MLP - The Gathering of Magic
Ch 25 - Fight the Brood
PLAY: Departure - Hunter X Hunter Opening
(The music slowly starts to build as the sun starts rising over the lands of Equestria.)
Stepping firmly on the ground,
(In a grassy land, A male bends as he stretches.)
You are awakening,
(The camera moves as it reveals Alan looking up at the sky with a bright smile on his face.)
With the smile of an angel,
(Alan pulls his book out as it opens with different symbols flying out.)
Take me away!
(Camera moves back as different monsters were summoned as they ran or flew away. The title "MLP: The Gathering of Magic" Appears we the elements of harmony flashed in appearance with the book at the top center.)
You are not alone, even in solitude,
(Rainbow Dash flies through the skies with a rainbow streak until landing at the library with the other mane six as they cheered and waved with the six elements of harmony floating above them while glowing.)
There is definitely a reason as to why we are born.
(The camera moves as Luna, Celestia, Cadence and Shining come to scene as they smiled. The sun comes to the left and the moon comes to the right with a crystal heart floating down from the center.)
You can smile again! Bathing in the sun!
(Scootaloo is seen skating on a skateboard until skidding to the CMC clubhouse with AB crafting something and Sweetie belle singing a song before they face the camera and throw a fist up with their CMC logo appearing above them.)
You can fly away!
(Alan and the mane six are seen running through the grassy fields as the sun started setting.)
The world is awaiting your brilliance!
(The scene is next with five beings in cloaks that held smiles until moving to a dark void with the camera passing a shadow being that smirked before red eyes opened up, radiating with dark energy.)
Stepping firmly on the ground,
(Twilight fires a magical beam as Rainbow flies over and does a sonic Rainboom and vanishes in the sky.)
You are awakening,
(Applejack kicks a tree with apples falling while Rarity uses her magic and levitates different varieties of crystals and gems.)
With the smile of an angel,
(Pinkie fires her party cannon with confetti flying while Fluttershy holds a few woolen animals with a smile.)
Take me away! (You can smile!)
(Celestia and Luna radiate the sun and moon's light with gold and blue aura flowing until they faced the camera with a smile.)
It is never too late for a new "Beginning"!
(The scene changes with Alan kneeling, and bruised while holding his arm. The seven cloaked beings stood by his side with different colored aura flowing around them. Alan glares up at his opponent in shadows as it smirks and motions a hand at him and his allies.)
No matter what happens, keep getting back up!
(Alan rises as his book floats in front of him and opens, blasting energy around and explodes. The scene turns to Alan opening his eyes and smiles bright before throwing a fist into the air as his friends around him cheer. The title appears over with the elements and the book until the screen fades into darkness.)
Over the course of the night, my time was occupied by "bonding" with Moon and Nightmare Rarity. With all the practice I had gotten from my herd it managed to satisfy them. Infiltration had been successful, but now I need to figure out how the hell I could return things to normal. For whatever reason, king Sombra did not return to the chamber later that night. When the mares finally eased into slumber, Nightmare Moon gripped me tightly and refused to let me budge. At least I had a comfy place to plan out my next move.
To my anguish, morning came around quickly. My thoughts had been so focused on escape I never got any sleep. The queen stirred from her slumber and rose up from the covers. "Mmmm, such a lovely night.~" She moaned with a yawn and stretched.
"Uh huh..." I mumbled tiredly while rubbing my eyes. This was no time for me to be exhausted. I still have a goal to carry out.
Moon gave me a smirk as she turned to face me, not even bothering to hide her naked body. "I'm going for a stroll, you are coming with me.~"
"Alright." I nodded in reply as I got up from the bed. Moon smirked before pulling me close to her as she took me to the door. "Uh...are you gonna get dressed?" I asked with a blush. The mare grinned before conjuring herself a robe, but showed plenty of her cleavage and thighs. Thankfully she also returned my clothes to me.
"I see no need to cover myself excessively.~" The queen spoke, lifted my chin so our eyes met. I gave a small nod of reply before we left the chambers before walking out onto one the walls despite the snowy surroundings, no cold seemed to enter the castle. We strolled down the halls and saw many of the eldrazi. Sensing us near, the obiniations turned their eyeless faces up towards and growled hungrily. "Back to work." Nightmare Moon growled back dangerously at them. The creatures gave scared whimpers and rushed away.
