The Raven’s Sky

by Chemtest

First published 18th of March, 2018

Ravens Breath has been gone for 200 years, the world is in chaos. Time for the Necromancer, Lord Ravens Breath, Lord of Magic, Lord of Life and Death to return.

Corruption. Death. Chaos and division. Such is the state of Equestria, such is the state of the world. A Wasteland where only the tough can survive.

Two hundred years have passed, and two prospecting ponies argue about where to go.

What they do will be but the first step in a long line of dominos.

For this is not the end, no matter what any god may say.

Debt

The sun hides away behind a cover of clouds. Yet it’s heat still gets through, and beats itself into any unfortunate enough to be traveling across the Lost Pegasus Way. The sand below absorbs what’s left of the heat, keeping the Ver inside lest they burn themselves trying to get a snack.

Rocks and dead trees litter the hilly desert, providing cover for any raider planning on robbing any travelers.

Ponies wait behind rock and bush, wearing red armor and carrying machetes which are slightly reflected by the shaded sun. They all look out, and watch a peculiar group of ponies.

They wander along, unaware of the eyes upon them. In the lead is a grey stallion, who’s green eyes glare ahead, and who’s dark suit absorbs the sun. Punching weaponry is on all his hooves, mostly knuckles of different quality.

Behind him are two twins. A mare carrying a sniper rifle, who’s white coat and mane glow in the little light, even if covered in dust and dirt. The stallion wears leather armor, and has a shotgun ready to go. He looks the exact same, yet his demeanor is a lot less energetic.

A huge skeleton stays near the middle, carrying a sledgehammer, and having the power to use it. His bones are bleached by the sun, and his eyes are nothing but blue dots.

A pegasus flies above them, wearing a form fitting suit, and with blue eyes scanning the ground below them. On his sides, he has firing mechanisms for a Crystal laser and a Smith plasma rifle.

Another stallion moves along with the group. His fur bleached to a miserable yellow color, and his eyes constantly look in every direction. Explosives are strapped all around his body, and he twitches every so often. He wears nothing but a simple shirt.

Heavy, metal hooves hit the sand, and sink in before they are pulled out. A stallion in Ranger Armor trudges along, the heavy suit and miniguns on his side dragging him down.

A final pony takes up the end of the caravan. A revolver is strapped to his side, and his hat is riddled with bullet holes. He walks confidently, a leather coat covering his fur. A strange mechanism is attached to his hoof, supposedly to fire the gun.

They get to the top of a hill, and look down upon their goal.

The ruins of an age old building lay toppled. Bricks flung everywhere, and different piles promise untouched loot. Bones also lay scattered everywhere, forming an almost complete floor under all the rubble.

The leading stallion sighs, and reaches into his bag. He pulls out a poster. It shows a combined army of skeletons, ponies, and changelings, all dressed in black Ranger armor, and with different weapons strapped to their side. They all come marching out of a tower, where an imposing yet small figure stands on the top.

He looks past the poster, to the current state of the tower.

The pegasus lands behind him, “An idea made too late, Sentinel. Because this is what happened first.”

He simply sighs, “Whatever. It’s just another relic of the past now.” He motions to the twins, “Shield, Shot, go ahead and scavenge everything you can. We’ll watch for Legion or Enclave.”

The two nod, and move down to the tower.

———

Magic flickers back to life, answering the call of it’s master.

It floats through the pile of rubble, until it finds the mostly intact skeleton laying there.

A black cloak keeps the bones together, still working after two centuries of waiting.

The green flame dives into the skeleton, working itself through until its end.

The kindling is set, the spark has been given, all they need is some oxygen.

———

Sure Shot picks through a pile of rubble, finding nothing but useless clipboards, papers, and pens. Here and there lay a weapon broken beyond repair, or a few stray bullets. Even an undamaged Crystal sits there, yet only one.

A small flash of light catches her eye, and she leans out of the rubble.

She looks to another pile of rubble, as a deathly green light seems to come through the cracks in the rubble.

She quickly draws her rifle, “Shield, need some help!”

Her brother rushes over, and quickly sees the green light. He nods, and puts away his shotgun, “Watch my back.”

