First published
( A collaboration between Cookietheif and I) It started with a knock on Emerald Burst's front door. The unicorn before him was lost and in poor condition. So he decided to let him stay for a while. But the unicorn's past came with him...
In an effort to erase the past, they go to see Celestia but she was in a meeting with Luna about a certain goal... To divide the world where they'll rule one half of each.
As the true heir to the Equestrian throne surfaces, they must journey to distant lands and raise an army to fight against the "royal" might of the two sisters... Will they succeed or die trying?
PROLOGUE
The silhouette of the weary, mud-splattered pony seemed to waver as it trudged through the Everfree Forest. Their tattered, blood stained cloak billowed behind them as the storm whipped their mane around their head and the rain plastered the fur to their body.
As they broke through the edge of the forest, they seemed to take notice a cottage glowing warmly not far ahead. They started towards it as the storm got worse.
AN UNEXPECTED GUEST
The candle light flickered as two Pegasus ponies sat there talking, a mare and a stallion. The stallion was VERY large with a white coat and a long blonde mane and tail. He had a black gilded collar with an emerald set in the center and a chain going up to an earring on his left ear. He seemed to have quite oversized wings and a cutie mark that was a solid black circle with an eight pointed (green) star surrounding.
“I love you…” it was the mare who spoke. Slowly, she leaned against the other Pegasus, a warm smile on her face. “I love you too.” Their lips came ever so close… and closer… *KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK* The massive stallion took a second to take a deep breath… he faced towards the door. “WHAT!?!?!?”
… The knocking resumes, lighter this time. The stallion sighed and went to the door, instantly shouting as he opens it. “WHO THE FU-” His voice trailed off as he looked down at the nervous figure before him…
It was a unicorn stallion, muddy with an old blood stained cloak and an old bandage over his right eye. “I was hoping to take shelter here for the night…” The weary stranger said before coughing over his shoulder. His pelt clung to his skin and showed his ribs to indicate his hunger, and the bags under his left eye, which was a deep blue, told that sleep was just as needed. “But perhaps I should look elsewhere.”
Guilt swept over the pegasus; nopony could just turn him away in such a sorry state! “W-Wait!” Before the unicorn could turn away he was pulled inside. He was set on the couch and his new hosts gave him a towel.
“My name is Emerald Burst,” The larger stallion said with a smile. He then nodded to the mare that had a smaller, shakier smile. “And this is Fluttershy.” Fluttershy tried to say something to the new guest, but whatever it was, she was too quiet for him to catch it.
“Dusk is my name. I am in your debt for your kindness… If there is anything you need I’ll gladly assist you to the best of my abilities.” The unicorn, Dusk, bowed his head to them while uttering his thanks.
“It’s not a problem; we were just about to… Uh… Have some dinner. Yeah… Dinner… Would you like some after you bathe?” Emerald asked, almost sweating bullets. Dusk nodded gratefully, pretending not to notice the stallion’s discomfort. "And where can I find the bath?" - "Upstairs on your first right." He thanked them, stood up, and turned towards the stairs.
His cloak moved up a bit and something glinted from underneath, it was a very large sword that was well hidden. Emerald noticed instantly and took it, nearly ripping off the strap that kept it on the unicorn, and threw it at the wall. It hilted THROUGH the wall and stopped with the handle still inside, most of the blade outside.
The owner of the sword stared at the pegasus in bewilderment. "That is an amazing display of strength..." He said quietly. His gaze then rested on the sword, sorrow filling his eye... "No weapons." Emerald Burst replied simply. He tugged on the handle, not even a slight budge; he nodded in satisfaction and left to the kitchen with Fluttershy right behind him.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Once their guest had bathed, with new bandages over his right eye as well, he started downstairs. His long black mane draped down to his shoulder and his grey coat was much more pleasant. He found his hosts in the dining room, already beginning to eat. "Where is my cloak?" He has failed to find it after he got out of the bath and started to worry. "We sent it to our friend Rarity to fix up and clean while you're here." Answered Emerald. He noticed Dusk's cutiemark, which was hidden with the help of his cloak. A dark gem with a crescent moon and a stair encased in it.
