//------------------------------//
// The First Confrontation 
// Story: Star Knight and the Nine-Tailed Fox 
// by Rakoon1 
//------------------------------//

The Commando Unit was mobilizing to the enemy’s area, with the flying ones giving a ride to the ones who couldn’t. Shadow Claw was getting a ride from Smokewing, who was put in his team. Along with them was Dark Knight, a former colleague of Shining and Blue from the academy, who was giving a ride to a unicorn guard from Maretonia, another dragon who was giving a ride to a pony-panther and a pegasus from Celestia’s guard giving a ride to a unicorn from the Light Kingdom.

While he was observing the terrain, Smokewing told him:

“You know, it is kind of scary having to fight a war this big. I may be a dragon, but I and my brothers don’t like to fight that much. We’re only doing this for our big brother and this world. But even so, I cannot think about what that General of Chaos has for us.”

“Yes, I understand what you’re saying, but we cannot let ourselves be consumed by fear” Shadow Claw said. “I once served the Chaos, so I know they can do anything to win. But we must not act as cowards and face anything they send against us with all dignity.”

That made Smokewing wave with his head and then focus on his flying. After a moment, Shadow Claw said to his unit:

“Listen up! This war’s outcome will depend in our unit’s attack as will the casualty accounts! If you want to protect your family and friends, only think about succeeding.

And so they continued.

Meanwhile, the two remaining members of the infiltration team continued to run from their pursuers. Up there, Rothbart and his three companions flew with the clay birds. Rothbart took some clay that he shaped in three spheres and then charged with his special mixture of explosive energy and dark magic. After that, he dropped them and used his magic to make them expand and then divide in more spheres, who created explosions over the forest under them. 

The deer that stayed behind hid behind a three to avoid the explosions and then said:

“They have been bombing this all area indiscriminately. I have to put more distance between us.”

It was then that a sphere landed on his shoulder and exploded.

The other two, noticing how close the explosions were getting, stopped and one said:

“We cannot distance ourselves for very long.”

“I’ll increase the intensity” the other deer said, while focusing.

Sensing bugs arounds, he communicate with them, sending them to the enemy. Before all that bugs, Rothbart said:

“All this bugs are so annoying.”

“They keep moving and hiding” Sand Threads said. “It’s quite bothersome.”

Ash, trying to use his sensing abilities, said:

“The insects interfere with the ability I have. I can only sense energy and they also have it. This is a spell that uses bugs to shield the oneself from being detected.”

“These deer are good” Rothbart commented. “However, they better not underestimate us. Here our answer to those insects.”

And he molded figures with the explosive clay that looked like bats and they gained life and started flying towards the forest. They were able to find the other two deer and exploded. The deer who controlled the insects was able to escape, although barely, having a lot of wounds. Knowing he couldn’t advance any longer, he took a scroll from his saddlebags and sent the bugs take it.

“Take it to the HQ” he said. “Hurry.”

And bugs moved away. After that, the deer try to move, but it was too late, as another explosive of Rothbart appeared and exploded.

The Commando Unit finally landed in a place close to the villains’ hideout and then Shadow Claw said:

“All right, gather around.”

They did so and then Shadow Claw said:

“We’re already in enemy’s territory. We’re going to set up a base camp. We can head out from here to launch surprise attacks and set up delayed explosive traps. Keep a ten-meters radius. The exit points will be at two and six o’clock. Dark Knight, go prepare the traps at all the clock exit points.”

“Okay” he replied.

Shadow Claw turned to the other dragon and said to him:

“I want you to go to aerial surveillance.”

He turned to the Maretonia soldier and said:

“Use earth nature to make trenches.”

Then, he turned to the light unicorn.

“Set up a mind receiving antenna so we can have access to communication.”

The pony-panther and the Pegasus were next having their assignment.

“You two are in watch duty. Meanwhile, I and Smokewing will revise our plan of action. But be aware that the enemy enslaved the General of Death and is forcing her to use the Reincarnation Curse. According to our intel, corpses are brought back to life with their souls held in bondage. They can’t be killed, no matter what you use. The only way to stop them is to seal away their souls and mobilize them. And even if it wasn’t the General of Death the one casting the curse, kill the caster doesn’t undo the curse. One of our priorities is to find the General and release her from the control of the enemy, so she can undo the curse.”

