• Published 29th Jan 2014
  • 7,718 Views, 607 Comments

Baen of Equestria - CrypticMetaphor



A warrior from an Equestria of the past awakens in the current Equestria

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XLI

Baen slept soundly that night, though he did dream. They were happy little things, memories of past events and the like. He smiled in his sleep as he remembered his first kiss with Coco but then a small noise roused him from his sleep. He slowly opened one eye and saw a sight that greatly surprised him.

“Twilight?” He sat up slowly, “why are you awake this late?”

“I can’t sleep,” she rubbed her eyes slightly, “I’m just thinking about tomorrow.”

Baen nodded, “About Olf’Ric.”

Twilight nodded slowly as she walked into the room and seated herself beside Baen on the floor. He frowned slightly and shook his head.

“None of that,” he pat the spot beside him, “sit up here.”

Twilight smiled slightly and obliged, though she paused, “Um….”

Baen chuckled, “Its fine, and you’re my friend and Blood Sister. I’d never try anything.”

Twilight smiled as she sat but tilted her head with a curious look, “Blood Sister?”

Baen nodded, “It’s a tradition in my tribe, those that we viewed closer than a friend, but not a lover. We consider family,” he smiled at her, “is that a problem princess?”

Twilight gave a warm smile, “I’m touched Baen, I honestly thought when you called me sister that one time it was a spur of the moment but….I don’t know what to say,” she giggled and rubbed the back of her head, “then I guess that makes you my Blood Brother.”

Baen and Twilight sat in happy silence before Twilight broke it once more, “I just…I’m worried Baen.”

The barbarian raised an eyebrow, “Hm?”

Twilight sighed, “I worry about you…what you’re doing, what you’re going to do,” she stared at him with slightly sad eyes, “I just don’t want to lose you.”

Baen yawned but gave her a reassuring pat on the back, “Trust me Twilight, I can handle this,” she did not look convinced, “Twilight…just don’t worry. Please, for me?”

Twilight glanced at Baen’s warm smile and nuzzled him lightly, “Just be careful tomorrow alright?”

Baen hugged her softly, “Of course, now, let’s get some sleep.”

Twilight turned to rise from the bed but he stopped her, “You can sleep here if you wish, I’ll keep my cold hooves off you.”

Twilight blushed but muttered a quick, “Thank you.”

Both ponies laid down on either side of the bed, keeping clear of the other as they both drifted off to sleep. Wary of what tomorrow would bring.

*

Baen’s eyes snapped open as he sat straight up, glancing around, Twilight had long since departed. Stretching out his limbs, he cracked his neck and hauled his plot out of bed and into his armor. Shrugging the last bit of sleep from his body, he trudged down the hall to the dining hall. He noticed that Cadance, Shining, and the girls were all seated. It seemed the food had yet to be served, smiling he seated himself at the table and stared in front of himself at his empty plate.

“So I’m thinking two things. One,” he gestured to the group, “you all ate breakfast already and are playing a joke on me or two, I’m right on time.”

Shining shrugged, “Sorry we’ve been sworn to secrecy.”

Rainbow Dash leaned over to Baen, “Besides, do you think we’d prank you with food? Please, only amateurs do that for the first prank.”

Baen smirked and turned his head as the kitchen doors opened. Pinkie Pie strangely was dressed as the chef carrying platters of…waffles?

“Who wants,” she whipped around and dramatically proclaimed, “WAFFLEEEEES?”

Everypony raised a hoof a she placed them out and then put down a syrup container and a smaller plate with a brick of butter atop it. Baen smiled as Twilight levitated the syrup to him with a polite smile on her face. Baen tapped his chin as she gently started pouring the sweet topping on the waffles, halting when he gave her the hoof signal to do so.

“Ah waffles,” he munched on a small piece and squeed, “the food of kings.”

Cadance giggled, “Did you just squee?”

Baen choked slightly and blushed hard as he crossed his forelegs, “N..no I didn’t! You can’t prove anything!”

Rarity pointed teasingly at him, “Oh come now darling, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Everypony does it.”

Baen scrunched his face and looked away, “Not I, a warrior never squee’s.”

Shining smirked, “Aw girls, I think we wounded his little pride.”

Baen shot him a look and pointed a hoof at him, “Don’t make me come over there!”

