Flame of the Sun

Sweet Acorn Orchard, Solar Empire Outskirts | November 3, 1502 | 10:21

Thorax ran. To no specific point, to no specific area, he just ran away from the Hive he had failed. He knew it was only a matter of time before he became an outcast anyway, and he didn't even think to change his form. His frantic running was of course noticed by the civilians within the Sweet Acorn Orchard as he paused in the very center of the humble town to take in his surroundings. Equines spoke with one another in whispers as they saw the lone Changeling, some looking on with fear and others with hate. As weapons were drawn and stallions began to approach, Thorax lit his horn in preparation before all had fallen to silence with the sound of a familiar voice.

"Thorax!!" a filly cried out, running through the armed stallions before they could get a hold of her and pouncing the Changeling with a hug. Some equines felt the need to speak out, to tell her to stay away from the bug, but the smile on the both of them as they gave one another a warm hug was enough to keep the crowd silent.

"Drizzlepop, my gods," Thorax said, getting up after a moment, "I thought I'd never see you again!"

"Me too! I'm so happy you're here," she said. Innocent as ever, she had no idea what the stallions had originally planned to do to him before she appeared. One, however, stepped forward and spoke up.

"Drizzlepop," he said sternly, "is this the one you said healed your blindness?"

She nodded with a chuckle. It's not like she would be able to forget, and she surely couldn't have lied about being cured of the uncurable. The stallion who spoke, who appeared much like an authority among them, held up his hoof to signal the others to withdraw their weapons. He approached Thorax, who cautiously eyed him yet remained in a friendly posture. At this distance, the stallion noted the attire he was wearing which was unmistakably of higher rank among the Changelings.

"Thorax, was it?" he asked. Thorax replied with a nod, "and what is your rank in their military?"

Thorax was hesitant for a moment.

"It would be the Equestrian equivalent of a Field Marshall or Inquisitor," he finally said, "something in between that at least."

There was a bit of chatter among the crowd for a moment. Thorax shook his head as he continued.

"Though, the Queen would have my head now for running from Hailberg. The Polar Bears were ruthless to us and I couldn't. . ." he shook his head more, "I couldn't handle all of that death!"

"Hey now," the stallion said as he put a hoof on Thorax's back. Thorax winced for a moment, but soon felt that it was a reassuring touch, "try not to think about it. We're not much of warmongerers ourselves."

"Hah. . .could have fooled me. . ." Thorax replied shakily. The stallion let out a hearty chuckle.

"I suppose we could become that way over family, familymongers!" the two shared a bit of a laugh before the stallion turned.

"Alright everypony, get back to what you were doing," he barked. The equines did as he said rather confidently; despite their doubts they believed in their leader. Thorax took notice of this—what leadership really looked like.

"My name is Barnyard," the stallion said to Thorax as the crowd dissipated, "most of the equines here call me Barn, you may call me that as well for saving my daughter."

"Daughter?" Thorax questioned, before looking at Drizzlepop who simply chuckled as she gave the Barn a hug. Barn explained that he had taken her in shortly after she came from the Wandering Woods. After hearing terrible stories about her life in Sire's Hollow, and about the Changeling that gave her sight, he looked after her for that short length of time and grew very close with her. His wife was barren, and they were of older age and unable to have foals anymore. It was a miracle to them that a little blind filly would return with her sight from a land so near to their enemies. It was a heartwarming tale, and Thorax could feel it.

"Are you alright Thorax?" Drizzlepop asked. Thorax was silent, and looked as if he were in a daze. Barn's expression turned to that of concern, quirking a brow for a moment.

"What is this feeling?" he asked quietly.

Canterlot, Solar Empire | November 3, 1502 | 12:44

The massive cloud of smoke was still visible from the capital as Daybreaker looked on to the distant Wandering Woods from her throne. Such invigorating destruction—it brought her solace. It brought her joy. To see fire engulf those once beautiful lands which would soon be remade in her image. . .it was as a fantasy coming true. She had always held herself back from such thoughts before, but within her flame-laden heart she always knew that the fate of the Changelings would be to perish beneath her almighty hooves. She had already received a report from Sunrise concerning the Maelstroplex before instructing her to retreat with what was left of her army as the Changelings had no choice but to run as well.

