Author's Note

Well everyone this is the first part of a large collaboration I’m working on so things will be slow hence why it cuts off at the end. And thanks to my amazing editor/ co writer summer script for his amazing work and addition to this

The Last Stand Of Equestria

Final hours of equestria

“Stand fast men we hold the line here don’t let them through we have to hold the evacuation portal for as long as we can!”

Shouts princess Luna using the royal canterlot voice as a brutal melee is undergoing all around them as a race of reptiles attacks them.

I pay no heed to there fight as I barge though a large group of the reptiles grabbing a large one by the head in a stone claw slamming it into others of its kind before ripping its head off and laughing manically as one of there machines shoots me with flames I stride over to it on fire throwing balls of flame at anything I see.

Before one with a club crackaling with energy and shield on its arm charges at me I meet it’s charge head on roaring like a dragon as I pass under its shadow and appear behind it ripping a claw into its back before cursing.

Fuck fuck fuck I’m stuck in it’s back.

I try to pull my arm free when I suddenly feel sharp claws and teeth piercing my body I yet out a yell of pain and manage to free my arm swinging my elbow into ones face before flapping my wings outwards throwing the other one off me as electricity crackles off my body vaporising my blood as it flows from my wounds grabbing them both by the faces I fry there brains before a large club sends me flying into the defensive ring bleeding I try to stand only to cough blood as my lungs was punctured.

“Celestia damnit that hurt!”

I say as a loud cracking sound is heard as I cough up more blood my ribs resetting painfully before I grab a vial on my side and drink it as a black burned hand roughly yanks me to my feet as I see a slightly burned and bloodstained form of shining armour.

What the fuck were you thinking, Red!? You set the entire north side on fire, and you nearly hit Starlight with a fireball! Again!"

"Not my fault, Captain!" Red protested, still wearing his trademark maniacal grin. "Not all of my 'roommates' are cooperating right now!"

"That's no excuse! Now get them in line, and help me drive off this squadron!"

"Alright! Alright! Geez, you're pushy!"

"We're fighting a war!"

"Whatever!" Red sighed, rolling his eyes and leaping back into the fray. You hear that, Torchy? My Captain wants you to 'get in line'!

My name is not Torchy!

I don't know, bro! 'Torchy' is a pretty good name for you!

You shut up!

Would both of you shut up!? I am trying to heal Red's wounds over here!

"Thanks for that, Gramps!" Red chuckled, ripping through another enemy like it were butter. "I do enjoy my ribs being healthy!"

You shut up too! Your recklessness is doing me no favors!

"Yeah, yeah! Just keep healing me, and we'll be fine," Red grumbled, grunting as he slayed yet another foe before Luna grabbed him.

“Redsopine! Get to the west side and help my sister!” she commanded, shoving Red in the indicated direction. “She’s being bombarded with magic, and the lines about to break!” she screamed as she jumped back into fray herself.

“On it, Moonie!” I shouted back, darting forward. Hey, guys! Pick me up, would ya!?

Must I? Ignis wondered dryly.

Just do it, brother, Gelu said, already channeling her power into Red.

Fine.

I roar in pain as a pair of mismatched wings one a scarlet, dragon’s wing, and the other an icy, indigo angel’s wing ripped though my back , I quickly took to the sky, heading west and discovering that the line was indeed breaking from the assault.

“Woo-hoo! We’re gonna have some fun tonight!” I roared, cackling wildly.

Ohhh, no. I know that laugh… Terra remarked, torn between exhaustion and anger.

Guys, murmured the soft voice of Umbra. I feel something strange…

Is it annoyance? Ignis asked. Because that’s what I’m feeling.

Red, be careful, Gelu urged tentatively. There’s far too many of them for us to—

“Would you all be quiet!” I grunted, immediately feeling their annoyance burn in the back of my mind. “I got this! Now, Icy? I’m gonna need a flash freeze and a wall afterward! You can do that, right?”

