//------------------------------// // Chapter 37: Of Spiders & Ponies // Story: Rise of Char // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// Hadron's tolling bell could be heard and felt at the base of the North Tower. Wisp Seeker, Tiff Pitchstone, Ember Tutor, and Applejack had already begun descending the stairs down into the dungeons. It was the same path the Orc had used to enter Castle Char undetected. Ember and Tiff did not have any armor like Wisp did, it was custom to return a ponies armor after serving; if only to have it melted down and used for the next young pony. Wisp, however, had brought simple metal bracers for Applejack to wear. It provided some protection from glancing spider fangs if she were to buck or stomp any near around their face. Tiff had brought a satchel along with him, once belonging to his father, having filled it with small ceramic jars of dragon powder; impromptu explosives for extreme situations. Ember carried several feet of metal chain to help drag the Obelisk out of the caves. Wisp was put in charge of assembling the team; therefore, it was natural to have him be the leader. Applejack had no complaints. Her last venture into these mines nearly flattened her like a pancake. Once more Wisp had come to the cliff where he and the others had stopped to search for the Mystery Pony, but it was clear which way they needed to go. "There's a tunnel up ahead where we first found the Orc. It will be the best place to start looking for this Obelisk." Wisp instructed pointing towards the threshold of the tunnel he spoke of. Every pony nodded in understanding following Wisp into the tunnel. After sometime every pony came to the large boulder blocking nearly the entire passage way, Wisp instructed them to crawl beneath it, assuring them it wouldn't budge. With some convincing, Wisp had every pony crawl underneath it and set off once more into the large expanse of the cavern where they had come face to face with the Orc and its spiders. "What in the world…" Tiff mumbled peering over the edge to what seemed to him a bottomless pit. "There's a bridge just across the way, once we cross it we'll start our search." Wisp explained pointing into the blackness. "What bridge? Tiff asked straining his eyes. Spraying a stream of fire from his mouth, Wisp illuminated the broken edge of the bridge in the distance. "Oh… that one." Tiff mumbled nervously. Wisp motioned to Ember for the chain, passing it over, Wisp started to let out some slack spooling it out onto the ground. "I'll carry you ponies over one by one," Wisp said taking a small leap from the edge of the tunnel; flapping his wings to keep him level with him. "Just hold on tight and don't let go." "You're kidding." Tiff mumbled in disbelief. "We ain't got time for talking. We got to find this here Obelisk on the double." Applejack remarked, taking hold of the chain and giving it a tug to signal she was ready. For the second time in the lives of many, Flame Ponies were once more at war with Spiders, once again led by an Orc for indirect deeds that followed the Dragon Uprising led by Lord Smoke. For the second time, flames burned spiders, fangs pierced the hide of ponies, hooves collided with thick shells of the spiders, legs swiped at the burning hides of ponies, and their screams were the same; for both sides. Flames swept over swarms of spiders. Spiders' webs pulled Flame Ponies deep into the swarm. Explosions of magic echoed across the fields, leaping spiders could be seen making grabs at passing Pegasi Ponies that flew overhead. The Queen Spiders swung their legs, knocking Flame Ponies like marbles across the field, while Pegasi Flame Ponies rained fire down from above to scorch the field in passes. Somewhere in the center of all this chaos, I was facing down the Orc. The blades of my metal wings sliced through the air, searing red hot, striking the Orc's heavy armor and tearing parts of its cloak to ribbons. My wings gave me reach over the Orc, keeping it from getting too close to swing its mace, but that did not stop it from charging head long, taking several cuts, to deliver blow after blow against my wings. Crossing my wings I parried a blow from its mace, the weight behind the Orc made it difficult to hold him back as he leaned into his strike trying to force me back. "Can you hear them, Smolder?" The Orc asked, voice muffled by his helmet. "…don't listen… to him…" Mira's voice echoed in my head. I could hear the agonizing cries of the Soldier Ponies around me, mixed with the shrieks of the Spiders; I did my best to tune them out. "All of their pain, all of their suffering, how many have families are waiting for them to return?" The