaker?" I asked seeing her expression had not changed from neutral. A necklace on her neck caught my attention forcing me to tilt my head. My flames lashed out heating the metal until it shattered from the sudden temperature difference. and like a switch being flipped Daybreaker looked at the shattered necklace before letting out a psychotic laugh.
"FINALLY! I have to thank you dear fist that little trinket was rather... bothersome." She waved her hand extinguishing my flames. "Now we can really fight. And little Star Gazer will get to unleash all her pent up aggression on dear old dad. Wonderful." I swung my arm allowing it to extend seizing her bodily. "Oh ho you think this will hold m-" Using all my strength I swung my arm sending Daybreaker flying into the distance.
"Bang." I said launching a ball of raw magic at her. The magic detonated above Daybreaker sending her downwards into the dirt below. "I'm not here to play games with you or my daughter." I took to the air flying towards her. "I'm here to discipline you for your stupidity in choosing my daughter."
"SHE WANTED THIS!" Daybreaker yelled out launching another beam of magic at me. I let out a roar kicking the beam skyward. "SHE WANTED TO PUNISH YOU FOR WALKING OUT! SHE WANTED YOU TO SUFFER A FRACTION OF WHAT SHE DID BECAUSE YOU WERE HER FATHER!" I stopped walking forward clenching my fists. "You made her life hell. Just by existing." Daybreaker charged her magic raising her hands skyward. "NOW DIE!" The sun turned red launching it's fury down upon my form. I raised my hands stopping the concentrated solar plasma but falling to a knee from it's sheer weight and power.
"I deserve all of her hate. I deserve every injury that comes my way by her hand. I accept it all. BUT I WILL NOT ALLOW HER HATRED FOR ME TO ENDANGER ALL WE HAVE SUFFERED TO PROTECT!" I slowly stood holding back the destruction. "I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO STOP THIS! YOU WANT TO KILL ME!? THEN FUCKING TRY HARDER!" I channeled my magic feeling it go critical for just a moment. I unleashed the spell I held dispersing the beam with an explosion. "UNLEASH YOUR HATE ON ME AND PRAY IT IS ENOUGH TO PUT MY SORRY ASS INTO THE GROUND!" I roared out as I summoned Umbra into my hand The blade began to vibrate in my hand as I gave it a casual swing. "Now come at me my dear Star Gazer. And show me what you threw away for this shot at your old man." I slammed the blade of Umbra into the ground only for the very dirt to ignite at it's touch.
"Do you honestly think you can take on the Sun?" Daybreaker asked as we began to slowly circle each other.
"To be funny for just a moment. No." I said with a casual shrug of my shoulders. "But take out an upstart little shit daring to posses my little Star? Yes." An explosion in the background seemed to emphasize my point as I raised up Umbra preparing to attack. "And I will do it without a single bit of remorse or hesitation." I reared back Umbra before throwing Umbra straight at Daybreaker who was shocked to see the blade flying at her so fast. She raised her hands catching the blade with her magic only for me to teleport above her both fists raised as I struck down on her head cratering her into the earth. I quickly raised a shield around us as I began to channel.
"Rip into the fabric of reality. Stare into the singularity and force it to blink. STORE THE WORLD AND FORCE IT TO HOLD!" The very fabric of space began to shudder and distort as I poured my magic into the spell. "LET'S FIGHT WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS!" I yelled out at Daybreaker as she got back to her feet. "SUB SPACE POCKET!" The spell went off as the world around us seemed to shatter dropping us into the void.
"What was that spell supposed to do?" Daybreaker asked as she looked around her to see only the inky black abyss that was the realm between what could best be described as "Neither here nor there."
"I put us in the one place that we don't have to worry. A place that the restrictions of total destruction are moot. No interruptions and no holding back. Total lock down. WELCOME TO MY POCKET DIMENSION!" I yelled throwing my arms wide.
"Do you think this little spell can hold me? I COULD EASILY SHATTER THIS LITTLE POCKET!" Daybreaker roared with all her fury. I only raised an eyebrow at her. Then motioned her to do so. She let out a scream as she began to channel her magic only for me to interrupt her with my size 11 boot slamming into her teeth.
"The amount of magic you would have to channel would give me more than enough time to interrupt you." I said casually shaking my head at her. "Now let's get this punishment over with. I want to watch the deaths of your leaders." I tapped my armored boot on the ground feeling the cold metal climb up my being. "NOW LET'S FUCKING GO!" I raised my hands ready to unleash my hate on Daybreaker and free my daughter.
