The Chaos War: Equestria's Salvation (Part One)

Part Two: The Hunt For Star Swirl

Two thousand years ago...

"General Puddinghead! We must fall back! Our forces are outnumbered ten to one! We have to retreat and regroup!" the limping soldier shouted at him.

The general put a hoof to his forehead. A small headache had formed and was bothering him. "Damn it all! I don't want to return to my insane wife so soon! As much as I... er... care for her, we have a battle to win!" he yelled.

The soldier reeled back in surprise. "G- general!? Such foul language! It brings bad luck!"

Puddinghead laughed at him. "Bad luck? I can say whatever the hell I want to! I'll be dead before they pass a law banning my vocabulary! Now, what were you saying? You have to speak up lad."

The soldier gulped. "We are being pushed back on all fronts sir. Squadron Twelve has been utterly decimated. We can't win this battle! We must retreat to the edge of the woods!"

The general closed his eyes and sighed. "As much as I want to see the hell spawn sent back to where they came from, you're right soldier. Sound the horns, we'll be retreating back to the main camp at the edge of the Palomino Woods," Puddinghead said. "Go soldier! We are losing lives every second that passes!"

The soldier saluted and limped out of the makeshift tent that the general had set up as a temporary command post. "Might as well see the situation for myself..." he muttered. Puddinghead left the command tent and walked over to the cliff nearby which gave him a clear view of the battle transpiring in the open field below.

A wall of shadows sat on the horizon, pouring forth a new batch of demons every now and then. It had now been three weeks since the arrival of The Endbringer as he so called himself. Nopony knew where he came from or why, but all he sought was the complete and utter obliteration of their land, possibly followed by the rest of the world. Puddinghead knew from the beginning that they were fighting a war that they had a slim chance at winning. But I'll be damned if we don't fight to the bitter end, he thought. Horns suddenly began to blare, the signal for retreat, and he watched as his troops finished off their current opponents before fleeing into the safety of the woods, the demons hot on their tails. Star Swirl better have figured out how to put up that shield by now, or else we'll have to keep running until The Endbringer decides to stop toying with us and destroys us all!

Puddinghead returned to his tent and quickly packed battle plans and positions into a nearby saddlebag before tossing it onto his back. He lastly picked up his helmet and placed it gently on his head. The helmet used to belong to Puddinghead's great grandpony during the days that their races fought against one another, and he wore it with pride. One final thing left to do... he thought. He left the tent and picked up one of the burning torches that helped to keep the insects away and tossed it inside. The dry tent quickly caught on fire and content with his work, he too retreated into the woods.

Puddinghead made his way through the woods with ease, having been through them many times before in the past when they were tracking the demon army's position. I hope most of my troops made it to the other side... what was my wife thinking by telling me to have a surprise attack without the assistance of the Unicorns or the Pegasi? For a united nation, we sure don't fight well together... I hope I'm not catching my wife's crazy, he thought.

He finally reached the edge of the woods to meet with the hundreds of tents that laid before him. He had reached base camp safely, but he hadn't seen any signs of his troops yet. Two Pegasus guards flew down to meet him before he entered the camp. "General Puddinghead! Where have you been sir? You and your troops have been missing all morning! What have you been up to?" the guard on his right asked.

Puddinghead shook his head. "No time to explain right now, round up whatever ponies you can, the hell spawn are soon to attack this place."

The guards looked at each other, and nodded. "Right away general. We'll let the others know," the left guard replied.

"And where is Star Swirl? If we want to survive this thing, we'll need that shield of his up anytime now!" Puddinghead yelled.

"Calm down general. Star Swirl is performing the spell as we speak in the middle of the camp," the right guard said and they both flew away. Puddinghead began to make his way through the camp, receiving nods or salutes as he passed ponies of various types.

It didn't take him long to reach the middle of the camp where a small clearing had been made for Star Swirl and the Unicorns surrounding him. The old wizard's eyes were closed, deep in concentration, and Puddinghead watched as his mouth moved quickly but quietly, whispering words that Puddinghead wouldn't understand. He saw that the other leaders and their advisors had also gathered around him, watching them from a safe distance.

