Chapter one

In a barren land, a city slowly appeared. As it’s marble walls became solid once again, the forms of armored stallions slowly came into existence around it, their white gold armor shining in the midday sun. Soon after, a palace rose from the ground, and, much like the rest of the city, it was made of gold and marble.

Upon a steel throne sat an ancient unicorn, his coat gray, his eyes golden. He looked upon the five ponies bowing before him. His eyes fell upon Shadow Strike, his black fur matching well with his dark iron armor. He had always been a true believer in the emperor’s godhood. His only wish is to do what his emperor wills. Next, he looked at Dawnhammer. This was a stallion who hit like a dragon, that is why he wears dragon bone armor after all. The emperor couldn’t recall what his fur color was. Red, most likely. Then his eyes moved to the next one, Rightful Order, This one stallion had been a pain in his side, always trying to do the right thing. That away made the emperor laugh, his will was the greater good so why did this one think he knew better.His brown fur made him easy to spot, and how he ever made legatus he will never know. Next Stormkiller her white fur and blue mane made her hard to spot  in the sky . She wear leather armor better for a flyer like her.Loyal but always backs Rightful Order. Warapple now here  is the only one ever able to beat Dawnhammer sure it cost the emperor a wall or two but he always did like to watch a good fight.

" Arise my legatus."said Emperor Dark Valor. Dark Valor find himself weaken, as if something was missing, but he has other thing to worry about. One being to regain his lands, artifacts, and most important, find, and gain control of the Crystal of Destiny. Well may as will give give my legatus orders, he thought.

"Now, that the spell has been broken,and we are free to reclaim our empires lands. Shadow Strike,  you are to take the first legion and head east. Dawnhammer, take the second legion and head west. Rightful Order, take the  third legion and head north. Warapple and Stormkiller you two are to remain here. Any who will not bow before me kill them." He said with a grinned.

"Your will be done Emperor Dark Valor, and my the Divine empire stand forever more!" The five said in unison as they turn to leave. Emperor Dark Valor watched as they left, and when he was sure they were gone he summoned a crystal. He looked into the black crystal for anything that may be a threat to his plans, he saw a nightmare but she was saved, by some magic he never seen before. Next a king defeated by love how laughable, he is no king.Then he saw something that made his blood boil. He raised his hoof then slammed it down upon his throne."How could this be four alicorns, no matter my legions will destroy them, plus they may rid me of Rightful Order."He told himself.

-

As Rightful Order, and the third legion looked upon the lush green landscape of Equestria, he levitated a map that they had taken form an earth pony settlement, which they had come across. They had to put many of them to death for defining the emperor, which bugged more than it should of. He looked the map over. Ponyville would be a good start, but it only farm land, this city, Canterlot would make a much better conquest, its in a key location which, would make would make it  the batter target. Plus there king or queen may be there.Now how to get there without been seen. Perfect this Everfree would give them a unseen path to Canterlot and if he lucky they may have sent their troops to fight Shadow Strike, or Dawnhammer by the time they get there.

"Centurion form what i can gather from this map our main goal is a city called Canterlot." As he lowers the map.

"Legatus Rightful Order, are you sure that we are doing the right thing?"  asked the centurion

"Centurion never question the on order, if you would have said that to any other legatus you would wish for death." said Rightful Order. He knew that Stormkiller and Warapple wouldn't but, if  any power hungry ears over heard it could mean death for all three of them better him, than them.

"I know legatus but -" Rightful Order, interrupted "No but, we march on the city of Canterlot, and it look like the best way is through this forest called Everfree, now go give the marching orders to tribune Scorpio." Said Rightful Order. Rightful Order knew that it would be far worse for any, who lived in the city if Shadow Strike, or Dawnhammer, conquer it.

"Yes legatus."The centurion turn, and headed for tribune Scorpio tent.

"I hope they can stop us." Rightful Order said to himself as he levitated a book, he had brought with him. He read the book's covers."Advanced defends spells, will batter then what Shadow Strike reads." he mused.