Elsewhere, the First and Fourth Units where running side by side, with Arcing and Strongpaw side by side. At some point, Arcing nodded to Strongpaw and said to his unit:

“First Unit, follow me!”

And the two units took different directions.

At the place where the Commando Unit was, traps have been set up around the campsite with trenches strategically made. It was then that the pony-panther sensed something and Shadow Claw, noticing that, asked:

“What is it?”

“I can’t tell for sure because of the interference, but… something is coming.”

Listening that, Shadow Claw adopted his pony-wolf form and, using his sense of smell, he could tell the pony-panther was right.

“Is it the enemy?”

They then saw movement and then the deer who commanded insects appear, very hurt from all the explosions. He then fell on the ground, exhausted.

“Oh no, we have to help him!” the pegasus said, starting to go towards the deer.

“Wait!” Shadow Claw exclaimed, knowing something wasn’t right.

“That is where the booby traps are” the pegasus said. “I’ll get him.”

Shadow Claw used his speed to approach the pony-panther and said to him:

“Verify him.”

“Yes, sir” the pony-panther said.

Using his enhance vision, he saw something on the deer’s saddlebags.

The pegasus helped the deer get up, but the latter said:

“No… Get away from me.”

“His saddlebags have something charged with dark magic” the pony-panther said.

Realizing what it was, Shadow Claw said, turning then to the pegasus:

“Oh no… Hey, come back here! Be careful!”

Intertwining the deer was energy threads that seemed to be invisible to the eye. Those were connected to Sand Threads’ hoof, who was with his team hidden in the woods.

“Looks like they already figure out your little trick” Rothbart said to Sand Threads.

Before that, Sand Threads made a gesture and the deer’s body moved and secured the pegasus.

“But what the…” he said.

“I’m so sorry” the deer said. “Everyone run! Just save yourselves! No one can help me now!”

Shadow Claw, noticing the deer’s moves, recognized them and said:

“It can’t be… Ivory!”

“Yes, I also noticed it” the pony-panther replied.

Always securing the pegasus, the deer started to move towards them.

“He’s using him as a shield” Dark Knight said. “What do we do?”

“Ivory, get him with your threads” Shadow Claw said, turning then to the Maretonian pony. “Prepare to act! I know that kind of magic in his saddlebags. It’s Rothbart’s explosive clay.”

“On it!” they replied.

Ebony also launched energy threads that connected to the pegasus.

“Go” Sand Threads said, when they were close enough.

“I’m on it” Rothbart, preparing to detonate the clay.

“Now!” Shadow Claw exclaimed.

Using his magic, the Maretonian stallion used his magic that affected all the area where they were. Rothbart detonated the clay and there was an explosion that was sensed by the dragon that was making surveillance. The four reincarnated being were seeing the smokescreen made by the explosion.

“Now that it’s how we make things” Rothbart said with a smile. “They all blow up.”

“Check it” Sand Threads said to Ash.

He did so and then said:

“Still there.”

When the smoke cleared, it was revealed that the piece of terrain where they were had sinked in a perfect square. Ivory had been able to take the pegasus to safety, who had now a burned leg, and he said:

“I wasn’t able to save the deer, damn it.”

“Don’t blame yourself” Shadow Claw said. “It couldn’t be helped.”

He turned to the light pony and said:

“Go heal him.”

“Yes, sir” the light unicorn said, going to the injured pegasus.

“I can’t believe they were able to get this close” Smokewing said.

“And this is not over” Shadow Claw said. “The enemy is coming.”

Two shadowed figures appeared with a great jump and Dark Knight and Smokewing advance to attack them with a hoof blow and a tail swift, but they were able to dodge, revealing their identities. They were the other two deer.

“But those are…” Ivory started.

“Yes, the other deer of the infiltration team” Shadow Claw said.

“More comrades?” Dark Knight asked. “Are they being manipulated?”

It was then that a shadowed pony entered and tried to attack them, but then the other dragon appeared and gave a blow that threw the enemy against the ground.

“You arrived at the right moment” Smokewing said, while the dragon landed beside him.

Rothbart arrived in one of his clay birds and said:

“We’ll keep your friends alive for now.”

“You really didn’t change a bit, didn’t you, Rothbart?” Shadow Claw asked.

“Well, look who he is” Rothbart said. “Shadow Claw… I can see that you’re still a mutt. It’s just a shame that you don’t give your paw to your true master anymore. Such a bad dog. But let’s stop talking. What should we do now?”

