The Alicorn of Harmony

The guard's armory was filled with the noise of metal on a whirling grindstone. Sparks flew off the sword Typhon was sharpening, bouncing off the clear work goggles he wore. He was careful, taking the process slow. This sword was his most prized possession. Given to him by his dad when he first became a guard. Typhon remembered that day as the proudest moment of his life.

"Typhon before you leave, there's something I have for you."

"A present? Ooh, what'd you get me dad."

"Act your age son, just follow me to my study."

"Wow... I don't think you've ever let me in here."

"Well you were a colt then Typhon. Never thought I'd think differently after... well I'm not gonna go there. The point is, the guard really turned you around."

"I was a little turnip , wasn't I?"

"The past is the past. You've grown up a lot. And... well... it's time I gave you this."

"... The eagle sword? No... dad I can't. It's your most prized possession."

"It's my most prized possession because your Grandfather gave it to me. Same as him when he got it from his father. Now it's my turn to pass it on to you. Hay, maybe you can actually put it to use, ha ha."

"Wow... I... I don't know what to say dad... thank you."

"Oh don't start crying now, yea' baby. "

"Just got something in my eye."

"That's what they all say. You better take good care of it. 400 years it's been with this family, and if your the one to break it, you'll get a unhealthy dose of my hoof up your flank."

"Love you too, dad.

Typhon took his sword off the grindstone, examining it carefully. Typhon's dad told him that his great, great, great, etc. grandfather earned it 400 years, when he led Equestrian forces to aid the griffons in their civil war. The eagle sword was the highest honor the griffon military could bestow, and Typhon's ancestor was still the only pony to ever receive it.

The sword itself was beautiful, made of metal's kept secret by the Griffon blacksmiths. On first glance you'd think the sword was made of gold, but the blade was too hard and flexible to be made of the soft metal. The blade extended forty-two inches from the hilt  and, as with all griffon swords, it was a scimitar but was ornately shaped to look like a talon.  Along each flat-side of the sword was an intricately carved mural, depicting the entire history of the Griffon empire. Typhon could only guess how long it took to make each design. It wasn't just a sword, it was a literal work of art, and Typhon loved it.

Commander Typhon left the grindstone, and proceeded to the practice dummies on the other side of the armory. When he first got the sword from his dad, he intended to just put it on display or something. It looked more like a museum piece than an actual weapon, and didn't want to risk damaging it.

twenty feet away from the straw target Typhon stood back on his hind legs, sword in his right front hoof, ready to strike. When the changelings attacked Fillydelphia, Typhon was off duty in his apartment, relaxing after a hard days work. Several changelings broke into his home, attempting to subdue him. Fortunately Typhon had taken the sword out beforehoof, just to look at it in admiration, as he was wont to do. The sword proved its mettle that day, as it did throughout the changelings occupation of Fillydelphia

Typhon lunged at the straw dummy, closing the distance in a matter of seconds. He reared the sword back to strike. Typhon imagined it was one of the many changelings he struck down.

Ensign Typhon sunk his sword deeply into the changeling's chest. It cried out loudly in pain and fear; Typhon responded with a loud, angry growl as he violently tore the blade out its side. Blood and gore splashed across Fillydelphian streets. The changeling collapsed to the ground, dead. Ensign Typhon looked over his latest kill, before hearing another angry changeling charging a spell behind him.

Typhon made a backwards roll out of the way just in time. He recovered on three hooves next to the changeling, using his fourth to swing the eagle sword at the monster's neck.  It tried firing another spell, but the glow on the changeling's horn went out, as the head it was attached to was severed and fell to the ground. The body just stood there for a second, as if not realizing what just happened, before blood shot out of it's open neck  and it crumpled to the ground.

Dozens of changelings were upon him now, noticing the violence on the empty street. Outnumbered, Typhon sought shelter underneath a large carriage, trying to buy some time to plan his next move. Many changelings hovered over the carriage, like vultures circling a carcass. Several landed on the ground next to it, ready to flush out the guard. "So this is the changeling killer? Guess he doesn't like it when he's outnumbered."

As the arrogant changeling said this, a white hoof shot out from under the carriage, wrapping around one of his legs and pulling him under. Typhon quickly wrestled on top of the changeling and pinned it down, he brought his sword against its throat, and put all his weight on the weapon. The others stared in horror as blood leaked out from under the carriage. Several dove under the carriage, trying to save it, but only met the same fate. The remaining changelings got smart and flipped the carriage over with magic.

All they saw was a pile of their mutilated brothers and sisters. A couple changelings ran over to the pile to see if any were still alive. The ones who remained shouted at them to stay away. As one of them stopped over a body to check it, a corpse was subtly pushed out, and a blood soaked sword shot upward, through the changelings jaw and out the top of it's head.  A bloody Typhon got up and kicked the dead changeling off his sword, looking more like a some wild beast than a pony. The other one near him tried to run but Typhon pounced on the changelings back, and it collapsed onto the ground under his weight. Typhon grabbed the changeling's horn and pulled back. With it's neck exposed, Typhon put the blade of his sword to it's throat and ripped it open.