The first leader he noticed was Commander Hurricane, the leader of the Pegasi and one of Puddinghead's most trustworthy friends. The two had gotten along immediately after the founding of Equestria due to both of their love for military tactics and battle. He was surprised that his wife had been able to somehow get along with the other two leaders while he was sick. She had taken his place as temporary leader of the Earth ponies, but he quickly took control back after he was feeling better. Next to Hurricane was his adviser, well, a subordinate known as Private Pansy. Puddinghead didn't know much about her, but assumed that she and Hurricane were close.

The next leader, alongside his daughter, were both Unicorns which he remained on neutral ground with still. King Bullion and his daughter, Princess Platinum. While King Bullion was away negotiating trading with the wild Griffons, he gave control of the Unicorn Kingdom to his daughter Princess Platinum, who somehow also managed to come to an agreement with his tribe and Commander Hurricane's. From the rumors he had heard about Platinum though, she apparently still felt that Unicorns were the superior race, even though Puddinghead knew that they were all equal.

Take one cog out of the machine, the whole thing shuts down, he thought. The two Unicorns that he respected were Star Swirl and his student Clover. Clover was unfortunately still an adviser to the king and the princess, and Puddinghead felt that her talent and time could be put to better use elsewhere.

The last two ponies that were present was his wife and his most trusted adviser, Smart Cookie. Smart Cookie had been by his side ever since they were both little foals. He always regretted not marrying her, and even at one point was willing to divorce his current wife to do so. Puddinghead still felt in his heart that his wife did something to him that made him choose her, but he had no evidence to prove it. Taking a deep breath, he walked towards the group until he was standing next to Smart Cookie. His wife had unfortunately noticed him as well. "Browniekins! You're still ali- I mean you're back! Yay!" his wife exclaimed.

Brownie Puddinghead rolled his eyes. "I've told you countless times Cotton, stop calling me Browniekins!" he yelled.

"What's the matter Browniekins? Wake up on the wrong side of the bed!?" Hurricane shouted at him. Brownie muttered curses underneath his breath, but he knew that Hurricane was just messing around with him. He had done the same to Hurricane in return countless times.

"No Hurricrash! It's just that you know... our camp is about to be attacked by the demons is all," he calmly replied.

Hurricane immediately stopped laughing, his voice turning serious. "What!? Now!? Private Pansy! Come with me! We must rally our forces!" he shouted and flew off, followed by Pansy.

King Bullion trotted over to Brownie, his daughter following alongside him. "What did you do Brownie!? Did you provoke those demons without our consent?" the king shouted at him.

Brownie rose to his full height, looking directly into the king's eyes. "I'm my own stallion your majesty. We may be united, but as along as we still lead our own tribes, what I do can be done without your 'consent'," he replied. "Arguing about the matter will get us nowhere. What is done is done and you must gather your troops. Understand?"

The king opened his mouth to reply, but quickly closed it and nodded. "Yes... you are right Puddinghead. However, this is not over between the both of us," he replied. Bullion turned around and walked away, and his daughter stuck out her tongue at Brownie before following him. "Clover, you stay with Star Swirl," Bullion told her as he passed. "Help him get that shield up at any cost."

Clover bowed her head. "As you wish your majesty," she replied. Brownie watched until the king and princess were out of sight when he finally let his muscles relax.

Smart Cookie put a hoof on his shoulder to comfort him. "Mr. Puddinghead, what you did there was very brave," she said.

Brownie just shook his head. "Brave? Perhaps. Foolish? Certainly. I didn't know what I was thinking Smart Cookie... fighting the demons without the assistance of the others was a bad call," he said. "I'm not even sure if my troops made it back safely... Never should have listened to your advice Cotton..."

"Your troops are fine Browniekins! What is there to worry about?" Cotton asked.

"I told you to stop calling me Browniekins!" Brownie growled at her. Suddenly, a horn blared near the edge of the woods. Everypony that was there knew what the sound meant.

"No... the shield isn't up yet!" an old voice shouted. Brownie looked in front of him to see that Star Swirl had opened his eyes. "I still need a little more time!"

