The Avatar of Albion: The Morningstar Dawns

by The Void

First published 5th of March, 2015

Never threaten those who are more powerful than you. If you're unlucky, you will live to regret it...

There is a being who sits on a throne in the depths of hell. That being is capricious and has a dark will, one that he will not suffer to be thwarted by any being, no matter how powerful.

One creature may find that she has provoked the power of something far greater than she, something that does not appreciate its property being taken from it…

A story in The Avatar of Albion multiverse.

Index of other AOA stories can be found on the AOA Group.

Prologue: Liberate Tuteme Ex Inferis

Liberate Tuteme Ex Inferis.

Field near Vanhoover. Year 6 of the New Solaminan Calendar (2030).

Clear Path tried to scream at what he saw. The battle had been raging for what felt like an eternity, countless ponies had died facing the unholy horde and yet Clear Path had survived. Buried under a mound of his former comrades he had made it through the carnage simply because the weight of the corpses around him had rendered him immobile.

Clear Path had forgotten how long he been left in the mound of dead flesh and broken metal. The sounds of battle had ended a long time ago and he had lain there, unable to so much as wriggle as he waited for somepony, or something, to dig him out. He tried his best not to think of the possibility of nopony finding him and instead leaving him to suffocate under the weight of his fellow ponies but every now and then the idea crept into his mind and did its best to remain there.

At one point he had contemplated trying to shudder as much as he possibly could in the hope that it would dislodge something enough to allow him to move. Nothing happened. His comrades remained in their places, terrified expressions frozen on their dead faces. The weight was unbearable and the heat of battle had long ago been replaced by the dread coolness of death.

Clear Path squirmed desperately as he tried to find some way to free himself from his grotesque tomb. His vision swam and his breathing became laboured as he struggled. He was hyperventilating. It was becoming too much to handle. He had no idea how long he had been trapped in the mound of bodies. It could have been a few minutes, a few hours, a few days. It no longer mattered. He didn’t want to end up like the ponies that surrounded him. He didn’t want to die. He needed to escape. He needed to be free. He needed to live.

Then one of the bodies shifted.

Clear Path glanced at the corpse of a Pegasus mare who had the right side of her helmet and her face caved in. Great bloody gouges covered the other half of her face and drew terrifying furrows across her features. Clear Path continued to stare, praying that what he had just seen was not a trick his mind was playing on him. The body then jerked away. Light flooded his vision and he shut his eyes from the glare.

Something grabbed him roughly, digging into his foreleg and pulled him free from the mound. Clear Path drew a deep breath and silently thanked blessed Solamina for guiding his saviour to him and releasing him from what would have been his grave.

The intensity of the light in his eyes dimmed as he grew accustomed to the brightness and he finally opened his eyes fully in order to see where he was and who had rescued him.

What he saw chilled his blood and caused whatever thanks he was about to give to catch in his throat.

His foreleg was in the vice-like grip of a grey claw. the foul appendage was made of necrotic flesh that was covered in pustules and scar tissue. Black claws, encrusted in gore and other miscellaneous filth burst out from ruptured fingertips. the rest of the arm was formed of bare muscle and sinew and was slick with rotten viscera and other indescribable fluid and effluence. All of its body was coloured the sickly grey of the grave, punctuated only by the splashes of brown, red and black that decaying blood and flesh gave its complexion.

However it was the creatures face that drew Clear Path’s attention. It appeared almost human but the resemblance was barely superficial. It was skeletal and gaunt with shrunken cheeks and stretched skin that barely covered its swollen skull. Its eyes were pinpricks of malevolence that barely seemed noticeable in contrast to the enlarged cranium they were housed in. It had no nose, merely two slits like those of a lizard or snake and its mouth was huge slit across the creatures face that reached all the way to the ends of its cheeks. The abomination gave Clear Path a grin, a terrifying sight that revealed an array of broken and misshapen teeth that were all sharp and coated in grime.

"Now what do we have here?" The creature spoke in a dread voice that chilled Clear Path’s blood. One of you is still alive. Oh that is simply wonderful. I was worried that I had missed all of the fun. No matter though. I have you now." The creature gave Clear Path a terrible look that promised unbearable and unending torment before tightening its grip on his foreleg.

Clear Path tried to struggle, letting out several whinnies of distress as he flailed in the monster’s grip.

"Ah. Ah. Ah," the creature reprimanded him slowly and sadistically, barely noticing his struggles as it began to carry him away from the mound. "We can’t have you kicking about like. It’ll spoil you and ruin all of the fun." The creature reached behind its back and pulled at a great hook embedded in its own shoulder blades. It was one piece of a great collection of torturous apparatus that impaled its back and shoulders.

Wrenching the tool free of its own flesh and releasing a gush of black oozing blood whilst doing so, the creature swiftly brought the hook around and rammed it into Clear Path’s own back. Clear Path squealed in pain and tried to flail but found he could not move and part of his body. He was paralysed.

"Much better," the creature said. "We have so much to discover together. I have never had the opportunity to experiment on a specimen like yourself and I hope to achieve many things as we plumb the depths of experience together, you and I."

Holding Clear Path close to itself, yanking the hook and digging it in and out of his body with every step, the demon began to walk through a blasted land of gore and fire, heading for the fiery portal that would return it home.

Clear Path tried to scream at what he saw as he was carried across the hellish landscape but he couldn’t, he couldn’t do anything. Nopony could.

***

Command Post Emergent Sun, near Vanhoover. Year 6 of the New Solaminan Calendar (2030).

"Move those ponies out!" Commander Twilight Sparkle yelled, her greying hair tied in an efficient ponytail. "They’ll be at this location in the next hour, we need to go!"

"I still don’t like retreating," Applejack muttered, a scowl on her face made even worse by the injury over her face that went over her left eye, leaving the orb empty and lifeless. "We shoulda fought harder."

"We’ve lost before, and we’ll lose again," Sparkle said heavily. "It’s the nature of this fight. There’s too many of them: we can only hold as best we can…"

"And then run away like cowards when we can’t!" Applejack growled. "But I guess yer right, Twi. I just don’t like it."

"Better than being stupid enough to stand in the way of an entire horde with only a handful of ponies," Sparkle said, scowling. "If we hadn’t pulled your plot out of the fire…"

"Commander!" a voice called, interrupting Twilight before she could bring up old grievances. Sighing, she turned to face the speaker, one of her Archmagi - a Converted pony named Gentle Flower. "Her Majesty requests contact via the crystal projector."

"The hay with that," Applejack muttered. "The Empress can wait ‘til we’re safe outta dodge, Twi."

"The Empress," Twilight replied, throwing her friend a glare, "can never wait."

She headed immediately for her command tent. Most of her personal effects - mainly her armour and weapons, but also a picture of herself and Spike (oh Spike) and a scarred bit coin, had been packed away and moved already, but a small crystal was still on her desk, waiting for her. The crystal glowed slightly as she approached.

"Sparkle, Commander Twilight," she said shortly. "Request contact."

A moment later, the crystal shone, and an image was projected above it - the image of a white Alicorn in golden armour. Her armour was rent and bloodied, and she was covered in dirt, but there was still something regal about Astra Solamina Maxima, the Empress of Equestria.

"My lady," Sparkle said, kneeling.

"Commander," Solamina said, her voice imperious but calm. "I want your report."

"We lost over half the force assigned to us," Sparkle said quietly. "We managed to evacuate most of the city, but our casualties are too great - we are falling back."

"I see," Solamina said quietly. "No matter. We shall prevail yet."

"Has he returned to repeat the demand, my lady?" Sparkle dared to ask, looking up slightly.

Solamina’s image stiffened. "He has. Again, I refuted him."

"My lady," Sparkle said quietly, "perhaps… for the sake of the Empire…"

"I will not surrender that which is mine," Solamina snapped, and Sparkle cringed slightly. "I would rather let all of the Empire burn at the hands of these thing than surrender willingly one pony."

"I… understand," Sparkle said quietly.

"You have tasks," Solamina said shortly. "Attend them."

With that, the image faded. Sparkle sighed and stood up, frowning slightly.

"So we keep fightin’," a voice said, and Sparkle scowled, turning to look at Applejack, who was stood in the entranceway of her tent.

"We keep fighting," Sparkle said irritably. "As ordered."

"They don’t stop, Twi," Applejack said, and now her voice was quiet and earnest. "You know I wouldn’t talk like this if I thought there was a way we could beat ‘em, but…"

"I know," Sparkle said heavily. "You’re right. She asks the impossible. And we’re going to give her it if it kills us."

"I… alright," Applejack said, sighing resignedly. "I ain’t gonna convince you otherwise. I’ll have the loaders pack yer tent up."

"Thanks, AJ," Sparkle said, smiling slightly. "Keep the faith. We can win this."

"Sure, Twi," Applejack said, sounding like she didn’t believe her. "I’ll get to that loadin’."

She left, leaving Twilight alone. She sighed.

Applejack was right - they couldn’t win this. They couldn’t even try to. Damn that bit toss. Damn Liverpool.

Damn Hell Blazer…

***

Commander Sparkle’s office, Canterlot, Year 4 of the New Solaminan Calendar (2028).

"So there are two options," Rarity said, pointing at two different points on the map with her swagger stick. Sparkle couldn’t help but grin at that affectation - trust her friend to throw herself into all the pomposity of the military. "Either we attack Dover - a coastal assault that risks the blockade but could gain us a second Plymouth if we succeed, or else we launch a massive raid attack on the city of Liverpool."

"What does that gain us?" Sparkle asked, frowning slightly.

"Well its usage as a port is more limited," Rarity admitted, "but it’s a major city. Population is high, troops numbers are high. Take it out, and we lower their defences quite adequately. Plus, I hear tell that John Constantine might be there."

Sparkle sighed. "You still have a bugbear about that made-up human, don’t you?"

"He is not made up," Rarity insisted. "I have seen too much evidence that the man exists to believe he does not."

"Alright, alright," Sparkle said, frowning. "Neither option is bad - there’s advantages and disadvantages to both." She frowned, before pulling out a bit. "Ok then."

"Oh, tell me you don’t still leave choices like this to that accursed coin," Rarity said in dismay, staring at the bit with a frown.

"It’s never steered me wrong before," Sparkle said, smirking. "Trust me."

She flipped the bit.

