What happens when a small group of ten other worldly fighters warp in to Equestria? What happens when they are followed by an ancient evil chasing them across time? What happens when ponies get involved? One truly heroic story... that's what hap
Chrom and his Tactician approach the Outrealm Gate after receiving a letter indicating a new doorway has opened. Neither of the guardians knew what lay behind the gate, but Chrom was determined to gather as much aid as he could to stop the Fell Dragon Grima. How was he to know what he would unleash upon such a peaceful world?
Just informing you of a new doorway that has opened at the Outrealm Gate, I know what you are thinking and no it's not another trick to get pictures of your army wearing swim suits. I actually have no idea what's behind this one. Hubba says he foresees an ancient evil behind it, pleh. Anyways if you are interested just bring some fighters and we will get you in there!
xoxo Anna
Chrom left his tent reading the letter, his eye brow cocked as he read it over and over. The Anna family usually had been nice to him and his army. On the rare occasion had used them to turn in a profit, never at anymore expense than their privacy, but still. He was wary of the letter, so he was off to his head tactician's tent to discuss it's possibilities. As he approached the tent he heard a scream, sounded like Dan... he sighed as he folded up the tent door to find his head tactician folded up into the rafters of his tent.
"Morgan! Let me down this INSTANT!" Dan yelled. "BWAHAHAHAHA I finally got you father! I can't believe you fell for that one!" Morgan rolled on the floor, laughing her lungs out. "Yes yes, you finally got me, be it I was reading a very interesting strategy involving greased up pigs and paint and GET ME DOWN!"
Laughing at Dan's misfortune turned out to be a bigger challenge than Chrom thought. Before he realized what he was doing, a snort had crawled out of his nose and turned into a chuckle. "Oh, what are you laughing at, Chrom?" asked Dan, half-indignant. "I don't know, Dan," Chrom chuckled. "Being strung up is a good look for you." He gestured to Morgan, who stood by smugly. "Maybe we ought to let Morgan plan our next sneak attack." By this point, Dan had removed a knife from his pocket and had gone to work on the net. "That'll be the day," he mumbled with a smirk.
He plummeted down with a sudden 'oof' as he hit the dirt floor
"I hardly think she is ready just yet for that kind of responsibility." Dan replied rubbing his backside. "I was merely jesting, but you could have her help out with more plans at least." Chrom smiled at Morgan who was still grinning at her father. "I received a letter from Anna by the way." "Which Anna? oh wait... that Anna..." Dan sighed.
The very same merchant who attempted to sneak a snapshot tome at him while he bathed in a hot spring. Her and her sisters had a thing for Dan, and not the good kind of thing.
"Yeah, she claims that there was a new door opening at the Outworld Gate. Thing is, nobody knows whats behind it." Chrom stated. "Not even Hubba?" Dan asked. "He was going on about an ancient evil apparently. I think it may be worth while but..." "It could be a big risk." "Exactly, usually our trips to the Outworlds had us fighting ancient heros from ages past. Either that or trapped risen" "Ancient evil..." "Hatching a scheme?" "I say let's check it out."
An early morning in Ponyville was a beautiful thing, Twilight loved the sunrise. Probably because her own teacher personally rose the sun and carried it across the skies. Twilight was especially excited about tonight though. Her friends had planned a camp out tonight, and Twilight for once had nothing planned for the night so she was going to start reading on camping and activities that go with it. Campfires obviously, s'mores, songs, scary stories, and the one she couldn't wait for was stargazing. She loved to look at a clear night sky and find the constellations. She was incredibly excited for the night.
Rarity was busy designing the perfect dress for the night. She was not quite as excited to be sleeping outside in the filth and dirt but decided she would make due, especially with her queen size tent. Her only concern was the dress. It had to be elegant, non-negotiable, but it also had to be subtle. She needed it to match with the outdoors with both comfort and ease. After hours of work, she finally decided she had it. Now for a hat...
Fluttershy was also excited, she loved the outdoors and all the critters in it. A camping trip seemed a little scary at first but after some thought she decided it could be fun. She spent the day talking to the different animals and getting their opinions on how to have the best time in the wild. After getting advice from bears, birds, bunnies and the like, she had a pretty good idea.
Pinkie Pie was probably the most excited, nobody could control her giddiness if they tried. She was bouncing through town with a big grin on her face, nearly ramming into Applejack who was on her way to the market.
"APPLEJACK!" shouted Pinkie Pie as she bounced from a log. Applejack nearly jumped out of her skin at the greeting. "Pinkie Pie," she said, "Y'need to calm yerself d--" "APPLEJACK APPLEJACK APPLEJACK!" Pinkie Pie yelled. She continued to bounce, this time all around Applejack, chanting her friend's name at ear-piercing volume. Finally, at her patience's end, Applejack bit onto Pinkie's tail and pulled her down to earth. "Yes, sugarcube," she said dryly, "Ah b'lieve we have established it's me." "Today is the day, Applejack!" Pinkie Pie chirped, bouncing back up to all fours. "Aren't you excited?!" "Ah'm a great big ball'a jitters," Applejack said flatly. Pinkie Pie squealed and danced in place. "I'm so excited I might burst! I got a twitchy-twitch-a-twitch in my tail, a whoozly-boober in my left hind knee, a quirky-murka-durka-gurka in my mane, a hiddly-diddly-mickey-magoo in my teeth, and a wonky-honky-tonk going on in my belly!" She looked Applejack in the eyes. "You know what that means?" Applejack fought an amused grin that threatened to bend her lips into a smile. "That you need to see a doctor?" "No, silly!" Pinkie giggled. "I did that yesterday. That means we're getting visitors!" Theatrically, she waved a hoof against the backdrop. "Visitors... from beyoooooooonnnnn-n-n-n-nd." After a second, Pinkie looked back to her perplexed pony pal. "Are you feelin' it?" Applejack raised both eyebrows in quiet submission to Pinkie's insanity. "Ah b'lieve Ah'd need a wonky-honky-tonk goin' on in mah belly fer that, sugarcube," she sighed. "Say, how 'bout ya spend some of that energy helpin me out with supplies?" "Great idea! We will need confetti, streamers, Cake!" "Not those kinds of supplies Pinkie, firewood, flint, tender, trail mix, camping supplies." "Well, we can get that stuff too!" "Yeah... why do I get the feelin ah'm gonna regret this..." Applejack muttered.
Both the earth ponies spent the day gathering all the supplies needed for the night. Just above them in the sky, Rainbow Dash napped on her cloud in the sky. She was also excited about the camping trip but she was also tired from clearing the sky around the area. She has been relentlessly keeping the sky clear around the camp site for the perfect night sky view. Now she was tired and napping.
Chrom and Dan led their army to the campsite just outside the gate. Dan remembered the first time they came here, staring at the gate in awe. Now it was normal to him, taking regular trips to train troops and run scenarios against the einherjar. Both Chrom and him made their way to the gate and were greeted by Anna, the gatekeeper so to speak.
"Ah Chrom! Glad you got my letter." Anna winked, then turning her gaze at Dan. "And don't worry handsome, I don't have my snapshot tome right today."
Dan blushed as he gritted his teeth, he could feel Chrom's stare at the back of his head and could here his slight chuckle.
"Anna, I don't think you want to anger my wife... you know how she can get..." "Don't worry babe, this little fling can be..." Anna moved in closer and cuddled up to Dan's robes, "out little secret."
Dan shot back, knowing if Thar'ja happened to see this she would be relentless towards him. "I... think I will pass..."
"Well, if you ever change your mind." Anna winked, Dan was glowing red.
"Yes... well getting back on topic, you mentioned a new doorway? What do you know about it?" Chrom asked. "Well, nothing still. Every time I tried to open it Hubba just went on about his ancient evil until I backed away from the door. Just ignore the old pervert when you go through." Anna snapped "Wait a minute, who said we are going through just yet?" Dan asked, recovering from his embarrassment. "I just figured you wouldn't travel across the world just to talk to little ol' me." Anna winked again, slinging Dan back into a worried gaze for his wife. "You are right, we do intend to go through. We just hoped for a little more information before leaping into it." Chrom added. "I'm truly sorry, I just don't have anything else to tell you about it" Anna frowned. "That's quite alright, we will just have to be careful. Hopefully we can find something out of it." Dan commented, trying to sound comforting, despite the obvious worry in his voice. "AWWW! Your trying to comfort me!" Anna grinned as Dan finished. Dan turned to Chrom with a worried look on his face. "Don't look at me, I'm staying far away from this one.
Dan and Chrom went back to the camp to discuss who they wanted to bring. After spending the day discussing, they decided on ten fighters, all capable enough to hold off a massive force. Chrom Called out off the roster.
"Alright, Priam and Donnel, you two are going to be our defenders." Chrom said as Priam, a tall monster of a man, and Donnel, a small country boy, stepped forward. Both of them gripping their swords and shields. The two heros stood to the side of Chrom as he called out the next names.
"Noire and Morgan, you two work very well together being sisters so you will provide ranged support." Noire shyly approached, bow in hand as Morgan latched onto her arm and drug her the rest of the way in. They both stood by the heros, sniper and grandmaster side by side.
"Nowi, you are coming too." Nowi smiled as she skipped up to the group.
"Maribelle and Olivia, you two will be our support." The Valkyrie and Dancer also joined the group.
"And finally Lucina, I want to to join us as well." Chrom finished. "Yes Father." Lucina responded. "Think we have enough Dan?" Chrom asked. "I think it should suffice." Dan responded. "Good... Lets go."
Night fell on the Outrealm Gate, and Chrom lead his force into the gate. Anna showed them the way to the door. They walked for a few minutes until the bright blue door showed itself on the wall. Chrom stared at the door and could almost hear... singing. He approached the door but was stopped by an old man jumping in the way.
