Chapter Nine

-Two Days Later-

Drums sounded in quick thumps, echoing within the castle courtyard, platoons of Caribou Soldiers and Equestrian Conscripts were formed up, slaves allowed to gather there and forced to watch their princess. Their eyes were on the platform at the courtyard's center, where a noose awaited its victims, along with a hooded executioner with his hand on the release lever. Those of the Canterlot Slaves were begging for mercy, crying for their beloved princess be spared this fate. Even as King Dainn came out on to the balcony overlooking them, leading Celestia with a chain leash harness, they begged for mercy.

King Dainn could only smile, hearing the pleas of his slaves, before motioning for their silence. "Today, two traitors shall be hang from their necks! For the crimes of disrupting the peace, subversion, sabotage, treason against your King, and the death of countless Caribou Soldiers!" He looked towards the dungeon's entrance, before holding his hand towards it. "Bring out the prisoners!"

The dungeon doors opened, revealing a naked Luna and a brutally tortured Ahuizotl. Caribou Royal Guards shoved the two forward, using their halberds, Ahuizotl limping and Luna doing her best to help him walk. The mare looked around, trying to find signs of their saviors coming to stop this, but there had been nothing to ease such fears of being executed this day. "Do not fear, Princess Luna…" Ahuizotl started, causing Luna to look up at him. "The Phaeron shall not abandon us, especially since you are one of his daughters. We must have faith in him."

Luna continued to look up at Ahuizotl, and his wide grin, despite looking so brutally beaten. "I do hope you are right, Ahuizotl… He must have a plan to stop this, he always has a plan."

"That he does, Princess… That he does." The two were pulled up on to the platform by a pair of guards.

Not far away, three cloaked mares watched the scene in front of them, one being a white coated unicorn, with pink hair. She, especially, watched Luna being pulled on to the platform, her body trembling with nervousness. Fleur De Lis, second-in-command of the Canterlot Rebel Cell, wanted to save her princess right now, but had been instructed to not make a move just yet… These orders coming from a metal scarab, with Celestia's sun edged into its back, before it gave her a strange black pyramid device, along with orders written on royal paper; and flew towards Canterlot Castle.

The orders were to 'activate' this strange device when they are about to execute Luna, along with getting close as she could. They did this, getting close as a slave could for executions. The only bad part about such orders, Fleur De Lis did not want to wait that long, seeing the executioner yank Luna towards the waiting noose, wrapping it around her neck. This caused the mare to place both hands on to the artifact, Fleur De Lis' body trembling even more, seeing the noose so tight on Luna's neck, the Lunar Princess trying to keep herself composed.

"Princess Luna…" King Dainn started, his executioner moving back. "For these crimes, I condemn you to death by hanging… Any last words?"

Luna looked towards the Caribou King, eyes narrowing. "I hope your death is slow and agonizing, for these atrocities against Equestria."

"Defiant until the end… You will not be missed, I will ensure that." King Dainn held his hand out, in a commanding fashion. "Execute!" The moment King Dainn's executioner went for the level, Fleur De Lis pressed her hands down… Causing the device to glow with a red light, and sent it up into the air! This caused the crowd to move away, King Dainn glaring at the mare. "A Rebel! Guards, capture her, before she can finish that spell!"
Caribou Soldiers rushed towards Fleur De Lis, weapons drawn and ready to capture her… But the light released a pulse, knocking them back and blinded those around her! When it dimmed, the courtyard had new occupants within it, Caribou and Equestrians wide eyed at the sight.

(( watch?v=VAZsf8mTfyk ))

The first ten were shield bearing Lychguard, already presenting their wall of distortion shields towards the Caribou Soldiers. Next rank had been ten more Lychguard, all armed with war-scythes and readied to support their shield brethren in front of them. More decorated, almost regale looking, Necrons were behind them and armed with various types of weapons. Dark'kan and Daring Do were the next to form a two-man rank, both having their weapons ready to combat whom ever tried to approach. Finally, standing in front of an awestruck Fleur De Lis, Ay'therian was forming their last rank, his unblinking gaze locked on to the noose wearing Luna.

Ay'therian looked back at Fleur De Lis, and gave a slight nod. "Well done, child, you did your duty… Now, it is our turn." The Phaeron then strode towards the platform, war-scythe like

King Dainn could not believe what he is seeing, or their sudden appearance. His gaze went to the dumbfounded soldiers below. "Well? W-What are you idiots waiting for, an invitation!? Attack them!"

