//------------------------------// // Preparation and Grievous Reborn // Story: Phantom War V: Dawning of Darkness // by Danny Eclipse //------------------------------// Three days later… Charming, me, and Twilight were on an Equestrian Shuttle that was on its way to an ocean that had an underwater culture known as The Mon Calamari. Our mission was to talk to Lee-Char, Leader of the Mon Calamari, about our situation with the Argonians. We were half way there when we began to talk. Twilight asked “So, remember why we are here?” “I know, I was told a thousand times. Our mission is to talk with King Lee-Char about the war against the Argonians and hopefully, they will help us in our war effort, like we need them to help us…” I groaned my reply. Charming said “Just because you already made an army capable of combating the Argonians, doesn’t mean we don’t need reinforcements.” Twilight explained to us “I did some research on the Mon Calarmari. They have a tension against the Argonians. Lee-Char wanted to bring peace between the nations but Lord Red Claw refused the Peace Treaty, which rose tensions.” “Still doesn’t mean we need to be here…” Charming replied “I agree with Twilight on this. Besides, opening a treaty with the Mon Calamari will be useful for our cause.” “Reminder about this though. Equestrian Empire sign the treaty with the Mon Calamari, I’m going to sign no treaty with them.” Charming said “Whatever you say Danny.” I nodded and sat back down in the seat and began to think about something. I remember something during my Christmas Dance at Equestria High. We arrived to the destination and we were above the water. I saw Charming and Twilight getting into underwater gear and I didn’t because I knew I could breathe underwater, but they didn’t know that. I mentally smiled, deciding to pull a prank on them. Twilight asked “Danny, are you going to get into your swimming gear?” “Give me a second-“ I accidently tripped and began to fall down the landing ramp that had lowered and I fell off. Twilight and Charming gasped in shock and horror and went after me. I inhaled the fresh air and hit the water in a dive. Charming and Twilight got in the water and I began to pretend that I was suffocating. I mentally felt amused when they were panicking. Charming shouted in horror “Danny, NO!!!” I opened my mouth and the bubbles began to leave my mouth. I began to pretend to drift to an eternal sleep. I slightly opened my eyes and mentally smiled and see Charming and Twilight about to cry. Before they could, I began to laugh. They looked at me and I smiled as I began to flap my wings in the water, making me soar in the water. I came up to them after a few laps and I grinned as they looked shocked and anger. Twilight asked, shocked “How are you-“ “-Not dead? I’m a Halfa, Ghosts can breathe underwater, space, etc. I thought you knew because it is basic ghost abilities. Sorry for the show but had to do it, you should see the looks on your faces. Priceless!” I chuckled a bit more. Twilight facehoof herself for two reasons. The first reason on why she didn’t know that. The second reason was because she remembered Discord saying those same words when he took away her horn when he wasn’t reformed. “Anyway, we should get going. It was fun while it lasted.” Charming admitted “I’ll admit, that was pretty funny.” “Well, let’s get moving. The longer we wait, the stronger Harkon grows.” They nodded and we began to proceed. I decided to follow, not caring what was going to happen. Meanwhile in Dimhollow Crypt, located somewhere near the Crystal Empire… I was walking the darkness of the place. I had sent a clone of me to accompany Charming and Twilight so I can retrieve Serana first. I was with Rainbow, Nightlight, Night Watch, and Echo. We were walking into what looked like a giant cavern but kept low into the shadows. We got to the bottom of the stairs where we see some Vamponies looking at some sort of ancient ritual circle. I motion my companions and they nodded. We pulled out our blasters, ready for action. When I signal to fire, we pulled the triggers and we shot them dead. The Vamponies fell to the floor and we began to approach the ritual circle. Rainbow said “We found it, now what?” “Now, we release Serana…” I approached the center and activated the center devise and a spike popped out of it and hit my hoof. I cried out in pain but it was short lived when purple energy began to radiate from the center and goes to a line. I licked my wound and the wound healed up instantly. Vampony Saliva heals wounds faster. “Now to solve the puzzle.” I began to move the alters that made the glow expand. When I finished, a coffin-looking thing rose from the ground and opened, a vampony fell out but managed to recover. The Vampony was light red, Black mane and tail, black bat-like