My Little Pony Champions of Justice

Months had gone by without incident after Valiant and Shining Armor had slain the boar. Shining had returned with Cadence to the Crystal Empire while Valiant decided to return to working with his master. The two ponies spent an entire afternoon filling out orders for the local nobles and visiting diplomats from the neighboring countries.

"Well done lad!" Hard Hammer praised at the newly fashioned armor made by his apprentice.

The armor was made in the style Valiant remembered from the soldiers back home. The shoulders were fashioned with thick plates of iron along with the helmet and chest plate. The leggings covered both the front and back legs of the guards; and like any worthy apprentice, Hard Hammer presented Valiant with his own personal Blacksmiths Mark.

The mark was in the shape of Valiants cutie mark, making the Unicorn smile with appreciation. He hammered the mark onto the armor before shipping it off to the royal armory. Once the days orders had been filled, Hard Hammer dismissed his apprentice and went home to rest. Valiant spent the afternoon going around Canterlot and noticed that every mare in town was carrying shopping bags of all kinds. All from one fashion store or another.

"Is there some kind of sale going on?"

"More than that my boy." Valiant turned around to see his friend Fancy Pants and his wife; Fleur De Lis.

"Fancy Pants! It's been forever. How's your wife doing?"

"Better now that she's had the baby, speaking of which."

Fancy pants stepped aside as Fleur came walking onto the scene carrying her newborn baby daughter.

"May I introduce, little Antoinette." Fancy Pants said with pride as his little girl giggled with delight upon seeing her father. He handed Antoinette over to Valiant. She had a blue mane like her fathers and she had her mother’s purple eyes.

"Isn't she just precious?" Fleur asked with a warm smile, stroking her daughter’s mane.

"So uh, can you two tell me why every mare in town is out shopping?"

"Why tonight's the night for the Grand Galloping Gala my boy!" Fancy pants said with enthusiasm, simply raising and eyebrow at this.

"The grand… what now?"

"The Grand Galloping Gala. A party held in Canterlot Castle once a year to celebrate the union of the three pony tribes. I take it you got your invitation?"

"Uh I'm not sure. I've been working with Master Hard Hammer all day."

Just then, messenger pegasus came swooping down on the group; holding an envelope with Canterlot’s royal seal.

"Excuse me I'm looking for Valiant Charge."

"That would be me."

"For you sir." The pegasus said handing him the envelope before taking off. Valiant opened the message to find a golden ticket and a letter from Princess Celestia.

Dear Valiant

Due to some recent issues I ask that you attend this year’s Grand Galloping Gala to help with security.

Please make sure your armor is polished and ready for tonight.

Princess Celestia.

Being requested for guard duty by the princess seemed like such an honor. In the circumstance that Valiant wasn’t in the royal guard that is.

"Well I guess I'm invited then. I better get going."

"And us as well. We need to get Antoinette fitted for her first gala. Isn’t that right my precious?" Fleur tickled her baby daughter as she left with her husband. Meanwhile Valiant headed back for the castle to retrieve his armor.

Later that night, guests began to arrive one by one until the whole of the Canterlot ballroom was filled. Twilight had volunteered to handle the festivities; allowing the princess to enjoy herself. Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash looked after the Cutie Mark Crusaders who were more than excited to be there.

"WE'RE HERE! WE'RE HERE! WE MADE IT TO THE GALA!!" The three fillies shouted in excitement, while Applejack and Rarity simply smiled at each other. They made their way to the buffet table shortly after.

"Hey Valiant!!" Pinkie shouted as she waved to her friend.

"Hey Pinkie. Glad to see Sugarcube Corner was requested to cater this event."

"Me too! Ya know, Discord actually ordered ALL of these for himself but then all of the sudden he cancelled his order!" Pinkie said in disbelief still remembering the event.

"Discord? you mean that Draconequis guy?" Valiant asked Pinkie, since he really didn't spend much time with Discord during the time he spent in Ponyville.

"Yeah! So there I was with an entire bakeries worth of cakes all boxed up when one of the royal guards came requesting an order and poof! Here they are!"

Valiant smiled feeling happy for Pinkie as they grabbed a few cupcakes. Suddenly a loud bloop was heard from behind him, as he turned around, he saw that a large blob was preparing to eat his helmet.

"HEY!!" The unicorn shouted quickly, snatching his helmet back.

