“What happened here?” Fluttershy asked as they walked through Manehattan, or at least what was left of it.
“A couple Centuries ago there was a hydra attack here.” Cadence explained as they walked towards what was probably the capital building. “Sean sent some dragons to kill it but not before it had destroyed a good amount of the city.”
When they reached the capital building Patch Celestia opened the door and they walked in. A few ponies gasped, others stared. They walked through the room until they reached a door. Celestia opened it and they walked in. The mayor of Manehatten stood in his office looking out the window. When he heard the door open he turned to look at them.
“Princess Celestia! What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to get a rebellion force built to take on Sean.”
“That’s suicide! Nopony’s ever touched him.”
“I know, but now we have these.” She took the elements of harmony out of her saddle bag.
“We may have a chance with those.” The mayor nodded. “I will rally the ponies and we will try and recruit as many as possible.” He ran off.
“Princess.” Rainbow flew up to Patch Celestia.
“Yes?”
“Why is everypony so afraid of this Sean? All he’s done is send minions after us and the one time we saw him he didn’t chase us much.”
“She is right, perhaps he’s gotten soft.” Luna nodded. Before Celestia could respond she heard the mayor calling for her. They all walked outside to see a crowd of ponies standing looking at them. Patch Celestia stepped up.
“Ponies of Jund! I’m here to rally troops to overthrow Sean.” There were mumbles in the crowd and several disbelieving looks. “I know you all fear him, but we now have an edge.” She showed them the elements. “With these we can defeat Sean and take back our world!” The feel of the crowd changed as they saw the elements. Instead of fear and disbelief there was hope in many of their eyes.
“So, are you with us!?” Cadence yelled. Most of the crowd cheered. “Are you ready to take back Equestria!?”
“YEAH!” the crowd yelled.
“How touching, look at that Zirilan, they’re planning a rebellion.” The ponies looked over to see two viashino sitting on a destroyed building. The one who had just spoken had a longer face than most of them and several spines running down his neck and back. He was a greenish yellow. He was wearing black armor that was jagged at the shoulders. He was holding a long thin sword which seemed much more intricate than most.
“It’s pretty funny Hivis.” The one called Zirilan said chuckling. He had no spines or horns and wore gold armor with a drawing of a dragon on the chest. He carried a staff with a dragon head holding a ruby.
“You wanna ruin it?” Hivis asked kicking his legs.
“Why not.” Zirilan raised his staff, the ruby glowed and suddenly in the distance three Balefire’s were flying towards them at full speed. After a few seconds they did a fly by and shot several fireballs into the crowd. Ponies started to scream and scatter trying to find cover.
“Who are they?” Pinkie asked. As they ran into the capital building.
“Hivis and Zirilan. They’re the highest ranking viashino in Sean’s army. Hivis is a master swords man, while Zirilan uses magic and can control dragons to a degree.” Cadence answered.
After a few seconds it got quiet outside. No dragon’s, no screaming, nothing. Cadence looked out a window to see that Zirilan and Hivis were gone to.
“What’s going on?” Rainbow asked.
“I don’t know, there’s nothing out there.” Cadence walked out the door. The others followed her. The city was on fire but still nothing. All there was were fried dead ponies. “This is weird, why did the attack stop?”
“I’m not sure this was an attack.” Normal Celestia looked around. “I think this was a message, he’s showing he knows exactly what we’re up to. We need to hurry, and get this rebellion going.
“Perfect.” Sean sat on his throne looking at his screen watching Manehattan.
“Good work master.” Twilight sat next to him watching.
“Thank you.”
“What’s next?”
“Nothing.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Princess, why are we going to Fillydelphia.” Twilight asked Patch Celestia as they got closer to the city.
“Because, since we lost our support in Manehattan our next best bet is Fillydelphia.”
Once they had reached Fillydelphia they found it weird that there were no Viashino waiting for them. After all, Sean had been a step ahead until now. They walked through the city, which was in much better shape than Manehatten. Though it had a large volcano in the middle of the city where some dragons could be seen flying around and resting on ledges on the sides enjoying the heat.
Ponies were walking around the city they seemed depressed and hopeless. They were all avoiding even looking at the volcano. Some Minotaur slaves could be seen dragging carts of food or building materials. A few were walking towards the volcano. As they got near the volcano dragons would swoop down and carry them off.
“Why are those minotaurs sacrificing themselves?” Fluttershy looked in fear and sadness.
