Legion

by Thule117

Rise. . .

-Naga Lupercal, Grand General of Shido

Dawn broke upon Equestria as surely as it had for nearly every day in the fifteen hundred years of Celestia and Luna's reign. Questing shafts of light stretched over tree and mountain tops. Lighting hill and dale with glorious golden light. To all appearances, it was just another day in the peaceful realm of the ponies. Yet, despite this, anycreature with even a shred of wit, could say with certainty, that this day, was different. . .

The air was oddly heavy, as if a thunderstorm was preparing to materialize in the cloudless sky at any moment. There was a stillness to the world, as if all that which lived, feared to move. With even the usual faint breeze of the morning, oddly absent. No roosters crowed to greet the rising sun, no birds sang, and even those ponies that were awake, became oddly cognizant of even the faintest sound, as if worried what might hear it. Indeed, everycreature across Equestria was inexplicably tense. The world seeming to hold its breath in anticipation of some, as yet unknown, happening. It was not, fear, precisely. Rather a simple feeling that something unimaginable was about to happen, and whether for good or ill, nocreature could say.

In Ponyville, a small, but familiar group of six ponies, gathered. Their faces grim, and their stomachs tight. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and of course, the Princess of Friendship herself, Twilight Sparkle. Many were the occasions these six figures had gathered in times of dire need. Yet none had ever recalled a feeling like this. Not when Nightmare Moon had returned. Not when Celestia told them of Discord, not during Chrysalis's attack on Canterlot, nor Sombra's on the Crystal Empire. Not even when Tirek had revealed himself, had things seemed this oddly tense.

"I can't believe this is really happening. . ." Rainbow commented, more to break the silence than because she felt like conversation. Truth be told, a part of her was slightly startled at how unusually loud her voice seemed. Applejack nodded in response.

"Ah know what ya' mean. I ain't scared, but my heart feels like its gonna beat right out of mah chest." Rainbow nodded idly in return, as she looked out toward the horizon from where she was hovering in the air. 

"I still remember when we saw them. . . ya know?" She commented softly. "I remember feeling so. . . I dunno, just floored at how powerful they felt. It didn't feel real, like there was no way they could actually exist." Rarity nodded, as she added in her two cents.

"I remember feeling so strange. Like I wanted to cry, but I wasn't sure if it was because I was sad, or because I was afraid. . ." Fluttershy nodded her agreement.

"That's how I felt. Then, suddenly, it was like somepony was hugging me. I was still a bit scared, but at the same time I felt like nothing could hurt me. . ." She offered.

"Yeah, yeah! Like I'd had that awful waffle nightmare again and my papa Pie was snuggling me close and telling me everything was gonna be ok, but in a way that was all super duper intense!" Pinkie agreed, frantically gesturing with her hooves in illustration of her comment. 

"Yeah, but then. . . it was over. We were back looking at that weird stone like nothing ever happened. It seemed so. . . what's that word for when something feels weird and made up even though it's real?" Rainbow asked, looking at Twilight.

"Surreal. . ." Twilight replied softly, as she stared fixedly at the doors to her castle. "And yeah, in a way, even though I knew they existed, even with Derran here, and with seeing them in his memories, it felt like a dream. I guess that's why none of us ever really asked him more about them." 

"I wonder what it's like, being asleep for so long? It must get dreadfully lonely?" Rarity wondered aloud. Twilight shook her head.

"It's a stasis spell, it isn't really sleeping. For them, time has completely stopped. Out here it's been twelve hundred years, but to them, it will be as if they only closed their eyes for a second or two. At least. . . that's how it's supposed to work. The spell is partially based on D'nurian magical systems, so I'm not one hundred percent sure." Fluttershy gave an involuntary shudder.

"I can't imagine how scary it would be, to just 'blink' and have everything change? It sounds horrible!" Applejack nodded.

"You ain't kidding. Ah'd lose mah mind if I suddenly woke up an' all mah friends and family were gone. Ah. . . still cry sometimes over mah parents. Ah don' even wanna think about how ah'd feel if ah lost Big Mac, or Applebloom, or Granny Smith, or you girls! It'd be like the worst nightmare ah ever had come to life!" Rainbow looked very somber at that thought.

"It still blows my mind that they were willing to do all that. Giving up their friends, their new lives, sacrificing everything just to protect us from monsters we didn't even know were real."

"Not to mention they did it all knowing the princesses would eventually be the only ones who remembered them. And that they might never be awakened. Letting themselves be forgotten, on top of everything else? I mean, there's heroic, and then there's. . . oh heavens I can't even imagine a word capable of describing somecreature willing to do all that!" Rarity declared. As one, the ponies turned to look out in the direction of the Everfree forest.

"They were standing guard over us all this time. . . Even knowing we need them, a part of me almost wonders if we have the right to disturb them." Twilight murmured. Before anypony could reply to that, the sound of the door latch turning directed everyone's attention back to the castle entrance. Slowly, the door opened, and Celestia, Luna, and Derran exited. The princesses had arrived the previous evening, Twilight having sent an urgent summons not long after Hayden left. They had teleported immediately upon receiving the letter, but both they and Derran had barely said two words since.       

Their faces were unreadable, as they stepped out into the crisp morning air. Seeming barely aware of Twilight and the others, their distant gazes locked in the direction of the Everfree forest. For a moment, as they stood there, it seemed as if time itself warped around them. As if they each wore the centuries of their eternal lives upon their shoulders like a cloak. How ancient they seemed in that moment. Beings who had seen the rise and fall of kingdoms, the passing of countless lives, the ages altering everything around them like silt on the bottom of a rushing river, as they watched untouched from the bank. At that moment, they truly did seem as old as Twilight and her friends logically knew they were.

"It is time." Celestia stated, her voice deep and commanding, yet soft and melancholic. Luna simply gave a slow, singular nod, as Derran continued to gaze, with unknowable eyes, in the direction of their destination.

"So it is. . ." He replied, as if the three of them were the only ones there. 

Without another word, the trio stepped forward. Saying nothing more to Twilight or their other friends, as if barely able to notice them. They didn't mind, all of them knew that this was a deeply personal moment for the three. Something they had both wished for and dreaded for longer than much of Equestria had even existed. Twilight and her friends couldn't even begin to think how the princesses and Derran must be feeling. As such, they simply fell in line behind them without a word. 