"Sir, my helmet is not for eating!" Valiant shouted to the blob as they started a tug of war over the helmet. The large blob or Smooze—as Valiant soon found out—seemed to be enjoying himself before finally letting go. Valiant crashed into the table making the crowd gasp.

"Oh my goodness!!" Fluttershy exclaimed before Valiant used his magic to save the cakes. The crowd applauded while he set them back on the table. After Valiant retrieved his helmet, Discord poofed up right in front of him.

"Oh! My apologies! Smooze here just loves shiny things." Discord said, patting the Smooze on the head as he gave an innocent smile.

"So I noticed..." Valiant said flicking off a bit of slime from his helmet. Giving the draconequis an annoyed look. Discord took Smooze outside and, for a while, things seemed to be going smoothly. Valiant was introduced to Pinkies sister, Maud and Fluttershy's new friend, Tree Hugger. The three became good friends in an instant.

"I'm really digging your armor dude. It makes you look so...primal." Tree hugger said in a relaxed tone, shaking his hoof before Valiant introduced himself to Maud.

"So Maud. I heard you once threw a rock so hard it landed like a meteor falling through space. That true?"

"Yes." The gray earth pony said plainly just before the lights went out.

"What in equestria?" Twilight asked out loud as Discord appeared on a stage trying to give a comedy routine. The only laugh he got though was from Celestia, after making a joke about Twilights flying abilities. The rest of the crowd just stood and watched.

"Knock Knock." He said to the crowd getting no response.

"You're supposed to say "Who's There?" this is the most basic of jokes!" Discord shouted in anger before splattering a watermelon onto the crowd.

"You're the most basic of jokes."

"Good one Maud!" Pinkie giggled as the other ponies laughed.

Valiant was in the back with the other ponies laughing his head off. That was when he noticed a young colt shivering in fright at a glow coming from the backroom. The door bursted open and the Smooze suddenly flooded into the place, covering everything with his slimy body. Twilight and Celestia tried to use their magic but Smooze seemed immune to it. Valiant tried hacking away at the thing with his swords before realizing.

"Right. He’s a liquid so there's no point." Valiant said feeling awkward just before he noticed the Smooze going back into one form. It seemed Tree Hugger was able to calm him with some meditation techniques.

"Let go Smooze. Bliss out." She said as the last of the Smooze came together. Everypony seemed impressed. Everypony accept Discord, who was prepared to send Tree Hugger into another dimension. Fluttershy cleared up the whole misunderstanding. It seems that the draconequis was afraid that he had been replaced by Tree Hugger.

After Discord apologized to everypony for his behavior, things were pretty much normal at the gala when, out of nowhere, an eerie wind burst through the doors and fizzled out all the torches. At first, the ponies thought it was discord again, as they shot angry looks.

"It's not me this time I swear!" He said, raising both arms before a wicked laugh began to echo around the room. Ponies began to grow scared as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle clinged to their sisters. Valiant drew his blades, sensing a very familiar magic.

"Well well well… quite the gathering we have." A hooded figure appeared at the front door. The only visible details of his face were what appeared to be the horns of a ram and two glowing red eyes.

"I'm sorry sir, but this is a private party!" A guard said, preparing to grab the intruder.

"Be-gone insect." The figure said before a flash of green light blasted from his horns. It formed a skull that blasted the guard into the wall. The ponies gasped in fear backing away, with only Valiant standing before him.

"That was a shadow bolt! A form of dark magic back on Azeroth....How do you know it?" Valiant kept his gaze on the enemy. A smile crept onto the figure’s face.

"So, the rumors are true. You must be the one they call "Valiant". Allow me to introduce myself." The figure removed his hood revealing himself to be a demonic ram with a well-groomed beard wearing a golden bell around his neck.

“I am Grogar" The ram bowed in respect removing the rest of his cloak before looking at the set up for the Gala. Nodding with approval.

"What is it you want?" Valiant asked the ram as he trotted over to the buffet table for some horderves.

"Oh it's simple really. To destroy this pathetic excuse for a kingdom. Why you may ask? It's because of what Canterlot and you ponies represent! Loyalty,love,friendship. It's all a bunch of nonsense!" Grogar shouted in anger, throwing his plate to the ground before looking at Celestia and Twilight.

"And you two! You have all this magical power yet you refuse to use it to its full potential. Why be royalty? When you can be gods!"

