My Little Pony Champions of Justice

With Ponyville now in ruins, the two sisters ordered the townsfolk to be moved to Canterlot, for fear of another attack. Many had been injured during the first assault and many more lost their homes in the fire. Despite the severe loss, however, the ponies were grateful that Valiant and his men were able to repel the demons. At the last moment however, Twilight was concerned about his behavior regarding the demon known as Mal'Ganis. It was clear that he and Valiant had some sort of history together, especially for him to lash out at one of his minions in a blind fury.

Upon arriving in Canterlot, the ponies were escorted to the barracks where they were provided food and shelter. Some went to live with relatives who were in the city. Flash and Blueblood were busy escorting the one surviving demon straight to the castle dungeon for interrogation. Oddly, despite his situation, the brute was unusually happy to be alive as he was paraded through the streets for all of Canterlot to see.

"Is that one of the demons?" An earth pony noble asked among the chattering of the crowd, booing and throwing rotten produce.

"Yes, I heard the soldiers stopped Sir Valiant from finishing him off. Don't know why though."

Once inside, the cell with various wards to prevent any hope of escape our communication with the outside. Two of Celestia and Luna's elite guards stood watch at the door. Once the demon was imprisoned Twilight decided that it was time for Valiant to do some explaining. She headed towards the throne room to speak with Celestia, who had been concerned after hearing about Valiant’s actions after the battle.

She sat there in deep thought when her student quietly entered the room.

"Oh. Hello Twilight, I didn't hear you come in."

"I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Of course not. Please, sit down."

Celestia had always delighted when her top student paid her a visit; but this time, upon noticing Twilight’s saddened demeanor, things were a bit different.

"It's Valiant isn't it?" She asked Twilight, cutting straight to the point.

"Yes...Princess. When he attacked that demon I saw something in his eyes. Something horrible, like he had been through something like this before. Princess… he was angry. Not just angry, he expressed uncontrollable rage! And there was one name that infuriated him more than anything else.

"I heard. The one he called ‘Mal'Ganis’. I think Valiant knows more about what's going on here."

Knowing that this was a delicate matter, Celestia requested that Twilight try and convince her friend to tell them about this new demon. A plan which Twilight happily agreed to. Just then one of the castle guards came trotting into the room saluting both princesses.

"Your majesties. Sir Valiant has begun the interrogation."

Giving a quick nod, both princesses proceeded to observe Valiant’s methods, as well hear any important information that may help in the oncoming war. In the dungeons below, the demon sat in his cell grinning evilly at the two guards, causing both guards to become uncomfortable.

"What's he grinning about?"

"Who cares? Just don't look at him; and besides, he's not going anywhere anytime soon."

The guards quickly stood at attention as Valiant stormed into the room, a few more soldiers behind him.

"Has he said anything?"

"Not a word sir."

"Go get some rest boys. You've earned it." Valiant dismissed the guards while keeping an eye on the prisoner. For a while, the two just stood there silently observing one another before Valiant removed his helmet as he began the interrogation.

"Here's how it goes: You tell me what I want to know and I promise not to hurt you."

"BA HA HA!! Hurt me?! You can't be seriou-!!"

WHAM!!

The demon’s comment was cut short by Valiant yanking his face into the prison bars. He gave out a few short cries of pain before the prisoner regained his composure, knowing that he couldn't do anything without the other guards skewering him with their spears… Or the princesses frying him with their magic. Yet still, he continued to mock the knight before him.

"Your boss. Where's he going?"

"Heh heh...Only boss of me is "ME"! HA HA-!!"

WHAPPACK!!! This time Valiant responded with a straight jab through the bars, knocking out some of the demons fangs.

"UGH!!"

"YOU WANT TEETH!? I WANT ANSWERS!!" Valiant roared as he forced the demons neck against one of the bars with his magic. Slowly choking the life out of him. But still… the prisoner held his grin.

"Heh heh heh-CACK!! Feels good doesn't it? Holding some other beings life in your hooves? You’ve felt it before....when you burned down that entire city."

Valiant froze with shock, along with Celestia and Twilight.

"What?"

"Oh you didn't know? Back home this guy and a couple of his buddies burned down a whole city. They killed everybody; Men, women, children...nobody was spared."

