War traversed through the landscape with ease, his hooves robed in fire as he left a trail of ashen ground in his wake following the train tracks that leads to his destination, Ponyville
Life was simple in the peaceful town of Ponyville (unless of course you count the number of misadventures that occur now and then) but today the locals will be introduced to an otherworldly being. The locals know of this as Twilight Sparkle has been informed by the Princess Celestia herself to make preparations, as Twilight trotted around town ticking off items in her checklist the citizens continued their daily tasks, though very miffed about the arrival to be the same figure that nearly killed Princess Luna she'd rather not defy her teacher.
Continuing to tick off more items Twilight's ears perked up to the sound of the train.
"C'mon Spike our visitor is here" she called
"alright alright I'm coming" he replied the small drake running as fast as he could on his rather stumpy little legs, hopping on Twilight's back they both made their way to the train station.
Arriving at their destination there was no sign of their guest, scanning the crowd again and again there was no sign even though the visitor is taller than Luna herself deciding to wait a little longer she began to pace around the station for another fifteen minutes, there still was no sign. Until she heard the thundering roar of hoofsteps turning to the source of the noise she saw him, running at an impossible speed for his size he ran between the rails burning the stones and metal, many other spectators watched as the newcomer left a trail of fire, jumping off the rails and landing on the plaform, before casually walking towards town.
"Well he sure knows how to make an entrance" she murmured, though fearful she drew up her courage she galloped after him.
As War finished his little run he finally reached this god-forsaken town taking out Celestia's scroll scanning through the writing he found somewhere to go, the Mayor's office. Walking through the town was very similar to Canterlot. busy but still drawing attention from some onlookers.
"Who's he?" asks a greyish purple pegasus mare
"Whoever he is he's creepy" her identical sister replied"I heard he took down Celestia's Royal Guard by himself even took down Princess Luna herself, I even heard the Elements of Harmony barely even hurt him" watching War walk through town, unbeknownst to him he is being followed, continuing his walk through town and giving cold glares to those who would look him in the eye.
As Twilight neared the Nephilim she couldn't help but cringe at the aura of dread surrounding the figure her sight saw something else a giant bipedal creature wreathed in flame a single edged sword held in its hand as it towered over the large stallion, sensing someone close by War turned around to see a familiar purple mare.
"You!" he sneered his arm already moving to his sheathed blade
"Wait!" she exclaimed "I'm not here to fight!" War growled in response before leering at her his eyes piercing white eyes looking into Twilight's
"I'll take your word for it" he said "Why are you here?"
"I live here! plus Celestia gave me instructions for you upon your arrival" she explained
"Alright" he sighed "Hand them over, before I kill you" holding his hoof outward
Twilight hurriedly pulled a folder out of her saddlebags before levitating them into his waiting hoof, War snatched the papers from her grip before sifting through them his eyes scanning the writing and occasionally rubbing his chin, after a few minutes he handed them back, not realising a tendril of golden light had slithered into his gauntlet.
he walked off looking around he found a tall structure a billboard sat next to it. walking into the building he was greeted by a pair of guards as he walked past he couldn't help but chuckle darkly as he sensed the guards became queasy as he watched them nervously sifting through the papers assigned to him, nodding their approval they motioned for him to follow.
He followed the two guards until he reached a door a panel of gold with the words "Mayor Mare" was carved into the priceless metal, motioning for him to enter he walked through the door shutting behind him.
"Hello Sir what can I help you with" called a voice
"Commissioned by your Princess for community service" he replied scornfully
Walking into the office was a mare tan in color with a grey mane her flank adorned with a bound scroll
"So this is the otherworldly being I've been hearing about, good thing you are here we've got alot of jobs to do" she said her spectacles twinkling in the light "Ah I see you have papers" nodding in response before throwing the wad onto the crammed table she picked them up before examining the contents. after nodding in approval and taking an occasional glance at the Rider she returned the papers to him.
"Looks like everythings in order" she concluded picking up some a key she handed it over to him.
"Your house is just outside next to Sugarcube Corner, work starts tomorrow" she finished off
"What jobs will be assigned?" War asks
"That will come in due time, for now rest and unpack your valuables maybe socialise with the others" she waved off dismissively, War left the office ashamed to be forced to work for these mortals, accepting his shameful punishment. he followed the signs on the street until he came across his new home, a scrappy piece of work with a 'Condemned' sign nailed on the door.
Grumbling he punched the door down in his fury walking into the rank smelling, broken down wreck of a house.
