Chapters Stranger from Another World
It was a day unlike any other for Equestria, a powerful storm had suddenly formed on the horizon making the winds howl and the oceans churn violently while the weather ponies did their best to get it under control yet something about this storm seemed unnatural as a maelstrom began to form just off the southern coast of Equestria where a large ship of unknown origin was seen riding through the storm before crashing on a nearby cliff. Having received news of the sighting, Princess Celestia sent Twilight Sparkle and her friends to investigate the sight the moment the storm died down.
After three whole days of wind and rain the maelstrom had finally subsided making it easy for Twilight and her friends to travel while the rest of her friends in ponyville repaired the damage that was done to their town.
"That was some storm we had, one for the record books!" Rainbow Dash said while hovering overhead as she kept an eye out for signs of the wreck with Twilight and Fluttershy.
"What do ya think caused it Twilight?"
"I don't know Applejack but I hope it's nothing serious-!! Look! There it is!" Twilight pointed to the wreck as it came in sight of the others. The ship was massive from stem to stern and from what the ponies could tell it was heavily armed when they had noticed the numerous cannons poking out of its side while on the shore laid rusted swords and other such weapons.
"This looks like a warship." Twilight muttered slightly as she examined the wreckage when Spike pulled up a large blue flag decorated with a lions head.
"What do you think Twilight?"
"Not sure Spike, this flag doesn't match any we have in Equestria and neither does the ships design."
"Though I must say whoever made this flag has excellent tastes in fabric." Rarity said as she started to rub the cloth when Fluttershy spotted a peculiar set of footprints leading behind to rocks before spotting a feint smoke stack from a dowsing campfire indicating that someone survived the wreck. Twilight had suggested sneaking up on the campsite not knowing if the survivor was friendly or not but when they surrounded the campsite they had found it empty, Applejack did a quick inspection of the camp and noticed a pile of fish bones followed by a freshly stacked pile of firewood.
"Hmmm...this fire was just lit. I reckon whoever made it must've gone off to get more lunch."
Just then the group heard a loud shout followed by what sounded like some kind of struggle. Spike climbed up the rocks to investigate when his jaw suddenly dropped before Twilight flew up to check on him.
"Spike what is it?"
"Look!" The little dragon pointed to a creature standing on two legs, wearing ragged clothes and holding a fishing pole. Twilight knew what creature this was all too well having been one herself; it was a human.
"Gotcha!!" The stranger cried out after finally yanking in a large fish unaware that he was being watched as the others got a good look at him. The human had pale skin, long hair tied in a ponytail followed by a large scar right in the area of his heart.
"Well I'll be. Grannies stories were true!" Applejack whispered while continuing to stare.
"Do all humans dress like that Twilight?" Rarity asked after examining his rugged outfit.
"Not that I know of." The group continued to watch as the human tossed the fish into a large basket holding several others before quickly finding a place to hide.
"So? What do we do?" Rainbow asked while making sure to keep out of earshot.
"Let's introduce ourselves. I'm sure he'll be glad to see a friendly face!" Pinkie pie suggested before popping out of the rocks with a friendly smile.
"Hello!" The pink pony shouted in a friendly voice while not noticing the look of anger on the humans face as he reached down for something in his boot.
"My name is Pinkie Pie! What's your-AH!!"
"RAAAGH!!!"
The human lashed out at her with a large knife before Rainbow swooped in with a kick to his face as the others joined her.
"Leave her alone creep!"
"What she said!!" Spike shouted with Rainbow when the human stood back up with a bloody nose.
"So...come to finish me off eh?" The human growled while reaching under a rock to pull out a large sword while keeping a tight grip on his knife.
"What does he mean finish him off?" Twilight asked aloud when the stranger charged at them again.
"You're all dead!!"
"Hold on there partner!!" Applejack used a nearby rope to lasso the humans arms as the others helped to wrench the sword and knife out of his grip while Twilight used a sleep spell to subdue him.
"Spike! Send a letter to Celestia, tell her we found something!"
Hours Later
The human was brought back to Canterlot after the Royal guards salvaged what they could from the shipwreck.
All the stranger could hear was voices that seemed to fade in and out as if he were in a dream followed by images of what looked like ponies in doctors outfits tending to his wounds before finally waking up in what appeared to be a large bedroom.
"What the?" He had noticed that the sun was at its highest peak meaning he had not been out for very long, he then noticed a fruit bowl left for him on a small table and after eating nothing but fish this seemed like a gift from the gods. The human scarfed down the fruit as fast as he could before hearing the faint giggle of princess Celestia who had come to check up on her newest house guest.
"Glad to see you still have your appetite." The princess smiled at her guest who didn't seemed surprised to be talking with an all powerful mythical creature.
"Thank you for your hospitality but...why am I not in a dungeon?"
"You cannot be blamed for defending yourself but I must ask. Why did you attack Twilight and her friends?" The Princess sat across the table from the human who had appeared to be examining her before explaining.
"I thought they were with the group that attacked us. About three days ago, the crew I was with were sailing back home after winning our most recent war and we had been tasked with transporting an artifact of dark magic." His voice grew ominous as he began to recall the events of the attack.
"The assassins came during the night, at first we thought the night air was playing tricks on us but there they were. Ponies dressed in black robes that began killing off the entire crew until only I was left. A few others began some kind of incantation and before I knew it I was washed ashore on a strange world all alone, left for dead....until they found me."
Celestia could see he had been honest and true to his story and saw no reason for him to lie.
"Do you have a name?" She asked as the human stood straight and placed a fist on his chest while giving a slight bow.
"I am Sir Pendragon. Knight of the ninth legion of the kingdom of Stormwind."
"Well it is a pleasure sir knight. I am Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria."
Having earned his trust, the Princess allowed Pendragon to accompany her around the castle as she gave him a private tour while telling him a bit about Twilight and her friends who were at the time examining the various items the guards had salvaged from the wreck.
"So fascinating! I've never seen a map like this!" Twilight squealed as she examined one of the ships maps while Spike and Rainbow Dash were examining a weapons chest.
"Check out this armor!"
"Cool sword!"
"Oh! Please be careful spike." Fluttershy cautioned when she noticed the Princess walking in with the human.
"Everypony I'd like you to meet our guest. Sir Pendragon."
"I wish to apologies for my behavior. I thought you were the enemy." Pendragon humbly knelt down at the ponies who seemed reluctant to forgive him, that is until pinkie pie latched onto him for a hug which seemed to make Pendragon feel awkward.
"Oh it's okay! You were just a little grumpy!"
"That's putting it mildly." Rarity whispered to the others while Pendragon examined the items laid on the table.
"Hmm...all seem to be in good condition but where's my-!!"
"Ohh! What's this?"
Pendragon gasped to see Pinkie fiddling around with a strange looking item.
"CAREFUL!!" He scolded snatching it back.
"Pinkie pie right? You can't go around messing with these kind of weapons!"
"How in thunderation is that thing a weapon?" Applejack asked when the knight suggested they go to a nearby target range where he could demonstrate. He proceeded to pour black powder into the device before dropping a large metal ball then patting it down with a small iron rod.
"Now. Cover your ears." He said as he took aim. The ponies seemed confused at his request when.
Tink!
KAPOW!!
The target dummy had been blown to pieces with one shot leaving the mane six and many of the trainees stunned and a bit horrified.
"Alright little ponies pay attention! You see this? This is my BOOM stick!!" He shouted making the others flinch.
"This is a standard military grade single shot pistol made in the foundries of iron forge! It's got a walnut stock, cobalt blue steel and a hair trigger." He proceeded to hand over his weapon to a pair of guards who started tossing it around, afraid it might fire off another shot while the rest made their way back inside.
"So Pendragon where are you from?" Twilight asked while still following.
"My home is Azeroth. A world far beyond yours."
"The Princess said you were transporting some kind of artifact when your ship crashed."
"I was but when I searched the wreck it was gone...along with my sword." The last bit of the memory seemed to sadden him when Pinkie pulled him in for another awkward hug and a big announcement.
"Well turn that frown upside down! Cause I'm gonna throw you a Welcome To Equestria Party!! WOO HOO!"
Pendragon could not help but smile at the Pink mares enthusiasm as she bounced around like a ball before making her way to the exit.
The party had taken place in the town of ponyville where a huge crowd had gathered around sugarcube corner to see the human dining with the Princess and the elements of harmony.
The festivities began with Rainbow challenging Applejack and Pendragon to a cider drinking contest as the ponies chanted Chug! Chug! over and over until finally Pendragon was the first to give out followed by Applejack, leaving rainbow to finish her cider in one go.
"Aww yeah!!" The Pegasus cheered before letting out a huge belch that made the others laugh. (All but Rarity of course) While Pinkie introduced mister and misses cake along with their children.
"Mister and misses cake, meet Pendragon! I call him 'Pen' For short."
"Oh it's a pleasure to meet you dearie."
"The pleasure is mine." Pendragon said with a kiss to misses cakes hoof which made her blush.
"Oh! My such a gentleman." Misses cake giggled while her husband growled at his new rival, Pendragon instantly backed away as his new friends laughed before rejoining the party.
"Now pendragon. The Princess suggested that you stay with Applejack until we can figure out a way to send you home."
"Well if it's not any trouble."
"No trouble at all sugarcube! My family will make ya feel right at home."
"But first we MUST do something about those ragged clothes of yours!" Rarity interjected as she tugged on his vest with her magic and after an entire morning of partying, pendragon was given a fresh set of clothes and sent off to Applejacks farm where he a large red stallion wearing a harness and an elderly mare sitting in her rocking chair.
"Granny, Big Mac. This is Pendragon and the Princess has asked for us to give him a place to stay while he's here."
"Well if the feller doesn't mind sleepin in the barn."
"Not at all miss." Pendragon spoke humbly with a smile that seemed to delight the old mare.
"Oh! He called me miss, such manners. Well he doesn't seem so bad. What say you Big Mac? Ya mind having an extra hand around the farm?"
"Eenope."
"Then it's settled! You can help Big Mac plow the fields first thing in the morning!"
End.
Author's Note
Proofread by PileRow666
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. In light of the recent attack on the apple family farm, Princess Celestia ordered a small platoon of guards to keep watch over the forests edge should any more attacks occur. The townspeople were surprised to see such a display of force from the princess as they watched the guards patrol every street in ponyville while keeping watch on the everfree forest.
With the guards keeping watch over the town, Twilight and her friends had been assigned to investigate the reason behind the timber wolf attack along with Pendragon. The paladin was preparing his gear when Twilight came into the room.
"Pendragon? Are you-!" The Princess gasped at what she saw, the humans body was riddled with battle scars and each seemed to be worse then the last.
"Oh Twilight! Come on in I'm almost done." He said plainly while putting on a white shirt before strapping on his armor, Twilight gently closed the door while continuing to watch her friend grab a shield followed by a large hammer and a shortsword from a chest as Spike ran in all dressed up in what appeared to be a smaller version of Pendragons armor.
"Looking good Spike."
"Thanks! You think Rarity will notice?" The little drake asked with a small blush coming on his cheeks.
"Trust me Spike, ladies love a man in armor." Pendragon said with a wink before handing over the sword and shield. Twilight waited for her assistant to leave the room before chatting with her human friend.
"Pendragon....just how many battles have you fought?"
"....too many to remember."
Twilight was shocked by his answer, it was hard to imagine her friend living a life of kill or be killed; where one battle simply moved onto the next yet somehow continue to keep on living as if it was simple as breathing.
"I was a boy when the scourge attacked our home..." Pendragon sat down as he told Twilight a story from his past and the Princess had no objections to hearing it.
Years Ago in Azeroth
Pendragon was living a simple life on the farm with his parents. He helped bring in the harvest, tend to the livestock and even helped his mother with the chores around the house, life seemed perfect until one day all of that came crashing down.
He was on his way home from the market when he saw the smoke coming over the hill, the young boy ran as fast as his feet could carry him until his families farm was in full view. What came next horrified him.
The barn was up in flames and the once peaceful crop fields were now filled with soldiers fighting undead creatures, Pendragon could not believe his eyes but what frightened him most was the thought of his parents being caught up in all this.
"MOTHER! FATHER!"
Without any regard for his own safety, Pendragon darted across the battlefield and straight to his families home. The boy rushed through the door, looking for any sign of his parents but all he could find was an overturned table followed by the wrecked furniture and the body of a foot soldier laying on the floor. A womans scream was heard from upstairs as the boy grabbed the dead soldiers sword before rushing in once more to see an armored skeleton standing over the bodies of his mother and father, the creature then turned his attention to the boy who had foolishly charged in as he stared him down with his glowing, cold lifeless eyes yet the boy showed no fear only sadness and anger; A righteous anger.
"You....YOU MONSTER!!" Pendragons body suddenly became shrouded in a golden light that seemed to frighten the creature before cleaving him in two with one blow. The light slowly faded from the boy's body and he became overwhelmingly exhausted before fainting when the sound of rattling armor came from downstairs.
"In here! Quickly!!"
A handful of soldiers arrived too late to save the farmer and his wife. Leading them was a tall, heavily armored man who wore a blue cloak and had an ash grey beard upon his chin; A knight of The Silver Hand, the paladin looked at the boy with and saw he was alive before wrapping him in his cloak.
"Give those two a proper burial. I will take the boy."
"The knight was Buzan The Fearless , he told me of my gift and practically raised me until I was ready to join the ranks of the silver hand. Since then I have dedicated my life to destroying the Fel and those who would use it."
Twilights eyes were almost in tears after hearing her friends tale but thanks to that revelation she was able to understand him a little more.
The friends gathered at the spot where the timber wolves attacked and made a quick checkup on the supplies they would need for the journey. Twilight and Applejack mapped out the best route for them to circle back to ponyville in case of trouble while Pendragon arranged them in teams of two.
"Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy. You two will keep an eye out from above, alert us at the first sign of trouble. Pinkie you're with Applejack and Rarity is with Twilight, Spike and I will scout ahead for any trail signs."
"Yes sir! Pen sir!" Pinkie saluted as she stood up straight on all fours.
"Promise you'll keep an eye on Spike."
"I promise but Spike before we go I need to tell you something." Pendragon said as he knelt down to the little drake.
"That sword you carry is a tool, not a toy. Be ready to use it when the time comes."
Spike only nodded in response before Twilight gave the order to move out, the party picked up the wolves trail with ease and followed it deeper into the forest.
"Hold up!" Pendragon shouted as they neared a clearing.
"You girls hear that?"
The girls stayed as quiet as possible and tried listening to whatever it is their friend was hearing.
"I don't hear anything." Twilight stated when she noticed him tightening the grip on his hammer while staring into the trees as if waiting for something.
"Exactly. No birds, insects or animals anywhere."
They moved more cautiously to the clearing where Rainbow went to get a birds eye view yet she saw nothing but trees for miles around and gave the all clear for the group to make camp.
"I'll go gather up some firewood, it's gonna be chilly tonight." Applejack made sure not to stray too far from the camp with Spike and Fluttershy helping her leaving Twilight and Rarity to pitch the tents along with Pinkie pie and Pendragon to do the cooking. Once night had fallen on the forest, the girls sat around the fire while Spike and Pendragon did one last patrol around the clearing.
"Hey soldier boys! Take a break and have some dinner!" Rainbow joked as Pendragon gave the all clear yet his eyes still seemed focused on the forest, something was odd about this place but he couldn't figure out what.
"Are you alright darling? You seem tense." Rarity asked while handing him a bowl of soup.
"It's this forest...I don't like it. Not one sound since we arrived." He said looking around once more before eating. The next day, the group had gone into a more dense part of the forest where the sun barely shined through the treetops with no signs of life anywhere, what came next was a foul odor and the sound of buzzing flies.
"Hoowee! What in tarnation is that?" Applejack asked while using her hat to cover her nostrils.
Pendragon noticed a bright green glow just up ahead and rushed over to investigate, it was there that he found the source of the foul aroma.
"By all that is holy...." He whispered as he stared at the rotting carcass of a six headed hydra, the beast appeared to have been dead for some time and was scavenged upon by the timber wolves and other such creatures and behind it was a glowing green pond with more dead animals. Fluttershy could not help but cry for all the poor creatures that now laid upon the ground as she clinged to Applejack for comfort, the girls then noticed that the trees and soil in the area had also become rotten with a green substance rising into the air like smoke.
"Pendragon?"
"The Fel. Let's grab some samples and get out of here."
They fanned out and began collecting the dead animals and plants while Twilight scooped up some of the tainted water using her magic when the trees suddenly began to groan. Fluttershy shrieked and quickly darted behind Rainbow Dash as they looked around for the source of the noise, it was then that Pendragon noticed a tree behind Twilight with two glowing green eyes.
"TWILIGHT!" Pendragon shouted as a claw came swinging down at her. Twilight teleported out at the last second before she and her friends found themselves surrounded by more of those creatures.
"Uh Pendragon darling? What are these things?!?" Rarity asked when she noticed them lifting up their roots and began shambling towards them.
"These are Treants; tree spirits but they've been corrupted!"
Pendragon then spotted a hooded figure standing atop the hydra carcass before a searing pain struck him in his chest. Spike helped his friend to stand when he noticed him gripping the scar on his heart as if trying to stop it from bleeding.
"You okay?"
"So...cold..." Pendragon strained as he remembered feeling this once before. The hooded figure reached into his cloak to pull out what looked like a piece of metal shrouded in Fel Magic the shard was placed in the hydras chest and slowly the creature stirred with life once more.
"Uh guys? That thing is getting back up!!" Spike stated the obvious as the beast let out several ghastly shrieks when the figure spoke to it in an almost dried out voice.
"Go my pet, feed!"
The hydra stomped towards the ponies who were now surrounded on all sides while his master vanished in a burst of green flames. The six rotting heads of the hydra eyed the ponies with hunger as it got closer, the pain in Pendragons chest finally faded away when he saw the beast and the faint glow coming from its chest.
"A shard...that thing is carrying a shard of Frostmourne!"
"Okay so what's the plan soldier boy?" Rainbow asked as the beast drew closer. Pendragon asked all of them to form a circle as the light began to shine from his body while he recited a prayer.
"By the blessing of kings, may move swiftly, strike fiercely and be free of all harm!" The light that had surrounded pendragon now flowed into his seven friends, Rainbow Dash was the first to test out this new power by sending one of the treants flying into the others then came Pinkie Pie and Applejack who proceeded to outrun the hydra whilst taking out a few targets of their own and finally came Twilight and Rarity who had felt a sudden increase in their magic power as they blasted the monsters to ashes.
"This is amazing, I never knew my magic could get this strong!" Twilight said after firing off another shot.
"Watch your backs! Don't stray too far from the group!" Pendragon called out after blasting another group of Treants before spotting one sneak up behind Rarity. The creature was prepared to dig his claws into the white mare when.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Spike charged head on in a full rage and cleaved off the monsters arm before his human friend finished it off with a smash to the head.
"That's it! Rainbow Dash I need you to round em all up!!"
"You got it!"
Rainbow didn't have time to question her friends plan and proceeded to create a tornado that rounded up all the Treants while Pendragon knelt down and began reciting an incantation that made his eyes and hammer glow with a golden flame.
"By the power of the light! BURN!!" The paladin slammed his hammer to the ground with all his might and just like before a pillar of light shot out of the ground but the magic seemed to be more powerful and devastating than before. When the smoke cleared, all could see the fel magic was burnt out of the Treants as well as the recently resurrected hydra but only the shard remained untouched.
"Hmm..." Pendragon cautiously reached out to grab it when the pain in his chest began to flare up again. Twilight did not want to risk the safety of her friend and quickly placed the evil artifact in a magic bubble, once that had been done the pain was almost gone instantly.
"Thanks Twilight."
"It was no trouble at all but what do we do now?"
"First we get back to camp and deliver our findings to the Princess. Second has anyone seen Fluttershy?" He asked when Rainbow dash pointed to the yellow Pegasus hiding inside a rotten log as she peeked out to ask.
"Is it over?"
End.
The day after the encounter in Everfree, Twilight presented the shard of Frostmourne to Celestia and told her of the hooded figure they encountered, Pendragon recognized him as one of the cultists who attacked his ship the night before he arrived in Equestria.
"I am glad you brought this to my attention, rest assured I will have the shard placed under heavy guard and I'll even have Discord place a few enchantments on the vault."
"Who's Discord?"
"That would be moi."
Pendragon turned around to see a strange serpent like creature hovering behind him. The human jumped back and prepared to do battle when the girls suddenly held him back.
"Chill! He's with us!" Rainbow dash scolded him while holding back his hammer. Pendragon darted his head back and forth for a moment before finally lowering his guard as Fluttershy introduced Discord to her human friend who seemed to be examining him from head to toe like he was looking at a strange painting.
"You must be the one the girls are talking about oh and I thank you for keeping my DEAR Fluttershy safe! She's my best friend you know?"
"Uh...you're welcome."
"Well I'll see you all later tonight!" Discord said before poofing out of the room.
"What's happening tonight?" He asked as Rarity began clapping her hooves in excitement.
"Oh you are in for a treat darling! Tonight is the biggest night in Equestria; The Grand Galloping Gala!"
Twilight explained to her human friend that the Grand Galloping Gala was a special event that celebrated the Union of the three pony tribes of Equestria and was held each year in Canterlot and only those who were personally invited by the Princess could attend, she then told him of her first night at the gala with her friends and how it didn't go as well as they had hoped but the story seemed to entertain Pendragon nonetheless.
"This gala sounds like some party, I hope you girls have fun." He said with a smile when Spike burped up a scroll holding a golden ticket before reading it aloud to the others.
"Hear ye, hear ye! Princess Celestia of Equestria cordially extends an invitation to Sir Pendragon of Azeroth for tonight's Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!"
A smile of satisfaction appeared on the humans face as he retrieved the ticket and left to prepare for the event.
That Night
The entire castle was abuz with excitement as nobles from all over Canterlot gathered for the biggest party in Equestria. Aside from a chance to meet with Princess Celestia and the elements of harmony, the nobles had come to see the human who had washed up on their shores and who was also chatting with Twilight and her friends.
Pendragon was dressed in a formal outfit that was kept in his chest and with a few personal touches from Rarity it would have been the perfect suit had it not been for the sword he had kept strapped to his waist.
"Really dear, must you wear that?" Rarity asked after noticing a few nobles staring at him.
"I believe in being prepared." Pendragon took a sip of wine before heading to a buffet table where two ponies of the Canterlot elite were dining on a few horderves and whispering among themselves.
"Hmm deviled eggs huh? I always wanted to try these." Pendragon said aloud before gulping one down, at first the taste was delicious but then an intense burning sensation began to build up in the humans mouth as he took deep heavy breaths before chugging down his entire wine glass in front of everyone.
"By the light, that was spicy!" He shouted as the nobles laughed. A unicorn wearing a monocle and fancy suit approached the human with a glass of water, still chuckling from the spectacle he just witnessed.
"Forgive me my boy, we couldn't help ourselves. I am Fancy Pants and this is Fleur." Fancy apologized while handing him the glass of water to soothe his burning tongue, The human greeted the mare with a kiss to her hoof which seemed to impress her before introducing himself.
"It's a pleasure sir. I am Pendragon of Stormwind."
"We've heard about you and your adventures with Princess Twilight and her friends. Is it true you took down a hydra?"
"Not alone I assure you."
The human spent most of the evening chatting with a few other nobles before rejoining his friends at one of the tables.
While the party went on a dark figure crept through the shadows towards the royal vault where the shard was kept under heavy security, the figure appeared before the door when several elite guards surrounded him in a circle of spears.
"Halt intruder!"
One of the guards lifted the hood to reveal an elderly ram wearing a necklace that carried a glowing green skull.
"Foolish mortals..." The stranger whispered in a sinister manner before launching out a green mist that began suffocating the guards, one however was fortunate enough to escape and ran to warn the princesses after witnessing his fellow guardsmen turn into shriveled, dried up husks.
Back at The Gala
The party was in full swing when.
"INTRUDER!! Intruder in the vault!!" The guard ran into the ballroom completely frantic with fear. Pendragon was the first to try and settle him down as he began to scream.
"They're dead! They're all dead!"
"Calm yourself man! What happened?" The human said in a stern voice while glaring into the guards eyes and he clearly saw the terror in them.
"A-a stranger came into the vault! H-he used some kind of green magic that just...SUCKED the others dry!!"
Pendragon ran towards the exit to see a green glow coming from one of the castle towers followed by the dying screams of the guards.
"Your majesty keep everyone in here! Make sure nobody leaves this room!"
"Pendragon wait!" Celestia called out but the human was already headed towards the tower.
When Pendragon arrived he came upon a gruesome sight, it was just as the guard said. The bodies of the other guards had been sucked dry of all their fluids making them look like corpses that had been buried for years with only the green mist of the fel seeping from their mouths and amongst the carnage was the vault doors ripped open like a tin can, the human cautiously entered the room with his sword drawn as he looks around for signs of the intruder.
"HI!" A squeaky voice called out making Pendragon flinch but thankfully he recognized who it was.
"Pinkie?!? What're you trying to do? Gimme a heart attack?!" He whispered angrily as she apologized, the other girls ran into the vault after seeing the massacre outside and were also told to keep quiet while they looked around for signs of the intruder described by the guard but all they seemed to find were more corpses.
"Who could've done this?" Twilight was horrified by the sight when one of the corpses suddenly sprang to life, making her scream. The other bodies soon followed as a green glow filled their eyes and their teeth slowly turned to fangs; they had turned into the walking dead!
One of the creatures cornered Twilight before being blasted by her magic while others were cut down by Pendragon, the fight was quick and easy with the zombie soldiers being so slow but to make sure they wouldn't rise up again Pendragon used the power of the light to burn their bodies while saying a prayer to grant them peace and it was after that moment that the group heard the slow clapping of hooves as a red eyed ram appeared out of the shadows.
"Well done! Well done indeed."
"Who are you?"
"Oh my! Where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Grogar." The ram said with a hint of arrogance as he bowed before the human.
"I was told that one survived the shipwreck. Good help is so hard to find these days."
"You sent those men to kill my crew, you stole the shards!!"
"Clever boy." Grogar began circling around them while the ponies prepared to attack but their human friend advised against it after witnessing what happened to the guards.
"Why did you attack us? Who is your master?"
"Oh I think you already know that boy."
Grogar removed his cloak to reveal he had a cutie mark of his own; A dark star with three skulls nailed into it followed by two scythes with hanging lanterns crossed over, it was a symbol Pendragon recognized all too well.
"Enjoy your happy lives Equestrians for they will soon end. The damned stand ready." The ram broke into a maniacal laugh that sent the human over the edge as he lashed out in pure anger but before Pendragons sword could hit its mark, Grogar vanished in a flash of green fire with his laugh echoing into the night.
As the flames died down, The human noticed that the sword he was carrying had split in two thanks to the force of his swing hitting the floor and for a moment all was quiet until Princess Luna flew in from a shattered window along with a few night guards.
"I saw the flames! What happened?" Luna asked when Pendragon answered in a foreboding voice.
"The Cult of The Damned..."
The Next Day
Princess Celestia had ordered a private council at Twilights Castle to discuss last nights break in but the news had already spread throughout most of Equestria with many of the citizens had begun blaming the arrival of the human for these recent attacks and though it did seem harsh it was indeed true. The council was taking place in the map room where Pendragon was introduced to Twilights personal student; Starlight Glimmer.
"Now let's get down to business. Pendragon. When Grogar revealed his mark you seemed to recognize it."
"I did. That mark belongs to The Cult of The Damned , they are a group of necromancers whose soul purpose is to extinguish all life and they are the Lich Kings most deadliest agents."
"But Twilight said you killed the Lich King." Starlight replied as he nodded in acknowledgement.
"True but that doesn't mean he can't come back. Since his death, the cult has been tirelessly working to bring him back on account of their new king doesn't follow their agenda."
The group was puzzled by what he said until he revealed a dark secret about their victory against the scourge.
Before the Lich King was defeated, Pendragon and his commanding officer learned that if the Lich King were to be defeated another would have to take his place or the undead armies of the scourge would rampage across the land until nothing was left and in the short time after that they discovered one of their kingdoms heroes; Bolvar Fordragon who was thought to have perished had been revived as one of the undead but had resisted the Lich Kings influence and after the Lich Kings defeat he agreed to bear the burden of controlling the scourge. A truly noble sacrifice.
