Chapter 8: Assault on The Crystal Empire
The Vampire Changelings were back.
Count Vladmane Dracula was back.
And while the ponies were interrogating Nightmare Moon in Ponyville, the Vampire Changelings were attacking The Crystal Empire.
And they were winning.
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"Excuse me," said Winter. A beeping sound had been coming from his jacket, and he now pulled out the object that was making it, an earpiece with an attached microphone. He put it on and pressed a button to accept the call.
Everypony was quiet while Winter took the call, and grew worried when his face became pale.
"Rally the armies and send them immediately," said Winter before he took off the headset.
"Who was that," asked Celestia.
"That was General Flynn," said Winter solemly, "The Vampire Changeling have returned and are attacking The Crystal Empire."
"WHAT," everypony in the room said in unison.
"Count Vladmane is with them as well," added Winter.
"But, but he's dead," exclaimed Nightmare Moon, "I saw him turn to ash just before I died!"
"It would appear he has cheated death once again," Winter said with a sigh, "But this would not be the first time he has done so. Count Vladmane has plagued me for countless centuries."
"We'll help in any way we can," said Celestia and Crystalia in unison. Twilight nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, all of you," said Winter, "Be warned, though, Count Vladmane is very powerful, and nt to be underestimated. He will underestimate you as he did me, and that will be his downfall. General Flynn said The Crystal Empire is still holding strong, and my armies are on their way. If we hurry, we can arrive at the same time they do."
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"Sir, The Crystal Empire is now in visual range," said Captian Cloudbreak.
Admiral Moonbean nodded. "Open the shields."
As the shields that covered the cabin window retracted, a sight of utter awe lay before them. The Crystal Empire had a shield around it, no doubt being projected by Princess Cadance. The city was surrounded on all sides by the vast Vampire Changeling Army.
"Report," Admiral Moonbeam said into her heasdset.
"1st Fleet Captian Storm of the SRAF Dawnbreaker, all batteries ready."
"1st Fleet Captain Windbreaker of the SRAF Sun's Dawn, all batteries ready."
"1st Fleet Captian Ender of the SRAF Inferno, all batteries ready."
"1st Fleet Captain Lexicon of the SRAF Pathfinder, all batteries ready."
"This is 1st Fleet Admiral Moonbeam of the SRAF Eclipse to the SRAF Dawnbreaker, SRAF Sun's Dawn, SRAF Inferno and SRAF Pathfinder," Admiral Moonbeam said into the headset, "Fire all batteries at will. Take out those Changelings!"
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The Princesses watched from the train as hundreds of beams of blue light loosed from the cloud thundered through the sky before impacting the Vampire Changeling Army with a loud bang, and such force that the train almost came off the rails, but ground to a halt instead.
"What on Equus was that," asked Twilight as she got back to her hooves.
"That was a volley from the main cannons of the Soltice 1sr Air Fleet's battleships," said Winter, "The other fleets will be arriving shortly, as will the Army."
"What about my Shadow Guard and The Shadowbolts," Nightmare Moon asked.
"They are on their way with the 1st Royal Guard," replied Winter, "Don't worry, I've taken very good care of them."
"Good," said Nightmare Moon.
"Excuse me, but shouldn't we join the fight," asked Crystalia. Everyone turned to see she had donned her Royal Armor, the same armor as she had when the Changelings attacked Canterlot, but this time with more coverage, obviously to protect against Vampire bites. Celestia, too, had donned a similar set of armor, but it lacked the pearl detailing that Crystalia's had.
"Indeed," Winter said as a giant sword materialized, it's hilt in Winter's hand.
Luna donned a suit of armor similar to Nightmare Moon's, and Twilight also put on a set of Canterlot Guard armor, as she did not yet have her own. The group then burst from the train and into the horde that was swarming the train.
On the far side of the city, the Solstice Royal Army was just arriving to kick the butts of these Vampiric monstrosities.
"FOR WINTER," yelled Stormcry as he led the charge in his Citadel Guard armor.