“Fire!”

A flurry of green magic bolts hammered into the elk line just before they connected with the defensive line of Crystal guards. Changelings situated on the roofs of the buildings to the sides shot precise bolts while Private Shift in her advanced armour peppered the charging mass with rapid-fire bursts.

Bellows went up from the enemy as Elk warriors were hit, falling to the ground either dead or severely injured. The bodies stymied the charge, the mass of fighters slowing as clambered over their fallen comrades.

The charge was only slowed, not stopped however, and with the clash of metal on metal the fight was joined. Axe-blade met armour and halberds, the force of the charge forcing back the defensive line. Even the smallest elk bull was larger than a pony, the creatures ramming their bladed heads into breastplates and using their strength to gain ground.

The guards lashed out with their halberds and swords, a few elk already impaled on the sharp spear tips that had been lowered to receive the charge. The numbers were great however, and the elk fanatical, a number of Crystal ponies going down as particularly vicious axe-hits penetrated their armour. These fallen ponies, living or dead, were dragged back through the line so fresh guards could take their place.

The cobbled stone became slick with blood from elk and pony alike, the fight raging on with the barrage of magic from the changelings never stopping. It was the might of the elk hammer against the anvil of the Crystal ponies, energy and strength against hard armour and desperation.

Nigel, shifting from foot to foot, could only watch on as his soldiers fought and died. He itched to do something, the din of battle agitating his nerves and causing twitches to course through him. Strategy on the other hand was calm and collected, the Captain yelling out orders and encouragement from behind the line.

Both Emperor and Captain winced as an injured mare was pulled past them by two guards, the soldier bleeding from a nasty gash in her chest were an elk had scored a vicious blow.

The only condolence was that her cries of pain meant that she was still alive.

Time flew by as weapons smashed together, the Crystal Guards gaining ground despite their losses. Their advanced armour, deadly weapons, formation and changeling support helped them reap a terrible toll on the lightly armoured but bulky elk. Changelings armoured in full steel plate darted down from rooftops to strike from behind and the flanks, having exhausted their magic from repeated casting.

Their hardened armour and flight meant that they suffered little losses from the elk, only one changeling soldier being caught in the antlers of an elk he had just stabbed in the back with a short sword. Thankfully for the changeling, the elk threw up his antlers which sent him flying back to his own lines instead of the enemy’s, the soldier colliding with a building and crumpling to the ground.
Further and further the Crystal guards pushed, soon forcing the Elk out of the city itself.

“Hold your ground!” Strategy called out, him and Nigel having advanced with their troops. They stood amongst the bodies of slain elk, hooves and feet stained red with gore. A few dead Crystal Guards remained where they had died, removing them a lower priority than pushing the invaders back.

The ponies halted at the edge of the buildings, keen to keep the protective walls to protect their flanks. A few more halberd thrusts and a space was cleared, the first and second ranks lowering any remaining halberds to present a solid wall of points once again. The remaining elk that had charged numbered at four hundred, a further fifty back at the hills. Roughly two hundred and fifty had fallen in the first charge, the remaining faulting as they once again were faced spear tips.

Another wave of green bolts started to hammer them again, Private Swift’s armour having been reloaded by her three helpers. Faced with the failed charge, and the renewed magical barrage, the elk turned and retreated at the bellowed order of the Chief. The Crystal Guards let out a weary cheer as the enemy withdrew, many of the guards injured with cuts and bruises. A number of them collapsed, having spent all their energy fighting off the elk.

“Get the wounded back and tended to!” Strategy ordered, fresh troops from the back moving to plug any gaps in the line. Guards with all manner of injuries were ferried back to the city center, medical workers already running out to meet them. Nigel didn’t feel sorrow, only cold rage as a dead guard was transported back past him. The stallion’s armour had failed to protect his eye, a blade from an elk antler still embedded deep in it.

Instead of regret, Chalmers focused on ensuring that all of the Elk died for killing his subjects. Turning around, he looked towards the abandoned ballista, the crew having left to join the fight.

“Someone get on those weapons!” he ordered, a detachment of guards hurrying to prepare the machines for firing. Having all of the guards trained in their use paid off, the weapons soon ready to fire again. “Fire at will, kill as many as possible!”

An officer moved to the front of the machines, the pony standing upon a wooden spotting platform to see over the heads of her fellow soldiers.

“Aim at the hill, fire when ready!”

At the mare’s command, five thumps echoed out in quick succession and another group of fire bolts flew over towards the Elk. All fell short of the hill, missing the commanders and magic users but landing in the middle of the retreating army.

More Elk fell as the arcane fire burnt off their skin and boiled their blood, their light armour no match for the enchanted munitions.

Bellows of pain from hit survivors filled the air and lowered the morale of the rest of the Elk, all of them making a mad dash further back in an attempt to escape the range of the ballista.

“Switch to standard shots!” the artillery leader ordered as she raised a hoof and pointed at the Elk, the crew members loading in the standard bolts that looked like oversized arrows. A few crossbow bolts harried the fleeing army, but all fell short with the Elk out of their range. Particularly brave changelings flew ahead and chased them, the soldiers firing whatever magic they had left in an attempt to keep the Elk away as far as possible.