It would take time for both armies to recuperate, but the Changelings lost their new hive and navy within a day to Arthur's warriors, who now had a stranglehold on Hailberg. The war was decided, and it was up to the victor to decide the ending. Daybreaker, of course, wanted to take her time in crushing them. She wanted to expend every option—not for sake of tactical advantage, but for the show of force. To remind her equines and her enemies that the Solar Empire was the synonym of wrath. Arthur made contact as well shortly after taking the port, and they had already set up camp. Meanwhile, the Crystal Authority was making preparations to extend territory closer to the Vesalopolis once the Maelstroplex had been figured out.

The Empress gave a soft sigh, smiling at the thoughts of war. She thought of how great the world would be when conquered. A single race of equines, dominating the world with the richest economy history had ever seen. She even pondered the idea of conquering the creatures of space—if there were any. It was rather silly to think, but she allowed herself the time to indulge in fantasy until she heard a knocking at the throne room door. By now, she recognized the knocks by the hooves of which servant was wishing to enter. She had committed them all to memory.

"Come in, Sunflower," Daybreaker said softly. The doors opened to reveal the first of the maids that had witnessed the Empress in her true form. She was less timid now, but still like Fluttershy in her demeanor.

"Good day, Empress," Sunflower said softly, "I brought your dinner for you."

"Thank you," Daybreaker said with a smile. She could smell the food already, a smell she only recently found a liking to.

"Pardon my asking, Empress," Sunflower said as Daybreaker turned to her with an attentive look, "but are you certain this is good for you to eat?"

"I appreciate your concern for my health," Daybreaker said as she lifted the plate with her magic, taking a whiff of the dish once more, "but my body has more power coursing through it, so naturally it requires tougher foods to sustain."

Sunflower winced as Daybreaker took a bite of the food, tearing it with her teeth effortlessly. Bits of red juice oozed from it as strands of muscle tore. A slab of fresh meat, only singed and seasoned well with herbs. Daybreaker felt a strange feeling come over her as she consumed it—carnivorism was new even to her, but she knew not how she survived so long without the luxurious taste of a slain creature. She smiled, savoring the food before swallowing as she dismissed Sunflower. The maid walked out with a bit of haste, as it disturbed her greatly to behold such a sight. Daybreaker understood this, and paid it no mind.

"Perhaps I shouldn't publicize this," she thought aloud.

Crystal Capital, Crystal Empire | November 3, 1502 | 14:37

"I'm home!"

Sunrise mustered what bit of energy was left in her to proclaim that, before closing the door and stumbling towards a chair. Hearing the bit of noise, Flash came running out of their bedroom to see her. Before he could say anything, however, she gave a dismissive gesture with a hoof. He sighed greatly before continuing towards her.

"You look tired," he said, "did everything go alright?"

"We won if that's what you're asking," Sunrise muttered, "but not before a superweapon was deployed against my army. I lost a few hundred thousand."

"That might throw a bit of a pebble in the cogwheels," Flash said, trying to lighten her up a bit, which worked of course as she cracked a little smile, "though with how quickly the Empire transitioned leadership in the Crystal Empire, I feel like we'll be fine."

"Yes yes," Sunrise said leaning up suddenly, "how about I fix a meal here tonight? We've been going out to eat for days and I miss homemade food."

"Sunrise, goodness," Flash nearly stammered, unsure of what caused her to perk up so quickly, "you just collapsed into a chair and now you want to fix food?"

Sunrise stuck her tongue out almost childishly before getting up with a chuckle and heading towards the kitchen. Flash only gave a confused look as he followed. If she insisted on cooking that was alright with him, but he wasn't going to let her do it alone. He wasn't quite that type of guy; in fact he was actually rather fond of cooking. As he walked in, Sunrise smiled at him with such a sweet expression. He took a moment to lose himself to her gaze, before chuckling softly. For the next couple of hours, they spent perhaps the most joyful time together. Joking with one another, telling old stories, and cooking a fine dinner—in their opinion.

