The Eyes of Discord

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.

- Revelations 13:1-2

General Starblink had just pulled himself out of bed when the bells started to ring.

“Fantastic.” He muttered, rather annoyed with the turn of events.  He glanced over at Celestia, who was now tensed, the sudden noise raising her concerns.

“Drill gone wrong?” he offered hopefully, knowing that he was just making up excuses.

“Though I wish that were so, I doubt it.” The sun princess regretfully replied.

Starblink sighed, and then slid into his uniform, the generals jacket neatly fitting over his chest.  He slid his sword into the sheath that he wore at his side, and trotted towards the door.  Celestia briefly glanced over at the engraved chest where her ceremonial battle armor from years long past rested, but resolved to avoid such precautions unless drastic measures were needed.  She quickly joined Starblink, and together they pushed open the large double doors that marked the entrance and exit to the royal chambers.  The two unicorn guards that stood guard outside of the door stood alert, their horns glowing brightly, forming a glowing force field half way down the hallway.

The two ponies briefly glanced at their ruler, before returning their focus to maintaining the field.  At the far end of the hallway, a messenger rounded the corner, galloping as fast as his hooves would carry him.  The pony skidded to a halt just short of the flowing field, avoiding the unwanted impact.

He breathlessly panted;

“May… I… enter?”

He stood shaking, it was clear he had exerted himself in his mad dash through the palace.  The Unicorn guards looked to their princess, who nodded.  Their horns ceased to glow, and the field flickered for a moment, and then dissipated.  The messenger staggered through, and the force field sprang to life once more, blocking off the passageway behind him.

As quickly as he could manage, the messenger trotted towards the regal sun princess.  Seeing that he was exhausted,

the Princess walked towards him, shortening his distant.  Starblink walked next to her, his wary eyes watching for signs of danger.

“Rest, my good soldier.  What trouble is afoot in the castle?” The Princess calmly asked, maintaining her composure, despite the clamor of the alarm bells.

“Lord… Blueblood.” The messenger took in a deep breath, recovering.

“He and his aides have fled the castle… and killed a guard.”

“What!”

Princess Celestia and General Starblink stared at the messenger, incredulous.

“Are you sure?”

Celestia couldn’t believe that the Lord of the northern province, or any of the lords and ladies of the court for that matter, would ever commit such a foul act.

“Completely, your highness.”

Starblink scowled, “What is that blasted son of burnt barley up to?”

“I don’t know sir, all I know is what I’ve already told you.”

Celestia sighed, briefly closing her eyes.  Was her kingdom falling apart all over again?

The monarch opened her eyes, looking at the young messenger pony.

“Thank you for telling me this.  You are dismissed.”

The messenger bowed, and then hastily trotted away.  Celestia looked back over her shoulder, where the guards still stood, sustaining the force field.

“Let the shield down gentlecolts.  We need to leave.”

The unicorns quickly released the spell.  Starblink glanced back at them, as his wife started to walk away.

“Stay here and guard the royal chambers.  Who knows what else might happen today.”

The two unicorns saluted the general, and Starblink quickly turned to follow Celestia, trotting to catch up.

“Where are we going?”  He asked once he had gotten abreast of her.

“To get some more details on the situation.  Blueblood isn’t one to act rashly.  As much as it pains me to say this, he has probably been plotting his betrayal for quite some time.”

“Hmm… I’d always that that guy could work on his manors, but I never would have thought about him doing something like this.”

Starblink’s mind was already going into high speed.  The events of the day may have been a shock, but he was still a general.  The general, technically.  His thoughts were streaming into motion, plotting contingencies, outcomes, and counters.  There was a reason that Celestia had appointed him the supreme commander of all Equestrian forces, and it wasn’t for his looks.

However, as formidable of a military mind as he was, Starblink could only formulate so much based off of almost nothing.  His gaze swept to his right, falling upon the beautiful white mare that he adored.  She was right of course.  They were going to need more information.  A lot more information.

