When the Silent Fall

Chapter five – A long day.

The Following story has been proofread by IMR1fley

         Shuur was somewhere, no, nowhere. He looked around to see someplace no living mind had seen. It was dark, no light; it was indescribable for there are no words that reach here. An all too familiar chuckle emanated from nowhere.

         “Do you like it? I do hope so, not many get to see here and live.” Shuur snarled at the voice,

“Where are you, you sound different, like you’re close.” The voice chuckled again.

“Why I’m right here of course, silly Elite.”

Shuur turned around, no made everything turn around, and saw a true monster. The head of a mule, snaggle tooth and a displaced set of wings. He eyed over the creature, even its pupils where mismatched. The thing laughed.

“Yes I have that effect on ponies, and now aliens.”

“I believe you are to blame for my current condition, no?” Shuur said glaring daggers into the creature.

“Yes and my plan B almost worked until that human was knocked unconscious by our little Twilight.”

“You know Twilight?” Shuur said surprised.

“Of course I know her! HA! She and her little friends are the reason that we’re here! I’m stone, and you are in a coma.”

         Shuur treaded carefully, if it knew he was unconscious, chances were it would not hesitate to lie. “I’m in coma? How nice, more time to question you.”

“What? Oh well I suppose since you are going to be here for eternity, then yes.” Shuur was unmoved, he was going to prove this thing wrong. It extended a paw, “Discord, lord and master of chaos, two times removed ruler of Equestria, and your warden.”

Shuur took the paw, “Shuur ‘Makhanee, Spec ops agent for the Covenant, you didn’t do your homework.”

“What fun is there in work, I mean really? Is that all you people think about? I mean sure, ponies don’t appreciate my chaos, like I said, twice removed. But you sir are an alien. Would you like to see some memories?” Shuur shook his head.

“No, I now know who you are, what you are is next.” Discord seemed a little disappointed.

“I’m a Draconequus, now come on and lets-“

“No, I don’t believe I want to see these memories.”  He turned to walk (or float,) away, Only to be stopped.

“I’m afraid you have little choice, Shuur.”

He felt a tugging at his body, like a huge magnet was pulling him. He grunted, “If I have choice than it is to defy you!” Shuur pushed against the force.

“NO! You have no choice now.” Discord yelled, pulling harder. Shuur returned in kind pushing harder against the force. Soon the two were deadlocked in a turntable of force. “C’mon you little bugger, you are coming with me to those memories!”

“I said NO. With every breath this body takes will be to defy you!” Shuur said enraged.  Soon Shuur what sounded like a tearing sound, only different somehow? He heard Discord cry.

“NO! You couldn’t possibly escape! I swear Shuur if I ever kill something in my existence, it will be you!”

Not long afterwards Shuur felt a huge burden lift from his mind, and the world turned a describable white.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Shuurs eyes fluttered, opening to a glowing HUD. He sighed, he was safe. For now at least, he definitely did not like that Discord creature. He heard a snore beside him; he turned to see a now sleeping group of crusaders. He also noted that he was lying down in some sort of short bed; he could feel his legs hanging out the side. Another thing that panicked him was the fact that it was colder than usual, he only hoped he had not truly been in a coma until this planets cold cycle. He tried lifting his head, only to find he was rather sore all over. He quickly tried to dismiss the feeling, he needed to look outside. It turned out to be too much, as his head fell back to the pillow. Shuur sat there for a moment, pondering events past. That was until a certain orange mare stepped into the room. Without even noticing him, she walked over to the group.

“Apple Bloom, come on now wake up, time to go.” He watched as Apple Bloom stirred, eyes slowly opening before she let out a yawn. Applejack looked at the others, “You twos parents are here as well. C’mon now up an’ at ‘em.” The others two slowly woke as well, stretching out before letting out yawns of their own.

         Shuur ‘smiled’ they were all fine. At least he could accomplish that. He clicked his mandibles for attention, turning the head of Applejack.

“Well I’ll be…” She trotted up to the door, peeking her head out, “Girls, he’s awake.” He soon heard the sound of hooves clopping against the linoleum. Shuur saw a couple of ponies trot in, the six others from yesterday. Pinkie Pie happily bounced in, seemingly going to break her face with the smile she wore.