Starlight Glimmer, Derpy, the CMC and Spike, appeared in the castle entrance, all wearing expressions of apprehension, as they watched the group leave. They had wanted to come, but Derran had said they were the only creatures he trusted to keep an eye on Ponyville until they returned. As the pony archmage, mailmare, four crusaders, and juvenile dragon, watched the procession depart, they couldn't help but feel, deep in their hearts, that the destiny of Equestria was about to change forever. . .

The journey to the Legion marker was made in utter silence. Celestia, Luna and Derran, leading the way with the somber expressions of somecreature attending a funeral. An aura of melancholy mixed with anticipation surrounded them, silencing any attempt at conversation before it even began. The other ponies present feeling as if disturbing the quiet would be somehow disrespectful. Even the birds and insects grew oddly mute, as the procession passed along the ancient and overgrown trail. Heading to the only physical sign the Legion had ever even existed in Equestria. 

Before they knew it, they had arrived, in that strange sunny clearing of grass and wildflowers. The great stone in the center, its craggy surface partially covered in moss and lichen. As before, Celestia and Luna lit their horns and the stone shimmered like an image reflected on a pond. In the manner of a desert mirage, the illusion of the ancient rock vanished. To reveal a great circular stone, carved along the outside with unfamiliar runes, pulsing with a faint blue light. An image of a kneeling knight, with head bowed, dominated the center of the stone, one hand resting upon the hilt of a sword thrust into the ground, while the other rested across his chest, his closed fist over his heart. Above his head, was the ancient spiral teardrop symbol of the two sisters, while below his kneeling form, was inscribed the ancient oath of the Legion. A promise of eternal loyalty, created by love, faith, and devotion. 

It had been nearly a year since Twilight and her friends had been here, yet time had done nothing to dull the sense of terrible might exuded by the stone. At first it was frightening, as a feeling of scrutiny by an unknowably powerful force, swept over them. Then, the feeling became warm, yet terribly fierce, as if they were being held in the arms of a zealously protective parent. Indeed, if they closed their eyes, they could almost see the armored limbs wrapped around them, while a phantom head, encased in enchanted steel, scanned their surroundings. Prepared to launch itself at even the slightest threat, with the murderous fury of a mother bear protecting its cubs.

Approaching the stone, Celestia and Luna seemed lost in another world as they stood before it, Derran a short distance behind them. For a time, they simply stared at the stone, not saying a word, as their expressions became ever so slightly pained. A thousand emotions danced through their eyes, each passing too fast for Twilight or the others to single them out. Only for the two ancient princesses' expressions to ultimately morph into sad smiles. 

"Hello friends. . ." Celestia's voice cut through the silence with a startling abruptness as she addressed the stone. "Please forgive us for not returning sooner." Her voice was subdued, and filled with a deep sorrow as she spoke. "You must think my sister and I so selfish, coming here only when we need something?" Here Celestia sniffed slightly, wiping away the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. 

"Indeed my friends. . ." Luna continued, speaking as if reading her sister's thoughts. "Please forgive us. We always intended to come back but. . ." Here Luna trailed off, as Celestia picked up where she had halted.

"It was always so painful. . . and we feared. . . we feared that we might not be able to restrain ourselves." Luna nodded, wiping away her own tears, as Celestia again seemed to become unable to speak.

"We wanted to see you again, so badly did we want to wake you. . . yet we could not dishonor your sacrifice. Whenever we came here, all we could think of was the happy memories of our time together. . . and the living death we condemned you to." Here Luna once more lapsed into silence, as Celestia addressed the stone.

"Even now, with a dire threat upon the horizon and our little ponies in danger. . . a small, selfish part of our hearts, can only feel joy. Finally. . . finally, we can set you free. . ." Here Celestia turned to look at Derran. Giving her a slight nod, he stepped forward, placing his hand upon the carved monolith. His eyes and expression impossible to interpret.

"Brothers. . ." He began, his voice heavy with emotion. "I too must apologize. I. . . I was not supposed to return here. Or at least. . . I did not think I ever would. My mission back to Hell was supposed to be my last. The final act of the Doom Slayer. . . a sacrifice to hold back the dark. Yet. . . somehow, here I stand. Alive and free. While you endure yet further loss, and a death that denies you even the Light's embrace." Here Derran let out a shuddering breath, his tone filled with misery. "I should have come to visit brothers. Yet. . . how was I to explain myself? How could I tell you of the blessings I have been given, when you. . . when you gave up your blessings, in the name of honor and service?" Here Derran shook his head, his tone turning to one of determination. 
"But none of that matters now. Evil claws at the door of our home brothers. The moment we always feared has come at last. . ." Here Derran paused, straightening up, his gaze fierce and powerful. "Perhaps, when you awaken. . . I will at last know what to say to you. . ." At that, the air seemed to vibrate, as if in agreement, and understanding. Then, with a final nod Derran stepped aside, as Celestia and Luna once more moved to stand before the stone. . .

As one, they lit their horns. Eyes closed, they murmured strange words beneath their breath. As the light of their magic grew in intensity. Gradually, an aura of swirling midnight blue and shining gold energy, formed around them. Motes of multicolored light sparking about the pair, as their manes and tails billowed in an arcane wind. Nearby, Twilight and her friends heard a faint hum of power, that gradually intensified, as the air seemed to vibrate in sympathy with it. The aura around Celestia and Luna grew ever brighter, as it became a swirling vortex of pure power. Threads of ethereal blue and gold light stretching out from the whirlwind of energy, connecting to the circular tablet around its circumference. 

Instantly, a pulse of force erupted from the stone, sending Twilight and the others reeling. The trees around them shaking as if in the midst of a hurricane, the ground trembling and shuddering. As with a sound of grinding stone, the massive circular tablet pulled itself free of the earth. Rising steadily into the air, the runes carved around the marker began to glow brighter, as lines of gold and blue flame traced across the kneeling knight. The glow swiftly became a blinding shine, as the stone sent out another unseen pulse of energy that nearly sent the assembled ponies to the ground.

Only Celestia, Luna, and Derran seemed unaffected, as the air filled with a smell of ozone. Sparks of lightning crawled across the stone, as it began to gracefully tilt in the air, till it was perpendicular with the ground. Hovering nearly ten feet above the earth, the stone slowly began to spin, as rainbow hued fire and arcane electricity flowed across its surface. Flares of mystical power flashed through the air, as the trees surrounding the clearing were lit with a halo of prismatic light. The earth shook with a series of drawn out dolorous booms. As if in time to the beating of a massive heart buried deep within the planet. Yet, despite the wind and the shaking, the princesses and Derran, stood with the solidity of mountains.

