From The Ashes Chapter 26, a my little pony fanfic

From the Ashes

Chapter 26

The Bane silently went over the map of Canterlot that his forces had aquired during their raid. The mountain city contained two major walls. The first of which was several feet thick and surrounded the entirety of the city. The second, which was even thicker, surrounded the castle. The first wall served little more purpose than keeping wild animals out, and could easilly be breached.

That is, if he didn't lose half of his forces to the rows of guard towers that lined the outer wall. Getting to the castle would be difficult as well, because it was surrounded by its own walls that were nigh unscaleable.

Luckily, they had their flying chariots.

And the Earth Swallowers.

"Bane," Fear said as he entered the Commander's tent.

"Master," the Alicorn replied dryly. "What is your command?"

"Our spy reports that both the Diamond Dogs and the Zebras have joined the Equestrian ranks. It is time that we eliminate their largest supporter. Kill Kyro Rühan."

Bane clenched his hands. "I will not kill another of my blood."

Fear chuckled and the runes around the Alicorn's neck glowed. "You have little choice in the matter, slave!"

Bane writhed in pain and fell to the floor. His torture ended aruptly as a low rumble was heard.

'-'

Private Tuxedo Charm felt something.

It was odd in every sense of the word.

Yet it was exciting.

He could not sit still. His nostrils flared, his hooves pawed the ground in anticipation, his pupils dilated, and his breath quickened, muscles tense.

It was a cold winter morning, yet he could not feel the cold, even with his armor against his fur.

He felt an urge.

A silly, childish urge, the likes of which he'd dismiss as fancy on any other day. But today was a red-letter day.

The Private raised his hoof and brought it down with all of his might.

Clop!

A mischievious smile found its way to his face.

Clop!

The musical part of his mind felt that it was missing something. He remedied it by beating his armored chest.

Clop! Clop! Clop! Clang!

He didn't notice the stallion next to him join his odd display.

Clop! Clop! Clop! Clang!

His squad joined in.

Clop! Clop! Clop! Clang!

Then all of his division.

Clop! Clop! Clop! Clang!

Then every single pony from Equestria to Saddle Arabia joined in. The rhythem got faster and faster.

Clop-clop-clop-clang-clop-clop-clop-clang!

The Catsiqotl Cats roared. The Diamond Dogs howled. Zebras yip-yipped. Buffalo snorted and bellowed. The Deer took up their baleful call. The Changelings fiercely trilled. Griffons roared and screeched.

Finally, Private Charm shouted.

"Rak chazak!"

The voices of thousands of ponies repeated the ancient war-cry, the meaning of the words having long since forgotten in the sands of time.

"Rak Chazak!"

"Chazak amats!"

"Tar ios mar lay!"

"Tar Waj pu!"

"Tar waj pu!"

"Ku yama ihn!"

"Yama jorda!"

"Lok zum Eli!"

"Emil zeklon!"

And then they all joined together in one voice, all creatures together, stomping madly as the beating of armor was forgotten. The voices of a thousand creatures echoed off the face of the mountain. And with a tremendous roar brought about by Spike the Dragon, there was silence.

'-'

"What was that?" Fear asked.

Bane laughed mockingly.

"All streangth and courage for the glory of our God,

All sreangth for Him in the face of sure death,

Invader leave,

Invader die,

Fight and die,

Leave and live,

And know the Lord stands with us,

This is your choice,

This is your choice."

"What are you muttering about, slave?"

"That, master, was a warning. A warning that I have not heard since Luna was a teen. The meaning of it has been forgotten by creatures younger than her. It has never been brought forth with such defiance. The Battle Blood has awoken. Your enemy is united!"

"We shall see."

'-'

"Good show," Star Swirl said with a chuckle. "It has been far too long since that cry has been heard!"

"Yes," Luna agreed. "It is a call that all can rally behind. I see that our defenses are in place."

"Indeed."

A fog had been put up by the Pegasi to cover the city up until the central plaza. Star Swirl and other Unicorns had set up illusion spells that covered every inch of the city. As an added method of defense, the Griffons had set up their cannons in addition to the Equestrian bastille on the walls.

When the enemy reared their heads, Canterlot would be ready.

"How much longer does Celestia have?" Star Swirl asked.

"A day at most," Luna replied. "I can only hope Blackjack will return in time."

'-'

Kyro held Lux in his arms as Xeni stood close by. The larva had opened his eyes for the first time just this morning. It wouldn't be long until he'd be able to make short flights above the ground.

"If only our parents could see him," Xeni said. "They would be so proud."

"Yes," Kyro agreed, setting the now sleeping larva in his crib. "Yes...but we shall see them again in Tio'qwäu, the Heavenly Meadow. I can only hope my father can forgive me."

