Canterlot, Training Grounds;
The sounds of metal clashing with one another echoed the training grounds. Hundreds of royal guards were wielding their blades with skill and quality, not letting down their guard nor losing focus as they either attacked their training dummies or practice with one another.
Near the entrance to the training ground, a platoon of guards watched from afar as two stallions fought one another with their bare hooves. The fight didn't last long before the youngest of said platoon got hit across his chest, making him stumble back and fell on the ground back first.
"If that was a real battle you would of been dead!" Shouted the Captain of the Royal Guard as he regain his stance. Shining looked at the defeated stallion -heavily breathing as he got up from the ground- before he looked at the rest of the guards, who were standing straight and holding firm poker faces.
"Focus!" Shining bellowed as he paced back and forth, eyeing the guards. "We're not fighting thugs and pickpockets! We're fighting Ogres -the Elites of the Horde- and the same Diamond Dogs that attacks our people for decades! And worse, we're fighting against a warmonger with powers that'll rip you to bloody shreds in seconds!"
Shining stopped in the middle of the platoon, seeing that some were conscripted into the Royal Equestrian Army and never seen stuff like this. The captain needed them to be the finest when they move to the Crystal Empire. He would join them, but his orders were here, to protect the capital. No one knew this, but Shining knew that Canterlot, the Crystal City, Cloudsdale and Manehatten are the only strong holds left in Equestria, as it has been since the Equestrian-Griffinstonian War. Equestria didn't want to look like a military nation, so they dropped their army down low after the war. If they knew this 'Great War' would come, Shining no doubt believes that their ancestors wouldn't lower their army. But that's in the past and Shining is focusing on the now. However, there is some aspects of the past that could help Shining's guards.
"Remember how the Royal Guards were formed!' Shining called strongly to this platoon. "Made during the founding of our kingdom, to battle against raiders and foreign invaders that wish to take advantage of our weaken state! But, thanks to Commander Hurricane, who trained all the tribes in defending our families and homes! We driven out the bandits from the northern region of Equestria, we fought against the foul beasts of the Everfree before this Horde of the Forest united them and we destroyed the Sirens when they tried to brainwash us to do their bidding! We were the Royal Guards! We fought in many wars just like this one! The Shadow Wars of the Crystal Realm! The Chaos Crisis! The infamous Equestrian-Griffinstonian War! We had face these wars and won them all, this war will be no different! The skills you have or are learning has be the same skills that saved this kingdom and her rulers, master them as best as you can! We are the descents of Hurricane's first guards! We are the Royal Guards of the Kingdom of Equestria, never forget that honour!"
"Sir yes Sir!!!" The guards responded strong and proud as they saluted as one force.
"Dismiss!" Shining saluted as the platoon's guards went in different areas in the training ground. Shining Armour stood and watched his soldiers training, remembering his time when he was a recruit and was trained along side his friends. How times flew by and how it has changed the way he see the world.
However, he remembered joining the Royal Guard freely, not conscripted and forced to fight against a faction made by monsters and beasts. Those friends he had in training, some of them died in Ponyville and the Highway a week ago, slain by Dynol's warriors and left to rot on the battlefield.
This war must end, now and not a moment soon.
Underground, 287 miles from the Crystal Empire's territories;
The sound of pickaxes hitting rocks and claws digging dirts rang throughout the dog built tunnels. Diamond Dogs from multiple clans, who all had one Alpha as their leader, worked double the normal pace as they had all one goal; to reach the Crystal Empire. The Razorcasts were the spearhead of the operation, with a dozen more being sent by Lord Dynol to speed up their work. They used their claws like drills, breaking through the harden earth like it was made of foam. Compared to that of the canines, who could try and catch up with the Aspects with their tools and strength.
