Equestria's Doom

The imp fled from the fury of the Slayer.

It quickly leapt from a stone wall of the Fortress to the end of a stairwell. With a quick motion of the creature’s wrist it flung a fireball towards the Slayer, but it was easily dodged. The last moment of the demon’s life was a brief glimpse of the fury barely contained behind the glass of his helmet.

Only one, precise motion was required for the Slayer to rip the Imp in half. He held the pieces in his hands for a moment before casting them aside. It took him only a few steps to stride back to the front of the ship that gave him an overview of the world beneath him. He slumped into a nearby chair in the depths of his indecision, resting his head in his hands as he looked out to the wartorn Earth before him.

The Fortress of Doom had drifted to an area just above North America in its orbit. Great runes of demonic magic ripped across the landscape which had once been the home of the Slayer. The evil glow of their energy was only punctuated by an occasional nuclear explosion. As he watched the Earth burn anger filled his veins, the same anger which had earned him his title to both the Night Sentinels and now the people of this other Earth.

Gloved fingers gripped the banister in front of him. His task was obvious; before him was a vast expanse of burning lands, blistered with demonic infestation, and beside him was a portal that offered a direct fix to that issue. It was an immediate solution to his problem, yet hesitation was the emotion that held him back. Simply going to hell or the realm of the Sentinels was one thing; however, another dimension entirely worried him.

For once, he was consumed by indecision as he faced the unknown. There was no question that he wished to annihilate the demons; but if there was no way back from this other land, then all his work would have been for nothing. There was also the matter of his history with the inhabitants of Equestria. Even with all of his enhanced strength, he knew that ever facing them again would be a monumental task.

Samuel Hayden’s voice boomed through the dimly lit corridors of the Fortress of Doom. “The Argent energy foundation of this vessel is becoming unstable, slowly allowing demons to slip through and into this Fortress. The longer you put this off, the more will come through-”

The Slayer slammed his fist on the table, silencing him. He walked over to the forcefield separating the interior of his ship from the vacuum outside, more of an afterthought for any potential guests than something he himself would ever have a need for.

“What is your history with these...equines?” asked Samuel. “Why are you so hesitant to undertake this mission?"

As per usual, the Slayer did not honor Samuel with a vocal response. Instead, he walked before the shimmering portal that had materialized on the bridge and stared into it, the room silent in his contemplation.

“The third priest must fall.” reminded Samuel. “It is unfortunate that the Khan Makyr chose to place him in such a distant location as another dimension, but-”

Samuel was abruptly cut off as the Slayer raised a hand to silence him.

He turned to face Samuel and the doctor continued to speak. “This dimension is well-documented among the archives of the Sentinels. These sapient creatures, known as ponies, formed a temporary alliance with the forces of the Makyrs to fend off a mutual threat. I believe the threat was termed the 'World Nymph' and was apparently a being of immense destruction and power. Anyways, that's old history for another time.”

The Slayer nodded and Samuel continued. “You will be cut off from me and I cannot ensure VEGA’s functionality across the dimensions. You will be isolated from any possible support, with an insurmountably difficult objective, in a hostile land.”

“Given that VEGA will be unable to assist you, allow me to inform you of your objectives.” A data display flickered to life on the bridge. “The Sentinels possess a more recent history of this land. I will communicate some vital information to you for your quest.”

Samuel began to recite the history and lore of Equestria to the Slayer. He was told of the Elements of Harmony and their struggles against forces of deceit and evil. Celestia’s name was made known to him once again and he was imbued with knowledge of the current Mane Six. Their faces were shown to him and he became familiar with their likeness.

“It is imperative that you are able to quickly locate and establish a relationship with these...Elements of Harmony,” informed Samuel. “They will likely be the key to destroying the power of the last Priest within their realm. Additionally, the signature of your inter-dimensional travel will result in demonic pursuers. While the bulk of their forces are still concentrated here on Earth, you must be ready to fight.”

Samuel continued his monologue. “When you cross into their dimension, I will attempt to port you in close to an Element, though I cannot guarantee which one. It is imperative that you ensure her safety and meet up with the others.”

“Any questions, Slayer?” asked Samuel.

When the Slayer failed to look up from his contemplation, Samuel’s electronic laughter boomed across the fortress. “If you are still hesitant, allow me to inform you of some...statistics. While you’ve been waiting here, the last human stronghold in Africa fell to a demonic horde, resulting in 99% casualties.”

“Additionally, many refugees across the Siberian plains have already succumbed to hunger and illness while the forces of Hell stalk them.” continued Samuel. “As you continue to wait, many more will perish-”

Suddenly, the Slayer let out a mighty roar and leapt through the portal head-first.