“Your dirty tricks won’t work for long” Shadow Claw said. “Do you think I don’t recognize what is happening to those two?”

He then directed his words to everywhere:

“Sand Threads, I know you’re out there. Now show yourself.”

“I can see that you’re familiar with Sand Threads’ abilities” Rothbart observed. “You two must have some history. What’s not surprising regarding the hostility that exists between pony-wolves and pony-panthers.”

Shadow Claw and Ivory shared a look, with the latter understanding what the former wanted him to do.

“You’re a commando unit as well, aren’t you?” Shadow Claw asked. “It’s a little strange for two commando units to engage battle like this.”

“If we win here, our surprise attacks will be more effective” Rothbart said. “Our side initiated this entire conflict. A victory here can decide the course of the war.”

“Well then, we won’t lose” Shadow Claw ensured.´

“You think so?” Rothbart asked. “It’s impossible for you to win. You want to know why? Because we are immortal.”

And the shadowed pony that the dragon had attacked just rose up, like it was nothing. It was Armored Forge. Seeing him, Dark Knight just froze. Noticing that, Shadow Claw asked:

“What is it?”

“Impossible…” he said.

Armored Forge rose up his head and told to Dark Knight:

“Run away, little brother. We’re indestructible. There is no way you can win.”

“Armored…” Dark Knight said. “Brother…”

Rothbart gave a chuckle and then said:

“What a touching reunion.”

“I see, you’re intentionally using our love ones against us” Smokescreen said. “That’s very low!”

“This is war, your stupid dragon” Rothbart said. “There is no room for playing nice.”

Smokewing advanced, along with Dark Knight, as Armored Forge also advanced.

“You too, go!” Shadow Claw said to the others.

And they also advanced. Dark Knight and Armored Forge clashed and the former said to the latter:

“Brother, snap out of it.”

The others tried to deal with the two deer and Rothbart.

“You have nice moves” Rothbart said. “But even if you make contact, nothing will happen.”

Using his speed, Smokewing approached Rothbart on his clay bird. Hidden, Sand Threads made the two deer go against Smokewing. But it was then that, using his claws, Smokewing cut the threads of one deer, while Shadow Claw, appearing suddenly, also did the same with the other. The light pony and the other dragon caught the two deer.

Rothbart couldn’t believe he fall for that trick. Sand Threads, who was at the surface, couldn’t believe that happened.

“They cut my energy threads. That mutt…”

It was then that Ivory, taking opportunity, launched his energy threads that connected with Sand Threads’, pulling them next. That pulled Sand Threads by surprise who started to fall.

“Raise us!” Shadow Claw exclaimed to the Maretonian stallion.

He did so and, with the terrain lifting, it hit the clay bird where Rothbart was, destroying the lower part and making him fell. Sand Threads also fell hard, doing it over Rothbart. After that was done, Armored Forge positioned himself in front of Rothbart and Sand Threads.

“Why you…” Rothbart said, while he and Sand Threads started to stand up.

“It seems we are fated to meet each other, even after your death, Sand Threads” Shadow Claw said.

“If I am dead, it is because of you” Sand Threads said.

“It was you who defied Strongpaw orders and tried to kill me and my marefriend” Shadow Claw said.

“Because of you, I was killed by my own kind!”

“Because you were trying to kill an innocent just to get to me, an innocent that was one of Princess Twilight’s best friends and also the pony I love.”

“The little mutt barking about love…” Sand Threads said. “How sweet!”

“Stop this, Sand Threads” Ivory said. “What happened is all on you, not Shadow Claw.”

“I can’t believe that you and the others decided to be friends with a pony-wolf” Sand Threads said. “Haven’t you forgotten what his kind did?”

“Shadow Claw is no longer the alpha he once was” Ivory said. “The pure water of our oasis purified him. And if you cannot accept this, I don’t have any alternative.”

After a few seconds, Sand Threads said to Ivory:

“It was clever of you to attach your threads to mine. It seems your skills have improved since we last met.”

“I feel honored for receiving compliments from you, but now we’re different sides and it’s my duty to stop you” Ivory said.

And he went to his saddlebag and took a scroll where, when it was opened, something came from it. It was real-sized puppet pony that Ivory connected to his threads.

