Chapter 1 - The day I died
It was supposed to be a normal wedding for my brother and the love of his life Princess Cadence, However queen Chrysalis and her hive crashed the wedding and threatened to take over Canterlot. Me and my friends thought we could handle this problem together because friendship prevails and all that. And as you can tell I was wrong, very wrong.
We underestimated the Changeling army, we thought we could handle a few dozen soldiers but they seemed endless. They had strong armour made from dense chitin, weapons, tactics and strategies and used them like a fully trained military, similar to the Equestrian military except more savage and blood thirsty. They’re hate filled warriors that either want to kill us all; or turn us into slaves for their own amusement.
Me and my friends tried fighting back. But we were easily defeated, my Rainbow Dash injured her arm with a curved knife sticking out of her arm, her pain increases tenfold when she moves a muscle or attempts to remove the knife. Rarity has a deep flesh wound across her back and it will get infected if not treated properly. Fluttershy the soulbound Branchwych is knocked unconscious and badly hurt with a entire leg missing. Pinkie Pie, Applejack and I only suffered minor injuries like some bruises or scares around our bodies, I don’t think we can last much longer against an army of Changelings.
We’re now surrounded by the horde of changelings and we have no where to run; and it’s hopeless to defend ourselves against them. “Twilight, I so hope you have a plan to get us out of this cause we could sure use one right about know.” Said Applejack. I don’t have a plan, not a proper one at least.
“Yeah I have a plan, don’t worry.” I lied.
Suddenly an evil laugh can be heard and all the changelings made way for their leader, Queen Chrysalis; Changeling queen of Ghyran; and one of eight daughters of a Godbeast, she is a demigod and a powerful one at that. She is almost eight feet tall, she has long bluish green hair, a long and corrupt looking horn on her head, her face has mandibles that form a mouth, Her chitin armour is a natural part of her body, her chitin is more stronger and more durable than the other changelings; and her wings take the form of her cape.
Right beside her is her general of her army, Pharynx. He is Chrysalis's favourite champion because of his deeds, I heard that he defended his kind by slaying a Mega-Gargant that was threatening to destroy Chrysalis’s kingdom, however that’s just a story and there’s no way to prove that he actually killed a Mega-Gargant on his own. His chitin armour is unique because it’s coloured purple and that it has runes imbedded into the armour, he also has small chitin shoulder pauldrons, the pauldron on the left has icon of a changeling skull. Pharynx has a sword, the blade is black and rectangular, it also has a dark green glow on the edges.
“So you’re the pathetic group of misfits still fighting after I’ve taken over your city.” Chrysalis insulted me and my friends. “You are all weak, injured and dying. You might as well surrender now and you’ll survive another day, as a slave of course.” Chrysalis offered a life of servitude instead of us being slain by her followers.
“Slavery? being a slave to the likes of you is worse than death.” I argued against the demigod.
“Yeah we would rather die than serve the likes of you!” Applejack agrees with me.
Chrysalis looked extremely disappointed, Her evil green glowing eyes stared directly into mine with an almost menacing glare. “What is your name mortal?” She asked with a cold tone.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, of Canterlot.” I answered
“Well Twilight Sparkle, of Cantelot. You will die a painful death, but not by my hands; I’ve tasted enough blood today.” Chrysalis turns to Pharynx and says “Execute them.”
“Yes my queen.” Pharynx bows. Chrysalis walk back towards the castle leaving Pharynx with the dirty work. “Archers Ready!” Pharynx orders. The archers simultaneously grab a single arrow from their quiver and prepare to fire them with their bows.
“Twi, we really could use that plan right about now.” said Rainbow Dash.
“Fire on my command!” Yelled Pharynx. I prepare to use a spell to conjure up a portal to somewhere safe, however I need to use the spell at the right time otherwise those arrows will fire a lot quicker. “Three... Two... One...” Pharynx counted down, he then yelled “Rain death upon them!” All the changeling archers fired their bows and arrows flew up into the air. I quickly summoned a portal behind me, I don’t know where the portal leads all I know is that it leads somewhere safe.
“Go Go Go!” I panicked as I shoved Rarity and Rainbow Dash into the portal while Applejack Quickly dragged Fluttershy into it while Pinkie ran into it. The arrows are about to hit their targets so I quickly pushed Applejack into the portal, I was about to step into the portal as well but suddenly, Three arrows pierce my back. Applejack turned to see what’s wrong and she saw me in pain and coughing up blood, She looked scared with her eyes wide open as I fell down on my knees. Applejack ran back to try and save me but it’s too late, the portal collapsed on itself; and I’m left alone to die.
My hands curl into fists as I try to keep my anger in check, This pony saved her friends; and in doing so she stole my kill; a weakling stole my kill. My anger attempts to take over my body, I take a deep breath to try and calm myself but my anger and frustration needs to be vented out. And besides, the purple one isn’t dead yet; However she is dying. I looked over to one of my soldiers that’s nearest to me and I set my eyes his sword “Your sword, give it to me now.” I command him.
“Yes general.” He says with no questions asked. He unsheathes his sword and passes it to me, it’s just a common sword for the front line infantry, nothing too special. However I hope he doesn’t mind if the unicorn uses it, because I’m going to put on a show.
I walk slowly towards the dying pony. She’s coughed up too much blood, she looks too weak to even stand up let alone handle a sword. I would kill her right now if I wanted too; and it would be very easy, However I don’t want her to die a cowards death. As I got close I tossed her my comrades' sword. “Get up, now.” I ordered her but she struggled like a worm. “I said get up now!” I repeated myself.
She struggled to get up and it made me disappointed, I couldn’t expect much from a dying pony. However from sheer willpower or the basic instinct of survival; she finally managed to get her own body of the ground and used grabbed the sword I threw at her with her left hand. I unsheathe my sword and prepared for battle “For the God Queen.” She spoke.
The unicorn was the first to strike I blocked with my blade and back handed her. “Useless!” I shout insulting her skill with a weapon. She then charges towards me screaming in anger; she holds the sword high above her head and swings downwards swiftly. I quickly move out of the way and kick her away from me and she fell down to the ground. “Too slow, is that really the best you can do?” I mocked the unicorn.