"Don't worry wizard, we'll buy you the time you need!" Brownie shouted back. "Get that shield up or we are all dead!" Star Swirl nodded and he and the other Unicorns returned to chanting the spell. Brownie then turned to face Cotton and Smart Cookie. "I want the both of you to stay here, out of trouble," he said and knocked his forehooves together, activating small spikes on the bottoms he used to fight the hell spawn. He did the same with his back hooves, and everypony knew that Puddinghead was famous for his seismic buck. He didn't become general for no reason after all. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

He began to leave when Smart Cookie stuck out her hoof, stopping him. "Stay safe okay?" she said and Brownie nodded.

"Of course I'll stay safe Smart Cookie..." he replied. They both locked eyes until Brownie pulled himself away. "I... must be going." Brownie then trotted around her and towards the tents, quickly disappearing into the crowd of armored ponies. The ponies parted for him as he passed, not wanting to get in his way and he reached the edge of the camp with ease.

The horn was still blaring and he looked into the depths of the woods, only to see the familiar outlines of his soldiers fast approaching. "Pegasi! Do not let anything pass into this camp! Understand!?" Brownie heard Hurricane shout above him.

"Yes commander!" his troops replied.

"Hold on Hurricane! My soldiers are reaching the edge of the forest as we speak. Do not attack until I say so!" Brownie shouted at him.

Hurricane looked at his troops then back down at his friend and nodded. "Fine. We'll attack on your signal general," he replied.

Brownie looked back into the woods to see his troops begin pouring out of them, covered in small cuts and panting for breath. He trotted over to the nearest one and pulled him to the side. "Soldier! What the hell took you so long?" he asked.

The tired pony panted for a couple more seconds before coming up with a response. "The woods... the trees turned on us general! As if they had minds of their own! Most of us as far as I know were able to make it... but at least the demons stopped following us about halfway through, and I don't know why," the soldier replied.

Stopped? In these past few weeks of fighting, those damn monsters never stopped until they had killed every single one of us or we killed every single one of them, Brownie thought. "This is bad news soldier... everypony! To me! Line up in your formations!" The rest of them exited the woods and lined up in rows in front of the camp, waiting for another order from Puddinghead. Instead, their general began to pace up and down their rows, addressing all of them. "You are some damn fine soldiers! The best of the Earth pony tribe! Now listen up! Those demons will not pass through us, understand!? We are the backbone of this united army, the first line of defense! We need to hold out long enough to allow the wizard to develop a shield strong enough to resist their attacks, now who's with me!?" he shouted. His soldiers cheered in response. They've been injured and killed, but they would never give up their new home to these demons.

Suddenly, they felt the ground begin to vibrate underneath their hooves, and then it stopped. "Everypony, get ready!" Puddinghead shouted. The ground vibrated again, except this time, the trees in front of them exploded in green flame, quickly disintegrating into nothing but ashes. A foul smoke rose from their remains, and when it cleared, a whole path had been cut directly through the forest.

Not a minute later, a demon came rushing out of it directly towards Puddinghead and stopped right before him. The two stared at each other for what felt like the longest time when the demon screeched loudly and moved to attack him. "That's right... come closer you dirty monster..." Brownie whispered. He dodged its first swing and lunged at the creature, his spiked forehooves impaling its chest and slamming it on the ground afterwards, instantly crushing the life out of it. He pulled his hooves out of the creature and turned to face his troops. "And that... is one of many ways to kill these damn things," he told them. "Remember that now."

"Brownie! Here they come!" Hurricane shouted. "Pegasi! Strike teams now! Bash their heads in!"

The Pegasi then began to dive downwards towards the oncoming demon onslaught. "Charge! For Equestria!" Brownie shouted and galloped to meet the demons head on, his soldiers following right behind him. The two sides collided with a thundering crash, screams immediately filling the air on both sides. Although the demons were easy enough to kill, they were also dangerous in close quarters.

Brownie finished bucking another one, sending it flying to a nearby Pegasus which kicked its head off when he saw one of his own being impaled by one of the demon's claws. Another casualty to add to the pile, and unfortunately there would be plenty more before the day was through. Brownie looked away from the sight and kept fighting any demon that came close to him. He didn't give the demons any mercy.