"Woah there, I wouldn't go in if I were you." The old man started. "Let me guess Hubba, ancient evil, destined to overthrow the world, death and destruction..." "No! Well, yes on the ancient evil, but it will do much worse to the world than you can imagine! I have been through and it is a very scary place..." Hubba rambled. "Whats behind the door?" Dan asked. "Horrors, horrors beyond what this old man can fathom... and not a single fine lady in sight..." "Ugh... Hubba, we are going in" Chrom sighed. "Fine, but don't say I did't warn you! Not a single lady in sight!"
Chrom discarded the ramblings and went for the door. Upon opening it, him and all his group were warped into the door way. The tunnel of blue was familiar to Chrom, it was the same way every doorway was. His entire team floated in the tunnel as it warped them forward. Suddenly it stopped, and a figure appeared before them. A small red horse with a scarlet mane stood between them.
"Hello, and Welcome to Equestria! So glad you finally decided to visit!" "Dan... Did that horse... just speak to us?" Chrom asked confused. "I think it did..." Dan responded. "Horse? Oh no, you have it all wrong. I am a pony, just like everyone here. My name is Anna!" "As in..." "Yes, I am one of the Anna Sisters! I spent so much time here though that I found a way to make myself look like the other ponies. Wicked right?" "Umm... sure? So why did the doorway open? Are these... ponies in need of help?" Chrom asked. "Wait... the door just now opened? And nobody told me it was closed!?!?" Anna's cheeks flustered. "I bet that old pervert locked it behind me! Just because he made a few moves too many and I threatened his job! UGH!" "Umm, Anna?" Chrom asked. "WHAT!?" She glared, but then snapped back to reality. "Ugh... I'm sorry, but in all seriousness I think you guys should check that out. These doors don't just open themselves, and I know that old man didnt open it..." She huffed in anger.
Chrom and Dan backed away from the steamed pony, then Dan remarked. "She is right Chrom. This could be a bad sign." "Yes, I'll rally everyone," Chrom turned to to his friends. "Everyone prepare yourselves, we contact this world really soon."
Giving Credit to a few scene fixes and further ideas in my editing to Brony_Fife who put in a rather appreciated comment. Thanks for the input bud!
(couldn't get this to show in my authors notes...)
Twilight laid out on the soft grass with her friends, a long day of preparing for a long night. She couldn't remember the last time her friends had just had fun together, the campfire stories and songs still rang in her ears softly and the s'mores sat in her full tummy. Now they all laid there staring into the night sky, searching the blank void for the different constellations.
"Is that one? I think I saw it move!" Pinkie asked, fighting the boredom of star gazing. "I didn't see anything move Pinkie," Twilight said, still staring at the sky. "But I saw it! It totally floated across the sky! I bet it was..." Pinkie shot up from the ground and stood in front of her friends as she lowered her voice to a spooky low tone. "Our visitors..."
Rainbow burst into laughter as she heard Pinkie's claim. "Pinkie Pie, I think the we would know if we were getting visitors." "Yes, quite darling. Why don;t you lay back down and relax like the rest of us?" Rarity smirked as she lay on her cushioned mat. "But I know they are coming! I had twitchy-twitch-a-twitch in my... Oh!" Pinkie gasped as a lightning bug landed on her nose. It unfolded it's wings and let out a soft yellow glow.
Twilight felt a smirk coming as she noticed the bug on her friends nose. "Looks like your visitors weren't quite from another world like you thought."
"Um Twilight... do stars get bigger?" Fluttershy softly asked, staring into the night sky. "Well, over time they can. Why do you ask?" Twilight asked, smiling that her friends seemed interested in stars. "Well... that one is... getting really... big..."
All six ponies watched in awe as a white dot appeared in the night sky. It stretched out into a bright line and unfolded into what looked like a huge eye. The pupil seemed to stare into each ponies mind. They all stood silent, well until...
"LOOK AT THAT! IT'S SO BIG AND GOOGLY!" Pinkie shouted as she bounced towards the eye. "Pinkie wait!" Twilight shouted back, but her friend was already down the hill. "HI THERE BIG EYE BALL THING! I'M PINKIE PIE AND I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO WOAH!" Pinkie's tail began to twitch uncontrollably, causing her to rush back up the hill. "Girls! I went to go see the giant eyeball thing and the wierdest thing happened! My tail twitched! But I didn't see anything fall and... whats wrong, is something spooky behind me?" "Uh Pinkie...I think our visitors are here..."
The six ponies backed up the hill as dark blots came crashing down from the eye. The creatures shambled to their two feet, in their hands were a variety of weapons. Some held axes, others swords, and more fell from behind with bows. Twilight acted fast as she lept to the front of the group, Applejack and Rainbow joining her. The creatures advanced on their position.
The light of the warp flashed in each of the humans eyes, landing on the soft ground. Chrom checked around to make sure they were all there. All nine of his friends were accounted for, and not a moment too soon. Dan grabbed his shoulder and pointed towards a hill.
"Chrom, more of the pony people, and look what's closing in on them." Dan watched as the ponies defended their hill. One of the flying ponies was making assaults on the lines while the others focused on defending their friends. He had to admire it's bravery, but flinched as he watched it fall from the air. Probably hit with an arrow. "One's hurt!"
"We need to get down there fast, Shepards, Attack!" Chrom raised Falchion in front of him, signifying the charge. From behind him came his army. Priam and Donnel charged in first as they were followed by Nowi and Maribelle, both riding on Maribelles horse. Behind them Morgan and Noire took position on a nearby boulder, showering the risen with magic and arrows.
"Look out sis!" Morgan shouted as flame erupted from the ground, incinerating a risen fighter that droped next to Noire. "I can't believe they would attack such adorable creatures like this... THEY WILL FEEL MY WRATH! BLOOD AND THUNDER!" Noire screamed as her alter ego took over. "Adda girl sis, you show em." Morgan chuckled as she charred another risen approaching their position.
Mirabelle reared her steed as a risen swordsman swung, he barely clipped the strap holding her armor on. Nowi lept off the horse at the rear, clenching her dragon stone. In a flash of light, the small frame formed a massive dragon and engulfed the swordsman in flame. Mirabelle noted the ponies up top the hill.
"Nowi, be a dear and clean up these disgusting creatures for me. I fear our friends need my aid." Maribelle scoffed as she spurred her steed through the battlefield. "Yeah! Nobody gettin passed Nowi!" The manakete enthusiastically shouted as she flayed another risen.
The risen themselves were successfully flanked on both ends as Donnel and Priam pushed them away from the ponies, slaying a good few as they pushed them towards the bulk of their army. The two heros then blocked off the path to the ponies blocking all attackers.
"You should put more force in your attacks. Remember, your blade is an extension of your arm. It is part of you!" Priam instructed as he fell two attackers. "An... extension... of... my... Ah ain't never heard it put that way before." Donnel commented as he blocked a blow with his shield. "Just pretend it's a really long finger and smack things with it!" Priam laughed as he knocked a risen in the face with his shield. "You mean... like this?" Donnel asked as he shot his sword arm out and cleaved through two risen. "Something like that." Priam chuckled, impressed by the farmer's ability.
Chrom and Lucina took position square in the middle with Dan and Nowi who were dealing with advancing risen with magic and dragons flame. The twin Falchions slicing all that came within reach.
"Remember that trick I showed you? The cool one." Chrom asked as he slashed down on an approaching risen. "Yeah, are we doing it now?" Lucina responded as she also slew another risen. "Worth a shot!" Chrom backed to Lucina and tilted Falchion down towards the ground. Lucina followed up by flipping over her fathers back and slicing down a risen in front. Chrom used the leverage and his extra weight to smash Falchion into the ground, crushing two more risen approaching.
Maribelle approached the hill, scorching risen along the way. As she reached the top of the hill she saw the group of five ponies gathered in a circle. Huddling for protection.
"Are any of you hurt? I have healing magic with me, don't fret" She stated, receiving blank stares of disbelief. She had thought they couldn't understand her until the purple one spoke.
Twilight charged her horn as the creatures approached. She thought about warning them but by their dead expressions she figured it wouldn't work. Instead she blasted the ground beneath them hoping to startle them. They remained unphased. She usually didn't enjoy resorting to violence but these things were dead bound to attack. She blasted one with her magic and it flew back. She watched as it shambled it's way back to it's feet. She didn't know what else to do. Applejack had already bucked one who got too close, but with similar results. Rainbow even took to the skies to dive bomb a few, still ineffective. What were these things? They were unreal, like a nightmare.
"Twilight look!" Rarity exclaimed as a group of bright lights amassed on the opposite side of the field. Ten or so more bipedal creatures, the light revealed weapons and armor but the darkness shrouded them. They looked just like the creatures attacking.
Twilight was charging another burst of magic when she noticed more monsters fall from the eye. The eye closed, but she was focused on the new monsters, they pulled out bows and pulled arrows. She saw the angle of the arrows and let out a terrible shout.
"RAINBOW GET DOWN!"
Before the pegasus could react, an arrow pierced one of her wings, sending her to the ground. Luckily she was flying towards them and only crashed a few meters away from the group. The five ponies moved over to defend their wounded friend. Fluttershy hugged to the back, too terrified to deal with the fight. Twilight looked back up in time to see the monsters with bows fall to the ground in a burst of smoke. Arrows planted in the ground where the monsters heads would have landed. She watched as the lumbering monsters were cleaved in two by two larger shadowed creatures. The monsters retreated towards the field where Twilight saw a display of flashing lights slicing and cutting any monsters who got close enough. Those farther away were consumed by fire from nowhere. She was about to turn to her friend when a massive pony rode towards them, one of the creatures on it's back. The creature spoke.
"Are any of you hurt? I have healing magic with me, don't fret?" It said with a refined feminine accent, the six ponies stood there speechless for a few seconds before Twilight approached. "My friend, Rainbow, she is hurt." "Don't worry darling, I will take care of her." The creature said as she climbed down from the pony. "Rainbow, such a lovely name. You may call me Maribelle." She said as she held her staff out. Magic shone from it's head and covered Rainbow in light. After a few seconds in the light, Rainbow got up and shook her head. "I... I feel... great! What was that?" Rainbow asked. "Just a little healing magic, It's kind of what I do." Maribelle said as she remounted her steed and pulled a book from it's saddle bag. "Now be the adorable darlings you are and keep your heads down. A lady has work to do."
