FIGHT LIKE HELL, FIGHT LIKE DOOM MARINES!

Ch.4: Mourning of the Fallen...

(Twilight Sparkle, Crystal Empire, two days later...)

"Twilight?" I heard Cadence whispering out my name. Groggily, I started to rub the sleepiness away from my eyes and opened them up slightly, closing them as I felt the sun on my face.

"Ugh... What time is it?" I asked, groaning all the while.

"It's a little past ten in the morning, Twi. Here, I brought us some breakfast." She said as I leaned myself up against the headboard of the King-sized bed. We were in Cadence's bedchambers, where me, Chrysalis, and Cadence slept together. It has been two days since the Liberation of the Crystal Empire and... The Death of my BBBFF, Shining Armor.

The Doom Marine himself, upon which we all learnt his name was Bryan, has been working non-stop on the Memorial Stone, he had placed it where the Crystal Heart used to be. Luna has been trying to get him to go to sleep, but he stated that he's slept long enough...

"Twi? Your breakfast is gonna go cold, if you don't eat it." Cadence snapped me back to reality. Although, I wish this was all a dream.

"Oh, sorry about that." I said as I took my breakfast with my magic. She sat next to me as we dug into our meals. We didn't say much, we were feeling pretty depressed about all that has happened.

Oh great, now I lost my appetite.

"Twi, are you okay?" Cadence asked me. All I did was grabbed her left hand with my right hand. Getting the message, she took both our breakfasts and set them off on a table, on the other side of the room. Cuddling closer to each other, we stayed like this for sometime.

"I'm sorry..." I muttered out.

"What?"

"I'm so sorry, Cadence." I told her. "I'm sorry we didn't make it to you sooner."

"Twilight, no, don't say that." Cadence tried to comfort me. "None of this was your fault."

"But... Shining's gone..." I sniffed, as tears started casting down my face, squeezing my eyes shut. "He died, because we were too late."

"Shh..." Cadence hugged me closer to her chest. "It's going to be OK. At least... He's in a better place now."

"Do you think he hates me?"

"Of course not, Twi."

"How... How can you be so sure?" I asked her, so desperately, I was afraid at that point.

She didn't answer my question, but I felt her shift back a bit. Opening my eyes back up, I looked up to see her face; tears were forming in eyes, that held sadness and sorrow, but also happiness and relief, as she smiled at me through it all. "Twilight, I'm the Princess of Love. I've always known how much he loved you, loved us all. No matter what." After saying that, she rubbed our noses together. "I know you may think of yourself as a failure for not saving him. But, you are not at fault here."

"But..." I tried to speak, but she silence me by placing a finger on my lips.

"Twilight, look at this way: you may not have saved him, but you saved me. I know he would have been so proud of you in doing so. Not to mention, things could've played out worse if you haven't. There is nothing to fear anymore." After she said that, I just took her words to heart. She's right, if none of us did save her, things could have gone differently.

Still though... "Hold me." I can't help it. It may have helped me see it as a good thing, but it didn't help change the fact that Shining's dead.

"Come here." Cadence said, as she brought me back into her embrace. "Take your time." And so I did.

We stayed like this for almost an hour, which felt like an eternity to me. I almost cried myself to sleep. Cadence silently cried along with me, during this time of ours. I still felt bad, but I think I got most out of my system.

That was when we heard Chrysalis come in, with a loud sigh, she spoke. "FINALLY! We actually got him to sleep." She she saw us, she looked at us as if she got caught pick-pocketed somepony. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't know!"

"Oh no! No, it's alright!" Cadence assured her. "We were... Well, I guess you can tell, huh?"

"No duh! But, anyway, Luna and I managed to get Bryan to sleep last night!" Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this, but he told both me and Cadence his real name, just yesterday afternoon. Luna already knew this, of course, and Chrysalis knew because he told her before we left Canterlot.

Speaking of Canterlot, I had to write a letter to Princess Celestia, my friends, and family, about what happened here. The Crystal Militant Messenger, a Pegasus whom I gave it to deliver it the night before, came back yesterday morning, looking very tired, and gave me their reply. Just as I expected, they, too, were very distraught by the news. Mum and Dad especially. It even had stained tears on it, most probably from writing their letters. No, it wasn't one long letter, there were three of them: Mum and Dad's one, Princess Celestia's, and my friends one. All of which they say they're sorry for what has transpired here, and giving their thanks to Bryan. Mum and Dad especially, too. They wish to be here, but can't, since there are still things that needed to be taken care of back in Canterlot.

