Chapter One
Chapter One
One year has passed, since the Cult of Sombra suddenly struck and overthrew the Crystal Empire. Equestria attempted to stop them, trying to stop this mad group from carrying out their dark plans… But, they did not know that their ranks had also been infiltrated, and were met by both betrayal and ambush. This ended in defeat for the Equestria forces sent, along with being the death of Prince Shining Armor. With their defeat, it opened the door for King Sombra’s dark resurrection on to Equis, and his tyrannical rule to return.
Celestia and Luna attempted another retaliation, trying to stop King Sombra’s reign from returning and break his power base before it could be established. Yaks, Gryphons, Germaneigh Knights, and even some Dragons; joined in this attack, knowing that this evil had to be stopped before it could spread across Equis… Only for them to discover that Sombra had planned for their intervention, raising the very army that had originally sent to stop him, including Prince Shining Armor. Instead of a struggle against good and evil, it turned into a crushing defeat for Equestria and its Allies.
What came after, spelled doom for Equestria, as Sombra’s forces pushed southward like a tidal wave of darkness. To protect the Royal Family, many of Canterlot’s Nobles, who were not turned to Sombra’s cause, managed to smuggle them to an unknown location within Equestria, very few members of the Elements also being recovered in time to also be saved. Now, only corruption, disorder, and slavery; ran rampant in the once peaceful Kingdom of Equestria. Its tyrannical ruler laughing within the former capital, taking Celestia’s throne as his own and perverting it with his dark magic.
However, when hope seems lost and evil has become victorious, Justice always seems to rise and right these wrongs. A flash of light suddenly appearing just off Equestria’s western shores, bringing a fleet of strange ships with it… Leading them, a Champion of Justice, who had sworn to protect all those innocent and punish the wicked. A Lawbringer has come in Equestria’s time of need.
-Equestrian Shores, South of Tall Tale Forest-
One of the large wooden ships slowly pushed on to the sandy shore, a Warden leaping from the railing. His brightly polished armor glistening in the sunlight, keeping the recently forged greatsword in his left hand, dark gray tabard flowing in the wind, it’s circling red Warhawk insignia displayed proudly. The Warden slowly scanned what surrounded their ship for any possible threats, his young eagerness making him want to be the first on to this strange land. After a few moments, not seeing anything, he lifted his right hand up and made a quick hand motion. This signaled lighter armored foot soldiers to throw down multiple rope latters, and start to disembark on to the shores, more of their ships arriving shortly after.
A heavy thud drew the Warden’s gaze back to the ship, seeing a similarly dressed Conqueror glancing around, his crusader faceplate darkened through age and wear over the long years of service. “Diamadies, nice of you to join me.” The Warden looked behind his companion. “I assume our lord will also be joining us?”
Diamadies gave a silent nod, taking five steps to the right, before a heavily armored giant of a man, standing a full head taller than the others, landed. His tabard were four pieces of fabric draped in the front and back of his legs, the circling crimson Warhawk on each piece. He bore the standard Lawbringer armor, forged from a thick bronze material, the Order of Lawbringer’s crest under his right shoulder. Though, his helmet was that of a Gladiatorial Myrmidon style, with piercing spikes cresting its top. The poleaxe stood taller than him, a red leather wrapping its shaft, along with a spiked petal piece at its center. Its axe blade had a regal curve to it, another angled blade piece instead of a hammer on its back. Cresting its very point, was an elongated blade that curved near the base into a rear point, as if to tear open metal casings like a can. Engraved upon the shoulderguards, along with the front and back of his breastplate, was the iconic snarling wolf of a true predator, a warrior.
After landing, an aged black raven suddenly flew down from the ship, perching on to the Lawbringer’s left shoulder, glancing around as if it were scanning for him. “Ah, Lord Tyrion.” The Warden spoke up, as he and Diamadies placed their right hands over their hearts. “As you can tell, this isn’t Valkenheim… That bright light must have thrown us off course, somehow.”
The Lawbringer just looked down at his young companion, before looking towards the woodline. He suddenly strode past them and towards the nearest tree, his two commanders close behind him. Once he reached the tree, Tyrion reached up and grasped a leaf. “You are far too young, and inexperienced, Alexander.” He started, thumbing the leaf ever so gently, before breaking it off and showing it to the Warden. “This kind of plant doesn’t grow anywhere in Valkenheim, the Myre, or even Ashfeld.” Tyrion looked towards the forest. “Which means, we are in unknown territory.”
