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// The Shadow Army Vs. Mustangoes, the fall of Mustango villages (3/6) 
// Story: How Bronconia Was Made 
// by JRPerl 
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The Shadow Army Vs. Mustangoes, the fall of Mustango villages



It is very unfortunate that some exiled did not learned their lesson and planned to do it all over again by migrating west near places where the Mustangoes inhabited. It took a long time for the casted to regain strength, mainly due to their lack of structure, authority, and leadership. Even so, they managed to setup camps, regroup, rebuild, and re-execute their plan. 

On that fateful night in the cover of darkness, the new Unseen Gallopers striked on the westernmost village where there were the least inhabitants. There was no warning, no visual, not even a sound. No villager escaped. This new generation of Unseen truly perfected their craft at a breakneck speed. It was unfortunate or the Mustangoes that this was a start of a long chain of defeats. One after another, each village was taken over. Each take over meant they scored new cache of resources and tools to fuel their campaign.

As their group became bigger and bigger, the Unseen became too big and powerful to be unnoticed. Therefore, their night raids became irrelevant as they started conquering at anytime. Day or night, it did not matter to them as if they created their own storm that casted a shadow over the land they marched on. This was the time when Mustangoes got their first break to warn everypony else. And thus the remaining Mustangoes headed east to the greater populous and prepared to defend for their land, and possibly their lives. Every mare, filly, and colt headed to Mount Mustango, while the Sentinels and any pony who can stand guard, along with the First and Second Chief of Arms.

The day came when the two forces would collide. It was a quiet day as the Mustangoes stood ready for an imminent threat. Beside that fact, you would not know it if you were an outsider looking in at the scenery. The sun was shining high in the sky as it was yesterday, and the day before. The critters frolicking near the tree line into the woodlands. There was not even a breeze. It was very quiet, Mustangoes were quiet as well. Not a sound to be heard, as if both Chiefs instinctively knew something was out of the norm. 

The sky filled with clouds that rolled in from the west, blocking the sun. Daylight escaped. The flock of birds that were nesting in the trees all took flight away from the forest. Then, abnormal sounds from the distance, unclear exactly what it was. As the sound came in, it became clearer. The wild fled from their forest. Every possible creature that had legs were running away from the forest towards the village. It seemed they would collide with the Mustangoes. But this was avoided as they split. Some ran north, and some ran south. Never in their lives have the pony villagers witness such desperation exodus of the wild. That frightening scene was soon replaced with sudden wind, thunder and lightning, again coming from the west. Then .. the indescribable sound of the masses in the distance marching towards the village. There was a malignant aura in the air, and they were responsible. Villagers recognized some of the familiar faces among the opposition. Those were distant friends and families that were possessed, taken by the Unseen Gallopers. No, they are much bigger now. They are The Shadow Army. Three distinguishable Tyrants were leading it. A Shadow Earth pony, a Shadow Unicorn, and Shadow Pegasus. 

Pony villagers, even some of the Sentinels were terrified, not because of the size of the opposition, but rather they do not want to fight their own ponies. Their morality took a hit. Feeling the same effects, the First and Second Chief of Arms do not waiver. 

The First Chief of Arms turns to his Vice, and whispers, “My comrade, please do this favor for me. Stand back. Take charge of the rear, and lead them towards the 'Last Stand'.”

Second Chief of Arms replies also in whisper, “Are you mad? Do you see the size of that front! It is like a moving wall of stone, we need every pony here for the fight.” 

First Chief takes another hard glance at the incoming threat. He trembles, yet cracks a smirk. Second Chief sees it and replies “Is there something amusing?” 

First Chief replies, “Heh. No. Quite the opposite.” First Chief inhales a deep breath, and exhales a deep sigh as if that is his method of calming his nerves, though it did little help. Then he continues “In all of my warrior life, I have fought alongside with my comrades. We have fought really bad-boned ponies and creatures alike. We have fought formidable warriors. We fought threats greater than ourselves. We even fought against the elements of Nature, and of course lost to Her. Never have I thought in my warrior life I would see my ponies on the other side. For the first time in a very long time, I am trembling in fear.” 

Second Chief was silent feeling a bit of guilt for misreading his comrades true emotion. But then, something powerful emerges out of First Chief, as if he can no longer contain himself. Then said with a much reinforced stern tone in his voice.

“With that confession off my chest, press forward still I must, for the ones captive are our enemies NOT, for the true force hiding behind our Mustangoes are formidable NOT, AND the cowards hiding behind our friends ARE OF NATURE NOT! WE LOOSE NOT TO THEM!” 

The center lets out a big roar, which then is echoed by everypony as they feel pumped up. Their spirits are high again. 

Once again, First tells Second, “Go. Trust in me, and our ponies.” 

Second Chief of Arms agrees with a last reply, “You really are gonna do it. Alright brother. I expect nothing less than a Mustangon victory!” 