He quickly picks up a stone, throwing it aside. He digs through, throwing at least three more pieces off.

A huge piece blocks him. He summons all his strength, and barely manages to shove it off.

The magic begins, sucking in the ambient Mana from around it.

A skeleton within lights up in a green inferno. It rages and grows, forcing Shield to take a step back.

Then, the skeleton takes a breath, sucking in the magic. The skeleton sits up, and takes a final breath in.

It looks over at Shield, and opens it’s mouth.

No noise comes out, and it looks down at it’s body. It takes a deep breath, and summons it’s Mana.

Flesh begins to grow out of him. Fur sprouts out of that flesh, grey in color. On his flank is a Mark showing a playing card with the Grim Reaper as it’s centerpiece.

His body fully forms, with the cloak changing to fit. He blinks his eyes, still empty of any ball. He looks back towards Shield, “As I tried to say; thank you.”

He draws his shotgun, “Who the hell are you?”

He raises a hoof, “I am-“ He then notices the lack of an actual hoof on that leg, “Ah, shit.” He motions with his other one, “Hey, could you please get that leg for me?”

Shield slowly moves to the leg, and kicks it over to him.

He takes the leg, and places it on the stump. With a tiny bit more Mana, the hoof has reattached itself. He nods, “Alright, now, let’s see if I’ve got everything.” He stands up, ignoring the shotgun being pointed in his direction. He spins around, “Uh, tail, there.” He stops the circling, and pats his head, “Horn is there, and I am currently bald.” More green fire sprouts near his head, and a black mane of hair sprouts out, unkempt but still good looking.

Shield cocks his shotgun, “Last time I’m going to ask.”

He looks in Shield’s direction, “Ah, yes.” He smiles, “I am Lord Ravens Breath, Minister of Death.”

Adventure

Raven summons a bit of magic, and a skeletal hand emerges from a pile of rubble. It tosses over Talons, which he catches and flips into a holster.

The mare takes a surprised step back when the hand appears, “What in Luna’s name?”

Raven takes a breath of the air, and shudders a bit, “Ech, that’s disgusting. Knew it’d be bad, but not that bad.” He looks over to her, “What, did something scare you?”

Shield pumps his shotgun, and levels it at Raven’s head, “What are you doing here?”

Raven looks over at him, right down the barrel of a shotgun, and he grins, “I could ask you the same thing. You are trespassing on government property, pointing a shotgun at one of the Ministers, and making unreasonable demands. If I wasn’t in such a good mood, and if I wasn’t two hundred years in the future, I might just have ordered your imprisonment for already mentioned reasons, or executed for a Loyalist conspiracy.”

Shield doesn’t waver, “One pull of this trigger, and I’ll wipe that grin off your face.”

Raven laughs, “Geez, you ponies are so rude, aren’t you?” He instantly loses the laugh, “Please, don’t act like you hold any power over me. This isn’t the first time I’ve found a shotgun pointed at my face, and it definitely is not the biggest shotgun. I recommend you put down the gun before I begin to take you seriously.”

Shield slightly lowers the gun, but shoves it back up, “You think you’re a tough bastard, don’t you?”

Raven sighs, summoning a skeletal hand from the ground that rips the gun out of his hooves. Raven smiles, “Perhaps you didn’t hear me. I am Lord Ravens Breath, I have been in this situation many times before.” He flips the shotgun through the air, and catches it in his own hooves. He levels it at Shield, even though he has to point it far upwards, “Now, if you want this back, I recommend you sit the fuck down, because I am tired of your shit already.”

Shield very quickly moves back, not wanting to mess with the child now pointing a gun at him.

Raven shakes his head, “No, no. When I say sit down, I mean sit down!” He smiles as the stallion sits down, “Good, now, how about we talk like adults?” He glades to his side, noticing the mare with a rifle pointed at his head, “Okay, look, I’m going to trust that you aren’t going to use that.”

The mare waits for a second, and lowers it, “Whatever you want to ask, ask it to me. I’m Sure Shot, he’s Sure Shield.”