Perhaps his thoughts had been spoken aloud, for at that moment, another pony had entered the hallway, this one trailed by four more castle guards.  Celestia smiled briefly, acknowledging her sister, and then her face returned to its previous grim state, calm, but upset.

“Tia,” Luna said, as soon as she had gotten close enough to her, “I take it that you’ve already heard the news?”

“Yes.” The white alicorn replied, grave. “It is unfortunate that such troubles have befallen us.  All I heard is that

Blueblood struck down a guard and fled the palace.  Do you know any more?”

“Tragically, yes.” Luna said darkly, “I was there.”

Celestia didn’t make a comment, waiting for Luna to continue.  After taking a deep breath, the younger of the two sisters began her short narrative.

“I’m afraid that he is the reason for the murder of Alex’s assistant as well.  Blueblood was carrying some of his blueprints with him.  They would probably not have resorted to violence if I had not discovered this.  He would have left the palace as usual…”

Her voice trailed off slightly, and her eyes became sad.

“It is not your fault that the guard was killed.”

Celestia jumped in, realizing that Luna felt remorseful.

“If you had not discovered those documents, Blueblood’s mischief might not have been discovered until many more ponies were at risk.”

Luna nodded, “I know sister…  To continue onwards though, I decided not to engage him while he is in the city.  There are several Pegasus scouts tracking his position from above.  The castle is on high alert.  A force is gathering in the courtyard, and I have sent word to the train station that nothing is allowed to leave until I say so.”

“I find it shocking that he would ever dare to even dream of something like this…”

Celestia slowly shook her head, trying to make as much sense of the morning as she could.

“There is something else sister…”  Luna said hesitantly, “I can’t fathom Blueblood committing such a crime either.  I feel…  I feel that there is something darker going on, something that is happening behind the scenes.  There is something afoot.  I feel like there is a great evil bearing down on us, preparing to make its self known…”

She sighed, shaking her head rapidly, as if to clear it.

“With all due respect to both of you…” Starblink entered the conversation, “I’m going to fly out and join the troops in the courtyard.  I’ll take as many pegasi as I can muster and fly to the station.  I’d like to request that both of you either stay here or get in your armor before joining me.”

“You should make haste to the train station, but I’m not sure about the armor.” Celestia cautioned, “If we are seen in our full battle regalia, the citizens may panic.”

“Fine, but be careful.  Preferably wait here, and keep yourselves guarded.”

Without another word, the general beat his wings, zipping through the castle’s interior with impressive speed and agility.

Celestia and Luna watched him fly off, knowing that he would soon be making an encounter with Blueblood, and

hopefully, making an arrest.  Celestia thought of the small gem hidden in his knives sheath, laced with protective magic.  He would be fine.  As for all the other soldiers though…  Such defenses were not easy.  She could only pray for the best.

“What ideas do you have now?” Luna asked her older sibling.  Celestia looked back to her sister.

“I think an investigation of Blueblood’s quarters are in order…”

“This is a good point, we can dispatch a team there immediately… what’s that?”

The sound of several beating wings filled the air.  As the two princesses looked around, the four guards around them tensed.  As fast as a team of wonderbolts, a full platoon of guards zipped into view, and skidded to a halt just short of the Pony Princesses.

“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna.” The captain of the platoon bowed. “We need to take you to the secure command room, Now.”

The captain said the last part so forcefully, Celestia had to question him.

“I know that Blueblood and his lot have fled the castle, but I hardly think that warrants a trip to that particular room.  Any particular reasons?”

“One, your highness.” The guard paused a moment, still catching his breath, “an army.”

“An army?!” Both sisters asked in unison.

“Yes, an army.”  The captain said, beginning to lead them towards a spiral staircase, taking them to the command room, nestled in the heart of the castle.

“An army the likes of which we’ve never seen before.”

<(^)>

Starblink now wore his full armor, an impressive suit, engraved on each side with a golden flag of Equestria.  Around him, several dozen pegasi sat in the clouds, tensed for action.  Technically, their main objective had been to make an arrest on the former Lord Blueblood.  However Starblink’s eyes were now focused on the dark shape that rested outside of the city.

