Returning Home Arc I - Fall of the Hive

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Death of a Hero
Chapter 2: End are but Beginnings
Chapter 3: Birth of an Alliance, Rise of an Army
The Battle of Outpost 16

Chapter 1: The Death of a Hero

No pony could have predicted it, no creature could have known, none of the races, none of the ponies could have known that the day that would bring an end to their way of life would be like any normal day. The day in Ponyville started as any other would, it was a beautiful day in Equestria, Celestia's Sun shone as a pony in a dark cloak slipped from the shadows of allies and homes in Ponyville slowly making her way to the newly constructed massive crystalline castle tree in its center of the town.

As she reached the entrance she silently opened one of the massive doors and slipped inside expecting to be questioned but there was no one there. No guards, no servants, no one there to demand answers from this hooded intruder. The figure slunk across the hallways looking inside the rooms as she passed. There was not a lot inside them, bare amenities and the odd box of personal belongings but nothing that yet truly made the massive structure feel lived in. As the figure walked and reached a set of double doors that were open voices could be heard and the figure slunk deeper into the shadows.

Rainbow Dash stood next to Twilight who was busy sorting books onto one of the bookshelves lining the room. It had been a week since Tirek had destroyed the Golden Oaks Library and she still had so much to organize. "Come on Twilight, why did you do it!?" Rainbow yelled in anger. "Spitfire told me, she said you told her to not make me a Wonderbolt!”

As Rainbow yelled, Twilight took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she set the books she was levitating to the highest shelf down on the ground before turning to her friend. "That's not exactly what happened. She said with a wince. "Spitfire asked me to look at the records and see who was ready and one of the records she wanted an opinion on was yours."

Rainbow narrowed her eyes at Twilight as she crossed her arms. "You expect me to believe that?" She asked angrily. "I have the best records in the academy and I’ve aced every test I’ve taken!" She countered as she looked at Twilight. "Besides you didn't need to look at my file to know that, I came to the Golden Oaks a lot to study, hell you helped me for Celestia's sake! Come on Twi, I’m ready to be a Wonderbolt!"

"No you're not, Rainbow, you’re not yet ready." Twilight groaned as she rubbed her forehead. "Look you want to know what I said so bad then fine. I put you down for not being ready because while you are the best in your class, you still have problems controlling your emotions!" Twilight said as she gestured to Rainbow with a wave hinting that this was an example. "Spitfire’s told me about how you’re always ignoring the logistical side of the practices you go through and rush during the military training exercises. About how often your actions have caused your side high casualties in the simulations because you didn't plan ahead and act like a one pony army rather than a member of the team." Twilight further explained in depth before sighing and looking at Rainbow with a softer look.

"Look Rainbow as much as I hate to say it, the Wonderbolts are as much our military force as they are an entertainment group. You aren't just being taught how to be the best and fastest flyers but also military maneuvers and combat so that if Equestria ever were to go to war you would be able to handle important operations. The entertainment part is secondary to your military training because it's part of the Militaries 'public relations'." Twilight said as she placed a hand on Rainbow's shoulder.

"Look, as Princess Celestia's personal apprentice and even more so now as the new Princess, I get a lot of the mission debriefings and operations from the Royal Guard and Wonderbolts." Twilight said in a kind voice. "I have a hand in helping plan the missions sometimes because Celestia needs help, and Rainbow it's not always good. The Wonderbolts serve as Equestrias protectors in the sky, just like how the Royal Guard serves the population by acting as law enforcement, and in times of emergence our military force, the Wonderbolts protect the populace from threats they hopefully will never know about. From Griffon invasions to simple monsters, the Wonderbolts are tasked with protecting ponies by any means necessary even if it means killing."

Twilight took a deep breath as she looked Rainbow in the eyes. "Rainbow, until you're ready to learn to follow orders and think before you act, I’m afraid I had to let Spitfire know that in my professional opinion, you were not ready." She said as she removed her hand from Rainbow's shoulder.

“So that’s it?" Rainbow said sullenly as she looked at the ground. "I worked hard on getting into the Wonderbolts for years, you supported me all the way and you pick now to stab me in the back?!" She said, her voice growing later till she was yelling. “I thought you were my friend!” She yelled angrily as she glared at Twilight.

“I am your friend Rainbow!” Twilight retired as anger creeped into her voice. “I’m trying to help you not get yourself or your comrades killed during a dangerous mission. Equestria may be at peace now but you've seen what our enemies are like. Just last week we fought Tirek himself and almost lost! Rainbow, I do want you to be a Wonderbolt but I also don't want you learning the cost of not following orders or what being part of the team means when facing someone like him or Nightmare Moon or Chrysalis or any of the numerous monsters in Equestria! Better you learn such things when training and in a controlled environment, not when on the battlefield where every action could mean your death or the death of others that could be relying on you.”

“Yeah, well I don’t see it that way!” Rainbow retorted and prepared to continue but was cut off by Twilight raising a hand. "Look Rainbow, I never said not to make you a Wonderbolt." She said cutting her argument off before it could start. "I said to give you another few months before she considers it. Please stop being so stubborn, all I ask is for you to stay and receive six more months of leadership and tactical training. Spitfire and I talked and she even offered that she could train you one on one so that you would know what it means to make the right choices as a leader. She also said if you agreed to this then you would be ahead of everypony else when it came time for officer training."

As Twilight, trying to placate the angry pegasus she once more went to place her hand on her shoulder again only for Rainbow to back away. "Please Rainbow, once you show some improvements I am sure Spitfire will-” “You know what, I’m done listening to this." Rainbow said as she turned away from Twilight. "I’m done listening to a pony with wings who's still having trouble flying despite having them for a year! Just because I don't do well with a team doesn't mean I'll screw up a mission but apparently one of my best friends doesn’t think so and as a result I'm grounded and can’t work with the Wonderbolts anymore! Screw you Twilight, I’m good enough to be a Wonderbolt. Fuck you!” She yelled as she stormed away leaving Twilight to stare after her in shock till the sounds of the doors slamming shut was heard.

Twilight was silent as she looked in the direction of the closed doors and sighed as she lit her magic and wrapped it around the books she sat down, continuing to organize the shelves of her new castle's library. "Sorry Rainbow, but I know what it's like to be unprepared for a roll you're going to be thrust into and I don’t want you to have the same problems as I am having now."

As Twilight was focused back on shelving the books the cloaked figure remained hidden for several moments waiting to see of anypony else was around but after waiting for five minutes she decided that she must be alone and slowly moved forward sneaking up behind the alicorn and grabbing her from behind before slammed her into one the bookshelf causing Twilight to gasp in shock and pain as she was pulled of the bookshelf she was smooshed up against and thrown across the room by the cloaked figure before she could recover.

With a gasped groan Twilight got the air back in her lungs and got herself propped up onto her elbows just in time for the tall cloaked pony to come and stand over them and pull their hood down revealing a pony with a dark blue coat. "Greeting Twilight Sparkle." The Pony said as green flames enveloped the pony burning away the visage and revealing chitinous skin, long greenish hair and piercing green eyes.

"Chrysalis, why are you here?" Twilight growled as the queen stood over her with a smirk.

"Why, I'm here for you Twilight, after all you are one of the few to see past my illusions and to the real me. You're a thorn in my side and I've been trying to figure out how to be rid of you for some time." The queen grabbed twilight by the throat and lifted her off the ground. "You in particular but to be honest you're just the first to be dealt with. After all the Elements as well as those damn princesses you ponies worship must go as well." She spat. "But First I must make sure I have no more trouble from you." She said as she drew a knife, narrowed her eyes, and stabbed Twilight in the stomach causing the young alicorn to gasp in shock before Chrysalis released her to fall to the ground.

As Twilight fell to the ground she gasped and clutched her stomach whimpering in pain as Chrysalis grinned above her and slowly circled like a shark looking for an opening. "Even if I die Equestria will find a way to survive and defeat you." Twilight gasped out as she looked up at Chrysalis with a dark look.