"Nightmare," I spoke as she gazed at me. "May I ask how you came to command the eldrazi?"
The mare grinned as she walked to the edge of the wall. "My king, Sombra, was given them as a gift. They obey his orders, and respect his power. As I am his queen and wield my own strength, they fear me as well."
Fear, a powerful emotion to control others, but also a way to never gain respect by others. I noticed many of the drones were packing some stuff if I recalled. "Um...what are they doing?" I asked.
"They are preparing cargo that we will use to finish conquering the crystal empire. Sombra has told me that those...hedrons, if I'm not mistaken, are able to revive two of the great titans that were killed by four meddlesome planeswalkers. Something about the people watching over a gate or what not." Nightmare spoke.
My brain processed what she said and my blood ran cold. I was all too familiar with the founding of the gatewatch. They came together after sealing the eldrazi away on the plane of zendikar. During the struggle, two eldrazi with unbelievable power were killed. Two foes I could not allow be resurrected. "Ulamog, the ceaseless hunger...and Kozilek, the great distortion." I gulped.
Moon froze in place before sharply turning to me. "You know them?" I breathed softly and nodded. Her smirk soon widened. "Why this is perfect. If you know about them, releasing them will be much faster. We will bend the ponies to our-"
"Moon, that's a very bad idea." I spoke up quickly.
The mare blinked by my sudden outburst before crossing her arms. "And why is that?"
My gaze turned to the floor and I leaned on the castle wall. "There was a reason they had to be killed in the first place. Those two are referred to as eldrazi titans. Their powers alone are stronger than most of the brood put together. Each one of the three titans is terrifying in their own right."
"Not to worry," Moon grinned. "With my king, we will have them under our control, and be all powerful."
I shook my head. "You're wrong. They are a force that cannot be controlled. Don't you understand? If you revive them, they will cause havoc and destruction all over the world. They will kill everyone, even innocent mares, fillies and colts. Do you even care about their lives and safety?"
"You dare suggest we couldn't control them?" Nightmare arched a brow. "Be careful with how you speak to me."
"I understand," I replied. "But please listen to me. Are you willing to bring back these monster titans for the sacrifice and deaths of millions of innocent lives?"
The mare growled. "You try my patience. You will speak no more of this, is that clear?" I grew shocked by her firm tone and lack of care. "We will follow the plan. That is final. They are mere slaves that we can populate again. Now come." She turned and walked ahead.
I can't believe this...Twilight and the others were right. Talking to Moon was pointless. The mare I loved...that was not her. "...No." I spoke firmly.
The queen stopped in her tracks before slowly turning to face me. "What was that?" She snarled with a glare.
Tears welled in my eyes before I returned her glare. "I said no. The mare I know and love would understand what is in front of her. She would never sacrifice her subjects for power, or use fear to control others. I thought you would understand Nightmare Moon...but I was wrong. Twilight and the others were right. Talking to you was pointless from the beginning….you killed Luna, the mare I loved. You're just a dark shadow of her anger and darkness...you're a fucking monster!"
Quicker than I could react, Nightmare lashed out and gripped my throat in one hand. I choked and gasped for air while gripping her wrist. She lifted me off my feet and sneered. "I thought you could be spared and be of some use to me. Now I see that my gesture of good will was wasted on you." My tears flowed as I scowled at her. This was indeed not Luna...she was a nightmare. "I should have done this a long time ago…" Her free hand cupped and grew dark magic. "I'm through with you. You will be destroyed!" She gave me a sharp shake as I gagged. The force of the shake caused Luna's kunai to drop from my wrist band and dangle. It stopped at her eye level as the blade reflected a portion of the sunlight off the blade.
"What…?" Moon blinked at the blade. That was when something slammed into her body causing her to scream and drop me before clutching her head in agony.
I coughed while rubbing my throat.. "What the...?"
"Alan!" A familiar voice shouted in my head. My eyes widened as I glanced around and noticed Nightmare Moon still thrashing about while clutching her head.