“No, I can do better.” The unicorn says as she slowly got back up. The unicorn casts a fire spell that she launches out of her hand; I dodge the incoming fire but it hits at least five Changeling soldiers. They screamed in unfiltered agony as their chitin makes the flesh inside them boil melt into a pool of cooked flesh that’s seeping out of their chitin bodies. I got so angry that I rush over to her and with my sword I swiftly cleave her right arm off causing blood to spray everywhere. She’s in shock I don’t think she even felt the pain because it was that fast, she lost way too much blood and she looks tired and pale. “This was supposed to be a normal wedding.” She said to herself with tears in her eyes.
“Well, life is full of disappointments.” I tell her. Thunder can be heard in the distance and the clouds begin to darken, there isn’t supposed to be a storm today and yet, there is. I must’ve gotten the weather wrong... Unless. I felt a sword stab near the left side of my stomach; the unicorn hasn’t given up, but the stab from the sword wasn’t enough to kill me, it’s only a flesh wound. Her grip is weakening on the sword so I push her back and she jus fell on her side, she is almost ready to move on from this world. I might as well take her head as a trophy. But suddenly from the moment before her death, an unnaturally large bolt of lightning struck down from the heavens and on to her body. I had to cover my ears because the sound from that lighting strike nearly blew of my ear drums.
When the light show was over, her body disappeared; and all that’s left of her is ash of what used to be her body. I can’t help but feel like that something feels off, a thunderstorm just comes and goes and strikes one bolt of lightening? I quickly realise what happened, why didn’t I recognise it sooner?
I’m dead, my life is over, the pain is gone. I see nothing but darkness and I can’t move a muscle in my body, Is this the afterlife? If so I can finally rest with nothing to worry about. Yet, I’m not at peace. I still have stuff to do in the mortal realms, I need to see if my friends are okay; I need to rescue my brother and my parents; chrysalis has taken over my home, my city. I’m not finished with life yet. I need to get back to the mortal realms. I need to get back to the mortal realms. I need to get back to the mortal realms. I need to get back to the mortal realms.
*Clang*
What was that? It sounded like... An anvil?
*Clang*
I felt a sharp pain all over my body.
*Clang*
The pain is becoming more unbearable, it feels like multiple lighting strikes simultaneously hitting my body.
*Clang* *Clang*
I can’t take it, it hurts too much. Please stop the pain, I’m begging you.
*Clang* *Clang*
Stop the PAIN! End my suffering I beg of you!
*Clang* *Clang*
Please end the pain, God Queen I beg of you.
*Clang* *Clang!* *Clang!*
I scream. I scream and I scream, and then I open my eyes and the pain stops. I am in a large dimly lit room that has two rows of pillars around me, I am standing on top of an abnormally large anvil surrounded by ponies with shaved heads wearing blue cloaks. they’ve taken notice of me but the seem to be mainly focused on the anvil that standing on.
My body is covered in golden armour and so is my face, not only that but I’m also wearing the same blue cloth that the other ponies are wearing. My shoulders have pauldrons on them, the one of the left side has a face of a golden lion on it; and the other shoulder has just got a lightning bolt on it. I take off my helmet and had a look at it, the face is female but it’s expressionless, yet it looks confident it’s a face that belongs in a battlefield
After taking a look at my self I jump of the giant anvil and walked up to one of the ponies. I notice that I'm way more taller than the average pony, I’m at least seven feet tall and it feels weird. “Excuse me but do you know where I am?” I asked kindly but the pony just ignores me. I go up to another pony and repeated my question but they still ignore me, I go up to another and they still ignore me. They all take no notice of me, they just stare at that anvil.
“I wouldn’t bother them if I were you.” I mysterious voice said. I turned to see who spoke and see a mare in the same type of armour as me, except her armour makes her look more important. She has a blue cloak with white on the inside of it, and a staff that has a large golden bird on the top. “These mortals have an important job to do, and they must not be interupted.” She warns me. She takes of her helmet her face is an almost pale yellow coat of hair, her eye colour is an aqua blue and her mane is striped with bright red and yellow. “I’m guessing your new here?” She asks. I gave no answer but I do nod my head. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She says that in a tone like I’ve lost a member of my family. “I’m sorry, let me introduce myself,” She reaches her hand out to me. “I am Sunset Shimmer, Lord Arcanum of the sacrosanct chamber. And you are?”
“Twilight Sparkle, Just Twilight Sparkle.” I say my name and I shake her hand.
“Welcome Twilight Sparkle, to the Stormcast Eternals.”
Author's Note
For those who’re wondering I based the changelings on the ossiarch bone reapers, but instead of bones it’s chitin.
Sunset shimmers armour looks like this
And Twilight looks like this
Chapter 2 - The realm of heavens
“Stormcast Eternals?” I’m dumbfounded, I’m now a warrior of the God Queen herself. I’ve heard of the Stormcast Eternals before but only through stories, legends and books, I’ve never thought I’d see one let alone be part of their ranks, I’m speechless. “I’m a Stormcast Eternal?”
“Yes you are,” Sunset Shimmer said “And judging from your armour you look like a Knight Incantor.”
“A what?” I asked confused.
“I’ll tell you more about your role soon, right now we must leave this place. We don’t want to interrupt the mortals with our conversation.” Sunset Shimmer told me. She walked away from the anvil, she turned her head to me and called out to me. “Follow me, Twilight Sparkle.” I did what she told me to do.
As we walked through this abnormally large room I see the exit, The door is also abnormally large, just like this room, but it’s made from a gold like material just like the armour I’m wearing. It has runes on it and it shows a figure holding a war hammer high in the air with lightning coming out of it whilst surrounded by bodies of green skins and ponies cheering the figure on. I’m guessing that the figure on the door is Celestia, the God Queen; however she looks different from what my books describe her as, and her hair isn’t flowing. Strange, it must be a younger depiction of her or something.
Sunset was about to open the door but I had a question to ask her. “Sunset where am I anyway?”
“You’re in Azyr,” She answered as she opened the door, “the realm of heavens.” This realm does seem to live up to its name, it’s like a paradise with a bunch of glowing palaces, fortresses and cities ranging as far as my eyes could see. There is no blue sky, but you can see the beautiful stars of the night sky. “Come now, I need to take yo to the Sacrosanct chamber.” Said Sunset Shimmer.