Overseeing the mining operation, Behemoth watched with glee, knowing vengeance is leading the 34th Ocuira army against the backstabbing crystal ponies. He couldn't to see his ancestor's old homeland, before their forceful exodus by the Crystal Empire. Although his orders were to find the location of this Avatar first before leading an invasion into the Crystal City. He wasn't angry or hating this order, but he did want to attack first before anything else. However, if it's important to Dynol to entrust Behemoth to do this, then Behemoth will find this Avatar before sundown.
He watched everything from rocky cliff within the tunnels, made to oversee the work and to see if any workers were lacking or sleeping on the job. Behemoth didn't want any delays nor any deserters as he watched carefully with his officers.
"Gorphuk!" Behemoth called one of his officers. "Go check on the eastern team, last time we check, two of our workers were sleeping and not working!"
"Yes Alpha!" Gorphuk saluted as he ran to check on the eastern team.
"Skever! I want a full report on how much the Razorcasts has done this hour!"
"Right away Alpha!"
"And Beltick!" Behemoth spoken with a growl at the end of his calling as he gave Beltick a scroll. "Head back to Ponyville and give this to Dynol, tell him there has be no delays and if our scouts from the surface be true, we'll reach the border soon!"
"I won't fail ya, Alpha!" Beltick nodded his head as he ran with the scroll in his mouth. Behemoth would continue on watching the mining but right after Beltick left, a canine digger came in.
"Alfa! Ah've got sumfing for ya!" The digger's rusty voice called to Behemoth.
"What is it?!"
"Daga Looky at dis shiny sharpy glowy stony thingy!"
The digger gave Behemoth a small glowing crystal covered in many tiny spikes. Behemoth held it in his massive paw, looking at the crystal with much interest and wonder. The crystal's glow brighten the dim tunnel with a blue aura, as there wasn't many torches that gave the tunnel enough light to shine throughout the tunnel's darkness. Behemoth smiled by this as he turned to oversee the digging and raised the crystal high in the air.
"Take a look boys!" Behemoth bellowed, his voice echoing the tunnel that grabbed many of his canines. "We're almost home!"
With this news ringing through the ears of the Diamond Dogs, they howled loud and strong as they double their work and had a boost of strength to reach the Crystal Empire.
"We're almost home, crystal ponies" Behemoth growled whilst whispering. "So you better give us a warm welcome back to our homeland"
Canterlot, refugee camps;
Camps littered across the gate of Canterlot, filled with ponies from far and wide that fled from the Horde of the Forest's armies. Some ponies lost everything whilst other fled to the capital because they felt they'll be safer than their original homes. Some of the refugees, those who lost everything, went to join the ULE to either avenge or defend those they care from Dynol's onslaught across their homeland.
Helping the refugees were volunteers from within Canterlot, giving them blankets, food and other things to help them as they lived in small tents. One of these volunteers was Firestorm. Although she and her team are on break and should be training, the pegasus couldn't help the fact that innocents with families were just outside their gate and with this war raging, not a lot of ponies are helping them. So when she had sometime, Firestorm would go down and help the refugees in anyway she can.
After helping a lovely elder couple with giving them some soft blankets and warm tea, she had a little walk through one of the camps, seeing if there is anything else she could do to help before heading back to the Lunatic. What she saw was a couple of foals running with smiles on their faces as they headed to a large tent that was used by the volunteers to have meetings and to sort out the supplies to give out to the refugees. Firestorm wondered why they were heading there and so chose to see what they were smiling about. She entered the tent and saw a gathering of foals, sitting in front of a mare who was telling them adventures that Firestorm knew very well.
"Wait?" Firestorm questioned herself from hearing the mare's story as well as her voice. "Is that?"
Firestorm looked at the mare to see if her theory is true. An earth pony with yellow coat, green with light green streaks in her mane and tail, and olive green eyes. Her cutie mark were some cracked rocks. She was telling them about the time when she and her team were dealing with bandits known as the Red Billies and their leader Grey 'One-Eye' Fur, a mission Firestorm was in. The pegasus couldn't believe it.
It was Shamrock Blossom.
"And when we took out Grey 'One-Eye' Fur" Shamrock told her story with a smile on her face, as the foals leaned forward. "His gang all dropped their weapons and ran so fast that you could still see their red masks still in the air as if their wearers hadn't even ran a mile!"
The foals laughed and this made Shamrock's smile grow even larger.
"With their leader behind bars, the Red Billies never threaten or attack ever again! Thanks to the Lunatic and their somewhat successful plan; The Wrapping Plan"
The little foals cheered and stomped their hooves, making Firestorm smile from seeing some happiness in the refugee camps. They foals started to run out of the tent, happily shouting things like 'I'm Grey 'One-Eye' Fur!' and 'Don't pull that flipping lever, Storm Days!' At least they weren't sad or miserable.
Shamrock chuckled to herself as she put the crate she was using as a chair.
"I thought you would be with Arcana?" Firestorm smiled as she raised a friendly eyebrow.
Shamrock suddenly turned around to meet Firestorm, before groaning in embarrassment.
"By Selene's round flank" Shamrock groaned. "I-I thought you would be back at headquarters!"
"You know that I come here when I have spare time"
"Yeah but...Ah, don't tell the others" Shamrock headed towards the exit of the tent, with Firestorm walking beside her. "I just wanted to help the foals, they've lost everything and they shouldn't feel like this at a young age"
"Hey" Firestorm softly spoken with the smile still around her face as she placed a wing over Shamrock. "What you are doing is noble and we know you have a soft spot for foals. But this will be over, that I promise"
Shamrock faintly smile as the two mares headed towards the Gates of Canterlot, hoping for a next plan or anything from the Princesses for the Lunatic to complete or in act upon.
"Oh Fire?" Shamrock called Firestorm, hoping to change the subject. "How was your brother's date? It's about time Storm and Snow start doing this"
Castle Rhyfel, Everfree
The Horde of the Forest was in a busy state. The Castle was filled with Ogres, Changelings, Dogs and Forest animals alike. They were all preparing themselves for the attack of Everstand by the Arkron army, making sure their weapons and armours were at their finest, their wielders well trained and ready for blood. Where once the Tree of Harmony stood, the blacksmiths worked on the double as their flame brighten the lower parts of the castle. From where the army that conquered the Golden Highway once stood, was replaced with dozens of Hydras, wearing iron armour and was being trained to become siege towers for besiege the walls of Everstand. Changelings were learning new combat skills and tactics from the Ogres, learning quicker ways of winning a battle and how to defeat tough opponents. Castle Rhyfel was making ready for war.
However. Far above in one of the towers, a lesson was being taught. One from a master teaching his new apprentice in the art of Fire.
The room was round, being a room to study the stars during before Dynol's arrival. It was a perfect place to teach, not only does it not feel claustrophobic but also gave enough space for setting up tests and rituals with fire.
Right now, Ormry was holding her right claw out towards a blazing fire, keeping it levelled and balanced. Dynol watched his apprentice carefully as she tried her best to keep the flame ablaze and alive.
"That's it, keep it steady" Dynol complimented Ormry, seeing how calm she was. "Remember, you mustn't force the flame but respect it, otherwise you'll get what everyone will get when they play with fire; Burnt"
With this knowledge, Ormry began to think about what'll happen if she failed and what kind of burnt does Dynol mean. Is it the serious kind or just a small one? Will the fire attack her or just fade away? As she pondered these thoughts and focused less on maintaining the flame, said flame began to grow each time the dragon thought of failing her training. This caught the attention of Dynol as he contemplated his apprentice, examining the sudden doubts and the flame's growth.
"Ormry" The champion called the ambassador with stern tone in his voice as moved closer towards the Ormry and the flame. "You're losing control, focus and do not let your rationalism pour through the fire. It hates those who doubt and fear its power, it sees it as mortal weakness so keep it to yourself!"
Ormry, seeing the fire getting larger by the seconds, tried her best to regain control and return it to its former self. But she was forcing it, trying to tame it. The flame suddenly exploded into a uncontrollable whirlwind of fury and anger. Ormry jumped in fright and lost complete control of the fire. The flames glowed bright and with such speed, stretched towards the dragon. The dragon cowered before it and covered her eyes.
Before anything bad could happen, Dynol simply stretched his left arm towards the attacking fire and gripped his fist like he caught a moth midair. The fire stopped its attack and with Dynol's arm slowly lowering down, so too did the fire as it returned to its former state. Balanced and levelled.
Ormry raised her head and looked at the fire, seeing it calmed and relaxed by Dynol. She looked at him with amazement and wonder.
But Dynol looked at her with an emotionless face. "Ormry? When you look among a fire and see its flames dancing wildly, what do you see?"
Ormry looked puzzled from Dynol's question, unsure as to why he would asked this from her. But, she answered with the only thing that would come into a dragon's mind.
"P-power?"
The right eyebrow of Dynol risen from the answer. "Power?"
"Yes, power"
"Dear me, that's what you dragons see in Fire? Power? What kind of Power? The one to dominate others or the one to submit your claim over the power of your flames?"
Ormry wanted to answer Dynol's questions, but felt it would not aid her nor help in her understanding of how to wield fire. So she remained silent.
"Ormry, that will not make you able to command a fire's flame" Dynol spoke with the same stern tone in his voice as he walked towards the balanced fire. He then bent down and picked the fire up in his right hand like he was letting a small woodland creature rest in the palm of his hand.
"Fire is not something one can wield without knowing what fire symbolises for wielders like us" Dynol began to manipulated the fire's flame, letting it grow and change into long, serpent-like waves. Dynol began to sway around, letting his arms move throughout the room freely as well as the fiery waves.
"Fire is not good nor evil and most certainly not power. It is Balance, balance between order and chaos, civilisations and devastations. When do you think culture, art, sovereignty and foolish arguments comes from, Ormry? When language is spoken? When nations are founded? When divines are born? No, it is when the mortal species and fire comes to an agreement; mortals can wield the fire's flames to build their civilisations and form their culture around its light. In return, Fire will be respected as the maker of their civilisations and when the time is right, be its destroyer"
"Its destroyer?" Ormry asked as she watched the fiery serpent-like waves flying around the room.
"Fire was one of the major elements that created our world, by destroying the First Realm of this world"
"First Realm?"
"Best description of what the First Realm was is that of a dead mountain. No life, no colour and no soul. With earth breaking the ground apart, water healing the soil and air supporting those healing waves, fire burnt the dead lands to ensure new life can grow from the ashes of the dead. Fire did not help the mortal races, it just set the stage for their growth. So fire just see us and our civilisations a creation of its creation"
"So...Why does it help us keep us safe and why does it let you command it?"
"Just because fire doesn't care for our survival, doesn't mean it wants us gone. You must respect its part in the making of our world and in return, it doesn't outright destroy you with natural means. Understand your role and if you are worthy, it will allow you to use its power for what you desire. Our lives are not eternal as well as our civilisations, but it will help us if we respect it. Fire is not fair but not cruel, it's Balance. Balance yourself and not be driven in one direction but by all direction and only then will Fire finds you worthy of wielding its power"
Dynol brought both of his hands together, doing this caused the fiery waves to quickly squeeze between the palms of his hands. He stood still and the room fell silent. Ormry watched carefully like a moth to light and wondered what's going through Dynol's mind. Her wonder was answered with Dynol's gaze upon her.
"So Ormry" Dynol smiled as he returned the fire back onto the ground and walked up to her. "Fire is not power nor shall it ever be. It is Balance, balance between order and chaos, civilisations and devastations. Remember that, respect the fire and find your balance and in no time, you'll be able to wield its flame"
Ormry nodded her head and smiled back at Dynol as he stepped out of her way. The dragon looked at the small fire resting on the ground as her master watched from the sides.
