- >You carry Ulsted’s medallion with you and you walk back to the battlefield.
- >For the most part your plan has worked, though a few ponies didn’t make it.
- >The Erredians themselves crushed themselves against your front line and the ensuing swarm of magic and Pegasi tore them apart.
- >Their casualties are more numerous, but not plentiful.
- >Fatigue seems to have drawn the combat down, neither side capable of lifting a hoof at the other.
- >For all their training they still can’t keep up a fight.
- >You stop behind their lines, Twilight amplifying your whistle. Fucking magic.
- >You raise Ulsted’s medallion in the air proving his defeat.
- “Your leader has fallen my Erredian brothers. Submit or be Conquered.”
- >A whisper runs through their ranks as the battle is brought to a halt.
- >One by one, the barbaric soldiers get on their knees and submit to your rule.
- >Whatever punishment you have in store, they will take.
- >However, you have better plans for them.
- “Equestria is not the foe in this conflict, and neither is my home of Erreda. We have a foe more sinister then both.”
- >You seem to have caught their interest, both forces looking at you with curiosity.
- “The changelings have returned. They instigated this war for their own gain, and we fell into their trap.”
- >”We cannot stand by while we fight over this fallacy of war. It is up to us to resolve this conflict.”
- “Together as one, we will march forth and join forces with the armies of John and Celestia. Gather up your supplies, you move at nightfall.”
- >The weakened soldiers go to their respective camps and carry out your orders.
- >The mane 6, whom were still disguised, revealed themselves to you and Shining Armor.
- >”Twiley, what are you doing here?”
- >”I’m here to help Equestria. You need all the help you can get.”
- >”You could get hurt, you need to head back.”
- >You wrap your arm around Twilight, pulling her closer to you.
- “We both know nothing is going to stop her from doing as she wishes.”
- >”Aren’t ya surprise to see us sugarcube?”
- >You look over the armored group, all of them wondering.
- “I knew it was you the minute you entered my tent. Jackal Pep, really?”
- >”I thought it was clever…”
- “Well so did everyone else, just not me.”
- >”So what now? We wait for nightfall and intervene the battle between John and Celestia?”
- “That’s the idea, but I’ll be moving when we’re done here. I can move faster on my own.”
- >”What if the changelings get you? You’ll be just another victim.”
- “It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
- >”Well it’s a risk we will not stand for.” Rarity interjects.
- >”Yeah, we’re not going to have our newest super best friend go all alone.”
- “I’ll be fine alone Pinkie.”
- >”I’d like to go with you,” Twilight wraps her own arms around you.
- >She looks at you with big puppy dog eyes making you d’awww.
- >How can you resist a face like that?
- “Fine, but make sure to keep up. Stay here if you can’t.”
- >Shining Armor steps forward, “I’d like to go as well sir.”
- “No, I need you here. The troops respect you, keep them in line.”
- >”And what about the Erredians?”
- >You toss him the medallion.
- “As long as you carry this they’ll listen to your orders. You’re in charge now. See you there.”
- >You and the mane 6 turn and enter the forest, heading north to the next battle.
- >”How long will it take to get there do you think?”
- “Hard to say, three days if we stick to my pace, a week if we don’t.”
- >”Well what are we waiting for? Last one to reach the field loses.”
- “This isn’t a game Rainbow Dash. Make sure everyone okay?”
- >”Fine, just don’t go too slow now.”
- >You won’t, this is too important to take slowly.
- >You just hope the others can keep up.
- >”Anon we have to slow down.”
- “No can do Twilight. I told you we’d have to keep pace.”
- >”Please. Rarity wasn’t ready for this.”
- >Rarity? You make sure to walk even faster now that you know it’s her.
- >”Hey!” Twilight says irritated, “Slow down.”
- >You finally stop and wait for everyone else.
- >You knew this shit was going to happen.
- >Rarity finally reaches you limping weakly.