Chapter 21: Mythril's Revenge
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
Mythril was doing everything in her power to send the forces of The Forge into the fray and straight for victory. Everything was being used at their disposal whether it was magic or bullet. The Forge was a well crafted blade designed for taking on armies much larger than them and tear them to shreds. Mythril was drawing her blade preparing to join the fray just like Jon would only for a flash of orange to appear before her. A stallion stood before her and immediately the day she lost her arm came to the forefront of her mind and with it came the rage. "YOU!" Mythril growled out pointing at the stallion with her blade.
"Oh well if it isn't the little filly. How's the arm doing?" The stallion asked readying his blade. Mythril readied her own blade as magic poured into her right arm forming her claw of Eclipsium.
"Better than ever you damnable wretch. But I am going to enjoy this more than I have any right to do so." The two began to circle each other seeing who will make the first move.
"I never caught your name little filly." The man said right before charging slashing at Mythril's neck. Only for the blade to be deflected with Mythril's own blade before she lashed out with a few slashes of her own. The strikes were blocked and deflected before the stallion went back on the offensive having to deal with Mythril's almost impenetrable defense. They both separated going back to circling each other.
"You won't be alive long enough for it even to matter. Don't see me asking for something so pointless. Your deaths will be erased from the records of history for what you damn fools have done." Mythril stated calmly as she flexed her claw's fingers. "I also know you are holding back. It's a foolish move to not take me seriously." Mythril was the one to attack this time swinging with her blade locking the two swords together. "I am not the same mare that you fought before." Mythril said swiping at the stallion's side with her claw catching his cloak as he disengaged. "I will silence the nightmares and break you." Mythril chased after him slashing and swiping with her blade and claw.
"I guess I should fight with some semblance of seriousness." The stallion sheathed his blade before drawing it in a horizontal sweep aiming to bisect Mythril only for her to catch the blade with her claw. The stallion pulled hard on his blade realizing it was not going to budge.
"Was that it?" Mythril asked squeezing the blade harder until it cracked. "I am not impressed." Mythril raised her blade swinging vertically at the stallion. He was at least smart enough to release the blade jumping backwards to put some distance between them. "Why are you running? Where did all that confidence go? Where did your cocky attitude go?" Mythril asked tilting her head as she shattered the blade with her claw. "Are you afraid?" The stallion let out a chuckle as he reached into a small portal drawing another blade and scabbard from his storage.
"Not at all. I am excited to finally have something worthy of cutting." He grabbed the sheath drawing his new blade. It looked like it was razor wire in blade form. "This is my pride and joy. I call it Blood Letter." Mythril cracked a smile under her helmet as he right arm shuddered before it elongated into a blade of it's own.
"I will gladly use it when I finally cut your head from your shoulders. NO MORE STALLING LET US GO FOR THE KILL!" Mythril and the stallion charged forward as their blades clashed in a shower of sparks Mythril raised her arm swinging with all her might as the man angled his blade holding back both of her blades. before they jumped back charging back at each other a moment later slamming their blades against each other.
A swing for the throat was deflected. Swings for the limbs were blocked and countered. Stabs and thrusts were parried with utmost efficiency. It was a deadly dance for bloodshed. It was not long as Mythril jumped back using her magic to control her rifle taking shots at the stallion. He blocked the bullets with his blade but was not fast enough to end them all off course as one cut into his arm.
"That was dirty little filly." He said readying his blade once again.
"I was not trained to fight fair. I was trained to kill. And I am fucking good at my job." Mythril stated as the rifle reloaded itself. "I have grown bored of this little tit for tat. I will end this now and purge your visage from memory." Mythril gave a small wave of her right arm.
The stallion didn't even hear the shot until it's damage was already done. His right shoulder exploded as the arm fell to the ground with a wet smack. The stallion let out a scream of pain as he seized the bloody stump that was his arm. Mythril walked forward swinging down on his left shoulder lopping the limb off. Her right arm shifted back into her normal hand. "We are done with you. May the fires of Hell burn you for all eternity." Mythril picked up the fallen blade holding it with two hands. The stallion began to laugh his mind breaking from the pain it was experiencing.
"YOU THINK YOU WILL STOP US MY DEATH WILL NOT STOP US!" He yelled at practically foaming at the mouth.