In the air, the stone spun faster and faster, rising still higher above the treetops, as an orb of pure crackling kaleidoscopic energy took shape above its engraved surface. Blindingly bright sinuous coils of energy, that seemed a hybrid of fire and lightning, connected the spinning stone to the sphere. Growing larger and larger, the ball was suddenly surrounded by rings of alien symbols made of light, that seemed to expand and contract erratically, as if struggling to contain its immense power. Then, without warning, there was a penultimate thunderclap, as a beam of pure, shining, rainbow colored energy, blasted out from the stone. Thicker than a redwood, and brighter than the sun, the coruscating polychromatic beam streaked higher and higher into the sky. Till at last, it burst like a firework, splitting into ten comets of pure energy, each arching through the sky as they scattered in all directions. . .

One landed in the far north, shaking the Crystal Mountains with its passage and blasting a hole three miles wide through the cloud cover of one of the area's frequent blizzards. Another disappeared into the deserts beyond Las Pegasus, causing countless pony revelers to halt, and stare at the sky in shock. The third hit just outside of Manehatten, freezing the usually unendingly busy citizens in their tracks. A fourth crashed down not to far from Appleoosa, where it was almost entirely missed by groups of ponies and buffalo, frantically trying to halt a massive prairie fire before it destroyed the appleoosan's orchards. The fifth, splashed down off the coast of a small village near Horseshoe Bay, shocking a young filly and her grandfather, and unwittingly delaying the kraken that had been slowly heading toward their small rowboat. The sixth ball of multicolored fire, landed amid the boughs of the Whitetail Woods, where an unwary colt had just stumbled upon a wandering pack of timberwolves. While the seventh rainbow-hued comet, came to rest just beyond the Galloping Gorge, where it was noted by both a traveling jewel merchant and his family, and the pack of diamond dogs that had been tracking them for the last few days. The eighth and ninth streams of fire came down amid the Everfree Forest. As the tenth, rather strangely, vanished over the horizon, as it hurtled in the direction of the badlands. . .

(Soundtrack: To Glory, by Two Steps From Hell)

Contrary to what was expected, there was no impact when the searing comets finally made contact with the ground. No explosion, nor cracking of stone and sundering of earth, indeed, they didn't even make much in the way of sound. Rather, the ground seemed to absorb the energy, like parched soil drinking up rainwater. The only sound was a low-pitched musical chime, as the spell coursed deep into the earth. Moments passed, as all around the impact sights, the world seemed to become incomprehensibly still. . . Then, the ground began to rumble. A sound of cracking stone, snapping roots, and dirt being shoved aside with explosive force, echoing through the air. As, at ten locations across Equestria, chosen centuries ago by some of the most brilliant strategic minds ever produced by the multiverse, hundreds upon hundreds of what seemed to be massive stone coffins, burst from the ground.

They were roughly hewn, each about seven feet tall, five feet wide, and four feet deep. Made of a dark gray rock, the odd stone sarcophagi were unmarked, save for a single glowing symbol in the front, and some writing. Shining an angry red, the symbol looked roughly similar to an oversized lowercase 'T' but with a strange curving flourish crossing it at the bottom. And directly below it, shining with a similarly bloody hue, were written these words:

For nearly half a minute, the coffins stood there silently, as the rune and strange inscription pulsed with scarlet light. Until, as though receiving some unknown signal, the symbol and words turned a pale electric blue, before going dark. Abruptly, with a sound of grinding stone, the lids of the sarcophagi slowly slid sideways. All across Equestria, there was a faint hum of energy, and a crash, as the lids of over ten thousand ancient burial caskets fell to the ground. Within their shadowed depths, eyes that had been shut since long before Luna had been banished, and whose existence was forgotten before the tyrant Sombra was even born, opened with near perfect synchronicity. A moment later, over ten thousand armored hands, reached for weapons, as Equestria's penultimate defenders, heeded the call to war. . .  

Buttermane's breathing was ragged as he galloped through the Whitetail Woods. All he'd wanted was to see if the breeze lilies were in bloom yet. His mom and older sister always said there was nothing like a breeze lily bouquet to liven up a room. He'd just wanted to do something nice for them, and now he was running for his life as a pack of vicious canine wood elementals chased him through the forest! He'd never have come out here if he'd known there were Timberwolves! He didn't even think they lived out here! The only thing he could think of was that they must have left the Everfree forest for some reason and gotten lost. Just his luck that they'd find him of all ponies! 

Tripping over a gnarled tree root, Buttermane cried out as he scraped a knee. His eyes tearing up as he forced himself to his hooves in spite of the pain. He had to keep running or he was as good as dead! Behind him, he heard the eerie howling of his pursuers, far closer than he would like. At the same time, the foul smell of their breath filled his nostrils. Buttermane didn't dare look behind him as he sped through the trees. Yet, even as he ran, his thought's racing from fear and adrenaline, he couldn't help but wonder what that strange light in the sky had been. A meteor? But then where was the explosion when it landed? Wild magic? He'd heard magic sometimes did strange things for no reason. If he lived through this maybe he'd ask his friend Glitterleaf, she was a unicorn, maybe she'd know?

In the midst of his panicked thoughts, Buttermane turned his head this way and that, looking for some means of escape. The last thought to go through his head before he tripped again was: "Huh, that's a weird place for a stone box." This fall was far worse then the first one, as Buttermane went tumbling end over end down a hill. He felt a spike of agony in his back hoof as he fell. Letting out a high pitched yelp, that turned into a groan, as he came to rest at the bottom of the incline. Again Buttermane tried to stand, only to fall flat on his face. Tears filling his eyes, as he bit his lip to avoid screaming. Whatever he'd done to his hoof, it could no longer support his weight. And things only got worse, when the timberwolf pack crested the hilltop behind him.

Scrambling backward, Buttermane still did his best to escape, even as tears filled his eyes at how pointless the effort was. He didn't want to die like this! Without telling his mom he loved her, without going camping with his dad one last time, without tasting his big sister's special vegetable soup one more chilly fall day? Grabbing a small loose stone from the path, Buttermane desperately chucked it at the lead timberwolf's head as hard as he could, only for it to bounce off to no visible effect. Narrowing its eyes in anger, the alpha wolf ran forward, leaping into the air with its jaws open wide. Buttermane screamed as he threw up his front hooves. . . Only for a black gauntleted hand to snatch the timberwolf out of midair by its throat. The wolf had only a single second to register surprise, and supreme terror, at the site of the heavily armored bipedal warrior that had halted its attack. Before it was thrown to the ground, to shatter in an explosion of twigs, leaves and bark.  

