Author's Note

Warning: This is from the perspective of Twilight Sparkle.
It contains graphic imagery of things such as slavery.

Enjoy.

Chapter IV: And now for something completely different

I laid on a cushioned operating table, a cast over my head, wrapped tight as a vice.

My right eye was sore. Having been just healed over the last few hours. Hours I stared into absolute blackness. Forced to heal and recuperate in my airship's medbay.

I couldn't see, but I could hear the doctors around me. Making sure I was healing properly. Medical equipment beeping steadily.

This was a result of that bucking Monkey!

I had him in my aura. In my aura! But that Basterd Loki had to gouge my eye out. With the knife of an Equestrian soldier, too!

That operation was a complete failure. What would Princess Celestia say if she was here? Those damned Monkeys are too clever for their own good!

I sighed and closed my eyes. Recalling what happened, and where it all went wrong.

I smirked as I entered the hospital, my hooves clopping along the tiled floor.

I had glanced around the human hospice, noting the large symbol on the floor. A symbol for one of their so-called gods. Hermes, I believe.

Aside from that gaudy display, there wasn't much odd. Lamps dotted the walls with staircases on either side. And a hall in the far back. To my right was a check-in booth, in which one of my soldiers was looking around.

"Hmm...so this is what passes as a hospital for humans," I mused. "It is competent, at least."

That wasn't a dig or an insult. But a simple observation. There was no needless clutter or dirt. Yet not as advanced or organized as an Equestrian hospital. It was competent. Perhaps I even considered using it as a hospital for my own troops.

One of my Iron Rangers approached me, showing me that human doctor who treated the Survivor. He was hiding in the medicinal ward the Survivor was supposed to be in.

His hands were cuffed and the Ranger leveled one of its Gatling guns to his back. Lightly pushing him with it as they walked.

He looked me in the eyes, and for a moment he was silent. Taking him a moment to realize who I was exactly. Humans are so slow.

"Look, Ms..." He began.

First mistake human. We are not equals. Nor would I want to be equal with a creature like you.

"Princess." I reminded firmly. "You are to refer to me as Princess Sparkle. Or General. Or Sir. Is that understood?"

Seriously, how hard is it to recall my titles?

"OK. Princess. I don't know what you want, but please, spare my patients. They're in my care. If you do that, I'll give you whatever it is you want," The human begged.

He was offering his own life in exchange for his patients. It was almost cute if it wasn't a pitiful attempt to mimic Equestrian ideals. Strike two, human.

Besides, if what the reports I heard are true, all the humans in this hospital are supposed to be dead. Save for him and the Survivor.

"What I want?" I asked with a mocking tone. "I want the extermination of your entire race! I want your chaos and evil to end completely!"

Human history is nothing but chaos from what I've seen. War after war after war. Deaths in the thousands over petty political squabbling and traditions. If there were Wendigo here, their world would've had a second ice age five times over!

It's like this world exists to purely create disharmony! It's almost blasphemous!

"I....why? What did we ever do to you?" The human asked in confusion, before briefly pondering. "Is it about your brother? If so I'm sorry about it, but, humans didn't kill Shining Armor!"

Strike three, human.

I couldn't hide my sneer, as I charged my horn. The mana flowing into it like blood in veins. The lavender energy charging in my horn. Before shooting out and drilling into his skull.

The flesh and bone offered no resistance, my magic slicing through it like a knife through butter. Leaving a perfect outline of the beam as his flesh and brain matter charred and sizzled.

I deactivated my horn, and he crumpled forward.

"You don't get to speak his name, Primate!" I said, unable to hide my contempt. I turned to the Iron Ranger and issued an order. Gesturing to the corpse, I said, "Clean that up. And the rest of you! Raze this pathetic box to the ground! And bring me the survivor of Arcadia!"

I will not be denied. He will become one of us. And Equestria's victory is assured.

Humans think they can threaten us with a prophecy of a false messiah. Hah! Tau knows the only true God is Princess Celestia. How many of their so-called gods control the sun? And are actually seen doing so? We don't need faith, we have proof. Proof as sure as the sun itself.

I was broken from my pondering with the sounds of footsteps and a warcry.

"SPAAAAAAAAARKLE!!!!!!!!!"

I charged my horn and turned, quickly casting a levitation spell as a bladed weapon flirted with my forehead.

Sweet Celestia, this monkey was mad! Charging a Princess, and the Enforcer of Celestia! Who is he?

I looked the monkey over. His hairless skin was barely covered by a sort of medical gown. As there was a bandage over his left knee.

Like an arrow wound. One of the Guards reported a confirmed hit on one of the enemy soldiers. The one who escaped on the surviving plane.