After eating well, Sunrise had become tired from the long travel and overnight fighting. Though she knew she would be summoned to the capital soon in the eternal day to discuss new plans, she planned to rest as much as she could. Disclosing this to Flash, the two of them agreed to lay down for a while and get away from the war for a while longer. For the next hour, they merely remained in silence with one another. Eyes closed, bodies embraced, feeling the warmth and faint pulse of one another as the world drifted away.

You can't have both.

Vesalopolis, Changeling Hive | November 3, 1502 | 15:54

The Queen was in a fit of rage. Tearing down bits of the throne room, screaming at servants, blasting bolts of magic into the ceiling. . .it was a tantrum to say the least. She hadn't slept at all since the bombing, and every time she looked outside to witness the still-smoking trees of the forest her rage was reinvigorated. It took about that much time for Hel'rath to return. Having been on the edge of the bombing, he sustained significant injuries but not enough to stop his pride.

"Didn't I tell you?! It was a setup!" he shouted as he stumbled his way in. He quickly ducked as a chunk of hive was thrown violently at him, shattering across the wall behind.

"I realize that!" Chrysalis returned with fury, "how was I supposed to know they had a gods-damned nuclear weapon?"

"They SAID so!" the Duke retorted, "the Empress gave a fucking press release! By the gods, you really are out of touch, aren't you?"

Before he could continue, Chrysalis levitated his body with hive magic and brought him close to her face. The look in her eyes spoke more words of hatred than all the curses of the world.

"I will tear you apart in this very throne room if you dare speak to me so condescendingly again you little draconic PEST!" she said sternly, before throwing the injured drake against the floor and breaking a few bones. He struggled to get up, but only did so enough to see a hoof swinging towards his skull. While it was tough, the force was enough to split the bone and allow a spewing of boiling draconic blood to coat the Queen's hoof. While it burned, it was merely a slight stimulation to add to her rage as the drake was hardly conscious now.

"Y-you are. . .make. . .you. . .mistake. . ." he muttered, a trickle of blood falling from both nostrils as he laid incapacitated on the floor.

"It was your mistake to have been so useless to me," Chrysalis said, "the drakes failed to take the blows of the Empire as I was promised they would, so now you will be the one to pay for it."

Unable to protest, the drake could only watch for as long as his consciousness would allow as the Queen threw her hoof into his skull once more. She laughed to herself as Hel'rath sputtered nonsensical sounds from the tongue he had bitten through by accident in the process. Feeling an invigoration within her, the Queen struck him once more causing the wound to open further. She struck him again, and again, and by this time the brain was so damaged that the drake was now motionless. His death did not stop her from continuing to strike the drake's skull several more times, reducing it to a paste. When it was no longer satisfying, she snarled in anger and lifted the body with her magic, throwing it against the walls until the bones within had broken in so many places they no longer held even a semblance of structure. When even this failed to satisfy Chrysalis, she dropped the body and let out a scream before she finally gathered herself.

"M-mindcarrier," she said shakily, "send a regrouping order. It will be any day before the Empresses come to deliver the final blow—we need every asset centered on Vesalopolis."

The Mindcarrier lit it's horn, issuing the command as it was told. Chrysalis sat back.

"Also, have every draconic creature executed. Useless meat—and find Thorax! I want him in this room immediately!"

Aashtethos, Saddle Arabia | November 3, 1502 | 16:01

"She's still not responding," Gilda said, "but she has a pulse."

Hours felt like days passing as the temperature had only cooled by 3000 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface. Nova was silent, Sunset was silent, the five friends were silent. They had been silent for the last several hours aside weeping, or trying to get Starlight to respond. Moments more passed, before a portal opened revealing Adiaíretos. The equines and gryphons alike looked up with confusion as he walked towards Starlight and snapped his fingers. The burns were removed, and she suddenly gasped with wide eyes before falling back asleep.

"She will need to rest," Adiaíretos said, but with a different voice, "I didn't. . .I didn't think Celestia would do this. . ."

"Adiaíretos, I thought you were confined to the Hall of Unity," Sunset said, looking at him with a bit of anger. The figure turned with a sigh.

"I must admit, I truly thought that this would be the best way to save Equestria," he said, "but the fate of savior always befell the Mane Six, especially the times when they saved Equestria from myself."

"Wait, that voice. . ." Applejack pondered aloud as she stared at the figure.

