The Appearance of The New

by Castok the Shadow

Everstand's new arrivals. A bitter feel. A worried night.

Storm Days POV:

"Selene's Round Flank, this isn't enough!" My sister growled as she tossed a board piece the shape of a Equestrian Knight down onto the war table.

As much as it is my job to make good plan while stationed in Everstand, I must admit this wasn't my best plan. Everstand was made to defend Manehatten from Gryphon attacks during the Equestrian-Girffinstonian War. Built on a small hill, crafted like a tower with three levels of high walls has seen it become this symbol of a fortress that has ever fallen in a siege. It was built to fight from above and below, the first layer for the soldiers defending the iron gates and the walls from siege weapons. The second to bombard the invaders with arrows and magic and siege weapons, which was originally on the first layer until Snow Charm ordered them to the second. And finally the third wall, used to oversee the entire battlefield and to signal our defenders with horns or flags of incoming reinforcements or enemies. To whoever made Everstand, I say they were a damn genius.

But that's all I can say that's good for us. The rest... Pig muck.

The siege weapons that we moved to the second wall, only half of them are working and that's putting it lightly. The garrisons, once homed to fine Knights of Equestria with numbers up to a thousand at least. Now only a handful of trained knights with the rest of the three hundred being simply conscripts from Manehatten itself, some of which has barely even seen a sword let alone held one.

Now we got report of Dynol's army heading this way, with even sightings of Manticore Riders spotted in the clouds with some Changelings accompanying them. Has the Horde allied with the Changeling Kingdom? If so, Celestia help us all. His foul army will be here in days and if the reports are true.... He has Hydras as Siege-Towers and even newer more horrifying creatures made of stone and lava marching with them. When, not if, they break through our gates and onto our walls... It won't even be a battle that'll engulf us.

I raised my head to look at my sister, who was wearing silver armour and her wing-blades. "I'm sorry, Firestorm. But that's the best I can come up with. If we pull our forces back to the second level and rain down arrows, magic, whatever at them. We might have a chance to just see next morning before we're overrun"

"So that's it?" Firestorm chuckled in disbelief at my words, with Snow Charm and the Captain of Everstand, Grey Hide watching us in silence. "Go down heroically at the claws of their Warlord? Let his army reave and burn Manehatten to the ground? I'm not letting that city fall! If it falls our morale back at Canterlot will fall and the war is over!"

"Well go on then! Make a damn plan! Tell me what I should do!"

"Send words to Canterlot tha-"

"All our spare knights have gone to the Crystal Empire!" I yelled at my sister like we used to do in our childhood. "All the remaining Knights are protecting Canterlot! All the knights we have are the ones in Everstand and the ones from Manehatten, the rest are just stallions and mares that are brought here to die!"

The room fell silent, more so then receiving the news of the Horde's victory over Ponyville. I've always hated the silence after an argument, it leaves bad memories and just us saying in our heads the right words to break it and failing each time. Snow Charm and Grey Hide looked at one another as me and Firestorm just stared into each other's eyes. Even some of the knights and conscripts looked at other as they go on their daily duties, not wanting to be in the middle of this.

Firestorm's eyes were wanting a better plan, wanting an alternative solution. But all she got was my eyes, seeing even my own hatred to the plan of my own creation. She sighed and left the room, I could already tell that she's upset from the news.

I sighed as well as I slumped onto my chair like a sack of potatoes, looking down and not wishing to see anyone's faces. The captain's veteran voice broke the silence this time. "I'll... leave you with him, I must check on the conscripts to see how their morales are doing"

The sounds of his hoof steps echoed the war room as he and some others I hear left the room, leaving me alone with only Snow Charm herself. At first, the silence once again returned to the room, like a plague that just keeps on spreading. But the sounds of her light hoof steps came closer to me, its repeating trots somehow kept my nerves and worries at bay and far away. Then I felt one of her hoof pulling my chin to look at her and I obliged.

Out of many years I worked with the Lunatic and even when I told her how I feel for her, I cannot stop admiring her blue eyes. They were large, hopeful, and still holding her true self even through this war. Even with her scar on her face that'll forever be apart of her, she was still the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria and I'm the luckiest stallion to have her by my side. Even in this horrid time and the plan of certain doom, she gives me hope and somehow, even without saying a word, brought a smile on my face as well as uplifting my soul a bit.