The shield bearing Lychguard opened ranks, to allow Ay'therian through, as a group of Caribou Soldiers rushed forward. The Phaeron snickered, seeing this charge against him, simply lifting his left hand up and across his chest. A spark of red energy appeared, before Ay'therian swung his hand outward, as if swatting a bug, the Caribou Soldiers closest to him instantly bursting into flames! This became a signal, ordering the Necrons and Daring Do to advance against the Caribou within the Courtyard. The Equestrian Conscripts rushing forward, until the Necrons began to glow brightly at certain points of their armor… Forcing them into a daze, breaking King Dainn's control over them.

Ay'therian casually walked up on to the platform, his mere presence making the executioner flee in fear, Daring Do flying up to join him. "Seems your operative managed to understand my instructions, allowing us to arrive just in time, Little Moonbeam." The Phaeron swung his war-scythe, cutting Luna free of her noose. Lychguard forming up around the platform, ready to cut down any Caribou that got too close. "Are the two of you alright?"

"Father!" Luna yelled, quickly hugging Ay'therian after he freed her from the chains, who simply reached out, a Lychguard holding up a robe for the mare, and placed it on to her. "Make them pay for this… And save Tia."

"I intend to, you can count on that." Ay'therian's gaze went to Ahuizotl, Daring Do helping him out of the chains. "Ahuizotl… It had been some time since we last met."

"M-My Phaeron…" Ahuizotl went to his knees, body weakened by the torture he endured. "I am honored to know you remember a simple watcher."

Ay'therian just looked down at the mangled creature before him, Daring Do giving them confused looks. "You can imagine my surprise, when my newly dubbed Envoy, Daring Do, told me it had been you that freed her." He walked forward, placing his free hand on to Ahuizotl's large head. "After all these years, my watcher performed his duty faithfully, and paid the prize for his loyalty… For this, I shall repay you in kind. Until then, rest. We shall take things from here."
"M-My Phaeron…" Ahuizotl's remaining eye watched, in confusion, as Ay'therian walked back towards Luna. "As you command."

"I want you to rally the Equestrians, and keep them far away from this battle. My Necrontyr will retake the city, and I rather not have your subjects within the crossfire."

Luna blinked, watching him go towards the platform's edge. "F-Father… How would you do this? Only a few of your warriors have come here to fight."

"Really, are you so sure this is all I have brought?" He looked back at Luna, who seemed even more confused by his words, Daring Do having a devious grin.

Before anything else could be said, a bright flash, and pulse strong enough to shake Canterlot's foundation, nearly knocked Luna off her hooves. Quickly, she turned around and saw three Monoliths hovering just outside of the city! Their tops and mid-sections opening, gauss turrets shifting towards firing vectors over the city, preparing for all-out battle. A moment later, they began to open-fire on to the city, teleporting wave after wave of Necron forces into the city streets. These floating fortresses hovered forward, in a menacingly slow fashion, and managed to knock over walls and buildings around Canterlot's city! Deathscythe Squadrons swooped in over them, starting their strafing runs across the city.

The sight of Necrons appearing within Canterlot, silently marching against the Caribou Forces, caused Luna to feel a sense of relief wash over her. "Right away, father!" She quickly went to help Ahuizotl back on to his feet, Daring Do allowing her to take him. "Everypony! Come with me, and leave this fight to the Ancient Ones!" Her orders were met by nods, freed Royal Guards rushing in to help, Lunar Rebels coming from areas opened by the Necrons, to help their princess herd the crowds.

Prae'tor soon joined Ay'therian, who looked at the Praetorian Guard leader. "Take your guards, along with a contingent of my Lychguard, and safe guard the Equestrians… There is no telling what a trapped animal is willing to do." The Phaeron's gaze was locked on the empty balcony, where King Dainn once stood with a bound Celestia. Prae'tor saluted him and left to caring out his orders. "Dar'kan?"

"Yes, my glorious Phaeron!" The Lord Destroyer guffawed, as he split one of the Caribou Soldiers down their center, and crushed another's head with his hand. "Ahaha! I haven't had this much fun, since we tamed this land for Solarbeam and Moonbeam!" One of the other Caribou Soldiers tried to flee, but had been impaled by Dar'kan's war-scythe, when he had thrown it.

"Take your Destroyers and wipe out any of their fortifications, send some of the Heavy Destroyers to assist Prae'tor." Ay'therian ordered, stepping down from the platform, his Lychguard quickly forming around him. "While we storm the castle."