“As I said Minotuars have been turned into slaves. Some are required to supply shops, some are forced to build, but most are used to feed the dragons of Jund so they don’t eat the viashino.” Celestia answered grimly.
“That’s terrible.” Twilight said. “We have to save them.”
“Nothing we can do, unless you want to become dragon fodder instead.” Cadence warned.
“Let’s just get to the town square, I’ve already told the mayor we were coming.” Celestia told them as they moved to an open area with a few markets near the volcano. There was already a crowd of ponies waiting. Celestia walked in front of them and began a speech. She gave the same speech as she did in Manehattan. The main difference was the fact that these ponies were much more open to the idea.
After her speech several ponies cheered and began to come to her offering their help. Celestia told them to go to a base her ponies had nearby where most of her guards and several ponies from the old hideout moved to.
“Ok, we have the start to a reasonable army. We just need support from a few more cities and we should be able to attack.” Celestia said cheerfully.
The ponies entered Las Pegasus. The city still had some casinos, though it had been cut down drastically. Celestia once again informed the ponies she was coming and they were waiting when they got there. Celestia got in front of the crowd and began to speak.
“Ponies of Las Pegasus, are you tired of being oppressed by tyrannical rule of the human?”
“Yeah!” The crowd cheered. They had heard about Fillydelphia and that was giving them the confidence to join Celestia.
“We are preparing…”
Then there was a thud followed by a roar. Then between two nearby buildings a massive dragon burst through. It was different from the Balefires or the Utvaras. This dragon was considerably larger than most dragons. The wing span was probably 90 feet, while the body was probably 80 feet long. It was much bulkier than the Balefires and in some ways resembled a Komodo dragon. The dragon’s neck and most of its body looked like armor plating and was a dark brown. Its muzzle resembled a beak at the end and its head had several spikes sticking out of the sides of its head. Two piercing red eyes glared at the ponies.
It roared again and then fired a massive column of fire at the crowd. Several ponies had the sense to run and hide as soon as they saw it along with both Celestias, Cadence, Luna, and the bearers who ran behind an old casino sign, though most of the crowd was unable to get away or was too scared to move. They were hit by the column of burning death and were all turned to ash.
“What kind of dragon is that?” Luna asked wide eyed at seeing the ponies incinerated instantly.
“That my little ponies, is what The Master calls an Ancient Hellkite.” The ponies looked to their left to see Hivid sitting next to them. With his hands behind his head looking very relaxed.
“What are you doing here?” Cadence glared at him.
“The Master sent me to see how you guys were doing.”
“I assume he’s the one who sent this dragon.” Patch Celestia said coldly. They heard another thud and ponies screaming.
“Oh, this guy has been terrorizing this city for years. Lord Sean just asked him to attack a little earlier than usual.”
“I assume this is another one of his special made dragons.” Twilight asked.
“Oh Twilight, you’re as curious as ours. Anyway, yes these are his work. They’re a mix of ancient dragon DNA and his Balefires. The result is a fast, deadly, killing machine with nearly impenetrable scales.” Hivis stood up and stretched. “Lord Sean sends his regards.” Hivis then leapt over the destroyed sign and ran over to the dragon. It lowered its head and Hivis climbed on before the dragon flew off.
The ponies walked out from behind the sign to see the city destroyed. A few new buildings were crumbled. It looked like the dragon had specifically destroyed buildings with ponies in them, as pools of blood could be seen. There were also several scorch marks in the shape of ponies where the ones incinerated had stood.
“Well that’s just great! Looks like we have to find another city.” Patch Celestia groaned.
“That was great!” Sean laughed in his throne watching the destruction the dragon caused. “Isn’t it wonderful Twi?” He looked over to her.
“It sure is Master.” She smiled admiring the sheer power of the dragon.
“I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical when you brought up the Ancients, but I’m amazed at its power.” He reached over and ruffled her mane. “I’m proud of you.”
“Really?” She smiled even more. Sean rarely gave out complements like that.
“Of course. You’ve created one of the most deadly creatures in Jund, all on your own.”
“Why are we going to Cloudsdale? It seems like that city would be packed with dragons.” Celestia asked Patch Celestia.
“While it is full of dragons it is the most intact pony city in all of Jund.” She told her as they flew towards the cloud city. They had used a cloud walking spell like Twilight had used to let the unicorns and earth ponies go. Though they had to ride the princess’s backs to get to the city.
“Why would he leave Cloudsdale alone?”
