My Little Pony Champions of Justice

Valiant and Shining Armor had returned to Canterlot as heroes, when rumors began to spread about their battle with the demon boar. While Shining waved to the adoring public Valiant was more focused on their kill, the only time he had seen such a beast was during his adventures with his former master back on Azeroth and the fact that it was here in Equestria troubled him deeply.

"Hey Valiant!" Shining Armor shouted over the crowd getting his friends attention.

"Huh?"

"Come on, show some appreciation to our admirers. Wave!"

Valiant did as he was told so as not to raise suspicion and waved to the crowd.  Many mares in the crowed called out for him in admiration while some of the nobles began to chatter amongst themselves once again. Only this time with praise for the young hero.

"The blacksmiths apprentice slew that monster?"

"They say he did it with his bare hooves right after he threw off his armor."

"Strong, brave and resourceful. Just the kind of stallion my daughter needs."

Like wildfire, the rumors began to fly as Valiant smirked to himself; continuing to wave to the crowd before finally arriving at the front steps of Canterlot Castle. Luna and Celestia had been waiting, along with Cadence and Twilight, who seemed rather mad at her big brother after hearing about his rather dangerous expedition with Valiant. The purple unicorn marched right towards the captain of the guard with eyes like daggers while Shining gave a nervous gulp inching back a few steps.

"Uh h-hey Twily."

He said nervously seeing how angry his little sister was.

"Don't you ‘Hey Twily’ me!! You know how worried I was!? How worried CADENCE was!?"

Twilight shouted with her muzzle pressed up against his while Valiant looked in the other direction giving a whistle.

"But I-!"

"Shush!"

Twilight silenced her sister in law before she could say anything as she focused her attention on Valiant.

"And YOU!!"

Twilight singled out Valiant. He now found himself in the same position as Shining.

"How can you go off on a dangerous mission without telling any of your closest friends!? We were worried sick! I mean you just battled a timber wolf last week!!"

She said with a bit of concern in her tone.

"Nice to see you too Twilight."

Valiant told her giving a smirk while she huffed in frustration, giving him a quick hug. The rest of her friends came rushing in all looking relieved, none more so than Applejack who was prepared to hug him before covering her nose from the stench.

"HOOWEE!! You’re riper than a rotten onion in a compost pile!"

She proclaimed, using her hat as a mask while Valiant sulked in annoyance.

"Hey! You try fighting one of these things in a mud pit and staying clean!" Valiant said to the farm mare.

Two guards came out, dragging the corps of the gigantic boar along with them. The six gasped at the sight of it.

"What the heck is this thing?"

Rainbow Dash asked poking at it before Valiant shoved her back.

"CAREFUL!! This boar has been infected!"

"Infected? I've never seen a virus do that."

"That's because it's not a virus....this boar drank the blood of a demon."

The ponies just stood there in shock after hearing this.

"Demon blood!?"

Twilight stated in disbelief, but she could see Valiant was not joking about what he said.

"I've seen this kind of magic before."

Valiant said in a low voice looking at the mutated beast with distaste.

"This is the work of The Burning Legion!"

The others stood, a bit frightened at his mood before Celestia decided to intervene. She ordered the guards to haul the beast inside the castle while Valiant and Shining got some much needed food and rest.

That night as Shining was with Cadence in his old bedroom, the princess noticed her husband, deep into thought. He stared at the ceiling before Cadence caught his attention with a peck to the cheek.

"Hey. Something wrong?"

Cadence asked her husband as she held his cheek with her hoof.

"I'm sorry Cadence. I was just thinking."

Shining apologized gently taking her hoof as he embraced her with a gentle smile.

"Care to tell me what's wrong?"

"It's Valiant....when we fought off that boar, I saw something. Something dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

Cadence asked her husband as she looked him in the eye. Shining began to recall the events that unfolded during the battle.

After Shining Armor had been knocked down, Valiant charged the beast in a blind rage locking his blades with its tusks. Though he was dizzy from the impact, Shining Armor could see the anger in his friend’s eyes.