Buttermane's mouth fell open, as with a heavily accented and mechanically distorted roar of "FOR THE SERAPHIM!!" the warrior raised his opposite hand, in which was clenched a leaf bladed spear made of dark metal. The weapon crackling with what Buttermane would have sworn was emerald lightning! No sooner had he sounded his battle cry, then with a volume that shook the very earth and rattled the trees around them, there was a rejoining roar of "FOR EQUESTRIA!!". Spoken by hundreds of voices. The thunderous sound followed immediately by a strange overlapping series of what Buttermane could only describe as 'musical cracking noises'. 

The stunned pack of timberwolves, frozen in a combination of fear and shock, were obliterated in a hail of elongated beams of green energy. Their bodies, and large chunks of the forest path, detonating in flashes of light! The beams burning small holes in the wooden canines, before instantly reducing them to sawdust and ashes, with blasts of explosive force from within their torsos and heads. Some of the beams even burned straight through them without stopping, and Buttermane just barely had time to register tiny, glowing tunnels of molten rock bored into the ground, before the earth fountained into the air, sending stone, dirt, and what was left of the the wolves themselves, flying in all directions. 

Meanwhile, the warrior whom had saved Buttermane had fallen into a crouch in front of him, his spear held sideways before them. Two gems in the haft flaring with light, as a curved plane of green energy was projected from them. Shielding Buttermane and the warrior, both from further attack, and from any shrapnel created by his comrade's weapons. The young colt was only able to stare in absolute awe, as hundreds of warriors in dark brown and black armor, marked with strange pictographs, and with helmets that vaguely reminded Buttermane of a cat, stepped out from the trees. Wooden beads and small charms hung from their wrists and neck, all depicting the sun, the moon, or some variety of animal. They wielded elongated, box-like weapons, some with ethereal blue smoke still flowing from the ends. Holding them across their chests in the manner of professional soldiers. As he stared, Buttermane instantly forgot the danger he had been in, the strange light in the sky, and just about everything else. His heart nearly stopping in his chest, as he suddenly realized, whom these strange beings looked almost identical too. . .

Grell was having a very good day, as he growled menacingly at the pony merchant and his cowering family. He and his diamond dog pack had been tracking the gem dealer and his small caravan for nearly three days, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Diverting them from their original rout and into the Galloping Gorge had been a stroke of genius on Grell's part. No matter that Stinkfang had been the one to come up with the idea. After all, without Grell's leadership as alpha, he never would have had the idea to begin with. Thus, Grell reasoned, he alone deserved credit.

It was also only thanks to Grell's leadership, that they had thought to use that strange multicolored sky streak's appearance to distract the ponies during the ambush. Now the two wagons were completely surrounded by spear wielding, armored diamond dog warriors. Grell had found it highly amusing when the ponies looks of wonder at the sky-fire, had turned to terror when they saw Grell and his pack.

More to the point, there was no sign of the 'Doomguy', as that weakling Snotsnout and his pack called him. Grell had briefly run into Snotsnout during a meeting of the various diamond dog packs. He and his group had, until recently, operated a mine just outside of one of the pony's towns. Pickings had been good there, until nearly a year ago, when they had come to the Packmeet, wild eyed and with their tails between their legs. They had said it wasn't safe to operate in Equestria anymore, because of Doomguy. Snotsnout said he and his pack were leaving Equestria for good, and that any smart diamond dog packs, should do the same. Saying Doomguy would come otherwise, and kill anycreature that hurt ponies. Grell of course, had just laughed.

Equestria was the best place this side of the wastes to find gems and jewels. Not to mention ponies were easily intimidated into giving up riches, or serving as slaves. Ponies were kind, and therefore weak, not tough and clever like diamond dogs. Just look at how this gem dealer cowered from him and his pack, they were. . . Grell's train of thought paused, as he suddenly noticed, the mare, stallion and colt hitched/on the first cart, and the two mares hitched/on the second, weren't looking at him, but rather, behind him. Their eyes wide in a mix of awe and fear, as their mouths hung open.

Suddenly, Grell felt a chill run up his spine, as if the reaper itself had whispered in his ear. His ears pricked, as a ghostly wind blew through the rocks of the canyon. The diamond dog alpha's survival instincts suddenly started screaming at him to run, yet his legs wouldn't move, no matter how hard he tried. Grell's ears flattened against his head, his tail between his legs, his heart hammering in his chest, as a shadow fell across him from behind. And a voice like none Grell had ever heard, spoke. . .

"Cover the eyes of the young one, this is not that which the seraphim's youngest children should see." The voice was deep and ageless, yet for all its seeming calm, there was a terrible fury hidden just beyond its surface. The last thing Grell ever saw in the realm of mortal life, was the mare sitting on the cart in front of him, covering her son's eyes with her hooves. Before an armored hand grabbed Grell's skull from behind. Crushing it, and the brain within, into mangled pulp, before hurling the body it was attached to, forty feet up and over the lip of the gorge.

Had Grell survived, he might have wondered in horror at his entire pack, somehow falling dead to the ground without uttering a sound, and seemingly without a scratch on them. He might have stared in terror, as hundreds of bipeds, encased in armor of green and brown, and covered in combat webbing, appeared atop the canyon wall. Charms of leather, dyed feathers, and colored beads adorning them, as helms, whose tar black visors seemed to encompass their entire front, looked up from long, glowing rune covered rifles, pointed at the corpses of his former pack. As it stood, it was only the ponies whom could stare in wonder, as their rescuers moved toward them, silent as ghosts. . .

Fair Winds struggled to fight off his terror, as a massive, sucker covered tentacle, smashed down just inches from the side of the rowboat he and his grandfoal were seated in, nearly capsizing it. After a lifetime spent on the sea as a trader, Fair Winds knew a Kraken when he saw one. The massive creatures rarely came this close to shore, preferring the deep waters of the open ocean. However, every once in a great while, one would come to the coast seeking prey.  And unfortunately, it seemed Horseshoe Bay was now host to such a specimen.

Fair Winds struggled with the oars, trying to remain calm, as his grandfoal, Gentle Waters, looked up at him with panic in her eyes. Glancing down at her, Fair Winds forced a reassuring smile to his wrinkled and bearded muzzle, as around them, the water churned and frothed. The Kraken was big, a massive creature at least sixty feet long, not including its twelve tentacles, the longest of which was nearly eighty feet. Resembling a nautilus in general shape, the creature's green and blue striped armored shell, was covered in wicked looking barbs and spikes. 

