Mysterious disappearances in the edge of Equestria and the rumors of black evil creatures call for an investigation. Princess Luna decides to take matter into her hooves and embarks in the adventure that will lead her to a faithful meeting.
A wondering Pony who has forgotten his origen looks for answers at the edge of Equestria, in his travel he encounters evil creatures that pray in the innocent lead by an enemy from his past. Alone he may not survive to uncover his real identity, fortunately, the Princess of the night is in her way and their routes will bring them together in more that one way.
" Pebble dear! Don't go too far, ok? Stay where We can see you!".
" Ok Mom!". Not soon after saying that the filly ran away.
The little filly joyfully jumped around the trees chasing the squirrels that lived in the small forest. Making little of her mother's advice the brown furred filly continued playing while her parents harvested the sap and nuts from the trees.
" Ah that girl, is all from your family side". Said the father as he dug his axe deep in the tree with his magic.
"Don't even go there mister! Wasn't your brother who ran away with that mare to Celestia knows where".
" Hmm!"
" I thought so".
As the adults continued with their chores, Pebble ventured deeper in the forest, her parents weren't so worried as the whole family knew it like the bottom of their hooves, they also knew that there was no predators living close, this was one of the many reasons why the family moved to the far side of Equestria, where they were safe from crazy shenanigans like in the capital, but today they were to receive a terrible surprise.
" Don't run away! Almost got you!". Pebble jumped to catch one little squirrel but the rodent escaped her and quickly climbed the nearby tree making a raspberry to mock her for her failure.
" Come down, that's not fair". The filly pounded on the ground in rebellion when something caught her attention. From across several trees where the forest grew dense a pair of green bright orbs appeared. Pebble saw them appear and disappear several times in less than a minute, always together. In one instance they disappeared again and when she saw them they were bigger. Curiosity won over the mind of the brown filly and she moved closer with the hope that the orbs would be new friends.
"Maybe they are fireflies!". With a happy tone the filly trotted closer until the orbs were gone again, when they came back Pebble saw them get bigger again, her mind just coming to the realization than they weren't growing in size but getting closer, and that they weren't fireflies but eyes, the green eyes of s timberwolf.
The filly froze, she had heard from the adults that Timberwolves were dangerous, that if you saw or heard one you should run or look for a hiding spot that they couldn't reach. " But it's not attacking yet". The filly came to the conclusion than if the beast hasn't attacked yet it meant that it was friendly, so she waited keeping her eyes in the wood creature.
The sound of twisting branches came close and now the little filly could see the creature completely, it was only then that she realized her mistake, the mouth of the wood beast drooled endlessly almost tasting the little dish that was in front of it.
Pebble was frozen with fear as the creature moved closer, its body getting ready to jump at the pony.
"Mo-M-MOMMY!". The filly managed to scream before the beast could jump at her, she closed her eyes waiting for the pain that never came. When she took a fearful look she found the timberwolf motionless, the beast was distracted by something else, something behind her.
When the squirrel she chased before started chirping angrily she turned around and soon whished she hasn't. Walking slowly toward them was a nightmare, for her little innocent mind couldn't find other name for it. The new threat was several heads taller that the timberwolf, its head was also canine in form but while the timberwolf was made with tree bark, roots, branches and splinters the other was pure black with a protective white bone mask, apart from that the other major difference was the eyes, red like blood and fire, red like a sun sinking back in the horizon marking the end of light and the upcoming darkness.
Red met green, both predators realize that the pray wasn't big enough for both of them, non that they would share, an unspoken pact was reached, one of them would cease to exist.
With a howl the timberwolf lunged forward, shoving the filly out of its way. Pebble was dazzled temporarily from the fall and could only manage to seat on her flank as the wooden monster reached its black opponent. Poor Timberwolf never stood a chance, as it jumped to gain the advantage the other wolf did something unexpected, it stood in its hind legs gaining more high than the jumping one. The black wolf caught its new pray in its Jaws and claws, sinking deep into its leafty body, then, when it didn't felt the wet and warm sensation of blood from its wounds, it tore it apart leaving chunks of bark and moss everywhere.
" Pebble! Where are you?". The filly's father finally reach her but she was so scared that she couldn't even cry much less call back to him. The winner of the fight then reacted, not to the desperate yells of the stallion but to the ever growing fear that the smaller pony was feeling. It sniffed in her direction before it sprung at her. In the middle of her terror, her voice finally came out.
" DADDY! SAVE ME!". Pebble found herself running without thinking, just letting her four legs carry her away, as far from the black nightmare as possible. This however send her in contrary direction from where her father was coming.
Her mad run came to an end when her front legs tangled sending her muzzle first to the ground, the pain in her snout making her forget about her pursuer for a few seconds. " Awee! It hurts ".
The predator behind caught up to her without breaking a sweat and recognizing that its meal wouldn't run anymore simple walked to her.
"No! Stay away! DADDY!". Pebble curled up in the ground, a feeble intent of survival, the black wolf opened its Jaws wide ready to full down the filly in one swoop. A sickening noise frightened the filly even more, but it wasn't the sound of flesh been torn by fangs and teeth. It was the noise of bone been broken by forged steel. A second and a third sound came, both like when her father hit a soft spot in the surface of a tree with his axe. Still, the girl didn't open her eyes due to her fear.
" Die! ". That sounded like a stallion, was her father finally here?.
"GGGRRRRARRR!". The beast roared with hatred and hunger, but also frustration, and yet no harm came to Pebble. Then, the weak sound of the creature dying was next, Pebble could still hear breathing, but sounded normal, safe.
"It's ok now, it's gone, it can't harm you anymore". Came the stallion's voice, not her father's but somepony else. Pebble opened one eye, then the other, her first visage was that of the pony who spoke to her, her savior.
Most of his face was shadowed by a black hoodie but a mush of blonde mane could be seen barely, his eyes shone blue for a bit but Pebble thought to be her imagination, his fur was a cream color with two yellow arcs as cutie mark. He was carrying something on his back, a white metal contraction with a sword hooked inside, over his right front leg was a red sleeve, a brown utility belt attached to his torso and finally, a chestplate protecting his front.
Just behind him Pebble saw a black smoke, she wondered what it was until she saw the white bone mask turning into smoke as the rest. " PEBBLE!". Her father called finally reaching them, he pushed through the other pony and quickly asserted the condition of his daughter. " Are you ok? Let me see you, thanks Celestia, you're ok ". Pebble's father turned around and hugged the younger stallion. " Thank you, thank you so much mister! You found her safe and sound, sincerely! You have my entire gratitude".
"Da-Daddy?". Peebles asked timidly and still shocked.
" Ah, sorry, let me, just let me catch some air first, uff, uff, I don't know how you could run so fast while carrying that chunk of metal with you, uff, but it doesn't matter, if it wasn't for you walking on the forest my daughter would be food by now, again, thanks, from the bottom of my heart".
"Ah, well, it-its ok sir, I just did what any normal person would do, no biggy". The stallion said while scratching his neck with his hoof.
"Person? You don't mean Pony?". Asked the oblivious filly.
"Pebble please, show some respect for the young stallion that just save you, anyway, I don't know how this could happen, Timberwolves normally never travel too far from the Everfree forest, how did this one came all the way over here?".
"Timberwolf? The wooden one?".
" But of course! Or was there another creature roaming around too? Oh no! My wife!".
"Calm down sir, there's no more danger, trust me". The stallion looked all around, sometimes closing his eyes but still searching the surrounding. " There is no more creatures nearby, but if you say that this one wasn't a normal occurrence then it could happen again, better be prepared".
" You're right young one, this was a close call, one I never want to experience again, I have deal with Timberwolves before but having a filly and a mare to protect at the same time is way too much for me".
"I wish I could help you but I have a, a mission to fulfil, but if you can offer me a place for the night I could watch over you and your family". Said the stallion.
"That's great! More than that, come then, come with us. We need to inform my wife that Pebble is safe, follow me please, you too child, and thank the good pony... uh? Sorry with all the commotion I forgot to ask your name my friend".
"My name? Uh, I, you can, you can call me ".
"Knight! You look like a knight, isn't your name something like that?".
" Pebble! I'm sorry for my daughter, she thinks that all ponies are named after something they do or for their special talent".
"But Daddy, your name is Sap Finder and you look for sap and my name is Pebble and I can shoot pebbles with my slingshot and I never miss, well, almost".
Sap Finder hit his face with his hoof. " Child, please don't remind me of our bad habit while naming foals, you are grounded by the way, for three weeks for disobeying your mother!".
" Not fair, first you take my slingshot, then I was almost eaten by monsters and now I'm grounded! What's next? Is Mom making more sap soup? ". His father simply rose one eyebrow. " She is isn't she?".
"Count yourself lucky that you get to eat and not to get eaten, oh we finally got here, let me go in first, my wife most be a bit hysterical right now". Sap Finder left the two young ones to go into the house.
" So, well? Thanks, for saving me Mr Knight".
"Mr Knight?".
"Well? You haven't told us your name, you have a sword, you saved me like knights do in tales, you dress like a knight, sorta, and, I got nothing else".
"Knight? I, I like it, so knight , for now until I remember my real name". The stallion said.
"Uh? So you really don't have a name?".
"No, I know I have a name, but I cann't remember it".
"How do you know?".
" Uh well, sometimes, when I'm sleep, I can heard voices, familiar voices, they call me, many times, they call me something, but when I wake up, I don't remember".
"That's so? And where are those friends of yours?".
"I, I don't know". His voice cracked as he seemed to felt into anguish.
"I'm sorry, don't worry ok, they most be somewhere, looking for you probably, I'm sure".
"Yeah, probably". The two felt into silence. The filly felt now the urge of asking what was the black creature that killed the timberwolf when the door of the little house bursted open.
"My baby! Come here!". In an instant Pebble was embraced by her crying mother.
"No! Mom! You're gonna get me full of snot!". The little filly yelled but her mother didn't let go.
The stallion watched as the family had their moment of joy, he was happy to have made it in time to save the filly and prevent another catastrophe, his mind slightly remembering the desolated place that he found during his travel all the way over here.
He turned to see the sun hiding deep away in the horizon, soon the night would fall and with it, the dreams.
DREAMSCAPE.
There were almost nothing than could surprise Princess Luna while inside the Dreamscape after years and years of guarding over ponies dreams she believed she has seen everything, by now even wild dreams like Pinkie Pie were a standard thing.
However that ended a few months back when two things happened almost at the same time. First was the appearance of two dreams that she couldn't access, this one was particularly worrisome if the pony owners of the dreams were having nightmares and suffering she couldn't help them subdue it, and if the dreamers turned out be an evil doers she couldn't see what was they were planning.
The second thing was as alarming, many ponies were starting to have confusing nightmares about bulky and intimidating black creatures that Luna has never seen before, she had calmed all of those dreams but more kept popping here and there. Finally, along with the black monsters was another presence, a stallion that appeared in most of the dreams slaying the creatures and saving the day.
Luna was extremely consternated by this and she was now planning to inform her sister of her finding.
In this night her intents at entering the mysterious dreams failed once more, no matter how much she inspected them they were closed to her and no amount of magic she poured in her intents it failed every time.
"This can't be, there is no dream that can be sealed from me! Well maybe, some, but no! I'm the Princess of the night! The guardian of dreams! The scourge of nightmares! I demand thee! Open NOW!".
Her voice reached wide and far but the two dreams remained the same. " Fine! If I can't enter through the dream then I shall through the pony itself". With that said Luna left the Dreamscape appearing back in her royal room, her temper completely gone from her.
"I will find you". Luna said as two small spheres appeared in front of her, one white and warm while the other was red and cold, the dreams of the unknown ponies. " Just you wait".
EDGE OF EQUESTRIA, PEBBLE'S HOUSE.
as soon as Pebble woke up she jumped out of her bed and trotted to the small shelf outside her house to meet with her hero. " Mr Knight! Mr Knight wake up! It's morning!". The filly opened the door violently when she got no answer. " Mr Knight, is breakfast time! Mister?".
Pebble only found the pillow and blanket her mother gave to the cream pony so that he could sleep. The two were neatly folded in a corner. " Mr Knight? Where are you? Where did you go?". The filly sat on her flank saddened by the sudden departure of her hero.
At the skirt of the forest the armored pony stopped when he thought he heard his name, not exactly his name but close to one as he would get. "I'm sorry Pebble, but I can't stay here, can't stay anywhere until I know what I am, or who I am, sorry".
With a last look the stallion turned tail and galloped away letting his hooves direct his path and hoping to find what he was looking for.
" Hey hero boy! Wakey wakey! Time to get a move on ". The blonde bombshell spoke playfully to the sleeping form of her fellow blonde. When she got no answer from him and evil grin appeared on her face as an idea for good prank did the same in her mind.
She prepared her lungs to scream and scare him good but she didn't count on a white haired interloper. " Don't even dare Yang Xialong, if you as much as peep near him I'll frost the water next time you take a bath.
The named blonde let the air loose after been threatened by the other girl. " Puuuufffl, spoilsport, it was just a light joke, is not like it was going to give him a heart attack or anything ".
" Knowing you I doubt it, what are you doing here anyway? Weren't you suppose to be in guard right now? ".
" Nope! Ren's turn started about 5 minutes ago and I was bored ". Answered the taller girl annoyed.
" And your idea of getting a laugh is to shock your friend with a childish prank? Seriously Yang, sometimes I think Ruby is more mature that you! ".
" Ok I'm sorry, ok? Geesh! Why are you so defensive of lover boy here anyway? ".
" I'm just been polite and considered, nothing more, he's been using a lot of aura everytime one of us get badly hurt apart from his combat assistance, not to mention that he's the only one of us who keeps training, you could us some of that so you don't get bored as you said ".
The blonde girl looked her with a curious face. " Wow! I can't believe it! ".
" Why is so hard to believe, he's trying to improve himself, we should follow his example ". Said the shorter girl.
" I can't believe you're crushing so hard on him! Oh Weissy! That ice around your heart as finally melted! ".
" Wha-what? What are you talking about you dolt, there's no way that I... and him... please, don't speak nonsense! ". Weiss turned around in a desperate move to cover her blushing face but Yang smelling blood like a shark took the opportunity to keep attacking.
" Ho ho ho, what's this? Is our little Weiss here showing up feelings for her dork in shiny armor? Hm? ".
" Not feeling! I just... uh, I'm just concerned about our battle efficiency as well as our resources, and him is a valuable asset at our disposal, or do you know another guy with a healing semblance like his? Just watching for the overall good of the group and our mission in general Yang, not need to be so obnoxious about it ".
Yang smiled showing that she didn't believe a single word from the Schnee but before she could continue with her diversion a loud roar echoed through the walls of the hallway inside the ancient tunnel ruins where the group was currently taken shelter from their enemies.
" That, that sounded like Grimm!? ". Said Yang trying to decipher what kind of Grimm was that.
" I thought you said that Ren was taking watch?! ". Asked Weiss.
" He was! He should be, oh God I hope he's ok or Nora is gonna flip! ".
" Let's go and assist the rest Yang ".
" What about sleeping beauty here, should we leaving him alone? ".
Weiss turned to the blonde boy sleeping in what laughably could be called a bed, all vulnerable and unaware of the danger. " Stay back Yang ". Using her rapier to and semblance Weiss summoned a wall of ice between the blonde boy and the rest of the tunnel. " That should do it, now let's go ".
" Right behind ya Weisscream! ". The two women left in a hurry, soon joining the rest of their friends in a fierce battle to push the monsters away, even through the thick ice wall the sound of growls, yells, gunshots, explosions and roads could be heard and that stirred the sleeping huntsman, it would be the pained scream of the white huntress that finally fully woke up the knight...
Blue eyes snapped open and the young stallion rose to his hooves only to smash his head against the top of the wooden roof. " Ouch! What the?! ". The stallion looked for the danger but found none, outside of the small hole on a fallen tree that the cream furred stallion was using as shelter a electric storm raged.
Lighting fell from the sky and stroke the ground at the distance, the intense light of the flash forced the stallion to look away, then came the roar in the form of thunder, loud and powerful for a few seconds before been drown by the sound of the rain.
" The dreams again... Weiss, Yang, Ren, Ruby, Nora, they are my friends but... they look different from how I look ". The knight took a look at his hooves, full of muscle and fur. " Maybe I'm the different one ". The knight told himself. He could remember their names from the very first dream he had but so far his own elude him, so nameless he continued to be.
It was two days since he left little Pebbles house and continued in his journey with no direction, searching, wondering, hunting. The last reason the most important, in the air he could feel when the black masses of hatred nearby, attracted by fear or conflict, then he would pursue and turn the black predators into pray, he didn't know why he did it though, was that his duty? Or perhaps for revenge? He couldn't tell. In his dreams the creatures know as Grimm were everywhere but he had his friend also attacked them when possible, enemies then, fair and simple.
The sound of rain and wind started to drive the armored pony into slumber, almost shot were his eyelids when he felt the familiar sensation of vile in the air, rage and fear loomed near. Then he heard it.
A road so mighty it could almost rival the thunder from not long ago. Without thinking the stallion came out of his refuge and sprinted forward, ears and nose searching for the signals of battle. His trusty weapon ready at his back, almost begging to be deployed and taste the black ooze from the monsters.
The knight too wanted combat, but not for satisfying a thirst of blood but because seen with his own eyes the remains of the Grimm disappear was his only assurance that the innocent wouldn't die. " Faster, faster! ". The knight yelled but his legs remained him that he lacked energy from hunger and sleep deprivation.
His eyes caught something, at the distance orange could be distinguish among the black of the night, as he got closer he recognized it as fire, a village was burning in the middle of the Storm, screams of panic and pain could be heard now.
" Crocea Mors! Ready! ". As the name of the weapon was called, a mechanical sound came from within, the sheath shifted and the pommel of the sword was released near the muzzle of the stallion for easy reach. Closer now, Knight saw the village formed by a few wooden buildings, 10 maximum with most of them already in fire or collapsing already, a few ponies ran from side to side been chased by black figures, more lay immobile in the wet ground, pools of red coming from then.
His heart ached, he was late, even if he managed to save a few of them the dead toll was still there. He would avenge them. He counted 5 black figures known as Beowolves, one in particular had trapped an old pony near a corner. Knight took the sword with his teeth and stab it in the ground to free his mouth for another command.
" Launch! ". From his back, the sheath Shifted again making itself bigger by unfolding half of his full size, then like a cannonball, the sheath flew at high speed slamming the back of the beowolf. " Protect! ". At the second command, the sheath transformed its full size turning into a kite shield, the shield floated and positioned itself between the killer beats and its would be pray.
Taking the sword back he did a circular move and let go of the sword at the moment when it was directed at another creature, this one heard the whistling projectile coming and turned in time to receive the tip of the sword in its chest, far more, the force of the throw impaled the beowolf in the wall behind it leaving the pony it was about to attack free for scaping.
Chosing his third target, Knight ran toward it, the black wolf didn't saw him coming so it wasn't prepared when Knight headbutt it behind the knee making it fall. " Run! ". Knight told to the mare he just saved. " Go! I'll hold it up! ". It took another yell for the mare to snap out of her shock and run for safety. Turning back at his downed pray Knight lifted his body on his back hooves and came down with his front ones over the knee join of the beowolf crushing the bone and crippling the beast for good.
" Come to me! ". This command caused the sword to reunite with its owner, the sword dislodged itself from the wall and the beowolf, leaving it to die from blood lost. Knight caught the sword with his mouth and sunk it in the belly of the beowolf then disemboweling the black being he dashed forward to meet the forth beast, he was half way through but by now the Grimm were well aware of the threat killing its brethren.
Meanwhile, the shield part of his weapon continued frustrating the first beowolf by refusing it access to it victim, the metal plate moved in the air blocking claws and Jaws from causing further harm. Desperate for touching the frightened pony behind the metal obstruction the beowolf took the shield with both paws grabbing and subduing it, but the knight had another command just for such a thing. " Bash! ". Without a warning, the shield bludgeoned the black canine in the muzzle effectively staggering it, a second bash broke it's nose completely but after 5 more impacts the creature didn't even have a face.
Knight was taking down his own opponent, a couple of dodges and dashes and it was done to one arm and one leg, yet the merciless creature crawled its way to him in a last intent at revenge. Knight responded with the same mercy as he jumped over its back stabbing it to the ground with a down thrust.
The last beowolf rushed from behind the blonde pony, confident that it could catch him off guard but Knight was ready. " Buzzsaw! ". From it last position, the shield started spinning with incredible speed then it launched itself across the air, the last beowolf jumped toward the young pony crossing paths with the shield and taking it fully on the side, while it didn't penetrated completely it did broke skin, ribs, and internal organs turning the chest area of the beowolf into mush.
Dead in mid air Knight moved away and the body fell next to the other one, all around the bodies were turning into smoke and dissipating along with the fire which the heavy rain had put away too.
Checking the area around quickly, he couldn't detect anymore enemies nearby, the feeling that attracted him first was gone, only the smell of blood, burning wood and fear was left in the air.
As the adrenaline left his body a sensation of fatigue and dizziness flooded him, still he moved around looking for survivors, but first he recalled his companion. " Crocea Mors, Return! ". At once the shield folded back and placed itself in the back of the blonde pony followed by the sword, not a second late, the mysterious weapon was safely stored, waiting for the moment it would see battle once more. " Is Anyone still here? Is it safe now! The... the creatures are no more! You can come out! ". Knight waited for an answer, letting his body rest for a moment. Soon the rain stopped and its noise was gone with it but still no answer would come.
He didn't think that the entire Village was slaughtered, he saw several ponies still running wildly plus the ones he and his weapon saved, maybe they were been weary of him. " Come out! I won't hurt anyone, I mean anypony, I came to help! Please come! Don't be afra-afraid ". Knight almost chocked when his hunger grew again. Even though for him his equipment was weightless he was still beyond his limit and now even Standing up was difficult.