"After that, the shards of Frostmourne were taken along with the former kings body. That's all I can tell you for now."
Celestia understood why he would withhold any more information and decided not to press the matter and proceeded to the next issue of the meeting: Pendragons knowledge of The Light . Many of the nobles in Canterlot believed that it was unfair for him to possess such power and demanded that he teach it to the Royal guards or even the princesses but Pendragon explained that the light is a gift not given so easily for one must be virtuous and pure of heart in order to receive its blessing.
"There's only one way to find another who can wield the light."
"How?"
"A tournament."
End.
The day after the attack at the gala, an announcement for all of Equestria was given that the human; Sir Pendragon was holding a tournament to test who would be worthy to become his apprentice or squire. From across the kingdom came participants of all races along with a few locals from ponyville including Twilight and her friends.
"So cool!" Rainbow Dash squealed as she surveyed the tournament grounds two arenas. The first was a jousting arena and the second appeared to be some kind of gladiator pit and behind it were several cages covered by shrouds.
Princess Celestia and Luna oversaw the construction of the event along with the ambassadors of Griffonstone, Yak-Yakkistan and Saddle Arabia. Princess Celestia's nephew; Blueblood was sitting in the Royal box seats while eyeballing some of the mares in the stands until a particular white unicorns voice caught him off guard.
"It was so generous of you to give us these seats Princess."
"My pleasure Rarity. By chance do you know anything about the events Pendragon has planned?" Celestia inquired while looking over the various competitors surrounding the jousting arena.
"Well from what I gathered he seems to have based the games off a similar tournament he partook in back home."
"I see."
The start of the tournament began with the flare of the trumpets followed by the cheering of the crowd as Pendragon took center stage in the arena to survey the competition.
"Welcome my friends to Equestrias first Grand Tournament! I want to thank you all for participating. This tournament will test your skills, your knowledge and your bravery but make no mistake not all of you will succeed however should you prevail a fabulous prize awaits you. The first event will be a jousting match between Canterlot and Griffonstone! Jousters to your marks and let the tournament! BEGIN!!"
The banners of both Canterlot and Griffonstone were raised high on opposite ends of the jousting field when the crowd began to quiet down while a referee called the names of the representing champions
"Our first bout features a crowd favorite! She has taken on Nightmare Moon, Discord even the queen of the changelings! Fillies and gentlecolts give it up forrrrRRRAINBOW DAASH!!"
With dramatic fashion the rainbow maned Pegasus flew onto the field after giving a quick aerial display of her skills that drove the audience nuts.
"RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!"
"And her opponent hailing all the way from the city of Griffonstone. The mighty! GILLLDAAA!!"
Rainbow dash was shocked when she saw her old friend Gilda fly onto the field after letting out a ferocious roar that made the Griffons in the audience go wild.
"GO GO GRIFFONSTONE! GO GO GRIFFONSTONE!!"
The jousters marched towards the center of the field to hear the rules of the match and to greet each other. Both Rainbow and Gilda smirked at one another once they knew they were going to face off.
"Alright you two here are the rules: Visors must be down before the start of the charge or you WILL go blind, one point goes to the first jouster that knocks their opponent back and two points if they knock their helmet off and finally no use of magic or wings or you will be disqualified. Any questions? You girls got something to say to one another?" The ref asked when to his surprise the girls hugged one another in front of the entire audience.
"Nice to see you again Dash."
"You too."
The moment seemed tender enough when Gilda smirked saying.
"You know I'm still gonna beat you right?"
"Go for it!"
The two then trotted to their starting positions on the field and they immediately began the match. The air had grown quiet as all eyes were on Rainbow Dash and Gilda awaiting for the signal to charge.
"JOUST!!"
The crowd suddenly broke into a thunderous cheer the second they began to charge it was too close to tell who was faster before both lances smashed into their targets, Gilda's helmet was sent flying into the stands while Rainbows received a small dent on the forehead.
"VICOTR! RAINBOW DASH!!" The ref called out as two points popped up on Rainbows side of the scoreboard, the crowd went ballistic after seeing the griffons helmet go flying through the air. The impact knocked Gilda for a loop as she began to stagger around the field before crashing down, her med team immediately scrambled to her aid along with Rainbow Dash who became frightened after watching her old friend drop like a rock.
A medic used a pinch of smelling salts to help Gilda out of her trance while others checked her head for any injuries.
"Hey Gilda how many talons do you see?" The medic asked her as she began to regain focus.
"Two."
"Again, how many?" The medic said changing the number of talons held up.
"Four."
"She's good!"
The crowd cheered when they saw Gilda rise up to retrieve her helm before going back to her starting post. On the second charge, her lance finally hit its mark as it sent Rainbow dash flying into the nearest haystack.
"Victor of round two! GILDA!!"
The score was now two to one with Rainbow dash in the lead and all Gilda had to do was score two more points and the match would be declared a draw however she ended up using too much stamina in her last charge and was severely exhausted while her friend still had power to spare. A short fanfare of the trumpets blared out as the ref called for the match to stop.
"Half time!"
While the jousters rested, the crowd dispersed from the stands to retrieve some refreshments and place their bets on the upcoming matches while in the other arena a member of the cult of the damned had secretly infiltrated the event and was feeding the animals that had been caged for the next event with a strange green substance.
"Let the games begin."
Back At The Jousting Arena
The crowd was going nuts when the third and final round between Rainbow and Gilda was about to begin. Pinkie pie had gotten a huge tub of popcorn and cotton candy to munch down on as she watched in anticipation since she couldn't choose who to root for.
"LET'S GO DASHIE!!" Pendragon shouted while applauding with the rest of the audience just before the ref gave the signal to charge.
Both jousters had been pushed to their limit, it all came down to this one last charge. Rainbow Dash and Gilda flinched at the last second as their lances came crashing into one another, the crowd gasped in shock for a short moment before breaking into a cheer for the victor of the final round; Rainbow Dash.
"AWW YEAH!!" Rainbow threw her hooves up in triumph before noticing Gilda struggling to get up and rushed over to help her.
"Gilda!"
"I'm okay Dash. Man that last charge really hurt!" Gilda whined as she rubbed her head while Rainbow helped her back to her team and the fans on both sides loved it. The rest of the matches flew by instantly with the representatives from Yak-Yakkistan and Saddle Arabia emerging victorious as well, thus ending the first event ahead of schedule.
"Congratulations to those who have passed the jousting round. To the defeated, we thank you for participating and now we move on to the gladiator arena! Prepare for battle!!" Pendragon raised both his arms as the crowds cheering grew louder.
The event was divided with three teams divided up to go against three monsters that would be selected by lottery, the first team to go up with the team from Ponyville. Twilight was made leader of the team and had taken a few pointers from her human friend to go up against a massive creature; Twilight, Applejack and Rainbow Dash would lead the assault with Pinkie, Spike and Rarity attacking from the sides but Fluttershy stayed behind on medical duty in case things got rough.
"Aunt Celestia, might I make a suggestion?" Blueblood asked before the match started.
"What is it?"
"Why not let the human participate? He did organize this event after all and the citizens are curious to see if the rumors are true."
The prince had made a valid point, the main reason all these nobles and citizens showed up to this event was in hopes of seeing the human in action and to get a look at his unique magic.
"Hmm...Pendragon?"
"I have no complaints and besides..." He paused for a moment to pick up his warhammer with a look of anticipation.
"I'm itching for a good fight!"
The human then leaped into the arena completely shocking the crowd while Celestia gave a short announcement saying that Pendragon would be competing with the team representing Canterlot and the audience loved it. The ref hovered above the ring to start off the event with a bang.
"Citizens of Equestria! ARE! YOU! READY?!!"
The crowd shouted as loud as they could with the Canterlot team doing a little showboating before hearing the gears of the gates turning as they opened.
"For our first bout, the Canterlot team will be facing the subterranean terror found deep within the Crystal Mountains! Fillies and gentlecolts I give you! THE DEADLY TATZLWORM!!"
A large wormlike creature came slithering into the arena giving a loud screech that revealed the numerous tentacles in its maw making the crowd scream in terror.
"Don't worry girls, me and Cadence took on one of these." Twilight boasted before noticing the green saliva dripping from the creatures mouth that made the ground melt.
"That's not right-!"
"LOOK OUT!!" Rainbow screamed as the beast lunged at them with a ferocious bite making them scatter. Pendragon ordered Twilight and Rarity to lay down some cover fire with their magic while he used a spell to strengthen the group.
"Rainbow! You and applejack keep that thing distracted, Spike and Pinkie stay here as backup while I finish the spell!"
"You got it partner!"
The crowd was fired up as they watched their local heroes in an all out battle. Rainbow Dash began a series of hit and run attacks that kept the beast staggered with Applejack using her lasso to tie its mouth shut as Twilight and Rarity blasted it with their magic.
"Feel the power of The Light!!" Pendragon roared when pillars of light surrounded the others while the crowd watched in awe. Now the fight had tipped in the teams favor, Twilight paired up with her human friend in an all out attack leaving the others to take it from the side but the beast was no pushover as it used its massive bulk and speed to outmaneuver the fighters. The worm was able to snap the rope around its mouth when it came charging at Rarity with tentacles flailing everywhere, Spike stepped in front hoping to defend her but was knocked out cold as it sent him crashing into the wall.
"Spikey wikey!!"
"BASTARRD!!" Pendragon was furious and climbed on top of the beast as it thrashed around trying to shake him off. Piece by piece, the humans armor fell off from the worms violent struggle while the others kept striking at it from all around.
"Shoot it twi!!" Rainbow Dash yelled after seeing Pendragons head start to bleed from the last impact.
"I can't I might hit Pendragon!"
The beast let out another screech revealing its tentacles once more as it charged in when all of the sudden.
"Oh no you don't! Come here!" Pendragon grabbed hold of two tentacles and began using them like reigns to drive the beast into the wall while pulling it away from the others.
"SHOOT IT! SHOOT! IT!!"
Twilight and Rarity gave it everything they had as they blasted the tatzlworms mouth, Pendragon jumped off the beasts skull before bringing his hammer down for an bone shattering smash that gave a loud crunch. All was quiet as the crowd looked at the carcass of the tatzlworm and the human standing before it, even the referee was stunned.
"Uh...let's hear it for our winners!! What a fight!"
The crowds silence was instantly replaced by cheering and applause while others threw flower petals onto the ring Twilight and her friends were enjoying the attention along with Pendragon who raised his bloodstained weapon while giving a mighty shout that made the audience scream louder.
The victory however was cut short when Grogar appeared in a burst of flame along with a few of his disciples.
"Surprise!" The old goat chimed as the mane six prepared for another bout but the fight with the worm left them exhausted.
"This is a tournament of honor necromancers! Leave before I make you!"
"So rude and after I planned something special just for you."
Grogar began using his magic to crack the ground beneath them as the arena began to rumble, the entire audience fled in a panic while the necromancers created a barrier trapping the fighters.
"Not again..." Pendragon said as the ground collapsed into a small cave and in it were two more beasts that had been corrupted by the Fel; a manticore and another hydra.
"Have fun!" Grogar vanished once more with his followers after the beasts had been uncaged.
"It's Northrend all over again..." Pendragon mumbled to himself before smacking away the manticore with a single swing before blasting the hydra with the last of his magic.
"Not good, I'm out of juice and the only way out is past those two."
"Never a dull moment with you is there?" Rainbow dash joked before dodging a swipe of the manticores claw. Applejack bucked it straight in the chin leaving Pinkie to shoot it with her party canon.
"This is bad, we're all still tired from the match!" Twilight could see the sweat dripping from her fiends brows as well as her own and to top it all off the entrance above was blocked out by a barrier of dark magic. The situation seemed bleak until two other unicorns charged through the entrance and began using a variety of spells to disorient the creatures.
"THIS WAY!" Starlight glimmer called out as her friend Sunburst used his magic to create a small barrier. The group rushed passed the manticore who was flailing his tail around aimlessly.
"AGH!" The human cried out after feeling the barb of the scorpion tail jab him in the shoulder.
"Pendragon!" Applejack rushed over to help her friend stand as they neared the exit and could tell the venom from the manticore was starting to take effect.
"I'm alright! Collapse the cavern!"
"On it!"
Starlight blasted the ceiling of the cavern causing a huge cave in that buried the two beasts making it an easy get away. The group had made it out safe and sound thanks to the efforts of Starlight and her friends, Pinkie had decided to throw a victory party when they got back to ponyville when out of nowhere a loud clang was heard followed by the sound of a painful groan. Pendragon had passed out from the sting left by the manticore.
End.
Author's Note
Proofread by: Thunderbolt Sentinel and Wild Balance
Chosen By The Light
Pendragon laid on the ground dripping in sweat and completely out of breath, he was struck by a high fever and an unbearable amount of pain that made him scream in agony. The ponies could do nothing but watch as their friend suffered until nurse Red Heart and her doctor came rushing up to offer what help they could.
"Everypony stay back! Give him some air." The doctor ordered while checking Pendragons heartbeat which had become very weak from the venom now coursing through his body.
"Can you help him doc?" Applejack asked after hearing her friend cry out in pain and saw his arm had been blackened by the poison.
"We need to get him to the hospital! Red heart get a stretcher!"
"Yes Doctor!"
"Hold on kid, you're going to be alright." The doctor said aloud hoping to assure the others but even he couldn't be sure if Pendragon would survive knowing the strength of a manticores sting. By the time they had arrived at the hospital, things took a turn for the worst.
"AGGGH!!"
"Hold him down!"
The doctors and nurses worked furiously to tie down the human as his body began thrashing around from the immense pain of the venom and after much difficulty they had finally got Pendragon to settle down. Nurse Red Heart had applied a bag of I.V to help manage his fever along with an oxygen mask to help regulate his breathing. Twilight and her friends were waiting outside when they received the news that their human friend was doing okay for the moment but if he didn't get an antidote in his body soon he wasn't gonna last long.
"Poor sugarcube..." Applejack grabbed a small tissue to wipe the sweat from his brow as he took another wheezed breath, just the sight of her friend in such a state made the mares heart sink but knew standing around feeling sad wouldn't be much help.
"I'll see if Zecora can come up with an antidote." She announced before heading for the door with Fluttershy following behind.
"I'll go to, I need to pick up some medicine for my animals."
"Can't he just use his magic lighty thingy?" Pinkie asked before getting startled by a green glow coming from Pendragons blood veins. He had been poisoned by the fel.
"Okay. That's just weird!" Said Rainbow attempting to poke him when he cried out in pain once again.
"GAAA!!!" Pendragon writhed in agony with the straps on his bed holding him down as Nurse Red Heart rushed into the room with more painkillers hoping to calm him.
"What happened?" She asked with her eyes shooting daggers at Rainbow Dash who was closest to him.
"I didn't touch him I swear!"
"It's not you Rainbow, it's the poison! He must feel like he's on fire." Twilight said after noticing him break into another sweat.
"Maybe that's why he can't use his magic, the fel must be interferring somehow."
"So what do we do?" Asked Spike looking worried as his friends breathing became rapid and for the first time in her life Twilight couldn't think of an answer since she had no idea how to cure such a strange poison especially one made of a magic that she had never seen before.
"Come on Spike! We got work to do." Twilight and Spike returned to her castle hoping to find some answers in her research lab, she had worked furiously for hours with the help of Spike and Starlight Glimmer who was helping her examine some of the samples they had collected from the everfree forest.
"Fascinating!" Said Starlight looking through a microscope.
"It's like this magic is alive, it eats away at anything!"
"Well right now it's eating away at our friend so we better work fast!" Twilight said jotting down a few notes when Starlight asked.
"Maybe we can try using that magic of his? From what you told me it's really powerful stuff."
"Oh I wish we could Starlight but Pendragon said that he was chosen to wield that magic."
"What? How can magic choose who wields it and who doesn't?" Starlight asked trying to wrap her head around all this new information.
"Pendragon told me that the magic in his world is a bit different from ours, in fact the magic he uses comes from a living being!" Twilight then brought out a book that was given to her by the paladin and showed Starlight a picture of what looked like a crystal shrouded in the holy light, surrounded by warriors kneeling before it.
"These are the Naaru , they are beings of pure energy and are the ones who gave Pendragon and many others like him the magic known as The Holy Light and they are also protectors of the known universe; They have dedicated their lives to battle dark forces across the cosmos in hopes of bringing everlasting peace and have chosen many warriors as their champions."
"Seriously?" Starlight asked while getting a second look at the picture leaving Twilight to continue the research.
Meanwhile
Applejack and Fluttershy had arrived at Zecoras hut and told her of what was happening in the hope that she had a cure for their human friend.
"I am am sorry to hear your friend is unwell but I fear I have no cure for this thing you call Fel . Though it is true I have many a remedy this dark magic is new even to me." The Zebra told them in her usual rhyming pattern which left Applejack more worried than before even though she knew coming to Zecora's was gonna be a long shot.
"Come now my friend, do not mope. Where there is life there is always hope." Zecora then handed the farm mare a small pouch with a friendly smile.
"If it will help erase that frown, this mixture will help bring his fever down."
"Thanks Zecora."
Applejack and Fluttershy left her hut shortly afterwards and returned to ponyville to see how the others were doing and while she did her best not to show it the farm mares thoughts drifted back to her friend now laying in a hospital bed completely helpless, in that moment a strange voice called out to her.
"Applejack..."
She began looking around the trees and bushes for the source of the voice before it called out to her once again.
"Applejack. You are worthy."
"Who's there?!?" She asked looking around and feeling nervous but the voice had stopped.
Applejack figured that all the recent stress was causing her to hear voices and simply shrugged off the incident as nothing and rushed out of the forest with Fluttershy. By the time she arrived at the hospital she could see Pendragon had taken another turn for the worst, the poison had worked its way through half of his body giving him a hideous appearance and his fever had spiked once again.
"Oh Applejack! Now's not a good time." Red Heart told her after noticing her presence.
"I brought this." Applejack handed the nurse the small pouch Zecora gave her.
"It's from my friend Zecora, it should help with his fever."
"I see. We'll give it to him at once!" True to their word, the nurses mixed the powder in a tea and helped Pendragon to drink it and after a few hours his fever began to die down along with his pain allowing him some much needed rest.
"I'll leave you two alone." Red Heart said with a warm smile before leaving the room. Applejack stood next to her friend who was fast asleep and felt relieved not seeing him suffer but his current condition still made her feel worried.
"Applejack...." Pendragon whispered catching her by surprise but it was a surprise she was glad to have.
"Sugarcube you're awake!"
"Applejack listen." He said slowly turning his head to her.
"You have to kill me..."
Applejack froze in complete shock when she heard this and slowly became furious as she angrily glared at her friend.
"What in the hay seed are you saying sugarcube?!? You shouldn't talk like that!" She lectured.
"The poison. Once it kills me I will become one of the undead." He slowly raised his right arm now blackened by the poison in his body.
"If I am to die then I wish to die while I'm still me..."
"STOP THAT!!" She yelled slowly breaking into tears and to see Applejack cry was something Pendragon had not expected to see.
"You're not going to die! Me and the girls are going to find a way to cure you!"
"Applejack-!"
"Please Pendragon just hold on a little longer." She begged holding his hand not caring for the poison. Pendragon was at a loss for words, he had not seen someone care for him so much in such a long time and could not help but smile as he answered.
"Alright, for you." Out of common courtesy and gratitude the paladin gently pulled her hoof towards his lips planting a kiss that made the farm mares cheeks flush pink.
"Thanks for looking out for me Applejack."
The farm mare just stood there frozen for a moment when the nurse came in telling her that visiting hours were up, Applejack said her goodbyes and left the hospital with the thought of the kiss still fresh in her mind. Her heart began to race for a moment as she remembered the feeling of her hoofed being kissed for the first time in her life and even began to have a daydream about it before snapping herself back to reality.
"Pull yourself together AJ! A kiss on the hoof doesn't mean nothin'! And besides he's not even a pony!" She said to herself while heading back to the farm for some much needed sleep.
That night in her dreams, Applejack found herself standing below a sea of stars that seemed to go on forever yet could not figure out why she was here; She usually dreamt about harvesting apples.
"Applejack, you are worthy." Said the same voice she had heard from before.
"Alright show yourself! Who are you and what are you talkin' about?!?" She yelled when bright light suddenly appeared out of nowhere and with it a strange floating crystal.
"My name is A'Dal, do not be afraid." Said a gentle voice coming from the strange being who began to float down towards the mare.
"W-what do you want with me?" She asked feeling nervous.
"You wish to save Pendragon. I can help you." A'Dal replied catching her attention.
"How?"
"By giving you the same power." At that moment A'Dal bestowed the holy light upon her without a second thought, the sensation Applejack felt was warm and soothing like that of a fireplace on a cold winters night and slowly the light faded back into her body.
"Why are you doing this?"
"You will understand in time."
Before Applejack could ask any more questions her dream instantly faded in a bright flash that brought her back into the waking world. The sun had just begun to rise over the hills of sweet apple acres as the rooster began to crow which meant she was late to prepare breakfast and rushed downstairs only to find Granny Smith and Big Macintosh working together in the family kitchen.
"Well good morning Applejack!" Said granny in a cheerful manner as she placed a stack of pancakes on the table.
"Morning Granny! Sorry for not makin' breakfast"
"Oh don't you fret none. You got enough to worry about what with yer friend being in the hospital and all."
"Eeyup." Big Mac agreed while placing a pitcher of apple juice on the table. After the family finishes breakfast and the daily chores, Applejack went to the hospital for her daily visit along with her friends who had brought gifts. Pinkie came with some balloons and a small chocolate cake with sprinkles while Rainbow Dash brought some weights knowing her friend would want to get his strength back after getting out of the hospital.
"I really hope Pen likes this cake, it's triple chocolate!" Pinkie said having second thoughts about her gift.
"I'm sure he'll love it." Fluttershy assured her as the hospital doors automatically opened. Rarity went to the front desk to check if their friend was able to have visitors when she got the frightening news that he had been rushed to the emergency room earlier this morning.
"What happened?!?"
"All we know is that his vitals suddenly dropped. The doctors are doing everything they can."
"You have to let us in there!" Applejack demanded but the receptionist told her only hospital staff were allowed inside for the moment, thankfully Twilight was able to work her way around such rules now that she had become a princess and with a little persuasion she was able to get them inside the room holding their friend.
Operation Room
The room was filled with ponies dressed from head to hoof in robes surrounded by trays of medical tools, six more ponies entered the room with one having the distinguished features of an alicorn that the doctors and nurses recognized.
"Princess Twilight!"
"We came to see our friend. I read that having loved ones near you during a medical operation helps one relax."
"Understood your majesty but try not to disturb him too much."
The doctor moved aside for Twilight and the others to see Pendragon who now laid dying on a hospital bed. The paladins body was now completely ravaged by the fel poison as it slowly drained what was left of his life yet somehow he was still trying to fight it off, even at deaths door Pendragon refused to give in.
"Pendragon? It's us." Fluttershy's voice was the first thing to wake him and for a moment he smiled after seeing all his friends by his side but he didn't have the strength to speak and simply drifted back to sleep with his gaze still focused on them.
"We've done all we can...the best we can do now is make him comfortable." That is the last thing anyone would want to hear from a doctor trying to save a loved one. For a while the room was still with nothing but the beeping of the heart monitor and the sound of the oxygen tank pumping air into Pendragons lungs when Applejack spoke gently as she placed a hoof on his hand.
"I don't know if you can hear me sugarcube but listen. You can't leave us especially after we became such good friends and it's true we didn't get along at first but we're all still really glad we met you especially me." She said with a small blush on her cheeks.
"I still haven't forgotten how you saved my little sister and her friends. I was so worried that I'd lose her just like I lost my parents but you saved her and for that I'll always be grateful so please...please don't give up." She gently kissed his hand and from that kiss came a small spark of holy light.
"W-what in the name of oats and apples?!?" The farm mare shouted before getting blindsided by a bright flash that lit the room.
The whole room was stunned by what they were witnessing, Pendragon was slowly being lifted into the air by an unseen force as the light began surrounding his body and burning away the poison while restoring his strength. The light then fell upon the six friends giving them a strange sensation much like when they received the elements of harmony and were amazed until their friend floated back to the ground and fell to his knees still looking exhausted, Applejack was the first to try and help him stand and asked if he was feeling alright before seeing he was completely cured of the poison.
At first Pendragon could see nothing but blurred images and heard fuzzy voices all around him until the familiar voices of his friends crying out in joy as they joined together for a group hug.
"What...what happened?" Fluttershy asked as they looked at each other when Pendragon finally found the strength to stand.
"The Light...it chose you." He spoke in astonishment looking at his friends who had unknowingly been covered by a radiant aura only he could see.
"What do you mean?" Asked Rainbow Dash as he began to explain.
"Just as you represent the elements of friendship you six also represent the qualities of a paladin. Honor, loyalty, wisdom and compassion."
"Indeed they do." Said the voice of Princess Celestia who came trotting into the halls followed by her sister and royal guards. The doctors knelt before them as did Twilights friends while Pendragon did his best to stand at attention like a soldier would before royalty.
"How do you feel Sir Pendragon?" Asked Luna still feeling concerned for his welfare when the human raised his right hand and slowly formed a fist saying.
"Like I can take a thousand men!"
"And he's back!" Said Rainbow Dash with a proud smile.
"I am glad to see you in high spirits Pendragon because I have something for you and your friends. Come to Canterlot Castle tomorrow."
"As you command Princess Celestia."
Without another word the two sisters left allowing the group to celebrate their friends miraculous recovery.
The Next Day in Canterlot Castle
Pendragon had been fully dressed in his battle armor when he and the others arrived at the castle which was unusually quiet today.
"Where is everypony?" Twilight pondered while continuing towards the throne entrance with the others.
"Perhaps the princess gave the castle staff the day off." Rarity assumed that was the case but it seemed unlikely that the entire castle would take a vacation especially given the recent string of events.
The doors to the throne room began to slowly open as the handles became shrouded by a magic aura and within moments the group was greeted by a large crowd of ponies followed by a squad of royal guards who had cleared the path to the throne, the hall had been decorated with flowers and streamers that made Pinkie break into a wide smile.
"Is this some kind of party?!?" She squealed in anticipation before noticing Celestia and Luna smiling at them.
"In a way, yes." Said Luna answering the pink mares question while they made their way to the throne where the group was presented a banner baring their cutie marks that were placed in a circle around a lions head. Much like the one on Pendragons cape.
"Princess Celestia what is all this?"
"Please kneel." The friends did as they were told and knelt before the princess as she began tapping each of their shoulders with her horn including Spike.
"Twilight my former pupil. You and your friends have done so much for this great land of hours, it is only fitting that you receive the highest honor I can bestow." At that moment the six friends became shocked as Twilight looked up to her former teacher.
"You don't mean-!"
"Twilight Sparkle, I hereby dub you and your friends as The Guardians of Harmony ; Knights of Ponyville." There was a mixture of excitement and shock since Twilight and her friends had never been given such a high honor aside from having their images painted in stain glass windows but the surprise didn't stop there.
"And the one I think who is most fit to lead this new order of knights...is you Pendragon."
"Me?"
"Despite not being from this world you protected Twilight, her friends and the very citizens of Equestria with honor and you know of the new enemy we face and how they work. I can think of no other worthy to lead this new order."
Urged by the encouragement of the crowd and his friends, Pendragon slowly took up the banner for all to see as the crowd broke out into a mighty cheer and the royal guards saluted their new knights. It was a proud day for Twilight and the others but while they celebrated, Grogar and his minions had finished putting on the finishing touches for his latest plan; The Scourge was on the move.
End.
A Nightmare of a Nightmare Night
A few months had passed since the incident at the tournament yet there was no sign of Grogar or the cult leaving the heroes some time to relax but Pendragon didn't like it one bit. For him, it was like the calm before the storm.
The town of Ponyville was celebrating one of their most favorite holidays; Nightmare Night. It was a night when foals dressed up in costumes and collected candy from the neighborhood while playing games and listening to scary stories and it was a tradition the human seemed to recognize from back home as he smiled watching the children of Ponyville run around in their costumes laughing and playing.
"Nightmare Night! What a fright! Give me something sweet to bite!"