"...Luna?" I breathed and stood up.
Moon slowly got up and opened one eye. It was not a dagger anymore, but the normal, warm and loving orb I knew from Luna. "Alan….you need to get outta here...I can't...hold her back...much longer!" Luna grunted.
"But...what about you?" I asked in shock. "I came here to help."
"There's nothing you can do for me now, NOW GO!" She screamed.
It tore me up. She's not in control of her actions and suffering. There had to be a way l can help her, but this is beyond even me. I need the others. "...I'll come back for you, Luna...I promise!" I yelled before rushing out of the halls, leaving a trail of tears in my wake. With gadgets in hand, I was able to escape the castle grounds and head outside. Good thing the troops and eldrazi were so focused on preparing for the raid.
Far behind me, a loud scream of anger rang out from the castle. Nightmare Moon retook control of Luna. Luna...I grit my teeth while trudging through the blizzard. No matter what, I had to return to the Crystal Empire.
Time was lost on me as I ran. It felt like hours, yet my body kept going without pause. Cold from the raging snowstorm or even the numbness of immanent frostbite slowed me down. Shivering and exhausted, I finally made my way to the kingdom. Everything looked okay so far. No sign of the eldrazi or Moon. Made sense as I had a head start. Sirens blared all around once I crossed the city limits. Drained of my stamina, I collapsed onto the brick walkway.
I heard muttering and looked up to see guards with weapons pointing at me. They seem curious yet warry. "Wait! He's with us!" A voice spoke. The guards moved aside while Twilight rushed forward.
"Twi…" I breathed.
The mare knelt down and cradled my head. "What were you thinking, running off into the blizzard like that?" She asked as her eyes watered.
My hand moved out and gripped hers. "I...went to...see her…"
Twi's eyes widened in shock. "You mean…" I slowly nodded. She grit her teeth before gripping my shoulders. "Are you out of your mind!? She isn't Luna anymore, Alan! I know you love her, but this is out of your league! Do you have any idea what she could have done to you!?"
My head lowered as I whimpered and my own tears fell. "...I know…you...you were right…"
Twi sighed and pulled me close. "He needs to go to the medical wing quickly." That was the last thing I heard before my exhaustion knocked me unconscious.
A steady melody of beeps on a monitor gradually woke me. My eyes met with crystal walls and IV tubes connected to my wrists. I breathed and slowly tried to sit up, but grunted in pain. Every few seconds, my torso throbbed and my limbs felt like lead.
Attempting to rub my eyes proved impossible. They were bound in place by a patch of purple glowing crystal. I sighed softly. "Of course…" Twi must have done this to keep me from running again...I can't say blame her. My book was at my side so I attempted to concentrate. The second I did, a searing hot pain flashed in my skull and caused me to yelp. Guess the book is acting up too. Perfect…
Moments later, the door opened. My remaining mare friends entered with Shining, Cadence and Celestia. When they saw me awake, they approached me, and they did not look happy. Knowing nothing I could say would excuse my actions, I kept quiet. Cadence and Celestia stood back while the others surrounded my bed.
"Alan, why would you pull that stupid stunt!?" Skittle snapped angrily with a tear leaking.
"Did ya have any idea how worried we were!?" AJ snapped as well with her scowl.
"We talked about this and yet you ran off on your own! Can you even follow orders!?" Shining yelled at me.
All their pain and bitterness rang loud from their continuous yelling. Cadence and Celestia glanced at each other until the sun princess spoke. "Everypony, please calm down." Unfortunately her soft plea fell on deaf ears. "Girls...Shining...please!" She spoke louder but to no avail. She growled softly before stomping her hoof. "ENOUGH!" She boomed in her royal Canterlot voice.
The room went quiet as my head rang painfully. The mares and Shining stared at her in shock. She never uses her royal canterlot tone unless it was truly serious. They started backing away while she approached me. Even when she kneeled by my side I kept my gaze down. "Alan?" Her tone returned to calm and motherly. I finally gazed at her pink rose colored eyes which radiated warmth. Silence fell for a moment before I whimpered and pressed against her, sobbing.