His vision blurred and he had to shake it to cleared it, the movement end up making him dizzy, something that he wasn't so resistant against. His vision blurred again and using his hooves he rubbed his eyes to clear them, when the minor task was done he was surprised to find himself surrounded by the remaining villagers, they formed a semicircle around him, he could distinguish a few things about them, first, there weren't many left, second, they looked either too young or too old, the oldest one was probably many decades older that him, he wasn't sure yet, the darkness and his poor state made it difficult.
" You... You killed those things? Ho-how? Even our magic was useless! ". Asked the oldest pony, ragged and blooded but more surprised that nothing.
" I, I was trained to... to kill the Grimm, I... I'm sorry I couldn't get here faster, it was hard to heard from afar and with the rain so loud ".
" I... We... we don't even know what to do now, our homes are destroyed, our community is in tatters, our loved ones... my... my wife, we just married, and now there's nothing left of her! Why? What where those things? ". The pony grew frenetic with each second, paying little attention as Knight sunk deeper in his weak condition.
" Hey! Is he ok? He's falling sleep? ".
" What? What if more of those things come? ".
" Don't even joke about it, let's go the town's hall, that's the tallest place, we can hide there! ".
" That's a dumb idea, we have to get away from here as soon as possible and alert Canterlot about those things! ".
" In the middle of the night? We haven't even buried the remains of the others! ".
" Then stay here you idiots! I'll get away to safety while you coward in this Celestia forsaken ruin of a town! We shouldn't have left the main land! ". Argument broke out between the adult ponies, all the while ignoring the stallion who just saved their flanks.
All but two, two small unicorn siblings who with worrying eyes saw the adults lose the coherence of the group, using the limited magic they had in their little horns they levitated the now sleeping earth pony with the strange weapon to the only place they consider safe enough to hide.
CANTERLOT, ROYAL CASTLE...
" Is good to see you awake dear sister, it had become pretty unusual to see you around this hours ".
" My apologies Tia, I have been... busy. There's some worrying news that bring me here today ". Princess Luna said while approaching her sister's throne. As always she was surrounded by members of her government body and noble ponies trying to get a second if her time and as Rainbow Dash would put it, 'Suck her up' to get in her good side.
Hearing her sister, Celestia did a face of discomfort that Luna took wrong. " If you're busy I should probably come back later ".
" No Luna, I'm... Is not you my little sister, is just that I'm receiving some bad news on my end as well, pretty bad I would say, so far I have received 5 calls for help from small towns and villages outside the our territory, those calls have been appearing one after another and each described horrible information. ".
" I didn't know of this, why are you telling me just now? ".
" First I thought that maybe the information was overplayed and we nor the Elements of Harmony needed to be involved so I called the 11th legion of the Royal guard to take care of it since they are the closest force we have, they are currently guarding the last changeling nest founded, however time passed and we kept receiving messages of help from the pioneers on the border which is getting farther from where the 11th is stationed, on top of that, they have observed unusual behavior from the nest and believe that Queen Chrysalis may be in it ".
" So that means that they wouldn't move to help the ponies in those towns? ". Asked Luna indignantly.
" Is not that they don't want to Luna? But in priority, Chrysalis capture is more important than those towns since they aren't under our rule completely. They did dispatch a company however, they where in route to the first town and should be arriving today ".
" That's acceptable but I feel like this operation is still lacking the attention that it deserves ". Luna protested.
" I concur sister, but with the upcoming Peace conference around the corner we can't do anything besides leaving the situation to our subjects ".
Princess Luna growled internally, she had forgotten about the super important and most likely super boring Peace conference, a celebration to signal Equestria first 5 years without a mayor incident, it was going to be celebrated in a few days and Luna knew that she couldn't escape from making an appearance there, she dreaded the event like drinking poison. First, she had to Kept a smile the during the whole event no matter what, another reason for Luna to hate events like this was how ponies always end up ignoring her for more prominent figures like Celestia or Twilight and company.
To be fair she knew it wasn't anypony's fault, since she was more know in a more deep level when compared to Celestia who was the main figurehead of an entire kingdom but it was pretty rare for ponies in the day to come and ask her for advise with their dreams. Ponies were use to come to Celestia for advise and command and now that her apprentice was a princess too Luna became less needed.
As Luna contemplated her options an idea came to her, one that would allow her the chance to investigate the two mysterious dreams that avoided her as well as help the ponies in the frontier and maybe, save her from having to attend the Conference.
" I may have found a way to ease our worries and help those poor souls and also allow me investigate the inconveniences that I have found in the Dreamscape ".
" Oh, you did? Then tell me Luna, it would be must welcome if you can solve this before the grant event ". Celestia said as she dismissed the group of aristocrats ponies and her assistants.
Luna waited until they were completely alone before speaking her mind. " During my last travels to the Dreamscape I have come across two strange dreams spheres that I haven't been able to access, no matter how hard I tried, they won't budge, apart from that, I have seen numerous nightmares where the ponies are under attack from horrible creatures of unknown origen, creatures that destroy and devour ".
Celestia listened. " If this creatures are connected with the troubles occuring in the frontier then it would be more appropriate for a royal member to tend to this rather than let a single company to solve the problem ". Celestia could feel her sister's emotions behind her speech and knew they were honest but she could also see the hidden reason behind her candid enthusiasm. " And that's why I believe I have to go there ".
" I see, very valid points, but, couldn't Twilight and her friends take care of this mission in our stead? After all Twilight is also a Princess now ".
" I-I... well? I don't see why not, but but eh, as her senior I feel is better suited for young Sparkle to tackle the problems closer to home for now, where she could be kept save and under faster assistance ".
" Another valid observation dear Luna, but again, it also would be a wrong in our part to pamper her too much, if we do so she wouldn't have the proper experience to deal with real and more dangerous problems when we aren't around ". Celestia countered.
" Agree, but again, her main strength comes from her ability to connect with her friends in such a deep level, if we send her away she wouldn't be as effective as when she's assisted by them ".
" Hm, noted, sorry dear sister, but it seem s little unfair to think of Princess Twilight as just a successful and strong pony only because she have the talents of her friends at her disposal, her own special gifts are the main reason why they all could work so well together and each part only increased and provided their own touch and angle rather that been just a simple power up ".
Luna couldn't argue with that, to do so was to insult the young Alicorn and it also worked against her as it would mean to refirm what she always felt, the inferiority complex of been the younger sister, the less experienced, the one not good enough.
" I... I understand Celestia, you're right... as always ". Luna said dejected, her own confidence shattering and her resolve been strip away from her hooves. " It will be as you entrust sister, now if you excuse me, I have to-".
" Wait, Luna. Please do wait ". Celestia jumped from her throne and walked in front of her sister embracing her in a hug that stunt the night princess. When she retreated there was a sad smile in her face. " I'm sorry Lulu, it is not my intention to tell you what is good or bad, my role as Princess consorts me to be mindful of every aspect and to respond everything objectively. It is my duty as ruler, but as a sister, I have to let you come to your own conclusions and help you achieve your own goals just as you did before your banishment, we both rule over this land and now we have both Candace and Twilight to share that responsibility but I'd it also a moment when we can better support each other like the sisters we are. You are entitled to your own feelings when it comes to your special talent and I'm not in any position to deny you the right to resolve them in the way you feel its the most optimal. But know that when you feel confused or in a bind I'm here for you Lulu ".
" Ah- does, does this mean that-".
" Yes, you can go, I appreciate the fact that you came to me and informed me rather that go and jump to the adventure without telling me first, it speaks volumes of your maturity as a ruler and your resolve to avoid friction between us after what happened, I thank you for doing that ".
" You have my thanks too sister, for understand me and make me see when I'm acting out of line, I'm grateful ".
" My pleasure Luna, now then, before you fly away to make preparations for your mission then why don't we have breakfast together, it have been a while ".
" Do you still order the double chocolate cake with three milks specially delivered from Manexico? ".
" Better, I have a Manexican chef hired in the Royal kitchen, you're gonna love the enchiladas she make, real food, not like that imitation they sell in Taco Shell ".
" Really? I always thought that it was real manexican food? ".
" Ho ho dear sister, and here I thought you didn't know how to make a joke! ".
" What are we waiting for then? Let us feast Tia! ". The two sisters walked away to enjoy a precious moment together, a moment that would be the last one they have for a while.
RUINS OF THE HORSESHOE VILLAGE...
With a growl and a grunt the knight pony woke up, he immediately knew his previous sleep wasn't a normal one since he didn't saw a dream of the past like the other times.
" Hey Gum, he's waking up! He's waking up! ". Called a filly unicorn to her brother.
" Let me see ". The unicorn brother who was a a few years older came to inspect the sister's claim. He saw the blonde pony grunt and shift as his consciousness returned. " He is coming back, quickly, Mint bring some water for him ".
" Ok! ". Responded the filly as she left the room to look for the water asked.
" Whe-where... am I? ". Asked the knight.
" Hey mister, don't worry, you're safe in our house, well, my brother's... what's left of it anyway, thanks for saving us ".
" Ugh, my pleasure, argh! ". The pony started coughing hard.
" Take it easy sir, my little sis is coming with- oh, here she is ".
The green furred filly entered with a glass of water levitating in front of her, then her brother took the glass with his own magic and passed it to the stallion who drunk from it with abandon. " Woah! You must have been thirsty mister! ".
" I, I was, still am, and hungry, like, a lot ". Said the stallion as he left the water settle first.
" We still have some food left, we can eat in just a bit, first... first I want to ask you a big favor sir, I know that you just woke up but- ".
" You have to help us find our older brother! If you don't then we'll throw you out! ". Yelled the filly before the young colt could finish.
" Mint! That's not way to ask for a favor! ".
" But but, what if big brother is in danger? What if he was found by one of those things! ".
" I... I know but- ".
" No! If he doesn't agree to help us then we won't give him any food! We need it too! ".
" Mint! What's wrong with you! He just saved the village from those monsters risking his life! ".
" Yeah? And look where he is! The other adults left taking everything! They didn't even thanked him or worried about us! They just ran away, they didn't even left to look for help when the first one showed up and because of that brother went instead and now he's missing! I, I just, I just want to go home! ". The little filly started crying but her brother was embracing her not soon after.
" Shh shh, Is ok Mint, is ok, I'm scared too, but we can't leave without knowing of Buster, we need to know if he's ok sis and the mister is our best shot, that's why we have to send him- ".
" Alright ". Said the young stallion as he was up and strapping his belt and chestplate to his body.
" Bu-but we haven't- ".
" You don't need to say more, if you need help you have mine, destroying those monsters and saving the innocent is my duty, and- ". His stomach growled with enough power to rival a roar from an Ursa.
" Wow! That was so epic! Until your guts ruined it! ". The filly actually laughed at the accidental mishap from the blushing stallion. After grabbing something to eat the group looked around the ruined small community, as the brother, Bubblegum, said before, the twin was now deserted, the ruined homes void of any life.
The three ponies looked around the houses to find food and water for the travel to the place where the older brother, Buster, went to look for aid. " And you said that you hunt those things? With that thing in your back? ".
" It's called Crosea Mors, is an old family heirloom that was passed down from father to father, well that was until it got to me ". Said the knight with a tone of shame on his voice, the sister wanted ask what he meant but her brother shook his head preventing her from doing so.
" So, how do you do it? Did you went to some school to learn how to kill monster? ".
" An Academy actually, it's called Becon... Was called Becon, my friend and I all went there ".
" So there's more of you out there? That's a relief! ".
The pony knight remained quiet for a bit before he spoke again. " Right now I don't know where my friends are, or if they are ok, but I'll keep looking while I hunt the Grimm, if they still out there and hunting I hope to find them again ". And maybe remember my name. thought the stallion.
" Hey hey! Look you two slowpokes! I found some food! Come and look! ". Mint called from inside a ruined storage that survived both the fire and the collapse.
After inspecting the food carefully they discarded the contaminated food and water and kept the good one, later they prepared three sleeping bags and took any other stuff they may require in their journey. " So the town your brother ran to is called Lonesome Saddle, and is a couple of days away? ".
" Yes, Buster left a day after the first monster appeared, that would be day and a half from now, he must be close to the town ". Explained Bubblegum.
" I see, then we have to take the same route and leave a message behind in case he does come back so he knows we're in our way to the town, if he's there then we can meet him and all of you will be safe ".
" Good plan for an adult ". Said the filly.
" Mint watch it! ".
" What? Is the true! Adults only think in themselves and what they want and care nothing for us, isn't that why we run away to be with Buster? ". Said Mint angrily.
" Mint, it wasn't like that, you know Pa and Ma love us, is just that they want for us what they think is better even if is not what we want or like ". The little unicorn turned around and crossed her front legs over her chest in protest.
" Do you, want me to leave you room to talk? ".
" No, thanks but this is just some old thing we're dealing with, what's important is to get away from those monsters and find Buster, the rest will be a cakewalk after that, I'm sure ".
" Ok then, hold on, before we depart, there's some rules I want you to follow so I can keep you safe ".
" Oh! Here we go! Rules, rules, rules! You were holding those nicely until now, weren't you? ".
" Looking! Please, be respectful when somepony is helping us, even Buster told you to thanks those who lend you a hand even if they're stallions or mares! ".
" Tsk! Fine! Let's hear it ". Knight thought for a second, then decided in how to deal with the filly.
He reached down to the filly, looking in her eyes the way he was looked by his former teacher, a blonde woman with green eyes called Glynda Goodwitch. " Miss Mint, as of this moment and until I deliver you safely to your family, I promise to do my best to protect you with my life and the honor of a Hunstman, but, by not following my rules you make my mission incredible difficult, and if I fail in my task of protecting you, what do you think that the result will be? ".
The little filly understood the answer of who would be turn into food immediately and nodded and gulped with a bit of fear, fear that could attract the evil creatures but as long as they kept close, the Knight believed he could protect them so he went with that.
" Ok, first, stay close to me all the time, if you want to leave for a bathroom brake you tell me first but do not leave without telling the others. Second, don't fear, I know it sounds stupid but trust me, is important, finally, you do as I say, if I say you run, you do it, if I say you hide, you do it, if I say you stay- ".
" Yeah yeah, we get it Mister ".
" I'll would prefer if you call me Knight, mister sounds too square for me ". Said the pony as he mounted his saddle bag in his back.
" Knight? As in the armored warrior? That's weird ".
" Mint! Sorry uh Knight, mister, her mind had no filter and everything she thinks it goes directly to her muzzle ". Gum looked at his sister with disapproval but the filly simply hugged.
" That's ok, I know how that is, I have 7 sister and... had, 7 sisters, crazy bunch all of them but I loved them the same ". Knight ruffled the make of the filly earning his own huff and puff from her.
" Ok then, seems like we as ready as we're gonna be and we left the message already so lead the way Gum ".
" Hehe, actually, is Mint who knows the way, I'm not good with directions, sorry ". Knight looked to the green filly who now had a smug grin on her face and in a single motion took her by the fur and put her in his back much to her indignation. Then the young stallion broke into a low speed gallop while been followed by Bubblegum.
CAMP OF THE 11Th LEGION OF THE ROYAL GUARD...
" Sir! Sargeant Maroon bringing news from Canterlot, Sir! ".
" Come in! " Called the old Commander unicorn in charge of the 11th Legion. " Let me see that ". The Commander took the scroll with his magic and read the info, as he did so his face turned sour. " By the Tartarus, just what I need it, Princess night flank is coming to here to mess things up, why in the the name of Herself did Celestia send that overgrown filly here damn it! ".
" Si-Sir? That's like, one of our four ruling Princesses ". Said Sargeant Maroon with fear.
" Not to me boy! Only Princess Celestia and no one else have authority to command any of my troops, ugh, and this is an order from her, whatever! It say here that she's taking care of that stupid mission about those traitors. Tell me is there any news from the hive? Any sign from That stinky queen bug? Anything at all? ".
" None Sir, but the scouts report even more buzz in the hive, it seem that whatever is happening inside is escalating ". Reported the Sargeant.
" Hm, tell the scouts to dig a bit deeper in their perimeter, also have the Pegs in standby for a quick bombing should we move. How are the 3rd and 4th company? ".
" The 3rd is ready and spoiling, the 4th is moving a few clicks to the East to have better altitude advantage in case of a sudden attack, Sir! ".
" Hm, not bad, ok, dispatch messengers to both units with orders for to keep high watch, oh almost forgot, have the 9th reported in yet? ". Asked the Commander with out much interest in the end.
" Not since yesterday at 100 hrs, but communication through the whispering stone is not as reliable as scroll, Sir! ".
" I see, well, keep trying, and prepare an extra tent for the... princess, just in case she wants to stick around, hopefully she won't ".
" Sir! Yes Sir! ". The Sargeant saluted and left to do his superior's orders.
The Commander meanwhile turned to the map of the area they were currently occupying, wondering if he'll get a chance to capture the prized target. " Are you really there Bug queen, and if you aren't, then what's all the commotion going on in there? ".
INSIDE THE CHANGELING HIVE...
" Has anypony found him? ". Asked an angry older Changeling to his younger brethren.
" Not yet! We have look everywhere, except... the Royal chamber! Has anypony checked there? ". Said one of the youngest in the patrol of Changelings.
" You, you don't think...? Oh buck! The queen! The queen is in danger! ". Asked the other with fear.
" Sound the alarm! Everypony available, to the Royal chamber! ". The buzzing of wings and the hard knock of hooves on rock flooded all tunnels as the black bugs rushed to make sure that their mother was safe.
Soon the chamber was reached, normally the honor of opening the trapdoor to the Royal quarters was reserved for only the one who was authorized by the big mother herself but right now that was the last thing in the Changeling who arrived first at the entrance.
" You majesty! Mo-mother! Are you-?! ". The young Changeling was left petrified when his green eyes saw his queen, the matriarch of the entire Changeling kind pinned to the ground by the hooves of the strange Changeling that appeared a few days back, one of his weird claws had hold of Chrysalis by the horn while a stinger connected to the main body by a long tail hovered above the Queen's head.
" Oh! Look Mama! Your little critters she come to rescue you. Hahahahaha! Isn't precious? Isn't Mama? Hahaha! ".
" My queen! ". The Changeling who shout it did even saw the tail until the stinger was deep in his chest, when the weird Changeling pulled the tail back green blood oozed out of the sound, the poison in the stinger wouldn't wasn't even necessary at this point.
" SHE'S NOT A QUEEN! ". Yelled ta the top of his lungs the mutated Changeling, his golden eyes shining with madness and his mouth twisting into a demonic snarl. " Hahaha, sorry, sorry, just a bit overwhelmed, you see, for me there's only one Queen, a goddess, my queen had the most beautiful white skin, like cold snow, her eyes, red like blood in and fire, and the black veins that run along her skin, is just like rivers of his black elixir, bringing forth more of her lovely children, my lady goddess, the one and only. Not this impostor! ". The mad Changeling pressing his hoof over the chitin of the Chrysalis.
" He-help me you fools! ".
" We-We can't! If we do he may crush you completely! ".
" Oh no no no no I wouldn't, you see, while she would never be my Queen, she can be my Mama, since I never met my real one in that other world, he he! Would you? Eh? Would you like to be my Mama? He he! ". He pressed again.
" Argh!, Can't... move! ". As her chitin started to crack under the pressure.she realized that she had no way around it, since finding this weird Changeling she have tried many ways to harm him, both physical and emotional, magic and spells and good old torture but nothing worked.
And now she was about to be squished like a... like a bug, throwing pride aside for survival wasn't even a joke here, it was the only option. " Yes! Yes! I'll be, I'll be your mother, or Mama, whatever you want me to be, just, let go of me! ".
" Hahaha sure sure Mama, after all, I'm a very respectful child. Just remember, insult my Goddess or try to play trick on me and I'll put more holes in you ". To sustain the point the strange Changeling put the stinger near her eye and moved it slowly up and down.
Finally he jumped off the queen and stretched his carapace making giggles all the the while. The rest of the brood simply observed with fear and confusion at the unusual situation their hive was involved in.
Chrysalis got up slowly trying not to call the attention of his wayward offspring, she wasn't planning to stay with the lunatic Changeling but unfortunately for her, her scouts had detected a huge force of royal guards keeping eye in the entire hive, no doubt Celestia had send one or two of her Legions in hopes of finally sizing her.
An idea came to the green haired queen, while she was apparently weaker that her child, she was older and smarter, or so she considered herself. " Say my child, what was your name? ".
" I don't have one, or don't remember, he he, I don't care either way, when I'm back with my Queen she can give me my name back, but... I suppose I need one right now so...Savage, yes, Savage! I like the sound of that ".
" Very well, Savage, I have been informed that a group of enemies are preparing an attaxk on the hive, it would be better if we do something about it, don't you think? ".
" Oh, is that so? Sounds like fun he he, but I'm not interested, there's something out there, something odd he he, something out of place like me, and I want to find it! ".
" I see, still, in order to go and look for this thing of yours, you still need to clear the way free of Invaders, if you help Mama, she can even help you find what your looking for faster, what do you say, dear Savage? ". Chrysalis used her sweetest tone also applying some of her own magic in her voice.
Savage, as it called himself now, felt something weird coming from his new parent but he couldn't pinpoint what or how exactly was affecting him, her explanation did make sense however and he didn't want to risk been taken pensioner of killed by those Invaders, and it would be good to see what else he could do with this new body of his.
" Ok Mama, you convinced me, let me see what this ' ponies ' want and see if they can agree with my proposition he he ".
" Proposition? What kind of proposition? ".
" Oh, a simple one, do they want to be crushed by my pincers, or prefer a taste of my venom he he, ha ha ha wah ha ha ha!. Everypony took a few steps back as the evil laugh of the mad Changeling resounded through the whole chamber.
IN ROUTE TO LONESOME SADDLE...
The three ponies moved close one to another in order not to lose sight of each other or of the road, this normally wouldn't be necessary under normal circumstances but right now a freaky fog had fall upon them.
" Is that your special talent? ". Asked Mint, still traveling in Knight's back at top of Crocea Mors.