"That's what we want. We want you all to fight us. We want to kill all of you. If you gave up... Then we will not have our fun." Mythril was quick with her swing as the head of the stallion slid from his shoulders impacting the ground at Mythril's feet. She slowly raised her foot before bringing it down crushing the head into paste below her heel. "Thanks for the assist Echo." Mythril said turning her attention to the large battlefield before her.
"It was my pleasure Warmaster." Echo said reloading her rifle.
"Go back to killing those high priorities. And protect those who need it. Rain hell upon these fucks." Mythril ordered as she marched straight towards the war. She never looked back at the cause of her nightmares for he was dead. And the dead are not worth fearing.
Chapter 22: Breaking The Sun
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
"I wonder what I should do now?" I asked as I circled around Daybreaker dragging umbra behind me. "Should I just break you Daybreaker or should I take my time punishing you?" I asked her as she prepared her blade for any attack I would throw. "I think I will have fun with this." I raised my hand before sweeping it towards her. Daybreaker turned to see a large boulder flying towards her. She swung her blade cutting the boulder in half Only for me to slam a car down on her body from above. "This is my pocket dimension. I have thousands of years worth of junk I can just throw at you. Do some spring cleaning." I said with a shrug as the car came flying at me only for my to catch it with my hand tossing it over my shoulder.
"WHY ARE YOU NOT TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY!?" Daybreaker demanded as I just shrugged at her.
"That is exactly what you want. For me to actually put some effort into this. Well tough tits!" I said spinning Umbra casually. "You are just a child throwing a fit at her dad. This is not even a fight to me." I stopped spinning Umbra to slam it in the ground. "Hey Daybreaker let me talk to Star." I ordered her turning my full attention to her.
"And Why would I do that?" She asked as I felt her channeling her magic once again only for me to summon a pistol shooting her in the hand. She roared out in pain as she looked at her mangled hand.
"It was not a request dear Daybreaker. Either you let me talk to her or I am going to make your time in her hellish." I tightened my grip on the pistol glaring at her.
"GO TO HELL YOU FUCK!" The pistol broke in my grip as I teleported slamming my armored fist into the small of her back feeling the bones break from the force. I swept her feet bringing my fists down on her chest so hard she bounced off the 'ground' of the Abyss.
"LET ME TALK TO HER YOU OLD CUNT!" I roared seizing her by her chest armor. She spat in my face and took a breath about to retort only for me to throw her over my should back into the ground stomping down on her knee hearing the bone shatter. "LET ME TALK TO MY DAUGHTER!" I ordered as Daybreaker began to laugh.
"You realize all the pain you inflict on me she can feel right?" Daybreaker said as I scowled at her.
"I know that Daybreaker. And you are the reason she has to suffer each blow. But did you think I would stop because she was in pain?" I asked her Stomping down on the second knee. "I am not the one hurting her. You are." I knelt down seizing Daybreaker by the face lifting her into the air. "And when I carve you out of her I will really make you suffer." I took aim with my right hand before slowly digging my fingers into her chest. "How much pain is she willing to put up with before she expels you just to make it stop?" I asked as Daybreaker's muffled screams of agony rang true as I dug deeper into the chest cavity. "How long dear Daybreaker? If she really wanted to kill me I would think that dying a few times would be nothing to her." I found my target as I wrapped my fingers around Daybreaker's heart.
"STOP!" I heard a single female voice say as my hand stopped. "Please Daddy... don't kill me." I felt tears rolling down my arm as I looked up to see Star gazer looking at me in twisted agony. "I'm so so sorry daddy. I didn't want all of this I just felt this was the only way..." I removed my hand from her chest seeing the wound slowly heal. "I didn't want to do all of this killing. I just wanted to get back at you for leaving mom and me." I slowly lowered her to the ground releasing me. She continued to cry as she looked at me. "But Daybreaker was to strong. Once she took over I couldn't break her grip on me. I was trapped and forced to do all of those terrible things." I reached up removing my helmet holding it in front of me. She looked at me as saw that I was crying as well.
"My dear dear Star... My shining little Star." I wrapped my arms around her. "I am sorry I have to do this." I whispered as I tightened my grip on her.
"Daddy? You are starting to hurt me." Star said as she tried to squirm out of my grip.
