//------------------------------//
// Chapter 11 
// Story: War in Equestria: The Tale of Bright Blade 
// by Michael_Ravencroft 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 11: Meet Thy Enemy


"Then I said Magna Blast and all the Daemoni were completely blown away," said Bright Blade.

"Wow, sounds like you've been hard at work BB, maybe you should consider joining the Royal Guard. If you're nice maybe I'll put in a good word for you," Shining Armor chuckled, nudging Bright Blade.

The group had made their way from the Canterlot tower and were now heading for the throne room at the order of Princesses. The whole way Twilight was unable to shake the fact that Shining Armor and Cadance were here, but that wasn't the only thing .Chalk up another two who know Bright Blade, the entry in the journal said that I talked to Shining Armor about him, but I didn't think they actually met. "Twilight…!" Twilight snapped her head up, having been deep in thought.

"What, what is it," asked Twilight.

"Remember when that Daemoni almost completely tore off Bright Blade's wing! Oh man that was sick, my wing hurt just looking at it," commented Rainbow.

"Yeah, but it what was really amazing was that Fluttershy didn't pass out the whole time," said Pinkie Pie.

Fluttershy was hiding her face behind her mane, apparently blushing from the attention. "I-I-it was nothing really. Believe me I wanted to pass out, so I just looked at it as helping one of my animal friends from the woods," said Fluttershy.

"But what I still can't understand is how you're all better? You don't seem to have any sign of injuries, and you said you don't feel any pain at all," said Cadance.

"Trust me, it's as much a mystery to you guys as it is to me," said Bright Blade.

A mystery I intend to get to the bottom of. While trotting along to the throne room they were able to scope out the damage from the attack. For Twilight's friends it was déjà vu, the sight of burnt buildings and lifeless ponies. Unfortunately Canterlot has some tall buildings and structures, so during the attack some of them fell over due to powerful lightning strikes. Those ponies that didn't die from being caught by the Daemoni were most certainly killed from the collateral damage of falling buildings.

"I hate to say it, but this is even worse than when Ponyville was attacked," said Applejack.

"At the very least it can't get any worse," said Rarity.





"I stand corrected…"

Inside the palace were Royal Guards lying in fold out cots with doctors and nurses treating them, some critically injured and bleeding and others silent, possibly dead. Physician ponies were performing triage in the royal palace; none of them ever thought they would see such a sight in the royal palace. They kept on moving forward trying to put on as brave a face as they could. The triage center had extended into the hallways, even the ones leading to the throne room. Twilight was heartbroken by all of this. Canterlot was her home, the place where she and her brother grew up, where she learned magic, to see it in such a state was almost unbearable. "I can't believe this is happening," said Twilight. Shining Armor slowed his pace so that he could catch up to Twilight, trying to comfort his little sister with his presence. As Twilight looked up to her big brothers smiling face a horrible thought popped into her mind. "Shining Armor what happened to mom and dad, do you know if they're alright!"

"Don't worry, before Cadance and I performed our spell we found them at home. Apparently they opened our house to ponies who were trying to get to safety," said Shining Armor.

"Guess it was a good thing we talked them into letting us place that protection spell on their house a while back, huh dear," said Cadance

Thank Celestia, thought Twilight.

"We're here," said the unicorn guard. The guard took his position to the vacant corner beside the door, allowing the group to enter the throne room. Twilight was relieved to see both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna alive and well, they seemed to be in conference about something, but stopped as soon they noticed them coming. They bowed to the Princesses who then had them rise, wanting to forgo royal formalities. Even after battling to protect their subjects and city the Princesses still looked as regal as they always did.

"Thank you all for coming, and special thanks to you Shining Armor and to you Cadance," said Celestia.

"No worries your majesty," answered Shining Armor and Cadance in unison.

Princess Luna stepped forward; she looked a bit peeved for some reason. "Twilight Sparkle, why did you come to Canterlot!" asked Luna.

"B-but Princess Luna your letter –!"

"I wrote that so that you wouldn't be surprised by the Elements sudden appearance before you! The protection spell that Celestia placed on the Elements Chamber is far too strong to be broken through by those mindless beasts! The spell I used was to make sure that they get to you all in case we lost, so that all of you wouldn't have worry about battling through hundreds of Daemoni to get to them," said Luna.

