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?"