"Not everything I said was a falsehood, the Harmonious constant does exist," Adiaíretos continued, "and it's existence does determine mine, but I am not the embodiment of it, nor even a representative. In fact, I am quite the opposite."

The form of Adiaíretos changed, and in fact, it was instantly recognized. With an astounding shock from everyone in the room, a deafening silence befell them more than what it had already. In front of them was a draconnequus, the sole God of Chaos himself.

"D-Discord?" Fluttershy said with a tear in her eye as she ran forward to hug him. Discord stumbled back a bit before returning the hug, "I thought you were gone forever!"

"No, no my dear Fluttershy, I simply chose the worst time for a vacation," he replied in his typical manner. Sunset stomped her hoof on the ground to earn their attention.

"You were here the entire time?!" she shouted, "you didn't think to prevent any of this before it happened?"

"On the contrary," Discord said with an unamused expression, "I thought about many ways I could prevent it. Unfortunately, it was all fantasy as both sisters are equally capable of killing me outrightly now. Even my chaos magic is nothing against those oh-so-great world leaders, and they likely already know I am around and are actively searching for me."

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Rarity asked, "if even you can't defeat them, how can we do so without dying?"

"I'm still hoping for the good ending here, I'll have you know," Discord said as he pulled a pair of sunglasses from the emptiness of space, "but there's a possibility you and myself may simply be martyred!"

"You don't seem so upset about that," Applejack said with a grim tone. Discord shook his talon.

"I am quite upset about that, Applejack, this is merely. . .a mask," Discord replied, holding up a smiling mask to his face as water fell from the eyes of it, "I am simply sobbing on the inside."

He tossed the mask aside, causing it to explode into confetti.

"Be that as it may, I still have a duty to be the least sappy out of all of you," he glanced towards Sunset, "and the least pissy. For now, know that your friend is safe and that our best course is to return to the Hall of Unity."

"What about Starlight's vision here?" Nova protested, "how are we supposed to bring revolution by running away?"

"Oh PLEASE," Discord jeered, "if you want to know how well mass-sharing goes, look no further than the current conflict. Your politics have always bored me anyway—I was more focused on your safety. Now come on!"

He walked through the portal as the others reluctantly followed. Nova and Sunset stayed behind for a moment.

"Gods-damned draconnequus," Nova spat out. Sunset shook her head.

"He's our only hope; it seems fate really is against us," she muttered, "let's just get Starlight into that portal so she can recover."

The two picked up Starlight carefully before proceeding through. The field of war had changed significantly, and now that Starlight's revolutionaries were out of the ring of power, the fight lay between the harmonists and the many supremacists. Though, with the supremacists fighting so vehemently against one another, the harmonists would surely have time to figure out a plan.

Hopefully.

Crystal Capital, Crystal Empire | November 4, 1502 | 07:01

"Hey, Sunrise. . .wakey wakey. . ."

Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes to see an Ursa Major looking down at her. She tried to move but she couldn't. With a loud roar, the Ursa Major swung its claws toward her, and she closed her eyes to accept death. There was a stillness, followed by a gust of wind across her face. She opened her eyes to see a light blue aura of magic surrounding the paw of the Ursa Major, before a sudden blast of confetti threw it backwards. Then, a lasso holding it down before a rainbow seemed to blast by it, knocking it to the floor. A soft humming put the creature to sleep shortly after.

Twilight found herself capable of moving again, as she turned to see her friends standing by her side.

"Hehe! That was fun!" Pinkie said with a giggle.

"Nah, that was awesome!" Rainbow Dash followed.

"I think he's a nice bear, he just needed some beauty sleep," Fluttershy said timidly.

"Well, I nearly messed up my mane, but at least I helped some," Rarity said, brushing through her mane to keep it tidy.

"Well, you all did your part. Good job girls." Applejack said, turning to face Twilight. The rest of them did as well, all smiling at her. Twilight went to speak, but couldn't.

"What's wrong Twilight, cat got your tongue?" Rainbow Dash said with a chuckle.

"Hang on, I think she's having trouble. Twi, you alright?" Applejack asked, getting closer. Before Twilight could respond, she felt a pain in her head as her hoof started to raise itself, before swinging towards Applejack's face and knocking her to the ground.