"Our magic is used to protect our people. Not to oppress them!" Celestia said in defense as her horn flared with magic. Grogar burst into laughter as he grabbed a wine glass with his magic.

"Typical. You Alicorns are all alike." Grogar said taking a sip of wine before Valiant slammed his hoof down in anger.

"You haven't answered my question! Where did you learn that magic!?" Valiant shouted in anger as a shot of steam came from his flared nostrils. Grogar smirked, finishing his wine before showing his back to the unicorn.

"I'd love to answer your question but I have a schedule to keep." Grogar told him in an arrogant tone as green flames bursted from the ground, summoning numerous demons Valiant recognized as Felguards. Many of the ponies began to panic as the demons eyed them with hunger. Some were licking their lips in anticipation as Grogar exited the room.

"MINIONS! Bring me this one’s head. Kill the rest!" Grogar yelled to his minions before disappearing in a flash of green fire. Valiant instantly went into a defensive stance, ready for any attack. One of the demons swung down his axe trying to finish him in one blow. Valiant however used a teleportation spell to appear above the demon before slicing him right down the middle with one of his swords.

"EVERYPONY! MAKE FOR THE THRONE ROOM!" Valiant yelled to the others as the fight began to intensify. Twilight and her friends escorted the citizens towards the exit while a few of the castle guards assisted. The demon’s dark magic proved too great, however, as many of them were blasted to ashes before his eyes.

"NO!!" Valiant’s rage grew, seeing his comrades fall as he slew another demon. One pinned him against the wall.

"AFTER THEM!!" The Felguard ordered the others to give chase while he kept Valiant busy. The ponies had finally reached the throne room where Luna had just been given news of the ongoing attack. In reaction, she summoned her night guards to help in the defense of the castle.

"Luna! I'm so glad you're here." Celestia said with relief as she slammed the doors shut with her magic.

"Forgive my delay sister. I should've gotten here sooner. Where is Valiant?"

"He stayed behind to hold them off."

WHAM!!

A loud crashing could be heard against the door. The ponies backed away, gasping with fright while Celestia and Luna joined their guards. Ready for a counterattack.

"Hold steady!!" Luna called out to her guards as she felt the rumbling of charging footsteps.

WHAM!!!

"Hold steady..." Luna was beginning to sweat from anxiety. Awaiting for the third and possibly final impact that would bring the door down but this time, nothing happened. At first there was nothing but quiet, making everypony sigh with relief just before the demons came crashing through the windows. They were trying to grab the ponies now running in all directions; panicking.

"GOTCHA!!" A demon yelled as he grabbed Applebloom by the leg. Hauling her into the air as she screamed at the top of her lungs.

"APPLEBLOOM!!!! LET HER GO NOW!"

SMACK!!

"AGH!!" Applejack charged right at the demon holding her baby sister. But she was knocked out with a bruised and bloody lip. Her friends all rushed over to her side, looking at the demons surrounding them.

"APPLEJACK!" Twilight turned her friend over, gasping after seeing how bad she was hurt.

"Now where were we? Ah yes! It's chow time!" The demon said as he lifted Applebloom higher. The filly trembling in terror.

"LET HER GO!" Rainbow Dash yelled in anger as the other demons surrounded them laughing.

"Oh I'll let her go alright. INTO MY STOMACH! HA HA HA!"

AAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

The ponies watched in horror as the demon released his grip on Applebloom. Making her fall straight towards his gaping mouth.

SWOOSH!!

SCHLIK!!!!

The room went deafly silent before everypony gasped, seeing a blade lodged right into the demon’s throat. Applebloom was surrounded by a magic aura holding her safely in the air. The demon stumbled around choking on his own blood before finally falling dead onto the ground. Valiant had arrived just in time.

"Valiant!" Applebloom was more than happy to see her friend, he smiled at her knowing she was safe. The demons quickly backed up, allowing the other ponies to retrieve Applebloom while Valiant readied himself to go on the attack. The demons laughed thinking they had him outnumbered.

Valiant ignored their taunting and prepared to charge. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Applejack lying on the ground. Bruised, bleeding, and unconscious, this sight pushed him over the edge.

"Applejack..." His voice became as cold as the expression on his face. His eyes and horn began to flare up. His anger was now completely out of control.