"We had some good times, huh?" I asked Snow, my voice somehow sounded defeat yet with a hint of victory. How I do not know. "We faced off bandits, stopped Diamond Dog raiders and now we even managed to save a dragon within the heart of Horde Territories"

Snow shook her head as she gave a small smile. "You overthinking fool. This isn't the end, I know, I'm not going to die in Everstand and I won't leave it in defeat. This plan may not be the best, but if we could save Spike from the Dynol himself, then we can hold this fortress with only three hundred and sixty brave souls against his army"

I chuckled lightly before Snow smirked wickedly. "Besides, it's good that Dynol's coming here"

"Why's that?"

"Well... He gave me a scar, so I feel it's only fair if I give him one in return"

We both chuckled with each other, forgetting about the outside world and only for ourselves. I looked at the table and looked at our war-pieces. Two Knight Pieces stationed at Everstand, one at Canterlot and another two with a crystal piece in the Crystal Empire. Dynol's forces has spilt our armies in two and his geographic location was straight down the middle, which explains why our armies are facing a war on both front.

But my head once again was turned to face Snow Charm, her smirk still on her face. She then raised an eyebrow before she slowly moved towards my lips, her eyes closing halfway as my heart skipped a beat.

That was until someone bursted through the door, making Snow lowering her head sighing as I looked to see who it was: My Sister, Firestorm. "Well got to be important"

She opened her mouth and before any word could escape from her throat, the sound of something buzzing echoed from the background. It was getting louder and louder by the seconds before being drowned out by the sound of one of the eight horns of Everstand. Me and Snow shot up and our eyes widened in shock.

"You got to be joking..."

---

Behemoth POV:

The icy winds of the mountains hailed down upon me and my army. Our perimeter is about two mile long and mining the land is difficult thanks to the harden ground. The cold winds cut through my armour and even my own fur cannot stop the me from feeling a bit freezing and reports of some of our forces are getting frostbites.

And I love it!

The feeling of the very air my forefathers once felt is the only thing that's keeping me warm and awake in the snow. I, along with a watchful WoodFang, stood on a small hill that overlooks the perimeter. There were other hills that gave a better view but I liked this one, mainly for one reason.

I get to see a big spike in the ground.

Icy Spire sure got its name for a reason. The mountainous shard was in between two mountains like said mountains were hugging it tightly. Sure when I say mountainous, it's not really the size of a mountain but it sure is bigger than even that the tower in the Crystal Empire. It almost looked like it was bending down to stab the snowy surface, as if to say 'this land belongs to me', so maybe when we reclaim our homeland again, I'll name it Chieftain's Claw and perhaps even rebuilt Mut'talva near it.

As I watched my people and the Razorcasts continue to build our perimeter. I looked over to the Timberwolf, who again kept a watchful eye over everything. "Say, WoodFang? I got a question for you"

WoodFang turned his head to me, tilting his head to the side, allowing me to see his one larger fang. I continued: "Why is your name like that? I mean, in the sense of how you read it? When Dynol sent me a report of them reaching Everstand, he asked how you are and he wrote your name without a space in Wood and Fang. Why is that?"

The timberwolf gave out scoff, as if he was always getting that question. But he growled and huffed his answer and I nodded.

"Oh so it's how you timberwolves call each other? So your kind don't have spaces in your names?" I asked, interested in this. WoodFang nodded his head. "So something like AshTooth and LogClaw are names as well?" He nodded again as I returned my gaze at the building perimeter. "Huh, now that's something.... And how can I understand you just then?"

Before anyone of us could say something. I heard the sound of wings buzzing and something landing behind me. I turned my gaze to the sound and saw Fangro standing there, shivering in the cold. "Hive's Sake, this place is just t-too cold. We Changelings aren't good in the snow, we were made for the h-heat of the Badlands."

I chuckled as I looked at him. "Oh grow some fur, it's not that bad"

"YOU have fur!"

"I know, bhaha! Oh don't worry, once that snowstorm-" I pointed at the dark clouds that was approaching us in the east. "- goes past us, the sun will show up and we'll get some nice heat"

Fangro looked at the clouds and myself in disbelief as he gulped. "S-Snowstorm?"

"Now you see why we mainly dig underground: One for diamonds and two to keep us out of snowstorms"

I chuckled warmly as Fangro walked towards me, standing in the middle of WoodFang and I. "H-how goes the work?"

"It's going alright, those Razorcasts are helping greatly. Although that doesn't me we're going any faster, the land is strong and hard to dig. I say when the snowstorm is over, we'll be completed and we hold position until Dynol comes here or we're called back"

"You think we Changelings will survive until then?" Fangro asked shivering still. WoodFang noticed this and simply got up and laid down next to the Battle-Mage, to which he fell down and landed onto the timberwolf. I don't know what he felt, but the changeling's face changed from concern to a brief moment of relax, must be a timberwolf thing or something.