Her name is Gelu! Ignis shot back. Show my sister some respect, punk!

“Or what?”

Or we’ll leave you! he threatened furiously. Don’t forget we’re only helping you to keep them away from our home!

Flying over the warring army, I rolled his eyes and muttered, “Fine. Miss Gelu? Can you please give me a flash freeze and ice wall?”

Obviously, she assured after quietly thanking her brother for his words. Are you ready?

“Do it!” I commanded after dodging another barrage of attacks.

Instantly, my eyes shifted into Gelu’s deep sapphire blue, and My body inhaled sharply, feeling my whole body glaze over in frost as I let Gelu take control. After a split second, Gelu let out a bellowing roar and unleashed a tsunami of wintry air over the opposing forces, encasing everything in a veritable ocean of ice.

With a twitch of my hand, I summoned a pillar of ice beneath me and roosted upon it, panting harshly as my eyes returned to normal.

“Whoa!” I gasped, retracting his wings and shuddering. “That was cool!”

I could practically feel his roommates facepalm at my terrible pun.

Guys, seriously! Umbra spoke up once more. There is a power here!

“Yeah, it’s called us!” I boasted, leaping off the ice pillar and making a dash through the ice. “Now, Ignis? You mind thawing my comrades?”

A trivial feat! he proclaimed proudly, casting his power through Red and doing as requested.

“Thanks, Hottie! Now, where-oh-where could Sunbutt be?” I pondered barely paying attention around me, as I was looking in every direction for the Princess. “She’s so gonna owe us for this—”

My body moved of Gelu’s accord and threw up a hand, erecting a wall of ice to deflect another barrage of shots.

Pay attention to your surroundings, Red, she warned. This war is not over just because you have us.

“Thanks, Icy!” I said, regaining control once more and darting around the wall to lay waste to my attempted attacker. I did so with ease, but I hastily turned around and fled when a fresh batch of reptile mages clambered over their frozen allies and beelined toward him.

“Geez, how many of these things are there!?” I squealed as he took the skies once again.

Enough to overrun this world, Terra answered, sounding more tired than Red had ever heard him. Enough to overrun them all.

“Gramps? You okay?” I asked, feeling both Ignis and Gelu appraise the elder demon as well.

…Just find Celestia. We cannot afford for either her or her sister to fall.

“On it!”

I quickly flapped his wings harder, scanning the area for the Princess while dodging all enemy fire as best as I could. After a few minutes of frantic searching later, I found Celestia dueling against a reptile monster nearly four times her size.

“Ha-ha! We got ‘er, boys!” I declared, quickly flying closer to the duo.

Terra, is that what I think it is!? Gelu cried out fearfully.

Terra said something that my mortal mind couldn’t comprehend, and Umbra interjected, I tried to warn you all!

Red! Pull back! Pull back! Terra insisted. We cannot fight that thing!

“What!? No!” I shrieked, shrugging off Terra’s attempts to control his body. “It’s a biggie, so what!? I’ve got this!”

Yes! Yes, we do! Ignis agreed, channeling his powers into me my hair turning into flames as smoke escapes my mouth.

Ignis! Do not encourage him; you know that thing will do to—

We are not cowards, sister! I refuse to flee from that abomination again!

“See!? Hottie knows what’s up!” I said, laughing triumphantly as I tucked in my wings and dived toward the Princess.

No, no, nooo! Terra screamed, trying and failing once more to enslave his host.

“Curse you, you infernal abomination!” Celestia screeched, sending her foe skidding backward with a massive blast of magic. “You will not harm my subjects!”

The armored monster simply roared and reeled upward, preparing to bring its strange weapon down upon her skull.

Before Celestia could react, I body slammed into her and pushed both of us out of the way of the monster’s attack hearing and feeling the shockwave of its blow behind us.

Okay, we saved the Princess! Now, get us out of here! Gelu ordered.

Hold on, Icy! I grunted, checking over Celestia. “Heya, Sunbutt!” I greeted her casually. “How ya doing?”

