Serious Sam: The equestrian encounter

Chapters

Chapter 1 - A serious discovery
Chapter 2 - A serious arrival
Chapter 3 - A serious arsenal
Chapter 4 - A serious welcome party
Chapter 5 - A serious summon
Chapter 6 - A serious retreat
Chapter 7 - A serious defeat

Chapter 1 - A serious discovery

Serious Sam: The Equestrian Encounter
The characters of this show belong to their respective owners, namely:
Sam "Serious" Stone and all know characters (monsters) and places belong to Croteam
All known Characters from "My little pony" and places belong to Hasbro.
All other stuff (story line, new characters, new places) belongs to marielity

Chapter 1 - A serious discovery

The ponys of equestria lived in peace and harmony for over 1 year after Discords second banishment and the failed raid of queen Crysalis. Live went on like always and no more threat was about to meet in the kingdom of the two alicorn princesses.

But each period is determined to end. Even this peaceful ara can't last forever.

Equestria's most precious craft is knowledge and magic. Not only creating new spells and containing the knowledge of the present but also craving for knowledge from the past. Long forgotten or well hidden in the whole world.

When the first year of peace was about to end, an astonishing discovery was made: In the middle of the great desert "Equeria Makan" a group of archologists stumbled upon an old ruin. The ruin was part of a great city of old times. They soon discovered more ruins until almost all temples, houses and palaces had been uncovered.

The most impressive discovery was the old library. It was mostly buried in sand and time had its effect on books and scrolls, but there was still a lot of knowledge available. And spells.

"I can't read any of it. How are we supposed to learn anything from these books?". Twilight Sparkles mood reached a new low point. She prefered spending her time in confortable librarys filled with books, rather then crawling in some old ruins in the middle of the mercyless heat of the desert.

"Didn't you receive a copy from our linguists?", Princess Celestia asked her student,"They told me that they managed to translate these signs."

"Yes, I got it, but most of these textes don't make any sense to me." Twilight randomly levitated books and scrolls carefully out of the old shelves and opened them, greeted with dust. Coughing she said:" And to be honest, I couldn't spent enough time to get along with it yet."

She received her version of "langua equi dictio" while they traveled to the ruins. She tried to focus on reading it, but the new enviroment made it hard for her to concentrate. The heat, the dry air and the whirling sand getting in her eyes.

"This is a great chance for us to accumulate new knowledge for our library at Canterlot, Twilight," the princess said calmly,"that's why asked you, my most precious student, to join me into the researches. I'm sure we'll find something interesting here."

"Yes. I guess you're right," Twilight answered humbly. When the princess send a letter to Twilight Sparkle to join her on an archoligical trip, the lavender colored pony was excited. She wondered how it would feel like searching for knowledge and treasures in old ruins like in her books of "The Adventures of Daring Do". She expected traps, other archologists trying to steal the treasures before her and cultist guarding the temples. But the only thing between her and the treasures were the heat and some sand and dust in her eyes. Horrible conditions for a student, who spents all of her time in well organized librarys.

They spend half of the day in the entrance hall of the old library. They didn't find much. They barely managed to translate a few books and scrolls with historical documentations. But most of the scrolls and books were too damaged to reveal anything.

"Twilight," princess Celestia called after many hours of researching,"it's time for me to settle the sun. I think we should continue tomorrow."

"With pleasure!", Twilight answered. Her fur was covered in grey dust and sand. She shoke herself to get rid of it until a lavender colored pony was revealed. By doing this she accidently touched a nearby shelve. It was only a slight touch but it was enough to make it crumble. Twilight barely managed to jump aside to not get hit by any wood.

"Twilight!", the princess yelled,"be careful! Everything here is about 3000 years old."

"I...I'm sorry," Twilight resonded."I didn't mean to..." Twilight looked at Celestias surprised face."What's wrong?"

When Celestia didn't answer Twilight turned around. A unusal sight came into her view. Behind the crumbled shelve a new room was revealed. It was filled with different colored lights. Huge pillars were holding the ceiling, lots of podests and even more bookshelves with intact books in it filled the room. But the most impressive things were a single platform in the middle of the room sourrounded by huge stone sculptures and engravings in this hall.

"Amazing", Twilight whispered in astonishment.

Twilight and the princess went into the new room. It was nearly as big as the entrance hall of Canterlot.

"How is that possible, that this big room was hidden for so long?" Twilight asked herself.

"It seems like this room didn't want to be found", the princess answered."I can feel a lot of magical power in this room."

"Look over there." Twilight pointed at the middle of the room.

On a small, strange formed platform was a podest with an old book on it. They went past the strange black, curved and pointy pillars around it and stood in front of the podest. In front of them they could clearly see two sculpures and a engraving filling the wall in front of them.

The first statue was that of a pegasus wielding a spear. With opened wings it looked like it was about to plunge into battle.

The second statue was different. It showed a creature standing on two legs and holding a spear in its two long arms. Its spear reached far out and touched the tip of the other statues spear.
The engravement looked like a map of the sky, but with many planets on it. Small lines of stars seem to connect each of the planets.

"What is this place?", Twilight asked. She looked at the old book in front of her. It had no title but strange symbols like letters from an foreign language. She opened it carefully. Both her and Celestia studied it. They looked at each other in surprise.

"This book is written in our language," the princess pondered,"fascinating."

"Look at this". Twilight pointed at the introduction of the first side.

"Be aware, dear reader," Twilight read out loud,"be warned about the knowledge you are about to discover. Within this book you will find the power of how to explore more than just this world. Open this book and the universe opens for those who want to make new experience. But as vast as the universe is, as vast are the dangers that might await you in it."

Twilight flipped the first side. The following pages contained maps of star constellations and magic spells.

"This truly is a treasure," Princess Celestia whispered,"if this book really offers us to explore the universe, then this might be the biggest treasure of all ponykind."

"But how is it possible?" Twilight asked her tutor,"Can you really travel to other worlds with this spells?"

The princess shoke her head."I don't know, but we should take this book with us to Canterlot right away." She carefully levitated the book with her unicorn horn and they both left the great hall; not without glancing back once again. They would return someday, but this book was more important right now.

The following weeks at Canterlot castle princess Celestia was busy preparing for the spells required by the old book. If it wasn't in use it was in a safe hidden place deep in the catacombs of Canterlot and only the princess knew where it was.

She soon asked Princess Luna to join into the preperations. The spells would need much more power then a single being could possess. They spent most of the time in the observatory, monitoring the stars and comparing them with the guidelines of the book and going through every single spell.

Twilight insisted on joining them in their preparations, but princess Celestia refused, because it was to dangerous in her opinion. So Twilight spent most of her time with her precious friends and told them about their findings and all the possibilities the book offered to them.

After three weeks their fantasy was maybe about to come true. Twilight got a message from Canterlot that the preperations were completed. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would soon start their first trip into far depts of the universe.

Twilight and her friends went to Centalot to watch the magical ceremony. All ponys from Centalot were invited to participate in this very important moment.

Standing in the middle of the entrance hall of Centalot castle Princess Celestia and Princess Luna greeted the arriving ponys and soon started the ritual. Floating the book in front of them they read out old words from the book while fokusing their alicorn powers.

After a short while arcs of lightning appeared on the floor in front of the two pincesses forming a ball of whilring energy.

„This, my fellow ponys,“Princess Celestia shouted,“is a portal. A portal that will lead me and my sister to a new world. We will soon come back and tell you all about we've discovered.“

„The portal is unstable so we have to hurry,“princess Luna added,“it will close behind us, but don't worry. We will open it again for our return.“

The princesses glanced at each other and nodded, then they went into the portal. Shortly after that the portal flickered and vanished. No sign was left that anything supernatural happened there.

This has been 2 weeks.

Though the princesses told all not to worry, everypony doubted that everything went as planned. The habitants of Centalot got nervours about the absents of their royal leaders.

Twilight spent most of the time reading the old book and tried to comprehend what the spells and maps are exactly about. After two weeks passed she eventually felt she had to do something.

She asked her friends to come to Canterlot again and take a look at her, while she performed the magical ritual. As she was about to begin, something strange happened though.

Without even starting the ritual, a portal opened in Canterlot hall. The six pony friends watched the portal in amazement, when suddenly 2 figures stepped through it; namely Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

Luna was carrying her older sister on her back. Celestia gave no sign of live.

„Princess!“ Twilight shouted and trotted up to them.“Oh my gosh. What happened?“

Twilight and her friends carefully took the unconciousness Princess and brought her to her private chambers.

„We...were attacked,“Princess Luna panted while she followed them,“we landed in the middle of a great war...in a strange world. It was … terrifying.“

They reached the private chambers and placed princess Celestia on her bed. Some doctors already started to take care of the sleeping princess.

„We had to gather new energy before we could open the gate again,“Princess Luna continued,“ but it was almost impossible during that war. After two weeks my sister decided it was time to try. We returned but it cost all of her power.“ She glared at the floor.“If I just were stronger, she would be fine now.“

„Don't blame yourself, princess,“Twilight conforted her,“It's not your fault. We should be glad you made it back in one piece.“

„The doctress said, that she'll be fine soon,“ Applejack added,“no need to worry. I bet she'll be up very soon again and tell us more.“

„I hope so,“Princess Luna said,“I really hope so.“

Chapter 2 - A serious arrival

Chapter 2 – A serious arrival

It happened three days later.

When princess Celestia opened her eyes again, she was greeted by her sister Luna, Twilight and her 5 friends. She was still very weak, she barely managed to whisper some words into her sisters ear before falling asleep again. Concerned Luna led Twilight and her friends out of the room to let her older sister rest.

„Twilight Sparkle,“Luna said in a grim voice,“we have to take preperations at once.“

„What...what for?“ Twilight asked in confusion.

„We have to send message to all parts of equestria immediatly,“ Luna answered.“ She turned around and gazed at the six ponys.“Equestria will be attacked soon.“

Twilight and her friends stayed at Canterlot and took preperations. It has been two days since the messages were send of, but there still was no reply.

In the meantime Luna and Twilight went through the spells and maps of the old book.

„So you used the last two weeks to learn from this book?“Luna asked in amazement.

„Yes indeed,“ Twilight responded,“but to be honest I'm not sure if I can use any of these spells. They are indeed powerful.“

„Better then nothing,“ Luna said,“it may become handy.“

Twilight wanted to answer, when suddenly the door of the library burst opened and Rainbow Dashed flew in.

„Princess, Twilight,“she panted,“some messengers just arrived! They don't look very good!“

They didn't hesitate any second and ran through the castle. When they reached the entrance hall they already saw them; royal pegasi in red armor. Twilight shook her head.

„What's this?,“ she wondered,“ I thought our messangers wore golden armor?“

„They still do,“ Luna gasped,“ they are injured.“

Then Twilight saw it. The three messangers left strains of blood on the floor. One of them even seemed to have lost on of his wings, only a piece of liveless meat hanging on its shoulder, bones showing.

Twilight had to turn her head to supress the urge to vomit. She has never seen something this brutal before. She could hardly imagine what pain those pegasi have to endure right now.

„Messengers!“ Luna called,“What's your status?“

Two of the messengers turned around for her. The third dropped to the ground, bleeding from his head.

„We need doctors here at once!“, Luna cried,“Doctors! It's an emergency!“

They immediatly arrived and took the unconciousness pegasus for medical care. Some doctors took care of the other two pegasi while they reported to Luna. She then turned to Twilight.

„As I feared. It already started.“ She bowed her head.“We are doomed and it's mine and Celestias fault.“

„What do you mean?“ Twilight asked.

„I'll explain later.“ Luna answered.“Gather your friends. We'll meet in celestia's chambers. She must know about this at once.“

„We digged our own grave,“ Celestia said in low voice,“we unburied old knowledge and used it just to lead a monster to our world.“

The princess recovered quickly in the last two days. She still had to rest in bed but she got better with each day.

„I think it is time we show what exactly happened on our trip, Celestia,“ Luna proposed.“ Shall I?“

„Of course,“ Celestia answered,“you may.“

„Please close your eyes“ Luna adressed Twilight and her friends.“I'll show you about the war we encountered and the war we are in now.“

They closed their eyes. After a short moment they saw pictures. Pictures from places they've never seen before and people and creatures they couldn't even imagine. There were different pictures but they all had one thing in common. Destruction, death and violence. Everything was on fire. Strange creatures roaming the landscape, shooting or slaughtering other creatures which ran around in panic. Explosions destroyed big buildings, undead creatures ripped helpless beings apart, scattering their guts on the ground, big creatures crushing buildings and people underfood, leaving nothing but rocks and smashed meat. It was like hell was on the loose.