A group came trotting by with bags full of Candy before spotting the human dressed from head to toe in his armor and needless to say they were in awe of how it shined in the moonlight along with his warhammer.
"Evening kids! Here for some candy?" He asked kneeling down with a smile when Spike came over with a bowl full of the stuff and began giving them each one piece. Spike had dressed up in the armor his friend gave him while Twilight came dressed in her princess outfit.
"So Pendragon. How are you liking your first nightmare night?"
"Just like home, minus the fact that we don't have to fight a headless horseman."
"Headless what?"
"Long story."
The three then left the castle to join the others at the town square where a huge party was held and among the crowd were the rest of their friends playing games and dancing. Rarity was dressed as a vampire countess which seemed to enchant Spike instantly with Pinkie being dressed as a court jester and Rainbow Dash dressed up as Zap from the Power Ponies.
"Howdy y'all!" Called applejack dressed up like a rodeo pony.
"Fluttershy's not here?" Pendragon asked when Rainbow swooped down to explain that she often locks herself up during Nightmare Night. The group spent the rest of the evening partying and playing games with the townsfolk as the midnight hour drew near, the mayor trotted up on stage in a witches costume to deliver a quick announcement before closing up the festival.
"Thank you everypony for attending this years Nightmare Night festival. Before we close up, all the little foals who have been gathering candy please follow the Princess so that they may offer it to...Nightmare Moon~! Muwahahahahaha!"
The ponies laughed at the mayors attempt to sound scary as the parents sent their children off with the Princess and her friends. Twilight explained the tradition of offering candy up to nightmare moon so that she would be too full to eat little foals but in all honesty the children did it to see Princess Luna, they came to a small clearing in the woods where a statue of Nightmare Moon stood covered in moss and vines showing how ancient it was and as the children offered up their candy the wind began to howl and an eerie voice started to echo from all around.
"Children of ponyville! I am pleased with this offering of candy you have given me so pleased that I might eat it instead of...EATING YOU!!"
The statue had suddenly been replaced by the mare herself making the children scream in fright. Pendragon was prepared to leap into action when their screams of terror suddenly turned into joyous laughter as Princess Luna returned to her true form.
"PRINCESS!" The foals gathered in a circle around her with some even hugging her as they laughed.
"Welcome little ones. Have you all had fun?" She asked in a warm smile while laying down to meet the children at eye level and while the Princess was busy with the children Pendragon looked at the statue of nightmare moon and had seemed to drift off in thought until Twilight tapped his shoulder to chat with him.
"Something wrong?" She asked while he looked at the silver hand marked on his hammer.
"I read the story about Nightmare Moon and it reminds me of a similar one back on Azeroth. Let me tell you of Prince Arthas."
Pendragon sat down on a nearby rock to tell the story of the Knights of The Silver Hand; the order he once served and of their most promising student Arthas Menethil. Arthas was the crown prince of the kingdom of Lordaeron and a personal protege of the orders leader Sir Uther The Lightbringer, he was brave and noble when facing the enemy but like all young Knights he was brash, hot tempered and hard headed. When the scourge invaded Lordaeron they sent a plague across the land that turned its victims into the undead and that was something the prince could not stand. The plague had reached a city called Stratholme and had already infected much of its inhabitants, when the prince saw this he ordered the entire city to be purged despite the objections from his superiors and even accused his own mentor of treason for disobeying him, it was not long after that the city was set on fire killing every man, woman and child.
"I was only a squire at the time but I knew that the prince had strayed from the light...sometimes at night I still see the bodies...their faces...so many innocent lives lost and for what?" Pendragon gripped his hammer in anger as if waiting to lash out at something until Twilight placed her hoof on his hand and simply smiled, the gesture seemed to soothe his anger when one of the children asked.
"So...what happened to the prince?"
All of the children were eager for him to finish his story, even Twilight and the Princess were curious to hear it.
"After the city was burned, Arthas went looking for the one responsible for spreading the plague; A demon named Mal'Ganis who lived in the frozen lands to the north....but he never returned." The children cringed in fear around the Princess before hearing the midnight chime of the town bell.
"Time to go little ones." Luna declared as she escorted the children back to town, it was then that Pendragon felt the sneaking suspicion that they were being watched and turned back to the forest only to hear the wind once more.
"Must be my imagination." He mumbled to himself before catching up with the others.
Later That Night
Luna had returned to Canterlot after helping close up the festival and was ready to go to bed yet as she trotted down the halls she noticed something was off, there were no guards to be seen and the atmosphere seemed to fill her with terror.
"H-hello?" She called out to the darkness with nothing but the sound of her voice echoing down the empty halls then as she turned around two burning red eyes stared down at her followed by a maw of razor sharp teeth and two ram horns.
"Hello my dear."
AHHHHHH!!!!
Luna's scream was so loud that all the nearby guards and her sister stormed into the castle to see Grogar entrapping her in a barrier of magic before vanishing without a trace.
"LUNA!!" Celestia had never felt so helpless, she allowed her one and only sister to be taken from her once again and feared for what Grogar and his cultists had planned for her but knew this was not the time for panic.
"Summon Sir Pendragon at once!"
"Yes your majesty!"
By the time the guards arrived in Sweet Apple Acres, Pendragon was already prepared to go to bed before noticing two pegasai swooping down on the families front door.
"What in tarnation?" Applejack groaned hearing the frantic knocking at the door.
"Do you know what time it is?"
"Forgive us miss Applejack but it's an emergency! We must see Sir Pendragon right away!"
"I'm here. What's the matter?"
"It's Princess Luna my lord! She was kidnapped by Grogar!"
When Pendragon heard this he became furious and scrambled for his armor and weapons along with a peculiar glowing stone marked with a strange rune.
"What is that?"
"Something in case of emergency." Pendragon said a quick incantation that burned a similar rune onto the porch before telling Applejack to get the others while he went ahead with the guards. One of Luna's night guards reported spotting a bonfire in the ruins of an old castle deep in Everfree followed by a confirmed sighting of Princess Luna surrounded by a strange magic circle.
"You sure it was her?"
"Yes sir! Orders?"
Pendragon had to plan this attack carefully, charging in recklessly could endanger the Princess and they had no idea how many foes they were up against. Twilight and the others arrived quickly on the scene and lead them to the castle that was crawling with cultists and inside could be heard the screams of Princess Luna.
"Twilight. You said you know the secret doors in this place?"
"Yes, from the journal we found here."
"Alright, then I want you and your friends to use those passages to sneak in and find Luna while we create a distraction." There was no time to argue. Pendragon lead the charge on the castle with a small squadron of guards to back him up, the fighting allowed Twilight and the others to sneak past what few guards remained and used the various secret passages in the castle while following the screams.
"Hang on Princess, we're coming!" Rainbow Dash flew ahead after spotting a doorway with a green light coming from behind, Twilight and Rarity blasted the two guards at the front while Pinkie blasted the door open with her party canon. The girls saw Luna surrounded by a magic circle of runes and cultists who were doing a strange chant as they used the Fel to pull something from deep inside her, needless to say the pain she was enduring was excruciating.
"AHHHH!!"
A strange black cloud appeared before Luna and slowly began taking a physical form. The first things to appear were a set of webbed wings and a horn then came two emerald eyes followed by a set of fangs and a maniacal laugh.
"It can't be...." Twilight had never been so frightened for she had recognized this form all too well, it was the first villain she and her friends defeated when they first became the elements of harmony; Nightmare Moon. The dark alicorn observed her surroundings and saw the ruins of the old castle before seeing Princess Luna lying helpless at her hooves.
"Interesting."
"Greetings lady Nigtmare Moon. I am Grogar." The necromancer bowed humbly before her as Pendragon and his squad stormed into the room.
"Nightmare Moon?!? Impossible!" A guard shouted before his captain spotted Princess Luna on the floor and gave the order to charge.
"No wait! Stay back!!" Twilight cried out but it was too late. The first two guards were knocked back by Nightmare Moons magic while the captain was pinned against the wall by her unusual strength, she began to sniff the captains neck as if inspecting a meal then out of nowhere.
"So thirsty...HSSSSSS!!!" Nightmare Moon sank her fangs into his neck like a wild beast making him scream in pain as the others stared in horror, only Pendragon held his ground after whispering a plan to the remaining guards.
"Twilight take this." He handed her the strange stone Applejack saw from before.
"What are you going to do?"
"Just be ready."
Nightmare Moon had just finished draining the captain of his blood as she dropped his corpse to the floor, the men cringed in fear after seeing the frightened expression on his face along with the two gaping holes in his neck.
"Exquisite." The dark mare cooed while wiping some blood off her lips as she neared Luna. As Nightmare stared at her other half she became disgusted all she could see was the weak, frail little mare who kept her locked up ever since she was defeated by the elements of harmony so to satisfy her rage she prepared to obliterate the Princess with one blast from her horn.
"Goodbye Princess." The moment she was about to fire a large hammer came swinging down at her from above forcing her to fly back a ways when she saw the human standing between her and Luna, Twilight and the others quickly gathered around the Princess as the strange stone began to glow brighter.
"Okay now what?" Asked Rainbow when her friend yelled out a spell that transported them out of the castle and straight to Sweet Apple Acres. The group was shocked by what had just happened while their friend used his magic to heal the Princess of any wounds that may have been inflicted on her.
"Pendragon, what just happened?" Twilight asked while handing him back the stone.
"It's called a Hearth Stone, we use them in my world to teleport back home it even works if you're on another continent but not when you're in another dimension I'm afraid." He paused for a moment as he heard the flapping of wings and spotted Celestia coming in for a landing.
"LUNA!!" The Princess wasted no time in cuddling her little sister as she roused from her sleep. Luna's vision was blurry but she could still make out the face of her big sister who was crying tears of joy while hugging her.
"Oh sister!"
"Celestia? What happened?" Luna asked in a tired voice while noticing the relieved expressions on the others, only Pendragon seemed concerned as he knelt before Celestia.
"Forgive me for cutting the moment short your majesties but we have a serious problem.
End
Author's Note
Nightmare Moon as a vampire. Genius!
The night after Luna's abduction and the sudden return of Nightmare Moon left the royal guards in a state of panic while Celestia was furious and began using her influence to find out how the necromancer was able to sneak into the castle in the first place while Twilight and her friends returned to the old castle to look for any clues that could reveal the enemies plans but by the time they arrived there was not much to be found save for a few candles and the magic circle.
"Find anything?" Rainbow asked after checking a different part of the castle.
"Nopey dopey."
"These guys left in a hurry." Applejack said after checking the nearby corridors.
"How did they even get into the castle? And why do they need Nightmare Moon?"
"Good question. Find anything Spike?"
"Not ye-WHOA!!" The ground beneath Spike suddenly opened after pulling a book from one of the shelves, a secret staircase leading to the lower levels of the castle, Spike let out a horrified scream as the others rushed down while detecting a foul aroma.
"Ugh! Smell of rotting flesh." Pendragon covered his nose as he lead the way to find a laboratory and a corpse of an unknown pony strapped to a table, the human examined the body to check for any signs of a struggle but had no such luck and came to a horrifying conclusion.
"He willingly allowed himself to be tested on."
"But what were they testing?" Twilight asked as she examined the chemicals followed by a mortar and pestle filled with a strange powder.
"Look at this." Rainbow came over with a map showing the city of trottingham was marked but for what reason they could not tell. The group gathered the evidence and had the lab burned down for fear of having the chemicals cause some kind of disaster and headed back to Twilights castle where she could study the powder.
"Hmm." The Princess viewed the strange substance using her chemistry set and found nothing at first until she exposed the powder to some plants which died within seconds after contact, the results left Twilight shocked as she dropped her notepad and quill.
"This is bad!"
"What? That we found a new weed killer?" Spike asked not fully understanding the situation.
"No Spike you don't understand! If the chemicals in this poison can do this to a single plant just think what they can do to....a whole city." That's when it dawned on her. The cultists were creating a chemical weapon they could use on Equestria and they were going to start with the city of trottingham.
"Uh...T-t-Twilight?!?" Spike frantically pointed at the dead plant that started to jump around and twitch before its roots shot out of the pot and began to intertwine with one another to give it legs while the rest of it mutated into a miniature monster, the creature gave out a loud screech as it pounced at Twilight only to be fried by Spikes dragon breath.
"Thanks Spike, that was close."
"What's going on in here?" Starlight came in and saw the destruction before Twilight explained what had happened. When she revealed her discovery that afternoon, her friends became frightened.
"So are you saying there's gonna be an army of zombies?" Rainbow asked as Twilight only nodded in response. While they chatted, Pendragon sat deep in thought trying to figure out the enemies next move since he had seen this before in Azeroth with the difference being that they knew of the plague this time but what troubled him most is that he knew how fast and effective it was and that time was against them.
"Enough!" He shouted putting their discussion to a halt.
"It's obvious what we have to do. Twilight will head to Canterlot and request aid from the other princesses along with Spike, Fluttershy and Rarity. Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkie Pie will go with me to assess the situation."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Applejack said in agreement along with Rainbow Dash.
"Anything I can do?" Starlight asked eager to lend a hoof to the situation.
"Hmm...Pendragon I think she should go with you, you'll need the extra magic."
"Alright then let's move out. I pray we're not too late."
All were in agreement of the plan and headed to their designated areas; Twilight went to Canterlot to deliver news to the Princess while Pendragon and the others investigated the city of trottingham.
Trottingham
By the time the group had arrived, Trottingham was already in a state of panic. A plague of unknown origin had devastated half of the city and left many of its people dead or dying, hundreds of ponies fled the city and were forced to be separated from their loved ones as the local guards placed the infected homes under quarantine.
"You there, stop! What is your business here?" A guard demanded after seeing the travelers come out of the train station.
"We are the Guardians of Harmony, we've come to investigate the situation here."
"Oh thank goodness." A second guard sighed with relief as they allowed them to pass after casting a shield bubble to protect them.
"I'm glad you came. We've been trying to keep the plague from spreading but it keeps getting worse."
"When did this all start?" Applejack asked after seeing so many sick ponies in one place.
"Have the citizens eaten anything in the past few hours?"
"Well now that I think about it we did receive a grain shipment last night."
At that moment, Pendragon remembered a similar event in Azeroth and noticed some of the other guards preparing to dine on some fresh bread as he shouted.
"DON'T EAT THAT!!" The human proceeded to slap away the loaf of bread while the guard cried out in protest.
"Aww! What a waste of bread!" Cried Pinkie who looked at the now smashed loaf.
"What's gotten into you sugar cube?"
"The food, that's how this plague is spreading! I've seen it before."
The others then noticed the ponies of the city holding their stomachs in pain with some unable to eat or keep themselves from throwing up or coughing up blood, the sight was disgusting. Pendragon then noticed a wagon full of corpses being taken out of the city and decided to follow it to a massive graveyard.
"By the light..."
For Pendragon it was like Lordaeron all over again. Many of the graves were left unmarked since the death toll kept rising leaving no time to identify the victims and as a sign of respect the paladin used his magic to bless the grave sites one by one so that they would not be raised as more undead minions for Grogar to use.
"What are you doing?" A pony dressed in a poofy outfit marched up to Pendragon after he finished blessing the last grave, in an instant he could tell that he was the cities mayor and behind him his own personal guard.
"I am Pendragon. I've come on behalf of the Princess to help with the plague here and what I'm doing is blessing these graves."
"Blessing them? What for? They were just a bunch of peasants." The mayor said casually unaware that he was making the paladin angry.
"I've seen what this plague does in my world, if the graves are not blessed then the victims rise as the living dead."
"I see. Carry on then."
"Wait your grace. I suggest you burn the rest of the bodies instead of burying them since my magic is limited."
"I don't need some human telling me what to do with my own city, I'll deal with the corpses myself." The mayor left in a huff with his nose high in the air that seemed to agitate the paladin even more. Once the graves had been tended to, Pendragon returned to the city where Applejack and Rainbow Dash had gathered up all the crates of poisoned food.
"This all of it Rainbow?" The farm mare inquired after counting the crates.
"This is all the guards brought."
"Well alright then."
A few of the townsfolk came with torches and immediately set the crates ablaze, though it seemed to be such a waste it was a necessary one. For a while things were quiet until a scream from one of the guards alerted the townsfolk.
"What's happening?!?" Pendragon rushed over to see an army of zombies shambling down from the infected part of the city while killing the guards and any other citizen caught in their path. Ponies began to scream and run for the main gate only to find another army coming up the main road leaving them trapped on both sides, Rainbow Dash spotted the mayor hiding in a corner and proceeded to toss him roughly into the frightened crowd.
"YOU!!" Pendragon viciously grabbed him by the scruff of his collar with an angered glare in his eye.
"Mind explaining why we have two armies of undead baring down on us?"
"I...I um-!!"
"SPEAK!!" The human roared as the light from his hammer grew brighter.
"I had my men dump the other bodies in a pit that was to be filled up later! You must understand it's costly to dig one hole at a time! Same thing goes for cremation!" His statement made the human all the more angry as he threw him to the crowd who was outraged by what he had done to the corpses of their loved ones.
"I say we throw him to those zombies!" Shouted Rainbow Dash with the crowd backing her up.
"Leave him Rainbow Dash, he's not worth it. Besides we got bigger problems to deal with." Applejack stated as she pointed a hoof to the undead army drawing closer, the ponies began to panic with no idea what to do until.
"Listen! I know all of you are scared but now is not the time to panic! My friends and I will hold them off as long as we can, those wish to fight for this city feel free to join us." Pendragon marched towards the gate with his hammer held tight while Applejack and the others moved towards the city square.
"You sure you can take all those guys?" Rainbow asked when her friend just kept marching and said.
"I'll be fine, just keep the rest of them from reaching the civilians."
Rainbow then flew back to the others, still unsure about her friends safety despite his power.
Pendragon closed his eyes for a brief moment and took a deep breath as his entire body became shrouded in a warm light that frightened the undead horde before him.
"LIGHT BE WITH US!!" With a mighty roar, the human charged the undead ranks and began smashing them by the dozens with one swing of his hammer and burning dozens more with the magic of the holy light even as they surrounded him on all sides while in the city stood the three friends who were repelling the first wave of the undead.
"Oh yeah! Bring me on!!" Shouted Rainbow Dash who began lopping off a row of zombie heads with one swoop while Applejack and Pinkie kept knocking them back left and right with Starlight using her magic to block the streets leading past the square.
"Keep it up girls!" Shouted Applejack as they pushed back the undead with Pinkie using Pendragons boomstick to shoot them from afar.
"This would be so much more fun if I had confetti." Pinkie stated before firing another shot unaware that one of the zombies was right behind her.
"PINKIE LOOK OUT!!" Cried Starlight.
The Pink mare turned around to see the maw of the undead pony coming at her as she screamed in fright when from behind came a wooden hammer that smashed it right into the ground. A few of the townsfolk had finally decided to join in the fight.
"How can we help?"
"Just take out the ones that get past us!" Rainbow instructed before flying up high to see her human friend demolishing an entire army of undead and it seemed the fight was going their way until the Pegasus spotted something in the distance.
"What is that?" She asked as a large building appeared in the distance and began to block out the sun. When Pendragon saw this, his face turned pale and his knees became weak.
"It...it can't be...." The Paladins voice was quivering with fear as he watched the massive structure float over him when a barrage of canon fire began blasting the undead surrounding him.
"LOOK! It's the princesses!!" A pony cried out as a small fleet of airships began to descend from the cloud cover and at the head of the fleet were Twilight and the rest of her friends along with Celestia and Luna.
The townsfolk began cheering with joy as the ships began to land. In moments a band of royal guards rushed out of the ships and began forming a magic barrier.
"You three, this way!!" One of the guards called out to the three mares once the barrier was complete and just in the nick of time.
"Thanks!" Rainbow said between breaths when she remembered Pendragon was still out there in the field until one of the guards told her that a ship was flying in to pick him up.
Just outside the gate
Pendragon had taken down the last of the zombies when the airship began to hover overhead. A guard shouted his name while dropping a ladder as another barrage of canon fire blasted the fortress above them.
"Are you alright sir?"
"I'm fine! Get us outta here now! Now!!" The human seemed desperate to get away from the large structure as fast as possible and with good reason, within moments the fortress began pouring out a vile green ooze that instantly rotted the land beneath it and began to resurrect the undead slain by the heroes.
"Pendragon are you alright?!? What is that thing?" Twilight asked when she noticed his fists clenched in anger.
"The Citadel of The Damned...Naxxramas...."
End.
Daring Do and The Holy Sword Part 1
Another day, another dungeon.
The famous words of the renowned Archaeologist Daring Do who was in the middle of exploring the northern mountains near the Crystal Empire after hearing of an Artifact of unknown origin that held a strange magic. Daring was exploring a nearby cavern on the tallest mountain when she noticed several hooded figures on the path ahead of her and decided to follow.
"I've heard about these guys, they're those cultists that took over trottingham." She whispered to herself while keeping a distance as she tried to listen in on their conversation but the howling of the wind made it difficult.
"Why is the master afraid of this thing?"
"Cause the last time that knight had it a lot of our brethren were killed back on Azeroth."
Daring had never heard of Azeroth and all she knew was that the artifact in question was somehow related to the cult along with the knight they had mentioned. After following the cultists deeper into the caverns Daring Do had finally discovered the mysterious artifact; A sword implanted in the ice with magic runes that gave off a feint glow.
"Incredible!" The Pegasus whispered to herself in excitement for she had never seen such a magnificently crafted weapon and from its design she could tell it was thousands of years old, maybe more but what puzzled her the most is why the cultists hadn't taken it until one of them reached out only to get his hoof burned by the strange light surrounding the blade.
"AGGH!! Damn! It's more powerful than we thought."
Darings curiosity was piqued even further after seeing such strange magic and waited for the cultists to depart. Once it was quiet enough, she reached into her saddlebag and brought out a camera to take pictures of the sword rather than try and grab it herself after seeing what happened to the cultist.
"Perfect." She said while quietly packing the camera away and as she threw the saddlebag over her shoulder her water cantina accidentally flew out and gave a loud clang that sounded throughout the whole cavern. It wasn't long before torch lights began filling the cavern leaving Daring Do almost no way out until the light from sword revealed a hidden passage in the ice almost as if it was guiding her.
"No choice."
Daring rushed into the hidden cave just in the nick of time when the cultists arrived only to find the cantina and a single feather.
Ponyville
Ponyville was in an uproar after the incident at trottingham. Many of the survivors were demanding to know what the princesses intended to do about the floating fortress now hovering above their once fair city along with the undead who were tearing through the countryside and destroying the outlying farms and villages and the only one who knew anything about the Flying Fortress was Pendragon who seemed troubled as of late.
"Mmm..." The paladin sat alone in Twilights private study doing nothing but stare off into space with a troubled brow, the image of the floating citadel brought back bitter memories for the human as images of a destroyed town and dying citizens flooded his mind followed by their screams of anguish. A knock on the door startled him to the point where he readied himself to attack but thankfully it was Twilight and her friends who came waltzing in.
"Hey there!" Called Pinkie with a smile when she noticed her friend had broken into a sweat and was suddenly out of breath.
"Are you alright darling? You look paler than usual." Rarity asked while checking if he had a fever.
"Just a little jumpy." Pendragon admitted while allowing himself to lay back and relax. Twilight asked Spike to fetch them some tea as they discussed something important with their friend.
"Pendragon. When you saw that fortress the other day you seemed to recognize it all too well."
"I do. That was the citadel of Naxxramas; The scourges most formidable weapon..."
Pendragon stared out the window as he told his friends the tales of the horrors he faced against the floating citadel and its master who was a powerful necromancer by the name of Kel'Thuzad but what puzzled him most is how the fortress was back up and flying and somehow made its way here to Equestria.
"Unless that fortress is brought down, none of us are safe."
"You're scared of a floating hunk of rock?" Rainbow joked when she saw him give her a stern glare.
"That hunk of rock once leveled an entire fortress town in one fell swoop Rainbow Dash this is nothing to joke about!" Pendragon snapped at his friend in a huff before turning his attention back to the horizon.
"What's his problem?"
"Maybe we should be more serious about this girls, This thing did come from Pendragons world after all."
"True but he doesn't have to be so hostile." Rarity said while fixing her mane. It was at that moment when Spike came into the room holding a letter addressed to Rainbow Dash and the moment the Pegasus read it her wings perked up as she squealed in excitement.
"It's from Daring Do! She wants us to help her with a new artifact and she even sent us a picture!!" Rainbow showed her friends the photo in question and all were in awe.
"Pendragon look at this, it's a sword!"
"A what?!?" Pendragon got a good look at the picture and his face became filled with shock.
"QUEL'DELAR!!" He shouted while snatching the photo from Rainbows hooves with the others looking surprised at him.
"Quail dinner? I don't think Fluttershy would like that." Pinkie was not familiar with the language Pendragon just used while he continued to stare at the photo.
"I want to meet this Daring Do."
"Why?"
"Cause she just found my sword."
At that moment Pendragon grinned knowing that they finally had something that could give them an edge against Grogar and The Cult of The Damed. The friends departed for Darings house located in a secluded forest area just outside on the borders near ponyville and because of the secrecy they traveled by foot save for the three who could fly, when they had reached their destination a mare draped in a cloak and glasses cautiously peeked out her front door before inviting them in.
"Glad you all could make it." The mare sighed with relief before noticing the human standing in her house.
"Is this him?"
"Yes." Answered twilight before the mare removed her disguise revealing her true appearance; a Pegasus wearing a pit helmet and an explorers vest which seemed to have some wear and tear in a few areas.
"So you must be Daring Do."
"And judging from your armor, you must be the knight those cultists were talking about." Daring said after examining the craftsmanship of Pendragons armor.
"Princess Twilight said that you know more about this sword than I do. What can you tell me?"
"That depends, what do you want to know?" Pendragons question made the archeologist grin with anticipation as she grabbed a notebook and quill along with Twilight while answering.
"Everything!"
"Well it began at least 10,000 years ago on my homeworld of Azeroth."
From beginning to end the human told the ponies everything he knew about the sword from its creation to its use in the war against the Lich King and it was no surprise they were in awe.
"So you're saying this sword was forged by five dragon gods?" Twilight inquired while taking a few notes.
"Dragon Aspects to be exact and each one powerful in their own right. I had the rare chance of having an audience with the dragon queen herself; Alexstraza The Life Binder."
"Hold on you guys have a dragon Queen in your world?" Spike asked completely shocked.
"Indeed but we need to get back on topic. Miss Do-"
"Daring. Just Daring please."
"Right. Daring did you notice anything strange about what the cutlists were doing?"
"Well from what I saw they were trying to dispel the sword of its magic but it seems to be too much for them."
Pendragon then scratched his chin for a moment clearly thinking of a plan to take back the sword as well as take out any enemy resistance along the way but time was of the essence.
"I know that look." Applejack said with a grin as her friend walked over to a map of the crystal mountains.
"I know we've just met Daring Do but I must ask you. Will you help me reclaim my sword?" Pendragon turned to the Pegasus who had already grabbed her adventuring gear to answer.
"It would be my pleasure."
End.
Daring Do and The Holy Sword Part 2
With their gear set, the ponies set out towards the Crystal Mountains to reclaim their friends sword and put a stop to whatever the cultists were planning. Rarity had given Pendragon a cape which she fashioned from the shipwrecks flag while making a few winter outfits for her friends as well and they would need them soon.
The winds howled violently atop the mountain making it nearly impossible to see even as Twilight and Rarity used their horns to illuminate the mountain path.
"The cave is just ahead!!" Daring shouted while leading the way. Spike had nearly fallen off the cliff until but was saved thanks to Applejacks lasso and quick reflexes.
"You alright little fella?"
"Yeah, thanks applejack!"
As soon as they reached the cave, the group set up a small camp and covered the entrance in case they were followed. Pendragon lit a small fire to warm them up while lighting a torch as he went to inspect the rest of the cavern.
"You sure this is the spot?" He asked daring while peeking around a few corners.
"Yup. Even the cultist don't know about this section."
For a while the explorers sat around the fire while trying to come up with a plan to sneak past the cultists and escape with the sword, Rainbow Dash suggested they simply swoop in and grab it but Daring explained the swords magic prevented any from holding it and on top of that, there were cultists filling out the entire cave system.
"I don't know if this is such a good idea after all." Fluttershy said quietly knowing the slightest noise could echo in the cavern. A feint sound of chattering was heard when Daring quickly doused the fire while listening carefully to what sounded like chanting.
