Chapter Six
-Vanhoover-
"Retreat! Retreat! We need to fall ba-AGH!" A Caribou Soldier screamed, as a burst of red energy tore through his armor, creating a large hole where his heart is supposed to be. The other soldiers began to retreat, as rank upon rank of Necrons pushed past the barricades, overwhelming their positions. There was no mercy, the Warriors and Immortals open fired on to the Caribou, not even the wounded or surrendering were allowed survive their slaughter. Even buildings were targeted, large pieces of rubble being shot off and fall on to the Caribou.
Nothing could stop their advance, bolts and arrows snapping against their metal bodies, Equestrians taking cover behind their unstoppable allies. "Ancient One! How much further until we have taken the city, my lord?" A pegasus stallion asked, reloading his crossbow.
The Necron Lord in charge of those attacking Vanhoover examined what was before him, then nodded. "Not much longer, child, we are pushing from all directions and will soon surround them." He slowly walked forward. "Stay here, treat your own wounded. There will be bodies to deal with." Screams echoed ahead of the Necron lines, as the Caribou were cut off in all directions and forced into a giant kill box.
-Baltimare-
Death seemed to loom over the city of Baltimare, the Caribou not able to hold their lines against what Necron forces advanced against them. Meter after meter was lost quicker than they could recover, Equestrians either ambushing them or coming out of the mind control and turning on their former masters. The lord in charge of the Necrons attacking did not speak to those they liberated, he had a job to do and could not be distracted by idle chat of "lesser beings".
As of right now, the Necrons pushed their foes towards the sea, positioning themselves to where there is no escape from them. These Necron intend for the surviving Caribou forces to perish in a watery grave. Their lord slowly stalking through the burning city, internally grinning at the screams of Caribou trapped inside of burning buildings around him. Soon, his step turned into one of a dancing musical numbers, their screams being his melody.
-Fillydelphia-
"What in King Dainn's na-AHHHH!" The Caribou lines were swept away by tidal waves of nanoscarabs, the insectoid robots reducing their bodies to skeletons in mere seconds. Though, when they came across Equestrians, the tidal waves of scarabs parted and quickly came back together, their A.I only targeting Caribou forces. Not even buildings could stop their destructive wake, smashing through doors and windows, or eating their way through the structure itself.
The Necron Forces advanced behind their lethal swarms of nanoscarbs, allowing Canoptek Spyders to move ahead and produce even more of them. Their lord walked ahead of his forces, lightly petting one of the nanoscarbs in his hand. "Aren't you an adorable little nanoscarb? Whose daddy's little flesh eater? You are, yes you are." The scarab clicked and hummed at the lord's praise, as he looked towards the city swarming with its kin. "Should not be much longer, now. Heh, these Caribou are going to make our scarabs fat and lazy."
-Appleloosa-
The townsfolk cheered with victory, throwing their hats up into the air. Victory had been won, after the Deathmarks began their attack all around Appleloosa, misdirecting the Caribou before systematically taking out their leadership, the townsfolk quickly joining in the fight. Now, the remaining Caribou have been rounded up at the town's center, surrounded by every Deathmark present for their attack, Sheriff Silver Star standing next to the lead Deathmark.
"I've gotta admit, Mister Tomozar, ya Deathmarks are some amazing shots." Silver Star stated, the Lead Deathmark simply nodding, as the sheriff pulled out his cuffs. "Now, to put these no-good varmints behind bars-?"
Tomozar put his hand in front of the sheriff, looking down at him. "I cannot allow that, Equestrian. My orders were to liberate this town, and eradicate the Caribou forces stationed here." Tomozar's single eye went to the defeated Caribou, lifting his hand up into the air. "Our mission is not yet completed."
"What do ya mean, partner-!"
The Deathmark's hand dropped, and Appleloosa echoed with gauss fire and dying screams of Caribou Soldiers.
-Dodge City-
Equestrians carried corpses of Caribou Soldiers, stripping them of armor and weapons, then tossed the slain tyrants into large bonfires. All around the city, Canoptek Wraiths patrolled the area, scanning for any threats or surviving Caribou Soldiers. While the Equestrians were thankful to their robotic saviors, these specters made metal caused them to feel uneasy. Especially their self-appointed leader, a crazed third-person speaking Canoptek Wraith, that referred to itself as "Alphion", and the earth pony mare practically clinging to his metal form.