Everypony laughed as Baen decided to angrily eat his waffles, but couldn’t help but crack up a little inside. The girls, princess, prince, and barbarian ate in silence. It was indeed obvious to all of them that they were avoiding the one subject that they l knew was coming that morning at some point. The Black Demon loomed on the horizon; the constant threat of him appearing was evident. After their meal, Baen looked over to Twilight who refused to meet his gaze. He could tell she was troubled; they were on the edge of another battle that could take many lives.

Pinkie raised an airhorn and blew it hard scaring the senses out of everyone.

“Sorry,” she smiled apologetically, “I just couldn’t stand the silence anymore, plus I think the author is running out of words to describe today.”

Baen took on a somber expression as all eyes fell on him, “I realize you’ll all try and stop me. But I must face Olf’Ric. If he continues to live, the risk for Malachi’s release will only grow.”

“That’s why I’m going with you.”

Baen turned his head with everypony else and stared at Shining who sitting quite tall.

“Shining,” Baen said slowly with a mild look of concern, “I can’t let you come with me, you’re too important to this kingdom.”

“Which is why, and I know for a fact because of this,” he glanced at Cadance who’s forelegs were crossed and wore a very unamused expression on her face, “I will be sleeping on the couch.”

Cadance added quickly, “For a week.”

“But, Baen, as a guest in my kingdom and as its prince,” he stood and cracked his neck, “I’m ordering you to escort me too and from the battle.”

Baen sighed in both annoyance and defeat, “Alright….your highness.”

Shining smiled with satisfaction while the barbarian’s merely shook his head.

*

Soon after the meal’s conclusion, Baen and Shining stood near the border to the tundra barrier. Baen watched the roaring blizzard before him as Shining reassured his wife that he would be fine.

“I just don’t want to lose you Shiny,” Cadance embraced her husband and kissed his cheek as he chuckled.

“It’ll be fine honey, besides,” he gestured to Baen, “I have a barbarian escorting me.”

“AGAINST HIS WISHES!”

Shining shook his head as he pat Caliburn, which he had strapped to his barrel, “Trust me everypony. This fight is in the bag.”

Pinkie lifted up a burlap sack, “This one?”

Everypony chuckled but turned their attention to the tundra once more as Shining donned his snow gear and nodded to his friend.

“Let’s save The Crystal Empire!” Baen cited proudly.

Both ponies then charged out into the cold unforgiving blizzard. The two stallions glanced around, utterly blinded by the snow. Even though one was accustomed to weather such as this and the other was well prepared, it mattered not. Their journey took them far into the tundra until Shining stopped Baen. Pointing, the barbarian took note of the massive fissure before him and held his breath.

“IS THIS WHERE YOU FOUGHT HIM,” Baen yelled over the wind.

“YEAH, HE CAME RIGHT OUT OF THIN AIR AND JUST,” he made a clapping gesture with his front hooves for emphasis, “BOOM!”

Baen shivered lightly and looked around for cover and noticed a cave, “COME ON, WE’LL CONTINUE THE SEARCH WHEN THE STORM DIES DOWN!”

After nodding, both stallions rushed to the cave and took refuge within the rocky cavern. Shining shivered as her removed his goggles, his teeth chattering rapidly, Baen shook his head and looked around the cavern. Thankfully he discovered some discarded wood and stacked them in a pile before nodding to Shining Armor. Shining, taking the hint fired a small blast of fire into the wood igniting it. Shining squeed as he sat in the warm glow, but his content smile vanished when he looked at Baen. He could see his friend was troubled, not just by the way he sat, but by the way he gazed into the fire…almost sadly.

“Hey Baen…is everything alright?”

Baen glanced up, “Huh? Oh…it’s nothing. I was just…, thinking.”

“About what?” Shining asked with mild concern.

Baen inhaled shakily, “Shining….do you have a dream?”

Shining blinked for a moment, “Well of course! Everypony has a dream,” he smiled and looked into the embers with a happy expression, “My dream is to have a family with Cadance and raise our foal in a peaceful Equestria.”

Baen smiled warmly at Shining and nodded, but then they both heard something that caused them to draw their weapons at the door. However, both of them lowered their weapons and stared in disbelief. Twilight and the girls entered the cave, the stallions were not amused.

Shining advanced on them, “Twilight, what are you doing out here? I thought we told you to stay behind.”

Twilight nodded but shrugged as the girls trotted into the cave, “Well Cadance was worried about you,” she smiled at Baen who was staring at her evenly, “and I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t worried about the both of you.”