"A ritual."
"They must be trying to break the spell on the sword...we're running out of time!" The paladin reached into his travel bag to pull out a shortsword and shield that left the others a bit stunned.
"How did..." Rainbow cut her sentence short while looking in the bag as Rarity showed off one of her own design.
"Oh Pendragon was kind enough to show me one of his tailoring manuals from his home. They really do make excellent travel bags and if you wish miss Do I can make you one."
"Sounds good."
"Alright, enough chatter! We're going in and we're going in hot." Pendragon lead the way out of the cavern towards a glowing green light as the sound of the chanting grew louder. The ponies were afraid and they had reason to be, not since the Canterlot Wedding had they faced so many enemies at once and now the group they faced wielded powers of the undead but Pendragon showed no fear or hesitation in fact he welcomed the challenge.
"In Lightbringers name!! HAVE AT THEE!!" The paladin leaped into the fray, sword swinging to and fro making a path for the others to enter.
"Is he always like this?" Daring asked Rainbow who simply shrugged before joining the fight, the cultists were easy to deal with thanks to the narrow space of the cavern and the combined speed of Rainbow Dash and Daring do as they zipped around picking them off one by one. Amidst the fighting Pendragon could see his sword just out of reach and began cutting through the enemies standing in his way when out of nowhere came a green flame that struck him into the wall followed by a blue smoke cloud that slowly took the form of Nightmare moon.
"Well well Grogar, you were right." The dark alicorn said as Grogar removed his hood with a smug grin.
"What do you expect? These humans are predictable, if they see a chance to claim power they'll take it." With a wave of his hoof, the necromancer began draining Pendragon of his magic while Nightmare Moon went to deal with Twilight and her friends.
"I believe we have some unfinished business." The dark Princess grinned as the ponies prepared to fight.
"Shame you don't have the elements. You'll need them."
"Oh yeah?" Rainbow Dash took off like a shot to deliver a double heeled kick when the alicorn instantly vanished from sight.
"What the?!?"
"Boo." With one push, Nightmare moon sent the Pegasus crashing through several pillars of ice covering her in cuts and bruises.
"RAINBOW!!" Twilight instantly gre furious and began blasting Nightmare non stop with her magic but the dark mare seemed bored as she easily blocked each one with her wings.
"Too easy." Nightmare frowned before blasting Twilight with her own magic only to have Spike block the attack with his shield. Twilight gasped as her friend was knocked out cold from the impact and for Rarity that was the final straw.
"HOW DARE YOU!" The white mare shot at the evil alicorn with everything she had but was quickly defeated leaving Pinkie, Applejack and Fluttershy along with Daring Do to face her.
"No...girls stop!" Pendragon pleaded as he tried to rush to their aid but Grogar kept him pinned down with his foul magic and grinned at how helpless the human was before him while watching Nightmare Moon toy with his friends and as the last of them fell she began to boast.
"These are the Guardians of Harmony? Pathetic! I only hope Celestia will be more of a challenge as she was a thousand years ago." The alicorn huffed while marching towards the exit.
"Finish the human, you can do what you want with the others." Nightmare Moon then vanished in a flash of light, leaving them to their fate. The necromancer grinned as he felt the life essence of the human entering his body, giving him more power while the other ponies helplessly watched after being weakened from their fight with Nightmare Moon.
"It's over." Grogar said triumphantly as he prepared to drain the last of Pendragons magic when suddenly the paladin rose to his feet with a fierce gaze and the sword began to shine more brightly. Grogar began to feel his hold over the human weaken and struggled to keep him pinned.
"Give me your soul mortal!!" Grogar shouted as he felt the magic he stole flow back into the human and with a mighty shout Pendragon broke the necromancers hold over him and sent the evil ram flying.
"NEVER!!" At that moment, the runes on the blade shined with such intensity that the others were almost blinded while undead minions cringed in fear. As Pendragon approached the sword it became surrounded in a golden flame that began pulling the human closer as if welcoming him.
"Recognize one of your Knights!" He spoke with determination as he grabbed the hilt firmly with both hands. The flames slowly consumed the humans body as the blade was pulled from the rock and before their eyes the ponies saw their friend bathed in a glorious light. With his newfound power, Pendragon used the light to restore his friends strength before confronting Grogar once more.
"Twilight what happened?" Rainbow asked still groggy from her injuries while her friend just stared in awe of Pendragons new magic.
"I think...this is Pendragons true power..."
All were stunned at the humans transformation, he had become something powerful, godlike and deadly as the very ground he stepped on became scorched by fire as intense as the sun.
"Now necromancer. Feel the might of The Silver Hand!!"
"KILL HIM!!" Grogars minions swarmed Pendragon from all sides but their superior numbers were no match for the might of Quel'Delar as the blade reduced them to ashes with each swing, the necromancer grew frightened as the human began cutting a straight line towards him eyes filled with determination and fearlessness he was witnessing the true might of a paladin.
"For Azeroth!!" Pendragon gave out one last cry as he focused his magic into the sword for one powerful strike.
"FOR THE ALLIANCE!!!"
With one last swing the paladin blasted the necromancer out of the caverns while blowing a hole in the mountain side and the minions that remained fled for their lives, as the dust settled Pendragon saw that Grogar had managed to shield himself from the blast but was badly burned all over and one of his horns had snapped off from the impact.
"This isn't over human! The scourge will triumph over this land!!" The wounded ram declared while preparing a teleportation spell.
"Not so long as I stand Grogar!" Pendragon replied as Grogar vanished in green fire, for a moment things were quiet until Rainbow Dash blurted out.
"That...was...AWESOME!!" The others began congratulating their friend on this victory and headed for home with the sword now in their possession.
Naxxramas
Grogar stumbled through the halls of the necropolis, still wounded from his encounter with Pendragon until he arrived in the main chamber where a dark figure gazed upon him with two blue eyes.
"Forgive me master, I have failed. The human now has the sword."
"It matters not." The voice replied in a cold tone.
"Do you still have his magic?"
"Y-yes of course!" Grogar reached into his cloak to pull out a crystal orb containing the magic he stole from Pendragon, the figure the reached out with a skeletal hand to claim it and gaze upon it with malice through two eyes of blue fire.
"You have done well Grogar."
"Thank you, Master."
End.
Pendragon was up bright and early sharpening the edge of Quel'Delar before polishing it until it reflected the sun, the paladin beamed with pride to have his old sword back and was thankful that his friends made it back from their mission alive even after their encounter with Nightmare Moon but what surprised him most is that Daring Do used his sword for her newest book "Daring Do and The Holy Sword" and even gave him the first copy ahead of its release. As he sheathed his sword, Applejack and her sister came into the barn with a mug of hot cider and a slice of warm apple pie while shouting.
"Happy Hearthswarming Eve!!"
The siblings quickly shut the doors as the wind began to pick up with a few snowflakes making it inside. Both were wearing winter outfits as they brought their friend his snack with happy smiles.
"Hey girls, what's the occassion?" He asked while taking a bite of the pie which left a surprised look on their faces.
"That's right! This'll be your first Hearthswarming Eve in Equestria."
"Hearthswarming Eve?"
"Yeah! It's the one time of year where we open presents and eat lots of treats and get to see all of our friends and family!" The little filly hopped up and down in excitement as her human friend smiled before taking a gulp of the cider. The taste was astonishing.
"I cannot get over how good this cider tastes, if I ever get home I'm bringing you guys back some thunderbrew ale from Ironforge!"
"Ironforge?" Applejack asked, having never heard of such a place. Pendragon began telling them of the great city of Ironforge; The Kingdom Beneath The Mountain and of its people the dwarves who were master craftsmen and miners and how they built their great city deep within the mountain itself. Applebloom of course was stunned by the tale.
"I'll never forget my first visit their." The human said with a smile that quickly turned upside down.
"Sounds like someone is a little homesick." Said Applejack with a little smirk as she placed a hoof on his shoulder.
"Yeah I guess I am. You'd love my homeland Applejack, the forests, the fields, the snowy mountains." Pendragon spoke in a nostalgic tone as he stared at his reflection in the cider before gulping it all down as Big Mac came into the barn wearing a thick scarf and some earmuffs.
"AJ, everyone's gathered at Twilights castle. All we need is the tree."
This was the first time Pendragon heard the red pony speak beyond just two words and almost got distracted from the coversation they were having.
"Caramel sprained his leg?!?"
"Eeyup."
"What's wrong?" He asked after hearing Applejack sound upset.
"One of our friends was suppose to get a tree for our Hearthswarming party but he got hurt." When Applejack said this her little sisters eyes began to swell up with tears.
"Does this mean we won't have a tree this year?"
Applebloom began to sob at the thought of not having a proper Hearthswarming as her bigh brother and sister tried to comfort her when.
"I can get it." The human said much to the surprise of the three ponies.
"Pendragon are you sure? The air is pretty chilly tonight" Applejack pointed out the strong wind just outside the barn.
"You call this cold? Try standing in the frozen wastes of Icecrown!" He scoffed while grabbing his cloak and axe making it very clear he wasnt going to take "No" for an answer. The farm mare simply shook her head with a smile and decided to join him while promising her little sister she'd be back with a tree in time for the party.
"Alright! Let's move em out!"
"Yes ma'am!"
The two headed off towards the forest while Big Mac took Applebloom to Twilights castle. As soon as they reached their destination the two friends found the tree that was being cut by Caramel and quickly got to work as they heard the wind howl, Applejack stood in the cold snow shivering even in her winter coat but noticed her friend was unphased even as a strong gust blew in from behind.
"TIMBEEER!!" He shouted as the tree came crashing down with a loud thud before being loaded onto a sleigh. Pendragon did the heavy lifting despite Applejacks protest and though it was gentlemanly of him the farm mare could not help but feel annoyed.
"I don't see why you need to do this sugarcube."
"Nonsense Applejack you and your family have done so much for me, besides a pretty mare like you shouldn't work so hard."
Applejacks cheeks flared red at the sudden compliment, he actually said she was pretty which was something she never heard before and for a moment she became lost in thought until a rock hidden by the snow caught her eye.
"WATCH OUT!!"
Pendragon tripped and rolled down a hill before coming to a stop on something cold and hard, his head felt dizzy from the constant tumbling and he found the ground a little slippery with Applejacks voice being drowned out by the wind.
"I can't hear you!" He shouted as he took one step forward before hearing a groaning sound followed by a few cracking noises it was then he realized what he was standing on; A frozen lake.
"OH CRAP!!" The ice gave way under his weight and the next thing he knew Pendragon was being sucked into the cold icy water. Applejack panicked for a second and quickly grabbed the rope holding the tree while her friend did his best to stay afloat.
"A-APPLEJACK!!" Pendragon cried out before going under again as his muscles began to stiffen from the intense cold.
"Hang on partner!!" Applejack began winding up her lasso as she took aim but the wind and snow made it hard to see clearly so out of shear instinct the farm mare hurled the rope towards the hole in the ice.
"Grab the rope!!" She shouted as Pendragon gave one last push out of the water to grab the lasso. Once Applejack felt him tug on the rope she began pulling with all her strength but the weight of her friend and the snow beneath her made it difficult to move.
"Need some help farm girl?" A raspy voice called out from behind when Rainbow Dash arrived on the scene followed by Fluttershy and Twilight.
"Alright girls! PULL!!" Twilight shouted while using her magic to help pull their friend out of the water but Pendragon didn't speak nor move making them worried. Fluttershy quickly rushed to his side to see what was wrong while making sure he was still alive.
"He's not breathing!!" The yellow pegasus was panicking when Applejack ran over and told the others to keep back.
"Applejack what are you-OH MY!!" Twilight was cut off as she watched her friend press her muzzle against his lips while blowing air into his lungs before pressing down on his chest with both hooves.
"Come on sugarcube!" She said after the first three pushes yet nothing happened. The others watched fearing the worst then after a few more presses to his chest Pendragon finally spewed out the cold water that filled his lungs while gasping for as much air as he could get.
"That's it, let it all out!" Applejack began patting his back to help expel the remaining fluids before he curled up shivering as he regained conciousness to see his friends standing around with relieved smiles.
"Th-th-thanks girls!" He said while trying to smile as the girls gathered around him for a group hug.
Later
The friends returned to Twilights castle where the preparations for tonights party were finishing up and all were surprised to see the human dripping from head to toe with a case of the sniffles.
"What happened?" Asked Pinkie who came hopping up to meet her friends.
"I decided to go for a little swim." Pendragon joked while recieving a nudge from Rainbow who took him to the fireplace.
"Swimming in winter? Are you loco in the coco?!? You'll catch a cold!"
"You don't sa-ah...ah...AHCHOO!!"
"See?"
The ponies laughed before returning to the festivities while Rainbow seated her friend in front of the fire to warm up and handed him a cup of hot Coacoa with marshmallows and as the human began to feel a little bit better he decided to take a look around the castle while mingling with some of the party guests.
"Pendragon." Twilight called out to him with her friends standing behind her.
"Can you come with us? There's something we'd like to show you."
"Of course."
The girls lead him down the hall, towards a single door with a large red ribbon wrapped on its handles and a small tag that read.
"To: Pendragon From: Your friends
"Well what're you waiting for? Open it!" Rainbow said impatiently with a smile and after a quick tug Pendragon slowly opened the doors to find a room decorated with his personal belongings. His armor and weapons decorated the walls along with a map of Azeroth followed by his old ships banner and on a shelf were books from his homeland as well, the human was no less than stunned by what he found.
"Do you like it?" Fluttershy asked as he continued to stare.
"It's...Amazing!! How did?"
"We've actually been working on this for some time. Can't have ya sleeping in the barn forever." Applejack said when out of nowhere the human pulled all of them in for a group hug as a single tear fell from his eye.
"Thanks girls...you're the best."
"AWWW~!" The friends couldn't help but return the hug before heading back to the party as Twilight said to him.
"Happy Hearthswarming Pendragon."
"Happy Hearthswarming Twilight."
End.
Hearthswarming had come and gone which meant spring was just around the corner meaning it was time for one of Ponyvilles most busiest days; Winter Wrap Up. It didn't come as a surprise to Pendragon now that he had been living among the ponies so long as they cleared the snow and clouds while bringing the birds back from the south and awakening the animals from their hibernation, if anything he was impressed.
"Morning Pendragon! How's your cold?" Spike came waltzing out the front door with two hot coacoas for them to warm up before starting the day.
"I'm fine now Spike, thanks to the tea Twilight made for me."
"Glad to hear it. A toast to your health!"
"Heh I'll drink to that."
With a quick tapping of the mugs the friends shared a toast and headed into town to meet up with Twilight who was busy coordinating the various teams that helped clean up winter.
"Okay ponies we got a big day! Rainbow Dash are your flight teams assembled?"
"We are good to go!"
"Applejack how's the field coming along?"
"First field is already planted!"
To see a princess working in such a manner came as a bit of a shock to Pendragon, Twilight was different from the royalty he knew back on Azeroth she was kind hearted, hard working and not afraid to get her hooves dirty when it came to manual labor.
"Morning Twilight!" He called out waving hello as the teams dispersed to do their jobs.
"Oh morning Pendragon. Feeling better?"
"Much. So what's going on?"
"Not much. We're just a little behind schedule with clearing the snow."
"Really?" He turned towards the field to see a few of the local stallions plowing the snow and were having a hard time doing it.
"Hm that looks like fun. Mind if I try it?"
"Uh sure I guess. The plows are over there." Twilight wasn't sure how he was going to push such a large wagon given the thickness of the snow and some of the townsfolk had stopped what they were doing to see how he was going to pull it off.
"You think he can do it?"
"Come on you'd have to be as strong as Big Mac to push one of those."
The ponies continued to watch as the human did a few stretches before cracking his knuckles. With one well placed push the plow began to move forward slowly as Pendragon gave it everything he had to get it moving which surprised some of the ponies watching.
"Hey not bad soldier boy." Said Rainbow Dash swooping down to get a closer look.
"Heh! This reminds me of the time I had to haul a cannon halfway across a battlefield during a siege."
Like any war veteran, Pendragon liked telling tales of battles long past as a way to pass the time while working and by noon most of the clouds were cleared giving way to warm sunlight that made the human work up a sweat.
"Eesh! It's getting toasty out here!" He groaned before removing his shirt now drenched in sweat and when this happened the mares in the area became instantly stunned at his figure. The human had a burly upper body covered in scars yet that seemed to make him all the more attractive yet Rainbow Dash seemed unphased by his looks.
"whistle~! You're packing some serious muscle there pal!" The pegasus complimented as he finished plowing the last of the snow off the field.
"Thanks. I do at least fifty push ups each morning."
Their conversation was cut short by the crowd of mares that seemed to appear out of nowhere and all seemed to have a dazed look in their eyes along with drooling mouths.
"Uh is there something I can help you ladies with?"
"Oh don't mind us." A mare swooned as he helped put away the equipment when Rainbow Dash broke up the crowd and told everypony to get back to work while clearing up the remaining clouds, with the snow all cleared up the ponies went about their day like normal but for Pendragon things were a bit chaotic now that he had established Ponyvilles first order of knights and with that came many young recruits looking to become knights themselves.
The first thing on his schedule was taking the recruits through a rigorous exercise course followed by a few combat drills. The results were somewhat less than satisfying.
"Alright fellas take a break! We do fifty laps around town later." He shouted while the recruits groaned in agony from their aching bodies. The paladin could only sigh and shake his head in disappointment but it was to be expected since the kingdom he was living in was one of peace despite the occasional monster attack or all powerful being bent on world domination.
"Morning~!" A voice called out when Pendragon turned around to see Pinkie hopping up the street with her usual happy expression.
"Hey Pinkie."
"Hi! So how's it going?"
"In a word: Lousy." Pendragon huffed before taking a few sips of water from his flask.
"How is it your kingdom has stayed safe this long? Why doesn't Celestia raise an army?"
"I asked her that myself." Twilight Sparkle came flying in with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy who seemed a bit concerned about the condition of the trainees.
"Celestia told me that the last time she raised an army was during the war against King Sombra and during that war she lost many soldiers. Some were even close friends of hers."
"Well I can understand that. During the war against the Lich King I lost many good friends of mine and I wondered what was the point in fighting but then I remembered the cause."
"The what?" Asked Rainbow perking an eyebrow.
"The cause; The reason why we fight. We were fighting to protect our homes, our families but most of all to avenge the loved ones we lost during that war and..." He paused for a moment and became lost in thought.
"Hello! Anybody home?" Rainbow Dash bonked him on the head a few times to snap him out of it.
"You alright? You spaced out for a bit."
"Sorry. I'm just wondering how things are going back home." He sighed before noticing two colts crashing to the ground with a set of lances on top of them.
"Snips! Snails! Be careful with those!"
"Sorry sir!"
"Won't happen again!"
"Ugh! Squires." He grumbled before resuming the training while the rest of his friends went about their day.
That Afternoon
The sun was at its highest when Pendragon finally allowed himself to rest on the balcony of Twilights castle as a gentle breeze began to blow in with a few clouds to block out the sun and the rest of the day seemed people when a flock of birds suddenly whooshed past the castle in a frenzy followed by a few animals from Fluttershys' cottage then the pegasus herself came sliding onto the rooftop.
"Fluttershy!" Pendragon noticed she was in a panic out of breath like she had seen a ghost.
"Fluttershy what's wrong?"
"LOOK OUT!!" The pegasus shrieked when a large bat-like creature came crashing down on top of her friend. Pendragon instantly recognized it as a gargoyle and wasted no time in wrestling the beast away from Fluttershy before blasting it with his magic but the beast was barely phased by the attack and proceeded to pin the human on the ground before opening its jaws as a set of fangs prepared to chomp down on his head.
"Fluttershy get help!!"
"But-!!"
"GO NOW!" Pendragon snapped at her while keeping a firm grip on the monsters jaws as it continued to press down on him. Fluttershy quickly rushed into town to get help especially after hearing the terrifying shriek from the gargoyle, she flew as fast as her wings could carry her when she crashed into Applejack who was just on her way to the castle along with Rarity and when the two heard what was happening they rushed over to the castle at full gallop.
Meanwhile
The gargoyle was just inches away from turning the human into an afternoon snack when the the mares bursted onto the scene as Rarity shot the beast straight in the eyes allowing for Pendragon to make a quick escape while Applejack delivered one of her signature kicks that sent the beast spiraling to the ground with a few teeth flying in the air.
"Take that you fiend!" The unicorn shouted in triumph before checking on her friend.
"You alright darling?"
"I'll live." He said rubbing his neck before looking at the creature.
"Fluttershy where'd this thing come from?"
"W-well I was feeding the birds when all of the sudden this huge cloud rolled in and the next thing I knew that monster was attacking-!! There it is!" Fluttershy pointed to a massive cloud hovering in the distance and it seemed to be moving against the wind as it drew closer. Pendragon looked on suspicously when he noticed a piece of a stone structure coming into view.
"That's no cloud..." He said in an ominous voice before rushing downstairs to grab his armor and sword with Applejack following close behind.
"Was that what I think it was?" The farm mare asked even though she was fully aware of what they all saw.
"Naxxramas! The Scourge are on the move. I need you and the others to get all the townsfolk in their homes!"
"What about you?"
"I can hold them off for a few minuets...give or take." That last part made Applejack feel uneasy and as she watched him rush straight for the door she couldn't help but say.
"Pen! Be careful sugarcube..."
Pendragon could see the fear in her eyes and could not think of anything to say so all he could do was nod in acknowledgement of her concern and ran towards the outskirts of town while she went into town to warn the others. By the time Pendragon reached the nearest hill the fortress was already in sight causing many of the ponies to panic.
"Listen up everypony! We need all of you to stay inside until it's safe!" Applejack was in the town square with her friends trying the keep the ponies calm when they saw a pillar of light shoot up from the horizon and instantly knew that Pendragon was already locked in battle with hundreds of enemies as they saw all sourts of nightmarish creatires descending to the ground from the fortress. It was at that moment when Snips and Snails arrived along with the other squires ready to help in any way they could.
"Snips? Snails? What're you guys doing here?" Asked Spike who had just finished getting the last of the ponies indoors.
"We thought we could help." Snips answered while the others looked at each other for a moment when another pillar of light shot towards the sky.
"Alright. Spike you stay with them and make sure everypony is safe, the rest of us will go back up Pendragon."
"You got it Twilight!"
The six friends then raced off towards the battle to find hundreads of undead monsters burned or cut to pieces but the enemy seemed endless as they continued to rain down from above and amidst the battle the paladin felt an eerie cold as the ground beneath him turned frozen while the sound of rattling chains filled the air as he turned around to see a floating skeleton dressed in robes and a jeweled headdress; A Lich.
"You...." In that moment, Pendragons blood began to boil and his eyes flared with an uncontrollable rage.
"The last time we met was in Northrend wasn't it?" The creature asked in an otherworldly voice and just the sound of that voice alone made the paladin lose all control of his emotions.
"KEL'THUZAAAAAAAD!!!" Pendragon had remembered this monster all too well from the war in Azeroth, it was him who had destroyed his homeland and killed his friends and it was also him who had brought the plague that killed off so many of his loved ones. Twilight and the others arrived on the scene to see their human friend locked in a duel with the lich yet something seemed off, he was swinging his sword blindly and recklessly casting one spell after another while his opponent seemed to be amused by his efforts.
"My turn." The lich spoke before blasting Pendragon away with ice magic.
"PENDRAGON!" Applejack called out as she and Rainbow charged towards him.
"Stay back!!" Pendragon shouted just before Twilight put up a barrier that intercepted another of the sorcerers attacks.
"Amusing."
"Leave them alone lich! Your fight is with me!!" Pendragon swung Quel'Delar with such force that he was actually able to cut the lich on his chest. As Kel'Thuzad stared at his wound he felt a small tinge of annoyance.
"So you wish to die? Very well." And with just a wave of his hand, the lich fired a black mist that sent the human flying and knocking him out cold.
"NO!!" Twilight shrieked after hearing her friend scream in agony while Rainbow flew out of the barrier and went straight for the lich in a fury.
"YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE!!" With lightning fast speed, the pegasus smashed into the sorcerers headdress leaving a small crack in the jewel. When Kel'Thuzad realized this he immediately ordered a retreat despite having the advantage and ordered his minions to retreat to the everfree forest.
"Yeah you better run!!" Rainbow shouted at the fleeing monsters before checking on Pendragon who had just regained consciousness.
"You okay?" Pinkie asked while helping him sit up.
"I think so."
"What in the world was that creature you were fighting?" Twilight and the others were curious to know when they noticed the fortress floating back to the forest.
"That...was Kel'Thuzad. Master of the Cult of The Damned..."
End.
Pendragon laid helpless on the bed with an aura of magic surrounding him as six figures stood in a circle with one holding a piece of cloth that had been dipped in a strange liquid.
"No! Don't you dare!" The human protested as the arm holding the rag was raised.
"No! No!!"
SLAP!!
"OHHH THAT HURT!!"
"Oh stop yer fussin'." Said Applejack rubbing in the iodine on her friends wound while Twilight kept him still with her magic. The human had suffered a few scrapes and bruises from his encounter with the lich and was lucky to have made it back in one piece but with the treatment his friends were giving him it seemed like a quick death wouldn't have been so bad.
"Can't you just use your fancy magic to patch yourself up?" Asked Rainbow after tightening the bandages on his chest.
"I would but I'd need to have the stamina to withstand the after affects."
"Which is not possible because you went all trigger happy with your spells!" Twilight lectured before applying some iodine to a cut on his left cheek.
"What happened to you back there? You completely lost it."
"Yeah sugarcube. What happened?"
After they patched him up, Pendragon seemed relectant to answer his friends despite knowing he could trust them.
"Pendragon please." Twilight pleaded when he finally told them the story of his history with Kel'Thuzad.
Pendragon had stormed the floating fortress of Naxxramas with a small band of heroes while the main army dealt with the threat below, after much difficulty the heroes finally reached the domain of the Lich himself and before long a fierce battle broke out that nearly destroyed the fortress from within. Kel'Thuzad had been defeated but at a heavy price, Pendragon was the only survivor and as he looked at the mangled bodies of his fallen comrades he spotted a single glowing charm; A phylactery and he knew right away that it had belonged to the lich.
All he had to do was raise his sword, smash the charm and this nightmare would finally end but before he could get the chance several officers stormed into the room telling him to halt his blade. Their plan was to interrogate the lich for information on the scourge which seemed like a reasonable plan but what he failed to realize was that those officers were cultists in disguise.
"By the time I realized what had happened they were long gone. I knew one day Kel'Thuzad would return but never in my wildest dreams would I wish him upon this kingdom. Now thanks to me your home is-!"
"Now stop right there!" Fluttershy said sternly surprising everyone.
"Don't go blaming yourself for what's happened, it's not like you did this on purpose and who knows. This might've happened even if you didn't come to our world."
"Fluttershy's right." Said Rarity putting away the remaining bandages.
"And besides we've faced a lot worse."
The girls all nodded in agreement when there came a knock at the door. Spike answered to find a squad of royal guards marching into the castle but these weren't the usual ones from Canterlot; They hailed from the Crystal Empire.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle?" One of them called out as Twilight trotted up the hallway quickly.
"Yes?"
"Your brother; Prince Shining Armor has requested that you and your friends come to Canterlot at once, given the recent events that have transpired."
"My brother?" Twilight instantly became excited after hearing her brother was in Canterlot snd that meant her sister-in-law; Princess Cadence amd her niece Flurry Heart were there as well. Her friends were also told to come along meaning that this meeting must've been important and probably had something to do with the floating fortress now hovering just above the Everfree Forest.
The moment they stepped outside, hundreds of ponies swarmed around Twilight asking numerous questions while the guards held them back as best they could.
"Please everypony, calm down!"
"Calm down?!? We have a crisis on our hooves!" A voice called out in protest.
"This is all that humans fault!"
"Yeah! All this happened the moment he showed up!!"
The ponies then noticed Pendragon walking out the door and began throwing insults at him and demanding that he leave their town at once but the paladin did not react nor respond to any of their babbling even as one of them struck him with a rock.
"HEY! Leave him alone!!" Pinkie shouted with Rainbow Dash and Applejack backing her up as they formed a wall between the townsfolk and Pendragon.