- >Even that’s enough for you to express concern.
- “You alright?”
- >”I can not believe I volunteered for this little expedition. My hooves are killing me.”
- “So you’re ankle isn’t broken or strained? Your feet just hurt?”
- >”Isn’t that enough?”
- >You turn your back on her and continue walking.
- >A hoofache? Really? You have more important things to worry about.
- >”Anon please. You have to help her.”
- “And what exactly do you want me to do? Carry her?”
- >Rarity looks at you with pleading eyes.
- “No, Absolutely not. Just suck it up.”
- >”Sugarcube, it’s for tha best.”
- >You look back to Rarity, still silently pleading for your assistance.
- >”Please Anon. I’ll be quiet…”
- >You cut through the dense foliage holding on to Rarity with your free hand.
- >”Cut a bit higher dear, my mane is being ruined by all these branches.”
- >And she said she’d be quiet. All the lies…
- >You cut a high branch and proceed through, an uncanny stench emanating from further up.
- >”You really must learn to bathe more. Do you always smell this way?”
- “Quiet.”
- >”That is no way to-“
- >You grab her mouth shut, looking deeper into the forest towards the scent.
- >Twilight hushes the rest of the ponies as you set Rarity down.
- >She squeaks when her feet touch the floor much to your dismay.
- >You shake your head and move further in, following your nose.
- >You keep your sword at the ready, though in this terrain it’s almost useless.
- >Another step and you’re peering down a small cliff where the smell is coming from.
- >You take a knee, saying a few prayers as the mane 6 come up behind you.
- >”By Celestia…”
- >You hold onto Twilight, “Who did this?”
- “War. Let’s keep moving.”
- >You guide the ponies around the grave site and turn your back on those departed.
- >They shouldn’t have seen that. The travesties of war are not for the faint of heart.
- >The damage has been done however, nothing you can do about it now.
- >It’s something they’ll have to live with now.
- >Not an easy task for them.
- >You set up camp for the night, building a small fire for the ponies.
- >They head off to sleep giving you some alone time.
- >You sit down on a rocky hill lying just above the treetops giving you a perfect view of the surrounding terrain.
- >The moon reflects off the leaves, the land morphing into a shimmering ocean, waves rolling across its waters.
- >You would have been there by now if you had left them behind.
- >Three days later and all you have to show for it is that you’re making some progress.
- >Perhaps you should just leave, right now while they’re asleep.
- >You look down, the forms of their sleeping bodies cast against the wall.
- >How could you leave them? It’s almost unthinkable.
- >Wait there’s Rarity, guess you can think about it.
- >Just a few more days and you’ll be there.
- >Your father will be able to hang on; Celestia’s the one you’re worried about.
- >If she’s routed, he’ll ravage this land plenty, exhausting himself as well.
- >Chrysalis will strike then, devastating their wounded army from within.
- >Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.
- >You find no solace in your dreams, nightmares plaguing you.
- >Your brother lies dead before you, Acus at his side.
- >”How would you like others added to this little display?”
- >A voice speaks to you, feminine and demanding in tone, but also weak.
- >Rarity, then Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy… Applejack…
- >”Is this what you want?”
- >Your mind is clouded, the voice seemingly coming from all directions.
- “Show yourself demon?”
- >A maniacal giggle surrounds you, “If you care for your friends you will abandon your quest…”
- >A large changeling steps out from the void, her green eyes glowing in the darkness.
- “Chrysalis…” She’s different than you expected, almost withered as if she’d been drained.
- >”You wouldn’t want anything to happen to that dear Twilight now would you?”
- >She hits you in your sweet spot, anger elevating.
- “You wouldn’t dare…”
- >”Oh but I do.”
- >You charge at her, thrusting your hidden blade into her chest.
- >A warm trickle rolls down your hand.
- >”A-Anon?”
- >You look up, Twilight standing before you, your blade in her torso.
- “No. No no no no.”
