Judgment Day

Celestia’s heart raced. She was at full gallop, desperately trying to reach the residential district of Canterlot in an effort to protect her subjects. With the barrier broken, the reaplings were pouring in. Many of them were attacking Canterlot Castle, though a large force was descending on the residential district.

As Celestia raced through the Canterlot gardens, she disturbed various birds and insects which all flew away as she neared. She glanced at the sky and saw that a large portion of the reaplings were pointing at her and descending upon her rapidly. She created a shield spell to encompass them, and then shrunk it. The reaplings screamed in agony as they were crushed by the rapidly contracting walls. When the shield dissipated, a mass of black blood fell to the ground, splashing everywhere.

Celestia entered the residential district at last, and she was greeted by a haunting sight. The royal guards were being pushed back slowly but steadily by the reaplings. The citizens were running from the city, although the reaplings were carrying off quite a few of them. Celestia galloped toward the guards immediately. She was stopped by a blinding light accompanied by a loud pop, however. She shielded her eyes from the light, and when she opened them, Twilight Sparkle and Spitfire stood side by side.

Celestia’s eyes grew wide. “Twilight?! What are you doing here?!” The normally calm princess began to panic. “If you’re here, then who is going to stop the reaplings?!”

Twilight smiled. “We split up. Swordpoint and Rainbow Dash went on to the ruins, and we came here to help save Canterlot.” She stood tall before Celestia, and the princess’ panic slowly ebbed.

Celestia smiled at last. “… don’t let them kill anyone else.”

Spitfire smirked. “Heh. They’ve already taken enough from us. Nopony should have to go through what I did today… so if I can prevent it, I will.”

Twilight spun around. “Spitfire! Let’s go!” She galloped toward the clashing guards and reaplings.

A tear reached Spitfire’s eye. “This is for you, Soarin. I’ll kill all these sons of bitches.” She took to the air and chased after Twilight.

Celestia took off into a gallop behind Twilight. She looked at her most faithful student and was impressed by what she saw. Twilight’s face was fearless, yet it was clear that she understood her slim chances of success. Twilight was not afraid to die for Equestria. Celestia glanced away and made a promise to herself that as long as she breathed, she would not allow harm to come to Twilight.

As Twilight reached the guards, she devised a battle plan in her mind. “Everypony! Listen to me! We must get the citizens out of the city! Ten of you should focus on escorting civilians, with the rest covering them! We also need a small force to stave off the reaplings destroying the buildings. It’s our best bet!”

Several of the guards gave her incredulous stares. Celestia grew angry. “Do as she says! Immediately!”

At the commanding voice of the princess, the guards immediately began to follow Twilight’s orders. Every command she gave was carefully considered. Her organizational skills made her a fantastic commander, and Celestia could see it.

Spitfire went with the guards attempting to quell the reaplings burning the city. Her eyes were filled with tears, and her mind with thoughts of Soarin. She flew in front of a pegasi regiment, heading toward the royal district of Canterlot. “Alright, you guys! Let’s show these freaks what happens when you mess with Equestria!” Rallying cries erupted behind her, and they flew headlong toward the reaplings lighting fires.

Twilight followed the guards escorting civilians. As reaplings began to descend upon her ground, she charged up her magic, but was surprised as a flurry of magical bolts struck them all out of the sky. She wheeled around to find the source and was face to face with her brother. “Shining Armor!” she cried.

Shining Armor rubbed his eyes vigorously with his hoof. “T-Twiley?! But I thought…”

Twilight put her hoof to his mouth. “We don’t have time! We need to get these ponies out of the city!”

Shining Armor nodded and continued to fire bolts of magic at the attacking reaplings. “I don’t know what you’ve been through, but you look different, Twiley!”

Twilight felt the memories of the fallen returning to her. She hastily brushed them aside, unwilling to let them take over her. “It’s been a long journey, Shining Armor. But I guess I wasn’t the one meant to save Equestria after all… Rainbow Dash is.”

Shining Armor cleared the last few reaplings out of the sky. “Alright, move up! We have to force them out!” Several hundred feet to his left, a reapling was taking out a small group of guards. Shining Armor glanced at them and hastily cast a spell on the guards. Immediately, their reflexes heightened, and they dodged every attack the reapling threw at them before goring it with their lances. The reapling fell swiftly.

--
Spitfire led the pegasi guards with speed and precision. “Follow my lead! Form five-man teams and stay in formation!” They nodded in approval and did as she told.

