From The Ashes
Chapter Four
Another day passed and the trio remained in their bonds. They had begun to talk about their lives before capture, the changeling even revealing his name. Kyro. Kyro and Storm knew not to mention the subject of the prophecy, as well as Blackjack's friends, lest he have another emotional breakdown.
The three were discussing their treatment as slaves when several guards flew up to their level. They were cut loose and placed on the cavern's floor. "Why do you remove our bonds?" Kyro asked.
The guards chuckled. "Where you're going," one said. "You won't need them." The trio were led out of the cavern, being marched through the many tunnels of the mountain. Finally, they were shoved inside a very familar room.
The sunlight dazed them for a second. Their eyes focused on a white mare, polishing a helmet. "Xeni," Blackjack sadly said. "I'm back."
She looked up with tearful, purple eyes. "So you are," she replied. "I see you have brought friends. Princess Storm Icefeather, it is an honor." She bowed.
"There is no honor in this place," Storm stated, bowing back. "But I appreciate that you would still show respect."
"Likewise. Prince Kyro Rühan..."
The mare slowly walked over to the changeling. She stared at him, shaking her head as tears slid down her face. "I've missed you," she cried, hugging him. The two embraced, Kyro begining to cry.
"I've missed you too," he said. "Have you been harmed?"
"No. Not physically, but to my spirit. Watching you fight time and time again...with no guaruntee of you surviving..." the mare renued her tears, burying her face into his shelled shoulder.
"I survived Xeni, I always survive."
"This time I fear you won't." She looked at him painfully. "I know that is foolish to think, but I have a terrible feeling that you will die today."
"We will not die Xeni!" Kyro yelled, shaking her. "We have too much to live for." He looked at Storm, then Blackjack. "A nation. A home. Love."
"That can-"
"Xeni, the Hero has come."
The white mare widened her eyes in shock, slowly turning to Blackjack. "From the ashes..." Xeni franticly armed the trio and shoved them to the gate.
"Whatever happens-" Kyro began.
"No. Don't talk like that! You must live. Promise me!"
The mare and changeling locked eyes. A silent exchange of words made the Prince's eyes flicker. "I promise." The gate opened and the trio wearilly entered the arena, Kyro looking at Xeni one more time. "I promise." He changed into his pony form as he turned away.
The gate closed and the three stood in the center of the arena. The crowd was in an uproar, booing and yelling at the trio. An official hovered above them, waving a staff excitedly. "I present our most honorable Monarch," his voice echoed throughout the arena. "Queen Chrysalis!"
The volume of the crowd escalated as the Queen stood proudly in her booth above the arena. She waved a hoof and the crowd silenced themselves. "My subjects," she said. "Today promises a battle that will always be remembered. For today, these three creatures are to fight like never before."
"These three," she continued, pointing at the trio. "Are hereby sentenced to fight each other to the death."
The crowd cheered their approval, the trio looking at each other in shock and concern. "You can't make us fight Chrysalis!" Storm yelled. "Not by our own free will!"
"We shall see," Chrysalis replied slyly. "I was about to mention what the victor would recieve. Your father's sickness is no secret. If you survive, I would be willing to cure him."
Storm gasped, flapping her wings.
"Sickness?" Blackjack whispered.
"A terrible plague. That's how I ended up here, searching for the cure."
"A noble cause," Kyro said. "But are you willing to kill for the cure?"
"No. I don't want to kill anyone for anything, especially you two. The prophecy is too important."
"Exile," Chrysalis said. "My offer still stands."
"And so does my answer," Blackjack replied. "If you so much as look at her-"
"You seal both of your fates then." Chrysalis hummed happilly, smiling at Kyro. "Scourge...the champion of this arena...if you kill these lower creatures, I can guaruntee at least one life to be saved. Your unborn son."
Kyro clenched his teeth and raised his sword. "We will not fight!" He shouted, throwing the blade down. "Hear me slaves and citizens of Öuj'xik! Chrysalis' rule has come to an end!"
He changed into his true form, hovering above the ground. "I am Prince Kyro Rühan, Scourge of Despair, and rightful ruler of Öuj'vun!"