The ponies watch as Maribelle covered the field ahead in flames, killing any remaining monsters climbing the hill. The battle lasted only a few minutes more before the creatures cleared out the monsters. Twilight and her friends stood behind Maribelle as they watched two others approach. One was tall, with a long elegant sword. The other shorter, in a robe with a book. Twilight still felt uncomfortable.
With the last of the risen slain, Chrom and Dan made their way to the ponies on top of the hill. Maribelle had ensured their safety but they still needed to contact them. The clouds of dead risen were clearing but they still left a haze on the battlefield. Dan counted six ponies huddled behind Maribelle. He was hoping they were friendly, especially considering their situation. They seemed so... unprepared for the risen, it was as if this land had not seen the likes of them before. He supossed that was very possible. He turned his head to Chrom who was keeping pace beside him.
"Chrom, those... ponies... didn't seem like they had the slightest clue how to defend themselves against the risen. No sentries, no soldiers, nothing. In fact... I think they were camping out here." Dan pointed out. "Meaning... this was probably a first encounter?" Chrom responded. "Yes, I think so. My only question is why Grima would send them here. Maybe that ancient evil Hubba mentioned?" "Perhaps they were rogue, it's not unheard off." "No, those risen were organized. Combat ready. Every instance we fought rogue factions of risen, they either showed immense cowardice or immense brutality. Both easy to counter. These were attacking in pattern." "Yes, I noticed. So you think Grima sent them here for something." "I would be willing to bet on it, but for now we have our hosts to greet."
The two humans peaked the hill and joined Maribelle and the six ponies. Chrom stepped forward and observed them. He recognized the purple one as the one blasting risen down the hill. The light from her magic illuminated her and the orange one kicking. He tried to spot the flying one who got shot but both pegasi in the group of six were well. None with noticeable wounds. Maribelle must have taken care of that. Chrom spoke.
"Are you all ok? I'm sorry you had to experience such a battle." He said in his calm soothing voice. Dan had heard it on occasion, usually when he was consoling young ones he found in the ruins of a village. "Y-yes... Your friend protected us from the monsters very effectively" the purple pony answered. "Good" Chrom noticed the yellow pegasus curled up, and he heard the sobs. A blue pegasus was comforting her, but she wasn't showing improvement. Chrom took it upon himself to kneel down to their level and placed a hand on the pegasus's shoulder.
"Hey there, everything is ok now. The bad guys are gone. You're safe." The yellow pegasus looked up from the ground and stared into Chrom's eyes, then nodded. Tears still spilling from her eyes, she managed to stand up with the rest of her friends. "T-thank you..." She whispered softly. Chrom smiled. "You don't need to thank me, Shepards protect the sheep from the wolves. It's what we do." "Excuse me, I don't mean to sound ungrateful but how did you get here? And in time to save our lives? And above that, who are you?" the purple one asked. "Ah yes, I am Chrom of Ylisstol. Not that that means anything here. This is Dan, my tactician for this small army. As for how we got here in time to save you, I'm afraid that can only be explained by fate or luck. Either way, we are here. Now what may I call you and your friends?" "Well, I'm Twilight." "And I am Rarity, a pleasure to meet such well mannered creatures." "A'm Applejack, and yeah, pleasure to meet ya." "I'm Rainbow, and this is Fluttershy." "And I'm Pinkie Pie! Oh my gosh girls I TOTALLY CALLE -Grrk-" Her statement was interrupted by the orange pony's hoof shoved in her mouth. "A'h appologize, she gets rather... excited 'round strangers." "Trust me... I know the feeling..." Chrom sighed. "Well, I see you all are safe, do you need an escort to watch over as you head home or do you feel confident to go it alone?" "Well, we know the way back to Ponyville but what of you? Surely you don't intend to camp out here after a fight like that." Twilight asked. "It wouldn't be the first time. We will be fine." "UN-Acceptable! You heros saved our lives and I will not allow such a noble act to go unrewarded. Come along with us to Ponyville." Rarity demanded. "No really, It's fi..." Chrom was interrupted this time by a hand over his mouth. "We would be glad to accept you're accommodations. At the very least we could camp outside your town to give it added security." Maribelle insisted, then turning to Chrom. "You never turn down an offer from a lady, I don't care what species she is. It's is unethical and just rude."
Chrom stared into Maribelles fiery eye's and finally had to look away. He hated when she got that way, but alas... she always wins.
"Alright alright, you proved your point. Dan, gather everyone. We are headed out."
The six ponies trotted ahead, followed by the crowd of humans behind them. The six whispered with each other, trying to figure out the new comers. Almost all of them wielded weapons of war, those that didn't either held books or nothing at all. The little girl with them especially. Twilight could have sworn she saw her shape shift into a dragon at one time.
"So... what do y'all think of these guys?" Applejack asked. "Well, I find them rather inviting. After all they did save our lives." Rarity answered. "I don't know Rarity, yeah we would be done for sure without them. It is just strange how they just appeared right as the monsters came. And how quickly they dispatched them, these guys know how to fight." Twilight added. "Uh duh, I thought that was why we were bringing them? to protect Ponyville?" Rainbow scoffed. "Yes, they would be suitable defenders but for how long? Surely they would have greater concerns than protecting us." Twilight spoke again. "I-I like them... The one with blue hair... He was so nice." Fluttershy spoke up. Twilight looked at Fluttershy who held her face to the ground blushing. She glanced at the rest of her friends who all had mixed faces. Finally she sighed. "We will see. I want to get a feel for them before jumping to conclusions." Twilight continued. "Ugh... I just wanted a nice camping trip..."
The other five ponies were in agreement to keep an eye on the new comers, they also agreed it could wait until tomorrow. Late tomorrow. Twilight still kept an eye on the humans behind her.
"They are muttering about us." Chrom began, eyeing the ponies in front of them. "Yes, but what would you do? Better yet, what did you do when you found me?" Dan responded, head deep in one of his magic tomes. "Good point, maybe these ponies will be as open as I was after we warm up to them. We will need their help to find out why Grima is interested in this world." Chrom stretched his arms and yawned. "I hope it's soon..." "Yeah, I'm trying to think. Maybe I know what it is... considering..." Dan's countenance was low at the thought. "You are not him, just because he says it doesn't make it true." Chrom placed a hand on his best friends shoulder to comfort him. "I am him Chrom, if it were me who took the sacrifice on the alter then Grima would still have been reborn. It's in my blood..." Dan sighed. "I'm sorry, I know you mean well... but this is still affecting me. I will be fine after some time."
Chrom and Dan led the army towards the town in the distance. The night was long and everyone was tired from the battle. The sooner they got to this town, the sooner they could set up camp. In the mean time, Chrom admired the view of the land. For once he could look out over the land and not see smoke from a nearby village, or brigands attacking a family. He wanted this peace for Ylisstol, he wanted it for everywhere, but for now he was glad to see it here.
This land is so pretty, Olivia thought in her head. She had snuck out from camp one night, as she usually does, to practice her steps but instead finds herself momentarily amazed by the landscape. She stood on a hill that on one side overlooked a huge apple orchard, but on the other side gave an amazing view of the forests of this land. After gazing at the landscape she decided to get back to dancing. She found a nice clearing in the woods behind her, so she set her sword down by a tree. She would usually not carry it if Chrom wasn't so insistent she keep it for protection.
Olivia's hands clasped around the drape of her outfit, her legs relaxed as the wind blew in her hair. She felt as if the land was setting her up for the greatest show of her life. The wind rustled the leaves from the trees above, she imagined them to be showering her with confetti for her dance. Her legs relaxed as they lifted her body into the air, her arms gently flowed through the breeze, the drape following behind in her hands. Twisting her legs to spin the drape around and across her body. Once again her legs lifted her into the air as she flew the drape above her. To finish the dance, she ran a hand up her waist and across her breast and bowed to the night.
After the dance was complete, she did it more times over, unaware of the audience she was attracting. Many woodland critters had taken seats in the trees and watched as the human danced in the night. They awed as the moonlight struck her silky smooth skin and radiated the light across her body. Another viewer of the dance was also amazed. The little yellow pegasus was mesmerized by the humans dance, and was equally in awe of the grace such a creature could have. She remembered when her friend had her be on stage as a model and how embarrassed she was, yet here was this human boldly displaying herself in a beautiful way. The pegasus swallowed a gulp as she approached.
Olivia lept into the air for the climax of her dance, the wind blew leaves across the dance floor and she guided them around her with her drape. As she landed on the ground, she followed up with a twirl on one foot as the leaves in the now still air floated down around her. She imagined the crowds cheering her name, everybody loving her dancing. She smiled, until she heard a soft whisper.
"Th-that... was amazing..." The whisper said. Olivia froze, she wasn't aware anyone was actually watching her and she poured everything into tonight's dance. Her face glowed red with embarrassment as she turned to face her accuser. She was shocked to find a pony, just as red as she was. She stared at the pony and it stared back momentarily before it shifted it's gaze.
"Th-thank... you..." Olivia responded, shaking in fear. "The animals... really enjoyed it." Olivia only turned more red as she looked in the trees to find hundreds of squirrels watching, and worse when she looked on the ground to find rabbits, bears, all kinds of birds. She never used to get embarrassed by animals watching but she also never felt like the animals were actually watching. Her legs felt limp as she stood there. "Are you alright?" the pony whispered with a hint of concern in her voice. "You are... getting very red." "EEP!" Olivia shrieked finally as the embarrassment overcame her. She darted away into the woods. "Wait... I just..." Fluttershy frowned as though she had been rejected, but then perked up and said to herself. "She is just shy, like me. I'll go see if I can find her..."
The forest was much darker now, almost scary. Ok, very scary. Olivia was lost and had no idea where to go to get back to camp. She wanted to slap herself. She always got this way when someone was watching her. Remembering when Chrom caught her dancing, she turned red thinking about it. He tried to compliment her but she just panicked and ran. Stupid, she thought. Stupid stupid.