"RRAAAGGHH!!!!"

Fueled by his rage. Valiant began to overpower the beast, pushing it further back away from Shining Armor. He used one of his swords to pierce its hide and, as the boar roared in pain it tried to escape the unicorn. Getting shot down by Shining Armor right after. Even as the tension of the battle died down Valiants eyes still burned with anger as he viciously pulled his blade out of the slain beast. His eyes continued burn with rage, even when helping his friend.

"Shining?"

Shining's memory faded at the sound of his wife's voice and could see that she was starting to worry.

"It's probably nothing. Tonight I am a loving husband...and you are my wife."

"Ohh~. Shining!"

Cadence said in a sultry voice as her husband kissed her neck laying her down on the bed as he used his magic to close the curtains.

Meanwhile. Twilight—after she had cooled off a bit—and her friends decided to check on Valiant. Pinkie was bringing a small "Welcome Home" cupcake as a present, knowing the castle staff would provide them with some refreshments; but upon entry to Valiant’s room they found him sharpening his blades with a focused gaze.

"Uh Valiant?"

Twilight called out to her friend only to be ignored. It seemed the unicorn was lost in his thoughts. He continued to grind the whetstone against the blades edge with his strokes, growing more and more aggressive until Rainbow shouted from behind him.

"HEY!!"

"AH! Oh Rainbow its y-!"

SHING!!

"AGH! Son of a buck!"

Valiant dropped his sword, feeling an intense pain in his right leg. He had cut himself badly. The girls surrounded him, a look of concern stretching across their faces while he tried to stop the bleeding.

"Oh my gosh! I'm SO sorry!!!" Rainbow said watching her friend wince from the pain as he tried to smile.

"Its fine I've had worse." Valiant hissed, continuing to apply pressure to the wound. Twilight called for one of the guards to bring a first aid kit. Once his wound had been patched up Valiant joined his friends at the council meeting to discuss what Valiant had revealed to them.

"Valiant. You said that you recognized the kind of magic that caused the destruction in Everfree as well as the mutation of the boar."

"Yes. As I stated: It was the work of "The Burning Legion".”

Valiant stood silent as the royals talked amongst themselves. The others kept a close eye on things, listening intently.

"What is this legion?"

"A vast demonic army, one with the ability to reduce entire worlds to ash. And I- I fear Equestria may be next."

Twilights friends gasped in fear while Cadence held her husband close. Her arms were pushed away, however, when Shining stood up from his seat to look his friend in the eye.

"So does this mean they conquered your world?!?"

"No, quite the opposite actually. The legion was defeated when the armies of both The Alliance and The Horde banded together and slew one of their most powerful leaders; Demon Lord Archimonde. With him gone the remaining demons were decimated."

The ponies gave a small sigh of relief before Valiant continued with his report.

"Your majesties, the fact that the Everfree Forest along with its creatures were destroyed by this magic may not be a coincidence. I think that boar was sent here as a test subject."

"A test subject? What do you mean?"

Twilight inquired as Valiant began to grow hesitant in answering.

"...I fear an agent of the legion is here in Equestria."

"Impossible! Who would serve such vile creatures?"

Luna protested, rising from her chair before Celestia calmed her down.

"Those who seek to gain power over others. The legion searches for mortal servants who are consumed by greed and use them."

"And you believe this agent is lurking somewhere in the Everfree Forest?"

"Without a doubt."

This revelation troubled Celestia deeply. For a while she placed her front hooves together giving the discussion some thought before rising from her seat.

"Thank you Valiant. That will be all."

"Yes Princess."

Valiant bowed in unison with the others before departing, but he could tell the princess was worried about what he just revealed.

Meanwhile. Zecora; The zebra who lived in the Everfree Forest had been experimenting with one of the dead animals found where Valiant and Shining had slain the boar. After much effort, she was able to extract a small amount of demon blood and began to grow fearful.

"For such magic to have found its way here, a dreadful darkness approaches I fear. Will Equestria see another rising sun? Or will everything we've worked for be undone?"

The End.