Chrysalis chuckled. "Perhaps but you see I realized that when I invaded during the wedding my plans didn't go nearly far enough." Chrysalis said as her smile grew. "I should have dealt with you the moment I had the opportunity but I didn't." Chrysalis said as she reared her foot back and drove it deep into Twilight's stomach causing her to scream and cough up blood before she leaned down and slammed her fist into the young Alicorn's head. Twilight ground but had no time to react as she was pulled up by her neck causing her to choke as her head was slammed into the ground again repeatedly as Chrysalis laughed. "I'm going to enjoy them finding your mutilated body, there despair, there pain and fear; it will taste so delicious!" She said exactly as she raised the knife and stabbed Twilight through her right eye and twisted, ripping it out.

Twilight screamed as her eye was ripped from its socket, the pain almost knocking her out but the adrenaline kept her conscious as Chrysalis raised the knife to her face and licked the blood from it and when she reached the eye she bit into it and pulled it from the knife, the juices of the mangled eye still on the weapon as she dramatically swallowed it with an audible gulp. "With your death all of Equestria will fall into despair and as they mourn your death I shall unleash my swarm and claim what's rightfully mine." Chrysalis laughed as she grabbed the alicorn and turned her over. "But first I will enjoy myself." She said in an almost delirious voice as she placed the knife to the base of Twilight's wings and began to saw them off messily.

Twilight screamed as the knife cut deep into her flesh and almost blacked out again as the knife met her bones and Chrysalis began to saw at them. "Struggle all you like my dear, this knife is enchanted to cut through anything." Chrysalis leaned down her face next to Twilight's ear. "Even bone but that doesn't mean it will go in a single cut." She said as she continued to chop the wing off. Twilight screamed as after what felt like eternity the wing finally ripped from her back and unseen by her Chrysalis's smile grew more deranged and ecstatic as she moved the blade to the next and proceeded to do the same.

After finally severing the second wing Chrysalis stood and kicked Twilight over so that she lay on her now severed and bloody stump that her wings were once attached to and posed over the half conscious alicorn holding the wings as if they were extravagant fans. "How do I look dear?" She asked with a giggle. "Don't I just look absolutely radiant darling?" She asked as her form shifted to that of Rarity's.

Twilight didn't respond to the Queen's actions other than simply gasping for breath and weakly glare as she lay there. "Awe, do you need some help my dear?" She asked as she bent over the half conscious alicorn who stared at her before making a weak attempt to talk. "What's that?" Chrysalis asked as she looked at the mangled mare before her. "I couldn't hear you." She said as she tossed the wings away and knelt down. "Why don't you say it again." She said with an arrogant grin as she returned to her changeling form and leaned over her victim.

"I... said... Fuck you... cunt." Twilight said before spitting blood at the queen's face, it landed on her cheek.

Chrysalis froze in shock before reaching a hand up to her cheek and wiping the blood from it and looking at it before chucking, however slowly the chuckling devolved into full laughter. "Ah, I'm going to enjoy this." She said as she grabbed the knife and ripped Twilight's dress fully off seeing her Cutie Mark on her shoulders and drove her knife into the skin around them and began to slowly cut. Twilight's eyes widened as her mouth fell open but no sound came as Chrysalis slowly carved the skin around her cutie marks off before moving to the next one and after agonizing moments Chrysalis finally held up two pieces of her skin. "I think I could make a set of earrings out of these." She said as she held them up to her ears before dramatically sighing. "Aw, they're too big." She said in fake sadness before tossing them aside. "Ah well, We still have so much more to do." She said as she once more picked up the knife and grinned as she leaned back over the already near dead Alicorn.

To Twilight, the torture lasted for what felt like hours and by the time the queen was done Twilight's voice had long since left from the screaming but her eyes still looked upon the Changeling Queen with disgust and now a small fragment of spite. "Ah if only I could keep you for longer Twilight, by the time I'd be done with you I'd have you so broken you'd be screaming and moaning in pleasure with each cut as I used my power to change your pain to pleasure." As she spoke her eyes glowed green with power. "But sadly I have things to do and a swarm to unleash upon hapless Ponies. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did Twilight Sparkle." Chrysalis said as she raised the blade above her head and plunged it deep into the alicorns head killing her but not before she was vaguely aware of her slowly curving the blade and with a flourish twisting her horn from her skull and grinning as Twilights awareness fade to black, tears falling from her eyes as she was finally released from her torment the light in them faded.

Chrysalis grinned as she stood admiring her handy work as a crash was heard and the sound of hooves was heard before the doors to the library were blasted off the hinges by a combined yellow and blue aura that send them flying and Celestia and Luna charged in, the remaining Elements, Spike and even Discord close behind and just in time to see Chrysalis, standing over Twilight and smiling, open a portal. "Too late~." Chrysalis sang as she stepped through the portal just as Discord charged forward with a blind roar of rage and anger only to crash into the wall as the portal closed just as he reached it. As Discord pulled himself from the wall and the Elements stood in shock Celestia and Luna ran to Twilight's body, Celestia scooping her up as she looked at the mutilated body slowly beginning to weep.

Hesitantly the remaining Elements began to approach however Luna quickly turned to them, a dark look in her eyes. "Not another step!" Luna yelled, causing the others to freeze. "Better you remember her as she was." She said tears streaming down her face as she turned back to Celestia who clung to the body of Twilight and wept like a mother who had lost her child.

Twilight's death was not a quiet affair, no pony could deny that it wasn’t hidden but the news spread throughout Equestria and beyond far faster than anypony thought possible. Of course the fact that changelings were behind it was no secret either and rumors spread that the reason the news was spread so fast was due to them trying to destabilize the kingdom.

However weather these rumors were true or not didn't matter, a hero of Equestria had been murdered, her death at the hands of the Changeling Queen Chrysalis being all but confirmed several days later as the rulers of Equestria made a formal declaration announcing her death and her soon to be held funeral. from across Equestria ponies made their way to the capital to pay respects, Twilight's actions as the Element of Magic having touched countless individuals. As word spread beyond the borders of Equestria so too did many of the other races' rulers come to pay their respects and offer assistance to Celestia and Luna.

The funeral was held a week after her death, the casket kept closed out of respect to the deceased mare and her family as it was carried by the Royal Guard from Ponyville to the train and from there delivered to Canterlot where her body was escorted by the Guard once more to the Garden of Heroes, her brother and former Captain of the Royal Guard, Prince Shining Armor leading the procession as they walked her there. The Garden of Heroes was the graveyard where the greatest of Equestrian heroes were laid to rest and held the likes of Starswirl the Bearded, Clover the Clever, Princess Platinum of Unicornia, and Commander Hurricane. She would rest with the Heroes of old, another legend to pass into history.

No pony expected the turn out, the streets of Ponyville were lined with her friend and more as everypony that could came, friends and family gathered at the head of the procession but even those who Twilight had helped throughout her time as the Element of Magic and before came from across Equestria however once the funeral had passed Equestria did not fall into despair like Chrysalis had believed.

As the ponies Ponies cried their sorrow and sadness changed and turned to something that many of the other races thought the modern pony had forgotten, anger and now that the funeral had passed the time of morning had as weel and now the time came for the voices of ponies to cry out for blood. In trying to break Equestria Chrysalis had done the one thing no other race had since the Great Griffon War over a thousand years ago, she had crossed the line and gone too far.

While Pony society was quick to forget the other races did not forget so easily and some held long records detailing the past before the Nightmare War led by the corrupted Lunar Princess. While the modern Ponies were a soft race, more prone to kindness and friendship, they had once been a force to be feared and with the sparks of war once more awoken in the Equestrian ponies it was as if overnight the ponies rose up and prepared for war. Blacksmiths hammers rang out as they struck their anvils, Mages gathered in their long sealed off libraries gathering knowledge that had been cast aside for favor of peace, the Royal Guard that had become simply a ceremonial tradition awoke from it's ancient slumber with training no longer meant to keep the peace but to kill.