"We're – I'm sorry your highness," said Twilight.

"Please Princess Luna don't be mad at Twilight, she just wanted to help," said Bright Blade.

"We all did," added Applejack.

"I am not mad, I was worried for your safety when sister and I felt that sudden spike in magical energy," said Luna, her tone kinder.

The others sighed in relief; none of them wanted into incur the wrath of the Princess of The Night. Celestia, despite the danger having passed, was obviously very worried. "Everypony, after this latest attack I'm more certain than ever that these incidents aren't happening at random. First the attack on Ponyville where the six of you, you who represent the Elements of Harmony, live, and now this resent attack. They struck while Luna and I are still recovering, and going so far as to raid the tower, such a thing is far too coordinated for them. Somepony or something is controlling these creatures," stated Celestia.

The Princesses' theory hit them all hard, none them could fathom the kind of power or tenacity it would take to command an army of such savage demonic monsters. They all started to brainstorm, going through a list of any being or creature that could possibly control them. A dark dragon came to mind, but that was quickly shot done. Queen Chrysalis was also nominated since she already commanded an army of Changelings, but upon further thought the Daemoni would have most likely devoured their life force. Discord was thrown out since he was already incased in stone. When it came down to it their list of potential masterminds was slim. All of a sudden every pony was overwhelmed by an oppressive force that befell all of Canterlot. The unknown force made many of the ponies buckle under its strength, even the Princesses were having trouble standing. Then a booming voice rang out in all directions.

"Citizens of Equestria hear me…!"

"No – No it can't be," shuddered Luna.

"It seems you are more resilient then I first thought, I commend you on surviving my Daemoni minions, but I'm afraid playtime is over…!"

"What is it Luna," asked Celestia.

"This terrible oppressive power, that dark voice, I've heard before," said Luna.

"Where!"

"In – In the Nevermore Plains!"

"I had hoped to grant you all a swift and painless death, now I see I must go a different route. Now it shall be slow and painful. Upon this day, to all corners of Equestria, I hereby declare all-out war!" Their stomachs sank like stones at hearing the declaration. This disembodied voice was truly going to go to war with all of Equestria, and what made it worse was the fact that with an army of three hundred trillion Daemoni it was more than possible. "To those who join my campaign you shall be rewarded generously for your commitment to the cause and you shall be spared the fate of the others!" The oppressive force seemed to have subsided but now it to seemed focus itself around the throne room. "Princesses Celestia and Luna, Elements of Harmony, I now speak directly to you."

"Who are you, what are you," struggled Celestia.

"I am Tikara Balak, my dear Princess," said the voice.

"You're the one who changed me into Night Mare Moon, the one who wiped out my soldiers," growled Luna.

"Yes, yes I am," Tikara Balak chuckled.

"Why have you done this, why declare war on Equestria," asked Twilight.

"In due time Element of Magic, all in due time. Now listen closely, in three months' time I will set lose my army! Prepare yourselves as best you can. Heh, heh, ha, this will be fun!"

This was unbelievable; this Tikara Balak was talking about war like it was fun. None of them could have foreseen an event like this coming, and they only had three months. "Why bother giving us three months when you could simply unleash your Daemoni horde on us all," said Luna.

"Heh, heh, you're right Luna, I could indeed do that, but then it would be over too quickly. It's more fun destroying everything you hold dear, especially when your enemy knows that all their preparation and bravery they still lost. Now if you don't mind I'm going to recruit my first general now, and I'm sure he's just dying to see you all again!" All was quiet; the oppressive force of Tikara Balak had faded.

"Well that was weird, what do think he meant by 'I'm sure he's dying to meet you all again'," asked Pinkie Pie.

"Oh no! Everypony to the garden, NOW!" shouted Celestia.





The ponies galloped at full speed, hurrying as fast as they could to the royal garden. The closer they got the more they began to realize who exactly Tikara Balak was talking about. The moment they all entered the garden they were hit with the same oppressive force as before, stronger than ever. "Nice to see you figured it out so quickly." They looked up and saw him, the one controlling the Daemoni and who declared war upon their world. He stood as tall as Celestia; covered head to hoof in black and silver armor, his mane and tail were made of blue fire that undulated up and down. His yellow glowing eyes made the others feel like Tikara Balak was looking beyond their mortal bodies and into their very souls.