Orc asked, taking a step forward; forcing me back. "Just think of how many won't be returning at all." "…hurt him… hurt him now…" Mira's voice echoed once more. My flames surrounded me, my Flash Step burning fiercely, dropping my wings to the side, feeling the weight of the mace strike the ground. I drove my head into his chest forcing him to stagger back. With a blast of fire I knocked him off his feet, watching him slam hard into the ground. Several spiders skittered towards me, in the defense of their master, bearing their fangs and raising their front legs up to strike me. I fell the first one with a slice of my wing, while I blasted the second with torrent of fire. Two spiders leaped at me, attempting to drop on top of me. I folded my wings for a second, hearing a noticeable click, then swiped my wing at the two above me. A couple searing feathered blades of my wings came free, much like the feathered icicles Sapphire once used against me, and struck the spiders mid jump; crumpling to the ground next to motionless. "…not bad…" Mira's voice commented. Over the burning body, of the spider I dealt with earlier, the Orc mantled over, his mace swinging against the side of my arm and knocking me to the wayside; sliding across the ground. My armor lessened the blow, sparing me from a broken bone, but the pain was immense. I barely got a hoof under me when I saw the Orc already towering above me, ready to strike again. Flare Fizzle was in the courtyard of Castle Char, several stone tables had been moved together to provide her with room to work. Several stone slates were halfheartedly drawn to depict certain areas of the Ashen Fields while bit of charcoal and stone were being used to visualize divisions. Certain Pegasi Ponies were flying down to speak with the Royal Guard Ponies who adjusted the board accordingly, to depict the areas of battle that were struggling and advancing. "Shinning Armor's division has successfully routed a swarm of spiders attempting to reach the Dark Marsh." Spinel reported, moving several stones forward and wiping away a few bits of charcoal. "The fourth squadron reports that the eastern divisions are dealing with a surge of spiders coming up from an unblocked tunnel from the mountain." Topaz reported, adding several more bits of charcoal to the table. "Reroute the second and third squadron to the area. Blanket the area with fire to allow the Soldier Ponies time to block off the route." Flare instructed, sliding two marked stones towards the Topaz. "Right away." Topaz replied. Topaz turned towards the bell tower where Solar Wind stood at the ready, with a combination of flaring his mane and spewing small flames of fire, Topaz communicated the orders to him. Solar proceeded to take hold of the large metal chains, tolling the bell in the appropriate sequence. A herd of Pegasi Pony flying overhead near the center of the field broke off from their attack, heading towards the Eastern parts of the Fields. Rainbow Dash soared out of the air, dropping down next to Flare, breathing hard but no worse for wear. Being the fastest flyer in the Ashen Fields, Rainbow Dash could survey the battle quickly enough and help out where it was needed. Coming back to deliver reports only when something urgent was needed, and to get an idea how well the battle was going. "We're going to need a couple of ponies over near the ridge. They got blind-sided by a Queen Spider and have a couple of injured ponies." Rainbow Dash reported. "Have the north-west battalion direct their efforts to the ridge, but have squadrons one and seven sweep the ridge to help route the Queen." Flare ordered, sliding three marked stones across the table to the ridge. "Where's Ray?" Rainbow Dash asked. "She's somewhere in the center with Lord Smolder. The center has been stalemated since the start of the battle." Flare informed her. Another Pegasi Flame Pony flew down, reporting in to Spinel who made a couple notes on his slate. "We've got a report of three Queen Spiders moving up towards the center." Spinel reported, placing three large pieces of charcoal on the table. "We're already stretched thin with our flyers." Flare mumbled. "We can't reroute any without leaving other battalions out flanked." "What are we going to do?" Rainbow Dash asked, trying to find some battalion or squad available. "We're going to let Ray handle it." Flare said decisively. Ray Horizon had fought dozens of Diamond Dogs, and a couple of Spiders, but never to the scale that this was. Blasting spider after spider with fire, Ray was just hoping to have a moment to catch her breath before having to start the process all over again. Where ever she turned, there was a