- >She falls limp, her blood spilt by your hands.
- >”Whatever happens to her will be your doing, not mine.”
- >You fall to your knees, hugging her in her final moments.
- “I’ll always be here.”
- >”Anon?”
- >You stop daydreaming and come to attention, Twilight speaking to you.
- >”Is everything alright? You’ve haven’t said much the past few days.”
- “Just thinking.” You put on a fake grin, “No need to worry.”
- >You say that, but that’s all you’ve been doing lately.
- >Ever since you had that dream you’ve second guessed every decision you make.
- >It’ll be your doing. Twilight…
- >”I think I see them? There’s a ton of them down there!”
- >Finally, you made it. Now to end this.
- >Men and p0ny alike fight in the open plains below.
- >The fallen are dragged away as not to litter the field with the dead.
- >Neither side seems to be making any progress.
- >You slide down the hill with the rest of the mane 6.
- >A small circle is emptied in the middle of the battlefield except for its two combatants.
- >One, Celestia. The other, your father King John.
- >They’re caught in a duel, the winner likely to route the other.
- >”We’ll get the forces calmed down, you stop them.”
- >That’s what you like to hear.
- “Just keep them away from each other however you can.”
- >”Roger that Anon.”
- >The mane 6 takes off into the fray, using their strengths to pull the two forces apart.
- >Rarity’s continued whining was sure to keep them occupied.
- >You dash forwards, knocking two combatants on their ass and flank.
- >No time for apologies.
- >Gotta Go Fast!
- >Carnage surrounds you as you advance forwards.
- >Ponies are pummeled relentlessly by the Erredians, while the Erredians are mauled to pieces by the overwhelming ponies.
- >Magic flies across the field, sending pieces of burned flesh and bone flying.
- >A hammer passes by your head, striking a pony in the chest, blood trickling from his mouth.
- >Fluttershy attends to him before glaring at the thrower, who backs the fuck down.
- >Bitches don’t mess with Fluttershy.
- >”I don’t think this is working Anon, we need something a lot bigger to get their attention.”
- >You pull Rainbow Dash down, escaping the oncoming axe.
- “Well then. We just might need that little something extra.”
- >She smiles getting the idea.
- “Care to win another 10 bits?”
- >She dashes, hehe dash, into the air giving you an accepting wink.
- >You throw yourself into the circle, the two rulers awaiting.
- >The king’s broadsword slashes through the air, Celestia blocking with her horn.
- >She pushes into him, throwing him off balance temporarily and shooting a bolt from her horn.
- >He barely dodges it, the soldier behind him fizzling into dust.
- >For an old guy he certainly kept his edge.
- >You move between them as he lunges forward.
- >His blade clashes with yours, using your two hands to balance out the force.
- >”Do not interfere child.”
- >He raises his sword to strike again, you meeting his own.
- “We’re not the enemy here, this is bigger than us.”
- >”He will not listen to reason.”
- “I’ve got this princess.”
- >He strikes your nose with his shoulder, a line of blood running down it.
- >”This is between me and her. Don’t make me hurt you.”
- >You wipe away the blood, raising your sword against him.
- “I won’t stand by and watch you destroy both my homes.”
- >Celestia stands behind you, “Listen to him.”
- >He gazes over your sword and then to his own.
- >”We thrive on war Anon. You should know that better than anyone.”
- “Then shift your gaze from Equestria, they are not the enemy you seek.”
- >”What do you mean?” Celestia chimes in curiously.
- “Both of us have been played. This war is pointless.”
- >”Then the accusations?”
- “Falsely charged. The order did not come from my father.”
- >”Then who caused this? I want a name,” your father demands.
- “Chrysalis, queen of the changelings.”
- >An explosion rings out in the sky, Rainbow Dash executing her Sonic Rainboom.
- >The soldiers gaze is turned momentarily, but they soon continue their rampage.
- >Welp, that didn’t work.