"I...I thought I could snap her out of it. I know Luna would never do anything like this. Nightmare...she's a monster...she's controlling Luna and keeping her prisoner in her own body…" I cried.
Celestia's arms wrapped around my shoulder as she sat on the bed. She stroked my back and laid her head on my shoulder. "Shhhhh...it's alright. I'm here, Alan..shhhhhh."
While the sun princess tried to quell my tears, Cadence spoke up. "What do you mean by what you just said?"
I lifted my eyes to meet the princess of love's. "Before I left...she was about to kill me...but…something happened. It was like...the real Luna tried to come out. I heard her voice before she begged me to flee." The others grew silent to this new information. "I'm sorry...I...I wanted to save her...but I...I…" The mane five were silent as I sighed. "Can someone please remove the crystals...I need to try and look in my book."
"No." Came Twi's voice.
"Please this is important." I begged. "I'm not planning to run, I swear."
"I'm not taking a chance." She stated firmly. "I can't trust you. You're not going anywhere, and don't even think about casting any spells. They won't work and will only hurt you."
I blinked. "What did you do to me?"
Twi I rubbed her arm. "I...put a hex on you."
I blinked again. "...you cursed me?" Twilight nodded. To my shock, even the others were a bit startled. "Twi…"
"You gave me no choice." she stated. "I know now you're not trustworthy enough to do anything by yourself. You will remain here."
A grunt of irritation was all I could muster. "You're treating me like a child, Twilight."
"I'm trying to keep you safe and alive!" She shouted. "Why can't you understand that!?"
"IT DOESN'T MATTER!" I yelled back. Suddenly, Twi's horn glowed and a beam of energy struck my cheek. Pain rippled across my face causing me to growl at her. "Fine then! Keep me locked in here and let everypony die when Nightmare Moon accomplishes her goal with Sombra!"
Twi's horn glowed a second time before Celestia yelled. "Twilight!" Her student stopped her magic and faced her. "Outside. NOW." Twilight gulped and followed Celestia out of the room. Something's telling me she is about to get the scolding of her life.
(POV: Twilight)
This is bad, Celestia raised her voice...at me. She's never done that before. We stepped outside the room and I flinched when my teacher gave it a slam. When I slowly turned to her normally gentle smile was now firm and angry. "...Celestia, I-" She held a hand up and silenced me quickly.
"What in the name of Equestria were you thinking?" Celestia asked with a small glare.
I gulped a bit as I fiddled with my fingers. "I...I just wanted to...help him understand that I wanted him safe…"
Celestia's eyes narrowed. "And you do this by cursing the one you love and using your magic to hurt him. You actually blasted him with your magic. I am ashamed of you."
"But you know what he did!" I spoke louder. "He ran away a second time and had us worry sick! He doesn't understand what we-"
"DO NOT RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ME!" My teacher boomed in her Canterlot tone again. Hearing her tone directed at me made my pupils shrink and my throat run dry. "I taught you better than this, Twilight Sparkle. You are the embodiment of the element of magic. You're supposed to help and comfort Alan, not hurt or make things worse for him. I did not bestow the title of princess to you so you could act like this."
My head dipped. "I...I just…" No matter how I tried, my words refused to come out together.
Celestia gave a sigh before kneeling and gently grabbing my shoulders. "Twilight, look at me." She spoke in her motherly tone this time. Tears ran down my cheeks as my eyes met hers. "I know you care for Alan, and I know you love him with all your heart and wish to protect him. But, he's not a colt. He is a stallion that can take care of himself. I know you've all been through some rough times, but you need to be there for each other. He trusts and loves you all dearly. No matter how hurt he is, he will never change who he is to you and the others."
I sniffed and tried in vain to wipe my eyes. "But...that's not the point."
"Then what is the point?" My teacher asked calmly.
"When he ran away the first time, he tried to kill himself. That shattered my heart and all of my friends as well. When he finally came back, he promised that he would stay by one of us at all times. Not only did he break his promise, but he ran away a second time...AND ALMOST GOT KILLED." I sobbed in my hands.