" Pardon? ".
" This thing, your weapon, I saw you using it like with magic but you don't have a horn, so, did you use a spell or was that your special talent? ".
" Well I-I really don't know, I just know that I can use it like that but I don't know why, but I know Crocea Mors is an important part of me and that's how I know how to use it, does it make sense? ".
The two unicorns looked at each other and shrugged. " I don't know where exactly do you come from or why you don't remember how you got here but I kind of get what you mean, we too have something that we're good at it and like, and when we do those things from the bottom of our hearts then those things become or special talent, what you are good at gets reflected in our cutie marks ".
" Gum is right, let me see ". The filly jumped down and saw the two golden arcs that was located in the flank of the cream pony. " Oh! Your cutie mark is the same as the one on your shield! ".
" Mint! One does not look at somepony else cutie mark without their permission first! ".
" But Gum! We all have them in plane sight, how is one supposed to ignore it if we have them in our rear all the time! ".
" Mint, you... Ugh, your questions are harder that the ones in Celestia's magic School ".
Knight smiled watching the interaction between the siblings, he could remember a family of 8 siblings, seven sisters and one poor brother who was tormented by all the girls, and despite all of that, the brother loved them.
It was already a 4 hours since they left Horseshoe Town and so far they haven't done much advance due to the fog, according to Bubblegum It was a normal occurrence around this parts and it could last from hours to days depending on the weather.
Whatever the reason their travel was now under more caution and low in pace, while Knight could feel the waves of the Grimm there were dangerous creatures in this world that could sneak on him if he wasn't careful.
" Hey look! That mark on the tree! That's Buster's! ". The filly pointed to a single dying tree that had yellow paint over its bark. The trio approached it and indeed it was a Mark recognized as Buster's cutie mark, a round Boulder with a fissure running from the top edge down to the middle of rock, the mark looked old and was almost banishing from the bark healing the tree.
" Yes, is Buster's mark, that means we are going the right way! ". Said Gum with enthusiasm.
" Good work, both of you, we'll keep the pace for another hour then we'll take a brake, think you can keep up, Gum? ".
" Yes, at this speed is not as bad ".
" Good, then let's go ". With renew energy, the trio continued in their trek to the next town.
CAMP OF THE 11TH LEGION OF THE ROYAL GUARD...
Commander Hardstone moved with grunts and low rambling as he was informed that Princess Luna finally arrived and was asking for him, the fact that she started barking orders and asking his soldiers for an status update without his acknowledgement of approval pissed him even more, his dislike for her grew in intensity.
When he finally caught sight of her she was with two of his captain, both were listening to her with nervous looks and he had the bad feeling that They were made to talk something they didn't wanted. When his approaching was visible both captains looked relieved to see him.
" Sir! Glad you're here, we just were updating the Princess about the situation but we told her we can't discuss further details without your authorization, Sir! ".
" At ease soldiers, to back to your posts, I'll take care of our guest ".
" Sir! Yes Sir! ". The two captains saluted and left without giving Luna anymore attention.
" I wasn't done speaking to them Commander ".
" I reckon, but they were telling you the truth, further talks about important operations can only be disclosed with high ranking members of the military personnel and unfortunately you don't qualify Miss Princess ".
" How dare-, I'm a Princess of Equestria! How come I don't qualify? ".
" The Royal Guard was made to serve Equestria and its loyal citizens, we are not at the disposal of just anypony in the Royal court, even Princess Celestia has to abide by the rules of its constitution, something you, Miss Princess seems not aware of, one the 1st Legion stationed in Canterlot is completely at the orders of Princess Celestia and even then her personal guard is just about 3 divisions, the rest acts as police and scouts ".
" I didn't know- ". Luna tried to dissuade the argument that was turning against her, due in part to her own lack of knowledge about how her sister reconstituted the Royal Guard and part because the loud tone of the Commander was dragging attention to her in a bad way.
" If you aren't well informed in our way of operations perhaps it would be better if somepony else take care of your mission, Miss Princess ". His harsh tone could hardly cover his animosity for her.
Luna resisted the tentation of lashing at the insolent unicorn, even something like using the Royal voice would be taken as her falling for his indirect insults and she would be look like the bully. Still, Luna couldn't hold everything back so using her superior high she countered with her own arguments.
" A valuable argument Commander, indeed I may not be highly qualified to give orders or to a military unit, but, weren't you who declared state of emergency: Code BBGD of the Twilight Protocol? ".
The stallion frowned at the weird code hearing it for the first time. " What in Celestia's feathers are you talking about? ".
" Oh, I thought that a pony of your rank and knowledge would know about the Code BBGD, my, isn't that a bit negligent in your part Mister Commander? ". Luna said the last words with raw honey on her voice, sweet honey that could make you choke.
One of the Captains walked next to the confused Commander and explained. " Sir! The princess is talking about enacting Code BBGD which stands for Big bad Guy Detected, it was implemented in the Legion's manual protocol by Princess Twilight when she became member of the Royal court ".
" What? And what in Equestria does it say?! ".
" It say that in case a high military member, in this case you, call to a state of emergency by Code BBGD, then if one or more members of the Royal court with military background concur in the place where the Code was enacted then they can share the authority and command of the units located within the zone. It was created to maintain integrity within the units in case one of the commanding officers is unable to give orders or the orders are against Equestrian law ".
" That's stupid! Outrageous! And stupid again! ".
" My! Commander? Are you insulting a Law created by one of the heroes of our nation? The once apprentice of your ruler and close friend? ".
" I... No, I mean... My, apologies, I'm... We're under shoot of stress due to the important of this mission, my apologies once more, to Princess Twilight as well ". Hardstone apologized but in Luna's ears it was more to save face in front of his troops that a real feeling of doing it. Still Luna wasn't going to leave without an extra blow.
" Very well Commander, apologies accepted on my end, I'll make sure to pass the ones for Princess Twilight as soon as I see her, for now I just need to know where is the Division send to help the pioneers and I'll take my leave, I'm sure somepony as capable as you can take care of Chrysalis if she happens to be here ".
" It-it will be done, Princess, Sargeant Maroon! Please assist the Princess in all she need, now then, if you excuse me, I'll be in my Tent ". From far behind another pony shouted an affirmative, Sargeant Marron, Luna assumed.
" You're excused, Mister Commander ". Luna said smiling with her eyes set in his, feeling her gaze, the Commander could only turn around in defeat.
After obtaining a map and a whispering stone to communicate with them she took flight and left, as she flew her face twisted little by little into a sad expression, a single tear running down her cheek, she hoped one day she will be accepted by everypony in the kingdom and maybe loved the same way her sister and Twilight were, but for now she had a mission to fulfil.
CAMP OF THE 9TH DIVISION...
At the camp of the division send by Hardstone to Help the ponies on the frontier, the soldiers were getting ready to set for the night, under the orders of the captain, the ponies hurried to prepare tents while others cook, pegasus set nests in the lower clouds to keep watch for possible attacks and other discussed the moves for the next day, as it was they were just a day away from the town with the mayor population, Lonesome Saddle, it was from there where the call of help came from.
Outside of the range of the tents two stallions paying little attention to their job joked about their mission.
" But seriously, if the Commander really wanted to get rid of us then at least he should had send us somewhere else a bit more entertaining and less.. ".
" rainy? ".
" Yeah! That, and less cold and what with that stupid fog! I'm telling you, this entire place is up to get us! ".
" Pffffsh! Drama queen ".
" I'm seri- hey, did you saw that? ".
" Saw what?I didn't saw- hey! I can see it! I see it! ".
" Red dots, are they fireflies? ".
" Nah, they only live near ponds or lagoons ".
" Pffffsh, Nerd! How do you even know that stuff? ".
" Because it read actual books and not just Plotboy, pervert! ".
" Hey! For your information Plotboy just happens to be very educational magazine that happens to have mares in very suggestive poses and lingerie, not my fault! ".
" Sure thing... Hey, did you heard a noise just now? Like a growl ".
" No, but the fireflies multiplied while we talked, now there's like... Hm, buddy? I don't think those are fireflies anymo- ". The pony in watch and his friend didn't register in time the horde of Grimm that ran into them, soon screams and yells crossed through the entire camp as pony after pony was torn apart and or slashed to dead, pegasus did their best to assist their land friends but a new Grimm, the nevermore joined and now even the sky was unsafe, the camp was destroyed within a couple of hours and after having enough fresh meat the pack of merciless creatures moved to the place form where they felt the most dark emotions, the town where the soldiers were supposed to reach.
The group of young huntsmen fought with bravery and ferocity, but despite their best efforts the Grimm was starting to take bites off of their Aura, the fact that they were fighting in a subterranean chamber forced them to fight without bullets and in the case of Nora Valkyrie, grenades.
" This is crazy! I can't even see the end to them! ". Screamed the blonde brawler to the rest.
" Keep your eyes on the fight Yang! ". Yelled her partner, Blake Belladonna.
A beowolf managed to sneak pass the barrier of bodies and recognizing the smallest target it dashed to the girl in white to nag at her exposed pale neck. " Weiss! Watch out! ". Ruby Rose warned too late.
The black monster only did it half way when a steel barrier blocked its path. The beowolf fell to the rough floor after it's momentum was absorbed completely by the white shield, the blonde holding the shield then impaled the downed beast finishing it off.
" Weiss! You ok? ". Asked the boy.
" I-yes! You got just in time, thanks ". After thanking her savior , Weiss took her position again and was flanked by the newly arrived.
" Don't mentioned, But what are you guys doing here? ". Asked the knight as he took on another beowolf, he simply repeated the sequence from before obtaining the same result.
" Fighting this things, duh! ". Answered Yang while punching an Ursa in the nose making it retreat.
" Not that, what I mean is why are you fighting them in an open chamber when their number are superior? We have to drag them to the corridors where they can't outflank us and we can face them a few at a time ". His explanation made everyone in the group stop for only a second to mentally kick themselves in the rear for not thinking about it before.
" It was Ruby's idea! " Yelled Nora.
" Traitor! ". Yelled the youngest of the group while backing to the nearest tunnel to emulate their new battle strategy.
" Glad to have you back ". Said Ren Lien in one of those rare occasions where he spoke first.
" Glad to be...? " From the back of the mass of Grimm, the knight noticed a humanoid shape coming at them at full speed, it travelled in the back of the monsters with imposing reflex that could only be obtained by countless battles, as it got closer, the second leader of the group saw golden eyes shine through the darkness, finally giving away the identity of the upcoming threat.
" Everyone! Back to the tunnel, quick! Nora, I need a big boom ready in 10! ".
" Are you crazy? We can't shoot in here, much less use explosives! ". Asked Weiss in alarm.
" We don't have much choice, is either that or deal with mad n' mean over there! ". The knight pointed with his sword where the form of the Faunus serving the queen of the Grimm approached.
" Nora! Hurry the hell up! ". Yelled Weiss to the bomber after coming to the same conclusion as the knight, a collapsing tunnel was way better that dealing with the mad scorpion.
Once most of the group did it inside the tunnel the knight turned around and kept the closer Grimm off from Nora. " Where you want the shot Fearless leader? ". Asked Nora.
" Center of the roof, at my command! ".
" You got it! ".
The knight managed to hold the line until the enemy was almost upon him, when his target was within the spot he gave the signal. " Now Nora! Shoot! ". The ginger unloaded the grenade from her weapon, a loud ' thud ' was heard and the compact explosive cut the air in a beautiful arc finishing right on the mark.
The explosion was right behind it and the old ruins shook like a house of cards about to to collapse, the knight didn't wait to see if his friend missed and instead trusted in her skills, running next to her he used the shield to block the falling rocks from hurt them and in a synchronized jump they managed to reach the safety of the tunnel as the roof broke and fell blocking the entrance and preventing the enemy from coming after them.
While they were safe from the collapsing danger, the subsequent explosion kicked dust all around them and put them in the prospect of choking from it. The knight quickly pulled the ginger girl in a hug to provide her with a bit of clear air while he closed mouth and eyes in his best try to hold his breath while the dust settled.
He didn't know how much time passed before he felt hands and arms taking him, by then, his head was feeling light and spinning, the last thing he heard before passing out was the worried voice of his friend. " Breathe you dunce! Breathe! ".
"... ".
" ouch! ". Screamed the stallion knight as he retrieved his leg as response to the pain he felt. " Wha-something bit me! ".
" It was me you donkey! You were hugging me too tight! You almost choke me! ". Yelled Mint from her sleeping bag.
" I'm sorry Mint! I'm so sorry, I was... I was having a dream, a nightmare, sorry ".
" That's ok, just... don't do it next time, or I'll bite you harder, you heard me? ".
" Ugh! You two make a lot of noise ".
" What time is it anyway? ".asked the unicorn filly.
" I think is way too early for waking up, go back to sleep you two, I'll check things outside for a bit ". Said the knight as he walked outside of their refuge, a cave on the side of a small hill, it was big enough for maybe double of their number but not too deep, before retreating inside the entrance was blocked with rocks and logs to prevent bigger creatures from getting in.
Outside Knight looked carefully at the sight before him, several trees of unknown kind, unlike the ones in the previous patch of the forest those were bare of any kind of fruit or but, it was a mystery for Knight how they reproduced without any, or maybe they were just out of season. The sky was slightly clouded and the stars shone with full force, still, they were nothing compared to the moon, its light offered more that enough light to make the whole area visible, he could detect Grimm just fine but he was glad to have the Moon's help to prevent another kind of attacks.
At a few feet away he was a flat stone large enough to stand so he jumped over there, once in place, Knight closed his eyes and focused like before, trying to locate the vile mass of darkness that the Grimm represented, he felt it, not close enough to be an immediate danger, but still within reach of his sense. The mass felt... disturbed, a bad sign, normally it meant that it has found a victim recently, when Grimm killed a victim, rather that get calm, it grew in hunger, the evil queen that created them added that feature in order to make them more relentless against its target, Humanity, or in this case, Ponykind.
What worried him more was the direction the mass was taking, slightly in the same one they were taking, if so then it was no doubt that they were in route to Lonesome Saddle.
" We need to get there before then, I whish I was as fast as Ruby ". A sigh escaped him as he sunk in his sadness unaware of the weak glow his Cutie Mark was producing, changing briefly from his normal two arcs to a red rose before returning to the original form. After taking some mental notes Knight returned to the hole with his new friends.
LONESOME SADDLE...
A young unicorn stallion restlessly moved from left to right in front of the house that served as Mail office, while prancing, he mumbled endlessly to himself.
" They should be fine, right? The town must be still standing, right? Is not like a bunch of those things destroyed the village, right? Right! ". As soon as the door opened to start serving for the day he jumped at the mare who worked there. " Any word yet from Canterlot?! Is the army coming? The heroes of Harmony?! The princesses?! Anypony?! ".
" Argh! Get off me you crazy horse! ". The mare pushed him away dumping him on the wooden floor. " By the Princess, you're gonna give me a heart attack! ".
" So-sorry ma'am, is just that, it has been three days already, I need to bring help with me to my village, my two younger siblings are there waiting for me as well as the rest of the ponies ".
" Ok, I get it, but there still no answer from Canterlot and the last message we got from the Legion is that a division was in its way here, they should be here before the end of the day and they'll need a guide to get there, that's why you have to stay ".
" I know but... Is just, I got this ugly feeling in my guts, like something horrible just happened ".
" Just hang in there for today, ok? I'm sure that your family is fine ".
" I hope so ma'am, I hope so ". With nothing else to do the stallion walked back to the small shelf given to him to stay, back to waiting.
CHANGELING HIVE...
" What news have you brought me ".
" My que- I mean, mother, the ponies are still in waiting, a few shifted their positions a little but nothing drastic, our scouts and ambush units are taking places among the enemy, within hours we'll be able to strike, Mother! ".
" Excellent! So, what do you think Savage? Can you support any of your skills into the battle? ".
" He he he, oh I can think of a few tricks I can show them, he he he, very interesting, to think that my little siblings can disguise as ponies and cause chaos from within, he he, very much interesting, he he he, can't wait to sink my stinger into those soft, squishy, colorful little birdies wah ha ha ha! ".
Chrysalis didn't feel sorry for the ponies outside, rather she hoped for them go away or rot in the ground but deeply she hoped for them to live long enough to kill the mad Changeling and get him off of her back.
NEAR LONESOME SADDLE...
Galloping through the clear path of the road, the three ponies did a better time now that some of the fog cleared off. However as much as Bubblegum would hurry, he was having trouble keeping up with Knight who was carrying both his and Mint's bags as well as his weapon and the filly herself over his back.
" Wa-wait! Let's take a breather, I... I can't keep up! Uf uf uf, I think I'm gonna puke! ".
" O-ok, take it easy, don't push yourself ".
" How... Uf uf, how the heck can you move so fast! Is like that Pegasus I heard about, Rainbow Dart or something, uf uf ".
" Really? I didn't thought I was going too fast, I told Mint to tell me if she was having trouble with my speed but so far she had been quiet ".
" That's because she can't! She's removing all the bugs caught in her mane and mouth".
As in que, Mint jumped down with her canteen in her telekinesis gulping and spitting out water. " Blwaaaah! Disgusting! Next time, give a warning before you turn our sprint into still race will ya?! ". Mint kept cleaning her mouth from the bug's juices.
" I'm sorry, I didn't noticed I was going that fast, actually I have no idea I could run that fast, but then again, I haven't try running at full speed yet ".
" Well? News flash! Is too freaking fast! ". Said Mint after gulping the last of water in her canteen.
" Sorry again, but I think we did pretty good time, the town must be near ". Said Knight happy that they were ahead of the Grimm horde.
Mint inspected another mark found in another tree. " You're right, I remember this mark and is one of the closest to the town, we should be there in a couple of hours! ".
" Good, then take a break, I'll scout a little around, but keep yourselves close, ok? ".
" Sure thing Knight ".
" Yeah, whatever ".
NEAR THE CAMP OF THE 9 DIVISION...
" This is Princess Luna to the 9th Division, do you read me? Over! ". Luna called again as she approached another clearing, it was extremely difficult to find the camp with so many trees and hills blocking a clear view, and despite the use of the whispering stone Luna couldn't make contact with anypony. This combined with the abrupt loss of many dreams last night was giving Luna a bad feeling.
As she took high once again for better view, she saw part of the forest still covered by that damned fog, the thick and tall trees have prevented the wind from dissipate the fog completely in this part of the woods.
Luna heard a beeping noise coming from her saddle bag. " He-help, help... me! Please!". Luna quickly took the magic stone out of her bag once more.
" Princess Luna here! Answer, where are you? Are you part of the 9th? ".
" Plea-se! Help! ". Said the voice again, weaker this time.
" It's me, Princess Luna! I'm came to help you but I need to know where you are? Where's your camp? ". Asked Luna again as she tried to distinguish the area.
The silence stretched for a while before the pony found his strength to speak again. " Camp is near a double hill... Just behind the tallest one... I'm, I'm bleeding out, please hu-Oh no... No, there's one of them still here! Please save- ". The rest of the message changed to screams and growls.
Luna flapped her wings faster, she found the double hills easy enough but the distance was quite long, still, she did her best. She used a spell to boost her stamina and speed and remembered every trick Rainbow Dash mentioned to fly faster.
It worked better that she hoped as she soon reached the place, she was ready to enter in battle but not to see the ghost of the massacre that took place. Blood spilled everywhere, pony remains scattered, bodies twisted and mauled to become almost unrecognizable, the stink of blood and entrails was like a fist to her nose. When she got some of her focus back she realized that she was standing on top of what was left from a pegasus wing, she jumped back, as she landed her back left hoof landed in a poodle of blood that splashed her previously immaculate dark blue fur.
Her body froze at the horrible display of gore and violence, her stomach fought against the contest inside to not let it out. Her eyes watered by both the image and the putrid combination of smells. She had been expecting a fight and yes maybe some dead and injured, but this, this wasn't anything like that, this was similar to a force of nature, predators overwhelming its pray and showing no ounce of Mercy for them.
" Haaaaaa-rgh! " A loud scream followed by a crunching sound forced Luna out of her thoughts. She recognized the voice as the pony from earlier and moved following the agonizing sounds he found his target.
Again she was given a nightmare inducing vision, a boar like creature, covered in black hide and protected by white bone plates was consuming the leg of the pegasus while still alive and twisting his body in a futile intent of free himself. One of the wings of the pegasus was gone already by unknown mean while several other injuries could be seen in the rest of his body, not even the breastplate or the helmet of the pegasus have survived undamaged, and now this poor soul was been eaten alive.
Rocking his body in desperation, the guard finally saw Luna at the distance and extended a leg toward her, his eyes showing the spark of hope at the sight of his princess and savior. " Help me! ".
Luna's blood became ice cold, her wings weighting a ton suddenly, her hooves cemented to the ground, all the fear the princess was experiencing actually end up attracting the beast more that the pony in its mouth. With a final chomp from its Jaws, the pegasus let one final curling scream of agony as his leg was amputated. The beast now turning to meet his next meal. Still chewing at the leg , the Boarbatusk locked its red eyes into Luna's blue ones, measuring how much of a threat she could be, in her it felt the fear, that simple emotion that marked any living thing as a target to be destroyed, spitting the leg away, the armored boar pranced on the ground and in a random second, it broke into a sprint.
Luna was still in shock when her enemy gained enough momentum to use its special attack, the Grimm turned its body making itself into a wheel of death, it was just the experience from previous fights in her life that snapped Luna out of her trance and into action, as the black beast almost hit her, Luna dodged with a strong flap of her wings in a semi-dash, the beast passed close enough to send a trail of mud and blood on her way, the awful combination hitting Luna in the side of her body, but now Luna was alert, alert and coming to the realization that this was a battle to the dead, no friendship or good will would turn this creatures into a lovely critter like the ones who lived with Fluttershy, this, was a killer, a predator who only purpose in life was to devour what was in front of it, so then, Luna would show no mercy.