"You! BASTAAARRRRDDDS!!!!!!"

"CHAARGE!!!"

The now enraged unicorn charged faster than any pony could see, with only the gleam of his armor shining in the dark. Celestia and Luna joined in with the royal guards as a fierce battle broke out in the throne room.

"Are you seeing this?" Fluttershy asked her friends looking shocked.

"I'm seeing it but...I can hardly believe it!" Twilight exclaimed as the battle continued to unfold. The two sisters and a unicorn from another world taking on demons that were ten feet tall and had weapons that could cut a tree in one swing.

"SHIELDS UP!!" Valiant shouted as he activated a barrier to block the demons magic. The soldiers soon followed his lead with Celestia and Luna using their strongest spells to blast them to ashes and before long the whole room was filled with the bodies of both demons and fallen royal guards.

"Damn it all...." Valiant said in a cold voice as he watched the survivors gather the fallen.

Applejack had been taken to the infirmary at the request of Twilight while she and the others helped to make sure everypony was safe.

Once things had settled down Valiant trotted over to the now ruined buffet table for a scrap of cake and some punch that managed to avoid spilling. Twilight had arrived with her friends to check up on him.

"You alright?" The princess asked with concern as Valiant gulped down some punch.

"I'll live. How's Applejack?"

"She'll be fine. She just has a slight concussion." Just then Princess Celestia and Princess Luna came into the room. Twilight and her friends made way, bowing in respect as they trotted up to the exhausted warrior who lead the defense of the castle.

"That was very noble of you Valiant. You not only revealed the legions agent but also saved Canterlot. We are in your debt."

"It was an honor to fight at your side your majesties." Valiant said bowing before departing for his bedroom.

A few days after Applejack had recovered. A ceremony was held in the throne room where Twilight, her friends, and all the citizens of Canterlot were gathered. When everypony’s attention was on them, the two sisters rose from their thrones to make an announcement.

"Citizens of Equestria. Last night, a great evil appeared here in Canterlot, one that we had never faced before and one that threatened to destroy our very kingdom." Celestia waited for the crowds chatter to die down before nodding to Luna.

"However. During that same night a champion; one not of this world, came to our aid and saved our people. Today we are here to honor that champion! Fillies and gentlecolts. We present to you. Valiant Charge!"

A fanfare was played as the main doors opened, revealing Valiant dressed from top to bottom in his freshly polished armor. Many of the ponies gasped in amazement as he made his way down the aisle. With a focused gaze, he stood before the two sisters.

"Valiant. You have proven that you have courage, loyalty and honor far greater than any who have come before you, and your actions helped save the citizens of Canterlot. Kneel." Celestia nodded as the unicorn did as he was told, removing his helmet. Moments later, Celestia had begun the ceremony.

"Do you; Valiant Charge, swear to defend Equestria? Both its rulers and its people?"

"I swear." Valiant answered as Luna continued.

"Do you swear to defend the helpless and bring justice upon those who would do harm to others?"

"I swear!" Valiant said with a bit of enthusiasm as his friends watched in anticipation.

"Do you swear...to cast aside all selfish ambition and to never allow anger, greed or jealousy to cloud your judgement?"

"I SWEAR!!" Valiant yelled with pride, looking at the two sisters before. He bowed his head back down so that the sisters could complete the ceremony.

"Then on this day. We, the sisters of Canterlot, dub thee: Sir Valiant Charge; The Iron Wolf." Celestia and Luna tapped their horns on his shoulders as everyone bore witness to the event. Twilight and her friends gasped in amazement.

"Stand. And be recognized." Celestia told her new champion as he rose to his feet. The crowd cheering his name. Valiant smiled proudly, waving to the people of Equestria before he was told to give a speech.

"From this day forward. I vow to end all those who would see this kingdom brought to ruin! May all those who dwell in the shadow! Burn in the light of justice! FOR EQUESTRIA!"

"FOR EQUESTRIA!!!"

The soldiers joined Valiant in his battle cry before cheering as he made his way down the aisle to greet his friends. But back in the Everfree Forest, Grogar was scheming something sinister. After he learned his minions were defeated by a single pony he felt h had no choice.

"So they're calling you the "Iron Wolf" are they? Well, let's hope you have your fangs sharpened for what I have planned." The demonic ram said to himself before bursting into a wicked laugh as he stood before a black portal.

The End.