I continued to follow her because she knows her way around this realm; and as I did I saw diverse range of races like deer, dwarven horses with big bushy beards, and some regular ponies. I also see a different group of ponies that look similar to the ones I saw back in the room with the anvil except they’re more relaxed than the ones I saw earlier. “Sunset who were those ponies that were staring at the anvil?” I questioned.
“Oh them? They’re priests.” Said Sunset. “Those mortals take on a wide variety of tasks here in Azyr like looking for flaws on the Anvil of apotheosis and the reforging process.” She explained in more detail
“Reforging?”
“It’s kind of a fancy word for resurrection, except you’re reshaped by lighting until you become a Stormcast.”
“You mentioned that they were looking flaws on the anvil, what do you mean by that?”
“You’re an inquisitive on aren’t you.” Sunset noted. “For reasons unknown the anvil causes all Stormcasts to loose a small piece of themselves during reforging, like having a change in personality or having lighting coming out of your eyes effectively making you blind, but that’s only a couple of the side effects.”
“What are the other side effects?”
“I can’t remember the others Twilight, but I do remember that you can get memory loss. So don’t die too much” She warned me.
Later on in the journey Sunset Shimmer leads me to a building, It doesn’t look any different to any other building in this realm except it’s guarded by two Stormcast Eternals at the front entrance. They’re both holding a one handed maul that’s glowing bright ethereal blue on the edges and a shield, they have blue robes below their waists and off white tabards covering their chest. “Hail!” They both clang their weapons against their shields as they praised Sunset Shimmer. Sunset just walked passed them and entered the building and I followed along.
When I entered the building I saw giant shelves filled to with books, scrolls and ancient lore. Stormcast wizards practising magic spells that I’ve never seen before in my mortal life, “This is the coolest library that I’ve seen in my entire life.” I accidently say out loud.
Sunset chuckled a little. “Funny, that’s what I said when I first got here.”
“I can live here for days and weeks.”
“Good cause I have a meeting with the council in a bit,” Sunset told me “so keep yourself busy while I’m gone.”
Sunset was about to walk away but I needed to tell her about the situation in Cantelot. “Wait!” I blurted out. She turned around; and I told her what I needed to say. “The changelings, they’ve taken over Canterlot in Ghyran, they almost my friends but they did kill me. So we should send an army over there and-”
“Twilight, I know of the situation in Ghyran.” Sunset interrupted “In fact that’s why I’m having a meeting with the council, so don’t worry just yet.”
“That’s the thing though, I am worried, for my friends and my family.”
“Twilight I promise that you’ll get back to Ghyran as soon as possible. In the meantime keep yourself busy.” Sunset promised. Sunset left the building and I was left to do my own thing, but I felt awkward in this place all by myself. I needed to keep myself distracted so I grabbed a couple of books... Scratch that, I grabbed twelve books and stacked them on top of each other.
I found an empty table with with a couple of chairs, placed the books down and sat down. Don’t know how this chair is able to withstand my weight even in this armour so I shrugged it off. Anyway the first book I’m about to read is old and dusty and it’s called ‘Malign sorcery.’
Canterlot
Finally. After nine years of infiltration and subterfuge, I’ve finally taken over this accursed city. And it’s all thanks to General Pharynx and his legion that I even get to sit on this throne of my new kingdom, my army has done quite well, My general has done well. Speaking of which, him and his little brother have entered my throne room.
Pharynx's little brother is named Thorax and he is a wizard. But not in the traditional pony sense, he’s more of a healer than a battle wizard, however I did see him summon a couple of endless spells during battles, as well as other horrific things he’s committed that he isn’t proud of what’s so ever. He has dense chitin chest armour for protection and a dark green robe covering his lower body. “Ah Pharynx, how's the wound?" I asked about the flesh wound he suffered earlier today.
"It's healing very nicely thanks to my little brother." Pharynx praised his brother. "You summoned us my queen?"
“I have.” I frowned slightly. “I heard that the ponies you supposed to execute escaped.”
“That’s true, all but one. Even then her soul escaped from death.”
“Yes I saw that lightning bolt outside. So she’ll be part of the God queens army now, that doesn’t matter now.”
“Doesn’t matter?” Thorax joined the conversation. “That pony might come back with an army of Stormcast Eternals along with her!”
I stare at him with disappointment. “I understand your concern Thorax, but us Changelings are part of the grand alliance of order, I wouldn't worry too much about the God Queens favourite toys. Besides other factions of order have done worse things than us, like the hippogriffs, I hear they steal souls from ponies near the sea; and yet they're still part of order.” I explain to him “But discussing about a few ponies that’ve ran away is not why I summoned you two.”
“Then why have you summoned us?” Pharynx asked.
“It’s about that forest near the town of Ponyville. Only two of the five scouts that were sent there today survived." I tell them about the bad news. “And these where found on their injured bodies.” I throw two types of weapons to them, one of them is an arrow with changeling blood on its tip, it’s elegant and is glowing a bright ethereal blue. The other is a savage looking javelin; something you’d see in ancient times of pony kind, yet it’s like it’s from a different world all together. I know what two different creatures use these weapons.
“What? What cruel creature did this?” Thorax exclaimed
“Sylvaneth, and Drakes.” I answer
“Drakes in Ghyran, those savage beasts are getting bold. Even going as far as to work with the Sylvaneth.” Pharynx pointed out.
“Yes, they’re up to something in that forest and I want you Pharynx to find out what they’re up to. By any means necessary.” I command General Pharynx.
“Yes my Queen.” Pharynx bows and goes off to fulfil his orders.
“And as for you Thorax I want you to order a public execution of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza in two days time, I would want it now; however I have other politics to deal with.” I order Thorax
“It will be done my queen.” Thorax says. “My queen, I have a couple of questions.” As annoying his line of questioning is, I shall answer them.
“Speak.”
“You’ve taken over the city, why can’t you kill the Princess now?”
“If I wanted to kill her I could do so easily, I would bathe myself with her own blood if I so wished. But in spite of that it’s about sending a message to the denizens of this realm; and to the other mortal realms.” I clarify “And that message being. We are still here, and we shall not be messed with.”
“I thought the mortal realms knew we existed?”
“They did long ago, now we’re just in children's stories and legends after the Age of Chaos. We’re only a rumour to them, something that goes bump in the night and it’s demeaning, but we will not be in children's stories no more.”
“Is that why we took over Canterlot?”
“One of the reasons yes.” The other reason however must be kept secret.