Commander Hurricane landed next to him and they stood back-to-back. "Hey! Where in the hell is Bullion!?" Hurricane shouted. "We're taking a pounding out here without their magic!" Hurricane jumped up and kicked a demon in its head, shattering it and causing green blood to splatter all over him. "Damn these things make quite the mess..."

Brownie shook his head. "I don't know Hurricane, he probably ran to-" he was interrupted when a demon charged into him from the side, knocking the wind out of his lungs and pinning him to the ground.

"Brownie!" Hurricane shouted and began to make his way over to him, but was blocked by more demons that had arrived. "Hang in there!" Brownie struggled against the demon and it laughed at him as he did so. It brought its arm back and turned it into a blade, ready to impale him when the demons head suddenly went flying off, spraying Brownie in its disgusting fluids. The body crumpled to the ground, revealing Bullion who was busy wiping his sword levitating next to him.

"Bullion..." Brownie began to say.

"You can thank me later Puddinghead, but I believe it's time we showed these demons who they are messing with!" Bullion shouted as he jumped over Brownie and into the chaos.

Hurricane came over not a moment later and helped Brownie up. "Well would you look at that, Bullion saved your hide Brownie! It was about time that he showed up," he said.

Brownie looked towards where Bullion had come from to see the Unicorns charging at the demons, either levitating weapons or firing beams of magical energy at them. You know... we might actually win this battle! Brownie thought. After a few more minutes of fighting, a flash erupted from the center of the camp, a beam of light shooting up into the sky shortly afterwards. The fighting stopped momentarily as the demons shielded their eyes, the light blinding them and causing them pain. The light then began to surround the camp, slowly enveloping it in a bubble. "He did it..." Brownie whispered. "He did it!" Brownie quickly turned to Hurricane, who was panting for breath. "Hurricane! The shield! We can retreat back into the camp!" he shouted. "Go and sound the retreat horn!"

Hurricane nodded and quickly flew off, a horn blared not too long afterwards. The soldiers knew immediately what they had to do and they all began galloping towards the camp, getting there just before parts of the shield began to touch the ground. The demons however were beginning to come to their senses and some gave chase, only to be incinerated by the shield as soon as they touched it. "Everypony back to the camp! The wizard has made the shield! Let's go!" Brownie shouted.

He began to make his way back towards the shield when a nearby demon launched itself at him, causing them both to tumble across the ground, each trying to get the advantage over the other. "I'm not getting killed here by you hell spawn! Not today!" he yelled. The demon angrily hissed at him, spittle flying out of its mouth and finally pinned Brownie to the ground, only to be impaled seconds later by a pike from behind it. "Jeez! I'm having far too many close calls today. Thank you Hurri...?" he began to say, but the body had fallen to the side, revealing it to be none other than his adviser, Smart Cookie. "Smart Cookie!? But... but I told you to stay where it's safe!" he shouted.

Smart Cookie laughed at him. "Oh come on Mr. Puddinghead! Did you honestly think for a minute there I would listen to you? Besides, it looked like you needed my help anyways!" she replied and held out a hoof for him to grab.

Brownie reached out and carefully grabbed her hoof, not wanting the spikes to harm her. "Thank you Smart Cookie... I don't know what would have happened you not been here," Brownie said and Smart Cookie smiled.

"Anything for you Mr. Puddinghead. I'm your adviser AND best friend! Remember?" she asked.

"Yes, I do remember, and please... call me Brownie," he replied. They both began walking towards the safety of the camp when Cotton appeared from between the tents, blocking their path as the rest of the shield finally touched the ground behind her, completing it.

"And where do you think you two are going?" she asked.

"Cotton!? What are you doing? Get back inside the shield where it's safe!" Brownie shouted.

Cotton just shook her head. "Tsk tsk tsk Browniekins, I think I'm perfectly fine where I am, as for you and Smart Cookie... well that's another story..." she said and a wicked grin came across her face.

"You've really gone bonkers... haven't you Cotton?" Brownie asked and Cotton laughed. "Bonkers!? Oh no no no Browniekins... I'm perfectly sane... it's just that I know a winning side when I see one... and you're not on it," she replied.