Shining shook his head but gave his sister a reassuring pat as he escorted her to the fire, “Well, I can’t say that I wasn’t worried about leaving you all at the Crystal Empire.”

Twilight smiled warmly as she joined the group at the fire, Rarity laying out a blanket before she sat, “So, what are we talking about?”

Baen looked to the side, “Oh…just dreams.”

Twilight’s eyes lit up, “Oh really?”

“Heh, I already have a dream,” Rainbow Dash laid back slightly, “I’m going to be the greatest Wonderbolt of all time.”

The girls just looked at her and she sighed, “Well…actually. When I was a young filly,” she scratched the back of her head awkwardly, “I always wanted to teach young Pegasus fillies to fly.”

Applejack smiled, “Wow Dash, that’s surprisingly modest of you.”

Rainbow Dash blushed lightly as she pointed a hoof at the smirking apple mare, “Don’t go spreading it around, I have an image to uphold you know!”

Applejack raised her hooves, “I ain’t sayin nothin.”

“Alright then AJ,” Rainbow nudged her, “What’s your dream?”

Applejack took her hat off and glanced at it lovingly, “To take care of the farm and keep it in the family,” some tears welled up in her eyes, “just like my ma and pa did.”

Everypony nodded in respect for the blonde mare’s dream.

Fluttershy raised a hoof, “Um…I have a dream if anypony wants to hear it.”

All eyes were on her as she shrunk slightly. Twilight however gave her a reassuring nod which boosted her courage slightly.

“Well, my dream is to open an animal shelter for lost and abandoned critters,” she smiled dreamily, “where they’ll be adopted into a nice home and cared for.”

Rainbow raised a hoof, “Uh…Flutters, you kind of already do that.”

Fluttershy blinked, “Oh you’re right…can I have a do over?”

Baen smiled, “Why? It’s good that you’ve achieved your dream Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy squeed as Pinkie cleared her throat.

“Well my dream is…”

Shining chuckled, “To make the whole world smile and have fun?”

Pinkie ran straight to him and stared into his eyes, “STOP READING MY MIND!”

Everypony laughed as Twilight cleared her throat.

“Well everypony,” Twilight smiled as she looked at everyone, “the only dream I have is to be a fair princess and to live a long and happy life with my loved ones,” she tilted her head and gazed into the calming flames, “and my friends.”

Everypony smiled, touched by the sentiment, until all eyes fell on Baen.

Twilight smiled warmly, “What about you Baen, do you have a dream?”

Baen’s smile dropped as he glanced to the side. The group tilted their heads in both concern and confusion at the barbarian’s reaction. The barbarian shuffled a little uneasily as he looked at them all.

“Honestly….,” Baen said quietly, “I don’t have one.”

Before anypony could say another word, a distant explosion was heard. Quickly rushing outside, the group looked down and stared on in horror. A massive beast was smashing at the barrier to the Crystal Empire. They could clearly tell this was indeed Olf’Ric; the horns were indeed a dead giveaway. The ponies stood frozen in place as Olf’Ric continued to smash at the barrier and one thought circulated through their minds.

“HOW IN THE HAY DID THAT THING GET PAST US?!”

And Rainbow Dash addressed the thought immediately.

Baen was racking his brain for any ideas as to tackle this foe, but his thoughts were falling short. Twilight was also visibly wracking her brain for some sort of solution. Shining looked frantically from his city to the demon and trembled in mild fear. But then he looked to his side and saw Baen, whose face was one of concentration and determination. Baen’s eyes met his, and then they both nodded and unsheathed their weapons and stepped forward. They broke into a gallop as the girls gave chase. After a good while, they came to a stop and saw just how much they were dwarfed by the second eldest demon.

Olf’Ric lifted his head and slowly turned from the barrier, “Who appears before me.”

Shining Armor stepped forward and raised Caliburn, “I am Shining Armor, crown prince of the Crystal Empire and Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard,” he leveled his sword with Olf’Ric, “and I will not let your shadow darken my empire monster.”

Baen stood beside his friend and nodded with the same resolve, “Your other brothers have been slain Olf’Ric, you shall not release Malachi!”

Olf’Ric’s azure eyes flashed dangerously, “You,” his tone was as cold as the ice under the ponies hooves, “You slayed my brothers.”