"If y'all are gonna blame him for what's been going on then you might as well blame us for every other disaster that's happened to this town!" Said Applejack who was helping her human friend up.
"This isn't the first time Ponyville has had a crisis or have y'all forgotten about that incident with Twilights doll?"
The townsfolk all began to cringe back from embarassment and shame after remembering that event, even the mayor who was among the crowd began to blush red.
"You ponies should be ashamed!" Rarity stated while helping Applejack.
"He has done nothing but help us ever since he arrived here and this is how you repay him?!? Well then you might as well blame us for the changeling attack on Canterlot or the Bug Bear that nearly destroyed the town and ruined Cranky and Matildas wedding!"
At that moment every pony was silent, not one soul spoke out in argument and allowed Rarity to check on her friend whos' forehead began to bleed out from the injury.
"Oh darling you're bleeding!"
"I'm fine." Pendragon said in a deadpan voice when to his surprise the unicorn used a small fraction of the holy light to heal his wound.
"There." Rarity smiled happily before the town gave way to the crystal guards and bowing their heads in shame.
"Can you believe these ponies?" Asked Rainbow hovering next to Twilight.
"Don't blame them Rainbow, they're scared." Pendragon said without even giving the ponies a sideways glance yet he could still feel their resentment towards him, their hate but how could he blame them? Their town was peaceful and prosperous until he came along and now one of the greatest threats from his world was preparing to destroy theirs.
"NEXT STOP! CANTERLOT!" The conductor shouted breaking the human from his thoughts as they boarded the train.
Canterlot
As the group departed the train station they noticed a large number of guards posted around the station and the outer wall of the city while in the sky were pegasus guards overwatching the streets below.
"Wow. Haven't seen this much security since the wedding." Spike said while carrying some luggage.
"What exactly happened at this wedding?" Pendragon asked while they made their way through the city. Twilight started the story by telling him of how they were invited to her brothers wedding up to the part where they nearly lost Canterlot to Queen Chrysalis and her changelings.
"So you guys almost lost your city to...a bug?"
"Eeyup." Answered Applejack trying to sound like her brother.
"Well it's better than losing it to a dragon disguised as the kings advisor."
"What?" Asked Twilight to which her friend responded.
"Again, long story."
Soon after, they arrived at the castle where a large number of royal and crystal guards had been assembled with one in particular catching Twilights eye.
"Announcing Sir Pendragon and The Guardians of Harmony!" A pegasus announced as the guards stood at attention in two straight lines leading to the throne where Celestia and Luna awaited along with Cadence and her daughter.
"Cadence!" The purple alicorn ran up to her sister in law to perform their special handshake.
"Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" The dance of the two mares made Flurry Heart burst into laughter as she was floated over to her aunt for a much awaited cuddle while Celestia addressed Pendragon about the situation in Ponyville.
"Forgive me for not bowing your grace."
"No bowing needed Pendragon. I understand you encountered an old foe from your world."
"Yes. His name is Kel'Thuzad and I would've been dead had it not been for my friends." The human paused for a moment when he noticed a white unicorn stallion dressed in gold plated armor decorated with a purple trim and on his flank was a shield with a single star in the center followed by three more above it.
"Sorry I'm late! Had to make sure security was tight." He apologized before receiving a kiss on the cheek from Cadence.
"Shining Armor this is Pendragon; Twilights new friend."
"Oh. A pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine my lord." Pendragon answered bowing slightly which made Shining feel a little uneasy.
"Please there's no need for that. Any friend of Twilys' is a friend of mine."
Before they could talk any further, Shining ordered the guards to stand watch outside the throne room while Luna ordered some tea and snacks for their guests.
"Now Pendragon, we need you to tell us what you know about this Kel'Thuzad ."
"With pleasure. He's the one who created the plague that destroyed Lordaeron; my old homeland and he's the Lich Kings second in command as well as a powerful spellcaster."
"I heard he retreated after Rainbow Dash struck him. Why?" Shining Armor inquired knowing that Rainbow must've discovered a weakness.
"She must've damaged his phylactery. It's a special charm or jewel a lich carries to contain his soul should his body be destroyed but if it is destroyed first? Well you get the idea." Pendragon then reached into his vest to pull out a map showing a detailed outline of the citadels interrior.
"He would've retreated here to the center of Naxxramas, that's where he plans out his attacks and where Sapphiron dwells as well." His voice became ominous the moment he mentioned that name and that left the others concerned as to why when Twilight asked.
"Sapphiron?"
"A Frost Wyrm; A powerful undead dragon."
"UNDEAD dragon?!?" Spike asked as his body shook in fear with Fluttershy.
"What's the situation in Ponyville?" Celestia asked Twilight who informed her of the riot that took place outside her castle just before they left the town, it seemed things were getting worse buy the minuet. The rest of the meeting focused on prepping the city for an attack along with making shelters for the refugees and raising an army to combat the undead army that was surely massing in the everfree forest as well as the fallen city.
"This will be the first war Equestria has seen since King Sombra my sister. I do not think many of the citizens will be keen to join." Luna had pointed out a clear fact since ponies were mostly a peaceful race and very few had talents in warfare let alone combat.
"True but I have faith in my little ponies. If they truly love their kingdom then they will stand to fight for it."
Celestia replied with confidence when their came a warning signal from one of the lookouts. The entire council rushed outside to see that the floating citadel had once again moved only this time to the front gates of Canterlot itself and beneath it stood Nightmare Moon with an army of ghouls behind her.
"Citizens of Canterlot!" She called using the royal canterlot voice.
"I Nightmare Moon; The Queen of The Night hereby issue a challenge to Princess Celestia! Step forth or my minions will destroy your city and kill every stallion, mare and foal!!"
Celestia knew this had to be some kind of trap but she could not risk the lives of her subjects or the destruction of her city, she had no choice but to accept. She returned to her private quarters where in a hidden chamber laid her old battle armor and an enchanted halberd baring her cutie mark.
"Sister you can't!" Luna had been begging her sister not to go in fear of losing her again but despite the danger she faced Celestia smiled and kissed her sisters forehead lovingly saying.
"It will be alright Luna."
A company of royal guards and Pendragon escorted her through the streets as a huge crowd gathered at the gates to cheer for their princess. The gates were soon raised and Celestia stepped forward with only Pendragon escorting her should Nightmare Moon try to cheat during the duel.
"So glad you could make it. Dear. Sister~." Nightmare openly mocked the princess who became infuriated by her remark. Celestia marched halfway towards her opponent with her halberd tucked under her wing, her gaze was focused and her stance firm while she awaited for Nightmare to produce her weapon for the match.
"I'm glad you brought your little pet along Celestia, I want him to see the instrument of your demise."
Pendragon did not understand what she meant until he felt a surge of pain in his chest only this one was greater, it felt like someone was slowly pushing a dagger of ice into his flesh as his knees became weak and his body began to sweat.
"This pain...no!" He then realized what the dark princess meant as a cultist marched up holding a blade he had hoped never to see reforged; Frostmourne. For the first time since the war against the Lich King, Pendragon once again gazed upon the vile blade that nearly swallowed his soul and killed so many of his comrades and could even hear the countless souls of the victims it had already claimed.
"Pendragon!" Celestia rushed to help him but was stopped midway as he stood back up fighting off the pain.
"I'm alright..." He huffed as the pain began to subside. The two alicorns met center field and the crowds already began to cheer urging one of them to make the first move.
"There's still time to surrender." Said Nightmare Moon trying to sound merciful as Celestia replied.
"Feel free."
"How many more must die for you?"
"Just one." The sun princess clamped down her visor and charged head on into an all out assault, the guards cheerd for their princess as she began pushing Nightmare Moon back with each swing.
"I'm surprised Celestia, you weren't this bloodthirsty in our last encounter!" The dark princess parried another of Celestia's attacks before forcing her back with several magic bolts.
"What changed?"
"Last time I was worried about hurting my sister but then again you're not her!" Celestia then sent her weapon flying with great force as her horn flared with magic, Nightmare easily parried the attack thinking her opponent unwittingly disarmed herself only to meet the end of Celestia's hoof as she delivered a powerful front kick to her chest.
"OOF!!" Nightmare Moon grunted as she felt the force of the attack and her hold on Frostmourne was lost. Just like that the fight was over yet even as Celestia stood over her, Nightmare Moon grinned with a sinister chuckle that she tried to contain.
"Laugh while you can Nightmare Moon." Celestia said coldly as she raised her halberd for a finishing blow. At that moment, Twilight heard a strange sound and spotted a figure in the distance drawing closer.
"What's that?" She asked Pendragon who pulled out a spyglass to get a better look.
"Oh no..." The human quickly tucked away his telescope and began yelling for everyone to take cover.
"Move move!!"
"Pendragon?" Celestia turned away from her opponent for a second to see a giant skeletal dragon covered in blue mist descending upon her city.
"IT'S SAPPHIRON!!"
The dragon swooped down with great speed as the beat of its wings created a powerful gust that sent some of the guards flying off the wall, the creature began his attack by blasting a wall of ice between Celestia and Nightmare moon then setting his sights on the princess herself.
"Princess Celestia!!"
"Protect her majesty!!"
Several guards rushed to the defense of their princess but with a single sweep of his tail Sapphiron sent them flying back.
"FOR THE LIGHT!! FOR AZEROTH!!" Pendragon charged out of the dust cloud to face the beast while the remaining guards retrieved their wounded and got Celestia to safety, the human delivered the first strike swiftly to the dragons right eye making it howl in pain.
"You'll pay for that mortal!!" The dragon spoke in a ghostly voice as he breathed deep for another ice blast and at the very last second Twilight teleported her friend to safety while Shining Armor created a barrier that was shattered instantly showing just how powerful Sapphiron was.
"That was my strongest shield and he shattered it like glass!" Shining Armor had never been so scared and wasn't able to think clearly knowing the destruction this beast could cause to him and his men but what concerned him most was the thought of Flurry Heart and Cadence getting caught up in the battle.
"STAND YOUR GROUND!!" Pendragon shouted with bravado as he raised Quel'Delar for all to see as its light healed him of all his injuries.
"You are soldiers of the royal guard! No matter what foe we face you WILL stand your ground! And remember the Guardians of Harmony fight with you!!"
At that moment Shining Armors fears were cast aside and he joined Pendragon in rallying the troops.
"Pendragon is right! This is our home and it is our duty to defend it!" Moved by their captains words, the soldiers prepared to do battle and shout triumphantly towards the enemy. Nightmare Moon did not seem all that impressed and retreated back to the citadel with Sapphiron after ordering her army to attack.
"CHAARGE!!" Luna cried leading the first attack with her sister following close behind. Twilight and her friends lead the second attack while Shining Armor and Pendragon dealt with the first wave of the assault.
"Alright girls, let's do this!!" Shouted Rainbow as she charged right into a squad of ghouls trying to block them when a blast of holy light from Applejack scorched them to ashes.
"Move it y''all!!" The farm mare shouted while racing up to where the others were fighting. Rainbow just hovered there feeling outdone by one of her best friends before snapping out of it and intercepting a ghoul trying to ambush Twilight.
The fighting lasted for what seemed like forever with the cities defenses dwindling bit by bit and all had reached the breaking point of exhaustion, even Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were completely fatigued and running low on magic.
"I fear this may be the end Luna..." Celestia looked around and saw her soldiers and Twilights friends struggling against the undead forces that were slowly overtaking the wall.
"If it is then I would rather die fighting than surrender!" The night princess rose to her hooves for one last fight along with her sister who smiled proudly when out of nowhere came a barrage of cannon fire that began raining down upon the undead forces followed by the sound of thunder and lightning.
"UP THERE!!" A guard pointed to a giant blue portal in the sky and from it came a giant airship baring an all too familiar symbol that Pendragon recognized as he cried out.
"The Skybreaker!! This fight's not over yet men!!" The paladin ordered for the troops to clear a landing zone as the ship drew closer and from it came dozens of soldiers wearing similar armor to his.
"The seventh legion reporting for duty Sir Pendragon! Orders?" A soldier saluted as the ship unleashed another barrage of cannon fire.
"Form a perimeter on the wall and reinforce the gate! We can't let these creatures into the city!!"
"YES SIR!!"
The soldiers scrambled to the front wall and began pushing the undead troops off the wall as more of them began to descend from the ship with weapons that Twilight recognized.
"Boom sticks?"
"FIRE!!" The first shots rang out in unison and decimated an entire line of enemy troops and it wasn't long until the remaining forces were wiped out and the city celebrated their victory. Many of the guards had been wounded but thankfully none were killed or infected by the scourge forces and a small part of the city lay ruined from the attack.
As Pendragon marched down the street to survey the damage he saw many of the ponies huddled together covered in dust and injuries with some staring at him and before he knew it he was surrounded by several ponies, at first he was prepared to defend himself thinking they were going to attack when to his surprise the first pony held his hand saying.
"Thank you. Thank you for defending our city." Others soon began bowing to him as if he were royalty while the guards who were nearby saluted him saying.
"It was an honor to fight with you sir."
"....No. The honor was mine." He answered humbly when he heard a familiar voice.
"I would expect nothing less from a champion."
The paladin turned to see a tall man with dark long hair and a scarred face with shoulder plates decorated with an eagles head and a lions followed by a glowing magic sword sheathed behind him. When Twilight and the others came onto the scene, they heard their friend speak two words as he knelt down to the man before him.
"King Varian!"
End.
Pendragon fell to one knee and bowed his head to King Varian, ruler of the kingdom of Stormwind and high commander of its military. By his appearance alone, the king appeared intimidating and cruel with eyes that could freeze a mans blood with just one stare when to the surprise of Twilight and her friends he spoke in a gentle manner and helped Pendragon to stand.
"Pendragon. It is good to know that you are alive and it seems we got here just in time."
"Thank you my lord but I'm curious as to how you got here." Pendragon asked when an elderly man holding a staff with a raven carving stepped forward.
"You can thank me for that."
"Archmage Khadgar!" Pendragon shouted slightly when he saw the old man and with good reason, Khadgar was a hero from his homeworld and a powerful wizard. Their conversation was cut short when Pinkie popped up between them and began her usual yammering.
"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie, one of Pens friends and these are our other friends; RarityApplejackFluttershyRainbowDashTwilightSpike-!!"
"Okay! Pinkie please!" Said Pendragon placing a hand over her mouth as the old man laughed.
"Ah to be young. It is a pleasure to meet you miss Pie."
"Oh just call me Pinkie mister...?"
"Khadgar." He said as Twilight and the others walked up to greet him and the king.
"Greetings Khadgar. I am Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship and these are my friends but I guess you already know that." Twilight said sheepishly while the old mage bowed to her.
"A pleasure your highness."
"And we welcome you as well King Varian."
"You honor me with your hospitality and for looking after one of our kingdoms greatest champions."
With the introductions out of the way, the kings men began repairs on the city with a few peculiar characters helping. The first of the bunch looked no bigger than a foal yet had bushy mustaches and wore goggles over their soot covered faces while piloting strange machines that walked on two leges, the next had long beards and were slightly bigger yet more muscular as they hauled huge amounts of wood and rubble off the streets.
"Uh Pen? What are they?" Asked Rainbow scratching her head in confusion.
"Oh. These are the dwarves and gnomes of Ironforge. The gnomes help make the machines you see carrying the rubble and the dwarves forge our weapons and armor but they are also excellent stone carvers and jewel crafters." That last part made Rarity's ears perk up as she was a fan of jewelry as well as fashion.
"Forgive me for cutting this conversation short but we have much to discuss." Said Varian as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna arrived with Shining Armor and his men.
"I agree."
At Canterlot Castle
Pendragon had briefed the archmage and the king on the events that had transpired before their arrival, the news was disturbing to both Khadgar and Varian for they had seen the horrors the scourge had once unleashed upon Azeroth and remembered the suffering their people endured.
"So Frostmourne is reforged and is now in the possession of this Nightmare Moon ?" Khadgar questioned to be sure he heard everything right.
"And to top it all off, Kel'Thuzad has returned and has somehow amassed a huge army." Pendragon added as Celestia rose from her chair saying.
"Then I suppose the time is now. Raven!" Celestia called for her personal secretary before heading to the castle gates where a large crowd had gathered.
"Citzens of Equestria. As you are aware, our kingdom has once again come under attack by a great evil and while it is true that Twilight Sparkle and her friends have saved us time and again I fear this may be a greater threat than even they can withstand. Many of you survived the attack at Trottingham and have seen the destruction these monsters have caused and so I ask you: Will you not take up arms and defend this great land of ours? If not for me the for the loved ones we have lost to this menace that is The Scourge !"
Many of the ponies were silent and Celestia feared her call would go unanswered until.
"I'll fight." A young stallion stepped forward with several others joining him.
"You can count on me!"
"We will fight for you princess!!" Many more began calling out for a chance to fight the scourge, Celestias heart was moved by the love and devotion her ponies had for their kingdom as a single tear fell from her eye. At that moment, King Varian stepped forward to address the citizens as their cheering died down.
"I am Varian; High king of Stormwind from the kingdom of Azeroth. It is good to know this kingdom has a few brave souls who would risk their lives to save it but rest assured you are not alone in this fight! Pendragon." The paladin stepped forward for all to see while Varian looked at him with pride.
"You all know this young man, you have seen his skill and bravery. He has fought the scourge before and has triumphed time and again and it is for that reason that I wish to appoint him as commanding general."
"What?!?" Pendragon was shocked at being given such an offer since he never lead an actual army before let alone lead one into war but as he prepared to turn down the offer the ponies of Canterlot as well as his friends urged him to accept.
"Pendragon you can do this." Said Twilight with a confident smile.
"We're with ya all the way!" Rainbow winked while nudging him with her elbow which seemed to do the trick as he looked to his king saying.
"My lord, I accept!"
"Then it is with great pride that I extend my hand in friendship to the rulers of Equestria and welcome them into the Alliance." Varian was sincere and humble with his offer as he extended his right hand to Celestia who in turn placed her hoof and smiled saying.
"I am honored King Varian."
Both leaders shook hands (or hooves) in friendship and thus a new ally had been made for Equestria in the form of King Varian and The Alliance.
End.
Author's Note
It's short and quick, I know.
A call to arms was sounded across Equestria. From Manehattan to Saddle-Arabia came numerous recruits looking to make a name for themselves in the war that was coming while Canterlot and the Crystal empire rallied what forces they had to prepare for their march on the fallen city of Trottingham.
Ponyville had also been called to form a militia in order to help defend the homefront while the troops were away but very few were willing to volunteer save for a few stallions. Big Macintosh along with Bulk Biceps and a pony named Time Turner had signed up after hearing what had happened in Canterlot and took it upon themselves to defend their home since Twilight and her friends would be busy helping the other princesses.
"Alright! Starting today you ponies will be the first of the town militia and like any other military group you will go through the basics of standard physical and combat training. Any questions? Good!"
Time turner had raised his hoof before the human interrupted. Rarity came trotting into the camp with some measuring tape to get the new recruits fitted for their armor.
"Thanks for doing this Rarity."
"My pleasure darling! Can't save the world without looking good." The mare stated after writing down their measurements.
"Now to buisness. Time turner, the town says you're an inventor yes?"
"And researcher!" The earth pony answered proudly.
"Good. You'll be in charge of our engineering division. Bulk Biceps, you train correct?"
"YEEAAAH!!" The pegasus bellowed while flexing as Pendragon cleaned out his left ear.
"Tone it down big guy. You'll be in charge of keeping the trainees fit. Big Mac, Your sister told me you're good with heavy lifting so you'll manage supplies. Sound good?"
"Eeyup."
"Alright then. Welcome to the militia."
By the afternoon, all three stallions were working at their assigned posts. Bulk was keeping the recruits busy with intense physical training while Big Mac helped bring in the supplies that were coming from Time Turners house/workshop on the other side of town and with them came a certain unicorn filly holding a basket of muffins for the busy inventor.
"Daddy!"
"Is that my little Dinky I hear?" The earth pony said turning around to catch the little filly in his arms.
"Mommy asked me to bring you these."
"Muffins! Oh well aren't you the sweetest?" Time Turner began smothering his daughter with pecks to her cheek when Pendragon came in to check up on his progress.
"Hope I'm not interrupting." He said with a smirk after noticing the foal snuggling her father.
"Oh not at all sir. This is my daughter; Dinky."
"Hi!" Dinky smiled innocently to the human before being offered a muffin which he gladly accepted since it was getting close to lunch time and upon the first bite Pendragon experienced a flavor explosion and gave the muffin a second glance.
"Did you put magic in this?"
"Ha ha ha ha! Oh heavens no!" Time Turner laughed.
"My wife is just one of the best bakers in Ponyville."
"But daddy I'm the one who made those!" Said Dinky much to her fathers surprise as the stallion held his little foal up with both arms and gave a warm smile.
"Did you now? You're getting to be such a big girl!" He said while nuzzling her lovingly when a grey pegasus crashed through the door making a wreck his workspace.
"Mommy!" Dinky pounced on her mother before she had the chance to stand.
"Ditzy! Did you get off work early?"
"Just finished my last shift actually. I came to take Dinky home."
"Let me help you." Pendragon cleared away the junk piled around Ditzy who apologized for crashing in during their work.
"Sorry about the mess. I have trouble landing sometimes."
"No problem miss um...?"
"Ditzy; Ditzy Do. Well it was nice to meet you, say goodbye to the nice man Dinky."
"Bye!"
Time Turner sighed at the sight of his loved ones leaving when he asked.
"Do you have family back home?"
"....Not anymore." Pendragon answered coldly as he left the house now in a bitter manner.
"Ohh I may have struck a nerve." Said Time Turner feeling some shame.
Later
The paladin was hard at work in the apple families barn working on the weapons needed for his new militias troops and made sure each strike of his hammer was precise while unaware that he was being watched by some of the townsfolk. The ponies of Ponyville had become distrustful of Pendragon ever since the scourge arrived with some believing that he was secretly an agent of theirs looking for the right chance to betray them to the enemy.
"Did you come here to say something or not?" He shouted, startling the ponies before resuming his work when mister and misses Cake came into the barn.
"Oh! Mister and misses cake! I'm so sorry I-!"
"Oh it's alright dearie." Said misses cake as she left a small box of baked treats on the table behind him.
"I know most of the folks don't appreciate ya being here but me and my husband just want to thank you."
"Thank me? For what?"
"For keeping Pinkie safe. Every time she goes off on one of her adventures we get so worried but it does us good to know she's got friends like you keeping her safe."
The couple left waving goodbye while Pendragon took a break from his work to enjoy the treat they left him and no matter how many times he tried their cooking it seemed to be even better than before. After a few bites the human felt more relaxed than before and decided to call it a day as he headed to the mayors office to deliver his report on the new recruits but as he went through town the ponies seemed to avoid him rather than greet him in their usual way save for Applejack who was coming back from a visit to Twilights castle.
"Howdy partner!"
"Oh. Hey Applejack." He replied while looking over the documents.
"Busy day huh?"
"More than usual."
Their conversation was paused for a moment since the human seemed more occupied with his work but that didn't stop Applejack from making polite conversation.
"So...I hear Twilights studying with that Khadgar fella."
"I'm not surprised. He is one of the most powerful mages in Azeroth, he even opened a portal to your world!"
"Y-yeah...great." Applejack didn't seem that enthusiastic upon hearing that since she knew what it meant; it meant that Pendragon would be able to go back to his world and possibly never return and deep down she didn't want that after knowing what his world was like, the thought of him going back to a place of war terrified her.
"Hey um Pen?"
"Yes?"
"Listen. Even when this whole mess is over you're welcome to stay with me and mah family."
This offer surprised Pendragon, Applejack was speaking to him as if he were going away forever and it surprised him more when she began to give a sad expression.
"Thanks Applejack. You and the others have been like family to me." He spoke with kindness in hopes of cheering her up before entering the town hall to see they mayor. When his buisness was done Pendragon went to the town square for some rest from todays' tasks and saw some children at play, seeing such a peaceful thing reminded him of his youth in Lordaeron; before the undead plague destroyed everything he cherished.
"Hmm." The paladin smiled knowing the ponies of Equestria had such peaceful lives and could not help but feel envious. His relaxation was cut short when Quel'Delars runes began to glow fiercely clearly warning him of danger.
"AHHHH!!" A foal screamed as a gargoyle swooped down from the skies to pluck her up along with several more behind it. Using the holy light, the paladin blasted the creatures out of the sky with one shot and caught the children moments before they hit the ground.
"You kids alright?"
"Uh huh. Thanks mister!" A young colt said before spotting a squad of ghouls charging up the street with a bloated grotesque looking monster that'd looked like it had been stitched together with random corpses, the creature had three arms carrying two butcher knives and one hook, it's torso area seemed to be nothing but a large gaping hole save for the rib bones sticking out like spikes and had one bulging eye that didn't seem to blink but what made this creature truly disgusting was the aroma of rotting flesh that Pendragon began to smell even from a distance.
"You kids find a safe place to hide! Hurry!"
The children did as they were told after the monster gave a loud roar that signaled the ghouls to charge.
"Filthy scourge rats!!" Pendragon shouted as he cleaved the first ghoul in half before burning the others with his magic. Only one monster was left.
"An Abomonation. Haven't faced one of you in a while."
UWOOOAARRRGGH!!!
The abomonation lashed out with all three arms swinging down at great speed, Pendragon panicked after realizing he was too close to the creature when a blue streak snatched him off the ground.
"That was close!"
"Rainbow Dash! Thanks for the save."
Rainbow landed on a nearby roof after getting out of the monsters range as it looked around for the human who seemingly disappeared from his sight.
"Gross! What is that?!?" She asked after getting a good look at the beast.
"An abomonation. They're big and powerful but slow just watch out for its arms and aim for its blind spots!"
Both were prepared to attack when a green fireball struck the town square followed by several others.
"CANNON FIRE!! Get clear!!" Pendragon and Rainbiw scrambled off the roof as the barrage continued.
"Fel cannons! Damn it..." The paladin cursed after recognizing the green flames.
"Uh we got another problem!" Rainbow shouted as undead troops began to overrun the town.
Ponyville was in chaos as the undead swarmed every street trying to corner the helpless civilians while balls of green fire bombarded the buildings forcing everyone out of hiding. Pendragon was busy coordinating the towns defense with the help of his friends as they tried to drive back the enemy.
"Applejack! You Fluttershy and Pinkie find as many of the townsfolk as you can and get em to the town hall! Barricade the doors and wait til it's safe!!" A gargoyle came swooping down onto the paladin only to be met by a blast from Rarity's horn.
"Rarity take some unicorns and provide cover for Applejacks group! Rainbow Dash, you get some flyers and intercept those gargoyles! I WANT THEIR WINGS CLIPPED!!" He shouted furiously as another bombardment struck the town.
"The rest of you are with me! We're taking out those cannons!!"
"You heard him girls! Move out!!" Applejack lead her group into town while Rainbow grabbed as many flyers as she could when another group of gargoyles came flying in. Pendragon had managed to find Big Mac and Bulk Biceps amongst the chaos and ordered them to follow him to the edge of everfree where the cannons were being fired.
The trio hid under the cover of the forest as they approached the enemy artillery to find it heavily guarded by skeletons and a few cultists members who had been powering the devices with their magic.
"So uh...do we have a plan?" Asked Bulk after Pendragon ducked behind a bush.
"I'll create a distraction. Big Mac you and Bulk got the muscle so I want you to aim one of those cannons at the other it should set off a chain reaction. Got it?"
"Eeyup." The red stallion nodded as they prepared to make their move.
"...NOW!!" Pendragon charged head on into the guards shouting like a madman as they gave chase leaving the cannons unguarded. Big mac and Bulk rushed to the nearest cannon and began to push it away from the town.
"COME ON MAC! PUT SOME MUSCLE INTO IT!" Bulk growled as the cannon finally began to move towards the others and as Pendragon predicted the shot from the first cannon sent the second flying into the others setting off a chain of explosions that completely decimated the enemies artillery line.
"Well done!" Pendragon had returned with his armor smudged and dented while his face was covered in dirt and a few cuts that were healed thanks to his magic.
The group rushed back to town as quick as possible but by the time they had returned the battle was already over. The Alliance rushed in at the last minuet to repel the scourge forces after the cannons had stopped yet none seemed to be in a celebratory mood.