Just beneath the surface, Fair Winds caught sight of an eye, larger than the rowboat he and Gentle were in, glaring at them with a terrible hunger. In his head, Fair Winds considered their options. They were too far from shore for swimming to be possible, even if they weren't trying to outpace a creature capable of doing thirty knots in the open sea, or over a hundred if it used its siphon. Rescue was on the way from the shore, but even if it arrived in time, nopony in the bay had the tools or magic to fight this thing off, and trying to row away was a fool's gambit. Honestly, the only reason the monster hadn't killed them already, was that it was likely still disoriented from that rainbow meteor, or whatever it was, that had struck the center of the bay. No sooner had that thought entered Fair Wind's head, than the kraken let out a keening roar that vibrated his very bones. Grabbing onto Gentle Waters, he closed his eyes to await the end. . . but the end, never came.

Another roar was heard, as the boat rocked dangerously, but this one sounded different, it sounded. . . pained? Opening his eyes, Fair Winds saw the kraken lashing the surface with its tentacles in a mad panic, as beneath the water around it, flashes of brilliant blue light lit up the waves, and muted sounds, not that dissimilar to blasts of unicorn magic, if they were amplified a few dozen times, filtered up from the depths. A monstrous shriek of agony was heard, as the water was stained the bluish green color of kraken blood. Tentacles the thickness of trees, and with the strength to overpower full grown whales and sharks, flailed helplessly. As out of nowhere, bars of blazing blue light, that Fair Winds could have sworn looked like swords, appeared beneath the roiling sea. Before, guided by something Fair Winds couldn't quite make out, being stabbed into the kraken's submerged form. 

For just an instant, the great beast's eye once again met Fair Winds. This time, instead of hunger, all Fair Winds could see, was the primal fear of a creature that knew it was about to die. However, he only saw it for a moment, as with a final screech of terror and agony, the Kraken was yanked below the waves, the thick clouds of its blood obscuring any view of what could do such a thing to so mighty an apex predator of the sea. 

For nearly a minute, Fair Winds simply hugged Gentle Waters to him, trembling, too afraid even to move. At first, the water had vibrated where the kraken had been, the sea around the boat frothing with bubbles, and the occasional tentacle tip breaking the surface. Then, there was only stillness, as the two ponies stared at the patch of ocean, where some unimaginable force, had pulled the great beast to its final, watery grave. Fair Winds couldn't think of any being capable of such a feat. No. . . no that wasn't quite true. There was one being he could think of, but it couldn't possibly be him, could it? However, he didn't have time to contemplate the idea for long, as with a series of clunks, something made contact with the underside of the boat, and it began to move. 

At a gentle, yet brisk pace, the rowboat containing Fair Winds and his grandfoal, moved in a perfectly straight line toward the shore. Pulled along by something that had just killed a true monster of the waves, in the space of under a minute. Still shaking with barely controlled fear, Fair winds leaned over the side of the boat as far as he dared. Only to feel a mix of dread and hope, at what he saw. Just beneath the water were hundreds of sets, of what the old stallion could only think of as 'glowing eyes'. Illuminated by a cold blue light, whatever the eyes belonged to, seemed to be swimming in formation, not unlike a school of fish. A moment later, they cleared the cloud of kraken blood, and Fair Winds own eyes, became as wide as saucers.

Guiding his ship toward a stretch of sandy beach, were a team of sedately swimming bipeds, in dark blue and grey armor. Helms that looked a bit like the prows of ships with eyes, cut through the water, as the bipeds slid through the depths in a way that implied some form of magic was at work. The ones not guiding the boat, held sleek looking firearms out in front of them, heads turning slowly from side to side as they swam, apparently scanning for any additional threats.

As they finally arrived at the shore, to a waiting crowd of awestruck ponies, the rowboat was smoothly lifted out of the water entirely. Born up the shore on the shoulders of no less than six, bipedal warriors. Around them, hundreds of others rose from the waves, their weapons switching from held at the ready to at ease across their chest, with a clockwork discipline. As they gently set the boat down above the high tide mark, Fair Winds noted that, to a stallion, these beings each wore a brilliant scarlet sash embroidered with gold thread, proudly across their chests. Stunned into speechlessness, Fair Winds almost didn't register it, when one of the armored figures spoke to him. In a voice, that for all it was distorted into a mechanical growl, managed to sound prim, proper, and kind.

"Quite the sticky wicket you were in there friend. Are you and the young miss quite alright?"

"KEEP THOSE BUCKETS COMING!!" Braeburn shouted, as he took a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow with a hoof. Glancing back at the orchard, he tried not to despair, as the flames began to lick at the trunks of the first row of apple trees. Appleoosa was no stranger to the occasional prairie fire, heck they even somewhat relied on them to replenish some of their fields further out, letting them burn when they lay fallow. This however, was different.

Despite strict control over the weather by the pegusus ponies, somepony had slacked off when it came to monitoring the surrounding brush for overgrowth. As a result, this fire had far more fuel to burn than normal, and it had swiftly spiraled out of control. Even the timely arrival of Chief Thunderhooves and his buffalo warriors, had only stemmed the tide of flames for a short period, and now it seemed likely that the entire harvest was going to be burnt to a crisp. 

Worse yet however, was that the winds were shifting, and soon would direct the flames toward the town. The pegusus were scrambling to redirect the winds and gather some storm clouds, but that still took time. Time the town of Appleoosa didn't have. Ponies and buffalo strained under skies black with smoke, their coats and manes turned grey with ash. Bucket brigades of earth ponies and buffalo warriors sweated and toiled ceaselessly, as unicorns cut firebreaks with their magic, and pegusai flew overhead trying to wrangle what clouds they could together. But it was painfully obvious at a glance, that the flames were winning.

"I fear we may need to sacrifice your orchard." A deep, rumbling voice, tinged with sympathy, stated. Looking up, Braeburn was met with the sight of the towering figure of Chief Thunderhooves. His shaggy coat singed, and dusted liberally with ash. "The flames are moving too fast, it is becoming difficult to stay ahead of them." Braeburn clenched his jaw, wanting to argue, but knowing the chief was right. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he nodded.