- >”The changelings you say?”
- “The same that attacked Equestria before. Who knows how long they’ve been planning this.”
- >Your disheartened father shakes his head, pulling a warhorn from his belt.
- >He blows into it, a roar cascading through the field of war bringing the Erredian troops to a complete halt.
- >”Stand down men.” He shouts to his troops, “This battle is over.”
- >You give him an accepting nod, though he’s less than receptive.
- >”A traitor’s blessing is as useless as the next’s.”
- >Even now you’re little more than nuisance to him.
- >You pick up your head, his second-in-command coming through the crowd.
- >”What is the meaning of this? Why have we halted the attack?”
- >”This war is over Tolwyn. Our enemy has shifted.”
- >He looks at you angrily, drawing his sword and advancing on you.
- >That motherfucker…
- >”What did this worm say? He will pay dearly for his lies.”
- >”At ease, I wish to speak to you.”
- >He eyes you, turning back and walking next to the king.
- >John wraps his hands around Tolwyn’s neck, twisting it with an audible snap, several soldiers flinching at the move.
- >His body hits the cold earth, his foot twitching a bit.
- >”Death is only the beginning.”
- >Tolwyn’s body morphs rapidly, his body contorting into that of a changeling.
- >Your father hmphs curiously at the development, though in a way unsurprised.
- >”I thought he was acting strange lately. Turns out this is why.”
- “If he was a changeling who knows how many more are.”
- >”Their ilk could reside in both our armies.”
- “Is there any way we could weed them out?”
- >”After we encountered them before, Twilight made sure to research their kind. She developed a spell we could use to reveal their true forms.”
- “Perfect. Twilight!” You call her name, appearing a few moments later.
- >”Celestia, I am glad to see you safe.”
- >”Likewise. Twilight, do you remember that incantation you spoke to me of? The changeling spell.”
- >”Of course, I completely forgot about that.”
- “I think it’s time you put that spell to use.”
- >Her excitement rivals that of Pinkie herself. She only ever got to show them to you before, but now Celestia got to see her as well.
- >Her horn burns brightly, a fiery glow coming from it.
- >A wave of light shoots upwards, layering the entire battlefield before disappearing in an instant.
- >You look around, everyp0ny the same as before.
- >They look about questionably, doubting her abilities entirely.
- >”I- I’m sorry. I thought that would work.”
- “Don’t worry Twilight, I’m sure it worked perfectly. Chrysalis wouldn’t be stupid enough to replace a large chunk of the army with her minions would she?”
- >You look over to Celestia who’s nodding her head.
- “Right?”
- >A wail screeches in your ears, accompanied by a series of continuous shrieks.
- >Welp, look who’s wrong again.
- >Soldiers from both sides begin writhing around in pain, their fellows backing away.
- >Their forms twist and reshape, armor loosely falling off their bodies.
- >Their blue beady eyes gawk at the others who are frightened by their appearance.
- >It takes them a minute to realize they’ve turned back to normal, and when they do it isn’t pretty.
- >They immediately leap at their fellows, sinking their sharp teeth into whatever they can latch onto.
- >You cut down one particular one who decided to make Twilight his target.
- >He should’ve known better.
- >Your father blows his horn again, “TO BATTLE!”
- >The four of you stand back to back, changelings scattered throughout the field.
- >You slash at a few that come too close, Twilight blasting the ones who back away.
- >Celestia and John prove to be an ample team as well, waving off a handful at a time.
- >The rest of the army isn’t so lucky. The surprise attack left many of them off-guard.
- >They’re being defeated from the inside-out, there’s no way they could’ve prepared for this.
- >It won’t be long now until they’re completely overtaken.
- >A second horn blows, this one from the hill you arrived on.
- >Shining Armor stands at the peak, your army meeting at his back.
- >He hollers and charges down the hill with the army, casting his famous shield around him.
- >It grows until it encompasses the mass of your army.