His eyes observed me with unadulterated rage. As he struggled in my telekinetic grip, partaking in an exercise of futility so many of these Monkeys enjoy.

"Hm, Survivor of Arcadia." I mused as I observed this specimen. He looked young. Perhaps just short of exiting the Monkey adolescent stage. A boy. Their false messiah is a boy? I could barely contain my glee. Equestrian victory is all but assured! "Much younger than I expected...."

I sighed and contained my glee, partaking in the breathing exercise Cadance had taught me. Focusing myself.

But a question entered my mind. Should I kill him? He is but an adolescent. I think he just turned into a legal adult this year. It's not his fault he was born into the wrong species.

Luckily, I can change that.

"Life as a Janie would suit you well," I said, deciding to spare him.

"I...Janie?" The Monkey seemed confused. Yet he shouldn't be, Equestrian mercy is legendary. I chose to show mercy, even as he carries such a primitive weapon and the remnants of what is no doubt one of my fallen soldiers.

"Yes, Janie," I smiled. "You are special. You're going to affect this war heavily in the future."

I began to charge the spell. Unfortunately on a technical level, it's going to kill him. So I may as well tell him as much. Just to be as clear as possible.

"Well, you were. Now you're going to die." I said. before realizing how evil it sounded. "Well, the "you" that you are now. WIll be "killed" and reborn as a pony! A member of our society! The transformation is... painful. But, when is death not?"

I began to ignite the spell.

"Uh, I'd tell you to brace yourself. But, heh, you can't." I said. Worry not human, this will be over in but a moment.

The spell activated, as the transformation began. Morphing his body to match that of an equestrian. From what I could see, he was going to be a brilliant unicorn stallion.

Yet he seemed to...struggle? Why would he struggle against this mercy? Mercy that other humans rarely get.

"Oh, you can't resist," I tried to explain. "No one can."

"No!" It screamed. "I am......human! I am Ameican! I am Aurelius Elliott! YOU WILL NOT TAKE THAT FROM ME!"

There was a blinding flash, as I barely had time to conjure a shield. A shockwave deafened the room. The feeling like an explosion as flames danced around us like hydra heads.

I was pulled from my memories as the bandage around my head was slowly unwrapped, the fabric coming off with ease. my eyes were shut. But I felt the light beating on them. Both of them. Both eyes getting the glare from the light directly into them.

I attempted to open my eyes, hissing as the light of the medbay glared into my retinas, yet I kept them open. After being trapped in the darkness so long, my eyes hurt from the light, yet I should get past it. I am Twilight Sparkle! Celestia's Brightest!

A doctor came over, dressed in a lavender coat and a badge on his left foreleg shoulder. Signifying his name and rank.

"Princess!" The doctor smiled. "You ok? The surgery took a while, and we were able to fully heal your eyeball. But, for safety's sake, I need to test you."

"Sounds sensible." I nodded, adjusting my position and stepping off from the table.

"First, try to follow my magic dot." He said, summoning a sphere in the air in front of him.

He moved it from side to side, as I followed with my eyes. After a full minute, he seemed satisfied.

"OK, you see well enough," The doctor said. "How about now you see if you can read these letters, seeing as you have such an affinity for the written word, My Princess."

I nodded and looked to the wall expecting to see a board of letters. Yet the wall was blank.

"Oh, right I forgot. Janie! Bring in a letter board!" The doctor barked.

In came an anorexic unicorn stallion, extremely malnourished and beaten. His Cutie Mark was branded over with my mark. His main and tail dyed purple.

"Y-y-yes M-m-m-milord..." They shook, picking up one of the boards and shakily putting it on the wall. Meekly activating their horn and levitating it onto the medbay wall.

"Good, here is your reward, Janie," the doctor said, hovering over a piece of half-eaten, moldy bread to the stallion. Who took it and greedily ate it, like a savage Diamond Dog.

I sighed and paid him no second glance. Instead looking at the letters and reading them aloud, going down until the final smallest line.

"Good. I feel confident in discharging you my liege," the doctor smiled.

I nodded and trotted from the room. Briefly bumping into the Janie in the middle of their meal.

"You insolent dog! How dare you treat your Princess with such disrespect!" The doctor said, fury in his eyes as the Janie jumped back. Staring at him as a hound would stare at its owner when being disciplined. "To the stocks with you!"

Two guards came in and picked up the Janie, who kicked and screamed as he was dragged from the room.

I couldn't help but look on, seeing the terror in his eyes as he screamed for help.