Deep within Canterlot Castle the doors to an ancient and sealed armory that had been locked and hidden away since the end of the Nightmare War and the defeat of the Lunar Rebellion were ripped open by Celestia, As she entered the torchlight from outside the room glinted off ancient golden armor and a dusty halberd, beside it sat armor similar to that worn by Nightmare Moon and an ancient sword. Celestia and Luna stepped forward as the armor pieces rose in their magic coming to rest against their forms and locking into place for the first time in over a thousand years. The peace and harmony that Equestia had known for so long, that Celestia had worked so hard to bring about, was no more. The fires of war that had once been extinguished with but ashen embers remaining again roared in the hearts of Ponies.

Author's Note

So the Rewrite has begun, I hope you enjoy.

Princess Celestia Design

Princess Luna Design

Chapter 2: End are but Beginnings

Deep within the void twelve beings stirred, Harmony had fallen and their champion was lost. One growled as it looked at its brothers and sisters. The figure though merely appearing as a silhouette seemed made of magma and as it moved it's form twisted and warped in odd ways. "I will not sit idly by as this occurs." They said angrily.

"Nor shall we Cruelty, Chrysalis has altered the balance in which we worked so hard to restore. Our Champions destiny... Twilight Sparkle was not ready and her destiny remains unfulfilled." Replied another kinder female voice, this entity's form appearing as that of a silhouette wreathed in light with fiery flames licking off her shoulders.

"Peace Kindness, it must be placed to a vote." The largest of the beings said, its form even silhouetted was like that of the night itself. "My brethren, I propose we bring her here. No being will disturb her here and we may train her personally."

"I agree." A voice that sounded like darkness itself spoke, causing all eyes to turn to a being of pure shadow, their silhouette not visible under the power that he was wreathed in. "All in favor?" He asked as all the beings raised their hands quickly in agreement obviously not wishing to earn the ire of the being.

"Then it's decided, Twilight Sparkle will be trained here by us personally." The Night like being said. "Remember to appear before her in a form she can comprehend, if she were to look upon us now she would be driven mad." He said as the other beings bowed and faded away leaving the Night like figure and the Shadow figure to leave last.

Twilight lay on the floor of her palace, the torture he had endured lasting for what felt like hours as Chrysalis mocked her and did things that she would never forget. Her body was numb, her throat raw from screaming and her voice wasn't coming out, the vocal cords probably broken by now from her screams. But she couldn't let her mind break, no matter what the Changeling Queen would do to her she would keep glaring at her, keep staring upon the Changeling Queen with disgust and out of spite. Though her body might be broken and her voice lost she would not surrender.

"Ah if only I could keep you for longer Twilight, by the time I'd be done with you I'd have you so broken you'd be screaming and moaning in pleasure with each cut as I used my power to change your pain to pleasure." As Chrysalis spoke her eyes glowed green with power, power to control, to rewrite one's mind and will but Twilight glared at her in spite. She wouldn't break.

"But sadly I have things to do and a swarm to unleash upon hapless Ponies. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did Twilight Sparkle." Chrysalis said as she raised the blade above her head and plunged it deep into the alicorn's head. Twilight's eyes-well eye, widened in shock as she felt the blade dig into her head and in a second as she was vaguely aware of Chrysalis slowly curving the blade she felt her memories and mind being obliterated as the knife ripped through her gray matter and suddenly her head felt lighter as she saw her horn pulled from her skull.

Tears fell from Twilight's eyes, the Queen won, she was broken and with that she let the dark take her. She didn't want to live anymore, not without her horn, not without her magic. Darkness swam in her vision and she embraced, the last thing she saw clearly being the grinning face of Queen Chrysalis.

As Twilight's awareness faded to black she felt as if she was sinking, the cold and darkness was all she felt as she drifted in a sea of nothing. As she floated however she slowly became aware of the feeling of something under her, as if she were laying on the ground. Slowly Twilight moved and sat up, not feeling the pain of her body anymore as she looked down at herself before looking at her arms and then feeling her now intact eye, she knew she was dead but here she was, sitting on invisible ground and surrounded by a void of nothing.

"Is t-this the afterlife." She asked herself, partly because she wanted to see if her voice worked and also because she just wanted to hear something normal after what she had just endured. She didn't bother standing or looking around instead she just looked at her intact body however her attention was caught by the sound of chuckling causing her to look up and come face to face with a strange being.

The Being was a strange entity that seemed to be made of brown swirling energy that seemed to assemble itself into the appearance of a stallion slightly shorter than Big McIntosh with what may have been an attempt at a hat on his head. "Howdy young Twilight, I am Honesty." The Being said as he reached out a hand for Twilight to take. "And to answer yer question, no this ain't the afterlife, we brought yer soul to the void." He said as from the darkness around them nine more beings slowly appeared.

Twilight hesitated before slowly taking the hand offered, finding it surprisingly solid and stood looking at the beings surrounding her. "Who and what are you?" She asked in a slightly shakily voice.

"We are the physical manifestation of what you call the Elements of Harmony." Another of the beings explained as his form solidified slightly forming into the appearance of a stallion, though he still appeared as nothing but swirling purple energy, he now wore an ancient wizard hat and robes. "I am the manifestation of the Element of Magic." The figure said with a bow.

"I am his twin brother and the opposite of his element, Necromancy." The figure next to him said as he stepped forward, his appearance similar to Magics but his was darker darker with hints of green swirling through his form. He wore what was most commonly identified as necromancer robes, though such garments were more so just modified wizard robes.

Another of the Beings stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings Twilight Sparkle, I am Deception the Opposite of Honesty." The being said as he rose from his bow. Unlike his counterpart, Deception looked as if he were made of a light brown energy and wore a finely tailored suit.

After introducing himself Deception stepped back and two more figures stepped forward though they were both female. The first looked to be a being made of Light and fire, an aura of kindness like that of Fluttershy seems to encircle her as she walked making Twilight smile faintly. The one beside her was much different from the one beside her, her form burned with untamed fire and her body radiated as if she were made of Lava, an aura of anger and hate countered by the first mare's aura. "Greetings Twilight Sparkle, I am the Element of Kindness." The one made of light said as her form solidified and revealed she wore a set of flowing royal robes. After introducing herself Kindness stepped back leaving the other fiery being to stand before her.

Even though the Lava like entity had no face to look at her with Twilight could feel the contempt and judgment the being cast upon her causing Twilight to shift uncomfortably but not look away from them as they condensed their form revealing they wore light and skimpy female warrior armor that was slime and had she had physical form would hardly be called covering, in fact one could say it was extremely erotic. "I'm Cruelty." The Being said before she turned and walked away, joining her Opposite.

"Well you must have potential if Cruelty will acknowledge you." A voice said as a female entity made up of a liquid silver like substance said as she approached Twilight. The Entity wore heavy knight armor over royal robes and a crown of gold wreathed her head. As she approached her arm was interlocked with another being, this being having the stature of a Male and was made of obsidian crystals. Like the woman at his side, the male being wore heavy armor and robes however the trappings bore a unique design that Twilight recognized from pictures she had seen of King Sombra. "Greetings young Twilight, I am the Element of Generosity and this is my husband Greed." The Being said as she bowed her head and let go of her husband's arm who seemed like he wanted to run but instead faced Twilight and bowed.

"Greetings Twilight Sparkle, it is an honor to properly introduce myself to you given the last time we met I was... not myself. Greed said as he bowed to her only for his form the shift for a second, glitching as if the world was overlaying his appearance over another and for a second the visage of crystal fell away revealing his true appearance, a tall and muscular stallion with dark hair and a curved horn that faded from black to red at the tip.

"Sombra!" Twilight gasped and as she took a step back in fear.

"Indeed, Lady Sparkle." Sombra said, not raising from his bow. "And on that note I truly wish to apologize to you for how we last met, Lady Sparkle. After all when we last spoke I was most certainly not in my right mind, or rather I was not wholly myself."