The crowd slowly built in volume at the news, many Changelings shifting uneasilly. "For over three thousand years has Chrysalis reigned," he continued. "In that reign, our land grew barren, our food run out, our people forced into hiding, and this arena became a means of murder and tyranny instead of the place of honor it was.
"Therefore I ask, if you are foolishly obeying Chrysalis, will you join this rebellion and help restore Öuj'vun? Or will you die for nothing? Finally, those who are tired of tyranny, let us rise from the ashes and reclaim what is ours!"
The audience was in an uproar, a twisting mass of black as changelings fought each other. "This way," Kyro said, joining Storm and Blackjack. "We must help the slaves escape before they are murdered by the guards."
The trio ran towards the gate the giant changeling had emerged from the day before, only to be met by a mass of guards. "Kyro," Blackjack said. "Are they on our side?"
The Changeling Prince scoffed. "Hardly. I shall make short work of them." He charged into battle, his arms melding into natural blades. His fellow changelings met him eagerly, slicing at him. He dodged and parried with the skill that thousands of years as a gladiator had given him.
Kyro had killed all but one when Blackjack broke out of Storm's grasp, blocking the death blow with his sword. "That's enough Kyro!" He exclaimed. "Stop killing!"
"This is a revolution My Liege," he replied. "The killing won't end until my throne is returned to me." The changeling attempted another strike, but Storm blocked with her sword.
"Blackjack's right," she said. "Have mercy."
"Mercy? They give none to us. Why not do the same?"
"Because a great king knows when to forgive those who have wronged him."
Blackjack had a sharp pain in his head. His vison flashed and he saw an image of a stallion looking at another in concern. He was sent back to reality, Kyro raising for another strike.
"The law says that all traitors in Öuj'vun are to be put to death," he said. Once more he struck at the guard. He stopped suddenly.
"Then kill me too," Blackjack said, standing protectivly in front of the guard. "If that's the law."
"What?"
"I was exiled because I was branded as a traitor. I need to die, because I am in your kingdom."
Kyro's arms changed back to normal and he looked at Blackjack in awe. "The law changes. Now. Get out of my sight, drone."
The guard bowed nervously and flew off. The trio entered the gate and quickly ran to the end of the cavern, breaking down the door. Kyro led the way through the tunnels, the three cutting down guards if they struck first. They soon found themselves at the gladiator pen the stallions had been held in.
"How are we going to get in?" Storm asked, pointing at the iron door. "It's sealed shut."
"That's where being a Changeling can come in handy," Kyro replied. He spit acid from his mouth, melting the door. The slaves inside looked at the trio in surprise.
"Good to see that you survived," a griffon said. "But you forgot one."
"He's on our side," Storm replied. "As are many other Changelings and they have the full protection of the Griffon Empire and I, Princess Storm Icefeather."
"We have to work with the bugs?!" Another slave asked in alarm.
"Well yeah," Blackjack replied. "Aside from mouths that spit poison, pretending to be our loved ones, and enslaving us, they're actually very nice people. Now, if you want to kill all of them, I suggest that you take it up with Prince Kyro Rühan, the Changeling that's freeing you."
The black stallion nodded at Kyro and the prince spit acid on the chains binding the slaves to the wall. They got up as fast as their bodies could allow, the trio and other slaves helping those who had trouble standing. "There is an armory nearby," Kyro said. "Follow me."
They ran through the tunnels once more, Kyro arming the slaves. They were met with heavy resistance when they entered a large chamber, Rebels and Loyalists meeting each other head on. "So how do we tell who's on our side?" Blackjack asked, parrying a changeling's stinger. "All of your kind look the same to me!"
"They wear the Mark of Shame on them," Kyro replied. "It's white, so you can't miss it!"
As if on cue, a group of Kyro's changelings dropped down from the ceiling, grabbing many Loyalists and taking them into the caves above, never to be seen again. "Brutal," Storm remarked as she pulled out a changeling's heart. "But effective."
"You took the words from my mandibles princess," Kyro replied. "You're quite the warrior."
"Call it instinct."
"Let's get back on track guys," Blackjack said. "We're trying to live remember?" He hit the bug attacking him with the blunt of his sword, knocking it unconcious. "Where are we going anyway?"