“Okay then, last question.” Finally. “If we’re part of order, why have we committed such atrocity? I mean aren't we supposed to be part of the good guys?”
I sighed in annoyance because this is actually a difficult question to answer. Not because I don’t know the answer to his question, but because it’s hard to tell him without telling him my secret. Nevertheless I will try my best to answer this last question. “Lets just say in order to do the right thing, you must do some bad along the way. I’ve taken this throne to keep our kind safe, to bring order and justice to this kingdom that we’ve taken and to stop bad thing from happening by corrupt nobles and family bloodlines. Despite this, if the ponies of this kingdom don’t except my rule, then they’ll livestock for the hive.” I tell him in detail “Does this satisfy your curious mind Thorax?”
“Y-Yes my queen.” He stutters
“Good. Now leave.” I command him. Thorax leaves the throne room as quietly and swiftly as possible. I am finally alone. I relax and cross my legs and everything is nice and quiet. Then suddenly one of changeling soldiers barges into the throne room unannounced dragging a Pegasus along with him. “What’s the meaning of this intrusion!?” I yell at him.
“I found her trying to escape the crystal mines.” He tells me. The Pegasus he dragged in has messy rose coat of fur, her mane is striped yellow, pink, and purple. “I caught her trying to find her husband, so I knocked her out before she could find him, I thought you might want to speak to her.”
“Hmmm, well done now Leave us!” I Ordered the soldier “And lock the door behind you!” Once he left and locked the door I grinned at the Pegasus. I sat up off my throne, walked to the Pegasus on the floor and lifted her head elegantly with my hand so I can see her face; and her fearful purple eyes. “Hello, Mi Amore Cadenza. We meet again.”
The Everfree forest
It’s night in the Everfree forest, and I’m tired. We’re all tired after what happened. Rainbows arm is starting infected and so is Rarity's flesh wound, Fluttershy is still unconscious, Twilight might be dead and me and Pinkie are the only ones still alive and kicking. And I seriously doubt that Rainbow and Rarity will survive three days without medical attention. We’re all tired, scared and dying; and I don’t know what to do. Celestia help us.
“Applejack!” Pinkie called for me “Fluttershy’s starting to come round!” I quickly ran over to her and she’s right. Her eyes are slowly opening and her wooden fingers are twitching a bit, I thought she’ll be out a lot longer, finally some good news after recent events.
Fluttershy opened her eyes fully but she looks dizzy and confused. Me and Pinkie slowly and carefully pulled Fluttershys body up till she’s sat up straight. “Wh-Where am I?” She asked confused.
Pinkie happily screeched in joy and gave Fluttershy a big hug. “Oh Fluttershy, thank the Gods you’re awake! I missed you so much! I thought you were gonna die and that I’ll never see you again!” Pinkie Pie is about to squeeze Fluttershy to death with her hug.
“Pinkie if you’re gonna keep squeezing her like that you’re her unconscious, again.” I sperate her from Fluttershy.
“But I miss her soooo much!” Pinkie says as she attempts to reach for Fluttershy “She’s been asleep all day.”
“I know Pinkie but you have to give her some space for now okay.”
I see actual tears coming from her eyes, First time I’ve seen Pinkie Pie cry, and after today I wouldn’t blame her for shedding a tear or two. “O-okay.”
“Applejack where are we?” Fluttershy repeated her question.
“We’re in the everfree Forest.” I tell her.
“Good, that’s good.” Said Fluttershy. “I know the Sylvaneth of this forest so we should be safe.” Fluttershy attempted to stand up but then she realised that her left leg is missing. “What happened to my leg? And where’s my Greenwood Scythe?”
“Flutteshy your leg was broken off by a changeling; and as for your scythe thingy, um, where is it?” I go scrounging around trying to find Fluttershy’s weapon. As I look I hear a rustle in the bushes and trees and I shrug because it could just be the wind, although you can never be too sure with this forest. After a minute of searching I finally found the scythe, to be honest I should’ve noticed it earlier from the blue glowy part on top of the handle, it’s hard to notice but I somehow found it difficult to notice. “Found it.” I say as I gave the weapon to Fluttershy.
“Thank you Applejack.” Said Fluttershy.
“You’re welcome. And uh sorry about you leg.” I apologize to her.
“Applejack there’s no need to be sorry for something you haven’t done.” Fluttershy tells me. “Beside I’m practically a plant remember, so it’ll grow back, eventually.”
I felt relived that she won’t be injured for long, as for the others, I just hope that there’s a doctor in this forest. Rarity And Rainbow Dash are struggling to sleep because of their injuries and I just can’t stand to see them in pain. “Hey Fluttershy, you’re a wizard can you heal Rainbow and Raritys injuries?” I ask.
Fluttershy looks at Rainbow and Rarity trying in pain. “I might be able to heal their wounds but I don’t know if I can heal Rainbows mortal wound. And the spell takes time to actually take affect and so Rainbow might bleed out if we take that knife out her arm.” So they might be able to get the treatment they need, that’s some good news I just hope Rainbow won’t bleed out before the spell takes affect.
I hear more rustling in the woods, along with a sound of cracking tree branches and large footsteps coming closer. Somethings hunting us. Suddenly a large blue glowing arrow the size of a spear lands on the ground near Pinkie Pie, and two more arrows hit the ground near the group. It shocked Rarity And Rainbow who are still in pain, they got up as quickly as possible and swiftly ran towards me. Three large figures twice the size of us and made out of wood, walk out of the woods aiming their glowing Bow and arrows directly at us. What followed them were three large bugs that act like quivers keeping hold of their arrows. These aren't ordinary tree folk, those are Zecorian hunters of the Everfree; and who I presume is the leader of this squad spoke. “Get out of our forest, fleshbags.”
Chapter 3 - Politics and magic
Azyr
I stand in front of five of the most Influential members of our order, they are war leaders, veterans and politicians of the Stormcast Eternals. They are the ponies that allow us to go to war or not, they are the one trying to keep the grand alliance of order together, and I’m a member of this council. However I’m not an important member of the council so I’ll have less influence to convince the other members why we should go to war.
“Sunset Shimmer.” Lord Commander Rockhoof spoke, his booming voice echoed throughout the room. He is the leader of the Hammers of Celestia, the Storm host of which I’m apart off, so his word is law. “You stand before the council, what is it that you have to stay?”