W-what d-do you mean?" Twilight managed to stutter out, her fear and shock combining to leave her near speechless.

Sombra sighed as he rose and looked at her with apologetic eyes, his form still part of what he looked when alive but the crystal was obviously more present in that if coated his body and parts of his face like the scales of a dragon but it didn’t detract from his appearance, rather it seemed to enhance it to a degree making him appear noble, perhaps even regal. "When last we met you only interacted with a broken fragment of myself left behind on the physical plain." Sombra explained calmly. "When I and my companions were trapped in this realm fragments of us remained in the physical world. These fragments are incomplete things, like echoes of what who and we were than anything else. As a result only fragments of our personality remained in them, the others fragments did not persist long as like an echo they eventually faded away but mine latched onto the Crystal Heart to power itself and as a result persisted while slowly deteriorating to madness and preventing me from fully entering this realm. My body and soul were brought here to the Void but my mind was trapped in these fragmented echoes. When you and your friends used the Crystal Heart on me it overwhelmed my Echo's fragile body and at last shattered it allowing my mind to fully return to me here in the Void and make me whole once more." As Sombra finished his explanation he bowed once more. "I was at last able to be reunited with my wife and comrades as well as be free of the madness I fell into thanks to your efforts Landy Sparkle, for your help, even if unintentionally, I am in your debt."

Twilight smiled shyly and nodded. "Your welcome, Sombra. Huh...never thought I'd ever say something like that." She muttered, earning a laugh from the Element of Greed.

"Well with that out of the way." A pink figure said as they appeared wearing only basic clothes as they clapped their hands. "Yo, I'm laughing." She said with a wave as another figure made of a darker pink almost red energy appeared beside them and condensed into a figure dressed in dark armor. "And this here is my opposition, sorrow; say hi sorrow!" The pink swirl said excitedly.

The Darker figure sighed as Laugher floated around him excitedly before they grabbed the speeding figure by what was technically their neck and smacked them upside the head. "Have some respect Laughter." The figure said grumpily before turning to Twilight and bowing, "Greetings I am the Manifestation of the Element known as Sorrow."

"Well with your introductions out of the way it's time you met the boss's." Laughter said excitedly as they appeared behind Twilight excitedly even though they had been held by Sorrow a moment ago prompting the other Elements to quiet down and nod as they looked at each other before Kindness approached her. "We will meet again child but for now farewell." With that the other beings except for Laughter and Sorrow turned walking deeper into the void before blinking out of existence.

"This way." Laughter said with a flourish as Twilight slowly stepped forward following the two Elements deeper into the Void. The walk was slow and to Twilight it felt as if the went for at least an hour before she saw two beings in the distance and the group began to approach them. When they were a few feet away from the two beings Laugher turned to Twilight. "Well, this is where we leave ya for now, see ya kid." Laughter said before jumping up and disappearing.

Sorrow sighed. "Farewell miss Sparkle." He said and bowed before stepping into the shadows of the void, his presence disappearing as if he were never there. Now standing alone in the void, Twilight took a deep breath before turning to the two beings before her and slowly stepped forward approaching them.

As Twilight approached, a feeling of weight seemed to surround her making it harder for her to move forward, with each step it was as if she were slowly being crushed and slowly she lost focus on the two figures she was trying to get to and instead focused on just taking a step forward. After what felt like hours of walking she was at last before the two beings who seemed to have not noticed her and instead were sitting across from one another meditating.

The One on the left was a swirl of dark blue Energy with white specks making him look as if he were wrapped within a fragment of the night and his form was covered in the ornate armor of a knight but atop his head was an ornate crown. Opposite the Knight like King and sitting to Twilights right sat a much more intimidating figure. The Being was formed from a pure black energy and surrounding him were wisps of dark red making him look like the sky during an eclipse, he too wore armor but it was twisted and broken, looking as if it was warped around and twisted onto him.

As Twilight looked upon the two beings, the one on the left at last looked up at her, his eyes looking to be glowing stars. "Greetings Twilight Sparkle and welcome to the Void. I am Loyalty." The knight King said calmly.

"I am Betrayal." The Darker figure on the right said as he examined her. "You hold great potential but you are far from being prepared for my lessons." He said as he rose and walked away. "Return once you can handle the Aura of Power that surrounds us.

Loyalty sighed and stood looking upon the young Alicorn, his very presence making Twilight desire to bow in respect. "Please excuse my Opposite." He said calmly as he seemed to scrutinize every fiber of Twilight's being. "Betrayal is a man of action not words, I may be his opposite but even can never guess his intentions. But such discussions are not for the moment, now I assume you have a lot of questions, this is the time to ask." He said as the oppressive aura Twilight had felt at last released her. "Have a seat, ask and I will tell." He said as he sat back down.

Twilight hesitated before taking a seat and sighing as she felt the pressure lift and a moment for her to breath as she sat down in front of the being. "I guess the first question is who or what are you and the others." Twilight said slowly.

The being nodded. "A good question, and one not easily answered but I shall do my best. Long ago we were the living beings that were responsible for forged what you would come to know as the Elements of Harmony. The crafting of these Items was no easy feat and your understanding of what they are is miniscule compared to the truth, you will come to understand what the Elements are and their true functions in time but for now know that when we forged them it was required that we seal a fragment of our souls into the Elements we represented. As a result when we were at last killed we were still bound to the world of the living even though our bodies have long since died we can not move on lest the magic within the Elements come undone. As a result we exist here, in the distant Void removed from life but denied our Death. As for who we were..." The being gazed off into the distance. "We don't really remember who we were originally, do not mistake me, we all have some fragmented memories of who we were but the amount we remember varies from individual. Magic remembers some of who he was as does his brother, Laughter claims to know but she is half mad so we don't believe her and Betrayal retains a significant portion of his memories but truth be told the only one who truly remembers their past life is Greed. He was known as King Sombra, when we were trapped in this realm a part of him remained in the physical world and became a twisted monster, from what he's said, you and your friends destroyed that shadow which allowed him the finally join us here."

Twilight sat in silence as she digested this information before looking at Loyalty and asking her next question. "Why are there two versions of the Elements of Harmony?"

"Harmony does not just represent good." Loyalty explained calmly. "Harmony represents two opposites coexisting, in truth the Elements are able to be used for both order and chaos. The true name of the Elements have actually been lost, the reason of which you will come to know as you learn the truth of the Elements."

"What were they originally called?" Twilight asked, her confusion blatant but also her desire to learn.

Loyalty chucked at her excitement before responding. "Honesty and Deception represent the Element of Choice, Generosity and Greed represent the Element of Desire, Laughter and Sorrow represent the Element of Emotion, Kindness and Cruelty represent the Element of Empathy, Magic and Necromancy represent the Element of Knowledge and Loyalty and Betrayal represent the Element of Allegiance."

Twilight nodded in thought. "Okay one more, where are we and why am I here?" She asked.

The figure nodded. "This is the Void, a realm between the world of the living and the realms of death, everything here is in a state of both life and death at the same time. It was created when I and the other Elements used the Element of Harmony's power for the last time. As to the reason as to why you are here, I and the other Elements brought you here after you died to train you to be the Alicorn of Harmony."

As Loyalty answered Twilight sat in confusion before looking at the being. "I don't understand, what do you mean by the Alicorn of Harmony?"

"When you Ascended to Alicornhood you united the power of the Elements of Harmony, since then the power the Elements once held no longer reside within the physical Elements but inside you and the wielders themselves, the physical manifestation of the Elements now simply serves as a focus for this power. While the others embody the traits that make them worthy to bear the power of the original Elements and their dual nature, you embody the aspects of all twelve virtues the Elements represent. In life I and Betrayal were like you, I represented the six virtues of Order while Betrayal represented the Chaos Virtues. As such we were the leaders of the Elements. You are the same as us, but you represent all twelve Virtues, both order and Chaos."