“Ooh, goodie, let’s throw him a party!” Twilight threw a hoof into Pinkie’s mouth.

“Not so loud and no party, at least not yet.” she looked over to Shuur, “How do you feel?” Shuur chuckled.

“Like I have been beaten by a Jiralhanae, I need to know, how long was I out?”

Twilight smiled, “Not long actually, only three days. Why?”

Shuur sighed, “I had feared I slept until the winter cycle.” Twilight looked surprised, but soon realized why he felt that way.

“We had to move you to the Canterlot hospitals, whatever that thing did to you nearly tore you open.”

         Shuur nodded, “A 7.62 mm bullet from a DMR is designed to do so. They are primitive, but accurate weapons.”

Twilight looked a little concerned. “How do you know all that?”

Shuur clicked his mandibles in annoyance, he was running his mouth. “We are at war.” Twilight looked a little surprised, but soon calmed down.

“Oh, sorry, it must be easy to live like that.”

“We are winning.” Shuur chuckled.

Twilight smiled, “Good I don’t like that other guy. He broke out of the Canterlot prison five times, until we put him into a selective coma.” Shuur lost his peace.

“You haven’t killed him yet?” Twilight shook her head.

“This is a peaceful place, even if he did hurt a couple of guards, and we still need to show him that.”

Shuur was now rather upset, “You don’t understand Twilight, we call his kind demons for a reason. He is a human super soldier, a Spartan.”  Twilight looked confused.

“Spartan?”

“A Spartan is a human soldier, chemically altered and trained since infancy, sometimes even stolen from homes to be turned into soldiers. They have strength and speed to match, if not out do my kind. I have heard tales of lone Demons killing entire legions of my people. They are the ultimate human soldier, something to be feared, though I have killed ten in my career.” Twilight looked shaken, “Trained since infancy, chemically altered. They sound horrible.”

“They are an un-holy people, there to serve us in our great journey. Which has eluded me twice already…” Shuur looked around, the pain already subsiding. “You said you had to move me to this ‘Canterlot’, where is it?”

Twilight smiled, “It’s located on top of a mountain, it’s also the capital of Equestria, where the princesses themselves live.”

Shuur was at the least surprised, they were at the capital, truly the capital of Equestria? On top of a mountain no less, that was an impressive feat for such a medieval species. Shuur yawned, causing the entirety of the group to take a few steps back in fear, Shuur simply laughed.

“It was a yawn, nothing less. Unconsciousness does not count as rest.” Twilight nodded, the let loose a yawn of her own.

“Well then we should get going, goodnight Elite.” As Twilight began to walk away Shuur spoke,

“It is Shuur’Makhanee.”

“What?”

Shuur clicked his mandibles again, “My name, it is Shuur’Makhanee.”

Twilight smiled, “My mistake, good night Shuur.” With that they exited, closing the door behind them. Shuur laid his head down, soon his eyes began to droop and close before he began to snore away soundly. The sound made the six worry even more, but passed it off as something usual for his kind.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

Shuurs eyes opened at a slow rate. Once completely open he surveyed his surroundings, confirming that Discord had not again attacked his mind, he relaxed. As he lay he began to wonder how he fared. With those thoughts, Shuur shifted in the too small bed and swung his legs out to the side. His feet easily reached the ground; in fact his front knees were higher than the bed itself. His head swam a little, but soon cleared up as he stood. It was the first time in three days, and Shuur soon felt it. He was fatigued, hungry, and now bored. He looked over his room in further detail, seeing that he was in fact in the mountains for he could see much from his window. A great view wasn’t something uncommon to the Sangheili; space had extraordinary views as well. But he had never just actually just stood and stared at the world from a mountain side. The lands were a rolling green into the distance, mixing with the sunrise against the clouds made Shuur feel like he was missing out. As he stared out at the planet, he heard a voice just outside the doors.

“Yes twilight I understand that he might be surprised, but if he is a threat, I must know.” The voice was much more mature, and almost kind, though still holding a sense of authority. He heard Twilight speak.

