Dungeons and Dragons: Defenders of Equestria

So you wish to hear another story eh? One where the very fate of Equestria hangs in the balance?

If not, too bad. I'm telling it anyway!

Years ago, six strange beings entered our world from another, telling of old battles won and lost as they wielded their world's last great hope: The Tools of Heroism. These six ancient rings unleashed the full potential of their wearers, augmenting their  own talets to greater heights. Devon the merciful rouge could use the ring of empathy to blend into the shadows themselves, becoming nigh invisible to all but the most keen eye. Zane the stalwart  fighter used his ring of integrity to bolster his already impressive defense, shrugging off all but the mightiest of blows. The wise mage Malenon uses his ring of wisdom to find the magical weakness of his enemies and attune his powers to exploit them. The cautious druid Thoroar used his ring of compassion to attune his spirit  to the ebb and flow of the world, channeling his energy strongly from the spirits of nature  themselves to defend it. The resilient monk Halfdan used his ring of spirit to broaden his own spiritual enlightenment, allowing himself to learn both the paths of light and shadow to aid his comrades. The tempest ranger Riclain Arborshade's ring of devotion allowed him to imbue the very wind into his body, his blades becoming a storm of flashing steel and his arrows ever precise.

Their homes and people had been decimated by the Black Mage and his enslaved Dracolich. Little remained of the armies that made up the defense of their world, forced into a desperate  move. One last attempt to end this struggle once and for all. The main bulk of the army marched  upon the gate of the Black Mage's  fortress, aiming to buy time for a small group to infiltrate the castle and eliminate the Mage once and for all. This is their story This is how they came to our world...

The six heroes crept along through the caverns beneath the castle, having navigated a way into the fortress  due  to the simplest of places, a storm drain in the side  of the mountain to prevent the walls from flooding.

In the forefront stood a dashing rogue, adorned in well maintained leather armor the color  of midnight and twin daggers at his side like gleaming moonlight. His face and build were lean, showing no visible fat or excess gear ganging from his belt. His deep brown eyes were peeled for any traps that could be still active in the dank caverns. He took small pride in his well trimmed stubble, believing it added to his charm. A torch in hand illuminated the rest of the group behind.

First was a sturdy fighter, covered in heavy steel plate armor with a sword in hand. His large shield was slung onto his back, his sword drawn and ready for any possible patrols. His countenance was serious and determined, his face showing scars from battles past despite the gleaming blue of his eyes. His head had a modest crew cut, previously a commander for mercenaries that fought the Black Mage.

Behind the warrior was an inquisitive mage, his ears pointed and his face even more graceful than the rogue's own. He was one of the few Elves within the army, most having retreated to the forests to prepare their own defenses while abandoning the humans. His hair was jet black and was slicked back and down his neck, just an inch above the collar of the red robes he wore which had some light armor plating and a short sword adorning his belt. He  was one of the few mages that chose to become rune knights, opting to fight along with the rest of his allies rather than hanging back flinging spells.

The druid wore pelts from the beasts of the wilds, making a short and protective robe of thick hide hanging off of his slightly muscular frame. He bore a wooden shield on his back and a scimitar at his side, though a wooden staff was his  weapon of choice when he had to resort to his more spiritual abilities rather than combat. His face would appear dirt  caked to most but it  was his actual complexion, having developed over years living in the forest. His hair was a dirty brown with a face that was hardly extraordinary, to the point that how ordinary he was was actually extraordinary. At his side strode a powerful wolf, tall and dominant as it followed it's druidic partner. It was the duty of  every creature of the wild to aid the druids in maintaining order, particularly for the wolf packs which were denoted as the most faithful and loyal of companions a druid would find.

The monk wore loose martial arts clothing weighted as light as a feather, the cloth practically floating on his person as he made his way through the halls. The robes were an almost immaculate white though shimmered darker colors as his mind shifted to darker thoughts. The clothing seemed  to shift from being made from immaculate white cloth to darker shades, going particularly dark when he had to focus his mind on remaining unseen and unheard when a guard's footsteps echoed overhead or through one of the tunnels or grates. His hands were wrapped with cloth that glistened with silver threading, acting to aid against the undead in battle. He also had a single simple looking staff across his back, able to be split into two short swords for when he utilized the darker forms of martial arts.