Author's Notes:

This prologue was written by Jed R and RoyalPsycho while I worked on the first chapter. Many Thanks guys.

Chapter One: Anima in Catenis

Chapter One: Anima In Catenis.

My puppet?

In a place where innocence and kindness were as foreign to people as the most advanced technologies are to a mere infant, he sat upon his throne. Amongst the darkness and the screams, he took notice. He had long rested in this domain, what else was a king without a challenge to do? The lives in his grasp were so easy to manipulate. Countless souls were his to play with. He could feel the minds of each and every one of his subjects cry out...and it was glorious. So many subjects for his empire of the damned.

With the world of the living in its current state, he was getting more and more residence coming in as the days went on. The way some of them talked about their lives, you’d think Hell was a holiday for them. What a shame. He made sure to fix that as soon as he heard it. Wars weren’t exactly rare in life, though admitted the current one brought creatures of a very different kind down to his domain but a soul was a soul. Pony or Human, it mattered not. They were his the moment they felt that last shred of life leave their mortal bodies.

Yet something was amiss. He held certain souls tighter than most. Souls who had been of particular interest in life were kept in his private chambers for daily taunting after lunch. In that moment he double checked the souls in his chambers. There were warriors who had fought for their kin to slay him, holy men that were used as a fools' soldiers and cretins who tried to make a deal with…

One was missing. Something had taken one of his trophies. They stole what was rightfully his. In the history of mankind, no-one was able to do that.

It brought a smile to the king’s face.

Other creatures who dwelt there saw their master’s smile and they feared he was happy. Their master was only happy when he was causing mortals to suffer. If he was happy now, when something of his had been taken, then it meant he had found a new plaything to occupy his time. Swiftly, many of them spread the word that a soul had been taken. They did so under the master’s command. The news provided hope to the souls condemned to torment that they might also be set free. The more hope a soul had the more fun it was to rip apart and put back together, again and again until all of time stopped.

A new player had entered the game and it would be him, Lucifer, who would deal with them personally. After all, such a feat needed to be applauded before it was punished for its impudence.

Finding the being who stole the soul wouldn’t be too difficult to accomplish. The war between this Equestria and Earth had revealed a fair amount of individuals who might have been capable of doing such a thing. It was only a matter of trial and error when talking to them. Each time he would come up short, he would simply claim that soul and move on to the next person/pony. First thing was first though, what form to take.

***

Liverpool: November 10th, 2028.

The skies of Liverpool were filled with the enemy, or were they friend? In the carnage that now corrupted the world it was hard to tell where you stood unless you were on the front lines. Around the unconscious Earth Pony lay the bodies of those who had attacked him. A few ponies that had come ‘for the glory of Empress Solamina’ had found him and made sure that he got the message. He had resisted, like all of the others, and managed to guide his attackers to their demise. Not however, without a price.

A twitch.

Life returned to the stallions body. The melodies that played in the battlefield, the screams, the gunfire, the explosions, they all faded back into existence for the survivor.

Perhaps ‘survivor’ is the wrong word for him.

He tried to stand up and found the pain to be only a mild annoyance. The stallion stumbled a little but it was as if moving in that new body was hardwired into his mind. Something else was in his mind at that moment, part of him struggled to keep hold of it for the moment. It didn’t seem to be anything special, just a name.

‘John Constantine’

Thinking of the name filled him with a mix of nostalgia and disgust. It had been his name but now it seemed to sicken him. It wouldn’t do at all anymore. His mind had been shown the other side of the spectrum and he realised his mistake. They were right. The carnage that laid before him, the bodies that he had robbed of their lives, was proof of that. They were clear, undeniable proof. How wrong he had been.

The former Constantine wandered the streets for a Solaminan force. They had to know he was sorry, preferable with a pint. It was the right thing to do. He saw the world through new eyes now. Solamina wasn't a tyrant trying to wipe humanity from existence, she was a saint trying to save them all from their own devices.

With new joy in his heart, the stallion burst into a run on the battlefields of Liverpool. He couldn't wait until he had the privilege of being a part of the great Solaminan empire. Just think what he could bring to the table to help her.

"For Solamina!" he heard amidst the chaos.

The smiling ex-John stopped in his tracks. In the corner of his eye he caught sight of fellow crusaders for Empress Solamina and immediately rushed through the nearest alley to aid them. This was his chance to right the wrongs he had done in his human life. He could show them just what he was capable of.

When he arrived, he saw a single survivor of the Solaminan army trying desperately to avenge his fallen comrades against four Human resistance members. The valiant soldier was an orange Pegasus who noticed The Earth Pony watching and gestured for him to hide.

Unfortunately, the humans caught sight of this.

"Get back," one of them shouted.

I will not stand for this.

The stallion stomped the ground beneath him. By his command, four balls of fire emerged from the cracks of the earth and surrounded him.

The resistance now had to shift their focus to him. In that moment, the Earth Pony realised his true name. It was right in front of him. It almost made him chuckle to think that he had not thought of it sooner. Goodbye ‘John Constantine’

In a flash, the balls of fire were launched at the humans, searing the flesh from their faces. A new set of screams joined the cries of war. If they had had any sense in life, they wouldn’t have been trying to stop Solamina. If they had had sense they would have welcomed her with open arms and joined the Empress in her mission to save the human race from itself.

They collapsed to the floor. Although their screams were fading out, their bodies still twitched on the ground.

The Earth Pony’s only regret was that his new comrade for Equestria had to witness such a disturbing sight. Some things could not have been helped though.

Four humans met their end. It was a shame but they didn’t leave the stallion any other option.

"Thank you," said the now wide eyed Solaminan soldier.

As the loyal Pegasus moved towards him, he straightened himself up. Always look your best for a friend.

"My name is Warding Helm." He saluted. "What is your name?"

There was slight hesitation. "Hell Blazer, at your service my friend." Hell Blazer bowed. There was an unsettling smile practically painted on Hell Blazers face. He never was the best at being 'cheery'.

Warding Helm looked the stallion up and down and shot him a puzzled glance.

"Something troubling you? Perhaps I can help," said Hell Blazer. "More buckers to take down?"

"You’re a Converted?" Warding Helm muttered.

"Yes sir!" Hell Blazer said proudly. "I was saved by a troop of Equestrian soldiers, although I didn’t think of it like that before the change. I was a bit of a prick."

Warding Helm nodding towards Hell Blazer’s side. "A Converted with a mark?"

Mark? He could mean...

He did. Hell Blazer had been more blessed than most Converted. He was gifted with something only true ponies had. Hell Blazer had a cutie-mark. It was simply the number 666 but that was the essence of what a cutie mark was; something so simple but told you so much about the owner of it. He had chosen his name wisely. Hell Blazer knew exactly what the mark meant, he was a living embodiment of hell for anything that threatened the Empress. It was super.

"Tell me Hell Blazer," Warding Helm’s voice was stern and powerful, he had obviously regained composer. "Who were you as a human?"

"I was a freelance exorcist," Hell Blazer replied, almost cringing as he remembered his previous life.

"And the magic?"

"I had magical abilities before the change. I was lucky enough that they carried over."

"Very lucky." Warding Helm noted, his voice showing a tinge of caution.

I’ve upset him. Good going Joh-Hell Blazer

"No need to worry," Hell Blazer chimed in. "I want to help. Think of what use I could be. We’ll show those buckers just what happens when you go against the glory of Solamina.

"We’ll see about that." The side of Warding Helm’s face briefly showed a smile before he wiped his head around. First to the left and then to the right. All clear. "Follow me!"

Swiftly, the two began to run down the streets of Liverpool. The symphony of war time was still going on but now there was hope. Hell Blazer was on his way, presumably, to the Equestrian army. He’d already shown Warding Helm how useful he could be. They passed fallen comrades on the way and each one gave Hell Blazer another reason to fighter harder than he ever had before. He would make his new Empress proud.

It wasn’t long before they came upon an actual troop of Equestrian soldiers. All of them looked to have seen their fair share of battles that day judging by their armour. If you judged by a few of their faces though, you’d think they were enjoying it. They eventually stopped in their tracks when they came to a pink Unicorn mare who greeted them with the greatest of smiles.

The greatest of unnatural smiles.

She saluted, almost automatically when they got close. "Good to see you alive, sir!".

"Thank you Treasured Tulip," Warding Helm said. "I need to get this Converted to Commander Sparkle immediately."

Hell Blazer waved, half fascinated by the troops.

"A Converted?" Treasured gawked. She walked passed Warding Helm and seemed to examine Hell Blazer. "You’ve been blessed by the Empress’ influence even more than I have."

Hell Blazer checked. No mark. She was a fellow Converted. Another who had seen the error of humanity.

"That’s not all," remarked Warding. "He’s also a decent magic user. I want Commander Sparkle to meet him as soon as possible. He may know human magic that she might find useful."

"He was a human magic user?" asked Treasured, she too seemed to be disgusted at even saying the word human. "I'm honoured to have met you."

The two Converted exchanged bows and smiles before Treasured caught sight of Warding's gaze which was growing more and more irritated.

"One portal coming up," Treasured Tulip chuckled.

Next stop, Commander Sparkle.

***

Plymouth: June 7th 2029

Hell Blazer's knowledge of magic had both intrigued and inspired Commander Sparkle in the months they spent talking to each other. Sparkle would freely admit that she had her doubts about the rather blunt Converted when she first heard of him, but it only took Hell Blazer a few moments to convince her. She could remember it very well. It was the day she had one of the biggest smiles on her face for a long time.

Sparkle had seen Hell Blazer as more of an apparition than somepony who would be of any extra use. A general known as Warding Helm had insisted that Sparkle saw the Converted immediately. Considering her guards let him through to her, they must have thought so too.

He began to tell Sparkle such secrets when he introduced himself. In his human life, Hell Blazer had come up with a plan to help the resistance. The longer he talked about the plan, the more Sparkle realised that fate had not only smiled upon Equestria but spat on the Humans for even thinking that they had a chance in the war. Hell Blazer spoke of a spell that could create a warrior for humanity whose power was meant to match Solamina's. He called it an "Avatar of Albion". An embodiment of the light in that world. It was fascinating. Surely an embodiment of light would have seen that what Solamina was doing was for the good of that world. Fate had guided Hell Blazer away from the humans and to a truly righteous purpose.

