Chapter Eleven: The Aftermath, and the recovery.
"You're Highnes-"
"Silence Captain!" Luna said harshly to the Soldier at the Doorway.
"Oh, My apologies, Am I interrupting?" The Captain asked pointing to the Prince now laying in Luna's lap her arms holding him into a Tight hug.
"He has just lost everything, Some one Assassinated his Wives and Mother, His Kingdom is Destroying itself!" Luna said staring at the Captain, his face now showed a look of Concern and Helplessness.
"Damn...This guy must go through a lot in his life.." The Captain said as he left the room heading back above deck, just before he left he spoke.
"We will be arriving in Canterlot in Ten minutes, You're majesty."
"Very well..." Luna said as she looked back down at Kegan, he looked miserable, tears streamed from his eyes, He no longer spoke or made noise, he simply had his eyes closed tightly, the tears streaming from them as he silently cried into her chest, It pained her heart to see him like this, but Equestria is soon approaching, and once there he will be able to let out his emotions freely.
"Kegan, Equestria approaches, I need you to do this, Please.." Luna said as she gently stroked his face.
-PoV change, Kegan-
As Luna gently stroked my face I began to calm down, this calm was soon replaced by a Burning determination, Standing up shakily, the strength in me mostly Gone from the events of the Hive-minds Collapse has left me Weak. Nearly falling over I had the help of Luna to catch me, Nodding my thanks I wiped my tears away with the back of my hoof Grabbing my Tome I clipped it to my belt, and slid on my cloak, Pulling up the hood and shadowing my face, None would see what has Transpired here, None but Luna would know of the tears I shed today.
"Luna...Keep this...Moment a Secret..." I said looking her in the eyes, she simply nodded and helped me to the Upper deck, leaning on her for support we climbed the steps and to the Bridge that connected the Ship to the Mountain City of Canterlot, waiting there were many Ponies, eager to see the Prince they had grown to love return, and the Princess of the Moon return as well, However the sight they were greeted by was not what they had expected, Now stood a Prince barely able to stand on his own, and a Princess helping him on his way.
I stepped forward, seeing the faces of the Ponies, looks of Confusion and concern on each face.
"Hold Luna, I must speak.." I said as I moved away from her Standing as tall as I could and such, I moved my hooves up and pulled down my hood, revealing the Changes that had happened, The crowds were shocked by this.
"Citizens of Canterlot!" I boomed my voice carrying on the Wind.
"Today is not a grand day...A Kingdom has fallen...and its People with it!" I added.
"As of Yesterday Night, Queen Chrysalis, My Mother as you know her, Was murdered, My Wives along with her!"
"When she died, an Act of Genocide was committed!, For when you kill the Queen, her Drones die as well, Every last Changeling in the Emerald Kingdom, Aside from me, Has fallen either into Madness, or they have died with the Queen!"
Me saying this caused the crowd to Gasp in shock.
"Thousands of Changelings have lost they're lives, and Many more to come, Unless we Quell the rebellion who did this!" I yelled.
"The Red Star Empire! are the Ponies responsible for the Destruction of Equestria's most Valuable ally!"
"Remember this! for there will come a day Where you too will be corpses littering the Ground of a Mighty City falling apart, its beauty gouged out by red flames under the command and order of 'Red Sun'!" I yelled as Luna came up to my side, we continued on as the cloud began to Disperse my speech having taken the Desired effect.
The strength I had was gone now, having again to rely on Luna as aid, we soon reached the Canterlot Castle, waiting there at the door was, Cadence, the Newly crowned Princess Twilight Sparkle, and Princess Celestia.
they all wore smiles, till they saw me, then the smiles faded to looks of Concern, as Cadence quickly approached as Did Celestia, twilight merely moving with them a look of Curiosity on her face.
"The Kingdom has Fallen!" I yelled as they neared.
"Everyone is dead!" I added.
"What are you saying Kegan!?" Celestia asked as she neared a look of confusion on her face.
"The Queen is dead, and with her my wives!, the Emerald blood line has Fallen!" I replied to her question.
When we stopped I dropped to the floor immediately I had to, I was unable to stand on my own, my strength was fleeting me.
"Some one has slain the Queen, I was not there to protect her! My people are Dead...there is nothing we can do.." I said as I stared upward at Celestia.
"You smell like Luna.." Cadence said with a giggle as she looked to Luna, who only glared.
"There was some emotional release on the Ship, nothing to worry about.." I said making it very clear why I smelt like her.
"Ugh...my Head...When the Hive-mind crashed with the Death of my Mother...I felt it, but so did every Drone in the Kingdom, the Impact was enough to Kill them...As is the way of the Hive." I said as Cadence tended to me.
"Kegan...Where did you get this Tear in your wing?" Cadence asked, I had no idea what she was talking about, looking over my shoulder she pulled out my wing as the Membrane extended I felt a sharp pain, looking to see what it was, I was surprised to see a Tear in the membrane, This was rather annoying...being as I always tend to my wings with much care as I feel they are the most important aside from my Horn and I always properly groom my coat.