Holding up the tail of the group with his bow and arrow drawn was the ranger, his keen blue eyes focusing at the darkness behind them. His hair was a dirty brown which was tied off into a ponytail behind him. His build was lithe with some defining tone, showing he was just as strong as he was agile. His tan brown leather armor was fitted over a chain mail hauberk, providing some additional protection from harm. On his left shoulder was perched a rather intimidating falcon, Bloodtalon being his close companion some considered him obsessive over the bird. Despite the bird's name his claws  were a pristine yellow like the rest of his species, though some red could still be spotted on his beak from his last kill. His bow was unique in that it could was light yet powerful, specially enchanted to be easy to draw back in a hurry while still keeping it's heavy punch when released. On the sides of his belt were a pair of sturdy scimitars, the wooden handles wrapped in fine leather as well as the dull  toned  scabbards that kept the blades from being worn down when not in use.  Even though he was quite skilled with a bow he was claimed as a whirlwind of steel when he chose to draw the twin blades.

As the six grew closer to the main hall the rouge stopped the group, motioning to a secret door. He motioned to the mage who cast a sound dampening spell so they could relax and speak, the rouge speaking first.

"Alright then, from my knowledge of the layout, we should be at the main hall. No doubt we'll find the Black Mage and the Dracolich in there. It's the only place other than the courtyard large enough to fit him. I doubt it's in the courtyard otherwise it would have been exposed to the volley from the catapults before."

The rouge turned to the fighter.

"Zane, I need you to keep the enemy occupied as usual. I'll try to score  a few hits on the dracolich myself before falling out of the fight. With any luck I can catch the Mage off guard."

Zane nodded, clasping the much smaller man on the shoulder. "Just don't go dying on me Devon. Remember you owe me a drink for saving your hide from that Ogre!"

Devon smirked and chuckled, appreciating the levity despite the dangerous situation. "Last  time I checked I also killed that kobald that pounced on ya. Way I see it we're even."

The mage rolled his eyes and looked  at the two. "Shall we continue with the battle plan or shall we keep going off at the mouth? We have a dracolich and a master Necromancer to kill remember?"

Devon sighed and turned to the Mage. "No need to get too hasty Malenon. This could be our last few moments so lets make  them count eh?"

Malenon huffed and sighed. "True enough I suppose. Still, gonna assume you want me to keep my energy on limiting the dracolich as much as possible and try to break the control enchantment."

The rouge nodded. "Yes, if we can break the charm holding the dracolich, it could turn the tide if not kill the Black Mage outright. Thoroar!"

The druid  stepped forth, staff in hand.

"I'll heal whatever wounds I see and try to keep the enemy rooted to the ground. Last thing we need is for it to fly up out of our reach."

Devon nodded, turning to the ranger.

"Riclain, that's where you come in.  Try and make your way onto the support beams when you get in. You and that bird of yours try to attack it from above. It wont expect an attack above it so make each shot  count as much as possible."

Riclain nodded and deposited the arrow he held, drawing out a more intimidating projectile of black iron for the first shot as  his partner nodded and clicked it's talons in anticipation.

Finally, the monk stepped forward. "I'll stick with positive ki  for this fight. I may be able to gather enough energy to banish the creature. If not that, then I should at least be able to disrupt the connection between the Black Mage and the dracolich.

Riclain clasped the bard's shoulder. "Also try and make sure I know before that monstrosity leaps up into the ceiling. Would be a shame for you to have to take care of Bloodtalon, right Halfdan?"

Halfdan looked nervously at the bird as  it crowed at him, shaking his head.

"Yes, definitely a shame.."

As  they began to creep into the main hall they felt the gaze of the undead sorcerer baring down at them. If looks could  kill then every one of them would be dead and raised from their graves on the spot.