It took them about a three day to reach the Everfree Forest. At first it was easy going then some of his legionaries caught some illness,that made mark appear on their flanks, which would not have been a big problem, but then they started acting out whatever it appeared to mean. Which for one was swimming, they try to stop him from jumping in the river clad in armor, but they couldn't. They stop to rest for the night, Rightful Order was about to turn in when, two hydras attack. The chaos that ensued, was that of nightmares, legionaries gallop for weapons and armor. Rightful Order, was only able to organized a contubernium of troops, and they try to lure the hydras away for camp. They fired what ever spell they thought would get there attention. When Rightful Order, saw the hydras charging at then, he give the order to run.They run but for every ten hoof step of they made, it was one step for the hydras. "Split up!" Rightful Order yelled. Rightful Order and two other  legionaries run down a hill, and lucky was on their side as a cave came into view, and the three ducked into it."I think we lost them!" One of the Legionary said panting. Then they heard a roar, but not form  a hydra, more like that of a lion." Ready yourselves!" Rightful Order, and the legionaries horns glowed as they lowed them. A Beast that had the body of a lion the wings of a bat and the tail of a scorpion emerged from the shadows of the cave.They fired bolts of magic at the manticore, which only made it roar with anger, it charge at breakneck speed. They don't have time to think before the manticore plunged him tail into the legionary on Rightful Order, right. Then  it swung it claw at Rightful Order digging deep into his foreleg. Rightful Order, fall to the cave floor, as the manticore ready it tail to deliver the killing blow. Fear overtook Rightful Order, as his eyes slammed shut, but the blow never came instead a pained roar, followed by the smell of burned flesh. Rightful Order, open his eye to find the manticore was on fire swinging it claws and tail around wildly. Rightful Order, find that the other legionary kept firing at the manticore with fire balls. Rightful Order notest the manticore  thrust his tail at the legionary.  Rightful Order tried, to warn him but it was too late, he watched as it tail dug deep into his chest as a pained cry escape his muzzle.

-

"I don't know what i hate more manticores or hydras!" Rightful Order, said to himself as he limps through the forest."next time I sleep in my armor, if there is a next time that is."He said to himself as he make his way through the thick woods he find himself in an apple orchard. He look around and find a farmhouse, he doesn't see anypony so he limped on over to it . As he got draw near he could smell apple pie.

"howdy what bring you to sweet apple acres?" A voice called out from behind Rightful Order. "Good thing i lost my armor." he thought as he stared to feel a little Light-headed but turned to face an orange mare.

"Nothing got lost in the Everfree and head a run in with a manticore." will it wasn't all a lie.The orange mare eye fall upon his  wounded leg.

"That lag look a mighty bad y'all need to get that taking care of and don't try to tell me that you're fine."as he started to lose his balance."Easy there partner let's get you inside before you pass out"

"thank you miss." Said Rightful Order

"Oh named Applejack."

"I'm lega...I'm most be more light-headed then i thought named Rightful Order." he said noting the odd look that Applejack was giving him.

I wonder is she a  descendant of Warapple's family he did have a lot of relatives and they may have survived. Why he could even believe after all these millennium they wouldn't  change there last name, always was a proud family he thought.

"Applejack wouldn't happen to be a descendant of a Warapple would you?"

"Warapple if he an Apple then i reckon I may be a descendant. I bet that granny smith would know, she keeps all kind of records like that." As they neared the door to the farmhouse Rightful Order, open the with his magic.

"Take a seat and ill go got some bandage then will wrap that lag and get you to a Doctor." she said heading up the stairs.It was a simple room a few end tables,rocking chair,bookcases, and a long padded chair.Play it cool get your lag fixed up,find your legion which tribune Scorpio most likely has regrouped by now.They are most likely searching for him, with any luck they'll find him.Then they can complete their mission,bring order and the Emperor's light.On the other hoof what if this Applejack and her family don't kneel before the Emperor.He let out a breath and side as he thought about it.

Will that illness most leave a permanent mark on your flank seeing that Applejack most had caught at some point. Will at least I don't catch it, no way Stormkiller would let me live that down, she'll most likely have been rolling on floor laughing her head off when she saw it. Come to think of it death would be better.