This realm was different from the others.

The skyscraping domes and towers of the Sentinels were nowhere to be seen and neither were the smouldering ruins of Earth. Instead, he found himself in the midst of a verdant forest. Sunlight sparkled from the waters of a nearby river and the faint sound of birdsong rang in the distance. He breathed in deeply and though his suit filtered most of the scent of the woods, the unmistakable tang of untainted nature was still noticeable.

White, puffy clouds hung in a blue sky overhead and the Slayer wondered if he had been teleported into the future, perhaps into the world he wished to create for humanity. Was this the paradise he had promised for himself? Halfway, he expected to see humans emerge from the bushes of the forest, giving him thanks for his labors.

Yet he knew that such things were not for him to see. His place was to be the tool that forged a new world free of demons, not to bathe in the luxury which he strived to create. Putting his fleeting thoughts of paradise aside, he strode into a clearing and awaited VEGA’s briefing.

It never came and he realized that VEGA was not with him.

Shrugging his shoulders in acceptance, he began to check himself. Every weapon was gone save for his double-barrelled shotgun. A brief test confirmed that his grenades were disabled as well as his ice-bomb, and his chainsaw was nowhere to be found. Still, a mere loss of offensive power was nothing to phase him.

Then he heard the chittering of imps and they were upon him.

The first of their number dived from the branches of a tree to meet him and he crushed its skull in his hands. The juice from its corpse had no time to fall to the ground before he had killed three more with the same hand, sending fragments of bone spurting into the air.

No matter where he went, the signature of his teleportation would attract a small host of demons. It was inevitable and only the strongholds of the Sentinels sheltered him from their predation. He was thankful to have appeared deep within nature away from any civilians who may have suffered at the hands of his pursuers.

Before he could finish that reflection, a rocket exploded next to him.

He leapt to the side as a revenant jetted from behind him and leaned back to avoid a rapid punch.

It quickly punched at him again and he took his chance.

His hands quickly grasped the meaty, exposed bones of the creature and he hoisted himself to its back. Reaching an armored hand down to the creature’s face, he jammed his fingers into its eyes and began to pull.

A meaty snap marked the death of the demon.

The Slayer stood over the ruined corpse of the creature and took a moment to catch his breath. For the moment, his surroundings seemed relatively peaceful and then a scream startled him. He set off in the direction of the panicked yelling, shoving aside the branches of the forest as he ran.

His search took him to the side of a river. An imp was leaned over one of the creatures Samuel had told him of; the element of harmony known as Fluttershy. Terror was clear on her face and her yellow fur was already stained with mud and blood. Even as the Slayer rushed over, the imp plunged its clawed hand deep into the side of the pegasus.

The Slayer threw the demon into a tree and instantly killed it as its body smashed through the trunk. He could tell it was quickly becoming too late for the innocent creature as more blood poured from her body.

Her eyes looked into his with a startlingly human expression. “Help me...please..”

The words of the creature were converted into his tongue by what little functions of VEGA still remained. As he listened, it continued to speak through pained gasps. “I need to...get back to my friends…”

The Slayer gave the pony a tight hug and reassuring pat on the head before he got to work.

The Slayer worked furiously to bandage up the limp, bloodsoaked pony before him. He ripped branches from trees to form tourniquets, furiously wrapping bandages around her wounds. Her eyes were half lidded and already he knew his time was fading. He racked his mind for every ounce of medical knowledge he could summon, doing what he could to treat her shock and mend broken bones.

No matter the speed of his efforts, the injuries to the pony were simply too much for him to repair. Where one wound was bandaged, he would shift a wing or flank to find an even worse one. Quickly taking her up into his arms, he began to run blindly through the woods, crashing through branches and even the trees themselves.

Finally, he came to the path of a winding river. Laying the inert body of Fluttershy in its stream, he began to cleanse her wounds.

Then a thought came to him.

He reached into his pack and withdrew a canister of argent energy; the same liquid which gave him life through so many battles. The lid of the canister was removed swiftly and he dumped it over the pony.

His anticipation builded as the liquid sunk into her fur and he held his breath as the pegasus blinked and let out a shudder. Several more moments passed and she didn’t respond. He realized that since she lacked the blessings of the Slayer as well as the technological advantages of his armor, Fluttershy was unable to receive the benefits of the Argent healing liquid.

The Slayer rose and began to ponder his next couple of steps.

Her breaths were growing quicker and shallower. The Slayer knew her time was being cut in half with each one that passed.

