My Little Pony Champions of Justice

The sky burned red as the ponies watched from the walls of Canterlot. The Everfree Forest, which stood for over a thousand years, was now reduced to a flaming wasteland. Many of the citizens were in terror, yet, Valiant’s eyes did not show fear, but anger; Anger towards the same evil that nearly destroyed his home world. Soon he began to notice the fear starting to spread amongst the masses, and took immediate action.

"THAT'S ENOUGH! All of you return to your homes!"

"But the forest! The animals!" Fluttershy was distressed from the situation as was the rest of the crowd.

"Please everypony! Valiant’s right. Panicking won't do us any good, let's all head back home while the other princesses and I try to figure this out."

Valiant nodded to Twilight before ordering his men to escort the ponies back to their houses. She also ordered that the guards be doubled on the outer wall and streets. That night, at the royal council, many of the Canterlot nobles were in an uproar over the recent event and demanded that the princesses take action.

"YOUR MAJESTY THIS IS A DISASTER!!"

"You must do something! Send the royal guard!!"

"NO! We should fortify the city!"

The entire courtroom was filled with inaudible chatter, leaving all three princesses distressed when suddenly.

"SILENCE!!!" CLANG!! Valiant stabbed one of his swords into the floor, startling the entire courtroom.

"How are the princesses supposed to find a solution with everypony nagging their ears off!?” Valiant scoffed, “Politics..." As Valiant returned to his seat, Celestia and Luna gave a nod of approval before returning their attention to the council members.

"I'm sure you all have your concerns, but rest assured, we are taking every measure possible to ensure the safety of this kingdom." Luna said, beginning the discussions as one of her night guards made his way into the court.

"What news do you bring?"

"Ill news I'm afraid princess. Only last night did we discover the portals existence. My party and I were out doing our usual rounds when we spotted a strange light coming from below the trees. When we went to investigate, we discovered the one named Grogar performing a dark ritual."

The guard fell silent for a moment as his hooves began to tremble.

"There were....bodies of numerous animals, all butchered with their hearts ripped out, before what looked like a large stone arch. Grogar… He began chanting a spell in some strange language and before we knew it the whole area was set ablaze!! I...was the only one to escape..."

He would say no more as Luna dismissed him from the court. Hearing the details of the ritual made the council more uneasy and the arguments began to resume with one half demanding that the royal army be assembled and sent to destroy the source of the problem, while the other suggested fortifying the city and placing a barrier.

"Everypony please calm down! I know you're all worried, but arguing isn't helping!!" Twilight yelled over the crowd as they began to quiet down once more.

"Valiant. You know about these demons more than any of us. What can we expect?"

"The worst." Valiant quickly answered Twilight as the crowd gasped in shock.

"These demons know no mercy, they will kill everything and everypony in sight! And those they do spare… will be enslaved or worse." His voice sounded ominous and foreboding to all, many of the nobles chatted among themselves while the princesses continued the discussion.

"What do you suggest we do then Sir Valiant?" Asked Luna as he looked to the map of Equestria on the wall behind him. Placing one hoof to his chin, the unicorn began formulating a strategy for a counterattack but was unaware that Twilight was doing the same.

"Twilight?" Celestia called out to her student while the council was still discussing the matter when out of nowhere.

"I GOT IT!!" Both unicorns called out, slamming a hoof as the councils eyes were instantly fixed on them. Both gave a sheepish grin as they scratched the back of their heads with Valiant presenting his part of the plan.

"If we are going to mount a counterattack, it'll have to be from HERE! In Ponyville." Valiant slammed a hoof on the table as he pointed out the town’s location.

"Ponyville? Why there? It's far too close to the gateway!"

"Exactly. With a group of volunteers we can fortify parts of the town to make a forward command base."

"And I know just where to start!" Twilight added as she joined in on Valliant’s plan.

"We can set up fortifications here and here." She pointed out her castle and the town hall with the use of her magic.

"I can put another barrier around the castle; and the town hall is the perfect watch tower. From there, we can send reports between Canterlot and Ponyville, as well as keep an eye out for enemy movements; and, thanks to them burning the Everfree forest, there won't be any chance of a surprise attack. My friends and I will personally assist in this plan."

The council gasped hearing this statement. Rarely did any members of royalty participate in an actual battle; but this was not the first time Twilight had faced such danger, for in her eyes, she did not seem afraid. Valiant could see it as well and smiled proudly along with Celestia and Luna who were in full agreement with their plan.

"All in favor?" Celestia called out as the council members raised one hoof after the other.

"All opposed?" Luna asked, with none raising a hoof. With no opposition, she smiled to her sister.