"Do forgive me, princess, perhaps a night in the stocks after ten lashes will teach that scum some manners," The doctor said with a sigh. "Humans are such primitive creatures."

"Yes, well, I must get going now. I have a report to deliver," I said, nodding my goodbyes.

"Oh! Cpt. Sentry has a report for you," the doctor said. "He's waiting in the bridge."

I nodded and left the medbay. Passing winding halls and even briefly passing the gun bays.

Large cannons stuck out the side of the ship, aiming and ever vigilant as loyal soldiers aiming to the skies.

Each cannon was large and long, made from metal. magic lines running along the barrels, and a body propping it up connected to the ground.

To compare it to human ships, my ship would be considered a "Destroyer" battleship. Yet much more superior to such human terminology and technology.

I trotted up the staircases and passed three gun decks, before ending on the fourth top deck.

Equestrian airships are some of the best in the world, in times of ancient yore, our navy was what made us the superior race on Gaias. A large balloon tethered to the ship by titanium wires, giving it lift. And at the bottom of the ship were large thrusters in the place of what would've been the rudder. Two both at the bow and stern. The body of the ship itself was similar to a human galleon.

I looked around on the deck, seeing four mortar cannons aimed into the air, as soldiers patrolled around. Janies were in their stocks or serving their masters.

The Janie from earlier was receiving his lashes from a boatswain, occasionally crying out in pain as a magic whip slashed across his back. A few other Janies were forced to watch.

I hummed a tune as I walked, passing soldiers as they saluted me. I of course returned the favor, it's the polite thing to do.

Two Iron Rangers stood guard in front of the bridge. With a glair from me, they stepped aside and bowed robotically.

"As you were, Rangers," I said as I entered. The cyborgs returning to their posts.

The bridge was large and spacious, with ponies working control consoles to navigate the airship, as others looked at a partially holographic map in the center of the room.

In the front of the room, near the helm, was an orange-haired Pegasus, with a lightning blue mane and tail, and dressed in a solar yellow and lavender guard's uniform with crystal accents.

"Captain Sentry," I said, getting his attention.

"Princess Sparkle," Flash Sentry bowed low, his snout touching the floor. "What can I do for you?"

"Rise Flash, and deliver the report," I said with a chuckle, sighing at the bow.

"The Magic Flashes air squadron were all KIA," he said bluntly. "And the survivor of Arcadia has escaped our radar. Possibly deeper into the human borders."

"KIA...." I gasped, before steeling my nerves. "They will be remembered. Send condolences to their families."

Flash nodded. "And the Survivor?"

I sighed. It was one thing to attack a hospital on the front. I only have around a couple thousand troops with me, even less from the Basterd's assault. The rest of the army is slowly moving inward, yes. But it would be a full week before we could ever hope to track down the enemy ship, and by then this war could be lost if the Survivor develops his power.

But if we do head behind enemy lines, we risk being caught and killed, or worse, POWs of the humans and used as bargaining chips. Whoever would catch the "Great Twilight Sparkle" would be promoted in the least. If not that route they could see fit to execute me.

Stupid Monkeys, they resist the natural order and they dare to judge me? At least I don't treat my prisoners like them. I give them a second chance at life with the transformation spell Princess Celestia taught me.

Strange, she seemed to know of the spell before the war.

I sighed and shook my head from my musing.

"I will....consult with the Princess," I decided. "For now, continue on the course."

Flash Sentry nodded and implemented my orders. The bridge officers going back to their duties as I went into my private quarters.

It was just behind the bridge, accessible by a door of ironwood oak with magic runes carved into it. Meant for protecting against scrying and reinforce its strength. Not even Applejack could buck it down. After all, she was the one who made and tested it.

My room wasn't too large. the back wall was a window, allowing some light. Owlicious sat on a T-shaped perch sleeping, as two bookshelves dominated the walls, and a singular lantern was on the ceiling, illuminating the room. I sat at the table and watched as holographic figures and models moved about on the map, showing me the progress of the battles raging in real-time.

The Monkeys call it a Holomap. It takes data from nearby coordinates and displays them in real-time, using a magic crystal to power it. One of the most useful inventions from the Ministry of Technology and her own is the Ministry of Magic. It was a product of the Great Exchange of Knowledge, as the history books call it. When we blended our magic with the Monkey's tech. I was there, meeting greats called Elon Musk and Bill Gates, and spoke with them. Apparantly another extremely intelligent human named Stephen Hawking would've also loved to speak with me, but he had passed not two years before the convergence. They were intelligent Monkeys, yet Monkeys nonetheless.