"The throne room," Kyro replied. "Chrysalis will be there, I'm sure of it!"
"Then let's get there already! You know how I am about having to fight!"
"I would've flown there already, however-"
"You don't know how to get there?"
"You are correct, My Liege. Three thousand and twenty-seven years away from the world does not help with navigation skills."
"Then allow me to assist you my Lord," a Changeling said, landing next to Kyro. "The throne room is in the center of the mountain. You will need to fly up the tunnel in the center of the ceiling and then go left. Major Yoos T'jun will lead you the rest of the way."
He was sightly shorter than the prince, but looked just as fierce. He wore the armor of a General, the Mark of Shame white on his helm. He had long dragonfly-like wings and a slender, sectional tail that ended in a scorpion-like stinger.
"Thank you General?" Kyro asked.
The new Changeling bowed and replied, "I am General Loq Yäjio. My stinger is sharp and I am ready to serve you, my Lord."
"You can put that stinger to use then," Kyro said as he skewered a Loyalist through his stomach. "Protect those who are not of the Changelings from death and have your men do the same. They will return to their families. Understood?"
"It shall be done." Loq flew off, relaying the orders to the Rebels and killing Loyalists.
"We might as well head up there," Storm said. "The faster we get Chrysalis, the better."
"Could you give me a lift?" Blackjack asked. Storm nodded and she settled down to all fours, the black stallion climbing on her back. Storm and Kyro flared their wings and they took off, flying into the tunnel.
They turned left and a group of Loyalists flew straight towards them. Kyro shot acid at a few, Storm doing her best to avoid the Loyalist's attacks. Blackjack slashed at the Changelings who got past Kyro's acid, causing a few to fall to the ground. Those who made it even farther, soon found themselves dead upon meeting the prince.
The trio flew on, engaging in battle every now and then. A sequence of insect-like chirps soon invaded their ears, Blackjack and Storm covering their ears in annoyance. "What is that blasted sound?" Storm asked.
"A cry for help," Kyro replied, his ears moving to detect the source. "There! Up ahead!" The sound got louder as they neared it and they noticed a Changeling sitting on the ground. They landed in front of it, weapons drawn in caution.
"Thank goodness you're here Your Highness," the Changeling said in a pained voice. The Changeling was about as tall as Blackjack, not counting the ears. The bug's ears were different than the average Changeling, the tips stretching into long, curled antenae. The bug held its bleeding side, sitting in a pool of blue blood.
"I assume you're here for your directions?" The Changling continued through clenched teeth.
"Major Yoos?" Kyro asked.
"Yes," the Major replied, grunting. "I am she. I am ready to serve you."
"Not with that wound you're not," Blackjack said as climbed off of Storm's back. "Let's have a look at that-"
"No...time!" Yoos hissed, her voice getting weaker.
"Let us help you soldier," Kyro said, moving Yoos' arm away from her side. A long gash was the cause of the Major's pain, causing her to lose a lot of blood. "How did this happen?" Kyro asked.
"A...Burrower...rammed me," she replied. "He thrashed...around trying to...free himself. He left me...for...dead." Yoos chuckled a bit, then coughed up some blood.
"Burrower?" Storm asked. "Is that an animal?"
"Not quite," Kyro replied in disgust. "There are five castes of my people, each having certain traits that classify them as such.. The casts are the Drones, the most common, the Guardians, much like General Luq, and the Infiltraitors, like Major Yoos. The other two are the Monarchs, who are similar to Chrysalis and I, and the Burrowers. Now, each caste is governed by a Monarch like me or a Monarch with the same traits as another caste.
"The Burrowers are slow and clumsy, on land and in the air. They are not usually the brightest, however an Elite can have the intelligence of an Infiltraitor, though Elite's are rare. They are large and heavily armored by their exoskeleton and sport a large, spade-like horn that is amazing for burrowing, hence their name."
"But do not let this fool you," Kyro continued. "They make excellent guards and are highly destructive in battle. You can see what can happen if they ever ram you." He pointed at Major Yoos.
"Interesting," Blackjack replied as he inspected the Changeling's wound. "We need to put pressure on this to stop the bleeding. Do either of you have any kind of cloth?"