Dusk didn't take notice, he merely nodded uneasily. The grey unicorn didn't exactly enjoy the fact that they took his cloak with permission, but nothing was said about it and he sat down. A delicious meal was set out before him... Cabbage soup, daffodil sandwiches, and hay fries made the starved stallion's mouth water...
"It looks amazing..." His eye shone brightly and his stomach roared at him to devour it all, but manners always come first. He thanked them once more and began eating respectfully. "Tastes amazing as well!" He added with a smile. "I-I'm glad you like it. So... Uh. What brought you all the way out here? If you don't mind me asking..." Fluttershy asked politely, speaking with just enough volume for the unicorn to hear.
Dusk, after downing a few hay fries, started to speak in a low and nervous tone. He expected the question but wasn't ready to answer just yet. "Isolation... He admitted, "I visited Manehattan for a while and wanted to find some place a little more... Peaceful." Fluttershy stared at him for a little while. It was more likely that he walked from the other side of Equestria to their doorstep by his first appearance! "Well thank Celestia you got here safely."
*Twitch.* "Yeah..." The guest fell silent and continued to eat... Emerald took notice to the twitch and his sudden silence. It happened right after his beloved said "Celestia". Probably just a coincidence...
Dishes were placed in the sink, and a blanket and pillow was set on the couch, and the generous hosts retired to their room after wishing the respectful unicorn peaceful sleep. Dusk, in return, bid them the same before settling in on the couch. Before slumber could take him away. He looked at his sword, sorrow returning in his gaze as the moonlight shone on the handle. "Rest in peace, old friend..."
Birds sung sweetly, the town was busy, and the clear sky brought another lovely day in Ponyville. On the other hoof, Dusk was shunning the sun's rays from his face with the help of the pillow on his head. Something crawled onto his back and began... Jumping on him? "What in the name of...?"
He took the pillow off his head and leered at whatever was on him. It was a... White rabbit... "I'll inform them of their rodent problem later..." He turned to his side and the "rodent" fell off. "I just need five minutes..."
Everything was peaceful once again, until the rabbit somehow got its paws on an air horn. The blaring noise made the grey unicorn bolt out of the couch, heart racing and chest heaving. "You rabbit of Tartarus! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" He shouted with an upturned hoof on his chest.
Laughter came from the stairway. Emerald Burst was coming downstairs with Fluttershy right behind him. "I see you met our pet, Angel Bunny." Emerald said with a chuckle, but Fluttershy was more concerned. "Maybe you should have left alone... Just for a while longer..." She softly said as she passed them by and went into the kitchen.
"Shoot, I forgot to get groceries yesterday... I might not have enough for breakfast." Her voice echoed out of the kitchen. Dusk's ears perked; a chance to repay them slightly? "I can go fetch what you need." He offered, eager to get some distance form that damned rabbit, who was glaring at the stallion.
"I'll go with you." The white pegasus said with a smile, "It gives me a chance to show you around, and go see if your cloak is ready." He was already heading to the door, but the unicorn blocked his path. "My sword?" He asked as he glanced at his faithful weapon. Emerald raised an eyebrow. "What about it? You won't need it while you're here."
All he got was a nervous answer from his guest. "Call me paranoid, but I would much rather have it and not need it than the other way around... Once more he looked at the sword, speaking half to himself. "It has saved me countless times... Parting with it even for a few minutes makes me worry..."
Emerald Burst gave a heavy sigh... What is so special about this sword? He'll ask about it later. The massive stallion tried to pull the sword out, but with its strange design pulling it out was a challenging task, even with his devastating strength.