" I don't know what malevolent entity you are or where do you came from, but I know this... That poor pony was the last victim you'll ever taste, now face me vile creature! The Princess of the night challenge thee! ".
Luna charged her horn in preparation, the Boarbatusk turned to meet her once more, after measuring the distance it charged again, this time it didn't turn into a ball as before, it did it when it was close enough to score a bit in the Alicorn, but Luna was ready, when the Grimm came within reach Luna let loose a blast from her horn that stroke the area in front of the rampaging boar, the hole left from the blast caused the Grimm to lose control of it soon and was derailed from its course. Luna then used a spell long put to rest, a spell used only in time of war that she and her sister used when there was no other option. A pair of dark blue spears appeared at each side of Luna, then with a flick of her wings the two magic manifestations went flying with blinding speed, the first one slammed in the protected back of the beast disappearing with no damages caused, but the second one sunk deep in the beast's belly, the surprise of the attack and the pain caused the Grimm to end its spinning attacks.
The Boarbatusk end up on it side with the magic spear still lodged in its guts, Luna didn't took any chances and summoned two more spears that attacked the black beast pinning it to the ground with incredible force.
Luna found the creature less of a challenge as she expected but nevertheless, one that deserved to have it existence wiped from Equestria. The Boarbatusk struggled to get free, if it felt pain, sounds couldn't tell. Luna hovered in top of the monster boar. " You don't belong in this world, do you? Maybe from that world where Sunset Shimmer went, whatever the case, Begone! ". Magic sprung from Luna's horn and bit the beast in the face.
The bone mask was tough but under the constant barrage of magic of the highest power, broke. Next came the real face of the beast, that one had less resistance and soon it melted along brain, eyes and skull, one final squeal left the boar before it went limp forever, then its body started to release a black smoke, wary of it, Luna moved away just in case the gas was poisonous, slowly, the creature turned completely into smoke and disappeared in the wind letting nothing behind except the chaos that it created.
Finally remembering the injured pony Luna turned tail and went to his last location. Luna found him alive, still trying to get to safety, Luna used her magic to lift him off the muddy ground and used her magic to heal him, as the pegasus felt the sudden change he panicked. " Ssssh ssssh, it's me my little pony, princess Luna, the monster is no more, he can't hurt you anymore, you will be fine now ". Luna used more magic trying to seal the wounds and increase his energy but she could feel his life slipping away.
" It, it hurts! I, I can't see " responded the pony with less strength.
" It's ok my little pony, just relax, rest, you did your part, all you need to do now is relax". Luna changed the purpose of her magic, instead of healing it acted like anesthesia, dulling the pain.
" I, I feel... better ". The pony relaxed in her hold as Luna kept her voice in check, fighting back tears of sorrow for the departing soul. After a few more minutes, Luna heard one last intake of air before the guard became still in her magic embrace.
Resting the body in the ground Luna let her tears flow as she inspected the rest of the camp, each turn let her speechless, more dead and the horrible sign of struggle against an enemy no pony was ready for. In the biggest tent which turned to be the commanding tent Luna found a map displaying the various locations as well as some documents, she engraved the map in her memory to know where Lonesome Saddle was located, she took a look at the documents and found two interesting notes.
The first one spoke about the creatures, as the 9th Division marched toward Lonesome Saddle they came across survivors of some of the other settlements attacked, the reports indicated the appearance of different creatures, all having in common this appearance and their viciousness. The report also detailed that the number of the black creatures was increasing with each encounter, the last info reported around 30 to 40 of those monsters, much of then a flying bird kind.
Luna shrugged, to think that there were so many, she fought one with not much problem but she was powerful and had strong magic, any other normal pony with little to non fighting skills would be made easy pray.
The second report was more curious for the night princess, according to many of the rescued witnesses, some other f them encountered and we're subsequently saved by a young stallion dressed like a a royal guard with a black hoodie.
The witnesses described the knight as brave and a bit awkward but able to take down the black monsters with ease. That did surprised Luna, without powerful magic Luna doubted that a normal unicorn would be able to put off a fight against one of those creatures, let a long a bunch of them.
" If this pony can really fight those monsters then I must find him and ask how he does it ". After memorizing the info about the mysterious pony Luna walked out of the tent, for her it was a shame that she couldn't properly bury those brave ponies of the 9th or offer a their deserving farewell, but time was priceless and more pony lives would be lost if she didn't hurry and catch that horde of evil. Bowing to the camp to show her respects, Luna promised herself and the spirits of the 9th that she would make their dead count and protect the town of Lonesome Saddle, at all cost.
CAMP OF THE 11TH LEGION OF THE ROYAL GUARD...
A guard in the 4th Division was busy dismounting several sand bags from a barrier that the group had put together just the day before. He was half way through when a fellow unicorn guard approached him to ask about his actions.
" What in the name of Celestia are you doing Private? ". Asked the new unicorn.
" Ugh! Can't see good enough? I'm taking down this wall of waste! ". Answered the annoyed pony still putting down bag after bag with his magic.
" That's not waste inside those bags Private! And watch your tongue when talking to a superior! ". The other guard spun around to look at the other unicorn.
" Superior? I don't see a badge, and for your information I didn't mean that the inside of the bag was a waste, I mean it because we were ordered to do this barrier yesterday in a hurry just to dismantled today with just minutes before lunch! A total waste of effort! ".
" I... I didn't heard anything like that, when was this order issued? ".
" Not too long ago, how come you're a superior officer and you didn't heard about it, very suspicious ".
" Do you think I'm a Changeling? And how do I now you aren't one! For all I know you're probably lying and waiting for me to turn around and give you an opening! Right? Bug?".
" Who are you calling a bug, you bug? You look more suspicious that me! ".
The two unicorns stared at each other, moving slightly to gain a bit of advantage, the standoff last only a few minutes before it broke. " You know what? This is stupid, no way I'm gonna spend my whole day here starring at your ugly face! ".
" Likewise! Eh? Oh look! Princess Luna is back ".
" Really? Where? Argh! ". Taking his eyes off from the other unicorn earned him a magic blast to the side which hit him without any resistance.
" Aaaargh! You... You shot me! Ho-how could you! ".
" Ha! You think I would let you shot me first? In your dreams you maggot, I got you good, look at that green bloo... ". The other guard froze when instead of green it was red that the other pony spilled the ground.
" Wha-what? That's, that's ".
" That's my blood you moron! ". Said the other unicorn weakly.
" But-but I thought- ". His excuse was cut when a loud explosion followed by a the buzzing of hundred of wings and the screams of combat broke through the entire front.
Like a black cloud, Changelings appeared in the air and came down to attack the disorganized and unprepared troops in the first line of the camp. The battle started in favor of the locals, the Changeling attacked from within the lines using tunnels they have dug under the enemy lines, they used the tunnels to infiltrate the ranks of The Royal Guard and to sabotage the sandbag barriers by making them collapse or having the guard themselves dismantle them.
The two unicorns looked with shock as everywhere Changelings would star attacking, some with magic, some would ram thief hard bodies against the armored ponies while the more experienced would grapple them and start sucking their love almost killing them in the process.
Alarms Soon roared all around and Pegasus came to aid the guards bellow with their own weather magic or dropping rocks over the Changelings but as the lines became chaotic and blurred they were forced to stop to prevent friendly fire.
" Don't just stay there! Help me get out of here! I'm hurt because of you, remember? ".
" Su-sure, just let me- ". The ground under them shook as a tunnel digged under them finally collapsed the unharmed unicorn jumped out of the way before falling through the hole but the other one couldn't avoid been sucked inside. " Get me out of here! Hurry! So-something is coming! Oh, buck! What the heck are you? ".
" He he, I'm just a happy little doodle but that happens to find pray in its trap so, is feeding time! He he! ".
" Nnno! Stay away! Don't come any clo- ". The voice of the pony was interrupted with a snapping sound.
" Oh puff! So fragile those little ponies, I just touched him and he was dead a second later... Oh, he he he, no problem, I'll just look for another one, there should be plenty to go around, he he ha! ". From the hole, Savage erupted and quickly moved to grab the other unicorn.
To his credit, the unicorn guard tried to fight back, a pair of fast magic blasts shot in succession toward the face of the big Changeling but both were blocked by his pincers, once in reach Savage tried to capture the pony in his left pincer but it was dodged, the left was not and a powerful blow was delivered to the head and torso of the guard sending him back to the ground. Before he could register what hit him, he was taken in both claws and brought closer to his enemy's face. " He he he, where you trying to tickle me, he he he, well? Let me return the favor, let see... How about, here! ".
Savage delivered a quick stab with his stinger to the unprotected leg of the guard, he let the stinger enough to deliver a small amount of venom, he then removed the stinger watching with glee small amounts of the purple venom oozing out along blood from the wound, next, he let the guard drop to the ground and observed with morbid fascination how his concoction did its job, first the pony started to get dizzy followed by convulsions and finally a mixture of blood and vomit left the pony mouth before he went limp.
" Not bad for a small dosis, too bad it can't hold more but meh ". After dispatching his first victim, Savage looked for the next one, there was plenty to chose from since the battlefield was been littered with both ponies and Changelings, he set his eyes on a tall earth pony stallion currently stomping down on one unlucky bug crushing his skull into mush. " This should be fun, he he he! ". Moving with as much stealth as four hooves would allow him he stalked his pray watching and wondering how well would this one fare.
On the other side of the field, Commander Hardstone was barking orders left and right, trying to stabilize the front and mount a possible counterattack. "Else have enough Pegs on the air? How is the artillery? Can they provide fire support? ".
" We have enough air support right now, sending more would be hindrance more that a help, fire support is impossible right now since the bugs and our troops are head to head, Sir! ".
" How are things in the front then? ".
" We have two Divisions with heavy casualties and two more with many injured, so far we have been able to stop the momentum of the Changeling attack and are about to revert it, but to do so we need the high ground from the area under the 4th but we have lost all contact with them ".
" Send the 6th then, when the area is safe move our fire support there so we can pummel them! ". Said Hardstone convinced of his plan.
" Sir! Yes Sir! ". Sargeant Maroon left to carry out his orders.
" This is prove that you are here, right Bug queen? ". Hardstone asked to no one.
Savage continued stalking his next pray, unfortunately he wasn't as inexperienced as the previous two guards and he was spotted. The stallion looked shocked first but his training kicked in and he adopted a ready stance, dropping any pretention of a silent kill, Savage rushed while giggling menacingly.
" Halt you bug! ". His opponent didn't do as ordered, not that anypony would expect it. Savage tried to smash his tough body against the stallion but he was too nimble for the attack to work. " What kind of Changeling are you? Did Chrysalis mated with a Chimera? ".
" He he he, who knows, what Mama does with her self stays with herself, but you, you are gonna show me what can this form do he he he, wrafffh! ". Savage repeated his charge and the stallion Dodge as before but the charge was just the first part, flailing his tail like a whip Savage broke the balance of the guard who barely avoided the poisoned tip, his back legs was caught in a small hole between two rock and a loud yelp from the guard indicated that there was some damage in the limb.
Knowing what would happen to him if he didn't got his hoof free, the stallion out all his attention in his other legs, Savage saw the opportunity and stalked closer but his joy was gone as surely this one would be another easy pray.
He got within reach and raised his tail high enough for the pony to see what would come, the pony das it but continued to fight against the hole. Savage got closer and his pincers started clicking from anticipation.
Another step and all the sense of victory was vanished when the stallion turned around twisting his leg one more painful time but it give him the the right position, with his weight in his front legs the stallion raised his hind legs to deliver a tree-bucking double kick that Savage barely covered, the sound produced was akin to two rocks smashing again each other. Savage was pushed back hard and fast from the force , falling on his rear, the stallion sucked air and pain and delivered a second and a third kick. The effect was magnified each time, the second hit cracked the chitin of his pincer while the last one broke it and green blood spilled as a scream of pain escaped the mandibles of the scorpion Changeling.
The stallion went for a forth blow but his leg give away and he fell with numbing pain flaring everywhere. " Argh! You..! You bastard! You, he he he. You hurt me! Ha ha ha ha, yes you did, not bad, not bad, is all I get for getting cocky, well done my little pony friend ".
" I'm... Argh! Not your friend, Bug! ".
" Oh, that's too bad, I thought I could make a friend in this world, he he, I got a mom, a friend would be good too, alas, not today, today you die, a shame, but maybe HE will, the one that came with me, oh, look at me, I'm rambling! I didn't this in the other world! This world is a bad influence on me he he. Anyway, for Mama! ".
Savage prepared his good pincer, this time sure that his enemy was done, with no way for it to dodge or block, dead was imminent, but fate was fickle. A noise force Savage to turn his attention to the sky, several forms were circling him and the rest of the Changelings fighting bellow, without aerial troops they were easy pickings.
The pegasus left rocks fell in top of the bugs, some dodged, some got injured, more were squashed, some pegasus flew lower and beat their wings in conjunction forming a depot of clouds that started producing frost and cold, Savage felt his injured pincer throb as the the rest of the joints in his body, a quick look told him that he was beginning to freeze. From behind, a noise similar to a cricket rubbing its back legs called all Changelings back to the hive.
Savage, sighed in frustration, this wasn't a good hunt, but it was a nice first try on what this body could do, before attention felt on him, he returned to the hole where he came from waving his class to the stallion with a whisper that promised a reunion between them, plunging into the hole, Savage disappeared.
At the end of the battle, the Changelings casualties mounted to some hundred with a few captured, they wouldn't talk of course, they preferred to die of starvation rather that betraying the hive and the Queen. In the Royal Guard's side two and a half Divisions were wiped with one more of injured troops, the battle report also found a few ponies missing, indicating captives, the poor souls wouldn't make it either, the Changelings would suck their love for many many weeks until they were to weak to keep living, such was the fate of the POWs. All in all Commander Hardstone could call this a successful counterattack but deep down he couldn't shake off the feeling of defeat.
When the Knight huntsman wake up he was again resting on his sleeping bag, there was a small lamp giving just a tint of light to the small room where he was located. He first asserted the situation, his body was ok, there were no signs of his friends for now and he seemed to have lost consciousness when they escaped through the tunnel.
Once more they left him to rest while they patrolled or did something more important, it make him feel useless. " I'm probably dragging everyone down ".
" Why would you think that? ". Asked a female from the shadows, making the knight jump in surprise.
" Bla-Blake? ". Asked the Knight recognizing the voice as well as distinguish a pair of Holden eyes shining in the darkest of the room.
" Mhm, good to have you back ". The girl was inside her own sleeping bag, resting her back on the wall while reading her not so secret smut book.
" Thanks, are you ok? Where you injured? Let me get up and- ".
" No! No, I mean, I'm ok, I was hit by a rock when the ceiling shook but my Aura took the blunt of the damage, thanks anyway ". The cat faunus put down her book and looked at him directly. " Why would you think that you're dragging us? ".
The blonde scratched his neck, a typical sing of awkwardness for him. " Well? Am I not? I spend the last few days doing nothing but lazing away and did hardly any job since we got stuck in this ruins, which now that I remember, it was my own idea, so... I just feel useless you know? ".
Blake could feel her friend's frustration T the end of his words. " Sleeping because you're exhausted is hardly a reason to call you last, even then that tittle would go to Yang in a heartbeat, you kept healing us during the whole journey here, and matter of fact, that was the best choice to take since the circumstances weren't the best, coming here had give us time to rest and think in what to do next, your decision to bring us here was the best in my opinion ".
" You, you really think so Blake? ".
" I do, and I am not the only one, while is true that Ruby is our moral compass and the heart of the group is equally true that you are the head of the group, take what happened recently as an example, we were doing pretty bad until you arrived and leveled the field, then the idea of bringing the ceiling down on the Grimm and Callows end up saving us, so don't call yourself useless, please ".
" Thanks Blake, it means a lot to hear you saying that, honest ".
The girl smiled and the knight was able to see it despite the dim light. " No thanks need it, we are friends after all ".
" Yes, friends, oh hey, can you lend me your book after you're done? ". The girl changed from smiling to terrified and pressed say book against her chest protectively.
" Never ". Said the girl as the knight snickered.
" Oh you two are awake now! " Said the voice of Ruby Rose who was next to him in an instant. " How are you feeling, are you hurt anywhere? How many fingers do I have? Answer me! ".
" Ruby, I'm fine, thanks, I'm just a little sore in the throat and you're not holding any fingers up ".
" I know dummy, that last one was a trick question to see if your head was ok, you pass! Congrats! ".
" Uh thanks, everything ok? ". Asked the knight to his youngest friend.
" Yeah! As it turns out the your plan of collapsing the roof on top of the Grimm also opened a new section of the ruins, we have been exploring a little and we found weird looking images of little horses and horses with wings and horns and and and- ".
" Ru-Ruby, calm down, I'm... I'm glad that everyone is fine, let me get some water and we can go and see those murals ". The red head bobbed her head in happiness.
" I'm also fine by the way, thanks for asking " Blake said from her corner after having enough of been ignored.
" Oh shush you, I'm still mad that you won't let me see your fairy tale book and you seen fine to me anyway ". Ruby said pouting. " Now then, if you're ok come with me, let's see the pretty horses ". Ruby took the blonde's hand and pulled him toward the room's entrance while they both smiled.
"..."
Knight woke up again, feeling a very sharp pain in his head. " Ugh, what... Happened? ".
" Thank Celestia, you're still alive ". Said Mint throwing away her worries.
" You were running really fast! Then you lost control and smashed against that tree! ". Bubblegum pointed to the tree that stopped him.
" Really? Ugh, are you ok Mint? ".
" Yeah, I jumped off your back before you crashed, but really! That was the fastest I have seen a pony ran, aren't you cousin of Rainbow Dash? ".
" I'm sorry, Who? ". Asked Knight rubbing his head where he connected with the tree.
" Rainbow Dash! The fastest pony alive! Are you from other country or wha-you know what? Nevermind ". Mint said after remembering that even Knight himself didn't knew where he came from.
" That's weird, I have never run that fast before even with four legs, anyway, let's go before it get- ". Knight suddenly felt something amiss. " Gum, how long was I out? ".
Knight closed his eyes and focused at the feeling of evil. He found it, found it close, but not an immediate danger, however the Grimm horde was almost upon the town, he felt it moving in disarray toward the town, but why? Even by halting for three hours it shouldn't have been this close, unless something was guiding it. Again he focused, not in the mass of evil but close to it, there he found it, just ahead of horde, the feeling of fear and dread coming from a couple of live forms, more ponies running away from the horde but not fast enough to lose it, instead they were attracting it faster at the direction of the town.
" Oh no! The town! The town is gonna be attacked soon! ".
" What? How? Why? ". Asked Gum with obvious fear too.
" They are following somepony, and they are running in the direction of the town! We have to hurry, we... ". He turned to look at the two young unicorns and knew there was no way either of them would keep up to him even without his miraculous new speed.
" Listen, keep going in the town's direction but don't go inside, stay at a good distance and look for a place to hide within the road, I'll go ahead and try to distract the Grimm toward me, if after some time you don't heard screams or yells from the town then I was successful, bit if you do hear it then keep in hiding forms day, I need you to trust me ".
" But what about Buster? Is he gonna be ok? ".
" That's why I need to get there first, now answer me, do you trust me? ".
" I... ".
" We do! ". Answered Mint interrupting her brother.
" Good, now then, take care, I'll see you soon! ". With that Knight started running at full speed, his legs moved with fresh energy thanks to the small rest he took from the crash, the pain in his head all but forgotten. " Faster, Faster! ".
As fast as he moved his legs he knew he was still not fast enough, he needed more speed, to run like the wind, like Ruby Rose, her semblance always allowing her to reach the unreachable, to accomplish the impossible. Again, his Cutie Mark started shining with a white light turning red, finally it morphed from his own to the emblem of the young huntress. " Faster! ". A burst of energy covered his body and time seemed to slow down, his body moving at the same pace from his perspective but outside of it he turned into a cream colored blur as he darted forward with unimaginable speed.
NEAR THE GRIMM HORDE...
Despite her best efforts, Luna was having trouble catching up to the mass of monsters running wild ahead of her. It wasn't long when she found them in all their demonic glory, all black, all protected by white boneplates, when she was getting ready to attack from the air a band of small birds similar to the monsters bellow attacked her.
It was one of the most annoying battles Luna has ever faced, their small size making difficult to hit them with her magic spears and blasts but a change of strategy resulted in her victory, instead of spears she summoned spinning axes and send them toward them like flying discs cutting and circling the small black birds until they all were smoke.
Her victory however took time, time that the creatures used well to make headway. Now she was tiring herself to catch up and that wasn't good. Most worrying was the short distance left to Lonesome Saddle, the settlement was now visible from her point of view, a small speck in the horizon first but getting bigger as they drew closer. An idea popped in her head and she decided to use it, although it would drain more magic but in the current situation it was a gamble worth playing. A quick teleportation spell would bring her ahead of the horde, so she started to focus magic in her horn mentally hoping to get it ready in time.
LONESOME SADDLE...
The sound of running hooves on ground called the attention of the citizens of the town, having visitors wasn't rare but 10 of them was, specially when the newcomers were adorned with the armor of the Royal Guard.
The group stopped in the middle of the road and more that half of them dropped to the ground like stones, they were all covered in sweat, dirt and some even had blood stains over parts of their armor.
" We, we made it, we did it! ". A unicorn expressed his relief as he too felt to his side.
" Yeah, but what now? We can't hide here forever! Those things are right behind us and now we have a bucking town full of settlers to defend too, we couldn't even do that when we were at full force and now you expect the ten of us to actually pull it off? Was this your grand plan? ". An earth pony protested to the others.
" Hey! Nopony told you to come with us, if you wanted you could have stayed at the camp and try your luck with those monsters, see if you survive that massacre! ".
" I thought we came here to warn the town? Wasn't that why we left the other..? ". Said another guard, a mare who almost chocked in her tears as she remembered her friends been shredded one of the black beasts.
" Buck this! I'm not fighting those things again, those things eat ponies, you saw them too! ".