Right now, Alphion laid beneath a tree, just outside of the city. Aloe laying against his armored body, the Wraith's tail wrapped protectively around her thin frame. After being rescued at the outpost, the mare's shattered psyche had attached and imprinted on to her savior. Now, she washes his carapace armor, when dirty, caresses the Wraith's razor sharp mandibles, and even affectionately rub her hands across Alphion's large form.
Aloe's hands currently rubbed the Wraith's armored head, careful of its mandibles, as it released an affectionate snake-hiss. "My precious…" The Canoptek Wraith whispered, his tail tightening, to hold her better… The mare releasing a pleasured moan, feeling the object of her affection giving her even more attention.
-Manehatten-
Dar'kan, Lord Destroyer of the Ay'therian Dynasty's Destroyers, observed his target carefully. The island city of Manehatten had been damaged, when the Caribou invaded, and then rebuilt to suit their needs… Its only entry point blocked by a large gate and several guards stationed outside of it. Such a place would be difficult for most armies to assault, and take. However, Necron Destroyer groups were not like most armies, and Dar'kan could already feel the excitement welling up within his metal body, his war-scythe begging to taste Caribou blood.
"My lord." A Heavy Destroyer spoke up, drawing Dar'kan's attention. "Those three Equestrians, we picked up, are wishing to ride into battle with us… Something about wanting you to look 'cooler'?"
"Tell them no. We are Destroyers, not transports." Dar'kan replied, looking back at Manehatten. "Besides, they will only get in our way."
"No we wouldn't!" An orange pegasus filly appeared over Dar'kan's left shoulder.
"Ya won't know we were even there, promise!" A yellow earth pony filly appeared over Dar'kan's right shoulder.
"Yeah! We even have a theme song and some sunglasses for you!" A white unicorn filly appeared, holding headphones and angled sunglasses.
Before Dar'kan could protest, Sweetie Belle put the headphones and angled sunglasses on to his head, hitting its play button. The Lord Destroyer fell silent, as he listened to the music's tune and lyrics. His head slowly started to bob, starting to chuckle a bit before nodding to the fillies, holding his hand up. "Alright, I approve of this. It is… Fitting, for us Destroyers."
The three fillies leapt up into the air. "Cutie Mark Crusaders: Destroyer Helpers, yay!"
"Alright, my brothers!" Dar'kan shouted, the CMC sitting down on to his skid, while holding up the war-scythe in his hand. "Begin our attack!" The Lord Destroyer looked back at his three passengers. "Girls? Theme song!" Applebloom pulled out a stereo, and hit play.
(( watch?v=e8-sMJZTYf0 ))
The Destroyers shot forward, their hover systems roaring to life, and began to soar across the water. Their high speeds created trails of water to shoot up into the air behind them, the Destroyers matching motions of high end surfers and speed boats, some taking side glides with their hands sliding into the water. Once every Destroyer reached their advance on to the water, they signaled their Ghost Arks to begin their own approach behind their ranks. The Caribou, seeing their opponents advance towards undefeated areas, they scrambled to relocate and take up new defensive position.
Seeing this, Dar'kan raised his war-scythe up into the air, which signal those behind him to open fire! Gauss beams shot overhead, already tearing through the Caribou ranks, but they still tried to return fire. The Destroyers easily avoided or resisted their retaliation, skidding across the waters like specters of death, and still fired at their foes.
Before long, the Destroyers had reached their target location, skidding up the slanted wall. Dar'kan was the first to breach and used his war-scythe to cleave five Caribou completely in half, and out of his way. His Destroyers came right after, unleashing volleys of gauss fire, before they slammed into the Caribou, like armored cavalry into regular infantry. Stallions began to be released form their mind control, suddenly witnessing the slaughter going on around them… Then realizing they were being liberated!
"Quickly! Get a message to command!" A Caribou Officer shouted, taking cover within a defensive bunker. "We need reinforce-!"
One of the Destroyers ripped into their bunker, allowing his torso to be shoved inside. The Caribou scrambled, trying to get away from it, only to be cut down by the Destroyer's rapid firing gauss weapon. Ghost Arks began to land, once the Destroyers cleared a foothold for them, unloading the Warriors and Immortals onboard each transport. Regardless of reinforcements now arriving, the Destroyers continued to push forward into their killing ground, showing no mercy or restraint against any Caribou foolish enough to enter their targeting sights.
Spearheading this advancing slaughter, Dar'kan cleaved into Caribou rank, after rank, with a butcher's skill, his war-scythe tearing apart any soldier within his path. The CMC cheered on their Destroyer Lord, as no foe could stand against his immortal wrath. To most, the fillies looked like Dar'kan's own personal cheer squad, riding on his skid. However, the sound of a bolt being fired, and the fillies screaming drew his attention to a crossbow bolt flying straight for his passengers.
