Spike laid on the rather uncomfortable dirt floor of the cave for a while now. He figured that everypony went to bed, so he tried not to make any noise. Even though sleep usually came to him easily, today was just too hectic to just ignore. Everything seemed to occupy his mind. His first concern was the purpose of this trip; to meet his parents. But what if he couldn't find them, or worse, what if they weren't what he thought they would be? He had hoped that they would have some compassion, but dragons were creature known for just about everything except their caring demeanor. Especially hearing Bastion's story about being abandoned by his entire family so indifferently…
Bastion's story was also very intriguing, about the history of what happened to the pony civilization before Equestria and the princesses. He and Twilight had read through nearly every library in Canterlot—as well as the one in Ponyville—and there were very few books that recounted any ponies that lived before the time of Equestria. He remembered hearing other scientist ponies and archeologists theorize cave ponies and their nomadic ways (Twilight always liked to drag him along to all these forums and addresses that were excruciatingly boring), but never had anypony thought that there was an ENTIRE CIVILIZATION that existed back then. But that wasn't the thing that scared him most; what happened to the alicorns? If Bastion was true (which Spike had trouble believing), and there was an entire city full if ponies with both wings and horns, where did they go? The only alicorns Spike knew about now were the princesses Celestia and Luna. He had thought that they had just lived forever, that they always have existed and always will, but now this crazy dragon was telling them that they were born, and had a father and mother? He knew that if Twilight was here, she could make sense of everything…
But she wasn't here. She was probably still in the hospital. Why did those Dragon Bloods have to do that to her? Spike felt so alone without her to help and guide him, and now he felt more lost than ever. Even with Applejack and Fluttershy helping him, he still didn't feel better; she had been with him his whole life, and he felt like he needed her now more than ever. He tried not to be angry, but whenever he thought about that pony, that grey pony that tried to get away… he wished Bandana hadn't stopped him. He was sure that a few more seconds pulling that rope would have exacted the revenge that Spike wanted more than anything.
He laid there in the dark, a million thoughts flying through his head faster than he could think up. "My brain hurts."
"Can't sleep either, Spike?" It was Applejack. Even from across the floor, she could hear his whisper. She must be having the same problem that Spike was having.
"Yeah… I got a lot on my mind."
"Me too. What'd ya reckon about this Bastion and his crazy story?"
"I don't know. It's crazy, almost ludicrous, but it seems true in a way."
"Well, I believe Mr. Bastion." Fluttershy must have been awake, too. "I mean, what could he gain from lying to us about this?"
"Ah dunno. This story of his is hard ta believe. Besides, he still hasn't given us an answer about how he met the princess!"
"Well, maybe he's getting to that part real soon. Just be patient Applejack."
"AJ, why do you dislike him so huch? I mean, yeah the story is farfetched, but you seem to kinda hate him," Spike interrogated.
She backed off, "Ah don't hate him… he just seems to be hiding something."
"Do ya know how much I be needin' me sleep, pony folk?" HBastion walked out from the darkness of the cave. He had a night cap on covering his hair, and his eyes were barely opened. "Ju be makin' all da ruckus wit'ja talkin and da conversin'… aren't ju tired?"
Fluttershy looked down apologetically. "Sorry Mr. Bastion… it's just that story you told us is, well, a lot to take in."
"Ah, yes... ju nevah knew aboud any a'tis Desolate stuff…iz a lot to take in at first, ah guess."
"Yeah, sumthin' like that" Applejack muttered.
Bastion sat down on the floor between the three confused travelers. "Well, ju already be wakin' me up, ah guess we bettah be getting' on with da story. Sound okay wit ju, mon?" The three nodded in agreement. "So, Cronos be gettin' de Elements, and be going back into da city…"
…
Cronos found himself in an alleyway near the local fruit market, about 5 minutes from Jove's home. It was nearly night time; he knew that he was running out of time before the rebels made their move. He dashed out of the alley, his shroud flowing behind him in its tattered condition. He went down street after street, combing the city for the crowd his marefriend could be found in. Ponies walking home for the curfew stared at the royal alicorn, surprised that he was on the wrong side of the wall in a tattered cloak; Cronos didn't care. He had to tell Jove what he now knew before it was too late.
He rounded the street that led to her house. Here the thought came to his mind; would she listen? She had been planning this attack for months, it was all she seemed to occupy her mind. Even as he ran through about how he could possibly explain the story of meeting that creature, meeting his mother who was deceased, and inheriting some all-powerful artifacts… she would never buy it. And why would she?
