Stained Steel [CH-7]

Steel ran across the blood stained floor, running from all the Things chasing him. a mass of meaty flesh hitting the floor as it drew closer to him, howling his name in familiar tone, yet so distorted and demonic it couldn't be described with words. he dare not look back and greet it. He burst through a door, quickly slamming it shut and holding his back against it. bracing himself for slam of the Monstrosity chasing him. yet nothing happened. he looked behind himself and there's only a flat wall where the door was. A soft, warm voice greeted his name, though confusion laced through it. "Steel?"

He turned his head slowly... seeing his Friend. Her body was matted in fresh Scarlet-Red blood, the pink hue of her fur hidden beneath, her wings scarce of feathers and flesh, almost zombie like in appearance. and her face... her head was gone, only her lower jaw held in place by straining muscles, the tongue with which she spoke teasing remarks now dangling out her jaw like a cruel ornament decorating her new appearance.

Steel wakes up in a cold sweat, scanning his surroundings. plain white paints the walls and ceiling, he could hear the sterile beeping of the heart monitor beside him. the slick translucent rubber connected to his fore hoof, giving the life for him to open his eyes. He turned his head to look beside him, finding princess of the night staring back at him. Luna gives a bittersweet smile. "Art thee feeling well? thou condition when we had found you were... deplorable to say the least."

Steel runs his hoof around his chest, feeling the bandages keeping him in one place. though it didn't make his injuries hurt any less nor make his heart lighter. "I'm... I will be fine."

Luna tenses her eyes. "And… the nightmare. Ne'er before have mine eyes beheld such unbridled carnage within the realm of dreams. A vision steeped in gore most profane, a horror beyond reckoning… and I—" she falters, jaw tightening. "I was powerless to quell it, to weave the dream anew as I am wont to do. Thus, I did rouse thee with mine magic, though I fear such meager efforts shall avail us naught in preventing its return."

Steel gives an appreciative nod. "Thank you, regardless."

Luna shakes her head at this. "Nay, the failing is mine own," she murmurs, a shadow crossing her visage. "Should such wretched visions plague thee once more, thou must summon me without delay. Swear it, for this I cannot abide."

Steel softens at this. "Alright, princess. i will." He looks out the window. and at the bustling town of canterlot, before asking. "Princess? how many survived?" He knew the answer in his mind but he had to know... maybe he missed some?

Luna pressed her lips to a thin line and closes her eyes as her breath hitched. breaking the truth to Steel. "Only thee… Shining Armor and Flurry Heart remain. They had ventured here to confer with the nobles and to pay visit unto Princess Twilight. Yesterday, they sought to return home, yet…" She hesitates but a moment, then steels herself. "There is no home to which they may return." A silence, heavy as stone, lingers before she continues. "We have spoken naught of this unto them. as I and my sister planned to tell the truth once Thou could tell us what truly transpired"

Steel could feel his heart drop into his stomach. The thought of his home, all but destroyed. It shakes his very bones. He looks up. "Has... that monster been destroyed? The Elements Of Harmony must've destroyed it by now... right?" he was all but sure it was killed off by the Elements but he wanted some self-validification

Luna's expression darkens at this. "I know not where it hath gone. Its last trace was at the subway station in Manehattan, where it emerged from a train hailing from the Crystal Empire. The slaughter it left in its wake was grievous—innocents and guards alike fell before its wrath. And then, as if the very shadows had claimed it, the beast vanished from Equestria’s sight. None can say whither it hath fled, nor what doom it yet carries with it."

Steel felt his mouth fall open. Terror washed over him anew, but something else stirred beneath it—something stronger than fear. Vengeance, for those who fell to that monster. For his people, For the Princess, For his Friend. Steel mutters to the princess of the night. "Once i'm out of these bandages. I will find that THING. And KILL it. I saw it's handiwork first and second hand. The flayed flesh, the sizzling blood, the scorched feathers...." his words filled with a newborn Hate, one forged with despair and strife despite his injuries. "Please, let me honour those who fell in my cowardice."