Dar'kan caught the bolt, right before it could strike Sweetie Belle. "Ah, ah, ahhhhh~" He shouted, swaying his index finger at the Crossbow Caribou. "No Equestrian is to be harmed, Phaeron Ay'therian's orders were very clear on that." Before the Caribou knew it, Dar'kan snapped the bolt and towered over him… Flipping said crossbow Caribou his middle finger. "And I do not fail my Phaeron's orders, meat bag." The sinister cackle caused Dar'kan's foe to tremble in terror, the Lord Destroyer holding his weapon up high. "Now… Die!"
Dar'kan cleaved the Caribou from his head down, blood spraying out from both halves. "Go! Go! Go, Boss Dar'kan!" The CMC shouted, as their escort rocketed to his new prey.
-Later That Day-
It did not take very long, before Manehatten was brought to heel, Caribou blood draining across the city streets. Cheers echoed all around the city, Equestrians celebrating their victory and freedom. Though, while they did so, the Necrons prepared for redeployment, Dar'kan watching where his Canoptek Spyders went into the water. They had another mission, and could not leave until it was completed.
"How much longer?" Dar'kan asked, looking at the Cryptek next to him. "Our Phaeron could begin his assault soon, and I rather not be late to the battle."
"The Phaeron still requires to take that 'Ponyville' location, before attacking Canterlot." The Cryptek replied, leaning on to his staff, noticing Dar'kan's growing irritation. "But, they are almost finished. It seems the process started, when our Phaeron woke. They were just waiting for us to arrive, and tell them it is time."
"Good, our fleet is needed to retake that could city, near the mountain city." Dar'kan stated, gripping his war-scythe. "Our reclamation is almost complete, these Caribou are pathetic. I wonder how Equestria fell, in the first place."
"B-Because they corrupted the Crystal Heart!" A voice called out, drawing the attention of both Necrons, seeing a magenta mare, wearing a white blouse and red plaid skirt. "With its corruption, the Crystal Heart put every stallion, in Equestria, under King Dainn's control."
"And you are, mortal?" Dar'kan asked, wondering why the mare interjected on a conversation between Necrons.
His cold, metallic, voice caused the mare to squeak, but nod. "C-Cheerilee, my lord. I am a school teacher from Ponyville." Cheerilee answered, giving them both a respective bow. "I was traded to the Caribou Noble in charge of Manehatten, and heard that you, personally, kept three of my students safe. I wished to show my gratitude, by helping you with whatever you required."
"Then show it, by leaving our presence." Dar'kan ordered, staring back at the water. "Only reason no Equestrian died here, during our attack, had been because my Phaeron forbade it." Crescent shadows appeared under the water's surface, followed by bubbles. "And I, for one, do not wish to incur his wrath."
Cheerilee prepared to retort, but fell back, after watching Nightscythes and Deathscythes explode from the water! Numerous Necron crafts began to fly up into the air, and swarmed around the island city. Four squadrons flew, more than enough attack craft to intercept aerial threats and begin strafing runs against an enemy. More started to rise from under the waters, but they only loomed over the city, protectively.
"Go! You have your orders!" Dar'kan shouted, motioning his war-scythe towards Cloudsdale. "Our Phaeron awaits your attack, do not fail him!" The first four squadrons sped off, hellbent to complete their mission.
-Canterlot Castle, Baclony-
A single Caribou stood upon the castle's balcony, adorning black armor of high royalty, a crested sword at his side, and a crown upon the Caribou's head. His gaze went up to Cloudsdale, along with the ten airships surrounding its boarders. When the doors behind him opened, the Caribou turned his crowned head towards the noble. "Are you sure those airships will crush this pathetic rebellion, and retake our cities from whomever is attacking my Kingdom?"
The Caribou Lord bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, my King. They are armed with enough firepower to crush both forces beneath your hooves." He looked up at King Dainn, grinning. "There is nothing to fear, this farce will be ended very soon."
"Good." King Dainn turned towards Cloudsdale again, grasping the railing. "I think it is time that I remove the 'Ignorant King' mask and end this annoyance before it becomes a problem." The Caribou King soon grinned. "Where is our little jailbird, now?"
"On her way back, as we speak. It seems she has not notice our tails." The noble replied, bowing his head again. "Shall they apprehend her?"