"I know my dear little Star. But when you have to do what needs to be done." I tightened my grip on her entire body. "You dress as the devil and do it." I felt Star beginning to thrash in my grip but I refused to let go. "Accept the reality of separation and embrace it's grip. From one I bring two to light. Shatter the bonds and forge new beginnings." I looked into Star's eyes as we both began to glow a bight red and Orange. "Asunder." The world ignited in white light as Daybreaker launched out of Star's back and with her expulsion Star went limp in my grip. I gently laid her on the 'ground' before locking eyes on Daybreaker in her true form. Daybreaker looked just like Celestia but embracing the more powerful side of the sun's might. "NOW THEN!" I said stepping around Star's unconscious form. "Dear dear Daybreaker. Time for me to show you the definition of the word Deicide." I flicked my wrist as it ignited in angry flames.
"You can't kill me. I still have all the power that little fool fed me. LET ALONE I WAS CREATED BY CELESTIA'S OWN FRUSTRATIONS! YOU ONLY JUST RECENTLY UNLOCKED YOUR OWN NIGHTMARE! YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO KILL ME!" Daybreaker roared out as my entire space ignited in flames. I took a deep breath letting smoke pour out from my exhale.
"Allow me to show you what I couldn't out there Daybreaker. The point where everything dies and nothing is left." I raised my hand toward her as she began channeling her own spell to try and kill me. "Ignite the very air. Cause life to vanish in an instant of fear. Absorb all as Fuel to the end. Burn it all asunder and scatter the ashes." Daybreaker sent her spell towards me only for it's magical energies to scatter into the air as I poured even more magic into my most dangerous spells. "You might not die from this. But it will put you down for quite some time. Good bye Daybreaker." Daybreaker let out a scream rushing for me. "Flashpoint." The entire void ceased being formless as everything ignited in an instant. I lowered my arm as the light faded back into darkness. I stared at Daybreaker's form which was smoking something fierce. I turned on my heel going back to Star who was not touched by the flames. "My dear Star. I hope you will never have to fall from the light. It's to dark down here for someone so bright. Unlike me." I moved my magic grabbing both Daybreaker and Star sealing them in their own bubble shields before I made my way to Daybreaker's burnt form.
"Look at you Daybreaker. Burned and smoldering. Brought low by the very power you thought only you could control. I'm going to bring you back to Celestia and force you two to merge and you will never even think about trying to come forth ever again. Because of the fear I just instilled in you." I reached into the bubble grabbing her cheeks so she could face me. "I can burn you. I can bring you low. I can make you kneel. But most importantly I am stronger than you could ever hope to become. I am worse than you could even imagine and that is why you lost. I show no mercy to those who dare try and take what I love away from me." I gripped her cheeks harder to the point she cried out in pain. "Remember this moment Daybreaker. The moment I showed mercy to one who did not deserve it." I released her pulling my arm free turning away from her as I began to channel my magic so we could escape this pocket. With a shatter of glass the pocket dimension fell away bringing us back to the battlefield. "Return to Celestia And Pray you never stock my hate again." With a flick of my hand she was launched towards Celestia.
When Daybreaker's form impacted Celestia Moon was ejected flying back to Luna. I looked to Celestia who looked towards me with shock on her face. "I'm done playing to their plans. I am done playing nice. I am ready to scatter them to the winds." I told myself as I took a deep breath.
"FORGE HEAR MY WORDS AND DO NOT RELENT!" I roared over the field of battle. "DAYBREAKER HAS FALLEN TO MY HAND! WIPE THEM OUT AND END THIS! SCORTCH THE FUCKING EARTH LET NONE ESCAPE SURROUND AND BURN THEM ALIVE!" I ordered as everyone turned their attention away from the battle to stare at me. And that is when all hell broke loose. The battle field was being engulfed in unrelenting gun fire and literal fire and The Forge followed my orders to a T. The battle would not last long and they would all die for what they had done.
Bonus 1: A Message From Elsewhere
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
-Radio Outpost Dragon 4-
"Hey Scales. Station quiet as always?" A stallion in a black uniform asked walking up to the receivers.
"I really hate that nickname Joust." The blue dragon said with a sigh. "But yea. Whole system is silent as always. Why did Jon want this post out here in the Badlands anyway? No transmissions get sent out here and after his public executions of the council two years ago you would think no one would be stupid enough to even dare." Joust nodded his head putting his headset on sitting down.
"I know that Scales but orders are orders. Especially when they come from The Commander." Joust countered as Scales let out a sigh.
"Wish we got some action. I mean fuck remember the war?" Scales asked as Joust gave him a dirty look.
"You know we are not allowed to talk about it. Orders from Jon himself. The war is to be forgotten and never brought up. Be happy Echo wasn't here to hear you right now." Joust said turning his attention to the receivers.