The pursuing changelings fell back as iron bolts flew past them, only two of the shots making the required distance. They pierced Elk and kept on going, taking out another seven of the creatures.

“Cease fire!” Nigel yelled, having been observing the battle.

“Cease fire!” the female officer echoed, the artillery crew loading in fresh shots but not moving to fire. Chalmers gave them a thumbs up, the crew getting the gist of the gesture.

“Keep alert, but grab some rest while you can!” Nigel shouted, having to raise his voice to make himself heard over the cries and sobs of his wounded troops. A group of guards who had been left in the city rushed up the road carrying water and food, beginning a forward stockpile in preparation for a siege.

A standoff was what they were going to get.

The Elk had discovered that they were out of the range of the artillery and were forming up at the bellows of their leaders, the fight far from over. Both sides took the chance to grab some rest, the Crystal pony line holding strong.

“Make sure none split off,” Strategy ordered to five changelings, the steel-clad beings nodding and flying off to take up positions with views of the entire enemy force. The Captain took a few deep breaths before heading back towards Nigel, Strategy aiming to discuss their next moves with the ruler.

On the way he passed guards being treated by medical ponies, mares and stallions alike sporting bleeding cuts and shattered bones. He noted three unicorns amongst the normal doctors, the magical equines evidently adept in healing spells as they dulled pain and stopped bleeding. Strategy grimaced as he passed a growing pile of sheet-covered bodies, thankfully only numbered at twenty-one and not two-hundred.

The time for mourning would be for later, right now he had to focus on the battle.

“They’ve retreated sir,” Strategy informed, slipping back into formal addresses with Emperor Chalmers. He noted that the Emperor still hadn’t put on plants, the blood covered form of Chalmers quite horrifying to look at in its current state of wear. The Emperor’s stomach wound made his own stomach churn, raw flesh slowly knitting together as he watched. Strategy briefly wondered how much damage the Emperor was able to take, and if he still felt pain despite the healing.

“Good work Captain,” Chalmers complemented as he gazed out towards the enemy. “It doesn’t look like they’ve given up yet, and even if they did I would still like to chase them down. Strategy’s mind flashed back to his dead soldiers covered with sheets, the stallion narrowing his eyes.

“I share that wish sir; I have no issues with punishing every single one of them for what they’ve done.” Chalmers let out a humorless chuckle, Strategy noticing a slight wince as Nigel placed a hand on his stomach wound.

“Oh trust me Strategy, if I didn’t have a hole in my chest I’d be marching towards them right now,” Chalmers glanced to the front ranks, the soldiers still standing up while breathing heavily. “The troops need a break though.” Strategy took the hint, slightly proud despite the circumstances at the Emperor letting him have most of the control.

“Stallions, mares,” troops looked at him as Strategy spoke. “Take a breather, keep on guard but rest up!” Soldiers sat down thankfully, halberds still pointing out and their owners ready to get up in seconds. Food and water was beginning to be passed around, bread filling stomachs while water quenched thirsts and cleaned wounds. Medics also continued on their rounds, disinfecting and treating wounds as best as they could.

“Pull up a seat,” Chalmers offered to Strategy, the human moving over to a bench and placing his sword on his lap. Strategy took a last glance and the defense and found it satisfactory, the Captain joining his Emperor and sitting down like he was.

“Well, were alive,” Strategy breathed out, earning a smile from Nigel.

“We are indeed,” Chalmers replied as he waved to passing troops. Both Captain and Emperor offered a sympathetic smile to a wounded mare, the guard limping along with the aid of a medic. Her left foreleg greave was smashed in, the hardened crystal alloy having constricted the limb and created small cuts. She returned it with a tired smile, wincing as she and her helper hobbled back towards the medical area behind the Ballista.

“Are you okay sir?” Strategy asked as he nodded towards Nigel’s stomach. “Do you need medical assistance?” He was waved off by the Emperor, Nigel breathing out heavily as he leaned back on the bench.

“No, save it for those worse off than me,” Chalmers ordered with a wave. “I’ll live, it’s not that bad and I’m okay for now.” Strategy nodded, turning back to stare sternly at the gathered Elk army just on the horizon.

“I just know he’s not okay,” Reflection muttered to herself as she hurried down the stairs, the changeling aiming to head out and check on Nigel. She had stayed in bed and had promised to not leave it, but then she had heard explosions and screams. She had fought with herself, trying to decide between easing her fears or following Nigel’s wish for her to stay in the castle.

Her fear had won in the end, Reflection throwing off the bed covers and rushing out to find him.

“Reflection?” the changeling stopped at the foot of the stairs, Shining Armour following her down from his room. “What’s going on?”

“The Empire’s under attack,” Reflection answered before turning around. “I’m sorry, but Nigel’s gone to help fight and I need to go see that he’s okay. Please stay in the castle.” Shining didn’t get time to protest before Reflection hurried off, the changeling quickly heading towards the front doors.

She missed the worried look on Shining’s face at the mention of Nigel fighting, the unicorn’s horn lighting up as he prepared to send a message back to Celestia.

Reflection took the shortest route she knew, passing thorough the empty kitchen. She paused, spotting half a wheel of cheese wrapped in paper. Thinking that he would appreciate the gesture, Reflection used her magic to grab it off the counter, placing it one her back and nestling it between her wings to hold it there.

