//------------------------------// // The Wave Rush Forward // Story: The Dragons in the Mountains // by DracoTitan //------------------------------// Growling in anger, Braeburn stomps on the squirming hand that belongs to one of the undead changelings. Lashing out with a kick, he manages to decapitate bane knight before looking a gemsbok wearing blood red armor, “How are things lookin’ on yer side Sarge?” “Well...the first line is down, undead changelings and diamond dogs are chewing at my boots and Zorok forgot to bring any rifle ammo.” Looking at the younger pony, the old gemsbok can help the bloodthirsty smile that cross his face, “So all and all...this has been pretty damn good.” Turning back to the large opening in the ground, they and several others defenders ready themselves as a horde of bile thralls stream from the opening. Arrows, bolts, blasts of magic and bullets cut through the horde while the bison gore through those trying to tear down the wall. Chief Thunderhooves bellows out a warcry before he flings several bane knights off his body. As a large brute thrall prepares to rush him, a loud gunshot echoes through the battleground before it tumbles down. Nodding his head at Sheriff Silverstar, Thunderhooves snorts at the incoming wave, “MY WARRIORS! WE CANNOT LET THESE SACK OF BONES PASS!” “THA’S RIGH EV’RYPONY! WE ARE THE ONLY ONE BETWEEN THESE HERE CORPSES AND THOSE WHO CAN’T FIGHT,” raise his pistols in a fire position, Silverstar frowns deeply at the incoming wave, “SO AYE SAY IT NOW, WHO HERE WANNA LIVE FOREVER?!” Before the defenders can cheer, the sound of machinery twisting and soul screaming force them to watch as two of the Deathjacks sweep friends and foes out of their way. With a loud bellow, Chief Thunderhooves rush forward at the same time that one of them charge down the line. Bullets and arrows flying ahead, the pair of titans crash into one another in a loud thunder clap. As the machine reach to grab his forelimbs, two other bisons rush forward and manage to knock it down. As the three bisons go to town on the first, the second finally reach the sheriff and throws a punch that would have splatter the pony if he hadn’t jump out the way. Jumping onto a nearby roof, he rains bullet after bullet on the warjack. Leaping back as the death machine destroy the rooftop, he grimace when a reindeer was grabbed and eaten by it, “Ya’ll best fall back, git the folks up an runnin'." Speeding forward, the sheriff jump onto the back of the deathjack. Firing continuously into the machine, he nods as townsponies and bison rush to their homes. Grabbing the warjack by the horn, he glares as the other lifts two of the bison up by their neck while Chief Thunderhooves holds back its feet. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prince Shining Armor kicks a bane thrall of his blade as he summons a cyclone of arcane energy. Expelling outwards, he push back his undead attackers before dashing forward. Meanwhile, Princess Cadance soar above while throwing spear made of ice, magic and crystals into undead and machines. The still form of a single deathjack is thrown away as two more rush forward. Taking a leaping jump forward, Shining Armor jams his claymore through the lanterns on its shoulders before tossing the sword away as it melts, "Damnit to Tartarus and back. They're not so hard to destroy but-" "Tirek made the first Deathjack eons ago," swooping down to the other necromachine, Cadance rips both arms from the machine before using them to scrap it, "it was the reason behind why he was imprison and why there aren't anymore centaurs." As a bullet ricochets of a nearby rock, the royal pair move their head out the way as the round goes into a brute thrall's head, "NICE SHOOTING CHAPEL!" "I WAS AIMING FOR THE UNDEAD DRAGON!!" a scowl cross over a reindeer buck in cobalt armor as he slams the but of his rifle at a dragonspawn's throat. Kicking the undead beast off, he lets out a sigh of relief as a hole punch through both of its eyes, "Thanks Diamond Apple, you're the best." "I know sugar...also, duck," the blue wearing crystal earth pony with silver mane and dark grey coat steps aside as orb of unstable magic flies past the pair into a crowd of bane knights, "buckin' Tartarus, WATCH WHERE YA THROWIN' YER SHIT MOOSE!!" "Don't bother, he's a great warrior," rising from his crouch, Chapel draws out his two short swords before tossing one in the air where Diamond Apple catch it without looking, "but he's kinda of a-" "Buckin' Sociopath, BLIND TO HIS ALLIES?! "-mind damage and unstable retard, yes," glaring up as the trumpets echo through the Empire, he locks eyes with the crystal pony, "that's the queue!" Nodding her head, she focus on those left as Chapel throws a few orbs of magic at a building, "LAST OF THE CIVIES ARE OUT, FALL BACK TO THE PORTALS!!