//------------------------------// // The second trial // Story: Blood ravens: Crashlanding in Equestria. // by ThatRarityIsaSpy //------------------------------// “So tell me little alien, what exactly does this foe of yours do?” Avitus asked as they walked alongside the mountain. “He’s a spirit of chaos.” Twilight began. “He was defeated first 1,000 years ago, when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna saw what grief he was causing among all ponies with all of his havoc. We defeated him again just a few months ago but now he’s back.” “How exactly was he defeated?” Tarkus asked. “I think we better have an understanding of our enemy before we do anything rash.” “Well, we used the elements of harmony.” Twilight said. “Like usual, he hid the elements and is now forcing us to play his game so we can get them. Mark my words, he’ll try something. He never would really ever hurt anything but from the looks of it, his “friends” are a different story.” “Chaos space marines.” Cyrus said. “Traitors. Those who’ve betrayed their own kind for their own gains.” “Can you tell me more about this?” Twilight asked. “It sounds almost like.....” “Some of those who’ve we’ve fought used to be our own comrades back in the dark days of the horus heresy.” Jonah Orion said. “From the looks of it, this discord gathered a rabble of them just to spread chaos.” “Why did they betray you?” Rainbow Dash asked. “None of them have even just a shred of loyalty. They would gladly betray their own brothers for the sake of their own selfish gains.” Jonah said. “They have decided to turn their backs on the Emperor and now serve the dark gods for nothing more than just power, pleasure or sometimes just madness for madness sake. The power of the dark gods is formidable, but nothing compared to the Emperor’s holy light.” “Reminds me of someone......” The ponies all muttered. “So how exactly are we going to defeat the daemon using only a bunch of trinkets?” Cyrus asked skeptically looking at Applejack’s element. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a necklace kill anything.....” “Noooooo silly! We aren’t going to kill him! We’re just going to turn him back into stone like last time! We rely on the magic of the elements as well as the magic of our friendship!” Pinkie Pie said bouncing around. “Can she sit still?” Thule asked irritated over the little pink equine’s constant jumping. “No.” Rainbow Dash said flatly. “It’s Pinkie, almost nothing anyone can do about it.” “So.... we’ve been wandering up this mountain for the last few minutes, what are we doing again?” Thaddeus asked. “Trying to find Rarity. She has her element. We just have to find her.” Twilight said. “And also, if you were listening, beware of dragons.” Angelos said. “I have a feeling we may get a better view to find out little equine friend, but at the same time, we will be easily spotted by any form of predator.” “What do we do if we get found?” Fluttershy asked. “Hide?” “How are we going to hide? These guys don’t look like they can just duck into a bush or crawl into a tree!” Rainbow Dash said. “I say we take them on!” “I am beginning to like this blue one.” Avitus said. “If we find anything, we kill it. None may stand against the Emperor’s space marines.” “We’re here. Have a look around.” Angelos said as they reached the top. They found to their surprise there was a large crater and several pools of lava. With two dragons sitting down theire. What’s the plan?” Rainbow Dash asked. She was surprised to look up and she all the space marines had already gotten into positions. In a few moments, Thaddeus flew straight into the crater while Avitus sent down a rain of covering fire as the rest made their way down screaming war cries. “Well, this is escalating quickly.” Rainbow Dash said watching the space marines attack the two dragons. Thaddeus jumped up onto the giant lizard’s back and began drive his chainsword at it’s scales. This while creating great discomfort and pain, had no true killing power and only ended with him nearly getting thrown off it’s back. Dragging himself carefully up back, he began to wildly swing blows at the neck area, this only ended in him getting thrown off the dragon and nearly stomped to a bloody pulp. He was promptly saved by Avitus and Martellus who sent a hailstorm of bolter rounds straight at the Dragon’s front side as Thule began to climb on top of the dragon. As he reached the top, he quickly armed a melta bomb and stuck it straight into the dragon’s head and jumped off. The resulting explosion literally took it’s head off as a shower of skull fragments, bones, brains and blood flew everywhere. Meanwhile, Captain Angelos, Gordian, Cyrus and Jonah were locked into battle with the other dragon. Making a plan, Angelos began to send savage blows at the legs of the dragon breaking them in a matter of a few swings while moving around quickly so he wouldn’t get crushed. In retaliation, the dragon sent a stream of fire straight at Jonah who was sending bolts of lightning at it. The librarian was able to create a shield that protected him from the flames. After finally downing the dragon, Cyrus jumped on it’s back and a sniper round straight into the back of it’s head going straight to the brain. Both fights ending both almost simultaneously and before the ponies were able to even get down. “Where were you when we were fighting?” Avitus said as he watched the five colorful equines come down. “Oh.... poor dragons.” Fluttershy said as she looked at the messy remains of the two dead lizards. “What was that?!” “Nothing.... nothing...” “Well, this area is clear.” Martellus said. “I am detecting a life form in that cave.” “Must be Rarity!” Some pony said as they all ran over to the cave. They found the entire cave stashed full with treasure as well as a white pony who admired it all. “Isn’t this so marvelous?” Rarity said putting on a crown. “This is treasure truly fit for only a princess! I must get some!” “Heellllloooooo! We got bigger problems!” Rainbow Dash said pointing outside to where a few pink clouds were seen in the distance. “Oh... that’s right.” Rarity said dropping most of the treasure but stashing a few jewels inside a saddlebag. “Well, that wasn’t so bad wasn’t it?” Discord said appearing as they left the cave. “I’d say that was pretty easy. Two dragons, not big of a challenge for space marines right? But no need to fret, I brought a friend!” “Eliphas!” Thule said looking at the chaos lord. “Eliphas’ head is mine!” Thule roared now VERY angry. “None of you interfere. I was denied this on Kronus, I will not be denied here.” “Oh, but Captain, I have no intentions of being slain here or now.” The chaos lord replied. “We will meet again old friend, as we do have plenty of unfinished business. This.... whatever he is, dragged me out the warp so now we may once again continue where we left off. But now as of now, I do believe you have a few little ponies to help on some futile quest to lock away chaos from this planet.” “Coward! Face me now!” Thule said impatiently drawing his power sword. “A proper warrior of chaos knows no fear. But the same can’t be said for your tiny companions.” The chaos lord taunted. “Speaking of which! The next challenge begins!” Discord said holding the element of laughter. “We got a hapless chick that is beset by wolves! Find it!” He said as he snapped his fingers and sent everyone back to ponyville.