Chapter 34

The moon shone brightly in the sky but its radiance could not reach the earth below, eclipsed as it was by unnaturally dark clouds. Beneath the canopy of darkness stood the ruins of the once great Crystal City now a walled necropolis within the shadow of Fortress Umbra. A black fog which reeked of death and decay floated outward from within the city, poisoning the air with its foulness and swirled around the fortress in a silent maelstrom.

This land was dead

High up in the towers of Fortress Umbra a bright green light flashed briefly before being extinguished. Nothing happened for several moments until a light breeze began to churn the stale air, gradually building until the wind howled across the land with the terrifying sound of a thousand banshees.

The crystal dome surrounding the city became encased in a dark green aura as the crystals took on the same colour. The wind increased in its ferocity while the crystals developed thin cracks all along their surface which glowed with a magenta light. The cracks spread swiftly until the entire dome was riddled with glowing cracks that pulsed periodically.

The howling wind reached a crescendo then fell silent. The brightly glowing crystals pulsed once more before shattering outward in all directions, leaving the city untouched and exposed.

The land fell silent as a single figure walked from the dead city, the dark fog parting at her feet. Cloaked in flowing black robes and wearing a spiked iron crown, her red eyes slowly scanned her surroundings as a smile graced her lips.

"Finally."

Behind her the fog deepened as thousands of black armoured ponies marched out into the moon's failing light, the thunderous sound of their hooves echoing through the still air.

"My time has come."

Steadfast ran a hoof over the black eye patch which now covered his right eye. "Where are those logistic reports?" he shouted above the din.

A stack of papers were thrust into his view. "Here sir."

He snatched them from the outstretched hoof with his magic. "Whats the word on the outlying fortifications?" He asked, scanning the papers slowly.

"Progress is going well, we expect completion within the hour." came the reply.

Finished with the papers he placed them on the table in front of him which was steadily overflowing with similar stacks of papers. "Has word been sent to all towns and cities?" He motioned to a nearby soldier who handed him another stack of papers.

"Flyers were sent out two hours ago and full evacuations have begun in many outlying towns. Additionally we've received several shipments of supplies and a steady stream of volunteers."

Steadfast nodded as he handed the papers off. "Good, get the supplies stored away and put the volunteers to work. I want this city fortified by days end."

"At once sir!" replied the soldier with a salute before turning and pushing his way through the crowd. Steadfast took the lull in the questions to look around the room. He had ordered every long table in the castle to be brought up to the Solar throne room and placed inside. What once served as a public forum would now be his war room.

“Has anypony seen Rarity?” Called out Steadfast to nopony in particular.

At that moment the room suddenly grew quiet when the throne room doors opened and Rarity stepped in, accompanied by six royal battle mages. While nopony had been seriously injured during her last outburst, both Steadfast and Rarity had agreed that a group of battle mages should accompany her at all times, more for peace of mind than for her protection.

The crowd parted as she and her entourage walked into the room, her red eyes slowly scanning the room. Her gaze passed over many ponies, most averted their gaze, fearful of what would happen should they look into her eyes while others simply stared back with disdain and hatred.

Steadfast stomped his hoof loudly, startling several ponies close to him and drawing the others attention to him.

"Alright, that's enough of that, break times over!" He shouted, motioning for Rarity as he did so.

A quiet murmur passed through the room before everypony resumed what they were doing. Rarity quickly made her way over to stand beside Steadfast as her guards took up position around them.

"At this rate Sombra will be knocking at our door but nopony will answer because they'll be to busy staring at you." Steadfast said as he sifted through the papers on his desk. "How are you holding up?"

"A door disintegrated when I tried to open it with magic and my mane has a mind of its own." She grimaced in disgust. "In other words I'm lovely. How about you?"

Steadfast reached for a stack of papers but accidentally knocked them to the floor. "I ran into three desks I was sure were further away and I keep missing things I reach for." He shared her grimace. "No cause to complain but plenty to blame.."

“You are not wrong there.”