Her gift secured, Reflection galloped out of the kitchen into the throne room.

She burst out into a hive of activity, frightened ponies everywhere. It was packed, citizens sitting down on rugs and blankets while armed guards watched the doors with alert gazes. Reflection pushed through the crowd, a few ponies making way for her but most were too caught up in their own terror. Reflection didn’t mind, it was understandable after all.

She spotted changelings mixed in with ponies, no divide at all between the two races. They shared rugs and water, even jokes and conversation in attempts to lighten the mood and ease the fear.

The guards at the door didn’t stop her from leaving, as soon as she exited the castle she saw why.

The courtyard was filled with ponies and changelings, Reflection wondering if the entire city was here. She once again moved through the crowd, her sights set on the road that was covered with guards ferrying supplies to the north.

“Ma’am, stop.”

Reflection froze at the command, a young guardstallion approaching her with a sword holstered at his side.

“I need to see the Emperor,” Reflection explained, opting to get straight to the point. The explosions and sounds of battle had stopped, the changeling anxiously shifting from hoof to hoof. Her heart dropped as the guard shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but orders are to keep all civilians safe at the castle. That includes advisors as well.” Reflection gazed at the guard with wide eyes, the stallion frowning at her attempt.

“Please let me through, I just want to see if he’s okay and then I’ll come right back.” The guard seemed to weaken, the stallion wincing and shaking his head.

“I can’t let you do that, even with your position. I can’t let you get hurt.” Reflection came up with a devious tactic, the guard spluttering as she continued to walk towards the battle.

“And by stopping me, you risk hurting me,” she informed as the guard hurried after her. “So you might as well just let me pass.”

“Ma’am!” the guard shouted as he chased after Reflection, the stallion quickly over taking her. Reflection went to sidestep him but the guard held out a hoof. “Look, I can’t let you go and I will arrest you if needed.” He didn’t seem that confident in his own threat. “However, I’ll let you go on two conditions.” the guard continued with a sigh.

“What?” Reflection asked, keen to get away and visit Nigel.

“You come with me to the armorer so you get a suit of armour and then I escort you to the Emperor.” The guard straightened, appearing to be resolute in his decision.

“A suit of armour?” Reflection stammered, wondering if her choice to visit the Emperor was a good idea. The guard nodded.

“It’s that or nothing. I don’t want to find out what the Emperor would do to me if you get hurt, or worse.” The guard tilted his head back towards the castle. “You could always turn back, the Emperor will be okay.” Reflection actually considered the option of returning to safety, but her need won out.

“I really need to see that he’s okay myself,” she muttered, the guard nodding with understanding. Reflection looked back at him, meeting his emerald eyes. “Where’s this armory?” The guard pointed in the opposite direction, to the south. “You’re not serious?” Reflection questioned. “That will take too long.”

“It that or nothing,” the guard replied, Reflection sighing as she turned around.

“Fine, hurry up though,” she groaned before breaking into a brisk trot, aiming to keep the cheese on her back. The guard cursed, having hoped that the changeling would have returned to the castle, but he followed her and matched her pace. Hopefully the fighting would be over before the changeling even left the armory.

“Here they come again!”

Nigel awoke with a start, cursing at himself for falling asleep. He stood up from the bench, wincing as a wave of pain shot up his body. He glanced around, guards taking up positions while nurses and medics ran back to the city with any wounded that had yet to be moved.

“Fire!”

Once again the thump of the ballistas sounded, Nigel following the path of the bolts. He gripped his sword in his right hand and held his left hand on his gut, before walking up to the front. As the first bolts hit the enemy and frontlines braced for the charge, Chalmers walked all the way up to the soldiers. He spotted Strategy just behind the second rank, the Captain having drawn his sword while yelling orders to the troops.

“Changelings, ready!”

At the order, the changelings stationed on the buildings lowered their horns, fewer in number than the first time thanks to magical fatigue and battle wounds. Nigel scanned the rooftops, searching for Private Shift while he moved to stand beside Strategy. He didn’t spot her, the Emperor furrowing his eyes as he assumed that she was out of action.

It was a shame; the firepower of a single suit was a blessing to the outnumbered forces.

“You shouldn’t be here Emperor,” Strategy advised between orders, his voice sounding strained. “Not with that wound.”

“What sort of ruler and soldier would I be if I stand by and watch my troops die when I can help? Plenty of ponies and changelings have far worse wounds than mine.” Nigel knew that this wasn’t particularly true, however now was not the time to debate his presence. Strategy obviously reached the same conclusion, the Captain reluctantly focusing back on the approaching army.

The Elk’s retreat meant that they had to cross even more distance than the first charge, meaning that once again they would have to brave the ballista bolts and crossbow bolts. More elk fell, however they kept on coming, yelling defiant bellows and prayers as they ran across the field. Nigel wondered just what factors created their religion, the elk seeming to be very fanatical.

When the elk got to halfway, the changelings fired magic to contribute to the death toll. The number of bolts were few and it wasn’t long before the changelings stopped shooting and started to fall back as planned. They landed behind him, the fifty-seven soldiers drawing their backup blades in case any of the elk broke through or an opportunity to flank them was presented.