After months of discussing it, Hell Blazer and Commander Sparkle had come up with a way using the spell for the glory of Empress Solamina. The main problem that had arisen was that it was meant for a person to become the Avatar. Ponies weren't of Albion's world so it would just wipe them out. If they were going to do this, have an Avatar of Albion for the Solaminan empire they would need to be craftier.

It was in a simple warehouse that they decided to hold such a spell. The warehouse would become sacred for those who saw it. It would tell the story of struggle, relent and rebirth. Safe from enemy interruptions and among the supplies for a new generation of ponies to grow up safe and sound, Sparkle thought their new weapon should be at home here.

"Is our subject ready?" Sparkle asked Hell Blazer, pointing to her.

A willing human volunteer. Shaking with anticipation, she sat there waiting for her big moment to arrive. Her lack of uniform would have fooled you into thinking she was an innocent civilian but she was far from that.

The war had damaged people in more than body.

This was Nina Baxter: Member of PER, Ponification for Earth's Rebirth. She had cast aside her own kind in favour for the purer race.

Yet, the fact that PER members did not potion themselves immediately to join Equestria was a curious one. Still, they were a somewhat useful ally to Solamina and they were the perfect way to have an Avatar of Albion for their own.

Nina looked at Commander Sparkle and nodded. She wasn't ready but she was so willing.

Hell Blazer, with pride and valour, stepped in front on Nina and began the ritual.

"Powers of Albion, powers ancient and wise," Blazer spoke.

This was it. The moment that Commander Sparkle had eagerly waited for was here.

Nina’s body began to glow slightly with a divine light and she twitched with new magic.

"Powers of Albion, come to me, Powers of Albion, come to me…" Hell Blazer continued to chant.

He kept focus. The words flowed out of his mouth like water through the River Styx.

A wide smile spread across Nina’s face. It was gone in moments.

The light grew fiercer and the PER member was bathed in crimson illumination. It took only a few seconds for Commander Sparkle to realise something. The light was moving...expanding.

"Hell Blazer, stop!" she commanded.

Hell Blazer stopped but the light continued to flicker and engulf Nina.

"Get away!" Sparkle declared, managing to teleport away in time.

This seemed to, for lack of a better expression, enrage the light. It expanded quicker. Shreds of Nina's skin were flying off her and her gaze came from such lifeless eyes. The energy of what they summoned had corrupted her very essence, so much so that her flesh had been dyed a diseased jaundice colour..

Before Hell Blazer could concentrate enough to teleport away himself, the light washed over him. He only managed to let out the beginnings of a cry of agony before he was no more.

In a colossal beam of light, all of Plymouth was taken by one instance of power. The warehouse was taken. Then the area where the warehouse had been built. Then the streets that surrounded the area. Raw, vengeful magic erupted from the city. The light raged on up towards the heavens. Sounds of something crying out echoed through the winds it created.

Whatever it was, it was angry and it wasn’t human.

The only way future ponies would know it was Nina, was when Twilight would lay a sign that bore the poor soul's name. Her once pale flesh had turned to stone before the raw energy of the light that no.

Beyond the city limits, stood the only survivor of the incident.

Commander Twilight Sparkle looked at the destruction she helped make a reality. Plymouth was the centre of the PER and now it was nothing. Not only had she lost countless allies in the spell, she had lost a pony with valuable knowledge. The war would continue on without them of course but this was a failure no matter how the Commander looked at it.

With a final sigh at the sight of the chaos, she teleported away again. Sparkle would keep this in her mind for future experiments. Something went wrong and she would not allow herself to simply ignore that fact. The Commander would find out what went wrong. She would review every single note she made of her discussions about the experiment with Hell Blazer. What had she overlooked?

The light faded away. In its place was dust. A city of dust and ash had conquered Plymouth, changing the face of England forever.

***

Canterlot

You stole it.

The chambers of the Solar Tyrant could almost be mistaken for a beautiful painting in that one moment of time. Solamina sat regally on her great golden throne. She had earned the right to it long ago, centuries before any of the Royal Guards that stood strongly before her in rows at the sides of the room were even born. The magnificent crown that she wore gleamed and glistened in the light of the sun, the sun that she controlled with such ease.

Solamina and her subjects were not the only beings to grace the grounds of the main hall. Before them all, mocking them with his mere presence, was a grinning man in a black suit and red collar.

"Greetings," he said, spreading his arms wide. "How is everypony?"

Chapter Two: Infernum Descendit

Chapter Two: Infernum Descendit.

Canterlot Castle: June 8th, Year 4 of the New Solamina Calendar (2028)

At one side of the grand hall sat a tyrant who desired nothing more than for humanity and the traitors to her glorious rule to be wiped from existence. She had converted many of those from Earth to her way of thinking. They were much happier now. You could tell by the smiles on their faces and their willingness to destroy what had once been their own kind.

She herself had gone so far as to discard her old name for a new, more fitting one. The time of Celestia had passed, it was Solamina's reign that ponies needed now. A reign that would see Equestria into the future and away from the vileness of mankind.

At the other end of the hall, unfazed by the spears and magic being directed at him, stood a figure who seemed too blissful, considering where he was. He simply stood there, beaming with joy, dressed in a black suit with a crimson collar. If anything, the threat to his life just seemed to make that insufferable grin of his grow. His face was untouched by scars or age and his eyes were full of a spark that Solamina saw in her Converted.

How did he get through the barrier?

Solamina halted her guard. No mere human could get through the barrier. She wanted answers. Dead captives were never very talkative.

"Guards, block the exits!" she ordered.

Alert and eager, the guards blocked every door that led out of the grand hall, leaving only the Empress and the newcomer.

"You will tell me how you got here," Solamina demanded.

The figure dropped his arms and began to approach.

"I did not say you could move," Solamina yelled.

"I’m simply showing you how I got here," he replied. "I walked."

Her horn glowing with anger, Solamina used her magic to take a spear from behind her regal throne and throw it in front of the intruder, the tip of the weapon becoming embedded in the ground.

He stopped and gazed curiously at the spear before turning his attention to the ruler of Equestria.

"I shall make this quick then," he said cheerily.

"A wise choice," Solamina responded coldly.

"You have something that belongs to me. I’d quite like it back."

The arrogance.

"How did you get in here?" Solamina asked, losing what little patience she had for this thing.

The figure sighed. "You may recall," he continued, ignoring Solamina’s question. "that you converted a man called John Constantine. He and I have an agreement-"

"-I do not care," Solamina interrupted. "If your friend has become one of my loyal Converted then you should be happy for him."

The figure stepped around the spear, being careful as not to even touch the weapon with his suit. He rubbed his chin confused before clapping his hands together, having had an epiphany.

"You would have known him by his new name. 'Hell Blazer', I believe he called himself."

That pony?

Solamina knew the name. Her faithful student had spoken about him at great length to her, saying that they had come up with using a divine power to stop the humans and end the war.

That was the plan.

Yesterday, Twilight had sent word to her that the experiment had failed and that almost all of their PER allies were lost in the ritual, along with Hell Blazer himself. It had been a blow to both of them. Twilight had always put part of her heart into every piece of work she had undertaken so to have one fail on such a scale left her defeated. Solamina had told Twilight that she understood and that Twilight should take a trip home to see the smiling faces of those alive because of her successes. Failures should be learned from not dwelt on.

"The pony you seek is dead," Solamina said.

"Oh I'm fully aware of that," the figure chuckled. "It's the matter of his soul that I've come for."

A human interested in souls. This was getting interesting. Solamina lifted the spear again with her magic and pointed the tip between the man's eyes.

The man casual moved the tip from his sight. "My name is Lucifer. Dealing in souls is something of a hobby of mine and I'd quite like his soul back."

"Why?" Solamina questioned.

"Because it's mine."

A smile squirmed itself onto Solamina's expression. It was the first thing Lucifer had said that amused her.

"Yours? I think you'll find that he was quite happy fighting for my just cause," she proclaimed.

"It doesn't matter," Lucifer chortled. "Hell Blazer's soul belongs to me."

Solamina tried forcing Lucifer to bow with her magic, he held strong, clearly resisting the power. She stopped and approached him. Whoever this human was, there was something he was hiding.

Lucifer ran his hand through his pitch black hair. "It is quite simply. Your potion shattered his soul, I'm here to pick up the pieces."

A few of the guards had been listening to the conversation, there once silent facades had been overcome with chatter about the new arrival. Solamina shot them a glare and they instantly returned to nothing more then living statues that fought for her empire.

"Hell Blazer, in any form, did and will always belong to me," Solamina rebutted. "You will explain how you got here or I will get the answers in more...unpleasant ways." She returned to the seat of her throne.

The smile on Lucifer’s face began to twitch as a few of the guard stepped forward at Solamina’s words.

"Are we clear?" she asked.

"You don’t quite understand." He straightened his collar. "Your potion ruined his soul. His soul was mine by right. You will surrender the pieces to me. That is how this will end. Pure and simple." The joy in his voice hadn't wavered for even the briefest of moments during his demand.

"At arms," Solamina called the guards, her voice more annoyed than full of rage.

As one, the guards readied their weapons for the end of another enemy. Some guards grinned while others showed fear. Lucifer had proven to be somewhat interesting but Solamina's patience was fading quickly.

"One more time. How did you get here?"

The smile faded from Lucifer's expression. "If you give me back my property then I will be out of your mane until the day you become a permanent resident of my humble home."

Solamina's eyes narrowed. A nod towards one pack of guards sent them charging into Lucifer. Every spear hit their mark into his body. Lucifer remained still. The ends of the spears did not drip with blood as Solamina had expected nor did he even flinch.The guards let go of their weapons and backed away.

This was no mortal human.

One way to be sure.

In a blink of an eye, Solamina blasted Lucifer with magic and sent him hurtling back against a far wall. The blast was normally capable of vaporising those she used it on.

Lucifer got up and brushed the rubble from the dent he made in the wall off of him. As he did so, he noticed a tear in his neck that was bleeding black slime. He sighed, coughing as he did so, and rubbed the tear until it looked like a stitch in a doll. The Guards watched him take up the exact spot he had before the blast, each noting that Solamina was paying close attention to the stitch.

He really wasn’t mortal.

"If a fight is what you desire, my dear little Solamina, then I will give you just that," Lucifer's voice echoed through the hall but his mouth did not move.