He milled around aimlessly in search of a path of some sort. Finally, Fluttershy gathered the strength to guide him. He leaned in to hear her words spoken through gasps of unimaginable pain. She guided him to a nearby road, then sent him sprinting with all of his speed to the gates of a nearby town. The details of the settlement fell away from him in his desire to save her life.

From her whisperings, he knew this was a place they called Ponyville. The name struck him as almost childish in a way and it served to underscore the innocence of these creatures.

As he sprinted deeper into the town, he acquired a small crowd of the seemingly sapient creatures that trailed close behind him. Words such as monster and freak were directed towards him by the swirling crowds that came to witness him holding the broken body of their comrade. None, however, stepped a hoof forwards so as to help him.

Eventually, he came to a great tree that erupted from the soil of the town. It was more than a tree; far more of a castle, in fact. Strange baubles and decorations hung from its branches and it radiated a homely feel. The Slayer had no time to appreciate the finer details and he came to a rapid halt as he awaited Fluttershy’s instructions.

“Through the door, to Twilight.” rasped the broken Fluttershy and the Slayer followed her voice.

At once, he bursted through the door and was met by a shocked Twilight.

“You can stop right there.” she said hurriedly.

The Slayer fell to his knees, bearing Fluttershy’s body between his hands. By this time she could no longer speak and stared listlessly into the world from half-shuttered eyes. Her brows were deeply furrowed and her lips curled into a tight frown as tears trickled down her cheeks.

“What happened?” she asked the Slayer in a breathless voice. When he failed to respond, she enveloped Fluttershy in a cloud of magic and gently set her on the ground. She went about the process of taking her vitals and grimaced.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” she said with a worried shake of her head. “I don’t think she has long left.”

Then her horn began to gently glow, sending a wave of white light pulsing over the Slayer. Twilight’s eyes opened in surprise.

She then began to pace around aimlessly. “I just need a moment to think.”

Twilight looked at Fluttershy and then to the Slayer a number of times. Her face was twisted up in indecision and confusion. She was silent for a few moments and then finally spoke in a low voice. “You have a powerful enchantment on your soul,” noted the unicorn. “I have an idea for a spell, but I need your consent.”

The Slayer nodded for Twilight to continue and she did so with an unsteady tone. “I’m going to briefly switch your bodies. It’ll only take a second and it should heal her right up. Are you okay with that?”

He gave a curt nod and Twilight’s horn briefly glowed.

“I’m sorry.” she quickly stated before casting the spell.

Before the Slayer could react, a beam of white light shot into his chest and he began to convulse before falling still on the floor.

The Slayer awoke.

Immediately, he could tell that he was smaller. He couldn’t feel his arms or legs and his entire body felt as if it were covered in a fur pelt. Long hair dangled in front of his face and he hesitated to open his eyes. He could also sense that something familiar was absent between his legs, which were also gone from his perception.

He shuddered when he took in his first breath. His nose felt oddly elongated and the breath traveled down his nostrils in an unfamiliar way. When he went to flex his fingers, they too were gone. Finally he opened his eyes and long locks of pink hair obscured his vision. Everything in his sight seemed smaller relative to him; bookshelves that moments ago were his height now towered over him like mountains of knowledge.

Most importantly, Fluttershy’s injuries had completely vanished as the enhanced soul of the Slayer reversed their effects. He felt no trace of wound or puncture across his new form and could feel his muscles growing as he adjusted to his new body. Feeble legs slowly became bound with muscle and he could feel his enhanced soul bond and merge with his new body to uplift it in every way.

Twilight’s head then came into his vision and he could see several of the Elements standing behind her.

The one he recognized as Rainbow Dash stepped forwards. “So, is she, well, herself?”

Twilight shook her head and spoke with a small frown. “The spell I used was highly experimental. There may not be a way to reverse its effects.”

The Slayer paused from his observations and he felt a surge of anger that made his new heart beat furiously.

Had this pony, this Twilight Sparkle, lied to him? He shuddered to think of the consequences if he couldn’t be transferred back into his old form.

As a matter of fact, was he even a he anymore?

The thought briefly distracted him from his anger and he felt it fade away into a different kind of confusion.

“Then what should we call her, er, him?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Well, I think he is now a her, for all intents and purposes,” remarked Twilight, momentarily distracted from her brooding.

“Flutterman? How about Flutterdude?” chimed in Pinkie Pie eagerly.

“I’ve got it, Flutterguy!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

Twilight and the other elements nodded in approval.

“Flutterguy,” thought the Slayer to himself.

He thought about it for a moment and decided that she was now Flutterguy.

This quest was going to be far stranger than she had originally anticipated, she thought to herself with a sigh.

One of the ponies in the room spoke up. "So where's Fluttershy, guys?"