The sword was larger than the unicorn himself, it’s amazing how well hidden it was inside his cloak. It was a well-made broadsword that had only one side with an edge. About one quarter of the way down from the tip as the sharp blade curved out, then in, creating a razor sharp hook. As the blade continued, it eventually became saw like, all the way to the handle, where it curved outwards slightly to provide an improvised version of a hoof-guard.
The other side had no edge. It went straight down towards the handle, and then curved into a small hook that did have a sharp edge, until it finally became a part of the handle. The handle itself was elongated to fit the sword's size and wrapped in old cloth to improve the grip, at the butt of the handle it forms into a slightly smaller copy of the hook and hoof-guard.
Finally, on the flat side of the sword, a large hole was created between the tip and hook, followed by 7 smaller holes that evenly go towards the handle to slightly reduce the weight of it. It was well crafted and must have taken many years to finish... How did this stranger get his hooves on a weapon like this?
Pulling this sword out won't work, and Emerald was getting very annoyed. “Let’s try this then!" He set back his hoof and threw a punch into the handle, shooting the sword out of the house and eventually landing in the grass. "Perfect!" He said with a grin of satisfaction. *Twitch.* "Y-Yeah..." Dusk weakly said. *Twitch. Twitch.* "P-Perfect..."
After a moment of silence he bolted out of the door and ran, with speeds most ponies wouldn't expect him to achieve, to his sword and examined every inch of it.
"For the love of Luna, please let there be no damage!" He begged. Luck shined down him as he found none. So he managed to calm down and set it on his back, using grey aura to unwrap the cloth and use it as a strap. The real strap was a part of his cloak that he sowed in with the help of long strips of cloth.
"Are you ready yet?" The long winged pony called out from the front of the cottage, getting evermore impatient. *Twitch...* "Ready..." The ever so twitchy unicorn came to the other stallion's side and they walked in silence... Until they went back for the grocery list and then resumed their trip.
"How long do you plan on staying?" The “considerate” pegasus asked once they left cottage a second time. "Until I pay off my debt to you and Fluttershy." Came the grey one's answer, then a small smile crept upon his face. "Wait... You just want me to leave don't you? All because I interrupted your, ‘special night’?!" He continued in a dramatic manner.
Emerald's face went red and he walked ahead in silence. Dusk chuckled to himself and continued to follow as they entered into town. The streets were buzzing with life as ponies socialized and went to the assorted shops and stores. The unicorn matched his companion's pace and came up to his left.
"It’s been a while since I've seen a town as peaceful as this one." He said as he looked at the townsfolk and shops, the ones to the left of him at least. Strangely he didn’t seem to notice the curious stares he was getting back.
Questions bombarded the mind of Emerald Burst, one of which managed to escape his lips. "What happened to your eye?"
There was a moment of silence. The grey stranger was looking forward again. But it felt like his right eye, if it is even there, was staring right at the pegasus.
"I was born blind in my right eye." He admitted eventually. "The bandage stops strangers coming at me on that side from expecting me to see them. If only I had a bit for every time that happened..." He added with a chuckle.
Emerald tried to imagine it, living a life with one working eye. He even tried closing his right eye for a while to get a small idea of how it would be like. Until he spotted a cart for of apples... And the big red stallion running it.
If looks could kill, the look Big Macintosh was giving just might do the trick. "L-Lets go to the market later... To Rarity's!" Emerald stuttered as he dragged Dusk down another street so he could avoid the only slightly smaller stallion. Once the unicorn was freed from the pegasus' grip and finally walking beside him he couldn’t resist but to ask.
"What was that about?" He came to his companion’s right side to look up at his long winged companion. "He sort of had a crush on Fluttershy before I came along." The pure white pony answered. "And he never let it go once you two were together." The half blind pony guessed, receiving a nod to acknowledge he was right.
After a few more minutes the two came up to the place, the Carousel Boutique. Before the sword-wielding stallion could admire its outer design he was almost shoved into the door. *Knock knock knock!* “Hey, Rarity!”