"No," Storm replied. "Kyro, can you spit some goo on her?"
"That will do more harm than good," he stated. "That goo is made of chemicals that can poison the body if it gets inside. Seeing how Yoos' wound is through her exoskeleton, I cannot do that."
"Then we'll have to close it," Blackjack said as he ripped a piece of his pants off, wiping some blood off of the wound. "Kyro, do you know any healing spells?"
"Not for wounds this great."
"Okay, then I need you to cauterize her wound."
"I'm sorry?"
"Cast a fire spell! Isn't that something you Changelings do?"
"Blackjack, Chrysalis is the only one who has ever learned how to use fire and has kept that knowledge secret."
"Great..."
"Leave...me," Yoos groaned, grabbing Blackjack's arm. "You must stop...Chrysalis."
"We're not going to leave you!" Blackjack began to shake, tears begining to form in his eyes. "I've had to leave ponies behind once, I won't do it again."
I don't know how to use it, he thought. Or how to control it...even if I can, how do I know she won't die? I have to try though, I won't let her die.
"Kyro, Storm," Blackjack said. "If what I'm about to do gets out of hand, I need you to knock me out."
"Okay," Storm said curiously. "Why?"
"Do you remember when I told you I got captured after destroying an entire slave caravan?"
"Yes?"
"Kyro, did you ever figure out how I escaped from that Changeling's stomach?"
"No," the prince replied. "I do not understand why you're bringing that up at a time like this."
"Well, you're both about to find out how." Blackjack held Yoos' hand and asked, "Do you trust me?"
"Faith...can move...mountains," she replied, looking at him square in the eyes. "I have faith in you. Therefore...I do trust you...with my life."
"I'm not going to lie, this will hurt."
"I am not...afraid."
"Thank you for your trust, Yoos T'jun." Blackjack squeezed her hand lightly and closed his eyes. I will control it, he thought, bringing his hand over her wound. I just need to find the right trigger...
He thought about the dead baby at the slave market, remembering the fiery anger he felt that moment. He began to feel a heat in his body and he recalled how Storm told him to have hope. The heat vanished and he cursed inwardly.
I can't be angry or I'll lose control and Yoos will die, he thought. I can't be calm or It'll never happen and Yoos will die. I have to find a balance...but what?
He knew. He felt anger and sorrow choke him inside, only to be met with joy and happiness. The point of perfect control, he thought. Is where rage meets serenity... He remembered the anger he held at Kyro for revealing who he really was and his happiness to know Storm was alive.
He thought about his locket and the pictures inside. He remembered his sorrow when he looked at them in the slave pens and the joy he felt in his cell, when his best friend sent it to him. He felt the victory when he got to dance with the mare and the defeat when he was taken from her.
He thought of the friends he had gained. Pinkie Pie, the mare who had welcomed him to Ponyville and made him laugh. Rainbow Dash, the mare that taught him to believe in himself and be loyal to his friends.
Fluttershy, the mare who had nursed him after he took a bullet for another and told him to return kindness. Big Macintosh, his best friend. The stallion who proved to him that words can bring change and to enjoy the small things in life.
Rarity, the mare who taught him how to be proper and how to return generous offers with his own. Applejack, the mare who knew the value of hard work and the honesty that went with it. Sweetie Belle, a filly who helped him write a song, so he let her sing it for him on stage and earn her mark.
Scootaloo, a filly who encouraged him to look under the sky, so he helped her realise that her talent was to fly. Applebloom, the filly who helped him plant the trees upright, so Blackjack told her that her apple blossom meant she was a hard worker, even at night.
Pipsqueak, the colt that Blackjack helped discover he was meant to sail, because the colt always delivered on time, his mail. Spike, the musical dragon who had at first teased the stallion's blank flank, but if not for him it would still be bare, so for that Spike was thanked. Zecora, a rhyming enchantress, who taught him new dances, and gave him a cloak to keep warm in the dampness.
He remembered the despair at the trial and he remembered the hope the private investigators gave him. He thought about the good and the bad that had taken place in the last six years. Most of all, however, he remembered the first act of kindness to ever be done to him when he got the apple. He remembered how it wasn't his last, as a certain Unicorn didn't judge him, didn't fear him, didn't become his enemy.