“Well from as far as we could tell, his night is on a different time than ours, he might not be up yet princess.” Shuur was suddenly frozen in time, Princess? One of their leaders are coming to see me?  Shuur turned to the door standing tall and rigid, he was going to make a good first impression, or was at least trying to as his head touched the roof. He cursed the rooms tiny height as the door swung open, revealing a pony of which the likes he had never seen. She stood taller than any, easily six feet.  She  wore golden pieces of jewelry as well as some sort of slippers. She looked at him with surprise seeing him already up, and from the posture he was using.

Twilight stepped in and gasped, seeing Shuur up so early was unheard of. After a moment, Shuur almost slapped himself, They are a peaceful people, I should be bowing, not standing in attention! Celestia spoke in his place.

“Greetings Shuur ’Makhanee, I am princess Celestia, Co-ruler of Equestria.” Shuur acknowledged.

“Shuur ‘Makhanee, confidential.” Celestia frowned.

“I understand you want to protect sensitive knowledge, but may you at least tell us your species, or perhaps your intentions towards this world?” Shuur nodded.

“I am a Sangheili Special Operations, Spec Op. I am of minor rank, I have lower time on the field.  The Spec Op division is a team of infiltrators, to get behind enemy lines and strike swiftly. I also have no ill regard for this world, except for the inhabitant ‘Discord’.” Celestia’s frown turned to a momentary look of shock, then deepened, “Then it is as we feared, Twilight ready the elements, he may break free again.” Twilight nodded, then turned and left.

Shuur took a hidden look of concern, “Is there a Problem princess?” Celestia looked up at Shuur, something she didn’t do very often.

“Yes there is, the creature in your mind is the lord of chaos, and if he breaks free,” She looked to the floor solemnly “then Equestria’s harmony will be broken.” Shuur understood her concern; it was like having a rogue shipmaster that knew nothing of sailing in space. Celestia looked at him again, “Another thing is that nopony has seen your true face. I will understand if you choose to keep it on, but I personally would like to see it.”

Shuur was on a pivot, should he trust these ponies with his identity, or should he disobey their leader? Shuur decided the latter was probably a good decision. He reached for the back of his helmet, gripping the very rear, he heard a satisfying whine and hiss, then twisted it to the right.

Celestia watched with hungry eyes, she was no Twilight Sparkle, but she was still intrigued. Shuur lifted up promptly, fully removing his helmet. Soon Celestia almost took on a face of fear, but remembered he harbingered no hate for Equestria. Shuur flexed his mandibles experimentally, “Grah, they do make these things so cramped.” He continued to flex his mandibles, using his hand to massage them, this was a rare opportunity and Shuur had every intention of seizing it. Celestia was a little offset by his appearance.

“If you are omnivorous, then how do you chew without a lower jaw?” Shuur stopped massaging.

“In our early days, when we were but just animals on a rock, our prey consisted of smaller animals, usually creatures that fit into ones jaws. This arrangement allowed for the easy grinding of meat on the small animals. When our people advanced, our jaws kept the same form.” Shuur was not about to say that they were in fact plucked off they’re planet by the San 'Shyuum while in early development.

Celestia nodded, convinced of the truth, “Very well, thank you. It is good to talk face to face.” She began to walk towards the door, “Oh, and your forms have been filled, you are free to depart. Please do be inconspicuous, few of my little ponies know of your existence.”

Shuur finally bowed, “I shall, thank you princess.”

Celestia smiled, and then walked down the hallway. Once she had left, Shuur put his helmet back on, sealing it with a hiss. He began to make is way to the door fully intending to leave the wretched hospital, but stopped when he heard doctors coming. He activated his cloak; this was now an espionage mission. Objective: leave hospital undetected. He moved forward at a slow pace, moving silently on the linoleum floor. He passed by every doorway, doctor and patient on his way out. Following the conveniently placed exit signs, Shuur soon found his way to a large door in the lobby.

Once he reached the door he promptly exited, turning a few heads on the door opening on its own. He got his bearings, observing the city as it was. He was astounded by the engineering put into Canterlot. It should not have been possible for a building to, let alone an entire medieval city, hang over the edge of a mountain. The more he examined it the more he came to the now classical conclusion of magic.