“It’s the Changelings of Ghyran, their leader has made a declaration of war by invading Canterlot.” I inform the council. “We must attack now while they don’t suspect we’re coming, we have an advantage.” When I told the council, they looked at each other and communicated quietly.
“We have come to a decision and our answer is No.” Rock Hoof speaks for the council. The Grand Magister seems displeased with the decision.
“No? Chrysalis is slaying innocent ponies!”
“Chrysalis is part of the grand alliance of order, we can’t just attack an ally.”
“She’s attacking the free ponies of Celestia! How can you say no to that!”
“I agree with her.” Grand Magister Sunburst joined the argument. “We can’t just abandon ponies that we’ve sworn to protect!”
“May I remind you Sunburst that our troops are spread thin across the mortal realms! We can’t waste our recourses on pointless battles; and pointless wars!”
“Defending civilians isn’t pointless!!!” Sunburst unleashes his famous fiery temper at the Lord Commander and slams his fist onto the table.
“That is why our recourses are spread thin, we have bigger problems across the mortal Realms, especially in Ulgu! Where the Chaos Warriors are raging war against Nightmare Moon and her kingdom!” Rock Hoof explains.
“She the God of the night, she can defend her own realm with ease!”
“You dare risk the lives of the many to save only a few!?”
“That is not what I am suggesting I’m saying we can send some soldiers to-”
“If we don’t defend Ulgu with all our might then the realm will be lost to chaos!” Rock Hoof begins to loose his temper with Sunburst. "Nightmare moon has requested our aid and thus we must respond with more soldiers, even the other Stormhosts are aiding her in the defence!"
“Then why aren’t you in the war? huh?!” Sunburst questions. "If Ulgu needs as many Stormcasts as possible the why aren't you joining the war Effort!!!" Sunburst shouts at the top of his lungs.
“Because I am needed here Sunburst! Celestia demands I stay here! You of all ponies should know that!” he informs Sunburst. "In fact why don't you join the war too?"
They argued back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. But this is what politics boil down to, incessive useless arguing that gets nothing done. Those two have always been at each others throats for some time, fifty years I believe and they never agree with anything. I had to get them to stop arguing so I yelled. “Enough of this! You two are like children! Spoiled bratty children who thinks the world revolves around them!” They stop arguing, for now. I now have their attention, now I shall speak calmly. “Lord Commander I know Ulgu is in dire need of our aid, but I only request a small army to take back Canterlot.”
“Mmmm...” The lord commander grumbled. “Chrysalis is still part of the Grand Alliance of Order, we can’t just attack an ally. However we can negotiate with her.” That’s not the answer I wanted, but it’s better than nothing. “If however she refuses to negotiate in anyway, then you can go to war.”
“Then I shall send a letter, and thank you my lord. And goodbye.” I left the council never to return, I can’t stand the arguing of these two children any longer. It makes me wonder why I didn’t leave earlier if I hated arguing so much? Maybe I just wanted approval from the Lord Commander, or maybe I just wanted to prove I was good at politics. I’ll never know because I can’t remember why in the first place.
Canterlot
“Hello, Mi Amore Cadenza. We meet again.” I greet my prisoner. “I sure hope you enjoyed your stay in the mines, with the rest of the ponies who dared defy me.” She spat in my face insulting the position of power I’m in, I wipe her saliva off with my hand and continue talking. “Really now, there’s no need to be rude Mi Amore.”
“Its just Cadence.” She says in disgust. “And I want you to get out of my kingdom.”
“Well ‘Cadence’. This isn’t your kingdom any more, and as you may have noticed I’m the one in control now.” I tell Cadence. “It took nine years of infiltration and subterfuge to take over Canterlot, and I admit your husband, Shining Armour was it?” I question knowing the answer and making Cadence slightly angry. “He put up a good fight, but in the end he was defeated by my general and...” I turn my back against the once renowned Princess, “Lets just say he’s seen better days.” I turned my head slightly making sure she can see my menacing smile, I smiled wide with distasteful joy and the look on her face makes me pleased.
“What have you done to him?!” She yells at the top of her lungs. She ran to me and starts punching me, they’re weak throws of punches, I don’t flinch because of my dense chitin armour. “You won’t get away with what you’ve done! I’ll kill you, I’ll, I’ll!”
“You’ll do what?! Nothing!” I shout at her. ”That’s all your cursed blood line has ever done for this realm, nothing! All you do is sit on this throne and be pampered by your servants and let nobles take advantage of you! You don’t go to war, you’ve never lifted a sword! And I bet you’ve never seen your own blood drip from your body! I do those things, I lead wars, I slay my foes with my own hands, I’ve tasted my own blood! And you haven’t, because you are a spoiled little brat that doesn’t know about the real world!” I see tears form from her eyes. Cadence wipes her tears from her face but she can’t stop crying. “You cry because it’s true; and you know it.”
“Yes you’re right, I’m a fool.” She says.
“So you admit it.”
“Yes I do.” She admits being a naive fool of a ruler. “But you’re worse.” She accuses me of being a worse leader than her.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“You’re worse than me.” She repeats herself. “You attacked Canterlot unprovoked, you killed many innocent ponies, you think of me as a fool, a nave simpleton who doesn’t know her left from right, I am better than you chrysalis and I always will be!”
There’s a moment of silence between us before I slap her with my back hand, the slap was so hard you could see the shockwave from the impact. Cadence’s face is dripping tear like blood from her left eye which is now bloodshot red, her face is beginning to bruise and she spat out one tooth. “Young lady you don’t know who you’re dealing with. I am a demigod, I am Queen Chrysalis Vespa of Ghyran! And I am Eternal!” I boast to Cadence before I kick her onto the floor.
“You may be Queen of the changelings here in Ghyran, but you’re not Queen of Canterlot!”
I grab her neck and then lift her till she’s eye level with me, I squeeze her neck tight, but not too tight so I choke her to death. She attempts to pry my hand off her neck, however she’s too weak to do so. “You, and your bloodline don’t deserve to be leaders of this Kingdom.”
“What do you have against my family linage?” She struggled to ask as it gets harder for her to breath. She’s now gasping for air to fill her lungs. It's tempting to kill Cadence right at this very moment and get it over and done with, but I shall resist the urge to put her down like rabid dog, so I loosen my grip slightly, enough so she can breathe.