As Loyalty finished explaining Twilight sat in shock as Loyalty stood and looked down upon Twilight. "While you represent all twelve virtues you are not ready to wield nor capable of controlling such power yet and you would not have been ready for centuries, however with your death at the hands of Chrysalis all of Fate has been thrown into chaos. Without someone to take the reins the world has begun to spiral and if not stopped then the world will plunge into darkness the likes that have not been seen since before Equestria." Loyalty said calmly as Twilight sat listening to the ancient being. "Something had to be done and so we brought your soul here to the Void to both save you from death and because time flows faster within the Void. If we resurrected you in the world of the living now you would not have the time to learn what you need in time but here in the Void there is time for you to slowly learn and master your power. We need you trained and prepared for the future and as such we will train you personally in what you need to know to wield the power of the Elements to their fullest extent as well as the power you hold control over as the Alicorn of Harmony."

Twilight sat in silence as Loyalty stood over here waiting for her response. Slowly Twilight looked at Loyalty. "Alright, where do we start?" She asked, her voice serious as she looked at Loyalty with determination.

"Each of the Elements have their own domains within the Void, you will train with each Element and learn what they can teach you. Once you have mastered the Power of the elements you will move to the next till you at last make your way to us where we shall give you your final test. Once you have passed we shall use our power to open a gate and return you to the physical world where you will face and defeat Queen Chrysalis and her swarm."

"How long will the training take?" Twilight asked.

"I do not know Twilight. Within the physical world it will be only a few years however to you it will be centuries. THis is why we brought you to the Void, the power of the Elements and the power you control as the Alicorn of Harmony is beyond anything a mortal could comprehend in a single life time, thankfully you are an Alicorn and as such Immortal." Loyalty replied as he looked at Twilight who had been saddened at his answer and sighed. "If I had to put a guess at the time you will be here... one hundred and sixty-seven years. It will take you at least that long to learn and master one Element."

Twilight took a deep breath as she digested Loyalties answer. "Okay, so when do I begin". She asked as she stood and looked at Loyalty.

Author's Note

So this is the the ending part of the original prologue and the first part of chapter 1. I think you can understand why I always complain in the comments of the original version of Returning Home that the story is crap and not just because the spelling is hot garbage. With just two chapter I've added back in so much context that was cut from the story it's insane. I'm hoping that if you've read the original you will look back at it once I'm done with this rewrite and realize how truly massive I wanted to make the project but I just didn't have the ability at the time, honestly I still might not but that's not going to stop me.

But I do have one request to everyone, if you start seeing inconsistencies, don't understand what's going on, or just want more context to something please leave a notice in the comments explaining what you don't get or asking for that clarification. While I'm mostly doing this for myself I'm also doing it for you, the reader, and you telling me what you what will make me look into putting it in. Also please do know that the original story has a lot of things cut from the final version and a lot of it will be added back in so if you have questions regarding stuff from the original story that is in future chapters send me a PM and I'll try and get back to you.

As always thank you for reading my stories, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I hope to see you all in the next one!

Chapter 3: Birth of an Alliance, Rise of an Army

Please read Author's Notes at bottom, thank you

The day was a somber overcast one in the city of Canterlot, high within the castle a gathering of the most powerful beings in Equus was being held in a nearly disused room, Canterlot Castles War Room. The room was in the process of having a bunch of old crates and junk being cleared out of it but at the center of the room a long table had been set up with chairs set for those here. At the head of the table sat Celestia, her head resting in her clasped hands and her eyes closed as Luna leaned against the wall behind her sister observing the other royals present.

The first chair on the left side was filled by the Chancellor of the Minotaur Republic, Iron Hoof the Third, his massive bulk barely contained by the suit of armor he was wearing as he tapped his hoof on the stone floor with what was either impatience or anger.

On the Right opposite the Chancellor was the ruler of the recently rebuilt Griffon Empire, Emperor Raven Claw, who sat quietly polishing an ornate steel knife, his face a stone mask showing no emotion or reaction to the bustling ponies around him.

Beside the Griffin Emperor were the rulers of the returned Crystal Empire, Princes Cadence, who was sitting at the table while her husband, Prince Shining Armor stood at her side as both guard and advisor per the traditions of the Empire. While both were present the mood around them was a dark one and all present felt it best to not speak to the two grieving ponies as they very obviously wished to be left alone.

Across from the Crystal Empire sat the Tribe Leader of the Buffalo, who had sent their Tribe Chief, Chief Thunderhooves, and beside him sat the Tribal Shaman of Zebra, who surprisingly was Zecora. The two tribal groups were not interacting with the other royals, instead choosing to remain seated in silent meditation.

Across from Zecora was an empty seat set for the head of the Thestral
Enclave, Silent Step, who was standing and pacing back and forth, likely to try and keep himself awake.

A second empty seat was placed beside his, though the one meant to occupy that seat was actually Discord who was actually floating above it. Most disturbingly for the Lord of Chaos was the fact that aside from him floating over his chair rather than sitting in it he was quiet and not making a nuisance of himself showing just how serious he was actually taking this soon to be meeting.

Across from Discord was an empty seat for the Dragon Lord, who had yet to arrive. After waiting for a bit longer Celestia sighed and opened her eyes to look at the assembled group, Discord actually sitting down on the chair when she looked at him, before she cleared her throat. "It seems that almost everyone is here, I suppose Dragon Lord Torch and his daughter will not be joining us." She said as she stood and looked at the gathered royals. "Now, I'm sure you are all aware of why we have all gathered here so I will get straight down to business. The Changelings have declared war on Equestria-"

"And killed young Miss Sparkle as well." The Griffon Emperor said calmly as he set down the cleaning rag and examined the knife in his hand. "Celestia, after everything that that young mare has done for me and mine do you truly think I'd not offer aid?" Raven Claw asked darkly, both his interrupter and declaration of aid shocking everyone there before a laugh came from the Minotaur Chancellor.

"So the cold hearted Lightning King of the Griffon Empire stands with Equestria?" Chancellor Iron Hoof asked with a raised eyebrow. "That's a story I'd like to hear." He said as he leaned forward, not in intimidation but genuine curiosity causing the Griffon Emperor to sigh and lean back.

"When Young Sparkle first came to the castle as Princess Celestia's apprentice she and I met. At the time Griffonstone was in a bad way with the death of King Guto at the hands of the Arimaspi and I was one of the contenders in line for the crown but I felt I needed stronger support so I sought aid from Celestia. While I was here Twilight was perhaps the only pony to not be afraid of me for being a griffon." Raven Claw explained as he sighed and looked at the knife in his talon like hands. "While I didn't get to know her exceptionally well during that time from what interaction I have with her I found her to be a very bright child and we spoke often about politics and policies. After I left for home we kept in touch and over time she became a confidant to the Griffon Crown, I would often send letters to her asking for opinion on matters of the court that I felt needed an... outsider's perspective and she never failed to see something I missed." The Emperor grinned as he reminisced on what seemed like fond memories before his face hardened again. "Despite not seeing each other often she and I were friends in a sense, the fact that one such as she would be murdered in such a way... it is something I can't allow!" The King exclaimed as he drove his knife into the table, burying the knife half way into it.

The room was silent for a moment before Zecora nodded. "It is good that Twilight has such friends, perhaps together we can make amends. Twilight Sparkle was a dear friend I will miss, I will aid you in stopping the Changeling Queen Chrysalis."

"Twilight Sparkle was a friend to our lady." Silent Step said as he took his seat at the table. "As long as this conflict lasts and Princess Luna see's fit to fight in it then so shall we." He said as he looked at the lunar princess who bowed her head.

"Thank you my ponies." Luna said as unshed tears welled in her eyes.

"Twilight was my sister," Cadence said as she looked up at the gathered group, her pupils and iris slitting into a draconic shape for a second causing the gathered rulers to shudder in fear. "You have the full support of the Empire at your call Celestia." Cadences said, her voice laced with hatred before her eyes returned to normal.