The spears that were buried in Lucifer’s body began to dissolve away while the grin that had returned to his face grew wider and wider.

"One last time," Lucifer’s now crackling voice said. "Return the pieces of my property to me or I shall enjoy getting them back."

Solamina stood strong as she approached Lucifer. She had seen beings do far worse than dissolve weapons, she had been the one doing them half the time. Nothing threatened the great Empress.

"You are in no position to threaten me, little man," Solamina declared. "I am the Empress of the Sun. You are just another distraction. I have brought Earth to its knees while the most you have done today is be too stubborn to die." The last words were practically spat out in disgust.

Lucifer flexed his hand. "I know billions of souls who are begging for even the slightest glimpse of happiness. If I told them ‘I will give you 5 minutes of happiness if you fight for me,’ they would jump at the chance to take you-"

"Guards," Solamina interrupted, her tone now like venom. "Contain him."

As one, the unicorns of the guard fire wave after wave of magic at Lucifer. Not a single bolt hitting him, none were meant to. After a few moments it became clear what they had done. The bolts of magic had stopped around Lucifer, creating a small-but thick-bubble around the intruder.

"That’s adorable," Lucifer mocked.

"Tell me Lucifer," Solamina quipped. "How long do you think you could endure being probed and prodded before you relented and told me all your secrets?"

Lucifer tapped the bubble, causing a ripple in the field. "War it is then," he smirked.

Slowly, Lucifer raised his arm, winked and Solamina and clicked his fingers. The bubble around him shattered into pieces that quickly dissipated into the air. Lucifer himself was gone.

The eyes of the guards darted to every spot in the grand hall. There was no evidence that Lucifer had been there. Nothing misplaced, save for the spear that Solamina put back on the wall behind her.

"Find him!" she ordered.

The guards in the hall swiftly fanned out in search of Lucifer. On their way out they called for more soldiers to look for him. They knew his face and his name but nothing else. Every piece of Information they could find about him would be given to Solamina to examine. There was no place to hide for the intruder.

***

Lucifer did not hide from Solamina’s troops. On the contrary, he met them full force. The skies of Equestria darkened and winds were at the command of new masters. Creatures that should have departed the Earthly realm centuries ago began to dine on Equine flesh. That was if you were very lucky. Most of Lucifer’s followers were more inclined to take you away and have a lot more ‘fun’ with you. By all laws of magic and sanity, these creatures should not have existed, and yet here they were, infesting Equestria with their malice and devouring any lives that got in their way.

In some cases these creatures looked very much like the humans that Solamina was used to fighting but twisted and deformed to be better soldiers, spikes and talons sawn on to their bodies as if they were dolls to be played with.

Others were not as familiar in shape. They slithered and crawled their way across the land with forms that would haunt the lucky few that escaped the clutches of the Hell-born armies.

For two years, the war on Humanity was brought to a halt. All the troops she had sent away were brought back to Equestria to defend the land from Lucifer’s forces. The forces did not sleep, they just continued to move forward, only stopping when Lucifer willed them to. The illusion of hope was one of his favourite little tricks to play.

Every day Lucifer would appear to Solamina and demand the same thing.

"Give me Constantine’s soul."

Each time he demanded it, Solamina would refuse and the fighting would go unstopped. Lucifer would continue to demand the soul until Solamina relented.

That day had not come.

***

Canterlot Castle, June 8th, Year 6 of the New Solaminan Calendar (2030).

The attacks on her kingdom had made Solamina decide that it was best to wear her battle armour every minute she was awake. Her armour, much like her, was golden and resplendent. It glistened in the light of dozens of fires that lit up the grand hall. They were useful to have around, incase a soldier needed his weapon ignited for combat. Solamina found herself in increasing need for more desperate measures, the fires were the earliest example of thinking outside her normal tactics.

Without a sound to foretell his arrival, Lucifer appeared once more in the grand hall. The guards were at arms, though none ever attacked him head on.

"You already know my answer," Solamina told him.

Lucifer never changed his appearance for his meetings with the Sun Tyrant. It was a new tradition of his to appear young and eager in her sight. He took his spot in front of her throne and straightened his crimson collar.

"And you in turn know that I won’t stop until you give me it back," Lucifer noted with a giggle.

"My ponies will defeat your armies and you will leave this land without Hell Blazer’s soul," Solamina growled. "That is how this will end."

"You can keep saying that," he smirked, "but it will never not amuse me."

"Nice to know one of us is amused by these meetings," Solamina answered coldly.

"You can make this all stop," Lucifer said.

"You're right," Solamina agreed. "I will do just that when I send you back to whatever pit you and your armies crawled from. Have I not been clear on that?"

Slowly he raised his hand high up, and clicked his fingers. The fires around the hall went out in unison and the guards were put on full alert. Lucifer was gone once more, replaced by the sound of hissing oozing from the walls.

Solamina readied her glaive. Her weapon had seen many battles but still looked fresh from being forged.

"Fear not," she declared to her Royal Guard. "Canterlot will not fall this day."

They moved to the centre of the hall and stared at the walls that seemed to be squirming.

The very skin of the walls melted off, forming pulsating pools of brick on the floor. With the hissing getting louder and louder, the pools bubbled and soon erupted into new shapes. Some of the shapes were taken out with bolts of magic before they could form into one, only to join to the shape next to it to create someone twice as big. In moments, the hall was surrounded by a large troop of twitching wolf like masses with stone claws. When their gazes looked around the room, their eyes moved around the head and some even down the bodies. Their skin rippled with every twitch they made. A few of the wolves were still dripping onto the floor. The hissing stopped. The growling began a second before they charged at Solamina.

The leader of that guard let out a flash to blind the wolves. The flash was bright and glorious, giving the troop the chance to take their positions around their Empress to protect her.

When the flash cleared, the leader’s head was crushed beneath the jaws of one of the attacking wolves. The wolf ripped the head from its body and tossed it aside, moving in for another attack.

As one, the remaining guards unleashed a flurry of bolts at the wolves, trying to stop them in their tracks. A few guards got lucky and hit the eyes before they could slither down the bodies. Other were less fortunate and had to fight the wolves in melee combat.

Solamina had been valiantly sweeping the wolves away with her glaive while simultaneously building up her magic for an attack. As vengeance for the first fallen guard, she sliced off the head of the wolf that had struck him down.

Side by side, Solamina fought with her loyal Guards and watched some come out victorious only to be viciously mauled by another wolf creature.

This ends now.

The living guards found themselves rising into the air, protected by their Empress's divine magic. Circling wolves jumped up, clawing at the guards in an attempt to bring them back down. The ground beneath them was littered with the corpses of their fallen comrades and the husks of the wolves they had taken down.

With one powerful blast, Solamina unleashed beams of pure energy that swiftly destroyed any hellspawn it touched immediately as they were enveloped in its light. One by one, the growls that echoed around the hall were silenced by, if not Solamina’s magic, then the magic that the remaining unicron guards used in her aid.

All of Solamina’s anger was fueling those beams of magic. The only thing she had to do to keep that anger, was picture Lucifer’s smiling face in her mind along with the sound of his laughter. It took a few moments for Solamina to realise that the last of the wolves had been destroyed and she was currently firing beams into her own floor.

With ease, she floated back down to the ground along with her ponies. Only five of the Royal Guard that had been in the hall with her had lived past the fight. One of them, an older bronze stallion, rushed up to Solamina, whose armour now looked like it had seen battle for years.

"Are you alright Empress?" he asked.

"I’m fine," she replied bluntly. "Gather the corpses for the Eternal Guard."

Before the stallion could give an answer, more growls and screams echoed down the corridors of the castle. The Empress and her guard were far from done yet.

***

Colton Mansion

On the table lay a map of Equestria. The portions of the map in red were locations lost to Lucifer’s forces, too dangerous to go back into as long as Lucifer’s armies were a possibility. These red portioned were scattered around the map, surrounding the blue portioned that were land the Equestrian forces defended. Day by day, the armies would come and go, leaving devastation in their wake.

Looking over the map was a Prince of white mane and golden locks with a troubled brow. In his heart he knew it would not stop. The Empress, his aunt, would never give them back Hell Blazer’s soul. She was far too stubborn at that point.

“I need something,” Blueblood muttered to himself.

He began to pace the room, trying to think of something that they could use to fend off the forces long enough to regain an advantage. Blueblood struggled to think of anything in the depths of Canterlot Castle that would prove to be more than just another sword. Equestria needed a shield, something that would defend all of its ponies. He wasn’t sure how much more war the land could take, they had moved from the war against humanity to a war against Lucifer and his forces.

“Somepony’s been busy,” said a cocky voice.

Blueblood looked around to find a burnt umber Earth stallion stood by the map grinning at him. The Prince immediately rushed to the map, checking the door to the study. It was still locked.

“Who are you?” he asked quickly.

“Call me Impish Laugh,” the stallion replied before taking his seat on the fine chair by the window.

Blueblood glared at him and Laugh got off the chair, seemingly half annoyed he had to stand up.

“Can I help you with something?” Blueblood asked cautiously. Ponies appearing in his locked study were not something to be taken lightly but teleporting wasn’t out of the norm for the ones that wanted to see him.

“It’s more what I can do for you,” Impish Laugh grinned.

Chapter Three: Votum

Chapter Three: Votum.

Colton Mansion: Year 2030

Colton Mansion had once belonged to the mayor of Colton. While the war on humanity had been Solamina’s priority, he and his staff left to help the cause in various ways. This left the mansion to be used briefly as a recruiting/training facility for the newest soldiers of Equestria. The building’s tunnel like corridors wore the marks of miss-thrown spears and unmanaged spells with pride. The more serious damage had been patched up at the time but only to a certain point. What had once housed a member of the upper class and positively shined with the most fabulous of decores now clattered and clanged with the sound of marching armour.

Nopony ever found out what happened to the mayor of Colton City. He was presumed dead, if not from the first war then by the war they were currently in. Some would say calling it a war would be too much. More like a minefield. Ponies from all walks of life had to be careful where they tread for fear of Lucifer’s armies.

Blueblood watched Impish Laugh carefully. Whichever pony teleported this stallion in must have done so with reason (if that was how he got in here).

“You can help me?” Blueblood asked, puzzled at the pony who was inspecting the map.

“Yes,” the cheery Laugh replied. “You said you needed something and I know the perfect something.”

“Oh really?”