spider fighting a Flame Pony, flames searing overhead, and screeches filling the air. There wasn't any direction, there wasn't time to formulate a plan or try to communicate to each other; there was just fire and fangs. Ray's wings were useful to stave off Spiders trying to come at her from the sides but it did not stop some from trying to anyways. Every so often Ray would come across a Flame Pony losing its fight to a spider, jumping in to assist the pony before hearing another call out for help. Some ponies Ray came across had been bitten while others were trying to carry keep areas secure for injured ponies to be helped back to the Castle. Unable to get an idea of where she was, Ray decided to get some height. Leaping into the air, Ray flared her wings, keeping her lifted and sprayed a stream of fire across the ground leaving a sizable amount of fire to impede the march of the spiders. "General!" A voice seemed to cut through the noise. Ray glanced down to see at least four or five Soldier Ponies gathered beneath her. Dropping out of the air, Ray landed beside them. "Where is Lord Smolder?" Ray asked them. "I haven't seen him, General; we weren't sure where any particular pony was until we saw you." Corporal Hicks informed her. "Me?" Ray asked curiously. "You're the only Pegasi Pony sticking close to the ground, General." Replied another Soldier Pony. This gave Ray an idea. Grabbing Corporal Hicks and the closest Soldier Pony, Ray pulled them close to create a sort of semicircle huddle. "We're going to stick together and move as a group; picking up any pony able to fight along the way or protecting those that need time to get away." Ray explained to them. "What if we lose track of each other, General?" Corporal Hicks asked. "Just follow me and stay close to one another." Ray said stepping back and leaping into the air. Hovering several feet in the air, the Soldier Ponies were able to follow by her position, watching her stop at times over other Soldier Ponies who were in dire need of help. Using her height, Ray was able to blast spiders from the air, while allowing Corporal Hicks and the other Soldier Ponies to flank the distracted spiders. If a Soldier Pony was able to fight, Corporal Hicks would bring them up to speed, telling the ponies to go where the General was. It wasn't long before the four some odd Soldier Ponies she started with became a battalion of Flame Pony Soldiers. Ray would soar across the field, seeking out ponies in trouble, while her battalion would come storming in after her. Soldier Ponies who had mastered the Flash Step would lead the charge, blazing a trail and routing the spiders away from the area while the rest aided the injured and recruited more. Hadron's bell began to toll once more. Ray looked around to see what Flare was trying to tell her and figured it out seeing three Queen Spiders crossing the fields. From her their position they had moved considerably to the Western part of the fields, flying a bit higher, Ray could make out better where the Queen Spiders were headed and it was towards Smolder and the Orc. Dropping out of the sky quickly, Ray landed near Corporal Hicks' who noticed her uneasiness. "What is it, General?" Corporal Hick's asked quickly. "Three Queen Spiders are making their way to the King. We're not going to let them reach him. Get the battalion to reform the line, we're going to charge straight across the field and intercept those spiders." Ray said decisively. Princess Sapphire squared off with the disfigured Spider Queen; she could see three more lumbering Spider Queens in the distance, making their way towards the fight. The disfigured Queen hissed loudly at her, Sapphire merely narrowed her eyes at the Queen, waiting for it to make a move. It had reach over Sapphire, with its massive tree trunk like legs, but much like Smolder, Sapphire was faster making her hard to hit. "Cold Pony! Freezing Pony! Wicked! Putrid Ice!" The disfigured Queen shouted, rearing back, lifting three of the four legs she still had left to strike. With a hard flap of her wings, Sapphire soared backwards, avoiding the triple strike of the Queen's attack. The disfigured Queen opened its mouth, spraying a thick, rope like webbing from her mouth at her. A flash from Sapphire's horn created a sudden ice wall between her and the webbing, shielding herself from it. The Queen lumbered staggered forward, striking the ice wall with her leg, promoting Sapphire to leap back once more, gracefully landing between several warring Flame Ponies and Spiders. With a whip of her wing, Sapphire froze a Spider in place, sparing a Soldier Pony from a bite, and tossed it far over the Queen's head to hear it