Dar'kan quickly retrieved his war-scythe, cleaving another Caribou Soldier in half. "As you command, my Phaeron!" The Lord Destroyer then sped off, some of his cult in toe, cutting down any Caribou that got in his way.

Ay'therian glanced back at where the Equestrians were falling back to, and seeing the Tomb Stalker "Blade" burst from underneath Daring Do, using its large body to act as a living shield. To his surprise, Daring Do simply used its antennae like they were Blade's reins, pointing it where to attack next. Around them, swarms of nanoscarabs were released from Pincer and Heavy, helping pick off any would-be attackers.

With a nod, knowing Luna and Daring Do were safe, the Phaeron turned his attention back to the matter at hand. "Lychguard… I believe it is about time we stop going easy on them. Ay'therian stepped off the platform, such words drawing the attention of his bodyguard, who looked to their master. "Let us go and bring Sunshine home."

(( watch?v=5Z4pq9pQq7I ))

No more words were needed, as Ay'therian went into a full battle sprint, towards the Canterlot Castle! Right behind him, the Lychguard had formed into a wedge formation, shields being their pointed center. Normally, such a formation would have their Phaeron behind the bulwark, but this situation meant that he takes first blood. As they closed in on the Caribou ranks of soldiers, and very few Royal Guards, the sprinting Necrons suddenly lit up and released bone chilling wails, like deathly specters. It's terrifying effect evident, as regular Caribou Soldeirs began to break ranks.

Ay'therian suddenly leapt towards the Caribou, war-scythe held high, and cleaved five of them with a single swing. One of the Caribou Royal Guard rushed him, attempting to bring the Phaeron down, only for his sword to shatter when they struck. Slowly, Ay'therian looked towards the one who dared to strike him, his gaze terrifying the guard. The Phaeron suddenly grabbed his attacker, by their head, and lifted them off the ground. "Show these pathetic mortals no mercy, my Necrontyr!"
CRUNCH!

Blood went everywhere, as Ay'therian crushed the guard's helmeted head. His Lychguard then collided, some leapt into the Caribou ranks, creating a pure blood bath of cleaved and dismembered bodies. Caribou Soldiers tried to fight back, to rally against their foes, but the assembled Necrons tore through their armor and flesh with ease, blood spraying on to their crimson forms. Blood pooled within the cobble stone cracks, as Ay'therian and his Lychgaurd continued to push forward to the castle.

The sheer, overwhelming, difference was painfully obvious, as the Caribou death count began to climb throughout the city. Necron Warriors, Immortals, and Destroyers; showed cold and brutal efficiency against any Caribou resistance they met, their A.I counterparts creating the same blood bath. The remaining Tomb Stalkers proving to be devastating shock assault units, as they began attacks against nearby fortified positions, ballista bolts bouncing off their armored carapace. Even Alphion joined in the attack, his whip tail crushing surrounding foes or impaling them… An unfortunate Caribou Soldier attempting to strike his vulnerable underbelly, by sliding under Alphion's gaze, only to be met with a sword to his face, Aloe being pressed against his underbelly with the Wraith's arms.

More Monoliths began to appear around Canterlot, unleashing their awaiting Necron on to its burning prey. Deathscythes soaring all around the city, like swarms of locust, firing into city streets from above. The Equestrians were kept near Canterlot's gates, Triarch Forces and a contingent of Lychguard keeping guard over them, while Daring Do was busy helping freeing other slaves within Canterlot alongside her Canoptek Constructs.

-Canterlot Throne Room-

"AH!" Celestia screamed, as her body was forced into the shape of an X, hosited into the air by four chains. They were tight enough to prevent the mare from making even the slightest of movements with her limbs, panicked eyes looking down at King Dainn. "W-What are you planning to do with me like this!?" She demanded, trying her best to move.

King Dain looked up at her, smirking while a circle of four Caribou Sorcerers prepared a ritual of some kind. "Oh, I won't bother you with the details… But, I will say this, if things go as planned?" He snickered a bit, looking towards the doors leading to the throne room. "We will get our victory, despite not being able to execute Luna." King Dainn looked up at Celestia again. "We will accomplish forcing this Phaeron into killing you."

"W-What?" Celestia stuttered, eyes wide in what had been told to her. "Father would never do such a thing, even if one did manage to control him!"

