It was another beautiful and sunny day in Canterlot. Everypony was going about their business. Celestia was talking to Twilight in the library. Luna was walking around on the outer wall of the castle. Her guards were standing next to her.
"Your highness is there a reason you are walking on the wall like this?"
"Yes I am waiting for somepony."
Luna heard a door opened and looked left. In the doorway there stood a navy blue stallion. He was wearing dark armor.
"Ah Shadowfury so nice for you to join us."
"It is my pleasure princess." He bowed when he said this.
"Have you done what I asked?"
"Yes I have we shouldn't have to worry about it."
"Please describe the story in detail for me."
The next half hour was Shadowfury telling Luna. He was sent to go divide the zebras so they couldn't help out Celestia. The plan had worked perfectly.The Sublime Council of the Zebra Tribes was gone for good and to busy infighting.
"This is most excellent news, But what of the griffons?"
"They wish to speak to you my lady, but I don't see why we need them."
"The Pegasus will not follow me so I must look else were for air units."
"Why won't they?"
"Because when I give the signal you will destroy Cloudsdale and bring it to the ground. So that Celestia can't use it against us."
"It shall be done my princess."
With that Shadowfury saluted and walked away. Luna turned to the guard then fly to her room. She was getting ready to meet with the griffon king and talk when she heard a knock on the door. She opened it to find a guard.
"Princess you have a visitor in the hall."
Luna left and walked down to the hall to find a griffon standing.
"Hello my name is Gilda and i'm here to talk to you about the war you want."
After the meeting Luna walked to her sister.
"Where are the elements of harmony located?"
Without looking up from her paper Celestia replied "In Ponyville."
"Okay thanks."With that Luna left the room quickly and made way to Ponyville. I don't like how this sounds i better keep an eye on her. With that in mind Celestia closed the book and walked off.In Ponyville Luna was walking to a certain boutique. Inside a certain mare was busy with her work till she heard a knock on the door. She opened it to find Luna standing there.
"Welcome my princess to my humble abode."
"Please call me Luna."
"You sound so modern what happened?"
"I took lessons."
After a afternoon of talking Luna left.
"Mind telling me where Sweet Apple Acre is?"
"Its just in that direction darling." Luna thanked her for her help and walked away with an evil grin on her face. It'll take her a week but the elements of harmony will be out of the picture.
~~~~~~A WEEK LATER~~~~~~
Luna was relaxing with her marefriend Rarity. What started as a way to keep the elements of harmony turned into a relationship since they seemed to have alot in common. The door opened on them as Gilda walked in.
"I have come with the army of griffons that you asked for."
"Good Rarity please excuse me."
Luna got up and walked out the door. Before she could close it Rarity ran up next to them.
"You can't exclude me."
They talked and while they did over in Cloudsdale everything seemed alright. If you look below the city it was a different story.
"Men the princess wants us to destroy the city and everyone who resists dies. Now let the nightmare begin light us up."
With that the armor of Shadowfury and his gang caught on fire. Fluttershy was up in Cloudsdale helping Twilight with some princess work. The next thing anyone knew screaming and flaming creatures appeared out of the sky and landed on Cloudsdale. Fluttershy got scared and ran inside to get Twilight out of the library.
"What are you doing?"
"Look outside." Twilight turned her head to look outside then saw flaming things killing and destroying the place. Twilight grabbed Fluttershy and both ran out the city and were flying away. Twilight looked back as she saw alot of Pegasus fleeing the destroyed city as the clouds slowly dissipated with help of magic.
"Fluttershy you go home I must tell Celestia at once." Twilight turned and started flying to Canterlot as Fluttershy went home to go hide under her bed. Back in Cloudsdale the nightmare forces walked away from the spot where Cloudsdale was.
"Men you did a good job. Did anyone see what you look like." He looked around then smiled when he saw everyone shaking their heads. They walked back to go tell the princess. The only stop they made was to a river to wash off the blood and stop the fire on them.
At the castle Celestia was looking at a map when Twilight burst through the door.
"Celestia."
"Hey Twilight what brings you here?"
"Cloudsdale was attacked and destroyed!"
"Who attacked it?"
"I don't know all we say were flaming beasts that screeched with dark red eyes."
"Hmmmm this is troubling news I need you to get your friends and have them come here."
"Okay Celestia." With that Twilight left to go get her friends as Celestia looked over her map. I sure hope the the zebras are okay their ambassador left in a hurry and I haven't gotten word since.
The dream of days yet to come/The fall of Cloudsdale
Twilight was back at her home after the fall of Cloudsdale and the destruction of everything that made it. She remembered the screams and the flames everywhere. She opened the door to go in and was met with spike.
