The ride by train to Ponyville was uneventful to say the least, expect for the fact the Royal Guard were running around like their mane was on fire to coordinate the evacuation of an entire town. When Celestia proposed to her Council of Nobles, she was met with outrage and opposition especially from Duke Bloodblue and his 'friends'. However, it was quickly silenced by Princess Celestia with support from her own Council of Government with their enactment of the Emergency State, giving Princess Celestia and Princess Luna full control over the government until the emergency has been dealt with.
Terry, Clara, Gold Honor, and Swift Note reached Ponyvile without much incident save for Terry losing his lunch on the train (" Modern trains don't sway this much - urp!") and looked at a rather empty Ponyvile.
"It's a shame that we have to be here when it's inhabitants are all gone," sighed Swift Note," This is a very lively place and seeing so..... quite and empty seems so wrong."
"Whatever, the sooner we find some clues the sooner I can kill that bitch," answered Clara as she marched forward.
"Don't mind her to much Swifty," said Terry as the group walked forward," She is doing this more for her family than anything."
"I see, and I understand. I would be furious as well if my family was attacked for no reason."
"Same here," chimed Gold," But we got to find some clue as we advance for now."
"I suggest we split the party, that way we can cover more ground. I mean while this is now an empty town, its rather large, especially with that giant looking eyesore in the middle," suggested Terry with a nod from Clara.
"That so called Giant Eyesore is Princess Twilight's castle," replied Swift Note," And that would be the first place I would look."
"Oh how so miss Unicorn?" asked Clara with her arms crossed.
"That castle was made by a special type of magic and can be used as a giant magical antenna, or at least that's what Princess Twilight said it could be used. If some evil pony got into it...."
"Say no more, but how do we split up? By home dimensions or half and half?" asked Gold Honor.
"Swifty, you and I will give the town a once over. I will need a guide though the place and you can support me with your magic while I be a meat shield. Clara you take Gold for the same reason, except you head straight for the castle. If you find anything, proceed with caution, and if you find a bystander, get that pony or whatever out and to the train station," ordered Terry.
"So half and half it is."
"Ok Sir Terry."
"Right, careful you oversized fox."
*****
Clara and Gold make their way to the castle but they noticed something rather weird. Along the way they saw broken carts, and carnival decor. As they closed to the castle, they saw a stage show that was being ripped apart by zomponies. There a mare is hanging onto a tall pole screaming.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie didn't sign up for this!" shouted the mare as the dodged a flying hoof," HEY! No throwing bodyparts at the Great and Powerful Trixie! Trixie only has one cape left and she will not let you dirty it further!"
"Well tough luck kiddo!" shouted a voice," I need a sacrifice to finish making the portal and your the only pony around! So be a good student and just give up already!"
"Trixie regrets ever meeting you!"
"Tch, the undead, well looks like my poison isn't going to help here," said Clara," Gold you save the mare, I'll beat the undead up."
"Roger Roger."
Gold rushed towards the undead that was surrounding Trixie tackling one of them. Clara proceeded to take out one of her heavyer duty weapons, a poison tipped cutlass and beheaded one of the zomponies.
"What's this, what's this? Adventurers Here? Oh I'm going to have so much more fun."
"Hey Trixie!" shouted Clara as she slashes at another Zompony," Somewhere in the two are our comrades, I need you to find them for us and then get your ass out of here!"
"Trixie will and Trixie is not an ass!" said Trixie as they cleared the last of the zomponies around the pole.
"Oh you Adventurers. Always throwing wrenches into the system but that what makes you all so fun. After all a plan that goes smoothly is so boring."
"Oh great your own of those idiots. Tell me, why on earth would you want to attack this world anyway?"
"Why else Adventurer? Because its there. Granted there are no wars or famine here that I can exploit for minions but it was a good idea at first. After all, I have no worries about you adventurers at least not until now." said the voice as the lich it belongs to exited the castle entrance," At least not until I found this world dreadfully boring!"
"What the hell is he talking about Clara?!"
"He's a adrenaline junkie. The kinda that likes to make trouble or get into fights. Worse since he is a lich he can die and come back so long his phylactery is not destroyed."
"Oh you wound me with your words. Well let me return the favor and wound you for real..." the lich then summoned a weapon which was a rather deadly looking halberd," Nice isn't it? Now lets see if you can prove yourself a challege!"
At the moment, two things happened, firstly a ray of light blasted the lich from behind him. This ray of light took the form of a spear while the other thing was a arrow to the forehead.
"Foul...... play......" said the lich before becoming dust. Yet Clara knew the lich would be back unless they could find his phylactery.
"....What happend?" asked Gold Honor as the Zomponies collapses around him. By now Terry, Swift, and Trixie has returned to the spot with Terry having shot an arrow from his powerful bow.
"Oh your so CUTE!!!!!!" said a being of metal who rushed and grabbed Trixie and squeed," When Kevin told me this world is filled with ponies I though they would be more like animals not cute looking plush toys!!!!"
Terry, Swift and Gold Honor walked closer to the creature as Trixie suffered 4d8 squee damage and 1d4 squeezing damage.
"They call me...."