"If I know your father," a voice said. "He never even blamed you."

The Monarchs turned to see a heavilly armored Alicorn stallion reclined at the wall. Kyro trilled angrilly.

"Who are you?"

"My name has long since passed through the sands of time. I am known in this age as: Bane. Tell the Queen to leave; she need not be involved."

"If you seek a fight," Xeni said, glaring at the stallion. "I will stand with my husband."

"Then you would stand with him in death? Who will watch your son?"

Xeni hissed at the unvoiced threat.

"Take Lux someplace safe," Kyro said. "Please."

Xeni hesitantly nodded and scooped the sleeping larva up and left the room.

"You have come to kill me," Kyro continued. "Why not all of my blood?:

"Because your aunt did not tell my masters that you had an heir."

"She was an ally?"

"Yes."

Kyro nodded, unsheathing his twin swords. "I have asked all I wish to know at this time."

"Are you certain?"

"I am."

"Then let us begin." Bane unsheathed his own sword and stood ready.

"Prepare yourself then," Kyro said. "For nothing easily bests the son of Gan."

'-'

"How long will it take you to get to Canterlot?" Blackjack asked, he and Flint walking quickly to the edge of the underground city.

"We will arrive by late-afternoon," the Captain replied, now dressed in the black and gold armor of his kind. "Long before the sun sets."

"Good. Make sure you give them a good show."

"Aye sir. You may wish to mount up."

"Mount up?"

Flint whistled, and Rocky came bounding in. A saddle was strapped on to his back and he wore black armor that covered every inch of him but the joints.

"Yes," Flint said. "Mount up."

'-'

"How much longer?" Malice asked as she paced. "I want to taste blood once more!"

"Patience sister," Fear replied. "The moment Bane returns, you shall have your fill."

"Your pet is taking too long," Sorcery said. "If we sent in Deciet-"

"No! I want to see him broken before the day ends."

"Then do it yourself," Despair suggested. "Surely you are capable."

"Is that a challenge, Blind One?"

"Brother," Betrayal said, joining them. "As much as I would love to see you and Despair kill each other, we have more pressing matters: our spy says that the enemy has put up a thick fog and shield around Canterlot."

"See what else he can discover."

'-'

"Officer on deck!" A Royal Guard announced. The other guards on the wall immediately went to attention as Flash Sentry and Thunderlane began to inspect their uniforms.

"There's a stray hair on your crest," Flash said to the guard he was inspecting. "Subtract five points."

"Minus five," Thunderlane repeated through the pencil in his mouth.

They moved on to the next guard. His armor was very dull.

"Did you shine your armor today" Flash asked.

The guard nodded. A lie.

"Dull armor, minus twenty-five."

"Twenty-five," Thunderlane repeated.

Flash inspected the guard again and saw that he was sweating. Odd, considering the winter air.

"Everything alright soldier?"

"Y-yes," the guard replied.

Flash blinked.

He knew that voice.

Sharing a look with Thunderlane, he removed the guard's helm.

Prince Blueblood stood there with a nervous smile.

"What the-?"

Blueblood kicked Flash in the gut and ran off.

"After him!" Thunderlane shouted.

The Royal Guards obeyed, breaking into a full sprint along the walls, Thunderlane and Flash following in the air once he had recovered.

Blueblood barreled his way through a group of Sea Ponies, who gave him a long string of curses as the guards followed behind.

"Captain Flash Sentry to Equestrian forces! Prince Blueblood is the spy, I repeat, Prince Blueblood is the spy!"

"I knew Blackjack was innocent!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Get him, Flash!"

"Working on it! Thunderlane, see if you can cut him off!"

"Got it!"

Thunderlane flapped harder and pulled ahead, kicking a door shut before Blueblood could go through it. The Prince looked wildly around, looking for an escape route as Flash and the guards surrrounded him.

"My Lady," Blueblood said nervously. "I'm afraid I've been surrounded."

"Prince Blueblood," Flash said. "You are under arrest for high treason against Equestria and the Crown, and for the framing of Blackjack the Fiddler."

"Unhand me!" Blueblood shouted as the cuffs were put around his wrists. "I am a Prince of Equestria!"

"Move."

Blueblood was pushed along the wall, shouting all the way.

"You are all going to die for nothing! Nefaria has shown me the future! They are the rightful rulers of this planet! Join them or-"

There was the sound of shattering glass. Someone screamed. Kyro Rühan lay bleeding on the ground. The Bane stood over him.

"Forgive me," he said. The Bane then grabbed a horn from his belt and blew it.

The mountain shook as gigantic worms broke through the mountain, the Void legions following behind.

The Children stood in front, unmoving in their black robes.

Flash looked out at the massive army before him.

"And so it begins."

"Null!"