War in Equestria: The Tale of Bright Blade

by Michael_Ravencroft

Chapter 29

"TIKARA!" shouted Discord.

Discord was standing in the Grand Hall, arms crossed, looking particularly ticked off. After a minute there was flash of black magical light, revealing the dark alicorn Tikara Balak, his gleaming eyes falling on the Spirit of Chaos and giving him an annoyed grunt, "This better be good Discord, I'm in the middle of an important project," said Tikara.

"Yes, as a matter of fact it is! Twilight Sparkle is dead," Discord did a fist pump, "their moral is down, and they're in the mists of despair! We should be attacking now, a blitz attack on them now would be something they're not expecting!" suggested Discord, rather aggressively.

"Is that so, and what do you suggest, oh Spirit of Chaos? Where is it should we send the horde," asked Tikara rather drolly.

"Taking out Twilight Sparkle is good, but for maximum effect I say we attack Ponyville! Hit'em where it hurts," said Discord.

Tikara Balak pretended to ponder this by putting a hoof to his chin, after a couple of seconds he gave Discord his answer."No," said Tikara flatly.

"WHAT!? You've got to be kidding me, why not!?"

"I may be out to destroy Equestria, but I do have some honor. I am granting them a few days to mourn; I don't expect you to share the same sentiment, at least nopony will accuse me of being heartless. Well at least not to a certain degree anyway," he chuckled.

"You've got to be kidding me, I'm starting to wonder if you're taking this war you started seriously!? Because to me it appears to be nothing more than a big game to you," accused Discord.

"Watch your tone; don't forget I can return you to your stony prison anytime I wish! You are still drawing breath by my good grace alone! Chrysalis understands this! So I'll make myself clear, you are not to take the horde out, you will not attack any fort or town! Am I clear Discord," asked Tikara Balak his eyes glowing fiercely.

"…Yes sir, lord Balak…" With that Tikara Balak flashed away, back to his Sanctuary. You think you can order Chaos incarnate Tikara Balak!? I'll show you, nothing, and I mean nothing, can control Chaos! Much less the Spirit of Chaos!

"C'mon Sweetie Belle, you can do it!" encouraged Apple Bloom.

"IT'S…REALLY…HEAVY…!" responded Sweetie Belle straining. Sweetie Belle's horn was glowing with a light pink magical aura as she lifted a large hay bail. The white unicorn filly had gotten the pile up at least five feet in the air, and climbing. But Sweetie's brow was beading with sweat, her pupils reduced to the size of pinpricks as she tried to lift the heavy object higher into the air.

"Just a bit more Sweetie Belle, just one more foot and you're done," said Scootaloo.

"CAN'T…HOLD…IT…GONNA…FALL!" After a few seconds the hay bale fell back to the ground with a strong thud, the force of it sending the three fillies a couple of inches into the air. Sweetie Belle panted hard, her mane was a mess, drenched in sweat. "That was heavy, but I still can't lift it any higher than that," said Sweetie Belle.

"I don't get it, you were able to keep me and you floating in the air for some time back when I…you know," Scootaloo was still reluctant to mention the mishap that happened almost a year ago. Considering that it almost killed all three of her friends, "Anyway, you were able to keep us in the air, and then throw Bright Blade a metal pipe, so why are you having this much trouble now," asked Scootaloo.

"That was an emergency, I wasn't really thinking about it, I just let it happen," explained Sweetie Belle.

"Don't worry, ah'm sure you'll be able to control it, after we go through some more trainin'," said Apple Bloom.

Ever since the war started, the Crusaders had been feeling left out, they hated that there was nothing they could do to help their friends and family during the war. In a way they both had a mutual respect, and slight annoyance, of Bright Blade's abilities. Being able to transform to full grown pony, and an alicorn no less, made them a bit jealous. So, even though their training teachers weren't there, they still continued to practice. Getting stronger, faster, and smarter about what they can do. Of course they knew that none of them stood a chance against the Daemoni, but at least if they came they wouldn't act like the same helpless fillies from before. Apple Bloom especially was giving her all, still beating herself up about how she froze there when Bright Blade used the metal pipe to defend her.

"Anyway, how's your apple bucking been going," asked Sweetie Belle, eager to change the subject.