Then the pictures changed a bit. The buildings looked familar to Twilight and her friends and there were ponys, but the rest remained the same. The helpless ponys were slaughtered until they didn't resemble anything that had ever lived. Then the pictures stopped.

Twilight quickly grabbed a nearby flower pot and puked. The others were pale and shooked, glaring into the air.

„Manehatten and Alicornia have already been destroyed,“ Luna said in low voice,“They came like from nowhere.“

„We think that our magical trip tracked them to us,“ Celestia continued,“ I don't know why they want to destroy us but I can sense something magical. Something big and strong but I cannot determine where it comes from.“

Twilight recovered a bit.“What can we do to stop...these things?“

Celestia and Luna just looked down.

„It is hopeless then?“ Twilight continued.

„We have no idea,“ Luna answered,“We have never seen something like that before. While we were away we fought of some creatures and even managed to kill them, but it was hard and there are so many of them.“ Luna looked at Twilight with a grim look.“Even if we could gather all magical power in equestria, we wouldn't stand a chance.“

Twilight shoke her head.“No...this can't be. I can't believe it is suppose to end all.“

Fluttershy squeeked a little.“Is there no one who can help us?“

„I say we still fight,“Rainbow Dash exclaimed,“They shall try to get me down, but I won't give up so easily.“

„Ya're taking the words out of my mouth, Rainbow Dash,“Applejack added,“We'll fight like a wolf in a corner. Biting all in reach before going down.“

„I think we should try to gather as many people as possible,“ Twilight said,“and see if we can at least protect Canterlot. We could use a forcefield like when the changelings attacked us. Maybe this will help.“

„I fear that our magical power will be no match against their forces, Twilight“, Celestia exclaimed.“They also possess very strong magical powers. It will be just a matter of time before they break our defences.“

Twilight looked down and wandered around, pondering. There was something in the back of her mind but she couldn't remember.

„Oh my. I have to return to ponyville at once and get my sister sweetie bell,“ Rarity suddenly shouted.“ We should all return to ponyville and warn and bring them here in safety.“

„Ya're right,“ Applejack added.“ All we can do now is saving the ones most important to us.“

Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack ran off at once. The others looked after them.

Twilight was still thinking, when Rainbow Dash interupted her.“Twilight. I'll give a warning to cloudsdale. Shall I give Spike a warning from you on my way there?“

„That would be nice,“ Twilight answered,“thank you so much.“

Rainbow saluted and flew off in an instant.

„I think I should go to the Cake family and warn them as well,“Pinkie said,“too bad I can't teleport there like you can do, Twilight.“

„My teleportation spell is limited to me or others in close range,“Twilight answered,“I could never...“ Twilight suddenly stopped and glared at Pinkie with empty eyes.

Pinkie Pie tilted her head.“Twilight. Are you alright?“

Twilight suddenly grinned.“Pinkie Pie, you are a genie!“

„No, I'm an earth pony,“ Pinkie Pie answered.

Twilight didn't react to her answer and turned for the two princesses. She summoned the old book that lay on a table near the bed and opened it. Pinkie Pie just shrugged her shoulders and left the room.

„I knew there was something,“ Twilight said to herself loudly,“I had something in mind and Pinkie just remembered me what it was.“ She flipped the sites of the book until she found something.“Here“. She turned the book to the two princesses.“This might be our last chance.“

The princesses stared at the pages. At first they were surprised but then they nodded.

„You always remember me, why I chose you as my most faithful student,“ Celestia smiled at Twilight.

When Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie Pie arrived in Ponysville via Pony Express, they we're already greeted by their family members, packed with their personal belongings. The whole trainstation was filled with ponys.

„Sweetie Bell,“Rarity wondered and trotted upt to her little sister,“what are you doing here?“

„Rainbow Dash came by about 2 hours ago and warned us all,“ Sweetie bell said,“Almost everyone from ponyville gathered their stuff and wants to go to Canterlot.“

„Thanks goodness ya'll all save,“ Applejack exclaimed, hugging her little sister Applebloom, her brother Big Macintosh and her grandmother Granny Smith.“ All ready to leave?“

„I still have to go home,“ Fluttershy said in panic,“I need to take care of my animals and Angel.“

„Ah about that,“ Applebloom exclaimed. She reached for a bag behind her and handed it to Fluttershy.“Rainbow Dash realeased your pets and brought Angel with her. Here.“

She opened the bag and a small rabbit jumped out directly into Fluttershys arms.

„Oh Angel,“ Fluttershy cried,“I'm so glad you are fine.“

„I think we should return to Canterlot at once,“ Rarity said.“ And let's pray we'll be safe there.“

When the train arrived in Canterlot it was evening. The ponys got out of the train and we're greeted by some maidens from Canterlot castle who seperated the arrivals in groups and led them to different shelters to find enough space for everypony.

When everyone was at a safe place Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie Pie went to Canterlot castle. Rainbow Dash just passed by, stopped and joined them.

„Hi Rainbow Dash and thank you so much for warning all,“ Rarity greeted her.

„Ha. No problem“, Rainbow Dash answered.“I'm much faster then Pony Express anyway and I wanted to warn Spike anyway.“

„Now that you mention it,“Fluttershy said,“Twilight didn't come to Ponyville.

„Nope.“ Pinkie Pie exclaimed.“As far as I remember she had an idea about teleporting and stayed by the princesses.“

The other ponys glared at her.“What?!“

„Yeah it's strange. She really knows alot about ZOOM and being somewhere else suddenly and stuff but she called me a genie remembering her about it.“ She giggled.“Silliy Twilight. She know's I'm an earth pony.“

The others looked at each other and then ran off to the entrance hall.

„Hey wait for me!“ Pinkie Pie called, jumping after them.

When they opened the castle gates they saw Twilight and Luna standing in the middle of the entrance hall. Celestia sat on some cushions nearby. The old book was floating next to Luna und Twilight.

„Ah. Perfect timing,“ Twilight called.“We think there is a possibility that might save us from this upcoming evil!“

„Really?!“ the others said simultanous.

„Yes. Pinkie Pie remember me about a description I read in the book as well as something I saw at the old ruins in the desert Equerian Makan,“ Twilight explained.“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna used the spellbook to travel to other worlds. This spell here is able to teleport someone to us. This might be our chance.“

„But...“ Applejack wondered,“who do ya want to call?“

„I'm...not sure,“ Twilight answered.“There something written about 'the one (also mentioned in holy manual(revision 2)' but I've no idea what this means. But it's our only hope!“

„You have my full trust, Twilight Sparkle,“ Celestia said,“and I'm sure all others here agree with me. We have to risk it.“

„YOUR HIGHNESS!“

A royal guard galloped into the entrance hall. Everypony stared at him with big eyes.

„Your Highness. Ponyville is under attack!“

„Oh my god,“Applejack said,“thanks goodness the town as been evacuated already.“

„That's not all“, the royal guard continued.“Our scouts mentioned that troops of strange creatures are on their way to Canterlot castle. They soon reach us!“

Celestia carefully stood up.“Did Shining armor raise the magical shield already?“

„Yes, your Highness“, the guard answered.“All troops are getting in position preparing for the attack.“

„Good.“ Celestia said.“Return to your commander. And make sure no pony enters this hall. We need to make preperations.“

„Affirmative“. The guard saluted and left the hall closing it behind him.

„Time is precious“, Celestia said to the other.“The have to begin right now. Are you ready?“

Luna and Twilight nodded.

Floating the book in front of them Celestia, Luna and Twilight began channeling their unicorn powers. While Luna still seemed fine, it was hard for the weakened Celestia and the unexperienced Twilight. The other ponys stood closeby and prayed for good luck.

After three neverending minutes of concentration a blue sparkle appeared in the middle of the room. Lightning brightened up the hall until a small portal appeared. Then they waited.

„Did it work?“ Twilight asked anxiously.

„I think we did everything as explained in the book“, Luna answered.

Celestia sat down on the pillows again, panting.“Now all we can do is hope.“

They waited for several minutes. The portal was spending a constant bright light in the entrance hall, but no one came through it. After a short while it fizzled and vanished.

„So there goes our last hope.“ Twilight said with lowered head.

It became quite in the entrance hall. No one dared to break the silence. Their last chance to save the world was gone.

Twilight then went to the entrance.“Well...all we can do now is showing those monsters what we are made of.“ She turned around.“Who follows me?“

Her friends ran up to her at once.“We will.“

„We'll join later,“Luna said,“I'll take care of my sister first.“

Twilight glanced at the princesses, then nodded to her friends.“Okay. Lets go!“

She opened the door, and was greeted with a bright light in front of them. They all had to close their eyes but still got blinded. It took a moment before their eyes adjusted ... and gasped at what was in front of them.

„So Nettie. Where is the Sirian Council? Can they help me find Mental again? I hope they can after the shit they did last time.

In front of them stood a strange creature. Twilight knew she had something like that before. The statue in the temple ruins looked exactly like it. It had two long legs, two long arms and looked very muscular. Except for that it wore blue pants, fixed with a silver belt buckle showing the same strange symbol like on the white T-Shirt he wore. His red shoes were knotted with white bands. His hands were protected by dark brown leather gloves. He had short black hair standing up wildly and his face showed a five o'clock shadow beard. But what troubled Twilight most was the size of it's eyes under it's one-line eyebrowns. Compared to all beings she knew they were fairly small and showed no color but white and black. He turned around with a grim look when the ponys opened the hall and was talking to someone.

„Wait a minute,“ the creature said,“this isn't the Sirian Council isn't it? Nettie? What's going on?“

„Who...who are you?“, Twilight asked carefully.

The creaturen before them became silent, then burst into laughter:„HaHa. You nearly got me with that, Nettie,“ the creature answered, ignoring Twilight,“you know exactly who I'm. Now come on. Where is the council?“

Twilight looked at her friends in confusion.

„What do you mean it wasn't you, Nettie?“, the creature continued talking to itself.“There aren't any people around to talk to.“

„I think he is crazy or something, talking to himself“, Rainbow Dash said,“So ...is his name Nettie or what?“

The creature stared at Rainbow Dash, then at the other ponys in front of him. He grabbed some metallic item from his belt, pointed it at the ponys and it made some clicking noises. They just stared back in surprise.

„My name is Sam Stone.“, the creature said with a deep voice.“Or just call me Serious Sam. And you have exactly five seconds to explain me what I'm doing here...and two already have passed.“

Chapter 3 - A serious arsenal

Chapter 3 – A serious arsenal

„You better explain fast. I feel trigger-happy today“.

Sam was pissed of. It has been a week since he managed to invade planet Sirius, the homeplanet of Mental, his great archnemesis. After fighting almost half of the planet he finally managed to reach his base; just to find out he escaped.

Taking one of Mentals Ships, Sam tried to catch up with him, but he soon lost track.

Returning to the sirian council he brought back the medailon of power, the only thing that was able to make Mental vulnerable...or at least that's what the council told him before, sending him into a conquest for searching all parts of the medailon. Handing the medailon over the three small sirians seemed to be quite annoyed and took the medailon, accidently showing that they had dozens of them. He punished them (kicking their butts a few times) and went on his search for Mental.

His only chance was to rely on his computer assistant Netricsa, a nano computer in Sam's head which served as a analyser, mapper, guide and friend, even developing it's own personality, and the new spaceship.

Or that the sirians came up with a new idea, he thought, feeling magical powers drawing him once again.

He was prepared for a new plan to chase and defeat mental (or kicking the sirians around again) but instead of meeting his well known allies, he found himself pulled away from his spaceship to meet...

„Ponys!“ Sam exclaimed,“talking ponys! Another thing on my list of 'things I thought they didn't existed but do'. To bad I forgot my eraser at home.“

Twilight Sparkle hesitated before asking:“Are you...the one?“

Sam fixed his eye's on the lavender colored unicorn in front of him:“Just call me Sam. And I'm still waiting for an answer.“ He moved his pistol closer to her face.