Baen nodded, “Ai, I did. But not without some help.”

Olf’Ric’s eyes burned hot as he glared down at Baen and the ponies. Their very presence irked him. The light they bled, the presence they gave off, he despised it. His entire being trembled in rage, these lowly vermin slayed his beloved brothers, worse yet they dared to impede his mission.

“You heroes are all the same,” Olf’Ric seethed, “and that is what angers me the most."

The ponies readied themselves as Olf’Ric’s very stare seemed to burn them, “You think your ideals are the things that can give you strength. FOOLISHNESS! The only true ideal, nay, the only absolute, is power,” he clenched his fist then opened it revealing the fog, “with power, one can control, one can conquer, one can rule.”

Baen, Shining, and the girls readied themselves as the fog stretched out and formed into a solid black serrated sword as big as a tower. Letting loose a mighty roar, the black demon whipped around and brought his sword crashing down upon the barrier. The dome cracked and shattered like glass as he then took a mighty swing toward the ground. But the swing never hit its mark, a blast of blue energy plowed into the back of the monster causing it to stumble. Turning around, it swung its mighty sword once more. Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Twilight took to the sky while the others dropped to the ground. Applejack losing a few hairs on her tail, much to her chagrin, but she shrugged it off and the ponies scattered. Baen ran between the beast’s legs, slashing at its armored hide, his Wrath aura burning bright. The sparks that flew illuminated the dark snow covered tundra for an instance as all parties attempted to bring down the goliath but with little success.

Baen glanced to Shining who rushed him, ducking low; Shining hopped on Baen’s back and leapt into the air. Twilight flew down and quickly grasped her brother in her telekinesis and carried him further up the beast and released him. Like a white and blue missile, Shining flew straight at the beast’s head. Swinging Caliburn around in a circle, a massive blast wave hit Olf’Ric clear in the eyes. The black demon howled in rage and whirled his hand round and into the airborne unicorn. Shining let out an ‘oof!’ And he was sent flying. Thinking quickly, Twilight and Rainbow Dash flew down and plucked him from his path and placed him quickly on the ground.

Twilight came to her brother’s side as he flinched, “Are you alright Shining?”

“I’m fine.”

Rainbow looked up as Olf’Ric swiped at the others who were only further angering the beast, “Jeez, this guy is unstoppable! I mean how do we even take down something this big?!”

Twilight was panicking, “I’m not sure, I mean with Yol’Gin we took him by surprise when Cheerilee attacked,” she started frantically looking for Baen who was only limited to attacking Olf’Ric’s legs, “there has to be something we can do….”

Twilight’s eyes scanned the horizon and the surrounding area. All sound was muffled as her mind switched into overdrive, variables, plans, and formula’s ran through the mare’s head as she continued to formulate a plan. Olf’Ric pulled his hand away from his head to reveal a nice sizable gap in his eye area. A small light bulb went off in her head as she looked from side to side….then her vision settled on the Crystal Palace. The pieces fell into place immediately.

“THAT’S IT!”

Shining and Rainbow stared at Twilight in surprise at her outburst and said as one, “What’s it?”

Twilight pointed to Olf’Ric’s chink, “All we have to do is get somepony up there and exploit that gap in his armor,” she then pointed to the palace, “If we do that, we should be able to defeat him.”

Shining looked to the palace then too Olf’Ric, “Who’d be reckless enough to even attempt to get up that high? They could be crushed.”

Rainbow Dash then hollered across the battlefield, “YO! BAEN!”

Baen turned his head as Dash pointed to the chink then the palace; she nodded with a determined smile. Baen returned it as he turned from his attacks on Olf’Ric’s legs and headed toward the group.

“So we need to get up high,” Baen glanced at the palace, “Ehhhhh, I’m not sure if we should Twilight. Remember the last time we used a palace to get an edge on a Harbinger?”

Twilight pulled him forward, “IT WON’T BE LIKE THE LAST TIME!”

Shining raised an eyebrow, “What happened?”

Baen shrugged, “Well if you’re sure.”

“WHAT HAPPENED?!” Shining was looking between the two frantically.

The girls joined the group as Olf’Ric’s attention turned to the empire now that the attacks had stopped. He started stomping toward it, his sword transforming into the same flail weapon that Shining had been almost crushed by. Olf’Ric spun it and brought it down hard on a section of the empire, a massive explosion erupted skyward as debris rained down. The ponies’ eyes shrank as they rushed toward the empire, the location and plan on their minds. Twilight filled the rest of the girls in on the plan.