"You meddling fools! Do you truly think you can enter my stronghold and destroy me so easily?! You shall soon learn the true meaning of suffering. I shall personally flay the skin from your bones and raise you from the dead just to do it all over again!"

As the heros scattered and entered the fray, they would hear music echoing in their steps.

The stern fighter dashed straight forward, slamming his shield against the dracolich's head to get it's attention. The undead beast reared it's head back and lunged forward, snapping it's powerful jaws against the mortal knight only to be sidestepped or blocked at each attempt. His ring guided his movements as he could sense the attacks as they came. Once more the beast tried to bare down onto the warrior as a clawed talon scratched at it's glowing eye socket.

Riclain was above firing arrows into the joints of the beast from above as planned, finding them near useless before drawing the two axes and leaping down from above. He began to hack his way into the creature's spine as it shook violently to shake off the pest. As the beast attempted to shake away the ranger a strong glowing blow came from the monk from below, redirecting the creature's ire towards him. With this distraction the ranger was able to resume his own assault on the creature.

Halfdan's deft movements kept himself just a hair's breadth away from each swipe the dracolich made against him, leading it back to Zane and his indomitable defense. The monk's few injuries were mended by the druid before the wizened mage began to chant, runic symbols beginning to form underneath the beast in the form of a sealing circle. They began to glow as the Black Mage shook his head.

"I have had enough of this game, I shall send you all to Tartarus!"

The dark wizard began to chant and dark symbols filled the air, forming a circle  and spinning as he chanted and directed his  energies. As he was about to finish the portal he let out a blood  curdling scream, two gleaming daggers protruding from his chest as the rogue seemed to come out from the shadows themselves.

"I don't think so, but do keep the fire warm for when we get there!"

As the two daggers were yanked out of the now dissolving carcass of the undead mage, the dracolich reared up and roared one last time. As it did the dark spirits that controlled it departed the skeletal body and fled from the fortress, a boom of energy pulsing out from the castle as a declaration that the Black Mage was slain. However, there was one critical detail our heroes had forgotten:

The portal was still open.

It was another somewhat peaceful day in Ponyville. Celestia's sun was shining in the sky, the farmer's market was flooded with the town's residence getting their food for the week, ponies talked and gossiped  in the town square as they shared their lives with their friends nearby.  Sugarcube Corner had cleaned up the mess involving an ornery griffon just a week prior and was receiving business as usual.

However, there  was a stirring, a great force of anger and utmost disappointment coming from the schoolhouse.

That force was a very upset and scolding teacher facing down her students.

"I am so surprised at  you! Starting a fight in the middle of the schoolyard during recess! What were you three thinking?!"

This was hardly the first time the Cutie Mark Crusaders had ended  up in front of Miss Cherilee, though this was the first time it was because of a brawl in the playground. All three of the fillys were covered in bruises and small scrapes from the fight.  A short yellow filly  with a red mane and matching ribbon spoke first.

"But Miss  Cherilee, Diamond Tiara was making fun of  us, calling us blank flanks again! We tried to get you when she suddenly grabbed Scootaloo and tried  to scare her."

The orange coated and purple maned filly looked down dejectedly and continued.

"I was just so scared when she grabbed  me I spun around. I didn't even know my hoof was raised before it hit her. I tried apologizing but she just pounced! Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom only joined in to help  protect me. Then Silver Spoon started in and it all just got so out of hoof."

Of course the story was followed by a snide grunt from the side, Diamond  Tiara and Solver Spoon smirking happily at the three  blank flanks as they tried to tell their little story. As far as the two rich fillies were concerned their parents and their connections made them untouchable. This illusion was quickly shattered as Cherilee snapped her head around at the two.

"Is that true Diamond Tiara? Did you grab Scootaloo from behind?"

Her tone showed she was not taking any nonsense at the moment, her usual patient and calm demeanor giving way to outrage. Sadly for the pink coated filly, she was not that good at reading other ponies. Nor caring what their mood or thoughts were.

"Pfft. Like we should be listening to a couple of blank flanks. It's obvious their talent isn't lying with that stupid story."