"He's – he's an alicorn!" shouted Twilight in disbelief.

"Very observant Twilight Sparkle," said Tikara Balak, fanning his large dark silver wings.

"How do you know her name!" struggled Bright Blade.

"I know many things, young colt," Tikara Balak eyed Bright Blade, like he wanted to say something, but seemed to dismiss it. "I'm glad you're all here to see my general be released from his stone prison, quite honestly I think he would've been disappointed if none of you showed up." Tikara's piercing gaze now fell on the statue of the Spirit of Chaos, the draconequess known as Discord.

"There's no way you can release him, the Elements of Harmony sealed that trouble making creature away forever," said Luna.

"Well we'll see about that," Tikara's horn began to glow with a malevolent black aura. He then shot a beam of black energy at the statue of Discord. It then began to crack, shaking violently, till it burst apart sending pieces of stone all over the place. The draconequess flexed and stretched his body, groaning with every movement.

"Oh that feels good, being trapped in stone can be a real pain in the neck," Discord then removed his head, cracked it in some places, and then reattached it to the rest of his body. "Oh now who do we have here," Discord climbed down from his pedestal and began to circle Tikara Balak. "And who might you be?"

"My name is Tikara Balak and I am the one who freed you. As it stands that means your life is now indebted to me Discord, either fight in my army or you can return to being a well sculpted statue collecting bird droppings. Completely your choice," said Tikara Balak, in a matter-of-fact tone.

The draconequess and ponies were stunned by the demands of the dark alicorn. This was the Spirit of Chaos, a creature who very nearly destroyed the friendship of Twilight and her friends, and who almost thrust all of Equestria into everlasting chaos. Discord couldn't help himself, he laughed hysterically, doubling over and rolling on the ground. He just couldn't believe that this alicorn had the audacity to tell him what he owed, even going so far as to threaten him. "HA, HA, HA, HA, HA! Can you believe this guy Twilight; he actually thinks I owe him my life!" Discord had reappeared next to Twilight with his lion arm draped around her. "I mean freeing me was one thing, but putting me back, HA, now that's priceless! What's the matter with all of you?" Discord looked to Tikara, then to the group, then back again. "Oh I get it, this guy's power a little too much to handle, I like your style!" Discord then warped from Twilight back to Tikara. "Well as generous as your offer is…I'm going to have to decline, but just to show that there's no hard feelings here's a parting gift!" Discord summoned a sphere of chaotic power into his lion paw; he then drew back his paw ready to throw it at Tikara.

Tikara didn't move he remained where he was. "I see a demonstration is in order," Tikara's horn flashed with black light, in that instant Discord's right lion arm turned to stone. The sphere of chaotic energy disappeared as Discord clutched his right arm, crying out in pain from the sudden transformation. He stared at the dark alicorn with anger and hate in his eyes, Discord tried to recollect the chaotic energy into his left claw. But Tikara released another flash of dark power that also turned the draconequess's left arm to stone. Tikara released another two flashes that turned Discords legs to stone, making the Spirit of Chaos fall to the ground helpless and unable to move. "I think I made my point, haven't I Discord? Now unless you want me to slowly turn your internal organs into stone next I'd swear your allegiance to me,"ordered Tikara Balak. Discord nodded his head reluctantly. With that agreement Tikara restored Discord's right and left arm.

We can't just let them escape; we have a chance to end this before it begins, thought Twilight.

Suddenly the oppressive force around Twilight vanished as a pillar of golden light shot up into the sky. Twilight turned to see that Bright Blade had transformed into his alicorn form yet again. She was amazed to see his left wing was completely healed and not the mangled thing it was before. "You will not bring war to Equestria; I'll take you down here and now!" Bright Blade flared his wings releasing a wave of power towards Tikara Balak and Discord. Discord had to brace himself, but Tikara was unfazed. "With strength unmatched I sing this song, that might and magic be as one! Shine your light upon the land! Let evils wrath be undone, mystic sword Excellion!" Bright Blade jumped into the air just as the white lightning bolt fell from the sky, at the last moment Bright Blade bit the lightning bolt. It shattered apart revealing Excellion held in his mouth. Bright Blade spun around in the air, building up momentum for his slash.

"Do it Bright Blade," shouted Applejack.

"Take him down," shouted Rainbow Dash.