As their bickering continued, more and more of the settlers soon we're attracted by the noise, when the guards snapped out of their argument they were surrounded by the ponyfolk who were murmuring among themselves, however, it was Buster who asked what everypony was wondering.
" Hey! It's you guys! You finally made it! Oh I'm so glad! Listen, my town needs help, one ugly black monster showered up and is attacking the town, I left my siblings behind to come and warn the ponies here and send a call for help to Canterlot. I was getting desperate but now that you're here we can... guys? ". Buster noticed how one by one, the guards looked away in shame and or fear giving him a horrible feeling of helplessness.
" What's going on here? Why all the commotion? ". An elder pony who seemed to be in charge called the attention of the whole gathering. " Who are you fellas? They Royal buckets from the Capital? ".
" We, we are the 9th Division sir, I... I don't know how to tell you this but- ".
" Hey! Something's coming ". A pegasus interrupted the guard when from his vintage point she saw th first signs of the black tide coming towards them.
Another Pegasus, this one with better vision flew next to the first one and saw a bit more. " She's right! Something is coming, something... black? ".
All the guards panicked in a second knowing full well what that sign meant for them. " Buck buck buck BUCK! ".
" They're coming, the buckers followed us all the way here! ".
" Buck! Is game over dude! Game over! ". A guard cried out in anguish.
" Forget this! I didn't sign to die protecting backward towns in the end of Equestria! I'm outta here! ". The guard that screamed that broke through the mass of ponies and soon was followed by two more who felt just as scared.
The rest of the town was confused since they haven't seen the Grimm yet, but Buster understood. " You, you ran away from them and guide them here? You did, didn't you?". Buster accused the guards.
" You don't understand! We-We were attacked, massacred, we didn't even got a chance in Tartarus when those things got on us, they tore through us like Celestia through a cake! Those things kill and eat ponies! ". The mare from before screamed for the rest to heard, as the townfolks learned just how terrifying those creatures were from her a new wave of fear was born from all of them causing a frenzy in the approaching horde, their speed increased just as their hunger for fresh flesh.
Back int the town, the whole settlement panicked and everypony ran for cover inside their houses and any other building they could use to hide, little by little the streets became deserted expect for the few who continued to argue.
" What, what are we suppose to do? We aren't warriors, we are just normal ponies, how are we suppose to defend against such monsters?! ".
The seven remaining guards didn't have the slightest idea neither, much less the young unicorn who was now more afraid for his young brother and sister. " I, I waited here for nothing, my... my siblings ". Anguish consumed him and he simply dropped to the ground now shattered.
The remaining guards looked among each other, resignation building up in them. The mare that spoke before turned around and walked toward the entrance from where the beast's would come.
" Hey! What are you doing?! ".
" My bucking job! I'm afraid shirtless, but when I became a Royal guard I swear an oath. To defend Ponykind with all my heart and body! ". The Grimm was almost upon them now, their red eyes now distinguishable.
A second guard joined her. " To fight for the peace of Equestria! ". Over the town a orb of disturbance appeared.
Then a third. " To always support my fellow guard! ". The Grimm was reaching the entrance now.
Then the rest of the guards joined. " in the name of the Princesses ".
" Well said my Royal Guards! For your courage, I should fight along thee! ". To the shock of the seven guards, the Royal voice of Princess Luna boomed from above.
" Pri-Princess Luna! No way! It is her! ". The mare bellow said with hope once dead suddenly reviving.
The others too watched in shock as salvation arrived for them. " Princess Luna, We- ".
" Whatever you have to say would have to wait for later, the enemy is upon us. Are you ready to assist me? ".
They looked at each other in question but only for a second before they all nodded. " We are my Princess, please give us your instructions! ". Said the mare.
" Good, first, take higher positions and provide me with support fire, wherever you can throw at them, magic, rocks I don't care, just distract the ones that pass by me. I already delt with the flying ones so they shouldn't be able to harm you as long as you're out of reach ".
" Understood my Princess ".
" Good, now then, For Equestria! ". Luna yelled to her guards.
" For Equestria! ". The guards yelled back as they ran around the town looking for ways to get to the roofs. Luna alone now stood as the monsters made it inside the margin of the town.
" Come at me you heartless beasts! I'll show thee how a Princess of old deals with your kind! ". Luna kicked the ground and took flight once more, her horn charging magic, her wings taking her higher in the air.
The first Grimm were a pack of Beowolves that Luna impaled easy enough with her magic spears, the creatures struggled to brake free but the spell held strong. A pair of Boarbatusk passed through already rolling to attack, Luna didn't worry since she was high over the ground but was almost hit when one of the impaled wolves as a ramp, the Boarbatusk flew at her like an anti-aircraft missile but Luna avoided it at the cost of a few feathers, still, it send a message to her, those monsters weren't as mindless as she thought.
The second Boarbatusk didn't pay attention to her, it went straight for a small house in the full intension of braking through and attacking the ponies inside, Luna threw a blast at it but it bounced off. Luna felt her heart leap when a magic blast from the roof across the house hit the monster in the side and getting it off course. Luna identified a guard as the responsible for the saving.
Turning her attention back to her own moment, she saw a few of the impaled Beowolves smoking away while others managed to free themselves, a new batch of enemies arrived as did the Boarbatusk that almost hit her looking to catch her this time, using more magic Luna casted a special spell that created a doppelganger of herself from her shadow, the ' Shadow Luna took flight too and following the example of the real one started shooting magic spears too.
The spell would put more strain in Luna's magic reserves but it was necessary since the number of Grimm was increasing rapidly. The guards did their best they could to distract and or kill smaller targets but it was still not enough. Especially when the most massive of the creatures witnessed so far made its entrance. A bear like monster heavy, well armored, tough and brutal, its size would allow it to destroy the houses with no problem. The beats moved slowly toward the center of the main road, other Grimm making space for it.
" Keep focusing on the smaller ones! I'll deal with that monstrosity Myself! ". Luna commanded with more confidence that the one she really felt. She dropped some of her altitude to reduce range while her shadow clone continued bombarding the other Grimm with more magic spears. Luna observed the new threat, very similar to a Ursa minor in size but this one was obviously mature in mindset, its paws housed long claws perfect for tear and shred, Luna cracked her neck and focused summoning an extra set of spears apart from her axes, the beast considered the distance and coming to the conclusion that it opponent was still too high decided to remain still, observing her.
Luna took the initiative and send the first two spears against the massive target, in response, the Ursa used one mighty paw to cover it face, the spears however weren't aimed at it but at the back legs, one sunk deep enough to cause the creature to roar in pain but the second one hardly did any damage, the beast's muscles were thicker in this one, the spears needed more speed or better angling to be of any use.
After the little success of her first try, Luna went for her second, the axes started spinning faster and then Luna send them down, they swirled through the air, again the Ursa could only cover its face in defense as the two magic axes curved and stroke the hind legs again. Like before, the axes were more efficient in causing damage, even the powerful muscles of the bear Grimm weren't strong enough to properly protect it.
The Ursa roared in pain and frustration once more, finally deciding enough was enough, it rose into it injured legs at full high, then dropped with all it weight concentrated in the front legs crashing heavily over the ground with thundering force.
Luna wasn't sure that was all the strength from the beast since it back legs were cut open but even with that the beast left a hole in the ground, Luna was confused by the Ursa sudden action but it enemy had a plan in the making. The Ursa took aim and then moved one of its front legs back, then, using every muscled fiber threw at Luna a rock that came loose when it created the hole in the ground.
Luna was taken completely by surprise by the flying rock, all she could do in the small window of time was twist her face and use her wings as shields, big mistake, the rock barely lost any speed, her feathers did act like cushions however and her twisting prevented the rock from hitting her face directly, instead finding her tender neck as target.
A chain reaction took place next, her lost of focus caused her magic and her flying from been effective, her shadow clone became intangible and then vanished completely, with her wings hurting as well as her neck she dropped to the ground ungracefully, her fall added more pain to her body, still, Luna could take pain better that most ponies could, her sister included, once on the ground she just took a couple of seconds before getting back up in shaky hooves.
" Princess down! Princess down! Retreat and regroup next to her! ". Yelled the mare guard.
" Do not! Stay in position, you hear? ".
" But Princess Luna, you need- ".
" I'm not a mare in despair! This fight isn't over! Stay in position and continue distracting them! ".
The mare thought about disobeying the order but remembering the settlers hiding under her hooves she decided to comply. " Stay in position! Keep shooting with anything you got! ".
A loud growl called Luna's attention back to the Ursa who was slowly walking at her. Luna saw the monster favoring its right side meaning the left was more injured. Luna focused her magic, or tried as a sharp pain came from her neck interrupting her concentration. The Ursa did it within claw range and lifted it right arm ready to strike, it was in that moment were Luna powered through pain and all and summoned a spear to the unprotected left side, when the Ursa went for the kill what it found instead was its entire hulk falling to the ground as the spear tore through the open wound.
With its face kissing the dirt, the last thing the beast saw was a pair of hooves implanting themselves inside its bone mask, blood spilled from the eye sockets and the nose shattered in pieces.
" See? I don't need magic to kill your ugly face! ". Luna said smugly but when she saw a small twitch in the jaw Luna proceeded to blast its brains with a magic blast. " Uh, that was, just to be sure ". Her moment of triumph was interrupted by sudden dizziness, her rushed use of magic when her mind wasn't focused caused a backlash and her head started spinning.
It was the last push her shaky hooves needed to give up completely, Luna could hardly tell or distinguish what was going on around her, but the Grimm did, the fall of the Ursa left an obvious hole in the area, soon a new group of beowolves took upon themselves to fill it up.
Still out of her senses Luna saw two beowolves flanking her while a third marched straight at her building speed as it approached. In panic, the guards tried to shoot from their positions but they were all too far or the angle wasn't proper.
Luna tried to summon a magic barrier around her to deflect the incoming beast, the running Grimm jumped at Luna, claw extended and ready to deal a fatal blow. When it collided with the barrier it shattered in pieces leaving Luna open to next attack.
Rather that wait for the beast to strike again Luna was the one moving first, raising in her hind legs and delivering a double hoof to the face of the beowolf, while not as powerful as the previous kick she delivered to the Ursa it was still strong enough to daze her opponent and just to secure another kill Luna fried the beast's face like with the Ursa.
That last attack took everything Luna had left, her head exploded from the extra effort and pain in her neck, the process caused her to lose the little strength her legs had left and she was now seating on her flank out of breath.
The two others beowolves didn't took turns, they jumped at her at the same time and Luna knew she had nothing left to defend herself with. " Princess! ". Many of the guards yelled in vain.
A blur coming from the outside of town crashed directly against the nearest beowolf, crushing its spine, even before the first victim could fall, the sound of a swing was heard next cutting flesh and bone. Near the body of the second monster, a new pony arrived, he was wearing some kind of armor over a black hood with a sword been hold in his mouth. " Protect! ". The new pony yelled and at once the contraption over his back floated to where Luna struggled to get back on her hooves.
Luna hear a 'hush' and next thing she saw was a metal shield floating near her with no signs that it was held by magic. Luna's main attention was not to the shield, not the Grimm who was now seemed to freeze at for a moment, but to the new guard, if the stallion was one that is.
The Grimm who until a few seconds ago was wild and ferocious now stood paralyzed, watching the pony who just in a second took down two of its numbers. Luna tried to call but just keeping her neck straight hurt like hell. " Miss! Stay near my shield, it will protect you, I'll take care of the Grimm ".
Luna turned to the young stallion who just told to everypony that he would face against a group of monsters that even a full Division couldn't take. Luna open her mouth to stop the foolish stallion from jumping to his dead but before she could speak the knight moved.
Unlike before, his movements were of a more normal speed, Luna would say, fast, but not impossibly fast. Even so, the monsters that came after him after finally sprinting to life were completely outclassed, the stallion moved in a way that almost made him untouchable, as if he knew how they were going to react or move. First a third beowolf, then a Boarbatusk, then another beowolf followed by a new Ursa.
Seen another Ursa like the one who almost cost her her life, Luna tried to stand and assist the warrior before it could hurt him but her attention turned to a speeding beowolf coming at her. In her hurry to get up she overextended herself, finding her rear on the ground one more time she cursed and got ready to tussle once more.
She didn't need to worry, to her surprise, the floating shield has moved to block the path of the beowolf and was pushing and intersecting the beast from passing through, the shield was protecting her, just like the young stallion told her. Still, Luna continued getting up and regaining strength to fight again, she couldn't let her guard down even if the enemy wasn't focusing on her for the moment.
While Luna was left behind, Knight cut his way through the Ursa, the beast offered no new tricks that the blonde hasn't seen, even with its massive size all it did was been a bigger target for the smaller and nimble swordspony. Not soon was the Ursa ashes that a new group of Grimm took up the center of the street, mixes of Beowolves, Boarbatusk and sabers. The feline like Grimm was the fastest in the ground but lacked the strength of the beowolf or its ability to stand in two legs, still, they were better pack hunters and used their number more frequently to take down imposing targets.
So it wasn't surprise when 4 of them came at Knight at once, from three different angles to have him trapped, one from the left, one from the right and two coming straight ahead. Knight charged to his left in the direction where the closest Sabyr approached, the Grimm was taken by surprise Knight cut its side open without difficulty, then turned around to face the three remaining.
" Hey! Need a hoof? ". One of the guards shouted.
Knight hear him but didn't turn to see him since the other Sabers were too close. " Just a little, if you can distract one of them for me ". The guard nodded and went to work, so far he has been throwing whatever he could find on the rooftops, which was a bunch of random stuff, most of them non-lethal but a few would hurt or cause inconvenience for the target. A few clay pots and empty bottles was all he could find in the roof he was standing on, apart from his own sword which he hardly used, the guard took what he could and started throwing it to the closest enemy making it turn toward himself while Knight continued dodging and dealing wounds to the other Sabers.
The annoyed Sabyr finally had enough from the interloper in the rooftop and jumped after him with incredible agility. " Ah! ". The pony guard had no choice but to run away and jump over the next roof to get away but the Sabyr was faster and managed to catch up right away.
Knight heard the scream from the guard and saw how many other Grimm were begining to climb the other houses to in order to reach the rest of the guard, if he didn't help them in time they would die. Swinging his sword with deadly accuracy he severed the joins of the nearest Sabyr and quickly ran to help the guards, using his momentum he jumped over the edges and props that could help him get to the top catching up to the guard and finding him using his sword to keep the feline Grimm at Bay, sword in mouth Knight rushed to him, despite his awkward skill the guard managed to hold long enough for Knight to stab the beast on the back and kill it.
" Tha-thanks, I thought I was a goner! ". Said the guard as he got his stamina back.
" Don't mentioned, you helped me back there, listen, we need to keep the monsters on us, keep moving and don't let them gang up on you or you'll be surrounded, they are thought but not very smart, the ones with little armor are younger and easier to trick, pass the message to the others and will turn this thing around for sure, keep calm and don't fear, fear makes them crazy ".
After passing the message and saving a few more guards Knight jumped down to ground level to check on the dark mare he left behind with his shield. " I'm here to help... you ". Instead of finding the mare well protected behind the other half of Crocea Mors,he found his shield been stopped by blue magic while the winged mare was busy burning holes through a couple of unlucky beowolves.
" Have enough? I have more from where that came from you bucki-! Oh! You're back ".
" Eh, yes Miss, I'm sorry I let you here alone but-".
" No need for explanations and while I appreciate the protection it was hardly necessary, ahem, now that I'm back in shape, why don't you assist me in saving this town? ". Luna asked as she flexed her wings and legs to test her condition, while her neck still hurt it was now manageable and she had time to stock back in magic. Despite her claim of not needing a helping hoof, the fact that the shield allowed her to rest and heal has made wonders for her condition.
" I believe this is yours ". Luna let the shield move again now that she didn't need to vent her annoyance anymore.
" Yeah, thanks, I guess I can help Miss ". Answered Knight still confused.
" Good, now , to battle! ". Knight followed her as she jumped and took to the air once more, then started using her magic spears against the Grimm one at a time, Knight assisted her from bellow with his shield and sword, quick stabs slashes and shield bash to finish the crippled Grimm Luna left behind.
Before long the number was reduced to a fifth of the original number, the remaining ones didn't tried to run away or hide, those actions were as alien to them as mercy itself. The guards on the roofs managed to attract the last Grimm to single area where Luna and Knight were able to hunt them all at once.
Hovering a few meters above ground Luna observed as hooded Knight cut through another Boarbatusk with ease, she had observed him for a while now and just came to realize that he wasn't one of the Royal guards but the one pony described in the report she saw in the 9th camp. " He most be the one ". Luna whispered.
Knight on his part was happy to see that the horse was almost deal with and that no lives were lost form the town, but until every single Grimm wasn't vanquished he couldn't count the battle as finished. It was time to end this threat.
" Crocea Mors! Engage! ". Luna was temporarily distracted then surprised when the pony rushed forward, sword and shield following him like trusty sidekicks. the mob of Grimm turned as well to meeting their opponent. A Beowolf receiving first a stab from the sword, then a bash from the shield followed up by a body slam from the blonde pony that drive the beast down, once down, Knight finished it with a double hoof to the throat, breaking its windpipe.
A Sabyr tried to sneak and earn a lucky slash but the shield made it useless, again the young stallion showed his prowess by slamming his body at the side of the beast getting it off balance and delivering quick hooves blows to the legs of the black animal while avoiding it's claws and Jaws, his flowing movements making him look like a dancer, Again, Luna was fed up been left only to observe and went in to score some kill herself.
She kept attention in her remaining magic while attacking, flying gracefully before chosing a target then charge it down with her magic, instead of spears Luna used the axes, and instead of spin them she used them to chop at the Grimm directly. A Boarbatusk was her target, Luna let at it without fancy moves, a single chop at the leg let the boar unmoving and exposed to the next axe that ripped its belly open, no more Boarbatusk.
Luna turned to see if the hooded Knight was observing her with attention as she did before but found him killing more of the remaining Grimm without giving her a second glance. She huffed and went to collect a second kill, then a third when Knight took more for his own. As her count came close the Knight took a second to see her and couldn't reserve a ' wow ' from escaping his lips as he observed her form.
Outside of the killing field, the guards could do nothing but observe with loose Jaws as both Princess and knight slashed and hacked at the beast that until a few minutes back was all but invencible, their quest to save the town now turned into a little competition. " Should we, you know, stop them? ".
" No way! Look at those attacks! I whish I could record this! ".
" Last one! ". Luna yelled as she jumped for the kill, only to have it stolen when a flying sword pierced the beast by the skull. Leaving Luna with indignation and splashed in blood that evaporated as the Grimm died. " Ggh, you... that was my... ".
" You are pretty skilled Miss ". The Knight said with a smile as his weapon shifted back to its original position.
" Miss? Miss? ". Luna repeated as her eye twitched.
" Princess Luna! " . The guards approached as soon as they saw the last Grimm fall. Soon the population of the town started coming out when all the commotion died down.
The elder pony of Lonesome Saddle approached the group of visitors to pay his respects. " I can hardly believe my eyes, one of our dear Princesses coming here to save us from those things, princess Luna, we thank you and your royal guard for keeping us save, thanks to you, we only had some injured and some damages but nothing that can't be replaced, this is truly an honor, dear citizens! Rejoice, Princess Luna has saved us! ". At once both citizens and royal guards bend the knee at the presence of the Princess of the Moon, all but one, who as soon as he could turned around to leave.
Before leaving, he was stopped by the mare guard. " Hey hey! What are you doing? ".
" Ah, uh, leaving? ".
" That I can see, what I meant was, why aren't you bowing down? ".
" I have two friends outside and I want to make sure they are ok and- ".
" Again, I get that, but you have to bow down! ".
" To the Miss? ".
" Miss? Why? She's The princess of the Moon! ".
" The what? ".
" The guardian of dreams! ".
" Uh huh ".
" One of the four princess of Equestria! ".
" Hmm, never heard of her! ".
" She's Princess freaking Luna! ".
"... ".
" You still don't know, do you? ".
" No idea, no ".
" Ugh listen you- ".
" That's ok my guard, he's clearly not from Equestria, we can't expect everypony to know of us in the whole world ". Luna turned to the knight. " My name is Luna, younger sister of Princess Celestia, as My guard just told you we rule over the known territory of Equestria, we act as both monarchy and government figures and one of our duties is to keep the safety and we'll being of our little ponies, this creatures are new to our kingdom and a threat to its habitants and it has fall upon me to see that they don't cause more pain and suffering, for that purpose, after seen your abilities and your skill in dealing with those monsters I princess Luna have to ask ". Luna shocked everypony present by bowing. " You, brave warrior from far, would you lend me your strength to keep my ponies safe? ".
" Mint! Gum! You guys are safe! I'm so glad, so glad! ". Knight watched from the sidelines as the three siblings finally reunited. Seen such sight warmed his heart and gave him more motivation to destroy the Grimm and look for his own friends that were like family to him.
The flapping of wings got him out of his little moment. He turned around to find himself face to face, or more like muzzle to muzzle with the Princess of this land, Luna. " I'm glad that your friends are safe and together". Knight could feel the fatigue and sadness in the blue princess tone, for what little he heard, she came to join more guards and together save the ponies in this and the other towns but the horde got to them first, only around ten of them survived and even then only seven were present at the moment.
" Thanks ". He said finally, his eyes shone with the same sentiment of failure, he saved a family and an entire town but more lives were lost and more would be if the origen of the Grimm invasion was not figured soon, which made him think back to what the princess asked him earlier.
" I can see that you are conflicted, but don't you think that our goals are the same? Would you help me protect those ponles and other creatures from evil, evil like that monstrous beasts? ".
" I... I do but... ".
" Let me propose something else then, I have send word of what's going on back to the Capital where my sister is, I have requested for further help in addressing this problem including more troops, if you help me clear this area of danger then I could help you with whatever you may need, why, I can even be your companion for a while and help each other in destroying this menace once and for all! So, what do you say? ".