“Redsopine!?” Celestia squealed, eyes widening. “What are you doing here!? Why did you four let him come here!?” she bellowed angrily.

“Do you think we want to be here!” Terra’s voice replied from my mouth. Afterward, I rubbed my muzzle and grunted, “Hey, no! No, bad elemental demon! No more voice changes!”

Ignoring Red’s annoyed protest, Celestia grabbed him and shook him frantically, urging, “You need to get out of here, Red!”

“No! We need to stay and fight!” both I and Ignis roared.

Ignis, do you not remember what happened last time we—

I remember well, sister!

“No, Red!” Celestia barked with both terror and fury brimming in her voice. “You need to get out of here! NOW!”

Before I could argue, the monster returned and loomed over them both, speaking in an unintelligible dialect.

“I’m gonna take that as an insult!” I fired back before jumping toward the beast and punching its chest.

The beast screamed in pain as an explosion of fire erupted from my jab, sending it flying back once again. Cackling as I quickly pounced upon the creature once again, ignoring Celestia’s warning cries.

“Ignis! Mind giving me a boom?”

Gladly!

Ignis, no! Terra argued despite it being far too late.

My entire body was engulfed in a ball of cerulean flames that quickly expanded outward, in a blinding flash.

Once it was over, I stumbled off the smoking, blackened corpse and fell to the ground, panting. “Woo!” I weakly laughed. “That’s what I call a ‘boom’! Way to go, Hottie!”

You know? For once, I’m not gonna reprimand you for not referring to me by my true name, Ignis said, chuckling proudly. Just this once though; don’t do it again,he immediately added.

“We’ll see, Ignis; we’ll see,” I joked back.

Celestia slowly lowered her half-broken shield and beheld the sight of Red’s tired form and the slowly rising monster behind him.

“REDSOPINE!” she screamed, running toward him.

What have you done…? Terra mumbled in a low growl.

“What do you mean by—GAH!” I screeched as a something large and heavy punctured clean through my chest. My body was then lifted into the air and turned toward the monster so as to meet is glowering eyes.

It huffed a huge cloud of steam directly into my face.

I was too busy drowning on my own blood to make any sort of quip.

A large explosion of golden light erupted from the creature’s shoulder, causing it to hiss in anger as it flung me away from itself.

I felt my slide across the ground until I slammed into one of the previously frozen reptiles, stopping abruptly and painfully.

“G-Guys… Help,” I weakly begged.

Umbra, get us out of here! Terra ordered, frantically weaving Red’s muscles back together.

I can’t! He’s too damaged!

Gelu, can you preserve him!?

At this stage I’d just cause more damage! she shrieked, working with Terra to at least try and save their host’s body. Why did you encourage him, Ignis!

Ignis said nothing.

“G-Guys… Celestia…” I muttered, coughing up a thick glob of blood.

As if on cue, the Princess let out a soul-piercing scream, and her body was sent flying far past Red and his demons’ senses.

The monster slowly stomped into my line of view and shifted its gaze o into my own.

“Gramps…?”

The beast slowly raises its strange weapon and aimed it squarely at the gaping hole in my chest. The device then began humming with a strange, otherworldly power.

Close your eyes, Red, Terra responded, closing Red’s eyes for him.

The next thing I knew was a loud bang and everything fading to black.

Unknown void. Time passed since Equestria fell: Three days.

A moment later, I coughed and sputtered out droplets of blackened blood while my wounds slowly, and painfully healed.

Soon, the glow spread along my neck and vocal cords, allowing me to finally let out the tortured scream I had been unable to release a minute prior. This went on for several minutes before the pain in my body finally numbed, allowing me to stop screaming and simply breathe heavily.

“What… What happened?” I quietly asked aloud.

Silence.

“Guys, are you there? What happened?” I asked again, rubbing my burning chest feeling a trio of large scars.

You died, Red.