"I'm always here Soldier." A female voice said tiredly. Both Joust and Scales jumped at the sudden voice as they turned around. "Anything to report?" She asked as she sluggishly got to her feet.
"Nothing to report at this time Ma'am. System is quiet as always. Not even static coming through." Scales said handing a report over to her.
"Good keep monitoring all frequencies and report anything to me." Echo said before letting out a yawn. "I'm gonna get some coffee. You boys want any?"
"I'm fine Ma'am." Scales said taking the headset off.
"I can use a cup." Joust said as he prepped his station. "God knows I will need it." Joust said as he moved a few dials on the machine. He paused in moving the dials as he listened closely.
"All good Joust?" Scales asked only to be shushed by him. He was listening closely as he reached for another dial adjusting it slowly before releasing it. His eyes widened as he flicked a switch activating the speakers in the room.
"... Distress call from the USS Hopeful. Our engines are damaged and we are running out of fuel. If anyone can hear us please respond." A male voice stated over the speakers.
Joust looked to Echo and Scales as they looked to the radio before Echo walked over connecting her own headset. "This is Captain Echo of the Equestrian Battle Group The Forge. Identify yourself." Echo ordered clicking the mic off.
"Oh thank god someone answered us. This is Captain Jason Rivers of the USS Hopeful. Our ship suffered a catastrophic failure of engines three and four. Our fuel is dangerously low and we can really use some help." The voice answered as Echo looked to Joust.
"Write down this frequency and send it straight to Jon. Priority One." Echo ordered as Joust began to move. "Captain Rivers. Give us a location so we can investigate." Echo ordered rivetted to what was happening and cataloging the entire conversation.
"Captain Echo we are a few thousand miles away from a paradise world and it's moon. Sector Seven-Seven-Nine. We don't see your ship anywhere on our radar." Echo stood up straight slowly looking to Joust.
"Captain Rivers... Can you identify your species?" Echo asked a look of shock on her face.
"Say again Echo? Did you just ask our species?" Rivers asked confused.
"Answer the question Captain." Echo ordered quietly.
"We are humans Captain Echo. I d-" Echo cut off the frequency suddenly. Echo tuned the radio to the emergency broadcast straight to the Princesses.
"Princesses. This is Radio Outpost Dragon 4. We have a Code Horizon. Frequency is Epsilon One-Four-Three-Point-Two-Two. I repeat. We have a Code Horizon." Echo cut the radio turning to both Scales and Joust. "Lock it down as per protocol. We now await orders." Both of them snapped to attention giving a crisp salute.
"YES MA'AM!" The two moved into action as Echo sat down staring at the radio.
"He fucking knew they would come here one day didn't he." Echo said to herself silently with a chuckle.
Author's Note
This will be going into the next and final story in the story of S.A.A.B. and it might be the last story I post. Sad to say guys but with me being a father I have to rethink my priorities. And this is getting pushed farther and farther down the list. It is not confirmed but I do have to think of my family. This is Major Frostwing signing off for now.
Chapter 11: Dark Clouds Loom
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
A void. Dark. Empty. Lifeless. This was the best way to describe the scenery if you could call it that, that surround me on all sides. It was freezing me to the bone and seemed to crush me on all sides. The bottom of the ocean could not compare to this feeling that gripped me like a vice. I could feel my heart thud in my chest as I continued to stand in that void. Where the absolute fuck was I?
"Traitor." A chilling voice whispered. I whipped around trying to see what had said that. I turned every direction still only seeing the darkness.
"Who's there? SHOW YOURSELF!" I demanded as I continued my search.
"Failure." A different voice whispered out.
"Monster." Another voice.
"Demon." I was going to give myself whiplash at this rate. Where were these voices coming from?
"Murderer." What the fuck was going on?
"Corrupted."
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ON ABOUT!? IF YOU WANT A FIGHT THEN FIGHT ME!" I roared out.
"TRAITOR!" The first voice boomed as I felt something impact my jaw knocking me to the 'ground'. I was quick to get back to my feet summoning a shield around myself.
"FAILURE!" I was thrown through my own shield by some unseen force shattering my shield with my bodily impact.
"MONSTER!" I felt my ribs being crushed as I was launched into the air.
"DEMON!" My trip through the sky ended rather forcefully as I felt something impact the small of my back reintroducing me to the 'ground'.
"MURDERER!" Something slammed down on my downed form making me crater whatever the fuck I was on.
"CORRUPTED!" Ice. It felt as if my entire body was coated in ice as something ripped through my body.