"Ah know. . . pull everycreature back to the town, if'n we're lucky we won't lose-." Braeburn was cut off by a series of panicked cries for help. With eyes wide and full of dread, he and Chief Thunderhooves turned to look out at the fire. Their worst fears were soon confirmed. Several ponies and buffalo had been surrounded by the flames, and cut off from escape. Undoubtably, they had been trying so hard to hold back the conflagration, that they failed to notice when the sparks had set the brush to their rear alight. Worse yet, the flames had picked up speed, so any attempt to help them would only result in even more ponies getting trapped.

"By the ancestors! We have to do something!" Thunderhooves exclaimed, his tone one of desperation, all too aware of how limited their options likely were. Braeburn racked his brain for an idea, only to come up empty. A sickening feeling overtook him, as he stared into the faces of the distant ponies and buffalo, and he realized there was no way to save them. Then he noticed the buffalo speaking to the ponies, before appearing to square off against the flames. Looking at the chief in confusion, Braeburn felt positively ill at the horrified expression on Thunderhooves face. "They are going to attempt a breakout!" He exclaimed. Braeburn already knew the answer from Thunderhooves tone, but couldn't help but ask.

"Could that work?" The chieftain chewed on his lower lip.

"It. . . might. However the distance is likely too much. Even if they don't get overcome by the heat or smoke, and assuming my warriors bulk is able to create a big enough wake through the flames. . ." The chief trailed off as he considered the odds against the group. "If we are extraordinarily fortunate, two or three might make it." Braeburn felt like he was going to throw up, as he stared at the group of thirteen preparing for what was likely a suicidal charge, through nearly two hundred plus feet of fiercely burning orchard. However, just as the buffalo were about to move, a sound reverberated through the air. A deep, humming drone, that rose and fell in an eerie tempo.  

"Is that. . . chanting?" Braeburn asked in confusion. Thunderhooves however, just stood in mute silence as he pointed with a hoof to a hill overlooking the orchard. Even through the flames and smoke, hundreds of figures walked forward on two legs. Dressed in armor of burnished gold, and blue-black steel, over which robes of turquoise fluttered in the breeze. Glowing hieroglyphics, ankhs, and charms, covered their armor and robes. As helms in the shapes of fierce birds of prey, oxen, cats and insects, stared down at the ponies with balefully glowing green eye lenses. Each wielded an ornate staff in one hand, while clamped to their armored thighs, were either pistols or compact assault weapons. 

At the group's head stood a figure shorter than most of the others, his helm alone displaying human features, in a grim golden deathmask, framed by a metal nemes headcloth in gold and turquois. Raising his staff, an object of black steel, etched with golden runes and topped by a ring around which nine other smaller rings hung, the weapon's head flared with green and blue mystic fire. Instantly, the movement of the flames consuming the orchard, halted.

For a moment, the fires seemed to flicker strangely, as if the breeze no longer commanded them, before, in defiance of the wind, they began to be drawn towards the figure. Streams of fire and smoke stretched out impossibly towards the armored being, as he held up his unoccupied hand. Like water circling a drain, the flames and ash seemed pulled inexorably into his palm, where they coalesced into a small, brightly glowing sphere of orange, red and black. As the ponies and buffalo stared in shock, every last cinder was mystically compelled into the warrior's outstretched gauntlet. The scorched earth and smoldering trees extinguished and cooling in an instant, as the heat was sucked away in its entirety. Only once the last flicker of the fire had been absorbed, did the figure glance down at the orb in his hand. Before, with a contemptuous finality, crushing it, in a puff of sparks.

It was then, that Braeburn and Chief Thunderhooves saw the glowing banners, with pennants of what seemed to be solid light, held aloft by warriors with helms like the heads of jackals. Two symbols were displayed on the shimmering flags, one atop the other. On the lower half, was a stylized snake of brilliant blue, shown curled into a circle. Its mouth wide as it devoured its own tail, an ouroboros, the ancient mystic symbol of eternity. However, atop it, in pride of place, glittered the swirling teardrop of night and day, the symbol of the two sister princesses of Equestria. Celestia and Luna each depicted with loving care, along the outside of the emblem, chasing each other with the sun and moon below their heads. As the armored warriors gazed down at the pony and buffalo, they, and their fellows, could only stare back, paralyzed with wonder. . .

All across Equestria ponies watched in awe, as a myth forgotten twelve hundred years ago, became a reality once more. Ponies on the outskirts of Manehatten stared in slack jawed incredulity, as hundreds of armored humans in tight ranks, marched toward their city. With black armor festooned with knives, ammo, and other assorted kit, and helms like high-tech gas masks. With perfect discipline, their boots struck the ground in near flawless unison as they marched. Invoking dread as much as amazement, as they moved forward. Weapons slung over shoulders, and black tinted visored eyes fixed unflinchingly on the city. Banners of allegiance to the princesses held proudly aloft. 

Las Pegasus, for the first time since its founding, stood frozen. Guests and revelers unable to move as they stared out at the dunes of the desert beyond the city. There, rank after rank of armored figures emerged from a swirling curtain of sand kicked up by their marching feet. Covered in armor like polished brass, marked with strange scrollwork, countless coins of polished silver hung from leather belts and finely wrought chains across their bodies. Visors like oval mirrors were affixed to helms who's pointed tops resembled an upside down onion, while glittering scimitars and pistols hung from leather belts. Reflecting the sun, the warriors were blinding to look upon, their various ornaments making a sound like windchimes, as they advanced on the silent city. . .

Looking out from the tallest tower of her castle, it was Princess Cadance whom first saw them. In armor of slate gray and stark white, they emerged from the mountains like icy revenants. The snow seeming to part before them like a drawn back curtain. Helms evoking the faces of shouting, bearded warriors, with glowing ice blue eyes, protected their features from the cold. Save for their leader, a figure swathed in a great fur cape, that fluttered behind them, who's helm was molded into the features of a snarling wolf. Runes, glowing with an eerie blue radiance, covered the various warriors armor, along with skulls of slain beasts and necklaces and bracelets made of teeth and fangs. Holding rifles and axes, the warriors cut through the wind and frost at a swift jog, a cloud of snow and ice obscuring them from the waist down. Cadence, Shining Armor, and a smiling Flurry Heart watched for a moment more, as the warriors powered toward the border of their city. Before turning and heading for the stairs, determined that they would be the first to greet their long lost saviors. . .