He sighed, “Nothing could ever be regular now could it.” He stared at the shining city for but a moment longer. He then took in the view, seeing many mountains in the distance, what looked to be a small village, and even a cloud formation shaped like a city. Shuur couldn’t be sure of it, but that odd cloud formation could be another settlement. Magic could have been used to make it, magic could be used for anything. He grumbled this entire magic thing was beginning to get to him again. His gaze turned to specific part of the city, a large assortment of golden roofed towers. He suspected that these were the place grounds as he saw Celestia fly into a tower. He was about to move towards it when there was a sound of an explosion coming from that direction. “Three guesses who” His new objective was to stop, and finally kill the demon who did all this. Then find Discord and do the same. He began his new mission with immediacy, and began approaching the towers with a hurried pace.

(ஜ۩۞۩ஜ)

This was it, Discord had told him while they knocked him out that he needed one more stir of chaos, and then he would be free. Afterwards Discord had promised to bring this world of covenant to its knees; turns out he hated the ponies too. Once six agreed to the partnership, Discord awoke him. Six had an objective now, make some chaos. He armed a frag, punching it into the wall. He backed away, the sound was tremendous, and amplified by the space. But to six it just meant more of what they needed. He heard the ponies rushing about upstairs, Six made his way to the hole in the wall. Punching away at the remaining fragments, he got into the next cell over, which didn’t have an enchanted door that reverses the pain he inflicted on the door. It was like punching a fist at the same speed, meaning pain of course. He easily broke down the medieval barred door, stepping into the hallway, he saw some of the unicorn guards come at him.

         “Not this time you overgrown horned rats!” With that he charged them with speed to rival an Elite. He spread his arms wide, clotheslining guards and collapsing their helmets. He continued without even looking back, running up the stairs he burst through the doors at the top, only to be met with a hoard of guards. Pegasi hovered in the air, earth pony’s weald spears and swords, while unicorns charged spells. His soldier mind told him to take cover; his now chaotic side said charge them. And charge them he did, he crashed into the guards head on, shields protecting him from the majority of their retaliations. He assaulted with fists and feet, quickly disassembling their ranks in just what Discord needed: chaos. After a few seconds of combat, Six felt a presence suddenly jump in his mind. ”Good job, I’m out. Now let me handle this.” Then suddenly, the room was filled with fish, which fell to the floor. The guards stopped and looked at them, some even poking them. Then suddenly the fish burst into a green smoke and confetti.

Each of the guards took a whiff, and then passed out. Six’s armour was sealed and protected him from the fumes. Soon there was a flash of white light and Discord appeared in front of him.

“GRAH! Ooh, ah. Oh my aching shoulders, my position was not very sound this time around. Let’s change that by never getting caught in stone again shall we?” He turned to Six, “Ah, minion! Good to see you, well done on the chaos part. I suppose I shall uphold my end of the bargain,” He walked over to Six, “How does a merge sound?”

Six was a little confused, “Merge? You mean like me inside of you or vice versa?” Discord nodded before putting on his trademark goofy smile.

“Exactly, I vote you. That way, I will sustain less damage if we take any, and you will get, errr, let’s say 60% control.”

Six scratched his chin, “Deal.” Discord chuckled.

“Excellent, now prepare yourself, not many can hold the power of a god.”

Discord snapped his fingers and disappeared. Suddenly Six had a horrible headache. He fell to his knees then spoke in a mixture of both voices, though Discords won over.

“Testing testing, 123. HA! What a fool! To think I would give him any control! Hoo that’s rich, though he definitely left something behind.” Discord could feel it, the desire to kill, and before it was against his ‘better’ judgement. But now inside the body and mind of a warrior, he embraced it. “Might as well use what little he gave, come along new body, we have work to do.” The voice was now completely Discord, and the abomination, once lord of chaos, now lord death had work to do. He snapped his fingers, first: Elements of Harmony.

Heyo, Doctor here. I would like to say sorry for the late update. I went shopping in Red Deer with my family, came home late, 8:00, and now finishing story for editing. I hope you guys like where I am going with this. This is IMR1fley’s first time as well, as a proof-reader, so big thanks to him. Two new guys writing a decent story in a Haylo Fic group, living the dream. Good morning/day/night to you all.