And here I was, thinking that this day couldn’t possibly get any worse than it already was…

An army?  Where did that come from?  Word was already being relayed via morse code to all of the outposts in the country.

Prep for immediate combat action.  Full alert until further notice.

More interesting, this was not an ordinary army.  It was a formidable force, but it was… unique.  Ponies, some griffons, manticores, serpents, diamond dogs, it was like some kind of population diagram.  And Blueblood was just a minute away from the train station.

“What are the stats on our forces?” The general turned to one of his lieutenants, standing nearby.

“Everything in the city is on alert sir, and the people are getting curious too.  They heard the alarm bells at the castle.  Everypony knows something’s up.”

“Hmm… We’ll move to confront Blueblood.  See if we can make a peaceful arrest.  In the meantime, we need reinforcements.  If that force attacks, we don’t have the troops to deal with it.  I need platoons manning the walls, and pegasi ready to fly top cover.  We can at least try and keep them out of the city.”

Starblink glanced back at the army, still crouched ominously in the distance.

“And lieutenant…  make sure we have as many reinforcements on the way as possible.”

The Pegasus saluted, “Yes sir!”  Before turning to relay Starblink’s instructions.

Starblink watched as he left the cloud, ready to relay the orders.  His eyes then turned to Blueblood.  He was still coming.  What was his plan?  Did he think that the trains were still going without interruption?  Did he intend to force his way on to one and ride away to freedom?  And how did this army come into play?  It seemed coincidental that it was all happening on the same day with out being connected.

“Bluebolt!  Sandstorm!” Starblink summoned some of his troops to himself.

As the requested soldiers arrived, he began to issue his orders.

“Take your squads down and arrest Lord Blueblood.  Sandstorm from the front, Bluebolt from the rear.  Make a request that he come peacefully.  If it doesn’t…”  Starblinks gaze drifted to all the other pegasi, ready to confront their foes.  “We’ll be a few seconds behind you, dropping in from above.  Go now.”

The pair of pegasi saluted the general, and grabbed their respective squads.  Within a few seconds, they were winging their way toward Blueblood, who was now entering the train station.  Starblink cast one final glance at the force that was lingering outside of Canterlot, and then he signaled for all his troops to follow him.

The great formation of aerial troops was a magnificent sight to behold, the morning sun glinting off of their armor.  They waited, just a hundred meters above the street, ready to dive down should the need arise.  Starblink watched carefully, as Sandstorm confronted the rogues with his squad of troopers.

The light brown Pegasus captain came to a halt ten feet in front of the Noblepony.

“Lord Blueblood,” he spoke, “I have been ordered by Supreme General Starblink to take you under arrest.  Do you intend to resist me?”

Blueblood halted, glancing up at the large formation overhead, weighing his options.  His companions looked around nervously, not certain of their fates.

“I suppose that you haven’t left me much choice this time around, have you?”

The Nordland pony inquired, hoping to buy a little extra time.

“No, we have not.” Sandstorm agreed.

Blueblood glanced behind him, but saw only more royal guards waiting to cut him off.  On one side, there was an idling train, and on the other, the station itself.  For a second, the noble seemed like he was about to give himself over to the Equestrian officials.  Then, his eyes flicked to the right.  For half a second, Sandstorm saw a small green glint in them.  Blueblood’s eyes locked on to Sandstorm.  The Pony lord smiled, and coolly said;

“I’m afraid that I must refuse.”

And all Hell broke loose.

<(^)>

“More of them!  Coming in from the north!”

Starblink grunted in acknowledgement, shoving away the body of a griphon fighter, impaled upon his blade.

Clang!  Ding!  “AAaagggghhh!”

The sounds of war surrounded the General, and what troops he had.

Why must this have happened again?  And so soon at that?

Just two years previously, the streets of Canterlot had been the scene of warfare, and now, they were again.  A cloud of griphons and, unthinkably, pegasi, had descended from above, coming to tangle with the defenders of the city.