The group of gathered rulers remained silent as the Princess of Loves declaration, the old adage of what happens when an Alicorns eyes turn draconic and nothing good ever coming after running through their minds but slowly the group began to speak once more and as the group sat speaking about plans and methods to defend Equestria no one noticed a pair of dark figures soaring over head nor the commotion these figures were causing outside till a sudden knock came from the doors and a guard entered an bowed. "Forgive the interruption your Majesties but the Dragon Lord is here." He said in a shaky breath before the doors were thrown open and a hulking figure stepped into the room and a powerful aura of wrath and bloodlust filled the chamber. "Where is that witch!" The Dragon Lord asked, his voice as calm as the ocean after a storm but a single look showed the calm was a facade waiting to be broken not to mention the aura emanating from the draconic being that stood in the doorway.

"Lord Torch, before you barge in demanding action I'd ask that you please calm yourself." King Raven Claw said as he rose and walked over to the Dragon. "We wouldn't want to have you transforming into your true form in this small room now would we?"

"I will calm down when the insect is dead!" Lord Torch growled as he walked past the Griffon Emperor and sat in the last unoccupied chair, the oppressive aura dissipating as he took his seat, the only indication of acknowledgement of the Griffon King's words shown. "I apologize for my late arrival, however traditions must be done and proper respect to Twilight must be given by dragon kind. She was a dear friend, I will see that the Changeling pays dearly for their crimes." he growled as he looked upon the other rulers present.

"Anger will only lead to brash action and clouded judgment." Raven Claw said as he returned to his seat and reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box, opening to reveal paper and tobacco. "Apologies Princess, but I believe I need something to take the edge off." He said as he calmly rolled a cigar and lit it with a lighter he quickly returned to his jacket along with the box.

As the Griffon took a drag from the cigar the Dragon Lord eyed him carefully before chuckling. "Funny how almost every one of us has been affected by Twilight. Be it direct or indirect we each have been affected by her in some way." The dragon said as he looked at the other leaders present.

The Chancellor sighed. "Indeed it is impressive that one being could do what centuries of treaties, negotiations and wars could not do." He said calmly. "I and my people have not been affected by her as much but her contributions are still great. My son, Iron Will, went to Ponyville some time ago and met one of her friends, Fluttershy I believe is the young mare's name." Iron Hoof sighed. "Whether it was her or her friends, something in that trip finally put some sense into that boy, came home and became a damn good prince." The Chancellor snorted as he looked around his eyes, finally setting on the Draconequus in the room. "Heh, even Discord is here and I know he is going to help." He said smugly as Discord looked at him with an odd look.

"And what makes you so sure I'd help avenge the one being that could return me to my prison? He asked as he crossed his arms.

The Chancellor grinned a dark grin as he looked at the Draconequus. "Cause you haven't said a damn thing or annoyed any of us. You are cold and serious for the first time I've ever seen and that look in your eyes, it's the look of a child who's favorite toy is broken and they know it can't be fixed." Iron Hoof replied as he looked the Draconequus in his eyes.

Discord held the look for a moment before sighing and looking away. "Indeed, this whole situation has made me, as you say, serious." Discord said calmly. "Then again you all have no idea what Twilight was to become." He replied, causing Celestia to tilt her head in curiosity.

"What do you mean by that Discord?" She asked the Draconequus who shook his head.

"Normally I'm not allowed to speak of the future but I suppose this time I can speak freely, seeing as she is dead." He said bitterly. "Twilight Sparkle wasn't going to be the Alicorn of Friendship." He said earning surprised looks from the ponies and an eyebrow raise from the other races. "She was going to be the Alicorn of Harmony, in time she would have become a being that was my equal. Given time and practice with her power, if she lived long enough she would have become a being even greater, able to wield both Order and Chaos on a whim." Everyone stared at the Draconequus in shock. "But then Chrysalis had to go and screw everything up." Discord frowned and turned to Celestia. "You have my aid, I will fight in this coming war Celestia."

"Then it seems that our initial debating was settled before it even began." Raven Claw said. "We will destroy the Queen Chrysalis and her changelings, and we will do it for Twilight." He declared receiving nods from the other rulers and diplomats.

"For Twilight." The others said their voices filled with determination.

As an alliance of power not seen in many thousands of years was being brought about in the halls of Canterlot Castle, in the Equestrian Senate the full power of the Equestrian Nobility was gathering for the first time in decades.

While the common Pony believed that the Princesses held the full power of the Equestrian Government this was not entirely true, while the princesses had the authority to rule Equestria and the held final say in the implementation of laws in Equestria it was actually Equestrias Nobility and by extension the Equestrian Senate that was the driving force of Equestrias Government.

The Nobility of Equestria was divided into three tiers of authority consisting of the Minor Nobility, Major Nobility and finally the Founding Nobility.

While the Minor Nobility was meant to consist of the Noble Families and Noble Clans that held little noble power and authority such as those with the titles of Baron, Viscount, and Earl. However, oftentimes those placed within the Minor Nobility were young Noble Houses just starting out or houses that had little interest in climbing the social ladder but held great power.

The title of Major Nobility was meant to serve those with great political power and consist of the older Noble Houses such as those who held the titles of Marquess and Duke but more often than not was made up of those who were active participants of the Nobilities 'Great Game' held twice a year during the Grand Galloping Gala and the Winter Solstice Masquerade respectively.

The 'Great Game' as it was called in hushed whispers was the game of politics played by the nobility where they would use their influence and power to either rise or fall in the social standing of the courts with many of the older families acting like sleeping giants not interested in the petty squabbling of the younger houses. It was also for this reason that the Minor and Major Nobility was far from what it should be with the more powerful families more often than not in the position of minor nobility while the young and brash acted as the major nobility and as such, taking center stage.

It was far from uncommon for a Noble House or Clan to fall from Major Nobility to Minor Nobility if they were lead by an older head of house as the ambitions of the Head of the House would ebb away in their old age and it would be for the next head of the house to take charge and bring them back to prosperity; in a sense it was also the same for older Noble Houses and Clans with some of the oldest Noble Houses and Clans all together disappearing from the public view, their presence known and felt but their appearance in high society being a rarity. In a sense it was this very reason that eventually led to the rise of the third faction of the nobility, the Founding Nobility.

The Founding Nobility was predominantly made up of the families that originally led the three tribes when they were divided before the Great Freeze of the Wendigos as well as the original nobility that served Equestria when it was first founded by the Princesses mother, Queen Faust. Most of the time the Noble Houses and Clans that made up the Founding Nobility did not involve themselves in Equestrian Politics but since the murder of Twilight that had changed and now for the first time since the banishment of Princess Lune the Founding Nobility had called the Senate into session.

While the common pony was mourning the loss of their beloved third princess or preparing for war, the senate stood in stark contrast to the dark and oppressive atmosphere with its halls buzzing with excitement as nobles laughing joyously. Many of the Major Nobility sitting in their chairs were drinking fine wines with smiles upon their faces and not a care or concern in their nearly empty heads while the minor nobility looked to be either indifferent or in mourning. Those of the Founding Nobility were dressed in dark clothes, their mourning evident as they sat in silence but behind the sadness, a steel could be seen as these ancient powers had been roused from their slumber and once more began to move. Though like any great beast they were slow to stir and even slower to take action.

After several hours of waiting the last of the nobles finally arrived and the doors to the senate chambers closed, the meeting finally in session as the delegated speaker for the senate stepped forward and up to the podium. "Now with every pony here we may begin the senate's five-thousand six hundred and seventy-third session." He said in a grave voice. "This session was called by member Houses of the Founding Nobility consisting of the joint Sparkle/Armor House, the Shimmer House, the Matron of the Apple Clan, one Smith Apple, and a representative from the Cloudsdale Grand Senatorial House." As the Speaker finished most of the Major Nobles had finally quieted down, their joy and revelry broken by the power this senate session was brought about by.