I bring her closer to my face and answer the question. "Because your family bloodline has worshipped the gods of chaos in the past."
"Chaos worship? M-My family hasn't worshipped the chaos gods well over two centuries." She feeds me lies. "We've been forgiven by the Stormcast eternals, t-the Shining Knights forgave us during the realmgate wars, they-"
"Lies!" I growled at her. "The God Queens favourite soldiers would never forgive anyone who allied themselves with the ruinous powers! Especially those of the Shining Knights Stormhost!" I throw Cadence on the floor in a fit of rage. "Even if they've forgiven your bloodline for the crimes against pony kind; I haven't and I never will!"
"Celestia's warriors have forgiven me, you just don't want to be proven wrong because you're too stubborn and full of pride!" Cadence argued. “Why do you want to take my kingdom? Is it out of spite for my family's past mistakes?”
"No, not just that, there are other reasons." I begin to explain. “I don’t want my kind to be in children stories, I don’t want us to be forgotten by the mortal realms any longer. I want a new home for us changelings, overpopulation can be a pain to deal with. And lastly I’m looking for something, something secret, something that hasn’t been seen since the destruction of the Old world.”
“Who the heck made you Queen?” She questioned with a hint of poison in her tone.
“I was born into the position, just like you Princess.” I compared the two of us and it just made Cadence’s mood even more sour than it already is.
“In the name of Celestia, your actions won’t go unjustified.”
“You ponies still call the God Queen Celestia? That’s not even her real name.” Cadences expression turns from anger to confusion.
“What are you talking about? Her name has always been Celestia.”
“Ha, that’s a lie invented by the God Queen. She has taken the name Celestia for her own reasons, her real name is-” I get interrupted by one of my messengers entering the throne room. “What is the meaning of this interruption!?” I shout at them.
“M-My Queen, I have a l-letter for you.” They stutter in fear. “It’s from t-t-the Stormcast Eternals.”
“What?” I march up to the Changeling messenger. “Give it here!” I snatch the message from my messenger and start to read the message.
Queen Chrysalis Vespa
By invading the city of Canterlot unprovoked, you have also made a declaration of war.
If it was up to me I would let the fury of our armies reign down upon you, I would let
thunder and lightning strike you down right now after what you have done.
However the Lord Commander has pointed out that you’re still part of the grand alliance
of order, and that we can’t harm you because you’re still an ally. So I’ve decided to send
five Evocators to negotiate with you. If you and my Evocators don’t come to an agreement,
then war will come for you. May Celestia have mercy on your soul, because I won’t.
Lord Arcanum Sunset Shimmer.
I growl and tear the paper apart in a small fit of rage, this wasn’t part of the plan, the Stormcast Eternals will ruin everything. “I best prepare for our unwanted guests.” I say to myself. “Guards!” I summon my Changeling guards, two of them come into the throne room anticipating my orders. “Send this, Princess back into the mines; and make sure she doesn’t escape again!” I command them, they each grab hold of cadences arms and drag her away. “Before you go, inform the others that if they see Stormcast Eternals, let them come, I have an important meeting with them.”
“Yes my queen.” They say in unison. They drag Cadence away kicking and screaming and shut the doors behind them. I am now alone with my thoughts, for now.
The Everfree forest
“I said get out of our forest fleshbags, Now!” The Zecorian hunter repeated themselves. Zecorian hunters are Free Spirits who fight upon the orders of the Everqueen herself, they’re strong, swift and incredibly skilled. They’re named after an old forest God who’s long dead named Zecora. “You have ten seconds!”
“Amber don’t!” Fluttershy intervened. “They’re my friends and I won’t let you kill them.”
“Fluttershy?” The one named Amber recognised Fluttershy. “Lower your Weapons.” He ordered the other Zecorian hunters and the did what he ordered. “Fluttershy what are you doing back here in the Everfree, I thought you were Soulbound?” He questioned. “And what happened to your leg?”
“We were attacked by Changelings, they’ve took over Canterlot.” Fluttershy explains.
“Changeling attack? I thought they were the good guys?”
“We need a place to stay amber, we have injured ponies here.” Fluttershy pleaded Amber for help but he looks conflicted.
“Fluttershy I can’t let the Fleshbags further into the forest, the Treelord would kill me, nor will she be happy with you.” Said Amber. “I’m sorry Fluttershy but I can’t let you in with these, fleshbags” Amber insults us again. “You’ll just have to move along.”
“Alright that’s it.” I interject. “You tree folk are a disgraceful. We have injured ponies that will most likely die in a few days if they don’t get help.”
“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash joins in. “Have you seen the state of my arm, I mean it will make a sick looking scar but it won’t be cool if me or Rarity die from our wounds!”
“You trees are just big fat meanies.” Pinkie Pie insults the Zecorian hunters in her own way. “Except for Fluttershy, she's like an angel but as a tree.”
“Please Amber, you can’t just let them die, it’s wrong and you know it” Said Fluttershy.
Amber pauses for a minute, again he looks conflicted but he also looks annoyed from what I can tell. He growls and slaps his face in annoyance. “Fine I’ll help you, but I’m only doing this for Fluttershy.” He tell us. “Grab your wounded and we’ll guide you through the Everfree safety.”
“Is this wise to assist the fleshbags?” One of the Zecorian hunters asked. “The rest of the Sylvaneth will think we’re going soft.”
“I know, but like I said, we’re only doing this for Fluttershy, they’re just luck that Drycha wasn’t around.” Said Amber. “Now lets get going, assist them if need be.” One of the two unnamed Sylvaneth went over and picked up Rarity and placed her on their shoulder.
The other one went to help Rainbow Dash, however she refused help. “I can walk just fine, it’s my arm that’s injured.” She says. The Zecorian hunter shrugged and decided to help out Fluttershy instead. We all walk into the Everfree forest with the Zecorian hunters keeping us safe from the wildlife in the forest.
We walk through the forest for a long time, eventually though the Zecorian hunters find their home where the trees are tallest. Their home has a large population of dryads, Tree Revenants and other Zecorian hunters, there is also some timber wolves along with other local wildlife. You can also find a very large Treelord amongst the Sylvaneth, the Treelord looks ancient compared to the rest of the Sylvaneth I’ve seen today. and along with her is a different Sylvaneth I’ve never seen before, It looks like a Tree Revenant but it has a large bug on its back helping it fly, it has horns on its head with an elegant armoured mask covering its face, it has a glowing spear with a curved tip and a glowing shield.