Instead of backing away, Twilight got a bit curious and examined the strange object in front of her.“What is this thing? Is it some kind of flashlight?“

Sam nodded:“Kinda.“ He pointed at a rock on the ground nearby.“See this rock?“

„Yeah?“

Sam's finger moved like usual. A loud bang filled the air, and the rock scattered to small pieces.

„Quite enlightening,“ Sam said with an ironical smile,“maybe you are more talkative then this rock and start explaining.“ He pointed the gun at Twilight again, who obviously became more nervous.

„We...we...need help,“ Twilight stummered.

Sam looked at her closely.“Is that all?“

Intimitated by the gun in front of her, Twilight couldn't bring out any words.

„Please Mr. Stone, calm down,“ a voice called.

Sam looked into the entrance hall and saw two more ponys...no...horses. A white one and a black one, both winged and equipped with a shining mane and a crown. They also had horns on their heads.

„There must be a hive around here,“ Sam said loudly,“more and more horses and ponys in all colors. Or is this the fantasy section of Disney land?“

Celestia raised herself from the cushions she laid on, but she was still too weak to stand and dropped again.“Please Mr. Stone. Come closer. We will explain. And don't fear...we mean no harm.“

Sam stared at the white alicorn, then put his pistol back to his belt.“Fine. Let's talk“.

„That's just too familar to me,“ Sam said after the alicorns explained everything that happened.“That's definetly Mental's hordes you encountered.“

„Who is this Mental?, Luna asked suspciciously.

Sam scratched his chin.“Hard to explain. I actually never met him before, just his troops. Let's say he is some maniac who wants to rule the universe. He has an endless army of different monsters and species serving as his weapons. He also possesses great magical power and controls the highest known technology in the universe.“

„But what does he want from us?“ Twilight asked. She became more confidant since Sam put the weapon back to his belt.

„He just wants to destroy your world,“ Sam said, shrugging his shoulders,“nothing personal. That's just his style.“

„But why now?“ Celestia wondered,“was it because of our travel to the new world?“

„You can bet on it.“ Sam barled his teeth.“You used some powerful and old magic and I bet Mental and his hordes felt that. He kills all beings that might become a threat for him in the future.“

Celestia looked on the floor.“So it was our fault.“

Sam felt sympathy for the alicorn princess.“It's not your fault to make use of old knowledge. Sooner or later he would have attacked anyway.“

„Maybe“ Celestia said, tears in her eyes,“but there is nothing we can do to stop those who are endangering our very lives now.“

„Hey hey,“ Sam conforted her,“calm down there. You still got me, hum?“

„But how do ya want to defeat those monsta's out there?“, Applejack asked doubting.

A big smile crossed Sam's face.“Just like I always do“. His hand made a fist.“I'll be serious!“

Sam's hand snapped back just in time to grab Rainbow Dash's hoof which reached for one of his two pistols in his belt after sneaking on him like a cat.“Are yo tired of living?“

Rainbow Dash tried to free herself from Sam's grip, but was too weak against him:“Don't talk so big about being serious and stuff. We want to fight too. If we had weapons like these we could fight back.“

„You couldn't even use weapons like these with your hooves,“ Sam shouted at her, waving around with Rainbow Dash's hoof,“you couldn't even fire them.“

Rainbow Dash didn't answer. Sam let go of her hoof and turned for Celestia again.“So...where are they?“

She just wanted to answer, when the earth started shaking from explosions. Sam heard the familar sounds from far away.

„Okay...before I take care of them there are some rules.“ Sam folded his arms in front of Celestia.

Sam looked at Twilight's friends. „First. Never get in front of my guns. You'll end up like mr. rock outside.“ They nodded.

Then he looked at Rainbow Dash.„Second. Never touch my weapons. You'll end up like mr. rock outside.“ She just snorted angrily and looked away.

Then Sam faced the two royal princesses.„Third. I help you, and you'll help me get back where I came from. Or we will all end up like mr. rock outside. Deal?

„Deal“, the royal sisters said simultanious.

„Okay then. Rule number four.“ Sam turned for the entrance.“Everyone pointing a weapon on me is automaticly declared as mr. Rock.“ Sam drew his two pistols.“Let's rock!“

He ran outside and headed down the street in front of him followed by Twilight and her friends.

„Wait Sam!“, Twilight shouted.

„I can't wait to give those alien motherfuckers a welcome party“ Sam answered.

„Yeah. I love partys“, Pinkie shouted.“Too bad we are heading the wrong way to meet them.“

Sam stopped abdruptly and turned around.“Why didn't you tell me sooner?“

„I just wanted to,“ Twilight answered,“but you are too fast. We need to take this way. Follow us.“

Sam followed the six ponys through several streets and passing several buildings. While running he looked up and saw a purple forcefield.

„So this is the forcefield that protects the city?“ he asked Twilight.

„Yes. My brother Shining armor built it up.“

„Hm...neat“, Sam said as he saw several rockets hitting the forcefield with no effect.

They soon reached the front gate. As they came closer to the edge of the forcefield, Sam could already see the masses in front of him. He saw hundreds of beheaded soldiers and orcs in powerarmors forming lines near the bridges leading to Canterlot. On the plains stood several blue mechanoids shooting blue lasers at the forcefield, flanking two red mechanoids firing missiles. Several kleers and some sirian werebulls roamed the plains in search for enemy beings to tear up.

Sam and the ponys stopped.

„Okay. Here is the plan,“ Sam said, looking at the six ponys.“I go out, while you prepare a victory party for me. I kill them all and return and have a nice meal. Any questions?“

They all raised their hooves.

„We want to deal with those ruffians as well“, Rarity said.“We cannot let them have their way.“

„And how you wanna do this,“ Sam snapped,“cudle them? Wink with your big eyes until the fall asleep?“

Before anyone could answer Sam heard another familar sound nearby. The ponys gasped. Sam smiled.“Looks like the sirians made it just in time.

In front of them suddenly layed several weapons on the floor. All to familar to Sam the ponys took a close look at those strange instruments.

Sam picked up a few weapons investigating them. Something was different about his weapons.

„What the hell?“ he exclaimed.

„Is something wrong?“ Twilight asked.

„They must be kidding“. Pointing at some of the weapons he said:“ These weapons are modified. The triggers are bigger then usual.“ He looked grimly at the ponys.

„Wait a second,“ Rainbow Dash said,“Does this mean...?“

„Yes, it does.“ Sam said and tossed the weapon he hold to Rainbow Dash. She catched it up without problems.

„There are several weapons here which should be fireable with hooves,“ Sam said annoyed.“Seems like you'll get your fight. Let me show you how to handle them.“

It didn't take long to explain and soon everypony was equipped with a weapon that fit them best. Except Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle.

„I can't hurt them, mr. Stone,“ Fluttershy said shily.

„So you want them to destroy your world?“, Sam said angrily.

„Of c...of course not,“ Fluttershy whispered,“but...“ Something catched her eye.“Oh...what is this?“

Sam turned around.“Ah this“. Sam reached for a green parrot, wearing a small serious bomb around its neck.“ That's one of my friends. He is friendly but can become quite explosive. His name is clawdovic.“

„Oh poor boy“, Fluttershy said while taking the parrot on her shoulder.“ Let me take care of you.“

Sam sighted.“And you Twilight?“

„I really am not into those weapons“, she said eyeing the weapons her friends are carrying.“I prefer using my magic.“

„Well it's up to you“. Sam shrugged his shoulders then turned for the other ponys. Rainbow Dash was equipped with a laser rifle, a fast shooting weapon firing green lasers from its four barrels. Applejack was carrying a grenade launcher and a single barrel shotgun in her holster. Pinkie Pie was equipped with a big black cannon. Looking like from old pirate movies this weapon was one of the strongest weapons in Sam's arsenal. The cannonballs could easily destroy whole lines of enemys and devestate even the biggest monsters. Rarity was carrying a sniper rifle. The green parrot clawdovic sat on Fluttershy's back. Some weapons were still lying near the gate, which haven't been picked up yet.

„Okay,“ Sam said,“time for tactics. I see no flying opponents at the moment but in case they show up, I leave it to you Rainbow. You Applejack take out smaller groups of enemys and medium sized targets. In case they come too close to you you can use your shotgut. Never use explosives in melee. Pinkie, stay here on the bridge and play bowling with every masses or big ones that try to reach the gates. Be careful with the cannon. Since Rarity doesn't want get messy you use your sniper rifle on medium sized targets and flying units from the distance. Fluttershy will stay close to you in case enemys show up here. And Twilight...“Sam looked at her, scratching his chin,“just do what you want, but be careful. Any questions?“

No one said a word.

“Okay then,“ Sam continued, turning for the battlefield in front of them,“lets kick some ass!“

Added some drawing. Chapter 4 is still in progress, but will be finished this weekend. I'll also add a picture with each chapter (not very good drawing but only training can bring improvement :) )

Chapter 4 - A serious welcome party

Chapter 4 – A serious welcome party

„We have to get a medic at once!“

Sam carried Fluttershy on his arms. She was all red from blood of her enemys and herself. Her shoulder was hit by a kleer skeleton's claw and showed an ugly wound. The meat fiercly cut, parts of her bones clearly visible.

„I hate when this happens,“Sam exclaimed,“luckily I fight alone most of the time.“

„If it weren't for us you would have been seriously injured in that fight“, Rainbow Dash called next to him while eyeing Fluttershy. The other friends were next to her and Sam.

They hastened around a corner of the underground tunnels of Centalot, trying to catch on with the other ponys running in front of them.

„If it weren't for you all, I would still be sitting in my space ship and watch another episode of family guy,“ Sam snapped back.“Oh well...on second thought better not...“

„Stop with that fuss raight now,“ Applejack scolded.“It's not the time to argue. We need to get out of here at once.“

„Applejack is right,“ Twilight panted.“We need to resue Fluttershy and find the princesses.“

Sam knew she was right. And damn he hates when he needs to escape. It worked all pretty well before...

„Yeeeeeeehaaaaa!“

Sam called out his most beloved cowboy cry, charging at his first group of enemys on Canterlot bridge while drawing his rocket launcher. The first missile hit the orcish captain in the back while ordering his troops. His last order was an fountain of blood splashing all over his troops as the rocket teared his body apart, his guts raining down on the soldiers. Only his feet were left, standing in front of his troop.

They looked in confusion at what happened with their captain as a nearby whoosh catched their attention. Too late. The rockets exploded in the middle of the squad, ripping most soldiers appart and trowing them against the mountains and off the bridge down to the plains. Ignoring the splatters of fresh meat around him, Sam dashed forward and jumped on a dead body. The wet floor and the mutilated body made it a perfect slide for Sam, downward the next troops.

„I'm riding the tide!“ Sam called at the enemys in front of him.“Too bad we are not on the same wavelenght!“

While sliding toward the next troop (and leaving a trail of blood and meat of the dead body under his feet) Sam switched to the chainsaw. Before they could react, Sam already passed them, swinging 2 meters of rotating blades through the hordes. Sliced in half the troops also fell quite fast.

In the meantime Applejack went for the cliffs leading up to the gates, next to the bridge. She saw some creatures climbing up. They looked like a wild and deformed kind of Sam, with two long arms and two long egs. But they didn't seem to have a real head. Only a face with one big eye in the middle of their chests. As the Gnaars climbed up the cliffs, Applejack stood directly over them. It was easy play with her grenade launcher.

The first grenade took three Gnaars, raining down the rocks and splattering on the ground.

„How ya like that, ya Applefaces?“, Applejack taunted at them.

But there were hundreds of them climbing up, determined to charge the gates. Applejack unleashed several more grenades, each time taking many foes at once, but they still got higher. When the first gnaar reached the top, Applejack simply kicked him in the face, sending him back to the abyss.

Rainbow Dash was busy with the first air enemys that appeared at the battlefield. The harpyies were neither strong nor fast, but they came in big numbers and possessed magical attacks. No problem for Rainbow Dash. With her speed and agility she easily avoided the harpyies attacks and paid back with her hooves or the laser rifle. Most times it hit a wing, breaking it apart and making the Harpyies sail downwards in awkwards circles before their skeletons crushed on the ground.

„Now you're flat, hun?“ she laughed at the remains under her.