Instead, she had given him a job. Instead, she gave him food, a warm bed, and a place to call home. Most of all, she became his very first friend. She had taught him how to make friends, ones that he was close to and became even closer to see him out of jail, to the point that they had called him...family.
Then, Blackjack recalled how she became more to him than family. It took him a long time to place what feeling he felt for her, but days before the gala, he knew what he would ask her to be. So he remembered the ring and he found his point of control. Twilight Sparkle was the key to his control. What he felt, was love.
Once again, he felt the heat in his body, but it wasn't a burning sensation. It was warm. He focused on the warmth, feeling it race through his body and go out his hand. Fire began to close Yoos' wound and she squeezed his hand so hard it hurt. Blackjack felt the warmth leave his body and he sighed, opening his eyes.
He smiled. Yoos' wound was healed and she wasn't ashes. He looked at Storm and Kyro, whose mouths hung open in shock. "H-how did you..?" Storm asked.
"The violin I owned and played the day I got my cutie mark," the black stallion replied. "Once belonged to Shadowblaze. The strings glowed at one point, so I assume it was enchanted. After that day, they never glowed again. I think that violin cursed me with Shadowblaze's control of fire."
"You should not use that power continuously," Kyro said. "It's a destructive, harmful thing."
"It also leaves me a bit drained. The first time I used the power, it helped the slavers, because I was unconcious afterwords. I'm stronger now, so I don't think I'll fall-" Blackjack's legs gave out and he fell to the side. His companions rushed to his side, fearful for the worst.
"I guess I fell," he joked weakly. "How do you feel, Yoos?"
"I am no longer bleeding," the Major replied. "But I do feel pain."
"Well, you did just have your body burned without any sedatives."
"Yes. Come, I will lead you the Great Hall." She began to stand, only for Kyro to push her back down.
"Your resilance is commendable," he said. "But both of you must rest your bodies. Storm and I shall fly you to the Great Hall. Is there anyone there who could get you to a medical ward?"
"Yes. Captain Kix'fa Gaea is there with his team of Burrowers."
"You do not seem to like him."
"He is an Elite Burrower."
"Noted. Storm, I shall carry the heavier load for you. Major Yoos shall fly on you."
"Oh thanks Kyro," Blackjack groaned as he was put on to the Changeling's back. "That makes me feel so good inside."
"I meant no offense. Changelings are just naturally lighter than ponies." They took off, Yoos giving them directions as they went. They soon heard the sounds of battle again and the group landed. Rebels and Loyalists fought on the ground and in the air, neither side gaining the advantage.
"Get down!" Storm yelled as a boulder raced towards them. She and Kyro covered their passengers, waiting for the rock to crush them. It never came. They looked up to see a large Changeling holding the boulder on top of its horn.
The bug set the boulder down, mandibles clicking wildly. "We need to get Major T'jun to a medical ward," Kyro said. "Can you help us?"
The other Changeling nodded, huge wings unfurling from underneath its blue shell. It hovered above Yoos and picked her up, flying her to safety. "Guys," Blackjack groaned, pointing at the end of the Great Hall. "There's some Burrowers coming and they look mad."
Kyro and Storm drew their weapons, ready to face the large Changelings. The Burrowers snorted and bellowed, charging at the trio. Kyro's fangs began to drip with acid, determined to keep his friends safe, or go down trying.
"Lord Kyro," a voice shouted. "I must humbly ask you to, get out of the way!"
Kyro turned around and he widened his eyes in surprise, pushing Blackjack and Storm out of the path of another group of Burrowers. The huge Changelings rammed into each other, both sides being impaled and toppled, flailing their legs as they lay helpless on their backs.
A particularly large Rebel Burrower had its horn locked with another, both bugs trying to wrestle each other to the ground. The larger one twisted its head sharply, breaking the other's horn off. It then flipped the Loyalist on its back and flew up into the air, morphing an arm into a blade, then dived down and impaled the Loyalist's head.
The Rebel Burrowers were victorious, the larger one walking next to Kyro as its comrads helped the other Rebels. "Thank you for the assistance," the prince said. "Are you Captain Gaea?"