What is going on?!

"Hey! What in the world Twilight?!" Rainbow Dash said, flying towards her before a blast of Twilight's own magic soared through the Pegasus' heart, knocking her lifelessly to the ground. Rarity gasped, her eyes lining up with Twilight's as another blast of magic pierced her skull.

No, stop, please for the love of Celestia, STOP!

Twilight's body lifted from the ground with great fiery wings, as another bolt of magic ceased the sound of sobbing from Fluttershy as she fell down as well.

I'm not doing this, I'M NOT DOING THIS! STOP! I ORDER YOU!

Pinkie suffered the same fate, except the shot was messy, causing her body to fold in half from the force and snap.

Stop. . .STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP!

Twilight looked down at Applejack, bleeding from the muzzle as she looked up with weak and swollen eyes.

"You are doin' this, Twi. You've been doin' this since the day you sent us out. You can't have both," Applejack said. Twilight turned to see Rainbow Dash standing, blood spewing from her visible, beating heart.

"You can't have both," Rainbow Dash said with a grin.

"You can't have both," Rarity said, as she stood with a trickling of blood falling from her forehead. Twilight heard a gnawing sound, turning to Fluttershy who was now being eaten by the animals she looked after. She turned her head as bits of flesh were torn away.

"You can't have both," she said.

Suddenly, a loud series of crackling was heard in her left ear, as she turned to see Pinkie's contorted body staring at her with an unnerving smile.

"YOU CAN'T HAVE BOTH!" she screamed.

Sunrise jumped up in her bed with a great shout, only to be met with the startled expressions of both Spike and Flash Sentry beside her. She turned, panting as she made sure the both of them were real, before breaking out into tears and hugging the both of them tightly. The two were silent as they cautiously returned the hug, unsure of what nightmare she was having.

"I uh. . .I was going to wake you up to tell you I made you guys breakfast," Spike said after she calmed down a bit, "it's your favorite, if you're in the mood to eat."

"I'll. . .I'll eat what I can. . ." Sunrise said softly, "thank you Spike."

Spike let go and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Flash leaned back to look into Sunrise's eyes. Such sorrowful eyes she had, glistening with tears each filled with a thousand years of pain—or so it felt. He shook his head.

"Sunrise, could I speak honestly for a moment?" Flash asked. Sunrise turned to the floor, before slowly turning back to him and nodding, "you haven't been acting like yourself at all lately, I figured it was the war and all, but something is really taking a toll on you. If you need to get anything off of your chest, you know you can come to me about—"

"No," Sunrise retorted suddenly, "I. . ."

"You. . ?" Flash said softly.

"I can't have both."

Sweet Acorn Orchard, Solar Empire Outskirts | November 4, 1502 | 09:32

Thorax opened his eyes to the roof of the small house he was allowed to stay in. There wasn't much to this little village, as to his understanding it used to be a single house on the outskirts of Equestria. Now, however, with steady exports of supplies for the war effort, a sizable yet humble number of equines sought the work opportunity and the significant rate of pay that the orchard offered. Thorax thought about contributing, as much a treason as it would be, yet knowing the willing commission of treason against the Solar Empire on behalf of the Equines there gave him fear enough for even existing. He thought about leaving, but what if this was his chance to show them that Changelings were not all that they seemed? What if, with Equestrian help, he could lead other Changelings out of the hivemind and spare needless slaughtering? It was hope, perhaps foolish, that led him to stay regardless.

There was a soft knocking at the door, and the sound of Drizzle's voice from outside.

"Thorax~! Are you awake? Father wants to speak to you!" she said gleefully. Thorax stretched out a bit, this bed was surely more comfortable than the housing he was offered in the Hive, and he definitely didn't want to leave it; however, he figured it was important for him to speak to Barn. Thorax leaned upward in the bed and called out to the door.

"I will be there shortly, thank you," he said. After doing so, he got out of his bed and put on his military attire before opening the door to the ever-gleeful Drizzlepop who smiled at him brightly.

"Come with me, our home is right over here!" she said, running towards it.

"Hey! Slow down, I can't keep up!" he said jokingly. She paused and turned back.