These Sylvaneth are very different from one another, but what they all have in common is that they’re singing. They’re singing in a language that I can’t understand but when they sing life grows all around them and prospers. Animals are looking happy around the Sylvaneth, they’re happiest animals I’ve ever seen.
As we walk through the crowd of Dryads the singing starts to quiet down until the Treelord takes notice of us, and she looks disappointed, very disappointed “Amber!” She called out the Zecorian hunter and the singing promptly stops. The Treelords voice is female but it has a mixture of a young and old voice. “Why have you bought Ponies into our grove!?” She asks.
“Fluttershy was in need of assistance, and Fluttershy just happened to be friends with these fleshbags.” Amber answers the Treelord.
“We have enough problems to deal with Amber.” Says the Treelord. “We still have Drakes in our forest.”
“The Drakes have been dealt with, we’ve captured their leader earlier today.” Amber reminded the Treelord.
The strange Tree Revenant flew up to Amber and pointed his spear at him. “You dare question your leader, Zecorian hunter?”
Amber tilted his head curiously as if he never seen this variant of a Tree Revenant before.“Now who is this?”
“This is an Arch revenant, the Everqueen has recently made them while you were gone, however he has no name yet.” The ancient Treelord answers. “Don’t change the subject! You have let ponies into our grove!”
“Don’t blame Amber Treelord Llyrdreth. I convinced him to let them come.” Fluttershy told the Treelord.
“Fluttershy, you made him do this? You of all Sylvaneth?” Treelord Llyrdreth questions.
“Yes my lord, but they’re my friends, and they need healing please help them.” I stay silent throughout the conversation, I thought it would just make the Slyvaneth more angry at us than they already are. Me and my friends get stared at by the Dryads who are just curious, but the Revenants look like they want to kill us along with the other Zecorian hunters. And to be honest I’m scared of what they would do to us if I even talked back to them.
“Do you wish me to slay these intruders my lord?” The Arch Revenant asked and glared directly into Ambers eyes. “Along with the traitors?”
“That won’t be necessary, We can let them recover here for now, after they’ve been healed of their injuries then they must leave this forest. And if they don’t leave, then they can be slain by your hands.” Llyrdreth said the the Arch Revenant. “Take the healthy ones where our prisoner is.” She ordered. “Fluttershy, I will deal with you later.” Me and Pinkie were dragged off by dryads while the others are being taken somewhere else.
Me and Pinkie were taken underneath a large tree where it was dark and gloomy, creepy bugs crawled and tunnelled through the dirt, the only thing keeping this place lit was bioluminescent mushrooms. The dryads pin both of us to a wall and vines grow to keep us both restraint, I’m guessing that we’re being restraint to prevent us from escaping or trying anything funny. “Enjoy your stay Fleshbags. while you can.” One dryad said. “Say hi to the other prisoner for me.”
“What other prisoner?” I asked.
“Yeah, what other prisoner?” Pinkie repeated.
In front of us we see the other prisoner, he is a very scaly and a strong looking fellow. He has purple scales and a green spine that goes all the way down to his tail, he wears gold armour but his left arm has the most protection. He looks at us with his dark green eyes as if he somehow recognises me and Pinkie. “Applejack.” He knows my name, how does he know my name? “Is that really you?”
“How do you know my name?” I asked panicking. “How do you know my name!?” I yell at the drake.
“Applejack it’s me, Spike.”
Canterlot the next day
As I sit on the throne in this room a bolt of lightning can be heard outside the castle, the Stormcast have arrived for our ‘negotiation’. I wait patently for them to enter the throne room, they should be allowed in because I ordered my guards to let them in.
Suddenly five evocators enter the throne room, Evocators are like battle mages but they have more magical abilities. All five of them have a staff and a sword as their weapon of choice. All of them are wearing helmets, all but one, the one who isn’t wearing a helmet is a unicorn who looks like he was from high society, a prince maybe? He has a blonde mane with blue eye and a white coat of fur with a white horn. “Queen Chrysalis.” The evocator without a helmet spoke. “We are here to-”
“I know why you’re here Stormcast.” I interrupted him. “I received a letter telling me you were coming; and no I am not giving away the city.”
The Stormcasts expression has turned from calm to mad. “This city belongs to the free Ponies of Celestia, it wasn’t yours in the first place!” his tone turned more aggressive.
“Well this city belongs to me now Stormcast. Now leave.” I commanded him, but he didn’t listen. Instead he walked further towards me along with the rest of his squad. “I said leave!” I shouted.
“No, I am determined to do my duty and convince you to go home to your kingdom.”
“Don’t you understand? I am home.” I said with a smile on my face. “And you will leave, or die by my hand.” I threatened the Stormcast Eternals but they all laughed at my threat.
“We can’t die, we’ll just reforge like we normally do.” The Stormcast without a helmet chuckled. I laughed along with them; and I continued to laugh until they stop.
I Stand up from my throne and gave off an evil grin before asking. “What is your name Stormcast?”
“Blueblood, my name is Blueblood. Why do you ask?”
“I just wanted your name. Before I kill you all.” I say to them before I summon my weapon. My weapon was a spear, The is taller me and the tip of the spear is a shape and size of a changeling great sword with runes imbedded into it. The Evocators unsheathe their swords and they’re ready to battle a demigod.
“Chrysalis this is pointless, you’re part of order.” Said Blueblood. “You don’t want to start a war with us!”
“I know I’m part of order. But unlike you, I’m not one of the God Queens golden warriors!” I sprint toward the Evocators and attempt to stab Blueblood with my spear. Him and one of the other Evocators deflect my spear with their tempest blades while the other Stormcast tried to push me using their magical staff but it only felt like wind to me. I kick the one who pushed me out of the way and I used the bottom of my spear to hit the one who deflected my strike in the face and I back handed blueblood and he hit a wall.
I felt a burst of flames hit me, three blue fire balls from the fourth Stormcast flew towards me. I casted a shield spell to block all three fireballs. “You’re not the only ones who knows magic.” I said to all the Evocators. I fire three balls of green acid at the Evocator who casted those fireballs, but he dodged out of the way and the acid balls destroyed a wall in the throne room.