She walked down the path in an attempt to find her way back to camp trying to calm down, but was brough to her knees in fear when she heard a fearsome roar just down the path. She looked up and saw a massive lion like beast with wings and a scorpion tail. It roared once more and Olivia huddled up on the ground. She prayed someone would save her. Chrom, Donnel, Priam, anyone. She didn't even notice the pegasus floating right above her. The beast roared once more but it's fearsome sound was halted.
"Shh, shh, it's ok. What's wrong?" Olivia looked up to see the yellow pegasus right in front of the beast. She was nudging it's paw with her nose, and it's response was to open the paw revealing a thorn.
"Aww you poor baby, let me take care of that for you." The pegasus pulled the thorn, the beast retaliated with a shout of pain but quickly embraced the pegasus in a warm hug. The beast let the pegasus down and went his way, and the pegasus approached Olivia.
"Are you ok? You must have been really scared." She asked. "I-I'm fine... thank you." "I'm Fluttershy, what's your name?" The pegasus asked softly with a smile. "Ol...liv.... Olivia..." "Olivia is a nice name, there's no need to be shy. I'm not going to hurt you." "I know... I just... get that way sometimes." "I know how it feels, I get that way a lot." "But... you calmed down that beast, surely you are braver than most people... oh I'm sorry... ponies... out there." "Oh no... I'm just really kind, and I love all the different animals."
Olivia stared at the pegasus for a moment, maybe she was a lot like her. Fluttershy must have been better than her though. She could never have stood up against such a beast like that thing. Her thought was interrupted by a soft suggestion.
"Maybe we should get out of the forest, there are more than just manticores out here." Olivia nodded and let Fluttershy lead the way.
"Where... Where am I!" A shapeless shadow screamed in the dark void. "You are with your master now..." A dark voice echoed through the void. "I am the Master! Now tell me where I am!" "You are the master? YOU LOST! You have failed the purpose you gave yourself... but fear not... I have plans for you... and all you have to do... is submit to me..." "You think you can control ME!?" "I don't think... I know... and not only you... All will bow, all will submit, and all... will... perish... even you... King Sombra..." "And what is the name of my 'new master'? "Hmmm, You may call me... Grima..."
The laughter of the Fell Dragon echoed in the void.
Twin blades clashed, the sparks lit the air in small flames. One blade lept into the air, and lunged at it's counterpart who in return twisted around the lunge and followed with a stunning riposte. The blade went flying in the air, but caught by it's master's hand mid fall. As blade and master fell down upon the opponent, both blades glowed with yellow and black lights. They collided and resulted in a minor blast. Only one blade stayed in master's hand.
Lucina picked herself off the ground, retrieving her Falchion. Her Father and her always trained hard, resulting in what could be mistaken as a grudge match. She chuckled to herself, she would never be able to hold a grudge against her father even if he was the same age. Chrom now stood above her and reached out his hand.
"Impressive display, you had me worried with that Aether" Chrom commended. "But it was far from perfect form, you let your guard drop in mid air. Any archers would have taken advantage of the gap in your defense." "I apologize father..." Lucina said. "Don't apologize to me, be grateful that you don't get that sloppy in the field." "I only get that way when we are sparring, you have no need to worry about my defenses in battle." "I know, I would kill for a chance to fight someone of your skills in real combat." Chrom laughed.
Lucina smiled but did not agree with her father. She had no intentions on fighting him in real combat. A bout this time she noticed they had a single pony audience. A cyan mare pegasus flew above the sparring ground her father and her shared. She seemed mesmerized by their style. Lucina waved at the pegasus for her to descend. She did. As she got closer, Lucina recognized the rainbow mane and tail as the one who was with the group of ponies they saved. Finally they were within talking range.
"Hello there, enjoyed the show?" Lucina asked. "Heck yeah, that was totally awesome! er... sorry I was spying on your training." The pony apologized. "No need for that, there is nothing secret about our fighting techniques. As for how 'awesome' it was, I must agree. That man is a force to be reckoned with. My name is Lucina by the way, what is yours?" "I'm Rainbow Dash!" Lucina smiled at the name as it obviously fit. "I'm the fastest flyer in all of Equestria!" "Ah yes, I know a little bit about pegasi. They certainly are fast flyers." "You have pegasi were you are from?" Rainbow asked with a giddy sounding voice. "Yes, even though they cannot talk, they are much larger with longer wings. But they are in every way majestic." "I may have to visit your world to try them out, so who was that you were sparring against?" "Oh just my dad." "Your Dad!? but you two are practically the same age!" "Yeah, well it gets complicated" Lucina smiled. "I'm actually from the future, along with many of the people we came with." "Ok... you lost me at future, but nevermind that. So when you lept in the air and caught that sword and slammed it down on your dad, that was totally awesome." Rainbow was in awe. "Thanks, but he parried it with the same technique. It barely did any damage to him at all, as it threw my back a ways. Still, I managed to do the Aether." "Is that what that move is called? Sounds so cool!"
Lucina was glad the pegasus was there, it has been a while since she had a girl friend to talk combat with. Kjelle was always busy training and everyone else was just interested in other stuff. The pagasus told her of many things that day.
"Yeah, I'm going to become a member of the Wonderbolts!" "The Wonderbolts? I'm afraid I haven't heard of them." "Oh. My. GOSH they are only the coolest pegasi ever! Ever since I can remember I have wanted to become one!" "Well that is certainly a goal I wish you well on. You certainly seem devoted enough." Lucina praised. "Oh, well thanks!" Rainbow said with a light pink blush on her cheeks. "Anytime, well I must be getting back to my father. He wanted to practice lance fighting this afternoon." "Hey... I don't have anything better to do, maybe I could watch?" "I don't see why not, come along then."
Lucina made her way to the barracks and Rainbow followed her. These humans were fairly friendly once you got to know them, Rainbow thought.
Donnel sat on the ground just outside the massive apple orchard. He watched the farm ponies working from morning till evening. It was late in the day when he was finally approached by a smaller one. It had a light yellow coat with a red mane and tail. Donnel didn't think he was ever gonna get used to talking animals but he just remembered Panne back at home and how strange she seemed to him, now they were practically best friends!
"Hey there mister! Ma names Apple Bloom!" The little foul stated happily. "Well hi there Apple Bloom, I reckon you can jus' call me Donny." "That's ah funny name, Donny. I seen ya watchin us work so I thought maybe you was interested in helpin." "I don't know, you all seem to be gettin it done real good. But I s'pose it couldn't hurt. Farmin's what I do." "Oh your a farmer too? What kinda plants you grew?" "Oh mostly wheat and hay. We actually raised livestock more than anything!" Donnel said but then thought about what he said. "Uh of course never any ponies ya know." "Livestock huh, So you raised farm animals? Like chickens?" "Well them and cows, and pigs sometimes. But I did have a garden at one time that I grew some tasty vegetables in!" "Oh wow, you must be a great farmer then! Come on! I gotta have you meet my sister Applejack!" "I reckon there ain't any harm in it."
Donnel and Apple Bloom made it to the big barn where Big Macintosh and Apple Jack were just cleaning up. Applejack took a look at Apple Bloom and shook her head.
"Apple Bloom, ah told ya not to go runnin off and here you brought some strangepony over too? What am ah gonna do with ya..." Applejack scolded. "Pardon me mam, but she was jus beins friendly. I been watchin your family work real hard today, I figured maybe I could help out sometime. Farmin's what I used to do before I became a soldier." Donnel said. "I don't know, ain't ever seen somepony buck these tree's without hindlegs." "Oh just wait to see what I do there miss... I'm sorry, whats your name again?" "Ah'm Applejack, this here is my sister you already met, and that over there is Big Macintosh. Pleasure to meet you..." "Yall can just call me Donny. And I promise you won't regret lettin me help out on the farm, sometimes a guy just needs a break from fightin you know?" "Oh I can imagine, well how about you make it here by sunrise if you can and we will see what you can do." "I sure appreciate it mam." "You best know, I won't go easy on you just cause your not pony folk." Applejack sneered. "I wouldn't ave it any other way mam." Donnel smiled.
It was late in the night, and everyone in camp had either gone to bed or was still working on duties around camp. Morgan however was up in her tent reading manuals and books on different strategies for battle. She was determined to become a great tactician like her father, but she was so involved in her work she barely noticed the shadow creeping up behind her. When she finally felt the soft hand touch her shoulder, she jumped out of her seat in a panic.
"EEK! WHO'S THERE!?" Morgan screamed. "Relax sister, it's just me..." Noire stated with a mild whimper. "Oh... hehe sorry for scaring you Noire..." "I think I should be apologizing for scaring you..." "Haha, well... I get that way when I'm lost in a book. What did you need?" "Well I thought we could go for a walk in the night, I can't sleep and I see you are still up..." "Sure, I can take a break from reading!" Morgan smiled. "Oh, good. Cause I noticed the local ponies gathering on a hill side just beyond that town, maybe if we are fast enough we can see what they are watching." "Sounds exciting, Lets go!"
The two sisters ran from the tent and left the camp site, of course after they cleared it with their father who was more than willing to let them have some leave time. It took them nearly an hour to get across town, but when they cleared the last hill they were awe struck. Noire could see why all the ponies were gathering here, there was a beautiful meteor shower. Her and her sister found a spot on the the hill side among the ponies, who didn't seem to mind their company. As they watched, Morgan felt a slight push at her side. She turned her head to see a small white unicorn with a purple pink mane, she only noted the colors as the light from a meteor briefly lit up her coat. Morgan had to resist scooping the pony up and hugging it to death she was so cute.