Silence fell filled the hallway until Celestia cupped my cheeks. She tilted my head upwards so my eyes gazed into hers again. "I know it has been rough since then. I understand you're upset, and that he has broken a promise and ran away again...but tell me Twilight, why did he do it?"
"Huh?" I asked through my tears.
"Why do you think Alan ran away again without telling us?" She asked me again.
My lip quivered as I sniffed. "Because...he wanted to see Nightmare Moon…"
"And?" Celestia asked.
"...and he knew we would stop him…" I whimpered.
The mare cupped my cheek again and wiped my tears with a thumb. "Exactly. Alan did all that to not only see Nightmare, but find a way to save Luna and Rarity. He knew the risks and still did it anyway. He will do anything to protect and save you all. Even if it put himself in danger"
A small smile formed on my lips. "Thank you...for helping me see this…"
Celestia smiled too. "I'm glad you understand now, but when this is over you will have a consequence." I nodded in understanding and now dried my tears. My teacher smiled before opening her arms for me. "Come here." I sniffed and embraced her tightly.
"I'm sorry…" I whispered in her shoulder.
"I know, but I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." She spoke. We broke our hug before walking back in Alan's room.
(Alan: POV)
There was a lot of awkward silence after Twi attacked me. My cheek still stung from her blast. Fluttershy sat on my bed and held an ice pack to my cheek. "Please...don't be mad at her." The cream colored pegasus squeaked.
I sighed with a small glare. "She doesn't understand. She's been like this ever since I came home and while she was a princess." AJ stepped closer and bopped me on the head with her knuckles. "Ow! Come on, you too?"
The farm pony glared. "She was outta line, but ya don't git it either." I gazed at her for a moment before sighing and looking away. "Ya broke yer word. We wanted ya with at least one of us because we were afraid ya would go and do somethin that might kill ya. Don't ya remember the hell we went through the first time ya pulled a disappearin act?"
"I do…" I breathed. "I'm not proud of it...but I wanted to protect you all when I unleashed that monster."
Skittles flapped her wings and took a seat on my other side. "How many times do we have to say this to get it into your thick skull? Friends help each other out. We know you want to protect us. We were trying to do the same for you. Do you have any idea how much it would have hurt us if you hadn't made it back from your personal mission?"
"...I can guess…" I sighed. "But, I knew the risks. That's why I left. I left to help Luna and Rarity. As you said, friends help each other."
Pinkie Pie took the moment to chime in. "Yes, but you need to listen to your friends when they tell you that somethings can't be helped alone. I'm sure you found that out when you came across Nightmare Moon."
"I know…." I sighed. "But I couldn't stand by and let Moon take over my friends….Luna and Rarity mean a lot to me."
A chuckle came from my side. "Then what about us?" Skittles spoke softly.
"I care for all of you too." I replied back quickly. "You all mean so much...it's just, without you all with me...it feels incomplete."
"Could you...at least try not to run off by yourself again? Friends can't help each other if one goes off solo." The cyan pegasus asked.
I glanced at her and the others before breathing deeply and smiled. "...I can try." Rainbow sighed and squeezed me in a hug. The doors opened again as Celestia and Twilight reentered. Twi approached the bed with a calmer yet deflated expression. Her eyes were bloodshot, and the little makeup she chose to wear bled a bit down her cheeks. "...hey…" I spoke softly.
"Hey…" Twilight breathed back. "...look...I know what I did was wrong...I just...I…" Her speech went silent before she gulped. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry."
The mare sat still avoiding my eyes. Part of me wanted to be mad, but the more I thought it over, the more I felt sorry for her. Finally, I sighed and gestured my head forward. "Come here." The princess's mood improved as she leaned down and hugged me. When she pulled back, I spoke again. "Now can you free me, please? Also, I would prefer not to have a migraine every time I try to cast a spell." Twilight smiled with a nod as her horn glowed. The shackles that held me in place stopped glowing and snapped open. Now free, I sat up and rubbed my wrists. "Thanks."
She gave a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry for all this." Twi placed a finger to my head until a tiny zap was heard. "I removed the hex too."
"Thanks." I smiled before cupping her cheek and planted a soft kiss to her lips.