"Oh, dear Celestia…" King Dainn started, softly, as he walked over to one of the chains, flicking it before looking up towards the mare. "Who said anything about controlling him or making him aware of what he's doing?"

Celestia's eyes remained wide, staring at the chains, and mechanisms attached to them. Her eyes quickly narrowed, before calling for her best chance at getting free and escaping to the waiting Necron Forces outside the castle. "Get him Nano!"

A metallic screech echoed within the throne room, before said nanoscarab leapt down from the ceiling! Nano quickly clamped down on to King Dainn's face, using its legs and mandibles to tear at what flesh it managed to snare. This, in turn, caused King Dainn to wail in agony, trying to rip his small attacker off! But, no matter how much the Caribou King yanked against it, Nano refused to release its hold and continued to attack.

Nano managed to claw at its target's left eye, splitting it down the center, before King Dainn managed to rip it off his face. He covered the bleeding eye, trying to watch his hissing annoyance, King Dainn drawing his sword. "Is this the best you can muster, a metal bug!? No way that thing can possibly stop me!"

"You're right… Nano, redirect protocol, cut me loose! Hurry!" Celestia ordered, the nanoscarab hovering up into the air, and flew straight towards her.

King Dainn, seeing this, rushed in to crush this annoyance… Only for Nano to maneuver around his attack, faster than the king could recover each strike, and flew up to Celestia's bonds. It clamped down on to the chain holding her right arm, out of King Dainn's reach. Its mandibles opened, red energy charging into a laser cutter and-!
Ping!

One of the Sorcerers, seeing what Nano was about to do, managed to break his concentration long enough to send a spell at the nanoscarab! This sent Nano down on to the ground, bouncing and rolling away. Four of its legs and both mandibles had been broken from the fall, yet Nano still tried to get up on to its legs… Dedicated to freeing its mother-figure, despite being such a simple A.I, from her bonds.

Nano managed to start hovering again, trying to get closer to Celestia. It needed to free her, it had to free the mare at all cost. The remaining legs tapped against the ground, allowing Nano to boast forward and bank towards one of the mechanisms. Destroying just one of these would be enough to free Celestia, Nano activating its cutter and-!
STOMP!

"NANO!" Celestia screamed, seeing her nanoscarab, one she had since her filly days, get crushed underneath King Dainn's hoof… Different pieces scattering across the floor.

"Oops, looks like I broke your little toy." King Dainn snickered, removing his hoof and revealed Nano's blinking eye… Which went out seconds later. "Too bad, so sad." He walked towards the Sorcerers and their ritual circle. "Though, you will not have very long to mourn that pathetic little bug…" King Dain looked up at Celestia, grinning. "The moment your 'father' opens those doors, you are a dead mare."

Celestia looked towards the chains, noticing slack in certain areas, and then towards the cranking machines that they were attached to, which are attached to the doors. Her eyes widened, as the castle echoed from its main entrance being forced open by an explosion. "Daddy! Please, no! Don't!" She screamed, flailing within the chains.

-Castle Foyer-

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The Caribou Royal Guard staggered back and nearly out of formation, after a blast of red energy blew the main doors wide open… Smoke quickly filling the chamber. They scanned the smoke, trying to find any signs of movement, but it had been too thick. For only a split second, one of the guards thought they saw something, and leaned forward to get a better look…

A crimson hand burst through the smoke, grasping the guard's head and could do nothing as Ay'therian took him to the ground. The Phaeron looked up, tilting his head at the shocked guards, before he snapped his victim's neck in a way that it should not be bent. "Kill them."

Lychguard burst from the smoke, taking advantage of their foes' shock, and cleared into their ranks! The surprise attack had been enough for Ay'therian and his Lychguard to slaughter the Caribou Royal Guard, allowing their blood to stain the marble floor and rugs. Though, unlike their victims in the courtyard, the Necrons had mutilated and tore apart these Caribou… Knowing, at some point in time, they had raped one of the princesses, one of Ay'therian's heirs.

Once finished, they began to sprint down the corridors, quickly slaying nay Caribou that tried to ambush them. At one point, two of the Caribou Royal Guards charged them head on, Ay'therian holding his left hand towards them. "Flay them!" His ordered had been answered by a pair of portals, followed by two Flayed Ones leaping out and taking the Caribou into secondary ones on the floor. "None shall stop us! Slay any who try!" He cleaved another guard in half with his war-scythe, allowing their body to fly against the wall, staining in a splatter of blood.

