//------------------------------//
// BECAUSE MONGOLS ARE THE EXCEPTION! 
// Story: Caverns & Cutie Marks: Companion Stories 
// by TheColtTrio 
//------------------------------//

	Muscles torqued. Jaws clenched. Hoofs stamped. The throne room of the castle at the center of Gallopilli was silent as Boomer and his guard stood in the doorway, glaring venomously at the ponies standing by the throne. Amber sat on the great chair, her eyes bright with fear, but hard with fury. Twilight stood to one side, magic fizzing around her as she stared at the newcomers. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy hovered above the throne, one with a look of a aggressive displeasure etched into her features while the other winced at the tense and violent vibes within the room.
Rarity and Applejack stood on the steps below the throne, their eyes dark with disgust. Pinkie Pie was bouncing on the other side of the throne, eager to spread joy (punches) and cheer (high-yield confetti bombs). Of the ponies protecting the newly crowned ruler of Gallopilli, the three stallions on the floor before her were in the most interesting postures.
Light Patch stood on his hind legs, his warhammer resting on his shoulders as he stared lazily at Boomer. Purple Heart had both legs crossed as he leaned against the stairs leading up to the throne, his posture relaxed and unassuming. Wits End stood with his body facing the throne while his head was twisted over his shoulder, performing the obligatory head-shaft-tilt maneuver.
Silence…
Boomer took one step forward…
The ponies tensed for the coming conflict…
...Until a horn sounded in the distance.
The doors to the throne room exploded in a hail of splinters as several horses charged into the room. The sounds of a hundred and more hooves echoed through the stone room louder than thunder. Without warning the sound faded seemingly as quick as it began. The cloud of dust thrown up by the invaders quickly disappeared as they held still. Revealing a horde of horses kited for battle. Of more surprise to the gathered ponies was the tall lanky beings riding on the horse's backs.
“You horses and your pets have no place in my throne room,” Boomer said staring down the collected interlopers.
Amber and the Mane six exchanged glances between themselves unsure if they should be more worried about the hordes intentions or the strange unknown creatures that accompanied the horde.
“I’m going to ask a question,” Wits End began turning to look at his pink and brown maned friend, “and you’re going to answer it. You will do so without any smarmy comments or sarcastic notes.” the grey pegasus nodded. “Are those what I’m terrified they they might be?”
“If we’re thinking the same thing you are than yes, yes those are,” Light Patch gulped. “The Mongols.”
As if that had been a call to arms the Mongols swarmed forward engulfing Boomer and the bandit’s he’d bring with him. The nobles in the pressed against the walls as the Mongols quickly and brutally subdued Boomer and his henchponies. Barely a minute later Boomer lay slack in the grasp of two Mongol captors as their leader approached Amber’s throne.
“This usurper is yours to deal with,” he said looking at Amber, “normally we would deal with him ourselves.”
Amber gulped and nodded. “Now that you’ve dealt with him, what do you plan to do with the rest of us.” She said looking around the room at her friends and the gathered nobles.
“Normally we would offer you a chance to surrender to our rule,” Amber tensed and the royal guard prepared to fight. “But right now we wish to simply return to the world from which we came. And as such we shall be hunting for the powerful being known to us as Discord.”
“We might be of some service as we have a few qualms with Discord as well.” Purple heart spoke up.
“We certainly know enough about him.” Wits End agreed.
The mane six looked at the colt trio in horror at their willingness to go along with the strange and barbaric beings.
Light Patch circled the Mongol’s leader carefully observing him for a few minutes before sitting down with a thump and glaring up at the leader. “Why do you guys get to stay human and we get turned into ponies?” He grumbled.
The leader shrugged, “Perhaps we’re the exception?”