“He told them they could keep their city if they stopped rainbow production and if they allowed dragons to roam freely through the city. They of course accepted.”
“So it’s completely intact?”
“No, occasionally there is a dragon fight and parts of the city are damaged.”
When they got to Cloudsdale the city was relatively untouched, the rainbow factory was dark and falling apart from not being taken care of and parts of the city were destroyed from fights. But overall it seemed fine. They had to avoid dragon’s feet as they traveled through the city. They were going door to door trying to get ponies support. Surprisingly several accepted and by the time they had left they had a considerable number of pegasi.
Sean sat on his throne watching the ponies as they walked through a canyon. They were like his puppets. It was like Celestia said My Little Puppets. No, that didn’t sound right. They were doing everything the way he had planned. He had sent Twilight out to scare them a little just like the other attacks. They were getting a pretty formidable army. As he had hoped, even though they had gotten two cities on their side the attacks on the other cities was taking its toll on them.
“Perfect.”
“Princess, why are we hiding behind this rock?” Twilight asked as she and Patch Celestia sat behind a large boulder as the rest of the group sat having a lunch break.
“Because Twilight, I sense your counterpart is coming and I have an idea to get more ponies on our side.”
“It doesn’t involve me impersonating her again does it?”
“Not this time.” Celestia explained the plan. After a few more minutes they saw winged Twilight show up confronting the group.
“Finally found you.” She said as she landed in front of them. “Lord Sean wants you and I’m here to get you. Wait, aren’t there supposed be more of you?”
“Now Twilight!” Patch Celestia and Twilight leapt out from behind the rock and hit alicorn Twilight with stun spells. She was unable to react in time and was hit full force. She fell over unconscious.
“Ok, we have her. Now what do we do with her?” Luna asked looking at the alicorn.
“Tie her up and get something to wrap around her horn.” Patch Celestia ordered.
“What!?” Sean leapt from his throne. He grabbed the screen that followed his targets. He watched as they shot Twilight and captured her. He had seen them waiting to attack, he hadn’t had time to warn her though. The ponies tied her up and started walking towards Baltimare. He tore the screen in half. “Nightmare!”
A few seconds later Nightmare Moon ran into the room. “What is it Master?”
“I’m going out. You’re in charge while I’m gone.”
“Why not Twilight?”
“Be quiet.”
“I can’t believe it was so easy to capture her.” Rainbow said as they got to Baltimare.
“I’m still confused why we need her.” Twilight said looking at her counterpart tied up on Patch Celestia’s back.
“She’s the second in command of all of Jund. If we show ponies that we were able to capture her they may not be as scared.”
“Aren’t you worried Sean will come for her?” Luna asked.
“Sean doesn’t care about anyone but himself.”
When they got to the city several ponies were already waiting expectantly. They had heard about Celestia’s resistance and were eager to help. Then they noticed Twilight tied to her back and smiled. They headed for the capital where there was a stage waiting. They put alicorn Twilight down so everypony in the crowd could see.
“Ponies of Baltimare.” Patch Celestia pointed at their prisoner. “How many of you fear this pony?” Most of the ponies in the crowd raised their hooves. “Well fear no more, as you can see we have captured her and she is completely incapacitated.”
“You’re all going to die.” All the ponies looked to see alicorn Twilight had woken up. “Lord Sean will be here soon.”
“Sean’s not coming. Why would he?” Patch Celestia looked at her.
“You really think he’d let you ponies kidnap me and not do something about it?”
“You’re not important to him. You’re just another servant, or maybe victim is a better word. I doubt he can distinguish between the two.”
“Yeah, you just keep thinking that.” She smiled at them. All the ponies in the crowd were a bit unnerved. Then suddenly a darkness fell over the city. The ponies looked up to see what looked like a massive storm over the town. The clouds were pitch black and gave an ominous feeling.
After the storm was completely over the city several fireballs began to fly from the clouds. They hit mostly buildings causing them to quickly burn down. A few did hit ponies but a majority of the crowd lived. Before any ponies could try to run half a dozen Utvaras landed around the crowd trapping them.
Then there was a deep earth shaking roar. The ponies looked up to the clouds to see a huge black dragon emerging from the clouds. All that they could see were its wings, head, and hands, that’s all it took to see how massive this creature was. Its wingspan alone must have been 100 feet. Its head had six spikes on it, there were two in the back, two on the sides and two just behind the mouth. Its hands were huge with large black talons. Along its back spines could be seen.