"Kick that big meanies butt," Fluttershy immediately placed her hooves over her mouth, completely surprised by her outburst.

Tikara Balak raised his right hoof. Bright Blade brought down Excellion's blade which was blocked by his armored hoof. The impact shook the ground like an earthquake; Twilight was speechless at what she saw. That's…That's impossible! He didn't even flinch, thought Twilight. From the looks of it Bright Blade was as surprised as she was. "Not many sword wielders left in Equestria, interesting," said Tikara Balak. "Get up Discord we're leaving."

With a flick of his hoof Tikara pushed Bright Blade away like a rag doll. He spun in the air a few times before stabilizing himself. "WE CAN'T LET THEM GET AWAY," shouted Twilight. Cadance, Shining Armor, Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and even Bright Blade charged the horns with as much power as they could. They fired their horns in a united blast of multi-colored light, before the beams hit a swirling mass of black and white energy consumed both Tikara Balak and Discord. The magical blast hit against the mass, but it was completely unfazed. With that the swirling mass evaporated into thin air, leaving no trace of either Tikara Balak or Discord. "No!"

"Three months…"






*** 4 hours later ***


The reality of what just happened hit the ponies hard. Never before had they faced an enemy with such overwhelming power, and now their disturbingly powerful enemy was allied with the Spirit of Chaos, Discord. All things considering they were taking it pretty well. "Of all the worst possible things that could happen – THIS! IS! THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!" shouted Rarity. Normally Twilight would be groaning and tell Rarity she was acting like a drama queen, but this time she wasn't kidding, this was the worst possible thing that could happen.

"What do we do now," asked Cadance.

"What can we do," said Twilight.

"Duh, it's obvious what need to do, we need to fight back!" said Rainbow Dash.

"But Rainbow Dash don't you remember he freed Discord, and not even Bright Blade was able to hurt him," said Fluttershy.

"Sorry…I could've ended there, but I wasn't strong enough," said Bright Blade scolding himself. The others forgot that Bright Blade was feeling down after what happened. Twilight understood; even with all that power he was still unable to even put a scratch on Tikara Balak. She was about to say something to him, but was cut off by Shining Armor.

"Don't worry about BB," said Shining Armor, patting Bright Blade on his head.

This whole time Celestia and Luna were talking to each other privately on the balcony, Luna had raised the moon, brining night to Equestria. With heavy sighs the Princesses trotted over to the pony group, all of them anxious to hear what plan of action their rulers had come up with. "As much as Celestia and have tried, we can't see any other way around this catastrophe, the time for negotiation is over," said Luna.

"As if this moment, my little ponies, we, citizens of Equestria, and every living creature that dwells within this dominion, is at war," proclaimed Celestia. Twilight knew this was going to be their decision; Tikara Balak made it so that they had no other choice, and with an army of Daemoni at the ready Tikara Balak didn't have to honor his three month deadline. "Shining Armor, call on all the Royal Guards in Canterlot, and send word to the other regions of Equestria as well."

"Yes your Highness," saluted Shining Armor, he then took off out the throne room doors.

"Cadance, I would like you help in the creation of a volunteer army. We're going to need as many brave ponies as we can get, from every pegasi, unicorn, and earth pony," ordered Luna.

"At once Aunt Luna," Cadance then flew out, following behind Shining Armor.

"As for the rest of you," the tone in Princess Celestia's voice was more sympathetic now, "I can't make you fight in this war, even though you all have a connection with the Elements of Harmony we cannot, in good conscience, have you fight by our order," said Celestia.

Twilight took a firm stance, a serious look in her eyes. "Princess I would gladly offer my services in the time of crisis, I will fight," she proclaimed.

"Do not give your answer so quickly Twilight Sparkle! This is not a decision to be made in the heat of the moment, for now you all should return to your homes, think this over, and if you truly wish to join the fight then we would be more than glad to have in the fray. We will not think any less of any of you, if you so decide not to fight, we understand," said Luna.

Not another word was spoken, from Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, or Bright Blade. They knew, all too well, from here on out, nothing would be the same ever again. War is coming and each pony must make a decision, to fight or flee.


The evil alicorn stallion, Tikara Balak, has declared war on all of Equestria. The Mane Six and Bright Blade must now make their individual choices on whether or not they can fight. The preparations have begun…