Author's Note

Parts of this chapter will be seen from a certain point of view from each character.

The Battle of Everfree Forest Part 1

After witnessing the heroics of the human they once hated, the townsfolk of Ponyville prepared to take up arms against the undead monsters now lurking in the everfree forest. The troops had gathered behind Twilights castle where Pendragon and Rainbow Dash trained the pegasus and earth pony troops leaving Twilight and Starlight to instruct the unicorns along with Khadgar who began sharing knowledge of Azerothian magic to those who were able to use it.

"Now students, pay close attention." The old mage instructed as he began to focus his magic on a volunteer for his demonstration and woth a wave of his hands Khadgar morphed his target into a sheep. A trick that made his entire class burst into laughter along with Pinkie Pie who was passing out snacks.

"Ooh! Neat trick!"

"One of the most basic spells in the book but be mindful class. It only works on the simple minded."

"Does that explain why it worked on Twilight?"

"PINKIE?!?"

Twilight became flustered when Pinkie mentioned her being affected by the spell and of course most of the other unicorns tried to stiffle their laughter even Khadgar could not help but let out a chuckle before resuming the lesson while inside the castle a few alliance officers teaching the canterlot royal guard on how to fight the various monsters of the scourge.

"Alright rookies pay attention!" One officer shouted while activating several magic stones that revealed images of the monsters they would be facing. The first was a spider like being known as a Nerubian who delighted in feasting on live victims as they screamed helplessly wrapped in a silk cacoon, the second appeared to be the victim of a hanging with a single eye sticking out of the hood covering its face. They were known as Geists and they specialized in leaping on their victims before ripping them to bits with their bony claws, the final creature appeared as a rotting carcass with claws and teeth; The Ghoul which made up most of the footsoldiers and were easy to kill but not to be underestimated.

"Take a good look next to the one next to you boys. Your comrades will be the difference between wether you live or die. Dismissed!"

As the training went on, Twilight and her friends were atop the castle practicing their new magical abilities and began to show some improvement but knew they had much to learn if they were to use this magic to help win the war.

"Good job girls!" Twilight praised after another successful practice run before heading downstairs to join the rest of the troops when they noticed Pendragons room was open and inside was the paladin kneeling before what looked like a small shrine baring the mark of their order. He appeared to be praying.

"Oh merciful light please hear me." He said in a respectful tone as he began.

"A great evil now threatens this land and its people and I fear that my power alone may not be enough to stop it....many lives will be lost so it is with great humility that I ask for you to give us the strength to stand against the coming darkness and protect those I hold dear."

When his prayer was finished he blew out the candles and gently bowed before the banner when he heard Pinkie stumble to the ground along with the rest of the group.

"Oh hey girls. I didn't realize the door was open."

"Sorry for barging in." Fluttershy apologized while Rainbow got a closer look at the shrine before asking.

"So...what were you doing?"

"Praying to the light."

"Does that actually work?" Twilight asked being everso skeptical about such things.

"Faith can be a powerful thing Twilight. The deeds of you and your friends are proof of that and it is also why The Silver Hand has endured for many years." He pointed out before leaving with the others when Spike asked.

"I've been wondering about that. Why are there so few of you guys?"

"Once there were many of us Spike...but we were betrayed." His words were filled with hate and bitterness but before they could ask who betrayed them a royal guard marched into the room baring a scroll from Celestia.

"Odd." He said before dismissing the messenger.

"What is it?" Pinkie asked twice in her usual gleeful manner.

"It's an official decree from Celestia. She and King Varian want us to lead the first assault against the undead residing in the forest and take back the old ruins as a command post."

"YEAH! Time to kick some zombie butt!!" Rainbow said while trying to show off some of her fighting skills with a few jabs yet the rest of her friends didn't seem as enthusiastic. While it was true they had fought against evil before, the villains the elements had faced were either imprisoned or reformed but never killed.

POOF!!

"Well I for one am opposed to this decree!" Discord proclaimed after nearly giving the human a heart attack.

"CHEESE AND CRACKERS!!" Pendragon shouted as he clenched his chest trying to calm down while the Draconequs snatched up Fluttershy into a protective embrace.

"The thought of my friend Fluttershy in such peril does not sit well with me!" He was prepared to enter a full on debate with Pendragon until.

"Good. Then you can help her with medical duty."

"Pardon?" The lord of chaos asked scratching his head.

"Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie will stay behind in case things go south. The rest of us can handle the fighting plus with you here the towns defenses will be fortified."

"Hmm true and while I am flattered you have put your faith in me I can't help but think of what horrors you and the rest of our friends will be facing-We ARE friends aren't we Penny?" He asked making the others giggle as Pendragon openly threatened him saying.

"Call me that one more time and I'll slam you so hard that you'll end up in the center of Equestria."

"Noted."

That Afternoon

The combined armies of the royal guard and the alliance had gathered in a small army on the outskirts of Ponyville all armed to the teeth and ready for action. Pendragon divided the army into several divisions that would be lead by Twilight and her friends while he lead the main division, the plan was to scout the forest and establish several bases near the floating necropolis and eliminate any and all undead forces patrolling the forest with the main objective being the old castle that laid deep within. Like any general leading an army, Pendragon was required to give a rousing speech to help inspire his men.

"Soldiers! Today many of you will be experiencing your first battle so I'll give it to you straight: It's gonna be hell." He was serious in his speech and most of the soldiers already seemed downhearted as he continued.

"Most of you are scared that you won't come back alive or see your families again and trust me I know how that feels but you must remember why we are here. These scourge rats invaded your land, killed your loved ones and stole everything that was precious to you yet instead of cowering in fear you rose up and answered the call to fight back and for that I am proud of each and every one of you that stands before me!" Pendragon smiled as the soldiers slowly began cheering.

"Today we march to face our enemy and before this war ends they will know our fury! They will regret ever setting foot in Equestria and they shall face the justice that has long eluded them!!" Slowly drawing his sacred blade, Pendragon ignited the spirits of his troops with a battlecry they all shouted proudly.

"For Equestria! For Equestria and The Alliance!!"

"FOR EQUESTRIA!! FOR THE ALLIANCE!!

Even the townsfolk joined in their battlecry as the horn was sounded for the troops to move out and like a thundering cloud they marched towards the Everfree forest ready to face the horrors lurking beneath the trees.

When the army arrived at everfree forest they found it a different place. The once luscious green trees that decorated the forest now stood as dead husks and the creatures that once lived here were now reduced to nothing more than piles of bones littering the tainted soil.

"Guess it's a good thing Fluttershy didn't come." Said Rainbow Dash knowing how much this would break her friends heart as they continued to trek through the dead forest. The troops came upon what looked like a campsite that had been recently abandoned which meant they were now in enemy territory and had to keep their guard up.

"Hmmm...." Pendragon was scanning the area and noticed the trees were more dense making it difficult for the soldiers to get around without tripping and from the feeling beneath his feet he could tell they were heading up some kind of hill.

"Where's my communications officer?"

"Here sir!" A gnome answered running towards the paladin with what looked like a radio strapped on his back.

"Send a message to the other divisions and tell them to-!"

"AGGGH!!"

A soldier was suddenly yanked up the tree when dozens of undead geists began leaping down onto the unsuspecting troops.

"AMBUSH!! CLOSE RANKS!!" Pendragon shouted as more of them began to appear from the ground. The soldiers were in a panic as the undead swarmed from all sides while their general did his best to keep them together.

"General Pendragon! We got a problem!" Said the communications officer who just received some distressing news.

"What's going on?"

"I can't contact the other troops sir! Our signals are being jammed!"

"WHAT?!?"

End.