He then takes two Sentinels and a group of villagers and directs them to follow him back to the “Last Stand”, galloping towards the east. 

The Shadow forces are now closer than ever. With all his fear, all his courage, all his might, the First Chief of Arms steps forward front center and said to the villagers, “Worry not my ponies. Yes, it is true. It seems our brethrens are not with us at this time. The Shadows have stolen their minds, their hearts, their spirits, their will, and turned them into the ugliness you see before your eyes. But worry not. We will remind them they are with us. Their will, is not those of the Shadows.” 

And at the last moments, he said “Think of all the Earth, the Wild, the Nature ...” 

Shadow steps are now clearly heard splashing the mud, rustling the grass. 

“And our comrades captured by our true enemies! They ARE with Nature! Let us remind them of that!” 

Each Shadow step intensifies. 

“Fight for them! For we are they, and they are us. And if they are in dire need, we must help they!” 

The Shadows let out a primordial roar. 

“We are Mustangoes, SENTINELS - OF - NATURE!” 

And Mustangoes let out a roar of their own as both sides charge towards each other and finally collide! At collision, a shock wave rippled in all directions as if an explosion occurred.

It was a fierce, powerful, epic struggle. It was extremely remarkable! Despite around two to one ratio against their odds, The Mustangoes were holding their ground and took down almost half of the Shadow forces while carefully knocking down their possessed friends. It seemed as if the Mustangon front could win this fight. They would win had their momentum not been interfered by one of the Shadow’s highest Commander. 

The Shadow Unicorn Commander, Nocturnal Aura, turns to the Shadow Earth Commander, Hammer Hard Rock, and spoke, “Is this the limit of your kind? I am disappointed. I expected more. I guess trash was destined to be just that”. 

Hammer snarled a bit and responded, “I will make you regret those words one of these days”. 

Nocturnal then replied, “Ha! I doubt it.” 

The Earth Commander resist further hostility. The Unicorn Commander then turns to the Shadow Pegasus Commander, Airebelle Gust, and tells her, “You know what to do.” 

The Pegasus Commander nods and flies into the cloudy dark sky, rallying all of her Shadow Pegasi, while the malignant intellectual Unicorn does what appears to be casting a magic spell. 

“What is happening?” the First Chief of Arms wondered. 

It does not look good for the Mustangoes. The Unicorn did cast a spell that has somehow boosted all the Shadow forces strength. As if that was not the worst news, both the knocked down friends and the defeated Shadows are now back on their hooves. It does not seem like they are conscious. Their eyes glowing orange and black, same color glowing on the Unicorn’s horn. Could it be his magically infused malicious will is fueling the reanimated ponies? Whatever it is, it is nothing ever seen in the villagers, nor experience by First Chief of Arms in battle. This is trouble. Mustangoes are knocking their opponents down, yet they keep standing up. The Mustangoes have been fighting a long battle and are now losing their ground due to battle fatigue, exhaustion, and morality shift. Further fact, they lack experience dealing with a high skilled Unicorn. Try as they might, the Mustangoes are being pushed back into the village. First Chief of Arms thought it may be a good idea for many of the villagers have their own cache of useful items stocked in their huts as back up in case of an emergency. But just as he was about to suggest it to all villagers, the wind started picking up. It is now blowing harder, stronger than before. 

“What now?” First Chief thought to himself. Then he remembered, “The Pegasi!” 

Indeed. They were conjuring a massive typhoon over the village. The huts were built for flooding, but not this! Nature has not given the Mustangoes typhoons. The brutal force of wind ripped apart huts. Loose trees from previous storms were uprooted and tossed into the air along with anything else, including the poor villagers as they screamed.

A major shift in battle has been made in favor of the Shadow Army. They rejoiced, while the remaining Sentinels and villagers were in a daze, including the Chief. He looked around the village .. what is left of it. Unrecognizable. Their village has been wiped out. Nothing is salvageable. This was a devastating blow to them. Yet, it is not over. 

“Too easy.” arrogantly spoke Nocturnal as The Shadow forces pressed forward. 

First Chief of Arms never thought in his life he would yell the next command “RETREAT !!” 

In a panic, all Mustangoes adhere to the call and blitz toward east with all the might they have left in them. Some did not escape. 

“Submit to my will!” demanded the arrogant Unicorn. 

“AAAHH!” 

“No! Save yourselves!” and similar out cries were the last words heard from the captured by the grips of the Shadows.
They have now become Shadowlings.

This was very heart wrenching for the Chief to hear as this compelled him to do one final, noble act: Self Sacrifice. The Chief was running on pure will as if he was possessed himself. Some of the villagers encourage the Chief to escape. But he replied, “GO! You all are our legacy, and the future of our ponies! FOR MUSTANGO, FOR NATURE!” 

The Chief’s last out cry echoed throughout the land. After that, rain came in.