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash swoop through ranks of undead as three undead dragonspawns follow close behind. Rolling into a bane knight, she throws the undead stallion into a gaping maw after placing a yellow orb of magic. Drawing her one edge sword, she stabs through an undead minotaur's mouth as the orb explodes from inside the dragonspawn and catch its wing mates in the blast, "If your epic enough, all the good fights come to you!" "You can say that again," a turquoise mare stomps on a undead griffon's head, earning a loud crack as it shatters, "ya better hurry up if ya want to catch up." "Buck you," before a smirk cross her face, Rainbow' eyes widen as Spit fire scream in pain. As the blade continues in its downward arc, the mare collapse as her left wing flops to the ground. Lashing out with a kick, Rainbow spins in a full circle while bringing her sword to block a bane knight. As the undead diamond dog opens its mouth to bite off her face, the tip of a throwing knife punch through as it falls over. In the distance, Fluttershy spins in a dance of death. Limbs and knives fly through the air as the yellow pegasus use a strange weapon that has a sword on each end. Lunging forward, she dodge under both swings before decapitating a undead pegasus. Tucking her wings in, Fluttershy deflects the two swords before kicking the attackers. As the two thralls fly off with shattered skulls, Fluttershy approach with a worried expression, "Rainbow, Spitfire, we got to leave!!" Pushing back against a griffin thrall, the rainbow haired mare nods rapidly, "Okay yeah, grab Spitfire. I'll defend-" The pair look up as a large undead dragonspawn dove at them. Pushing the pair of pegasi back, Rainbow rush forward as the draconic beast lunge to swallow her whole. Ducking almost to close, the mare lets out a cry of rage as her sword cuts through hide and scales. As the corpse fly by the each side, Rainbow Dash look over with a smug grin, "Yeah, that really jus-AAARGGH!!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everblight swoops down onto the army of the dead, fire engulfing multiple undead in his path. As he pass, Ember pulls from her dive. Hovering in place, she breathes a inferno of red onto a collection of deathjacks, "Are you sure these are deathjacks?" "Yes Em," shaking his head, he fires a large orb of nearly black fire into the another crowd, "although these are vastly weaken version of the original, these are deathjacks." Flapping his wings harder, the older dragon begins to push the army down the mountain before a flash of light appear between the pair. Faust glare down at the army of the dead before turning to the pair of dragons, "The last of the ponies have retreated to Ponyville, art thou certain ye plan shall succeed?" "There are two, maybe three, things that Tirek fears," lashing out with his tail, Everblight digs deep furrows into the earth, "Toruk is the first and the Elements of Harmony is the second." "What's the third?" as Ember looks over, she and the immortal queen flinch as the eon old dragon shines. Scales grows harder and cracks as arcane energy makes him look as though he was a volcano. Spines and spikes sharpen as a blue undertone covers the tip while the tail blade grows in width. Opening his mouth, streams of mana, fire and lightning form into an orb that he swallows whole. Steam rising from his maw, he plummets to the ground as the army charge forward. Even as his mouth barely cracks open, raw power can be felt before he fully opens his mouth and a large black beam blinds every creature with eyes. As the two turn back to see the very land, where a never ending army once charge, replace with a grove with trees of crystals and grass of glass. Looking up with tired eyes, he smirk before slowly rising into the air, "I think that should answer such a question." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tirek roars in rage as he rips off his old arm. Gazing at the crystalized appendage, he snorts loudly as one of the dracolich walks over to him, "You fools could have got me back sooner!" "You worry too much Lord Tirek," as the dragoness walks over to him, she ignores the feeling of trepidation that covers her. Placing a talon on him, she smile sickly at him, "Until you have you original Deathjack again, there's not much you can do." "After all, only a dragon can permanently kil-" eyes widening open, the dragoness tries to pull her arm back while staring at the centaur, "WHAT TH TARTARUS ARE YOU-" "Taking your advice," as four of the undead dragons break apart, Tirek pats her head like one would to a dog. Bones, hide and scales fashion themselves onto him as Tirek's body breaks apart. In a flash of black light, Tirek stands in his new form. Two giant wings grow from his back, each with a rotted appearance. Four heavy arms grow from his torso, each one equip with four claws and a long spike growing from the wrist. On the tip of his tail is a large pincer with a mouth like opening. Rubbing his crocodilian like muzzle with eight bull horns and four pairs of eyes blink in unison, he grins before looking at the dragoness as her eyes dilates, "Oh no, my dear...you're not going to die like they did." "After all," smiling as the dragoness is forcibly shrunken before her body snaps and breaks into a new form, "I have to properly reward you." Hearing a throat being cleared as he laughs maniacally, the newly formed dragon look down at a cloaked figure with a smirk, "Have you found it my child?" "Yes your lordship," motioning behind him, the figure waits for the large number of bane knights and blood witches to bring in a larger dust covered Deathjack. As the Lich Lord and Lich exit the room, Tirek barely looks back before the door closes, "Wake it up." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As daylight shines onto Ponyville, tall battlements can be seen as warriors mill about. Reindeer and gemsbok ready their weapons on the edge of the Everfree, bison and changelings sharpen their horns while diamond dogs and ponies repair the last of the armor and weapons. Twilight Sparkle adjust her armor once more before turning to her mother, "I really don't think it needs to be so tight." "Trust me my dear," grabbing her daughter by the shoulder, Twilight Velvet pulls on a loose strap, "better to have it tight than to have it fall off in the mist of battle. Now, lets knock them dead." The pair step out from the room, the pair stop in front of their friends and family. Violet color chainmail gleaming in the sun, the young alicorn adjust the helm under her arm. As her mom pats her shoulder in matching color armor, the alicorn takes a deep breath, "Sorry I'm late everypony." "Ain't nothin' to be sorry fer," Applejack walks over in a heavy orange and gold plate, a mallet made of steel resting beside her, "none of us were ready fer this." "It's sad that we must lose our innocence," Rarity brings a delicate hand to her face, clutching tight to her sword-staff as her silver splint mail shifts uncomfortably, "but it we don't how can we expect others to respect us as the Elements." The three look over to a grim face Pinkie Pie wearing dark pink plated mail and a shotgun in her lap, "I made a promise to the Cakes that I'll look over their kids, I can't fail...not now." Feeling a comforting hand on her face, Pinkie Pie look up to Twilight just as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash walk in. Both of the pegasi wear lamellar armor with Fluttershy's being a dark gold and Rainbow's a deep cerulean. As Rainbow leans against a beam, Rarity rush over, "RAINBOW, YOUR ARM!" "Don't worry about it," waving off the unicorn's concern, the cyan pegasus rubs at the nub where her left arm use to be, "I'm still good to go." A loud slap echoes through the library as Fluttershy glares at her long time friend with redden eyes. As Rainbow Dash looks away, the tear marks seem more pronounce on Fluttershy, "Don't you dare...act like nothing happened." Grimacing, Fluttershy prepares to apologize when a soft knock could be heard. Opening the door, the mane six and Twilight's parents rise as the queen, three princesses, and Shining Armor walk in, "Please, there's no need for formality." "Indeed for soon war will be upon us and we shalt be family by battlefield," turning to Rainbow Dash, Queen Faust frowns in concern, "how art thou wound?" "It's nothing your maje-" "Do," tensing as the deity look through, Rainbow stays perfectly still as Faust holds the pegasus shoulder, "not.lie to me." Head facing the ground, the cyan mare seems to want to melt into the floor, "I'm...still trying to get use to not having another hand." "I'm certain