“That’s a big dragon.” Luna stated simply.
“Told you he’d be coming.” The group looked to the tied up Twilight.
“Wait, that’s Sean?” Celestia asked.
“Of course. I’d run if I were you, he looks mad.”
“No, we can end this now.” Patch Celestia gave Normal Twilight the elements. “Get ready, I’ll distract him.” She then flew off towards the dragon. When she reached Sean she looked him in his massive green eyes. Most of him was still in the clouds.
“Hello Celly.” He glared at her his voice shaking the ground. “You have something that belongs to me.”
“I’m surprised Sean, I didn’t think you were one to stick your neck out for one pony. Have you gone soft?”
“Silence. Where is Twilight?”
“Down there.” Sean’s head turned to see. “But you’re not going to get her.”
Sean turned to look at her his green eyes squinting. “And why is that?”
“Because of this.” Then there was a glow. Sean looked down to see six ponies wearing the elements. Then a massive rainbow flew out and headed straight for Sean. It hit him in the face. He let out a scream and parts of him began to fall apart. After a minute they saw his human form flying towards the ground and crash into a nearby building.
The ponies ran to where he had crashed to see him lying there impaled by a large piece of wood from the building. Patch Celestia walked up to him and poked at his body. It didn’t move at all.
“Was that it?” Rainbow looked at him disappointed. “That was the big scary tyrant? Not much of a fight.” Then they heard a laugh and all looked to see Sean looking at them. He slowly grabbed the plank and tore it out. Then he got up and looked at them.
“Did you really think it would be that easy?” he turned to look at Rainbow and Luna. “I heard you guys ask why you should fear me. Let me show you why.” Then the ground began to shake.
“Run!” Patch Celestia yelled before turning and running out of the building. The ponies looked confused until they saw a column of fire burst out of the ground a few feet in front of them. That got them running. Then the ground began to crack and lava spewed out.
“Silly ponies!” Sean yelled as another column burst from the ground in front of them. “Where will you run when I punish you with the very ground you flee on?”
As they ran they saw several flames burst from the ground and envelop other ponies. When they got to the capital building they ran inside. When Sean had started his attack the Utvaras took that as a signal and began to burn down the city.
“What are we going to do?” Cadence asked panicking. Before Patch Celestia could answer a hand burst through the wall and grabbed her by the throat then pulled her out. The ponies looked out the hole to see Sean holding Celestia by her throat.
“I’ll ask again, where is Twilight?” He growled. Celestia responded by kicking him in the chest forcing him to drop her. He levitated a pony nearby that was fleeing. “Give her to me or I’ll crush his skull!” Sean had lost a lot of his calm composure. The pony screamed in pain as pressure was put on his head.
“Let him go! He’s done nothing to you.” Luna yelled. Sean turned to look at her. He chuckled.
“Silly Luna. He’s was collaborating with you.” He then pulled the ponies head off. Patch Celestia growled and charged at him. Sean dodged grabbed her mane and pulled her towards him. “You shouldn’t have done that.” He then punched her in the face several times before throwing her to the ground. “Now tell me Celly, where is she?” He walked towards her.
Celesita glared at him and spat some blood onto his foot. He picked her up and began to punch her in the face and stomach before choking her. He turned to look at the ponies in the capital.
“One of you want to tell me?” Celestia gasped for air in his grip.
“She’s over there!” Rainbow yelled. “The Princess showed you when you first showed up.” she pointed towards where the other Twilight had been. But she was gone. “Where’d she go?”
“Behind you losers.” The ponies turned to see alicorn Twilight behind them. Her horn glowed and there was an explosion. All the ponies flew out of the building. Alicorn Twilight stepped out smiling. “That’s for tying me up.”
“Twilight, there you are.” Sean took Celestia and threw her into the pile of knocked out ponies.
“Lord Sean.” Twilight ran up to him. “I knew you’d come to save me from them.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re my right hand pony. You know how incompetent everyone else is.”
“True. I got a gift for you.” She pointed at the pile of ponies.
“For me? Twilight, you’re too good to me.” He walked over and levitated them into the air. “Should we head back?” Sean had regained his composure.
“Yes please.” Twilight nodded.
“Alright.” Sean roared and a large Utvara landed in front of them. Its wings were torn up from age and one of the fins on its head was torn. “Buttons, let’s go home.” Sean levitated the ponies onto Buttons’ back then Twilight and Sean climbed up. Buttons took off and flew back to the castle.