The Swarm

Chapter 4

It happened so fast. No other kingdom could believe what they were seeing as the magic showed the entire fight in all three continents to the south of Equestria. All could tell that the lands were a wasteland from the magic screen that was a speaker a few hours ago, but now.... it was a personal screen. The lands of Zebrica, Camelu, and Cervidas were all up in flames as soon the three screens became one. Before the screen a creature stands with pale blonde hair under a red and black armor. Her skin was pale and she was like a evolved hairless monkey, but spoke clearly and with a sense of authority. As she looks through the screen she speaks "Residents of this world called.... Equestria. I am Queen Myrrah and this land is now mine. Any who try to attack, will be met with death. Consider this your warning" she says.

Five Hours Before Transmission

Luna had returned to the castle as she called in her council and her allies. When they all arrived Luna looked around at them. On one half of the table sat the Crystal Empire, but... with a change. Princess Cadence was still a princess of Love, but also of Lust as what her regal attire consisted of looked like a simple lingerie outfit. Her husband, 'Shining Armor', was in a more kingly attire of a red cloak with silver armor pieces. his eyes were a weird misty purple and green with red pupils like that of the old King Sombra, who is inhabiting Shining's body and is Cadence's husband. He wore a necklace of Shinging Armor's cutie mark, but a flame instead of a Sparkle symbol. At the other half of the table was Queen Chrysalis, who always brought her people for a feast now and again. She wore her own regal attire that is a toxic green and dark blue color. Ever since Nightmare Moon came back, she found a use for the Changelings within her army and left them alive.

After they all get seated, and of course the dance that Twilight and Cadence do when they meet again, the council sit down and listen to what is to be said. Nightmare sighs as she starts to speak and told them of what she found. The destruction, the creatures quickly making a outpost in all of Canida, the underground tunnel system, everything as that kept everyone's attention locked on till the end. Nightmare walks around the room "We think that with their advance weaponry, this war will end post haste. We must have them join us to survive and win. Twilight, I need you to think of ways to try and negotiate with these creatures. Return to us with news of your-" she stops as a screen pops up made of magic. It was a quick way to communicate long range to get a emergency message out.

This time though, it was not a message, but a broadcast. On the screen were three leaders, one was a zebra in a white, two strapped dress that hugged around her waist. On her right arm were five golden rings along with on her neck were also five rings. She had a Mohawk of black and white hair, but also of grey and white body. She was called Zecora, the leader of Zebrica. On the other two screens were the other leaders, one a elderly looking camel in a robe and with a turban on his head named Camobu as the other leader is a teenage Elk named Elekar who only had one antler. The three are on screens all around the world as if some kind of major announcement. Zecora straightens herself out a bit "I have come here to say, today is a grievous day. Word has spread of the neutral kingdom Canida's demise, where the culprit averted every ponies eyes." she says. The camel nods "Our ally speaks the truth. For this a proclamation comes. By order of the Lightbearers, any attack on a neutral kingdom will result in immediate execution" he says. That is how bad the war got where every action could result in a execution.

Elekar nods "We... are also planning to take Canida as part of our army so if anyone wishes to join you may" he says. Fluttershy rolls her eyes as she mimicks the elk, getting a chuckle out of Pinkamena for her mockery of authority figures. As soon as the transmission cuts out, that is when the reclamation group was sent out. Unlike the other members, the camels, zebras, and cervines each had their own powers. Zebras were skilled in mystic arts of which made them sages, elemental magic users and of course healers. The camels were quite quick and strong making them perfect for carrying the heavy supplies and siege weapons. As for the Cervines, it all depended on which species was going. The Elk's were strong  in sense of nature magic and in terms of lifespan lived quite longer then ponies. The Moose species are a tough group, tougher then minotaurs and more resilient to damage, but not as fast. The Deer species take all the speed and make perfect scouts of forest.

Three Hours Before Transmission

As the army moved on towards Canida by land after the ships landed, they met some rather weird creatures. They were two feet tall and look like large ticks. The problem was they had some orange container on their back as they made some weird ticking sound, yet seem harmless. As the army got closer, one of them sneaks into the ranks and does a loud screech as the tank starts to release steam. Before any of them knew it, the creature exploded and scattered the ranks of the army group as if it was to separate them. As if on cue, the other creatures scurry close, but the Elks throw up a barrier as the Zebras go to healing as best they can. Many of the troops had a blasted off limb or blow apart drastically decreasing the number from one hundred to eighty-six from one explosive attack. The Elk's hold the barrier as the creatures claw at the barrier, yet soon retreat as a whistling sound is heard flying overhead.