Brownie stood in front of Smart Cookie. "Cotton!? What are you saying? What the hell is wrong with you?" he shouted angrily.

"I grow tired of this petty talk, I have a job to do," she said and she lunged at them, knocking Brownie and Smart Cookie to the ground.

"You... you knew that it would be suicide for us to go fight the demons on our own... you will not harm a hair on Smart Cookie's head!" Brownie shouted at her and Cotton laughed.

"Oh? Well perhaps I had forgotten to tell you, but the master has given me power... power that'll allow me to easily wipe you and her off the face of this world!" she yelled and went to stomp his face in. Brownie and Smart Cookie quickly rolled away from each other and stood up on either side of Cotton, readying themselves for a fight. Cotton just laughed at them. "Ah... the love between the both of you is so strong... I can almost taste it!" Cotton said. "It's too bad Browniekins that you won't be alive to watch her die!"

"Not unless I have something to say about it!" Brownie yelled back and they both charged at each other. Brownie raised his forehooves and impaled Cotton in the shoulders, slamming her down on the ground only to be flipped over her and thrown towards Smart Cookie. She quickly moved out of the way to dodge him, but her head was clipped by one of his hooves, knocking her to the ground and dazing her.

Cotton slowly got up, a mixture of red and green blood dripping from the puncture wounds on her shoulders. "Trying to put up a fight... you only delay the inevitable!" she shouted and she charged at him, picking up a fallen pike with her mouth along the way and aiming it at Brownie. Brownie rolled over to see Cotton about to impale him and he kept his eyes opened, not wanting to let her believe he died in fear.

"No!" Smart Cookie yelled and she dived towards Brownie. Everything for him seemed to slow down as he watched Smart Cookie, one of his most dependable friends and the love of his life, be impaled through the gut and fall on top of him.

"Well well... she gave her life for you Brownie. It's funny really. She loved you so much, yet you never went about to express your true feelings for her, even though you despised me so much. I had thought that by drugging you and having you marry me, you would come to your senses... but no... apparently that wasn't enough," Cotton said.

Brownie held Smart Cookie close to him, her heart was still faintly beating. "Why... you sick mare... no... you monster!" he yelled.

Cotton laughed at him. "You still haven't figured it out Brownie? After you had regained power over the tribe, I knew that you had feelings for Smart Cookie... and so I had someone visit me, and I accepted his offer," she said.

"You didn't... not the... The Endbringer!?" Brownie shouted and Cotton nodded.

"Yes, he who is great and powerful! In return, I swore my allegiance to him to help cleanse this world, and he bestowed upon me power beyond your imagining..." Cotton's form began to shimmer before Brownie until instead of Cotton that was standing there, it was an exact replica of Smart Cookie.

"That's impossible!" Brownie shouted. "You'll pay for what you've done Cotton!"

Cotton shook her head. "Cotton? No... that's not my name any longer... I've always had a liking for Chrysalis though... yes..." she said.

"Brownie!" Hurricane shouted. He was being followed by a squadron of Pegasi. "What are you doing? We have to get inside the shield!"

Cotton turned her head to face Brownie. "We shall meet again Browniekins... and it shall be very soon..." she said and galloped away into the woods.

That witch! Smart Cookie... why? he thought. Tears had begun to form in his eyes.

Hurricane landed beside him, followed by the rest of the Pegasi. "Brownie! What happened!? What-" he stopped as soon as he saw Smart Cookie with the pike still embedded in her. "Oh dear... somepony! Help Brownie carry Smart Cookie to the med bay!" he shouted and he placed a hoof on Brownie's shoulder. "Don't worry Brownie, we'll get her help as soon as possible. We'll cover you."

Brownie nodded as a Pegasus came over and lifted Smart Cookie's body onto his back, with Brownie being there to help make sure she stayed on. "It's going to be okay Smart Cookie," he whispered. "You're going to be okay..."

Night had fallen and Brownie sat outside the med bay tent. Hurricane was right next to him, offering him some words of comfort. "She's going to be okay Brownie, we have the best Unicorn doctors in there right now. They'll use their hoodoo voodoo magic to fix her up in no time!" he said, but Brownie just remained silent. His thoughts raged at how his 'wife' had betrayed them... and possibly fatally wounded his only love of his life.