The pegasus was getting impatient. A deep growl came from Emerald’s throat, demanding them to hurry just as Dusk started to ask about his rushing. There was a moment of silence, except for the growling, until a beautiful white mare with a wondrous curled mane and tail opened the door.
“Emerald, darling!” She said in delight, “You came earlier than I expected.” She giggled, and Emerald blushed. “Please, come in.” She stepped aside, allowing the stallions to enter.
“I almost stayed up ALL night working on that old cloak, but I couldn’t get all of those awful stains out! Not to mention that it nearly feel apart while sowing it all together.” She dramatically rested a hoof on her forehead before continuing. “I had to make an entirely new one from scratch!”
Dust rested his sword by the door and scanned the room, worried at the highest level. “Did you keep the old cloak? I have some things inside it that I’d like back.” His first reply from the mare was a giggle, followed with a wink.
“But of course, darling…” She began getting close to Dusk… Really close. “First we need to discuss payment.” Rarity’s pelt began brushing against his; their muzzles a mere inch away. The unicorn’s cheeks became a deep shade of red and he was almost afraid to even speak.
Emerald rolled his eyes. “One, he’s broke. And two, he’s new. We all know that you get better business from the stallions already here anyways. We AAAALLLL see Big Mac shuffling out of here at night. Now……”
*CRASH!!!*
Big Macintosh barreled into the boutique, he smashed aside the door and came to a stop a few feet from Emerald. Obviously drunk, he pointed a wavering hoof at the other stallion. “Emerald Bursht. I haz a boon to pick wish you!”
He stood there tottering on three legs for a few seconds, before falling in a heap on the floor. They all stood in silence, until an orange pony wearing a Stetson sidled through the, now empty, doorway.
“Sorry everypony, ah’ll get this big lug back home. Evenin’ Emerald.” She said to….. Well, Emerald. “And to you, Applejack.” Came the reply.
With the help of the mass confusion between the unicorns, Dusk found his chance and escaped Rarity’s clutches, standing on the other side of the room. “”If we can return to the means of payment…” He said, trying to regain some composure.
“I would be more than happy to work something out with you. But.” His blush became more intense, “I’d like to set some boundaries first.” Rarity gave a dismissive wave of her hoof at his offer. “Oh, it’s quite alright. I suppose I can offer the cloak as a token of apology for my recent actions.”
She gave him a smile and went up to the stallion. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. My name is Rarity.” “Dusk.” He smiled as well. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rarity.”
Rarity whisked away upstairs a moment after. Then shortly came back down and presented the new cloak. Dusk silently thanked Luna that it was free now…
The cloak was an elegant dark shade of purple with a golden trim. Unlike the old cloak it had a hood, splitting in the middle so that the horn wouldn’t get in the way. Inside was black with a strap for his sword sowed in, along with a small array of pockets.
“That is the finest cloak I have ever laid eyes on…” He said breathlessly. Gratefully he accepted it and put it on. “It fits perfectly as well!” With a second glance at its amazing design, his pupils suddenly became pinpricks. “Wait… You based it off of…”
“That dashing book you had in one of the pockets!” Rarity finished for him. “I thought it would be a perfect thing to base this cloak off of!” Dusk slowly pulled out the book from his new inner pockets. It matched the cloak perfectly.
“D-Did you read inside of it…?” He asked, still staring at the book. Rarity was taken aback. “Of course not!” She stated, “I wouldn’t just invade somepony’s privacy like that. Now, let’s see how you look without those bandages.” With only good intentions, she tried unwrapping the half blind unicorn’s bandages.
“W-Wait!” Dusk nearly fell over trying to get away from the fashionable mare, but in the process he dropped the book and it opened on a page with a list of names sorted in a strange matter. Emerald Burst’s curiosity drove him to pick up the book and read the names.