Ever since she came up with this idea, he had been against it, and her stubbornness only led to more and more contention every time the subject came up. He had ignored it for a while, but that only worked for so long. He knew what she would say, that he didn't want her to hurt anypony—which he didn't—but he still had to try… even if it meant her losing trust in him.
He turned a corner and found the group he was looking for. The ponies sneered at him as he forced his way through the crowd up the beautiful earth pony leading them into battle. "Jove! Wait for a second!" She was still too far away to hear.
"And what is it that you need now, your highness?" sneered Heracle, who stepped in between Cronos and Jove with a smug expression.
Cronos pushed him aside. "I need to speak to Jove. I have news that can change everything!"
"Take your alicorn flank and get out of here!" Two ponies grabbed Cronos and tried to pull him back. Jove turned around at the commotion and noticed the alicorn prince being dragged back into the crowd.
"Wait! What is going on?"
"Oh, nothing at all sweetheart, just taking out the trash…" Heracle was interrupted by a hoof lodged into his mouth. The force of Jove's kick knocked the pegasus to the ground with a whimper and a spatter of blood.
Jove yelled, "Let him go!" The ponies complied and Cronos made his way to her. He went to embrace her, but she pushed him back. "What? What is it that you need to say?"
"Jove, I'm sorry about storming off like that. But I found out a different way to fix everything. No one has to die."
"Well, that's pretty convenient for you, isn't it? The day we go to confront your father, you just happen to find an answer?"
"Wait… what?"
Jove stared him down hard. "I know you didn't support my decision in this, but I hoped that you would see logic. We need to do this. I hoped that you would at least support me. I guess I was wrong… Lock him up."
The goons returned and once again grabbed Cronos. Even with his strength and magic there were simply too many of them. "Jove, wait! I can explain! Please, just let me tell you what I found!"
"Cronos… I'm sorry. I really am. But we have waited too long and have suffered too much. Please, you know that this is what's right. Your father is evil, and you can't protect him. We don't deserve this."
"And my father doesn't deserve death. He deserves a lot of things, but I won't let you murder my father! It doesn't have to go like this. Please… just one minute. That's all I ask. I'll explain everything. After that, you can do what you want."
Jove bit her lip. She had to lead her troops, and she knew that Cronos would do anything to save his dad. But something told her that he was telling the truth…
"Heracle, take the group to the southern gate. Wait for me there. Cronos, come with me."
The group followed the orange pegasus, and the alicorn followed the rather annoyed pony down the street. It was already dark, and most of the ponies were already asleep. "I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm almost sure you're just trying to stall and get me to stop our attack, even though you KNOW it needs to be done. You know that your father is evil and yet you still protect him, even after everything he's done to us—done to me! All I asked for was your support and you couldn't even give me that! Now give me one good reason why I shouldn't give him what he deserves."
Cronos took a breath. Even as he ran it through his mind, his story was less believable than a bipedal mammal. He explained it anyway; "After I left, I went up into the mountains to think things over. Up there, I met the ghost of my mother—" Jove scoffed, "—my mother, who was the keeper of something called the Elements of Harmony. She passed them on to me, and they showed me a way to fix things without violence."
"So let me get this straight; you met your mom, who had been dead for 20 years… and she gave you some magical something that can fix everything?"
Cronos knew he was losing her. "I know it's hard to believe, but I'm telling you that it's the honest truth!"
"Okay, even IF this story is true, where is this all-powerful Element of Harmony?"
"Elements. And they're here," Cronos said as he untied the shroud on his back and laid it out for Jove to examine.
"This is it? It's just a rag, do you really expect me to believe that THIS will fix everything? I can't believe you would do this Cronos. I thought I could trust you. I guess I was wrong."
"You have to believe me, I beg of you Jove!"
"I can't." Jove went to grab the rag Cronos laid on the ground. She made contact, and froze. Her eyes glossed over and she completely stopped moving.
"Jove? Jove!"
Her trance didn't last long. Once she regained consciousness, her breathing was very heavy. "Okay I believe you." She threw the shroud to Cronos and started running, a look of terror on her face. Cronos followed.
"You saw what we need to do?"
"No, I saw what happens if we keep going with our plan. MOVE!"
….
