inFAMOUS Displaced
Chapter 4
Wage the War

“Just to throw in my opinion, if I was to wage the war, then both of you could return to your land and deal with the draconequus.”

The Princesses looked at me with surprised yet grateful looks. “This will definitely help with my stress levels.”

“All I ask is that the Akomish goes with you and is given a new start in life.”

“Thy request will be granted,” Luna said.

The Princesses and the Commanding officers rose from the table to handle the switch of war powers. Smoke Shot and I rose to prepare the Akomish for departure. After we all left the tent to deal with the switch of war powers, I suddenly doubled over, but not in pain. Everypony noticed my movement and rushed to help me.

“Delsin! Are you okay?!” Celestia said, worriedly.

“I just feel as if I suddenly have an adrenaline rush,” I reply. Before anypony or myself did anything more, I suddenly began to glow a bright blue color. I closed my eyes to keep the light from blinding me. After a few seconds, the glow ceased and the rush ended, but I still felt refreshed.

Opening my eyes, I noticed two things. One was the fact that everypony’s eyes were looking at me in almost disbelief. The other thing was the fact that my clothes looked slightly more clean and brighter. I quickly took off my vest to confirm my suspicions of a Karmic Shift. Looking on the back, I saw, instead of the original eagle motif, the motif shifted to the Guardian Rank position. Smiling, I turn the vest around for them to see the image on the back.

“Well, as the Greatest Conduit has said before, ‘Karma’s a b****’.”

After the war powers for the Griffin-Pony War were transferred to me and the troops and Akomish were addressed, things started rolling into motion. The Akomish that wanted to start a new life as soon as possible left with the Princesses and a contingent of Royal Guard. The Akomish that were anxious to help in the war were made members of the Royal Guard (including Smoke Shot). Before they were given armor, I had insisted on a few aesthetic differences to the usual Royal Guard armor.

While the armor would hold most of its looks, I asked that the plumes were red and blue feathers instead of the typical pony hair, and the Akomish symbol would be placed on the back of the armor. The Akomish that were made members of the Royal Guard were then named the Eagle Guard.

My armor was, at first, difficult to work with the Royal Armorsmith to work, but with the aid of magic, it was made. My armour was a chain hauberk with some plates worked onto the chest and back portions of the armor and a helmet designed after Roman centurion's helmet with the same feather plume as the Eagle Guard. The armor was made with the same magical gold/steel alloy, and was to be worn with my Karmic vest off. As soon as I had put it all on, it flashed blue briefly before it looked a bit brighter, the plume had a slightly more blue dominance, and the Akomish insignia was on the backplate of the hauberk (the blue alicorn and the blue sun were slightly bigger than the red one with the red moon).

I insisted that I kept my chain to still use as a weapon. The Royal Weaponsmith was hesitant at first, but he okayed it after checking over the weapon and making sure it was in good condition.

After preparing the Eagle Guard and myself for eventual conflict, we packed up camp and started our march north. From what Smoke Shot was able to gather from the intel that we gathered a few days ago, the Griffins were planning on equipping each of their soldiers with an Anti-crystal (blast shard) and attacking the Crystal Empire. Looking at the map that the Griffins had, we planned our course to intercept them just south of the Empire. There we would be joined by the Crystal Guard from the Empire.

We marched to our destination, received our reinforcements, and readied ourselves for battle. We had catapults and ballistas placed at the rear flanks with contingents of Crystal Guard to guard them. We had a line of Unicorn Royal Guards in the front to act as skirmishers until the fighting officially began. They would then act as a Phalanx, working to keep the Griffins back as much as they could for the next line, the Crystal Guard and the Earth Pony Royal Guards, to engage in combat. The Unicorns would then flee behind the combat, join their brethren and begin casting spells.

As for the Eagle Guard, Smoke Shot and I, we had an important role to play in the upcoming battle. The Eagle Guard would function an important role almost like how the Companion cavalry that Alexander the Great used. They manned (or was it ponied) a set of catapults in the rear center that would send incendiary rounds that would explode, dealing massive casualties to the Griffins. However, the rounds would still remain and smoulder, allowing for Smoke Shot and I to have ‘fuel’ for our abilities as we fought behind enemy lines.