"Uh, pretty well, I've been able to get some of the apples down, but I'm not as strong as Big Mac or Applejack yet," said Apple Bloom.

"Can't complain about that, at least you're working with something solid, me on the other hoof," Scootaloo was on a platform, a sturdy platform, with a mattress situated just below it. Scootaloo jumped off and started to flap her tiny wings like a humming bird. The orange pegasus held her position and started to buzz around in a circle, before she eventually fell from the air and down on the mattresses. "Ugh, at least you can buck some apples down; I'll have to wait until these grow out a little."

"Hold on, does anypony know what time it is," asked Sweetie Belle.

"I don't know, I wasn't really paying attention," said Scootaloo.

"Ah'm sure it's probably late by now, why'd ya ask," inquired Apple Bloom.

"Well, because the moon starting to rise, and the fact that the sky still has an orange color to it."

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom gazed up into the sky, indeed the moon was beginning rise, turning day into night, but something was definitely off. The sky towards the west was starting to glow with an ominous orange hue, something wasn't right, and it made the Cutie Mark Crusaders all the more nervous. "You don't think…" started Scootaloo.

"Let's go have a look," said Apple Bloom.

"Oh my…"

"This can't be happenin'…"

"Not again, no way…"

Ponyville was once again ablaze, but was now a battleground. UEA and Royal Guard ponies were busy fighting against the horde of Daemoni that were attacking. The Crusaders looked from the edge of town and watched as the skies were filled with the black shadows of the winged Daemoni, dive bombing down to the ground below and brining something up with them. The three fillies shuttered, not wanting to think about it, but they knew, watching the flailing shadowy figure trapped in their talons. There were many balls of light being shot up into the sky by Daemoni with unicorn horns, they then fell back down on the houses and shops below, exploding, causing more mayhem.

"I thought they didn't fly, those things can fly now!? That's totally unfair!?" shouted Scootaloo.

"Why…why are the Daemoni attacking us now," asked Sweetie Belle.

"Because everypony who could wipe the floor with'em aren't here," said Apple Bloom.

"But I thought that that fort thing they built was to keep them from attacking us, how the hay did they get around them!?" asked Scootaloo, waving her forelegs for effect.

"You don't think that the fort might've…"

The Crusaders pushed that scenario out of their minds. They didn't want to imagine that the fort was gone and with it their family and friends. No they had to hold on to the hope that help was going to come.

"We can't stay here; we have ta to get back to Sweet Apple Acres! Applejack and Big Macintosh made a shelter that we could hide in, c'mon!" ordered Apple Bloom.

The Crusaders were barely on their way when Sweetie Belle stopped suddenly. Her horn began to glow and pulsate, Sweetie Belle then turned in the direction of the town, as if trying to see something. Her friend's faces had a worried expression on them, wondering what she was doing.

"Sweetie Belle are ya alright," asked Apple Bloom.

"I-I don't know, it's like I can hear something, but it's not so much hearing as it is feeling," said Sweetie Belle.

"What are you talking about," asked Scootaloo.

"I really don't know how to explain it, but I think somepony's trying to call for help down there, using magic?"

"Well can ya tell who it is at least!?"

Sweetie Belle allowed her mind to open up to the unknown communicator, making a conscious effort to establish contact. Within her mind's eye, Sweetie Belle was spirited through the town, fast as Rainbow Dash, everything around her blurred together. Till her horn zapped and sparked, making the white unicorn land on her back. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom quickly rushed to their friend's side and helped her sit upright. Sweetie's eyes were spinning in different directions, she shook her head and the world came into focus. "You're not going to believe this, the one who was crying out for help was Pumpkin Cake!"

"WHAT!?" shouted Apple Bloom and Scootaloo in unison.

"It must've been a magical surge, I remember Rarity saying something about those – anyway something's wrong, Pumpkin and Pound Cake need our help!" urged Sweetie Belle.

"Ya mean ya want the three of us to charge straight into town –!" started Apple Bloom.

"Dodge dozens of Daemoni, who can now fly and use magic –!"

"Maneuver through burnin' buildings, and make it to Sugar Cube Corner –!"

"And somehow save Pumpkin and Pound Cake from, Celestia knows what –!"