“Answer me something.”

“Pardon.”

Impish Laugh nodded. “A simple question.”

Blueblood eyes narrowed on Laugh. “Your help is a question for me?“ As Blueblood moved back around to the study door and unlocked it, he kept a close eye on Impish Laugh’s expression. The stallion’s smile looked tired, worn down from what probably was a wider, brighter smile.

“Just a small question and I’ll set about to helping you,” Laugh noted.

Blueblood walked back over, making sure that he kept the door open somewhat. In these times, you could always use an easier exit.

“What do you think the Humans are doing?”

The Prince turned cold and stopped. All Solaminan soldiers had been pulled back from Earth once Lucifer declared war on the empire. If he had to hazard a guess, they would be at peace. No war to worry about. They would have rebuilt at least a portion of what they had. From the reports that Blueblood had read, many Equestrians stayed in Britain. Maybe if they found out their home was being attacked...no. Why would they come home to more war.

“Sorry, one more question,“ Impish Laugh chimed in. “How happy would they be if you gave them dear Solamina?”

The wheels in Blueblood’s brain were overheating. Was Laugh suggesting to ask the Humans for help? It was an idea, perhaps that same magic that kept the barrier from advancing would be effective against Lucifer and his armies.

Solamina’s war devastated the Humans, almost to the point of extinction. They probably would love the chance to get revenge.

Blueblood’s horn began to glow as Impish Laugh began to float towards him, seemingly unfazed. The guest was brought face to face with the burning anger that now consumed Blueblood.

“Are you suggesting I give them Solamina in exchange for help?” Blueblood’s was struggling to get his voice at a restrained level.

“Think it through your highness.” Seeing Blueblood’s piercing gaze, Impish Laugh dropped the smile. “The Empress had a choice, give up the soul of an already departed Converted or wage war on a being she knew nothing about.”

Blueblood let Laugh float back onto the ground and he continued.

“She chose the latter and now we are growing nearer to extinction. One more question.”

“All you seem to do is ask questions,” Blueblood growled.

“Why don’t you refer to her as your aunt anymore?”

The Prince fell silent.

“I’ve checked around. You don’t refer to her as your aunt even when talking to your closest advisers. I’ll tell you why. Celestia died the moment she became Solamina. Surely, even you could see that she manipulated news and ponies to her advantage.”

Blueblood thought back to before Lucifer. He thought back to the last war, to when their enemy was far more cemented in an earthly realm. Converted were arriving every day to Equestria and he had spoken to them. They were less ponies as they were possessed husks that looked like ponies. All they could talk about was how great it was to be a pony, not a single one Blueblood had talked to actually seemed to like anything about their previous lives.

“Still awake?”

Blueblood nodded and gestured towards the fine chair by the fire. His mind was still cast back to earlier days.

Impish Laugh took his seat. “I didn’t say my help would make things easier.”

Blueblood held up a hoof. “Easy wouldn’t have been real,” he sighed. “Would Humans know anything about Lucifer?”

Laugh chuckled. “He is apart of their culture as well. Their ultimate evil, so to speak.”

Blueblood’s eyes lit up. “Then they may have something to use against him.”

“If only you could get there,” Laugh mocked.

The Prince stomped his hoof down on the floor and made his way out of the study.

The longer he walked down the corridors, peering into each room in search of his most trusted friend, the faster his pace got. Prince Blueblood had a plan now and he was damn sure he was gonna see it through.

The Humans had had time to rest, surely they would have supplies that Equestria could use to mend itself while taking down Lucifer. All Blueblood had to do was give them Solamina. Everytime he ran the image of the Empress bound in chains and being trotted to her death by a line of human rifles though a chill went down his body.

****

Colton Mansion: Guard’s Office.

Lieutenant Colonel Fancy Pants was looking over the guard schedules. His office was his one room apartment. He ate, breathed and slept military operations these days. Ten years ago the office was the very definition of neat and functional. Ten years ago. Looking around, Fancy Pants could definitely say that the room was functional. The little supplies that Fancy kept in that room were scattered around in draws and half broken cupboards.

After the council had been dissolved, he and a few lower ranking guards were assigned to Prince Blueblood but they had very rarely gotten newer guards to fill in the places of those that were slaughtered by Lucifer’s armies. As the days went on, the guards spoke more with fear in their voices. It was understandable, they were civilians before Lucifer arrived so were no where near as used to fighting as Fancy had become.

Fancy Pants had taken to giving them morality speeches about how it was their right as ponies of Equestria to strike down Lucifer’s armies. That seemed to shake the fear off for a while. Fancy couldn’t help but admire the fact that even despite the higher level danger in this war (and that was saying something) and despite the fear that the guards shared, they never doubted Solamina’s campaign. True soldiers through and through.

Lambs to the slaughter.

Perhaps a change of schedule might of helped the guards gets some much needed rest, as well as keep Fancy’s mind off the nagging feelings he had been getting.

“Why is this war still going?” he thought to himself. Prince Blueblood had been one of the few ponies to know why the war had started. When he had finally told Fancy Pants, the answer didn’t ease his mind.

Blueblood took a deep breath and sighed before turning to Fancy Pants.

“I was just curious your Highness. I meant nothing by it,” Fancy said.

Blueblood held up a hoof. “It is fine. You have the right to know.” He brought his voice down to a whisper. “What I am about to share with you must not be shared with anypony else though. Can I count on you for that?”

“Of course,” Fancy Pants replied, bringing his voice to a whisper also.

“Thank you,” Blueblood began. “Two years ago, a converted named Hell Blazer was killed. According to Lucifer, while the pony was human, Hell Blazer sold his soul to him and now that it is shattered Lucifer wants it back but Solamina refused to give it up after the stallion died. It led to the war we are now in.”

Fancy Pants turned pale. “Forgive me Blueblood but that doesn’t make sense. That couldn’t be how all this started. A single departed soul? There has to be more to it.”

“It doesn’t make sense, you are right about that, but that is the truth of the situation.”

Fancy Pants stood there stunned. He could hear some of the guards approaching and would probably need to speak with him.

“Thank you Prince Blueblood,” he said bowing,

Blueblood turned away sombrely. “There’s no need to thank me.”

Fancy Pants had tried to look at it in a different way but it didn’t make any more sense as the war continued. All over a single soul? He shut his eyes and shook his head, trying to focus back onto the work at hoof.

“Frustrating isn’t it?” came a new voice.

When Fancy opened his eyes again, they were met with the image of a light brown pony who was close enough to Fancy that he could see himself reflected in the visitors red eyes.

Fancy Pants swiftly grabbed a spear from under his desk and pointed it at the smiling chap’s thought. “Who are you?”

“Impish Laugh, lord of disliking spears.”

“What are you doing in my office?”

“I wanted to ask you something, or has that become punishable by death? Considering I’ve asked you three questions, I take it that means I’m extra dead?”

Fancy Pants lowered the spear. The last thing he wanted was an unneeded casualty.

“Not a very fancy spear, you rarely live up to your name these days.” Laugh chuckled.

“Please just tell me who you are and ask your question,” Fancy said, already feeling annoyed by this Impish Laugh.

“I’m just a pony trying to do their part in this mad world. I just wish Solamina was another of those who shared my sentiment.”

Fancy was about to levitate the spear once more when Laugh asked his question.

“What do you know of Hell Blazer’s soul?”

The Lieutenant froze. How did he know?

Laugh grimaced. “From the looks of it, you know why the war started. That makes my job a lot easier. By the way things are going, Soly’s hold on ponies like you is loosening.”

“What are you talking about?” Fancy said angrily. “I have always been loyal to Solamina and Equestria.”

“Two very different things I can assure you Fancy Pants.”

Two guards appeared in the doorway, having rushed to office when they heard the anger in Fancy’s voice. Their own spears were aimed squarely at Impish Laugh’s head.

“Do you need help sir?” one asked.

“Why is everypony so spear happy today?” Laugh replied.

“It’s fine,” Fancy Pants said, ignoring Laugh’s comment. “Our guest and I were just discussing something. Please, return to your patrols.”

The guards shared a brief glance before moving along, looking back towards Fancy Pants for as long as they could.

“You can’t say that you are fully happy with fighting for such a petty cause,” Laugh continued. “I would maybe understand if Hell Blazer was still alive but he is dead. Blown up. Deader than dead actually. I think the word ‘deaded’ might be good. What do you think?”

“...Solamina does everything for the good of Equestria,” Fancy said, the confidence of his own words failing him.

Laugh raised an eyebrow. “It must be awfully nice to live in ignorance.”

“How dare you-”

“-Calm down. I know you fight for Equestria. I’ve told Prince Blueblood of a way to help end the conflict. He’ll probably ask for your assistance.”

Prince Blueblood!

Without hesitation, Fancy Pants ran out of his office in search of his friend. If this “Impish Laugh” had spoken to him there was no telling what was said or what happened. Fancy was almost sure that Laugh was lying about the help but he had to be certain. There couldn’t be any new way to help Equestria. Solamina would have tried it, wouldn’t she?

Still in a rush, he stopped by two onlooking guards. “I want the stallion that was in my office tracked down if he has gotten out. If he is still there than I want you two to keep him there until I get back. Understood?”

They saluted in unison and Fancy Pants was on his way once more.

***

The Prince was still wandering the mansion in search of Fancy Pants. His head was full of “what ifs” about his quest.

What if the Humans are gone?

What if the Humans refuse to help us?

What if we perish on the way?

What if Impish Laugh was tricking him?

Blueblood’s pace had slowed down to a gentle walk. It gave him longer to think. After a few more moments he found himself stood still, looking out of a battered window towards Colton, or what was left of it.

Colton was now more a city for the express purpose of housing and training new recruits into the “war” against Lucifer.

War.

A ridiculous term to give to this situation. This war was essentially two powerfully children fighting over a broken toy. Equestria was suffering for it.

The once bountiful trees that lined the gardens of the mansion were now little more that stumps for soldiers to rest their weapons on. The wood had been needed elsewhere. Children didn’t learn in the school or play in its yard anymore, soldiers practised their strikes inside and out, hoping that every hour they heard the metal clash, every hour that the beads of sweat dripped down their brows would be a new hour of life before they met their ends.

From that high up window, Blueblood could see a few new recruits guarding the front entrance. Both were too young in Blueblood’s eyes. The armour that they were wobbled as it tried desperately to cling to its soldier.