Twilight stood in awe, as the beam of energy emitted by the floating stone finally cut out. With its purpose at last fulfilled, the stone rotated, as it floated back down to earth, slotting itself into its previous location with a soft thud. Celestia and Luna stepped back, exhaustion writ large upon their features. Turning, they looked out at the forest with a tired but serene expression. Derran oddly, simply stood next to them, facing the opposite direction as he continued to stare at the stone. Twilight and the others however, looked at the princesses with questioning expressions.

"Did. . . did it work?" Rainbow asked, sounding slightly confused. Celestia and Luna just smiled,                                 

"See for yourself." Celestia declared softly, a tear in her eye, as she gestured behind them with her hoof.

It was then, that Twilight and the others felt it. A sensation like electricity dancing across their fur and feathers, as a scent of incense and spices filled the air. A presence filled the atmosphere, fearsome, yet controlled, as a sound of shifting metal and breaking branches was heard. Pivoting on their rear hoofs, the six members of the friendship council slowly turned. Only to feel the breath catch in their throats. . .

Moving through the trees, came two separate columns of warriors. The first, in extremally heavy looking gold and silver armor, marched forward in perfect lockstep. T-visored helms, ornamented with crests of white bristles, that shifted prismatically in the sunlight, stared fixedly at the unseen horizon. Each metallic boot crashing down at exactly the same moment as every other pair in the line as they marched. Guns of gold chased in silver, were held across chests at a precise forty five degree angle, the position not wavering for so much as a moment, even as they crashed through the underbrush. At their head, was a figure in armor of stunningly beautiful make. Designed with a helm modeled to look like a sun with human features, its eyes glowing opalescent lenses. Every piece of his golden armor was polished to a perfect mirror finish, and etched with the design of flames in silver. And finally, on his breastplate, in pride of place, was Celestia's cutie mark.

The second column, was made up of warriors in armor of black and extremally dark blue, edged with mother of pearl. Made of overlapping plates, they reminded Twilight of designs from ancient Nieghpone to the far east. Especially when she saw the helmet visors, made to resemble snarling monsters with eyes of glowing mother of pearl. All the midnight clad warriors were nearly identical, or so Twilight and the others thought, until hundreds more appeared seemingly out of nowhere. These warriors had a much lighter design of armor, clearly made for ease of movement, and unlike their counterparts who carried assault rifles, pistols, and swords, they carried pistols, daggers, and bows made of oily black metal across their backs. At their head, stood a warrior with two swords slung from his belt, and who's helm was ornamented by a large crescent moon of gold. To a one, each of the black armored warriors had Luna's cutie mark emblazoned across their breastplates.

Closing to within twenty feet of Twilight and the others, both columns of soldiers abruptly halted. Gazing upon the ponies before them, they stood like statues. Then, finally, as one, hundreds of weapons were maglocked to belts or armored thighs, as hundreds of sets of hands, reached up to take hold of helmets. The cracks and hisses of pressure seals breaking, echoing through the silent forest. 

As Twilight and her friends finally saw the faces beneath, they almost gasped. For despite the power of their presence, the might of their weaponry, and the beauty of their armor, all that lay beneath, were the faces of ordinary humans. Faces that gazed at the ponies with absolute love and devotion, as they fell to one knee. Fists of the right hand clasped over hearts, as they bowed their heads in fealty.

As Twilight and her friends stared, the warrior with the sun helm and the one with the two swords, raised their heads to look to Celestia and Luna. The one with the sun helm had a full dark beard and mustache, coal black hair, and a tanned complexion. His dark green eyes had a hardened quality to them, his expression grim, and with a frightening intensity. The man with the two swords and golden crescent helm's face, could not have been more the opposite. His topknotted frizzy black hair and wild sideburns, framed a face that was all smiles. His brown eyes filled with a good humor, that almost made you miss the innate cunning lying deeper in his gaze. His beard and mustache were short and messy, yet all that did was seem to make him more personable.

"Your divine majesties, it is our most supreme honor to kneel in your presence once again!" The warrior with the golden armor and sun helmet stated, his ornate headgear now maglocked to his belt. His voice had a booming quality, and an accent that Twilight couldn't place. The warrior with two swords just rolled his eyes slightly, the grin never leaving his face.

"Good to see you again boss ladies. Hope we didn't keep you waiting." He remarked with a grin, his voice containing only the barest trace of a Neighponese sounding accent. The golden warrior instantly turned to glare at his companion.

"Mind your tone brother Yamato! That is not how one properly greets divinity! You could at least address them as 'Lady'!" The dark armored one, 'Yamato', just shrugged.

"Nice to see you too Leo, still got that stick up your ass I see." Yamato declared, his tone teasing. The golden warrior, for just a moment, was struck speechless, his face going through several fascinating contortions before settling on sharp disapproval.

"How a disrespectful lout like you was chosen to serve Lady Luna I will never-." 

"Leonidas. . ." Celestia called out, her tone seeming oddly fragile.

"Musashi. . ." Luna whispered.

Instantly, the two warriors turned back to the princesses, just in time to brace themselves, as the pair of weeping alicorns crashed into them, hugging them tight. The golden armored warrior, Leonidas, seemed momentarily uncertain how to respond. Stiffening for a moment, before returning Celestia's hug with a degree of awkwardness, his grim expression easing just a hair. Musashi however, accepted the hug easily, his face sympathetic as he patted Luna's mane.

"Hey there Tsuki Hime." He whispered, gently holding the lunar princess. "Its ok, my handsome mug ain't going anywhere." Luna just held him tighter.

"I missed you so much!" She cried out. "All of you!" Musashi just chuckled, as he motioned to the kneeling soldiers behind him with one hand. 

"Bring it in brothers, our boss lady needs a hug!" The soldiers, many unable to keep the smile off their faces, surged forward to surround Luna in a surprisingly gentle cocoon of armor and warm smiles. Those unable to reach her directly through the press of their brethren, simply laying a hand on the shoulder of the warrior in front of them. Creating a chain of solidarity to comfort their crying goddess. 

Leonidas however, still seemed unable to determine how to deal with the clearly unexpected display of affection from his goddess/commander. Fortunately, Celestia felt no need to wait on his order, as she released him, before running past him to greet his still kneeling comrades.

"Parthys! Lucius! Tarquitius! Kratos! Oh how I missed you all!" Celestia went on and on down the line, reciting each name as she gave out a warm hug to its owner. Leonidas at first looking bewildered, before his expression softened into one of pure, if restrained, joy. Meanwhile, Luna was no less busy, as she too put names to faces she had not seen in over twelve hundred years.

"Takahashi! Tanaka! Ito! Raiden! My dear lost friends! You're all here!" Musashi just laughed.