Alexander and Diamadies looked at each other, then to their Lord. “What does that mean, Lord Tyrion?” The Warden asked, Diamadies nodding in agreement.
“It means, Alexander…” He turned towards the two. “We have some scouting to do.” Once again, the pair looked at each other, before saluting their lord. Tyrion raised his hand up, allowing the black raven to move on to the new perch. “Onyx, once again I am counting on your eyes. Fly ahead of us, and be our guide… Tell us what is ahead.” The raven bowed its head, spreading both wings wide and taking flight.
-Outskirts of Vanhoover, Several Hours Later-
Running.
That is all Fleur De Lis could do right now, after spending three months of acting like another slave for the local lord of Vanhoover. There were rumors about this high ranking noble of Sombra possessing a priceless treasure to both Equestria and the Crystal Empire… A treasure constantly being bragged about, and the resistance could not investigate it. Now, she is running away from ten Sombrain Guards into a deep forest, with said treasure sleeping in her left arm.
“D-Don’t worry, princess.” Fleur panted, as she ran through the forest, dodging limbs and branches. “I will get you to safety, Mon cheri.” The mare carried a fencing sword, tightly, in her hand. She wasn’t foolish, and knew some of the corrupt guards would catch up to her, but when they do? She was ready to protect young Flurry Heart, Fleur De Lis had once been part of the Royal Guard after all.
Her gaze kept falling to the young foal resting in her left arm, worry finding its way on to the mare’s features. None knew what had happened to Flurry Heart, after the Crystal Empire fell, she had been taken from Cadence by a hidden agent of Sombra’s Cult. So, when rumors of the princess being held by a lord in Vanhoover, Fleur was the first to volunteer to find out. Her skill sets in “playing the part” and pretending to be a super model made her the perfect choice in infiltrating the Lord’s mansion. After all, she was just another pretty face enslaved by a lustful lord.
“I will get you to-?”
“Kaw!” The high-pitched cry caused Fleur to look up, just in time to see a black silhouette suddenly swooped down, and cleave a lock of the mare’s hair off! She followed the path, seeing a strange raven soaring away, before it turned back around and came back towards her. The mare readied her fencing sword, thinking it was one of the corrupt guard’s beasts, and swung at the creature… But, the raven expertly dodged her swing and snatched up a royal seal from Flurry Heart’s blanket! Flying off with the trinket and lock of hair. “Kaw!” The raven cried, victoriously.
“Je déteste vraiment les oiseaux...” Fleur hissed in Prench, before keeping up her dead sprint further, and further, away from Vanhoover and her pursuers.
-Not Far Away-
Tyrion slowly lifted his hand up, seeing his old companion quickly flying towards their little scouting party. Once Onyx landed on to his master’s forearm, the raven lightly placed down a lock of pale pink hair and seal representing a crystal heart into his master’s hand. This caused the Lawbringer to stab his poleaxe into the ground, gently inspect each item brought to him. Each piece represented something, the scent of heavy perfume coming from the lock of hair telling much, while the seal seemed it was designed for one who was fairly young, a child almost. His gaze went back to Onyx, who gave him a lowered gaze… He knew that look, the raven was trained to do so when innocent lives truly needed his master’s aid.
“My lord?” Alexander spoke up, getting up from the fallen log he and Diamadies were using as a seat to rest. “What does it mean?”
“It means, Alexander…” Tyrion suddenly gripped the items brought to him, placing them both within a pouch at his hip. “Trouble.” He quickly retrieved his poleaxe, striding forward with his group trying to pack their things up and catch up.
-With Fleur-
Fleur’s chest began to burn, she had been running since escaping the Mansion at Vanhoover’s city center, her body unable to withstand the amount of strain. She needed to hide Flurry Heart, lead the corrupt guards away, and take them out one by one. The only problem with this plan, is the fact that most of the guards chasing her were at Vanhoover’s boarders or on patrol at the forest’s outskirts. This meant, they had far more stamina than her, and were gaining quickly.