I closed his eyes for a second and opened them again, finding that all four of my partners stood around me in flickering images of their true forms.

“Wow! We’re showing ourselves today, eh?” I chuckled, coughing afterward. “Been a while since I’ve seen you guys in all your eldritch abomination-ness! Heh-heh.”

None of them looked remotely pleased by his joke.

“Okay, okay! No more jokes,” I said, shifting into a slightly more comfortable position. “C’mon, guys, what happened. Where is everyone? Where is Equis?”

Gelu shot a glare at her brother and demanded, Well, brother? Care to answer his question?

Ignis merely snarled at his sister.

She snarled back.

Stop, Terra coldly ordered.

Ignis and Gelu instantly froze, glancing anxiously at their elder before looking away quietly.

Red? Terra continued once the interruption was done. You died.

“Ya said that, Gramps. But where’s Equis? The Princesses? Everyone!?”

Gone.

“What do you mean ‘gone’!?”

Your home is gone, Terra coldly confided. Some managed to escape, but they’re scattered right now. We know not the fate of the Princesses.

“O-Okay?” I gulped nervously and asked, “But— But where are we?”

Terra looked to the fourth of his fellows and stepped aside to grant them the space.

Umbra stepped forward and answered, You are currently in the void between life and death.

“Wait, seriously!?”

Umbra nodded.

I looked to Terra and asked, “You said you couldn’t bring me back to life!”

Are you seriously questioning this right now!? Ignis roared as fire flared across his visage. You’re dead, and you’re asking how we’re bringing you back!?

“Hey, I’m grateful I’m not dead!” I stressed. “I’m just wondering how you guys did it.”

You truly think our abilities so mundane, Gelu began, a note of condescension slipping into her voice. That we cannot usurp such petty boundaries as that of life and death?

“Wow…! I really am overpowered!” I declared, laughing happily. “Cool!”

This is no laughing matter, Red, Terra bellowed furiously.

“But—”

Silence! he screamed, causing me to flinch back and hush instantly. Terra then gestured to the empty void surrounding them, and explained, Redsopine? Life and death exist in a balance. What we are doing right now is disrupting that balance. And that disruption will have consequences, he ended sternly.

And we all know how little the fool cares for consequences, Gelu remarked coldly.

“Hey! I care about consequences!”

Only when they harm you, all four of them countered.

This power is one none of us are meant to tamper with, Terra resumed. Umbra should not have invoked it, he said, glaring at the youngest of the four.

I saved us! Umbra protested.

Hence why I have yet to properly reprimand you, Terra grumbled. But if you are expecting me to thank you, give that up. I shall not do so.

Umbra rolled his eyes.

Could we perhaps put this all aside and get to the resurrection part? Ignis requested restlessly. I’d very much prefer returning to the land of the living.

Why? So you can get us sent back here again by encouraging Red’s recklessness!?Gelu snapped.

I am a warrior! he roared proudly. I will not back down from a foe!

And as is often quoted: Pride cometh before the fall, Terra shot back, causing Ignis to flinch away in shame. And just look how far we fell.

No one said anything.

“Sooo,” I eventually spoke up. “Long story short: I died; you’re resurrecting me; and you’re mad about it? Okay, anything else?”

We’re not resurrecting you just yet, Redsopine, Terra said somberly. He then turned to Umbra and commanded, Tell him what must be done first.

Umbra hesitated for a second before explaining, To retrieve a life from the grasp of death… Another life must be given in exchange.

Must you say it so solemnly? Ignis inquired irritably. Red is a soldier; he understands the necessity of sacrifice.

And his answer is ‘yes.’ Terra stated, having already read Red’s mind. Is it not?

“Well, I do have a war to fight!” I responded, standing up and glaring at Terra. “So, yeah! Bring me back!”

You are not the least bit concerned with who we’ll have to slay to bring you back,Gelu noted neutrally. Hmm. And I thought I was the cold one.

I’m more annoyed that he cares more about bringing himself back as opposed to us! Ignis grumbled.