Raven nods, and drops the shotgun, “Alright, good, I’m glad we can just talk. I have one question, and that is it. What is the status of the other Ministers?”

She shakes her head, “I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you mean. There’ve been no Ministers for long as I’ve been alive.”

Raven sighs, and throws the shotgun back to Shield, “Fine, I’ll believe you. Go ahead and leave, we have no more business with each other.”

Shot stares after Raven as he begins to walk away, “Wait, where are you going?”

Raven looks back, “Hoofington, it’s clear this world needs a healer more than anything else.”

Shot yells after him, “Why don’t you come with us? We have a town we’re founding!”

Raven stops for a second, “Are you tempting me to abandon my friends?” He twirls around, and begins to quickly approach Shot, “Did you just imply I should give up my will and allow my friends to suffer in the afterlife?”

Shot scrambles back a bit, “No, no, not at all! I was just saying-“

Raven creates a wall of bone behind her, which she runs into and stops her backing up. His eyes glow a slight red as he growls, “You were just saying I should abandon my friends! You were just saying that I should come with you and forget about my wife!” He shoves her against the wall the closer he gets, frightening her, “What do you think I am, a child?! Did you really think I would just follow you because you said to!? Are you so idiotic that you did not listen to what I said?!”

A loud bang comes from behind him, and Raven finds a new hole through his chest. It regrows instantly.

He wheels around, and sees Shield leveling a shotgun at him. He yells, creating a long arm of bone, and holding Shield by his throat. He gets closer, and the red glow in his eyes grows brighter, “You dare to shoot me? To attempt to kill me? You shall pay for that you cur!” He whips Talon’s out of his holster, and points it at Shield, “Your skeleton shall make a nice servant!”

Shot yells out, “Stop, please!”

Raven hears the desperation in her voice, and the red glow in his eyes dies. He deconstructs the bone wall and arm, “Damned Beast still isn’t giving up.” He turns to Shot, and nods, “I apologize, I shall leave you now.”

Raven walks into the distance, away from the tower, now noticing how little mana he has inside of him.

The Road Ahead

Raven trots along a ruined road, leading to the west. Ruined carts lay on the side of the road, their cargo never delivered. Bones still decorate the front of them, the only thing left of ponies from long ago.

There is no green ahead, behind, or to the side. All there is are dead trees, tumbleweeds, and mutated fruits every so often. No, the little green left doesn’t come from plants. It only is seen on a few crates and carts, the symbols for the Ministry of Death.

There is little color at all. The faded colors of carts long left abandoned are the only reprise from the dead brown of everything else. Not even the blue sky can be seen, as it is hidden away behind a blanket of dark grey clouds.

Raven coughs a bit as wind picks up some dust and throws it into him. Yet, even as he breathes in air to replace the dust, he almost regrets it. The dust is only a tiny bit worse compared to the ash tinging the air.

Raven looks up to the sky, and sees ash beginning to fall. Almost like snow, yet not carrying the comforting cold nor crunch one would get from snow.

Raven shudders as the ash falls on him. He puts up his cloak’s hood, and continues on, trying to ignore the ash.

He walks along the road, until he hears a screaming coming from above him.

Before he can even look up, a body impacts the ground before him. A pegasus lays there, slightly twitching. His form is completely obscured by a grey suit of Ranger Armor, yet a different design than Raven’s used to.

The pegasus mutters with pain clear in his voice, “I’m sorry General... I’m so sorry... shouldn’t go over Lost Pegasus...” He looks up, and sees Raven looking down at him, “Lord Raven... take mercy on me...”

Raven tilts his head as the pegasus stops, “Soldier?”

The pegasus doesn’t respond. After a few seconds, the glow from his armor’s eyes fades, indicating his death.

Raven looks around, and sees a nearby wagon. He summons all his strength, and drags the soldier over to the wagon. He struggles, and throws him onto the wagon.

Raven takes a step back, smiling as the ash stops falling on the soldier. He salutes, “No soldier should stay unburied... but it has to be done.”

Hoofsteps come from the other side of the wagon, clinking with metal. Raven looks around, and sees five red armored ponies there, with at least ten unarmored behind them.