The crowd waited a block away from the gate, out of sight from Tinia's guards. They had planned to attack the gate during guard shifts, take the next two blocks which would lead them to the palace, and attack the king in his royal chambers. The pegasi of the group would fly overhead to prevent any alicorns from fleeing and telling others about the attack. All of the ponies were armed with staffs and knives and other weapons, enchanted by the unicorns to make them resistant to magic to prevent the alicorns from stopping them. They were ready to move on Heracle's signal.
The shift was getting ready to switch. There was no sign of Jove. 'She must have fallen for Cronos's lies,' the pegasus thought to himself. He would have to take the lead of the attack. The time was now.
"ATTACK!"
Everypony charged the gates, made quick work of the few guards at the post, and charged for the palace.
….
Cronos still didn't know what Jove saw. Whatever it was, it seemed to terrify her. He was still running to catch up with her, she took off so quickly it took all his strength just to keep up. "What did you see?"
"I'll tell you later. For now, we need to stop our attack."
They finally arrived at the south gate… or rather, what was left of the gate. What was left of the metal divider was scattered along the ground along with the limp bodies of alicorn guards that Cronos presumed were guarding the gate during the attack. He walked up to one and checked his pulse.
"He's dead."
"No no no no no! This was supposed to be a non-lethal engagement, only the King! It's already happening…"
"WHAT'S already happening?" Cronos was now beginning to panic as well.
"We need to stop the rest of them NOW!"
They once again took off, this time towards the palace.
…..
Tinia lay asleep in his bed. Sleep came to him uncomfortably as of late, and tonight was no exception. Nothing he did could cure his insomnia, no amount of medicine or magic, even torturing the prisoners did nothing to bring him sleep. He decided to take another walk in the royal courtyards to relax himself. He rolled out of his bed, found his crown, and opened the door.
It was bright outside for a night, the entire city seemed to glow with a deep orange that seemed to rise from the sand. Tinia tried not to worry as he proceeded down the hallway and into the throne room towards the garden. Suddenly he heard it; screaming. Alicorn screams that even curled the king's blood. He woke up immediately; something was terribly wrong. He ran down the remainder of the hallway and threw the door open into the main chamber.
The entire bank district, it seemed, was in flames. He had no idea how he didn't see the enormous wisps of flames licking the sky, but now he could even feel the heat from so far away. What had happened? And where was the Alicorn police who should have taken care of the fire before it grew to such height. "Guards!"
One guard ran up from the bottom of the stairs. His armor was covered in soot, and he was breathing heavily. "What is happening out there? Why hasn't this been contained?"
"Sir…" he panted, "… the Police… they tried… but… the ponies…there's so many…"
"Ponies? What ponies? Are you saying that there are ponies on this side of the wall?" The guard nodded as he continued to fight for his breath. Tinia was shocked. He had dealt with the occasional rebellion since he raised the wall, but never had he faced a full insurrection, especially on this scale. Even now, as he looked out the window, he saw the rioting crowd of ponies charging the outer gates in a frenzy. The guards and police seemed to be doing their best, but it wasn't enough.
"Okay, tell Swiftblade to draw his troops back to the main courtyard. We can defend ourselves better there, there's only one way in."
"Yes sir."
Tinia was once again alone. He stared out on the once peaceful city, and knew nothing wou—
An orange blur crashed through the window and hit Tinia square in the chest, sending him backwards rolling on the floor. When he finally regained his balance and picked himself up, he found the culprit standing merely feet from him; an orange pony with a blade in his mouth.
…..
By the time they caught up with the crowd, they had turned into a crazed mob. Every guard that stood in their way wound up dead. They seemed unstoppable. Jove was even more horrified than she had been before. "It's too late."
"What's too late? Jove, what's going on? What did you see?"
"Heracle… he's gone mad. We have to stop him before it's too late!"
…..
"King Tinia… pleased to meet your acquaintance."
"What is it that you want, pegasus? Tell me or be smitten where you stand!"
"Me? Oh, I just want you to step down from the throne and give yourself to us."
"I hope you have more than that flimsy knife then, if you think you can take me, inferior. It will take more than a prick of a knife to intimidate me!"
Heracle laughed. Even to Tinia, something about him seemed off. "Oh, I think you'll be surprised to see how much a little PRICK can hurt!"
Heracle charged full speed. The king side stepped with ease. The Unicorn swung in a frenzy, so his moves were sluggish and predictable for an alicorn trained in combat. Tinia widened his stance and his horn began to glow. He would take the knife, and it would become the unicorn's own downfall. He closed his eyes… something was wrong. Where was it? He knew it was in the mouth of this assailant, but according to his magic it didn't exist. "What magic is this?"