"Yes," Kix'fa nodded. While he wasn't a behemoth like the Changeling Blackjack fought in the Arena, the Captain was still large enough to be intimidating, standing three feet taller than Kyro and was as big as a boulder. "My Burrowers are at your command my Lord," he continued. "How may I serve you?"
"I need to know if Chrysalis is in the throne room or not," Kyro replied. "There is also a matter of protection involved for these two." He pointed at Blackjack and storm.
"I connot confirm or deny her location, but I am more than willing to knock down the doors. As for their protection, merely say the command and every soldier loyal to you shall see them to safety, even if it means death."
"Thank you Captain. Please send a squad of Burrowers and Guardians to escort Princess Storm Icefeather and the Exile out of Öuj'xik."
"What!" Storm cried in outrage. "I will not let you face this alone! We will be no safer out of the city than in it!"
"I will not have the Princess of The Griffon Empire or the Exile be killed by my own people! You will be safe outside the city because nopony knows about my return or about either of you in these lands."
"Not yet," Blackjack said, standing. "I'm sure word of your rebellion will reach the rest of the country very quickly. After all, Changelings love nothing more than information, right?"
"Yes," Kyro sulked. "But when the rest of Öuj'vun learns of the revolt, my people will fight to reclaim what is ours, thus giving you a low profile."
"That's the point Kyro. The moment the Changelings know, Storm and I will be in the same position we're in now, if not an even worse one without you to make sure we're not put in chains."
"The stallion has a point my Lord," Kix'fa said. "If our own people do not know that they are under your protection, what then?"
"We'll put the Mark of Shame on them then," Kyro replied. "But my order still stands."
"Kyro," Storm said, putting her hand on his shoulder. "When I declared all of the Changelings fighting for their freedom under my protection, I meant all of them. That includes you. If I die in your lands, I will die alongside you, spitting in defiance of Chrysalis' tyranny. Besides, even if I could not declare your protection, I will not leave my friends in their time of need."
Kyro was silent for a moment. "Belay that order, Captain." A tear ran down the side of his face and he smiled. "I haven't had a friend in over three thousand years. But...I suppose I should make some new ones."
"Careful," Blackjack replied. "Friends can have a few drawbacks."
"Oh? What might they be?"
"Well, friends can be cranky. Rude. Jealous. Hurtful, even. Worst of all though, friends like to tease you. You see, friends are a handfull and none of them are perfect."
"Make sure you're ready to make that commitment," he continued with a smile. "Because if you're close enough, they might even call you...family."
"I'm quaking in fear," Kyro said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You forgot one thing though."
"Lay it on me."
"Friends will make you false promises, unless they're close enough to you. A promise can be held by the one who makes it, but their friend has to trust them enough, to believe that they will keep their promise. So I ask you, Blackjack the Exile, my friend...do you trust me to keep my promise in returning you to Equestria?"
"I do. But how good is Changeling food?"
"Delectible from what I can remember," Kyro laughed. "I will give you samples of our finest recipes when this is all over."
"Better make it a snack, battle's tiring."
"A meal."
"A lunch."
"A dinner."
"A feast."
"A feast! You ask much my friend!"
"Well, shouldn't a feast be held in celebration for your victory and coronation?"
"A feast it is then! Yes, we will have one for you! On one condition, of course."
"That would be?"
"That you fight with me." Kyro suddenly went serious. "I am not asking you to kill, but I need both of you to help me. Blackjack, I need to know what you stand for. Do you stand for all that is good and right or do you want to go home so badly that you will sit there and do nothing as we are slaughtered, to withold your of version of pacifism? I need to know."
Blackjack was silent. He watched and listened to the battle going on around him. Kyro's people were losing, but they died defiantly. He looked at Storm, the princess who had been put in chains, beat, and humiliated by the Rebels and yet, she had declared them under her own protection, because they themselves were against tyranny.
Captain Kix'fa, a Burrower, who's own people treated him like a pack animal, even if he was an Elite, rose up to save Blackjack and his friends because he believed in freedom.