But I answered Fangro's question regardless. "I can get some of my mutts and some of the animals to help your Blitzschlag people in making some tents for you. I know it won't be much, but it'll do for the snowstorm's sudden attack"

Fangro didn't answer, instead he nodded his head as he smiled to himself. Is WoodFang keeping him warm? But he has no fur NOR even flesh? Damn they're a strange group of wolves.

I looked at the perimeter once more, checking to see if there's anything wrong. Seeing that there's nothing too concerning, I looked over at our lands eastward, seeing the rolling hills of snows and how beautiful it was. I could see some shiny snows on-top of one hill and it looked so awing, like a herd of stars freely running around the land. It made me smile to myself, for when this war is over... We'll have a home again. Not some hidden cave with clans fighting each other over a scrap of food. But a united people under my rule in the homeland of our ancestors.

And I'm not gonna die in some battle in my prime. I will die in my elder state, in the home of my pups. This I swear.

---

Third Person POV:

The Starry night sky shined down upon Ormry as she looks at the moon and the small dark clouds around it. She has finished sending the letter to Lady Night-Gaze and was simply enjoying the comforting sound of the silent winds and the cold breeze brushing her scales. She stood at the main entrance to the castle, ignoring the Vanguards of Red-Oath going through their duties, guarding and patrol along the earthen walls of Ponyville.

Ormry then looked down at her claw, examining it like examining a painting. She looked to her scales, the soft palm and her talons before clinching it into a fist, feeling warmth from the clinch. She breathed heavily as she remembered the teaching from Dynol, although she seemed to doubt herself in ever achieving the chance of wielding fire, her rational mind betraying her feelings and emotions.

She then heard someone approaching from behind and looked to see Llofrudd, geared up in his onyx armour and looked ready for action as he stood next to her whilst giving her a nod. "Ambassador. A beautiful night, isn't it?"

"Indeed" Ormry answered softly, looking back at the starry sky. "It's on nights like these, I keep on forgetting that I'm not in the Dragon Holds and at peace. I'm in Horde territories and at war with one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world"

Llofrudd chuckled. "Well since they lost this town and the Highway, I have several doubts that they're most powerful kingdom in the world"

Ormry looked at Llofrudd, peering at him like he was supposed to ask a question of impotence to her. "How are your wounds, Llofrudd?"

"The one that Minotaur gave me? It stings, but with that watery aspect's aid, it's tolerable. Why you ask?"

"I got a feeling that we'll need your strength"

Llofrudd looked at the dragon with a risen eyebrow. "Having doubts or something?"

"More like concern about the lack of warriors here. With most of the warriors gone with Dynol, your father, Behemoth and our Changeling allies. I worry about not having enough manpower to fight back a counterattack from the ULE"

Llofrudd smirked as he merely pointed at random Vanguards walking about and guarding the walls. "These are not some runts we picked from the litters. These, Ambassador, are the Vanguards of Red-Oath. They managed to hold the frontline against Equestrians, even mighty yaks and yet here they are: Standing true and ready to serve their people and allies like nothing had happened. Let their enemies try to attack us, their sword-arms always needs a bit of practice"

Ormry looked at Llofrudd's smirk as he merely patted her back and headed back in the castle with two of his Ogre brethren. Ormry looked again to the Vanguards, seeing one patrol having a timberwolf walking with them. She calmed her mind and accepted Llofrudd's words and unshaken belief in his warriors and looked to the starry night one last time. Seeing a cloud in the centre of the moon, moving slowly like it wasn't bothered in this war and seemed to mind its own business. Ormry took mental notes to this and remembered Dynol's teaching to her and thus, headed indoor as well to keep herself warm.

Never knowing that the cloud had some bat eyes hiding behind it, watching the town from afar.

Comments

[Nova Eclipse]

Yessss, im first to comment at LAST. Anyway, nice chapture, it was REALLY great. . Can't wait for more.

[Thatguywholikesfood]

Another nice chapter, and soon to be another great victory for Dynol.

[Radioactive Dragon]

sorry, just has some slight vibes of the game of thrones "there is this epic battle that will happen I swear, pinkie promise"

[KnightOfZaku]

Such a peaceful calm. That just means that the storm will be quite the doozy. I suspect that Dynol's forces will not only triumph. But the amount of casualties his forces inflict will force some of Celestia's allies to question if they should continue supporting her.