Heracle took this moment of weakness to tackle the alicorn king as his eyes were closed, and pin him to the ground. He had waited for this moment nearly his entire life. "Your blood shall finally appease our families. The graves will sing with your cries… good bye, alicorn."
Tinia had no idea what to do. Even as the cool blade entered and exited his flesh, he still believed that this was all some elaborate and realistic dream, that he was merely asleep in his room and would soon wake up. The world began moving in slow motion, with each new thrust of the blade bringing a flash or red light to his eyes. He was so tired. His eyes slowly began to close.
….
Cronos and Jove tried to make their way through the crowd. If what Jove had said was true, they needed to take control of this crowd before Heracle did. But how could they? Nothing they screamed seemed to phase the bloodthirsty mob that continued to attack the alicorns leaving them dead in their path.
Suddenly, the worst came to pass. Above them flew Heracle, the head of Cronos's father in his hooves. "Ponies, our king is dead. His blood is spilt on the floorof the palace, and he will never again harm us!" The crowd screamed. "But we cannot stop here. Another alicorn will take his place, and drive us into the same bondage as this demon. We need to erast this scourge from our land, brothers and sisters. The alicorns must pay! Who's with me?"
The crowd screamed once again. Cronos now knew what Jove saw. His father was dead, and now Heracle would lead these bloodthirsty ponies across the city, killing all the alicorns; innocent or guilty. He had lost. He had let his mother down. Nothing was solved. Even his father, the one he despised most, was dead. For some reason, he still mourned his death. He was the only family he had, and now he truly felt alone. He stared at the head of his father and cried.
"Cronos, we have to get out of here!"
"No, we've lost. There's nothing we can do."
"What do you mean? If you stay here, they will kill you!"
"I'm already dead! I'm alone. Save yourself while you can."
Cronos felt her pushing at his flank as hard as she could. "Don't… go… self-righteous on me, you jerk! I still need you! My parents are dead too, remember? You're all that I have left, and I will kill you before you leave me!"
She was stubborn. But he loved that about her. He turned around and swung him arms to embrace her. They stood there for a moment as the city continued to be engulfed in flames, as everypony ran in terror and alicorns were being slaughtered in their homes and on the streets. "Okay, let's go." Cronos concentrated on teleporting both of them outside the city wall, and the two of them disappeared with a crack.
….
"So, dey foun' demselves outside a'de city, an dey start runnin', mon…
"You mean they didn't stay to help the others? What happened?" Now everypony was on the edge of their seats, both scared and intrigued at the solemnness that Bastion spoke in as the story continued.
"Ju see, there was notin' dat the ponies could do. If dey stayed Cronos would die."
"So yer sayin' that every alicorn died that night?"
"Ahm sayin dat ah've been all across A'questria, ah've been across de oceans, seen everyting in da world. Ah've nevah seen o heard aboud anodah alicorn out der." Everyone in the cave was silent. Even if it happened thousands of years ago, none of them had ever imagined a homicide on this scale was even possible for ponies to undergo. It seemed inequestrine. Even the most despicable ponies out there weren't capable of killing an entire species, let alone a race of ponies. It was too much to take in.
"Ah know dat dis story is sad. But it has de happy endings, ah'm tellin' de pony folk. How about we eat breakfast? Ah'll go get some!" The tall dragon stood up and opened the front "door". It was already daytime. Everypony else stood up and began to set the table in silence.
…..
Cronos looked at the city of Desolate from the top of the mountain. Even from so far away, the terror of what was happening felt too close; he could feel the heat of the fire that was engulfing the once thriving utopia. He could still hear the cries of alicorns being murdered by a ravenous group of ponies that would not stop until they killed every last one of the. And he could do nothing. Even with the Elements of Harmony at his disposal, he was powerless.
"Cronos, there's nothing we can do. I'm sorry. We have to go."
"I'm the last survivor. No one down there will escape. Tell me I'm wrong."
"We tried our—"
"TELL ME I'M WRONG!"
A tear came to Jove's eye. Cronos never saw her cry before. "It's hard to love the ones you love, I know. And to be the only survivor of… I can't even comprehend that. But I'm here. I remember you once told me that together, we can defy magic. I still believe that. Do you?"
Cronos nodded, and turned his back to the city, and feeling more alone than he had ever felt in his life, walked out of the Valley of Desolate.