Blackjack faced the prince again. Kyro had brought him from a sloppy boxer to a gladiator so that he could live another day. He and Storm falsly believed him to be the Hero in an old prophecy. They believed him to be the Demon, Shadowblaze. But that didn't keep either of them from helping him, from trusting him, from protecting him.
"I don't want to kill anyone," Blackjack said. "But I don't like bullies. Especially those who assassinate family and enslave their own people and others. I once fought in the street against a gang to stop them from beating up a friend and taking another's marehood.
"In the end, I took a bullet in my chest intended for my friend, my family. So, if it comes down to it I defend my friends, my family, from those who want to hurt them. I not saying I will or want to kill or hurt someone to help you, Kyro, but I'm not afraid to fight for my friends and those who need help."
"For that," Kyro replied. "I thank you."
"As much as I enjoy touching conversations," Storm said. "We have a rebellion to win, a queen to catch, and a throne to return."
"Agreed. Captain Gaea!"
"Yes Prince Kyro?" The Burrower asked.
"I am about to let our soldiers know that I am here. When the battle ends, wait outside the doors of the Great Hall. We will then break them down."
"What of Chrysalis' guards and the doors of the throne room? Undoubtably there will be many and the doors will be enchanted to keep you out."
"We are more than capable of defeating a few guards. As for the doors, they will not keep me from my throne."
"Understood." He flew off to battle, some Loyalists running from the sight of him.
"We're ready when you are," Blackjack said, unsheathing his sword. "Just say the word."
"My mind is sharp," Storm added as she tapped her head with her sword. "But my talons are ever sharper."
"Then my friends," Kyro said, morphing his arms into blades. "Let us do battle. Charge!" The trio joined the fray, the Rebel's determination growing at the sight of their prince. Storm took to the air, cutting a Loyalist's stomach open and impaling another's.
Kyro was an effective warrior in the air and on the ground, slicing several Loyalist's limbs off and then impaling them. He blocked a blow from a Guardian's stinger and parried, cutting it off. Kyro thrust his blade-like arms into the bug's armor and lifted him into the air, then dropped him. The Guardian fell to his death.
Blackjack was on the defensive, naturally. He did draw a few Loyalist's blood with his sword, but prefered his hand to hand style of fighting. He was quick to dodge their blades and delivered several blows to them in return, knocking each Changeling he faced unconcious.
The battle ended as Kyro melted a Loyalist's head with his acid, the remaining Changelings retreating. The Rebels shouted their victory and chanted Kyro's name. "That was fun," Blackjack panted, sheathing his sword. "But I don't want to do that again. Five against one are the odds I'm comfortable with."
"You'll get that many soon enough," Kyro replied. "Chrysalis' personal guards only number twenty or so."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Storm asked. "Let's finish this!"
"Patience my friend. Soldier!"
"Yes my Lord?" A Drone asked as he landed next to the prince.
"I want half of the soldiers here to join with the rest of the army throught the city. The rest will remain here to guard the Great Hall."
"It shall be done." He flew off, relaying Kyro's latest orders.
"Come," the prince said, turning to his friends. "Let us meet Captain Gaea at the doors." They walked towards the other end of the hall, the trio stepping gingerly over and around the dead.
"Are you alright Blackjack?" Storm asked the stallion. "You're shaking."
"It's all these bodies," he replied. "War is part of the reason why I became a pacifist. It brings nothing but pain, sorrow, anger, and...death. I was in Whitetail Wood when Ponyville burned, you know. When I came back...I thought it was snowing. It was actually the ashes blowing in the air.
"It was that moment that convinced me to be a pacifist. Because if violence causes so much destruction, then I want no part in it."
"Yet you fought here and you killed in the arena," Kyro said. "That doesn't make you a hypocrit?"
"I fought in self-defence and to protect you. I am still a pacifist because I only fight in defence. As for the arena...I wasn't killing a person, but a monster. That Changeling ate me and I needed to escape. I don't know why, but killing him felt like I did something right. I mean, he would've killed so many more if he wasn't stopped."
Blackjack held his head and he writhed in pain, falling to the ground. He saw the image of the stallion again, execpt it wasn't an image anymore. He was moving...talking.
'-'
"I worry about you my son," the stallion said. "You used to avoid battle as much as possible and now you call for blood?"
