//------------------------------//
// Old Friend 
// Story: PonyHammer 40,000: Magic of War 
// by Dragon Heart 
//------------------------------//

	In another ruined city, Pegalos was making preparations for an all out attack on the forces of Discord, as well as the fallen Unicorn. The entire landscape was slowly, but surely, being morphed by the wicked effects of Discord. The sky was growing darker, and the ground started to develop strange, pulsing tumors. Inquisitor Luna was talking with Sergeant Steel.

"What news, Sergeant?" Luna asked.

"The Discord Marines retreated to this city and entrenched themselves." said Steel. "Whatever is going to happen, will happen here."

Luna looked at Pegalos in the distance, who raised his sword skyward and called upon an Orbital Bombardment. "And the good Captain?" She asked.

"I would call him starved for vengeance," Steel said, also looking at Pegalos, "but my words are inadequate to encompass his fury."

On the streets, several heretical ponies, as well as lesser daemons of Discord, were being utterly demolished by the fury that was Captain Pegalos' wrath.

Pegalos trotted up to Luna and Steel. "Make ready." He said, "We have wasted enough time, and suffered for it."

"Agreed," said Luna, "but we know nothing of our enemy or his intentions. Fale was someones pawn. Cyndree, he called him."

"Cyndree is not my concern." Pegalos stated, "Unidor is. He has fallen... and he will find me at his doorstep."

"Now you know the full weight of my original concerns." said Luna. "I must admit, I was surprised that it was Unidor who succumbed."

"I know." said Pegalos, "You suspected me."

"It takes either steel or rot to willingly condemn your own world," Luna stated, "your very family, to the torch. I sensed the seed of Discord in your midst and you seemed too eager to uncover this planet's secrets. But I was so certain the taint stemmed from you that I failed to notice its true source in Unidor." Luna closed her eyes and sighed. "I was wrong, Captain."

Pegalos nodded. "We will discuss the matter another time, Inquisitor." He said. "For now, we have an enemy who demands our ministrations."

Meanwhile, deep within the most corrupted part of the city, Unidor still had the artifact in hoof. He had obtained the stone and everything was going according to his plan.

"You allowed me to take the stone." Unidor said to Cyndree behind him. "You were true to your word, and for that, you are a fool. Better I keep the Maledictum with me. You are too weak to stomach its gifts. And now I will use its power to destroy you."

"Lord Fale was likewise foolish in believing me defenseless," said Cyndree, "believing himself in control." The Unicorn cast a spell on Unidor, making him fall to the ground and put his hooves to his head in agony.

"Make it stop!" Unidor begged.

Cyndree took the stone in his magical grip and continued. "The Hogs thought more of their abilities then they did of me. But I relied on their arrogance at my benefit alone."

"Please!" Unidor pleaded.

"You, however." Cyndree said, looking at the suffering Unicorn, "You hold promise, and for that I should let you die before you prove too great a threat. But I have invested too much effort into you. And, had you a century to prepare, you would still be too late to stop me from achieving my glory. Now, I must prepare. Attend to the Captain's demise, if you are capable."

Unidor got back onto his hooves. "What makes you think I will do your bidding?"

"You have little choice." Cyndree stated. "Your Captain is quite tenacious; you more than anyone know that. You will have to deal with him, and that benefits me."

Cyndree turned to Unidor. "Oh, and thank you for delivering the Maledictum." He said before trotting past him.

"You cannot abandon me now!" Unidor argued.

"But I can, and I do." Cyndree stated, "At least I leave you in good company..."

One of the Discord Marines seemed to hunch over in pain.

"Now prove yourself worthy!" said Cyndree, the Discord Marine fell to his knees. "Go, spill the blood of those who were your siblings!" The marine slowly rose into the air. "Spill the blood!" The marine plummeted to the ground and exploded in a bloody mess, sending the other marines and Unidor flying. From the bloody mess rose a giant, winged, minotaur-like monster wielding an axe. "BLOOD... FOR THE BLOOD GOD!!!"