"I have no idea...Luna did I break anything while I was on the ship?" I asked looking to her.
"Well when you woke me up screaming you did smash the Wine glass with your wing...so I guess that was what did it." Luna replied as she thought back to the event.
"I guess that answers why there's multiple smaller tears as well." Cadence said.
"If I had some Love Spheres I could probably accelerate the healing, but I guess the Shadows will have to do..." I said as My horn began to glow a Silvery white, a stream of Black shadowy magic streamed from it lining up with my wing tears, they began to Burn close as I clenched my teeth in pain and grunted, I continued to pour magic into it as steam rose lightly from my skin, when I stopped I let out a deep breath, the others simply held they're noses from the smell of Burnt flesh.
"Now I wish I had one of those..What are they called...'Energy Drinks'?" I asked as I smiled at them weakly.
"Well I know the next best thing for Changelings!" Cadence said with a smile as her horn began to glow Bright blue, shortly after she Blew a kiss and Winked at me the magic traveling towards me and cascading me in a bright blue glow, I began to feed off the magic around me, my strength slowly returning as I eagerly fed off the Love provided by the spell.
"Oh that's good!" I said as I stood up as my strength was quickly returning.
"Its what I do." Cadence said with a smile.
Once I felt better and ready we walked off towards the Entrance again and quickly entered to avoid anymore prying eyes.
Even though I had fed off the love that Cadence had given me, It was not enough and I was beginning to lose strength again, Before long I knew I would collapse.
"So Kegan, What will you do now?" Cadence asked me as the four of us Traveled down the hall towards the main throne room.
"Well...I don't know...I'm the Last of the Emerald Kingdom...from my Knowledge..." I replied as we neared the door.
In truth I had no idea what to do, What could I do? my Kingdom is Gone, my Queen dead, my Brothers and Sisters in arms as well, Everyone I had ever known outside of Equestria was Dead...On one hand I could simply move on with my life...on the other hand I could start anew...my thoughts were interrupted by a Sharp pulling in the back of my mind, Followed by a voice.
"Return to me Kegan...I miss you.." Called the voice, it sounded Sweet and alluring, but at the same time...Dangerous and Seductive.
"Whats wrong Kegan?" Celestia asked.
"I don't know...I heard a voice...it was distant...but it sounded...so familiar..." I replied to her question as I looked over my shoulder out of a nearby window towards the Kingdom's borders.
"I have to go back...I can't just stay here...I must know..." I added as I looked out the window again.
"At least stay here and rest...There's no way you can make the Return trip in your condition.." Luna replied laying a hoof on my shoulder.
"You're right...Today I remain here...a Prince..tomorrow, I leave a new..." I replied.
Leading me down a few Corridors Luna guided me to the room I would be staying it, She said it was a section of her Wing of the Castle, so none would be bothering me, Saying Good night I quickly walked off towards the bed, Letting out a yawn, I was surprised at how tired I was...I don't know why...but Laying on the bed merely caused the room to Darken, I heard a click and looked to the door to see it was locked, and bound Tightly by what looked like some form of Spell, as the door glowed a Silvery black like my own magic, then a Light giggle filled the air as I looked around the room trying to figure out what it was.
"So you come...Such a delicious young stallion...It will be fun to meet you in person.." the voice said as it seemed to bounce around the room, I moved to stand but I felt a wall of force suddenly push me back down, a Form began to take place from the shadows above me, Hooves suddenly formed on my arms, they were pitch black, up and up the Magic traveled till it took the form of a mare the features continued to form before long her features changed and completed the look, now stood Nightmare moon pinning me to the bed a grin on her face.
"Oh shi-" I attempted to say but I was quickly silenced by a Hoof.
"Silence boy, I have things to say before the spell put you to sleep.." She replied.
"Wait...What spell?" I asked she looked at me Dumbstruck before speaking again.
"The Princess hath placed a spell on Thine body, Before long You will fall into a deep sleep." She replied.
"Are you fucking kidding me!" I nearly yelled out in anger, after all the shit I've been through today I get a magically induced sleep for the night..
"Mmmm...Yes...the Anger flows through you...So delicious..." She replied as she licked her lips.
"What is it you want?" I asked facing her, I was not un attuned to her visits, when I obtained the Element of Darkness, I had many Dreams of Nightmare moon, none of them remember able or clear enough to talk about.
"Come to the Emerald Kingdom...And Meet me atop the Ruined Spire.." She replied to my Question.
"I wish to meet you in person...We have much to discuss.." She added before the rooms Darkness grew brighter and she dissipated leaving the Moonlight shining on my face.
"Ugh...Never get a break.." I said to myself as I rolled over on my pillow hoping the spell would activate soon and I could forget about today's Ordeals, and thankfully it did, before long I felt my eyes get heavy as I began to fall into a Deep sleep and with it drifting off to the Land of Dreams.