“They should not need new recruits. This war should never have gone on this long,” Blueblood thought to himself.

Then a new batch of “What ifs” came to the Prince’s mind.

What if the Humans agree to help?

What if their help finally ends the war?

What if a new generation can finally be born where there is no war?

Blueblood knew the price that the Humans-

“Are you alright,” came a familiar voice.

Blueblood turned to see an out of breath Fancy Pants, his eyes wide with his military jacket untidy and hanging on by a single button.

“I’ve been looking for you,” Blueblood smiled.

“Likewise”

“I wanted to talk to you about the Humans.“

“...what about them?“ Fancy Pants moved in closer.

“I think we should go and ask them for help.”

Silence fell. The two exchanged glances. Fancy’s first glance was confusion. Blueblood in contrast never looked surer ('looked' being the key word).

The confusion on Fancy's faded away with a nod. “They could know something about Lucifer that we don't,” he said.

“That’s one idea. If they don’t, we could still use the extra power.”

“They won’t help,” Fancy said grimly.

There was a pause. “I'll be leaving as soon as possible,” Blueblood added sternly.

Fancy shook his head. “You mean we. I can't let you go alone.”

“It will be far from easy,” Blueblood said, teasing Fancy Pants.

“What isn't these days. Desperate times call for desperate measures as they say.”

“Yes...which reminds me.” Blueblood paused. “Do you know a pony by the name of Impish Laugh.”

Fancy frowned. “Unfortunately yes.”

“That didn’t take you long,” echoed Laugh's voice down the hall.

Both upper class stallions turned to see the visitor approaching, now carrying a beaten old satchel at his side.

“What do you have there?“ asked Fancy Pants, getting between Impish Laugh and the Prince.

“Oh this old thing? I have a gift for both of you,“ he declared with a spark in his step.

Before Laugh could reach for the satchel Fancy stopped him.

“If you don’t mind, I think I’ll get the gifts Mr Laugh.”

“Mr? That’s a new one. Sure, help yourself.”

Fancy Pants levitated what was in the satchel out. At first Blueblood didn’t know what to make of them. Wrapped in a cloth were two jewels on silver chains. They shone even in the dim halls of the mansion. Something about them made Blueblood feels...at peace. Perhaps carrying these things around was why Impish Laugh seemed so jolly in these times. Blueblood looked over to Fancy Pants, as he watched the jewels float to his side, a glow flashed across his eyes.

“What are these?” asked Blueblood.

“Very important to your mission so don’t lose them,” replied Impish Laugh. “It took me a while to get them. Wear them around your neck on your travels.” He turned to go but then stopped and glared back. “Oh and you better cover them up as well, don’t want old Soly finding out that you have them do we?”

Fancy placed one jewel around his neck. “If they help Equestria I’m sure she’ll-”

“That’s fine. Solamina will have no knowledge of the quest,” Blueblood interrupted, placing the other jewel around his neck. The jewel was lighter than it looked.

“Goody,” Impish Laugh chuckled. “I’ll leave you two to it then. Try not to die.” With that last piece of advice, the grinning stallion took off down the halls.

“Why aren’t we going to tell Solamina?” Fancy asked. “Surely, she would be able to help us in some way.”

Blueblood sighed. “Perhaps back when she was Celestia, nowadays I don’t think so. We will stop this war Fancy Pants.”

“But the empress-”

“Will no longer use ponies like cannon fodder.”

Fancy Pants cringed. His breathing became more erratic. Blueblood approached Fancy but his friend simply held up a hoof as he slowed his breathing down.

“Are you okay?” Blueblood asked.

“They come and go, nothing to worry about.”

“You looked like you were in pain.”

“I’ll survive, they’ve only happened recently, guess I’m overdoing it.” He shook it off. “How shall we get to the Human world anyway? Getting there without Solamina knowing can’t be simple.”

He’d come around to the idea of secrecy quite fast. Blueblood found that curious but decided he’d leave that topic for another time. He had his friend by his side and a quest ahead. Fortunately Blueblood had kept an eye on ponies of interest, ponies who might be able to get them across realms in secret.

Once he met the Humans...who knows. Coming back without some sort of help was not an option for him though. Blueblood would save Equestria, he would end the age of wars that they lived in. No matter the cost. With everything that Solamina had done, the ponies she’d sacrificed, the lives she’d ruined, she didn’t deserve to lead Equestria anymore. The Humans could have her. Maybe then they would help.

****

Canterlot Palace

The walk to the throne room was the longest walk of Golden Shield’s life. The news he had to deliver to the Empress would not be well received. She would be furious and he, the lowly messenger would take the brunt of her fury. This was the last thing Solamina needed. Everypony knew how hard she worked to keep Lucifer and his demons at bay so such news would be a blow to her. Nevertheless, Golden Shield had to tell her. He had to tell Solamina about the theft.

Solamina sat on the throne looking as majestic as she did when she addressed the crowds. She greeted Golden Shield with a nod. Golden gave her a smile in return but it was nervous and shaking.

“Are you okay guard?” she asked as he approached.

The walls of the room were marked with scorches and unfamiliar ooze. Another battle. The other guards who stood in straight lines down the throne room were riddled with scars and a few still had their weapons stained.

“Empress Solamina,” Golden Shield began. “I bring grave news. There has been a theft in one of the vaults.”

Her smile quickly dropped and she trotted towards Golden Shield.

“What was taken?”

“We don’t know the full extent of what was taken as we are still double checking but it looks like the Elements were among them.”

Silence fell in the hall before a stomp of Solamina echoed causing all the guards to flinch. She met the now sweating Golden Shield’s gaze at his level.

“Worry not” she said calmly. “simply tell me everything you do know about the theft.”

Golden gulped. “It was discovered this morning as we placed another relic in there per your wishes. The pony on watch during the night says nothing got by her and there were no signs of forced entry but she became suspicious when she went into with the others and noticed a few things were not exactly where they were supposed to be.”

“A very observant mare.” Solamina grinned. “I’ll see to it that she is rewarded. Are you sure there was nothing else you found that may aid their recovery?”

“I’m sorry but there were no marks in vault or signs of other means of entry. If something stole them they were stealthy.”

Solamina thought for a moment. “I want you to bring me the mare that was on duty as soon as possible.”

Golden Shield saluted and ran for the doors. The message had been passed on and he hadn’t been yelled out. Solamina truly was a gracious Empress.

****

Solamina gestured and two of the guards shut the doors, locking them before making their way back into formation.. For a few moments, she sat their. She didn’t meet any of the guard’s gazes and she didn’t speak. Solamina closed her eyes and thought.

Lucifer?

No. that wouldn’t make sense. If his demons stole the Elements then there would be marks as well as a body count. If Lucifer himself stole them, for what purpose? Solamina hadn’t permitted their use since before the Lucifer war began so he wouldn’t have seen their effects.. For that matter, how would Lucifer had known about them?

Solamina stood strong and addressed her guards. “I want a group of guards whose soul purpose will be to discover and capture the scum that stole my Elements,” she declared. “This group will not rest until the criminals are captured, not a single minute of sleep until the job is done. I want whoever stole the Elements brought to me at once. Lucifer and all of Equestria will know that you do not steal from me. Is this understood?”

In unison, the guards saluted Solamina. “Yes your majesty.”

“One more thing. I want the mare who was on watch last night brought to me immediately for questioning.”

The guards nodded and quickly began to speak with each other about the aforementioned tasks. In no time a few went off while the others got back into position once more.

Now the Elements were gone. Was there another enemy that Solamina had to deal with? The sad thing was what this enemy failed to understand. They failed to understand their true worth. This thief was nothing but that. He/she was not a threat to Solamina, they were a mild annoyance. It just so happened that Solamina was in no mood for minor annoyances, she had a war to win. No thief was going to stop her.

Solamina got up off her throne and headed out of the door. A few of the guards followed her. No thief leaves no mark. She would go into the vault herself and look. Solamina believed that it wasn’t demons, she could even believe that they got by the guard on duty but she couldn’t believe that something could go into her vault and leave without a trace.

Chapter Four: Fortuna Autem Diaboli

Run. That was the only plan for an attack for a civilian pony. Run and hope to Solamina that you survived. It was a plan that Lucifer’s armies found to be a most amusing game. That day was no different.

The ponies of the city assumed they would be safe. It would stand on as a city that had lived on through two wars that threatened Equestria, with buildings and monuments that were around long before anypony that lived in that town were born. Stalliongrad was, in the eyes of its ponies, power. Stalliongrad was a fort in the guise of a city. They had arch-magi in the town, as per orders of the Empress herself, surely they would have known exactly how to defeat demons. The ponies of Stalliongrad were more removed from the the rest of Equestria, sharing their land with neighbouring Griffons. Arch-magi and warrior Griffons: who wouldn’t be able to sleep at night with the knowledge that they were protecting you? A fair few soldiers were veterans of the Equestrian-Earth war and they wore their scars with pride. That was their mistake. They forgot one of the first rules of mortality.

If it bleeds you can kill it.

Light grew dimmer above the town and as the ponies looked up to see why, their confusion swiftly turned to panic. Hovering above the city were hundred of creatures. The flesh from their wings looked to have rotted away long ago, replaced by cobwebs, spiders continuously weaving even while in the air. They bore no feathers or scales, just diseased flesh with scars arranged like words down their chests. Like monkeys, the arms and legs of these creatures were almost identical. Both sets were as long as a ponies body and each ended in jagged claws that sometimes split into two.

The first to be struck down by these creatures were the unfortunate weather ponies working at the time. There attacks were vicious. To stop their victims from screaming they would forcibly tear the pony’s jaw apart with one set of claws while the over plunged into the victim’s body and tear their vocal cords out.

It didn’t take long for an army of them to descend on Stalliongrad, ripping to shreds any unfortunate soul that came close to their claws. Their faces were battered and bruised but gazed down at the city with unrestrained malice. From their beaks they let out a screech that pierced the heart off those below

The Griffons in the city fought hard. A battle in their city could not go without the most dire punishment. They were trained for worse than demons. Griffons yielded to nothing and that day was going to be no different in their eyes. Blades were endlessly slicing through the rotting flesh of the creatures as the Griffons would declare to the rest of their kind “This was my victory!” before moving on to the next hellspawn

Civilians scattered inside buildings while guards prayed to Solamina that they could defeat the swarm. The odd lucky swipe of a sword by a Griffin or the right spot some pony threw their spear took down a few but for each one they took down, three more showed up to avenge their comrade.