After that, I spoke with world leaders as a Princess and helped to get Equestria recognized as a sovereign nation. As did my brother and sister-in-law. Oh how long ago that seems now. And how soon ago it was that those Monkeys betrayed his love and killed him.

I shook my head of the past and examined the map. Marking points for troops to head to and writing it down in letters. Before using a spell and the letters were enveloped in green, they turned to ashen mist and embers, appearing to the generals and commanders they were addressed to.

I checked the clock ticking above my door.

"It's noon..." I sighed. "I suppose I shouldn't keep Celestia waiting."

I ignited my horn as the lights dimmed, the window became opaque and darkened the room further. Satisfied, I turned my attention to the roof of the room, as the lantern turned yellow.

"Princess Celestia," I said aloud. The lantern pulsated as a projection of the Sun Princess appeared before me.

She was dressed in gold trinkets and armor, with yellow billowing robes. Atop her head was a golden crown, a necklace mirroring it where her neck met her torso. Both were gold, with pearl jewels adorning them. Her eyes shone with the age of a millennia-long life, and the wisdom that came with it.

She was a living goddess. The wrath and power of the sun, given flesh. Charismatic, regal, perfect even!

At least that's what the posters say.

In a time that feels so long ago, she was my teacher. I learned almost everything I know from her.

And now, in this time of turmoil, I was her blade. Loyally smiting her enemies. While my Legion is referred to as Sparkle's Hoof, a few Monkeys called me Celestia's Horn. While the Monkeys are usually wrong about such titles, I can't help but wear it with pride.

"Oh, Twilight. What do you require?" She asked with a regal aloofness.

"Princess Celestia," I bowed. "I come to give my report."

"Rise Twilight. We are as equals in this war," she chuckled. "And, do so."

I nodded and got up, and began to give my report.

"The human's fortress-city Arcadia has fallen. We sustained minimal casualties in the charge. And almost all the enemy planes were shot down. the one that did manage to escape, we pursued into enemy lines. We weren't detected by human radar and patrols, luckily enough. And we arrived at a border hospital." I began. Hesitating for a moment. "We executed everyone there, as ordered."

"I sense hesitation in your voice, Twilight," She said with a regal firmness. "What are you hiding?"

"The Survivor of Arcadia slipped past my patrols and even killed one of the soldiers. A Veteran of the Human Pushback," I said. This caused Celestia to gasp. "Furthermore, he attempted to Assassinate me. However, I took advantage and attempted to Convert him. Yet, just as the spell was about to finish he shouted something about being a Monkey and released a surge of energy. Decimating most of my forces that were on that floor. My liege, he developed a Cutie-Mark."

"Impossible! Do you think he's one of those Late Bloomers?" Celestia asked.

"Yes. Unfortunately, it gets worse. As I was about to execute him, as at that point I knew he was beyond Conversion, the roof caved in and a squadron of Marked Basterd Dragon Troopers attacked," I continued. "My Elite and Ranger reinforcements managed to kill a majority of them. But the enemy killed just as many. And unfortunately, the Survivor was not one of the ones we had killed. He escaped the hospice."

Celestia listened and processed this. Before finally asking, "did you pursue further?"

"Yes. As soon as the enemy aircraft began to leave the area, I mobilized my airship. We bombarded them with mortar fire, yet the ship had a shield of sorts. It took up to five shots just to damage an engine. Unfortunately, a crew member went onto the hull of the ship to manually repair it. My commander mobilized a squad of Pegasus troopers known as the Magic Flashers," I continued. "Unfortunately they were all killed by that crew member."

"All of them?" She asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Princess," I nodded in regret. "And the enemy ship managed to get away."

"These are dire straits indeed...." Celestia mused to herself. "Well then, Twilight. Is that all?"

"No my liege. I'm asking what should be my next course of action? Do I lead the campaign into human territories myself? Or take my Legion and hunt down the Survivor?" I asked, maintaining my formal posture.

"If he's as dangerous as you say. He cannot be allowed to live Twilgiht. Hunt him down and kill him." She ordered firmly. Such words wouldn't felt foreign from such a benevolent soul as her before the war. But now they are all to common.

In response. I nodded.

"Yes, princess Celestia." I nodded with a bow. "It will be done."

Celestia nodded her approval. And disappeared.

The lights returned as I sighed and examined a map. Moving pieces to certain points. Before getting up and heading back to the bridge.

I trotted up to Flash Sentry.

"Princess. What is it?" He asked.

"Captain. We have our orders!" I said, adopting an authoritative tone. "We are to find the Survivior and kill him!"

He nodded. And barked orders to the men.

"Soldiers! Be ready! We are heading behind enemy lines!" He yelled.

Celestia help us. I sighed to myself.