Suddenly a loud flapping was heard as a squadron of helicopters arrived at the battlefield. They opened fire with their miniguns at Rainbow Dash. Avoiding the slow magic of harpyies is one thing, but gunfire is different. Rainbow Dash took all of her speed and agility to avoid being hit.

Pinkie Pie was in her element. She always had fun handling her own party cannon, but it was a joke compared to what Sam's cannon had to offer.

As Sam proceded down the bridge a new troop of headless gunners spawned behind him. They immediately charged after him.

„Hey guys,“ Pinkie Pie called.“Party time!“

She fired the cannon. Without charging it up first the big cannonball (which became much bigger then the cannon itself) dropped out the cannon with slow speed. But the ground was steep and the cannonball gained more speed very fast. It didn't take long until it reached the troops running after Sam.

But instead of exploding the cannonball just rolled over troops, painting red lines on the pathway and coloring the cannonball red. The troops didn't see it coming and were all crushed in a second. Still gaining speed the cannonball dropped down the bridge and rolled with high speed at one of the two red biomechs. Colliding with a big target, the cannonball exploded, sending a shiver through all enemys on the plains. The red biomech was badly damaged.

That was when Rarity gave it the rest with an aimed shot to the eyes. The upper part of the biomech exploded in a fountain of blood, tons of blood washing over the green fields.

„Now that was a noble shot“, Rarity exclaimed with a smile.“How you like that, you ruffians?“

Shooting from a save distance she easily took out several blue biomechs roaming the fields as well as several werebulls which headed for Sam down on the fields.

Twilight went to Applejack, helping her handle the Gnaars climbing up. Using her magic and Applejack using her shotgun they managed to push them back. Finally Twilight used her magic to make some rocks go loose, causing an avalanche, stopping the onslaught of the Gnaars.

„Magic prevails!“ Twilight shouted.“There is nothing that can beat brainpower.“

Fluttershy couldn't move. The scene before her was terrifying for her. She couldn't bear to see bloods and wounds, even taking care of small cuts on her small friends made her collapse sometimes.

And now the whole world before her seemed to turn red. She just closed her eyes and sat down near the gate, shaking in fear, putting her hooves over her ears to stop the awful cries of hatred and agony. Her parrot friends just sat nearby, watching the sourroundings calmly.

Switching to his favored weapon, the minigun, Sam arrived at the plains. Greeted by hordes of headless soldiers, kleer skeletons and charging headless kamikaze, Sam only smiled.

„Come on,“ he yelled,“I have enough lead for all of ya!“

He pushed the trigger. After a short moment of rotating, the minigun starting firing, releasing a storm of bullets impaling everything in his path. His enemys tried to get close to him or start firing, but most of them were perforated before they could make a threatening move. Each hit Sam's minigun landed was rewarded with a small cloud of blood gushing from the rotting bodys it hit, some even exploding due to the strong impact. Kleer skeletons fell at high rate, reduced to some bones and bonemeal.

Mental's soldiers were two things for sure: numerous and stupid. In case of the headless kamikaze a situation Sam could use for his favor.

Aiming at the senselessly screaming and charging kamikaze, Sam made the bombs they are holding on explode, causing several nearby kamikaze explode as well and taking with them all those who stood too close to them.

„They seriously lost their heads,“Sam laughed, watching the bloody spectacle in front of his gun.

Though Sam destroys many enemys, more and more seem to appear from nowhere and everywhere. It became harder for him to keep distance and his ammunition was reduced at high rate.

„Sam,“ Netricsa yelled in Sam's head,“they must have some kind of summoning device nearby. I've never seen so many spawns in such a short time. Even a fleet of Mental's ships could not support so many enemy spawns.“

Changing to his double barrel shotgun, Sam took out a few kleer skeletons to save some ammunition for his minigun.“So what?,“ he answered, mumbling to himself, while sidekicking a nearby headless soldier,“leaves us more enemys to kill.“

„At this rate your ammunition will run out before its over,“ Netricsa said insisting.“I scanned the sourroundings and noticed some strange magical sources nearby in the west, just behind a hill. Go check it out, soldier!“.

Sam took a moment to check his sourroundings. The ponys seemed to do a pretty good job. Rainbow Dash managed to take out some of the helicopters, Pinkie pie cleaned the bridge, while Applejack and Twilight took care of the cliffs. Rarity took care of all bigger beings that tried fire from distance. And Fluttershy...he could only see some yellow behind a stone near the gate and a clawdovic sitting on it, making parrot-like laughing sounds.

All save in the back. So let's head forward. Netricsa showed him the path.

„Yes Sir. Ehm...I mean...Ma'am,“ Sam corrected himself.

„Where is he going? Is he fleeing?“

Rainbow Dash managed to take out the last helicopters and joined Applejack and Twilight near the cliffs. No monsters were trying to climb up any longer and the number of enemys in front of them became lower very fast.

„I don't think so, Rainbow Dash“, Twilight said with a pondering expression.“It looks like he is heading for something.“

„Does he want all the fun for himself?“ Pinkie Pie exclaimed. She cleaned the bridge from all hordes and was partly covered in blood. An insane smile was on her face, creeping out the others.

„Well if ya ask me,“ Applejack said while firing a grenade down the plains, cracking the head of a blue biomech,“there are far betta things then fightin'“.

„Yes, definetly.“ Fluttershy came out of her hiding place, clawdovic sitting on her shoulder, groming his feathers.“Is it over?“

„I can still see troops near Sam,“ Rarity called from the wall, looking through her sniper gun.“There are some creatures near the hill he is heading to, but it's too far away to see clearly.“

„We should follow and help him,“ Twilight exclaimed,“he might need our help.“Whatever creatures may be waiting there.“

Sam already used up his rockets and hand grenades, using his shotgun, which was almost out of ammo as well. He has never been in a situation like this. Normally his ammunition would be enough to deal with all enemys, but something was different this time. He could barely fight back, always switching to his melee weapons and pistols to save ammunition.

„Netty, what's going on?,“ Sam snapped,“Where do those freaks all come from?“

„I can't say for sure,“ Netricsa answered,“but now that we are in the middle of the troops, it doesn't seem like the get ported. Something else is messing around here.“

Sam whirled his chainsaw from side to side, fending off dozens of kleers and gnaars. Some Sirian werebulls charged at him, but he merely managed to sidestep and slicing them up, but it became harder for Sam to defend himself.

„Head west, Sam,“Netricsa ordered,“I sense something over there. We are close.“

Sam nodded and fought his way over the hill in front of him, searching the strange source of power Netricsa felt. After a short while of fighting and climbing he reached the top and could see the plains in front of him.

„Oooookay?“, Sam wondered loudly.“Netty? Any data for me?“

Sam saw some beings in front of him far down on the other side of the hill standing in front of huge carts, filled with corpses and bones. They almost looked human from the distance. He has never seen something like that before.

„Scan complete,“ Netricsa said,“ Seems like Mental still got more surprises for us. All information are available now.“ A new entry was made in Netricsa's database.

Sam didn't waste a second. He interacted with Netricsa's database, reading all information about the new foes in front if them. It happened in a split second.

Name: Economic Necromancer (Eco Necro)
Size: 8 feet tall
Weight: 150 pounds
Worth: 9000 FC (Points)
Threat level: Medium
Species: Undead
Attacks: Magic bursts, reanimation

Description:
Under the training of Mordekai, the summoner, these specially chosen units learned the very basics of summoning magic, allowing them to call for smaller units to appear near to them. Their true power lies in necromancy though. They can easily reanimate fallen nearby allies and create new abominations out of the corpses of fallen enemys, when they channel enough energy and have enough material at hand.
Those undead units, formerly being greedy business men, are proud on their math skills and hold firmly on their old business clothes, and they only resurrect as long as it is profitable...which means they only reanimate 100% minus 30% commision minus 20% taxes* (they will resurrect 50% of fallen, friendly units...unless taxes or laws change)

*see § 3 Taxwares, §§4 Trading laws, §1242 business laws...

That's all Sam needed to know...and far more he wanted to know at all. That would explain why there were so many enemys. They just call them back. But one more thing startled Sam.

„How...how do you know all this stuff?“ he asked Netricsa doubtfully.

Chapter 5 - A serious summon

"Will she be okay?"

After running through several tunnels underneath of Canterlot, Sam and the pony girls managed to catch up with remaining ponies. The medical faculties were filled to the brim with wounded ponies. They could hear nearby ponies scream in agony, either because of a deep wound they suffered or a lost beloved.

A white colored earth pony with a heart as a cutie mark checked on Fluttershy's wounded shoulder."She will be fine. You are more lucky then most of our clients". She sighted deeply."Even during the changeling war we hardly had that many injuries to deal with, let alone any deaths. It's a nightmare".

Twilight and her friends took a moment to observe their surroundings. In the improvised infirmary all beds were occupied. The doctors and nurses trotted hastely from bed to bed, checking the vital functions of their patients. From Twilights point of view she could see that some of them have died just moments ago, lifeless eyes opened, head tilted to the side, strains of blood dripping from a critical wound on the ground. She had to turn away and looked at Fluttershy instead. She looked like she was sleeping, but with a painful look on her face.

"I hope you get better soon", she whispered into Fluttershy ear, then she turned for the nurse. „Please inform us as soon as she wakes up. We need her at Celestia's place as soon as possible." The nurse nodded and turned for her patient.

Meanwhile Sam sat on the stony ground, leaning against a wall. He could see the pony girls in the nearby infirmary, but in his mind he was somewhere else.

„Damn,“ he thought,“this is the first time I actually ran away from an enemy. What has gone wrong?“ He scratched his chin while pondering.

„We should go through the data again“, Netricsa exclaimed in Sam's head.“ There must be something we have missed.“

„Again?!,“ Sam said, this time loudly, frightening some nearby passing ponies.“You can't be serious! All this is just ridicilous! I should be sitting in the seat of my spaceship chasing Mental instead of the ground of an underground tunnel full of frightened ponies.“ Saying this he fixed his eyes on a small group of ponies, who watched him talking to himself. They quickly left with an shocked face.

„Right now we don't have many options,“ Netricsa conforted, „I'm pretty sure there is a way to get hold of this new problem. Sam. We need to go through it until we find a solution.“

„Humph...fine“ Sam grunted. He closed his eyes and watched how the inner side of his eyes changed from darkness to a series of pictures.

There he was. The lonely warrior, wielding his metallic weapon into the sky. „The One“ standing on a hill, facing his new enemies in front of him. His eyes burned with fire to this new threat. He lowered his weapon, aiming carefully.

With a loud voice he called: „My flaming fists of fury will destroy you fiend, ha!“ Mumbling to himself he added: „God..who writes this stuff?“

He noticed a movement in front of him. It didn't seem like the evil sorcerers tried to attack him. Instead one of them came closer with raised hands, making the remaining roaming troops collapse on the ground. Now it was only the sorcerers and Sam.

„We finally meet, Sam Stone,“ the arch-necromancer adressed him. He looked like the other „eco necros“ except he was a bit taller and seemed to wear some kind of crown on his head. It reminded Sam of a Lich King. Not that he ever met one. He just happened to stumbled upon the description in a book he once read (Yes. He actually did other things in his past except shooting and killing).

„Netty. Data,“ Sam demanded.

„Oh. How offensive,“ the arch mage said in a theatrically voice,“I was just about to introduce myself. I think I shall do so nevertheless.“ He carefully cleared is throat, though he got no throat at all. „My name is Khenubaal. I'm the prime general of these troops.“

„Name is Sam“, Sam responded. „Serious Sam. And I'll kick your ass.“

„Oh...that's unlikely“, Khenubaal whispered with a slight chuckle. „You see. As we are talking my colleagues concentrate on shielding me with an invisible forcefield. Your weapons are useless now.“

„Damn, he is right,“ Netricsa called in Sam's head. „This shield seems to be even stronger then the shield around Canterlot. Be careful!“

„Your little computer is right, Mr. Stone,“ Khenubaal exclaimed. „Neither you nor me can engage combat now. You should listen to your ...inner voice.“ He chuckled over his own joke.