“If it is a puppet fight you want, so be it” Sand Threads said, attaching his threads to Armored Forge’s body.

“Run away, Dark” Armored Forge said to his little brother, while Sand Threads started to control him and Rothbart went to his clay bird.

Shadow Claw captured a scent coming from Armored Forge that he quickly recognized.

“That pegasus swallowed explosive clay!” he exclaimed.

That affirmation shocked Dark Knight.

“For what is known, light nature works against explosive nature” the light unicorn said.

“I have light nature” Shadow Claw said. “I gained it when I started to serve the Lord of Order. I want those two deer healed. Use a rock dome to protect them from the fight.”

Listening that, the Maretonian stallion created a stone dome around him, the light pony, the injured pegasus and the light unicorn.

Rothbart took flight over his recovered clay bird and then Sand Threads and Ivory send their respective puppets to fight each other. Shadow Claw tried to use a sword charged with light nature on Armored Forge to deactivate the explosive nature, but Sand Thread made Armored to retreat a little. Rothbart then detonated the clay. Seeing that, Ivory made a gesture and a strong metal structure closed around Armored Forge, as the explosion started to happen.

“BROTHER!” Dark Knight exclaimed, while seeing his own brother about to explode.

Ash was getting away of the place where the fight was occurring when he heard an explosion.

“An explosion?” he asked, who, being completely controlled, said then. “But we must reinforce and crush the enemy.”

And he continued.

Inside the stone dome, the light unicorn was healing the two deer and the pegasus asked:

“How are they outside?”

“Good, I think” the light pony replied. “I can still sense them.”

The explosion destroyed the structure, while the puppet protected Shadow Claw with an energy shield from a mechanism of one of his forelegs. He looked around and saw that Smokewing and the other dragon were also okay, due to their strong scales. His only concern was Dark Knight, who was laying on the ground with some of the things he had inside his saddlebags also on the ground, including a sketchbook. 

Rothbart and Sand Threads were flying over the clay bird, with the latter saying:

“He used that dome to block the explosion.”

“And because of that, the bomb didn’t cause the damages it should have” Rothbart said.

“He’s just… a bomb… to you?” Dark Knight asked, while starting to get up.

“Please, stop the whining, it’s causing me a headache” Rothbart said, while Armored Forge’s body started to restore from the hooves, as if dust and ashes gathered to form the body. “As long as his soul is bound to this world, he’ll keep coming back to life. I can turn him into a bomb over and over.”

He started laughing, while Armored Forge’s body was fully restored.

“Armored… my brother…” Dark Knight said.

“I just… don’t really want to hurt you, Dark Knight” Armored said to his brother. “I died so you could live. I don’t want to have my sacrifice in vain by my own hooves.”

And his eyes turned white, as he started to lose his consciousness.

“Well, but it seems that’s what is going to happen” Rothbart said. “I have to say that the General of Chaos is really a genius for having formed this squad just to get the enemy.”

And he laughed. It was that laugh that made Dark Knight lose his calm and exclaim:

“JUST SHUT UP!”

And he flapped his wings, ready to take flight. The wind he was making made the sketchbook to open and the pages to turn until the center, where there was the image of the two brothers, happy and holding hooves. It was a draw that Dark Knight wanted to show him when he was finished, but never had a chance to do it.

Together with the other dragon, Dark Knight attacked Rothbart and Sand Thread from behind with a lot of strength, throwing them against the ground. Taking advantage of that, Ivory made to more puppets with a large body that opened to hold both falling reincarnated beings and then closed. Inside his, Rothbart said:

“How annoying… It seems I have to turn myself into a bomb to get out of here.”

But before he could do it, a blade of a sword charged with light nature entered from the little openings of the puppet and stabbed his shoulder. And the same was done to Sand Threads that didn’t had any light nature and was only to immobilize him. It was Shadow Claw who had use the light nature to pin Rothbart. Ivory then used a cable from his first puppet to secure Shadow Claw’s sword to Rothbart and the captain said:

“It’s done.”

“And you don’t have to worry about these two” Ivory said. “I’ll hold them very tightly .”

“Very well, then we just have to deal with Dark Knight’s brother” Shadow Claw said.

And they all turned to the only reincarnated being that was still a threat to them.

“I always wanted to face you, brother” Dark Knight said. “I wanted to show you how strong I was so you could be proud of me. I just never hoped that moment would be like this.”