I mention the fact that Smoke Shot needed ‘fuel’ as well because...well...she’s a conduit as well. She didn’t really show her conduit abilities until on the march towards the Empire. A catapult piece wasn’t secure in the wagon it was in and she was walking next to it. The piece almost crushed her, but she smoke dashed out of the way before it could. From there her abilities became more defined. It got to the point that she could manipulate smoke with her hooves better than her magic.

The battle came and it was won...with a few complications. The front line of the Griffin invasion force were equipped with blast shards, causing the Unicorns in the front to get slaughtered. The Crystal Guard seemed to have an immunity to the magic nullifying power of the shards and plowed through the front lines. From there, the battle was practically won.

“I cannot thank you enough for this,” Prince Sombra said to Smoke and I, “ If there is anything we or I can do to repay you, please let us know.”

“Thank you, my lord,” I said with a bow, “For now, rest for our troops and ourselves will benefit us greatly.”

“Of course,” he said with a similar bow, “Before you rest, I wish to speak with you, Master Delsin.”

“Alright,” I said. I turned to Smoke, “Make sure the troops get rest. Attend to the Akomish.” She nodded and wandered off to do her job. I then followed Sombra into the castle lobby, where a crystal heart was on a special pedestal as it was spreading light and love across the known world. Even I could feel it’s power.

“Magnificent, is it?”

“I don’t think there are words to describe what I see and feel,” I reply

“Thank you,” he said, “It took several generations of my forefathers and myself to craft this.” He then bent over, coughing into his hoof from something that wasn’t smoke. I moved to help him, but he waved me off. “I’m fine. It’s just...the magic that was used to construct the Crystal Heart has nasty side effects.” He showed me his hoof and it had splotches of dark purple that seemed to have an evil feeling to it.

“Using darkness to create light,” I said, “Rather risky, isn’t it?”

“My forefathers tried searching for other means, but there was no other way,” he said, “I have been hit worse with this malignant magic. I will live long enough for it to take my body from my possession and reign in darkness. An overcharge of light from the Crystal Heart can cure me, but I only have a few months left before the darkness takes me.”

“And you’re telling me this for what?”

“As you had noticed on the battlefield, the Crystal ponies have an immunity to the magic-nullifying effect of the Anti-crystals or blast shards as you call them,” he said, “What I am proposing is that we send the Crystal Guard that helped you in battle and their families to Equestria, where they can spread the immunity through their seed. That way, the shards can be used for good rather than evil.”

“Thank you. Equestria will be in debt to you.”

“It is a gift. Once I fall to darkness, you would never be able to settle the debt.”

“Fair enough. I’ll send the refugees to Equestria with a detachment of Royal and Crystal Guards. The remaining Guards will help us on our march to Griffinstone.”

Sombra looked at me with concern. “Are you going to destroy them?”

“That is a last resort. I intend on sneaking into the city and trying to negotiate peace.”

“I don't think it will work, but I won’t question your methods, so good luck,” Sombra said, solemnly, “Your supplies will be replenished and I hope you have a safe journey and life.”

With that I started to walk away. Before I got too far, I noticed something that spiked my curiosity. I noticed a small cubby hole near the base of the entrance to the Crystal Palace. I knelt down to inspect what was there and I found two items there that seemed out of place. One was a silver keychain of some sort that had the Hidden Mickey on the end. The other was an amulet that had two small orbs on it, one purple and the other green.

I pulled the keychain out and I heard a voice in my head. ‘I am the Warrior of Light, enemy of darkness and all who walk within. If you find yourself trapped by the shadows and cannot find the light, call on my name, the name of Sora, and I will answer.’
That was seriously weird. I pulled out the amulet and I heard a pair of voices. ‘HI! My names Plague! And mine's Amnesia! We are the son, and daughter, of Alduin and if you ever need our help just hold the amulet up and we'll come as quick as we can! Be warned though, our Dad might come along.’
Once again, Weird. I was about to pocket both items when I noticed that the two colored orbs on the amulet fused into one red orb. I then heard another voice. ‘My name is Epidemic, and I am the son of Alduin, the combined form of the Twins. If you ever need help, hold up the amulet and I will come. Be warned, if the calling is just a waste of valuable time, I will kill you, so don't waste my time.’
Now, I’m officially creeped out. I pocketed the two items and left the palace.

“Are you sure about this?” Smoke Shot asked as we stood ready, hidden on a rooftop in Griffinstone. We had suited up in lighter and more quiet armor. I had exchanged my hauberk for a one-piece mail vest painted black. I wore my vest over it to muffle the sound of the metal jingling. I replaced my helmet with my beanie for stealth as well. Smoke decided to forgo the armor and went with cloth tied to her hooves to hide the clop of her hooves.

