Sergeant Thunder Thrust grumbled as he marched his way through the forest. If he knew how different this place was from Bridalwood, he wouldn’t have accepted this mission. He wanted desperately to take part alongside Alphabittle in the attack on the main gates. However he was given different orders.
“Go ahead of us and circle around cutting through that forest next to Canterlot. You take them from behind and cut off any pony escaping. Use any force you deem necessary. And if you find the Princess’s student, take her prisoner! After the throne is ours, you can do as you please with the little girl.” Alphabittle said during the planning stages. He knew Thunder’s tastes, no matter how horrid they were.
Thunder grinned at that thought. It actually made this mission bearable. He had seen pictures of the princess’s student, and she was certainly a looker for a girl her age. Oh the plans he had for that little Pegasus girl.
Behind him marched three hundred fifty Centurions and a few of his most trusted soldiers. The mechanical army cleared the trees like cutting grass. Despite the clearcutting, he felt it was taking forever to go through this dark forest. Thankfully it wasn’t long before he saw a broken down old castle come into view. Over the wall he saw a large crystal fort.
“Hmmm I wonder what that is, A guard post? Heh, that’s most certainly will put a dent in our plans if it is. Weatherbe!, go check it out.”
With a salute, a small Pegasus flew off. Weatherbe circled a few times before landing back in front of Thunder.
“It looks like it sir, a large tree with a crystal shack. It looks perfect for watching everything for miles. But, I can’t tell if anyone is in it.”
“Well, regardless. We can’t take any chances.” Turning to his army Thunder smiled. “Centurion, destroy that tree. Kill anything inside it.” Thunder ordered pointing his hoof out before turning back to his scout.
“We can’t have anyone alert Canterlot we’re going this way.” A grin crossed his lips as he saw the Centurion’s fire-covered steel cannonball strike the large crystal tree, shattering it into pieces.
“Good job, let's go.” Laughing, Thunder lifted his head with pride as his small army continued onward through the forest.
Three shadows moved faster than the light could capture into the courtyard of the once Castle of the Two Sisters, stopping only once they reached the now destroyed Treehouse of Harmony. The shadowy fox leaned over and shifted the pile of crystals with his paw.
“Oh Haku, I’m so sorry. I know you didn’t like her much, but she was a tree under your care. And you did care for her.” The long shadowy dragon wrapped her forelegs around the fox’s shoulders, nuzzling his neck with her head
The large kitsune growled as he felt the cry of his downed trees, even. He felt his blood boil, even the soothing touch of his mate couldn’t cool it. He wanted to dash out and tear that pony appart. But that wouldn’t solve his problem. The metal army behind him would only go wild and he couldn’t have that.
Putting his paw down on the ground he felt the vibrations come from Canterlot. The screams of terrified ponies. While he cared little for ponies in general, life itself was precious to him. He did have a soft spot for the two sisters. After all, their first rule was within his forest until neglect and jealousy tore them apart.
“Indeed, Even I’m disgusted at this wanton destruction. This fight isn’t fun anymore, I am so over it. So what do you want to do?” The floating mismatched shadow grumbled. The glare from both the fox and dragoness got him to back up a bit.
“They don’t leave this forest alive.” Haku held out his paw and with a word the crystals blew away, leaving six multi-colored shards, each one as large as an apple.
The mismatched shadow’s eyes widened. “Those are…!”
“I thought you’d recognize them. You’ve felt their sting more than once.” His paws reached down and gripped two of them. “Ponies thought they were long destroyed, even their own owners. But what was created can never be unmade, only transformed. Harmony saw to that. She knew the world needed these defenders. For all the years they worked, they have been unbeatable.”
The dragoness reached down and with her claws gripped two more. “Indeed. Even when failing, they always got back up again stronger than before.”
“And I'm living proof of that. I know what you're after, and it will break universal law here.” The mismatched shadow gripped two crystals, with a claw and paw. “Not that I mind. You think we can pull this off?”