"Hi there lady! Are you one of the visitors!?" The little pony squeaked on the last word, forcing Morgan to hold back even more. "Uh, yes we are visitors! I'm Morgan, and this is my sister Noire. And you are?" "I'm Sweetie Bell! Oh, and this is MY sister Rarity!" Sweetie Bell squeaked again as a taller unicorn approached. "Oh hello there, I see my little sister had no problems introducing herself, and myself..." The unicorn sent a glare to her little sister. "But as she said, yes. I am Rarity, a pleasure to meet the two of you." "Oh wow, your mane is simply gorgeous Rarity. I would kill for my hair to look like that..." "Oh some would say I have killed for my mane, I'm afraid I didn't catch your names though." "I'm Morgan, and this is..." "I'm Noire, although you probably wish to talk to my sister more." "Oh darling, you shouldn't put yourself down quite like that. I'm personally interested in getting to know both of you! Say, you wouldn't happen to be into any kinds of fashion would you? I would love to learn what your land considers 'in' these days." "Oh well... I'm afraid I don't know anything about fashion, but I can always have Maribelle come visit next time she is free." "Maribelle, she is the one who saved me and my friends if I'm not mistaken... I would love to chat with her sometime. In the mean time, tell me about yourselves. Surely two sturdy mare... er... ladies as yourselves should have some stories to tell." "Well, I guess I can tell you about a few things. Our father is the lead tactician of The Shepards, that's what we call ourselves. I study as much as possible to learn as much about strategy as I possibly can!" Morgan cheered. "Well, I guess you could say I try to pull my own weight. Morgan will over emphasize how good of a shot I am with my bow but..." "Darling, if your sister says you are a great shot then you must be a great shot. Sister's don't lie about our good sides." Rarity nudged Sweetie Bell. "Hey girls look!" Morgan yelled excited.
A larger meteor slashed the sky like a blade in the night, leaving a brief scar across the moonlit sky. Everypony marveled at the display, impressed by the beauty. Morgan and Noire smiled at each other, and Morgan thought in the back of her mind.
It has been so long since we just sat down as sisters... I'm glad we got the chance tonight
Her thoughts were interrupted when Sweetie Bell lept into her lap with a smile. Morgan just stared into her deep eyes and smiled, as she ran her hand down the fillies mane. They would have stayed up all night if they could, watching the sky and meeting the locals. Morgan knew this trip was going to be fun.
Deep in the frozen north of Equestria, mysterious ruins rose from the tundra. As the towers rose, they seemed to whisper to nearby towns. Drawing in the denizens on the strange world, melting and twisting their fragile minds. A dark shadow stood at the top of the ruins. The figure raised his arms and shadow overwhelmed the land around him. Runes within the structures glowed with an ominous aura as power surged from between them. Dark magic flooded the ruins as it seeped into the ground.
Grima watched as the blood red horn rose from the icy depths, a dark smirk crossed his face. The surrounding magic swirled into a tornado of dark energy that was engulfed by the horn. Soon the shadow gained form, King Sombra lived again.
"I... Live!!!!" "Not quite. Your life is not your own Sombra, you owe even that to me." "M... master..." The unicorn bowed hesitantly. "I will give you an army Sombra, an army of living and dead souls. I give you... the Grimleal." Mindless ponies lined at the ruins, slowly walking towards the dark whispers that guided them. "And I give you... my Risen Champions..."
Sombra watched corpses of bipedal creatures appear before him in rings of magic. They all looked powerful, enough to retake his land he thought.
"Oh and you will not engage that crystal empire again beast. I will not see what precious gifts I gave to you wasted." "I... what shall I do master..." "Find my brother... find... Dan..."
Everypony in town seemed quiet as the strange small creature explored the streets. Her gasps of awe and wonderment were the only sounds aside from quiet whispers between residents. Nopony bothered the petite thing, not out of fear so much as out of curiosity. Everypony wanted to see what she would do next, but nopony wanted to say so much of a word to her. They all jumped a bit when the creature let out a sigh of disappointment.
"I'm BORED... come on everyone! What is there to do around here!?" The petite creature asked as it stomped it's feet on the ground. Nopony responded, just watched as she stood there.
It was finally Spike who stepped up to the front of the crowd to greet the creature, and even though he couldn't shake the feeling of knowing her he still marched towards her. Spike remembered everyponies reaction to Zecora and didn't want a similar situation, plus he felt like this girl was interesting at least.
"Well, if you are wanting something to do, there are plenty of places around to visit. Maybe I could show you around town!" Spike smiled. "Oooo yeah that sounds fun! Hey are you a dragon?" The creature asked, now jumping with excitement. "Well, I'm a baby dragon technically... We mature faster than you may thi..." "AWWWW you're such a cute baby dragon! I remember when I was that small." She, still excited, shouted and reminisced. "Uh, you are about my same size?" Spike asked confused but pushed the thought aside. "You know what? I know just the pony you need to meet, let's go." "Oh a new friend? Okay!"
Spike led the girl across town to Sugercube Corner, where he intended to introduce his spastic new friend to her perfect match. Once the building was in site, the girl began jumping for joy again once she saw the giant candy house. "Ooooo that house looks so cool! Is it made of candy?" The girl asked. "No, but it is filled with sweets. Come on, the pony is in there!" Spike responded, the girl had so much energy he knew his plan would be perfect. "Oh! By the way I'm Nowi! Nice to meet you!" "Oh, well Nice to meet you too Nowi. I'm Spike" "Aww a baby dragon with a cute name!" "Hey, just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm a 'baby' you know... We dragons mature faster than normal po..." "Oh I know, but you really should take advantage of your youth while you can, like me!" "Uhh noted? Well come on in, I'll treat you to a snack."
Both Spike and Nowi entered the building to be greeted by two other ponies.
"Hey there Mr. and Mrs. Cake, I want you guys to meet my new friend Nowi." Spike introduced as Nowi was awestruck at the inside of the bulding. "Hello there dearie! Welcome to the Sugercube corn-Er! Uh yeah! Hehehe..." Mrs. Cake started but choked on her sentence when she saw the strange creature walk into the store. "Don't worry Mrs C, Nowi is cool by me" Spike tried to calm the owner of the store. Her husband followed in to check on the 'Er' sound from his wife only to receive the same reaction.
"Oh, uh... Hello there, how can... I help... you?" He stuttered, not knowing what to expect. "Oh don't worry about me, I'm just looking around your town. It is really pretty, but nobody want's to play!" Nowi let out a heavy breath, visibly disappointed. "Spike here said he knew someone I could play with for a bit!" "Oh you must mean Pinkie, Yeah let me go get her!" Mr. Cake responded, voice still wispy from the introduction. "Are you two hungry at all? I can get some lovely sweets out for you!" Mrs. Cake warmed up to her normal caring self. "Actually I was going to treat Nowi here to a couple... NOWI!?" Spike's jaw dropped when he saw her pull out a purse filled to the brim with gold coins. "Bring the whole deal Mrs. Cake!" Nowi smiled as she winked at Spike. "Oh my, however did you come across so much coin Nowi?" Mrs. Cake asked, resisting the urge to let her jaw drop as well. "Oh, well I guess you could say I had time to save up!" Again Nowi winked at Spike. "Well, if she is buying... got any crystals?" Spike smiled really big. Nowi also grinned. "Of course dearie, with this much coin we could restock on everything we need for months!" Mrs. Cake glowed with gladness. "Oh, well if that is the case then just take it all." Nowi was still smiling, and Spike was staring at her trying to tell if she was joking. "Oh no, you don't need to that Nowi." Mrs. Cake responded sheepishly as she recovered from the shock of Nowi's generosity. "Don't worry about it, I got plenty more sparklies back at the camp." Nowi was still smiling as Spike's jaw just dropped even more. "Oh... Well... Thank you Nowi, you know? You are welcome here anytime you want dearie. Oh here comes Pinki..." "HI THERE! HOW ARE YOUUUU???" The Pink ball of fuzz burst through the room right in front of Nowi, who sat there and giggled at the ponies energy. "I'm great! Although I could go for some playtime right about now!" Nowi smiled. Pinkie's own smile only grew larger as Nowi spoke. "Go on ahead Pinkie, I'm certain we can manage for a while." Mrs. Cake stuttered as she counted the gold in the purse. "ALL RIGHT!!! LET"S HAVE A PARTY!!!" Pinkie screamed as she grabbed Nowi and pulled her through the door outside. "Yupp... they are meant for each other..." Spike followed out the door.
That pony had a lot of energy, Spike had trouble keeping track of which way they went. Finally he caught up with them, finding the both of them dancing around in the park. Pinkie had her party cannon and was showering the area with confetti and balloons. Nowi was entranced by the decorations. Spike ran up to join the two girls.
"Hey Pinkie! Wanna see something super duper cool!?" Nowi asked with a grin. "I always want to see something super duper cool! What is it? A super cool dance? Oh or is it a shiny thing!?" "Kinda like a shiny, watch this." Nowi reached in her pouch and pulled out a smooth pearl like rock. She clutched it to her chest before thrusting her hand in the air, a bright light blinded Spike and Pinkie. When the blindess subsided, they both watched in awe as Nowi floated above them in her Manakete form.
"Woah! That was AWESOME! Can you show me how to do that!? Can you? Please please please???" Pinkie begged. "Hee hee, sorry Pinkie but you have to be like me to do it. But check this out!" Nowi did a flip in her new form and launched a giant ball of flame in the air, which flew upwards until it burst like a firecracker. "Woah Nowi, why didn't you tell me you were a dragon..." Spike asked. "Because you didn't ask!" She sneered. Spike could see the dragon lips smile as she said it too.
Nowi shifted out of her dragon form and back to her normal shape, then put the dragonstone back into her pouch. Pinkie was dancing around her in an astonished fit as she tried to explain what she saw. Nowi just laughed and continued to play with her new friends. She could tell she would enjoy it here.
The frozen tundra rang silent as the wind howled, blowing loose snow across the flat landscape. A hooded figure stood in the cold, showing no effect from the blistering snow. A smile crept across the hooded smile, the power of this land was abundant. Even in the sapient creatures who ruled over the land, magic ran deep in their blood. He could not wait to harvest such raw power in mass. The frozen ground before him cracked and melted as the figure raised his arms out. A fissure of dark energy poured from the ground, spreading outward. Two dark limbs shot from the dark portal, grabbing the edges of the portal and stretching them out to the length of a massive city. With one final push, the ground itself shook in retaliation but the tip of a stone tower rose from the portal.