Starblink slowly spun in a circle, surveying the carnage.  They were losing, though at least the invading army wasn’t making an attempt to destroy any civilian structures, or kill the population itself.  He watched another one of his soldiers fall.  This would have to end soon.

“Fall back!  Fall back to the castle!”

The general shouted to his troops.  From a fortified position, they would stand a far better chance of repelling the assault.

“Fall back I say!  Is there hay stuffed up your ears!  Fall back!”

The general grabbed a falling guard, his armor heavily dented.

“To the castle!  We can still win this!”

He dove forward, his powerful wings carrying him swiftly through the battle, back towards the fortress.  Around him, many of royal guards and equestrian soldiers disengaged from combat, and followed after the General.

Much to his surprise, not as many of the enemy troops tried to give chase as Starblink would have expected.

They had something else in mind.  Something far worse.

<(^)>

“We’re under attack!  Everything you’ve got, grab it, we’re heading out!”

Alex gawked up at the scene above him, eyes wide.  He had never been witness to a truly Equestrian battle before, just a mix match of technology and small equines.  This however, was different.  Creatures of every kind and color clashed in the sky above.  The pounding of metal on metal sounded as swords clanged upon each other.  Occasionally, a screaming warrior fell from above, followed by a sickening crunch.

And they were losing.  Slowly but surely, the Equestrians were being beaten back, losing ground, or air.  Even as he watched, a large formation led by General Starblink himself half landed half crashed into the courtyard.  Alex slowly turned away, walking back towards the castle doors.  As he walked, his speed increased, going to a trot, and then a full on gallop.

He had an idea.  Something that he could Do.

As he swung into the castle’s interior, he saw a squad of guards, recently decked out in their armor, trotting towards the door.  This was a platoon of unicorns.

“Captain!” Alex called out to the leader, “follow me!”

“Yes colonel!” Though his voice seemed steady enough, the young soldier was confused and quite honestly, terrified of the commotion outside.

Without another thought, the platoon of guards followed after Alex as fast as their hooves would carry them.  The grey unicorn counted off the turns along the way.

Two to the left, one right, one left, down the stairs…

There was room under the castle.  Well, technically, there were many rooms, but Alex had one specifically in mind.  A room that had been locked for two years.

“Sir, where are we going?” The captain of the guard questioned.

Alex slowed quickly, and then halted before a large, plain wooden double door, a heavy metal latch through the middle.

“Right here.”

Alex eyed the latch, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to make it budge.  He looked back, seeing if any of the guards might be able to make a dent in it.

Swords, spears… Axe!

Alex motioned to the soldier with the axe.

“Can you get this door open?”

The pony stepped forward, whipping out his axe.  He eyed the latch, determined to keep them out.  He chuckled.

“Oh, I think that I can manage.”

<(^)>

“Get me a squad on the left flank, now!” Starblink shouted, desperately trying to defend Canterlot.

“Sir!  We don’t have anyone available!”

“Then somepony had better tell me that our reinforcements are almost here!”

The defenders of the castle were desperately trying to hold out, but to no avail.  They were being overrun.  One of Starblink’s subordinates rushed over to where he was standing in the middle of the courtyard, blood trickling from a foreleg.

“Sir, I think that it may be time…”  He looked around, making sure none of the troops where within earshot, “it may be time to fall back inside the castle, sir.”

Starblink watched as another formation of gryphons dropped down, joining the fight.

“Is everyone not ready to fight in safe rooms?” The general asked quietly.

“I don’t know sir.” Came the pony’s reply.

“Tell them to get there… as fast as they can.  You have five minutes before we’re coming in.  Warn everyone.  And tell my wife to please, stay in the command room.”

“Yes sir!” The pony saluted, and then made a mad dash into the castle, carrying Starblink’s message with him.

“Colonel!” Starblink shouted, summoning a different stallion to his side.

“Yes General?” The earth pony asked, out of breath.

“Tell…” Starblink shook his head, starting to feel a hint of fear. “Tell the troops, prepare to fall back.  We’re going to take this fight inside.”