“I’m positive. If we approached with a flag of truce, they won’t take it seriously,” I whisper back, “Especially with me leading them.”

“And what makes you think he will listen to you if you suddenly appear out of his fireplace.”

I shrug my shoulders and reply, “There’s only one way to find out. Let’s go.” I then began to smoke dash towards the Griffinstone Palace. Smoke Shot followed suit. Any patrols we saw we either avoided or, if they couldn’t be avoided, we subdue them and move them out of sight.

After a while of moving through the city, we arrived at the palace. I had Smoke Shot stay behind to watch the way I ascended to the roof. I was thankful that I knew that Conduits could survive high falls, otherwise I would have refused to try to climb the palace. I got to the roof and searched for a chimney that would bring myself to stand before the Griffin King.

“Halt! Who Goes There!?” I heard a Griffin Guard shout out. I smoke dashed to a nearby pillar and hid.

“Who are you yelling at!? I heard another guard shout out to his companion.

“I thought I saw something.”

“Great! You’re yelling at what you ‘thought’ you saw!”

“I swear! I saw something!”

I jumped out of hiding and I slammed my fist into the guard’s helmet, knocking him out. I then lashed out with my chain at the other guard, knocking him down. I then restrained him and walked back from him as he was whimpering from the blow to his ego. I decided to rub it in.

“You liked that?!” I taunted, “Well, there’s more where that came from! That’s what you get for trying to fight The Equestrian Eagle!” (Yes, the Royal Guard nicknamed me that)

I suddenly felt that my left foot was no longer on the roof. Looking back I found that I was standing over the top of the Palace’s great hall. I had no forewarning and I was suddenly falling. I crashed into the fire that was burning in the center of the room. Thankfully, due to my immunity to falling and my smoke powers, I wasn’t burned. All the Griffins in the room suddenly looked to where I was.

Crap! ‘Smoke Shot! Return to the troops! Have them ready to attack at my signal!’
‘What is your signal!?’
‘You will know when it happens!’
“Well, well, well,” I hear from the main point of the room, “If it isn't the Equestrian Demon.” Looking up from my charred and prone position and saw the Griffin King. He was decked out in the most expensive looking crown, robe, etcetera, etcetera. Too much gold for one being to own, let alone wear. I dragged myself from the fire and stood at my highest.

“Lord King of Griffinstone,” I begin to say, but I was interrupted by a nearby guard.

“Kneel before the king!” He shouted as he slammed the shaft of his spear into the back of my knee joints, forcing me to kneel. As soon as my knees met the ground, my lower legs and my hands seemed to become encased in stone...No...Not stone...Cement!

I looked back towards the King and saw that his right talon was encased in cement as well, but they were moving freely. That could only mean…

Aww, Crud! I’m dealing with a Cement Conduit. I have to act fast. I can try to vie heavily for mercy and hope that there is still some good in him. But he would have every reason to not stop. After all, I did trespass. I might as well clear the room and force the King to beg for mercy.

What should I do? Beg for Mercy, or Force my Hand?

Beg for Mercy

“Lord King of Griffinstone,” I said, “I have come to…”

“I know why you’re here, Demon!” The Griffin King shouted, “You are hoping to steal our great treasure!” He pointed towards a wooden pedestal that held what looked like a golden goblet that had a large, perfect sphere of ruby in the cup portion and the lip of the cup rose up like a flame.

“That is not my purpose,” I try defending.

“LIES!” He bellowed, “You are in league with the ponies! You disrupted my plan to conquer Equestria! For that, You Must DIE!” I began to feel the cement creep up my arms and body. Panicking I called for help.

‘Smoke! Call for the attack then get your flank end over her now!’

Force my Hand

“Undo these binds so we can talk like civilized beings,” I said while grinding my teeth.

“You are in no position to make demands,” The Griffin King boasted. “You will make a fine addition to my collection of statues of my enemies.” I began to feel the cement creep up my arms and body. I smirked a bit and I smoke dashed backwards, out of the binds, and closer to the fire.

“Nice try,” I taunt. I then gather as much smoke as I can from the fire and I then I begin the process to perform an Orbital Drop.

Author's Notes:

Points: +3 Rank: Guardian

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