"All without havin' our souls sucked out and eatin' by demon ponies, is that about the sum of it!?"

Sweetie Belle looked between her two friends; she knew it was dangerous, she knew that they could all be killed in the most horrifying manner any of them could imagine, but these were two defenseless foals and was their training if not for this moment. With a firm stance Sweetie Belle nodded to her friends, to which they gave a confident smile.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS RECUERS, YAY!" shouted the three fillies as one.

With their personal battle cry having been sounded the Crusaders charged straight into the burning town, off to save the babies Cake.

"SWEETIE BELLE I'M GOING TO KILL YOU IF WE LIVE THROUGH THIS!" yelled Scootaloo.

"Emphasis on IF," shouted Sweetie Belle.

The Crusaders had made it through Ponyville virtually unnoticed by any Daemoni, or other ponies alike. Doing their best to avoid any areas of where the fighting was the worst. Unfortunately that didn't stop them from being spotted from the winged Daemoni. In this case the Crusaders were being chased through the streets by three winged demon ponies, the metal talons gleamed in the light of the surrounding fire, baring their fangs and hissing in anticipation of their upcoming meal. The terrified fillies ran like the wind, but they knew the Daemoni were getting closer with each passing second.

Sweetie Belle saw something, a shop, The Quills & Sofas store. The white unicorn saw the sign for the store burning, already engulfed by the fire, but the ironwork bars that were fixed to the store's wall were perfectly alright. Sweetie Belle concentrated, focusing her inner magical power. Soon her horn began to glow with a light pink aura. The aura began to shoot upwards and form an orb of magical energy at the tip of the horn. "When I say now, dive forward!" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at her confused, but the expression on her face told them she was up to something. Sweetie Belle unleashed the pent up energy, firing a magic bolt straight at the metal arm. Sweetie held her connection to the magic bolt and willed it to elongate and bend, forming a crescent blade that slashed through the middle arms that held the sign in place. It sliced through the arms like a hot knife through butter, causing the sign to moan and groan, starting to wobble dangerously. "NOW!"

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo dove forward. At that moment the sign snapped from the metal arms and began to fall down. The winged Daemoni also lunged forward, their talons almost catching their tails. At that moment gravity took the sign as it collapsed on top of the three winged Daemoni, the fiery sign smashed them into the ground, making the demon ponies disintegrate into puffs of black smoke. The three fillies looked behind and panted wide eyed, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom immediately brought their unicorn friend into a tight hug, thanking Sweetie Belle's quick thinking.

Along the way the young fillies saw sights they hoped they wouldn't see again. The streets were once again littered with lifeless pony bodies, red stains on the ground and on the walls of the buildings were only a preview of the carnage that lay within them. The trio had come across some ponies they knew, or at least saw frequently. One pair of ponies in particular would stick out in their minds.

Lyra Heartstrings, a pony who could strum beautiful melodious music upon her lyre, was fighting fiercely against several ground Daemoni. As the Crusaders looked upon the mint green mare they were filled with both terror and a sense of respect. Watching her defend an earth pony who was severely injured, and getting paler by the minute. They knew this mare as Bon-Bon, a pony who often enjoyed the creating of artfully done confectionary treats. Her usually happy smile was now a frightened and horrified frown; her bright eyes now dulling making them wonder if she could even see. They knew they were close, well as close as any two mares could be in their minds, so it would explain Lyra's unrelenting defense. Residing themselves to the fact that they would be a hindrance, the Crusaders left, wishing with all their might that the two of them would make it. They'd dare not think the worst; they had a mission, if they succumbed to their sadness or fear it would be over.