“Wait! You guys are coming back with me!?”

Of course we are, you dumbass! Gelu growled, flicking him in his eye. Your recklessness may have gotten us killed, but you’re still our best chance to beat the Anziek!

Gelu is correct, Umbra sighed. Those things are going to destroy countless worlds, not just yours. If we don’t go back soon, they’ll destroy everything.

“Alright! Then let’s go!” I barked impatiently. “Come on!”

They all shared a silent glance.

“What?”

Red, Terra began hesitantly. You are dead. If we bring you back to life; someone else must die. Do you truly accept this?

“Yes!”

You fully accept the consequences of this choice?

“Yes!”

You fully agree that it is the correct choice to force another person to suffer the consequences of your reckless actions? To die so that you may live to die another day? This is what you wish?

“How many times do I have to say, ‘yes’!?” I replied determined and ready to accept the consequences of my choice.

Silence.

We should have chosen Celestia when we had the chance, Gelu stated bluntly. At least she would hesitate. If only for a moment.

Do you even care about who will die for you!? Ignis asked, thoroughly disgusted by Red’s nonchalance. A good soldier cares for his fellow men!

“Yeah, and I need to get back!” I argued calmly. After a moment, I blinked in realization and asked, “Wait… Are you saying that it has to be someone on my side that dies!? You can’t just make it one of those lizard things!?”

Silence again.

“Oh.”

I’m afraid that the death will be entirely random, Terra clarified, earning a confused look from his contemporaries. We cannot choose who dies.

Um? Terra, why are you—

With a mere glance, Terra silenced Ignis. He then returned his attention to Red and added, Whoever will die for you has no say in the matter. The moment you return, your exact injuries will be inflicted upon them, but they will die. They shall not get the same choice you are receiving now. They will suffer the same pain, misery, and horror that you did.

I rubbed his chest and swallowed, muttering, “Oh, boy… That, uh, that ain’t groovy.”

It could be one of the Anziek, Terra stated, nodding. But it could very well be one of your fellows. One of the innocents you swore to protect. It could very well be a child!

“No!” I shouted, shaking my head fervently. “I don’t care about whatever dumb rules you guys are talking about; you cannot let a kid die for me!”

We have no say in the matter, Terra repeated, earning yet another nervous glance from the others. Only you do. So? That said, do you still accept the consequences of this decision?

I chewed my tongue in thought before nodding solemnly my choice made. “Yes. Let’s go back!”

Terra sighed and looked to Gelu and Ignis. They nodded, so he looked to Umbra who nodded as well.

Alright then, he said quietly.

Suddenly a light expanded from them all and coalesced around me, bringing me into the air.

But I’m afraid returning to your home will not be so simple! Terra ominously declared.

“Wait, what!?” I cried out in a panic.

Umbra, you know where to go I assume?

Yep!

“What are you guys doing!? Where are we going!?”

You got us a killed once before, Redsopine, Gelu criticized icily.

And as much as I hate it, we need help, Ignis grumbled, huffing out a stream of fire.

Help only he can provide, Umbra chimed in, carving a seam of light into the walls of the void.

Find your fellow travelers, Terra commanded as my protesting form slowly passed into the light. They will help you. Look for their tokens!

My eyes flung open as i gasped for painful breathes, coughing slightly afterward. I then groaned and pushed myself back to a standing position and looked around.

An entire city stretched around me on all sides, and strange beings rushed around without giving me so much as a glance.

“W-What?” I muttered, looking around in amazement. “Guys, what did you!? What’s going on!?”

No response.

“Augh! The silent treatment!? Are you seri—Ugh!” I grunted, falling back to the ground after someone collided into me. “H-Hey!”

“‘Hey’ yourself, asshole!” she fired back. “Stop standing around blocking the way I got to get to the arena! The fight’s about the start,” she growled, marching toward said arena.

“Hey, wait! Hold on!” I called out, quickly giving chase.