„I do...I do“ Sam snapped angrily, „but give me just one reason why I should listen to you.“

„Well...it's pretty simple.“ Khenubaal began walking around Sam. „You see...my former generals tried to fight you with all they got...and lost.“ He waved with his hands into the distance. „You even managed to defeat the high Generals Ugh-Zan III and Ugh-Zan the IV. With such power on your side, what sense would it be to try to fight you like this? No. I think there is a way we can both profit from“. He stopped in front of Sam with a magical red glow in his empty eyeholes.

In the meantime the ponies moved over to where Sam was to help him. They were surprised, when the remaining enemies suddenly collapsed near to him on the ground.

„What the hay was that?“, Rainbow Dash called.

„Ah have no idea“, Applejack responded.

„Uh Uh. Maybe he used a secret weapon to put them all to sleep!“, Pinkie Pie yelled.

„Definetly not,“ Rainbow Dash exclaimed. „He didn't move a finger. It must have been something else.“

„So...uhm...did we win?“, Fluttershy asked in a low voice. „Is it finally over?“

They finally came in reach of the big hill Sam was standing on. Coming up they notice another figure in front of him. A figure, which send a chill through the ponies bodies. The aura of this „thing“was cold and made them stop in an instant.

„Wh...what in tar...tarnation is...this?“ asked Applejack, terribly shaking in fear.

„I...I fear it's...far from...being over“, Twilight Sparkle stummered.

Sam scratched his butt and was annoyed.

„You better hurry it up so we can get to the good part“, Sam said, tapping on his minigun.

„We will come to the 'good part' soon enough,“ Khenubaal exclaimed. „I bet your little friends over there can't wait for it to start.“ He chuckled pointing with a bonefinger to the group of ponies, who shoke in fear. Sam turned around.

„Hey,“ he called, „you better get out of here. Leave this to me.“

But instead of moving all they could do was ducking and looking to the ground, eyes closed. Sam turned to Khenubaal. „What are you doing? Stop it!“

„I will, but only if you listen to my words,“ Khenubaal said.

Sam looked angrily at Khenubaal. Right now he was protected by a forcefield and used some magic mumbo jumbo to scare the ponies, maybe even killing them. Out of options Sam lowered his weapon. „What the hell do you want to tell me so badly?“

If Khenubaal had a face with flesh, Sam was sure he would be grinning right now. „I want to make an offer to you.“

„What kind of offer?“, Sam snapped. „I can offer some asskicks, if you like.“

Khenubaal ignored his words and continued. „I offer peace.“

It took a moment before Sam comprehended what he just heard. „P...Peace?“, Sam stummered. „YOU?! Are you fucking kidding me?“

„I don't make jokes“, Khenuball snapped, „I laughed myself dead once and I don't plan to do so again.“ He chuckled at his words. „Get it? I'm already dead and I can't possibly...“

„For crying out loud, get back to business“, Sam interupted.

Khenubaal fixed his eyes on Sam's. „Fine. I don't need to tell you what will happen to your world in the future, don't I? I herewith offer you to prevent the destruction of your planet. Humanity will be saved from annilation.“ He reached with his skeleton hand towards Sam. „All you have to do is join us.“

„And become your tool to conquer the universe for mental?“, Sam said doubtfully.“I think you're having maggots in your rotten brain.“

Taken back, Khenubaal reached with a hand into the side of his skull. He pulled out a big, red maggot and ate it with loud crunches. „Damn little beasts. Thanks for the hint.“

„Yes. You will become mental's tool in some a way, but your quest on saving your world will finally be successful. And you will still get more fighting like you always do.“ He glanced at the ponies, which already recovered from Khenubaals fearsome aura. „I also guarantee you the safety of this world. Your new friends over there will be left in peace.“ He stepped closer to Sam. „You will become Mental's new prime general. You will lead our troops into the far etches of the universe. With our masters power and your skills combined, the universe will belong to us forever.“ He offered his bonehand to Sam. „So...what do you say?“

Sam was silent. He looked at the hand offered to him. Right now he could find exactly what he was fighting for so long, saving his planet from destruction. He could also save this new world. He glanced at the nearby ponies, who looked at him with a pleading and concerned look. After a minute of silence Sam turned for Khenubaal and extended his arm.

„There is one thing I want to say, before I tell you my decision“, Sam said in a calm voice.

Khenubaal's breath rattled through his empty rips. „What is it Mr. Stone?“

Sam's hand reached into his pockets. „I had a present prepared for Mental when we would finally meet. I think I should waste it.“

His hand grabbed the object in his pockets and he drew it out. It was a token that looked exactly like the logo on his T-Shirt: A black bomb on yellow background, with a serious look on its face, the fuse burning. It emitted a red glow.

Khenubaal needed a moment to identify the strange object before facing Sam again. „You fool...“

Sam gritted his teeth. „Time to get serious!“ He moved the token close to his chest causing it to vanish. Sam on the other hand suddenly seemed to be on fire, his skin burning like the surface of the sun. He pointed his Minigun at Khenubaal. „Let's see if your shield can handle 500 quad-damage loads of lead!“

Sam pushed the trigger and fired at the foe in front of him. The force of the „serious damage“ made his weapons 4 times stronger then usual. Taken by surprise Khenubaal moved away from Sam. The forcefield still covered him though.

„Sam,“ Netricsa exclaimed, „do you remember your fight against the Mage Kleerofski? Remember how you defeated him?“

Sam smiled in realization. „But of course!“

Khenubaal chuckled. „Mr. Stone. I told you, this forcefield is inpenetrateable. Your efforts are useless.“

„Oh yeah,“ Sam shouted, „let's see what your friends say about your forcefield.“ Sam aimed with his minigun in the distance.

Before Khenubaal realized Sam's doing, Sam took down several Eco Necros. He turned his head for the ponies. „What are you waiting for? A one-liner?“

The Mane six got up and readied their weapons (except for Fluttershy who was still too scared to fight; and Twilight, who relied on her magic). They charged towards the mages near the carts and fired all they got, taking down several eco necros.

Khenubaal's hands made fists and shoke in anger. „That was the last mistake you ever made, Mr. Stone.“ He raised his arms in unison with the remaining eco necros.

A wave of light passed over the hill. Suddenly hostile troops spawned everywhere. The fight went on like before near Canterlot.

„I knew it,“ Sam called, „I knew it! Like mom always said: Never trust a man in a business suit.“

Still glowing with the force of the serious damage, Sam aimed for the new spawned troops and ran in circles, avoiding direct contact with the enemys.

Khenubaal on the other hand circled his arms. They started to glow in different colors until his spell was complete. The corpses on the carts started moving and levitated in the air.

Sam noticed and started firing at Khenubaal but the forcefield was still too strong to damage him.

„This world is fascinating,“ Khenubaal told while casting his next spells. „We have lot of magicians in our army from many planets, but I never encountered so much mana in one world. It's like magic pours out from every being and thing. Perfect for our next creation.“ He laughed like a maniac as more and more bones and flesh started to glow and started levitating.

„There is another one“, Rainbow Dash called.

Applejack send a grenade exactly in the face of an eco necro, causing the undeath to shatter in pieces. „Gotcha!“

The hill was pure chaos again. The ponies made their stand, but this time they had no place to take cover; no advantage in terrain. The enemies were much closer now. Rarity had trouble using her sniper gun properly to take down the eco necros. Applejack's grenade launcher was too dangerous for melee combat and Rainbow Dash's laser was low on ammo and there was no ammo scattered around.

Twilight on the other hand did pretty well. Using maigical shields she reflected projectiles away from her friends and whenever some foe got too close to her she levitated it and tossed it with full force against another foe.

Pinkie's cannon was out of ammo and she only had a military knife left. She stood close to Rarity and took down all that tried to get close with powerful swings.

„Those filthy ruffians are closing in!“, Rarity exclaimed.“I require assistance!“

„We got our hooves full already!“, Applejack called. „There are still too many of them.“

„What the hay is happening over there?“ Twilight looked at the magical ritual near the carts. She recognized bones and flesh of familar origin. It was mostly pony anatomy.“It looks like he uses dead parts to build something.“ Twilight gasped in shock. „He is using necromancy! Girls! We have to stop him somehow!“

„And how shall we do this?“, Rainbow Dash called, while avoiding some harpies and kicking back. „By the way...where is Fluttershy?“

Twilight looked around in terror. They havent noticed her in a while. After a few moments she saw her 20 feet away, hiding in the grass, mumbling to herself and shaking in fear.

„Fluttershy!“, Twilight called.

Fluttershy raised her head and looked to Twilight. She smiled a bit whith tears in her eyes and got up. She didn't notice the enemies that charged at her from all sides.

„FLUTTERSHY!“, Twilight called in desperation and galloped to her as fast as she could.

Fluttershy could only look around before it happened. In a splitsecond she was covered in blood and fell to the ground.

Twilight fell into a trot as she saw one of her best friends fall like in slowmotion...as well as the monsters around her.

„Man. Seems like I'm a teamplayer after all“, Sam called, running over to Fluttershy. He stood in front of her and hold off the approaching enemies.

Twilight ran up to Fluttershy and checked her. She was fine, just shaking in fear. Clawdovic was still sitting on her shoulder, grooming his feathers.

Changing the ammoless minigun against the rocket launcher Sam grunted: “You may be a cute pony Fluttershy, but you are useless in battle. You should have stayed in the castle instead of causing us trouble.“

„Hey,“ Twilight snapped,“she just wants to help. Don't call my friends useless.“

Sam gave her an harsh look.“Just look at her. She would rather let everyone die instead of acting. Now if you'll excuse me. I have got to settle a score with someone.“ Sam ran off again, continuing the fight.

„He...he is so right, Twilight“, fluttershy stummered, “I'm just a burden after all.“

„Don't give me that,“ Twilight answered, „without you we wouldn't be the team we are used to be, don't you think?“. She turned around. „Let's get back to the others.“

„O...okay“.

„Sam, we have a good chance at winning,“ Netricsa called in Sam's head, „the eco necros are loosing in numbers and the spawns become lesser with every second.“

„Is it enough to take down the skeleton clerk?“ Sam asked.

„I fear not,“ Netricsa answered, „we need to take down more of them.

Sam readied his rocket launcher.“Rocket ranger. Ready to rock it!“

The hill became more clear as most of the enemies have fallen sofar. Aiming carefully, Sam unleashed a series of rockets, each hitting an eco necro in the process and shattering it.

The bones and flesh formed a huge pile and glowed in many different colors. Khenubaal still concentrated on finishing the spells for the abomination he had planned. He was interupted though.

„Seems like your colleagues left already for a afterwork-beer in hell,“ Sam called. He approached Khenubaal with a double shotgun, reloading it. The ponies closed in as well, staying behind Sam. The troops have been defeated.

„Humph,“ Khenubaal grunted, „they always do that, and I'm the one putting in overtime. But it doesn't matter. My efforts will pay off.“

„I bet it will,“ Sam said with a smile, “here is your payment“.

Sam raised his shotgun and fired it with a loud bang.

But Khenubaal was still standing. He hold out a hand at Sam. A dark grey forcefield covered him.

„Was that supposed to hurt?“ he chuckled, „being in overtime really has some advantages. Like more magical power and very usefull spells and power.“

„Fire all you got!“, Sam called. And they fired whatever they had left. Khenubaal wasn't impressed and yawned. “Enough of this!“ His eyeholes started to glow red again. It didn't take long to make the ponies shiver in fear again, only Sam still standing.

„You bastard!“, Sam called.

„You rely on weapons too much, Mr. Stone,“ Khenubaal hissed, his voice full of hatred, „true power lies in magic. No weapon can harm me!“

The ponies felt the horror rise up in their mind again. Their weapons fell to the ground and they curled up, nightmares haunting their minds. Even Pinkie Pie didn't felt like laughing.

„G...Girls“, Twlight stummered, „keep it together. We have to fight it!“

„Ah'm af...afraid...Ah c...can't,“ Applejack exclaimed.

„No...stay here!“, Fluttershy suddenly called. Something moved over to Khenubaal.

„Now then. Are you ready to witness our new creation, Mr. Stone?“

Khenubaal stepped aside and motioned his hands at the monstrosity behind him. It looked like a 30 feet high horse with wings, all made of skeleton parts and rended flesh. It even had a cutie mark that looked like pile of skulls. It didn't seem to be living...or unliving either.