“Here we go!” Strategy called out as the elk closed in and lowered their antlers once more. Guards braced their halberds, preparing to receive the deadly charge. Nigel frowned as he peered forward. There seemed to be a gap in the middle of the charging elk, some of them hanging back.

He scanned the enemy lines, a flash of yellow catching his eye. His eyes widened as he spotted an elk in a grey robe at the back, his antlers glowing yellow while crossbow bolts bounced off a barely visible bubble shield.

“Clear the center, incoming!” Nigel yelled out, but his warning was too late. The guards were set up and braced, the bolt of energy that the elk mage fired taking the ponies unawares. A wave of heat washed over the guards in the center, thirty of them collapsing to the ground with ear-piercing screams as the magic burnt any exposed surface. A hole was punched in the line, the elk in the center surging forward to form a wedge.

“Fuck no,” Nigel muttered, steeling himself as he rushed to plug the gap. All of the other ponies were shaken by the attack on their comrades, the main line thinning as soldiers rushed to replace their wounded comrades.

“Emperor!” Strategy called out, having recovered from the shock of the arcane attack. As Nigel stepped over the body of a whimpering mare, Strategy rushed beside him and winced. There was no time for talk, the elk almost upon them. Changelings moved up from the back, dragging away the injured while some gathered around the Emperor and Captain while preparing for the charge.

“This is it!” Nigel called out over the cries of wounded troops. “One last defense is all I ask! This is make or break, your citizens and loved ones depend on it!” With those words battle was joined once more, the clash of metal ringing out again. Changelings and ponies were pushed back, a few being battered by antlers but most of the armour held. Elk were spitted upon halberd point, hampering the charge of their surviving fellows.

Nigel used his sword to block the antlers belonging to a bull that charged him, the axe blades looking a lot more dangerous now that he didn’t even have a bathrobe for protection. He was pushed back with the force of the hit, even with his artificially enhanced strength and height advantage. The elk was powerful, Nigel going for his number one tactic when fighting a more powerful opponent.

Fight dirty.

Nigel pulled back his left hand, slick with his own blood from the still healing wound, and flicked it towards the elk.

The bull bellowed as the blood blinded him, allowing Nigel to kick up with a foot. The blow lifted the bull’s head, allowing Nigel to remove his sword from the lock with the antlers and bring it down upon the enemy’s head.

The enchanted blade cut clean through the skull, the bull toppling down at Chalmers’ feet as elk-brains stained the ground. Nigel glanced backwards, the guards injured in the attack being flown away by spare changeling soldiers once they were dragged clear. As cold as it sounded, Nigel considered the injured soldiers to be lucky. He’d rather them be in pain with treatable wounds that looked to him to be non-life-threatening, then for them to be dead.

The reminder of the elk mage brought his vision back to the front, the slumped body of the recently killed bull blocking other elk from attacking him easily. Nigel narrowed his eyes at the mage, preparing to march forward and kill everything in his path on his quest for vengeance.

As it turned out, his efforts were not needed.

A bolt, fired from one of the ballista, soared over the armies and flew towards the mage. Nigel watched as the munition annihilated the bubble shield and splatted the mage, an explosive burst of magic roaring out as the elk was turned to giblets.

The yellow wave of magic consumed a huge swath of elk who had been around the mage, taking a terrible toll on them. While the explosion was bad for the elk, the screams of the dying as their flesh was burnt off their bones was a far deadlier result.

Elk at the front wavered, thinking that they were attacked from behind as well. Crystal guards and changelings pressed the advantage, moving past dead and dying comrades to hammer the elk. Captain Strategy pulled his sword from the chest of a dead elk, joining Chalmers as they moved with their troops.

“Don’t let up, even for a second!” Strategy ordered, stepping over a fallen guard who didn’t seem to be breathing. Slowly the elk were pushed back, the ballista firing all the while.

The battle finally ended with a gargled scream that cut off suddenly, coming from the hills containing the elk commanders. Bulls raised their heads and paled at the anguished bellows, the survivors running in a full retreat back to their lines.

“We just killed someone important!” Nigel yelled out, more to encourage his troops than to update them. “We’ve got them now! Kill them all!” Crystal guards and changelings surged forward with a final burst of energy, overcome with bloodlust and keen to avenge their fallen friends with the death of elk. Ballista bolts continued to rain from the sky, the crews ensuring that the deadly bolts landed far ahead of their own troops.

Hundreds of elk were slaughtered, the changelings taking most of the kills as they were able to fly and strike from above. Chalmers and Strategy were at the forefront the entire time, both earning considerable tallies.

They were halfway across the field, leaving a trail of dead elk behind, when two bright flashes lit up the night sky.

Changelings retreated back from the glows and elk ran off to the sides, everyone shielding their eyes from the flashes. The ballista stopped firing, the crews unable to see what was happening.

Nigel blinked his eyes, clearing away the spots as his vision returned.

Standing in the middle of the field, with horrified expressions, were hundreds of Equestrian Royal Guards, Princesses Luna and Celestia. Both Royal ponies were armoured in metal armour, Celestia’s golden while Luna’s was a deep purple. Both appeared sickened by the carnage, the air still filled with the cries of the wounded.

“Halt!” Nigel yelled, his troops stopping beside him and warily pointing their weapons at the Equestrians. The Crystal ponies, changelings and human stood off against the newcomers, unsure if they were here to help or to hinder. Luna recovered from her shock first, the Princess slowly approaching Nigel with a determined look.