They found some other ponies, three colts in fact, from their class, fighting a ground and horned Daemoni. The first was a rather portly unicorn, the girls remembered him because he was always followed by his friend Snails; Snips was his name. The grayish blue unicorn's horn glowed and let loose a pinpoint slicing energy blast, cutting off the Daemoni's horn. The second pony, a gray pegasus Scootaloo knew as Rumble, somehow he had an Aerial Corp. hoof blade tied to his right foreleg. Rumble descended from behind the horned Daemoni and slashed it on the left side of its throat. Its black blood sprayed as it thrashed around violently, Snips fired another slicing magic bolt at the same spot Rumble hit, the tag team effectively removing its head. The third was an earth pony; his coat was white with brown spots, one of which was over his left eye. The Crusaders remembered him from Nightmare Night, Pipsqueak, or Pip as he liked to be known. Pip held, what looked like his toy sword, but upon further inspection was actually a dagger, probably from a fallen soldier. He was slashing at the stomping hooves of the ground Daemoni, cutting it at joints where it legs bent, bringing the beast down to his size. Finally, before the demon pony fell, Pip planted the dagger in the ground with the blade sticking up. When the Daemoni collapsed it fell directly on the dagger, the creature then evaporated into thin air along with its partner.

The three filly's mouths were all wide open in shock; they never knew their classmates were like this. They didn't stay long though; apparently they too were on some kind of mission, having dashed off in the opposite direction they were going. After seeing what the three young colts could do they all looked at each other and came to a silent conclusion.

We're just a tough as they are!

No way we're letting those three show us up!

All we need is some…Weapons!

The Crusaders eventually armed themselves. Scootaloo found a fireplace poker, which she used as a makeshift spear, holding it firmly under her right wing. Sweetie Belle decided not to use any weapon, thinking she could use her magic just as well as Snips did, maybe even better. Apple Bloom found herself a ball peen hammer, holding it securely in her mouth, something about the hammer felt right to Apple Bloom like it was a part of her, she quickly pushed the thought out of her head and returned to the task at hand.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders "Rescuers" at last made it to their destination. Sugar Cube Corner was a wreck, the doors were ripped of their hinges, windows were shattered, and parts of the shop were blown off. With a collective gulp, they entered the establishment, slowly, cautiously. Inside was just as bad, cookies, cakes, and candy, all destroyed and tossed about on the floors and walls. The display case was broken, the treats inside riddled with shards of glass. Even with all this before the trio it didn't hit them as hard as one thing, the silence, the deathly silence. The door to the basement was wide open, with shifting glances, they inched themselves closer to the door. The three fillies started to hear noises coming from deep below. What they saw would forever be seared into their minds, the body of Mr. Cake, being fed on by a ground Daemoni. The eyes of the Crusaders quickly scanned the room and found Mrs. Cake slumped up against the wall. Her hind legs were both broken, the bones sticking out noticeably, blood flowing from the open wounds. Mrs. Cake made eye contact with fillies, and saw an overwhelming wanting to help her. Mrs. Cake's motherly instincts were in overdrive, silently telling them not to help her. She then made a gesture with her right hoof, pointing up with desperate eyes.

The Crusaders understood what she meant; the babies must've been upstairs. Their heads wandered back and forth, they were originally here to save the Cake twins, but now that they knew that their mother was still alive, badly injured, but alive. To leave her there to die…!

"HEY, YOU UGLY EXCUSE FOR A PONY, YOU BETTER NOT BE FULL! WHY NOT HAVE SOME SECONDS" Mrs. Cake yelled.

The Daemoni finished its work with Mr. Cake, letting his head fall hard to the ground, the fangs in its mouth dripping with blood. It then turned its attention towards Mrs. Cake, who was now shouting all manner of profanities and insults not meant for filly ears, getting its attention and making sure it didn't see the three fillies standing at the edge of the basement door. The Crusaders quickly rushed off upstairs to Pound and Pumpkin Cake's room. Sweetie Belle used her telekinesis to turn the knob of the door; unfortunately in her hastiness she accidentally blew the door off its hinges. Making it swing out and smash against the wall on the other side. Cursing herself for making so much noise, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo quickly made their way into the nursery, while Apple Bloom stood guard.

Pumpkin and Pound Cake were quietly whimpering, and hiding under their blanket. "Pumpkin, Pound, it's okay we're here to help you," said Sweetie in a comforting tone. The twins poked their heads out from under the blanket; Pumpkin's eyes fell on Sweetie Belle. The unicorn foal's horn glowed with its blue aura, to which Sweetie Belle responded with her light pink aura. The baby unicorn seemed to understand, to which she relayed to her twin brother in baby talk, the both of them having a relieved smile.

"Let's find some saddlebags so we can get them out of here," said Scootaloo quietly.