There was a long moment of silence… Time was at its slowest as he scanned the names twice… Three times… No mistaking it… He looked at Dusk. “We need to talk…”
The door opened and the two stallions walked inside in silence. The walk back was swift and neither one said anything. Fluttershy was in the middle of making some tea. “Welcome back.” She said cheerfully, “Did you get the groceries?”
“…Shhhhit.” Emerald Burst rubbed the back of his neck for a moment, “About that… Something kind of came up so we had to come back early.” His eyes flashed to Dusk as he entered the kitchen. “This may be of her concern as well.” The unicorn said darkly.
Dusk and Emerald took a seat at the table, and Fluttershy tended to the tea with whatever she could find for lunch. The book in question was placed on the table, it was under Emerald’s wing the entire time, and then opened to a family tree.
“I know of… Our… Family tree quite well.” The half blind pony pointed at the name of Princess Celestia running his hoof down passed her children until it reached the pegasus’ parents. “There is much more to this bloodline, more than almost everypony knows…”
His hoof went back to Celestia, besides her name was two others. Princess Luna, and the dark ex-king of the Crystal Empire, Sombra. “They were brother and sisters long ago,” He explained, “But he conquered the empire for power long before his sisters became they rulers…”
He leaned back on his chair and closed his eye, trying to remember the details that happened over a thousand years ago. “His banishment was just before Nightmare Moon. In fact… His son fought for her in the war…” Just under Sombra and somepony named “Lokshi Ma,” was readable two names, and a series of crossed out others.
Lunaris and Dusk. “Lunaris was the name Lokshi Ma gave me a thousand years ago… Emerald, you and I are related...”
There was a loud shatter, glass, lunch and tea surrounded the yellow mare's hooves. She was staring at the unicorn, imagining him as a younger version of the evil king that nearly took back his throne. "Eep!!!" With a loud squeal the little pegasus shot out of the kitchen and dove under her bed. She was shaking uncontrollably and the house was nearly shaking with her.
Unlike his marefriend, Emerald Burst was calm with an unreadable expression... "So what you are telling me is that you're the 1,000 year old son of a dead king that you hold NO resemblance to..." He said, there was so much doubt in his words that "Dusk" could nearly drown in it. He went on. "And, that you spent your whole life traveling with nopony noticing that the same guy has been on the world for so long? Not to mention your bullshit story about Sombra being Celestia's brother."
Dusk gave a heavy sigh, he was having some difficulty controlling his anger when the white stallion finished. "Ugh... You see-" He was cut off as a loud boom permeated the air and Emerald ducked under the table. Dusk turned……. And got a face full of cake.
“So the rumors are true!” He heard a high pitched voice squeal. “There IS a new pony in town!” Dusk had just wiped the cake off of his face, as he looked up once more an invitation card slapped him square on the nose. A pink pony appeared before him. “Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie! And you’re invited to your own welcome paaartyyy!!!” She then disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
“…What the fuck was that” The bewildered unicorn said as he stared at the invitation, it was going to start tonight at Sugercube Corner. Emerald snatched up the invite with an unsettling grin on his face. “You know what this means… Right?” His grin grew wider.
“Hard Cider!”
Time went by, and the previous quarrel was forgotten. (At least, Emerald Burst was the one to forget it.) Now they were both standing in front of a building being shaking to its foundation by music, this is definitely the place. Fluttershy should be with them, but neither of them could coax her out from under the bed.
Emerald was first to the door, busting it open and scanning the room. “Cider…” There was a barrel on a table with other beverages, mainly punch and more booze. “There!!!”
He… Was just a freaking blur! Immediately he was under it with hard cider pouring out of the spigot to his awaiting mouth. Dusk was staring in shock, in all of his lives he has never seen any race drink so much without stopping.
Applejack was besides the barrel, shaking her head. “Why do Ah even bring hard cider for parties? When Ah do you and Big Macintosh drink it all!” She said to the drinking pegasus. He would have answered, but the barrel was still pouring out some sweet, sweet booze.