The unicorn king rose from the shadows behind his new 'master'. Sombra could not stand being under this being's thumb, but would rather face servitude than eternal damnation. He watched for a moment as the giant tower slowly ascended into the air before speaking.
"Master... The risen are hungry..."
"Ahh, it's about time... You have served me well Sombra, continue to impress me and you may be rewarded." The Fell Dragon never turned his gaze from the tower. "The Dragon's Table... My own servants are now channeling the spell to bring it here you know. When it is ready, the ponies who 'joined' me shall come in mass. Cattle to the slaughter... Oh to be in my true form again... Then this world will truly burn!"
"Master... The risen..."
"Yes, yes... They may attack when ready."
"I will join... Revenge..."
"No Sombra, you will remain. Better our enemies not know you are still alive, for now. No instead I will give you something else to take your place in the battle field. Behold."
A massive shadow arose from the black portal, it's shapeless form twisting and molding into a bulk of dark flesh. The formation was almost complete except a single arm missing. In it's place was a lingering shadow.
"Place your horn to the shadow Sombra, let the beast drink in your power. In return I will bestow upon you a taste of my own power, the power of a god..."
Sombra growled in response, but then thrust his horn into the shadow as if to impale it. After a moment of nothing, the shadow latched onto the unicorn king's horn. Sombra screamed in agony as the black and green magic was sapped from his body. The beast drank his power almost dry, leaving the unicorn king gasping for breath. The Fell Dragon laughed as he approached the fallen king.
"Do you see the fruits of your sacrifice?" Grima spoke, motioning to the revenant.
The dark monster stood nearly a story high, it's body seemed to rupture as black energy arc'd off it's flesh. The empty spot that once held no arm was now occupied by a massive crystalline club for an arm. Sombra's own black crystals protruding as spikes. Grima looked down on the unicorn king and laughed.
"Arise Sombra, you have given birth to a new breed of monster. Now drink from my own fountain of dark energy..."
Sombra used the last bits of energy he had to pull his dead body towards the dark portal. Black energy arc'd from the pool of magic, taunting him with power. He finally managed to get his head over the portal, looking down into his own twisted reflection he saw the face of Grima. His real face. The Fell Dragon. Sombra threw himself into the black magic and drank in it's power. It was an ecstasy beyond what he could imagine...
Canterlot castle was quiet for a change, Celestia was just wrapping up her morning court session and was headed to satisfy her rumbling stomach. She had just arrived in the royal kitchen to see what the castle chefs had cooked up. After a short battle between the traditional salad and the tempting stir fry of vegetables, she decided with the stir fry. Levitating her meal with her, she decided to retire to her private quarters to eat. Opening the doors, she was suprised by her sister's presence, awake in her room.
"Lulu? have a bad dream?" Celestia asked as she set her meal on a nearby table.
"Tia... I'm surprised you did not feel it..." Luna spoke in a rasped tone, her voice low.
"Felt what Lulu?" Celestia asked, concerned with her sister's state.
"For a brief moment... I felt... darkness..." Luna curled up on the ground, and even began shaking. "It... pulled... It wanted... her..."
Celestia stepped over to her sister and lay down next to her, wrapping her in her wing. "Everything will be alright Lulu, tell me what you saw..."
After an hour of listening to her sister explain what she saw between sobs, Celestia grew very concerned about the matter. If some new foe has come to her land it needed dealt with swiftly, as she comforted her sister she grabbed a quill and paper to send a message.
"Tia... I saw..."
"Shush Lulu, you need to rest. Don't worry about a thing."
"I saw... a dragon... and a tower... and... and... so many... dead..."
"Luna..."
The two alicorns stayed in Celestia private chambers most the day. Celestia even lowered the sun and raised the moon herself that night. She hoped Twilight would get her letter as soon as possible...
Dan stood in the doorway of his tent, watching the sun raise into the sky. Much to his surprise, the lavender unicorn did not seem to lie to him. The tactician spent the day before reading books from her library in hopes of learning more about this land, along with a lot of magical physics he found much on the recent history of the land called Equestria. The most intriguing bit being the sun and moon princesses. Dan was skeptical at the thought of two beings being responsible for raising the sun and moon every day, even thought that it could just be a ploy to gain affection by the people. Yet here he was, watching the sun rise into the sky at a faster speed than naturally possible. This Celestia must have been a powerful magic user to accomplish this feat. Dan's thoughts were interrupted when he saw Chrom walking through camp towards him.
"Dan, still pondering the near impossible physics of this land?" Chroms chuckled as stretched his arms.
"I can't even begin to fathom the amount of... sheer power it must take to move objects like the sun... Muriel would have a fit here" Dan chuckled a little himself as he imagined the uptight mage throwing a fit.
"Heh yeah, regardless... It is a very peaceful land, almost makes me feel bad for being here..." Chrom sighed in discomfort.
"I know... But if we hadn't come, then what would have happened to those ponies?" Dan tried to comfort his friend.
"Yeah, I know. Are you going back to that library today?" Chrom asked.
"I intend to, So much information and I have only scratched the surface... And Twilight has helped a lot in my studies."
"She is the purple one, correct?"
"Yeah, a unicorn specifically. Magic user as well, Naturally I mean. No tomes or anything! Well, besides the library full of books she reads, but still. It's pretty outstanding. All the ponies here seem to have magic of some sort."
"Really now, that could be useful... Well I won't keep you waiting."
Dan stepped out into the morning light, still baffled about how one being can raise and lower the sun. He put it in the back of his mind as he worked his way through camp. There was something he had considered speaking to Chrom about but it could wait, he was more interested in learning more ab out this land. More specifically he was eager to find a book about passed wars and conflicts, hoping to find some form of tactics manual. An anomaly caught his eye and his attention as he neared the gate. Dan let out a soft sigh.
"Morgan, you can come out now" He said as he stepped around a barely visible tripwire. He was actually impressed by the trap, had it of been fully prepared rather than tightened on his arrival he would have fallen for it.
"Drats! How did you know!?" Morgan shouted in frustration as she crawled out from behind a nearby bush.
"Well, you tightened the wire too late for one. I saw the sunlight gleam across is as it rose in my path, nice try though kiddo."
"Thanks!" Morgan smiled brightly, "So where you off to today Dad? Back to the library again?"
"Yupp, Twilight has been incredibly helpful in my research, you two would get along famously I bet."
"Well, good thing I don't have plans today then! Operation make memories with dad can commence!" Morgan cheered as she threw her arms in the air.
"Whats that? No longer chasing your old memories with wild ideas and physical harm?" Dan smiled slyly towards his daughter.
"Well, duh I'm still going for them... It's just after talking with mom and Noire, I realized that making new memories can be just as important!" Morgan beamed with happiness.
"Ha ha... remind me to thank your mother and sister when we get back, uh from a distance however. She still hasn't forgiven me for taking her hexing tools..."
Dan and his daughter shared a laugh as they traveled down the path towards Ponyville. The two of them told each other of their exploits in this world as of now, and then talked about the various strategies this land offered. Morgan surprised her father with her vast knowledge she had already obtained just by talking with the towns ponies. He in turn gave her a quiz on the history of this new land. After a couple hours of walking, they both arrived at the large tree-home that sheltered the library. Dan raised his fist to knock when...
SLAM!
The door blasted open into the strategists face as he fell back onto the ground.
"Father! Are you alright!?" Morgan yelped in concern, Dan was sitting on his rump as he held his face. Pulling his hand back to the sight of blood, he sighed.
"Ugh... nose bleed..."
"Who's there? Oh, OH! Dan! I'm so so so so so so sorry! I totally didn't mean to hit you in the face like that!" Twilight yelled in concern, her eyes drooped from lack of sleep and her mane was unkempt. The sudden shock of hitting a new friend was probably the only thing keeping her awake Dan mused.
"It's... not a problem Twilight... ouch... Just a... bloody nose is all... Why so frantic that you slam the door to get out?"
"It's uh... well, my mentor sent me an urgent letter as I was researching your world. I just sent a message back reporting about you and your friends, Celestia wants to meet you all in Canterlot as soon as possible." Twilight began to explain, ending her statement with a bashful smile. "Sorry if you did not wish to be known... She asked for any information about changes recently..."
"It's fine Twilight, I expected as much from your leaders. I supposed our study session shall have to wait then" Dan laughed, the unicorn joining slightly.
"Dan! Thank goodness I found you!" A loud clopping came from behind with a refined voice with it.
"Mirabelle? You were looking for me?" Dan looked puzzled.
"Yes! Risen have appeared in the fields south of the town! Chrom ordered us to the front lines!"
"Of course! Twilight, I beg your forgiveness but your rulers will have to wait. I will not let the risen attack while we are away, Morgan come one!" Dan ran off following Mirabelle and her steed, leaving Twilight standing with a concerned look on her face. Soon after she followed as well.
"Chrom, I count at least fifty of them. Stronger than the last lot, that's for sure," Priam stated, eagerly awaiting the battle to come.
"I see... ten of us may not be enough for a frontal assault... Take Donnel with you and bottleneck them at that valley between the hills. Have Noire and Nowi join you for support. Everyone else, prepare battle stations behind them! This will be a tough one!" Chrom shouted orders to his men and women, only lowering his tone as he watched Mirabelle, Dan, and Morgan race down from the hill side. He squinted and saw the purple unicorn running from behind. "Of all the..."
"Chrom! When did they arrive?!" Dan shouted more than he asked.
"Only an hour ago, they seem to be waiting for us to attack first. Strange behavior is you ask me..." Chrom wondered.
"Let's not charge at them, instead..." Dan began to think when...
"Why not lead them into your fortifications?" An inquisitive voice asked. Chrom looked down at the small pony standing before him.
