//------------------------------//
// PARTY CRASHERS 
// Story: Rise Against Equestria 
// by Emerald Burst 
//------------------------------//

	The door opened and the two stallions walked inside in silence. The walk back was swift and neither one said anything. Fluttershy was in the middle of making some tea. “Welcome back.” She said cheerfully, “Did you get the groceries?” 
“…Shhhhit.” Emerald Burst rubbed the back of his neck for a moment, “About that… Something kind of came up so we had to come back early.” His eyes flashed to Dusk as he entered the kitchen. “This may be of her concern as well.” The unicorn said darkly.
Dusk and Emerald took a seat at the table, and Fluttershy tended to the tea with whatever she could find for lunch. The book in question was placed on the table, it was under Emerald’s wing the entire time, and then opened to a family tree.
“I know of… Our… Family tree quite well.” The half blind pony pointed at the name of Princess Celestia running his hoof down passed her children until it reached the pegasus’ parents. “There is much more to this bloodline, more than almost everypony knows…” 
His hoof went back to Celestia, besides her name was two others. Princess Luna, and the dark ex-king of the Crystal Empire, Sombra. “They were brother and sisters long ago,” He explained, “But he conquered the empire for power long before his sisters became they rulers…” 
He leaned back on his chair and closed his eye, trying to remember the details that happened over a thousand years ago. “His banishment was just before Nightmare Moon. In fact… His son fought for her in the war…” Just under Sombra and somepony named “Lokshi Ma,” was readable two names, and a series of crossed out others. 
Lunaris and Dusk. “Lunaris was the name Lokshi Ma gave me a thousand years ago… Emerald, you and I are related...”
There was a loud shatter, glass, lunch and tea surrounded the yellow mare's hooves. She was staring at the unicorn, imagining him as a younger version of the evil king that nearly took back his throne. "Eep!!!" With a loud squeal the little pegasus shot out of the kitchen and dove under her bed. She was shaking uncontrollably and the house was nearly shaking with her. 
Unlike his marefriend, Emerald Burst was calm with an unreadable expression... "So what you are telling me is that you're the 1,000 year old son of a dead king that you hold NO resemblance to..." He said, there was so much doubt in his words that "Dusk" could nearly drown in it. He went on. "And, that you spent your whole life traveling with nopony noticing that the same guy has been on the world for so long? Not to mention your bullshit story about Sombra being Celestia's brother." 
Dusk gave a heavy sigh, he was having some difficulty controlling his anger when the white stallion finished. "Ugh... You see-" He was cut off as a loud boom permeated the air and Emerald ducked under the table. Dusk turned……. And got a face full of cake. 
“So the rumors are true!” He heard a high pitched voice squeal. “There IS a new pony in town!” Dusk had just wiped the cake off of his face, as he looked up once more an invitation card slapped him square on the nose. A pink pony appeared before him. “Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie! And you’re invited to your own welcome paaartyyy!!!” She then disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
“…What the fuck was that” The bewildered unicorn said as he stared at the invitation, it was going to start tonight at Sugercube Corner. Emerald snatched up the invite with an unsettling grin on his face. “You know what this means… Right?” His grin grew wider.

“Hard Cider!”


Time went by, and the previous quarrel was forgotten. (At least, Emerald Burst was the one to forget it.) Now they were both standing in front of a building being shaking to its foundation by music, this is definitely the place. Fluttershy should be with them, but neither of them could coax her out from under the bed. 
Emerald was first to the door, busting it open and scanning the room. “Cider…” There was a barrel on a table with other beverages, mainly punch and more booze. “There!!!” 
He… Was just a freaking blur! Immediately he was under it with hard cider pouring out of the spigot to his awaiting mouth. Dusk was staring in shock, in all of his lives he has never seen any race drink so much without stopping. 
Applejack was besides the barrel, shaking her head. “Why do Ah even bring hard cider for parties? When Ah do you and Big Macintosh drink it all!” She said to the drinking pegasus. He would have answered, but the barrel was still pouring out some sweet, sweet booze. 