"Course they are! You know the Lunar Guard would never leave our boss lady hanging." 

The greetings might have gone on forever, had it not been for Leonidas turning to glance at the other ponies present. Arching an eyebrow, he briefly wondered why their ladyships had brought them along. They didn't look like retainers or nobility, and they certainly weren't bodyguards. They consisted of a prim unicorn, a flustered looking pegasus, a leather hat wearing orange earth pony, a rainbow maned pegasus, a frizzy haired pink earth pony, and. . .

"By the Light's benevolent majesty!" Leonidas exclaimed, as he immediately fell once more to his knee. Horrified at his breech of protocol, and lack of observation. "A thousand pardons your divine grace!" He declared, bowing his head. "Had I known another of the Light's holy children was in attendance, I would have greeted you properly!" The purple Seraphim looked briefly stunned, before letting out a long suffering sigh.

"Oh sweet Celestia there's another one." She muttered under her breath. However before she could say more, Leonidas raised his head. Only to freeze, as he finally took note of the solitary human, standing with his back to them. He had long black hair, that cascaded over his shoulders like a waterfall. Wearing a black suit and leather dress shoes, he stood with hands clasped behind his back. An aura of power radiated out from him, reenforced by a body trained to olympian perfection, and then pushed beyond by sacred sorcery. He stood silent, immovable, eternal, a representation of unconquerable strength. Leonidas did not need to ask, to know whom stood before him.

"My Lord!" The words came out as barely a whisper, yet instantly, the forest was struck dead silent. Musashi rose, his warriors dispersing around him and Luna, as he stared in undisguised shock.

"It can't be. . ." Musashi breathed out, before he could stop himself. For a time there was silence, as the Legion warriors tried to decide for themselves if their eyes were telling the truth. Slowly, the figure turned to regard them, eyes like chips of arctic ice, piercing their very souls with its gaze. As a voice as familiar and powerful as it was commanding, spoke.

"Brothers. . . it is good to see you again. I only wish it were under better circumstances." Instantly, all mirth left Musashi's face, as he and every other Legion soldier present, placed their fists over their hearts in salute. Yet he was unable to keep from speaking further, the sheer impossibility of what he beheld forcing the words from his mouth.

"How?! How did you come back?!" He asked, his voice tinged with a reverent awe. Just as Derran opened his mouth to reply, a new voice answered the question for him.

"Obviously brother, the Light has decided that our Lord's service to its holy children, is yet needed." This voice, was soft, melodious, and gentle as a spring rain. Its tone seeming to instantly relax the minds and bodies of all who heard it. Now, it was Derran's turn to register shock, as he turned to look at the speaker. 

Long, flowing, platinum blond hair, bordered a face with an impossibly gentle expression. Eyes of piercing green were set amid delicate features, that made the man more 'beautiful' than traditionally handsome. Even encased in armor, he moved through his brothers with an easy grace. And what armor it was. Plates of white trimmed in black, save for the greaves, vambraces, and shoulder plates. Half of which were enchanted to look like Luna's mane. A deep midnight blue, within which could be seen the sparkle of countless stars, trimmed in gold filigree shaped like flames. 
The other half resembled Celestia's mane, a constantly shifting range of muted prismatic color, trimmed in filigree of obsidian black, made to look like swirling mist. The breastplate displaying the ancient interlocking teardrop symbol of the two sister alicorns, in gold, onyx, silver, and opal. And over it all, he wore a robe of half white and half midnight blue. Luna and Celestia's cutie marks sewn onto each breast. While from each gauntleted wrist, were jeweled charms of the same shape, hanging from delicate chains of gold and onyx. And maglocked at his side, was his helmet. A mask of gold, shaped to look like a stern human face, and engraved into each cheek, were Luna and Celestia's cutie marks, depicted in onyx and silver. While on the forehead, was once again the interlocking teardrop symbol of the two sisters, in mother of pearl and ebony. Moving toward Celestia and Luna, he gave each a deep bow. Hands clasped together in front of him as he bent forward at the waist. Taking note of Twilight, he gave her a warm smile, walking closer, before bowing to her as well. Then, standing at the head of the army of his brothers, he offered a serene smile to Derran. His eyes showing a respect and joy, that implied these two were far closer than merely comrades in arms.   

"Michael. . ." Derran stated, his whispered tone implying he had seen a ghost. Walking forward, and looking at the uniquely armored warrior with a thousand yard stare. As the pair stood before one another, Twilight was struck by how, with their hair color and appearance, the two seemed almost perfect opposites of one another. Light and dark, looking upon each other with a respect and fondness born of a long and lasting friendship. 

"I take it from your expression, that it has been some time?" Michael asked, his voice soft and his expression sympathetic. Derran, finally seeming to regain control of some of his faculties, simply nodded.

"It has brother." He replied, his voice thick with emotion, as the two clasped forearms in a warriors handshake. That Derran used, to pull his brother into a hug. Tears in his eyes, as he continued. "It has been far too long. . ." 

Deep in the wastes, a scorpion hid beneath a rock, a rattlesnake vanished down a hole, and even a tatzelwurm, after poking its head above ground, burrowed into the earth deep enough to hit bedrock. The sounds of hundreds of booted feet, marching double-time, echoed through the parched desert. Overhead, a vulture squawked loudly, before flying toward the horizon as fast as it could, as terror, stalked the land beneath. 

The appearance of the bipeds stalking through the desiccated wastes, was beyond description. Hideous figures, of clawed limbs, razor sharp teeth and misshapen bodies, with skin of a metallic sheen. Their glowing red eyes never wavering from the path that led toward their goal. No living thing dared go near them, a terrible aura of power radiating out from them, chilling even the burning air of the wastes.

They spoke not a word as they reached the Equestrian border. Where abruptly, the thousand or so individuals split into nine groups, each heading in a different direction. Then, as they crossed into the holy land, their bodies shimmered, as if an image in a disturbed pond. When the shimmer subsided, the nine groups of just over one hundred ten individuals each, were suddenly clad in nine different styles of magetech armor. 

As the nine columns of bipeds separated in accordance with their ancient orders, only one thing survived their strange transformation, from twisted monstrosities into armored warriors. Around each of their necks, held in place by a thong of leather, were two metal pendants. One, showed the interlocking sun and moon of the two sisters, while the other, showed the rune of the Doom Slayer. And on the back of the second coin shaped pendent, was written a singular vow, one the beings wearing them bore with as much sorrow, as pride. It read: