//------------------------------// // Chapter 24: Marching off to War // Story: The Pony Who Embraced The Darkness // by Zurvan //------------------------------// Chapter 24: Marching off to War =====Canterlot===== Discord appears in the courtyard outside Canterlot castle. “Now where’s my army?” Celestia steps out of the castle. “You’re earlier than I thought you’d be. I’d just risen the sun.” “Sorry, I want to get moving.” Discord says. “This Lord Umbra’s shadow magic is quite interesting, I can only teleport so close to him.” Celestia nods. “Your army is in the dining hall. They should be out shortly.” “Thank you for trusting me with these ponies.” “To get rid of this Lord Umbra I'd trust almost anypony.” Celestia says. The sound of hooves on pavement draws their attention to an assortment of ponies in mismatched armor. “Volunteer core reporting for duty you Highness!” Discord surveys the 1000 or so ponies gathered before him. “Not bad, but it needs a little something...” He snaps his fingers and all their armor is identical, crimson in color with 8 black arrows pointing every direction arranged into a circle, “Much better.” Celestia surveys the army and nods. “They look fierce, good luck.” “Celestia, I don’t need luck. I have your army and my magic.” Discord grins and snaps his talons making the whole army vanish, “I hope this was a good idea.” Celestia says to herself. “Princess Celestia!” One of her guard runs up to her. “Princess Celestia! Where’s Discord?” “If you were looking to join the volunteers they just left.” Celestia says. “No, no no!” “What’s the matter?” “There’s a letter from Captain Rainbow Dash, it was found lying on top of Princess Twilight just moments ago.” “What does this letter say?” “Captain Dash is with the volunteers.” “Find me the rest of the squad she came in with.” Celestia commands and the guard pony pales. “What is it?” “I saw them all join the volunteers. They were all on leave so I couldn't stop them.” “I can’t say as I’m surprised.” Celestia sighs. “Thank you for notifying me; please return to your duties.” “Yes, ma’am.” the guard salutes and walks off. =====South of the Crystal Empire===== Shining Armor leads the way through the snow, creating a path for Ash and Sweetie to follow behind him. A group of soldiers in crystal armor follow behind them. “Are you sure we're going the right way?” Shining asks. Sweetie pulls a black object out of her saddlebags with her magic and brings it in front of her. Using her magic she opens the object to reveal a compass. The needle points south west instead of north. “The compass still says go this way.” Shining sighs and pushes on. “I just had to lead the army, me and my big mouth.” “Just remember it was your idea that I go get the compass and bring it back and we lead the army from here.” Ash says, “Unfortunately it is all necessary, there’s no easy way to move this many troops.” Ash drops back and notices grumbling from the ponies behind them too. “Dear, I think we could use a morale boost.” Sweetie nods and starts humming. ===== outside Tall Tale===== Discord and his army appear. “Well, looks like we’re walking, or those of us that can are flying from here.” The ponies behind him form ranks and they start marching. One pony flies up to Discord. “So what's the plan?” “Ah, Rainbow Dash, I thought I'd seen you amongst the commoners. The plan is this: we march in, I'll use my magic to keep his shadows busy while you lot fight his soldiers and kill him for me.” “Works with me.” “Good.” Discord says as they go along. “Perhaps we need something to pass the time.” He snaps his fingers and instruments appear and start playing themselves, the melody the same as Sweetie Belle’s. ========== Greaves leads a large group of undead ponies down a shadowy path, a large black dragon flies over head and roars. “Settle Onyx, you'll get your fresh meat soon enough.” “Meat. Meat.” The horde of zombie ponies mumble. “Master could have given you some of the smarter undead.” Onyx says. Greaves grunts, deep inside he hoped that they would fail and that the princesses would kill him again. He’d rather that then for Applejack to see him like this, or to succeed and kill Twilight. “They’ll do the job, that’s all that matters.” “Kill Twilight. Kill Twilight.” The horde chants, Greaves starts to hum and some of the the zombies pick up the tone, the melody now becoming eerily similar. ========== “That’s it my minions fortify this place.” Umbra calls out and some shadows move about creating blockades, and some zombies do the same thing elsewhere. He walks to a side room and looks to his captives, and smiles, as is his way he’s had his fun with them, he knows they’re what the ponies heading his way are after. “This is going to be glorious.” He walks back into the main room. “Minions! Music!” The shadows take on the forms of instruments and start to play a melody. “Yes.” Umbra says. “Let’s have a war.” =====Frozen North==== The troupes behind Sweetie Belle have now picked up the tune and she starts to sing. The Moon hangs low as we drudge through the snow Cold wind hitting our flanks, burning our eyes Steeling our resolve This causes some of the soldiers to sign. March through the snow; On our way to war! =====Greaves===== With the zombie army humming the tune Greaves sings. We meet our doom or arrive victorious To Canterlot Castle we go Ready to stomp any who oppose, We head through the unknown to meet our foe About half the zombie horde sings: Princess princess princess Kill the princess =====Discord===== With the magical instruments floating in the air and playing Discord sings. Through blazing heat and heavy air, We go to find Umbra and stop him in his lair Bringing Chaos! Bringing Strife! We are going to war tonight! The army of ponies that marches behind him sings. By the orders of the Princess; Discord leads us to war! =====Umbra===== Henceforth they come, in hopes of stopping me From north, south, and easterly This place unknown, so full of danger I do not think they will win this war they wager Umbra sings, and soon his shadow minions join in: Protect the lair; Defeat our enemies =====Sweetie===== “War!” =====Greaves===== “War!” =====Discord==== “War!” Somehow in the midst of everything the three of them all sing at the same time: “We march to war!”