"Shut up..." Valiant warned the demon as his rage began to swell within him.

"That's right your highnesses. To you, he may look like a hero, an all-around nice guy; but in the end....he's no different from us!"

"I SAID SHUT UP!!" The unicorn roared in a blind fury, drawing one of his swords for a killing blow before the guards intervened.

"PLEASE SIR!! CONTROL YOURSELF!!"

"RRAAAAAAGGGGHHH!!" Valiant struggled against his own men as they wrestled both swords away from him. Meanwhile, the prisoner broke into a joyous laugh after seeing the terrified faces on Twilight and Celestia.

"SEE?! What'd I tell ya?! I think you ponies should be more worried about him then about-!"

BLAM!!

"That's enough out of you...." Celestia had seen enough. With the demon now unconscious, the princess focused her attention on Valiant. He was still lost in his own anger.

"Guards. Stand clear."

"But your majesty-!"

"Do it. I'll be fine." Celestia assured her guards as they stepped aside. Valiant turned his gaze to the princess, eyes glowing blood red. Instead of being afraid, however, the princess felt pity. For she had seen this kind of anger once before in her sister Luna.

"Forgive me..." Celestia said aloud as she began focusing her magic.

"GRRRAAAGGHHH!!" Valiant charged at her full force, just before she unleashed a magical blast that sent him crashing into the stone wall, knocking him unconscious. Twilight had never seen the princess use her magic in such a way. It… terrified her to say the least.

"Guards....seize him." Though it pained her to do so, the princess had no other choice. She turned the other way while Twilight watched in fear as the guards carried him off into another cell.

"Princess Celestia please! Don't do this to him!" She begged her teacher only to be met with stern eyes.

"I'm sorry Twilight. It has to be done."

"But he-!" Twilight was cut off as the princess’s arms wrapped around her. From the sound of Celestia’s voice alone, Twilight could tell she was hurting.

"I know how you feel Twilight, this is not the first time I had to imprison a friend."

Twilight looked at her, eyes flooded with tears before rejoining the embrace. Celestia stroked her head trying to comfort her.

The next day, Valiant awoke to find himself surrounded by stone walls and iron bars. Next to him was what looked like a food tray and a wooden bed beneath him. His head had been throbbing like somepony had been beating it like a kettle drum. After rubbing his head for a short while he began to recall the series of events that got him in this predicament. The last thing he remembered was his temper getting out of control and…

"I attacked the princess...." He said in realization, burying his face in his hooves. Rubbing his head from horn tip to chin, he found that there was a sort of metal ring clasped upon his horn.

"It's a magic canceller. It halts the flow of magic to your horn." Celestia had arrived to check on Valiant’s condition, out of concern for Twilight.

"YOUR HIGHNESS!!" Valiant wasted no time in bowing before her like any loyal knight should. Yet he could not bring himself to look at her.

"Forgive me your highness...I wasn't myself..."

"There's nothing to forgive Valiant, but I must know....is, what he said true?" Celestia asked as he looked up to see the fear in her eyes.

"Yes...every word he said was true..." Valiant sulked in shame, having been forced to reveal a grim truth about his past. Yet Celestia showed no anger or disgust. Only sadness.

"Valiant. You know you don't have to hide anything from us. We are your friends."

"That's right."

"Twilight!" Valiant was surprised to see not only her but the others as well who had looked saddened, seeing him behind bars. Though he was delighted to see them all; this visit could only mean he had some explaining to do.

"Valiant...please tell us what happened." Twilight asked him up front, but he stayed silent, sulking his head in the shadows.

"I understand..."

"It all started after the scourge first appeared." Valiant finally answered as the ponies listened to his tale, a rainstorm beginning to move in.

"We had learned the fiends had been poisoning our grain supply, so we began destroying as many as we could find. However....we missed a shipment."

________________________________________

It was raining on that same day. Prince Arthas and his knights were stationed outside the city of Stratholme after learning that a shipment of plagued grain had reached the city. Arthas's mentor; Uther The Lightbringer had just arrived, along with a few more troops.

"Glad you could make it...Uther." The prince said sarcastically, looking at his teacher with disdain.

"Watch your tone with me boy! You may be the prince but I'm still your superior as a paladin!"