Dusk took a seat in a corner on the room, observing the other party guests dance and chat to one another. He noticed Rarity on one side of the room talking to a pegasus mare with a rainbow mane, Applejack was now heading towards them to. Now he spotted Big Mac pushing his way towards Emerald, who now finished the barrel and was raiding mugs of more cider... Shocking.
"Hey!" The big red stallion bellowed over the dubstep, Emerald turned. It was a drunken pony stand-off... The pegasus' move was holding out a full mug towards the farm pony, which he took. Dusk watched in disbelief as they cheered and drank together like friends. "Enemies when both, or one at least, is sober and allies when both are hammered?
There was a sudden pink blur, Pinkie Pie dragged the observing unicorn out to the dance floor. The DJ stopped the music and tossed a mic to the host. "Hiya everypony! Tonight we're here to giiive-" She nearly hit Dusk's snout with the mic. "Name, friend???" She whispered. 
"Dusk..."
"A huuuge welcome!" She squealed. Everypony gave a happy cheer which only served Pinkie to prolong Dusk's torment. Quickly he retreated back to his corner, giving a long sigh before he levitated a mug of cider from the table. But Emerald Burst was reaching for that mug at the time, but as it surrounded with grey aura the final, precious, mug move just out of reach.
The two towering stallions watched helplessly as it flew over their heads and out of their reach towards the grinning pony in the corner. Tears formed, and they two wasted ponies began bawling in each other's forelegs. The a dark chuckle escaped the grey guest before taking a small of his cider.
"Why would you hide here? It’s almost as bad as hiding in Canterlot!" There was a blue unicorn to his side; a stallion with a muscular build, must be royal guard or something similar profession. "Listen, you little lap dog..." Dusk growled, "Now is not the time. If you wish for a fight that you know you will lose, then wait until this party is over. No witnesses that way..." 
The stranger scoffed and took the mug. "We don't want to fight... Yet... But she wants to see you."  He tried to drink but it was yanked away by grey aura. "Why is she asking me to see her, after all of these years? ...You know what, forget it, I don't want to know." Dusk leaned back on his seat. "How about you go run along and tell her to get off her fat plot and come meet me instead." He began the stranger a dismissive wave of his hoof before chugging down the rest of his cider.
"You'll regret that..." The other unicorn said through gritting teeth as he briskly walked towards the door, slipping out with nopony else noticing.


Dusk began scanning around the room to find a quick escape route. While doing so he spotted Emerald rushing towards the bathroom his face was a disturbing shade of green... Poor guy. He saw that the kitchen had a back door, so he headed for it. But before he could even make it to the kitchen the front door was busted open and the music was cut shortly after.
Eight stallions entered the room, seven wore black outfits with silver masks with katanas sheathed at their sides. But the 8th was different, very different. He wore black armor that belongs to a more futuristic time in Equestria. His right foreleg was all real until it reached just above the knee, then the rest was made of some kind of machinery nopony has ever seen. The only parts of his body that was visible was his white horn, ears, and scarred muzzle. One of the ninja ponies came to the obvious leader's side.
"What is your next command, sir?" He asked, nervousness was pouring out of his voice. But weren't assassins, which is obviously what they are, known to kill first and ask questions later? The dark armored stallion had his gaze on Dusk through his grey visor. "Hmm... His eyes fixed on something next to the half blind target...
A... Desert table?
"Mind getting me a slice of cake?" He asked, pointing at a cake ironically called "Death by Chocolate." The ninja's eye twitched... "Uh... Y-Yes sir!" He ran to the table, keeping an eye on Dusk. He was studying his sword with mild interest. Then he came back to his leader with a large slice of the cake. 
"You haven’t changed a bit, Beta Wolf..." Dusk chuckled to himself he looked on to the head assassin, "But this time you seemed to have a few upgrades." He frowned, finding his appearance slightly unnerving. Beta Wolf paid no attention though, he took a huge bite of the cake and nearly began bouncing about in joy.