"Yes, but they will not harm her, that is reserved for me, only." King Dainn answered, fingers tapping on to the railing. "What about that traitorous beast? Has he spoken yet?"
"No, my King." The Caribou Noble sighed, in annoyance. "He will not tell us the point of freeing a single mare, sacrificing his own freedom so she could escape."
"Pity… I like his spirit." King Dainn waved his hand, dismissively. "Break him." The noble bowed his head deeper, before several humming sounds caught their attention. "What is that?"
"I do not know, my King… Never have I-!"
One of the airships came under attack, hit by a barrage of red beams and caused it to explode into a giant fireball! Several crimson and black moon-crescent fighters soared past their falling prey, snatching up any Equestrians within a beam of light and absorbed them through a portal-like energy in their centers. The other airships tried to move into attack positions, but they were too slow and swarmed by even more fighters! It looked like locus swarms attacking a herd of cattle, the airships unable to truly fight back against the quick moving fighters… No mercy being given to their defenseless prey.
King Dain could only watch, in horror, as his trump card were being destroyed in a dogfight around Cloudsdale. He could even see the fighters using their beams to suck up any falling Equestrians… While his men fell to their deaths. Even one of the airships began to fire on the others, Caribou being thrown off their sides by Equestrian conscripts.
From their point of view, they could not see any markings to indicate who these attackers were, or who piloted them… Until one soared past the balcony, its top turned towards the Caribou. This allowed King Dain to see the crimson, metal, skeletal pilot staring right back at him. The taunt had been enough, the Caribou King glaring at the retreating craft and strode back into the castle.
"Prepare Canterlot's defenses! Bring that mare to me, in chains, now! And torture that beast until he finally breaks and tells us what he knows!" King Dainn ordered, within his rage, walking to the castle's throne… Where a nude, pure white, alicorn mare was chained to the throne, by a collar on her neck. When he reached the mare, King Dainn grabbed a hand full of Ceelstia's hair, and yanked her up. "It seems your sister had been hiding something from me, and been a very naughty filly, slave."
He pulled her closer, Ceelstia letting out a pain filled grown as she was put on to her knees. When her eyes opened, they no longer held their lively glow of happiness, replaced by a broken dullness. Celestia's once great wings clipped, feathers cut, and a ring clamped on to her long horn.
King Dainn grabbed the mare's throat, his tight grip causing Ceelstia to struggle for air. "Tell me what you know of these red skeleton warriors, who carry weapons never seen before… Or?" His hand tightened, making Celestia's eyes widen, hands begging for the Caribou King to stop. "Your sessions will become more painful, and less pleasant." King Dainn threw her to the ground, Celestia coughing for breath. "Now, what do you know, slave? Why do they look like that myth? The 'Ancient Ones'?"
"I-I do not know, my master… Possibly trying to terrify you and your soldiers." Celestia answered, staying on the ground and facing away from King Dainn. "They never existed… The story was made up, to try and glorify Equestria's harsher times, a way that would make foals starry eyed."
"I should have guessed that she would try some kind of trickery, it is in her nature, after all… But, I know there is more to this, and you are not telling me." King Dainn suddenly kicked Celestia down the side steps, smirking at how the collar forced her into a jerked stop. "Answers I am sure Luna will tell me, after some unpleasant incentive." With that, the Caribou King left the throne room, and his toy.
Once Celestia was sure King Dainn had left, she painstakingly crawled back up the steps and to the throne. Her body ached, but the description King Dainn gave fueld Celestia with enough drive to crawl, moving behind what was once her throne. Carefully, the mare's fingers traced over the base, causing Necron symbols to appear, followed by a secret panel opening. Inside, laid a cloth doll, made to resembled a certain Phaeron, wooden scythe and black cape included.
Gently, Celestia held the childish doll close to her heart, tears streaming down the mare's cheeks. "D-Daddy… You came back, like you promised." Her hold on the doll tightened, nuzzling into it. "Please, daddy, save us."
-Everfree Forest, Just Outside of Ponyville-
"Please, daddy, save us."
Celestia's voice echoed around Ay'therian's mind, his gaze locked on to Canterlot. "Don't worry, Sunshine… Daddy is coming." He mentally assured, opening his hand and allowing a nanoscarab to be released and fly off towards the mountain side city… All around him, stood Lychguard, Immortals Daring Do, the Canoptek Spyders, Luna's Rebels, along with numerous Triarch Praetorian Guard and Triarch Stalkers… Prepared to assault Ponyville with a surprise attack.