The lead smiles, “Brave words, almost draws a tear to the eye. I must say, I am quite impressed you managed to drag that corpse all the way on top of there. You are obviously quite strong.” He draws a machete from a sheathe, “You’ll make a good slave for Legion.”

Raven smiles slightly at the pony, “Slave? You’re quite brave.”

The stallion nods, “Oh yes, every soldier of Celestia’s Legion is quite brave.” He walks closer to Raven, “Now, just come along easily. I’m already late to reinforce Emundans Victor Terra, so don’t make this complicated.”

Raven looks to the back of the line, seeing they are all foals linked together by chains, “Those ponies behind you, are they following willingly?”

The stallion sighs, “You Crusader types never come easily, do you?”

Raven whips Talons out of it’s holster. The hand cannon is leveled at him. With a single pull of the trigger, the stallion’s head disappears into a fine red mist, and his body begins to burn away with green fire.

The other Legion ponies all jump back, but instantly draw their own knives. They all charge towards Raven.

Raven reloads Talons as quick as he can, yet the fire rate is still leaves much to be desired. He can only get one shot off, which barely manages to kill one of them.

The other three get too close for comfort, and he has to jump back to the other side of the wagon.

He climbs into the wagon, and searches the body for any weapons.

The three round the corner, and look right at Raven inside the wagon. One yells, “Retribution!”

Raven scrambles in his search with haste as the three start to chop at him, “My Mana is already low, and I’m not wasting a resurrection on you!”

He eventually rips a weapon out of the holster, and he takes a crystal out of another pouch.

He shoves the crystal into the Crystal Laser Pistol, and it charges immediately. He points the CLP at the Legion ponies, and let’s loose a barrage of lasers.

With precision shots, he manages to take down two of them. Yet as he fires at the last, he finds the crystal out of charge.

The Legion pony begins to climb into the cart. Raven rips the crystal out of the CLP, and throws the pistol at the pony.

It hits dead on, knocking the pony back, where they land hard on the ground.

Raven pokes the crystal, finding it sufficiently sharp. He then jumps out of the wagon, landing on top of the pony.

He raises the crystal up, and stabs it down with all his strength.

It barely manages to pierce, and finds itself at the pony’s heart. Raven stabs down again, and the heart is pierced.

The pony sputters up blood, and dies.

Raven climbs off the body, leaving the body to be buried underneath the falling ash.

He turns to see the foals still standing there. He smiles, and holds up a key to their chains.

Traveller

Raven throws the key aside as he lets the final foal free. He nods towards them, “Try not to get caught again.”

The leader of the foals throws equipment from a bag to all the other foals. This filly is particularly noticble from a scar right next to her eye.

The filly nods, and tosses Raven a potion, “Here, painkiller.”

Raven catches the potion, and throws it right back, “Don’t feel pain, don’t need it. You need it more.”

The filly catches it, and shakes her head, “Whatever you say, edgelord. Only was willing to part with it because of your being a Crusader and all.”

Raven shakes his head, “You show such little gratitude for someone who I just freed. Run along, and I’ll continue on my own way.”

The filly looks at him, “Why did you rescue us, anyway? We don’t know you, you don’t know us. You got some second agenda?”

He sighs, “You are Equestrian citizens brought into slavery by a hostile, enemy nation. In case you slept in history, it’s your right to not be enslaved. Equestrian Lunar Constitution, Second Tenant, third line. ‘It is hereby declared that no pony shall ever be forced into unwilling servitude, within or without the jurisdiction of the Equestrian Nation’. I’m sure you know the line after, right?”

The filly raises an eyebrow, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Raven shrugs, “Hmm, I’d recommend you learn your rights, then. If you pick up reading as a hobby, then I would highly recommend that. If you read, you would have found out that slavery is punishable by death. Remember that in the future, because I expect you to shoot any slavers on sight.”

The filly turns around, “Whatever. Let’s get going, everypony! Lost Pegasus is a dangerous path, so keep an eye on each other!”

Raven spins around, and continues down the road. He can only barely hear the sound of another pair of hooves with him.