„Isn't it beautiful?“ Khenubaal exhaled admiring the grotesque beast.“It will be a pleasure to fill it with life and do what the former generals were unable to do...to crush you!“ He laughed maniacly, then turned back to Sam. „Any last words?“

„You got something on your shoes“ , Sam replied.

Khenubaal took a moment before he actually looked down.

„SQUAAAWWWK“, yelled Clawdovic to his feet, causing the bomb around his neck to trigger.

Sam jumped back in instinct to take cover. Khenubaal on the other hand took the full load. The explosion was even stronger then usual, as the forcefield kept the pressure of the explosion inside, like a pressure cooker. The grey forcefield vanished and Khenubaal's shattered body flew away, crashing at the feet of the beast he just wanted to surrect.

„And I say: Weapons rock!“, Sam called victorious, raising his shotgun.

The ponies got up after the fearsome aura dissappeared. To Sam's surprise Fluttershy was the first to get up and trot up to him.

„Where did he go?“, she asked Sam.

„Blown to pieces“, Sam responded.

„No...I mean my little green friend“ Fluttershy insisted. „He just run away. I hope he is fine.“

„He is also blown to pieces,“ Sam answered coldly,“heck, he gave Khenubaal the shock of his life.“

„What?!,“ Fluttershy screamed,“NO!“ She started to cry terribly.

„Oh for crying out loud“. Sam lost his nerves.“Clawdovic is trained for combat and sacrificed himself to safe us all. You should be proud of him!“

Fluttershy didn't calm down. Instead she dropped to the ground again and cried into her hooves. The other ponies trotted over to her to confort her. Twlight looked at Sam with a grim look. Sam turned away from her and crossed his arms impatiently. „This day is getting better and better“, he said in a sarcastic voice.

That's when hell broke loose.

The ground started to shake. Sam had a bad feeling about this and turned for the unfinished creature Khenubaal created.

„It's...not...over...yet“, Khenubaal's voice echoed.

Some of his body parts levitated from the ground up to the beast he formed before.“I for myself shall become part of the greatest being ever created! You are all doomed!“ With these words his body parts went inside the mass of bones and flesh and were gone.

At first nothing happened. Rainbow Dash even flew up to the head of the gigantic bonemare and tapped against its head. Then suddenly the beast's eyes started to glow in a blazing red and started moving. Rainbow Dash jumped in surprise and flew back to her friends.

Again Khenubaal's voice echoed through their heads, this time in a deeper voice and full of hatred. „Watch me rise! Get on your knees and pray. Ugh-Zan the V is born!“

Took a while longer then expected but here it is^^.
Unfortunetly the next update will have to wait long again, as I'll be on holidays the next weeks. Hope you can last that long :)

Chapter 6 - A serious retreat

Sam was still delving in his computer-enhanced memories, when Twilight stepped in front of him. He just stared into the emptiness and didn't move at all.

"Mr. Stone?", Twilight asked. But Sam didn't react. "Sam?", Twilight asked again. Still no reaction. She reached out with her hoof and waved in front of his eyes. "Are you okay?"

Sam suddenly started blinking and rubbed his eyes, his vision focusing on Twilight."Yeah. I'm fine. Just lost in thoughts."

"Wow. That looked scary," Twilight said,"as if your mind had left this world."

Sam scratched his chin."It kinda did. What is it?"

"The princesses summoned us to dicuss the matters at hoof", Twilight told him.

Sam folded his arms."Hmpf. I don't feel like that right now. Tell them I'm busy."

Twilight tilted her head."But...busy?" When Sam closed his eyes, Twilight raised her voice in desperation."Sam this is serious! We need you!"

Sam felt an unusal anger rising up in him. He stared at Twilight with eyes that could kill."Leave me," he grumbled, intimitating Twilight,"it's not my business."

Taken back Twilight stepped away from him."I thought you were our friend," she said in a low voice. Tears gathered in her eyes."I thought you were a hero."

"I'm not a hero", Sam said gloomy.

Twilight just choke her head in confusion, then galloped away, still crying.

Sam was alone again, but he felt even worse then before."Man...I'm an idiot."

"Yes, definetly", Netricsa exclaimed in Sam's head."You shouldn't have rejected her just like that!"

"Ah, Com'on", Sam ansered annoyed," the last I need now are socializing tipps from a brain-computer."

"Sam? What's your problem?", Netricsa asked."We went through so many things. Why are you such an asshole right now?"

"Closing Netricsa.exe", Sam said."Security Code: N-SAMSS3384".

He could hear her trying to speak but suddenly she went all silent. "She'll be mad at me later, I know it", Sam scolded himself. "But right now all I want is a moment for myself."

And there he was. All for himself. The silence around him and inside his head was both conforting and unusal to him but he managed to get his thoughts back to his current problem.

He lost. For the first time in his life he had to run away from an enemy. And it was all the ponies fault! He didn't care for reputation, but in his past he always managed to solve his problems straight forward and with all means. But this time was different. He knew he had no chance against this new enemy, but he kept on fighting nonetheless. Until the ponies forced him to retreat. He even lost most of his weapons.

Sam took some nearby small stones from the underground floor and tossed them one by one against an opposing wall, each hit sending a loud echo through the deep tunnels. He just stared at them grimly in the bright torchlights. He didn't even notice the clopping sound of hooves coming closer.

"Mr. Hero?", a young male voice asked next to Sam. Slowly Sam turned his head to see a young pony standing next to him, looking up at the human. The young colt was so small, that he couldn't even reach up to Sam's knees. He got several brown dots on his white fur, one around his left eye.

"Mr. Hero is not at home," Sam replied,"but you can talk to mr. Stone here." He pointed at a big rock next to him. The little colt still glared up to him.

"I...want to thank you," he replied, "for all you have done for us."

Sam just stared at him with an raised eyebrown. The little colt continued: "If it weren't for you, I'm sure we would all have died back there. And you also saved my parents! You are our hero!"

"Na...I'm not a hero," Sam answered coldly. "What kind of hero let the villain go unhindered and even runs away from him?"

"But you saved us!", the young colt exclaimed. "You saved us from this big monster by fighting it bravely like...just like a hero would do!"

Sam just sighted and turned away from him. When the young colt opened his mouth again a new voice called out.

"Young man! What did we tell you about sneaking away from us?"

Two older ponies, obviously the young colts parents, came into view. The stallion had brown fur and was rather chubby built, and the mare was all white and a bit smaller.

"Mom. This is the hero I was talking about!"

"Pipsqueak. It is dangerous to walk around alone", the mare scolded him. "We were worried sick."

The young colt lowered his head."Sorry Mom. I just wanted to thank mr. hero for saving us."

"Ah...com' here son", the stallion said with open arms. Pipsqueak jumped at his parents for a group hug and they stayed like this for a moment."I'm so glad we made it", the mare whispered with tears in her eyes. Sam couldn't help but scratching the back of his head in embaressment.

"We owe you so much, mr. stone," the stallion adressed Sam, "we all thought we were doomed."

Sam raised his head and glared into the dark tunnels. "It's not over yet. As long as these monsters wander through this world, you are all in danger."

"But you will fight them, will you?", Pipsqueak asked.

Sam looked at the pony family next to him and got up. Cracking his glove-covered fists and his usual mischievous smile he said: "I won't fight him. Hell, I'll seriously kick his ass!"

Pipsqueak smiled broadly at him. "Wow. You are my favorite superhero!"

"Com'on Squeaky," the father said, "let's get back to the others."

"Ah...stop calling me that, dad", Pipsqueak whined. His father playfully rouffled through his mane and laughed. They turned to go back to the camp.

"Thank you mr. Stone,"the mare called back,"be safe!" Then they were gone.

Sam waited a moment to reflect what just had happened and made up his mind. With big steps he made his way back to the camp.

Filled with new determination he said: "Activating Netricsa.exe."

It didn't take long until the familar voice called in his head.

"Sam! How dare you? You cannot simply..."

"Netty!" Sam interupted, "there is no time for this now. We have an appointment with some four-legged grasseaters and I don't know the way."

Netty just grunted a bit, scanned the sourroundings and showed him the way.

"That is all we got?", princess Celestia asked with a low voice.

The group of ponies, namely princess Celestia, princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle and her friends, had gone into the meeting chamber of an old underground complex that was nearby the camp. This complex was once built at the same time as Canterlot and was supposed to be a refuge in case of emergency, but was never used for thousands of years. Magically enforced it was still in good shape and was a small, but good haven for the surviving ponies. But it wasn't big enough to give shelter to all of them, so they had to make build up a camp nearby in the underground tunnels.

Twilight Sparkle and her friends (including a bandaged Fluttershy) recalled on what happened during the battle on the plains. Not much of it was new and lots of questions were still unanswered about this new danger.

"That's all we perceived, princess", Twilight answered.

"We have to find a way to get rid of this monster, or we are all doomed!", Celestia exclaimed, her face filled with gloom."We need mr. Stone."

"But he refused to come with us", Twilight answered. "He said he was busy and chased me away."

Celestia sighted deeply. "In that case I'll go myself...and beg for his help."

"But princess!", Twilight and her friends shouted at once.

"I'll join you, sister", princess Luna added and stepped next to celestia.

"But princessses!," Twilight and her friends shouted again.

"I'll do anything to save my people, even if have to beg for a strangers help", Celestia said.

"But you are our royal leaders. You cannot degrace yourself like that!", Twilight called desperately.

"What use is pride when you are at the brink of demise, mr. Sparkle?", Luna asked. "We need to take any chance to save ponykind. I willingly sacrifice my royality for that."

The royal sisters went to the closed, huge doors of the meeting halls, shared a look at each other and their horns started glowing to open the heavy doors.

The huge doors bursted inwards as Sam pushed them open with ease.

"Hi. Am I late for...?", he started but was interupted as two metallic doors slammed into him and send him back into the hall he just came from. The princesses' magic was about to open the door outwards, when Sam entered and his sudden appearance surprised them so they couldn't react fast enough. The princesses and Twilight's group looked in shook at the big human that lied in front of them.

Sam raised his head in dizziness and mumbled."Hell, I love powerful women. But not THAT powerful."

He could hear a laughter in his head.

"Not funny, Netty!", Sam groaned.

"Oh my...we are so sorry!", Celestia called and trotted next to Sam."Are you allright?"

Sam scratched the back of his head and stood up."Nothing I can't deal with." A normal man would have suffered several broken ribs from this heavy impact, but Sam just shrugged it off and went on. "I heard you want to discuss the current situation. How can I help?"

Twilight sighted in relief. "Oh thank you Sam. We were just reflecting on what happened today on the plains."

"Just like I did before, "Sam said. He went over to Twilight and put a hand on her shoulder. "And hey. Um... I'm sorry. About...what happened before. I wasn't myself back there. How about we start from new? Deal?"

"Deal!", Twilight answered with a smile.

Twilight's friends suddenly gathered around them and cheered at Sam.

"The hero is back!", Pinkie Pie called."This calls for a party!"

"Ah don't think that this is the right time for that, sugarcube", Applejack said.

"The word spreads fast what you have done for us," Rainbow Dash addressed Sam", I think you really might be cool."

"Might be?", Sam asked with an raised eyebrown.

"Okay. You are cool. You are awesome! Better?", Rainbow Dash asked with a cheeky grin.

Sam just grinned back when he noticed Fluttershy next to him. The last time he has seen her, she was unconscious and badly injured. "Hey Fluttershy. You feel better already?".

She shily backed away from him a bit before answering: "Yeah. It still hurts a bit, but the nurses said I'll be better soon."

"I need to apologize to you as well", Sam continued. "For what I said before on the battlefield. Didn't thought you could become such an brave and crazy pony."

"Th...Thank you mr. Stone", Fluttershy answered. "But if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be here at all." With a smile she added: "Apology accepted".

"I don't want to be rude, but we have little time," Luna said,"there is much to discuss."

"Right," Sam said. "What you want to know?"

"Everything you remember from the battle," Celestia told him, "any detail might be important."

Sam scratched his chin. "Hmph. I'm not a man of details." He tipped against his head. "That's more like Netricsa's part."

The princesses looked at him in confusion. "Netricsa?", Luna asked.

"He got a computer-mare in his head that talks to him and gives orders", Rainbow Dash snickered.

Sam just glared daggers at her, which caused Rainbow Dash to roll on the floor, bursting in laughter.