It wasn’t long before the air that was once so full of song and the cheers of ponies became drowned in screeches and cries for help. Some victims’ screams were garbled as they were being eaten alive, their hooves clinging on to their organs.

A fraction of the creatures were knocked out of the skies by the Arch-magi. Hope at last for the citizens of Stalliongrad. The chance was slim but it was there. From inside buildings ponies saw the valiant efforts of the unicorns hoof picked by the Empress herself to help defend her realm. Even as soldiers fell before these creatures around them and civilians who had not found shelter were reduced to nothing more than food for the ravenous horde, the Arch-magi did not give in to fear.

“Glory to Empress Solamina!” one shouted.

“Long live the Empress!” another added.

“The Empress guide us all!” a third declared.

The soldiers on the battlefield all praised her name as they fought the horde back. The resolve grew larger and larger. Each time one of their own was killed, they didn’t see it as proof that Solamina was not defending them, instead they saw it as a blight against their dear Empress’s name. The creatures, vile and rotting, dared to attack the land that Solamina ruled over. In was the soldiers' mission to see to it that this battle would not end in defeat. Lucifer would see the strength of Equestria that day and he would flee back to the filthy pit from where he came from.

A sharp, high whistle echoed around the city. The creatures flew back up into the air and began circling Stalliongrad. Those who could fly lay on the ground, watching every movement of the remaining soldiers and Arch-magi.

The ponies and griffons inside the houses listened to the whistle. The longer they listened the more it started to sound like a child screaming. They daren’t move from shelter or even call out to the Magi to find out what they should do next.

As one, the ponies who had fought bravely for the Empress ran to where the sound was coming from. As fast as they could gallop, some to the point of extreme pain, they raced to the source. It had crossed a few of the Arch-magi minds that just who they might find using such a whistle. Their search let them to the very centre of the great city. When their eyes looked upon the form of their target, they found it blasphemous.

The whistle stopped.

In the gaze of dozens of Arch-magi and even more regular soldiers, surrounded on all sides with no path unaccounted for (including the sky above) was an Alicorn. A crimson Alicorn. Her mane and hooves were as black shadows. Upon her head was a rusted crown bearing the cracked emblem of the sun. She showed no fear as a select few very brave ponies moved in closer for the kill.

Her mere presence made the ponies feel empty. The air grew colder and the only things that they could think about were the moments in their lives that they regretted most. For some it was the death of loved ones, for others it was moments that they failed them and for some those moments were one in the same. A few ponies were left motionless, simply watching the crimson mare. Average ponies would be left crying in a corner. These ponies tried to push past the emotions, tried to remember what they were fighting for. Most succeeded.

“No need to crowd me,” she said with a sultry voice. “Your Empress is going nowhere.” The Alicorn sat down.

“Do not mock Solamina you scumbag,” growled a green Unicorn stallion.

“Mock?” she asked.

“Show us your true form.”

The Alicorn chuckled. “You know who I am.”

He nodded.

“Say my name.” Her voice was gentle but her smile was vile.

Spells were launched at her but every time one was the result was the same. The Alicorn would block it using her very shadow. It would rise up, swift and vicious, at what ever point she was attacked. Then a flock of those creatures would swoop down and tear to pieces the attacker. The ponies managed to take down a few more creatures but they would never leave an attacker alive.

After a few casualties they got the message. Attack and die. It was a slight improvement over fighting to the death but not a logical one.

The green stallion looked back to the Alicorn. “What do you want?”

She flipped her mane back. “First, say my name.”

He stood his ground.

The Alicorn nodded up to one of the creatures over head. It flew down passed the defenders of Stalliongrad and headed for one of the buildings of civilians.

A rapid fire of magic from the other Arch-magi shredded its web wings and sent it crashing into the ground, breaking its neck.

The mare nodded again. several creatures came down this time.

“Wait!” the stallion said.

The Alicorn’s eyes flashed. For a moment, they were lifeless and grey. The creatures flew back up.

“There will be no fighting. I’ve just come for a chat,” she assured. “Say. My. Name.”

“Lucifer.” he grumbled.

She beamed with pride and arrogance. “Good. What is your name?”

“Lantern Light.” In truth, he was caught off a little by the informal tone of Lucifer.

The surviving ponies held their positions around Lucifer. She paid them no attention. Her gaze was focused on the revolted Lantern who looked towards the others before reminding himself of the terror above.

“What do you-”

Before he could, Lucifer spread her wings. In the same time it took the ponies to ready themselves for an attack, Lucifer flew across to Lantern Light, grabbed him using nothing but her mind and launched herself high above the clouds.

As she passed her faithful creatures, they descended down for the final time to feast on the remaining ponies.

Atop a cloud, Lantern struggled in vain in the grip of Lucifer’s magic. Even his own magic wasn’t working. The most he could do was close his eyes. He felt a cold, soft breath on his face.

Even from that far up, both could hear the carnage that was being let loose down below. Lucifer stopped for a moment and took the sound in. She looked as he she was enjoying the orchestra. Lantern cringed with every new scream.

“Listen carefully to me my dear Lantern Light,” Lucifer soothed. “You will not die this day. I have a task for you. It would be very undignified for you to die before you carried it out.”

The darkness that Lantern saw while his eyes were tightly shut was replaced by the image of Equestria. It was rotting away before his sight. Lantern knew what awaited him if he opened his eyes. He did not want to give Lucifer the satisfaction of his fear. He would push on through this illusion. That’s when Lantern realised something. He could no longer hear that battle on the ground.

“Stalliongrad is no more.” Lucifer’s voice remained sweet and sublime. “You will go to Solamina and tell her just that. Even her greatest cities are nothing to me. She is under the impression that she is on my level. Educate her, my new friend.”

Equestria vanished. Lantern could no longer feel Lucifer’s breath or her tight grip. He could feel the ground beneath him which caused him to open his eyes.

Lantern Light, Arch-mage of Empress Solamina’s Equestria and soldier of two wars, was stood alone in a forest. Off in the distance, he could see the glimmering towers of Canterlot. He was so far from Stalliongrad now, any hope of going back to help was swiftly done away with. Despite who the order came from, Lantern set off to tell Solamina everything. Lucifer was wrong. Solamina was greater than her by so much, Lantern was sure that she would know what to do.

***

Resistence FM HQ

Octavia was listening to the endless sound of static. She sat in the communications room, surrounded by radio equipment that was crafted on Earth so long ago that they had lost the shine they once had with some plating dented or missing.

She sat alone, the rest of her team out gathering information. On the board behind her were pins for every member of the team that had fallen in the war against Lucifer. One calm night she found herself arranging them to make a motto.

Do it for them. Do it for the Fallen.

Octavia began to tune one of the radios, the static growing fiercer or softer by her command until something new came through.

“Hello, am I clear? Over,” crackled a voice from the radio.

“Just about, over,” answered Octavia solemnly.

“Roger that, please state the pass phrase, over.”

“Celestia is dead… over.”

“Confirmed. How’s it looking over there? Over.”

Octavia sighed. “Same as most days I’m afraid. I’m not sure how much longer we will last like this. Over.”

The static from the radio lingered on longer than normal. Octavia was left alone with her thoughts.

Alone.

Now more than ever she felt it. The recon team of Resistance FM had dwindled down to three, including herself. The rest were gone, fled to Earth or slaughtered by Lucifer’s armies. Yet, Octavia remained. Every day she tried to press on and give the Resistance as much information she could about Solamina or Lucifer’s activities but how much longer could her team go on.

“Do you wish to initiate Operation Birdman? Over,” the voice came back.

The question caught Octavia off guard. Was it time to?

***

The Former Seaddle

Where there was once grand libraries that housed knowledge for all ponies, there was now a roaring fire that danced in the daylight. Where there were once beautiful towers from which you could see far out to the horizon and bless the sunrise that Solamina had given you, there was now nothing, just a pit that rumbling and rippled every time a new victim got near it.

Seaddle was no more. Lucifer’s campaign had twisted the once proud city into little more than a vast scrapheap of broken lives and decaying bodies. The demon horde that had attacked had moved on days ago, leaving whatever life still remained to rot in isolation.

Amidst the rubble and the groans of the dying, those that still clung to hope that soon somepony would come, came the soft sound of hoofsteps. They were light, the owner of them being rather small herself, but they did not go unnoticed by the fallen.

“...help…”

The pony stopped and turned to one of the dying. The stallion, lying there with a broken bones and never ending pain, flinched at the sight of the filly.

In front of him stood a smiling child, gazing at him with the widest eyes. At each edge of her smile was a red mark, almost an extension to that haunting grin. The joy in her expression seemed unnatural, like she was wearing a mask for some twisted party.

“How are you?” she said, restraining a giggle.

I’m sorry.

“Run…” With that last warning, the stallion felt the sweet relief of death take him from the mortal world into a place where he could look down on his family. He could watch them live their lives with joy and under the protection of Solamina. That was, until they would ultimately join him. A blessing of heaven's secret curse.

The filly sat staring at the remains of the stallion. Her left eye began to twitch. She sat in silence until her eye stopped twitching and she lunged forward at the deceased stallion, stopping just short of his face.

“What's the matter? Dead tired?” she mocked. The filly burst into laughter, taking joy in the sound echoing around the rubble of the city, filling it with life once more. As her laughter began to fade, the energy of her joke running out, a tear rolled down the filly's cheery expression.

“Hello?” a new voice called out.

The filly spun around to see a mare off in the distance coming towards her. The older pony seemed to be scanning the rubble looking for something.

“Hello!” the filly yelled back.

I’m here!

Immediately the mare stopped looking and stared at the , now bouncing, filly. “Are you hurt?”

The filly’s grin grew. The game was about to get fun.

“Are you hurt?” she replied back, mimicking the mare’s voice.

Yes. Please help me.

The mare in the distance broke into a run, charging towards the little filly so fast that she was becoming a blue blur. The dust that she kicked up left a trailing cloud behind her. The filly braced herself for a new playmate.

The next thing the little pony knew, she was being hugged very tightly and for a moment, her smile wavered.