The two of them began searching, almost literally tearing the nursery apart, knowing the Daemoni was still downstairs. At last they found them, they were one step closer to getting out of this horrible situation.

"Uh, girls, ah think we have company," warned Apple Bloom.

The heavy, thudding, hoofsteps of the ground Daemoni echoed through the hallway. The black fire mane was the first thing Apple Bloom saw, followed by its glowing red eyes which seemed to target the yellow earth pony filly. Apple Bloom's amber colored eyes darted from the nursery, to the hulking demon in front of her. There was only one thing she could do, fight. Apple Bloom took a fighting stance, remembering the way Bright Blade stood when using a weapon. Luckily for her, the ground Daemoni was large and bulky, which made him less agile in the narrow hallway, making it easier for the small and strong Apple Bloom to move quickly in and around it.

The Daemoni snarled as it lowered its head into attack position, big mistake. Apple Bloom took off, adrenaline pumping through her veins, making her movements faster and stronger. AB swung the hammer, the flat end of the hammer hit against the Daemoni's snout. Apple Bloom felt the bones buckle under the force of the strike, making her stop and jump back in disgust as the feeling resounded through her. The demon pony reared back, snarling and growling, blood dripping from its broken nose. Ah great, now he's mad! The red eyes of the Daemoni burned with hate for the yellow filly; the demon pony raised its forelegs and brought them down. Apple Bloom jumped back quickly as the Daemoni brought its hooves down in an attempt to stomp her. The creature's hooves made holes in the wooden floor, which were now stuck. Apple Bloom wanted to take advantage of this, she twirled the hammer in her mouth having the ball peen part facing the Daemoni and positioned on the left side. AB ran towards the Daemoni, aiming directly at the joints, but upon remembering the feeling of the breaking bones under her hammer she hesitated at the last second.

That was all the time the demon needed to wrench its forelegs free, Apple Bloom accidentally got hit in the face by the Daemoni's hooves, sending her reeling back with tears streaming down her eyes. The Daemoni then began to snap at the young filly, trying to sink its sharp teeth into her. Apple Bloom, fortunately, was able to hold onto her hammer, but was now on the defensive. As Apple Bloom started to back up they were now passing by the nursery. The Daemoni tried to chomp down on her again but missed, at that moment the creature noticed the open door, and the terrified ponies that dwelled within. Oh no you don't! Apple Bloom summoned her courage and galloped straight for the Daemoni's legs, the demon pony didn't even notice, too distracted by the meal before him. AB slid through the Daemoni's forelegs, positioned herself, and then struck the joints of the Daemoni's forelegs with all her strength. Once again she felt the sickening crack and break of the bones, but she pushed through it. The Daemoni let out a roaring pain filled wail, as its forelegs began to buckle. Apple Bloom repeated the process with its hind legs, making it fall to the ground. Apple Bloom ran to the end of the hall, she then galloped once again at full speed, jumped, then rebounded off the wall. Using the speed and momentum, Apple Bloom brought the hammer to the Daemoni's temple, hitting it with every ounce of strength she had as an earth pony.

Apple Bloom felt the ball peen part of the hammer sink into the skull, as she drove through. She then hit the wall shoulder first, sliding down the wall. The Daemoni fell forward fading into black smoke as it laid motionless on the floor. Apple Bloom released the hammer and started to rub her left shoulder. At the same time her mind was blank, still trying to register everything she had done. Even though the Daemoni were monsters, they still bled, and they could still feel pain. Apple Bloom's mind then started making connections to the amount of pain the demon pony was feeling when she did what she did. She didn't even notice that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had strapped on the saddlebags and were now carrying Pumpkin and Pound Cake.

Scootaloo, with Pound cake in tow, quickly rushed to her friend's side and began to shake her. "Apple Bloom, c'mon snap out of it this is no time to be shutting down on us," said Scootaloo.

"Ah-Ah killed it…I broke its bones, and smashed its head in…Ah felt it when I hit it…" said Apple Bloom in a daze.

"APPLE BLOOM!" Scootaloo brought up her right hoof and slapped Apple Bloom across the face. "We can't make it out of this without all three of us working together! If you want to go crazy or zone out then do it when we're all at Sweet Apple Acres safe and sound! But right now you need to get your head out of your flank, and help us to get out of this bucking mess!"