“So what you intend to do to Baen,” Rarity said through pants of breath, “is send him up a castle tower to almost certain death?”

Twilight nodded quickly, “What other option do we have?”

Pinkie Pie pulled out a massive flip notepad, “Well we do have the Trojan cow….”

The ponies’ shook their heads as they continued to run through the tundra which soon transitioned into the crisp green grass of the Crystal Empire. Or it would be if it wasn’t being trampled by a massive titan of a creature. Olf’Ric was hurling his flail in multiple directions, buildings falling and shops being reduced to splinters. The group was thankful that the evacuation had taken place before hand, but if they didn’t act soon, there would be no empire to return too. Soon they reached the main square just outside the palace and gazed up as Olf’Ric rounded the corner and came to a halt, his azure eyes burning bright as he glared in utter hate at the ponies.

Shining leaned over to Twilight, “Get Baen to the top of the tower. We’ll hold him here.”

Twilight gazed at her brother in worry, but eased when she felt an armored hoof on her shoulder, “He’ll be alright Twilight,” Baen gave a half smile, “If he’s anything like you, he’ll fight the hardest he can.”

Twilight smiled at the barbarian but became focused as she gestured to the door, “Alright, let’s get moving! There’s not a moment to lose!”

Baen and Twilight made a break for the main doors and entered. Shining and the girls turned to face down the black demon. Olf’Ric bellowed loudly as he brought his hand back, the massive chain rattling, and he let it fly. Shining snapped his neck around to Rainbow Dash who smirked. The spectrum maned mare flew to Shining and bucked him into the air. Caliburn blazed bright as the stallion brought it cleaving through the metal. Once broken, the two halves of the flail head and chain exploded into black fog and surged toward Shining, swiping desperately at the encroaching tide; the fog seemed to glide around each swipe and sought out its target like a parasprite looking for its next meal.

Shining landed on the ground and continued to attack as best he could as the fog reared up like a mass of snakes and attempted to strike down Shining. Nearby, Olf’Ric chuckled.

Applejack growled at the beast, “What’s so funny ya monster!”

“The creature,” he pointed to Shining, “he tries to stave off ruin itself. It is futile.”

Rarity attempted to get close to Shining and magic the fog away with well-placed blasts, but the fog merely bent around each blast. Olf’Ric breathed out, and from his mouth slits more of the fog bled forth and slithered across the ground toward the ponies. They all started to back up when they noticed exactly what the fog was capable of. A small bit of the tide consumed a nearby lamp post, and when it dissipated, it was like it was never there. The ponies started to panic, but then a massive pink magic blast parted the fog. Shining was yanked from his duel, his snow gear being eaten in the process.

“Cadance?”

The princess of love kissed her husband on the cheek as she erected a massive barrier around the group, the barrier stretched out forming something similar to a flood wall. The smoke crashed into the barrier and tried to consume the magic, but each time, Cadance kept filling in the holes and stretching it out to ensure that the fog wouldn’t gain an inch. Olf’Ric growled and advanced through the fog, two serrated swords appearing into existence.

“Twilight had better hurry,” Cadance grunted as she kept her barrier up, “Because if my castle is destroyed, I will not be a happy pony princess in the next life.”

Shining added his own magic to the barrier, as did Rarity.

Rarity smiled triumphant, “We aren’t going anywhere.”

Olf’Ric stopped at the barrier and leered down at them.

Fluttershy trembled like a dead branch in a wind storm and whimpered.

*

Inside the castle, Baen was utterly exhausted as he ran up the massive flight of stairs. He panted with each step, his leg muscles aching and wanting respite. Eventually they reached the landing of the top floor and Baen collapsed in a slight heap.

“Twilight….if I ever meet this Sombra,” he panted, “I will personally draw and quarter him on each step….”

Twilight landed and helped him up, “Come on big guy, we’re almost there.”

Baen stood as she approached a window and looked down, a look of horror dawned, “Oh no!”

Baen ran to her side and looked out the window. His eyes shrank to pinpricks. Olf’Ric was looming over Princess Cadance and the group, hacking his way through a barrier that couldn’t repair itself fast enough. Baen looked from side to side then shut his eyes, opening them, they narrowed.