“Emperor Chalmers,” she addressed, wincing as she saw his wound and his blood covered form. Luna halted fifty metres ahead of him, careful to not set off the Crystal guards. “We have come to lend you aid in defending your city.” While Luna scanned over the battlefield, Celestia walked up beside her sister.

Nigel noticed that Celestia was far more shaken than Luna, the three hundred Equestrian guards also seeming unsure of themselves with a few even vomiting at the sight of so many broken bodies.

“Luna is correct,” Celestia added with her ears folding back. “Shining Armour sent a message that the Empire was under attack. We teleported here with reenforcements, and more of our guards are on their way.” She also grimaced as she saw his wound. “Are you okay?”

“Why does everyone ask that?” Nigel muttered with a glance at Strategy. The Captain seemed preoccupied, Nigel guessing that he was just concerned with the unannounced arrival of Equestrian troops. “I’m fine,” he answered before gesturing with his sword, both alicorns following the bloodstained blade while their guards formed a perimeter around them. “As for the support, I thank you for the assistance but we’ve got this covered. Troops, advance!”

Nigel led his troops to continue pursuing the Elk, the guards passing their Equestrian counterparts with one purpose on their minds. The Elk would be hunted down or driven away for good today so that the Empire would never have to deal with them again.

Luna couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The Emperor was naked, Luna now able to see why he wore so many clothes, and was leading his troops to continue attacking a retreating enemy. A part of her could understand the reasoning, but it was still a stomach-churning prospect. His uncaring attitude to it didn’t help either, Luna could see that the Emperor was out for blood and his guards were equally as rabid.

“I can’t let him do it Luna,” Celestia muttered while they and their guards watched the Crystal pony soldiers chase the Elk with slaughter on their minds. “It’s wrong.”

“What are you going to do?” Luna asked, Celestia not answering. Without a word Celestia took to the sky, Luna stepping back in shock. “Sister!” she yelled, grimacing before also taking flight while their unicorn guards galloped to catch up to the two rulers. Luna knew that the Emperor was overcome by battle-lust, Luna having felt it many years ago. She chased Celestia, the older alicorn landing in front of the Crystal Empire army and spreading her wings out.

“Stop!” Celestia pleaded, Luna landing beside her as the Emperor halted in front of them with his army at his side.

“Let us do what we need to,” he demanded, his voice unusually harsh. Luna looked towards Celestia, who shook her head and stared at the Emperor sadly.

“I can’t let you,” Celestia replied, Luna catching the sorrow in her sister’s voice. “They are retreating, and if you kill them then you will be just as bad as them.” Both Equestrians glanced at the Emperor as their guards came up from behind.

“They threatened to kill my subjects and they have killed and wounded my soldiers!” The Emperor spat, genuine rage in his voice. Luna felt a twinge of fear, the blood-covered ruler’s hate almost tangible. “If killing them all prevents that from ever happening again then it’s a decision that I’m happy to make!” The Emperor continued on, brushing Celestia’s wing aside after she attempted to block his path.

“What about your guards?” Celestia tried, the crystal ponies and changelings making to follow their Emperor. “You’re asking them to commit a terrible thing!”

“No I’m not!” Chalmers yelled back. “Soldiers, stay and watch the Equestrians. I’ll finish the rest off myself.” Luna glanced around at the battle-weary ponies and changelings before looking back at Celestia, her sister shaking her head and muttering to herself.

“I’m sorry I have to do this, but you must be stopped.”

Luna’s eyes widened as Celestia finished talking to herself, the alicorn once again taking off. What was her sister going to do?

Luna made a snap decision and followed Celestia, the crystal ponies and changelings not stopping them. Even if they tried, the Princesses were too fast. Celestia landed in front of Nigel again, this time however her face was set in a stony gaze.

“Emperor Chalmers!” Celestia said with her voice raised and her horn lowered at the approaching human. “Stop this madness, or I will have to stop you!” Luna hurriedly landed next to Celestia and stared at her in disbelief.

“Sister, what are you doing!?” she demanded, Celestia shooting her an apologetic look before returning her attention to the closing human.

“He’s lost it Luna, we can’t let a creature like him act like this.” Luna was gobsmacked at Celestia’s words. “If we don’t stop him now, it may be someone else getting slaughtered tomorrow. It may even be Equestria.”

“He’d never attack us!” Luna defended with uncertainty. “He’s just defending his subjects!”

“He’s committing genocide, Luna!” Celestia shouted, Nigel stopping in front of the two siblings. “That is never okay! I have to stop him,” Celestia looked at the ground. “And you have to help me stop him, with the same spell we used all those centuries ago.” Luna’s eyes widened at the mention of the banishment spell, a spell possible worse than what Celestia had used on her.

“So that’s how it is then?” Chalmers questioned while raising his sword. “You come to my Empire in the middle of a war and think you know what is right and what is wrong? Step aside and let me take my revenge for my soldiers, or I’ll go through you.” Celestia stood her ground and spread her wings, her sadness being replaced with defiance.