"Killing them felt like I finally did something right," a young stallion's voice replied. "They would have killed so many more if I had not stopped him!"
"So naive! Your uncle gave you orders to capture them, but instead you answered murder with murder!"
'-'
The vision ended and Blackjack saw his friends looking at him in concern. "Another panic attack?" Kyro asked.
"No," Blackjack replied. "It was a vision, so was the attack in our cell."
"Does this happen to you often?" Storm asked.
"No...at first, they were only images. But now...it felt so real. They only happen whenever somepony says a certain phrase. I brought this one on myself I think...that must be why the images turned into vision."
"These visions," Kyro said. "Do any of them feel familiar?"
"No. I honestly don't know why I'm even having them. Maybe some of the venom that Changeling used on me is still inside my system, making me hallucinate?"
"Possibly. Our toxins are known to cause visions...but the fact that you survived such an extreme dosage..."
"What?"
"I'll tell you later. Can you walk?"
"Yeah..." the stallion stood and the trio continued on. They met Kix'fa at the doors, the Captain bowing.
"I await your command,"he said.
"Captain," Kyro said. "As you know, there are several guards on the other side of these doors. Therefore, when you break them down, you must knock them off of their hinges so the guards will be squashed...like bugs."
"As you say."
"Good. Captain, bring them down."
The Burrower snorted, backing up and charging the doors. He did this repeatedly until he heard a large crack as the bolt broke. Kix'fa charged once more, both doors flying from his force. They landed with a thump, a sickening crunch following.
"Like bugs," Kix'fa said. "Shall I follow you in case of trouble?"
"No," Kyro replied. "Join your Burrowers in battle, I require no further assistance."
The Captain bowed and flew away. With a nod, Kyro led Blackjack and Storm inside of the center of the mountain. They walked cautiously through the next hall, which was decorated richly with paintings, sculptures, and silk tapestries.
The trio stopped at the end of the hallway, which split in three directions. "Which way Kyro?" Storm asked.
"I don't know," he replied, looking at each path curiously. "As I said, I have been away for far too long."
"That reminds me," Blackjack said. "How are you still alive?"
"Monarchs, much like the Alicorns, cannot die of old age. Unlike the Alicorns, who gain that trait from reaching their full magical potential, the Monarchs live on because my people must always have a Monarch to unify and protect them. Without us, Changelings are much like roaches. Paranoid and unorganized."
"So in that sense," Kyro continued. "We are like bugs. Now, if a Monarch is killed, another is raised to take their place, whether their offspring, or another's."
"That explains it," Blackjack replied. "You're still alive because you're meant to rule?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, as Storm would know, a ruler can affect their land in serious ways."
"I know that fact all too well," the Griffon replied. "Because of my father's sickness, he has been unable to rule. His advisor, Salladin, has temporarilly taken his place. While the situation isn't as bad as Kyro's, my people are suffering and that makes it all the more important for me to find the cure."
"That doesn't make sense," Blackjack said. "You're the Princess, shouldn't you be in charge?"
"Blackjack," Kyro replied. "Have you ever wondered how Chrysalis became ruler instead of me?"
"You said she took the throne from you."
"Yes, but how could she take my throne without killing me as well?"
"I don't know..."
"It's because Storm and I were not of age. I was sixteen when my parents died."
"I have looked for the cure for almost a year now," Storm added. "I am now finally twenty-one and can take Salladin's place."
"That's how it is then?" Blackjack asked. "You have to be a certain age to rule?"
"Yes. Eighteen is when you may begin to gain experience, but you must be twenty-one to gain the throne in my country."
"Enough of this," Kyro said. "Let us split up. Storm, go right and Blackjack, take the left. I will go center, but be aware. Chrysalis' guards are likely to ambush us and they are expert swordsmen. They also have a tendency to travel in pairs."
"Thanks for the tip Kyro," Blackjack replied. "Be careful."
"You too," Storm said. "Should any of us get lost or find the entrance to the throne room, let's meet back here."
"Agreed," Kyro nodded. "I shall mark the wall." He spit goo on the walls to his left and right. "Take care my friends." The trio parted, going alone down their paths.