"Again"
Canterlot, Royal Quarters
Watching from one of the many quarters that leads into the finest bedrooms one can ever rest in. The princess of Love watched the local guards training in the Training Grounds, seeing their skills with a blade and their loyalty so strong that they'll through their lives in the name of their princesses and their goals. She admired their bravery, but she also pity them, knowing what they'll be facing and the leader their deposing.
Ever since her fight against Dynol the Dammed, Candace has pondered on his words, on his tactics and how he's leading this war. Dynol had multiple times of enslaving the princesses' subjects, yet there are no reports on prisoners or any indications on the topic. He could of executed all the soldiers that surrendered in battles like Ponyville and Golden Highway or skirmishes up north, yet his forces released them, only questioning them before letting them go. So far, Dynol has done nothing that her aunty has said or the propaganda that were spread across Canterlot. Her aunty; Princess Luna has changed since the fall of the Golden Highway. She's not the aunty that Cadence remembered, Luna has began auguring with high ranking officers, generals and even Shining and Celestia. Her eyes were filled with hatred every time someone mentioned Dynol, the Horde of the Forest or any bad reports on how the war is going. Luna's only wishful thinking is how much she's looking forward in having Dynol in chains and either sending him into Tartarus or having a public execution with his head mounted on the gates of Canterlot. Why she's like this is beyond Cadence's understanding and only rational reasons is that this war changes the mind of many and this war is unlike any they have faced, never minding Shining's constant speeches on how it's just like many wars Equestria facd before this.
Cadence was already ready to go back to the Crystal Empire with the army that'll accompanying her to reinforce the Crystal City from a Horde invasion should there be one. Although she doesn't like to leave her husband behind, she must think of her subjects and must put them before herself. She sighed sadly, wishing this war could end peacefully as her letters she tried writing did nothing to open diplomatic meetings, not that she sent them as they were too cliché and could make the mistake of sounding like a trap on Dynol's behalf.
"There must be a way of ending this" Cadence whispered to herself. "There must be. Come on, Dynol. Send a message of peace, you got to for if you do, I'll try to make the others accept it and we can both walk out as possible friends. Come on, I just....I just don't want my Shining killed"
Suddenly a knock came from the door that leads into Cadence's room. Jumping from the knock, Cadence regained her stance and looked at the door.
"Come in!" She called, placing her full attention onto whoever knocked the door.
The door opened slowly and a small Pegasus head with long pink mane came through. "Um sorry princess Cadence, I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"Not at all Fluttershy" Cadence smiled warmly. "Please come in"
With a small smile, Fluttershy opened the door fully, letting herself in and a feathery companion in....
A raven.
"Oh, who's your friend there?" Cadence asked as she approached Fluttershy to get a better look at the bird.
"Oh this little guy? Well I was simply walking towards the castle when this fella decided to come along with me, wanting to be with someone as the others were being mean to him. He's awfully friendly, he won't peck you"
Cadence lifted a wing towards the raven to pet him. The raven tilted his head to wing, crowing softly to the touch of the gentle wing.
Cadence laughed. "He is a friendly raven" After petting the raven, she turned her attention to Fluttershy. "So Fluttershy, what can I do for you?"
Fluttershy's smile faded and was replaced with worried eyes as she looked away from the princess.
"Fluttershy what's wrong?" Cadence asked worriedly from the Pegasus sudden facial changes.
"Um, this might sound strange but... What do you think of Dynol?"
Cadence was taken back from Fluttershy's question, never hearing anyone asking her thought about the enemy's leader let only anything about personal point of views. Then again, Fluttershy cares for everyone, sometime that included villains and foes.
"Why do you ask this sort of question?" Cadence asked with concern and confusion as the raven took much interest in Fluttershy's question.
"Because....Because I want to tell you what I think of him"