" But, aren't you like, in charge of very important stuff? Can you really afford to be trekking around with some nopony like me? ". The question seemed to take the princess off guard, her entire form seemed to shrink a little and the stallion suddenly had the feeling that he may have hurt her.
" I see that you're still indecisive, it's been a long day, why don't you rest and maybe think about what I told you, please consider and give me your answer tomorrow ". The mare did a slight bow and left walking, her walk just confirmed what he suspected and indeed it seemed that he hurt her feeling somehow.
Before he could work the courage to ask her what was wrong, the siblings walked to him. " Mr Knight, I just wanted to thank you for getting my little brother and sister safely back to me, I didn't have the slightest idea of how dangerous this was, we all almost died without seen each other! But you and the princess came to our rescue in the nick of time and we're glad for it ".
" Like my big brother said, thank you, for everything ". Said Bubble gum.
" I can believe you spoke to Princess Luna! ". The little unicorn filly yelled.
" Mi-Mint! Call down ".
" But he spoke with Princess Luna! The coolest princess of them all! ". The girl couldn't hardly contain her emotion.
" Yeah, she, she asked me to help her with the Grimm and in exchange she would help me with whatever I needed. She seemed very enthusiastic about it but maybe I hurt her when I couldn't decide ".
" You what?! Are you dumb? If princess Luna asked for my help I would jump right at it!".
" Mint! Be respectful of the pony who saved your hide will ya? ". Buster berated his sister.
" I'm just saying. Do you think she would mind if I talk to her? ". Asked the filly.
" She's probably busy right now Mint ". The filly growled but remained silent with her arms crossed.
" Anyway, I don't know much about her but she looks like she's trying to help as much as she can, she's pretty powerful too ".
" Well duh! ".
" Mint! If you want we can tell you about her but first let's get some rest, they lend me a place to stay while I was here, is big enough for the four of us ". The small group went back to the city.
Back there, Knight saw the princess, which was hard to miss given her high and the way her mane waved in the air, her eyes seemed full with determination and purpose but they also seemed lonely. Suddenly another pair of eyes came to his mind, green eyes, also filled with the same kind of loneliness accompanied by red hair and a polite but practiced smile.
" Are you ok? You have been staring at the princess too much dude ". Buster told him.
" Ah, sorry, I just, I think I was just remembering something, never mind, let's go ".
As the ponies rest Buster started to retell the story and legend of Princess Luna, princess of the moon and guardian of dreams, of course Mint would jump in from time to time to add flavor to the story. He heard from the beginning, how the Princess succumbed to the darkness and turned into a being know as Nightmare Moon, learned of her defeat and banishment at hooves of her sister Princess Celestia. In how after many years she came back for revenge but was saved by six mares and powerful artifacts called the elements of Harmony, he heard of her many intents at redemption and how she was still seen by many ponies as this mysterious and kind of frightening figure that could go evil once more if her mood wasn't carefully mannered.
It was a sad story, one that he felt he was now a part of it due to his insensitivity. Once night fell Knight felt himself been dragged down by his armor and shield. Even his sword which was normally not that heavy weighed a ton for him, he was conscious that he used a lot of energy fighting it this was the first time for him feeling like that.
After removing everything from his body with the exception of his blue hoodie, Knight walked out to the street of the settlement. There was still activity around and everywhere, the townponies were fixing the damage left from the battle and others were cleaning the streets from debris and any other thing scattered around the ground, the guards were busy constructing an observation post and some barracks that they will be using for their time here.
At he walked around some ponies thanked him for saving the town while others didn't recognized him without his equipment on. Walking further away from all the hassle, Knight found an abandoned house, one that received too much damage to be used for the time being, a lone ladder was prone next to one of the walls and Knight used it to reach the top of the house, up there, he removed his hoodie to feel the breeze I. His face. " It feel nice ". He said to himself.
" It does, doesn't it ".
"Woah! ". No expecting to receive an answer, Knight jumped in panic and landed in his back legs, his hooves however got tangled and he wobbled around the roof while doing goofy sounds and trying to regain balance spinning his upper legs wildly.
Princess Luna, the cause of Knight's current situation watched with worry and guilt but as the young stallion did more weird sounds and continued to uselessly regain his footing she couldn't help but smile at the silliness, finally, Knight fell on his back with a huff. " I'm ok! ". He said from his position.
" I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to startle you ". The princess said while offering a hoof for him to get up which he took.
" Oh, that's ok, it happens pretty often so I'm use to thi-Aaah ". Before he could finish, the part of the roof where the stallion was standing give up under him dropping him bellow.
Luna flied down and looked for him. " Where are you? Are you ok? ".
" I'm... Ok ugh ". Luna moved deeper inside the house and found him over a destroyed bed that cushioned his fall, but now the bed was broken and it feathers filling was everywhere. Knight got up unharmed but now he was covered by feathers giving him the appearance of a giant chicken.
Luna saw this and snorted, then giggled, then broke into full laughter while the stallion simply scratched the his neck in confusion, but soon the laughter became contagious and Knight laughed as well. " I'm sorry, you just looked kind of funny with that, let me remove that off you ". Using his magic Luna got every single feathers off from Knight.
After doing that the two ponies went back to the roof, this time making sure not to stand over a damaged part and fall again. " Wow, thanks, that magic of you is pretty impressive, I wish I could have got a horn like you, that's cool, but wings are cool too, and you have both! That's make you like, double cool! ".
" Thanks, I guess, and yes having both wings and horn is pretty convenient but mostly is our sigil as princess of Equestria chosen by destiny! B-but cool sounds good too ". Luna said blushing a little.
" I see ". Both ponles watched the night sky in silence, the stallion wanted to apologise for earlier but Luna beat him at talking.
" Now that I think about it, I haven't asked your name, I hear that your friends call you knight, is that it? ". Luna asked curious.
" Yes, Knight, short, sweet roll of the tongue, mares love it ". He said smiling and puffing his chest but pretty soon his demeanor changed drastically. " Well, the true is that I don't know my name, I know I have one but I just can't remember as stupid as it sound, a filly I met before suggested me to use Knight as my name since i was in full armor and everything and it somehow felt like it was the right name for me, you know".
" I see, I do agree that it fits you but I also think that it is too simple, here in Equestria your name means more that just a way to call you, I think that you need something else, something more fitting". Luna said smiling.
" Oh, y-you think? Like what? I can't think of anything right now ". The young stallion said while scratching the back of his neck again in that awkward form that Luna was starting to recognize as a form of social ineptitude very similar at the one she had.
" Hm, let me see, oh! How about you let me see your cutie mark, that could give us a clue, in the time of old, it was common practice to change one's name after getting a cutie mark for better identify one self for its talent, why, thousands of ponies came to for my sister's advice to chose one for them, some... a few ones came to me for renaming, now days that tradition seems completely forgotten". Luna said with a very evident sadness, then she suddenly perked up and started talking in a secretive tone. " I'm going to tell you something that nopony, and I seriously mean NOpony knows, and it must remain a secret, would you keep it? ". Knight nodded suddenly with a serious look as well. " Ok, listen carefully ". She cranked her neck to be as close as possible. " My sister's and my actual names, aren't the real ones, we renamed ourselves after our ascend to alicornhood ". Luna watched him carefully after revealing her secret.
" You mean you changed your name after you got that tattoo on your butt? ". Knight asked bluntly just realizing his imprudence too late.
" What?! ". Luna asked baffled.
" A-ah I didn't meant to! I mean, I meant to but not like that! Sorry! ". Knight moved his legs in an apologetic fashion while asking for forgiveness. " I meant rear your rear! Oh dang! That sounds just as bad, sorry! ".
Knight was surprised when instead of been offended Luna once again broke into giggles and then full laughter. " hahaha This is just so refreshing! Hahaha! Oh my sides, I haven't laughed like this in years hahaha ".
" I-I'm sorry Lu-I mean princess, I'm sorry ". Knight noted that at been addressed with her tittle her smile deflated a little.
" It's ok, it nothing ". The princess said still smiling but Knight could feel that she wanted to avoid further questions. The two ponies fell into another moment of silence.
" So, then what do you think? ". Knight got up and turned his side to show her his cutie mark. Luna meanwhile watched him with confusion as to what was he doing. " Would you mind renaming me by looking at my Cutie thing? ".
Luna was shocked by the question. " Do, do you want me to chose a name for you".
" Well? Yeah, who better to chose a name for a pony like me that the princess with the title to do it ". Luna watched over the symbol imprinted in his flank with a thoughtful look.
" F-for real? I mean, we could wait until my sister has the chance and-! ".
" Nah, I feel like you can come up with a better name, besides, if your sister named like, thousands of ponies before she probably has fewer ideas left, I'm sure you can do way better, I trust you ".
" You... hm, very well, since thee had entrusted me with such a duty it is just right that I, Princess Luna do the honors! So then, for this moment forward, thee should be know as... ". She took a look at the cutie mark with full attention, it was a simple design, two yellow arcs, one over the other like twin downcasted moons, she did a few humming noises and then an idea sparkled on her mind. " Arc! Arc Knight! ".
Knight, now Arc Knight simply remained silent after been baptized with his new name. " Di-did you not like it? ". Luna asked worried.
" No no, that's not it, actually, I feel like it's the right name for me, thanks ".
Luna smiled genuinely this time. " Your welcome, and I'm happy that you like it because my second option was Caballero Arco, but not many ponies would understand it ".
" Ha, I see, but thanks for real, I like it a lot, hm, Arc, you can call me Arc ". The stallion said seating closer to Luna.
" And you may call me Luna, but just between us, ok? ".
" Haha, deal ". Arc out his hoof forward for a hoofbump, something that Mint showed him, Luna saw this and her smile grew as she reached out to return the gesture.
For a moment both ponies stood like that smiling at each other, face close. " Oh, you still have a feather stock in your mane from earlier, let me get it ". Arc reached out with his head and took the feather with his teeth. " Got it ". But as he retreated he found himself closer to the blue mare, again both their eyes glued to the other's, blue on blue, both got lost in the moment and time remained still until Luna jumped away.
" I-i need to leave now! ". Without another word the night princess flew away leaving Arc confused and alone in the rooftop.
" Was something that I said? " He tried to think about it but found no answer, father than that his thoughts went back to the question she asked, about assisting with the Grimm. " I need to think carefully, ah, better hit the hay now ". Jumping off the roof , Arc did his way back to the small place where his new friends were already sleeping. The day was too much for everypony and the next one would be just as busy, thinking one last time on the proposal, Arc couldn't help but think about Luna and that little moment where he was close to her, he hoped she wasn't mad for whatever happened. With her smile still fresh in his mind, Arc fell sleep.
While most of the townponies slept, Luna patrolled the sky before going into the dreamscape. She took a little break over a lonely cloud right above the town's entrance, there she thought about what just happened earlier with the young stallion and wondered why she acted and felt like that. She knew that she liked the conversation for the simplicity and sense of normality that Arc give her, the way he talked and approached her made her feel like a normal mare, not a Princess and not a former evil fiend, just herself, something that she only felt with her sister.
But more than that was the way she felt when the stallion was so close to her, she felt her pulse rise and her body heat up, it was both exciting and suspenseful at the same time. " I may need to ask Tia about it ". Deciding to comence her duty of guarding the dreams for the night, Luna started meditating.
CHANGELING HIVE...
Savage walked out of the green pool dripping the viscous liquid which filled it with each step he took. He took a look at his pincer, the one the stallion broke and found it completely healed, there weren't even marks or signs of cracking anywhere.
" Ah nice, very nice ". While he inspected further, Chrysalis walked in.
" Are you done healing up? That took more that with normal drones ".
" Oh? Did Mommy dearest called me a freak? ". Savage asked menacingly with his tail waving in the air.
" N-no! I just said that it is sooo good to have you back, my dear son, that pond contains nutrients that our bodies absorb through the openings on our chitin, it heal us and in some form it feed us too, is the only way we survive when we run out of food". Having heard that, Savage hugged his 'mommy' and twirled her around thanking her for making him feel like a real son for the first time.
" We can attack again once most of the warriors are healed up, what do you think, dear son? ". Chrysalis asked, hoping this time that somepony would reduce her ugly son into mush drying over the outside ground so that she can be free again.
" No need Mama, no need hehe, I saw and did what I need it, now I'm familiar with this world and what I can do, but I feel, I feel like I'm missing something, something important ".
" Well, it must be that you haven't absorbed love from those you fought, a Changeling need to feed on love to be able to use magic and to shapeshift for longer ".
" Absorb love? Hm quite interesting, is that what you and my siblings have been doing with the ponies you captured? ". Savage remember seen many Changelings acting weird, almost like drunk, they also seemed happier than before.
" Of course, absorb love from our enemies is the whole reason why we exist, that and dominate the rest of Equestria! So what do you say, you want to have a taste? ".
" I'm sold in the idea Mama, I'm hehe, show me the way of the Changeling hehe".
" Very well, follow me ". Chrysalis took Savage to the lower levels of the hive, she had specifically moved the feeding room near her personal chamber to make it easier for her as well as to make it more difficult for Intruders to try and save their comrades.
" Here we are ". As they approached, screams and curses could be heard coming from inside a room well guarded by four drones, two outside and two inside the door, cries of mercy and done could be also distinguish as they got closer. Savage started to feel something weird, an strange desire to get get closer, his senses became more sharp as well.
The two guards outside saluted and with their magic opened the door for them to pass, at the other side the other guards did the dame, now inside Savage could felt the full force of what was going on. He saw a small Changeling approach a flying pony who was restrained to the wall by a dark membrane like substance, his upper and lower hooves we're completely stuck to the surface of the substance as was part of her torso and left wing, the right one seemed torn in half, must likely from the battle the previous day. The mare screamed and trashed around trying to get free but she simply couldn't.
Whatever that membrane was, it was strong enough to hold the pegasus mare in place giving the small Changeling complete freedom to approach, and he did, expanding his wings to hover and reach the mare's face, the young but took her face with his front hooves and force her to look at him, the Changeling then hissed and opened his mouth, something like a tongue came from inside and shot directly at the mare's mouth, despite her best efforts not to open her own mouth, the glowing tongue force the mouth open and did its way through her throat, the mare trashed once more but it was in vain, soon the glowing tongue changed color, from dark green to pink, whatever was happening it was obvious that it was affecting the pony in a bad way as the color of her coat drained and her eyes rolled back, her trashing became less and less wild coming down to a mere wobble meanwhile the Changeling continued.
" That should be more than enough child, if you kill her you will be punished! ". Chrysalis warned the young Changeling firmly but also with care for his well-being. " The young ones normally don't know when to stop feeding, if not stopped in time the pony dies and we have one provider left ". The Changeling finished and then something unusual happened, the Changeling looked stunt for a moment before dropping on the ground in pain. " Ah! Looks like this one is about to mold ".
" Mold? ". Asked Savage still watching intrigued, both to the mare who was unconscious now and his brother who kept kicking in agony.
" You two, take your brother into confinement ". The two guards quickly obeyed and took the young one away. " After getting enough love we grow, we shed the old chitin and get a new one more durable and with new abilities, in time if one feed enough love, it can even become a new king or queen, that's how our hive operates, since long time ago we were unrivaled by the other species on Equestria, even dragons were afraid of us, that was, until they joined and hunted us down to what we are now, I'm the only survivor left from that time ".
" Oh, I see I see, so that's why they fear you uh, hehe, I respect that, I do, Mama is amazing hehe, you know what, your take has moved me hehe, yes it has, it has hehe, let me then help you Mama, let me help you become a thing of fear once more, let me become a child you can be proud of Mama, good little Savage will help you with those soft squishy ponies, yes hehe ".
The queen looked intrigued, she was still afraid of the crazy Changeling but he seemed different even if just a bit different. " Fine, then prove that you're true to your nature ". She turned to another pony, an heart pony stallion who couldn't even scream since the membrane was covering his mouth, but his eyes never left the form of the scorpion Changeling. " Feed ". She simply commanded.
Following her case, Savage moved next to the trapped stallion, muffled sounds came from him but it matter not to Savage, actually they did, he cared for those little shows of fear and terror since he like d them, liked to cause them and loved to see them consume his prey before delighting in finishing the live of those poor souls.
Licking his lips Savage went for the head, be didn't need to force the pony to see him because the captive couldn't turn away. The soldier's eyes widen in terror. " Let's see how your love taste like ". That stallion died that day giving Savage the greatest pleasure of his life so far.
" Because you two dufus won't answer when I called! ". Weiss Schnee explained finally reaching him and Ruby.
" I didn't hear anything? Did you Ruby? ".
" Hm, maybe ". Huffed the little redhead.
" What? You did? And you didn't have the intension of answer me? ".
" Hmm, I was thinking, besides, you haven't apologized to me yet! ".
" And why would I apologise? ".
" Because you're totally wrong! ".
" Is this about the murals and the horses again? ".
" Paints and ponies! And yes! It is about them! ".
" Why you insufferable little-! ".
" Could you guys like, explain to me what's going on? ". Asked the blonde after having enough from his two diminutive friends yells, the caves seemed a terrible place to have high pitched screams apparently, who could have thought.
" It is about some murals-! ".
" Paintings! ".
" Ahem, murals that we found deeper into the ruins, they depicted an old civilization that comprised of both humans and dwarf sized equines ".
" Equi-what? ".
" She means ponies, P,O,N,I,E,S! ". Ruby yelled again causing the gave to tremble slightly.
The trio hid under the only shield present, the blonde's. " You dunce! You want to kill us before that crazy faunus does?! ".
The knight kept his eyes on the ceiling as the shaking stopped. " I don't think that it was Ruby's fault ".
" See? Not my fault ". The young leader of team RWBY said.
" No? Then who's fault it is? ". Her answer came when the whole tunnel shook once more but with less intensity and prolongation.
" Callows ". The knight said softly but by how strong the girls pressed their bodies to his it was obvious that they heard him. The knight felt this and smiled then changed the subject to help the girls relax. " As nice as the company is, isn't a little too close? ". When the girls realize what he meant not jumped off with pink cheeks.
" So, what did you said about ponies? ". The group arrived to where the ruins became more intricate, there was concrete rubble and a few very old pieces of metal here and there, half buried, half out but completely oxidated and almost turning to dust at mere contact.
As they moved deeper the composition of the tunnel changed, it looked more solid, then the murals started to appear. The fist one was hard to understand, there was a big line marking something like a division of sorts, in the center of the line there was an oval shape, on one side there was human like figures, at the other side horse like figures, the horse side had also what looked like a tree, a glowing tree with 6 small symbols hanging from the branches, a set of balloons, a diamond, a star, a rainbow, an apple and a flock of butterflies.
" Those anybody understand what those drawings mean? ". Asked the knight.
The former heiress took a thinking pose. " It pretty hard to say, Remnant's history doesn't cover much before the foundation of the 4 great kingdoms, and even with what we learn thanks to Ozpin there's still too many blanks ".
" Prof. Oobleck would jump of happiness if he could have seen those paints ". Ruby said smiling before dropping it remembering how the fast paced man lost his life helping them get away from other of Salem's minions.
The teens remained in silence for a little while before the younger huntress spoke again. " But, but there's more down the tunnel, come look! ". Ruby pulled her male friend until they were in front of another mural. This one expressed a new story divided in events, the first one depicted one of horse like figures approaching the oval shape, apparently crossing it, but on the other side the figure looked humanoid, not horse like anymore. The second part indicated that the traveler crossed back into the world and took from the tree one of the symbols, the star. In the third part another horse, this one with wings and a horn crossed the oval shapenow evident to be a portal or a gate, the new arrival seemed to confront the thief and two did battle, there's were the mural ended.
" Hmm, is this thing a fantasy mural? Horses turning humans and vice versa? Magical objects? Seems far-fetched ". Both Ruby and the blonde looked at the white haired girl with blank expressions. " I-I mean, at least we have evidence that magic do exist, but, horses? ".
" Ponies! ".
" Whatever ".
" Calm down ok, let's move on, there's more right? " At his question the redhead nodded vigorously. The walked a bit more, the new mural not too far off.
" Hmm, is damaged ".
" This things are old, maybe as old as Ozma and Salem, it is a surprise we got to see as much ". The knight nodded observing the new mural. A portion indeed was damaged, but the first halve was understandable. The 'Traveler' that crossed to confront the thief of the star Symbol thing tried to cross back, but it couldn't, this was understandable by the oval shape now been represented with black, the traveler then stood behind in the human world with the star symbol, then next seemed to imply that the traveler used the star to create a new tree in the human world thus allowing magic into the human world. After that the mural was too damaged to see properly.
" Are you guys thinking the same thing? ". The knight asked his two friends.
" I thinks so, you mean that the tree may represent the birth and f magic in this world?". Asked Weiss.
" Oh that what you meant-I mean yeah, that's my conclusion too, right ".
" I somehow doubted, you probably were going to say that that's how ponies arrived in this world or something childish like that! ".
" N-no! You're wrong! What am I, 12? Bah! ". The knight smiled at his friend but looked back at the mural, the damaged part may explain something important but he couldn't tell yet, maybe looking further down.
" Hey! ". Another voice came from where they came from, a male one. Lien Ren appeared. " I was looking for you guys, Hang found another tunnel, she said that she can feel wind from it, Maybe its an exit ".
" Really! Let check it out! ". Ruby used her semblance to disappear in a flash only to smash against one of the curves from further in.
" That moron! I'll go and check it out, it soon will be out turn on keeping watch anyway, you two can keep looking around ". Weiss left to catch her partner.
" How's Nora doing Ren? ".
" You mean apart from nagging that we can't make pancakes in this caverns? More or less, but we really need to find a way out of here before our food or water runs out ".
" I know Ren, I'm sorry ".
The raven haired boy patted his back amicably. " Don't worry, we don't blame you, it was our best option and we know it, we trust you with out lives ".
" Thanks Ren, now then have you found any of those paints around? ". The knight pointed to the mural.
" No, but I did found something interesting, is not far from here if you want to see it ".