He turns around, only to see a grey pegasus filly following him. She carries an assault rifle on her back, and suddenly stops as she sees him looking at her.

Raven sighs, “Why are you following me?”

The filly smiles, “Oh, well, I just thought you could use some help, that’s all.”

Raven shakes his head, “Nope, now go back to the other foals. I am perfectly fine on my own, without worrying about the health of a mortal foal.”

She walks closer, “Cool story, still coming. You need a gun that fires faster.”

Raven looks at her assault rifle, “What, you mean that pile of rust? I doubt that thing can even fire, let alone pierce the skull or heart of a pony. Honestly, the state of that rifle is absolutely astonishing in how dismal it is.” Raven looks back up at her, “Look, if you are really worried about me not having a fast enough gun, then just give me that one. I’ll just throw it away, and we’ll never see each other again.”

She shakes her head, “Nope, you probably don’t know how to fire. When’s the last time you shot an assault rifle, anyway?”

Raven raises an eyebrow, “I don’t know how to fire? Listen here, I shot the first one of those ever in existence. How can you say I don’t know how to fire?”

She takes the information in stride, and nods, “Well, doesn’t matter. You need somepony to watch your back.”

Raven glares a tiny bit, “I am currently traveling in order to get that pony. All you have done and continue doing is delay my attempts to get him.”

She smiles, “Well, maybe I can fill in until you find him? Look, I’m being absolutely honest when I say I mainly want to go because I’m bored of them back there.”

Raven turns around, “Then just follow me. But if I get into a fight, I don’t want to have to cover your ass.”

She trots up alongside him, “Don’t worry, I have a tail for that!”

Raven shakes his head, “Ugh, you don’t deliver that nearly as well as Sombra. Don’t try the same humor as Sombra. Believe me, you will not be better than him.”

She shakes her head, “Geez, okay, no need to be harsh. I’m Bedlam, by the way.”

He looks over to her, “Raven, although you won’t need to ever refer to me by name.”

Bedlam smiles, “So, Raven, what’s your story?”

Raven sighs, “Open a history book, flip to the section labeled ‘modern’ and you’ll be able to learn.”

Bedlam loses her smile, “Oh... okay. I was hoping to hear from the source.”

Raven looks forward again, “Well, I’m not known for fulfilling hope. Perhaps you’d be better off with Sombra for that.”

Bedlam sighs, “Well... where are we going, then?”

Raven looks up, and a slight smile appears, “Hoofington.”

Bedlam regains her smile, “Really? That’s only a day away!”

Raven nods, “Yes, I know, such is why I chose it.”

Healing

Raven stands on top of a hill, and looks down towards the Ministry. The building looks just like an aid kit, blue with a green cross going through it. He begins to walk towards it, only to be stopped by Bedlam.

She drags him to the floor, and hisses, “What are you doing? There are Bluebloods swarming that entire building.”

Raven focuses a bit more, and can make out pegasi in the same Ranger Armor as the dead one he saw before. He shakes his head, and stands back up, “They’re soldiers, Bedlam. They are just doing their duty to the Equestrian Nation by defending that Ministry. I’m sure they’ll step aside upon seeing me.”

Bedlam hesitantly follows after Raven as he walks up to the building.

A Private stands by the door, CLR on his back. Raven marches right up to him, and salutes, “Private!”

The Private instantly salutes back, “Sir!”

Raven keeps his salute up, even as Bedlam approaches. She looks between the two, “Uh, what are you doing?”

Raven smiles, “Messing with the Private. So trained to automatically salute that he doesn’t even look at who called him Private.”

The door to the building opens, and another pegasus walks outside. He sees the Private, and begins shouting, “Private Beam, what in Tartarus’s name are you doing?!”

The Private doesn’t dare to move, “Standing at attention, Officer Loo!”

The Officer gets closer, “And why are you doing that?!”

The Private begins to lean away a tad, “I was addressed!”

The Officer looks as he leans away, “Well, you aren’t standing at attention anymore, are you, Private?! Put your damned hoof down and scan the horizon before I break your hoof off!”

The Private puts his hoof down, and begins scanning the horizon, “Yes, Officer Loo!”