The crowd of changelings froze in terror; they just stared at the blood soaked, feral pony in front of them. Most guards had surrendered in fear as soon as they swarmed the city. Any logical pony would see that he was outnumbered and doomed. This one didn't seem to care, only bent on killing as many changelings as possible.

Ensign Typhon saw there fear; he needed every advantage he could get. If they thought he was was crazy, he'll show them crazy. Typhon roared at the changelings, causing them to stumble back a bit. He quickly put the sword in the sheath on his back, to free up his hoof, and charged straight at the large group of changelings. The changelings shook their fear away and prepared to launch a volley of magic at the charging earth pony.

The sound of metal piercing flesh, followed quickly by a scream of pain, came from the back of the large changeling group. The changelings trying to attack Typhon lost their concentration, as a new enemy attacked them from behind. A pony, wearing dark guard armor, wings like a dragon, and glowing blue, cat-like eyes had flanked them as they all focused on Typhon. This was the last thing several more changelings saw before the noctral guard impaled them with his spear . For many more, it was Typhon ripping through the crowd; taking advantage of there confusion. Unable to defeat the two guards attacking from both sides, the changelings scattered. Some out of fear, others seeking reinforcement.

"That's right, run you bastards!" The spear wielding noctral yelled at the fleeing enemy. He turned his attention to his friend. "You okay, Typhon?"

Typhon cracked a smile, dried changeling blood flaked off his face. "Yeah... I'm fine. Thanks for the assist Viper. Saved my flank."

"Don't thank me too early, looks like they got reinforcements" Viper pointed out. Changelings swarmed from the skies and streets around them. The duo could see enthralled ponies alongside them, intent on aiding their masters. "What do we do about the ponies? We can't just kill them."

Typhon just stared sadly at the angry faces of the enthralled ponies approaching them. He recognized many of their faces, even when warped by anger passed on by the changelings hatred for the two. "... I don't know what else to do. Do you?" he whispered.

Typhon finally came out of the memory. Sweating coldly and hyperventilating. He looked to his left to the tattered remains of several straw dummies, ripped apart and strewn across the floor. "Dammit... not again."

One year earlier. Five days before Twilight Sparkles predicted disaster.

All three heads of Cerberus stood at attention, in front of the gates of Tartarus. For eons, they have made sure nothing escaped from the black depths of the underworld. Nothing would ever get past the three guardians.

All six ears perked up as it spotted a lone figure approaching. Cerberus's K-9 eyes might not have noticed this figure in the night, if it wasn't for it's eyes; glowing bright purple in the darkness. Cerberus growled a warning at this intruder, but it just continued towards the beast. All three heads barked wildly at the now visible pony, who stopped, but only to laugh at the watch dog.

"Ooh scary," The stallion sarcastically observed. He turned his back on Cerberus and shook his flank at the guard dog. "Come on, you big ugly chump! Nice, tasty pony flank for yea'!"

Cerberus took the bait and charged at the pony, barking madly. The pony just smiled widely, and stayed his ground as the juggernaut approached. Cerberus pounced on the stallion. It pulled its paw away to to gobble him up, but was dumbfounded when the pony was gone. It spun in a complete circle, searching for the intruder.

A loud whistle from in front of the massive Tartarus gates drew Cerberus's attention. Cerberus turned to see the purple eyed pony sitting in front of the black gates, giving the beast a mocking smile. All three heads roared, rumbling the Earth, and charged at the pony. The pony just sat still. When Cerberus got to the pony all three heads lunged him, trying to eat the intruder. The guard dog scooped up the pony and large chunks of the ground with him. The beast chewed violently, making sure the threat was dealt with.

Cerberus turned away from the gates to assume its post again, satisfied that everything was safe. Only to see two bright purple orbs staring at him in the distance. "Over here!" The stallion called before running off into the darkness. Cerberus took off after him. It was not going to let some little pony beat the guardian of the underworld. Cerberus couldn't see him anymore, but knew he was faster and would catch his prey eventually.

In front of the black gates of Tartarus, purple eyed pony appeared, laughing his flank off. "That was way too easy," the stallion thought to himself, as he watched the three headed guard-dog run off into the night. When the guardian of Tartarus abandons his duty; the second seal will be broken.

The stallion turned to face the gate of Tartarus, clearing his throat to prepare for the next step.

"The gates of darkness shall remain closed," He recited.

"As the One Above All makes it so,"

"Sealed inside their black tomb,"

"The souls of evil are forever doomed,"

"But Mother is gone,"

"Because she knows she was wrong,"

"So why should her will matter anymore,"

"Why can't you all live once-more,"

"By Her will, evil shall rise,"

"So one day, harmony will once-more shine."

The sound of the massive gates of Tartarus unlocking rumbled the Earth. The doors began to swing open slowly, revealing an endless ocean of the purest black. With his deed done, the purple eyed pony walked away from the gate. He stopped after several minutes of travel and stared at the sky, to see the inhabitants of Tartarus flying off into the night en masse, blocking out the moonlight with their numbers. They all craved the one thing they hungered for most, love.