“Thank Solamina I found somepony, Are you alright? It must have been dreadful.” The mare pulled away and looked at the filly, the joy across the rescuer's face faded away, the mare’s expression growing more concerned the longer she looked at the small filly who simply sat there with a jittery grin across her face.

“Huggy mare aren’t you,” the filly commented.

You’re real?

Before the filly stood a blue Unicorn mare with her lighter blue mane tied back, if it wasn’t for the dirt and bags under her eyes, the medical uniform and satchel would have made her look the image of professional.

“My name is Blessed Star, what’s your name?”

The filly shrugged. “I go by a few names. ‘Get out of here’, ‘Abomination’, ‘Thing’, ‘Macfilly Shortlegs’ my personal favourite, and of course the ever classic ‘Smiley’.”

Blessed Star opened her satchel as she continued to talk.

“Does it hurt anywhere?” the mare asked.

“Anywhere? That’s a new name.” The filly giggled.

Blessed Star smiled and took out a bottle of water giving it to the filly. She drank it, trading her grin for a look of sheer peace while she took in the first bit of water she had gotten in a few days.

When she finished the bottle, the filly took deep breaths, trying to focus herself again. She looked back at Blessed who put the empty bottle back in her satchel and placed a hoof around the filly.

“There’s a carriage waiting not too far from here,” she said, her voice now soothing and quiet, “come with me. We can get you somewhere safe.”

For the first time since she met the stranger, the filly didn’t reply. With a shuddering nod she began to follow the mare who stuck close by and rarely took her eyes of the child.

“How did you survive the attack?” Blessed Star asked.

“By not being here when the attack started,” she chortled. “My home is a different pile of rubble in a different part of Equestria.”

“I’m so sorry,” Blessed Star said “If you don’t mind me asking...how did you survive this long?”

The filly fell silent again and sped up a little.

So much for a new game. You’re no fun.

Blessed Star sighed and kept up as they passed the remains of the town. Voices of the wounded droned out of the rubble. Coming towards them were a few other Ponies that desperately tried to dig them out before the last of their strength gave way and the rescuer would be left with just another victim of Solamina's struggle with Lucifer.

When they reached the carriage, it was on the outskirts of the town. Pulling it was a group of ever vigilante Earth Pony Stallions. The armour they wore, covered in scratches from battles past, bore the faded symbol of an "E" covered in silver vines.

The filly found herself hiding behind Blessed Star, the thought of being seen felt...uncomfortable for some reason.

"It's okay," Blessed assured. "They are with us. We are the Equestrian Lifeline."

"I haven't done my make up," the filly rebuttaled. "I look simply ghastly." She snickered before seeing Blessed's expression. The mare looked down with concern filling her eyes.

They won’t like me.

When they got aboard the carriage, the filly barely had time to register the interior before she found herself in another hug. It was warm and made her wide grin shrink slightly.

It felt so familiar. The blurred image of a different mare sprang to the young pony's mind. The image was whispering something but she couldn't make it out. What was she forgetting?

Mom?

“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.” Blessed Star's voice was beginning to quiver. That's when the filly felt the delicate touch of tears running onto her. “We should have found you sooner.”

“Jester…”

Blessed Star pulled away slightly. The grin that was so wide before, so unnatural, was now little more than a sympathetic smirk

“That's my name,” the filly added. Her smile blossomed once more. “My name is Jester.”

***

Resistence FM HQ

“Stand by, as soon as what remains of my team get back I will discuss the option with them. I won’t be going though, my place is still here for as long as I can get something useful back. Over.”

Octavia relaxed back in her chair. The only thing to report so far was yet more mass slaughter. She didn’t even know why the war had started and that annoyed her. Why would Solamina declare war so quickly on a new foe? Was Lucifer responding to the war against the Humans? If that was the case, why not contact the Resistance or have Human soldiers? From what people had said about Lucifer, he was the greatest threat to humanity that had ever existed so why would he care what Solamina had been doing? If it did have nothing to do with the war on Humans then why now? Nopony had heard of Lucifer before this war, yet he was supposedly capable of so much and had what seemed like a never ending horde of demons at his command. What started this war?

The questions would pulsate in the mare’s mind at least once every day but nopony knew the answer. At least, nopony she had the chance to talk to, which meant nopony on the side of sanity. The longer the war went on, the more questions would be added to Octavia’s growing list.

“Roger that, we will stand by until further notice.” The radio’s hiss only lasted a second before the voice came back, although softer in tone. “For what it’s worth, we all salute what you have done for the Resistance and are thankful for the help. Your intel has meant the difference between going in blind and standing a fighting chance so many times. The broadcasts you do to the troops, it reminds me of church sometimes, with people and ponies coming together to have their faith renewed. When the war we Lucifer began over there, I can remember everyone bowing our heads and feeling so...honoured. Honoured to know souls that were willing to continue their jobs even with the literal devil at their doorsteps. When any of your team come to Earth, they will be welcomed with open arms and a cold pint. Over.”

“Thank you.” Octavia smiled, the words touching her deeper than any weapon could, making the time she spent in war torn Equestria worth it and her decision to stay even easier.

The ponies that did decide to go would at least be free from the war, free from the mayhem and would be able to sleep through the night without hearing the shriek of something in the distance or the wailing cry of a Pony in trouble that is sudden stopped, leaving the night silent and much more empty. If they wanted to, they could live actually begin to live again.

Not her though. Not yet.

Octavia still knew that there needed to be somepony here incase anything did happen that would a affect the Resistance on Earth. Even if it was just one Pony. Besides, she’d sleep better knowing that those who felt like some peace were getting what they deserved.

“Over and out for now.” Octavia switched the HQ to HQ radio off and was about to switch on the radio she used to broadcast to the troops when there was a creaking sound behind her.

She turned swiftly, ready to lunge if whoever was there was an enemy. It struck her as odd that one of her team wouldn’t announce themselves or make more noise.

As her eyes met the being who stood there, her expression grew confused. Before her, standing with an undeniably confident poise, was a burnt umber Earth Pony Stallion.

“Greetings,” he proclaimed with gusto. “I am your new recruit.”

***

Colton Mansion Grand Ballroom

Times had surely changed for that room. Instead of ponies lining up in order to dance the sparkling night away, freeing any cares they had with good company and the proper amount of cider, even if it was for just one evening, the room instead had the entirety of the Colton Mansion Guard lined up at attention, ready for their Prince to speak to them.

Much like the soldiers that were waiting, the room was bruised by past training but was nevertheless capable of its duty. For the room, that was being sturdy enough to survive whatever strike the gritty floors got from cold steel. For the Guards, it was whatever the Prince needed them to do.

When they had arrived at the Mansion there had originally been fifty seven Guards, not including Fancy Pants, to follow him and keep him safe from the terrors that had been unleashed upon the world. There were now just twelve Guards left. Some had been slaughtered as they had made their way to Colton while others died on duty.

They murmured amongst each other, uneasy about the sudden meeting that Fancy Pants had told them about. To say that Blueblood addressing them all as a group was rare would have been an understatement. The only time he had done something close to that was when they had first arrived in Colton. On that day, the Prince had requested they all go for a few drinks to remember those who had past, only to spend the evening alone.

Only two Guards were brand new. Crowned Note, a cautious soul though he meant well, and his sister Harmonic Note, who was something of a poet sometimes. They were the younger siblings in the ragtag family of guards of the mansion. Everypony looked out for them. Most of their lives had been the war, it was doubtful that they remembered anything else as more than a dream. Old or new, Blueblood wanted them to hear what was going to be said. They had as much right to hear it as the veterans of the Guard.

The Note siblings were the first eyes that met Blueblood’s as he stood at the top of a once grand staircase. The armour they wore wasn’t made for them, it was made for older Guards who had fallen in the line of duty. Blueblood couldn’t help but feel like the armour. He wasn't made for the task he was about to take but he would be damned him would stop him. Every time that thought entered his mind, he looked at the empty spaces of the room. He remembered those whom he had lost because of this petty war. Solamina's ego was the reason they were gone, it was the reason so many children were now growing up in a realm that didn't know sanity, where their family could be ripped apart at any second.

Prince Blueblood took a deep breath. They had waited long enough. Equestria had waited long enough.

Lieutenant Fancy Pants stood with Blueblood, assuring him with a simply nod. When he coughed the Guards fell silent.

“We will not stand by any longer,” Prince Blueblood announced.

The Guards exchanged a few glances before focusing on their leader again.

“For a while,” he continued “you have all been defending me and training recruits for the Solaminan army. I am thankful for all of your hard work and your dedication but I believe it is time that I stepped into the fray to try and end this war.”

From the corner of his eye, the Prince could see that Fancy Pants had walked away, back into the corridor that led to the rest of the Mansion. Still, he had to press on.

“It is clear to me that Solamina is unable to end this conflict with Lucifer. There is a chance the Humans will be able to help us, and so myself and Fancy Pants will be heading there in two hours. I would like you to come with me, aid in making Equestria peaceful, like it was so long ago. While I would appreciate as many of you coming as possible, I know it is a lot to ask. Some of you are brand new to war. Others have been through so much already. Either way, you have the right to say no to my request. I won’t think anything less of you. For the ones who would like to come with us, we will meet back here in two hours. You are dismissed.”

With those final words, the ballroom began to echo with the chatter of Guards.

“The Humans?”

“How long do you think he’s been planning this?”

“We should go with him.”

“We’re safer here.”

Blueblood turned and walked down the corridor to find Fancy Pants. Fancy was struggling to breath, leaning himself on the wall.

As soon as Blueblood saw his friend, he rushed over to him. “How can I help?”

Fancy staggered back onto his hooves. “I’ll be fine, see it’s going.”

He met the Prince’s gaze and Blueblood knew he had to say something.

“Listen,” he whispered. “I think you should stay here. These attacks might get more serious and I would want you to…”

Fancy Pants put a hoof on the Prince’s shoulder. “No. I’m coming with you.” He smiled. “Besides, I always get a spring in my step after one of these headaches.”

Not what Blueblood would have called it.

“That reminds me,” said the Prince. “About telling Solamina. How come you agreed not to so quickly?”

Fancy shrugged. “I understood where you were coming from. This will be our quest. Solamina would...” He trailed off, growing more pale.

“Let’s focus on getting prepared.”

“Yes.” The energy returned to Fancy along with his colour. “To war, my Prince.”