Her gaze scanned the area, trying to find somewhere to hide Flurry Heart and fast, but the corrupted guards were too close for any of the better spots. Soon, she came upon a massive ravine, near one of the nearby mountain passes, completely cutting off their escape and unable to actually climb down in time. Her gaze went wide from panic, knowing full well fighting with Flurry Heart in hand was near impossible. When the sounds of armored bodies coming to a halt filled the mare’s ears, her eyes narrowed and whipped around. “If you monsters think I will hand her over, you are mistaken!” She hissed, holding the fencing sword in a high right guard.
The corrupt guards began to laugh, as they drew closer to Fleur. “You, against all of us?” Their sergeant laughed, as he stepped even closer. “Please, you may manage to kill a couple of us… But, you will be killed in the process.” He held a hand forward, motioning for the mare to come towards him. “Give us the foal, then you will be spared and we will show our… Appreciation.”
“Heh, and she will take every ounce of it.” One of the guards chuckled, from behind their shield.
This caused Fleur’s eyes to narrow even more, out of anger, noticing a patch of grass nearby. Carefully, and gently, she laid the foal down on to the soft patch, then took a proper fencing stance. Her stamina was really low, breathing heavy, and would not put up much of a fight against these heavily armored guards. However, she was planning that the fighting would draw something close enough to create a distraction, or maybe other nearby rebels. Fleur wasn’t much of a head-on fighter, but she was given no other choice.
“Hm… SO be it, then. We will make sure you scream, before finally killing you.” The sergeant motioned forward, causing two of his guards to lung forward. “Die, wench!” Fleur deepened her stance, ready to put up what fight she could offer, as the two drew closer, and…
SLASH!
Fleur’s eyes were wide, in shock, her stance faltering… As a knight, matching a Germaneigh Knight in some way, suddenly appeared and rammed his greatsword into the first guard’s chest. He bore a dark gray tabard, with only a red circling Warhawk as its symbol, wings cresting the sides of his helmet. Without hesitation, he ripped the sword free, causing the guard to fall to his knees, then spun around to fully decapitate his opponent. This made the other guard hesitate in his attack, not expecting this strange warrior to appear, nor did he know what to do. After a few more seconds, he readied to attack… Only for the flanged head of a mace, attached to some iron chain, to crush his skull in.
The second Knight was a more basic type and wore less armor on his arms, wielding his crested shield and a weapon Fleur never saw before. His helmet was more plain, but a cross bone insignia crested the rounding cap, armored leather pieces dangling where his faceplate did not protect. Both weren’t Equestrians, their faceplates were too flat, and the second knights’ bear arms showed no fur or even feathers… She honestly did not know what these knights were.
“Who in Tartarus are you two?” The sergeant asked, with a raised brow.
The first knight chuckled a bit, placing his greatsword in one hand. “Well, to put it simply? We are Commanders of the Warhawks Legion.” He gave a light nod. “I am the Warden in command of defensive tactics, Alexander. The silent Conqueror there?” Alexander motioned to the second knight, who simply lined the chain of his weapon with its shaft, and gripped them both together. “Is my comrade, and commander of offensive tactics, Diamadies. We are members of Lord Tyrion’s inner circle, who help lead his soldiers into battle… And, as luck would have it, you lot drew our lord’s attention. So, he sent us ahead.”
“What?” The sergeant and his men were confused by what was just said. “You two can’t possibly hope to defeat all of us, even with the ranking you claim to have… We still out number you, even with that wench behind you!”
“Oh, we aren’t here to defeat you.” Alexander’s response nearly made the sergeant, and even Fleur, fall over in confusion. Before any of them could respond, both Knights raised their right arms and placed it over their hearts. “He is, though.”
In that moment, the four guards securing their rear were sent flying past the sergeant. Shock filled him, seeing their blood spraying out like a breach in some water line. Slowly, the sergeant turned around, his eyes being filled with terror by what stood there. “B-By the D-Dark Ki-King…”
The third knight was an armored giant compared to the others, his bronze armor covering almost every inch of his body. The snarling wolf engravements upon his breastplate and shoulderguards made the sergeant feel like he was in the presence of some unstoppable predator. His helmet reminded the Equestrians of some ancient Romane Gladiator, spikes cresting its top and the discolored dark gray on its faceplate giving a look of venerated experience. Grasped in the massive knight’s right hand, leaned against his shoulder, was a regal poleaxe, with a bloody blade. What perched itself upon his left shoulder, was the very same raven that stole a lock of Fleur’s hair and Flurry Heart’s seal.