The flaps of the tent parted and King Bullion walked out and stood in front of them. Brownie looked at him hopefully, but the king closed his eyes and shook his head. "Her wound is too severe," he quietly told them. "She doesn't have much time left on this world, so if there is anything you want to say... you should say it now." He then turned and slowly walked away. Brownie couldn't believe what he had just heard and he quickly got up and trotted inside the tent.

The Unicorn doctors were still surrounding her and in his way. "Get out!" he shouted. "GET OUT!" The doctors quickly exited the tent, leaving Smart Cookie and Brownie alone. He walked over to the side of her bed and placed his hoof on hers. Smart Cookie's head slowly turned to look at him.

"Hey... I know you..." she said weakly and smiled.

Brownie smiled in return. "And I know you..." he replied. "Listen... Smart Cookie... there's something I need to tell you."

Smart Cookie held a hoof to his mouth. "You don't have to say it Brownie... I already know..." she leaned forward, wincing at the pain in her gut and kissed him on the cheek. "My final advice as an adviser... do not let hatred guide you Brownie... hatred is something this land can use... a little... less of," she replied.

Brownie's eyes were twitching as he tried to hold back tears. "I... I love you Smart Cookie, don't leave me..." he whispered.

"I'm afraid it's too late for that Mr. Puddinghead... I... will miss you..." she replied. "But I'll always... be with you..." She then closed her eyes, her last breath of air escaping between her lips. Smart Cookie was gone, having passed from this world too young, so full of life and potential.

Brownie collapsed to his knees and pressed his face into the side of the bed, letting his tears run freely. He felt a hoof on his shoulder and he turned his head to see Hurricane standing by his side. He let Hurricane help him up and lead him away from Smart Cookie and outside of the tent. The shield was shining brightly in the dark sky above, a beautiful beacon to all those who opposed The Endbringer.

He looked up at the sky and towards the stars, wondering if Smart Cookie was up there, watching him from above in a better place than this hell. "Hey Brownie... she's in a better place now. Come on. Star Swirl has ordered a private meeting back at his tent and we need to be present," he said.

Brownie slowly nodded. "Then... then we best not keep the wizard waiting. He more than likely has something important to say," he replied and the two began to make their way towards Star Swirl's tent, which was located closely to the center where he had performed his spell earlier.

When they neared the tent, they could hear voices whispering to each other on the other side and they quickly entered. "...Star Swirl! That sounds insane! There is no such power in existence that can possibly defeat The Endbringer on its own!" Bullion exclaimed. "Where is your proof... ah! Brownie! Hurricane! You made it at last!"

The two ponies stood there, not having the faintest idea of what was going on. "Uh... what was that all about?" Hurricane asked and Star Swirl rolled his eyes.

"Bah! Maybe these two will listen to me!" he exclaimed and Bullion just shook his head and chuckled. Star Swirl levitated over two seats and he motioned for them to sit down. Brownie saw that Clover was also present and she sat next to Star Swirl. "Puddinghead, Hurricane, there is something I need to tell you," Star Swirl said. "I believe that we can defeat The Endbringer and end this insanity once and for all!"

"Oh? And how do you plan on helping us accomplish that?" Hurricane asked.

"Because commander... I believe that there is a power hidden in this land capable of obliterating him from the face of the world!"

Bullion rolled his eyes. "Please wizard. I trust you with my life, but that just sounds impossible! Like I said before, where is your proof that such a thing exists?" he asked and Star Swirl grinned.

"Oh I have proof alright... and in fact, you can thank Clover for finding what can possibly be our salvation! Put it on the table Clover!" he exclaimed. Clover reached inside a bag and struggled to lift something out of it before finally putting it onto the table with a loud thump.

The three leaders leaned over to get a closer look at it. "It's... a rock?" Bullion asked.

Star Swirl smacked his forehead, annoyed at how unobservant they all were. "Look closer your majesty, surely you must see something! I don't know... like maybe a tree perhaps?" he said.

As Brownie continued to study it, he began to see the image of a tree, and some strange writing beneath it that was unknown to him. "I see the tree Star Swirl," he said. "But I can't read the language inscribed underneath it. I've never seen anything like it before."