With Twi and myself back on neutral grounds, Celestia came to the foot of my bed. "Alan, tell us everything." I took a deep breath and recounted everything of importance that occured this morning at the enemy's castle. The girls listened with wide eyes as I told them about the impending raid on the Crystal Empire. When I got to their objective, their expressions turned grim.
"Sombra and Nightmare moon are planning to revive Ulamog and Kozilek." I finished with a sigh. "If they succeed...I'm not sure even I can stop them."
The others looked among each other until Celestia spoke. "How long do we have until the enemy arrives?"
"A few days at best," I replied. "But after my escape, I believe Nightmare Moon informed Sombra. With that in mind, they'll probably strike sooner."
"Is there anyway to prevent them from calling upon those beasts?" Shining asked.
"If we can destroy the hedrons before they manage to fuse enough mana into them, then reviving them should prove impossible." I answered.
"But if my memories served me correctly," Cadence spoke. "Those monsters will try to protect them with their lives, and we won't be able to fight them since they can drain our magic."
"Cadence is right, Alan," Twilight spoke. "How are we supposed to fight those things if we can't use our magic?"
"The reason you guys can't fight them is because you all used magic based attacks. Planeswalkers like myself use mana to summon creatures, weapons, or create something like fire to fight with." I explained.
"So in other words, we don't stand a chance." Skittles sighed.
My head dipped. "I can provide you all with weapons...but I fear that you may have to leave the actual fighting to me."
Celestia pondered a bit. "Is there any way we can use our magic to assist you without giving Nightmare Moon's army an advantage?"
"I-" At the moment, the room gave a rumble as a loud thud was heard outside the window. "What was that?" We approached the window to see what was going on. Outside in the snow stood a pale blue colored mechanical creature. The being was standing upon four long legs like a spider. In the center on top of its head was a massive buld like object with streaks of light blue glowing through it. It also had two skinny arms.
"W-What is that thing?" Fluttershy squeaked as she hid behind me.
"Is it...one of those beasts?" Asked Cadence.
I shook my head. "No, it's not an eldrazi. That being is a magic infused construct, like my angel I gave to Celestia."
The mares gazed at me. "You summoned it?" Shining asked curiously.
I held up my hands in defense. "I didn't do that..." We saw the creature glint up at us with bright blue eyes.
It spotted me before shifting its body. "Greetings, Alan." It spoke to us.
AJ blinked. "That thing knows ya?"
"Of course I know him," The robot answered. "I am a general of his army."
"Wait what?" I blinked. Memories flashed back to my conversation with Ugin so long ago. "Oh...I was wondering how it would be before I met you guys."
The creature below bellowed in laughter. "In case you don't remember my name, I am Memnarch."
"Memnarch…" I breathed.
Celestia looked at me before the robot. "So you'll be helping us against these Eldrazi monsters?"
"I shall, now please stay still." There was a flash of blue light before he disappeared. Seconds later a second flash of light filled the room as Memnarch appeared behind us.
I faced him before approaching. "So if you can help us, we need to prepare for Moon and Sombra's raiding party. We need to stop them from reviving the Eldrazi titans."
My general scratched his chin. "Hmmmm, how are they planning on reviving those brutes?"
"With a set of hedrons." I answered. Without warning the metal wizard began to laugh hard. "You...find that funny?"
"You misunderstand me." Memnarch grinned. "I can steal away artifacts from people."
My eyes blinked in surprise to this new information. "If you can…" My eyes widened with a smile. "This is perfect! If we can get you close somehow, you can take the hedrons and they won't be able to revive the titans."
A new chuckle was heard from Memnarch. "Why do that when I can turn any one eldrazi into a metal infused creature then brainwash them from afar?" I blinked again.
"...I don't know about you, but I think with your help, we have a chance to stop them." I smiled.
"That being said, boss, you will still want to give your…" He glanced at the girls. "Hmm...interesting species for a human to want to mate with. At any rate, you should still give them weapons and armor as well as build up your army."
I blushed a bit by his first statement but shrugged it off. With a breath, I turned to the girls. "Girls, I know you're all not fond of fighting...even killing, but this is not like any other battle you have faced...you will need to fight for your lives. Are you willing to defend our home and freedom?"