"Wow that’s good! Do you guys want any?" Pieces of the cake was levitated by blood red aura to each one was his men, but each kindly, and most of all nervously, turned it down, except for one. He slightly moved his mask up, which exposed his orange muzzle, and took a happy bite. Only now did someone speak up, besides Pinkie. She was rambling something about ninja cupcakes to herself.
The unicorn DJ was in front of Beta, more annoyed than scared or confused unlike most ponies around her. "Who the hell do you think you are?!" She said while prodding his black chest plate. A grey mare came to the white mare's side. "E-Easy, Vinyl. We don't wa-"
"No! I wanna know why a bunch of ponies in pajamas just crashed our party!"
"Lunaris..." The futuristic assassin said, so coldly that it sent shivers down both mares' spines. "You've one more chance... Surrender, or we will have to slaughter ever single pony in here." The few tense moments made felt like long unbearable hours... Until dark, arguably insane, laughter broke it. "Hahahaha... You may have the ability to do such a thing... But do they?" 
The tip of Dusk's sword pointed at each lesser assassin' grey aura was flowing from his horn to the 8 hole in the sword and formed 7 small back orbs, and 1 large orb. He grinned and brought the sword up with both of his hooves. "They would probably have nightmares of this night forever... But you and I?  I'll be sleeping just fine tonight... If either one of us is alive that is..." Now his bandages unwrapped themselves with the help of magic, revealing a sight that made the assassins shake in fear, except for Beta Wolf, and everypony scream out, including some of the males. 
Everypony, including the DJ and her friend, pressed against the walls around them. They would have jumped through the windows and went for the back door, but there was a red barrio that prevented such escape. Even when some tried a teleportation spell a ward knocked them back to where they were before.
His right eye was a grey void around the outer rims of it that deepened and became darker towards the center, it also gave off a grey aura trail much like the pony he claimed to be his father. A small flame in the eye acted as his pupil, its flickering and the glow it gave would prove that it was real. But it didn't burn the eye, or even produced heat, for that matter. 
Everypony, including the DJ and her friend, pressed against the walls around them. They would have jumped through the windows and went for the back door, but there was a red barrier that prevented such escape. Even when some tried a teleportation spell a ward knocked them back to where they were before.
One of the ninjas hastily drew his katana "Die, monster!!!" He shouted as he charged, using his hind legs to run and his front hooves to grip the handle. "Not tonight..." The grey... Thing. Brought down his sword even though the opponent wasn't in range. And orb vanished and a vertical wave of darkness went across the room. While in mid-run the ninja pony fell... In 2 perfect halves. "And then, there was 6." Dusk cackled, grinning madly as if he was taking deep pleasure in cutting down the pony.
Blood sprayed everywhere and organs began pouring onto the floor, but from 2 sources. One assassin, the orange stallion whose final meal was cake, failed to move out of the wave's way in time. His left eye, and the entire body on that side, detached from the rest and fell. The rest of his body toppled over with blood spraying and orgins spilling out as well. 
The 5 lesser ninjas looked at the bodies, then their leader, then back at the bodies. They were highly considering the option of retreating. Beta's metal hoof stomped on the floorboards, making them crack and splinter. "Men! Kill anypony who tried to leave!" He yelled, a smile splitting across his face. "Lunaris is all mine..." 
The ninja ponies nodded and advanced towards the civilians. Most of them shrank back in fear, but a few steeped forwards to face the strangers. As they drew their swords, including their leader, the fight began. But as it did Emerald Burst stepped angrily out of the bathroom.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!"

Every pony, and flying piece of cake flying across the room, stopped as soon as the fight began. Each head turned to the pissed pegasus and the cake dropped straight to the ground. "He's going to be trouble..." Beta muttered before nodding his head towards the new opponent. "Kill him." He commanded before turning to Dusk, which resulted in him getting a handle smashed into his helmet. "Ah!" He stumbled backwards, "Dammit!" 