Luna is awestruck only seeing such fervour among her own well trained bat ponies. but she nods with a few parting words. "We will ensure thou art attached with the search party once thee recovers. But please, do not blame thyself for the lives lost for it's not thy hands which are stained in blood."

Steel nods at this advice. Luna turns to depart. "We must alert our sister on thy awakening so we shall discuss these grave matters together with Shining Armour. Rest and reflect on thy thoughts, but do not let it consume you. Am i clear?"

Steel smiles back despite the pain in his eyes. "Thank you princess. I will... Make sure to remember your advice."

Luna leaves the room leaving Steel by himself. Steel look out the window as his thoughts roam about on recent events. He looks out at the mountainous terrain outside in canterlot, the princesses truly had a beautiful view of the of the other side of the mountain. In the distance... he swore his eyes had landed on a oddly rectangular silhouette. He looked out in the terrain again but there was nothing. Perhaps his trauma is getting to him; He should catch a little rest.

Luna walks by the hall to her sister's room. Her eyes catching the taunting stained glass decorating the wall. why doth sister insist on keeping that window of her defeat? Perhaps as a reminder to never repeat the past.... or a way to rub the salt in the wound. she shakes her head, We shouldn't think that way... Never would we willingly become that monster again. Ever.

She finally reaches the door to celestia's quarter. Pushing it open she finds her sister busier than usual. Her hoof shuffling papers as her magic writes letters or signs contracts. It's almost crazy how she could work day in, night out non-stop like that. Luna catches her sister's attention with a light cough. "Sister. The crystal pony is awake. he is well and sane as one can be after seeing such death. "

Celestia smiles putting her quill down. "Atleast there's some good news. having to cover up the atrocity in Manehatten as a train accident caused by leaking propane barrels was terrible enough. An big headline is certainly better than saying there's Bloodthirsty Villain on the loose."

Luna smiles, glad to relieve some burden. "No worries sister. but we should get going. every moment we spent bickering is another the metal beast can spend planning it's next genocide."

Celestia nods and gets up, sheafing her paper back into neat stacks. "Yes, let us go, sister. First we must get shining armour."

Shining armour sits by his daughter. A headache brewing—not just because Flurry heart is flying all over the place at random. The fact Princess Celestia had asked him to stay one day past what they were going to stay for is getting to him. Being already separated from his love for 3 days is enough but having to take care of his alicorn of a daughter is another.

Celestia and Luna both enter the room. Celestia is almost hit in the face by the Ballistic Missile that is Flurry Heart. She thankfully catches the filly and sets her down. "Careful little pony. You would've hurt some pony if i wasn't an alicorn!" Flurry heart nods at this, smiles and plops down on the bed with her favourite plushie. Celestia turns to look at shining. "Come we have many things to discuss."

Shining Armour glances at his kid. "What about her?"

Celestia gestures him outside. "Do not worry. I prepared a handful of maids to take care of Flurry in the meantime."

Shining armour nods in response.

As the trio leave and the maids enter Shining Armour asks. "So what is it you asked me out for?"

Luna shakes her head. "Tis too many ears here. Follow we must talk somewhere quieter."

Luna guides the group to Steel's room, a short walk away from the usual guest rooms. She lets Celestia and Shining Armour enter before casting a spell to lock the door and make sure no sound leaves the room.

Shining Armour recognizes Steel instantly. "Soldier? What are you doing all the way in Canterlot? You haven't abandoned your post have you?"

Steel opens his mouth to speak but Celestia speaks first. "This is not something i can easily express but I will put it as bluntly as i can." Celestia gathered up some composure before dropping the bombshell. "The Crystal Empire is no more."

She let the weight of her words linger in the air. Shining Armour who had no prior knowledge of this, stumbled on his words. "W-what do you mean?"