Dusk took a seat in a corner on the room, observing the other party guests dance and chat to one another. He noticed Rarity on one side of the room talking to a pegasus mare with a rainbow mane, Applejack was now heading towards them to. Now he spotted Big Mac pushing his way towards Emerald, who now finished the barrel and was raiding mugs of more cider... Shocking.
"Hey!" The big red stallion bellowed over the dubstep, Emerald turned. It was a drunken pony stand-off... The pegasus' move was holding out a full mug towards the farm pony, which he took. Dusk watched in disbelief as they cheered and drank together like friends. "Enemies when both, or one at least, is sober and allies when both are hammered?
There was a sudden pink blur, Pinkie Pie dragged the observing unicorn out to the dance floor. The DJ stopped the music and tossed a mic to the host. "Hiya everypony! Tonight we're here to giiive-" She nearly hit Dusk's snout with the mic. "Name, friend???" She whispered.
"Dusk..."
"A huuuge welcome!" She squealed. Everypony gave a happy cheer which only served Pinkie to prolong Dusk's torment. Quickly he retreated back to his corner, giving a long sigh before he levitated a mug of cider from the table. But Emerald Burst was reaching for that mug at the time, but as it surrounded with grey aura the final, precious, mug move just out of reach.
The two towering stallions watched helplessly as it flew over their heads and out of their reach towards the grinning pony in the corner. Tears formed, and they two wasted ponies began bawling in each other's forelegs. The a dark chuckle escaped the grey guest before taking a small of his cider.
"Why would you hide here? It’s almost as bad as hiding in Canterlot!" There was a blue unicorn to his side; a stallion with a muscular build, must be royal guard or something similar profession. "Listen, you little lap dog..." Dusk growled, "Now is not the time. If you wish for a fight that you know you will lose, then wait until this party is over. No witnesses that way..."
The stranger scoffed and took the mug. "We don't want to fight... Yet... But she wants to see you." He tried to drink but it was yanked away by grey aura. "Why is she asking me to see her, after all of these years? ...You know what, forget it, I don't want to know." Dusk leaned back on his seat. "How about you go run along and tell her to get off her fat plot and come meet me instead." He began the stranger a dismissive wave of his hoof before chugging down the rest of his cider.
"You'll regret that..." The other unicorn said through gritting teeth as he briskly walked towards the door, slipping out with nopony else noticing.
Dusk began scanning around the room to find a quick escape route. While doing so he spotted Emerald rushing towards the bathroom his face was a disturbing shade of green... Poor guy. He saw that the kitchen had a back door, so he headed for it. But before he could even make it to the kitchen the front door was busted open and the music was cut shortly after.
Eight stallions entered the room, seven wore black outfits with silver masks with katanas sheathed at their sides. But the 8th was different, very different. He wore black armor that belongs to a more futuristic time in Equestria. His right foreleg was all real until it reached just above the knee, then the rest was made of some kind of machinery nopony has ever seen. The only parts of his body that was visible was his white horn, ears, and scarred muzzle. One of the ninja ponies came to the obvious leader's side.
"What is your next command, sir?" He asked, nervousness was pouring out of his voice. But weren't assassins, which is obviously what they are, known to kill first and ask questions later? The dark armored stallion had his gaze on Dusk through his grey visor. "Hmm... His eyes fixed on something next to the half blind target...
A... Desert table?
"Mind getting me a slice of cake?" He asked, pointing at a cake ironically called "Death by Chocolate." The ninja's eye twitched... "Uh... Y-Yes sir!" He ran to the table, keeping an eye on Dusk. He was studying his sword with mild interest. Then he came back to his leader with a large slice of the cake.
"You haven’t changed a bit, Beta Wolf..." Dusk chuckled to himself he looked on to the head assassin, "But this time you seemed to have a few upgrades." He frowned, finding his appearance slightly unnerving. Beta Wolf paid no attention though, he took a huge bite of the cake and nearly began bouncing about in joy.