“If that is the path you wish to take, then so be it.” Celestia informed while aiming her horn at him. “This is not about vengeance or deciding what is right or wrong, if you continue then you’ll be a threat to the safety of this world and in turn my own subjects. I beg of you, please don’t make me do this,” Luna’s hopes soared as for a brief second the Emperor paused, however his next words killed that hope stone dead.

“And what are you going to do about it?” Chalmers asked as he started to walk again. “Kill me? Then you’d be just as bad, no, worse than me.” Luna swallowed a lump in her throat, Celestia muttering beneath her breath before her horn lit up yellow.

The Human’s advance was stopped as a yellow beam shot out and froze him in place, Celestia straining with the raw power while the entire area glowed yellow. Yells arose from the Crystal Empire troops, the sound of Equestrian stun spells being casted while Celestia stared at the paralyzed Emperor.

“You’re right, I won’t kill you,” Celestia told him sadly, the human’s eyes filled with wrath. “There is only one other option for you that I can give, and I am sorry for it.” Luna jolted as Celestia turned to her and called her name. “Luna! Help me finish the spell!”

Luna was torn, everything about this felt wrong. She didn’t know who to support, the Emperor or her own sister. Both were doing the wrong thing in her eyes, and the thought of forcing another being into banishment after her own experience was disgusting to her. A yell snapped her out of her thoughts, a few Crystal ponies breaking out of the Equestrian cordon. Luna guessed that the only reason that they had been subdued so easily was because of their exhaustion, the small amount of soldiers quickly pounced on by unicorns with stun spells at the ready.

“Luna! Hurry!” Celestia’s desperate cry forced Luna to look back at her, the flow of magic from her horn weakening. It was an indication of the power of the spell they were attempting, Luna having to choose between helping Celestia banish the Emperor or letting the spell fail. With the amount of power Celestia was putting in, she would be an easy target for the enraged Emperor. Luna had seen his dream, she knew that he would kill Celestia without a second thought.

Luna chose Celestia, grimacing as she pointed her horn at Chalmers. She felt the power course through her horn, in her mind she was weaving the required arcane ritual. With a final, silent apology, Luna unleashed her own magic. Blue mixed with yellow, the night sky crackling as a great rent was torn in the ground below the human. A wave of heat burst up from the wound in the earth and the Emperor was dropped into it, the tear sealing as soon as he was gone.

“No, Emperor!”

Luna panted while Celestia collapsed, a lone soldier shrugging off a stun spell as he rushed towards the spot that his ruler had been in a moment before. He was limping, one foreleg dead from a successful stun, and he hobbled towards Celestia with anger and sorrow in his eyes. Four unicorns broke off from the other crystal ponies to chase him, Celestia getting up and shaking her head just as he was tackled to the ground.

“What did you do!?” The soldier yelled, an officer if his armour was anything to go off. Luna walked over in a daze while Celestia approached the struggling pony.

“Your Emperor has been imprisoned in Tartarus,” she informed him with a shaky voice. “He was too dangerous, the human that you knew as Emperor Chalmers turned into a monster. I saw utter hate in his eyes, hate that leads to the death of innocents.”

“He’d never harm us!” the officer yelled. “The Elk attacked us! They killed my troops! I would gladly follow him in his mission for revenge so you better go ahead and banish me to Tartarus as well!” Celestia sighed wearily, approaching the thrashing pony and using her wings to lift off his helmet.

“Your loyalty is just, but you need to see that he is a danger. I’m sorry, I truly am, but the Crystal Empire will be better off without a maniac in charge again.”

The officer stopped struggling, his face curling up in a snarl.

“He’s nothing like Sombra! How dare you even compare Nigel to him! He wasn’t just my Emperor, he was my friend! You know nothing about him!” Celestia glanced to Luna, Luna gazing down at the officer sadly.

“I know enough,” Celestia somberly stated. “I did what I thought was right, and I will stick by it. The Crystal Empire will continue to recover, without Emperor Chalmers.” As she said this, Equestrian Pegasi began to land, the extra guards easily helping the unicorns detain all of the changelings and crystal ponies on the field. The officer glared up at Celestia, Luna watching as her sister nodded her head towards the unicorns pinning the pony down. A spark of a stun spell and the officer fell limp, Celestia turning towards a unicorn officer approaching her.

“Gather the troops, subdue all the Crystal guards and then secure the city. Captain Shining Armour and Princess Cadence are already in the city so we must act quickly.”

“And the changelings?” the officer asked, the stallion saluting the Princess.

“Treat them exactly the same as the ponies,” Celestia ordered. The guard nodded and left to pass along the orders. Luna hesitantly walked up to Celestia and put a wing over her sister’s armoured back. “I owe him that much,” Celestia muttered, Luna looking up as pegasi descended upon the Crystal Castle.

Reflection rushed out of the armory after a long wait, her guard following behind. She stopped when she got outside, shifting around in her new armour. It was uncomfortable, the helmet not meant to contain a mane and she just wasn’t used to the feel of metal covering her entire body. Still, it would be worth it if she was able to see Nigel. Reflection glanced back at Rough Cut, the stallion carefully balancing the wheel of cheese on his back.

“Why’s it so quiet?” he asked, looking around while his hoof went towards his sword. Reflection froze, now that he mentioned it there was no sound of battle, nor was there any movement either. Slowly, the changeling approached the gate that opened up to the street, carefully poking her armoured head out to glance around.