None of the Major Nobility like to be reminded that they were just big fish in a small but deep pond and that the true powers of Equestria preferred the deep end over their shallows. However as the Major Nobility stewed in their seats many of the Minor Nobles were having an opposite reaction, their somber moods lifting as they realized the power that was present at this gathering, power that often sided with the common pony and by extension them rather than the Major Nobility.

As the Speaker stepped back and took his seat a woman in a black dress rose and approached the podium, her presence causing many to frown for it was none other than the mother of the now dead princess, Velvet Sparkle. Slowly the woman took her place behind the podium and those close to the stage that saw her appearance realized why they had barely recognized the Head of the Sparkle household, her appearance looking as if she had aged several decades in a matter of days. "Gathered Members of the Equestrian Senate, I stand before you in this dark time of our country to call a vote that will bring our nation into a state of open war against the Changeling Race." She said calmly, her voice as strong as steel despite her frail appearance and cutting through the slowly gathering uproar from the nobles gathered, specifically the Major Nobility.

Twilight Velvet stood quietly at the podium as for several minutes the yells of the Major Nobles filled the room before a voice cut through them with a roar for silence causing many of the nobles to turn in outrage on the one commanding them only to quiet when seeing who had spoken and soon the hall had become quiet as a man rose from his seat, Imperial Blood, the head of the Noble House of Blood. "Lady Sparkle, while I can understand your pain, what does this do to benefit us?" He asked as he stepped forward, a smug grin on his face. "I mean, despite your daughter being killed, war with the Changeling Kingdom does not benefit us in the slightest. In fact, I see no reason we should retaliate at all to the changelings."

As Imperial Blood Spoke he moved from his seat and walked down the stairs to the floor of the Senate chamber "Ladies and Gentle Stallions, this is a time for we of the nobility to consolidate our power." He declared earning confused looks from many of the major noble houses. "Remember why the Nobility was founded my friend's, after Princess Celestia's dear sister was banished to the moon, Princess Celestia was saddled with more duties than she could handle and so she came up with the decision to expand the ranks of the nobility and formed the Equestrian Senate to help her rule this great nation." As Imperial spoke many of the nobles nodded, some in understanding of what he was saying and others simply to see where he was going. "But now that Celestia's dear sister has returned, our power and influence has begun to weaken. With the rise of Twilight Sparkle as the fourth princess we very well could have lost all our power." He said, tacking on the last part as a smirk grew on his face.

"Twilight Sparkle may have been one of us by blood and family but her mind was polluted with those sickening beliefs of friendship and harmony by Celestia." As Imperial spoke he raised his hand to cut off any rebuttal and continued speaking quickly. "Now do not take my words in the wrong light, our great princesses vision of peace through 'friendship' and 'harmony' is a great vision but only we, the elite and pure, should benefit from her vision. For that to happen some ponies must be sacrificed for the greater good, after all somepony must be our servants, somepony must bow to us lest all we hold is empty power. Peace and Harmony can not be achieved if the common pony, who knows nothing, were to gain power." As Imperial spoke many of the major nobility nodded in agreement while some, the minority, sat in silence with dark faces.

"Twilight Sparkle did not have the goals of the nobility in mind when she came to power, after all she was never trained to be a noble and it is unfortunate for her to have grown up with our princess tasking her with being around commoners for far too long. Sadly our departed fourth princess posed a dire and direct threat to our power and I'm sure you all saw what would come of the reforms she had planned to implement. The common pony would have gained a voice not directly but by proxy through her. However now with her passing we no longer have to fear the common pony receiving any representation as she was pushing for."

As Imperial Blood spoke, many of the major nobility nodded in agreement, his words bringing the nobles together in all the wrong ways and causing Velvet Sparkle, who still stood at the podium, to almost collapse in horror. Were it not for her husband, Nightlight Armor, to be there for her to lean against. "You dare speak this way and even be so bold to say this crap before the founding members of this nation?!" A voice yelled as a Pegasus who was sitting off to the side asked as they stood revealing themselves to be the Commander of the Wonderbolts. "Ya know, I was curious why I was sent to this job." She said as she walked toward Imperial Blood. "Normally I act as the ambassador for Cloudsdale when it comes to military matters and, I mean, I'm the captain of the Wonderbolts so yeah, it just makes sense why I do that." She said with a shrug "Normally, I don't come here to represent in matters of the senate but I see why now." She said as she stood before Imperial Blood, a dark look crossing her face.

Spitfire signed a she looked down at the speaker's podium and at those that had risen to stand as well and looked at them waiting for the unspoken order to be given and for a moment it looked as if none would give it till she saw Nightlight Armor give a near imperceptible nod and her lips split into a grin. "Looks like it's time to clean house." She said as she looked at Imperial Blood and from within her wings the sound of metal on metal was heard as she unfurled them revealing the canceled wing blades now drawn. "Imperial Blood, you and your supporters are under arrest for treason and conspiracy against the crown." She said as from the shadows of the senate chamber dozens of heavily armored Senate Guards appeared, their golden armor shining in the light of the chamber.

As the Senate Guards moved forward, magic shackles shooting out from their lit horns and reaching for the corrupt Nobles the remaining nobles turned their attention to the ballet box brought out in the commotion. A vote of war was to be held, and this vote would shape the future of Equestria

Every pony saw as the Senate Guards in their golden armor dragged the elite of Equestria out of the Senate in chains and it was then that no pony could deny it any longer, the tides of power within Equestria was changing. Chrysalis's actions, while intended to break Equestria, had done quite the opposite and the far lasting repercussions of her actions would give way to a new and more powerful Equestria, one forged in the blood of those who thought to break them. Little did these common ponies at the heart of their kingdom realize that far off in the distance, at the border of the Badlands the Changeling swarm approached the first of many outposts set up long ago to watch their border.

Author's Note

Holy fuck this chapter took so long for me to get out! I apologize the the wait but a lot of shit come up. The short of it was Family problems, mental health problems, busy with new job, sick, lost new job and finally this last week I was able to actually finish the blasted things editing and now I'm posting it a week late because I forgot to do that.

So this chapter covers the ending part of the original chapter 1 and I can not believe I scrapped so much content. This convers a lot of background information and world building that will be relevant eventually. It gives some context to Twilights family and even her role in Equestrian society before she was a princess.

Honestly I'm not happy with it and I might do some revisions in the future just for better clarification but that will depend on the feedback I get from you readers. Or if one of you lovely readers want to write their own version of the whole senate scene and send me your version I might take parts of it or the whole thing and put it in if it's better than my version. If this happens I will give full credit to you in this chapter as someone who has helped me.

Also, please consider subscribing to either my Patreon or Subscribestar because I'm currently trying to make it so I will have more time to writing these stories but to do that I need money for food and bills. I plan to post some art for this story as well as a few story ideas that never went anywhere on there. If you have an idea for what I should post let me know and I'll look into doing it. My links are down below.

Anyway, I think that's enough out of me, as always thank you for reading my stories, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I hope to see you all in the next one!

https://www.patreon.com/Arceaion
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The Battle of Outpost 16

A guard in golden armor calmly marched atop the wall of the outpost he was stationed at, it was a quiet day but then again most days out in the Badlands. It was always quiet but that's how he liked it, calm, peaceful and-"Hey Steven!"-god damn it.

The Guard, Steven, turned to look at the other guard who was too damn cheerful for the early morning he had been enjoying. "What do you want Roger?" Steven asked in annoyance.

Roger grinned as he ran over to Steven holding up a paper. It was a few days old now, about a week, but that was pretty common for out here. News rarely traveled so far quickly and when it did there was trouble, and how was it trouble if what the headline plashed across the front read. Steven grabbed the paper quickly reading it, his eyes narrowing under his helmet as he read quickly the newspaper before looking at the grinning guard beside him. "And why are you smiling Roger?" He asked in a frustrated tone. "War has been declared and our little outpost has just risen from being the most insignificant backwater of the Kingdom staffed by a bunch of shinny recruits to the most important station of the Kingdom that's still staffed by a bunch of shinny recruits." He asked earning a frown from Roger.