"Wow that’s good! Do you guys want any?" Pieces of the cake was levitated by blood red aura to each one was his men, but each kindly, and most of all nervously, turned it down, except for one. He slightly moved his mask up, which exposed his orange muzzle, and took a happy bite. Only now did someone speak up, besides Pinkie. She was rambling something about ninja cupcakes to herself.
The unicorn DJ was in front of Beta, more annoyed than scared or confused unlike most ponies around her. "Who the hell do you think you are?!" She said while prodding his black chest plate. A grey mare came to the white mare's side. "E-Easy, Vinyl. We don't wa-"
"No! I wanna know why a bunch of ponies in pajamas just crashed our party!"
"Lunaris..." The futuristic assassin said, so coldly that it sent shivers down both mares' spines. "You've one more chance... Surrender, or we will have to slaughter ever single pony in here." The few tense moments made felt like long unbearable hours... Until dark, arguably insane, laughter broke it. "Hahahaha... You may have the ability to do such a thing... But do they?"
The tip of Dusk's sword pointed at each lesser assassin' grey aura was flowing from his horn to the 8 hole in the sword and formed 7 small back orbs, and 1 large orb. He grinned and brought the sword up with both of his hooves. "They would probably have nightmares of this night forever... But you and I? I'll be sleeping just fine tonight... If either one of us is alive that is..." Now his bandages unwrapped themselves with the help of magic, revealing a sight that made the assassins shake in fear, except for Beta Wolf, and everypony scream out, including some of the males.
Everypony, including the DJ and her friend, pressed against the walls around them. They would have jumped through the windows and went for the back door, but there was a red barrio that prevented such escape. Even when some tried a teleportation spell a ward knocked them back to where they were before.
His right eye was a grey void around the outer rims of it that deepened and became darker towards the center, it also gave off a grey aura trail much like the pony he claimed to be his father. A small flame in the eye acted as his pupil, its flickering and the glow it gave would prove that it was real. But it didn't burn the eye, or even produced heat, for that matter.
Everypony, including the DJ and her friend, pressed against the walls around them. They would have jumped through the windows and went for the back door, but there was a red barrier that prevented such escape. Even when some tried a teleportation spell a ward knocked them back to where they were before.
One of the ninjas hastily drew his katana "Die, monster!!!" He shouted as he charged, using his hind legs to run and his front hooves to grip the handle. "Not tonight..." The grey... Thing. Brought down his sword even though the opponent wasn't in range. And orb vanished and a vertical wave of darkness went across the room. While in mid-run the ninja pony fell... In 2 perfect halves. "And then, there was 6." Dusk cackled, grinning madly as if he was taking deep pleasure in cutting down the pony.
Blood sprayed everywhere and organs began pouring onto the floor, but from 2 sources. One assassin, the orange stallion whose final meal was cake, failed to move out of the wave's way in time. His left eye, and the entire body on that side, detached from the rest and fell. The rest of his body toppled over with blood spraying and orgins spilling out as well.
The 5 lesser ninjas looked at the bodies, then their leader, then back at the bodies. They were highly considering the option of retreating. Beta's metal hoof stomped on the floorboards, making them crack and splinter. "Men! Kill anypony who tried to leave!" He yelled, a smile splitting across his face. "Lunaris is all mine..."
The ninja ponies nodded and advanced towards the civilians. Most of them shrank back in fear, but a few steeped forwards to face the strangers. As they drew their swords, including their leader, the fight began. But as it did Emerald Burst stepped angrily out of the bathroom.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!"
Every pony, and flying piece of cake flying across the room, stopped as soon as the fight began. Each head turned to the pissed pegasus and the cake dropped straight to the ground. "He's going to be trouble..." Beta muttered before nodding his head towards the new opponent. "Kill him." He commanded before turning to Dusk, which resulted in him getting a handle smashed into his helmet. "Ah!" He stumbled backwards, "Dammit!"