There was no one on the street, Reflection getting the feeling that something was seriously wrong. They hadn’t lost the battle, had they? She didn’t think so, after all she would have expected the victors to make a lot of noise looting the city. A trotting sounded out behind her, Rough Cut peering out with her.

“I think we better see what happened,” Reflection suggested, moving put from the armory with the utmost care. Rough Cut followed, the guard scanning the surrounding area for any sign of danger.

Reflection headed towards the castle, hoping to find someone who could tell her what was happening. She used her limited knowledge of the city and stuck to the back streets, the pair continuing to close on the castle. Reflection swore that she saw a pony in the sky, but that was impossible as the Crystal Empire didn’t have pegasi and it certainly didn’t look like a changeling.

The thought lingered at the back of her mind as they reached the end of an alley, both of them peeking out to see what was happening.
Refection had to blink her eyes to check that what she was seeing was real.

Equestrian guards surrounded the courtyard, pegasi patrolling the skies while unicorns and earth ponies watched over the Crystal ponies and changelings all gathered. It looked to Reflection like the entire population of the Crystal Empire was herded into the courtyard, all of them guarded by hundreds of Equestrian guards.

She had no clue as to what was happening, she thought that the Equestrians were a peaceful race. Another thought came to the front of her mind, a much more pressing one to her.

Where was Nigel? Surely he would have stopped any Equestrian attack or at least was working to resolve what the problem was. It could have all just been a big misunderstanding, or maybe the Equestrians had just helped them repel the attack.

Reflection tried to justify just one of the positive answers, but the amount of Equestrians and glares coming from the surrendered Crystal Guards who were still awake shattered that attempt. It was an invasion, and from the looks of it they had lost. Evidently Rough Cut had also come to the same conclusion.

“Ma’am,” he hissed, keeping his voice low while Reflection continued to stare at the courtyard. “Considering that we’re not imprisoned like the others, I’d say the Equestrians don’t know about the armory. We have to go back and warn the blacksmiths, we need to hide any plans and gems and then escape the city to the caves. The military made a stockpile of supplies in the largest one just in case this happened, we have to go now.”

“I can’t, you go back,” Reflection answered softly. “I have to know if he’s alright and I’ll only slow you down.” Rough Cut placed a hoof on her shoulder, the guard keeping an alert watch over the Equestrians.

“There is no time,” Rough Cut informed. “The Emperor would want you to be safe. Now come on.” Reflection turned her head back and shook it, her helmet rattling slightly.

“I’m sorry… I just can’t. I have to know.” Rough Cut sighed, and placed the wheel of cheese on the ground. He knew that he couldn’t persuade her otherwise and time was of the essence.

“Stay safe Ma’am, don’t do anything foolish.” With that he left, leaving Reflection to stare out at the castle. The changeling continued to scan the crowd, hoping to spot Nigel somewhere within the mass of worried ponies and changelings. Her search was in vain, Reflection about to give up before the doors of the main balcony opened.

Out stepped Celesta, Luna, Shining and Cadence. Reflection waited for Nigel to walk out with them, but he didn’t. Instead, Celestia raised her wings in the air to gain the crowd’s attention.

“Citizens of the Crystal Empire!” Celestia announced, her voice audible to all while pegasi guards patrolled the sky above the castle. “I’m sure you all want to know what is happening, and I am afraid that I bring bad news.”

“Where’s the Emperor!?” A stallion yelled out from the crowd, concerned murmurs going around. “Is what the guards are saying true? Did you betray him and kill him!?” Reflection felt woozy on her hooves, her world spent spinning.

‘It can’t be true,’ she pleaded in her mind. ‘He can’t be dead, Celestia wouldn’t just kill him.’

“I did not kill him,” Celestia answered while guards moved closer to the crowd. Reflection breathed a sigh of relief, her mind steadying at the Princess’s answer. “He was overcome with rage at the invading Elk, and he sought to kill them all. I had to take measures to stop that, already so many have died-“

“They attacked us!” a guardmare yelled out, one of her Equestrian counterparts stunning her with a spell when she started to advance on the castle. The stunning caused angry reactions through the crowd, order only being kept when unicorns lit up their horns in warning. Celestia continued on as if the interruption didn’t happen, the princess staring off at nothing in particular.

“I did the only thing I could to stop the death,” Celestia continued emotionlessly. “He has been imprisoned forever in Tartarus.”

Reflection froze up, her mind ceasing to function as Celestia’s last sentence repeated itself in her head. She missed cries of despair and anger coming up from the crowd, she missed the cries of ‘Traitor’, and ‘Tyrant’, directed at Celestia. She also missed the Crystal Heart ceasing to function, the sorrow of the crystal ponies causing it to die out. She didn’t notice when snow started to fall in the Empire, the protective magic dome failing with the Heart. Reflection also didn’t realise when the ambient love filling the air disappeared.

She stood stock still, even as the crowd began to fight the Equestrian guards, swiftly getting stunned for the attempt. More pegasi and unicorns rushed into the square, fighting to keep control while Celestia pleaded to the citizens to stop.

Reflection slowly regained control of her mind and body, a hot rage flaring to life as she comprehended just what Celestia had done, what the Princess had just taken from her forever.