"Aha! Finally someone- er- somepony sees the bigger picture!" Star Swirl exclaimed. "And fortunately, Clover here is actually quite fluent in the pony language of old, she must have gotten it from her family."

Clover nodded. "That's right Star Swirl. My father and my grandfather and his father before him and so on made sure that the language of our past would never be forgotten, especially since we have all come together now after so many years of fighting back and forth. I've already translated it for Star Swirl, so now I'll read it out to you."

Clover cleared her throat before she turned the tablet around and began to read it out loud. "When the land falls under threat and chaos reigns, bring together the elements, and let harmony flourish again."

They sat in silence for a couple of minutes until Bullion spoke. "So... these 'elements' are the power you speak of Star Swirl?" he asked and Star Swirl nodded.

"Yes, if this stone tablet is true, then we can find these elements and use them to defeat The Endbringer and restore harmony to Equestria," he replied.

"First of all, where did you find this tablet? And second of all, where do you think the elements are?" Hurricane asked.

"To answer your first question Hurricane, I stumbled across the tablet a few days ago while exploring the nearby caves. From the looks of it, it could possibly be hundreds of years old!" Clover replied.

"Holy smokes kid! That means that the language you spoke has been in your family for like... hundreds of years!" Hurricane exclaimed. "But what about my second question?"

Star Swirl shook his head. "We know as much about the location of the elements as any of you. We have absolutely no idea. However, Clover noticed that the tablet wasn't carved from the rocks of this area, but rather somewhere else," he said.

"Well that's not helpful at all!" Bullion exclaimed. "There are rocks all over Equestria! How can we tell which type of rock this one came from?"

"Because I've seen this type of rock before," Star Swirl said. "Near the woods northeast of here, the woods that have yet to be named." Brownie looked around at the ponies in the tent before suddenly standing up and heading towards the tent's exit.

"General? Where are you going?" Clover asked.

Brownie turned his head to look at her. "To mourn... as well as search for those elements," he replied.

"You can't leave now General!" Star Swirl exclaimed. "You are one of our greatest fighters left ever since Sombra was defeated in his match versus The Endbringer! To go out there alone would be suicide! While I do give my condolences for your loss, you can't just leave the rest of us!"

"Then what should I do!?" Brownie shot back. "Wait here and die? No! I'm going to find the power that will save us and avenge my-" The ground rumbled violently beneath them and they all heard a loud boom resonate throughout the camp.

"What the hell was that!?" Hurricane exclaimed. "An attack?" Brownie left the tent, soon followed by the others as they were curious about what was going on. The sound had woken up many of their troops and they stumbled about, disoriented from being woken up so early.

Another boom resonated throughout the camp and Brownie looked up at the shield to see that it was developing cracks.  "Star Swirl... how powerful is the shield?" he asked.

"The shield? It's surely strong enough to resist any attack made by the demons. There is no way they can break through," he replied. Suddenly, the shield shattered, a dark power having overpowered its defenses and they watched as the rest of the shield disintegrated into nothingness. A deep laugh rumbled throughout the camp, causing a chill to run up their spines. "Impossible..." Star Swirl said "He has broken through! Leaders! You must round up your troops and bring them here! Our position has been compromised!"

"What do you have in mind wizard?" Brownie shouted. "Because right now, we need anything!"

"I've been working on a spell for some time now, a spell capable of moving an entire army!" Star Swirl replied. "Just hurry! We don't have much time!"

The laugh rumbled throughout the camp again, and the voice finally spoke at last. "Running won't keep you alive forever ponies... you never stood a chance against me! Watch now as I end this little game!" it roared. The ground erupted in front of them, spraying green flame all over the camp and lighting the ground and tents ablaze. More of them appeared throughout the camp and they could hear the screams of their soldiers as the flame consumed all.

"That damn-" Hurricane went on to spout out all types of profanity and Star Swirl just shook his head.

"Cursing will get us nowhere Hurricane!" he shouted. "Brownie, can you-" he stopped when he noticed that Brownie and Bullion had disappeared. He walked over to Hurricane and smacked him across the face. "Brownie and Bullion have already left! Go!"