"Twilight, right?" The unicorn nodded. "Well then, that would work if we had a way to promise their safety. I'de rather not send in a man to his death just to provoke the enemy."
"You wouldn't need to, Have a single man run in and get their attention. Once the risen turn to chase, then I will teleport them back behind the borders. At the appropriate time of course, less they just turn their backs and return" Twilight explained, leaving Chrom surprised but Dan smiling.
"You have been getting into my books havn't you Twilight..." Dan sighed in amusement.
"Well, I'm not one for fighting but tactics could be an important skill to learn down the road"
"Hmmm Dan, does this plan seem sound to you?" Chrom asked his head tactician.
"Well, there is always risks... but I think it will work. The question is, who to send?"
At this point, a petite figure joined the conversation. Her voice so soft that no one ever heard at first.
"Umm, Chrom sir... " Olivia softly mentioned, gaining the attention of the energetic Morgan.
"Hey father! Lets send Olivia!" Morgan exclaimed.
"Wai- What? Send me where?" Olivia began to blush as ideas filled her mind.
"Dan, is that wise? She can't defend herself as well as the others can" Chrom argued.
"Defend?" Olivia asked, her face sinking as the thought formed again.
"Chrom, that is precisely why she would make a great bait. The enemy would know her to be an easy kill." Dan conferred as he spoke, forgetting about Olivia's presence.
"Kill?!" Olivia sank to her knees in fear.
"Hmmm a good point... Alright then, Olivia it is."
"NO!" The dancer shouted, surprising everyone present. "THERE IS NO WAY I AM GOING OUT THERE!"
"Olivia, you will be perfectly safe. All you need to do is run out, get their attention and run back in!" Chrom pleaded.
"THAT JUST MAKES IT WORSE! I'm no good with attention!" Olivia became less scared and more embarrassed.
"Chrom, may I?" The unicorn stepped forward, her horn glowing. Olivia gasped as the horn touched her. The dancer vanished in mid air, everyone present blinking at the display. Then the dancer reappeared in the middle of the battlefield. Chrom and Dan shared concern as they watched the dancer cower at the risen slowly advancing on her position. The field remained quiet until...
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!" The dancer screamed a piercing scream that stunned the nearby risen approaching. The dancer darted across the battlefield so fast that Twilight began to think that she wouldn't even need to teleport her to safety.
As Olivia burst through the fortifications, the risen followed right into Priam and Donnel. The first five were dealt with by the radiant hero, two more fell to Donnel's blade. Nowi flew to the top of the hill and bathed the oncoming group of risen in dragon flames.
The battle seemed to be going well, no recorded casualties with exception to Olivia's sprained ankle as she tackled into Dan. Chrom nodded at an easy victory, until...
"Chrom! Father! Something big is coming!" Noire screamed as she spotted two large revenants lurking from the woods. Chrom observed in concern as he noted the crystalline club like arms. His eyes grew as he finally marked their size. The behemoths towered over the battlefield, none of his ground units could compare. He looked at his tactician who eyed the beasts intently.
"Dan, tell me you have an idea..." Chrom sounded concerned.
"I... I think... But I need to get back to Anna" Dan hesitantly spoke.
"Wha, why?" Chrom asked.
"We need our fliers, hit and run tactics. Anything less would get men killed. I gotta get back to Anna and get a few reinforcements..."
At that, Dan turned to Twilight. The unicorn looked at him questionably.
"Twilight, I need to get up in the sky. Now" Dan demanded.
"Wait... you want to go up there?" The unicorn spoke, uncertain of what he was really asking.
"Yes! I need to speak to somepony up there! I'm certain she will be there!"
"Ok! Ok... Just... hold still..." Twilight began to charge her horn. Before casting the spell, she looked at the tactician. "Totally not responsible if you fall and die..."
Dan closed his eyes as he vanished before his friends...
Dan opened his eyes to find himself standing on the white fluffy clouds of the strange world. As he turned his gaze around, he noted the vastness of the sky, how it infinitely went on and on. The sight would have truly stunned him, except for the fact that he could not see the one thing he needed to see. Anna was nowhere to be found, and in the vastness of the sky he would have little time to cover such a large area. Grumbling under his breath, the tactician lept from cloud to cloud, taking a moment to marvel at how he could walk on them but excusing it to Twilight's magic.
After what seemed to be an eternity, the tactician found something that brought a feint shimmer of hope to him. Several clouds away from him stood a shimmering blue portal. A rift gate, the same gates the merchants used to appear all over Tellius. Anna must have taken the opportunity to return to their home world. Dan sprinted across the white fluff, leaping from cloud to cloud till he stood before the gate. Before entering, which he knew he must do soon, he noticed a sound emanating from the portal. Screaming? Clashing of steel? A dark light hit the tacticians mind as he lept through the portal with haste.
"Watch your head!" Priam shouted at the farm hero across from him, who in retaliation rolled behind the hill as a crystal spine planted into the ground where he once stood.
"Ah jeeze! Thank ya Priam! I'da been skewered fer sure!" Donnel shouted back.
"Now what did you have to go and say that for!? Now I'm hungry for some kabobs!" Priam bellowed with a laugh, still ducking from the crystal shards.
Chrom watched from a distance with Twilight and Morgan as the two revenants successfully suppressed his army by themselves. The Exalt groaned as he watched his men scatter around the hills for cover, watching them nearly dodge death every minute. Twilight also watched, her face covered with an analyzing gaze of the battlefield. Chrom knew the face, Morgan and Dan bore it all the time. The unicorn's eyes darted back and forth, observing the battlefield and taking in every aspect of the fight.
"Chrom... You need to spread your forces out more" Twilight stated as she stared at the battlefield.
"Spread out my men? Twilight I understand you are smart, but that would be..."
"Just do it Chrom! If they are clustered together like they are for too long, eventually their cover will fail and then one concentrated fire will wipe out half your forces. Spread them out and you make a dozen small targets rather than one large one!" Twilight explained hastily as she turned to face Chrom.
"I don't know..." Chrom thought, ever since Dan joined the shepherds he didn't need to worry about tactics. Now that he is gone, the burden is heavier. Still, maybe Twilight knew what she was talking about... "Ok Twi, it's your game now. Do what you think has to be done, just keep my men alive until Dan returns with reinforcements."
Twilight's gaze sunk a little as she realized just what Chrom was saying. Nervously she nodded as she stepped forward. Her legs began to shake as she thought of every possibility, but after a brief moment of weakness she gathered up what remained of her confidence and shouted across the battlefield, giving orders to the strange humans before her.
Dan watched the blue rift slowly pass by him as he approached the exit portal. The sounds of battle fading, but sounds of movement replacing them. He saw the doorway in front of him, and as he gazed out of it he recognized many of the faces passing by it. They were running away from something, Dan had an idea as to what. He stepped out the door way just in time to see the last shepherd retreat into the Outrealm Gate. Before he could run after however, he turned his head to face the hordes of grimleal laying siege to the gate.
Vastly outnumbered, the tactician ran towards the gate himself. Jumping over ruins and holes, hoping they would slow down his pursuers, finally Dan made it to the top of the gate way. Turning around, he then ignited the stairwell beneath him flames. The hordes of grimleal before him fell into heaping piles of smoldering ash. Dan turned back to the gate, in hopes of finding the other shepherds. Before he took his first step, a sudden battle cry of a charging berserker exploded the otherwise silent halls. The hulking man quickly closed the distance between him and Dan, and had his axe raised skyward to cleave the tactician in two. Dan raised his sword to block but...
*CLING*
The berserker exploded into blood, and as the dead corpse fell another figure stood behind him. The mask resting on his shoulder revealed him to be one of the Dread Fighter's trained in the Outrealms. Dan dusted off his coat as he approached the fighter. The fighter sheathed his blade, and took a moment to run a hand through his short black hair. Turning around, the sword flew out of it's sheath once more and the tip was thrust right at Dan's neck.
"Woah! Easy Owain! It's me!" Dan backed away a step, raising both hands in alarm.
"Yeah, mmhmm. That's what you WANT me to think! I saw you with Dan and them just the other day you foul twin! Face Owain's blade! SHADOW STRI-"
"OWAIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Another voice shouted through the gate. "Stay your blade! He is our Dan!"
Inigo ran out as fast as he could, also clad in his dread fighter armor. The look of worry on his face indicated just how much they had actually been through, especially considering Inigo's usually calm tone.
"Inigo? How can you be sure!? We watched him change before our very eyes!" Owain protested.
"Yeah we did! Which is reason enough to believe this is our Dan, also why would the fel dragon just freeze up with a sword to his throat? He would simply kill you now and be done!" Inigo shouted in anger, watching Owain's face drop as his words sunk in.
"Oh... uh... Yeah, that makes sense I guess... Sorry Dan, my sword hand is... on edge lately..." Owain gave an apologetic look.
"It's quite fine, really. Get me to everyone else. We don't have much time" Dan rushed his words to emphasize the weight of the matter.
"Uh, well ok. Everyone else is waiting in one of the portals. The gateway is locked to keep the grimleal out but we can get in" Inigo explained as the three of them made it down the path. "So I'm assuming the hostility of the grimleal is some... side effect for whats going on in that world you went to?"
"I don't know... We ran into risen, but they seem to be in every world we go to. Why are the grimleal attacking here?" Dan asked, genuinely curious.
"They were protecting you! Er... the other you... The first hit was the hardest, scattered us out really bad. I saw you, him, walk in. Didn't see him walk out. That's why I attacked when I did..." Owain smirked a little as he spoke.
"Against my better judgement mind you... Queen Sumia sends us out to scout, and the first sign of enemies you leap into the fray! I swear Owain, you will be the death of me..." Inigo commented. "Anyways, we have reason to believe the other you went into the portal behind you. This all happened shortly after you left mind you. The past week has been constant attacks from the grim-"
"Wait... Grima is... oh no... Get us to every one NOW! We need to hurry!"
Dan and the two dread fighters ran down the endless hallways, but in the back of the tacticians head he could only imagine the horrors Grima was concocting in that peaceful land. He only hoped he could save Equestria as well.