"Twilight you look sad anything wrong."
She looked up and put on a fake smile."No everything is fine spike just fine."
Spike looked at her with a stern expression. "Your lying to me I can tell by your face."
Twilight looks at spike and her expression went to a frown as a tear went down her cheek making it wet. She went up and hugged him.
"Cloudsdale was destroyed by flaming creatures with dark red eyes."
"That's awful is the land still there?"
"No! Nothing is left but the thought of it and a few wisps of clouds."
She let go of spike and went upstairs to her bedroom as Spike looked on worried.Who would attack Cloudsdale?He thought as he went to go to sleep. Twilight made it up to her room and jumped into her bed. She pulled the sheets over her and drifted to sleep. Twilight woke up in a fright and looked around. She was happy to see her dirt cave and feel her cot underneath her. The sounds of cannons pounding the earth were heard but she was use to it. She got up turned on the lamp and looked in a mirror. She saw a mare with bloodshot eyes and her hair hadn't been touched with a brush in months. She was covered in caked mud and wearing a dirty white uniform and a generals hat. She put her boots on and looked at a picture of her and her friends. There were red circles around Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Applejack and Rarity both had blue circles around them. She heard a knock on her door and went to open it. She opened to a skinny Rainbow dash in a General outfit.
"Rainbow dash what brings you to my house?"
"The enemy is breaking thru our ranks and reaching the castle."
"Who is leading the charge?"
"I don't want to say her name."
"Tell me now!"
"Its Applejack and the Nightfurys battalion. The queen also wanted to see you."
"I'll be there right now." Rainbow dash saluted and flew in the air away from a legion of griffons. Twilight ran thru the mud of the trench. It was deep and the only thing keeping them above was the wood planks. As she ran she saw her soldiers getting charged by pony's in black armor. She was heading thru the trench when a kick sent her backwards. The sound of battle was everywhere. She looked up to see Applejack standing there.
"You how could you."
"What do you mean?"
"YOUR FIGHTING FOR LUNA AND RARITY AGAINST US!"
"Don't take it the wrong way sugarcube. Your the ones who killed big mac on the night of broken hooves." Applejack reared up and was about to kill Twilight when a green bolt slammed into her and threw them both into the wall. Twilight looked up to see Shemrok standing there offing a hoof. Twilight grabbed it and was pulled up. She wanted to thank the green stallion for its help but he refused.
"You have to hurry i'll hold her off."
"But she'll kill you."
"If she does then i'll say hi to Fluttershy and Pinkie pie for you. And i'll be able to go to Ponyville again"
Twilight hugged her friend with tears streaming down her face. He pushed her off and gave her a goofy expression which caused her to make a short laugh before she left. As she ran away she heard.
"We meet again Immortal one."
"I believe so Applejack or should I say butcher of Crystal empire."
Twilight kept running full speed and looked around to see ponys in dark armor running overhead or jumping in. She took to the air as the last defenders were fighting to save it. When she went to the air she saw Gilda in shining dark armor with the entire griffon air force. She flew to the castle where she saw Luna's and Celestia's guards fighting. She landed past the broken door into the courtyard. She ran past the fighting, dodging ponys left and right. She ran to the throne room to see a blasted door. Inside was Luna, Rarity and Celestia.
"Sister this war was costly but now I will finish this with the help of my love." Luna looked at Rarity who smiled back.
"Twilight i'm so glad you could make it so I could see you one last time."
"Enough talk prepare to die!" Luna lowered her horn as it started to glow. Twilight went to go stop it as Rarity jumped in her way and blocked her. There was a flash as Celestia's limp body went flying out of the glass window to the valley below. Twilight woke up screaming at the top of her lungs. Spike jolted awake and ran next to her.
"Whats wrong?"
"I had a nightmare is all, Spike."
"Okay hope you have a good dream and get to sleep." Spike went back downstairs leaving Twilight all alone with her thoughts.I must warn Celestia about this.
~~~~~Meanwhile somepony's other dream~~~~~
Fluttershy was sleeping in her bed. She was dreaming about what happened before hand. She was back in Cloudsdale in the street. It seemed like a normal day and Twilight was back in the library. A purple pegasus walked up.
"Hey Fluttershy what brings you here?"
"Hey Dewsprint, i'm helping Twilight with her princess work."
"I was wondering if ...." Before Dewsprint could finish there was an explosion at the weather factory. Screaming flaming spirits with dark red eyes came flying thru the air and landed. Buildings started to burn as crimson flames filled the sky.
"How can clouds catch on fire?"
