//------------------------------// // War from Afar Part 2 // Story: The Ancient Guardians // by autobotfan15 //------------------------------// "I was so close and now I have to put up with this now." Groaned Tempest as she rode in a caravan being pulled by two storm creatures. She was about to ask the Storm King again when they saw a meteor crash land in a field a few miles away from the city. She was ordered to send a small squadron of troops and two ships to investigate. While she traveled with Grubber in the caravan, the two air ships armed with cannons were flying ahead to the crash site. All she could hope was that this better be worth it. The air ships traveled ahead further but stopped just above the crash site where the once red hot rock was now glowing green. Tempest pulled out a crystal that was used to communicate with the other ships. "Status report from the sky." "We see something emerging. It looks like some kind of eye, straw or something. Whatever it is, It's looking up at us." "Good hold your position until we-" Suddenly the caravan heard a strange noise and saw what looked like a red beam shooting at the ships. Then... BOOM! BOOM! To their horror the two airships that were once in the sky were suddenly falling and crashing in a giant blaze. Grubber was the first to shake out of his shock. "We might have to call in backup." "Yes and get the even heavier artillery we haven't used before." Said Tempest. Within a couple of hours a small army of storm creatures surrounded the crashed meteor using the hills, a nearby creek, and the destroyed ships for cover. They had weapons they didn't use when they attacked the city, from canons to tanks. Tempest and grubber hid near some bushes and trees. They could see the ominous green glow from over a hill. "Is the area secured?" She asked Grubber. "Yeah the entire thing is surrounded. Whatever is in there wont be able to see what's behind. Hey! Something is moving." They all looked and saw the straw like structure move out of the green glow. Followed by what looked like a strange body on barely visible legs. All Tempest could do was stare at this strange machine. "What is that? Some kind of space ship?" Asked Grubber. "No, it looks like it's barely keeping itself up on strange legs made of sparks. It's clear these things aren't from this world." "Maybe we can get them to join us. The king would like those laser weapons they have." Suggested Grubber. Tempest looked at him. "That thing took out two airships." "Look there's another one coming out!" Said another creature. He was right and it was slowly followed by a third one. Tempest knew this could only end in disaster. She looked back down at Grubber. "Order all to standby to fire." "But Tempest, shouldn't we at least try to show these guys we mean no harm." Tempest groaned. "If you're so certain these things can be allies, send three out with a white flag." Grubber did so and three creatures were send out into the open towards the three levitating machines. One creature waved the whiter flag back and fourth while another cleared his throat. "Hello, under the orders of Tempest Shadow we like to welcome you to the kingdom of the Storm King." One of the machines had it's straw like eye turned towards them. They had it's attention while the other two appeared to be looking at their surroundings. The creatures continued. "We would like for you to join our cause in enslavin-" Just like that the machine shot a ray from it's eye and within seconds the three were nothing more but piles of ashes. Grubber shrieked while Tempest turned to another creature that was holding a communication crystal. "Let em have it!" "FIRE!" Within seconds the entire area was filled with the sounds of explosions. The creatures shot everything they had at the machines that surprisingly weren't fighting back. Tempest was grinning knowing they were outnumbered but the joy was short lived as she noticed none of the machines were taking damage. Instead everything fired at them was bouncing off some kind of invisible shield. "What kind of magic and technology do these things have?" She asked in shock. She was about to find out as the three machines continued hovering where they stood. Then they started fighting back. Not just with red rays shooting but strange green sparks were being shot from what she assumed were the wing tips. She saw a charging group come into contact with the green sparks only for them to instantly stop, scream, glow green, and turn into skeletons. To say she was shocked was an understatement. She then saw one of them use it's red ray to turn an armored tank into ashes. It was there she now knew this wasn't working and turned back to Grubber. "Order all post, everyone fall back north to Canterlot city limits." Slowly all the storm creatures were fleeing the scene as fast as they could, with the strange machines still firing but slowly moving forward, following them. Tempest managed to get far away before realizing her goal to get her horn back only became more difficult.