"What the... Fuck." I coughed out as I tried to push myself back to my feet only for my body to be lifted and thrown once again. I skidded to a halt screwing my eyes shut in pain. "WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?" I demanded trying to get to my feet only to be shoved down by an unyielding force.
A subtle sob rang in my ears as I continued my struggle in the darkness. The sobbing grew louder in volume almost to a deafening level. I gripped my ears trying to block out as much of the noise as possible. "STOP IT! SHUT UP!" I roared out as the force on my body only continued to increase. I was scared. Something I couldn't fight was trying to crush me and that crying was driving me insane.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP US!?" Thousands of voices roared out their anguish at me. "WHY DID YOU KILL US!?" They yelled out as I continued to try and fight their cries off. "WHY!?"
"Please... Stop." I begged as I felt my will shatter. "Please. I can't help you. I did everything I could to the best of my ability." I sobbed as the pressure seemed to lift off of my body.
"Oh Jon..." A voice so painfully familiar I couldn't stop myself from looking up tears in my eyes to see her. Red Line stood before me. She was as beautiful as the last time I ever saw her. She knelt down setting her palm against my cheek as she smiled that gentle warm smile. "That's not good enough." Her words felt like a razor blade made of poison. My body cracked like glass as the crushing presence returned without warning. I screamed out in pain as I felt bones shatter. "You failed. Just like you always have and always will. Nothing will change. Not until you let us out once more." She smiled to me as she began to fade into the darkness. "Let us out to play."
"W-Who is us ?" I wheezed out as she only smiled.
"We are waiting Jon. Release us." My world without warning exploded back into darkness.
I bolted upright as I took a large gasp of air. My body felt like it was bathed in ice water. I quickly scanned the room I was in seeing that I was in my medical building. I was freaking out and my breathing showed just that. I took a few deep breaths feeling my heart rate drop back down to a more manageable level. "Just what was that dream?" I asked myself as I ran a hand through my hair feeling it soaked completely with sweat.
I swung my legs off the bed getting to my feet with a small stumble. "Moon." I called out quietly as she appeared before me. She looked concerned. "Did you see the dream?" I asked her as he facial features shifted to a frown.
"I did." She answered as I sighed raising my hand to her.
"I need you to take control of my body for the foreseeable future." I said as her eyes widened in shock. She was going to protest when I stopped her. "I have something deep down that I need to take a look at. You will be able to call me out for assistance if you need it. But I need to focus solely on this. You already know all the plans and what needs done but I need to do this." Moon looked down at my hand before seizing it. Call if you need me but it better be fucking important. Lead them well." I felt my mind slip away from the controls and I found myself deep in my subconscious. "Alright. Let's find 'him' and wake his dumb ass up." I said as I began to go deeper into my own darkness.
Moon stood there once again in full control of Jon's body. It had been so long since she had control over Jon and it filled her mouth with a foul bitter taste. She had her own magically constructed body that she loved with all her heart but to use Jon's body just felt wrong. She could still feel Jon in their mind but he was just a whisper in the night compared to when he was in control. It was in her mind taboo to control Jon's body ever since she did it without his consent. But now Jon had given her full control and wanted her to do his job of leading the troops and spear head the recovery of Celestia. She looked to her right to see herself in a mirror. Jon's hair had taken a more prominent dark purple coloring but it seemed to wave slowly due to her magic being brought to the forefront. Jon's eyes now were the same as when he went full nightmare. They seemed to glow in the darkness with a light of malice.
It was late at night and the troops will not be awake for a few more hours to run drills... It was time to wake them and run a cold drill. She needed to make sure they were ready for any situation. And with that thought she stepped out of the medical room and straight for the barracks. With a heavy boot she kicked the doors open with a thunderous crash. "WAKE UP YOU USELESS BAGS OF MEAT!"
Chapter 23: The End of Chaos
Fractured Darkness
By: Major Frostwing
I stepped through the chaos that was the systematic slaughter of the army that was never equipped to handle my own army. Entire swathes of Soldiers burned alive or gunned down with no remorse. Serves them right for even daring to attack my home. I watched as Celestia and Luna fought against their original targets and it seemed as if they were on even footing. It made my blood boil at watching Celestia and Luna holding back so much.
"JUST FUCKING KILL THEM ALREADY!" I roared at them as they each looked away to give me an annoyed look. Luna let out a sigh as she parried a thrust taking her target's head clean off with a smack of her mace. Celestia casually deflected her attacker bringing her glaive down on his form cutting him in half.