The 5 enemies, finding safety in their numbers, dashed towards their new foe, coming from the left, right, front, and in between. " *Sigh.* Seriously?" When Emerald unfolded his wings they created a sound like a sword unsheathing. "Alright then..." He whipped around in a clockwise motion quicker than his sprint for booze. When he finished this motion there was blood covering his wings.
5 assassins fell, and 5 heads went rolling.
He sat on a chair away from the bodies that had blood gushing from their new stubs and looked at his wings with another sigh. "Well those stains won't be coming out soon..." He said before watching Dusk and Beta Wolf fight. Surely Dusk has the upper hoof, right? Well... With a sword of his size swinging it and not dismembering any innocent ponies was a tough task. He was forced to long horizontal or diagonal swings that his foe easily avoided.
Beta did the opposite in fact. After avoiding an attack he tried to slash any pony around him, forcing the grey unicorn to protect and possibly receive a deep cut if not worse. Dusk was growing tired quickly, he tried to block an attack on a teal mare with a harp cutiemark but wasn't quick enough... She stared down at 2 bloody stumps where her hooves used to be. She started screaming uncontrollably, even when her friend tried to stop the mass bleeding.
"NO!!!" 2 orbs from his sword vanished, and rows of crystal saw teeth grew on the sharp edge of the blade. At the price of a third they moved like a chainsaw that would vanish at the hoof guard and reappear at the tip. He swung down at Beta in pure rage, but he merely side stepped out of the way and rested the tip of his sword to the demon eyed unicorn's and tightly squeezed the handle.
Much like his armor, Beta Wolf had an advanced sword and sheath. The sheath seemed to do more than just hold the sword, but only the wielder knew what. As for his sword, it was a katana that had its upper half shifted back so the bottom of it could hold a small prong, a second prong was found at the hoof guard.
When he squeezes on the rubber wrapped handle a nearly fatal jolt of electricity surged between the prongs and through the rest of his sword, including between the teeth that stuck out on the upper edge. This electricity went through Dusk's sword and into him. "AAAHHHHH!!!" His muscles tightened so much he couldn't release this weapon and blood gushed out of his wounds.
Eventually the last assassin released his grip and the electricity stopped, and Dusk fell. "Aww... You put up a much better fight last time." The armored pony said with a pout. He stretched out the defeated stallion's right foreleg and raised his sword. "A leg for a leg!" He gleefully declared... The sword was brought down... But it was caught between a massive pair of bloody wings.
"I'm getting... Really tired of your shit..." Emerald said with a slight slur. The high tech assassin jumped back and slowly sheathed his sword before pointing his artificial foreleg at the huge pegasus. Slowly he got on his hind hooves and pulled back on a small latch on the metallic appendage which made his fake hoof open to expose the barrel of a custom arm cannon.
"Hey, Dusk!" His savior grunted, "I'm going to borrow your magic for a second." Dusk gave a breathless "What?" But then he saw his aura trail out of his horn and into Emerald's collar. While this was happening Beta Wolf's cannon was charging by his own magic being amplified when 4 floating pieces of a ring spun at a high rate. The barrel began to glow crimson red by his aura, and his pegasus foe had a large orb formed in front of him.
The party guests made perfectly sure they were not behind either pony, fearing that they might get hit by what was going to come. Both of them unleashed everything they had.
Emerald's borrowed magic was amplified by some form of different magic. It engulfed Beta's blast and even the user. Beta Wolf was sent through a wall, which wasn't there after, and several more after that until he was out of sight. Thankfully no pony was in the way, because his attack left one wall gone, and a few houses in rubble. The owners of said houses were at the party, which was arguably lucky in a way.
"...That mark on his fake hoof..." The victor panted before looking down at his friend, "We're going to Canterlot..." With some help Dusk got on his shaky hooves. "I don't think that is wise." He said while securing his sword and bandages that was luckily blood free. He was going to see if the teal mare was ok, but she was already being escorted out by a few party guests...