Skittles nodded and cracked her knuckles. "Let's show those slimy creeps the door." The others nodded in agreement.
I gave them a small smile and nod before I opened my book. Multiple sets of armor and weapons clinked onto the floor. "Then suit up girls. A war is about to begin."
At that moment, the door swung open. A guard panted heavily with exhaustion. "E...e...enemy spotted...on the horizon, Sir."
Shining narrowed his eyes. "Prepare all soldiers for battle. Protect the citizens and the Crystal Heart at all cost." The soldier saluted before running out of the room.
"Our battle begins." I breathed.
An hour later, the ten of us stood in wait atop the empire's northern wall. The girls were tense, even scared. I can't blame them though. From what I knew about them, they had never been in an actual battle that required bloodshed. But, this was not like any other battle they fought. This is for the freedom of Equestria.
"Alan." Shining spoke as I turned to him. "Cadence and I have unfinished business with Sombra, and I know you have business with Nightmare Moon." He held a hand out to me. "I got your back, and you better have mine." He stated with a small grin.
"Never again will someone die on my watch." I replied as I took his hand.
"Here they come!" Skittles shouted. We turned to the horizon. Emerging from the blizzard was Sombra's army. They screeched and roared in chorus with the dark armored troops.
My eyes hardened as I snapped my fingers. Behind me rose my army of thopters. "Prepare for battle!" My thopters whirled and buzzed as they stood ready. I turned to Shining with a nod. "Let's do this."
He nodded before drawing his sword. His own army below waiting for his command. When the eldrazi got close, the two of us threw a hand out. "ATTACK!" We both shouted. Knights rushed forward on the ground as my thopters took to the sky. One of them landed on my back before a metal belt secured around my waist.
I turned to Memnarch. "Are you ready?"
"Just sit back and watch." He grinned and held out his arms. We observed as a beam left his right hand and struck one of the closest enemy drones. It screeched in confusion as its flesh turned into metal. A second beam left from his hand and struck the same metal eldrazi. It froze in place before turning to the side and struck its former managed to amaze me. He really turned an enemy into an ally.
"Good work Memnarch." I praised him with a grin. "Now put phase two into action."
The wizard nodded before turning back to the battle field. "Find the hedrons, and bring them to me." The enslaved eldrazi threw a foe to the side and rushed back into the formation. "I will continue turning those I can into my puppets. One will surely not be enough."
I turned to the girls. "Okay everypony, time for you all to do your parts. Skittles, Shy, take to the skies and assist my thopters." The two nodded and flew into the sky. "AJ, Pinkie, assist the soldiers on the ground. Show them your strength as earth ponies." They nodded before leaving quickly to the lower levels. "Twilight, stay with the Crystal Heart. Make sure they do not get their hands on it."
"What about you?" She asked with worry in her eyes.
Celestia placed a hand on her shoulder. "Alan, Cadence, Shining, and I will take care of Nightmare Moon and Sombra. This is a personal matter."
The lavender mare frowned before she nodded. She turned to me with a small teary look. "Alan...please promise me...you'll come back safe."
I pulled her close and hugged her tightly. "I refuse to let myself be killed here." She hugged me back for a moment and planted her lips on mine. Around us, the others snickered.
"That's for luck." She spoke before running off to the Crystal Heart. With a smile on my face, I turned to the others.
"Let's go." I spoke. They nodded as we too left the wall. The four of us took to the sky and searched the battlefield. Littered throughout the enemy ranks were now dozens on metal eldrazi. Some were busy fighting the enemy, others were being ripped apart limb from limb. "I hope they can buy us enough time..." I spoke.
"Have faith, Alan." Celestia spoke warmly with a small smile.
"There!" Shining pointed. We looked down and saw a large moving fortress. At the top of it, was Nightmare Moon, Nightmare Rarity and Sombra himself. I tilted downwards and sped towards Nightmare Moon. "A-Alan, don't-!"
My eyes were hardened. I was going to finish her off and avenge Luna. When I landed with a loud boom, the fortress shook, taking the three dark ponies by surprise. I slowly rose before glaring at Nightmare moon. "Long time no see, Nightmare Moon."