"Subtle" a voice called one too familiar to our Rider
"Vulgrim" War growled turning to face a rather skinny stallion, small in comparison to War the demon merchant seems unaffected by the change, his body thin and bony his eyes emerald green like poison, two pairs of horns sat on his brow a shroud of purple and gold covered the sides of his face, his mouth seemed to lack lips revealing his sharp fangs and small deformed wings bound in bandages sat on his back.
"Ah War it is good to see my favorite customer" he greeted bowing slightly "So this is Oblivion? quite a place eh?"
"What are you doing here demon?" the Rider responded bitterly "aren't you supposed to be elsewhere?"
"I am a merchant Rider I go where I please my only purpose here is to separate these creatures from their coin" he explained "I have taken up residence here for the meantime, I trust this isn't too much of an issue?"
War could only growl in response his hooves pawing at the rotting floorboards readying to charge.
"Looks like some'pony' is in a bad mood" he cackled "forgive me this land is so very interesting, their currency interests me, I've heard the coin here is pure gold" he continued, rubbing his front hooves greedily at the prospect of such a valuable substance being used so casually as currency.
"So I've heard" War grumbled "Do what you want here Demon, but the upstairs belongs to me" walking out the door as he spoke
"Farewell for now Rider" Vulgrim called before closing the door and returning to his own devices.
Walking through the peaceful town was completely unnatural to War's violent life, already having the urge to harm something whether it be living, dead or even inanimate. he did not care he just prayed that something would happen. His prayer answered when a cyan blur crashed into sending him tumbling into the dirt.
"Ha take that" the offender shouted victoriously
Rising from the rubble War was free to let loose his pent up rage, drawing Mercy he fired three shots but missed as the attacker dodged them with ease.
"C'mon is that the best you got?" the pegasus taunted
War only replied by taking out Crossblade he spun before throwing it the spinning edge cutting the air, but alas it missed sending the pegasus into a fit of laughter only for it to be shut off when the blade returned slicing off a single hair off the rainbow maned pegasus.
"Is that enough reason for you to cease?" he asked mockingly catching Crossblade in his hoof
growling she charged her wings flapping madly as she prepared to hit War head on, bracing for impact War drew in the surrounding rubble, the stones flew over his skin and covered him creating a shell as more stone clung to his body they began to heat up taking up a form like molten lava, taking a defensive stance War prepared for the blow. When Rainbow Dash struck a loud crack was heard throughout Ponyville, spectators of the battle watched as War absorbed the blow, a large chink was was made in the chest piece of his stone shell, whilst Rainbow Dash lay there unconscious, War's molten armor began to fall of his body leaving him unscathed from the tackle.
"Next time pick your fights more wisely" he quipped before walking away, he turned his head and watched as five other mares ran towards their unconscious friend. Walking back to his home he was greeted by Vulgrim, the demon had already redecorated demonic architecture was something to behold but to War it was normal.
"My, my War you just couldn't resist could you?" Vulgrim scolded mockingly
"Self-defense Demon" he spat "the foolish mare wanted a rematch and a rematch is what she got"
"You know her?" he asked inquisitively "Please, do enlighten me"
"Why so interested in my endeavors demon?" War asked "aren't you going to sell your wares to the public? or is something else on your twisted mind?"
"You hurt me War, and after all I've done for you" he cried in mock sadness
"I'm in no humor for sarcasm demon" he growled
"If it makes you feel any better , I too find it hard to cope with this world" he confessed
"couldn't you leave anytime you wanted?" he asked
"No, ever since I arrived here as well as your arrival the Serpent Holes were shut down for some reason I'm afraid neither of us can return home" he explained whilst rubbing his front leg awkwardly
"So we're stuck in this forsaken world" War sighed
"I couldn't have agreed more" the demon agreed fiddling with his bangles and jewelry as he spoke the two sat in silence as they contemplated their futures
War sat with his face in his hooves unable to cope with being a horse for the rest of his life, his internal frustration was interrupted when a knock was heard at his door. grumbling to himself angrily War swung the door open with such force it made a dent in the wall standing before him was a familiar group of mare the cyan one was covered in bandages whilst the others had grim expressions on his face.
"What do you want?" he asked coldly
"We just want to talk" the purple one said "can we come in?"
"But of course" Vulgrim called
"Woah nelly who was that?" the orange one asked
"That, was Vulgrim" War answered bluntly before walking inside the white and yellow mares were quite squeamish as they saw the interior of the downstairs, they turned their attention to the creature that sat in a scarlet red couch, his front hooves pressed together as if he were discussing business (or he might've just wanted to make a good first impression).
"Now, let's talk business" the demon hissed "Take a seat we have much to discuss"