The Bell Tolls

by Raven Shadow

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Dark, Adventure
Length: 1760

A great threat looms over Equistria, an ancient for far more terrifying than Nightmare Moon returns to the land.

A great many things are hidden from the ponies, a civilization blind to the dark. A dark that only seeks conquest of all that walks in the light, it's reach for now is limited but the barrier is fading. The bells have rung and signaled the return of a being that cast down all light in its presence, it's malicious ways threaten the world once more.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2016-07-24 06:46:21 UTC

Things that passed

  “Give up Grogar, you cannot possibly win when you are outnumbered.” Nebulous Cosmos, a deep blue alicorn, smiled at the idea of a quick victory. His wife looked on quietly with worry in her eyes, she didn't trust this goat. To pass the all the guards wasn't a simple task to anything, but this massive goat was here.

  “Ah my apologies your majesty but your presence was required, a small matter.” The massive goat rasped, his voice grating on all ears. “That matter is your kingdom is my territory. All you need to do is surrender it to me.”

  “Surrender our home to you? Ha! And here I was expecting you to try and strike both my wife and I down!” Nebulous Cosmos laughed, to which Grogar merely smiled. Once Queen Nova Timore witnessed the tiniest bit of Grogar’s lip twitch upwards she knew something was wrong.

  “Grogar what is it you truly seek?” Nova asked carefully, Grogar fully faced her.

  “Your kind brought low.” Came the simple reply, the tone was dripping in malicious intent. Grogar flashed a deadly smirk and faded from view.

  Nova feared Grogar with reason, his kingdom was composed of the most vile races Epuis. The Trogs, Ogres, and ponies who defected. Those under Grogar's banner were cruel and unmerciful in the eyes of the rest of the world. The highest leaders all agreed that Tambalon was no friendly country.

  Then there was Grogar himself.

  The list of terrible deeds committed by him was long and worth a week of reading. Necromancy being one of the most notable. His power of bodies both living and otherwise was staggering, he even cured the Donkey Bray of his terrible illness that was slowly killing him. Even the Changeling race has its humble beginnings with Grogar.

  Nebulous and Nova both shared a worried look as Grogar stepped forward with a slight jingle.

  “This is your surrender.” Grogar launched a small orb of darkness at the two, once in two feet it exploded. The guards rushed in, casting as many powerful spells at the blue goat. Four more orbs raced towards the guards and blasted them into smithereens, nothing but craters remained. His head turned back to the thrones and with a ring of his bell both were launched out the windows.

  Nebulous Cosmos stood on shaking legs and glared at Grogar for his attack, a quick bolt of magic struck the goat's face. Nova shot forward with her wings to amplify the kick she was about to deliver, and deliver she did. Grogar's bulk smashed into the doors causing them to buckle and collapse. Nova Timore and Nebulous Cosmos both walk closer to the rubble only to be launched into the back wall.

  The deep rich chuckle floated above the pair, Grogar then looked down upon them with a sneer. An orb grew to melon size but the power it held was more than enough to decimate entire mountain ranges.

  “Such a pity, here I am as a guest and you two are laying down on the job. I can't say I'm truly surprised.” Grogar flashed a fanged grin. “This little squabble is over.”

  “You will be stopped goat.” Nebulous Cosmos spat, his left eye swollen up. The noble Alicorn king was a far cry from looking noble, a large gash from his forehead leaked blood. His good eye searched for his wife amid the rubble.

  “I'm okay Nebulous.” Came his wife's voice. Grogar stepped forward once more, his weight cracking the small stones.

  “Truly, this world's shining examples of righteousness and self sacrifice to the greater good. Humorous, if not pitiful. Once you fall then the world will bow and after that I will move on to the next realm. I say this because it is a fact that I will take everything I see fit.” Grogar levitated Nova close to his face, his breath hot and rancid upon her face.

  “Leave our mommy alone!” A tiny voice cried out from behind the massive goat. His head turned to face the small intruder only to be met with two tiny Alicorn fillies. His scarlet eyes narrowed in interest, these two small and inexperienced children gave him a command. “Get away from our mommy you bully!”

  As he heard these words he took a few moments to blink in surprise, Grogar threw his head back and laughed. It's venomous ring echoed into the hall further making the goat more hellish. He couldn't believe how foolish or brave young would be under dire situations. He drop Nova and stalked forward, his eyes never leaving their tiny frames.

  “Tell me child, do you think you can truly stop forces beyond your comprehension?” Grogar asked the taller filly. “Can you defeat an unstoppable force with an immovable object?”