"I thought you were in the military, you won't get out-ran by a little filly will you?" she jeered.

"Ow, my pride," Thorax said before sighing, "fine, I'll race you there."

"Three-two-one-go!" she said quickly before dashing. Thorax rolled his eyes and ran after her as she laughed. After a while, he noticed she was running in circles, and it was quite obvious where Barn's house was, but Thorax wasn't going to deny the little filly her playtime. He figured that perhaps Barn was far too busy to give her the attention she needed, which was understandable considering the situation. After a while of running, she paused to catch her breath.

"Are we there yet?" Thorax said with a chuckle.

"Nooooooo," Drizzle replied, "I tricked you! His house was there the whole time!"

"Ooh! You got me!" Thorax said, "let's go then."

She led him to the door where Barn was already waiting inside, opening it as they stepped up onto the porch. He gave a great smile to Thorax, inviting him in before turning to Drizzle.

"Alright now Drizzlepop," Barn said, "go and play for a bit while I talk to Thorax."

"Okay Father!" Drizzlepop said, running off the porch as Barn closed the door.

Barn turned to face Thorax with a smile as he walked towards a table, inviting Thorax to take a seat. Barn's wife walked in shortly after, bringing some warm tea to the both of them and smiling. Neither of them spoke too much, and the wife still seemed rather timid of the changeling's presence. However, after she left the room, Barn took a sip of his tea and made eye contact with Thorax.

"I've never seen that kind of love from a changeling," Barn started. Thorax quirked a brow before the stallion continued, "you knew the house was here, but you played with the filly anyway. I could see you eyeing the house, but after a while you just kept running around in circles like a big brother."

"Oh, uh," Thorax scratched his head as he turned to the side for a moment, "I figured that was common sense. Youth should be provided attention to grow strong."

"And happy," Barn added, "but I don't suppose they taught you that in the Hive."

"No, no they didn't," Thorax said, looking down, "they taught us that we had one authority, that the death of others was the life of the Changelings."

"How long has it been since you've eaten?" Barn asked straightforwardly. Thorax gave it some thought, he hadn't eaten since running away. The Changelings had reserves of love to feed from, but such reserves weren't portable. They were located solely within the hive.

"A day or so," he said, "I can survive a while longer without feeding, though, I don't feel hungry."

"Did you feel hungry when you helped Drizzlepop out the first time?" Barn asked. Thorax thought back to that unforgettable moment. He figured he didn't feel hungry due to the adrenaline of the moment, but now that he pondered it, he didn't have to eat for another few days.

"No, actually, I didn't eat for four days after because I wasn't feeling hunger at all," Thorax explained, "and I wasn't sick or weak or anything, just. . .full."

"I have a theory," Barn said, readjusting in his seat. Thorax quirked a brow, "you were giving love rather than taking it. You figure that might be why you broke away from the hivemind?"

"A lot of thought-provoking questions today," Thorax mused, now taking a sip of the warm tea, "but I think you might be right."

"I hope I am, and we'll find out if I am this way," Barn said, turning and pointing towards the window, "we will let you stay as a refugee, against the obvious wishes of the Empress who hardly comes out this way anyway, but in return you must help out with the work. Sound fair?"

"Will that not risk your lives? I can just leave if you—"

"Absolutely not," Barn interrupted, "let me tell you something, boy, that filly out there loves you like a lost brother. When you dropped her by, she held her tears back until she knew you were out of ear shot. That was how we found her and took her in, and that sobbing didn't stop for weeks. Every night she would cry, wanting to see the creature that gave her sight. She said she would have given up her sight again just to talk to you once more. I will not subject her to that again, and I will absolutely not allow you to risk going back to the Hive. I'd rather take the risk of treason, because maybe we could end this war differently. Maybe Drizzlepop doesn't have to grow up in the world we are in now."

"Of course," Thorax said softly, knowing nothing about just how much Drizzlepop appreciated him. He quickly gathered his thoughts, presenting a stern tone of voice, "Yes, that is my hope for these nations. After your kindness, I cannot refuse your offer whatsoever. The changelings may be my people, but Chrysalis is not my queen, perhaps the equines will understand that."

Barn smiled.

"Then lets get to work, son."