Twilight stood her ground as she watched the battlefield below her. She marveled at how the textbooks Dan let her borrow seemed to mimic what was going on beneath her. She could envision the layout as a grid, every unit taking a square. Enemy and ally alike were like pieces in this ga- no. The unicorn shook a thought behind her head. This was no game, these human's lives were at stake and if they fell then other ponies lives would be endangered as well. Still, she began to see things across the battlefield that she would never have seen before.
She watched as the bulky blue haired warrior parried a blow with an axe with considerable ease, then watched as the shorter human next to him struggled against a lance until tossed an axe himself. After that, he easily over took the lance man's position. Twilight considered to herself, are these weapons designed to work like this? It's like the magic game she practiced conjuration with. Summon a rock to defeat the scissors, only in this case use a sword to beat an axe and an axe to break a lance. Her thought's were broken when the sound of rumbling earth roared through the battlefield.
The giant revenant's onslaught was beginning to pay off as the makeshift fortifications of the valley crumbled. Enough to hold a position, but enough to chip away at hope. The unicorn felt a bead of sweat roll down the side of her face, nine lives resting on her mind. She would have to pull this off, Ponyville depended on it. All of Equestria may depend on it.
As if reading her thoughts, a soft grip rested on her back. It patted softly down as Twilight looked up to see Chrom staring into the battlefield. His eyes gleamed in the sunlight, but his expression remained solid. The unicorn could almost see another stallion she knew with that same gaze. A sharp roar erupted as a revenant slammed it's crystal arm into the steep hill that protected them. The unicorn's focus was lost for a brief moment until.
"Dan will be back, we will win this" Chrom stated, resting his hand on the hilt of his blade.
"How can you be so sure? So much time has passed. I'm beginning to worry..." Twilight almost pulled her gaze away to meet the commander of this army, but resolved to keep watch.
"He has yet to let us down. Yet to let me down" Chrom emphasized his statement by unsheathing his golden blade, it's long edges glowed with an otherworldly light. "Me and him are two halves of one whole. Our friendship has withstood the test of fate and destiny. He will not abandon us."
Friendship... Twilight caught the whole sentence but that one word struck a cord deep inside her. Dan and Chrom were close friends, had to be for such a noble man to speak so highly of him. She pushed the subject aside for a moment as she had a battle to oversee. Trusting Chrom's words, she shouted over the field once again.
"Hold your positions everypo-er-one! Help is on the way!" The unicorn noted the fighter's spirits raise at her words. She noted the effect of moral on a battlefield in her mind.
Dan stood at the gates to Equestria, or the world of these ponies at least. He had yet to learn if they had acknowledged a name for their planet. The thought was brushed aside as he reached for the gates to Equestria. The remaining Shepherds stood behind him, those most important to his attack in front with their mounts. He took a moment to hope the battle was going well, entertained the thought that it was already over, but returned to reality as he pushed the doorway open. The Outrealm Gate burst out with light as the army followed in.
Only an hour after her last order, the earth rumbled once again with a massive groan. Twilight felt her spirit sink as she watched the hillside collapse into the ground beneath her. The humans beneath her cleared out of the way, but the revenant had a clear shot at each fighter beneath it. It's massive arm rose, the opposite arm gripped to steady it. Within seconds, the ground beneath the fighters exploded in crystal and dirt as a barrage of sharp crystalline missiles pierced the ground.
"Chrom!" Twilight shouted, but the commander was already charging down the hill. His sword shining bright as it was pulled behind him.
Chrom rushed down the hillside to his friends aid, most of them unharmed due to quick reflexes and steady balance. Some others however were in complete shock from the attack. No one was hurt, and for this Chrom said a silent thank you to whatever god watched over this realm. His pursuit was unhindered by the terrain, he felt a burning fury inside him that was screaming for release. Closing the ground on the massive revenant, he lept into the air with Falchion in hand. His strong legs propelled him just the right height as he pulled Falchion above his head.
With a mighty spin, he rushed downward onto the revenant's arm. The blessed blade cut into the crystal, hooking the lord onto the beast. Chrom pushed off the crystalline arm with a strong kick, flipping up onto the hilt of his blade. Squatting down on the hilt of Falchion, the lord thrust his legs upward launching himself into the air. As he fell, his hands clasped around Falchion and the blade was drug down through the crystal hide of the beast.
The revenant let out a shriek of pain, as it clawed with it's other arm down. Chrom was descending so fast however that the arm could not catch him. Finally the blade stuck, just low enough for the lord to gain some footing on the soft ground. With a sudden jerk, Falchion was ripped from the crystal arm and the shrapnel of gems came crashing down behind him. Running back to the battlefield, avoiding falling debris, he feared all he did was enrage the revenant. That and give it another arm to grip with as under the crystal coat was a normal arm. As normal as risen appendages get anyways.
He turned to charge the revenant again, but this time was stopped by a wall of crystal forming before him. The other revenant had thrust it's arm into the ground and crystal spines shot from the earth from the point of impact. The commander was flung back at the display, after hitting the ground and rolling a few feet. Chrom griped his sword impaled in the ground beside him, using it as a crutch to lift himself. He watched as the first revenant had raised an arm to slam down on him. The lord tried to roll out of the way, but a stinging pain in his chest paralyzed him. He watched as the arm descended upon him, he pulled Falchion from the ground and lifted the blade to stab the creature and closed his eyes.
Twilight watched the whole display, and her face mirrored her feelings about each moment. She went from worry as she watched Chrom charge the enemy lines, to awe as the lord single-handedly disabled the projectile arm, to shock as the wave of crystal erupted from the ground, then finally to grim horror as the massive beast was about to slay Chrom. Her eyes turned away from the battlefield, as she could not watch the horror. She waited for the pounding sound of the revenant's claw. A loud schreech echoed in the valley, then a single crashing boom. Twilight felt another bead of wetness fall down her face, this one as a tear. A soft finger was felt wiping the tear away, and Twilight forced her head up to see...
"Dan! You're back! Chrom! He-"
"Is alright Twilight, you did a good job. Now, let a grandmaster handle this" Dan smiled with a wink as he stood from his knelt position.
Twilight observed his hand raise, and just over head she felt her heart rise. A pair of massive white wings flew overhead, Chrom seated behind another human on top. She gasped as at first she thought the winged steed was her only mentor Celestia. Her eyes snapped back to Dan who clenched his hand into a fist and thrust it forward. From behind she heard massive wing beats but before she could even turn to see, two massive dragons soared overhead followed by a trio of pegasi. Two of them a brilliant white, the third a dark black. All of the creatures holding human riders on their backs. Twilight watched in awe as they swarmed the revenants.
The dragons over powered the weakened revenant, one rider holding a massive axe that cleaved into the head of the revenant. The other wielding a long lance that was thrust into the chest. Not after too many strikes did the beast fall. The pegasi simply out maneuvered the other crystal revenant, their speed and agility were too much for the slow swings of the monster. The two white pegasi each had both spear and stave, both of them throwing or lancing into the sides of the beast. The dark pegasus simply flew above, the rider pulled out a dark purple book. Twilight squinted, but could swear the rider was laughing as orange runes floated out around her. The beasts head simply exploded in a cloud of dark black spoke and deep purple lighting. A dark laughter could be heard echoing through the battlefield.
Twilight watched the fliers circle about the air, dispatching any other ground forces. Dan turned around and smiled at Twilight, who hung her head a little. The tactician knelt down again and raised her chin up with his hand.
"You did a good job Twilight, perhaps you should practice tactics instead of magic" Dan smiled at his joke.
"I- uh... No thank you, I'll just stick to my normal studies" Twilight smiled back with a mild blush.
"I must agree with my tactician Twilight" Both Dan and Twilight turned around to see Chrom slowly climbing down from the white pegasus. Twilight saw the concerned look in the woman's eyes behind him.
"Chrom! You shouldn't be walking!" The brown haired woman reached out for Chrom, but ended up falling off her pegasus and face planting on the ground beneath her. "Ow... that one will leave a mark..."
"Sumia! Are you alrig- Ow..." Chrom turned to give a hand to Sumia, only to pull his own arm back to his chest. "Blasted... Rib..."
"It's fine my love... Just my... boots..." Sumia stood as she dusted off her armor. "But you really should sit! That rib won't heal with you moving around like you do!"
"It will be fi-Ow! uh... fine Sumia, besides. If rumor is correct, we are going to have a busy day tomorrow. Right Twilight?" Chrom asked, Sumia now supporting him as he strode towards Twilight.
"Oh umm, yes. Princes Celestia, my teacher, wished to meet with you and Dan. She actually mentioned all of you, but I can tell that there is... a lot of you..." Twilight gave a sheepish smile. "Oh and you may also attend Queen Sumia!"
"What!?" Sumia backed off from the comment, almost dropping Chrom. "What did you call me!?"
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to offend you! I just thought since Chrom is a... prince and all... and you are..." Twilight stepped back as she babbled, while Chrom and Dan both burst into laughter. Chrom's laughter being short lived as he quickly had to grasp his side to quell the pain.
Later that night, Twilight was up much later than she should have been. Sitting at her desk with a quill in her magic and a paper before her, she wrote these words.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I learned a valuable lesson from these strange new humans. More specifically from their leader and tactician. Chrom and Dan share a bond of friendship that I believe rival my own to my friends. In his own words, Chrom suggested that they are 'two halves of the same whole'. This bond strengthens them beyond that of a normal being. These humans have taught me that friendship is more than a magical force that binds people close together, and it is more than a source of power. It is the very thing that supports us in our times of weakness. These humans come from a very violent world, from what I have read, one torn apart by war and evil magics. Truly if their bonds of friendship can flourish as they do in such a terrible land, then the bonds of friendship can flourish anywhere.
P.S. there are A LOT of those humans, so I have decided to only invite a few of the more standing members of their group. Namely Sir Chrom and Sir Dan as they serve as the leaders and guides for these humans, also one named Sumia who is the wife of Sir Chrom.