“Twilight do me a favor.”

Twilight looked at Baen, “What?”

Baen sighed, “Please don’t hate me for this.”

Before Twilight could ask him what he meant, Baen leapt clean through the window and started to descend toward Olf’Ric at breakneck speed. Thinking quickly and ignoring Twilight’s yells over the rushing wind, Baen unsheathed his axe and dug it into one of Olf’Ric’s horns. A loud scraping sound met his ears as he slowed his descent and landed atop the giant’s head. Looking around….he started to pound on Olf’Ric’s head, hard.

“GRAH!” The black demon swiped at the barbarian who nimbly jumped onto Olf’Ric’s hand and dug his axe into his hide.

To some, Baen would look like a red dot on a black canvas. To others….he would be called a complete moron. With Olf’Ric’s attention diverted, the fog started to disperse.

Cadance glanced up, “What is he doing?”

Applejack smiled, “Givin us an exit plan.”

The ponies started to back up as the battle continued to rage. Baen acting like an annoying flea to Olf’Ric, of which only angered the demon more. Olf’Ric raised one hand and blasted Baen with his fog. The sudden change of tactics startled the barbarian resulting in him losing his footing, Baen plummeted toward the ground. Preparing his body for impact, it never came. He felt himself plucked out of the sky. Looking up, he smiled at the smiling face of Cadance as she deposited him on the ground.

“Are you alright?”

Baen nodded, “I’m fine,” he looked to Shining, “take the girls and get inside now. I’m going to use Ruination.”

Applejack ran up to him as Olf’Ric started to advance, “Now hold on a moment there sugarcube. Twilight told us what happens when you use that ability of yers,” she raised a hoof, “plus you’ve already used yer Wrath two times today.”

Twilight appeared in a flash, “Exactly,” Baen looked at her, “You’re not strong enough Baen, let us handle it from here,” her gaze became downcast, “If you use Ruination in your current condition you run the risk of…”

Baen placed a hoof on her mouth and smiled, “Hey this is me we’re talking about here. I’m too stubborn to die.”

Baen stepped forward as Olf’Ric brought his sword down toward them, Baen stood on his hind hooves and raised his front ones. His armor glowing red as the sword made impact. Everypony held their breaths as the smoke cleared. Olf’Ric’s eyes widened in shock as Baen held his sword firmly between his forehooves. Roaring like the monster before him, Baen hurled the sword sharply to the side and ran up the flat of the blade, unsheathing his axe and hacking brutally at the beast’s arm. Flesh and metallic shell pieces fell as Olf’Ric roared in agony. Baen reached the Black Demon’s shoulder and leapt straight at its face. Both beasts’ roared in defiance as the blade of Baen’s axe cleaved clean through the metal and out the other side. Olf’Ric’s head crashing into the ground as his body broke apart and turned to fog.

Baen landed on the ground, his armor reverting to normal as Olf’Ric’s head rolled around to face them.

Baen pointed his hoof at them, “And that’s how I roll.”

Twilight and the ponies hugged their friend, but froze when they heard it. The airy laughter of a dying creature.

Glancing at the severed head of Olf’Ric, his eyes stared right back at them, “You fools, you think you have won the day….you have won nothing…..”

Twilight narrowed her eyes, “What are you talking about?”

Olf’Ric wheezed for a moment before his eyes flared, “That fissure you found….unlike my brothers…..I made sure to complete my task before you arrived…..”

Baen’s eyes shrank, “No….that’s impossible.”

Olf’Ric chuckled deeply, “The seal has weakened…..my dearest brothers…..I shall be with….you…..soooon. Eldest Brother……we leave this world….to….yo…..”

Olf’Ric’s head broke apart and joined his body, flesh, and weapons in oblivion.

Soon, a section of ground opened up as the Crystal Ponies emerged from underground. Unknown to many ponies, underneath the Crystal Palace are a series of deep tunnels. Originally used for mines during Sombra’s reign, they had been converted into a network of emergency shelters. The ponies looked around at their home but noticed the day had been won and cheered none the less. As they cheered, Baen wobbled slightly, a bit of sweat visible on him.

Twilight looked at Baen, “Are you alright,” her eyes widened, “Baen, your pale!"

Baen smiled lightly, “I feel….fine….”

The barbarian fell over….motionless.

Author's Note:

God, I used to be so good at fights. I've lost my edge....

I'm sorry....