//------------------------------// // Chapter 23.The Crimson Terror Part 3 // Story: Tales Of An Outcast // by PrismStrike //------------------------------// The first sign that there was any trouble in the sleepy town of Appleloosa had been the sound. A mighty roar rolled down through their town turning the ear of everypony and buffalo. The next sign came as the edge of town facing towards the Macintosh Hills suddenly lit up in flames. Then it happened the quiet and peaceful town was full of screaming as ponies ran around in fear. As the townsponies ran the contingent of guards that had been placed there after the attack on the previous town ran towards the source of the blaze. Upon arriving to the scene the guards could only watch in horror as a rather large bipedal creature held a filly by her head in its crimson scaled hand. "By the authority of the crown, you are commanded to cease all hostilities and surrender" the commander of the guards calls out. Looking over at the guards the crimson creature just smiles the corners of its mouth raising slowly. "oh finally my sisters soldiers come to save the day" The creature laughs out as I closes its hand around the poor filly's head. The little pony screams only for it to be cut short by the sound of her skull being crushed by the creature. The guards all pale at the sight the creature laughing once more, the guard commander is the first to act giving out a single command "Attack!" The guards all rush forwards their weapons held at the ready. The creature just stands with its arms hung loosely at its sides. As the first guard nears it, it cocks its arm back before deliver a bone shattering blow to the guards face caving both that and its skull in almost to the back of its head. With its hand and some of its forearm planted directly into the head of said guard it uses the guards body like a club swinging it around to knock the next several guards back from their charge. "You ponies always so weak. Never a true challenge for me." The creature says with an almost bored tone of voice before giving its arm a flick sending the guards corpse into its still living allies. Several of the guards having managed to make their way around behind the creature jab at it with their spears only for its scales to deflect or block every attempt. feeling only a slightly prick in its backside the creature whips around with its muzzle wide open. Quicker than the guards can react it lets out a torrent of crimson colored fire bathing the helpless guards igniting their fur and partially melting their armor into their hides. As the guards writhe and burn on the ground the creature turns its attention back to the rest of those between it and the destruction of this town. The rest of the guards are quick to form a circle around the creature attempting to box it in. A unicorn then steps forwards into the impromtu ring, the creature simply standing there waiting as the ponies get themselves ready. "Creature you will progress no-" The unicorns statement is ended mid sentence as the creature launches itself forwards with its claws outstretched. Before the unicorn guard or any of its friends can even react the creature has the unicorn guard by its horn and is dangling it above the ground. The creature looks out over the rest of the guards its crimson eyes cold and unfeeling. "You ponies. You simple minded and weak little ponies. You have never and will never stand a chance against me but I am feeling just a tiny bit generous and so I have decided that one of you is going to live through this to report back to my sister what it is that you have seen" With its small monologue over the creature raises its other hand turning to look into the now fear filled eyes of the unicorn it is holding. With a quick jerk of its clawed fingers upwards it rends the poor ponies stomach open its claws slicing through its armor like paper. The unicorn makes a few gurgling sounds before it goes limp in the creatures hands as the ponies guts spill out onto the ground. The other guards looks all turn to absolute terror as they realize that they are probably not going to survive through this. One of the pegasi in the group a fairly new recruit has his fear get the better of him as he drops his spear and turns tail to run. the moment it is in the air though it feels something extremely hot connect with its flank before it is blown from the air as a fireball connects with the guards backside. The guard drops from the air with a thud before rolling on the ground screaming in agony as it burns to death. "I did not say any of you could leave yet though did I. I am simply not done playing with you yet." The creatures voice is once again calm with no outward signs of any actual emotion to it. "now then which of you is next" 2 Hours Later Lunch with Luna had been a fairly pleasant event. I even got to sit with her in the Princesses private dining room. After the meal which took a considerable amount of time considering my size and just how much i can eat after a physical workout. It was just as I had finished and Luna was about to lead me back to the courtyard to continue training that a guard came rushing into the dining area. "I am sorry for the intrusion Princess but there has been a development. Appleloosa has been attacked" The guard says after a quick bow to the Princess of the night. "An attack you say. Our sister must be summoned at once. Go and report to her I will go to the throne room to await her." Once the guard scurries off to go and inform the Sun Princess Luna turns her gaze to me. "Prism it would appear that I am needed. I am sorry but you will need to return to the courtyard alone" Luna's voice holds no emotion her face as stoic as her sisters. my response though almost manages to break it. "Princess, we both know that this could only be your brother. So i am sorry that i must decline and insist that I come with. If it is your brother i can then be swiftly deployed to meet him." Luna looks at me for a few minutes and i find myself almost shrinking under her gaze. "Why are you so eager to fight my brother Prism?" I look at Luna after she asks her question steeling my gaze and heart as I respond. "This land is my home. While I may not always have been welcome or accepted in it, it is still my home. I have made friends, I have made dreams and hopes. I even have found myself interested in a mare. If your brother is allowed to continue unchecked, unchallenged then I have no doubt that he will soon come to put my friends in danger perhaps even manage to kill them. I cannot and will not let that happen. Even if it should cost me my life I will protect those I have come to care for" As I speak Luna can feel my will overflowing strong as steel in my belief. My eyes while not actually aflame burn with the intensity of the sun with my need to see my friends protected and safe. My passion and determination are enough to make the Princess take pause for a moment before she speaks. "If that is how you truly feel Prism than there is no way I could possibly stop you from doing so." With a wing she motions for me to follow her to the throne room.