From above orange lights are seen as some weird pod like objects fall onto the barrier with large explosions as the barrier flickers for a few moments. As the barrage continues, loud bangs are heard as weird  smoke trails are seen as something hits one of the Elk casters, leaving a large hole in his head as he laid dead on the ground. As the barrage continued, forcing the Elk's to use up more magic to keep the barrier from falling, more loud bangs are heard, taking out more Elk's as they marched forward. As the numbers dwindled, they saw the town, but... it was not like they expected. The towns were all surrounded by black and red metal walls with a large gate. On top of the gates and at towers or on buildings, the creatures stand ready to fire on enemies that come from all over as before any could react, the final Elk fell dead. The army was now at seventy-two strong as when the barrier fell, the barrage stopped.

As they started to charge at the gate, two large creatures step past the gates as they were husky in form, yet the real strange part of armor was what looked like a bucket on their head. The instrument they held were large and had three tubes instead of one. As they pull one of the curved components, the instrument starts to spin as they yell out in unison "GRRRIIIIIIIND!" as they aim at the army. The instruments let out thunderous roars as multiple objects come flying, shredding and flying through the army like they were cutting down a forest. As they stop only fifty-five remained and one thought ran through their head as they turn. The commander, a Deer with fear in his eyes yells out "Retreat!" as they start to run back to the ships to head home. Unfortunately for them, the ships got sunk by those small creatures as soon the ground shaked like crazy as holes open up as more of the creatures come out.

They started firing without giving them a chance to defend as the army fought back and tried to match the soldiers in attacking power, but it was no use. These creatures moved like a well trained army, as if doing this a hundred times as before long they stop trying to fight and surrender. They just chuckle as they open fire on the army reducing it down to twelve as they go and look at the remainder. They look over as they drag each survivor out and start to beat them down to death with weapons or even fists as they look at the remainder of the army.... a moose, a zebra, and a camel. All three are about to get shot as something stops them. From the ground, the creature with the staff appears as he examines them. A weak hearted Camel, a venomous glaring moose and finally a feisty Zebra. He motions as some weird metal containers are brought up and opened up. They were like metal coffins with a eyeport as they toss them into it and shut the door before dragging them below the ground. No word was heard from them since.

One Hour Before Transmission

The screens came back on, but they were.... angry now. They all looked very displeased, well except for Camobu who was sleepy looking. The three seem to argue of whose fault it was before beginning the broadcast. Elekar sighs "I plead with every member of this world. Come help us please! Do it not for war or glory, but for-" he stops as screaming is heard over at his screen. Before long a large explosion shatters the large doors as monsters in red and black rush in with large cleaver like weapons and cut down the elks with ease. Elekar stands as he backs away "Back! Back I saw!" he commands as one of the monsters comes out of the smoke that filled the doorway. It was the one in black armor as he grabs him by the throat and runs him through with his sword before all of the world to see. From the castle and lands around, a large pillar of smoke rises from the Cervidas land as soon it does the same for Camelu and Zebrica. On the screens, Cameobu grabs a sword and starts to clash blades with one of the sword wielding creatures from the assault, but a very large fist comes down and squishes him into a red paste. From the door, the helmeted general walks in as he stands before the screen. As for Zebrica, it ended differently for them. Zecora was not killed, but got a hard hit from behind by the staff wielding monster as the sounds of war become all, but none existent. All three point to the screen and say "Ssssseeecccuurredd!!!" as the screens go fuzzy.

The screen pops back up to show a new creature in black and red, but not as grotesque looking. This one was female, but also armored exposing her face as she sits down.

Present Time

Queen Myrrah speaks after a small break "I shall warn this world once... those who consider themselves Lightbearers shall fall first. You pathetic creatures attacked one of my generals and for that I grant you a death of endless horror." she says. She leans back "I will say this once. If you wish to join, prove yourself and mayhap we shall use you. If you stand against you.... then have mercy that it is quick. You have until nightfall to give your answer" she says as the transmission cuts out.

In the castle, they all stand in a bit of shock of what had happened. First it was skirmishes, then a assault group, a kingdom and now a whole island! Nightmare looks serious "Twilight! Get the papers for a alliance now! We need them on our side before the Lightbearers find a way to get their allegiance!" she says as the mare leaves quickly.

Cadence looks over "Princess Nightmare..." she says as Nightmare looks over. She stands a bit "We seen how they fight, we can beat them! Why make a alliance with them?" she asks.

Nightmare looks at the papers on the table "We need to use them. Once we do use them, we shall dispose of them. They are powerful, but if they become too powerful.... then this war will end up a genocide of our kingdoms. We must get their assistance... for as long as they are useful" she says. Today marked a new armies emergence.... and the fall of three other kingdoms.