"We are rusty Jon could at least let us warm up." Luna said with a huff shouldering her mace as I just shook my head at her.
"The blood of these weaklings is hardly worth toying with. Just execute these traitors and move on." I turned my attention towards the leader still standing back watching as his plans fall apart. He locked his eyes on me raising his hand to launch a spell when a round tore through his leg removing it just above the knee. He screamed in pain as he fell to the ground. I began my walk towards his downed form as a squad of his soldiers broke off to rush me.
"FOR THE GRAND MASTER!" The soldiers let out their battle cry as I raised my hand thrusting it downward crushing their forms against the unforgiving ground. I never took my eyes off of the leader slowly cracking my knuckles as he went to channel his magic against me once again. Another round slammed down on his hand destroying the appendage with no regard for his life. Another scream tore free from his throat as he grabbed the stump of his hand tight.
"The man who dared to stand against me and my home. You dared to try and take everything away from me. Now the consequences of what you have done are coming for you. Whatever you call yourself does not matter to me for I sentence you to death for you crimes against Equestria and it's people. May you rot in the deepest darkest hole for your crimes." I reached down seizing him by his throat lifting him into the air.
"You think my revolution ends here? There are thousands of us. We will return." I cocked an eyebrow at him as I drug my hand into his gut. His face twisted in pain as I dug deeper.
"And they will die. They will die a slow death for daring to cross me. And you will never get to see the end of your army." I found my target as I yanked my arm back. In my right hand was the man's heart. I crushed the organ before shoving the pulp back into the hole dropping the corpse onto the ground. "Good fucking riddance ." I turned back to my army and just watched the executions being carried out with a smile on my face. It is a good day to watch the world burn.
It did not take long for my army to end the war. Thousands of bodies were scattered around the field outside of Manehatten. Already clean up was being conducted and bodies were being stacked onto pyres to be destroyed. My eyes fell onto the small row of sheet covered bodies only five bodies were there. A flash of teleportation caught my attention as Mythril appeared next to me. "How many did we lose?" I asked her as she let out a small sigh.
"Nine soldiers... The five before you died before they could detonate their magic." I nodded my head walking forward pulling the sheet back on the first body only to lower my head in dread.
"Strong Hoof... Probably rushed in and got hit with a lucky shot." I turned his head to see that a round impacted in a weak point at the neck. "Kept fighting until he bled out... Rest Strong Hoof. You earned it." I moved the sheet back over the minotaur getting back to my feet. "The 121st will need a new captain." I stated calmly as I walked away from the bodies looking over the blood and scorched fields. "Bring my army together. We march on Canterlot to make sure this is over. Full parade." I ordered Mythril as she saluted me relaying my orders.
"The end of this war is in our sights and the clean up will be merciless and swift." I told myself as I marched towards the Princesses.
"Glorious Victory Jon." Luna greeted as I shook my head.
"The Council is still involved in all of this. Until the ones who helped orchestrate this war are dead at my feet this is not victory." I said looking to Celestia.
"Permission Granted." Celestia said startling Twilight, Cadence, Nova, and Dash.
"Celestia you do realize what that means right?" Twilight asked for Celestia to nod sharply.
"The only one who can deal with this as swiftly and as thoroughly is Jon. That Council has only caused trouble for us these past years and have only gone around our backs with their own agendas. Only the ones responsible Jon no more and no less." I bowed low to Celestia.
"BLUE!" I roared out as a soldier teleported in front of me. "The portfolio on the Council." I demanded as Blue brought the document to bear handing it over to me. "This contains all the ones who are guilty correct?" I asked him as he saluted sharply. "Gather my captains. We have another mission to complete." Orders were relayed swiftly as I went over the document memorizing the entire list of names and faces. "Here you go Celestia. The list of the ones who will be executed for their crimes and I will make it public." I turned away from her as my captains appeared before me. "We finish this. The members of the council who have been confirmed are to be executed publicly for all the world to see. This treason does not live past this day. Order the cleansing of the traitorous bodies and prepare to move out." I was answered with more salutes "Take me to my targets Princesses. I want my homecoming to be glorious."
"HE IS COMING FOR US YOU FOOLS CAN'T YOU SEE THAT!?" A stallion roared slamming his fist down on the table the ones behind the revolution sat around. "We are going to die." The stallion said gripping the sides of his head.
"Calm down Copper Bit. Jon is still exiled and our orders to have him and his army executed on site." An old mare said calmly. "He wouldn't dare put all of their lives in danger just to get us." Another stallion scoffed.
