Chapter Five: The Fall of Far Far Away
As the sun rose, Emperor Frederick's army marched into the gates of Far Far Away with torches lit and muskets ready. These were battle hardened men, who fought in the Emperor's various campaigns around the known world, and were fanaticized to fight to the very last breath. Cold blooded killers. The people of the kingdom would soon be awoken by the sounds of cannons laying siege to the city.
Boom!
"What the hell was that," asked Shrek as he jolted awake to the sounds of the blasts.
"Go back to sleep honey," said Fiona, not fully awake. Shrek, instead of listening, decided to approach the window.
"Oh no," said Shrek as he saw the invading army slash and burn its way through the streets, snaking through each passageway, driving terrified civilians out of their homes and slaughtering anyone that got in their way.
Just then, Donkey burst into the room. "Shrek, Shrek," he called out, "I can't find the Queen!"
"This day just keeps getting worse," said Shrek, as he continued to stare out the window at the destruction below.
"What's going on," asked Donkey nervously.
"The kingdom is under attack," said Shrek, in no uncertain terms, "and we are losing."
Shrek lead his family through the halls, keeping an eye out for any enemy personnel.
"Prince Shrek," said one of the guards, "thank goodness you're here. The Queen is missing and the kingdom outside is on fire."
"We know," said Shrek.
Just then, six of Emperor Frederick's elite soldiers swung in through the windows, armed with muskets and sabers.
Boom!
The guard collapsed right in front of Shrek, dead.
"You bastards," snapped Shrek as he proceeded to charge and manhandle the intruders.
He grabbed one by the neck and squeezed it forcefully, breaking it with a loud crack before tossing the body aside. Then he walked up to another as he was drawing his sword and punched him in the face at full force.
Donkey kicked one of the enemy soldiers as he was about to slash at Shrek, sending the assailant screaming out a window to certain death.
"I might be scared," said Donkey to Shrek, "but I ain't going down without a fight!"
"That's the spirit, Donkey," said Shrek as he grabbed another enemy soldier and snapped him over his knee.
The two remaining enemies saw they had no choice but to run.
"Come back here, fuckers," yelled Shrek as he and Donkey ran after them.
Swoosh! Slash!
The two enemy soldiers collapsed with slash marks over their midsections. Then, Puss, Kitty and Perrito revealed themselves.
"I figured something was up when Perrito kept trying to wake us," said Puss, "and about a dozen guys with muskets trying to kill us."
"That's great Puss," said Donkey, "but we gotta get our asses out of here."
—-
Emperor Frederick stood on top of his carriage, surrounded by his own personal bodyguards and burning buildings, giving a speech to both his troops and the newly conquered people.
"Today," he spoke forcefully, "is Far Far Away's day of reckoning! For too long, decadence has corrupted this cesspit, allowing impure magical creatures to run freely with the good people."
Frederick's soldiers cheered as he continued.
"For too long, the rulers of this degenerate kingdom have tolerated the pestilence of fairy tale vermin."
Meanwhile, Shrek's family hid in a cargo wagon, looking out at the carnage inflicted by the invaders.
"How could they do this," asked Fiona in horror as she saw some dwarves pinned up against a wall, facing a firing squad.
Boom!
"Out of self interest, the fat cats above allowed these degenerates to not only survive, but thrive and take over the once great nation."
"What are we gonna do, Shrek," asked Donkey in horror.
"I know a good place to hold out," replied Shrek, "but none of us are gonna be happy to be there."
Donkey looked out and saw Emperor Frederick's soldiers raid a shop, with screams coming out of it. Then, there was a bloodied family being forced out and into a wagon.
"We don't have much of a choice, do we," said Donkey.
"Think of us not as conquerors, but as liberators of our fellow man from the yoke of inferior creatures."
"This has to be the most evil thing I have ever witnessed," said Puss as he watched some soldier's light a merchant's cart before throwing some dead bodies onto the fire.
"We can survive this," said Perrito, trying to be reassuring, "we're getting out of here after all."
"Not good enough," said Puss, "I just wish we could do more for these people. They don't deserve this."
"Degeneracy and decadence kills a nation. And just as we cannot allow rats in a kitchen, the fairy tale menace must be exterminated with extreme prejudice."
"Where are we going, Shrek," asked Fiona to her husband nervously.
"Duloc," replied Shrek, "it's the best place for a counter-attack."
Outside, some invading soldiers got off a wagon, and proceeded to raid a house that was occupied by Queen Lillian's troops.
Boom!
Boom!
Muskets fired upon the house before sword toting soldiers charged into the house.
"The end is near for the magic beasts! They must accept their fate if they wish for a merciful end."
Shrek tossed a pigeon out of the wagon, carrying a note. It was addressed to any remaining loyalist forces, urging them to flee to Duloc for a chance at revenge. He was also hoping that eventually, the invaders would catch wind so they could be lured in and defeated.
—-
Queen Lillian, beaten and emaciated, was dragged into the middle of a large crowd that was blocked off by soldiers. Standing in the center waiting was the Tailor with his giant, bloodied scissors.
"Just as they lay waste to our country," said Emperor Frederick as the Queen was dragged into position, "We shall lay waste to theirs."
Snip!
—-
Author's Note: Well, that got dark. Anyhow, apologies that it has taken so long to get this chapter posted, but I've also been working on The Sacred Quest. I think this chapter is going to seal the deal and bump it up to an M rating. But don't worry, the good guys will eventually win.