Raven puts down his hoof, and snickers to himself. The sound draws the Officer’s eyes to him, “Were you the one who caused that?!”

Raven nods, “Oh yeah, it works every time.”

The Officer lets out a laugh, “Yeah, it does, doesn’t it? I have to do that more in the future, it always scares the shit out of the rookies.” He recovers, “Anyway, back to business. What the hell are you doing here, and who are you?!”

Raven looks up at him, “Ravens Breath, Officer, looking for something.”

The Private jumps back, “Raven!?” He draws his CLR and points it at Raven, “Officer Loo, permission to fire?!”

Officer Loo knocks the Private’s CLR to the ground, “Denied, Private!” He shakes his head, “You pull that shit again and I will personally make you into a cloak for Autismo!”

The Private begins scrounging at the ground to pick up his CLR, “Yes, Officer Loo, sorry, Officer Loo!”

Raven looks over at Officer Loo, “Loo?”

He nods, “Correct. I am Officer Scootaloo the Fourteenth!”

Raven takes a step back, “What? You’re Scootalooo? But, you’re male?”

He nods again, “I am a clone, a merging of her DNA with that of a volunteer. I am the best soldier in Blueblood’s Enclave, made from the DNA of the best soldier of your Equestria.”

Raven smiles, “Well, shit, no wonder you sounded just like her! Well then-“

Raven is cut off by the sound of a CLM firing. Four lasers impact the Private right next to them.

Raven wheels around, only to see a figure on top of a hill. He is decked out in Ranger Armor, and a Crystal Laser Mini-gun sits on his side.

Raven narrows his eyes, and a flash of memory fills his mind.

But Officer Loo doesn’t allow him any time to react. He instantly grabs Raven and Bedlam, bursting into the building with them, “Shit, we’ve got Steel to the hill, south! Private Beam is dead!”

Ten other pegasi soldiers instantly react. They all rush to nearby windows, and begin firing their CLR’s. Such begins the process of them ducking back into the building, and then firing back outside.

Officer Loo throws open a locker, once used for medical supplies, and takes out three different weapons. One of which he straps to himself, and appears to be a heavily modified Smith Gauss Rifle. He throws the SGR on, and rushes over to Raven.

He shoves another weapon into his hooves. A Smith and Crystal Plasma Rifle. He then gives Raven five crystals for it.

Then he gives the final weapon to Bedlam. A Smith Assault Rifle, in perfect condition. Then he gives her ten magazines of ammo.

He takes out his SGR and nods to Raven and Bedlam, “Raven, that SCPR will be able to pierce their RA’s, make each shot count. Filly, those are AP rounds, aim wisely and you should be able to pierce. Come on, let’s go!”

Raven rushes to a nearby window, and looks out of it. He can see the pony from before a lot closer now, and he can see more detail on his RA.

Raven wracks his mind for why he looks so familiar, until it hits him. He looks over to Officer Loo, “Cease fire, cease fire!”

Officer Loo looks towards the soldiers, “Hold fire!”

Raven looks outside the window, seeing the armored soldiers stop in confusion from the lack of fire. He smiles, “I recognize their leader! We can work out a deal.”

Officer Loo nods, “Whatever you want us to do, then ask.”

One of the soldiers speak up, “Sir, why are you listening to this Wastelander? The King wanted any Steel dead on sight.”

Officer Loo turns to face the soldier, “Because I couldn’t give a shit about what the King says, and you don’t either. We all know that the only one who should lead the Pegasi is Scootaloo. We all know that she was the strongest and the wisest of us all! Raven was a friend of Scootaloo. If she trusted him, then we can trust him. If she listened to him, then we will listen to him!” He looks back at Raven, “What do you recommend?”

Raven looks toward him, “He isn’t really the speaking type, and probably would try to continue fighting. If I were to truly recommend a course of action, then I would suggest you gather all your resources and return to your nearest FOB. I can have a word with him myself, and perhaps I can hash out a deal for a joint occupation by both groups.”

Officer Loo nods, “And who is this pony, exactly?”

Raven smiles, “Head Paladin Mass Offense.”