An armoured hoof took a step forward out of the alley, steel clattering on cobble stone as Reflection steadily advanced towards the castle. The Equestrians were too occupied with the rioting citizens to stop her, Reflection making it all the way until she was in front of the balcony. She looked up.

“Why!? Couldn’t you have just talked to him!?”

A confused Celestia met her gaze before a weight came down upon Reflection’s back. She collapsed to the ground, the two Equestrian guards on top of her removing her helmet so they could stun her if she fought them. Reflection struggled madly, one of the unicorns preparing a spell.

“Wait, don’t stun her,” Celestia ordered, Reflection looking up in time to see the Princess fly down to land in front of her. Reflection increased her attempts to break free and attack Celestia. The two stallions holding her down however had experience and size on their side, Reflection kicking her limbs and not much else.

“I’ll kill you!” Reflection threatened, Celestia approaching with her eyes filled with sorrow. Cadence and Luna joined Celestia, even Cadence gazing sadly at the struggling changeling.

“I know you want to,” Celestia stated, stopping right before Reflection. “But please, listen to what I have to say.” In reply, Reflection spat at the Princess, missing her and receiving a magical force clasping her muzzle shut for the effort. “Miss Reflection, I know Emperor Chalmers meant a lot to you, but I had to do what I did for a good reason. He was out of control, possessed even by his need for revenge. Revenge drives many ponies down dark paths with no return, he had already gone too far.”

The crystal ponies had all stopped fighting the guards to listen, the only sounds being Celestia talking and steel rattling against the ground as Reflection fought.

“I tried to talk with him,” Celestia answered with her head drooping. “I pleaded with him to reconsider his course of action, to let the surviving Elk live.” She raised her head, meeting Reflection’s anguished eyes. “He didn’t listen, so I had to act for the good of everypony. I truly wish it had ended differently but it was not to be. Please, understand that I only did what was right, he was far from the creature that you loved.” Celestia used her wings to cup Reflection around the face, stroking the chitin with the feathers and drying up the tears that had started to fall.

“Guards,” Celestia continued as the changeling’s tear flow increased. “Remove the spell from her mouth.” The unicorns complied, the glow fading to allow Reflection free use of her mouth. Celestia felt an increasing amount of guilt well up as Reflection wept openly, the entire crowd and guards silent as the crying continued.

“Please, Reflection,” Celestia asked as she kept up her attempts to sooth the changeling. “All changelings will still be allowed to live in the Crystal Empire, it’s what Nigel would have-“

“Don’t you dare use his name!” Reflection interrupted Celestia with the angry yell, sinking her fangs into the alicorn’s left wing. She tasted blood, Celestia drawing her wings back as guards surrounded the injured princess. Celestia looked at her wing in shock, Luna and Cadence rushing over while drops of blood hit the cold ground.

“You bit me…” Celestia muttered in shock, Reflection spitting out a glob of red salvia.

“You disgust me!” she replied through a sob. “I hate you, I hate you and all of your ponies!” Celestia flinched, Reflection’s words far more hurtful than her bite. The guards on top of her had heard enough, Reflection blacking out as a stun spell was applied directly to her head.

At a nudge from Luna, Celestia looked back up. The two guards were dragging the unconscious changeling towards the castle, an officer barking about a cell in the dungeons. Celestia turned to the citizens of the Crystal Empire, her next words not going to be what the ponies and changelings would like to hear.

“With the Emperor gone,” Celestia said to the crowd, ignoring the pained throbbing in her wing and the hate-filled glares. “Princess Cadence and Shining Armour will be placed in charge of the Empire. Cadence is the rightful ruler, and it is her destiny to rule now that the Emperor is imprisoned.” Boos were thrown out by the crowd, Cadence wincing as insults and heckles were directed at her.
“To keep order, some of the Royal Guard will stay behind and keep the peace!” Celestia bellowed with her voice raised so she could be heard over the crowd. “I ask all of you to cooperate so your Empire can recover quickly! We want to help you, not hurt you!”

“If you want to help, then bring our Emperor back and go back to where you came from!” Celestia sighed at the mare’s angry shout, the same sentiment repeated all throughout the crowd. The rate of falling snow increased, a chill wind picking up as guards started to stun the crowd again.

“Your Majesty,” stated a unicorn officer with a bow. “I suggest we retreat inside the castle until the crowd calms down. Excuse me for saying it but your presence is only inciting them.” Celestia nodded her head, the guard’s words making sense. She turned and moved to the main castle doors, Luna and Cadence following her with a squad of guards shielding them from the angry crowd.

“Luna,” Celestia asked, Reflection’s sorrow and tears weighing on her conscience. “Did I do it? Did I did the right thing?”

“You did what you thought was right at the time,” Luna replied, the evasive answer doing nothing to ease Celestia’s concerns.
After entering the castle, Celestia gave one final look towards the angry and grief-stricken crowd, before the doors shut and cut off their demands for the return of their Emperor.

Author's Notes:

Betrayed!

I bet that was a sucker punch out of no-where.

It may not seem like it, but I can understand why Celestia would react like she did. After all, it was not the most stress-free of situations that she had been in.

Also, Nigel pretty much got sent straight to Hell, not passing go and not collection $200. It will be interesting to see how Reflection copes...