*Building an Army*
Reaper watches from the peak of the mountains as the kingdoms of Equestria gather at the burial grounds. The massive shield used to encompass the epicenter was clearly visible from his vantage point. As the battle plays out, Torment is shattered, and the spirits that made up the behemoth were slowly put to rest. Reaper has enough information that he departs the burial grounds and heads for the castle in the desert beyond the badlands.
Reaper meets Phantom at the edge of the castle village. She informs him that the area is being inhabited by local thieves and brigands. “Well then, let’s pay them a little visit shall we.” Reaper says. Reaper changes his mist-form body into one of the local populace. A black cat in dark robes. Phantom changes her form into a black bird in the same dark robes.
As they approach the village the brigand sentries stop them. The guard commands “Stop! Where do you think you’re going?” The massive shark bodied ruffian towered over them.
“Why, we are just a couple of travelers, looking for trouble.” Reaper says while staring the looming creature in the eyes.
“Why don’t you go before me and my friends make you, runt.” The guard replies.
Reaper laughs and says “Friends? How fascinating. No wait, boring. You and your… “friends” can try.”
“Alright enough of this, you’re starting to annoy me, time to go.” The guard said as a dozen of his friends gather around. The group charges forward and Reaper releases a force of dark energy knocking them all back. The loud noise caught of the attention of the brigand leader, a bird of golden feathers and brigand apparel, and his close advisor, a commander in the brigand pack who wore a rams skull helmet. They rush down to his guard post to investigate the explosion.
“What’s going on here?” the leader asked.
“Sir, those two are dangerous they’re trying to get in.” the guard said.
“This is a safe place for everyone to escape the Storm King you know this.” The leader said.
“But they said they were looking for trouble. Besides the Storm King is gone and so is his rule.” The guard responded.
“True enough, perhaps we just need to talk things out, see what they want.” The leader said. He walks over to the approaching pair and says “Greetings I am Condor! I lead these creatures. Welcome to Sand Dune! I hear you’re looking for trouble?”
Reaper stops in front of Condor and replies “Yes, as a matter of fact I am.”
“Well you won’t find any here. Well, not anymore.” Condor says while looking back at his guards. “Maybe I can interest you in some hospitality instead?” Condor continued.
Reaper sighs in disgust and says “Enough of these pleasantries, you and everyone in this village belong to me now.” He juts forward, grabs Condors face, and releases miasma from his paw. “Time to release your darker selves.” Reaper continues.
Condor struggles to fight off his grasp and his second in command charges Reaper. Phantom blocks the second in command and he’s unable to reach Condor. Condor looks back at his commander and while struggling to breath says “Go!” he coughs. “Get everyone to safety.” He says while gasping. His body goes limp and he starts to lose his color. Reaper drops him to the floor, where he slouched on his knees.
Condor stood up turned to face the commander and the on looking guards. His eyes black with pin sized white pupils. He lets out a breath. “Round up your brigands Condor, and bring them to me.” Reaper says before releasing a large blast of miasma. The commander jumps back and away from Phantom and the approaching miasma. “Everyone run! Get out of town. Take nothing with you.” he says while running to his headquarters.
The commander barges in the headquarters and shouts “Set, Bast! Gather the crew now, we have to go.” “Sir?” they both ask while standing. “There’s no time, Bast, take command of Mandjet. Set, you’re with me in Mesektet.” “Yes sir!” they respond. “Bast runs to an airship, rallies her crew, and they depart in quick fashion. Set and the commander ready another airship and follow closely behind. They fly towards the mountain ranges far from Sand Dune.
The commander looks back and sees many creatures trying to flee but the miasma field quickly engulfed the village and shortly after, the castle where their headquarters were. “What was that captain?” Set asked. “Something not from here, something evil.” The captain replied while removing his helmet.
Reaper returned to his mist-form as did Phantom. They glided through the village heading towards the castle. The creatures around them fell and struggled to breath in the miasma. They then go limp and then stand in the same manner as Condor. They were now dry husks of their former selves under the influence of Reaper.
“It’s time Phantom, time to grow our army and spread my control over all the lands.” Reaper said. “We’re going to need some more recruits. Go out and find me some will you?” he asks.
“At once master.” Phantom replies. She darts away and searches the nearby area for towns, villages, wanderers, airships, and any other living thing around the area. After an afternoon of scouting she returns with a report of a dragon migration in progress. “Good job Phantom, follow me. We should pay them a visit.” Reaper says.
Reaper and Phantom fly to a dragon resting area, a crater, where a few dragons were lazing about. They float down and Reaper manages to snag an unsuspecting dragon and corrupt it with his miasma. “Hey what do you think you’re doing?” a red dragon shouted
“That thing has done something to Scaleblade!” a green dragon growled.
The dragons banded up in defensive positions while Reaper expelled and miasma in the crater. The dragons breath fire and diffuse the mist with little effort. At that point a much large dragon climbed over the other side of the crater and asked, “What’s this?” He asked
“Their bad news Apep!” the red dragon said again.
“A little puff of smoke trying to mess with us? How utterly pony of you.” Apep said while the others chuckled.
“Phantom.” Reaper said.
“Yes master?” she replied
“Remember when I said you have always been so useful to me?” He asked.
“I do.” She said while she turned to look at him.
Reaper thrust his mist-form arm into her and grasped at her center. “Master!” she strained to say.
“It’s time you fulfill one final favor.” Reaper said. He pulled his arm out of Phantom and revealed a bright white orb of energy. “Too kind for your own good.” He said while her mist-form body faded into the air. He looks at the large dragon and charges at him. He imbues Phantoms energy with a powerful miasma and as the large dragon opens his mouth to breath fire, Reaper launches the orb directly through the flames.
Meanwhile the two airships traveled into the mountains touching down on a grassy plateau. Large bulls made their way to the airships and the crews. “You are not welcome her strangers.” The head bull said.
“Please. As many of your kind as sought our hospitality in Sand Dune would you not show us your hospitality in kind Apis?” the captain said.
“Who are you and how do you know my name?” Apis replied.
“I don’t know you. My father knew your father. And they were as close as brothers.” The captain said.
“I see, so you’re the son of Solair….” Apis said. “Well then you and I are practically brothers!” he continued with cheer! “Come, we have much to discuss. The Minotaurs have taken the passes below and broken our long held treaties. They say that we allowed the Storm King to use them and their resources while we profited from it.” Apis continued.
The crew of Mandjet and Mesektet tell of what just happened to Sand Dune and the fact the the Storm king has been gone for quite some time now. The bovines take the crews to their village and discuss a strategy to take back the Labyrinth Mountain Pass. The commander suggests to make peace again as they fear that Reaper might attack and corrupt the creatures of the mountains.
The commander and his crew along with Apis and his top advisors meet with the leaders of the Minotaurs. The two tribes with mediation of the commander persuade the Minotaurs and the bovines to settle their differences and urge them to prepare for Reaper should he ever try to conquer either of the two mountain dwellers.
End chapter