They fell silent, letting the noise of conversation float over them. "At any rate I'm glad you're here." Steadfast said after a moment. He carefully shoved some papers out of the way to reveal a map of Equestria along with a smaller map depicting Canterlot and the surrounding area. "I have already drafted several battle plans but I wanted to hear your thoughts."

Rarity glanced down at the maps then to him. "Im not sure I'm qualified, sir."

Steadfast snorted. "Bollocks. Do you think any of us really are?" He leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "The only reason I'm so good at it is because I used to play tabletop strategy games with my father." He straightened and cast her a cold stare. "Though you didn't hear that from me."

Rarity smiled despite herself. "Of course." She glanced down to the maps. "So what have you got so far?"

Steadfast placed his right hoof over Canterlot. "Sombra will attack us here, likely with an army he's dredged up from Celestia knows where. I've already ordered the city fortified and all our remaining forces pulled back within the walls."

Rarity's eyes flashed red as she looked over to Steadfast. "What good will that do? We already know conventional methods won't work against somepony like him. Sombra doesn't need an army when he can destroy the city by himself."

"That is true but that will work to our advantage." said Steadfast with a quick glance over to Rarity who looked back in confusion. "Its obvious, Sombra's a showoff. Didnt you think it was odd when he chose to fight you blade to blade instead of simply using his magic?"

"No, but I was far more preoccupied at the time." She said with a frown.

"He could have destroyed us at any time." Continued Steadfast. "But he didn't, instead choosing to meet us on our terms." Steadfast slammed his hoof down on the map. "That is why I believe he will raise and army to lay siege to Canterlot."

Rarity fell silent as she mulled over Steadfasts words and found that she agreed with his reasoning.

"Ok, General say Sombra does attack Canterlot with an army like you say. What then? We are still wholly outmatched." She stopped suddenly when she realized what Steadfast was planning. "General, please tell me you're not thinking what I think your thinking?

“In any other circumstance I wouldn't even consider it.” He sighed sadly. “But we are out of options.” Steadfast gestured at the maps again. “We can hold this city for months with current supplies and troop strength, but that is against a similar force. With Sombra I can only guess at the twisted horrors he’ll unleash on this city and frankly I don't see us lasting long.” He fixed his one eye on Rarity. “For better or worse you are now the only one who could possibly stand against Sombra and win.”

“For better or worse? Sombra made me an abomination!” Replied Rarity angrily.

“Yes but we still don't know why.”

“Exactly!” Exclaimed Rarity. “For all we know I'm part of Sombra’s plan to destroy Canterlot.”

Steadfast tapped the table impatiently. "What else would you suggest, hm? Would you prefer if we execute you on the off chance Sombra will turn you against us? "

Rarity placed her hooves onto the table. "Sombra made me like this!" She said angrily, eyes glowing brightly. "Which means theres every possibility I'm part of some scheme of his! "

Steadfast placed his own hooves on the table and met Rarity's gaze. "We don't have a choice!"

"Yes but to place your hopes on powers inflicted on me by the same one we hope to defeat is ridiculous. The princesses…”

"The Princesses have abandoned us!" Shouted Steadfast with enough force to cause the others in the room to fall silent and look his way. "Sombra defeated Princess Luna and what does our beloved Celestia do?" Steadfast slammed his hoof on the table sending papers flying. "She locks herself away with her sister without a word, without standing orders! She just left us to fend for ourselves!"

The room was completely silent, no one dared move or even breath as Steadfast continued to stare at Rarity..

"Where were they when good ponies burned alive in dragonfire?" Steadfast said, his voice oddly calm. "Where were they when we confronted Sombra on the same desolate plains?” He gripped the sides of the desk. “Where will they be when this city is consumed by shadow and flame? When the streets run red with our blood?!” He paused for breath, his breathing shaky. Rarity said nothing merely held his gaze..

“We revered them as gods.” He said as righteous fury filled his eye. “And for what? False hope of protection?"

Steadfast pushed himself away from the desk and looked out over the room. “No more.” He looked back to Rarity. “You will be the weapon I use to deal death to Sombra and his forces whether you like it or not.” Turning away he headed towards the door as the crowd parted before him. “Only time will tell if my decision saved or damned us all.”