"Really? At what time?" Cadence asked Chrysalis, as she flopped herself on the bed.

"Ugh! Around midnight-ish. But then he got up at five in the morning, and went back at finishing it." Chrysalis answers, before groaning in annoyance. "Honestly, I knew he was stubborn, but nothing like this! This is just borderline crazy!!"

"So he's finished?" I asked her.

"Yes, he did say he and the Guard will have it ready today. It starts at Twelve." She answers. Looking at clock, it was five minutes past eleven.

Sighing, I spoke up. "We better get ready then."

"Alright, c'mon then." Chrysalis got off the bed and used her magic to pick us both up. We were surprised by this, as we all headed into the bathroom.

"C-Chrysalis, what are you doing!?" Cadence exclaimed.

"We don't have a lot of time, and you don't want to go making Bryan angry. He set this whole thing up for all of us, the least we can do is be there on time." Chrysalis explained as she turned the shower on. "Besides that, I always shower with a couple of my own Changelings. Plus, this is faster, and you got a pretty big shower Cadence."

That's... Logical enough. Still though, she showers with others?

Anyway, after finishing up in there, which was a little awkward, we got dress up in our Royal attires. Even though Chrysalis's one was different, it fits this occasion. Afterwards, we headed to the Throne room, where Chrysalis said Luna was waiting for us. As we entered, Luna was busy talking to somepony, and she didn't look or sound happy about this.

"Your highness, please, reconsider..." It seems this one was trying to convince Luna about something, but couldn't do so.

"Insolent whelp! How many times must we go over this!? I already told you, this is easy payment! Why must all of you Nobles whine over such insufficient things!?" Oh no, not the Nobility. "Besides, my Doom Marine has done you the honours of liberating your Empire!"

"If you call destroying everything in your path liberating, then there's something wrong with our perspectives." He snarked off arrogantly. "Next time put a leash on that beast of yours, that thing is far too--HRNK!?!?" He couldn't finish off his sentence, because the Guard came in and one of them punched him in the stomach. Then they gagged him, cuffed his hands behind his back, and placed a ring inhibiter on his horn.

"Strip him of his title and everything he has. After that, send him away. Go!" Luna commanded, and without missing a beat, the Guard saluted and dragged him off.

As they left the room, we heard Bryan spoke up. "Too bad, I was about to kill him." Looking over to where the hole was, we saw him hanging off from the ledge, with that small weapon of his in hand.

Luna shook her head at this. "My Doom Marine, please, no more."
She said to him.

"You forget Luna; the killing never stops for me." He retorted as he got up from the hole. "For you lot, maybe. For me, and others like me..." As he talked, he walked up to her and patted her on the head. "It never ends."

Sighing, she hugged him. "It's not fair."

"Life isn't always fair. There are hardships you must face, even if you don't like it." He said to her, almost as if he was teaching her a lesson.

Luna chuckled dryly. "You should be telling Tia that. She has been hiding the darker aspects of Equestria's history, trying to make things look peaceful and prosper."

Bryan groaned at this. "Xenophobic, racist, motherfucking dumbass. She just can't accept anything these days, can she?" Me and Cadence flinched from his harshness. But, for some reason, I can't seem to fault him for that. In all honesty, he and Luna are probably both right.

Soon, Luna let go of him. "No, I'm afraid not. You could even say she might have become a little hypocritical about her idealism."

"Luna, this is Celestia we are talking about. She doesn't exactly have a good fucking brain to begin with. Whatever she sets out to do, tends to come biting her in the ass, because she did it wrong." He started pointing out. "She's far from being pure and perfect, that's for sure. Tia's even more of a hypocritical idiot, and a source of corruption, even if she doesn't know of it."

"Yes. She has been losing sight on what matters, and what needs to be done." Luna commented. It's kind of scary, with them talking like this. It's as if they can't trust anything with Princess Celestia, anymore. But then again, they're probably right about it. Even I have some serious questions regarding Celestia herself.

"Alright, let's get going. Most of the city is here, and we got ten minutes until it starts." He stated, as we all made our way outside.