"Howdy mister what happen to your lag, and i never seen a cutie mark like yours before."A little yellow filly with a bow in her mane said.

"Will i had a run in wi..  wait what a cutie mark?" Rightful Order, said looking over his brown coat only to find a silver grail on his flank, yap Stormkiller is going to have a field day with this he thought grimly. He could hear her laughing all ready, especially when she find out what it called. Which means it not an illness but some kind of spell maybe? The little filly was giving him an odd look.

"Oh sorry a little out of it manticore did a number on me, and how i got my cutie mark was in the legion."he said hoping that they had legions.

"What a legion is it mister?"The filly said. Thank maybe they don't have school, Rightful Order hope.

"A legion is a group of pony that-" A knock interrupted him.

"I'll get it"The little filly run to the door. Rightful Order, lent out a breath "that was a closest one"he said to himself.

"Applejack it Twilight she said it very important!"the filly shouted.

"I'll be right down Applebloom"

Great more this day got better and better, he thought. As the who he now know is Applebloom Came back to the room followed by a lavender alicorn. His eyes showed his horror, he jumped out of his seat and ready a combat spell.He knows it useless but he wasn't going down what out a fight.

"I won't go don't down without a fight!" As he throws a fireball at Twilight.

Twilight throw up a shield around her and Applebloom in the nick of time."What are you doing!"Twilight yelled. The only reply she got was another fireball."Don't make me hurt you!"Twilight said readying a spell.

I have to warn Shadow Strike, and Dawnhammer was all that was running through his maid. Can't outrun her or teleport to weak for that. If she anything like like are ancient enemies  then death is better. He ready other fireball but a bolt of magic hit him and knock him off his hooves. He tried to get back to his hooves, but he was being held down by a purple aura."Now who are you, and what wrong with you!"Twilight demanded.

"I'll tell you nothing false god!" Rightful Order, said with fear in his voice.

"What are you talking about, who in Celestia told you alicorn thank them selves gods?" Twilight eyed him questioningly.

"I will tell you nothing alicorn, and who in the empire is Celestia!"

"Is ever pony ok i heard..."Applejack looked at the burn marks all over the room.

-

Stormkiller paced back and forth in the great hall." why hadn't she heard from Rightful Order, they heard from Shadow Strike, and Dawnhammer." Warapple watch as Stormkiller walked back and forth. He never know her to worry like this, come to think of it he got lost one time for three weeks, and all she said was."You're back, what do you go a leave or something?" he remember.

"I bet he got caught up sieging that city he wrote about."Warapple said. only to see her start flapping her wings lifting her off the ground. Which he knew was her way of worrying, and thanking at the same time.

"Rightful Order, siege a city what out sanding word once, plus he said it would take them a week of two to get there! I know i'll fly out there and see what going on."As she started to plane a flight path.

"Stormkiller i know how you feel, but if you leave the emperor will have your head! Don't forget he also in enemy land as the Emperor calls them."

"First, last time we received word was three day ago, in which he said they were going through a forest. Second, we are trained to report ever forty-eight hours, and third that where you come in you'll tell him i'm on scout mission."

"No way there no way in a Million years i'll lie to the emperor plus if he find out it would be both are heads."

Then the doors to the great hall open and a stallions run up to them."Legatus i have grim news form the third legion, they have taken many loss and they don't know where legatus Rightful Order,  is. Tribune Scorpio has taking command, and is searching for him!" He said wined.

"Stormkiller wait don't do anything..."But it was too late, she had zipped right past them.

"You don't see any thing got it legionary" Warapple said

The legionary nods.

"Ok i"ll find him doing something stupid, hit him a few times for worrying me, and be back before they know i'm gone.Now his last report he was taken his legion through a forest so ill start there. Warapple most think i lost my mind, but he know as will as i do that Rightful Order can't fight his way out of a bag. He can lead an army with the best of us, but fight he'll most likely  keep throwing fireball  at a shielded opponent."She told herself as she remembers back to when they first met.