//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: Crashing the Crystal Castle 
// Story: Crashing Equestria 
// by Wrecking Ball 
//------------------------------//

	First rule of combat; Strike first or don't strike at all.

With the four guards moments away from him, Gray had just enough time to ready his weapon of choice. A Sandwich.

Gray was no fool and knew that if he were to start slicing royal guards into pieces there would be no forgiveness. Not to mention what would happen if he were to kill one of royal blood in their own castle. Roughing them up would have to suffice for the time being. Becoming public enemy number one could come later.

It was all Gray could do to inhale his sandwich before the guards got to him. Roaring with the power now bestowed upon him by his meaty treat, Gray turned to face his opponents. The guards, to their credit, faltered for only a second at Gray's transformation, but a second was all he needed.

10

Closing the short distance, Gray struck out with a beefy fist, sending one of the guards tumbling backwards. The guard came to rest back at the main door looking quite peaceful despite his bloody face.

9

The remaining guards didn't spare a second to help their fallen comrade, too determined to bring down the behemoth that was Gray. Thrusting forward with their spears, one of them was caught in Grays massive hand, another scraped harmlessly off the armor plating that he wore, the third however struck true. Impaling itself into his gut, the guard gave it a vicious twist to cause as much pain as possible.

8

Grunting in pain Gray quickly recovered. Giving the offending guard a solid backhand that sent him tumbling away, Gray wrenched the spear out of himself and sent it rolling harmlessly after the guard.

7

Turning to the final two guards, cracking his knuckles Gray lashed out trying to grab one of them. Sadly for Gray they had wised up to his brutish tactics and scurried backwards, leaving Grays hand to grasp nothing but empty air.

6

Gray, unaccustomed to his foes retreating, let out a mighty roar and charged towards the guards, catching them in his arms and increasing his pace, changing course towards the closest wall.

5

Upon impact with the wall both of the guards skulls jerked back and made a loud clacking noise as  they impacted with the wall. The wall itself seemed to have given up on trying to hold the stained glass window in place as the entire pane shuddered lose from its housing and began its descent towards Gray and his foes.

4

Thinking quickly Gray threw the two guards out of the way just before the window came crashing down upon his head. Shards of glass impaling themselves into his flesh and lacerating him where they could not find a hold.

3

A quick time out is all I need. Pull the glass out of my spine and I'll be as right as- *smash*. That was as far as Grays thoughts were allowed to progress got before a large flowerpot was shattered over his head. Water and scented flowers giving him the equivalent to a much needed and refreshing shower.

2

Turning his head quickly enough to produce a sickening crack as his vertebrae realigned themselves, Gray's eyes so full of anger that no one would have been surprised if he had started shooting hate lasers from them. Luna stood there, unfazed and holding another vase in her magical grasp.

1

Having grown fed up with the situation Gray made for a final mad dash to knock the Princess out and finally sort out the mess he had gotten himself into. Tremors rocked the hall with every step as he made his way towards Luna who was only now starting to lose her conviction, a look of fear creeping onto her face. Grays massive fist raised to strike the princess unconscious.

0

It was probably for the best that just before Gray could hit Luna he reverted back into his small blockish form, fist pounding into her decorative shoe. Slowly Gray looked up, meeting the somewhat confused gaze of Luna. For a few seconds both combatants were motionless, staring at each other, until a sinister smile graced her features. Then the vase began it's descent.

Time seemed to slow as the ceramic pot advanced towards Gray's face. He took in the smooth shape the the potter had crafted out of fine clay, the creative images painted lovingly in baby blue on a white backdrop by a skilled painter and the beautiful bouquet of many flowers arranged perfectly by a florist. He could not help but feel a sort of bittersweet honor that this work would find its end upon impact with his face.

"Luna! Stop!" but it was not to be.

All eyes turned to Celestia, the vase hovering just above Gray ready to continue its decent with a moments notice. "Luna is this truly how you would treat a guest to our lands? By breaking your nieces pots over its head?" questioned Celestia in a motherly tone.

"Bu-but he was attacking you again!" retorted Luna almost childishly, shuffling her hooves and avoiding eye contact.

"He did nothing of the sort, it was a mere misunderstanding, and I would think you of all ponies would know not to judge based upon past actions." quipped Celestia, face growing stern.

"The guards then. He hurt them. Should he not be punished for that at least?" Luna was growing nervous, grasping at any kind of excuse she could think of.

"And they would have not intervened had you not struck out first." countered Celestia "Now I think it would be best if you were to leave us for now. You may apologize to our guest later."

To preserve what was left of her dignity Luna gave a curt nod, turned around and left the hall, collecting the unconscious guards on her way out. The vase was slowly lowered to the ground and Gray gave it a wide berth in case the Princess had a sudden change of heart.

Taking up position closer to the throne Gray began to roughly pick out the larger shards of glass now embedded in his upper body. When no one spoke he looked up to see his hosts faces wide eyed, shocked at the nonchalant demeanor he wore as he pulled bloodied glass from his body. Waving his hand at them he motioned for them to continue.

Celestia was the first to regain her composure from her guests blatant disregard for his own health. "I apologies for my sister. She can be ... overprotective of me sometimes but she does mean well." she said giving a glance toward the door "But we have other matters to discuss and there is also someone I would like you to meet when she arrives."

Today is going to be a long day