"Lord Pendragon! Thank goodness!" A soldier came rushing up the street with a report on the battle.
"What happened here?"
"The undead were swarming everywhere sir but we managed to repel them. However they..." The soldier paused knowing the paladin would not take they news well.
"They what?"
"Sir they...they took the children."
Pendragon felt like his heart had just stopped before he noticed misses cake crying her eyes out as she held two empty blankets in her hooves followed by Applejack and Big Mac who held each other as the large stallion began to cry. The sight of seeing his friend heartbroken made the paladins anger spike to an almost uncontrollable level until a cultists appeared in a burst of green fire.
"Citizens of Ponyville hear me!! The scourge have taken possession of your children, if you wish to see them again then the human..." He paused with an arrogant smirk.
"Must come to the abandoned castle in Everfree, there you will battle one of my master Grogars minions. Refuse and the children of this town will perish."
The townsfolk grew fearful for the safety of their children and the cultist seemed to be enjoying the moment until the armored hand of Pendragon began to squeeze around his throat.
"Tell your master I accept his challenge! And may the light have mercy on him for I. Have none. TO GIVE!!" In a fit of rage, the paladin tossed the messenger back onto the street as he fled for his life.
When Grogar received the news he grinned with anticipation as he called forth the monster he had picked for the duel.
"Are you ready my friend?" He asked as the monster bellowed.
"Patchwerk want to play!"
End.
In the old castle of the two sisters, the foals who had been taken from Ponyville were put in cages around the old throne room where Grogars chosen champion; Patchwerk who was feasting on the remains of a dead soldier while his master savored a glass of wine.
Patchwerk was one of the first abomonations created by Kel'Thuzad and was the strongest of them all and the most sadistic when he toyed with his victims. Like all the others he was big and dumb but powerful, as he finished his meal the monster let out a disgusting belch that echoed through the ruins as he asked.
"When Patchwerk get to eat ponies?"
The children huddled together after hearing such a dreadful question and the thought of them being devoured even caused some of them to cry when the doors suddenly flung open.
"GROGAR!!" Pendragon stormed into the room past the frightened children with eyes burning with a righteous fury and the holy light surrounding Quel'Delar who was slightly covered by the cloak draped on his back.
"So you came, I'm impressed." The old goat said placing his wine glass aside as Patchwerk let out an angry growl to the human.
"Me remember you! You hirt Patchwerk!!" The beast growled ready to fight when Pendragon just walked by to check on a particular filly locked in one of the cages.
"Applebloom?" He called out when Applebloom ran up against the bars crying.
"You came!!" Applebloom had never been so relieved to see a friendly face as he gently held one of her hooves while wiping away her tears.
"Hang on, I'm getting all of you back to your families."
The paladins smile instantly faded as he threw off his cloak to reveal a tattered shield baring the alliance symbol.
"This shield once belonged to Bolvar Fordragon; One of the greatest champions of The Alliance." Pendragon fashioned the shield onto his left arm and marched into the center of the room along with Patchwerk who was eager for another fight.
"Me smash you GOOD!!" The abomonation said gleefully. With a firm bang of his shield the paladin signaled to his foe that he was ready as the monster charged at him head on.
"RAAAGH!!"
"YAAH!!"
CLANG!!
Earlier at Ponyville
The parents of Ponyville gathered at Twilights castle wondering what the princess planned to do while inside the six friends watched as Pendragon sharpened his blade and polished his armor to prepare for the duel.
"You sure you want to do this?" Asked Twilight hoping he might have a change of mind so that they can come up with a plan.
"You don't know these monsters like I do Twilight. They will not hesitate to take the lives of children in fact they revel in it! I do this not because I want to but because I have to; It's my duty." He replied while grabbing his shield when Pinkie gave him a bear hug.
"For luck. Just promise you'll bring back Pumpkin and Pound Cake?"
"And our sisters!" Applejack said while holding a sobbing Rarity.
When the paladin stepped out the door he was greeted by the saddened faces of the parents and as he prepared to leave he was stopped by two of the richest ponies in all Ponyville; Filthy Rich and his wife Spoiled Rich.
"Please! We'll pay you anything you want just bring us back our daughter!!" The stallion begged while holding his wife who was wiping away the mascara running from her eyes when Pendragon told them.
"There is no need for that." He saw the heartbroken faces of everyone around him and once more flashed back to when the scourge destroyed his homeland and killed his family, those very memories and the sadness he felt from the townsfolk angered him greatly.
"Mothers and Fathers of Ponyville! hear me!" He shouted catching their attention.
"I have seen the atrocities the scourge have done! They destroyed everything I loved back in my homeland! My family, my friends-all was taken from me! But I swear on my honor as a knight of The Silver Hand and The Holy Light I will not stop until every last one of your children is safe! I will not let these beasts rob this town of its future and when I return your families will be whole once more and your children safe in their beds! Have faith for I will not fail."
When Pendragon spoke those words he meant every bit of it. The spirits of the parents were somehow renewed after hearing his speech and watched as he marched off towards the everfree forest determined to bring back their children while he whispered under his breath.
"Never again...."
Castle of The Two Sisters
Patchwerk had been driving Pendragon back throughout most of the fight and barely received a scratch while his opponent just kept his guard up and taunt him constantly.
"You call that a hit? Applejacks got kicks that could knock you into the next kingdom!!" Pendragon shouted as the abomonation bellowed swinging his two hooks, the first nearly gouged out the paladins eye while the second cut him just above the knee.
"Agh! Damn I got careless!"
"OOWWRAAGH!!"
WHAM!!
"WHOOAA!!"
Patchwerk landed a solid punch that sent the human flying across the hall, had it not been for Pendragons shield absorbing most of the impact his bones surely would've been crushed. When he regained his vision Pendragon could see they were in the main hall and a good distance away from the children making this the perfect stage for his counterattack.
"No more play?" The monster asked as he smashed through the doors.
"Play time is over fatso! GRRRAAAGH!!" This time the paladin went on the offensive and started by dodging the first two strikes from Patchwerk before sliding under to deliver a deep cut to his knee, the monster howled in pain as he fell before feeling the human leap onto his back and lopping off his third arm with a precise swing but the assault wouldn't stop there as Pendragon jumped down to quicky grab the discarded hook which he began using to wrap the beasts legs while avoiding the other two arms.
"Going DOWN!!" With one pull, Pendragon sent the hulking brute toppling over before delivering the final blow to the monsters chest as it gave out one last cry of pain.
"What...happen...to..." The life in Patchwerks eyes slowly faded as Quel'Delar was pushed deep into his chest but Pendragon wasn't going to take any chances knowing that this monstrosity could be revived at any time.
"Let's see them rebuild you from a pile of ashes! BURN!!" With a powerful blast of holy light the creature was burned to cinders as a bright glow filled the castle. When Grogar saw this he became fearful knowing that his master would not be pleased with this recent failure and as he heard the footsteps of the paladin drawing closer a familiar voice called out to him.
"My my this is quite the mess you've gotten yourself into."
"Nightmare Moon? Why are you here?!?" He asked furiously when the human marched into the throne room once more.
"Ah right on time."
"This day just gets better and better doesn't it?" The paladin mumbled while popping a few stiff joints on his body.
"Well it seems you have perfect timing. If we team up together we can-!"
"That's not why I'm here." Nightmare whispered in an almost sadistic manner while Pendragon waited for one of them to make the first move.
"What do you mean?"
"The master has been watching you this whole time and sadly he is not pleased. Therefore we have decided that you need to be...Cut out!"
Before Grogar could say anything the cold blade of Frostmourne pierced him right through the chest and his blood began to spill on the floor. The foals screamed in terror as they watched the evil mare use her magic to drink the dying necromancers blood while her sword sucked up his soul and magic.
"Mmm not bad for an old goat." She said while wiping off some blood from her lip before approaching the human. Pendragon kept his guard up as the mare drew closer when to his surprise.
"Oh there's no need for that." She said as she poofed away her sword but the human still did not trust her but knew he couldn't make a move without hurting the children.
"What do you want?"
"Me? Nothing really accept to look at you and to talk." She flirted while fluttering her eyebrows as she began to circle him.
"I saw the way you dealt with my masters little pet. Truly ruthless."
"Nothing ruthless about it, I simply eliminated an evil creature." Pendragon defended while slowly dropping his stance.
"And you did it flawlessly. First you lured him into an area where you could fight him at full strength then instantly dispatched him without mercy! A warrior with brains AND brawn is a warrior I want." Nightmare Moon hinted before standing in front of him once again.
"Just what are you getting at?"
"Your talents are being wasted with these fools Pendragon. Why protect these mortals when you could rule them?" She asked while stepping closer seductively.
"Join me and together we can rule this kingdom! Become my champion my..." She moved in close to whisper.
"Death Knight~."
At that moment the paladin swung down his sword only to hit air as Nightmare Moon reappeared a short distance away with a smug grin on her face.
"Ohh such a tease~!"
"Hear me witch!" Pendragon demanded as he pointed Quel'Delar at her.
"I would sooner leap into the twisting nether then serve a monster like you now begone before you meet the same end as the necromancer."
"Hm. As you wish but know this human: One way or another, you WILL be mine." The dark princess laughed as she vaporized into thin air allowing the paladin to let loose a sigh of relief before setting the children free.
Later
The sun was beginning to set as the citizens of Ponyville stood in the town square awaiting Pendragons return. Twilight and her friends kept a lookout from atop her balcony yet saw no sign of Pendragon or the children.
"What's taking so long?!?" Rainbow dash huffed while flying back and forth.
"I hope Pendragon's okay." Said Fluttershy who was standing next to Pinkie who suddenly began to jump up and down in excitement.
"LOOK LOOK LOOK!!" She shouted after spotting something coming out of the forest. Using her telescope, Twilight was able to see Pendragon holding the cake twins in his arms and behind him were the foals of the town.
The moment they entered the town, the parents of ponyville rushed over to hug their children with tears of joy flooding their eyes with one in particular catching the paladins attention.
"APPLEBLOOM!!" Applejack and her sister ran into each others arms and held each other tightly, the sight of such a happy reunion warmed Pendragons heart as he walked to the nearest bench for a well deserved rest until one of the townsfolk asked him.
"Why would you do this? We hated you."
"And you would hate me even more if I did nothing." He replied when another one of the ponies came up asking a surprising question.
"I...don't suppose the militia still needs recruiting does it?"
Dozens more came asking to join the militia after seeing the herosim of the paladin. Feeling his strength returning, Pendragon stood up to address his new recruits that began standing at attention as if they were members of the royal guard.
"The scourge will soon know of this victory and they will want payback but this time we will be ready! All new recruits report to Princess Twilights castle to receive armor and weapons first thing tomorrow!"
"Yes sir!!" The ponies shouted in unison before joining Pendragon in his battle cry.
"For Equestria! For The Alliance!!"
End.
The Battle of Everfree Forest Part 1
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.
The Battle of Everfree Forest Part 2
"Cover the flank!"
"Incoming!!"
Applejacks group had been swarmed by a large number of ghouls that began popping out of the ground in seemingly endless numbers and as the farm mare looked around she saw the horrors of battle for the first time. Soldiers screamed in agony as they were torn apart by the undead while others fought desperately to keep the enemy back by forming a shield wall yet their efforts seemed to be in vain.
"What do we do now?!?" A soldier asked Applejack who appeared to be in a dazed state.
"APPLEJACK!!"
"Huh?!?" Applejack finally snapped out of her trance before turning her attention to the soldier yelling at her.
"What do we do now?!?" He yelled again as Applejack looked around the dead littering the battlefield and amongst the corpses was a discarded rifle still loaded. That's when she came up with a plan.
"Follow my lead!" She shouted as she grabbed the rifle and fired off a shot past the shield wall and into one of the ghouls.
"Marksman form up! The rest of you hold formation!" An officer shouted when alliance soldiers began to form firing squads while the front line struggled to hold their ground.
"OPEN FIRE!!"
Bullets flew in all directions at the sound of the officers command and slowly the allied forces began pushing back the undead making this the perfect moment for their counterattack. Applejack quickly ordered for a few snipers to post themselves on a small hill just up ahead while helping the others hold the defense.
"Keep it up y'all!! We almost got em!" She encouraged the soldiers who shouted victoriously as they continued to push forward when the ghouls finally gave up and began to retreat. For a moment the soldiers were able to relax and tend to their wounded after making sure to take care of the stragglers who fell behind yet the fighting could still be heard from all sides of the forest.
"This is bad..." said Applejack who had taken off her armor to cool down though it was ill advised by her troops.
"Well I'm afraid it just got worse." Said a unicorn soldier using a radio.
"We can't get a signal through."
The officers were staring to grow concerned, with no way of contacting the other units or their general they were practically stuck and possibly outnumbered. Applejack knew that panicking would only make things worse then she remembered an old trick she used from her days as a filly in summer camp and started to build a fire.
"Miss Applejack what are-! Oh!"
She began sending smoke signals up in the air hoping one of her friends would see it.
Rainbow Dash was patrolling just above the trees when she saw the smoke and flew down to investigate with a few troops from the canterlot guard only to find most of Applejacks troops wounded and tired with her friend nowhere to be seen until.
"Rainbow! Thank Celestia!!"
Rainbow was relieved to see her friend unharmed while being greeted with a strong hug from Applejack.
"I saw your smoke signal amd flew over as fast as I could. What happened?" Rainbow asked after pointing out the wounded troops. Applejack then told her of the ambush followed by the sudden loss of communication and Dash figured that the enemy was somehow jamming their signals.
"They've gotta be close by if they wanna make sure we can't talk to each other."
"You got a plan?" The farm mare asked when Rainbow strapped the radio onto her back.
"I'll fly up and see if I can't get a signal."
A horn call was sounded followed by the rattling of metal and bones. The undead forces had returned with stronger troops and greater numbers so without a second thought Rainbow Dash took off like a shot as a few gargoyles began to give chase while avoiding the gunfire from below.
"EVASIVE MANEUVERS!!"
The pegasai flew in all directions as they used their flying skills to outfly the enemy while Rainbow Dash used this opportunity to try and contact the others. She quickly began turning the knobs on the radio listening only to the sound of static until finally she heard a familiar voice.
"This is Pendragon! Can any-ZZZT!! -Someone or somepony talk dammit!!"
"This is Rainbow Dash, read you loud and clear!" She responded before going to a nearby cloud for cover.
"Dash can you give me your position?" Asked Pendragon after firing a shot from his boomstick.
"I'm just above the battlefield and it's not looking good!"
"Alright then I need you to listen. The enemy is somehow jamming our radios so they must be close by, can you see anything?"
Rainbow peeked over the cloud cover but saw nothing accept the chaos of the battlefield both above and below as pegasai and gargoyles began dropping out of the sky like drops of rain with many missing one or both wings, the sight alone made Rainbow Dash so sick she actually puked on the cloud she was hiding in before noticing a feint purple glow just a short distance away.
"There's something on the hilltop!"
"Then that's our target. Listen Rainbow I need you and some flyers to head to that spot and tear that place up! Once that's done we can begin a counterattack."
"I'm on it!"
The pegasus leaped off the cloud and back into the fray signaling for two guards to follow her after dropping off the communication equipment for more speed as they weaved through the aerial battle. Seeing the fight up close proved more horrifying for Rainbow Dash as she saw body after body of her fellow pegasai fall to the ground but still she held her focus on the mission given to her and increased their speed before finally reaching their target.
"Up ahead!" She cried out spotting what looked like a glowing crystal surrounded by a magic circle being guarded by skeleton soldiers who began to fire upon her with a barrage of arrows but Rainbow was far too fast to land a direct hit and the archers were quickly dispatched by the other two pegasai that came flanking from the side.
"Well we found the device. Now what?" Asked one of the soldiers after crushing a skull beneath his hoof.
"Start smashing!" Answered Rainbow as she delivered a strong kick cracking the crystal before the other two followed her lead, each blow made the crystals structure weaken by the second as the energy within began to spire out of control.
"COVER!!" The second guard shouted as they ducked for cover. The crystal exploded into a million pieces with the magic circle loosing its glow, Rainbows team had fulfilled their mission and quickly returned to the battlefield to help their comrades still fighting just downhill.
Meanwhile
In the midst of battle, Pendragon was finally able to get a signal through to the other troops when he heard Twilights voice over the radio.
"Rainbow? Applejack? Can anypony hear me?!?" The princess shouted over the sound of battle behind her.
"Twilight! This is Pendragon what's your status?"
"Not good! A bunch of these creatures came at us! It looks like they were stitched together from random corpses!"
"Abomonations. Twilight tell your men to divide into groups of five and pick a target! Make sure they're all spread out!"
"Got it!"
"Stay strong, we'll join you as soon as we can!" Pendragon said before recontacting Applejacks unit.
"Applejack you there?" He shouted over the gunfire coming from behind.
"I'm here! Looks like Rainbows team did it."
"Listen. I need you and rainbow to back up Twilight, I can handle things here!"
"Copy that sugarcube!"
End.
The Battle of Everfree Forest Part 3
Twilight was on the front lines with the elite members of the royal guard fighting off the abomonations sent to ambush them yet despite the immense size of the creatures the princess was able to fend them off leading her troops in a frontal assault against the enemy.
"OPEN FIRE!!" An officer cried out as guns and magic bolts were fired upon one of the beasts but many more still remained. Twilight had followed Pendragons instructions and ordered her men to divide into groups of five and keep the abomonations seperated so that their brute strength would be limited to one at a time, each group was able to defeat their assigned target but not without suffering casualties and wounded.
"Princess. We're running low on both ammunition and magic!"
"We just need to hold them for a bit longer!"
"Princess Twilight!" A messenger pony came running through the carnage completely exhausted and barely able to stand. From what Twilight could see he had already been through a recent battle.
"I bring word from General Pendragon!" He panted still trying to catch his breath.
"Easy soldier, breath slowly." Twilights captain advised the messenger while helping him stand.
"Yes sir. Ahem! The general has ordered an air strike on this area and support is already on its way."
"How much time do we have?"
"Five minuets."
Five minuets was not enough time for the troops to hold off the enemy and with no signs of reinforcements things were looking bad until a rainbow streak came smashing into the abomonations like a pinball followed by a rope yanking the last one down allowing the soldiers to deliver a killing blow.
"Howdy!" Applejack greeted her friend with a tip of the hat as Rainbow came in for a smooth landing.
"Applejack! Rainbow Dash!" Twilight was relieved to see some familiar faces in all this chaos but the moment was cut short when they noticed a large number of undead forces massing for another attack.
"Rainbow. I need you to keep those monsters busy while Applejack and I get the troops to a safe distance." Ever the leader she was trained to be, Twilight took command of the soldiers she was given and came up with a quick plan of escape. Rainbow took immediate action and used her flying skills to create a dust cloud to blind the enemy and began to throw some rocks for good measure as the troops began to retreat downhill.
"Alright Dash! All clear!" Shouted Applejack after the last soldier cleared the field and within moments the first wave of the air strike came in the form of Gyro Copters and pegasai who began dropping explosives onto the enemy.
"Wow..." Twilight was amazed at how well the machines flew despite their simple design and was almost lost in thought until she heard Pendragons voice over the radio.
"This is General Pendragon. All troops forward! Press the attack!"
The sound of their general roused the troops into a triumphant cheer as Twilight gave the order to charge through the shattered ranks of the undead. allowing them to push deeper into the forest before finally arriving at the ruins of the old castle where Pendragon and his men were already locked in a ferocious battle amongst the ruins. Twilight spotted her friend in what looked like a forward base camp surrounded by wooden stakes and was shouting out orders while staying in the fight, when she saw the castle she was horrified the scourge had rebuilt it to their own specifications and fortified it with their twisted war machines yet the only part that remained untouched was the cave below that lead to the tree of harmony.
"This battle is ours! Push forward!!" Pendragon shouted after cleaving a path through the enemy before signaling a group of unicorn mages to lay down some suppressing fire.
"Captain! Send word to The Skybreaker, tell them to target the main doors of that castle!"
"Yes sir!"
"Pendragon!" Twilight called out once she was cleared of the battlefield along with Applejack and Rainbow Dash, all three were exhausted from the previous battle and were sent to the command tent to recooperate while their friend updated them on his battle plan.
"I'm glad you girls are safe but this fight is far from over."
"What's the plan?" Asked Rainbow still eager for a fight.
"Before we got ambushed, my scouts reported seeing Kel'Thuzad inside the castle."
"The Lich?" Twilight sounded worried after remembering the last time they encountered that sorcerer and barely made it out unscathed.
"Don't worry I'm ready this time. While the rest of the troops occupy the enemy, I'll take out their commander."
"Whoa whoa back up a sec!" Said Rainbow adding her opinion to the plan.
You're gonna take that guy on solo?!? That's crazy!" Rainbow made it sound like his plan was half baked and in truth it was since Pendragon was barely able to lay a scratch on Kel'Thuzad during their last battle.
"She's right sugarcube, I think one of us should go with you just in case."
"In that case, Twilight you're with me." Pendragon made no arguments knowing he could not win and figured Twilight would be the best choice since she was a strong magic user and on top of all that she was an alicorn, once they were fully rested the group marched onto the frontlines as the soundof The Skybreakers propellars began to fill the air.
"This is Captain Justin Barlette. The guns are loaded and ready general." The ships captain called out before Pendragon gave the order for the canons to fire, the barrage decimated what undead forces were left as the doors to the castle were ripped open.
"LEGION!! FORWAARRD!!" Pendragon roared as he lead the charge through the main gates.
The main hall of the castle had been turned into a labratory filled with various plagues meant to be used as weapons against Equestria and their human allies. Pendragon wasted no time in ordering his troops to lay waste to the lab while collecting any information they found useful while Twilight and her friends searched the nearby rooms to find victims locked in cages who were no doubt meant to be used as test subjects for the chemical weapons.
"Let's get these ponies some medical attention! Stat!!"
As Twilight looked at the lab being destroyed she noticed something wasn't right; Pendragon was missing.
"No. He wouldn't!" She spoke in outrage before spotting a staircase leading to the upper levels, the most likely place he would've gone to face the lich.
"I'm going after Pendragon, can you girls handle things here?"
"Leave it to us Twilight, just go get that bonehead before he does something stupid."
"Too late for that." Is what Twilight thought as she ran up the stairs listening for any sign of her friend.
"Ohh! When I find Pendragon I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind, the nerve!!" It took a lot to get under Twilights skin and given what Pendragon just did she had every right to be annoyed. Her train of thought was cut short when she saw the familiar flash of the holy light followed by the icy chill of Kel'Thuzads magic meaning the two had been locked in battle for some time.
Pendragon and Kel'Thuzad engaged in an epic duel that pushed the lich to his limit as Pendragon unleashed the full power of the holy light upon him crying out.
"For Lordaeron! For The Alliance!! FOR! PRINCE!! ARTHAAAS!!"
The paladin crippled the lich with that last blow yet even as he stood over him Kel'Thuzad bursted into an amused laugh.
"What's so funny?" Pendragon asked unaware that Twilight had made it to the top.
"What you said. You wish to avenge your prince even though he was the one who betrayed and destroy your order?"
"What?....." Twilight whispered in complete shock and remembered Pendragon saying that he and his fellow paladins were betrayed by one of their own but she never thought it would be the prince he swore to protect.
"I would remember Arthas for who he was, not what you made him to be." Pendragon replied while raising his sword for a finishing blow when Twilight felt some dust fall on her mane and looked up to see a geist preparing to pounce on her friend.
"BEHIND YOU!!" She screamed as the creature leaped forward giving out a loud laugh. Pendragon was able to impale the monster on his sword but allowed Kel'Thuzad to recover enough magic to cast a teleportation spell as he said.
"Until next time."
The moment the lich vanished the floating citadel began to move away from the forest. When the alliance forces and royal guard saw this they began to cheer loudly knowing they forced the enemy to retreat but not all were in such a cheerful mood when Twilight gave her friend a stern look telling him.
"We need to talk."
End.
The battle of the everfree forest had been won and the scourge was forced to retreat back to trottingham yet even as the soldiers drank their ale and danced around the fire, Twilight and her friends confronted Pendragon about his recent behavior involving the lich and what she overheard during their duel.
"I suppose you know why I brought the others here?" She asked her friend who chugged down some cider to settle his nerves.
"So you heard what happened during the fight and want the others to know as well right?" He responded as Twilight gave a simple nod of the head.
"You all remember how I said Prince Arthas never returned from Northrend right? Well that wasn't entirely true."
"What do you mean?" Spike asked as his friend looked at all of them.
"It was twenty years ago."
Lordaeron Twenty Years Ago
The city of Lordaeron was abuzz with excitement when they learned that not only was the leader of the undead defeated but it was also at the hands of Prince Arthas himself. Having heard of this news, the king ordered a celebration to be held in his sons honor and for the bells to signal his return.
Arthas marched through the crowded streets of the city with his face hidden by a hooded cloak along with two others who were believed to be his personal guard and as he approached the main gates of the castle he stopped for a moment to see the citizens showering him with flower petals from above, one such petal fell onto the princes hand and it was beautiful yet as he looked at the simple gift he sneered under his hood and tossed the petal aside before marching into the throne room where his father King Terenas awaited.
"Ah my son. I am glad to see you home after all this time!" The king said with pride as his son knelt before him holding the sword Frostmourne but as the king spoke Arthas heard nothing save for the whispering voice of the blade itself telling him.
"You no longer need to sacrifice for your people....you no longer need to bare the weight of your crown, I've taken care of everything."
At that moment the prince marched up to the throne with the blade ready to pierce his fathers heart much to the kings dismay.
"W-what is this? What are you doing my son?!?" King Terenas asked in shock as his son whispered.
"Suceeding you father." Those were the last words Arthas spoke to his father before staining the throne with his blood while making a grim declaration to the people of Lordaeron.
"This kingdom shall fall!! And from the ashes shall arise a new order that will shake the very foundations of the world...."
Twilight and her friends were horrified when they learned the truth of Arthas and the fall of Lordaeron while Pendragon just stared off into space swirling what cider was left in his mug.
"After he murdered his father, Arthas simply let the kingdom weaken until the undead returned...the rest you know is history."
"So you're saying...the prince betrayed your kingdom because of that sword?" Twilight asked still in disbelief.
"That blade destroyed what sanity the prince had, It drove him mad! But that's not the tip of the iceberg."
Pendragon then began telling him of The Silver Hands struggle with the undead after the kings death.
Fall of The Silver Hand
While he was still a squire, Pendragon journeyed with a group of his fellow paladins to intercept a large scourge force on their way to plunder the tomb of the royal family but what he didn't know was that they were being lead by Arthas himself. The knights fought valiantly against the scourge but were eventually overwhelmed until only Lord Uther was left.
"Your father ruled this land for seventy years...and you've grounded it to dust in a matter of days!" Uther had never been so ashamed of his former pupil as he looked at him leading the very creatures he once swore an oath to destroy.
"VERY dramatic Uther." Arthas responded in a nonchalant manner.
"Now give me the urn and I promise your death will be quick."
"The urn contains your fathers ashes Arthas! What? Were you hoping to piss on them one last time before you left his kingdom to rot?!?" Uther was outraged by the fallen princes behavior as Arthas gave a short chuckle saying.
"I didn't know what it contained, nor do I care. Either way, I'll get what I came for."
Slowly, Arthas drew Frostmourne from its sheath as he prepared to do battle with his former master. The fighting was fierce and tense with the powers of light and dark clashing against one another and for a brief moment Uther saw an opening in the princes defense but he hesitated and could not bring himself to strike down his former pupil, Arthas however took this opportunity to run his blade through the paladin with one quick thrust that ended their duel. The prince then ordered his minions to plunder the tomb for their prize and what riches they could find, this was the final betrayal for Uther.
"I hope there's a special place in hell for you Arthas!" The paladin wheezed as he felt the last of his life fading.
"We'll never know old friend. I intend to live forever."
As a final insult, Arthas dumped the ashes of his father in front of his dying masters eyes before filling it with a pile of rotting bones belonging to a necromancer that the prince slew himself. Arthas then vicously ripped the sword from his masters chest and left him to die on the cold soil now stained with his blood unaware that a young squire had witnessed the tragic event.
That squire was Pendragon.
