The New Dark Ages
Chapter 1:
Upon the battlefield
Upon a large field, now turned battleground, there were many dead bodies scattered about. The corpses were those of ponies wearing golden or dark blue armor and the rest were changelings.
One side of the battlefield held what remained of the armored ponies, and the other side had changelings. There was a mixture of the two groups fighting in the middle of the plain, trying not to trip over those who had fallen.
"Retreat! The Demon is here!" A white unicorn in golden armor yelled as he ran from the center of the battle.
A few other ponies joined him in their attempt to flee, but before they could get far, a shadowy figure loomed up in front of them.
The shadow formed into the shape of a human that stood seven feet tall, and was dressed in black combat boots, black jeans with holes in the knees, and a black t-shirt that was covered by a long black trench coat. His red eyes glared at the ponies from underneath his hood, the only visible facial feature besides a few loose strands of long black hair that were waving in the gentle breeze. He had a sword sheath strapped to his hip, complete with sword.
The fighting continued on around this encounter, but to those ponies time had stopped completely as they gazed in fear at the being before them.
"I still don't understand why you all insist on calling me 'The Demon', I do have a name after all" The human said, his voice harsh even though he had spoken quietly.
"That is what you are, A Demon. You are nothing but the most pure evil" The unicorn replied despite being deathly afraid.
"Evil? Am I really? I only serve what I believe is a noble cause. Sure it might not be the best, but I have been treated far better by those whom I serve now than I ever was before" He replied casually, while sheathing his sword.
"You're nothing but a traitor" The unicorn spat back.
"Oh come now Corporal, you and the rest of the Guard know full well what happened, the only traitor to be found around here is Celestia"
"Shut your mouth Slade" Another one of the guards yelled as he attempted to swing his sword at him.
"Really?" Slade asked as his hand lit up with a green aura that also engulfed the sword and brought it to a halt. "You should know better than to try that Lieutenant"
"At least we defend our leader with honor!" The third guard yelled at him.
"Honor she doesn't have any right to" Slade said, glaring down at the three guards.
"You three are going to go back to your army, and order an immediate stop on this fighting. If this fight continues, I will show no mercy and mow down your forces in one swift stroke. I haven't done so yet because I still hold some respect for you" Slade told them as he stepped to his right to let them pass.
"Could we possibly negotiate or send forth champions?" The unicorn asked as the other two ponies fled.
"The only champion I will fight is Celestia herself. Negotiations would be sufficient, but I doubt she will give in to any of our demands" Slade replied calmly.
"Of course" The unicorn said as he ran back towards the main force of ponies.
Placing his hand on his throat, Slade spoke with a magically enhanced voice so all could hear his message. "My changelings, please cease fighting and return to our camp while the enemy decides the outcome"
With that, all the changeling retreated from the fight back to their end of the plain. The ponies did so as well. Slade simply teleported himself to the changeling camp.
One hour later, a tent was pitched in the center of the battlefield, equidistant from the armies' camps.
"So Celestia, you've come yourself. A shock to be sure, but a glad one" Slade said as he sat at a table that had been placed inside the tent. Celestia sat across from him, her face impassive.
"Now, as you know, changelings need a source of love to survive. However, stealing this love is wrong and therefore I have come up with a solution. I ask simply that we integrate changelings into Equuestria's populace over a long period of time. Only a handful need be integrated immediately. They will follow all rules and laws and will not be seducing lovers, they will have to obtain it the normal way" Slade started off, pausing only a moment to catch his breath and let Celestia ponder what he said.
"We would also say that we care not if you keep tabs on them twenty-four seven and have the right to arrest them if you believe them to be using their powers to manipulate ponies. We also ask that you take Chrysalis on in your royal courts, perhaps not as a princess equal to your own status, but as a noble of sorts" Slade continued, while watching Celestia's unchanged expression.
After the pause, Celestia finally spoke. "Is that everything?"
"Well we hardly want to continue this fighting, and we can tell the same of your troops. Chrysalis wanted a lot more but I am making the negotiations and not she, for I understand that there must be mutual agreement, and I know what is reasonable to ask for" Slade replied to her question.
"Well your presentation was well said, and quite easy to agree with, but what if I'd rather take your offer and challenge you?" Celestia asked, placing both hooves on the table and crossing them.
"Well that would be an unfortunate, and a rather large battle" Slade replied simply.
"I ask this then, should you win, what would become of Equestria?" Celestia asked, her eyes depending with concern for her citizens.
"Well to be frank I would accept the title of Prince of Equestria, and rule alongside Luna. I would still put the same plans into effect for the slow merging of the changelings into the populace" Slade said simply with a shrug.
"I see, but what pray tell, would Chrysalis do if I was to smite her champion down" She asked as her tone raised defensively.
"Well knowing her she would be relentless and send all the changelings to their death against your forces, and confront her yourself" Slade replied, looking somewhat disheartened by the idea.
"Would she be able to defeat me in her current state?" Celestia asked, pondering what Slade had supplied her with.
"I honestly don't know, but she has a last resort spell that would kill the both of you should she fail to kill you by other means" Slade informed her unhappily.
"I see" Celestia said, pondering her options.
"I know you're very against giving in to any of our demands, but the negotiations would really work the best for everyone" Slade said, trying to persuade her.
"And what would we get in return should I accept?" Celestia inquired.
"Well, I'm sure you know we don't have much, but we can increase the strength of your military, assuming your guards would be okay with becoming allies with the creatures they fought so hard against. Plus you know changelings make excellent spies and such" Slade told her.
"I have come to a decision" Celestia stated flatly as she stood.
"Oh? Do tell please" Slade said, as he also stood.
"I'm going to rid you all from this world. Not because it's right, but because I can't stand the idea of you being free after betraying us" Celestia said as she drew the magic sword that had been hanging off her flank.
"So be it" Slade said with a sigh as he drew his sword as well. "I had hoped to avoid this, but it seems your emotions have gotten the best of you, old friend"
The table was knocked aside as the two ran at each other, swords clashing in a shower of sparks.