Haku licked his lips as he glanced up at the full moon. A shimmer from it told him all he needed to know. “With her help we can. And she has never once let her little boy down.”
Sumi and Discord looked at each other then nodded.
Lifting the six gems up the trio started to chant.
“Moon above with earth below, Go forth now and let chaos sow!” The Crystals held with in the paw and claw of the draconequus erupted in colors of Pink and Red
“Water’s wave with tempest rage, Release all memories trapped in your cage!” The Crystals held with in the claws of the dragoness glowed brilliantly in colors of Blue and Orange
“As bright lights shine and spread shadows fast, Bring you now echoes of the past!” The Crystals held with in the paws of the Kitsune blinded the surroundings with two shades of Purple but one swiftly turned to Amber
When the light finally faded the trio looked at the sight before them. Six ponies stood proudly, their bodies obscured by the light emanating from their necklaces. The Trio knew instantly retribution for this destruction was now in safe hooves.
Growling with fury, Thunder kicked at another tree. Pushing through he let out a sigh of relief. Finally out of the forest he saw the back path up the mountain where Canterlot was built. With ponies already running out he let out a wide smile.
“Finally.” Turning to his two lackeys. One Pegasus and one Earth Pony, he would be grateful when he was done working with them. “Now the fun begin’s boys. Remember, no prisoners save the Princess’s student. Kill everypony else. Now… Charge!” He thrust out his hoof as the two dashed forward yelling as their pony Centurion’s kept pace behind.
Thunder had little respite as he saw a speeding shadow of a pegasus, leading a rainbow speed trail, strike the ground, producing a rainbow colored shockwave that leveled a whole line of Centurions. That same shadow, without missing a beat tackled his Pegasus lackey sending him flying back over the forest till he disappeared.
Looking to the side another shadow wearing a stetson hat, swinging a rope with its tail. In seconds his Earth Pony lackey was bucked back into the forest. The rope on the mare’s tail wrapped around one centurion and with a grip she spun it around taking out another line. Once done she took up position next to the rainbow haired mare.
Growling he sent a powerful blast from his horn. No mare was going to make a fool of him, especially not a Pegasus and earth pony. It wasn’t until a unicorn with long purple hair joined that his magic was derailed by a flying piece of gem coated silk.
Thunder’s eyes widened as he saw three identical strips of silk circling her body. A loud roar came from his left, twisting about, he saw a pink haired Pegasus mare laying astride a large black bear as two smaller ones started to make quick work of more Centurions.
What the buck is going on here? Where are these bitches coming from? Thunder screamed in his head as another Pink haired pony bounced and blasted another line of his mechanical soldiers with a large cannon firing… cake batter. With his eyebrow twitching he started to back up until a sixth pony showed up. She walked with the air of a princess, her crimson hair flowing down from her head as that amber horn glowed brightly.
Thunder had never taken anything from any female before. He was not about to be sent packing by these six.
“Take them all!” he called out to his remaining Centurion’s. The mechanical soldiers ran out firing their steam blasters.
He did have to admit that these six mares knew how to fight. Backing up slowly he watched as they pooled their talents in ways he never thought possible. One by one each of the Centurion’s fell to skill and magic. Or ripped apart by a large bear while the yellow Pegasus called out for them to be careful.
“Give up now. You stand no chance.” The amber unicorn smiled as she stepped forward. “Surrender now and you will be shown leniency.”
Grumbling he had less than a hundred of his pony shaped constructs left. Taking a deep breath he stood up straight and regained his confidence.
“I’m not done yet. We still outnumber you.” Thunder laughed like a crazed pony.
Shaking her head the amber unicorn just sighed. With her horn glowing she lifted her head.
“Ponies of metal strong and true. Make this army bust a move!” As her horn glowed she started to sway back and forth as her party pony friend started to play music. And as if on cue each one of the remaining centurion’s started to glow and move to the unicorn’s actions.