"The order fell apart after that. The lords who once supported us said we were no longer necessary and demanded that we disbanded. Most of us just ignored that and continued to protect the people, myself included." The paladin then chugged what cider was left before slamming the mug down.
"Now darling we understand why you would be so upset but that is no reason to throw away your life so recklessly." Said Rarity patting his shoulder.
"Rarity is right, we're your friends aren't we?" Twilight asked knowing that questioning their friendship would be a sensitive subject yet instead of getting angry Pendragon looked at them straight in the eye and answered.
"Of course you are."
"Good. Now let's stop sitting around and PARTY!!" Yelled Pinkie with a blast from her party cannon as she lead the girls out the door with their friend following. The moment they stepped outside music and laughter filled the air as the soldiers danced and sang around their campfires, it was a sight Pendragon had not seen in many years.
"Hey Dash! How about a drinking contest?" He asked his rainbow haired friend with a smug grin while she eagerly responded.
"Oh it is ON!!"
The two friends sat at the nearest table where they were given two large mugs of cider and once again Rainbow was able to beat her human friend in another drinking contest with her impossible drinking.
As the troops celebrated, Varian and Celestia surveyed the camp from a short distance away while sharing a bottle of wine to help keep them warm from the cool night air.
"Seeing something like this makes me wonder what might have been." The king said with a depressed look as he remembered the fall of Lordaeron before Celestia asked him.
"You weren't there?"
"I was away for a long time Celestia, I couldn't even remember who I was." He sighed recalling one of the most tragic memories in his life as a gladiator while his kingdom was being corrupted from within but what made the memory worse was hearing of how Arthas had given in to evil during the scourge invasion.
"Arthas...if I had only been there when you needed me..."
"He was your friend?" Celestia asked after seeing the saddness in his eyes.
"My first friend..." Varian would say no more and both enjoyed the sound of music that was starting to rise from the camp and it seemed to bring a smile to his face which made Celestia happy.
"I suppose you'll want Pendragon to return home once this war is all over." The princess assumed that was how it would play out knowing that Pendragon had other duties back home.
"He does have his duties as a paladin but I will not dictate his choices in life. Pendragon has served my kingdom well and that is enough for me so if he wishes to stay then I will not object."
"Hm...you are truly a good king Varian. Perhaps when this is over we could improve our kingdoms relations in the future."
"Agreed."
The two monarchs toasted to a future alliance for their kingdoms and were looking forward to a bright future yet while they celebrated, the scourge had amassed another army in greater numbers and leading them was Nightmare Moon astride the mighty frost wyrm; Sapphiron.
End.
Author's Note
Proofread by Thunderbolt Sentinel
With the attack on evfree forest successful and the scourge driven out the alliance forces were able to focus on reconstructing the old castle to its former glory. The dwarves and gnomes helped oversee the construction while the rest of the troops made preparations to march on Trottingham where the citadel of Naxxramas was stationed and leading the assault would be King Varian with Pendragon as second in command.
"Pendragon."
"Yes my king?"
"How go the preparations?"
"We should be ready to move out by noon."
Varian nodded in approval of the armies current progress and went to oversee the battle plans in the command tent nearby. The officers of both the alliance and the royal guards were arguing as to how they should proceed with the attack, one side voted for an all out assault while another called for precise strikes on the enemies stronghold and it seemed neither side could come to an agreement.
"Enough!" Varian demanded silence in the war council as he surveyed the map of the enemies encampment and asked for the scouting reports that were given. Thanks to his many hears in war, the king was able to come up with a sound plan for taking the enemies territory.
"We will use the nearby hills for our siege weapons and base camps, each camp Must have a barrier surrounding it as a precaution. Our second objective will be reoccupying the city."
"That could be problematic sir." An officer interjected.
"Our scouts reported huge numbers of undead infesting the area."
"That is why Pendragon will lead his forces in the attack while I take the front lines." The king declared much to the surprise of the equestrian royal guard. For them it was not traditional for royalty to take part in a direct conflict with the enemy since it meant such a high risk of being killed but Varian was not one to run from battle.
"I was not there for the people of Lordaeron when they fell to the scourge, I will not repeat the same mistake here!" The alliance officers beamed with pride at their kings resolve as he departed from the war council to meet with Celestia and Luna who had also been preparing to join the fight despite the objections from their royal advisors and concern from the ponies of Canterlot.
With the help of the dwarven smiths, the armor of the princesses had been refitted with mithril silver making it light as a feather bit still hard enough to shatter a blade and with a few personal touches had been redesigned making it easy for them to fight on both the ground and in the air.
"How do I look?" Luna asked as she showed Celestia her new armor.
"Fit for battle." Celestia smiled proudly while hugging her little sister.
"Come. Our troops are waiting."
The sisters left their privat quarters to meet with the king who at the time was standing in front of a window overlooking the city with a troubled look upon his face.
"Is everything alright Varian?" Celestia asked as the king let out a sigh.
"It seems no matter where we go war follows us. Sometimes I wonder if it is truly the destiny for the people of Azeroth to fight."
"We cannot know what our path leads to Varian. The best we can do is follow it."
"Wise words princess." Said Khadgar who came walking down the hall with his staff.
"Khadgar. I trust you found our library informative?" Luna asked as the old mage smiled humbly replying.
"Indeed. I only wish I had more time to read it all."
"Well feel free to stop by any time."
Without any further delay, the four made their way towards the main gate ready to lead the upcoming assault on Trottingham and to end the threat of the scourge once and for all.
Later
In the center of Canterlot was the mighty gunship Skybreaker which now bore the banners of all three factions fighting against the scourge; The Canterlot Royal Guard, The Alliance and The Guardians of Harmony. The ponies of Canterlot watched in awe as their princesses were paraded down the street in the royal carriage with the stomping of their forces hooves thundering throughout the city, many began to shower them with petals as a sign of gratitude and whishing them good fortune in their battle.
"Well Luna don't just sit there, wave!" Celestia giggled to her younger sister.
The moment she raised her hoof, Luna was greeted by a cheer from a large group of foals who had come to see her off.
"Get em Princess Luna!!"
"You're the best!!"
The sound of the childrens praise made Luna smile as she waved to the children who began to cheer louder for her, the sight warmed Celestias heart knowing she had gain the admiration of their kingdoms next generation.
"Your majesties, we've arrived." Said one of the royal guards opening the doors to the carriage as they marched into the city to meet King Varian and Khadgar who were also escorted by their personal guard along with Twilight and her friends.
"King Varian."
"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna."
The royals greeted each other in a friendly manner as they prepared to board the ship when suddenly.
"Before we depart, there is something I must do." King Varian then drew his sword and turned to Pendragon with the kind of gaze that only a military commander could give.
"Pendragon. Step forward."
The crowd began to murmr among themselves as the king gave a short speech.
"You all know of the hero who stands before me. You all know of his deeds and bravery and it is for those reasons that I; his king shall bestow upon him the greatest honor!" With a simple gesture, Varian requested for Pendragon to kneel in which he quickly responded.
"Pendragon, Knight of The Silver Hand. For your deeds and service in the name of the light, I King Varian bestow upon you the title of Highlord."
Pendragon gasped as he felt the kings blade tap both his shoulders with his friends staring in anticipation and gleeful smiles.
"From this day forward you shall be known as Highlord Scourgebane ! Stand and be recognized."
As Pendragon rose to his feet a small number of ponies began applauding followed by the cheering of his friends who instantly swarmed him to congratulate his new promotion before joining their leaders on the ship.
"I can't believe you just got promoted and in front of the whole city too!!" Rainbow Dash squealed with a wide smile along with Pinkie who gasped saying.
"We should have a PROMOTION PARTY!"
"Uh let's save the celebrating for later." Said Twilight feeling a little embarassed after noticing a few of the crew members staring at them along with Applejack.
"She's right y'all."
"Plus we have a job to do." Pendragon said while drawing Quel'Delar.
"This time I won't let Kel'Thuzad escape or Nightmare Moon."
"Speaking of which. Something has me curious." Twilight said scratching her chin.
"Whenever you seem to be near her sword you end up getting weakened for a short moment. Why is that?"
"Could be the magic left over from when Frostmourne pierced my chest, even now I can still feel it."
Before they could discuss the issue further, the ships alarm began to ring out as the crew members scrambled to their stations and began loading the cannons meaning they were approaching their destination.
"Lord Pendragon! His majesty wants you and your friends topside right away!" An officer shouted over the clamoring of the other crew members. Pendragon and the others quickly ran to the top deck where King Varian and the princesses were prepared to lead the first wave of the assault.
"You called my king?"
"Yes. We need to go over the plan so listen carefully." Varian said as he turned to the troops.
"Celestia, Luna and myself will handle the enemies front lines until we've established a forward command center while Pendragons unit will secure the city square just beyond the front gates! Remember: stay clear of the citadel at all times! Dismissed."
"SIR!!"
"All units prepare for battle! And may the light be with you!" Pendragon now took command as a general should after the kings briefing, many of the troops in the royal guard were nervous since this would be their first battle while the soldiers in the alliance simply gritted their teeth and kept a tight grip on their weapons.
"Steady!" Pendragon shouted as the ship suddenly began to shake while descending to the ground while flashes of green fire sprang up from all over. With a loud thud, the Skybreaker landed on the front lines and troops began pouring out from its hull with Varian and the two sisters leading the charge.
"FOR THE ALLIANCE!!" The king roared with great fury unsheathing his sword and began cutting through a large number of scourge forces. Varians skill with a blade was unmatched in the eyes of his men as one foe after another was cut to pieces while above the battlefield Celestia and Luna decimated the enemy flyers with their magic and weapon skills.
"Push them back my sister!"
"Do not worry Celestia! I can handle a few flying vermin!" Luna boasted while cutting a gargoyle in half with her sword when she noticed Twilights group smashing their way through a weakpoint in the enemies formation until they had reached the walls of the city.
"Okay we're here, now what?" Asked Applejack before Pendragon took out a few bombs from his backpack.
"Spike, light em up!"
"You got it!" Spike let out a short burst of fire that ignited the fuses before taking cover behind a nearby rock as his friend threw the explosives shouting.
"Fire in the hole!!"
Twilight put up a barrier to shield them from the debris of the explosion before charging through the smoke yet when they stormed through the streets they met little resistance save for a few guards posted on every street corner. Something was wrong.
"Stay sharp girls." Said Twilight who was cautiously surveying the surrounding buildings when the air suddenly began to grow colder to the point where they could see their breath.
"Good gracious it's freezing!" Cried Rarity who began to shiver.
"Get ready girls..." Pendragon raised his shield slightly when the sound of flapping wings caught their attention. Sapphiron had come!
"Who dares to intrude upon my masters domain?" The dragons voice thundered in fury while staring down at the heroes. Fluttershy ran for cover while the rest of her friends fanned out in a circle after remembering how the beast destroyed Shining Armors barrier.
"You dare challenge me? It's amusing how you mortals think you can overcome those stronger than you! I have killed many a warrior in my time."
"Save your breath wyrm! You'll need it when I send you screaming back into the void!!" Pendragon wasted no more time and charged straight towards Sapphiron followed by Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
"Pathetic!" Sapphiron lashed out with his tail and sent all three flying back before turning his attention to Twilight and Rarity, the two unicorns combined their magic to create a shield only to have it shattered by the monsters breath.
"Ohh anypony get the liscense plate of that cart?" Rainbow groaned as her head began to spin from the last attack while her human friend charged once more into the fray to give them time to recover.
"You will not harm my friends beast!!"
Sapphiron laughed at the display of bravery Pendragon showed before raising a claw to deliver a finishing blow when he felt the sharp sting of a blade upon his back. Varian had come to join the battle.
"My king!"
"I was worried when we didn't receive news of your mission. It seems I arrived just in time."
"How fitting, I get to kill a king and a pawn." Sapphiron fanned his wings and prepared to take flight when Varian leaped into action.
"Now Sapphiron, taste the fury of Shalamayne !! YYAH!!" At that moment the kings sword split into twin blades, one gleamed as bright as the sun while the other glowed bright as the moon. The frost wyrm was overwhelmed by Varians swift strikes and ferocity, it was like he was facing an animal more than a warrior.
"Burn in the light heathen!!" Cried Pendragon unleashing the power of Quel'Delar to sever one of the dragons wings before joining Varian in the battle and with the combined might of the two warriors the frost wyrm was instantly overpowered.
"I-Impossible! I was one of the most gifted among the blue dragons! I served under The Lich King!!" Sapphiron was in shock, not since his battle with Arthas had he been defeated and now he found himself helpless before the king of Stormwind and his champion.
"It seems you've forgotten something Sapphiron." Varian said as he looked the beast in his glowing eye.
The Alliance fears no evil, we will fight any who dare to threaten our home or our comrades. That is why you lost." The king then returned his sword to its singular form before departing.
"Do not turn your back on me...MORTAL!!" Sapphiron lashed out with his claws in an attempt to strike down the king until a certain mage stepped in using an ice spell to imprison the creature as he walked up the street with a handful of unicorn soldiers. One in particular that Twilight seemed to recognize.
"Starlight!"
"Twilight! Oh thank goodness." Starlight sighed with relief hugging all of her friends.
"I was worried about all of you going so when I heard Khadgar needed troops I signed on."
"A wise decision." Said Khadgar with an approving nod before returning his attention to Sapphiron.
"I will take this one back for interrogation. Rest assured, we will take all necessarry precautions." As he began casting a magic circle, Starlight bid farewell to her friends and vanished in a flash of light while royal guards and alliance soldiers began filling the square and constructing barricades.
"We did it!" Cried Pinkie while jumping up and down in excitment while King Varian stepped forward to address his troops.
"Soldiers! Today we have won a great victory! Before the day is done we will tend to our wounded and bury our fallen, then tonight! We celebrate! FOR THE ALLIANCE!!"
The soldiers let out a voctorious cheer, inspired by the words of their king along with Twilight and her friends before returning to their duties while a short distance away was Naxxramas where Nightmare Moon and Kel'Thuzad were watching the armies from a viewing pool.
Naxxramas
"Such strength, such skill. Makes me want him even more~." Nightmare Moon said sinfully as she grinned at the image of Pendragon before Kel'Thuzad dispelled the image.
"If all goes as planned then you shall have him but you are aware he isn't even your species yes?" He asked out of curiousity as the exited the room.
"There are spells for such things and besides the poor fool doesn't realize he already belongs to me..." The dark alicorn gave an evil chuckle while staring at a section of Frostmournes blade where a shard was missing.
End.
Author's Note
Proofreader: Tunderbolt Sentinel
The first step in taking back the city of Trottingham was a success, Sapphiron had been captured and the lands surrounding the city now belonged to the ponies of Equestria once more but the war was far from over. Above the ruined city floated Naxxramas and inside were the last two remaining leaders of the scourge; Nightmare Moon and Kel'Thuzad and with Sapphiron now imprisoned in a block of ice it seemed that taking the citadel would be easy at least a certain rainbow maned pegasus tought so.
Base Camp
Rainbow Dash was with the wonderbolts on their daily combat drills when the sun began to rise and began a series of loops and barrel rolls while keeping up with her teammates, Soarin and Spitfire.
"COME ON PONIES!! DOUBLE TIME GO GO GO!!" Spitfire yelled wtih a blow of her whistle (a part of her job she really enjoys) making Soarin and Dash pick up the pace as they neared the camps flag pole when Rainbow noticed Soarin was flying too close.
"Soarin watch out!" She yelled just before he clipped his wing and was sent spiraling towards the ground. Rainbow quickly dived down to break his fall and both were sent tumbling into a hay bale much to the soldiers amusement, for a moment things were hazy until Rainbow began to notice a series of grins towards her and Soarin.
"Up for a little "Morning Exercise" are we?" Asked Rarity when her friend looked down to see she was on top of her partner and inches away from giving a kiss, Rainbow shrieked and quickly got off to apologize as she felt the heat of her cheeks flushing red.
"I am SO sorry!!"
"I-it's cool!" The stallion replied with his cheeks turned slightly pink as Spitfire came onto the scene to check Soarins wing.
"Doesn't look broken but you'll be out of practice for the rest of the day."
"Aw man!" Soarin whined while Spitfire ordered Rainbow Dash to take him to the infirmary to get healed.
"Clipper and Crash. You two really clash together." Spitfire said aloud when suddenly she cracked a joke.
"Hey! Team Clash that'll be perfect for you two lovebirds."
The two pegasai suddenly froze in place and time seemed to stand still, Rainbows head was spinning with the thought of Soarin as her coltfriend flooded into her mind while Soarin seemed to drift off to a blissful daydream until he felt a yank on his hoof.
"Come on Soarin!" Dash growled while the rest of the camp teased them slightly before receiving a murderous glare from the rainbow haired mare pulling the stallion towards the medical tent where Fluttershy was busy tending to the wounded.
"Hi Fluttershy." Rainbow greeted her friend who was busy strapping new bandages on a royal guards foreleg.
"Oh hi Rainbow Dash. Everything okay?" Fluttershy asked while washing her hooves.
"Soarin clipped his wing so Spitfire asked me to bring him here."
"Oh you poor thing!" Fluttershy wasted no time in examining Soarins wing and proceeding to give it some topical cream to numb the pain before covering it up in bandages.
"Thanks."
"My pleasure. Now be sure to rest up until it heals." Fluttershy always acted like a real nurse when it came to treating others, especially her animals back home and now she was treating soldiers both from Azeroth and Equestria.
"By the way, has anypony seen Twilight?" Fluttershy asked after tightening the bandage on Soarins wing.
"She's with Khadgar interrogating that dragon. It shouldn't take long." Rainbow Dash replies with a smug grin before leaving the infirmary.
In another part of the camp was Khadgar and Twilight who had been furiously trying to coax information out of Sapphiron but their efforts seemed fruitless as the undead dragon proved to be very resisstant to their magic thanks to a rune placed on his skull in the event he should be captured.
"Impressive. I've never seen a ward this strong." Said Khadgar rubbing his chin while Twilight began searching through her books for a counterspell when Sapphiron suddenly began to stir.
"Mmm...."
"Ah. Our guest has awakened."
"What...happened?" The dragon tried to move his limbs yet he couldn't feel them and suddenly noticed he was but a head on a lab table surrounded by protective wards that cut off any connection to his body.
"Oh yes, now I remember." He said after recalling the battle with Pendragon and King Varian then noticed the mage Khadgar staring down at him with a firm gaze as if waiting for him to answer a question.
"What are you looking at mage?"
"I am curious. How did you and your masters find this place?" Khadgar asked as the head chuckled responding.
"You should already know that oh great Khadgar." Sapphiron said smugly despite his position.
"Think back; Back to the destruction of Draenor."
"Where?" Twilight asked not recognizing the name.
"Draenor. It is a desolate world that was nearly destroyed during the second war on Azeroth...I lost many of my friends on that terrible world." The mage said with bitterness when he remembered what caused the destruction. A demon gate.
"Ah ha! Found it!" Said Twilight who instantly dispelled the rune mark with a proud smirk.
"Well done Twilight. Now i need your help with this next spell." Both spellcasters began to focus on their magic and were able to peer into Sapphirons mind, at first there was nothing but darkness and whispering voices then came a bright flash of light that blinded them for a short moment until they found themselves on a barren wasteland dotted with green fire and though this was an image of the mind the sensations felt all too real as Twilight began to feel herself sweat from the intolerable heat.
"Where are we?" She asked after looking up to see the endless void of space surrounded by a green nebula while Khadgar continued to look at the green flames.
"It can't be..." The mage whispered in fear when a dark shadow began to cover the landscape followed by a demonic voice that made the very air around them tremble.
"What news do you bring Lich?"
Twilight turned around to see a giant demon standing in a pool of molten magma and her entire body trembled with fear when she got a good look at him. The demon was as tall as a mountain and stood on two hooves with two gigantic wings on his back, his body red as blood with eyes yellow like fire.
"W-who is that?" She asked nervously.
"That is Kil'Jaeden general of The Demonic Burning Legion." Khadgar answered calmly before turning around to see Kel'Thuzad bowing humbly before the monster.
"My Lord Kil'Jaeden, The Lich King has fallen but I am afraid the scourge are lost to us."
"It matters not." The demon lord began to use his magic to create a portal to what appeared to be a grassy field and just beyond it a mountain where a city had been built on its cliffside; Equestria.
"I have found us a new world to conquer. It is chock full of magic and resources and I want you and your followers to go there and recruit as many new followers as possible. Fail me again and you shall receive a punishment far worse than you can imagine!"
"I hear and obey my lord. The cult of the damned will not fail again."
Without a second thought, Kel'Thuzad stepped through the portal to Equestria moments before the two were pulled out of the vision. Twilight had no clue to what happened but to Khadgar it all made sense.
"How could I have been so foolish?!?" He said furiously slamming the table before ordering the guards to return Sapphiron to his icy prison.
"Khadgar what is it?" Twilight asked while he retrieved his staff.
"I will explain later but right now we must report our findings to our leaders."
Khadgar and Twilight immediately rushed towards the royal tent where Varian and the other princesses were making plans to storm the rest of the city and when the king heard of what the mage had seen he became deeply troubled for he had heard of this demonic army after he learned of what transpired during his absence.
"Are you certain of this Khadgar?"
"I am my king. The Burning Legion seeks to plunder this world."
"What is this legion you speak of?" Luna asked out of curiosity as Khadgar told her of Azeroths most ancient evil.
The Burning Legion was a demonic army that had been ravaging the cosmos for eons bringing many worlds to ruin and they seemed unstoppable until they met the armies of Azeroth and were defeated or so it seemed. The army of demons seemed to be invincible with their endless numbers and for each legion that fell another one took its place.
"Our last battle with the legion ended when they lost one of their top generals. A demon named Archimonde but now they've set their sights in your world."
"So the undead forces we've been facing are just the first wave of the invasion." Celestia had assumed correctly while looking at the map of Equestria; the land she loved so much. The thought of it and her beloved ponies being destroyed terrified her and feared for her kingdoms future.
"Tell me Varian. Do we have any chance of defeating this legion?"
"I have often wondered that myself." Varian replied while looking at the alliance flag behind him.
"But if there's one thing I learned from my people is that where there is hope there is always a chance. You have my word, The Alliance will stand by you no matter what."
"...Thank you."
"Now we must return to the battle at hand. Guard! Summon Sir Pendragon at once!"
By the kings order, Pendragon was called to the war council to be debriefed on his next mission. it was decided that he and the guardians of harmony would lead the first wave of the assault in hopes of inspiring the troops to keep fighting while the rest of the army would flank the enemy from other parts of the city leaving just enough troops to defend the main camp, the battle commenced at high noon with a rainstorm coming in from the north which was a strategy developed by the wonderbolts who would use the storm as cover to move their troops into striking distance on the enemies rear guard.
Streets of Trottingham
"ONWARD CHAMPIONS!!" Pendragon roared as he lead the first wave and began cutting through the undead ranks with Quel'Delar followed by Twilight and her friends creating an opening for the troops to move in and with the narrow streets and tall buildings to narrow the space and artillery fire the fight seemed to be in favor of the allied forces.
"Shield formation!!"
Alliance soldiers began rushing towards the front lines to form shield wall that halted the enemies advance while a squad of dwarven riflemen and unicorn guards began firing upon them. Slowly the scourge forces were pushed back into a full retreat giving the alliance and equestrian forces the first victory of today's battle.
"My lord, do we pursue them?" A soldier asked after Pendragon removed his helmet to wipe the sweat from his brow.
"No. The streets are too narrow and for all we know they could be trying to lead us into an ambush. Have all our wounded transported back to camp immediately."
"Yes sir!"
Even from a distance the battle could be heard throughout the city. It wasn't long before the rain began to drench the battlefield and wash away the blood of the fallen soldiers that now stained the streets of trottingham yet despite their losses the heroes pushed forward deeper into the city and began to whittle away at the enemies numbers with no signs of a counterattack or their leaders joining the fight. This made Pendragon cautious as he and his friends were nearing the underside of Naxxramas where the remaining undead forces had gathered and another fierce battle broke out.
The skies above thundered with fury as the armies did battle once more with both sides taking heavy losses and the alliance forces had been pushed to the breaking point of exhaustion.
"Push forward men! Today we put an end to the scourge, FOR THE ALLIANCE!!" Pendragon did his best to rally the troops but even he could not keep fighting forever and could already feel his hands growing numb from gripping his sword when all of the sudden he heard the sound of shouting soldiers before spotting the royal flags of Canterlot. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had ambushed the enemy from a different section of the city and caught them in a pincer maneuver, it was only a short moment after that the wonderbolts sprang from the storm cloud while King Varian and his elite guard smashed into the enemies left flank leaving no chance of escape and by the time the storm had cleared a great number of fallen soldiers filled the city streets both enemy and ally alike but the greater threat still loomed just above their heads.
"Alright girls, this is it!" Said Twilight as she prepared a teleportation spell to bring them into the citadel while her friends bid farewell to the soldiers and princesses.
"Good luck brave heroes and may the light protect you." Varian said with a salute before they beamed up towards the citadel.
Meanwhile
Deep within the twisted halls of Naxxramas, Nightmare Moon sat on a throne twirling Frostmourne with her magic and grinned with anticipation as she sensed the heroes who had infiltrated the citadel.
"Yes. Come heroes, come and meet your doom."
End.
Author's Note
Proofread by: Wild Balance
Heart of Darkness
Naxxramas; The Citadel of The Damned. Within it's befouled halls lurked all sorts of nightmarish creatures created by the necromancers who dwelled within and was also the lair of Kel'Thuzad and Nightmare Moon. Very few were brave enough to venture through this foul fortress and it was a place Pendragon had known all too well for he had been there once and had hoped to never return.
Upon their arrival, the heroes felt the very air around them grow cold enough to see their breath and all around they could hear the snarling and growling of the swarms of monsters guarding the halls yet what they didn't notice was that there were no guards waiting for them in ambush.
"Looks like we got the drop on them." Said Rainbow with confidence.
"For now at least. Stay close and watch for movement." Pendragon lead them down the nearest hall knowing guards would soon be on the scene and in a fortress full of monsters that was the least of their problems.
"You sure you know where you're going?" Asked Twilight while looking around for signs of trouble.
"Trust me, I know this fortress like the back of my hand."
Things were unusually quiet in the citadel as all of the snarls and growls suddenly ceased yet the group could not help but get the suspicious feeling that they were being watched.
"Hey look at these." Pinkie had found some strange silvery strings leading down to another part of the citadel and with her curious nature reached out to touch one of them.
"No wait!" Pendragon shouted a split second before she gave the string a quick twang that sent a humming noise down the halls, the pink mare giggled to herself having been amused by the sound when they heard a loud skittering noise coming from all directions.
"What is that?!?" Asked Spike darting his head around for the source of the noise.
"Nerubians!" The paladin shouted while preparing to make a break for it as the noise grew louder.
"Ner-what now?" Said Applejack before dodging a large web trying to ensnare her and spotted a large spider-like monster standing on eight legs with a set of arms and mandibles covered by a raggy cloak decorated with runes. The creature was instantly shot down by Twilight and Rarity before Spike stabbed the monster in the chest to make sure it was down, then more of them appeard from the ceiling and the walls in great numbers.
"RUUN!!" Pendragon lead them down the hall as more of them began to swarm the room followed by actual giant spiders with venom dripping from their maws, screeching with hunger.
"PINKIE!! This is all your fault!" Rainbow shouted angrily after kicking a spider off her back while Twilight used a shield spell to protect them.
"Just be glad they're not murlocs!"
"What are murlocs?"
"You don't wanna know, just keep running!!" The paladin shouted while firing off a shot from his gun.
As they ran further down the hall another swarm appeared in front of them before darting down a nearby corridor but every turn they took more and more seemed to appear.
"They're herding us!" Said Applejack after noticing they were keeping their distance at a steady pace until they found themselves in an icy chamber riddled with giant bones and It was a place Pendragon recognized instantly, Sapphirons lair. The paladin quickly readied his sword and shield as his head darted around the room looking for signs of movement along with Spike who wasted no time in protecting Rarity from the swarm which had suddenly disappeard.
"Where'd they go?" He asked while trying to peek outside.
"Guess they did their job." Pendragon answered after lowering his guard.
"What is this place?"
"Sapphirons lair. Stay sharp, he wasn't the only dead dragon to live here."