Celestia closes her eyes as she continues. "two days ago a cargo shipment came by harbouring a creature which devastated the equestrian forces placed there. and after reinforcements had arrived. the creature was gone."

Shining Armour is irritated "That is terrible, but that isn't at all related to what you just said earlier!"

Celestia puts her hoof on the ground firmly. "Let me continue. The train came from The Crystal Empire" Shining Armour felt his words catch in his throat as realisation dawned on him as Celestia elaborated. "With no response from the empire, I and my sister had visited it personally... We found the kingdom in utter silence and covered in windswept snow."

Shining armour turns disbelievingly to his injured stallion. "Soldier, Surely this is some kind of sick joke right? do not tell me this the truth..."

Steel looks to the side avoiding his stare. "I've seen it, what it did to my comrades... it was mere luck that I was just knocked out. After I woke up. I saw the destruction it wrought. The bodies of those i've talked to just hours prior. The corpse of the princess on the ground floor and... the massacre outside. I was able limp to the mail station and send a message through the old telegram system before i fainted again..."

Celestia's eyes turn sharp but doesn't intrude in steel's talk. making a special reminder to court martial the guard stationed at the telegram that day after she took a look at the guard schedule for the last few days...

Shining armour is devastated. words refuse to come out of his mouth as denial fades away."S-so... It's true... My friends... C-cadance... everything we worked for is gone."

Luna Interrupts before Shining could wallow too deep in his mourning. "Shining Armour... while it is true that thee hast lost almost everything. do not forget that thee still has thy daughter. You and her were lucky to not be there and thou should be grateful for what mercy the world has given us."

Shining armour brushes his mane with his hoof in contemplation as he wiped off unseen tears. "I've decided... I won't be participating in whatever plan I you and your sister are concocting. As luna said I needs to focus on my daughter and raise her well. that's what cadence would have wanted." Tears were still straining the ends of his eyes. his figure shaking. but he knew he had to stay strong for his daughter.

Celestia is a tad surprised at his maturity, having expected it to evolve into a blind rage. but smiles happily at seeing him seeing reason. "I will prepare a permanent chamber in the castle for the both of you. considering you will be staying. I can give you your old position back and make flurry heart a princess of equestria much like how cadence was in the past."

Shining Armor shakes his head in disapproval. "It is Flurry's choice if she wishes to be a princess but, I won't take back my old role. I cannot have it interfere my time with my daughter, I need to make sure she grows up properly with me by her side." He turns to leave but before he does leaves however. "Tia, Show that Beast what Tartarus is like.."

Celestia smiles in turn. "I bid you farewell." Shining gives a sad smile and nods before leaving.

Celesia frowns slightly as the plan she had made has gone awry. "hmm.. i had planned on shining armor leading the search party but that seems to be out of the question now. To be fair, it is probably the better that he stays with his daughter."

Luna nods but then sees her opportunity and takes it. "May we suggest Steel as a possible replacement? He hast already asked for a place in the team, with his experience with the threat he may be a powerful asset once his injuries have healed over."

Celestia listens to luna's proposal with intrigue. She rubs her chin. "That is... a good idea. everypony else has no idea what to expect when they find the beast in question." Celestia looks at steel. "I will put our best healers to make sure you heal quickly, even with that it would take a few days for you to recover and for the search to begin. it's a big risk what we're taking so i want to make sure you ready for the task. And even if your not going to, a description of it is highly appreciated"

Steel takes a moment, he had been sidelining the conversation upto this point only speaking when he was asked to. even then he didn't truly expect luna to go through with his request. with a renewed determination in his eyes, he answers. "I will gladly take part."

Author's Note

This one was "Written" a while ago. but just lacked that polish it needed to be published. like putting archaic words in Luna's dialogue. i've spent almost two hours searching words just for that. but alas this chapter is done. I don't know when the next one will be out. maybe before April if i get in the mood to write