  The tiny filly shook her head in confusion, the words used baffled her. With her peripheral vision she could see her parents standing up and readying spells, if she could just keep the goat occupied then there might be a chance.

  “Mommy and daddy always tell us the good always win over the bad, you are really bad.” Celestia did her best to keep the attention of the beast. “No bad ponies get away with it.”

  Again Grogar laughed at such nativity of the child.

  “Then they didn't really teach you how the world works. It is corrupted and wicked, such is the way of things little one. I'm sure there is a noble who will stomp on the lesser to keep their land, power, or riches.” Grogar smiled, his fangs gleaming in the light. “Adorable that you think good triumphs over bad, when really it's the other way around.”

  The spells finished charging and were launched into Grogar's unsuspecting form. Pain rippled over his senses for the first time in eons, it was when he turned around did he discover why. Both Nebulous Cosmos and Nova Timore heaved for breath, casting immense power took much from the caster.

  “Grogar, we banish you to Tambalon. Tambalon shall not return to this world so long as we live. We cannot kill you because of your necromantic power you no doubt placed upon yourself, but we cast you into the dark.” Nova Timore panted, her words heavy and truthful. Grogar's form slowly began to fade away and transport to Tambalon, the goat had lost. “The dark shadows you cast are now yours’ and Tambalon’s home, we cast you out.”

  Grogar snarled, he couldn't be beaten. No he wouldn't be beaten by Alicorns, he would return and he would be victorious yet! The pain blocked most thoughts except for the words Nova had said, while they lived he would not be able to return. He could wait. He learned patience was a virtue.

  His eyes were the only things that remained in the throne room until they too vanished.

  “Mommy are you okay?” Celestia ran over to her mother, her eyes spotting out the cuts and bruises she wore.

  “That was an incredibly foolish and reckless thing to do Celestia. You could have been hurt or worse.” Nova used a strict time with the older filly, her face softened. “But you were very brave, you stood up for what was right and for that you have my thanks.”

  Nova pulled Celestia into a hug as Luna waddled over to them. Nebulous Cosmos limped to his family just happy that they were all okay. He sat amongst his family and smiled.

Two thousand years later

  Celestia stared out her window overlooking Canterlot, the gorgeous view always did help her sort out thoughts. A new mining company came to ask for permission to set up operations on an island, the island just offshore of Manehatten. The company explained what they estimated to be on the island and sought her blessing to begin. She still hadn't figured her response to that question.

  The toll of the day began to show on Celestia’s face, small wrinkles could be seen if one looked close enough. The last few years stress built up and with most villains showing a return made the solar princess think to the few who haven't. Her mind reached as far back as it could yet only dread was the only thing present. She sighed heavily and stared down at the paperwork before her.

  While she filled the accursed papers out her sister dreamed a terrible dream.

  In Luna’s dream she witnessed horrific crimes being committed. Genocide, plagues being used as weapons, utter dedication to destroy the the world of Equis. But one figure stood out, it's size and shape gave distinction from the rest. It turned to her direction, it's bright crimson eyes peering into the twilight. Luna began to quake in fear as the hulking mass moved to her spot, it's eyes now trained on her and yet looking through her.

  “You are the smaller of the two I remember.” It wasn't a question. “The taller one can't remember me, that's fine. I would rather give my enemies a warning.”

  “Why would you beast?” Luna questioned with fear still evident in her voice.

  “Why? To have a challenge and make it far more interesting than just mopping up your forces. I want to have a true war, a Tambalon war.” The figure spoke calmly with deadly venom laced in it's voice. “You will have a year's time to prepare before Tambalon returns and I lay waste to your world.”

  “Only a year? It would surely take three or more to be fully prepared for a war of such a scale!” Luna’s eyes were wide in dismay, sweat starting to form if no alternatives were given. “If you truly want such a thing you must give us more time!”

  The figure only chuckled in amusement at the begging undertone. Begging was beneath his kind and he was the only one left, mercy wasn't commonplace before the softer creatures came. The figure left the shadows to reveal his face, Luna cried out as the memories of the monster goat rushed back.

  “Small Alicorn, you should know that I have all the time in the world.” His smile crept up slowly but never reached his eyes. “You have three years, no more. In that time you must destroy any notion of peace for your worms and make them into something worthy of a fight. Do not disappoint me.”

  Luna bolted awake with tears streaming down her face, quickly she ran to her sister's room with the grave news. Her hooves clacking loudly as she ran.