wings, blood red eyes, fangs with her teeth, and her CM was rose but the flower was more blood red. On her back was some sort of golden scroll. She got up and opened her wings wide. She looked at me and I looked with the same evenness. Serana asked “Unh…where is…who are you? Who sent you here?” “My name is Danny Eclipse, Son of Princess Luna or Nightmare Moon and King Sombra. I believe you remember my mother?” I replied. Serana said “Nightmare Moon…haven’t heard that name for so long…” “I came here with my clan; The Lunar Clan. We represent Luna and Nightmare’s Crescents of the night and are Vamponies. Me and my wife are royalty and headmasters of the clan. The other three are our Clan Warriors. Now, I have you and the Elder Scroll.” Serana asked “Are you with my father?” “We are not loyal to Harkon’s Command. I outrank that Vampony but he tries to assassinate me to gain power. Where do your loyalties lie, Serana?” Serana replied “I’m not sure yet. Let me reunite with my Father and I will judge him for myself.” “Whatever helps you sleep at day…” We began to walk back to the outside world. My clone was in the war room with Gial Ackbar. We were working on the offensive plan to take the Capital of the Argonian Empire. We were interrupted when the door opened and we see King Lee-Char, Charming, and Twilight come in. Charming asked “How goes the war plan?” Ackbar replied “We have figured out a way we may win.” “Here is the plan. My agents inside the place has reported that security is tight and secure but they do have some weaknesses. So, my forces are going to draw the Argonians’ attention and we will strike them where it hurts. Ackbar and I are going to lead an underwater offense with my vast army of Aqua Droids and etc. While we got their attention, Charming will lead the offensive to the landing platforms on the surface. Rainbow, Lightning, Light, and Rainbine will lead a fighter assault to help and provide support to the Bombers on their bombing run. The bombers will target the Proton Cannons that are on the landing platform. When those cannons are offline, Charming will lead the assault by landing new dropships that I had stolen from the Lunar Wars. It is called an “C-9979 landing craft”. It can carry armies on them and will help us mobilize a large army against them. Charming will lead the army against the Argonians. Our Trident-class assault ships will attack when the city is under attack. Three separate boarding teams will deployed, being led by three separate commanders: Soundwave, Onslaught, and General Grievous.” I explained the plan to them. Charming asked “Who’s General Grievous?” “The, soon to be, Supreme Commander of the Phantom Consortium’s Military Forces. You will recognize him on sight Charming, I promise you that.” Charming said, unsure “If you say so…” “Anyway, they will help secure the Capital. When the Capital is secure, we will be one step closer to Harkon.” Charming said “Seems to me that the Capital is as good as ours.” “Now, we must prepare our forces.” We all nodded and we began to return to our nations to prepare our forces. Later… I arrived to my hidden lab under my house and I was holding a shard of Dark Energon that I managed to get my grasped on. Calamitous was laying on a table and I smiled as I ready the shard to stab his chest into. I stabbed it into the chest of the great general and the shard instantly absorbed into the dead body. The body began to glow purple before a purple light flashed. Thank goodness that the doors and windows were closed, so the light didn’t leak out. When the light dimmed, I looked and smiled. The long dead general was alive! Calamitous was looking around his surroundings with his, now purple, slit eyes. The Decepticon Logo was on his shoulder armor and a small symbol was on his chest armor. He looked at me and I smiled. “Dark Energon, the blood of Unicron, was the source that brought you back from the dead, General Calamitous. However, I think a new name is required for your ‘reborn’. You shall be known as General…Grievous.” Grievous asked in anger “Where is Charming Thunder?” “My brother is no longer your concern.” I quickly tapped his forehead and he felt newfound loyalty towards his creator, me. Grievous said “Yes…of course, milord. What shall happen to me now?” “A battle is approaching and we must ready for it. You will be leader of the Imperial Legion. Your forces are just Imperial soldiers, a new design of armor that can rival the Equestrian Empire Soldier Armor. Get to work immediately, the attack will be soon.” Grievous replied “Yes, milord. Do I have a starfighter?” “A new Fury-class Imperial Interceptor for you.” Grievous replied “Understood.” “Go to work immediately…” Grievous kneeled to me and left immediately. I smiled darkly, knowing things are about to change for the better.