“You want to settle this?” Armored Forge asked.

Smokewing approached him and asked:

“Dark Knight, are you doing all right?”

Armored Forge smiled and said:

“It’s good to see that you have a lot of friends that care about you. Back then, you didn’t have many.”

He looked to the sketchbook, seeing the draw of him and Dark Knight together and smiling. That was one of the things he regretted to not be able to see before his death. He then turned to Dark Knight and said, while his eyes recovered their color and his body started to crumble:

“But you know what, I think the battle is unnecessary.”

“Brother…” Dar Knight said, while seeing what was happening.

“I’m really glad you finished it” Armored Forge said, while turning into ash and dust. “I finally got to see the draw I wanted to see. And, somehow, your draw just freed my soul from all of its bindings.”

Dark Knight was seeing that with tears on his eyes.

“Dark Knight… this comrades that you have… cherish them” Armored Forge said, giving him a last smile.

And the ash and dust just fell apart, as the lifeless pony body used as sacrifice fell on it. Dark Knight took his sketchbook, looking to the draw at the center he had made, before closing it and looking to the body that was used to bring back his brother.

Meanwhile, Sand Threads was silent, thinking how far he has done just because of his hate. He lost more than just his life. He lost his home, his friends, his family… And now the only thing he had to do was to obey, knowing he was all alone.

“It was hard for him, you know, Sand Threads?” Ivory told to his old friend.

“What?” he asked.

“To kill you” Ivory replied. “The chief didn’t want to, but you gave him no choice.”

“You were protecting one of our natural enemies!” Sand Threads exclaimed.

“And you tried to kill an innocent just to do what you thought was a justified action” Ivory replied. “We are servants of the Lord of Order and we follow his rules and protect what is right, something you didn’t do that time.”

There was a pause where Sand Threads tried to replied, but then he gave up and opted to say:

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I was alone when I died and I’m alone now.”

“That is not truth” Ivory said. “Although everything you did, after you were gone, your memory remained. We never forgot you. After all, you are one of us.”

“You’re lying!” Sand Threads replied. “You’re just trying to trick me.”

“No, I’m not” Ivory declared. “What I am saying is the truest of truths. Chief Strongpaw cleared your name. If you were still alive and had your heart released from hate, we would receive you at our oasis with open hooves.”

Those words really affected Sand Threads, with his face starting to crack, and Ivory continued:

“Even if now, by irony of the destiny, you, a great puppet master, are now  puppet of the enemy, we would never give up on you. Even in death, you can still search redemption, if you allow yourself to search it.”

While more cracks appeared on his face, Sand Threads smiled and said:

“Because what he are is made by our choices. Yes, a very wise pony-panther teaching.”

Noticing that he had reached his old friend, Ivory smiled. Noticing what was happening, Rothbart said:

“Hey, quick saying nonsenses! You turned your back to your kind, to your master. There is no coming back from there. Those pretty words are nothing but empty!”

But Sand Threads wasn’t listening him anymore. His body, just like happened to Armored Forge’s, turned into ash and dust and, before crumbling away, he said to Ivory:

“Please, Ivory, when you saw the chief, tell him… that I’m sorry and that he doesn’t have to blame himself anymore. That is because now… I’m in peace.”

“Yes, I’ll tell him” Ivory promised.

And Sand Threads’ body crumbled away, leaving nothing but a lifeless body of a stallion covered by ash and dust. 

Everyone looked to the body that was used to bring Armored Forge and Smokewing said:

“It’s a sacrificial victim. But it was told to us that nothing could kill a reincarnated being. Does this means that the curse was lifted?”

But that question was answered with the sound of Rothbart trying to escape his puppet prison, while exclaiming.

“No, it’s not that way” Ivory said. “Sand Threads is gone, but Rothbart is still here.”

“All along, we thought the Reincarnation Curse was one of most perfect curses created by the Generals of Orders, but it seems to have a flaw” Shadow Claw said. “Apparently, it is not that easy to control someone’s emotions. After all, only Heartbeat is capable of understanding something like that.”

The earth dome was undone and the Maretonian stallion said:

“It seems it is over.”

“No, it is just starting” Shadow Claw said, turning them to his subordinates. “It is time to set up the ambush.”

“Yes, sir” they all said.

And they went to do Shadow Claw’s orders.