Were the little rich filly were more attentive to her surroundings, the sound of Cherilee's hoof slamming on her desk sounded  eerily similar to a judge's gavel about to sentence a convict to his death sentence.

"This is EXACTLY the behavior that allowed this sort of incident to occur! From the story you grabbed  Scootaloo first and started the fight. You didn't even bother to try and make a decent excuse! Tomorrow we are having your parents over and we are going to discuss this attitude problem. Until this  is resolved you can spend every day after school in detention thinking about this behavior!"

As  Diamond Tiara showed an expression of mixed shock that the blank flanks were being listened to, fear of what her father would do to her once he heard about this, and rage at the no good blank flanks that got her in trouble. As the CMC were taking a very troubling sense of  joy from Tiara's misfortune, Cherilee turned back to them.

"As for you three, I  want whoever is  in charge of you to come over Tomorrow while Mr. Rich is here. It would be good to have their input into this as well in deciding on Diamond Tiara's  permanent punishment."

All three fillies nodded happily save Scootaloo, looking a little crestfallen with the request. Cherilee immediately picked  up  on this and remembered Scootaloo's file.

"I'm sure AppleJack and Miss Rarity will also be able to be here for Scootaloo. Since her parents are away, it seems best since she spends more time at your homes than even her own at the moment."

The orange pegasus couldn't help but smile up at Cherilee  for her kindness, the teacher knowing how hard it  must be for such a young filly to be on her own like that. Once they were dismissed they made their way to their clubhouse. Rarity would be busy for a while with a new order in and they had plenty of time to kill. As they reached Sweet Apple Acres they saw a large dark orb form just above the east orchard, the yellow filly looking back at the other two with a look of worry.

"Girls! Do you know what that could be?"

Sweetie Belle pondered for a moment.

"It appears to be a paranormal anomaly of a dimensional nature."

The other two stared blankly at the unicorn, Sweetie Belle sighing as she thought of a way to dumb it down. She had forgotten she had read an entire dictionary over one of her summer breaks.

"It's some weird thing that's probably connecting our dimension to another."

The orange pegasus began to float in the air with excitement.

"Girls, do you know what this means?"

As if a ritual they did whenever opportunity knocks, with the echoing of an epic battle cry rippling across  the fields.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS YAY!!!!!"

The three fillies ran right for the dark glowing orb, unaware of what was about to happen.

The heroes were about to celebrate as they felt the wind suddenly pick up around them, Devon turning to see the portal starting to suck in the six daring heroes.

"Shit! The portal is dragging us in. MOVE!"

Devon soon lost his footing and was sucked into the portal, teleported to who knows where as his companions looked on in terror and shouted in collective worry.

"DEVON!!"

Their fear gave way to a mix of concern and camaraderie for their friend and a great urge to explore, each one ran for the portal in hopes of finding and rescuing their ally. Each one in turn leapt into the portal, the ranger looking over to his companion.

"Something tells me we're gonna regret this old girl."

The falcon gave a silent nod before the two went in, hoping they would not be entering hell itself to find the rogue.

As the adventurers were teleported to god knows where they saw a great series  of lights, seeing various worlds pass them by before noticing they were hurtling towards one, each one grabbing onto a friend nearby to avoid getting completely separated. As soon as they reached the light below they were met by the ground. Very abruptly met would be a better way of putting it.

Once all six of the adventurers plus two animal companions landed they had formed a small dog pile, rather ungraceful as the other five were crushed by the fully armored Zane who had landed on top of the group. Their reactions went from Zane's "Well that was  interesting." to  the Malenon's "My everything hurts...."

Mostly they were soon out cold save for Zane, his heavy armor augmented by his ring which braced his suit for the impact. Unfortunately his comrades were either unconscious or already slipping away.

"Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit. Shi-" His panic  was  interrupted by  a collective gasp coming from his  right, immediately moving between himself and his unconscious comrades only to find an unexpected sight. Before him stood three pastel colored ponies, mere children from what he could gather.

