Equestria: Barbarian Invasion

Outpost 20, Northwestern Frontier of Equestria. Year 2014 of the Third Age.

Outpost 20 was one of the many forts on the borderlands of Equestria. Planted in the middle of Borea, a land of steppe and Taiga Forests. not much was known about it as many who went beyond the boarder of Equestria never came back. Beyond the fort lay the steppes, barren and uninhabited, at lest that was what many ponies thought.

On the stockade of the fort, two Equestrian soldiers, a Earth Pony and a Pegasus, were on watch that night. It seemed like a normal night at Outpost 20: nothing going on at all. So it was no surprise that the two were talking instead of looking out for trouble.

"Nice night." the Earth Pony said. he was red in color with a green mane and tail. His cutie mark was of a gate with two spears crossed in front of it. His fellow guard was yellow in color with a light blue mane and tail. His cutie mark was a pair of binoculars over a chess rook. The Pegasus looked at the Earth pony. "I guess you are right, Guarded Gate." he said.

Guarded Gate turned to the Pegasus. "Still another boring night again, Watch Tower." he sighed. Watch Tower nodded, looking out to the steppes. a heavy mist was close to the ground, covering the area around the fort with a cover of white. Crickets sung while frogs called out. "Nothing but frogs and bugs" Watch Tower said with a amused grin, he then turned back to his comrade. "But still, we have to be on watch, Commander Last Stand is nervous about what happened to the other outposts."

Guarded Gate nodded in agreement. News had reached them about mysterious attacks on forts and settlements. The word was that all the attacked outposts were sacked, everything of value taken along with fruit, vegetables and a few animals. All ponies in the attacked forts and settlements were found dead, killed by bladed objects. Worse yet as that they did not have time to send a message out to warn anyone else.

"Whoever or whatever is attacking the outposts is not leaving anyone alive to tell anyone who or what attacked." Guarded Gate said, glaring out onto the steppe. "I bet it is the Changelings launching these attacks."

Watch Tower just shook his head. "Nope, it did not appear that the Changelings were around. Besides, they don't like these northern parts from what I heard." Guarded Gated nodded, the Changelings always left green slime in their attacks, letting anypony know who it was that attacked. They also took ponies alive.

The only signs were arrows of unknown origin tipped with iron. Also hoof and foot prints showed they were riding on animals of some type. the foot prints were of a large animal, more like an elephant. the hoof prints seemed to be from a deer-like animal large enough to be ridden on.

"I heard Celestia her self has put all boarder forts on alert." Guarded Gate said, looking very nervous. "it almost sounds like if we are preparing for a war or something."

Suddenly, Watch Tower held up his had slightly, looking around. "Do you hear that?" he asked. Guarded Gate shook his head, "No, I hear nothing." he replied. Watch Tower looked back at him. "That is the problem. It is too quiet." he said, with a look of wariness. "Something is out there." Guarded Gates was about to reply when suddenly a whoosh sound came from outside the fort past Watch Tower. He turned his head and then saw Guarded Gate, with an arrow through his throat!

Blood spurted out from where the arrow stuck as Guarded Gate fell down, dead. Just then Watch Tower heard another sound, of something hitting the wall, he turned and saw a nightmare; Ladders were being placed on the wall of the fort! It was an attack! Outside, the mist started glowing golden orange with the light of torches! This WAS an attack!

"We're under attack! He yelled, flying down heading for the barracks to get more Royal Soldiers up to fight the attackers. the attackers ere already on the stockade and the guards that were on it were fighting already. the sounds of weapons clashing with the sound of howling, deep howling.

Soldiers flooded the yard, grabbing weapons to start fighting off the attack. Watch Tower turned to the gates, seeing the guards fighting the attacking forces to keep the gate closed. It was then, near one of the torches that he saw one of the things attacking the fort

It was canine by the look of it, grey fur wearing armor and animal furs. on it's head was a feathered war helmet with a skull on the top. A Pony Skull. the Attacker welded a long sword made of iron. the thing howled as it cut the head off one soldier then continued on it's way into the battle.

All around Watch Tower, the attacking Canines, wolves by the look of them, were fighting his fellow ponies, killing many. This was a all out sneak attack and the wolves had the advantage of surprise. But what Watch Tower wondered was why the wolves were not attacking the gate now, in fact they were trying to get way from it.

That was when it hit!

the Gate suddenly was smashed opened. Watch Tower ducked as a piece of gate flew past. he looked up and saw the thing that took down the gate. White tusks gleamed in the firelight as a large. hairy elephant like thing charged in, roaring as it came in. this monster was fallowed by more wolves, riding on large deer-like animals.

Watch Tower saw one of the riders charge him, with a spear ready to strike! The Pegasus few up out of the way and then did a drop kick on the wolf.

Just then, something hit him in the wing and he fell from the air. another arrow hit him in the chest, going through his armor like it was silk. as he lay dying, Watch Tower knew now who it was that attacked the boarder. He preyed to Faust that this was not the end of Equestria and preyed that his little sister would be safe from these monsters from beyond.

He died as the invaders overwhelmed the defenders and took the fort. Burning buildings and taking anything of use to them. By dawn, Outpost 20 was destroyed as the horde started to head out into Equestria it self, towards the town of Berry Town.