//------------------------------// // Conflicts Abound // Story: The Dragons in the Mountains // by DracoTitan //------------------------------// A company of one hundred and fifty blighted gemsbok and fifty blighted reindeer patrols the border between Equestria and The Wilds. While only a small fraction of the corps that is in place, they carry themselves with a great deal of determination. One of the gemsbok that is wearing the red tinted armour of his battalion looks over to one of the reindeer, "Hey Alcyr." The crossbow wielding deer look up with his blood red leather mouth mask look over, "Yeah, what up Borok?" "You ever wonder...why we here," seeing the pensive look on the others' face, he interjects before any of them gets philosophical, "and I mean, Why are we patrolling this part of the region?" "Cause let's face it...no sane beings would live here," just as the gemsbok says this, the sound of squawking battle cries cut through as a small horde of creatures rush towards them. Looking like wingless bipedal griffins that have been plucked, the creatures rush forward with spears and axes at the ready. As the gemsbok draw out their axes and swords, Borok snorts in annoyance, "Nevermind...I see the insane idiots that live here now." "Bet ya that I'll get more kills than ya," nocking a bolt, Alcyr grins while the others fit arrows into their bows. "You're on," holding his blade at ready, he smiles savagely as the horde rushes forward with bloodlust, "loser pays for mead?" "If ya gotta ask," sending a bolt into the skull of one of the blighted griffins, Alcyr laugh at Borok who swing his sword and cleave through a pair with one swing, "then yer paying!" "Was worth a shot," ducking down, he lets another bolt blow the head off a griffin before he rushes forward, "lopes and deer, today is a good day for the enemy to die!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile in the Sparkling Sea, the Equestrian fleet can be seen firing their cannons at a host of ships bearing black flags with a lime green dragon skull and spinal cord that curls into itself. On one of the galleon, Prince Shining Armor glares at the flagship belonging to Toruk and his followers, "Captain Flash Dagger, ready the Absolute Reclamation Cannons." "Aye, Aye yer majesty," leaning over, the pegasus mare focus on her crew, "ye heard our glorious leader! READY ALL ARCS!!" Watching as the order is spread to the rest of the fleet, Shining Armour's ear twitch as the crackle of lightning signify the readying of the ARCs. Arcane magic shine before several beams crash into the opposing ships. While a few enemy ships quickly sinks, others manage to survive the first wave before the others cannons tear them apart. A frown cross his face as several of the opposing ships crawl away, "Report of the fleet Captain." Nodding her head, she grimace at the scene, "We have lost three of our seven galleon, nineteen of our thirty two barque, thirty six and forty two of our ninety five frigates and corvette respectfully sir." "And the crew?" "We manage to retrieve almost everypony except the captains and a few stallions and mares working the cannons," even with her head down, Flash Dagger can feel the rage in her Prince's form. Taking a deep breath to calm him, Shining Armour nods before offering the mare a salute, "We push them back but we must remain vigilant." "I will ensure that the Sixtieth are sent to re-inforce you...as well as let the families know of the demise of their love ones when I receive the list," seeing her nod, Shining turns around before teleporting back to the Crystal Empire with a heavy heart. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the Everfree, Garble and Clump stalk into the area where Queen Chrysalis rest. Removing the changeling from her chains, the dragonspawns wait for her to awaken before they continue their purpose, "Queen Chrysalis as of this point, we have no reason to keep you." "In fact," watching her look at him, Clump nods respectfully to the monarch, "the Legion of Everblight is ensuring that you are united with the remainder of your hive that live in the Badlands." "...what do you want," the small amount of caution in her voice makes the pair of dragons smile. They figure she has been biding her time before she attempts to break free. They made certain to be upfront with her, even getting some advice on espionage. Garble snorts before sitting back, an easygoing smile on his muzzle, "We need you to send any of your hive that you can spare to spy on the blighted griffins that resides in the Wilds." "Of course, we will ensure that you changelings get enough love to be as healthy as possible," nodding to the pair of Grotesques, he waits for them to guide a figure in, "Queen Chrysalis, Everblight has done many experiments in his lifetime...she is one of them." The royal changeling gaze at the pony before her with a raise eyebrow. A dark pink mane flows in a similar hairstyle to the queen while her body is cover with thick light pink fur coat. A pair of large teal eyes shine at the monarch with curiosity. Blinking in surprise, she look at the pair of dragonspawns, "What is-" "This is a fluffy pony, they...seem only to just love things," slowly walking over to the mare, Clump pokes her nose, "Fluffle Puff, this is Queen Chrysalis." A slight gasp release from the mare's mouth before Fluffle Puff glomps the surprise changeling. As the four males walk out, Clump look over to Garble, "I think that went well." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While Everblight's dragonspawns are delivering several thousand fluffy ponies, a group of seven nephilims stands guard as Princess Luna, Princess Celestia and Queen Faust. Normally, they would only be seen if a pony has been trying to find them. However, now they kneel before the eldest alicorn as she frowns at them, "Why did ye kill these ponies?" Pulling back one of the hoods of the ponies reveals that the pony in question was mostly rotten flesh with its skull being completely bare. As the two princesses turn green and a few nobles faint, Queen Faust hums to herself, "Very well...ye may return to thine post." Four of the nephilim nod and move beside the two princesses before jumping into the bannisters. The other three however stands around the Queen. Before she can tell them otherwise, a courier burst through the door, "Your Majest-" When one of the nephilim growls deeply at the stallion, the pony tense before seeming to remember where he is. Bowing to the queen, he holds out a letter that one of nephilim takes, "A report from Prince Shining Armour has just arrived." Reading the report, Faust frowns before looking at the nobles, "Why art thine not sending our allies reinforcements?!" "Why would we need to worry about-" feeling a heavy pressure shove him down, Prince Blueblood and several others turn to a scowling alicorn, "-y-your majesty?" "I remember a time when all nobles must have at least one member of their family actively serving this country's needs," rising from her throne, Faust looks over to the royal guards, "take them for mine sight, they are here by strip of their status until they can prove their worth." As the former nobles try to speak against the ruling, they are force out of the court room. Turning to the scribe, Faust motions for the young unicorn mare to dismiss herself. As she runs her fingers through her mane, she smile as Luna hugs her tightly, "Whilst I do not miss the court, tis always good to be home." "True but now we must ensure that the disgraced nobles don't start anything," groaning from her seat, Celestia place her face in her hands while her mother and sister smile kindly at her, "then we must reinforce our barriers, see about raising new nobles that will do their tasks-" "Celey, everything will be alright," walking over, Faust draws her eldest daughter into a hug that ease the tension in Celestia's shoulders, "tis for the good of everypony that they are remove." "Now my daughters," heading towards the map, the three alicorns place a fleet of ships at the Sparkling Sea, "what needs fortification?" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A blighted griffin squawk just as a bane knight cuts it down. As the dead sentient falls to the ground, the undead only had enough time to look up as a crossbow bolt tore its torso off. The two armies have been pushing against one another for a week now and the conflict remains strong. The ground shook, making the fighters stop in wonder, as two figures spring from underneath. The first is a teal dragoness with four bird wings and a mane of spikes. Meanwhile the other is a skeletal dragon with black tinted metal covering its skull, torso and claws. Flying around one another, the pair of equaling size dragons clash in a flurry of claws and fangs. Thrusting her claw to one of the bat like wings, the dragoness tears it off just when the dracolich stabs its tail blade into her stomach. Bellowing in pain and rage, she kicks the undead to the ground before spitting a continuous wave of yellow fire. As the metal of the dracolich peals off, a female griffin throw her spear at the partially reveal athanc with enough force to knock it out. As the dragoness dives at the heartstone and devours it, the griffins begin to sweep up. Meanwhile, the female griffin looks at her talons before slowly tightening them into fist. While the majority of the blighted griffin army continues on their campaign, one manages to use one of the cryxian dinghy and begin a long and difficult journey, 'Gotta warn Griffonia...gotta warn Rainbow.' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight Sparkles look in her mirror with a tilted head as she unfurls her new wings once more. Hearing the giggle of her daughters, she walk over to the crib and pick the pair up with a smile, "I do look funny with wings, huh." Feeling the pair of fillies nuzzle into her, Twilight opens the door with her magic only to pause at the sight before her. Standing seven feet tall, the only thing distinguishing the cloak figure is the griffin beak and the female curves. Placing her children down, Twilight's horn glow as she narrows her eyes at the intruder, "Who...are you?" Slowly raising her talon to her hood, the figure grins nervously at the youngest alicorn, "Hey there...can you help me send a letter to king Gryphdor?" "Sure I can," not taking her eyes of the blighted griffin, Twilight brings a note pad to her, "so who should I-" "By the way, have you seen Rainbow Dash...I kind of want to let her know I'm in town," feeling a body crash into her back, the griffin squawks as she and the pegasus in question fall onto the floor, "da-darn it Rainbow Dash, haven't you heard of breaking?!" As the griffin flinch at Twilight's glare, the cyan pegasus shakes her head before gaping at the blighted griffin, "Gilda! when the hey did you get back?!" Before either of the pair can respond, they are both pick up by a fuming alicorn, "Stop screaming...and curse one more time Rainbow and see what I do?" As the pair nod quickly, Twilight looks back at the griffin, "So what do you want to send Gilda?" "Tell them to stop sending patrols into the Wilds," a grim line cross her face before Gilda motions to her, "there's a group of dragons blighting anything that approach the area." The sound of a clearing throat makes the trio turn to see Vayl standing there with a raise eyebrow along with a pair of nephilims. Walking to the griffin, the reindeer lay a hand on her shoulder with a gentle gaze, "Tell us everything."