The queen gave a smirk. "I was hoping you would show up."
My glare hardened. "You have no chance in stopping me or my friends. I'm only giving you this one and only chance. Give up now, or be destroyed." She only chuckled before I felt a blast of magic strike my side. I screamed in pain and crumpled on the ground.
Sombra rose from his seat with a smirk. "So you're the human my queen spoke of. For shame, trying to turn her good. But as you can see, she belongs to me now. Once I take control of my empire again, I'll conquer the rest of Equestria for my master."
I coughed out blood and looked at the dark stallion. "Your...master?"
Sombra grinned. "Yes, you see before my master gave me control of these beasts, I was nothing but a cloud of shadows. Those accursed mane six stole everything from me. Now I will take back what rightfully belongs to me."
"Alan!" I heard Celestia shout before three beams of magic struck Sombra back as the three landed. Celestia kneeled to me. "Are you alright?"
I coughed a bit and wiped the blood from my mouth. "I'll be alright." She nodded as I stood and we faced the three ponies again.
Celestia gazed to the dark queen with a glare. "It's been a long time...sister."
Moon grinned. "So you finally decided to come out of your castle and fight me?"
"You caused such harm and pain to my subjects." She glared dangerously. "I will never forgive you for what you have done."
"Oh I'm heartbroken," Moon whined innocently before smirking. "After everything we did together when I came back home when I was reformed?"
While the sisters stared down, Sombra turned to Cadence and Shining with a smirk. "Well, if it isn't the rulers of my empire. It's been a long time."
"Give up now, or we end you again." Shining glared.
"We will defeat you again, you black fur-!"The alicorn screamed in pain as she clutched her head.
"Cadence!" Shining yelled in worry.
Sombra grinned with his hand out while it glowed purple. "Why must we fight my dear Cadence? You know full well that I rule this empire. You should be fighting alongside me, not against me. The royal blood of the empire is strong in you."
Cadence glared at Sombra through her pain. "I will never join somepony like you who hurts and enslaves!"
The dark unicorn chuckled. "How sad, and here I thought you would understand. But what if I told you...about your father."
Cadence glared with a scowl. "I know what happened to him...you were the one who killed him."
"No Cadence…" Sombra smirked wide. "I am your father."
The pink alicorn's eyes widened in fear. "N-no...you lie!"
"Am I?" He chuckled before conjuring a necklace. It was encrusted with crystals, but in the center of a diamond, was a crest of a crystal heart with wings. "Recognize this?"
Cadence gasped softly. "My...family's Crest…"
"That's right. The only ponies who ever had this, were you, your mother...and me." Sombra smirked. Cadence whimpered and fell to her knees. "Admit it, Cadence. You are the royal bloodline to the empire family. You are my daughter!"
I growled. "You are a shit dad and shit king."
"Believe what you want." Sombra grinned. "Slave!" He turned to Nightmare Rarity. "Take care of the stallion. My daughter is mine."
"Yes master.~" Rarity cooed before she scowled at Shining and tackled him.
I turned to Cadence with a firm look. "Cadence, stand up. You have to fight!"
The alicorn looked at me with teary eyes. "But...I…?"
"I know you're scared, and I know what Sombra told you is horrifying, but don't forget who you really are." I spoke before smiling at her. "You are the Princess of Love, the protector and ruler of the Crystal Empire. Your family has done dark things in the past, but now it's your turn to clean the slate. Show everypony the true light of your family name."
Cadence gave a shaky nod and slowly stood up. She wiped her eyes before they hardened. "You brought shame and darkness upon our family, father." Cadence spoke before drawing her crystal sword. "Now I will end this dark legacy you hold and show my people the light of my family's name!" The alicorn rose her sword and charged. I glared at Sombra as I charged as well.
The battle for Equestria...had begun.
Looks like the gang is about the fight for their lives. Is the "I'm your father" quote over used? Eh, I'm sure it was startling enough for you guys. I hope you guys can forgive me for posting the chapter late. Life in the pandemic is getting busy. Please leave a review so I can see how you all are enjoying the story. If you have an idea for something for me to add or think I should fix something, please feel free to message me. Till next time.