"Ohmigosh REAL LIVE ALIENS!!" the three shouted with a shrill glee in their voices, Zane's expression lightening a bit  at their seeming innocence.

"Oh oh! Maybe we can get our cutiemarks in alien catching!"

Zane's face hardened after the white one spoke, drawing hsi sword and raising his shield.

"Listen, I don't know who you are or where we even landed. I don't want any trouble, but I will have to hurt you if you plan on doing harm to my comrades."

A southern drawl echoed out behind the warrior, cocky and strangely grim.

"Heh, I'd like ta see you try partner!"

Zane tried to turn around in time when he felt two strong legs buck his midsection hard, sending him hurtling toward one of the trees behind him with enough force to knock him out. Before he lost his sight to the darkness of unconsciousness he saw the could only be what took him down. With his blurred vision it  only looked like a blur of orange and yellow. As he drifted  away he heard the ponie's words tot eh girls.

"You three go get Twilight over here. Somethin tells me she has an idea of what the varment's are."

Twilight was quick to respond as well as Fluttershy and Rainbow  Dash, the three surprised by the scene in front of them as Applejack tried to explain what happened. Fluttershy volunteered to look after the wolf and falcon since she was the only one they didn't immediately turn hostile  towards. Since they were creatures of battle it  was  rare for  anyone to calm them save their proper owners or partners. With the help of Applejack's cart they managed to get the six creatures to the hospital where Nurse Redheart looked over their injuries. They were taken to an empty wing of the hospital and treated, the six elements of harmony waiting for the creatures to wake up as Spike ran in.

"Twilight, I just  sent Princess Celestia the letter. She should be up to date on the situation."

The purple  unicorn turned to her assistant. "Thank you Spike. You should go ahead and get some sleep. Hopefully things will  be settled soon."

As the dragon scurried off the adventurers began to stir, slowly sitting up and remembering what had happened. They began to recognize they were in a hospital and they noticed the pastel  colored  horses. The rogue simply raised an eyebrow and turned to his colleagues.

"Ok... are we in heaven or hell? I'm pretty sure angels don't look like candy colored horses."

As of that moment there was a murderous chill in the air. The purple and White  unicorns had their horns glowing. The blue pegasus and orange pony snorted and ground their hooves  on the ground. The pink pony's seemingly impossible mane deflated as she took on a dark and sinister snarl. Even the otherwise timid yellow pegasus scowled furiously at the rogue. Before the rogue could be struck dead by their glares the monk raised his hands  in a sign of respect and bowed.

"I  wish to apologize for my ally's rudeness.  He often feels the need to be snide when the moment does not call for it."

The six ponies seemed to lighten up and look to Halfdan, Malenon quickly clearing his throat to get their attention.

"Indeed, though I do believe it  is also a cultural difference. You see, in our world horses most resemble your stature and body type.  It is not an insult or slur, just what we are more familiar  with in our home. Since we cant call you ho- or, erm the H word, what is the name of your race?"

The six looked  to eachother  in surprise at the eloquent explanation, having half expected the creatures to not speak any language of their world much less so fluently. Twilight stepped forward.

"We're a race known as ponies. I would like to apologize for  us acting so suddenly without thinking about the cultural differences."

The mage waved in a dismissive gesture. "It's quite alright. It's to be expected of such things. Perhaps we should start by explaining how we got here."

The mage proceeded to tell them about their fight with the Black Mage and the portal he had summoned, being their magical expert as well as one of the few of them that didn't piss off the populace after a few seconds of regaining consciousness. Fortunately Twilight had read up on dimensional theory ad knew a good deal about these sort of phenomenon, at least for a pony.

"Ok, think it makes sense for the most part. Once  you recover we'll worry about where you're going to live. I suppose the Library will be a good place for now with the large basement. So long as you avoid calling ponies the H word we should be good."

As the twelve nodded  in agreement the six ponies left them to rest, leaving them to their own deliberations. Despite  the large amount of time they were allowed they all came to the same simple conclusion almost immediately.

"We're fucked."