"Motion is carried, Twilight, be sure your friends are prepared for the mission." Celestia nodded to her pupil as she and Valiant left the courtroom. Later that afternoon, the entire city was gathered near the royal air station where a large blimp and a handful of the royal guards were gathered; along with the princess and her friends. Most of the ponies gathered were from Ponyville. Others were just some of the Canterlot Elite looking to show face for some publicity.

"Is this necessary?" Valiant leaned over to Twilight as he continued to wave to the crowd.

"It's what the public wants, just best to go with it."

"Besides. It's not our fault we're so awesome!" Rainbow dash said as she did some poses for the photographers. Fluttershy cringed behind Applejack and Rarity who joined with Pinkie for a group photo.

"Hey Rarity. Where's Sweetie Belle? I thought she would be happy to see her sister off on another adventure."

"Oh she went to the hospital to help take care of Button-The little dear-So I made her something special." Rarity said with a prideful smirk as Applejack raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

In Canterlot hospital, Button was still bedridden due to his exposure to intense heat and inhaling too much smoke from the fire. The fire that completely destroyed his home. The only thing keeping him sane was his prized Joy Boy, and the picture he had saved from the flames. It was a photo of him and Sweetie Belle on their first date at Sugacube Corner. The photo was taken just moments before Button challenged Sweetie Belle to a milkshake race. He suffered from a major brain freeze which spoiled their date. Though things didn't go as planned, Sweetie Belle still loved him.

"Oh Button! You have a visitor." Called the nurse as she opened to door.

"Hi Button!" Sweetie Belle yelled out as she trotted into the room.

"Hi Sweetie BeeeeWAAA!?" Buttons jaw felt like it hit the ground as he saw her outfit. She was dressed up like a little nurse!

"What's wrong? Don't like the outfit?" She asked looking a little worried as she turned to the side.

"N-NO!! That really looks good on you!" The colt said in an excited tone with his face turning strawberry red.

"Good! Cause I'm here to make sure you get better, the doctors even let me bring you your lunch." Sweetie Belle then levitated a plastic food tray holding a plate of steamed vegetables and a cup of jello; A typical hospital meal.

"This is unbelievable! My marefriend is dressed as a cute nurse!! This is every gamers dream!!" Button screamed in his head as Sweetie Belle began to feed him.

While Button and Sweetie Belle were keeping each other company. Twilight and her friends were nearing the now smoking ruins of Ponyville, with them were the royal guards who volunteered; along with Flash, Blueblood, Moonshy and Valiant’s two pupils; Rumble and Pipsqueak who insisted on coming along.

"You boys stay close now. Got it?"

"Yes sir!" Both colts answered as Valiant nodded in approval. He Turned to the rest of the group.

"Listen up! Once we get to our destination, the town will most definitely be crawling with demons. Your best chance for survival is to stay together as a group and if you see one of those ugly bastards you take em down! No mercy! Got it!?"

"SIR! YES SIR!" The soldiers shouted as they stood at attention.

"Alright! First squad is with Rainbow Dash, Princess Twilight and Applejack. Second squad is with me, Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy you stay with Pip and Rumble here on the ship until we call for you."

"O-of course.-AAH!!" Fluttershy screamed as the ship began to shake violently.

"WE'RE TAKING ENEMY FIRE!! ALL HANDS TO STATIONS!!" The captain called out over the loud speaker. The entire crew now scrambled around the ship.

"Well. Looks like they were expecting us!" Valiant said aloud, trotting to the ships intercom.

"Captain! How close are we to the town?"

"We're just nearing the edge sir!"

"That'll have to do, if this ship takes another direct hit we're goners! Open the cargo doors!"

"YES SIR!" Within moments, the back door of the ship slowly began to open, making the wind howl violently as both squads took a running position. While Twilight and Rarity seemed nervous, the only ones—besides the royal guards—who were calm were Rainbow, Applejack and Valiant, who lead the charge as he ran full speed ahead towards the exit.

"GO! GO! GOOO!!"

"INTO THE FRAY!!" One of the guards followed his lead, as did the others, falling one by one into the ruins below.

Back in Canterlot. Celestia and Luna were sitting down to a quiet game of chess as a guard came into the room to deliver news of the operation.

"Thank you captain. You may return to your post." Celestia dismissed him as she and Luna quietly resumed their game.

"It's begun."

"Operation: Checkmate." Celestia declared as she moved one of her pawns to the front. Back in Ponyville, the group had succeeded in gaining a foothold around town hall as the troops began to build the necessary defenses. Atop the town hall stood the flag bearing the symbol of Equestria.