"There must be magic involved." Pegai were running and flying away in every direction. One stood his ground the street in front of them. Shadowfury looked it up and down before jumping next to it catching it on fire and then kicked it into the nearest building. He then looked at them as they were leaving and started charging. The group took to the air except for Dewsprint.
"No Dewsprint what are you doing?"
"Saving your life so that were even." The pegasus turned around and faced Shadowfury.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because my queen asked for it and you won't tell anyone." Dewsprint kicked his face then turned.
"Fluttershy!"
Fluttershy turned to her friend to see Dewsprint try to fly away then get pulled down and started getting pounded down by the creatures till she was a bloody mangled pile on the floor. Fluttershy choked back her tears as her and Twilight flew away. After they left Shadowfury made a call.
"Princess the town has been dealt with and is no more. Twilight and Fluttershy got away from us but no one could tell who we were."
"Excellent clear off the evidence then come back to me."
"You heard her men." The team used magic to dissipated the clouds then they went back down and went to the nearest river before heading back.
Shadowfury's army and the griffon revolt
It was the next day in Ponyville. The sun was shining and everypony was out and about. Applejack was selling apples with Big mac. Applebloom was running around with Scootaloo and Sweetie belle. Rarity was walking side by side with Luna. Who had decided to help the town out and spend time with her favorite mare. Twilight was in Canterlot with the princess. Fluttershy was with Pinkie pie at Sugarcube corner. Everything seemed fine till somepony ran straight into Applebloom knocking her over. Applejack ran over to her.
"You alright?"
"Yeah i'm fine, but who was that?" Both ponys looked over to see an almost black stallion. He had a black mane.His pupils were a dark red and his cutie mark was a shadow symbol. He looked around before sticking up a poster.
"Hey you stop right there." Shouted a green stallion. He had a green and white mane. His pupils were brown. His cutie mark was a Shamrock or clover. The green pony chased him away till the black one disappeared down an alleyway. He came trotting back up to the gathered group.
"Sorry about that we've been trying to catch him."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Shemrok nice to meet the elements of harmony and princess." He kneeled to each in turn before walking off the way he came. The group looked at the poster. It had writing and showed a bunch of ponys standing in what looked like an army. Pinkie pie took it off and read it aloud.
"Dear Equestria, it has come to my full attention that a wicked queen governs this land. We have banded together to fight this tyrant and bring order and balance to the land. If this is for you then join the Nightfury battalion and spread the word."
"I think we've read enough of that." Luna said as she tore it up and threw the pieces into the air.
"Ain't you worried about that message."
"I'm sure Celestia has everything under control at this very moment." Luna started to walk off with Rarity next to her. Everypony else went back to their business.
"Luna sweetie why did you tear up the flyer if he works for you?"
"Its simple my love I need ponys to think that i'm for my sister so that i'm not a suspect."
"Thought so, just making sure." Rarity and Luna both went to Carousel Boutique. Sweetie Belle left with them and walked in.
"That poster seemed to scare me."
Luna stopped and looked at Sweetie Belle before putting on a smile."Belle will you watch the shop for your sister while she and I go on a date for a day."
"I get to watch the whole shop by myself?"
Luna looked over at Rarity who was shaking her head no."Yes you can and you can call your friends to help."Before Rarity could object Luna grabbed her and fly away.
"Why did you say that when only you went to the palace?"
"Because love I need you to talk to Shadowfury for me." Luna said this then kissed Rarity quickly so she wouldn't hit anything. They flew and talked till Rarity was at a camp in White tail woods. She blew a kiss to Luna as she flew away.
"My queen so glad you could make it."
"I wouldn't miss it Shadowfury."
"What news have you to tell us?"
"Luna says your battalion needs to move to the east and fight with Gilda and her resistance fighters before the night of the broken hooves."
"What will we be doing?"
"First we will outfit all the troops then you will go and kill the griffon king so that Gilda will take over."
"Why?"
"So she can rule and give us the forces, also before I forget you will move at night so not to be seen."
"As you wish my queen and did I do good at the town."
"You did beautiful, now where to my tent?"
"This way." With that he walked with her right next to him towards a big black tent. All around them Pony's would look up and cheer in happiness all different colors and races. Rarity looked around and noticed one thing there were no Pegai anywhere.
"Excuse me where are the Pegasus?"
"None are joining our side that's why were getting the griffons to fight with us."
"Why?"
"Because we destroyed Cloudsdale completely to prevent Celestia from using it at all." Shadowfury silenced her and pushed her into the main tent. In it there were maps of Equestria hung around. A cot was in the corner and a queen and three general outfits were hanging all designed by Rarity a week earlier. She was busy staring at it when Shadowfury spoke up scaring her.