[PuppetXMaster]

9132798
yep, as I once heard, you can't have cool stuff until you earn it, those guys don't get to be heroes until they earn it, just introducing some people, saying they are the heroes of the story, then expecting everyone to love them because of that.....no, all you've done is make me dislike them, there is very little they can do to make me actually care about them

even the mane six had an episode dedicated to their hero status, and the only weapon they really had was the elements

[J-90]

Never knowing that the cloud had some bat eyes hiding behind it, watching the town from afar.

Uh oh... Looks like that ponies might soon know that dragons are helping the Horde... Still hoping ponies lose.
Keep it up.

[Silas5399]

is this story dead

[Prince Jules Moonshade]

This is kinda depressing...it seems the story had died. I hope it is not dead but it probably is in all honesty. I was really enjoying this as well!

[Horus Lupercal]

Another writer whom is to damn Fucking lazy to finish what they start on this site not really surprised

[Horus Lupercal]

9820680
Don't expect the lazy writer to finish this story anytime soon he is to incompetent to do so

[carrs88]

Is this history dead??

[Horus Lupercal]

9835918
Yup it's dead

[DerpTape]

9744099
Way to insult someone providing entertainment to you for free. By the way, how many stories have you completed on this site?

Go on, we will wait.

[Horus Lupercal]

9903602
And what your point kid? Why would I write when I can read it and the same can be said to you as well unless your too incompetent like the author of this story is

[Horus Lupercal]

9903602
Then again you can't seem to finish your own stories either so kid ya got no room to talk but at least am not a hypocrite like you

[DerpTape]

9903610
My point is that the authors here owe you nothing. If you are trying to provide motivation for them to continue a story, perhaps you shouldn't berate the and make them feel as if their work is unappreciated. Positive feedback gets results. I have seen several "dead" stories be resurected because of fans asking for more, but insulting the author, where do you get off?

Ever consider that perhaps the evils of real life make for complications on a project like this? You could always offer to be a beta reader, or proofreader, you know, to help the author?

[Horus Lupercal]

9903620
Or they can man the fuck up and complete what they start regardless of feedback good or back.

[DerpTape]

9903613
I never claimed to be a good author, and I never slammed someone who tries. I have a crappy cell phone as my only web access, but if I thought there was actually interest in my stories, I would try to find a way to publish more. Since they don't seem to be popular, I am working on my own work at my own pace.

There are many talented writers on this site, but only a bare hooffull publish for anything except kudos. If you are too cheap to offer a bit of positive reinforcement, or at least constructive criticism why bother saying anything at all?

"Those who can, do.
Those who can't, teach.
Those who can't teach, criticize."
-Painted on the wall of a theater

[Horus Lupercal]

9903637
It's called a blunt truth kid anything else is utterly irrelevant and besides the author of this story has got plenty of feedback who want this story to keep going because it's one of the few stories on here that actually good

[DerpTape]

9903645
I just want to thank you for outlining one more reason I keep shuffling twords a mindset of complete misanthropy. You have deconstructed your personality far better than I ever could.

_________________
P.S. My apologies to the author for letting this conversation take up so much room. Feel free to delete the thread if you feel it is inappropriate. Also, thank you for sharing your work thus far with us. Even Horus Lupercal has reluctantly admitted it is a worthwhile production. Haters gonna Hate, even when they Love.

[Horus Lupercal]

9903696
I've never said I hated it I and along with everyone else who has read this story want the fuckery to keep going and honestly why bother apologizing to the author of this story Wentz his lazy ass has not been on this site in years hell by the time we have established colonies on Mars in the next couple thousand years he will have barley made a paragraph of the new chapter if even a few words.

[carrs88]

Will this story continue? Or will it be forgotten?media1.tenor.com/images/cf488db813bd016fee53965934094113/tenor.gif

[Aramisxx]

Hope to see more

[Heartless2]

Will this story continue? Or will it be forgotten?

[Silas5399]

Is this story going to be updated soon

[bones_of_a_brony]

I wish this one would be updated, I read it so long ago and to see it grind to a standstill after showing such potential is saddening but understandable as everyone has their own lives however I do still with that if it is not going to be updated that it at least be marked as canceled

[Heartless2]

More AWESOME chapters please!!!

[Duckaboo385]

This story is too good to die out pls are will there be updates?

[Divine Avenger]

10132785
Likely never gonna happen

[Divine Avenger]

10113056
You'd have better luck at winning 30million bucks from the Lottery then this story ever being updated since the author has fucked off

[Loganic]

10328522
FUCK YOUR RIGHT. NOOOOOOOOO. Sry for commenting I just had to agree.