"About that I got an idea", Twilight exclaimed. "I would like to use a simple spell on you that might help us right now."

"Spell?", Sam asked suspicious. "I'm not a fan of this mumbo jumbo stuff."

Twilight winked with her purple eyes. "Please?"

Sam gave in to the big puppy eyes. "Oh well, fine."

"Thank you thank you thank you", Twilight answered hectically. "I always wanted to try this kind of spell. Just a moment. It won't hurt. Please close your eyes."

Sam did as she told. He closed his eyes while Twilight concentrated, her horn engulfed with an purple aura. It slowly connected with Sams head. After a short moment the aura dissappeared. Instead a blue ray of light came from Sam's forehead. Just in front of him on a desk was a holografic figure of a woman dressed in simple linen clothes.

The figure seemed like she was talking to someone and a voice echoed through the room.

"Help us Obi Wan. You are our only hope". Then she looked back, kneeled down and pointed at something in front of her. Then the scene repeated. "Help us Obi Wan. You are our only hope." It repeated several times, perplexing the ponies.

Sam had opened up his eyes already. "I know this from somewhere, but how is this supposed to help?"

"Oh. I'm sorry", Twilight said confused. "Looks like I did it wrong. Let me try again."

Twilight focused again, causing the hologram to dissappear. "Please talk to your computer. That should make it easier."

Sam closed his eyes again. "Hey Netty? How about a new point of view?"

"What do you mean?", Netty asked doubtfully.

Again Twilight's horn and Sam's forehead glowed in a purple aura. A blue ray of light came from Sam's forehead, this time bigger. Before them suddenly appeared a tall human. She was a bit smaller than Sam and much less muscular, but her beautiful face and neck-long hair fitted perfectly to her modern clothing. She looked like a woman with style and great intellect.

"Wow. You look hot Netty", Sam gasped.

She turned around to him."Sam. I'm just a holografic vision, as it seems."

Sam just stared at her."But you are hot."

The ponies went closer and gazed at the blue figure before them.

"Oh Darling", Rarity called theatrically."You look fabulous. Those clothes are AMAZING!"

"Thank you miss Rarity," Netricsa said with a smile," that's how the programmers intented me to look like. It was a modern look at our time."

Rarity was about to ask more questions, but Pinkie Pie was faster. "How is it living in someone's head?," she asked. "Is it dark in there? Can you see everything that he can see? Can he see what you see? Can you see, that he can see what you can see? Huh Huh Huh?"

"Yes, I can", Netricsa answered calmly, "and there is a lot of nothing. Enough room for my self. OUCH!" She turned around to Sam, who just had snipped against his head, causing the holograph to flimmer for a split second. He just smiled at her cheekily.

"Well, it's nice to meet you in person, mrs. Netricsa," Celestia adressed the hologram. "I'm sure you already know about our misery."

"Of course, your highness", Netricsa answered. "I think the best will be to show you what happened back there. Maybe we find out more about this new enemy."

"Khenubaal", Sam grunted deeply.

"Exactly", Netricsa continued. "I'll try to show you what happened." She turned for a wall behind the great table of the room. "Let's see if that works."

Netricsa raised her arms and a flimmer came from her hands. Like from Sam's head another rays came from her hand and formed a picture on the wall. It showed Khenubaal in his monstrous form and it started moving.

Sam jumped into a nearby chair. "Wow. Wish I head a TV screen like that."

Hello guys and sorry for this late update. Currently my work and some private duties keep me from doing my regular updates. The stories continue though. I'm already at work for the next Sam update as well for the promised 2 Chapters from Sthemata. I hope that I can finish them soon enough. I hate it to keep people waiting.

I hope you like the story though. The updates may come more frequent again, but I cannot garantuee it. On the other hand this gives me more time, which brings more ideas and I'm practically explosing with ideas at the moment, but just got no time to write them down. But I'll seriously bring these stories to an end like I imagined it and after that write new ones. I hope you'll stay with me until then. See you again (hopefully) soon.

Chapter 7 - A serious defeat

Chapter 7 – A serious defeat

The human warrior and his six pony companions watched in awe as their massive opponent started moving. The huge necromantic creation was taller then any building known to the ponies and more grotesq then any creature Sam ever met before.

It was a horse made of bones, flesh and blood from both Mental's minions and fallen ponies. While most of the surface was grey from bones and red from flesh, they could clearly see streams of different bright colors pulsating underneath its skin.

Again Khenubaal's voice echoed trough their minds: „Impressed? Then you'll love this.“

A terrifying scream filled the air as the huge beast opened its skeletal maw. The back of the gigantic skeletal being began to glow in different colors...until new bones and flesh grew out of them, forming huge wings that darkened the sky above them.

„That would be a pegasus,“ Khenubaal continued, „but there is still missing something.“

On the forehead of the huge horse formed a long bone, curved in spirals and ending with a pointy end.

„This can't be real“, Twilight stammered.

„Believe it Ms. Sparkle, it is real“, Khenubaal said. „This might be just for appearance, but with all the magical powers gathered inside me I'll easily surpass every power opposing me.“

„You can talk as big as you want, bone-head“, Sam called. „but it ain't the size that matters, it's how you use it.“

At this the girls looked at him with a blushed and shocked expression.

„What do you possibly mean by that, Mr. Stone?“, Rarity exclaimed.

He ignored them and raised his rocketlauncher. „Everything has a weak point, even you...and I'm going to find it!“

At this Khenubaal's emitted a diabolical laughter. „Try your best, Mr. Stone, but your efforts will be in vain. I on the other hand think I know exactly what your weakness is.“

Sam had enough. With an angry battlecry he jumped forward the beast and fired several rockets from his rocketlauncher, each rocket hitting a different body part.

Khenubaal didn't even bother to move. Instead he unfolded his new wings. Dozens of orbs crushed next to him and behind Sam's group into the ground. Suddenly the place was filled with an army of Kleers, a green mass of marsh-hoppers (small, suciadal frogs that over inflate themself on contact and spray toxic slime on their victims) and several magma golems of different sizes.

Enough is enough. Even if your name is Sam...

And like a signal suddenly dozens of spawn sounds were heard. All scattered over the place was ammonition. Sam smirked at the good timing of the Sirians.

„You know what that calls for Netty?“, Sam asked. „I shot, you count.“

„With great pleasure“, Netricia answered in his head.

„Girls. It's time to get serious!“, Sam called, „Prepare for a real fight!“

Fight...fight...fight...echoed over the plains and for a moment there was silence.

"Waaaaaarrrrrr!!"

After Sam's battlecry everyone and everything began to move and the fight began. While the girls evaded as many of Khenubaal's minions as possible to collect ammo, Sam took on as many of his foes as possible while distracting Khenubaal.

„Need some help there, big guy?“, Twilight called to Sam while grabbing a Kleer skeleton with her magic. She tossed it into a nearby magma golem, burning the Kleer and crushing the golem at the same time.

„“But of course“, Sam answered, sending a rocket into a group marshhoppers. The bellowing frogs turned into a green mess in an instant.

„There are quite a lot of uglies here,“ Sam continued, „but the real problem is Khenubaal. As long as he is here, there will be more enemies. And I have to distract him or else he'll get us with an direct hit.“

„So there is no hope for us?“, Twilight asked.

„Hey. I never said anything about giving up“, Sam grunted. „At least we'll have a good time blowing up some scumbags; unless you got any idea?“

„Well...,“ Twilight began, raising a forcefield to block several magma bolts, „there are still the elements of harmony; our most powerful weapon.“

„Sounds more like some kind of fancy accesoires instead of a weapon“, Sam said with an raised eyebrown.

„Actually it's both. We used several times in the past to get rid of evil beings“, Twilight answered.

„Useful accesoires? Figures.“, Sam exclaimed. „Women. They are suckers for anything shiny! Then gets those helmets of armory as fast as possible!“

„It's elements...never mind“, Twlight said with a shrug. She moved away from Sam and checked for her friends.

Pinkie Pie was still busy searching for ammonition for her cannon, while Applejack and Rarity gave their best with grenades and sniper bullets. Fluttershy managed to collect several clawdowics and hid them near a stone. Obviously she was taking care of the green explosives parrots. Rainbow Dash hovered over the battlefield, trying to distract Khenubaal with her Laser and easily outmanouvering him with her speed. The Laser didn't seem to have any effect at all though.

„Rainbow Dash,“ Twilight called,“ come here quickly.“

In a splitsecond she was next to Twilight.

„Can't you see I'm busy?“ she snapped angrily. „He's soon as flat as a piece of toast.“

Twilight surpressed a sarcastic remark. „Rainbow, you need to get the elements immediately. The princesses need to be informed about the situation right away!“

„I'm on it!“. Rainbow Dash made a firm salute, dropped her Lasergun and flew off to Canterlot.

Khenubaal noticed that.

„A secret weapon, hum?“ he hummed. „Probably strong magic.“ He grinned evily. „I can't wait to taste it!“

He no longer focused on the battle. Instead he slowly turned for Canterlot and trotted in its direction.

„Hey, where are you going?“ Sam called. „Don't have a party without me!“

Khenubaal just ignored him and continued his way...until he felt a strong impact on his head, followed by a loud explosion and shattering bones. He shook his head and turned around.

Sam had hanged to his cannon, which still fumed from the devastating shot. „Did you think I was kidding?“ Sam shouted angrily.

„You are not even worth my time“, Khenubaal spat back. „Whatever magic there is will be mine!“

Sam's answer: A ball to the head. Another loud explosion and the sound of shattering bones filled the air.

Khenubaal's eyes glowed in a diabolic red as he turned for Sam. The shattered bones on his face slowly returned to their place and shortly after nothing of the heavy blow was left.

He opened his vast wings and made a strong sweep, causing a sudden gale.

Sam was caught offguard as the wind suddenly lifted him from the ground and tossed him away several hundred meters. With a grunt Sam came back to his feet.

„Tz. I know a certain wind god who'd laugh right now at such a lousy storm!“ Sam taunted loudly.

But Khenubaal had turned back towards Canterlot again.

Sam readied his weapon and ran back to catch up with Khenubaal again.

The battlefield slowly became more clear. Khenubaal only focused on moving to Canterlot, so the girls were able to make a stand against the enemy's hordes. But there were still dozens of foes left. And time was pressing.

„We need more time“, Twilight called, while shielding Rarity and Applejack from magma bolts. „He mustn't reach Canterlot!“

„We are on it, but he ain't stop at all“, Applejack answered. She ran out of ammo and carefully sidestepped attacking kleer skeletons and bucket them to pieces. „Where in tarnation is Rainbow Dash?“

„Eeep. Take those ugly beasts away from me. They'll ruin my outfit!“. Rarity was out of ammo as well and did her best to shield herself from a horde of marsh-hoppers.

Most of the magma golems were reduced to fuming puddles of molten stone, many kleers had trotted into their demise, but the toxic mass of marsh-hoppers seemed to be endless.

Twilight hurried over to her unicorn friend and raised a magical wall as well. The tides of green frogs crushed against it like waves on a shore. Sweat poured from both unicorn's faces as they concentrated to keep them back, but it became more and more difficult. Applejack could only step back. It was too dangerous to attack those beasts in melee combat.

As brave as the girls fought, the wall became weaker, the frogs came closer and closer. Only on meter seperated them from an acid death.

That's when they heard a strange sound. In fact all seemed to notice as the girls, monsters Sam and even Khenubaal turned for the source of the strange noise.

It was music. Polka-like music.

„Do ponies even know 'Oktoberfest'?“ Sam pondered. „Where is the beer?“

Pinkie Pie had finished collecting ammo for her cannon and was now wielding...10 instruments? Playing all instruments at once she walked close to the battlefield and catched everyones attention.

Most of were confused about the fact that she was even able to perform such a feat.

Some of the monsters watched in awe at the show she was giving and bobbed with the catching rythm.

The frogs on the other hand seemed to have lost themselves. Like in hypnosis they formed two long lines and followed Pinkie Pie, always hopping in rythm.

She moved further away from the battlefield, still performing her solo on 10 instruments. The wild mass of toxic toads turned into a straight line across the plains and still followed her.

After a short time of walking Pinkie Pie stopped and marched on the spot finishing her song with a loud bang on her drums. Then she turned for the frogs.

Still mesmerized the frogs just looked at her.