- >It slams into the changeling horde, the regular soldiers safe from its aura.
- >They build up on its exterior until all of them are pushed outside of its center.
- >Now separated, Shining lower the shield, both armies meeting face to face.
- >Now there are a group of pissed off Equestrians and Erredians ready to beat the shit out of some Changeling scum.
- >Oh boy do they have a fight ahead of them.
- >Now it’s a just slaughter.
- >The changelings had the element of surprise, but in a straight up fight…
- >You’ve seen children put up a better fight.
- >A blue mist sprays against your face, temporarily blinding you.
- >Pinkie Pie steps in wiping away the blood and firing her party cannon.
- >Applejack takes on a handful at one time, using her powerful hind legs to crack a few necks.
- >With the forces divided, this battle is all but won.
- >You pull your sword free, wiping away the blood with one of Rarity’s rags.
- >Celestia comes up behind you, putting a hoof on your shoulder.
- “How many casualties?”
- >”Too many.”
- “I wish I got here sooner.”
- >”You would have only delayed the inevitable.”
- “Perhaps, but it’d make me feel better.”
- >At least Shining Armor showed up to the rescue, he’s the true hero of this battle.
- >”Twilight’s worried about you you know.”
- “She always is. Anything particular this time?”
- >”She thinks the war is getting to you. Apparently you haven’t been yourself lately.”
- >Nightly visits from the changeling queen doesn’t exactly help.
- “I’m fine. I’ll be better once this is all over.
- >You walk away, back to camp as Celestia speaks again.
- >”Do not underestimate her Anon. She’s more devious than you think.”
- “You don’t need to tell me Princess. I figured that out already…”
- >Twilight’s waiting for you in your tent when you finally enter.
- >”Hello Anon.”
- “Twilight, what did I tell you about worrying about me?”
- >”You talked to the princess I see.”
- “Yes I did, and I want you to calm down. I’m fine.”
- >She sits down on your bed, looking over you.
- >”You say that, but you don’t appear to be so. What’s bothering you?”
- “Nothing. I just need some sleep.”
- >On second thought that’s not such a good idea.
- >You’re not exactly looking forward to tonight’s rendezvous with royalty.
- >”Right there. You look… different. What are you thinking about?”
- “I’m thinking that I’ve had a long day.”
- >You sit beside her on the bed, leaning onto your back.
- >”Why won’t you tell me?”
- >You sigh and shake your head.
- “It’s not something I want to talk about.”
- >”But it’s something you should talk about.”
- “Debatable at best.”
- >”Please, for me?”
- “Fine, but just let me talk, no feedback alright?”
- >She nods, listening intently.
- “You’re important to me Twilight, you know that. The way things are going, that may not be a good thing.”
- >She looks saddened by this development but continues listening.
- “This thing we have… It’s a burden on me. It’s an exploit others can take advantage of.”
- “A few days ago, I had a dream, more like a vision. I talked to Chrysalis, the queen, she showed me things.”
- “She said that whatever happens to you will be my doing. I watch you die every night. Whenever I close my eyes I don’t see my beautiful girl. I see death…”
- >This is notably distressing to her, her arms tightening around your arm.
- “She’s going to use you against me, and it won’t be just a dream. It’ll be real.”
- >”When the time comes, you’ll make the right choice Anon.”
- “You don’t know that.”
- >She rests her head on your chest, “Yes I do.”
- >You rub her back with your hand, lulling her to sleep.
- >It doesn’t take much to knock her out now that you know her tiny weak spots.
- >She dozes on your chest, listening to your heartbeat.
- >She has faith in you, which is more than you have for yourself.
- >But she has it nonetheless, and you have to be strong for her.
- >Chrysalis won’t use your love against you like a pawn.
- >She can have Equestria.
- >She can have Erredia.
- >She can even have you, but there’s one thing she can’t have.
- >And that’s Twilight…