"Don't have to be mean sir, I just though that it might make you happy to know we're now important." Roger said as he took the paper back and folded it nicely. "Besides, the boys have been itching for a bit of fun anyway. Taking out a few Changeling Infiltrators might lighten their mood."

"Or get them killed." He said as he turned and marched his way back down the wall and headed down the stairs for the main command center of the base.

Calling the little fort they were at a base was honestly giving it far more credit than it was due. The fort was old, made during the old days when the Kingdom of Equestria was a more militaristic force in the days before the great Lunar Rebellion. Back then the Kingdom of Equestria was known as the Equestrian Empire with Celestia and Luna leading the Empire far more directly than they did now.

Back then Equestria and Saddle Arabia hadn't been allied kingdom's and rarely saw eye to eye. Given they bore differing religions and beliefs, with Equestria following their Princesses and Saddle Arabia trusting in the power of their Sultans, the two nations ended up at odds with each other quite often. As a result of these fights a total of twenty monitoring stations had been set up to act as an early warning system to warn Equestria if an invasion was coming.

Now days the two nations were mostly at peace with one another but the Outposts had remained in operation, though now days they were more often used as training stations or as punishment detail for unruly guard trainees.

Steven sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose, this could not have come at a worse time in his opinion as the men manning the station were all a bunch of brash hot headed morons in his opinion and as he stepped into the command center of his outpost he was proven right once again with one of his men, a big muscular man by the name of Brick Wall loudly proclaimed that he would rather keep arm wrestling his fellow soldiers than look at his monitoring station because the site they were at was the most boring places in Equestria. "And as of one week ago, one of the most important." He said in a serios voice.

"Attention! Sergeant on deck!" One of the troops said as another of the troops quickly hit the 'sergeant on deck alarm' causing all the troops to stop and salute Steven, causing the man to frown more.

"At ease." Steven said as he sighed and stepped to the center of the room. "A week ago Changelings murdered Princess Twilight Sparkle and war was declared." He said as Roger came up behind him and handed him the paper which he took from his second in command and threw on to the table showing the headline announcing the murder of Twilight Sparkle and the declaration of war against the Badlands Changeling Hive of Queen Chrysalis. "Even though you're all new here, I shouldn't have to remind you that this station is key to the security of Equestria." Steven stated calmly as he walked around the command center looking at the troops under him. "If the Changelings get past this station, they could launch an attack on our home nation and the guard would be none the wiser till it was too late so I want everything squared away and done by the book. Understood?" He asked in a harsh tone as he looked around as the troops under him, their looks now more series as they realized he wasn't just bullshitting them.

"Sir! Yes, sir!" The troops shouted as they quickly began to run around cleaning the command center up and getting their armor and equipment ready.

Steven sighed as Roger stood next to him watching the chaos unfold. "Were all gonna die." He said sadly as Roger looked at his commander with concern.

Steven stood calmly looking out over the Badlands, the silence broken only by the wind blowing through the baren land. Around him the outpost was awash with activity as since that morning the troops had been working to prepare for the coming attack they knew was coming.

At his side stood Roger, is second in command and a normally pretty chill pony but now he was dressed in his armor, a concerned look on his face. "Sir, outpost 17 just went dark." He said as he looked up from an enchanted map that showed a network of signals designed to help monitor the many monitoring stations set up. Each station had a transition enchantment linked to a crystal all commanders had, in the event of an emergency the commander was to crush the crystal and disable the transmission. Outpost Sixteen was a bit important for the coming fight however, the reason being if five or more crystals were to be disabled it would override the whole network and send an emergency signal to Canterlot.

Steven looked at Roger with a determined look. "If we so much as see a single changeling I'm breaking the crystal." He told Roger calmly. "We're already dead so the best we can do is let the Princesses known before we punch the ticket." He said as he looked back out at the desert before them.

"Hey Sir? If it's any consolation, I'm sorry it had to be this way." He said as he joined his commander looking out at the desert.

"It's fine Roger, I kind of expected this to happen." Steven said as he slipped his hand under his breastplate and what sounded like breaking ice was heard. Roger twisted, a blade flashing into existence as he lunged at Steven. "Let's get this over with." Steven said calmly as he thrust his other hand up, a knife flashing in the sun as he sunk the blade into the part between the hyoid bone and mandible of Roger. There was a green flash as the Earth Pony like facade of Roger fell away revealing the cold black chitin underneath. "Good bye, old friend." He said as he ripped the knife out and swung it again this time into the forehead of the now revealed changeling.

Steven took a deep breath as he looked at the changeling, his breathing heavy from the sudden exertion before turning to look out over the desert, and the now black tide of figures charging with near feral like madness toward his outpost. "All units, OPEN FIRE!" Steven roared as behind him the sound of cannons firing and artillery spells opening fire were heard, their impacts killing maybe a couple dozen of the feral changelings as they swarmed forward.

From the heart of the Swarm a creature as tall as Celestia walked, her chitin shining in the desert suns light. A laugh could be heard from her as from amongst the many changelings her voice was heard, "Go my children, drain them of all there love, leave nothing more than husks to join us! Go and feed!" Chrysalis yelled before laughing madly, the swarm charged forward, descending upon the outpost like starved locusts. Sergeant Stevens grit his teeth as he drew his blade and braced himself for the coming fight.

The first wave that hit was obliterated almost as soon as they came from the canons and artillery from the fort as well as the spells from the unicorns who were acting as snipers, launching beams of magic from range to keep the Changelings back. Sergeant Stevens narrowed his eyes as the few Earth Ponies that were present joined the line beside him, their eyes narrowed and weapons drawn, as they prepared for the coming swarm. Only a few made it to their line actually able to fight and were killed swiftly as they leapt at their line only to be run through by the spears but then the next wave came and broke through the bombardment to close the gap.

With a roar of rage Sergeant Stevens leapt forward, his blade slicing through the changing before him as he turned and pivoted meeting the blade of a changeling as they tried to take him from the side, his spare hand going to his combat knife and quickly drawing it as he disarmed his opponent and drove the knife into their throat. With precision honed form years of training he turned and thrust his blade into the throat of another changeling while slashing the eyes of one behind him causing them to scream only for it to be cut short as he killed them too. Taking a moment to survey the situation he saw that to his left he sees some of the recruits struggling against a group of changelings and moved to help them, wading into the carnage with no hesitation.

As he approached thew group taking down any changing that approached him he grit his teeth as a heavy blow landed against this side from a surprise tackle, keeping his breathing steady he drove the knife between the changelings shoulder blades and threw the corpse off standing quickly as he turned back to see the group over whelmed by the numbers, his men being grabbed restrained but rather than killed he saw a changeling open his mouth and inhale.

As the Changeling inhaled he saw something leave the restrained soldiers mouth and be drawn into the changeling, the stallion screamed the longer whatever was being sucked out of him continued to be his body began to grow emaciated and turn black. Sergeant Stevens watched in horror as the recruits body turned black and he slumped forward as he was released only for the recruit to shoot up, his eyes open and glowing blue as he screamed, a horn split his forehead open as it grew from within and insect like wings ripped form his back. Slowly the recruit stood grabbing his face and ripping it off to reveal new carapace slick with blood and grin as he turned to another of the recruits licking his lips.

Sergeant Stevens grit his teeth as he watched his men become changelings. "Bastards." He whispered before charging forward to where the recruits once fought, a yell ripping from his throat and halfway to them he leapt into the air, his blade raised as he launched himself at the changelings only to find a blade being driven into his stomach. Sergeant Stevens looked down at his stomach and back up at the changeling, this one still having half the face of one of his recruits, City Slick was his name, and with a final groan he pulled a grenade from his belt, running it across the rough metal of his damaged armor and lit the fuse with a grin. The last thoughts of Sergeant Stevens being that he was just one week from retirement.

Author's Note

Merry Christmas Everyone! This is not a big update but I felt I should get something written for Christmas.

I hope you all enjoy the chapter and I'll see you all in the next one.

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