The 5 enemies, finding safety in their numbers, dashed towards their new foe, coming from the left, right, front, and in between. " *Sigh.* Seriously?" When Emerald unfolded his wings they created a sound like a sword unsheathing. "Alright then..." He whipped around in a clockwise motion quicker than his sprint for booze. When he finished this motion there was blood covering his wings.
5 assassins fell, and 5 heads went rolling. 
He sat on a chair away from the bodies that had blood gushing from their new stubs and looked at his wings with another sigh. "Well those stains won't be coming out soon..." He said before watching Dusk and Beta Wolf fight. Surely Dusk has the upper hoof, right? Well... With a sword of his size swinging it and not dismembering any innocent ponies was a tough task. He was forced to long horizontal or diagonal swings that his foe easily avoided.
Beta did the opposite in fact. After avoiding an attack he tried to slash any pony around him, forcing the grey unicorn to protect and possibly receive a deep cut if not worse. Dusk was growing tired quickly, he tried to block an attack on a teal mare with a harp cutiemark but wasn't quick enough... She stared down at 2 bloody stumps where her hooves used to be. She started screaming uncontrollably, even when her friend tried to stop the mass bleeding. 
"NO!!!" 2 orbs from his sword vanished, and rows of crystal saw teeth grew on the sharp edge of the blade. At the price of a third they moved like a chainsaw that would vanish at the hoof guard and reappear at the tip. He swung down at Beta in pure rage, but he merely side stepped out of the way and rested the tip of his sword to the demon eyed unicorn's and tightly squeezed the handle.
Much like his armor, Beta Wolf had an advanced sword and sheath.  The sheath seemed to do more than just hold the sword, but only the wielder knew what. As for his sword, it was a katana that had its upper half shifted back so the bottom of it could hold a small prong, a second prong was found at the hoof guard.
When he squeezes on the rubber wrapped handle a nearly fatal jolt of electricity surged between the prongs and through the rest of his sword, including between the teeth that stuck out on the upper edge. This electricity went through Dusk's sword and into him. "AAAHHHHH!!!" His muscles tightened so much he couldn't release this weapon and blood gushed out of his wounds.
Eventually the last assassin released his grip and the electricity stopped, and Dusk fell. "Aww... You put up a much better fight last time." The armored pony said with a pout. He stretched out the defeated stallion's right foreleg and raised his sword. "A leg for a leg!" He gleefully declared... The sword was brought down... But it was caught between a massive pair of bloody wings.
"I'm getting... Really tired of your shit..." Emerald said with a slight slur. The high tech assassin jumped back and slowly sheathed his sword before pointing his artificial foreleg at the huge pegasus. Slowly he got on his hind hooves and pulled back on a small latch on the metallic appendage which made his fake hoof open to expose the barrel of a custom arm cannon.
"Hey, Dusk!" His savior grunted, "I'm going to borrow your magic for a second." Dusk gave a breathless "What?" But then he saw his aura trail out of his horn and into Emerald's collar. While this was happening Beta Wolf's cannon was charging by his own magic being amplified when 4 floating pieces of a ring spun at a high rate. The barrel began to glow crimson red by his aura, and his pegasus foe had a large orb formed in front of him.
The party guests made perfectly sure they were not behind either pony, fearing that they might get hit by what was going to come. Both of them unleashed everything they had.
Emerald's borrowed magic was amplified by some form of different magic. It engulfed Beta's blast and even the user. Beta Wolf was sent through a wall, which wasn't there after, and several more after that until he was out of sight. Thankfully no pony was in the way, because his attack left one wall gone, and a few houses in rubble. The owners of said houses were at the party, which was arguably lucky in a way. 
"...That mark on his fake hoof..." The victor panted before looking down at his friend, "We're going to Canterlot..." With some help Dusk got on his shaky hooves. "I don't think that is wise." He said while securing his sword and bandages that was luckily blood free. He was going to see if the teal mare was ok, but she was already being escorted out by a few party guests...