“As you wish sir.”

Starblink nodded, and then looked out over the courtyard.  Blood.  So much blood.  Why?  What was the meaning behind all of this?  The creatures of Equestria hadn’t risen against each other in war since the battles with Discord.  Why now?  What was going on?

The general was distraught.  When the  army fell back, he would make sure everypony was assigned a position, and then he would head for the command room.  He could hopefully orchestrate the battle from there anyway.  And… He could personally make certain that she was safe.  He had lost his entire family with the destruction of cloudsdale.  He certainly wasn’t going to lose Celestia.

A loud burst of quick crackles rent the air.  Starblink instinctively threw himself to the ground, his mind spinning.

What the?!  I haven’t heard that sound in two years…

He glanced around rapidly, looking for the source of the noises.

The cracks and banging continued, the constant chatter of bangs and cracks was bringing back some unpleasant memories.  All around the courtyard, the ponies of the Royal Guard had taken cover, equally frightened.  A griphon suddenly crashed to the ground in front of him.  Starblink stared at the body, riddled with wounds.

Starblink gawked as a unicorn stepped past him, dressed in the armor of a royal guard soldier, levitating an assault rifle in front of him.  As he watched, the pony squeezed off another burst, sending a hail of burning hot shell casings to the ground in front of Starblink.  The griphons and pegasi in the air above wheeled in uncertainty, as hundreds of tiny projectiles zipped through the air around them, knocking their comrades from the sky.

Starblink slowly hauled himself back to his hooves, and looked back at the castle’s entrance.  A full squad of royal guards stood resolute, arrayed in a standard battle formation.  Each of them was firing one of the human weapons into the air above, slicing the enemy to ribbons.

The sight was so foreign, so unexpected and removed from anything that Starblink would have expected, it took him a few seconds to realize that one of the fire arm bearing stallions was approaching him.  The pony threw him a crisp salute, and then stood at attention, though his face was split by a massive smile.

“Colonel Alex Williams, reporting for duty, sir!”

Starblink just smiled, and shook his head, patting Alex on his shoulder.  He laughed a little, as the sounds of cheering slowly began to come from the Equestrian troops, realizing what was happening.

“At ease soldier.” He shook his head in admiration, “At ease.”

<(^)>

Breathe.  The battered Stallion slowly regained consciousness.  Breathe.  Breathing was good.  Breathing was life.  Breathe.  The weary soldier sucked air through his mouth, allowing it to fill his lungs.  He stretched out his foreleg- “Ugh!” Maybe not such a good idea.  Slowly, painfully, he opened his eyes.  The sun glimmered overhead.  The sound of… the sound of what?  He listened intently, prying to here, something, anything.  Silence.  He rolled over, finding his footing, body protesting the whole way.

A brief surveillance of the Canterlot gardens that surrounded him revealed ground covered with spatters of blood, fallen weapons, and occasional bodies.  One of the swords lay just a few feet away.  Groaning, the wounded warrior scooped it up.  He glared around, showing disapproval towards all the surrounding chaos.

A faint movement caught the stallions eye.  He stared at its source a fallen Pegasus, a large wound marring its side.  Carefully, he moved towards it.  The other pony did not wear the uniform of the Equestrian guard.  He stared at it, thoughts of compassion and pity mixing with disgust.

“Help… me.” The poor Pegasus moaned, finally noticing the other equine.

“Why?” The soldier answered bitterly.

The Pegasus stared back at him, its breathing ragged.  “Please.”

My God… it’s a Mare…

The soldier slowly drew nearer, bending down next to it.

“No, not that.  Why did you come here?  Why did you do this.”

The other pony stared back, not making a reply.  Slowly, the Stallion kneeled down next to her, examining the wound on her side.

“It doesn’t even make any sense…”

A chilling laugh came from behind him.  He froze, not believing the sound that he heard.  A deep, rich voice filled his ears.

“Oh, but my dear little pony…  What fun is there in making sense?”