"I love these outfits they look nice."
"Oh yes quite." Rarity and him started planning.
~~~~Meanwhile in Canterlot~~~~
Twilight was sitting in the throne room talking to Celestia while they were drinking tea.
"So your saying that Luna killed me in this very throne room?"
"Yes!"
"And that Applejack and Rarity join her side."
"Yes!"
"Calm down Twilight."
"But my dream."
"Will talk later I have a guest who is here right now." Celestia turned and opened the door to Luna. "Come on in sister so nice of you to join us."
"Glad you invited me and there is a stallion out here."
"Tell him to come in and be seated."
Luna turned around and whispered something before stepping in with a green stallion.
"Shemrok at your service."
"Welcome Shemrok what news do you bring us?"
"Bad news my princess, a stallion named Shadowfury has made an army named Nightfury and plans on overthrowing you. He also claims to have destroyed Cloudsdale."
Everyone looked at Twilight who looked like she had seen a ghost.
"Are you alright princess?
"Yes i'm fine Shemrok, I just need some air."
"Was that all you needed to tell us?"
"Yes it was princess."
Shemrok turned and walked out past Luna and closed the door. Luna looked up to her sister and sat for tea. They started small talking till it was the afternoon. Luna stood up and left the room passing by Twilight on the way out.
"Twilight i'm so glad your here, I have a job for you to do."
"What is it?"
"You need to send Spike to the crystal kingdom and you must start rallying an army."
"Okay, but did Luna say anything?"
"No but I don't like the look of things and your dream seems to be correct based on what we've seen."
Twilight bowed and left the room. Celestia continued making a tombstone for Spike, when Cadance walked in.
"I came as soon as you said. What are the Tombstones for?"
"The two heroes who will die defending the Crystal empire."
"Who are they?"
"Spike and Shinning armor."
Cadance stared at her wide eye. "You can't be serious why would they do that?"
"I fear our enemy will strike there to take them out of the picture."
"Who?"
"The ones who defeated Cloudsdale. I thought you knew."
"I never did, you must fill me in on it."
The two talked till the night.
~~~~Back at Shadowfury's camp~~~~
"Thanks again for watching over my love Shadowfury."
"Was nothing my queen."
"Did she tell you everything you needed to know?"
"Yes and now we shall be moving to the land of the griffons."
It took a week and in the meantime both sides were building secret armies. Shadowfury had made it to the griffon lands.
"Here it is men, be ready for anything." The forces set up camp and waited till Gilda landed with some griffons.
"You are Shadowfury I presume?"
"Yes and your Gilda?"
"Yes I am." Gilda was grabbed by two ponys and put her in Shadowfury's tent.
"We'll tell the king we need to borrow the lions to destroy the Crystal empire. Since I heard you have trouble with them."
"We have and while that happens I kill him?"
"Yes you will, and how will you like to kill ponies and Rainbow dash?"
"I would love to cause them pain."
"Good we have to train you and the Silvertalons first."
"The who?"
"Silver talons is a new group were making to be able to take on the Wonderbolts."
"Makes sense."
Gilda left the tent to go tell the king. She took flight with Shadowfury on her back. After an hour they made it to the capital mountain of the griffons. The king was sitting on his throne waiting for the one called Gilda. The old oak doors opened slowly causing him to look up.
"Ah Gilda and Shadowfury I presume."
"That is correct my lord."
"I'm to understand you come to ask for aid in your war."
"Actually I came to kill you." Shadowfury said as he got closer to the king.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm going to kill you and put Gilda as queen."
"You can try." The king got up and looked at them. Shadowfury charged him slamming him into the wall. The king was pinned when he saw Gilda standing near the throne.
"Help me and i'll make you the second most powerful griffon in all the land."
"I like the sound of that deal." She said and tackles Shadowfury to the floor.
"What are you doing." He snapped while pinned.
"Shes serving me like a good griffon." The king picked up Shadowfury and was about to kill him. A sharp pain fell upon the kings head. He looked up and saw Gilda with her claws deep into it.
"Guards!Guards!"
"Silence your yelling foolish one we took care of your guards."
"You killed my guards? Your own people?"
"No just subdued them." Gilda said this with pride as she jumped off and sliced the kings throat.
"Why?" Was all he could mutter before he started drowning on the blood. It came pouring out like a crimson fountain. He slumped over then Gilda put her claw in the blood. She wiped it on her face and dragged the body outside.
"All hail your new queen." Gilda shouted this at the top of her lungs as she threw the kings body down the hill. Cheering erupted thru out the valley as most of the griffons and ponys had gathered like they were told.