“Spitfire!” a brown pegasus called to her from behind. “Take this!”

Spitfire turned around to see him holding a lance. “Well… I’m not really much of a fighter, but it’s nice and brutal, and I’d love to spill as much of their blood as possible. Give it here.” The pegasus deftly threw the lance and Spitfire caught it with ease. It felt like she was holding air, and it didn’t weigh her down at all. Haha! So the rumors are true! Magically enchanted lances for the pegasi. I wonder if the other guards have the same kind of enchanted equipment… That’d be kinda neat. “Alright, boys, break up! Stay with your squad and watch each other’s backs! Oh, that, and make sure to show these assholes no mercy! NO MERCY!!”

Spitfire swung the lance and pointed it ahead of herself before charging at a reapling on the ground. It was holding a torch to a large pile of dry wood at the base of a house. As she approached, it glanced up at her and growled, but her lance struck it in the chest, impaling it. She lifted it off the ground as she flapped her wings and returned to the air. It screamed wildly, slashing its claws at the lance in a desperate attempt to free itself.

Spitfire laughed quietly. “Oh, no, buddy. I’m done playing nice. You’re bucked.” She dove straight down and slammed her lance into the ground. The reapling let out another gargled cry. Black blood ran from its mouth. “I think I get it now, Swordpoint. It feels pretty bucking good to get revenge.” She placed her back hoof on the reapling’s chest and withdrew the lance, only to shove it back into the shrieking reapling. She sliced away, tearing the black flesh of the creature while it howled wildly. Once Spitfire was satisfied, she took it out one last time and shoved it through the creature’s skull. It fell limp instantly, and Spitfire let out a victorious snarl.

Her celebration was short-lived, however, as she felt claws dig into her back. “Ooooowww!” she screamed, quickly lunging forward. Several small streams of blood flew from her back as the reapling’s claws were forcefully torn from her. She spun around to face her attacker and shoved her lance at its throat. The reapling easily jumped away from her attack and moved in to retaliate. It lunged with its claws, but a lance pierced its skull, going straight through its head.

Spitfire looked over to see who had saved her. She was surprised when she saw a familiar blue uniform. Fleetfoot stood in front of her, clad in her full Wonderbolts uniform. She held a lance like the one Spitfire had. “Fleetfoot!” she exclaimed. “Glad to see you’re still alive! How about the others? C’mon, please give me some good news.”

Fleetfoot held up a hoof. “Whoa, boss, hang on a minute. We don’t have time to sit and chat. Fly?”

Spitfire nodded and they spread their wings once more.

--
“Push forward!” Shining Armor shouted. He was guiding a group of guards who were surrounding the terrified citizens of Canterlot. “We’re almost there!”

Celestia glanced at Twilight. She looked different… changed. It was as if she’d had her innocence stripped from her, and now she saw the world for what it was. Celestia turned her head away, feeling a little guilty. Was it right of me to entrust her with such a dangerous task? How many of her friends stand dead? I know the look she carries… and she has seen death.

Twilight followed her brother closely. “Watch out!” she shouted as reaplings descended toward him. She hastily cast several lightning spells and stunned them. As they fell to the ground, Shining Armor finished them off by conjuring large spikes and impaling them.

Shining Armor panted. “So close… I can see the edge of the city!” A large group of reaplings landed between them and the exit, however.

Celestia grunted. “Well, that should have been expected. Allow me.” She stepped forward and her horn began to glow. “I will protect my subjects and my kingdom, even if it costs me my own life. Would you challenge me?”

--
Fleetfoot’s white mane flowed as she flew by Spitfire. “So, boss… I’m afraid that… I’m the only one left. We were all hanging out at the Silver Stallion when they crashed through and torched the place. We all fought to try to stop them, but… these things are too strong.” A tear fell from Fleetfoot’s eye. “What about Soarin? Is he alright?”

At the mention of his name, Spitfire closed her eyes and put her free forehoof over her heart. “… he’s…”

Fleetfoot understood. “Hey, forget about it. I’m sorry I asked.” Wow… poor Spits… And so close to the wedding…

Spitfire perked up at once. “Look, we don’t have time to be sentimental! We’re here to kick some flank and save these citizens! Our job is to stop these reaplings that are lighting fires. If we don’t, this whole city will burn to the ground!” She glanced at Fleetfoot with a spark in her eyes.

Fleetfoot was in awe. This is exactly why she’s the boss… “Y-yes, ma’am! I’ll follow your orders!”

Spitfire smiled. “Follow me,” was all she said.