shatter behind her. "Unfeeling! Tempered! Heartless Frost Pony!" The Queen shrieked in anger. The disfigured Queen staggered forward, swiping at Sapphire once more. Sapphire's horn shone brilliantly for a moment, her wing fanning out connecting with the Queen's leg. The Queen shrieked in agony, staggering away, leaving the other half of her leg beside Sapphire. Sapphire's wings were coated in razor sharp ice, having easily sliced through the Queen's leg without little effort. The Queen nursed her stub a leg, keeping close to her face while she jabbed her other leg at her to stay back. "Vile Wicked Horrible Ice Pony!" The Queen cried. Sapphire dashed forward, ducking low under the swipe of the disfigured Queen, and blasting a wave of ice on the ground beneath her. Using the slick ice to slide beneath the Queen, Sapphire whipped her wings back and forth over her head before spinning quickly holding out her wings striking the edges of the Queen legs. Coming to a stop, Sapphire glanced over her shoulder to see the disfigured Queen stagger forward before her legs failed her and fell hard onto her torn up belly. A group of spiders tried to surround Sapphire, coming to the aid of the Queen, but with a flick of her wings the razor sharp icicles flew like daggers into the spiders around her; watching them slump over with a thud. Walking around the edge of the disfigured Queen, Sapphire could hear the Queen wheezing spitting frays of webbing from her mouth. "Silent… Heartless… Ice Pony…" The Queen wheezed, watching Sapphire step in front of her. "Rest now." Sapphire whispered, placing her hoof atop the Queen's head. Sapphire's ice spread across the Queen, her hairy crushed body suddenly becoming stiff and rigid. The sound of cracking ice could be heard, one of the Queen's legs broke off. The cracks stretched across the rest of her body, before the Queen herself was nothing more than a pile of snow and ice. Sapphire gazed at the pile of snow, already beginning to melt, taking a breath and letting it go slowly. A hoarse growl drew her attention away, eyes scanning the field, Sapphire saw the Orc towering over a knocked down Smolder, striking his mace repeatedly against his wings trying to land a clean hit. "…fight back… stupid…" Mira's voice echoed in my head. The Orc had me pinned, having one foot on my chest, and trying desperately to beat his way through my wings. The metal feathered wings were holding up against his attacks, but the parts were beginning to shatter under his relentless attacks; this only provoked him to strike harder. Every now and again, I could feel the Orc lift his foot slightly, only to drive it hard back into my chest, forcing me to choke on breaths. I could feel my strength beginning to slip. "I'd say this wasn't personal, Smolder, but that wouldn't be true." The Orc mocked. Raising his mace once more, the Orc could overheard the shrieks of spiders, glancing up for just a moment, the Orc could see flash of blue just inches from him. Being blasted off of Smolder, the Orc tumbled over backwards, digging his free hand into the ground, sliding to a stop. His entire other arm was frozen solid, including his mace, feeling the near burning sensation the ice was on his skin. I rolled over choking, trying to breathe, glancing around to see what had saved me, and saw Sapphire sprinting past me; charging the Orc. Sapphire's horn flashed once more, her wings gleaming with the razor sharp feathered icicles, swiping them violently at the Orc. The Orc's armor proved to be too thick for the ice, merely shattering against the metal, but nevertheless knocked the Orc to and fro. Back pedaling, the Orc found its footing, side stepping another blast of Sapphire's ice, the Orc swung his arm around, connecting with an unsuspecting Spider and shattering the ice from his arm. With the backhanded swing, the Orc was now the offensive, his mace colliding with the thick ice armor Sapphire wore. It knocked her sideways, undamaged, but off balanced. "Foolish po-" The Orc didn't have a chance to finish his taunt. "…shut him up…" Mira's voice echoed in my head. I blasted the Orc in the back with a surge of fire, and the force was great enough to have him turn around. I was already charging him whipping my wings again, throwing the searing feathered blades at him. The Orc managed to deflect two with a swing of mace, but three found their way into his arm and shoulder. Sapphire leaped back at the Orc, striking him with her hooves in the back of the leg, forcing him to take a knee, I took a leap, driving my hoof across his helmet. The Orc took a swing at Sapphire with his mace, she ducked it; blasting his arm with ice once more. The Orc