that Everblight is willing to shape a new appendage for you," walking to his sister's friend, Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash exits the library. As the pair walk out, a strange trio walk in. The dark grey mare has blue plate on with a rifle equip with revolver's cylinder and a pair of trench knives. The first reindeer wearing cobalt armor has two short swords on his hip and a sniper rifle on his back. The last is also a reindeer although he is wearing blue armor and carrying a normal rifle on his shoulder. The mare looks around with a confuse expression on her face as the two reindeer snaps to attention, "Oh sorry your majesties, I was looking for m-" "DIAMOND APPLE!" as Applejack race forward, the pair of mares embrace with wide smile, "it's been too long sin' aye las' seen ya." "You too little cuz," pulling away, Diamond Apple motions to the two reindeer, "the buck in blue is Moose while the one in cobalt is my coltfriend Chapel." Looking at the taller mare, Applejack gains an amused expression, "Ya always wer' inta 'em strange ones." "Like you're one to talk Madam Fluffleskirt." "HEY!" Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie looks at a smiling Moose as he takes a seat next to the party, "Hello! I'm Moose, it's great to meet you!" "I'm Pinkie Pie," tilting her head to the side, she can't help but notice his two tone eyes, "I can't wait for this war to be over." Hearing him take a breath, she blinks in surprise, "Me too! That way, my big bro and I can celebrate my first birthday here in Ponyville!" As a smile creep up on the earth pony's face, neither of the pair notice as their finger tip brush against the other. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everblight lowers his head before looking at Rainbow's stub. Scratching his chin, he lets out a groan before jabbing into his thumb. As the drop of blood falls into a cauldron, he holds his hand over it as blue glyphs surround his claw, "Iejir di sini, adon vi jira di dastudr!" The cauldron bubbles for a few minutes before Everblight knocks it over, draining the liquid. As he turns to focus on another, Rainbow takes in her new arm appearance. Looking a lot like her old arm, she notice the claws on her hand as well as the near unnoticeable scales. Taking the arm from the cauldron, she inspects it before looking up at a familiar face, "Ya gonna put it on or are ya gonna mope some more." "Shut it Gils," smirking at the blighted griffin, Rainbow's eyes flash in surprise as a pair of draconic wings sprout from Gilda's back, "and I thought you wanted to be normal again?" "Normal...is over rated," nudging the pegasus, Gilda leer at the cyan pony, "go on and put.it.on...unless you're chicken." Rolling her eyes, Rainbow holds the arm close to her nub. As it snaps into place, Gilda raise an eyebrow before humming, "Damn, that's soo freaky." "Ya telling me!" as the pair of friends laugh, a throat clearing makes the two turn to see Spitfire standing with a hand on her hip. Where her nub use to be, a new wing that mostly looks like a bat but with a bird's covert. As the trio of fliers head out, Everblight looks as a large ash cloud slowly approach. Looking down at Vayl, he hands over Asphyxious' Emerald of souls to her, "Summon Asphyxious, let him know I have a present for him." "It's not even Hearth's Warming," a smirk cross the doe's face as Everblight locks eyes with a red and black dragon. Flapping his wings, Everblight heads towards the enemy just as a single deathjack stomps towards the town. "Fuck," noticing the energy radiating from the real deathjack, he looks to his foe in the sky, "I don't know who you are...but I'm going to enjoy picking my teeth with your bones." "You'll wish," surprise cross Everblight's face as Tirek's voice escapes from the dragon's body, an army of undeath falling from his frame, "that I had killed you after this is said and done." As the two dragons hover in the air, a crack of lightning descends from the ash cloud, "WE SHALL SEE!/HAVE AT THEE!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stirring from his slumber, Toruk gaze into a pool. Seeing the pair of dragons charge at each other, his eyes flash in rage, "Tirek...you had better hope you die...I won't take such an atrocity lightly." As the Deathjack marches forward, the Dragonfather fails to notice as a cloaked figure hops onto one of the many boats. As part of the hood falls back, a green human like face could barely be seen before the hood covers it up again.