The sergeant slowly stepped back, only seeing Minotaurs standing at such heights. This knight’s strength was even demonstrated, when he sent the four guards flying past them. “S-Stallions, prepare to-!” His warriors cried out in agony, as the three were suddenly riddled with arrows, the sergeant and Fleur now noticing hooded archers hiding in the nearby brush. “W-What?” They were now surrounded by soldiers dressed in dark gray, their black shields bearing the red Warhawk insignia.
A heavy foot step drew the sergeant back to this juggernaut of a knight, who was approaching him ever so slowly. “Do you know who I am, pup?” They asked, now towering over the sergeant. In a sheer panic, the sergeant swung his sword, only for it to be caught by the towering knight’s left hand. “I am the Lord and Master of the Warhawks Legion, a Lawbringer of the Lord Warden in Ashfeld…” He yanked the blade free from its owner, tossing it to the side, before actually grabbing the sergeant by his throat. “I am Lord Tyrion, the Wolf of Judgement.”
The sergeant began to flail, trying to break free, but Tyrion’s grip was too strong. When he walked towards the ravine’s edge, Alexander and Diamadies quickly parted from his way, Fleur moving to retrieve Flurry Heart.
“As a Lawbringer, it is my duty to dispense justice upon the wicked. Which means I am their judge, jury, and executioner; the very thing who decides whom is punished and whom is spared Justice’s fury. And so…” Tyrion suddenly held his captive over the ravine’s edge, the depth hidden by the night’s dark vale. “You sand accused of corruption, attempted kidnapping, attempted rape, attempted murder…” He glanced at Fleur and Flurry Heart, the Lawbringer’s masked gaze focusing on the royal seal stitched upon the foal’s blanket. Tyrion then looked back to the sergeant, his grip releasing just enough for them to talk. “Endangering a child of royal blood, how do you plea?”
“N-Not… Gui-ack-Guilty! Not guilty!” The sergeant pleaded, grasping the Lawbringer’s forearm, only for his tight grip to return.
Tyrion held the sergeant closer to his faceplate, adding to the wrathful judge aura. “I knew you would say that.” His tone was low, a chill of fear running down the corrupt Equestrian’s spine. What happened next, made Fleur’s blood run cold.
There was no throwing, big thrust, or over the top display of might from the Lawbringer. Tyrion simply released his grip on the sergeant’s neck, allowing him to fall into the ever-darkening ravine. His screams of terror echoing off of their rocky walls, as the sergeant plummeted towards his death, reaching for something to grab but failed. Soon, the sergeant disappeared into the abyss, followed by a heavy thud and sickening crunch, the screams stopping.
“Justice has been served. May you burn in hell for these crimes.” Tyrion turned towards Fleur and Flurry Heart, the Lawbringer walking towards them. Fleur readied her fencing sword, not sure if this knight was truly there to help her. He just looked down at her, poleaxe held upright, and just stared at them. After a few moments of silence, even Alexander and Diamadies unsure about what is going on, the Lawbringer spoke. “Are you two alright, my lady?”
The question surprised Fleur, her stance relaxing some. “U-Um… I will live, and the princess is unharmed, thanks to your timely intervention.” She answered, keeping the sleeping princess from view. “T-Thank you, for that I mean.”
“So, a princess, huh?” Tyrion asked, eyeing what he could see of the foal, before nodding. “Come with us, you will be safe at our Legion’s camp near the shore.” The Lawbringer began walking back where he appeared from. “I suggest coming with us, too. My scouts have reported more of these strange warriors searching these woods, and I think they’re looking for the two of you. Our camp is too far for their search parties, and my sentries will pick them off if they come too close.”
Once again, Fleur was confused by the knights that surrounded her, the suggestion not making any sense. Though, Alexander snapped her out of it, by placing a hand on to her shoulder. “Do not worry, my lady. Lord Tyrion means what he says, plus it wouldn’t be very knightly if we left you and the child alone here.” The young Warden had her there, as he began to follow Tyrion’s lead. Her gaze went to the silent Diamadies, who simply nodded and followed them.
“Well… I guess it wouldn’t hurt to accept their hospitality.” She slowly started to follow, keeping Flurry Heart close. “I will just keep a close eye on Flurry Heart.”