//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The Dread Ponies // Story: Equestria Wars Episode XVII: Revenge of the Alliance // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// At a top secret prison, guards patrolled as a cloaked figure approached the entrance. The guards walked up to the cloaked figure with their weapons pointed at the stranger. The figure stopped as the guards approached. The guards were suddenly lifted off of the ground and thrown to the wall. The figure then left them unconscious and took one of their pass cards. The figure then entered the elevator and pressed a button to go to the bottom floor of the prison. When the elevator reached the bottom floor, the figure exited the elevator and came across a force field. At the other side, the figure saw six masked ponies floating in each stasis chamber. The figure then levitated the pass key and swiped it on a terminal on the wall. The force field then deactivated and the figure then proceeded inside the chamber. The figure then approached a terminal that connects to the stasis chambers and began to press a few buttons on it. The stasis chambers then deactivated as the five ponies fell to the ground and got up to jump out of the chamber. The ponies then gathered together and turned to face the figure who freed them. "None can contain us," one pony said. "Not this prison, not the empire, and certainly not the princesses." "Then we have something in common," the figure said as he removed the cloak to reveal Mephiles himself. "It is a privilage to finally meet the Dread Ponies." "Of course," one of the Dread Ponies said. "The darkness is strong with you," the other Dread Pony said. "But you are in the presence of true power now." As Mephiles and the Dread Ponies talked, imperial guards along with the warden secured the area with their weapons up. One of the Dread Ponies sensed their presence and walked to their location. "In here, men," the warden said. "Take out the trespasser, secure the Dread--" He was interrupted when one of the Dread Ponies used their magic to torment the warden's mind and the other soldiers. "Warden, how so nice to see you," the mare Dread Pony greeted. "That lump in your throat?" the other Dread Pony explained. "It's panic. Think on what will happen next." "Show the Equestrian Empire the true meaning of terror," Mephiles said. "First the pupils dilate, muscles tighten, hysteria replaces rationality, and then..." The warden began to scream in terror as his mind began to torment him. "The mind shatters." The warden turned to his soldiers with his weapon drawn. The soldiers were too late to run when the warden shot all of them down. When they were down, the Dread Ponies then used their unicorn magic to shoot lightning at the warden forcing him to collapse to the ground dead. The Dread Ponies then approached Mephiles. "I'd be honored to learn the art of terror." "First, help us escape this wretched prison. Then, perhaps we can talk." Mephiles nodded and took out his holo communicator to contact one of the commanders of the Mephiles Alliance. "Commander, the Dread Ponies are ready for extraction." "Excellent news, master," the commander said before he turned to the Dread Ponies. "My lords, it's an honor to ensure your safe passage off of this prison. An evacuation team awaits you and Mephiles in minimum security." "Good. We'll strike out at once. Then, we will terrorize Equestria. You have much skill, Mephiles. Learn from what you've seen today. May it fuel your power." Mephiles nodded and turned off the holo communicator to escort the Dread Ponies out of the prison. --------------------- Charming Thunder was in his armor with his short cape replaced with a long one as he walked to the throne room doors of the Crystal Empire to visit his sister; Cadence. The doors open as he sees Flash Sentry making a report to the princess. "Thank you for the update on the prison break," she said. "I will make sure the Empire searches for the important escaped prisoners." "Yes, princess," Flash said. He then turned to leave the room as Charming Thunder passed by him without looking at him. He looked around the room and noticed pink armored elite guard at each window. He and the other princesses have those guards as well as Cadence depending on their color. Charming Thunder stopped in front of the steps meters away. "It is good to see you, brother. I was wondering when you would come." Cadence then had a look of concern. "How's your wound?" "It's nothing," Charming Thunder replied. Cadence sighed with relief as she slowly got up from her throne and walked up to Charming Thunder. "The mighty King Charming Thunder. When I raised you, I saw what the princesses saw before me. Raw, untamed power and beyond that, something truly special. The potential of your bloodline. A new...Sombra." Cadence then took a deep breath as Charming Thunder did not react. "Now, I fear I was mistaken." Charming Thunder then looked up to Cadence. "Are you starting to loose faith in me, my dear sister?" "Please take that ridiculous thing off, brother." Charming Thunder did what Cadence said and pressed a button on his helmet to take it off and placed it on the ground. "There's the face I like to see. You have too much of your father's dark heart in you, brother." "I destroyed my father's dark side. When that moment came, I didn't hesitate." Charming Thunder's chin was lifted by Cadence's hoof to gaze at her. "But look at you brother, the scar on your face has split your spirit to the bone. On that day Tempest invaded, you were unbalanced. Bested by a mare who had a broken horn and never held a lightsaber. You failed!" Charming Thunder's horn began to spark as the guards then got into battle position depending on the weapon they held. "Mephiles lives, sister. The seed of darkness lives. As long as he does, fear exists. I thought we would be the ones to snuff him out together. Unless, I am no Sombra. I'm just a child...in a mask." Cadence thought for a moment and placed a hoof on his shoulder. The guards then got back into their original pose as Charming Thunder hugged Cadence. They then broke their hug. "I did not call you here for a fight, brother. I called you here because there is a crisis on our hooves. Mephiles has freed the Dread Ponies from the top secret prison." "How did he know where it was?" "I don't know. But we can't let the Dread Ponies go free and spread terror to Equestria." "Who are these Dread Ponies?" "They are six powerful unicorns who once terrorized Equestria with dark magic as prophets, generals, and advisers. The princesses sealed them away thousands of years ago in stasis under the prison itself." "Then we must stop them with whatever Mephiles wants with them." "I agree. We are to meet with the other princesses about this matter at Canterlot." Charming Thunder nodded and walked with Cadence.