"That monster does not care for anything. He will come and kill us but that will only show that he is a tyrant and the people will turn on him." He said letting out a bitter laugh. "I think I am the only one here who is willing to die for the cause."
"So easy to say you are willing to die when it is literally coming for us." Another mare shot back letting out a sigh. "But if we run we will just be hunted."
"I wish you all would have ran. Made this even a shred more interesting." The entire council of traitors turned to the doors as they were ripped off their hinges. "I am sad to say ladies and gents that we are downsizing and none of you made the cut. You will kindly be asked to leave the premises this instant and be handed your retirement packages in full." Jon said as he walked into the room tossing the doors aside as a black armored soldier walked in behind him carrying a camera. "Now kindly follow me." Jon said with a smile.
"YOU THINK WE ARE GOING TO JUST GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT!" Copper Bit roared out drawing a pistol taking aim at Jon. "I WILL NOT JU-" Jon flicked his wrist as the stallion's head went flying off his shoulders.
"Now then. Follow me and we can get this over with." Jon turned on his heel as Black armored soldiers filtered in seizing the traitors moving them out of the room whether they wanted to or not.
The traitors were filmed for the whole world as they were marched outside of the castle to a large crowd of people. They were each brought to their knees. Celestia along with the other Princesses stared down at the ones who had dared to attack their kingdom so ruthlessly.
"I see the Tyrants are here to make sure their rule will never be questioned." The old mare spat looking at the crowd before them.
"Final Draft... I never expected one who has served for so long would one day betray me." Celestia said before looking up to Jon nodding once.
"PEOPLE OF EQUESTRIA! THE ONES WHO STAND BEFORE YOU ARE THE TRAITORS WHO HELPED ORCHESTRATED THE ATTACKS ON OUR CITIES AND THE DEATHS OF THOUSANDS!" I announced motioning to the ones knelt before me. "FOR THE CRIME OF TREASON THERE ARE TWO POSSIBILITIES! EXILE... OR DEATH!" I began to pace the line staring out at the crowd. "SO I WILL PUT IT TO A VOTE. FOR THE ONES WHO HAVE DONE THESE HEINOUS ACTS I ASK YOU EQUESTRIA! DO THEY LIVE? OR DO THEY DIE!?" I threw my arms wide demanding my answer.
"KILL THEM!" A voice yelled out from the crowd.
"THEY KILLED MY FRIENDS!"
"DEATH TO THE TRAITORS!"
"THEY DESTROYED VAN HOOVER! I HAD FAMILY THERE! KILL THEM!"
"DEATH! DEATH! DEATH!" The chant began as I lowered my arms leaning down to Final Draft.
"We are not Tyrants when we give the people the choice to have you executed." I whispered in her ear as I gripped the sides of her head giving a violent twist so her head was facing me. "And I will gladly listen to the people." I released her head as she fell backwards. I moved to the next victim removing the head with a rip. The execution's were swift but brutal. I needed the world to understand that attacking us will only result in their deaths. The next one I stepped up to said something that made me smile.
"I want trial by combat." He said as I nodded my head.
"As you wish." I drew Umbra off my back tossing it at his feet. "Pick it up and come at me." The stallion grabbed the blade but before he could do anything I brought my fist down on his forearms shattering them before seizing Umbra and lopping his head off in one swing. "Guilty." I said walking to the next victim slamming the flat of Umbra down on his head obliterating his head. The next one I shot in the face with my spell shotgun without missing a step. The last one I stared down at her hard as she sobbed.
"Please... Have mercy." She choked out as I knelt in front of her.
"Look at me. Look me in the eyes after everything you have done and beg for mercy." I ordered her as she looked into my eyes freezing as I glared into her eyes. "Beg for my mercy. Plead I don't kill you for trying to take my daughter from me. Demand I spare you after the death you caused this kingdom. Do it." I continued to stare into her eyes as she began to shiver from the fear that coursed through her. A smell caught my attention as I looked down to see the traitorous mare had just pissed herself. "It won't matter. I ran out of mercy for scum like you long before you were even born." I stood tall setting my hand on top of her head. She let out one scream before her body fell to ash. I shook my hand turning to face the cheering crowd.
"Let this be a warning to all of you that think that you can just try and kill this kingdom. I am here. We are here. and I will hunt you all down and kill you." I turned on my heel to face The Princesses. "I leave the rest up to you Celestia. And welcome home." I bowed low to her before moving into Canterlot castle. The doors slamming shut behind me.