tried to stand but I bucked him in the chest and forced him back down. The Orc swung his free hand, releasing the wrapped chain towards me, coiling itself around my neck. Sapphire swiped her wing, slicing the chain in two before spinning around and striking the Orc across the head with the other. The Orc staggered back, dazed from the hit, Sapphire and I charged the Orc together. Sapphire brought her hooves down on the Orc's frozen arm, shattering the ice and effectively forcing the Orc the drop his mace. I drove my forelegs against his chest making him double over. Sapphire whipped around bucking him in the face, the Orc staggering back, clutching the front of his helmet; the metal had buckled inward. I picked up the mace with my wings, tossing it towards Sapphire who caught with her magic and flung it straight into the Orc's chest; leveling him flat onto the ground. Clutching his chest, the Orc was slow to rise, taking hold of his helmet, tearing it from his face. There was a thin trail of green liquid dribbling from his lips, most likely from the hit Sapphire gave him. "You're beaten, Orc. Surrender and your life will be spared." Sapphire declared. I glanced over at Sapphire in surprise, I didn't really picture myself saying those exact words but I thought I would be me to be the one to sound cool. "Beaten, I hardly think so." The Orc groaned getting back onto his feet. "You didn't really believe I'd risk this whole fight on a fist fight with you?" "We know all about your dragon, Orc." Sapphire declared once more. What was shocking is that the Orc did not seem surprised by this but just smiled wickedly at us. "Do you know what Dragons covet, Ice Pony?" The Orc asked curiously. "Dragons are known to-" Sapphire began. "Gold. Lots and lots of gold." The Orc interrupted. "Your point being?" Sapphire asked, coldly. "A dragon's love of gold runs deep, it's almost primal, it's in their nature to covet it; their greed runs very deep." The Orc explained. The ground moved so violently that it seemed to shake all of Equestria. It seemed like every pony, every spider, everything in the world froze for that moment, all but the Orc that laughed quietly to himself. "There is one thing you never do to a dragon…" The Orc said. The earth beneath me trembled, making it difficult to stand. The windows of Castle Char began to crack, the North Tower swayed, threatening to collapse, and Hadron's bell tolled awkwardly from the shaking. Reaching down the Orc picked up his mace, raising it high over his head in triumph, he smiled from ear to ear; unfazed by the shaking. "You never steal a dragon's gold!" The Orc shouted in declaration. The mountain seemed to implode, caving in on, seeming to be swallowed by the earth itself. Large splits in the earth etched out from the base of the mountain, consuming countless spiders. "From the ashes of your bodies, I will rebuild this world!" The Orc cried. The mountain was all but gone, before it started to reemerge from the earth. A sudden claw came crashing through the rocks, slamming itself onto the ground, effectively collapsing the North Tower and breaking Hadron's Bell from its perch from the sheer quaking alone. I couldn't fathom how big it was, being miles away it seemed it could reach me with its claws. The broken mountain fell away, revealing the Great Dragon Char's head, its scales were so black it seemed to void of any color; like staring into the blackness of space. Its eyes burned an orange that seemed to be just fire burning its skull. It had several greyish horns on its head stretching back toward its tail, the bony frill of its skull had more horns then I could count. Its tail broke free from the earth whipping through the air. I could hear it displacing the air, cleaving the eastern mountains over their peaks. The Great Dragon Char shook itself from the remains of the mountain, exposing its immense leathery wings that clung to its body. Flaring out its wings, the expanse of it was so immense it created hurricane like winds throwing ponies and spiders alike across the fields. It seemed to stretch all the way to Canterlot and to the Crystal Empire. Sniffing the air the Dragon's eyes turned to Castle Char, fire spewing from its nose. "…the coin…" Mira's voice whispered to me. I realized that the Orc wasn't simply mocking me by leaving the coin. That the coin wasn't a stroke of luck, discovering the dragon meant nothing, the Orc couldn't control it anyways so why would it come stick around to fight. It was planted there to ensure that the dragon would come for it. Opening is jaws the Great Dragon Char roared creating a shock wave so powerful that it shattered the mountains closest to it.