"Scootaloo!" exclaimed Sweeite Belle, surprised by her friend's language.

"For Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake, for Mr. and Mrs. Cake, please get your hammer and let's go," pleaded Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom rubbed the cheek that Scootaloo hit, with tears in her eyes, she rose up. "Sorry girls, sorry Pumpkin, sorry Pound, you're right," said Apple Bloom. She then picked up the hammer in her mouth and gave them the best confident smile she could.

The hard part was over, now the really hard part started.

The situation hadn't gotten any better outside, Daemoni still ran through the streets fighting UEA and Royal Guard troops alike. The town was still on fire, and spreading quickly without anypony to contain the blaze. The young fillies were moving through back alleyways, and any inconspicuous shortcuts that would make them less of a target.

"Oh, how much further till we get out of here," asked Sweetie Belle.

"Ah don't know, I'm gettin' all turned around since mostly everythin' is on fire," said Apple Bloom.

Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake were starting to cry a little, but thanks to Scootaloo she was able to keep them calm as much as possible. "We gotta go, just pick a direction!"

Frustrated, Apple Bloom chose another alleyway, the Crusaders galloped as fast as they could with the Cake twins. Unfortunately it turned out to be a dead end, as flames started to arch across and effectively blocked their advance with a wall of fire. "Shoot," exclaimed Apple Bloom.

"The other way," said Sweetie Belle.

At that moment a ground, winged, and horned Daemoni blocked their path. The horned Daemoni's dark violet aura flared, the aura quickly surrounded Scootaloo and Pound Cake, levitating them off the ground, drawing them closer to the three waiting mouths, hungry for their young souls.

"SCOOTALOO, POUND CAKE!" shouted Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

The orange pegasus tried to reach for her poker, but couldn't. She was completely immobilized by the aura of the horned Daemoni, forced to watch as she and the baby pegasus drew closer to their doom. Suddenly a gust of wind kicked up, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle felt a rush of wind, when they looked back they saw that it had punched through the fire wall. At the same time something cut the horned Daemoni's appendage off. The demon pony shrieked in pain, dropping Scootaloo when it lost its horn. The wind gusted again, the ground, winged, and hornless Daemoni's were then slashed to pieces, completely shredded.

Scootaloo flapped her wings and was able to land fairly softly; she breathed a sigh of relief and turned to her friends. "Sweetie Belle that was amazing, I didn't know you could do magic like that!" said Scootaloo astonished.

"That wasn't me, I swear! But that was magic, I could feel it, powerful magic!" said Sweetie Belle.

"But there aren't any other ponies around here, how could –!" Apple Bloom looked up to the rooftops, she saw somepony. It was hard to tell who it was, but she could tell it was wearing a hat, had shining eyes, and a cape that flapped from the rising updrafts. "Is that…no it can't be!?" Before Apple Bloom could make out any more details the shadow ducked away, vanishing from sight.

"What, what can't it be?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"F-forget it, c'mon let's keep movin'," said Apple Bloom.

Finally after a long period of time dredging through the town alleys, the girls were able to find a straight shot towards Sweet Apple Acres, only one problem though. "This isn't good…" The area was completely exposed, clear of fire, but too open for winged, horned, and ground Daemoni to attack them. Although there were none in sight, the Crusaders knew that when it came to the Daemoni they always appeared at the worst possible time. "Okay…We'll run as fast we can, don't bother fightin' them if you can run around them. We have to at least get these two out of this place, alright," asked Apple Bloom. They nodded, wearily, but confidently.

The Crusaders galloped at full speed, pushing the limits of their physical strength and endurance. And just like Apple Bloom said, the Daemoni came in. A few horned Daemoni, along with some ground Daemoni, were fighting with some Royal Guard ponies. They were quickly becoming overwhelmed, fighting from all angles. At one point they thought the Royal Guards would win, but some winged Daemoni swooped out of the sky and, much to the horror of the three fillies, removed their heads, ripping them off with their steel talons. The Crusaders pushed forward, choosing to vomit from the sight when they were safe.