"Y-you mean there's more?" Spike got a second look at the bones to see that they were all dragons and the thought of them suddenly rising up into a giant dragon almost made him faint had it not been for Twilight catching him.
"We're close, the main chamber is just beyond that tunnel." At that moment, the entrance to the chamber was suddenly sealed by a wall of ice along with the exit behind them meaning that the nerubians had lead them into a trap.
"Welcome." A feminine voice echoed around the chamber when Nightmare Moon appeared holding Frostmourne, Pendragon gripped his chest and fell to his knees feeling the same unbearable pain from before yet despite this he kept his gaze firmly locked on the vile blade, even Quel'Delar began to surge with power eager to smash the sword to pieces for the two had crossed paths before.
"I am so glad you came." The dark princess said gleefully while looking at her new "guests".
"The Guardians of Harmony; Equestrias greatest and bravest heroes and Pendragon or should I say Highlord Scourgebane ? Either way, I'm flattered."
"Watch it girls, she's up to something." Said Applejack getting ready to pounce while her friend recovered but Nightmare Moon didn't feel threatened by them at all after dealing with them so easily back in the crystal mountains in fact she felt amused that they were so eager for a rematch, even Spike still felt nervous being around the evil alicorn along with Rainbow Dash who was hesitant to try and land the first blow and kept herself at a safe distance with the others.
"Before we get started, I wish to make a deal." Nightmare waited for the paladin to stand on his feet before giving her proposal. One she thought for sure he would accept.
"I offer you one last chance to join me. You must've heard by now who really leads this invasion against Equestria so why delay the inevitable? Even if you were to defeat us here-and that's a big if-you would simply fall victim to another faction just waiting for a chance to seize this land I mean after all if your human allies found a way here then who's to say your enemies back home haven't found one as well hmm?" Nightmare smirked when she noticed the humans reaction and moved in to seal the deal.
"It's not too late heroes, think of-!"
"I've heard enough!" Said Pendragon cutting her off.
"It's true what you say; even if the scourge were to be defeated another enemy would rise up against us, be it the legion, our old foes on Azeroth or even the dark forces lurking here in Equestria but it doesn't matter! if those enemies come then I will fight them!!"
"And you can forget about us joining you as well!" Twilight replied with the support of her friends and after having her offer spurned once more, the alicorn gritted her teeth in anger and slowly held up Frostmourne with her frown turning into a wicked toothy grin.
"Well. I tried." Nightmares first target was the human standing before her as she brought down Frostmourne with a downward swing that was blocked by Pendragons shield, the rest of the group moved in from the sides hoping to find an opening but were intercepted by the nerubians who had been hiding in the shadows waiting to pounce.
"Spiders. Why did it have to be spiders?" Spike asked having a personal phobia of the creatures while Rainbow Dash and Applejack began knocking them around.
"We got a plan Twilight?" Asked Rainbow after smashing another nerubian into the ground.
"Pendragon can handle Nightmare Moon, we need to keep these things from overwhelming us!"
"Sounds like a plan to me!" Applejack agreed before bucking a giant spider through the ice. With her quick memory, Twilight began using the holy light to strengthen her friends as well as burn away more of the swarm before joining the fight while Pendragon and Nightmare Moon continued to duke it out in a clash of magic and steel with neither side giving in.
"Oh look. We're dancing." The dark princess teased while leaping over her opponents head leaving her underbelly exposed but as Pendragon prepared to impale her he felt another surge of pain shoot through his chest.
"Pen!" Pinkie saw he was in trouble and rushed to his aid with Fluttershy only to end up frozen in a block of ice.
"Something wrong~?" The alicorn asked leaning towards the weakened human.
"Grrr..."
The paladin could barely make out the blurred image of Nightmare Moon and was finding it hard to fend off her attacks, she had clearly been playing around with him like a cat with a toy. Pendragon could not understand why he was feeling this pain, the scar had long since healed and he had barely escaped the curse of undeath during his first encounter with Frostmourne so the question remained: Why was this happening?
"Look at you, pathetic." Nightmare said giving a smug grin before looking at her blade.
"Do you recall how Grogar drained you of your magic? Well we had a reason for that." As she continued her revelation, the nerubians began pinning down Twilight and her friends one by one.
"When Frostmourne was shattered a shard flew into the wound on your chest and when Kel'Thuzad discovered this he devised a brilliant plan but in order for it to work we needed your magic. You see he placed a special curse on the shard, a curse that would slowly weaken you and drain you of what magic you had left every time you came near this sword and judging from your complextion I'd say you have very little magic left."
Pendragon knew she was telling the truth for he couldn't find the strength to cast a healing spell let alone stand up and was starting to feel his body grow cold, all he could do was watch helplessly as the dark princess stood over him in triumph ready to deliver the killing blow when she came up with an even more sinister idea and turned her attention to the mane six.
"Before you die human, I will make you watch as I kill your friends." She grinned seeing the terrified reaction on Pendragons face.
"Then I will raise each and every one of them as my undead slaves and use them to destroy the very lands they fought so hard to protect but....who should go first I wonder?" She pondered, trotting past each one of them.
"The princess? The party planner? The dress maker? The little dragon? Perhaps the shy one? Or the athlete, Oh I know!" The dark princess stopped in front of Applejack and held Frostmourne up to her throat.
"The little farm mare. I know seeing her die would cause you great pain; great pain indeed."
"N-No!!"
The nerubians then forced Applejack to bow down before her while the others yelled furiously at Nightmare Moon to back away, seeing such despair and helplessness pleased the evil princess as she noticed the farm mare staring back up at her in pure terror with tears in her eyes as she prepared for the end.
"This is it...Big Mac, Applebloom...I'm sorry..." Applejack sunk her head in defeat as Frostmourne was raised. It seemed hopeless until Pendragon felt a sudden burst of strength and fury coursing through him, making him able to stand on his feet once more but the pain in his chest was still more than he could handle.
"Oh please. You can barely stand let alone fight!" She said in an amused tone as she stopped the blade from swinging down.
"So long as that shard is inside you, you can't hope to stand against me or the lich."
"Then...I shall remove it!"
Without a second thought, Pendragon pulled out a dagger and proceeded to cut the leather straps securing his breastplate before ripping his shirt open to find the scar on his chest glowing an icy blue.
"You're kidding. You're kidding right?" Nightmare asked just before the paladin stabbed himself in the chest and cutting open his scar. The dark princess was at a loss for words and thought it might be some sort of trick.
"PENDRAGON!!" Twilight shouted in horror as he began to viciously dig into his wound with his bare hands and coating the floor with his own blood.
"Stop you'll kill yourself!!" Fluttershy begged as he continued until finally the human pulled out a small metal shard with his entire body dripping in sweat. Pendragon looked at the small piece of metal in his bloodstained hand before glaring at Nightmare Moon with an anger so fierce that it actually made her tremble.
"I am free of you witch!" He growled tossing the shard aside as the holy light began to heal his wounds and burn away the monsters keeping his comrades captive, the sensation was warm and soothing like that of a fireplace to Twilight and her friends but for Nightmare Moon it was like standing in front of the sun as she cringed back using her wings as a shield.
"Time for round two!" Rainbow said bashing her hooves together.
"Indeed. It's time we put this ruffian in her place!" Rarity was in agreement with her friend as she flipped back her mane. All seven heroes surrounded the evil princess and prepared to charge in at once when the ice beneath suddenly sprouted spikes that nearly impaled them.
"Why can't things ever be easy?" Applejack asked when she got an unusual answer from Pinkie.
"If it were easy then it wouldn't be fun!"
"Stay focused girls. This fight's not over yet!" Twilight cautioned after seeing an icy aura surrounding Nightmare Moon. This would be the fight of their lives.
"Prepare yourselves mortals, this citadel will be your tomb!!"
End.
The halls of Naxxramas shook violently from the epic battle being waged within its center, The Guardians of Harmony stood fast against Nightmare Moon and the runeblade Frostmourne but the fight seemed to be one sided as the dark princess used the very ice around her as a weapon against the heroes, making it seem to come alive and take shape with just a swing of the sword.
"Watch it!!" Rainbow Dash cried out to the others as a row of ice spikes began chasing them, Pendragon and Twilight casted a shield spell to stop the attack but were nearly blown back had it not been for the others bracing them. Nightmare kept pressing the attack in hopes of overwhelming them with her power.
"Rainbow! Applejack! Flank her!!" Pendragon ordered hoping to catch her by surprise. Both Rainbow and Applejack darted to the side for a pincer attack but were stopped by a second wall of ice that seemed to pop up out of nowhere.
"Nice try." Nightmare smirked before blasting them back with her magic before vanishing in a puff of black smoke crying out.
"Feed my pets!"
Gargoyles and other monstrous creatures began dropping from holes in the ceiling, forcing the group to scatter for a few moments before the dark alicorn returned to the fight but only to watch from a safe distance.
"YOU MISERABLE WENCH!! Fight us yourself!!" The paladin shouted furiously after cutting down one of her minions. In her own twisted way, Nightmare Moon accepted his challenge by forming a wall of ice between him and the others meaning she wanted this to be a one on one duel.
"Now to get back at you for calling me a wench ."
"Have at you..." Pendragon wasted no time in exchanging blows with Nightmare Moon and held nothing back as he used both sword and shield in offense and defense with great skill but the dark princess seemed more amused than stunned and even began to smile while matching his every move.
"Impressive but you're still too slow!" Nightmare Moon said while quickly parrying his blade to deliver a cut to his chest, the sharp sting quickly reminded the paladin of his discarded breastplate that layed just across the room.
"Oh look, I've cut you. What a shame." She grinned licking off the blood from the tip before proceeding with her counterattack and began slicing the human all over with a devilish smile while keeping herself at a safe distance.
"Squirm mortal!" She yelled as her attacks became more fierce and even began tossing the human around like a rag doll with her magic until he was barely able to stand. Pendragon dropped his shield to lean against the wall behind him but was barely able to hold onto his sword, it seemed Nightmare Moon had him right where she wanted him.
"There is no shame in defeat, I promise you and your friends will be taken care of." She said trying to sound merciful unaware that Pendragon was slowly regaining his magic.
"Come to your death freely noble Pendragon and let this battlefield drink deep of your blood."
"Oh there will be blood alright..." Pendragon growled while staring her down.
"Cause I'm gonna run you through-YOU VAMPIRE BITCH!!"
The paladin roared as the energy was absorbed into his body forming two magnificent wings that sent Nightmare Moon flying into the wall and scattering her monions, needless to say the others were thrilled to have the odds stacked in their favor and wasted no time in using their powers of the light against Nightmare as well. The dark princess was overwhelmed by the combined powers of the seven knights and seemed to be on the verge of losing when her magic suddenly spiked out of control along with her rage.
"NO!!" With a flap of her wings, she broke through the beams of light and sent the heroes crashing to the ground once more before freezing each of them in a pillar of ice save for Pendragon and Spike who had hid behind a pile of rubble. This was no longer Nightmare Moons power but the power of Frostmourne itself, Nightmare Moons eyes had become shrouded in an icy blue mist, her wings gave off a bone chilling freeze as they opened and the aura of fear that surrounded her seemed more powerful than before.
"Amazing! So this is what the blades true power holds!" Nightmare glanced at her new transformation and was loving every inch of it as she trotted around her new trophies before kicking Quel'Delar out of Pendragons reach.
"Now at last I can have my revenge on Celestia! Once I have killed all seven of you, I will raise you as my champions and together we will bring a new age of darkness upon this land!" Her monologuing was cut short when she saw Pendragon staring up at her defiantly with a chuckle despite his wounds.
"You find this amusing mortal?" She asked while holding him up with her magic and placing Frostmourne against the scar on his chest.
"Oh it's very amusing. You see you forgot something." Pendragon told her while a small shadowy figure began crawling up one of the ice pillars.
"What's that?"
"There are eight of us-NOW SPIKE!!!"
Spike leaped down from the pillar holding Twilight, catching Nightmare Moon off guard as he leaped onto her face. Pendragon quickly grabbed his sword off the ground and with a single swing he shattered Frostmourne to pieces. The destruction of the weapon caused Nightmare to lose all control of her magic as the ice pillars that held Twilight and her friends began to crumble.
"AHHH!!" The dark princess screamed in agony as the dark magic that once filled her body began to evaporate until finally she passed out from exhaustion. All eight knights stood over her with mixed emotions, it seemed simple enough to just stick a blade into her chest after all she did in aiding the scourge however it seemed wrong to just take matters in their own hands.
"What should we do?" Asked Twilight looking at Pendragon.
"I say we put her out of her misery!" Rainbow Dash declared angrily when Pendragon raised his arm stopping her.
"No. She is beaten and besides we still have one more fight ahead of us." He looked towards the entrance leading to Kel'Thuzads chambers and saw they were all completely drained from the previous fight but to simply retreat at this point would only allow the lich to replenish his numbers and recruit new allies thus dragging out the war and that is something the paladin could not allow.
"Twenty years..." Pendragon spoke in a bitter tone.
"For twenty years I lived waiting to avenge my people and my comrades, today Kel'Thuzad shall face the justice he has eluded for so long!"
"Yeah!" The others shouted with their friend as he lead the charge down the hall. They arrived a strange chamber that was dimly lit by a large floating crystal that seemed to be feeding energy into the citadel.
"Is that what I think it is?" Asked Twilight who was still in awe of the large object.
"The heart of the citadel. If we destroy that then the whole place comes crashing down."
"A pity that won't happen." Came a voice from the shadows as the knights circled up ready to attack the first thing that moved.
"Kel'Thuzad! Show yourself!" Pendragon shouted to the shadows only to hear the liches laughter. Fluttershy and Pinkie clinged together as they quivered in fear while Rainbow and Applejack grew anxious trying to find out where the noise was coming from when a sudden blast of icy wind struck them.
"Minions, soldiers, servants of the cold dark, obey the call of Kel'Thuzad!" In an eerie fashion the lich appeared before the heroes and began summoning undead minions from the ground in great numbers.
"It's go time girls!" Rainbow shouted getting ready to charge in as the first wave of undead attacked. Once more the group was forced to scatter to avoid being overwhelmed and divided into teams of two in order to deal with the various monsters surrounding them, Pinkie stayed close to Fluttershy while Rainbow and Applejack took down the strongest of the beasts leaving Rarity and Twilight to deal with the gargoyles hovering in the air while Pendragon stayed close to Spike as they began cutting down a large number of ghouls and skeletons with a combined might of steel and dragon fire.
"How amusing." Kel'Thuzad watched their struggle like a form of sports entertainment before blocking a shot from Twilight who seemed infuriated by his arrogance.
"Your petty magics are no challenge to the might of the scourge. Accept your fate mortals, the end is upon you." The lich seemed confident that his minions would overpower the heroes until all seven became shrouded in a glow of holy light that began illuminating the darkness of the room and burning away the monsters one by one.
"You were saying?" Said Twilight referring to his previous remark before firing off another blast from her horn. Kel'Thuzad was able to block the attack at the last second but was sent staggering back a ways, before he could recover he was then struck by a set of hooves in the back courtesy of Applejack.
"Take that ya bonehead!" She said proudly before Rainbow delivered a flying kick that sent him smashing into the crystal. For a moment their was silence as Pendragon turned his blade to a stabbing position while standing over the lich, slowly he raised Quel'Delar to make sure his aim was precise.
"This ends now!!" With both arms he pushed the blade towards the phylactery; The vessel holding Kel'Thuzad when the chains around him suddenly sprang to life and began coiling themselves around the heroes like snakes.
"ENOUGH!!" The lich bellowed furiously as he tightened the grip on the chains. The ice cold touch and suffocation was slowly sapping the heroes of what strength they had left and the more they struggled the more tight the chains became.
"We...can't give up!" Twilight wheezed trying to focus her magic but could not stay awake long enough to give even a single spark, Rainbow and Fluttershy struggled to fly but their wings were bound and on the verge of being pulled off while Pinkie and Applejack had already passed out from suffocation.
"R-Rarity!!" Spike pulled against the chains around his neck as he reached out for Rarity who was struggling to breathe and was only inches away but eventually he too had succumbed to exhaustion as the chains tightened their grip once more.
"The dark void awaits you, there will be no escape!!" The lich began to cackle madly as he prepared one final spell to finish off the heroes and with this victory all of Equestria would surely fall before him yet even in this grim situation only one knight stood defiant even in the face of death. Pendragon struggled to stay awake as he reached for his sword and like any true paladin he prayed for the one thing he and his friends needed; A miracle.
"Light...grant me one final blessing...give me the strength...to shatter these bonds!" At the moment Pendragons vision began to fade, the holy light began to shine from his body with heat strong enough to melt the chains holding him and his friends captive. Twilight and the others found themselves gasping for air when they noticed their friends transformation as he stomped towards the lich.
"Kel'Thuzad! For the crimes you have commited against the people of Lordaeron and Equestria, for commiting high treason against the mages of the Kirin Tor I hereby sentence you to death!" Pendragon declared as he raised Quel'Delar for one final strike while the lich stood there frozen in fear.
"No...THIS CAN'T BE!" Before he could react, Kel'Thuzad was struck by a blast of holy light that sent him crashing into the crystal moments before Pendragon pierced his chest creating a huge crack, within moments the entire citadel began to rumble as debris fell from the ceiling piece by piece.
"The citadel is going down!!" Twilight shouted after noticing the crack in the crystal was leaking power at a fast rate.
"We gotta get out of here!"
The group ran back the way they came past the falling debris when Applejack noticed Pendragon struggling with the lich who was desperately trying to keep him away from his phylactery.
"You fool! If you don't let me go right now we'll both perish!!" Said Kel'Thuzad trying to reason with him.
"So be it! I'm going to make sure you'll never hurt anyone again!" Pendragon yelled as he yanked out Quel'Delar to deliver the killing blow.
"I'm sending you back to the abyss where you belong!!" With one final thrust, Pendragon shattered the jewel thus destroying Kel'Thuzad once and for all but as he let his guard down the sorcerer lunged at him one last time and pierced his chest with his bony claws. Applejack who had been close by rushed over and pulled him to safety while leaving his blade buried in the lich.
"Come on hurry!!" Pinkie urged her friends on before helping Applejack carry Pendragon. Twilight began casting a teleportation spell to get them out just as the roof began to cave in over their heads.
Below the citadel
All watched as the floating fortress began to fall out of the sky the bricks that once made its massive structure began to crumble onto the city creating a huge dust cloud with a loud rumble that shook the ground, at first their was silence then slowly the soldiers began cheering and raising their arms in triumph.
"They did it...they really did it!"
"VICTORY!!"
A thunderous cheer echoed throughout the entire army, the allied forces of The Alliance and Equestria had claimed victory over the scourge thanks to the efforts of their heroes. A bright flash of purple illuminated appeared in the center of the army revealing Twilight and her friends who seemed worried about something.
"Help!! Somepony help!!" Fluttershy cried out when one of the soldiers saw Pendragons chest soaked with blood.
"Fetch a priest! Quickly!" An officer shouted while helping him lay down. The moment the priest arrived he began to examine the wound carefully for any signs of poisons or dark magics.
"Can ya help him?" Asked Applejack sounding worried.
"He's lost too much blood, we'll have to patch the wound manually. Hurry!!"
Two soldiers rushed over with a stretcher and carried Pendragon back to camp while his friends could only look on with worried expressions on their faces. Hours had passed with not a sound from the medical tent and the only ones to come out were the priest and a few field nurses who had been carrying bloodied bandages and rags from their patients wound until finally one of them called the group over to deliver the news.
"So? How is he doctor?" Twilight asked the question on everyones mind when the medic sat down taking off his cap.
"It's a waiting game now but in all honesty princess I'm not sure he'll last the night."
The friends froze in fear even though they had this experience once before and asked why they couldn't use magic to heal him, the doctor explained that using magic on a wound this severe could cause Pendragon to go into shock which was something they could not risk. Twilight and her friends understood and allowed the doctor to attend his other patients.
"You can see him if you want but he already has a visitor."
Pinkie was the first to peek in and gasped at what she saw; King Varian was sitting next to the wounded paladin having a casual conversation. The friends quietly let themselves in while listening to their conversation as Varian held the hand of Pendragon with a proud smile.
"You have honored your kingdom Pendragon and have fought bravely. Tell me, how can I reward The Alliances greatest champion?"
At first Pendragon could only take a few short breaths before finally speaking to his king.
"If at all possible sire, I wish to remain here." Even at a whisper his friends heard everything and were excited that he chose to stay in Equestria as he continued.
"This place reminds me of home...its rolling hills, grassy fields and trees...it reminds me so much of Lordaeron and...I..."
"You do not wish to leave your friends." Varian guessed correctly as Pendragon nodded in response.
"If that is your wish then I will gladly grant it. Now rest soldier you've earned it."
Varian gently placed his hand on Pendragons chest and left allowing Twilight and the others to keep have their visit. Pinkie had come with some balloons to brighten up the room which seemed to work as the light illuminating the tent reflected their colors, Rarity had come with a newly refurbished cape knowing their would be a big celebration for them once they got home.
"Soon as you get back on your feet it's back to training!" Said Rainbow Dash flexing her front left foreleg making the others giggle.
"And once you get yer strength back you can come live on the farm with me and the family." Applejack said gently placing a hoof on his hand. Pendragon smiled knowing he was able to protect his friends and did not feel the need to speak, when the doctor returned it was time for the friends to leave.
"Get well soon." Fluttershy whispered with a smile before following the others.
As he laid there in his bed, Pendragons thoughts drifted back to when he first met his friends from Pinkies welcome to Equestria party and meeting the citizens of Ponyville to the adventures he shared with his friends but the memory he was most fond of was that of Sweet Apple Acres, he began picturing the sun rising over the green hills and onto the orchards decorating the landscape and the sweet taste of the apple family cider.
"What I would give to have just one more taste..." He whispered to himself with a smile.
In the hours just before dawn, Pendragon had finally succumbed to his wounds and quietly passed away.
End.
Author's Note
Proofread by Wild Balance
There will be a special epilouge hopefully before new years day. Until then.
Epilogue: A New Beginning
The sun had only begun to rise when Twilight and the others received the tragic news of Pendragons passing. At first they didn't want to believe it and hoped that this was some bad dream but sadly this was not to be. King Varian was the first to confirm the paladins death followed by Celestia and Luna who also had difficulty coping with the situation.
Many soldiers wept for their fallen comrade but none were more hurt than Princess Twilight and her friends who had gathered to see Pendragon one last time. His body had been cleaned and dressed in freshly polished armor with a ceremonial sword and shield placed on his chest, his expression seemed peaceful and relaxed as if he were asleep.
"Why...we just talked to him last night..." Pinkie pies mane had gone from its usual fluffy style to flat when she first heard the news and was confused as to why this happened.
"It'll be alright darling." Said Rarity giving her a hug but not even she could fight back the tears causing her mascara to run, Spike clinged to Twilight who continued to look on thinking she wished she could've done something to stop this, Applejack stood over him and placed a hoof on his hand with tears dripping from her eyes.
"What am I gonna tell my family?" She asked Fluttershy standing next to her.
"I'm sure they'll understand Applejack."
The sun was nearing its peak when they left the tent and departed for Ponyville. When they returned home the townsfolk were thrilled to see their heroes returned safe and sound until they saw the body of the fallen paladin being brought down from the ship, Pendragons body was brought to the hills overlooking Sweet Apple Acres and a funeral pyre was prepared for the ceremony. Applejack had personally requested for the funeral to be held there after hearing the way her friend talked about the fields and trees he loved so much, the decision moved the hearts of the townsfolk as well as her friends and family.
King Varian stood next to the fallen hero as the funeral began.
"Today we have come to honor Lord Pendragon Scourgebane; The hero of Equestria and Azeroth. Many of you knew him as a friend, a comrade and a loved one whos' light can never be replaced. In his life he fought battle after battle and served his kingdom and his people with honor. In The Light we are one my friend, you will never be forgotten."
Twilight was next to give her final words to the deceased while still fighting back her tears with Celestias help.
"I remember when Pendragon first came to our world. He shared so many tales of his adventures with us and we ended up having so many more, we fought together, ate together and had such fun doing it my friends and I were very glad to have met him...I only wish we could have more adventures together, I had so many questions to ask." The princess said rubbing her eyes while Celestia helped her walk back to her friends as they gathered in a group hug for comfort.
A squad of soldiers carrying torches gathered around the pyre and were prepared to ignite it when a bright flash suddenly stopped them followed by an otherworldly voice that Applejack recognized.
"Wait!" Three large crystal like beings shrouded in holy light descended upon the crowd as the alliance soldiers and canterlot guard prepared to do battle.
"STOP!!" Shouted Khadgar with a loud thud of his staff for he had recognized one of his old friends.
"A'Dal, you honor us with your presence. What brings you here?" The old mage asked his old friend who began hovering towards Pendragon.
"Pendragon, Not since the time of Uther The Lightbringer have we seen a soul as noble as yours. Truly, you were our greatest champion."
"Can you save him?" Asked Fluttershy who did not seem to be afraid of the strange being.
"We can." The crowd gasped at his answer and began to wonder if he could truly bring back their hero from the dead.
"However this will require a great deal of magic and once it is done your friend will not be the same. Do you understand?"
Fluttershy only nodded in response as her friends stood next to her with Twilight asking.
"How can we help?"
"Merge your powers of the light with mine and you will witness the wonders of an ancient miracle."
The friends then formed a circle around Pendragons body and began focusing their powers along with A'Dal who began lifting the paladins body into the air. The light began to wrap around his body into a mist-like cacoon and began shining as bright as the sun, Twilight and her friends poured every ounce of their power into this one spell to the point where they could barely stand.
Inside the cacoon, Pendragon suddenly felt his heart beating once again and the breath of life filling his lungs yet it felt like he was floating in a dream.
"Where am I?" He awoke to see a grassy field and blue sky that seemed to go on forever but he was not alone when an all too familiar voice spoke to him.
"Well done lad."
"That voice...it can't be!" Pendragon turned around to see three men standing before him and they were men he knew very well. The founding members of The Silver Hand.
"Sir Sage! Sir Ballador! Sir Uther!!" Pendragons eyes swelled with tears upon meeting his old masters and like a child who missed his mother he clinged to Sir Uther who gently stroked his head smiling proudly.
"You did it lad. Thanks to you the threat of the scourge has been destroyed for all time." Uther looked at him in the eye with that same smile and nodded in approval, he was proud at how far Pendragon had come since his time on Azeroth.
"Never have we been so proud to call you our brother, you have honored the name of The Silver Hand." Sir Sage placed a hand on the young paladins shoulder before helping him to stand.
"However...it is not yet your time." Said Sir Ballador with a saddened look that surprised Pendragon.
"What do you mean?"
"There is a great destiny ahead of you Pendragon. What it is, we cannot say but know that we are proud of you and that we will be watching over you. Always remember lad: In The Light, we are one. "
At that moment a flash of light struck Pendragon and blinded him for a moment, when it faded he found himself back in another field only this one was full of ponies with shocked faces. He struggled to stand for a moment as he could not feel his fingers or his toes for that matter, once his vision had cleared he noticed Twilight and her friends all smiling at him with happy tears.
"Girls?" The moment he spoke, the girls piled on screaming with joy and even began nuzzling him.
"I can't believe it, you're really back!" Cried Applejack who squeezed him tight but this was one hug Pendragon welcomed along with the others.
"I'm glad to be back girls. Really I am but why are my fingers so numb?" He asked receiving a few giggles when Rarity came up holding a mirror.
"You might want to brace yourself dear."
When Pendragon looked at his reflection he saw himself no longer as a human but as a pony. He had become a tall earth pony stallion with an ash grey coat with dark hair and seemed to be tall as Big Mac and just as muscular which seemed to be a fitting form, at first he was shocked by his new transformation and didn't know what to think until he remembered Sir Uther saying he had a great destiny ahead of him. Perhaps this was it.
"Welcome back Pendragon." Said King Varian who seemed relieved to have one of his champions return alive. The citizens of ponyville cheered when they saw their hero had truly returned, Pinkie announced that she was throwing the entire town a party to celebrate Pendragons return and for the paladin this meant that one chapter of his adventure was closed and a new one was just beginning.
End.
Author's Note
I wish to thank all who supported this story and my proofreaders who helped to make it better. Perhaps after new years I'll start a sequel.
Thank you all.