“No!!!” Thunder back up more until a thick vine, shot from the forest, grabbed on to his left back hoof. Falling back he looked over his shoulder as three more vines shot out and wrapped around his remaining hooves.
“Looks like someone wants to have a word with ya.” The orange earth pony smiled, bumping up her hat a bit.
“OH yes, and I don’t think it will be pleasant darling,” the white mare sighed as the sky blue mare came up next to her.
“Yeah I don’t want to imagine what’s going to happen to you.”
Thunder clawed at the ground as he was slowly dragged back toward the forest.
“I hope he’ll be at least a little kind. I hate to see anypony suffer. Even ones like you,” the canary yellow mare rested her head down on the black bear’s back.
“Even those of us who live near it know better than to harm anything in the Everfree,” the Amber unicorn just looked to the forest. Deep in the shadows she saw the twin amber eyes of it’s guardian.
“It’s one party I know I never want to be invited to,” the pink pony just sat next to her friends.
The six mares watched as the arrogant, destructive stallion was dragged into the thicket.
“Common girls, let's get to the palace. No point sticking around here.” With her horn glowing the amber unicorn walked with her friends toward Canterlot. Behind her the small army of spellbound centurions followed.
The sun slowly rose in a small secluded section of the Everfree Forest. Forestsong sat between a set of trees. Watching as his forest slowly began to wake. Already new trees were growing in the path that was created by the invaders. In a few days it would be as if it never happened. Next to him, on his left, rested a blue and white dragoness. Her head nuzzled on his shoulder.
Sitting on the large fox’s right sat his long time friend. Both Forestsong and Discord turned their heads to look behind them. Strung up between two large trees hung Thunder.
“I spent a thousand years as a statue, I think that might be a kinder punishment.” Discord crossed his front arms and huffed. “I know it's your forest, but no matter how many times I've seen you do this. It makes me shudder.”
“You don’t have to stay, you know. I never forced you to watch it.” Forestsong shook his head with a smile.
“Well I do like to watch you work. You certainly made this spell your own.” Discord nudged his friend. “But, I think this time I’ll skip it. I’m sure I’ll be needed at the palace any minute now.”
“Any opportunity to give the Princess a headache right?” Forestsong smiled.
“You know it. Ta.” In a pop Discord disappeared.
“I still have no idea how you can deal with him my love,” the dragoness sighed as she ran her claw down her mate’s chest.
“We’re just compatible. We’re both creatures of chaos, mine is just a bit more orderly than his.” The dragoness nodded.
“Well I'll let you work. I’d rather not be here for this. Just, don’t be too extreme.” She smiled lovingly before diving into a shallow river and vanished from sight.
Turning around to face the source of his internal rage. Forestsong swifty slapped the stallion across the face. “Wake up.”
“Ghh. what?” Looking around Thunder tried to move but found his hind legs bound tight and weighted to the ground. His front legs stretched out and securely bound to two trees. Looking a lot like a T shaped cross. “What's going on? Do you have any idea who you’re messing with?”
“OH, I know who you are.” Forestsong stood on all fours and came up. His eyes level with Thunders. “You're the monster who killed my trees. And now, you shall share the fate of those who came before you.” Gesturing to the left and right the large fox smiled.
Thunder looked where the large creature indicated and immediately felt sick. He wasn’t just in a forest. But in a forest of trees, that all shared a similar look. Each tree looked to be growing around a pony. He wanted to believe they were just expertly carved. But by the blood flowing down from his ankles, he guessed they were all in this same situation.
“Please.. No.. oh please don’t do this.” Thunder tried to struggle but the vines that held him had no give. They may as well have been made of steel and not plant matter. From the ground a small tree started to grow upward, once it reached his hooves the bark started to grow around them. “No OH gods please NO!!”
Forestsong looked on without mercy or pity. He gave a quick shrug before turning and walked into the shadows of his trees as Thunder’s unheard screams echoed across the forest.