A stray magic bolt from one of the horned ones flew off and exploded some ought feet ahead of them, catching fire and blocking their path once again. They turned around and tried to run the other way, but soon part of the horde had made it to them, encircling the young ponies. A flock of winged Daemoni was in a holding pattern above them, like vultures ready to feed on the carcasses of dead meat. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo removed the saddlebags and placed Pumpkin and Pound Cake on the ground. The Crusaders then formed a protective circle around the babies, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo brandished their weapons, while Sweetie Belle’s horn lit up with her light pink aura. They looked upon the fanged hungry faces before them, fear gripping them; they had to constantly remind themselves that the babies were to be saved.

"Looks like this is it girls…" said Apple Bloom solemnly.

"At least we're here together," said Sweetie Belle.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm not about to let these two become their dinner!" said Scootaloo.

"Well then let's go out in a blaze of glory," said Apple Bloom.

"Rainbow Dash style," added Scootaloo.

The three fillies all glanced at each and turned their attention back to the horde. With similes on their faces they cried out as one, "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS WARRIORS!"

Suddenly a beam of golden light and a stream of green fire rained down from the sky above. The twin blasts spun around the Crusaders, destroying every Daemoni within a fifty foot radius, sending puffs of black smoke into the air. The Crusaders looked up into the air and watched as two beings fell from the sky. The first was Bright Blade landing with a crash, making the ground crack. The armored alicorn had his trademark weapon, Excellion, held firmly within his telekinetic grip. The second being was an enormous purple dragon, his mighty wings sending wave after wave of buffeting wind outwards. The purple dragon roared mightily, prompting the Crusaders and babies to cover their ears. Both had a fierce expression on their faces as they stared down the remaining Daemoni.

"Are you guys hurt," asked Bright Blade.

"Bright Blade it's you," exclaimed Apple Bloom.

"Thank goodness," said Sweetie Belle.

"What took you so long, huh," asked Scootaloo sarcastically.

"Sorry we were busy taking out some of the Daemoni that were hanging out in the air," said the purple dragon.

The Crusaders, as well as the Cake twins, stared up at the huge dragon wondering who he was. The dragon seemed to notice their looks of confusion, "Oh I forgot you haven't seen me like this before, it's me Spike," he explained.

"SPIKE!?" they said in unison, utterly amazed by the "baby" dragons new form.

"Ah c'mon now you can change too, that's totally unfair," said Scootaloo.

Bright Blade and Spike glanced at each other and shared a quick laugh, but it didn't last long. The Daemoni who weren't destroyed by the duos initial attack were now starting to approach them yet again. The alicorn and dragon wasted no time, Bright Blade set to work, slashing through one Daemoni after the other, Spike used his massive form to play defense for the Crusaders. Swiping his claws and burning anything that even dared get close enough to hurt them, so he pretty much was destroying about the same amount of demon ponies as his "brother" was.

"Bright Blade, take them out!" ordered Spike.

"Got it! Flash Blade!" Bright Blade vanished from sight, streaks of light then cut through the remainder of the Daemoni surrounding them. Causing them to evaporate at the same time into a giant plume of black smoke, "Who else wants some!?"

The bulk of the Fort Avalon forces had been mobilized and left for Ponyville. Only a skeleton crew was left behind to guard the fort. While on patrol two sentries spotted something moving towards the drawbridge line, they quickly took aim with the mounted crossbows from the battlements. "HALT, WHO GOES THERE," shouted the unicorn sentry.

The figure said nothing, it only staggered on, and wobbling like it was drunk. The two sentries looked at each other then back at the figure. "HALT OR WE WILL BE FORCED TO FIRE! THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING," shouted the pegasus sentry.

The figure continued on, either ignoring the sentry's orders, or just deaf. Before either one could release an arrow the figure collapsed just short of where the drawbridge landed. This puzzled the pegasus and unicorn sentries, they were on edge after the alarm was sounded and didn't want to take any chances. "I'm going down there, cover me," said the pegasus sentry.

The unicorn nodded and aimed his crossbow at the figure below. The pegasus flew down towards the collapsed intruder, when he landed next to it he gasped at the identity of the one they almost shot. Her mane was disheveled, numerous cuts and bruises, with a lavender coat. "CALL THE PRINCESSES IMMEDIATELY!"