Making it down the stairs, we saw that the area was packed with most of the Crystal Empire's citizens. There were still more to come, though. In the middle, upon where the Crystal Heart used to be, was the Memorial Stone: a squared-off pillar, standing up to nearly touching the underside of the castle. Did he literally just dragged that thing here?

Maybe we should try and talk to him about this. Actually, no. Bad idea. Scratch that. The only answer we'll get out of him is death.

"Twi..." Cadence called my name. When I looked back at her, she point out towards behind the crowd. What I saw, was my parents, escorted by some of the Royal Guard from Canterlot. Grabbing a hold on Cadence, I teleported us in front of them, and immediately, we all hugged each other.

"Oh Twilight, Cadence, my dear girls." My Mum sobbed. "Are you both alright?"

"Don't worry, Mum, we're fine." I answered her.

My Dad spoke up next. "Cadence, they haven't... Have they?" I knew what he was asking of her.

"No, Night Light. They didn't do that with me." She answers him.

"Honey, please, call me Dad. You're family." He told her. "Will get through this, OK?"

"I know... But this is going to be so hard." She wasn't wrong there. If this is what Bryan meant, about there being hardships, then this is our first true obstacle of getting through in our lives.

After a while, we separated. "Come. It's about to start..." We walked alongside our parents until we reached the Memorial Stone.

The talks were long, meaningful, and saddening. So many tears were shed, weeping for the many lives lost; friends, families, loved ones, you name it. Speeches were given for the Guard that have put there lives on the line for the cause, and one especially designed for Shining Armor, for the times he has been a great leader, alongside his loving and caring wife. That one got all of us crying the most. Luna, Chrysalis, and Bryan were up there as well, but they didn't say anything, not that they could anyway. After about two hours, the talks have ended and everypony got up, and gone up to the Memorial Stone, placing many things upon it.

We went up there ourselves, I never really saw it, but the names engraved into the stone, were all glowing. We saw Shining's name and placed some kisses on his name. Mum was still crying her eyes out, telling how much she'd loved him. Dad said how he was so proud of him. But, all the same, gone too soon.

Soon, Luna and that came up to us. "I hope we are not interrupting your time." She spoke. "I know how hard it is to lose a family member, for I have seen it far too many times."

"Oh your highness. No, it's alright. But..." Mum replied to Luna, until she spotted Bryan. "Is he the one who...?"

"Indeed." Luna answered her. "This, here, is my Doom Marine. He is the one who, not only liberated the Crystal Empire, but avenged your son's death." She explained. "Not to mention, he was the one who organized all of this, including the Memorial Stone."

"Goodness." Mum was surprised by this. "To go so far... Darling, are you alright?" She asked him.

"I'm fine, for the most part." He answered her. "Even so, this isn't over. Not until they're all lying dead." He growled, which scared my Mum.

"Hey, now. Easy son." Dad came up to him and placed both hands on his shoulders.

"'Son'? That's rich, given that I'm older than you are." He said to him. "From what Luna has told me, I've been asleep for 10,000 years or so."

"Even so, you can't go losing your head." Dad retorted. "That said, I think it would be best if you just take a breather. All of us should be taking a breather." As Dad said that, I thought Bryan was gonna refuse the offer, but...

"Fine then." He agreed to Dad, sighing heavily in defeat. "But I'm still planning on butchering them all."

"I understand that, but for the time being, rest." Dad said and let go of him. I'm surprised that Dad had managed to convince someone like Bryan. I wonder how though?

"Excuse me, but is that mark..." Mum spoke up, pointing towards the Stone. "In the background, is that yours?" Looking back, I can actually see the his mark in the background, if you look close enough.

"Yes, as a matter of fact." He answers, as he walks up to it. "One last thing before we head back..." Placing his hand on the Stone, energy started to pour forth from his hand, and into his mark. After that, his mark started to glow red, where as the names glowed a transparent white light. We didn't question it, at least, not yet.

Once done, he said. "That, there, is the mark of: The Doom Slayers." He explained. "I'm sure you have more questions, but we all had a long day. Let's call it quits for now, and head on home."

Nodding our heads, we made our way towards the train station, where Mum and Dad came in on, and headed on back. While we were walking through the city, many ponies have been bowing and waving their hands at us goodbye. Of course, Cadence wanted to come back with us, which everypony was fine with. The newly appointed Captain, which was the Sergeant who helped us back then, said he will hold down the fort until Cadence has recovered enough to start ruling again.

Of course, Bryan gave him some useful tips, which will benefit him greatly in the long-run, should Cadence need more time. Especially, when it came to the Nobility. I guess even he had to deal with Nobles, who were getting a bit too snobby for their own good.

Reaching the station, we boarded it and took our seats. Bryan was at the far end of the train cart. Most likely wanting some alone time. As the doors closed, the train whistling, we were moving away from the Crystal Empire, with everypony waving out to us. That's a lot of moral support, that we could ever ask for.

As the train ride continued, Mum and Dad were talking to Chrysalis, who was really nervous about all of this. But my folks weren't talking to her like she was still the enemy, quite the opposite really. Seeing as they heard how her so-called sister tricked her and such. As a matter of fact, they're willing to welcome her into our family, which she took gratefully, as she hugged them both for dear life. They didn't mind, seeing as how much she actually loved Shining Armor back then. Yeah, she told us that last night. Awkward, but understandable. My big brother was an eye catcher for the mares.

I was sitting next to Cadence, leaning against each other, while Luna sat across from us. My parents and Chrysalis were sitting off on the left side. Looking behind me, I saw Bryan looking out from the window. It sucks that I can't tell whether he is looking out the window, or keeping an eye on us. Either way though, I'm thankful for him.

Eventually, we reached Canterlot. Stopping at its train station, I saw Bryan getting up from his seat, walking up to the door, with one of his big guns in hand...

(Bryan/Doom Marine, Canterlot...)

Taking out the Plasma Rifle, I switched the mods, placing on the Stun Bomb. Everyone started getting up from their seats as they saw me walk by them.

The door that leads into the next cart opened up, letting through one of the train workers. "Alright y'all, here we are..." When he saw me, he was surprised by my appearance. "Golly! What are you suppose to be, an alien?"

"Now's not the time." I snapped at him.

"Whoa! Easy there, stranger. I didn't mean to offend ya." He said, as he went to open up the outside door. "I'll just get this door here open for ya then." Nodding my head to him, he opened it up and I walked out, minding my head, since I was taller.

Giving the all clear sign, the rest of them started filing out. I had the Guard watch and protect the family and that, while I lead us back to the castle. The city itself was a real smoking dump; buildings were destroyed in the attack, the Guard working their way through all of it, while trying to keep the populace under control, and finding any survivors in this damn mess.

As we were walking on through, we got a lot of stares coming from the natives. Although, when I turn to look back at them, they just scuttle back from my gaze. At least this deteriorates any potential threats from them, just in case. There was some riots breaking out here and there, so to ease the Guards work, I fired off a couple of Stun Bombs to paralyse the groups. There were a few who tried to take me on, but a couple dozen warning shots later defused their efforts on making any future attempts.

Finally, we reached the castle grounds and headed on inside. It was still a shitfest though, much like the rest outside, if not worst. I had the Guard lead us all this time, since I can't remember my way around this damn place, still. Honestly, whoever built this place must have been high or something, because it's a fucking maze.

Passing by some of the Guard and Chrysalis's Changelings, they were working together on cleaning up the place. There were even those standing on guard duty with each other. But when they saw us, sympathy was all they could give us. They heard the news of Shining's death.

Although, we heard some Noble prick whining about stupid shit, that has no real reason in life at all. Turning around the corner, we saw a white unicorn, blonde mane and tail, blue eyes, yelling about something to the Guard. I wasn't paying attention to him, since I walked up to him, and hit the fucker square in the face, knocking out a few teeth. As he fell on his back, I planted a boot on his chest on hold him there, whipped out the Super Shotgun, and blown his face into the red!

Everyone who has witness this was shocked by this... Until they quickly gotten over it and went back to doing whatever it was they were doing before. This guy must have been a massive pain in everybody's asses for the longest time, if they don't give a fuck about his death! Damn, I'm doing more good for them, it seems.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Well, almost all of them, save one. Looking back at Twilight, she was staring in horror of what I just done.

"What?" I shrugged at her. "I just did everyone here a favour. We all have much more pressing matters to attend to, besides his bitching."

"B-b-but--!"

"Raise your hands if you all know... What was his name again?" I cut her off, but I didn't know the guys name. "Hey Twilight, who was this guy?"

"Blueblood! And he's the--!"

"OK, thanks. Anyone here gonna miss Blueballs, raise your hand!" I shouted out, cutting off Twilight again. I know I mispronounce that name, but I couldn't care less. Actually, I can, and I do for this guy. Annoying little shit!

Nobody raised a hand or anything, just looking at each other in confusion, while trying very hard not to let their shit-eating grins show on their faces.

"I have no idea who this 'Blueballs' is you speak of sir!" One of them holler back. "Any of you guys!?"

"Nope!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Nah!"

"Probably just some Nobody, sir!"

More and more joined in, as they seriously proved their displeasure to this guy. Which seemed to shock Twilight to no end. Weird. Although, what shocked her even more was her family and that's reaction to this.

"I don't know who this Blueballs is you speak of, my Doom Marnie. But his parents must've hated him." Damn Luna, that was cold! I'm so proud of you!

"I wouldn't let that boy near my girls." Twilight's father said, as he hugged both her and Cadence close to him. His wife nodding her head.

"Ew, that's gross. I don't want to go anywhere near that freak." Cadence snarked off, pointing her head up.

"I wouldn't let that loser no more than ten feet close to me." Chrysalis said with a coldness.

"See Twilight? Nobody cares!" I said to her. She didn't much of a response, but meh!

"ACK!! Sir it's twitching!" One of the Allied Changelings shouted. On reflex, I snapped at the body and blown it to bloody pieces. Which spattered all over the wall. "Oh goodness gracious, thank you sir!"

"Well, that takes care of--"

"What happening out here!?" And I was in such a good mood! I heard Tia shout as she was running down the hallway. When she was within striking distance, I unloaded my Super Shotgun, placed the shells in, rounded myself and smacked her with it. Using the under barrel to lock and load it, as she was found planted into the wall painted with the blood of that useless prick I killed.

"As usual Tia, you're such a buzz killer." After saying that, I walked off, leaving everyone speechless.

I was just wondering off anywhere, really. Because I wasn't in a talking mood with Tia at the moment. And off by chance, I found the entrance to where Tia sealed me up in. Opening the wall, I walked inside, leading me back to my Tombstone. Heading off to the left, at the back, this wall will lead me to our Base of Operations. Opening it up, I headed inside and flicked the switches to power this place back up to functionality. The high-advanced tech Mainframe of a computer lit up, as did the huge-ass room, which was integrated with a library off to my left. Going over to the computer, I placed in the password and gain access.

Scrolling through it, I tried to find something in here to help me track down where my brothers were being held up in. And just like last time, nothing. Sighing, I just keyed in a few commands to activate VEGA once more. No, he's no longer in the system, but he can still interact with it remotely. He has that robotic body, you know, the one where that Doctor Samuel Hayden made for storing his brain in? Yeah, that one.

Anyway, his pod open up, around back, and he walked up to me.

"Hello again, Bryan. It's good to see you up and about, once more." He said to me, sounding cheerful.

"You too, VEGA." I replied to him.

"Have you found the others yet?" He asked me.

"Unfortunately, no. Is our Satellite still working?" I asked him next.

"Yes, and I have seen what has transpired over these ten millennia, up to this point in time." He answers. "Shall I introduce myself to them?"

"Go, and help them out, however you can."

"Of course, sir. And please, do get some sleep." With that said, he activates a few of those little drones that carries those mod-packs for the guns, and heads out.

As for what he said, I actually took his advice, much like how everyone else has been telling me to do. Moving into the Library sector, I took a seat within the classic leather chair. Relaxing in it, I took out the the piece of the Crystal Heart and looked at it. Yeah, it didn't want to stay, for some odd reason, asking if it could come along with me. So I agreed to its wish.

Clutching it in my hand, I leaned my head back, as I closed my eyes and went to sleep, hearing the Crystal's soothing melodies lulling me to dreamland. Unbeknownst to me though, was that the computer was working itself on downloading some content...

Author's Notes:

So yeah. No mass killing in this one. Well, save for that one annoying guy. What was his name again? I can't remember, but who cares!?

Anyway, here are some of things you are probably wondering to yourselves: Who are the other four? I'll give you their titles, but not their names.

Bryan: The Bloody-handed Berserker.
???: The Hunter of Silence.
???: Deaths Runner.
???: The Mountains Pillar.
???: Collateral Damage.

Should be pretty obvious why they have those titles. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your treats.