Hurricane rubbed his face where Star Swirl had struck him. "Were you anypony else wizard, I would have you killed for such an act, but you are right," he replied and flew off.

Meanwhile, Brownie was already busy gathering all of those that were still alive, intent on getting as many of them as he could back to Star Swirl. We will not let him win so easily, he thought. After we relocate, we'll find those elements and finish off this monster once and- His thoughts were interrupted when he heard multiple screeches throughout the camp. Damn it all! We have to hurry! "Soldiers! Do not engage the enemy! We are heading towards the center of the camp where the wizard will bring us to safety!" he shouted. His troops quickly nodded in understanding as they continued to dodge the flames.

Brownie finally arrived back at the center of the camp, Bullion and Hurricane already having brought their own troops as well. "There you are Brownie! Star Swirl! Begin the spell!" Bullion shouted.

Star Swirl closed his eyes and began to move his staff in a circle, slowly moving it faster and faster as he began to chant. "Move us many for we are one, let us fight until the day is done, move us many for we are one, let us fight until the day is done, move us many for we are one, let us fight until the day is done!" Star Swirl then slammed his staff into the ground, causing a dark blue circle to appear beneath all of their hooves. "I can't believe it... it's actually working!" Star Swirl shouted triumphantly.

"You won't be able to escape that easily ponies!" the voice yelled and The Endbringer materialized in front of them, causing many of their troops to cower and look away. The Endbringer was huge, roughly standing at a height of fifteen feet and wearing a dark robe that covered his plate armour. His face was unrecognizable because shadows swirled around his head and obscured it from their view.

This was the second time he had made an appearance, the first being the time he defeated one of their own in single combat. "Look upon me mortals and despair!" he roared. He brought his hands close together and a green orb began developing between them. "This world is MINE!"

"You will never win you fiend!" Brownie shouted. "I'll fight to the very end... and you'll pay for what you have done to us! Now Star Swirl!" Star Swirl slammed the butt of his staff on the ground again, causing the circle to pulse twice before enveloping all of them in a bright white beam and disappearing without a trace.

"If I can't destroy you... then I shall destroy the very land you wish to protect!" The Endbringer yelled. He turned around and threw the orb far into the middle of the Palomino woods near one of the mountains and turned away from it. "Let chaos... CONSUME!" he yelled and raised his arms above him. The green orb landed on one of the mountains and it shattered upon impact, causing a massive explosion that consumed everything it touched, stretching all the way to the coastline and to the forest's edge behind him.

When the explosion dissipated, everything behind him that was alive was gone, having been wiped out by his power and leaving nothing but sand behind. The Endbringer landed on one knee, his power slowly returning to him after pouring so much of it into the orb. "When next we meet ponies... you will have nowhere to run!"

He looked down to see one of the tents had escaped his assault and was surprised to see that it was still standing. He brushed it away, revealing a tiny pony on one of the beds. "What do we have here..." he whispered. He picked the pony up between his thumb and forefinger to see that the pony was dead, having been killed by a wound to the stomach. "So this is the one Cotton boasted about killing... the one pony that was so important to that general..." He began to chuckle to himself. "Well then... I believe a reunion is in order..."

Green energy began to run down his arm and through his hand, right into the body of Smart Cookie. The wound slowly closed itself, leaving behind no scar and at last he stopped. He waited patiently, and watched as the pony began to breathe again and open her eyes. They were filled with the same green energy. "What is your command..." she whispered and a wicked grin came across his face. "You'll see soon..." he replied. "Soon..." Something trotted up to him from behind and he turned his head to see his most faithful servant appear. "Ah Cotton. I had thought you would have died in the blast."

Cotton threw her head back and laughed. "Do you take me to be one of those fools my lord? Besides, I do not wish to be called Cotton any longer. I am Chrysalis!" she replied.

"Well then Chrysalis, I think it's time we gathered some more ponies for our cause. After all, we do have the right pony for the job..." he said and showed her Smart Cookie.

Chrysalis' eyes widened in surprise, which quickly turned to excitement. "Oh yes! She will do just fine... and after her task is done, I will take great pleasure in killing her again, right in front of Brownie!"