That same Evocator turned the end of his staff into blue flames, he rushed toward me and tried to whack me with his fiery staff. they missed and I stabbed them in the stomach with my staff, it went all the way through their body, a bolt of lightning shot out of their body and went through the ceiling. That’s one going to be reforged, four more to go.
Bluebloods eyes glowed bright blue and he fired lightning out of his staff, it hit me and burnt my chitin shell. Three other Stormcasts did the same, they’re trying to either restrain me or cook me alive with their lightning bolts. My eyes turn yellow and I stamp my foot on the ground to create a mini earthquake in the room. All the Stormcast eternals stagger and fall.
I jump in to the air and try to use my spear to stab one of the Stormcast on the ground, they move out of the way and I stabbed deep into the floor instead. I pull my spear out and slash the Stormcast Eternal but he used his sword to deflect the incoming blow, he attacked with his sword causing me to feel electric pain from that slash from his sword. This gives me a huge scar across my chitin armour. I let go of my weapon and grab the Stormcast Eternals head, he casts blue flames to burn me before I crush his skull. Like the last one before lightning shot out of his body and burning my forearm I ignore the pain to the best of my ability.
Another Stormcast Eternal attempts to attack me in anger, she attacks me with her tempest blade but I block her with my other arm, the sword bursts out electricity as soon as it hits me, I punch her armoured body as hard as I possibly could. The punch was so hard that she flew to the other side of the room and made huge cracks on the wall, I can see a dent in the armour where I punched her.
She struggled to get back up after that punch so Blueblood came to her aid while an Evocator trapped me in a magical bubble. The bubble started to shrink so it can squeeze the life out of me, so in response I slammed my fists repeatedly on the bubble until it broke, once it’s broken I rushed to the Evocator that casted the spell and I snapped his neck. Lightning burst out of his body and his limp body dropped dead.
I ran to Blueblood and the other Stormcast Eternal to kill them both. However the Stormcast that has a dent in her armour tried to push me back with lightning coming out of her fingertips. I continue to push forward despite the pain, When I got close enough I punched the Stormcast were I punched her before and my arm went straight through her body. Lightning shot out of her and burnt my other arm.
Blueblood looked around the room to see all the corpses of his brethren, he looked at me and asked. “Why?”
“Because I can.” A say before setting him ablaze with fire magic that will burn not only his body, but also his soul. He was burning to a crisp and he’s screaming in agony, as soon as the screaming stopped his body became his crispy, charred still burning body laid still. “No more resurrections.” I say the Bluebloods corpse before I fell on my knees as I endure the pain that has been holding throughout this battle, I feel as if I’m going to faint from the pain.
The guards finally come in the room and they see damage that has been done to this room, and the see me in pain with burn marks and a scar on my chest. “Get Thorax now!” I yell at them before everything went black.
Azyr
I don’t know how long I’ve been reading for, but I’ve read more than twelve books than I originally planned to. This library just sucks me into getting more and more books, they’re just such good books, most of them aren’t even in the mortal realms from what I can tell. Some of them I can’t even read because it’s in a completely different language. The one I’m just about to finish now is called ‘Underworlds’ it’s an anthology about different warbands fighting over an artefact of great power, it’s a great book just wish the ending was better.
I put the book down in the pile with the other finished books and I was about to grab another book when I notice a pony sitting in front of me. she’s a unicorn that wears armour just like the two Stormcasts from the entrance, she has a light blue fur coat with a strange tattoo on her face, purple coloured eyes and a lighter blue mane in the style of a warriors Mohawk.
“H-Hi.” I greet nervously. “I’m Twilight Sparkle, who are you? And uh how long have you been sitting ther?"
“Trixie has sat here long enough to notice that you’ve read at least sixty books since yesterday,” she says. “I hope you know where they all go, because Trixie won't help you..”
“Sorry, I didn’t know how long I’ve been reading for, I lost track of time.”
“No it’s fine, Trixie has seen book worms do worse” she tells me “The names Trixie Lulamoon of the Sequitors.”
“Yeah I know, you spoke in third person.”
Trixie blushed a little due to embarrassment. “T-Trixie believes it’s a side effect from the reforging and she’s made a habit out of it.” She explains.
"I didn't know that speaking in third person was a side effect of reforging."
"Oh it is, along with strange tattoos; and even gaining new abilities like suddenly becoming an expert hunter but forgetting how to talk." Trixie lists some examples of what the Anvil does. "And Trixies only scratching the surface of the side effects."
"Wow, sounds like that anvil needs fixing."
"That's what this chamber is mainly here for. To find a solution for this problem." Suddenly, Loud angry screaming can be heard from outside the building. I was curious so I went outside to see where it was coming from, Trixie follows me cause she wants to know as well. When we got out we can both clearly hear the screaming coming from the Anvil of apotheosis. "Trixie has heard screaming there before, but I've never heard sound that bad. What's going in there? Trixie asks with a worried tone.
"I don't know. But we're about to find out."
Later we get to the anvil of apotheosis and the screaming is extremely loud. We open the door and see three Stormcast Eternals trying desperately trying to calm their fourth team member down. "Chrysalis!!!" The Stormcast screams in bloodlust rage. "I'll kill you! I'll kill you and your miserable kind!!!" She roars.
She looks directly at me and yells. “I will destroy you for what you’ve done!!!” Her eyes glow blue and lightning begins to conduct from her body, Mortal priests get zapped from the electricity and others just explode into gore from the ethereal lightning. She runs at a ridiculous speed with a sword in hand ready to strike at me.
Suddenly, a spell casted from right behind me and Trixie knocked the rage filled pony out, that's one way to calm her down. Behind us was Sunset Shimmer, she was the one casted the spell "Sunset, what in the name of Celestia was that?" Trixie asked about the Fit of rage that Stormcast was experiencing.
Sunset just said. "Chrysalis refused to negotiate. And now we must prepare for war."
Author's Note
I wanted to show why shouldn't mess with the queen in this chapter, so I made her kick some ass, but I wanted the battle to flow smoothly in this chapter and I don’t know if I did it correctly.
Oh and here are some characters:
Lord commander Rockhoof
Grand Magister Sunburst
Spike is a Saurus oldblood without the dinosaur
The great and powerful Trixie
If you have any criticism leave it in the comments below