" Lead the way then! ". Ren nodded and the two friend walked onward.
"... ".
"...kes ".
" Uh? What's he talking about?! ".
" Pan-cakes, pancakes! ". Arc woke up with a loud yell.
" Dude, you ok? ". Bubble Gum asked.
" I, I'm, just, a bit tired from yesterday, I suddenly craved pancakes ". The colt said as he got up and started making up his bed.
" Ha, I know what you mean, but I don't think we have all the ingredients, but I can look around with the ponifolk ".
" That's ok Gum, you don't need to go that far, the poor citizens must have more thing in their minds than breakfast, I'll go and take look around ". Arc donned his armor and weapons and prepared to step outside when he remembered to ask. " Where is the rest? ".
" Oh, well Mint is doing everything she can to speak with Princess Luna but I think she's not having much luck there, Buster is helping with repairs, he feels obligated since the town is providing us with housing and food ". The younger colt explained.
" Hm, I see, ok I'll see what can I do around too ".
" Thanks, I'll go and see if I can gather some water for us, I hear the is a well nearby ".
" Good luck then ".
" You too Knight, oh I mean Arc ". The blonde pony nodded and went out. The sight was as last night, ponies repairing their town with help, but now he could see something else, the repairs now included defence fortifications, not just watch posts but also they were working in wooden palisades, sand barricades and some were working on ramps. All in all it was mostly defensive constructions but with so many normal ponies and not a barely a few fighters Arc understood the thought behind it.
His presence around the streets wasn't unnoticed for long as a pegasus flew to him. " Sir Knight, Princess Luna request your presence in the town hall as soon as possible ".
" Ah, ok, which is twin Hall by the way? ". The pegasus pointed at the biggest building and then departed. " Thanks! ".
Arc moved toward the place, there wasn't much that could help differentiate the town hall from any other house apart for the size but Arc supposed that in a place so far away from civilization it was to be expected.
Indeed the place wasn't that impressive inside either, there was a single guard outside who allowed him in, inside there was four ponies, an old pony with long beard, a mare somewhere around the same age by his estimates, another Royal guard and of course princess Luna, they were all standing around a square table with what appeared to be a map placed on top. As soon as the door closed behind him, the conversation became apparent.
" this part here is where we have our crops, there are three in total, hey, vegetables and oats, we have a well inside the town but if more water is needed there is a stream nearby going north but it is at the foot of the denser part of the forest, wild creatures sometimes roam around there so is a bit dangerous ".
" I see, oh, Arc! Please come, we are discussing our situation ".
" Good day to all of you, princess ". Arc bowed just a bit for the princess who smiled and gestured her approval. " What can I do to help? ".
" We have a few things, first let me make the introductions, this here is the elder or mayor of Lonesome Saddle, Nugget Brown, and that is his wife, Pallet. She's Copper, I have named her Captain of the guards in this town, I think everypony knows Arc Knight".
" A pleasure, thank you Sir Knight for saving this town, we're in your debt ". Said Nugget.
" The pleasure is mine Elder, thanks for having me ".
" In the name of my unit, thanks you saved our rears when we were all afraid and gave us back some sense of pride, thanks again ".
" You're welcome, it is my duty ". Arc couldn't see the face of the mare completely due to her helmet but he noticed a few locks of red mane, her green eyes were also a bit nostalgic to see so close and Arc forgot for a moment the others present.
" Ahem, if you whish to speak with captain Copper I suggest you leave it for later, we need to discuss this now ". Luna said sounding a bit moody. " Please look at this map ". Arc this as requested and saw the piece of old paper, despite the crudeness of the materials he understood the drawings perfectly, his eyes set first near where a small pebble floated by means of magic, the pebble floated over the drawing of a small square with an 'X' inside.
" This is where we are, Lonesome Saddle, by the information that the survivors of the 9th Division gathered some of the ponles the attacks from those monsters, the Grimm as you named them, were coming in this direction, if this information is accurate then this town will be come on the path of the enemy once more ". The Elder trembled as Luna spoke of how his home would be a battlefield again. " What do you think Arc? ".
" Is not that this town is on the way, it is the fact that this town has more ponies that the previous one, the Grimm is not a beast that attack to feed but one that thrives on fear, the more fear the more attractive is for them, they can feel it from afar, they follow and they destroy, then they move to the next place with biggest amount and so on, make no mistake princess, they will come here, and once this place is gone, they'll go for the next one ". Arc's words made the temperature drop in the room suddenly.
The tension rose to a whole new level, knowing the true was a recipe for fear and disaster but Arc couldn't lie to his friends and those under his protection, he
" Then, I'll turn this place into a chokehold! Until the origen of the Grimm can be identified and a permanent solution found, I'll make Lonesome Saddle into a fortress, nay, a bastion of strength, we'll stop the Grimm here, no further will they go! It may sound difficult but I'll put all my power into securing the lives of everypony living here and beyond this point, but I need your help, from all of you, we need warriors, hunters and brave civilians that can assist us, this plan needs a lot of hooves and resources but if we join together I believe, no, I know that if will work, what do you say my ponies, would you help me? ".
Luna placed her hoof in the air right about the map, non a second later Captain Copper placed hers, the two elders looked at each other and smiled placing theirs too. When he didn't move, all eyes turned to him, not judging but expecting, slowly but surely, he placed his hoof on top of the pile, when he turned his sight up he didn't saw the faces of ponies but humans, six of them smiling back. Be shook his head to remove the image and get back to reality. " I'm in, I'll do what I can, but if the time comes when I need to go out I'll have to, that's all I can assure you right now ".
" Is as much as we can ask, thank you, to all of you, then from this day on, this will be our home and shelter until the Grimm menace is destroyed ". Everypony present nodded and with that solemn speech the meeting came to an end. Arc was the first one to come out of the house, he walked aimlessly for a bit thinking on what the princess suggested, he was ok with the idea in general and he too wanted the Grimm stopped and then destroyed but his main concern at the moment was to find if any other of his friends had come to this world like him, and to know their fates.
Looking for a place to be alone he found a nice shade between two small houses, he sat there and closed his eyes breathing calmly as he let his aura surfed away into the horizon, in a way it worked like a sonar bouncing back with the impression of living creatures and their souls creating reverberations, but when it detected a Grimm, what he got was just an empty space devoid of anything but evil.
There, away from the town he felt many empty spaces, Grimm probing around, they were far and felt pretty disorganised, not yet integrated into a horde but they would soon, as they moved closer and closer any stranded beast would be absorbed into a single ride just like the one that attacked the town just the previous day, if he had his friends he could try and hunt the Grimm in small numbers avoiding a massive battle but right now apart from him and Princess Luna he doubted this small group of ponies could do well in such strategy. His mind wondered back to his friends.
" Am I interrupting? ". Arc jumped and screamed when he heard the voice behind, almost reaching the top of the house with his jump.
" I, I so sorry, I didn't mean to! ".
" Tha-that's ok, I'm ok, I just, just let me get my soul back in my body, yes, ok, I'm think I'd back in place, yeah, I totally didn't screamed like a little filly, did I? ". He turned to ask the pony who scared him, he found the mare Royal guard from the meeting.
" I, sure, not fillish at all ". Copper said while holding her giggles behind an armored hoof, it looked damaged. " You already heard but my name is Rough Copper, well, Captain, Rough Copper now, Princess Luna bestowed the tittle on my after what happened yesterday ". Rough said with a hint of dislike.
" Oh, well, Arc Knight, nice to meet ya Captain ". Arc offered a hoof bump that she returned.
" No need to say my title, you're not a civilian nor the army so, Rough is ok, Copper works too, I don't mind ".
" Oh hm, ok, Rough then, if that's ok ".
" Peachy, sorry for the scare by the way ". She sat next to him and removed her helmet, he couldn't avoid watch as a cascade of red caramel like mane came flowing down as soon as the armor piece was gone completely, she placed the helmet next to her flank, and watched the horizon just as he was doing before her arrival. Again, against his better judgement he stood there staring at her, she had a slightly pinkish fur that helped make her red mane that more appealing, her green eyes too shone like emeralds when the light got reflected on them, if anything, the only thing desecrating her overall looks was a small cut under her left eye, a reminder of the battle.
" Can I ask you something? ".
" I'm not dating you, I'm just saying there ". The guard mare said straightforward.
" What? No! That's not what I was going to ask! ".
" Oh shoot, then forget my little jump there, you do that and I'll forget that you cried like a filly just a few moments ago, deal? ". Rough said giggling again.
" But you said I didn't! Forget it, but for real now, is just... It looks like you don't like your promotion very much ". Arc said while dropping his voice, watching her reaction cause him to feel bad for asking. " You don't need to answer, sorry to f it was too personal ".
" It's ok, and... you're right, I don't like it, not the promotion or that Princess Luna herself have it to me, that was a huge honor believe me! ". Her eyes turned sad again. " My discomfort come from more from how I got it, most of my friends died back when those things attacked our camp, just a hooful of us escaped, it was horrible! I know we weren't the cream of the Royal guard but, but still, we couldn't even kill ten of those things and then, and then we, we ran away, a few of us can away leaving the rest behind as they were torn to pieces, a few of them even eaten alive! ".
The mare started shaking like twig, Arc offered a hoof that she accepted, he could have told her to stop if it was too hard for her but deep down he knew she needed this, so he let her continue.
" We ran and ran, we didn't stop for nothing, then we reached this settlement and you know what we did? What the brave and honorable Royal guard of the princesses did? Bucking tried to use the town and the folks as distraction to feed those monsters! We, we... I'm bucking disgusted with my friends, but more than that, with me, I'm a coward".
Rough was crying hard by now, her face down, her eyes red as she watched the spot were her tears were landing. " I, I was so disgusted, but also so afraid. There are many horror that I had seen in Equestria, but nothing, nothing like this! Not even Discord with all of his madness would do such a thing ".
" This, promotion, it feels like a mark, one that says that I just got it because I survived, because I ran away faster, because my fear was greater that the courage of those who stood back and fought ".
Watching her dwell in self pity made him flinch inside, he could see his own reflexion whenever he too doubted himself despite his friends constantly telling him he was wrong, how he did his best in different ways. He wasn't as strong as his fellow blond, not as fast as the little reaper, not as smart as the heiress, not as versatile as the cat faunus, not as stealthy as his best male friend, not as wild as the ginger bomber, and never, ever as skilled as the invincible girl, never good enough.
" Nope ".
" What? ". Asked Rough confused by the change in the tone.
" Nope, you can't doubt yourself anymore ".
" Excuse me? ".
" A friend of mine told me once, you may have been a failure before, you may have been a coward before, you may have been those things just yesterday, but you can't be those things now, you know why? ".
The captain shook her head in automatically. " Because now you have lives depending on you, you have a team that expect you, that needs you to act your best, now you have innocent lives that depends on you to make the right calls and to prove that you been the captain is not a mistake, because if you are, you're bringing them down ".
" Bu-but-! ".
" Nope! ".
" What are-? ".
" Nope! I may not know how Princess Luna think, but I doubt she picked you just because there wasn't anypony better for the rank, she saw something in you, something that told her, she can do this, and I believe she did the right choice, didn't you helped me too when I was been surrounded by the Sibers? ".
" I, I tried to help you but I don't think I did anything important ".
" Nope! ".
" Wha-again? ".
" Every little action counts, no matter how impactful is at the moment, those actions prove that you're willing to do your part, and the rest see those efforts they can't stop but want to do something themselves, you lead by example and doubting yourself only hampers the well being of the group, that's why you, us, we have to stop dragging our sorry asses and do our best ".
" I... I don't know what to say ".
" It's ok, I'm not asking you to make a 180 and not care for what happened but to focus in what matters at the moment, the past is the past, besides, you're not alone, I may not be much but I can put my own weight when it counts, plus the Princess is very powerful! She has wings and a horn! ".
That last joke finally broke the mare out of her mood and got her to laugh, her problems mad doubts were still there but now they seemed small and even acceptable. " You really aren't from here are you? ".
" No, not precisely, what give it away? ".
" There isn't a single pony that I know that would joke about Princess Luna, well, there is a pink one called Pinkie pie that would do it but she's a bit loony and that's her personality but, is not that ponies hate her or anything but to joke about her is kind of risky, Princess Celestia is more approachable but Luna? It so much ".
" Well, I could see the way if you don't know her but she's pretty cool and fun, she pret-I mean she's a nice pony yes! That's what I was going to say ".
Again Copper smiled from watching his goofy reactions. " Thanks, really, you got me out of my slum there, it's nice to know I'm not alone and I got capable ponies nearby ".
" No problem Rough, just promise me that if you ever find somepony in the same pinch as you, you'll remember this moment, ok? ".
" I will, I promise ".
" Then that's that, now let me go and grab something to eat, I'm starving! ". Just as the words left his muzzle his stomach proved his claim. " See? ".
" Hear more than see, I'll see you around Arc, and thanks again ". The two ponies went their different ways unaware that their conversation was been eavesdropped by the blue Alicorn hidden in the roof of one of the houses. She stood there until they were gone for sure, her mind clouded by the exchange from the two ponies.
Times passed as everypony worked for repairing and reinforcing the small town, however that same day another meeting was called. Like last time there was only the same members, Arc took a seat next to the elder who at the right of the princess, Rough was at his right.
" Thanks for coming, we have a few situations we need to discuss ". Arc nodded for the meeting to begin. " We have a couple of things that we need to take care of before the reinforcements I asked arrived. I'll let Mayor Brown to explain the first one ".
The old pony nodded and cleared his throat to speak. "Thanks your highness, before the unexpected attack, the town was about to prepare to collect food and water from our fields, we are a bit low on them and since we have more ponies living in we are consuming them faster, we need to send a group so that we can get food for the upcoming days, there's three fields that need to be picked, water will be need it as well so that means that we need a large group to go ".
" It is obvious that this group will need to be accompanied by guards in order to secure a safe return, now, the second topic is a bit more serious, observing the map and with information from the locals we know the location of a few other small colonies around that need to be visited, we need to bring every single pony around to prevent them from become victims of the Grimm, another party need to go out and scout this places clean, their safety is priority ". Princess Luna's turn came tpossibl.
" You mentioned before that you could sense those things, is there any nearby the town? Could they be attacking other settlements? ". Asked the captain.
" I can feel them better went they are on the hunt or when there's many of them together, but if the Grimm is alone and roaming without direction they became hard to spot, right now there's a few coming but not together and not very fast, if they detect a source of fear close to them they will move in that direction first. If you want to bring ponies from all around it is better to do it before they grow in numbers and form a new horde ". Arc furnished but s explanation.
" I see, very well, it seems then that collecting the food will be our first objective, when that's done we'll be going for the other settlers and bring them in, is there any objection to my plan? ". The mayor, the captain and the knight seemed to agree immediately to the plan.
" Excellent! Then all that's left is to create the group that will go out, any suggestions? ".
Rough Copper rose her arm first. " I have one ". She waited until everypony had acknowledge her. " My suggestion would be to form one single team that can do a double treck, the first one would be under the Princess watch and the second one under Knight's ". The group pondered at the idea before starting discussing the pros and cons.
" Well, we can send one group in the crack of day and with no mayor delay they can be here around midday, then we can send a second group after a break and again if no mayor delay occurs then they can be here before sunset ". Said Nugget Brown.
" And if there's anypony who can't go for a second trip they can be replaced for somepony else ". His wife chimed in.
" It could be a good way for the ponles of this town to learn how to move in caravans and to prepare for the upcoming hordes ". Said Luna.
" As long as the town isn't let too unprotected I believe we can try and see how it goes". Arc accepted, the ponyfolk would indeed need to learn how to act when the alarm was sounded and maybe those little trips would work like fire drills.
With the notion accepted unanimously then all that was left was to assign the ponies who would be first in the trip, Elder Brown would take care of that while Captain Copper would choose the guards, finally, it was decided that Arc would have the first trip and Luna would take the second. " I'll leave the whispering stone I took from the 9th camp here and the group that goes out will take the day there one, that way we'll always be communicated ".
" Good then, it will be better if we retire early to be ready tomorrow, I'll have a group ready for the time we need to head out ". With everything set up the other ponles left the house of the elder to return to their duties of to rest.
Arc was doing his way with the siblings before he was called again. " Arc? May I have a big box your time? ". Arc turned his head up to see the princess flying very close to him.
" Hm sure Miss Luna, I have time ".
" Just Luna will be ok, follow me please ". Luna soared faster toward a small area further from everypony with the blonde pony trotting behind. After a few meters more Luna landed In a clearing, Arc came to a stop a few feet from her.
Luna inspected the area and found it to her liking. " Thanks for following, I would like to ask a big favor of you, it is something rather... unusual, but it is something that I need to do and you're the only one that can help me with this ". Luna said.
" Hm, sure Mi-Luna, if I can be of help then I don't mind ".
" Thank you Arc, from battling those creatures last time I realize that magic alone is not enough to secure a win, we Alicorns have the strongest of magics when it comes to Equestria but even there there's some other creatures who through other methods had come close to defeated us and what happened yesterday was more proof of it ".
" I know what you mean, where I came from there's schools, places that would train the young to fight the Grimm, from understanding the history of the Grimm to teach every single technique to kill them, weapons, tactics, everything that they thought would give us an advantage ".
" That's what I need, training, to learn from somepony who knows how to kill them and hunt them down. Please Arc ". Again like the last time she bowed down to him, teach me how to fight them, how to protect my little ponies from those monsters, I beg of you, make me your apprentice ".
Arc watched her from his position, his memory flicking back to when his partner took him under her wing.
" I never met someone with the same will and determination to better himself, I'm proud and of calling you my partner... and I wanted to tell you... to tell you that..! ".
Luna stood there with her face down, her muzzle just inches from the ground, until she felt a light tap on her mane, her face went up to find a smiling stallion. " Rise up Luna, I accept your request, but with one condition ".
" Ah oh o-of course, I can give you as many bits as-! ".
" That's not what I want, I'll train you, but not as my apprentice, but as my partner, the pony I will trust to have my back and the one I will give my full confidence to never keep secrets from, would you accept, partner? ".
Arc extended his arm for her and after understanding the meaning she smiled as well. " Yes, I accept, partner! ". She closed the deal with a hoof bump. Then with a sudden jump Arc activated his weapon, sword and shield came to life mecha-shifting as he landed and took a ready position.
" Ok Luna, then let's begin your training to become a huntress, first, show me what you got! ".
" As you wish, Arc, En guarde! ". Luna summoned two swords to magic to her command, then jumped to start the bout while smiling sincerely for the first time in the day.
CAMP OF THE 11TH LEGION OF THE ROYAL GUARD...
Commander Hardstone hummed as he saw the report his scouts send him, a smile soon appeared and it only grew wide as he came to the last of it. " Everything is in place, tomorrow, tomorrow I'll finally hunt you down once and for all but queen, tommorow ". His eyes set over the map and the plan he has prepared for the upcoming day, there would be many casualties, he knew it, but as long as the operation was successful, he was sure that it would be ok, after all, the guards knew that sooner or later they needed to sacrifice their lives for the greater good, right?
It was midnight in the beautiful world of Equestria, right above the settlement/Fort Lonesome Saddle, Princess Luna found a cloud high and long enough to hide from any preaching eye and toss and laugh of excitement and joy. Her body felt sore and ached in every part that Arc Knight passed her defenses and landed a hit on her hide, and yet, she felt this incredible elation for been trashed and overly defeated by an earth pony with unique abilities like he himself.
Other things that caused her to feel this way was that, during their match, their bodies touched and collided on several occasions, it was not uncommon for two fighters to clash close enough to have their bodies press against each other like that, but in a princess of Equestria that was a first. Luna recalled in specific how after blocking both of his weapons with her telekinesis and her own magic swords she yelled in anticipation for victory only for her to be rammed to the ground with a powerful body charge.
Before she could even register what just happened, Arc followed by pinning her body in a strong grip that left no chance for her to dislodge him from her, not that he needed, the simple fact that another pony, a stallion no less, was grinding his legs and chest against her fur and that his muzzle found a place around her neck was too much for the princess of the night, then when her shock was just passing, he did something that ended the match right then and there, when Luna tried to get her wings out and use them to gain advantage, Arc bit down on her right wing trying to keep it in place but all he did was give Luna a preening, he then nibbled at the root of her feathers making her feel very sensible and very embarrassed, so much so that an involuntary moan escaped her.
Hearing this, Arc released her quickly and jumped back in worry that he had gone too far and hurt her. " I ah... I wasn't... I didn't ". Luna fumbled for words to cover her shame.
" I am sorry, I just thought I hurt you, but you were doing pretty good! ".
" I, you, the duel? Oh yes, the duel! ". Luna hurried back to her hooves and tried to defuse the situation before the awkward could make her feel even more foolish. " Do you mind if we finish or spar tomorrow? I didn't know I was this tired from, from, from yesterday! ".
" Oh, I see, sorry, you must be right, sorry Luna, we can finish tomorrow but I already have a good grasp on you ".
" A... a grasp? Of me? Of my wi-!? ".
" Yes, of your abilities as a fighter, I know how to whip you properly ".
" Whi-whip me? ". Luna felt her face turning redder with each word he said, did he even knew what he just did? Preening a mare's wings was an act only reserved for stallions that the mare has accepted as mate. Did he knew how he was making her feel by touching her so indiscriminately? Of course he didn't know, Luna thought at last, he wasn't used to equestrian customs and more important, he seemed not to care for those things, which both made her feel happy but terrified as well.
Her confusion only grew by the second until she couldn't stay like that anymore and flew away with a slight apology. And now here she was, feeling like a little filly who just received exactly what she wanted in her birthday, she could still feel the palpitations of her heart just remembering again, but now she needed to focus, letting her body relax and calm down Luna assumed her standard position to channel her magic and activate her connection with the dreamscape, her sister should be there taking care of her job in her place.