His Lychguard quickly formed a spearhead around their Phaeron, shields in front and war-scythes acting as their offense. Though, as they closed in on the throne room, strange vine-like creatures, taking the shape of stallions, leapt out of every direction! The Lychguards were suddenly scattered, trying to fend off their abnormal ambushers. "My Phaeron!" One called out, shield bashing one of the creatures back and rammed his blade into its heart. "Keep going! We will hold these monstrosities off, save the Princess!"

"Slaughter these monsters, and join me in the throne room, Lychguard! We shall welcome our stolen daughter back, together!" Ay'therian quickly turned and went straight for the throne room. Two of the creatures attempted to bar his path, but the Phaeron's bodyguard quickly rushed ahead and removed them, slamming each attacker into the wall.

Once Ay'therian got through, the Lychguard moved to where they stood between the creatures and their Phaeron. "These monstrosities will not impede our Phaeron! We shall slay every one of them, and then reunite with our Princess, Necrontyr! For the Phaeron, for the Dynasty… For Sunshine!" They all slammed their weapons, staring the creatures down, ready to hold their ground or die trying.

-With Ay'therian-

Ay'therian did not slow his pace, not even when he cleaved any guards trying to ambush him. He could not stop, not when he was this close to save his eldest daughter, the last taken by King Dainn. No mortal could stop the Phaeron, none of them would be strong enough to block his on-coming wrath. Even Celestia's pleads were echoing from the throne room. "N-No, please! Daddy! Stop! You must not do this! I beg of you, please!"

"I am almost there, Sunshine!" Ay'therian yelled, quickening the pace and lowering his left shoulder into a battle ramming position… Not noticing the lack of Caribou Royal Guard now, trying to stop him from getting to their king. "Daddy is coming!"

The door did not stand a chance against a full force Necron charging right into it. They bent back, before snapping wide open and nearly off their hinges… King Dainn's words echoing around the throne room. "Checkmate, Phaeron!" Before he vanished in a bright light, along with his sorcerers.

In that moment, Ay'therian became aware of the mechanisms on both sides of him, each rapidly cranking and pulling the slack of iron chains. The Phaeron followed both sides, as they turned into four chains, and then seeing Celestia strung up in the air above him… This whole situation clicking within his mind, at what just happened, and could not move fast enough to stop it from happening.

Each chain snapped the last bit of slack out, Celestia and Ay'therian quickly looking at each other… The mare had a look of terrified confusion that became burned into Ay'therian's memory, permanently. "D-Daddy?"

All sound became nonexistent, not even the screams were heard by the Phaeron, as he watched Celestia's flesh tear like thin fabric. Her four limbs went in different directions, blood spraying on to Ay'therian's chest and faceplate, causing him to fall to his knees… As his eldest daughter's body dropped in front of the Phaeron.

"CELESTIA!"Ay'therian's agonizing cry was followed by a negative pulse of red energy.

-All Around Canterlot-

Necrons across Canterlot were affected by the sudden red pulse of red energy. Each one began to short circuit and shut down, unable to resist what had just happened to their Phaeron. The Triarch managed to go unaffected, due to not being only attached to Ay'therian's Dynasty and not part of it, Lychguard barely able to manage this as well. Every Lord felt the same burst, seeing what had happened, seeing what the Lychguard and Triarch saw, but were suddenly cut off from their deactivating forces.

Daring Do felt the pulse through her nanoscarab, Blade rearing back and threw her off before the Tomb Stalker suddenly going off line and crashing on to the ground. Despite being thrown off, landing on to her wing with a loud crack, she could still feel the pulse discharge. The mare clawed at the nanoscarab on her neck, blood streaming from her eyes and nose… Looking towards Canterlot Castle, confused by what is happening. "A-Ay'therian…What h-has happened to you, m-my Phaeron?"

But… Two other things had been caused by the pulse.

One of them started with red portals opening across Canterlot's streets, followed by the bone chilling wails of rampaging Flayed Ones. Without Ay'therian's control, there was nothing to stop these cursed Necrons from going wild on the living… And they were attracted by the scent of blood, sensing the living that remained within Canterlot, many being guarded by their disoriented kin.

The second occurrence happened on Luna's moon. Fissures cracked open into deep canyons, causing the surface to split and force apart wide. Hundreds of red lights appearing within the fissure… A massive, moon crescent, warship tearing through and headed towards Equis, specifically Equestria.