Pinkie Pie grinned, drew her cannon, charged and fired.

If you have ever seen a cannonball of the size of a human, smashing into into a group of smaller enemies then you surely know how effective it is. Everything is simply crushed under the weight and pressure of the gigantic cannonball. In this case it was hundreds of calmly waiting suicidal frogs.

The marsh-hoppers didn't even realize what happened to them until they got rolled over something that felt like a truck. Like a long bowling area, the ball hit every frog in line, each one emitting a last bellow before splattering into green ooze. The landscape was painted in a darker green in a straight line and even the cannonball turned green before it hit the last frog and exploded in the distance.

„Hihi,“ Pinkie Pie giggled, „how did the audience receive it? Smashing!“ Then she dropped on the floor laughing at her own pun.

It took a moment before everyone realized what just happened.

„Fascinating“, Khenubaal whispered, „There are more magic and wonders in this world then I ever imagined.“ He shook his head and turned for Canterlot again.

Pinkie Pie's distraction worked well. Not only did it take out all of the marsh-hoppers at once, she bought enough time. Rainbow Dash had returned.

„Twilight. I got them“, she shouted. She held a chest with golden ornaments on it and handed it over to Twilight. „The princesses are alarmed and are currently evacuating Canterlot.“

„Good job“, Twilight answered and put her golden Tiara on. A confident grin crossed her face. „Now we can finish this!“

„Princess Celestia said they'll need about 15 minutes to get everyone in safety“, Rainbow Dash continued while putting her golden necklace on. „Just in case.“

„That won't be neccessary“, Twilight said. She handed over Applejack's and Rarity's elements to them and waved for Pinkie Pie to come over to them. Fluttershy was still busy caring for the clawdovics.

„Fluttershy! You need to come here at once. We got the elements!“

„Oh my“, Fluttershy whispered. She turned for the bunch of parrots. „It's alright little ones. I'll be back soon, just stay here and wait.“ Then she ran over to her friends.

Pinkie Pie has joined with them as well. All of the mane six were equipped with their element of harmony, when Sam arrived next to them.

„Girls, it's no time for a fashion show“, he said.

„Just watch“, Twilight answered. „You'll be surprised.“ She turned for her friends. „Are you ready?“ They all replied with a nod and a confident look in their eyes.

Twilight channeled the power to trigger the elements. Engulfed in a shining bright light the mane six began to levitate around Twilight as their charms began to glow in their respective colors.

„Oh sailor moon...“, Sam hummed while shielding his eyes.

Khenubaal noticed the bright light and turned back for the group. With a grin he moved towards them. „I feel strong magic. Yes!. Show me what you are capable of!“

The other monsters stood there in confusion and stayed as far away as possible from the lightshow.

When Khenubaal was close enough, Twilight opened her eyes, which were only holes of white light and fired the rainbow colored beam. It made a great arc before flying directly towards Khenubaal.

The blast of light hit his chest. Like a tornado the light began to spin around the gigantic bonemare until it was no longer visible. A loud cry was heard from inside.

A cry of Joy.

„Yes. Yes! This is the power I was looking for!“, Khenubaal's voice became more and more hysteric and his screams suddenly became wilder and deeper. „What? What's going on!?“ He stumbled inside the vortex of light. „No! It's too much power! I can't control my body! Wrrraaaahhhhhh!“

A loud scream filled the air, but Twilight and her friends kept firing.

Until Khenubaal stepped through the vortex. He was no longer talking. Instead they could hear a heavy breathing. The whole bone horse was glowing in different colors. It raised it's head and emitted another monstrous yell.

„Come on girls“, Twilight called over the noise. „We have to keep going! It's our only chance!“

„Sam!“, Netricsa called in his head. „This no good. They have to stop at once! He is absorbing their power!“

„What do you mean?“, he pondered.

„He gets stronger the more they use this magic on them“, Netricsa answered. „In fact he seems to have lost control. Who knows what might happened if he get's even more fuel!“

„Got it. Leave it to me!“

Sam turned to the girls.

„Hey uhm. As much as I like your lightshow, but you are just powering him up right now“, Sam said calmly. „Just saying.“

Khenubaal stepped out of the vortex completly and roared again. The mane six stopped their harmonic assault.

„This...this can't be real!“, Twilight stummered. „The elements don't work?“

„They only made him mad“, Sam continued. „Seems like he is no fan of accesoires either.“

Twilight turned to him with anger in her eyes. „These are no ordinary accessoires. They are filled with powerful magic“, she snapped. „Everyone is depending on us, but we failed.“

„Failed? You think it's over already?“, Sam spat back. „No. It's not over until I teabagged every last one of these alien motherfuckers!“

Twilight shook her head. „There is no time for this. We have to distract him as long as we can so Canterlot can be evacuated. It's the last thing we can do.“

„Distraction? That's what the girls used to call me at highschool“, Sam said with a smile.

Twilight looked at him with confusion. „Eh...come again?“

„Leave him to me. Just keep the low-lifes away from me.“ Sam marched towards and fired his cannon. That got Khenubaals attention and he slowly moved towards Sam.

While the girls recovered from using the elements of harmony, Twilight instructed them to deal with the last enemies to help Sam.

The remaining groups of monsters started attacking again and some ran towards Sam. The girls ran over to him to assist him as good as possible.

Except for Fluttershy. She suddenly stopped in her tracks and went to were the clawdovics had been waiting for her.

They were dead.

Just slaughtered by a bunch of Kleer skeletons that were still near the place and covered in blood. Only a mess of blood and green feathers were left.

Fluttershy's eyes filled with tears as she buried her face in her hooves and started crying. Even though the parrots were trained for fighting, Fluttershy's kindness couldn't use them and instead tried to save them...but it was all in vain.

She didn't notice the Kleer Skeletons that just killed her parrots, came closer to her. She raised her head, when the first Kleer pierced her side with a claw.

„Fluttershy!“, Twilight called. „No!“

Fluttershy trembled before falling to the side...and kicking the Kleer's head off. Without hesitating she jumped to the next Kleer next to her and bucked it into pieces as well. Her eyes were still filled with tears, but also showed anger. She spotted Rainbow Dash's Lasergun in the grass and grabbed it.

„Sam!“, she called with anger, aiming with her lasergun. „Go down!“

Sam turned in surprise and immediately dropped to the floor as the laser beams passed over him. He was about to scold at her, when he noticed the skeleton bones that fell next to him in the grass.

„Nice shooting, Fluttershy“, he called back, but became a bit nervous, when he saw the state she was in.

Still looking at him with angry eyes she didn't seem to notice the heavy wound she suffered at her shoulder. Her left part of the body was stained in blood and she left a trail in the grass. She fired at some more Kleers before she simply dropped to the side and passed out.

The girls ran over to her immediately, calling out for her. Sam ran as well, but was distracted by a charging Khenubaal. Sam barely managed to dodge his giant hoof, but dropped his cannon. With a grunt he landed hard on the floor and looked up to see Khenubaal above him, raising his giant hoof again.

„Only a wonder can help me now...“, Sam whispered to himself, slowly crawling backwards...until his hand met with something that was hidden in the grass. He checked for what he has found and smiled broadly.

„Secret object has been found“, Netricsa called out in his head.

„...or a handy secret“, Sam said with more confidence and stood up, smiling at the beast over him.

„Hey Twilight“, he called with a smile. „You said we need some more time?“

Twilight was about to answer, when the smiling human vanished under a gigantic hoof. The impact caused a small gale to pass over the girls and they had to cover their eyes.

The giant's hoof raised again and there was no trace from Sam.

Khenubaal laughed diabolicly.

„Oh no“, Applejack whispered. „This can't be happening.“

Twilight and Rarity still hold the unconscious Fluttershy in their hooves and tried to fight the tears.

„I can't believe it“, Rainbow Dash exclaimed. „He was so cool. And now he died fighting for us.“ Even she started to sob about their lost companion.

„Please stop it. It's heartbreaking.“

The girls rubbed their eyes in disbelief. From the small crater raised a golden figure.

„Calm down. I said I would deal with him,“ Sam called. „Just make sure the evacuation is successful. And bring her to a medic“ he added with a nod towards Fluttershy.

They could just stare at Sam. He was the same like always, except his skin and clothes looked like they were made of gold. With a nod Twilight looked at her friends. „Let's leave it to him. We should help the princesses.“ With that said, Twilight focused and channeled some magic before they dissappeared in a magical light.

He turned for Khenubaal. „Come on. Just try and hurt me, you stupid, ugly freak!“

And so Khenubaal stepped on him again. And again. But the result was the same: Sam was getting up again everytime.

„Sam“, Netricsa called in Sam's head. „How long do you plan to do this? You invulnerability won't last for more then one minute.“

„I'll...give them...as much time...as possible“, Sam said in short breaks, everytime he gets up again from Khenubaal attacks.

It didn't take long before Sam's golden Aura began to flimmer and eventually vanished. „Uh-oh.“

Again, Sam was hit by Khenubaal's hoof, this time sending him flying over the plains. Sam landed hard on the floor and coughed blood. „Damn it.“

Khenubaal went over to the injured human. The last few monsters accomoied him.

„Well...guess that's it Netty,“ Sam coughed. „I hope the ponies could get away in time.“

„Sam...“, she replied in a sad voice.

Sam stared up to Khenubaal. „At least make it quick you gigantic corpse whore!“

Khenubaal just grunted in a beastialic way and raised his hoof again. Sam only felt a sudden impact before it became dark around him.

But strangely he could still feel the soft ground...he could hear the air passing around him...and smell the fur under his nose...

„Wait what?“ Sam grunted.

„That's not a very royal way of thanking you areth using,“ a female voice said below him. „We expected better from 'the one'.“

Sam shook his head and instinctly grabbed at the floating mane in front of him to hold his balance. „Holy cow, that's high!“

The last thing Sam expected to see before dying was seeing a strange world from above on the back of dark blue colored pony princess.

„You areth welcome,“, Luna answered, „but would you be so kind and loosen your grip on our mane?“

„Oh. Yes sorry“, Sam said and loosened his grip. „But we need to get back and finish him off.“

„We just finished the evacuation“, Luna continued. „We should retreat for now.“

Sam looked below and saw that Khenubaal had reached Canterlot. He easily passed through the barrier and began wrecking the whole city, roaring in victory.

Sam was about to protest, when both he and the princess were covered in a magical light and dissappeared.

„Well“, Princess Celestia began. „That certainly was a lot of information.“

Netricsa has stopped the projection of what happened in the battle and stood silently next to Sam. He on the other hand fell asleep while watching. He began snoring loudly. The ponies looked at him in bewilderment.

„Never mind him“, Netrisca said to them. „We should just get over with what we can do.“

„As much as I hate to admit it“, Celestia said, „If even the elements of harmony cannot defeat this monster, then I don't see how we can deal with him at all.

They all pondered for a while. Then Twilight raised her voice.

„What happened to Khenubaal, after we hit him with the elements? How could he absorb this power...and why did he go berserk?“

„I can only assume, that Khenubaal's body is built in a way to regenerate from all damage it receives,“ Netricsa answered, „and that it's magical veins, that pass over it's body are able to absorb any kind of magic. But I think that the elements caused an overflow and Khenubaal lost some control over the body itself.“

„Can't we just pump him up with magic until he explodes, or something“, Rainbow Dash proposed.

„I don't think that this will work“, Netricsa said with a shrug. „It'll probably just make him more powerful and even more dangerous.“

Silence filled the room again as they all pondered again.

„Is there no way we can take the power from this brute again?“, Rarity asked.

„I don't see how that is possible“, Twlight hummed. „He was guarded by strong magic. He would probably absorb that kind of power as well.“

„Uh. Uh. I know!“, Pinkie Pie called in excitement. „How about we take his power, and then give it back to him?“

They all looked at her puzzled.

„Pinkie, that doesn't even make sense!“, Twilight scolded her. „There must be a other way.“ She rubbed her chin with a hoof. „Ah. How about we check the spellbook we found in the desert ruins?“

„Desert?“, Sam snapped, waking from his slumber in shock. „I had enough deserts for the rest of my life!“

Author's Note

Yeah. Finally another update. And bigger then I expected. I hope you like the story sofar. Next update will be Sthemata again (hopefully soon enough again).