As her mind was projected out of her body, it found it way quickly inside the Dream domain, her ethereal form floating peacefully among the dreams of thousands of ponies and other creatures in all Equestria, something normal to her but impossible for anypony who didn't have but the knowledge in astro-projections and who didn't have enough magic to be able to present an astro form.
Once in the plain of dreams it didn't took long for her sister to find her, and soon she was pulled into a space created by Celestia. Luna was now inside a massive room as big as the throne chamber where both sisters were now sitting in a small table, near it was another table but unlike the first one this one was huge and was covered from one end to the other with cakes and more cakes, from different sizes to different flavors to different shapes, there was not a single cake similar to another, each seemed special and unique in one way or another.
" I somehow feel like I should be surprised, but somehow, I'm not ".
" Hello Luna ". Celestia said as she used her magic to bring one of the many cakes in waiting, for the look of her plate and frosting covered muzzle it would appear she had been quite busy already. " If I'm going to cover your position for an indeterminate amount of time I should get something out of it, don't you think? ".
Luna simply smiled and took a small slice into her own plate. " I have urgent news sister ". Luna said with her smile now gone.
Celestia meanwhile finished her serving and summoned a napkin to her lips to clean up any remains, her tone too was serious. " This monster, this... Grimm, are they really-?! ".
" Yes sister, they have ". Celestia trembled with eyes closed as a fury she never felt before rose from within.
" How, how many? ".
" Almost the entire Division that was send there, just a few remain with me in the settlement ".
" And the settlers? ".
" I, I don't know the exact number but, we estimate that the count could be as close as one hundred casualties ". The number send a stake into the heart of the white Alicorn.
" My poor little ponies, my little fillies and colts ". Celestia placed her face into her hooves as tears and pain poured down from her eyes. Luna enveloped her with her own wings in a hug as the benevolent monarch cried for her subjects. Luna gave her support to her sister until she regained her composure.
" Thanks Luna, I, I'm ok now, it hurts, to know that many of my little ones boost their lives by those vile creatures, and that I was just, here, signing papers, preparing for a peace conference that they couldn't care less and that wouldn't have helped them at all.
" Please Tia, don't blame yourself for something that was out of your knowledge, even I could only only save as many ponies as my own hooves would allow me, and that was almost nothing compared with what I was able with his help ".
" Thanks, I'm not as arrogant as to believe myself omnipresent, but still, as the current ruler of Equestria, blame still falls within me for their lives, I must atone for their lost by not allowing this to happen again! ". Celestia said with determination.
" Sister, while I do understand and share your sentiment, I must ask you to let this task in my hooves, those monsters, they feed in fear and are capable of follow it wherever they can, even across long distances, right now my plan consist into leading them toward the settlement where we are and destroy them there, but, if knowledge of this monster and what they are capable is leaked to the common pony it is possible that the immense rise of fear is going to drive them wild and disperse them making them more dangerous for our subjects, please Sister, leave this to me, to us, we will prevail ". Luna expressed her plan passionately.
" My, Luna! You have thought about this very thoughtfully, I must say I never saw you act this way before ". A smirk came to Celestia's face. " Is this also linked to this mysterious stallion assisting you? ".
" I, he, we-well uh ". Her smirk only grew as Luna choked in her embarrassment.
" Oh my, it is! Isn't? ".
" Eh, you, sister! Do not think of us, I mean, of me like that! He, is just that, well, he acts very different from other ponies around me, he treats me in a very unique way, not as the former Nightmare Moon, or as a princess of Equestria, but as me, a mare, as Luna, is just very, refreshing ". Luna said remembering again her duel with him.
" I see, I can't say I understand everything you're feeling dear sister but, if his company is not only helping us keeping safe our subjects it also having a positive effect on you then by all means, get to know him and tell give him my that is for guarding the peace of our kingdom ".
" I will Tia, now, I know you have already send help for us but, is there any chance we could get more hooves on board? I know this maybe out of their alley but is possible to get one or two of the Elements bearers here, somepony like Rainbow Dash and her speed would be a huge assistance ". Luna asked with hope but the expression of her sister told her already that this wasn't going to happen.
" I'm afraid I can't help with that, My appreciate and her friend Rarity are in Manehattan looking for Rarity's little sister, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are also busy trying to stop a couple of stallions from turning Stalliongrad into a warzone ".
" What? How can a pair of stallions turn a city upside down? That's sounds far-fetched". Luna asked full of doubt.
" I am also skeptical about this, for which I send the Elements of Honesty and Loyalty, but that's not all, another settlement near the Everfree also requested assistance to deal with another black creature, a cat apparently ".
" A black creature, sister! If that's another Grimm-! ".
" No Luna, it seems this creature is not like the one you're facing up north but a different kind, this one seem to be more of a troublemaker that a monster, I will send the two remaining Bearers tomorrow to investigate, plus, we still have the Royal Legion up there dealing with the changelings, as you can see all this wave of events can't be all coincidental, I believe there's something approaching and we must be ready for it, the fact that the peace conference is do close is another worry ".
Luna pounded on the revelations her sister just told her and she couldn't help but to agree. " I see, this is indeed worrisome, more the reason for me to have this menace dealt with and fast! I'm sure that with Arc Knight's help we'll be able to crush those monsters soon! ".
Celestia fully turned to her sister now. " Very well, I'll support you as much as I can, if this stallion friend of yours proves to be a worthy ally maybe he can be convinced to stay and help with other problems as well, do you think he would accept? ".
" I, I don't know Tia, I could ask him ". Luna said feeling elated again at the prospect of Arc staying in Equestria.
" Do so then Luna, good and trustworthy ponies will always be welcomed in our kingdom, besides, it would give you more time to, get to know him ". The smirk was back in Celestia's face.
" T-Tia! ". Luna yelled feeling embarrassed again.
" Love you little Luna, I wish you luck ". Luna huffed but returned the gesture.
" Love you too sis, and try not to imagine this little feeding debauchery every time you enter the Dreamscape, you won't like the after effects ". It was now time for the younger Princess to smirk, she disappeared soon after throwing that warning leaving a very curious Celestia alone. " What could she mean by that? ". While she wonder, she devoured a few more cakes.
LONESOME SADDLE...
" I wonder what was that about? Was something I said? ". Asked to himself the blonde stallion as her new partner Luna, flew away, his eyes stayed at her back a bit too much which he noticed with a blush. ' I shouldn't be acting like this, she may have accepted been my partner but we still don't know each other that well '.
Painful memories of the fall of Beacon when he lost her first partner ever shook him badly as well as the many other people he had known that died along the way to confront the Queen of Grimm. His conviction to find his friends pushed the sadness away, he wouldn't give up, once the Grimm was delt with, he would look for them, even if he needed to jump into another world.
CAMP OF THE 11TH LEGION OF THE ROYAL GUARD...
At the medic tent of the 4th Division, Commander Hardstone heard as the unicorn doctor declared one of his captains was unfit for battle. He was Destrier, an earth stallion with powerful body and spirit who not only injured a new unknown type of changeling but he made it retreat which cost him his leg, this, in his book made him a damn hero, but now that he would need time to recover and now he was just dead weight, Hardstone needed ponies ready and willing to fight, and this pony couldn't do one of those things right now.
" That's all about Captain Destrier's condition, his recovery will need several weeks at minimum, I recommend send him to Canterlot so that he can get better medical treatment ". The head of his medic unit explained.
Hardstone didn't like this one bit, sending a good soldier to Canterlot for recovery was almost equal as to give it away, other Commanders would ask for the soldier to be transferred to their own legion as soon as it was back in shape and Destrier was too good to let go, but in the other hoof, he was no good right now.
" Commander? ". Asked the Captain from his bed, his face still in pain by both his condition and the look in his superior officer, no doubt he felt that his very carrier was in jeopardy.
" Yes, ahem, I-! ". Fortunately for the commander, before he could think on a plan to prevent losing his soldier, Sargeant Maroon interrupted the medical debrief.
" Commander Hardstone, Sir! Message from Canterlot Castle had just arrived send by Princess Celestia, the message is recorded for you in the whispering stone, Sir! ". Maroon saluted and just like he came, he left.
" We'll continue with this after I see what the princess need, just rest for now Captain, that is all ". Hardstone turned around and left in way to the communication tent, the doctor soon left Destrier too to tend to his other patients leaving the stallion with his own thoughts.
" What now? What if they dismiss me? I have nowhere to go, I don't know anything else? ". The stallion could only wait for his commander to make it back and drive his decision into him.
Back in the communication tent, Hardstone took the magic trinket containing his Princess message and infused a bit of magic to make it work.
' Greetings Commander Hardstone, it pains me to heard that the life of many of my beloved little ponies had been lost in this past days, both in the battlefield and in the claws of marauding creatures invading our borders, I am pleased by your dedication and that of your soldiers for protecting our kingdom, I know that your mission to stop one of the biggest enemies of equestrian peace is a very important one, but now after the information gathered by my sister, Princess Luna, I must pull your attention at this new threat she has discovered '.
' First, I must inform you that the 9th Division you so generously send to support my sister was almost wiped out by this monsters that have been raveging the frontier, only but a hooful of them made it out of their encampment, those few managed to link up with my sister in the settlement called Lonesome Saddle, they're currently reinforcing the town in order to defend it citizen and any other survivor from those invading creatures now know as, Grimm '.
Thanks to special assistance from an expert hunter, the Grimm had been temporarily subdued but their menace is still alive. For this reasons it is my request that you supply my sister with two of your Divisions for the defense of the settlement ASAP, this is a Royal order, I'll leave the selection of the troops to your own advice, thank you again for your hard and honorable work. For the glory and peace of Equestria!! '.
Hardstone was speechless, more than speechless, he felt that the wind was pressed out of his lungs, the princess, her Princess! Was giving away two more of HIS troops for some stupid misadventures that overgrown night flank filly had gotten herself into, and the worst was the timing! In just a few hours he would be sending his troops to assault the hive of the bug queen and drag her out, and he needed all available hooves on it!
His jaw was set tight, his eyes darted left and right, there was three more ponied here that surely had heard the order from the princess loud and clear, he could not say he didn't hear it, nor could be bad reception be blamed for not understanding the royal order, it was plane and simple, Hardstone has to obey and supply night flank with two Divisions.
His mind works a hundred thoughts per second looking for a way out of this pinch, and among everything he came up with an idea exploded along with a wicked smile. " Marron? ".
" Yes Sir? ". Asked the Sargeant.
" Help me prepare a list, we'll gather two divisions for the princess at once and I want a list of everypony and I mean everypony ".
" Uh, including support units and incapacitated ones, sir? ".
" That's correct Sargeant, the whole Legion ". The lower officer thought the order weird but he obeyed nonetheless becoming an ignorant accomplice of the treachery his superior officer was about to commit.
UNKNOWN LOCATION, REMNANT...
The two male members of what once was JNPR walked through another of the many tunnels inside the subterranean ruins, the Raven haired one was guiding his leader through them as they made minor conversation.
" Nora is having a hard time keeping up with the rations, I'm afraid that if we don't find a way out of this mountain soon she may go a bit wild and try to eat one of us ".
The blonde knight broke in a delirious laugh by the comment of his best male friend. " Wow Ren, that's what I call been positive, never thought you for the joking type ".
Lien Ren turned to him with a stoic expression. " What are you talking about? ".
" Well, you know, the joke, the joke about Nora turning cannibal, that was hilarious Ren! ". The knight said smiling it also feeling just a tiny bit afraid, just a bit, but as his friend kept a poker face and shrugged keeping his eyes forward, that fear became more than tiny. " Ren? You were joking, right? ".
" We're here ". The other boy said instead. They came to stop in front an entrance with double doors made out of wood, metal and glass. " It was Nora who found this, she said that she could smell food, old food, she dragged me all the way over here and I was surprised when we came across this, come look inside ". Ren moved forward and pushed one of the doors open, it was surprising to find a door like this in such a place, but more surprising yet was the fact that the door was still standing.
The knight inspected the door and felt it almost crumbling at bare touch but somehow holding in, as if the material was fighting decay itself. He backed away from the door, the feelings of something strange still in the fingers he used to touch the door.
" You feel it too didn't you? ". Ren asked him after seen his reaction.
" This... this doesn't feel right, is like, how old is this place? Didn't Weiss said that this place was ancient? How come this place metal and wood still standing? And this feeling?! ". The knight inspected his fingers and found it covered with a thin layer of dust and wood powder, he could feel something within those specks of dust, the same sensation of something in the very molecules resisting to be further destroyed.
" I don't know, I don't think anyone here knows or could imagine a logical reason, but, if you think that's weird, come and look ". Ren went further in and his friend followed. Crossing at the other side the knight found something both hard and easy to describe at the same time, the new room they were in now was a large open area, there were pillars sustaining the ceiling, some had collapsed already allowing rocks and floor and roof to become to touch and block a small area, at the left side of the double door was a section with old tables lined up in single file while the rest of the room had the tables formed in small groups, every table on the right side was accompanied by two benches, one on either side.
The knight walked to his right, the tables one single file position had a few chunks of metal on top, many of the tables were still standing but some had fallen to the floor, a few more were already under rubble. The blonde took one of the pieces of metal and despite the years that the thing may had laying in this place he could still recognize it, it was a spoon, it was all rusty and bended as soon as he applied small pressure on it but as with the door it felt like it was also trying to hold its form.
" Do you see? Do you recognize what this is? ". Ren asked as he walked next to one of the tables on the left.
He did, slowly, but the answer was there in his hand, the place felt familiar, it had the same air as the room where he and his friends enjoyed breakfasts, lunches and dinners almost every day before the destruction of Beacon Academy, a place where they even had a silly yet incredible food right.
" A cafeteria! We're inside a large cafeteria! The tables, the benches, and this, this probably was where the food was served! No wonder Nora smelled old food, this is crazy! ". The huntsman said amazed.
" Indeed ".
" But then, what was this place exactly? Was this place meant to be like Mt Glenn? A failed attempt at settling people beyond the kingdoms? Did it fail like Mt Glenn too? ".
" Mt Glenn was the largest and closest to succeed attempt at relocating civilization that the world knows, I guess is possible that another kingdom tried to do the same but as soon as it failed they kept things hidden ".
" Maybe, but that doesn't explain that weird feeling ". He again tighten his grip around the spoon only to feel the same odd sensation. He then diverted his sights to the room once more, the walls looked like they could give up if you sneezed too close and yet they were still standing, sustaining the weight of the tons of rock and gravel on top of them, one of the walls seemed to still have something written on it, he couldn't make out the words or what looked like words, maybe just symbols.'Can...lot H..g .c..ol?'
" Just recently we were told that magic exist in this world, it is possible that we had contact with it before and we didn't know, maybe that's what this is ". Ren said as he did the same as his leader and took another object from the dusty floor inspecting it carefully.
" Maybe ". The two huntsmen stood there deep in thoughts until a terrifying sound broke them out of it.
" Feeeearleeeeees leeeeeadeeeer! ". It didn't took long for Nora to find them, like a runaway bulldozer she blasted her way through the well preserved door, her eyes shifted from left to right until she found her target, when she did, she crossed the room toward him at dangerous speed.
" No-Nora! Wait! ". Before the knight could transform his shield to block the ginger missile, she reached him and overtook him in a Ursa like hug that he was sure was consuming Aura to prevent his bones from turning into mush.
" Jaune-Jaune! You're alive! ". She twirled home around like a ragdoll.
" Ye-yes! But not for long if you keep spinning me! ". The blonde said while fighting nausea.
" Oh! Sorry ". She finally stopped her antic and placed her leader down. " Sometimes I forget how fragile people are ".
" A lot of times actually ". Said the other male.
" Renny! Why didn't you told me that Jaune-Jaune was awake now? You knew I wanted to thank him for saving me! ".
" That's ok Nora, I'm just glad that you're ok, I couldn't let my team face danger without me, you're more that friends, you're like family to me ".
" Uuuuuh! You heard that Renny? Jaune is calling us his family, isn't that wonderful? That means that when we are done kicking Salem's ass and saving all Remnant we can chill out in Jaunes' rooms! Not only that we also get seven sisters and a nephew! ". Nora said in glee.
" I think that's a bit too much Nora ". Her friend said.
" What? Psssssh no, you can never have enough family, oh I almost forgot, Yang found something important, she's calling all of us ".
" Really? Let's go then ". Jaune and Ren moved to the entrance and Nora playfully jumped between them taking them by the arm.
" Hey Fearless leader, you think that if you eat too much of something, then you may taste like that stuff? Like, since Ruby eats a lot of sweets she may taste like those sweets, or like Blake, she probably taste like tuna ".
The knight was confused by the question. " Wha-why are are you asking me that Nora?".
" Oh nothing, nothing important ". As they made their way to their friends, the blonde leader decided that from now on he would sleep with an eye open and with his sword very close.
LONESOME SADDLE...
Startled, the blonde scallion woke up. " You ok there? You have been trashing a lot ". Arc turned to find Buster, the oldest of the young trio of ponies he was bunked with.
" Was I? Sorry, I just had a, an interesting dream ". The cream pony " It seemed that way, you were talking while in it ". Buster said as he got up and checked his two younger siblings, they were still sleeping and he wanted them to be comfortable.
" Did I... Did I said something? Something that sounded important? ".
" Hm, must of it were just mumbling, but, you said something a few times, what was it? Oh yeah! You said ja...jao...jun...June? Jam? I couldn't hear it right at the moment, but it sounded like a name maybe ".
" Yes, a name, my, from my place ". The knight said deep in thought.
" Oh, that's so ". Buster said. The small room turned quiet for a bit. " I heard about the plan for sending ponies out to resupply, I volunteered for the first caravan ". He added matter of factly.
" Really? That's good, but? ". His eyes turned to the little filly sleeping not to far away.
" I know she won't be happy about it but this isn't our home exactly, we were given this place to share and food while we're here, I don't feel right just to take take take and not give some help l, you know? ".
" I guess but, I mean while Lu-? I mean, the princess gives her permission I don't think they'll force you if anything ".
" You're probably right, but still, I want to give something to this cause, and since I'm no fighter well, this is all I can do ".
" That's pretty brave of you Buster, I'm sure your folks would be proud ".
" Oh gee, thanks ".
" Then better rest now, tomorrow will be intense for both of us ". The hunter pony said to his younger friend, after a while, the small house was back at peace and quiet.
CAMP OF THE 11TH LEGION OF THE ROYAL GUARD...
After many hours of shuffling, changing and outright just bullshitting, Commander Hardstone had his list done, he has dispatched Maroon to start arrangements as soon as it was done and he was sure the list was to his liking. The unicorn Sargeant was a bit distraught by the purpose of the list he helped create but like a good soldier he shoved his questions down and didn't argued. ' I'll include the lad in the next set of promotions to show him my gratitude for not pestering me '.
The list was now full with the names of enough guards to barely make the two divisions Celestia demanded of him, but while he still hated the idea of lending his soldiers to Nightmare Moon, at least he was able to fill it up with the worst his legion had to offer at the moment, the underperforming, the wounded and the unnecessary.
His plan could be carry out with what he had left but he would reclaim his soldiers as soon as his mission was completed and Chrysalis and her brood were but stains in the ground.
By the time Hardstone was done double checking everything, Maroon was finishing the formation of his new two divisions, he could see their confusion written in their faces, they were all expecting to take part in the raid of the hive but to have them suddenly told they were marching out somewhere else entirely was off putting.
Still, the troops formed up and the few injured were placed nearby the main formation, Hardstone saw Destrier among the injured, his leg encased in a plaster and under a healing spell, the rest of the injured dealing with various degrees of harm.
" My ponies! ". Hardstone addressed the groups. " You, had been chosen to be part of an important mission! ". The commander let his voice reach everypony. " You, are to March up northeast from here toward the frontier settlement of Lonesome Saddle, where you'll joint the 9th and assist Priugh! ". The commander pretended to suddenly catch a bug and made a face of irritation, that caused many of the troops to laugh or to grin by the joke. " I'm sorry there, yeah Princess Luna, join Luna, under her command, and act as, whatever she needs you to be, so, get ready to get bat wings and fangs ". More laughs erupted from the chosen troops, letting the tension slide away and turning his troops against the night flank princess.
" Do not worry my ponies, I'm not abandoning you, nor am I throwing you away, this has been an order for me to mobilize two divisions in that direction, but, as soon as this mission is done with, I'll come for you, my ponies, I , will come for you! My brothers of the 11th! ". The troops cheered and many yelled his name in appreciation.
He moved to where Maroon was already with Destrier. " Captain, no, Major Destrier, you are now in charge of those two divisions, Detachment Alpha, and Detachment Bravo, I'll leave you to name the captain of Bravo while you take Alpha directly, you'll receive a whispering stone and maps of the frontier, since you're carrying wounded soldiers you aren't in any hurry, a new route had been marked for you that should take you there with minimum trouble, if you have any questions about your mission I suggest you wait until the princess explain it herself, for now, that's all in my part, you're dismissed Major ".
" But I-?! ". The new Major wasn't given a chance to complain or to ask anymore as the column started matching forward, Destrier watched in disbelief as the troops now under his command moved toward uncertainty, after a while of waiting thinking that this was just a weird hallucination produced by mix of the painkillers and magic, he too followed.
The guards moved through the night with confidence in their minds for the kind words of their commander, but as they made it further and further away from the lights of the camp, the seed of fear started to sprout from their hearts, still they marched with fake smiles and false bravado, not knowing that miles from them, this action made several tens of creatures turn their masked heads with red eyes and endless hunger turn in their direction.
CHANGELING HIVE...
Inside the home of the shape shifting bugs, a new sound could be heard, it wasn't the normal buzzing that the changeling produced daily but no outsider would know this, the noise got smaller as time passed until just a soft vibration could be felt through the thick humid air of the tunnels, little by little, like a lullaby reaching its final, until no buzzing could be heard, the tunnels, main chamber, everything became quiet, only the rhythmic splash of water dripping from stalactites to the ground, everything, at the end only a demented laugh was heard breaking the peace, then silence, the trap was ready.