"As if I could forget. Listen Uther, there's something about the plague you should....Oh no...." Terror grew in his voice as the prince saw many of the townsfolk already stricken with the disease.

"We're too late! These townsfolk may be fine now but it's only a matter of time before they turn into the undead!"

"WHAT!?" Uther could not believe what he was hearing, but saw the prince was right. Many of the people were already showing signs of turning; and if this infection got out… the entire kingdom would be doomed!

"This entire city must be purged..." Prince Arthas spoke coldly as he gripped his hammer.

"How can you even consider that!? There's got to be some other way!"

"Dammit Uther! As your future king I order you to purge this city!" The young prince pointed his hammer towards his mentor, thinking his status would give him a small advantage.

"You are NOT my king yet boy! Nor would I obey that command if you were!"

"Then I must consider this...an act of treason."

"TREASON!? Have you lost your mind Arthas!?"

"Have I? Lord Uther! By my right of succession and the sovereignty of my crown, I hereby relieve you of your command, and suspend you and your paladins from service!"

Jaina Proudmoore; A childhood friend of the prince spoke out in protest to this declaration.

"Arthas! You can't just-!!"

"It is done! THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE THE WILL TO SAVE THIS LAND FOLLOW ME! The rest of you....get out of my sight..."

As Uther prepared to ride off with his knights he turned back to the prince to give one final warning.

"You have just crossed a dangerous threshold… Arthas.”

________________________________________

"It was not long after that we started to burn the city, slaughtering any who tried to escape...By the end of the day, the city of Stratholme had been reduced to a pile of burning ash and corpses...even to this day I can still hear their screams, see their faces." Valiant’s eyes began to fill with tears as he gritted his teeth. The pain of that memory had proved too great for him.

"So...I guess this is where you say I'm a monster? Leave me here to rot!? I wouldn't be surprised! IT'S NO LESS THAN WHAT I DESERVE!!" Valiant screamed at them, trying to hide his sadness behind his anger. Thinking they now only saw him as a monster guised as a hero. But instead of ridiculing him; Twilight forced the doors open with her magic and hugged him close.

"T...Twilight?"

"We would never do that to you. You're our friend." Twilight said as she tightened her grip.

"Darn tootin!" Applejack added as she laid a hoof on his shoulder.

"We would never think of you as a monster darling. No matter what." Rarity assured her friend as she joined Twilight’s embrace, along with Rainbow, Pinkie and Fluttershy.

"I...I don't understand..."

"What's to understand? What you did back then doesn't matter to us. And from what I can tell it's all that spoiled princes fault!" Rainbow Dash waved a hoof, acting like it was no big deal. Valiant just sat there in disbelief. Despite everything he told them they still thought of him as a friend.

"....Thanks girls." Those were the only two words they needed to hear before Celestia ordered his release and returned his armor.

As Valiant gazed at his helm, he began to ponder his own title "Iron Wolf". It seemed fitting. Since his friends had stayed loyal to him just as he did to them. The true bond of a pack.

"Sir! You should come see this!" A guard came rushing into the room with a distressed look upon his face. Without hesitation, Valiant followed him to the highest watch tower of the castle to see a strange pillar of light coming from the Everfree Forest.

"What is that sir?"

"I'm not sure."

Valiant noticed that much of the city had gone to the outer wall to investigate, there he found Pipsqueak and Rumble; who were with their parents as they continued to look on.

"Pipsqueak!" Valiant called out as he weaved through the crowd.

"Valiant!"

"Pip. Do you remember the camp we raided a couple days ago?"

"Yes of course."

"Did those demons say anything when you got there?"

Pipsqueak tapped a hoof to his chin as he tried to recall that night.

"I remember one of them saying something about a portal."

"Portal? Oh no...." Valiant’s voice expressed terror as he realized what that light was. In that moment there was an earth shattering kaboom that shook the entire land, as ponies began to huddle together. With a bright crimson flash, the forest had been set ablaze! Many of the ponies gasped in shock at the sight of the burning trees. Fluttershy was among the crowd and began to cry for fear of the animals that dwelt there.

"What's going on!?" A citizen asked Valiant as he stood there realizing the worst had happened.

"The invasion... it has begun."

The End.