Grogar: Equestria's forgotten foeby Buckeye49ChaptersChapter 1: Dark forces uniteChapter 2: A shaky allianceChapter 3: Hell is empty...Chapter 4: ...And all the devils are hereChapter 5: Game of Shadows (Sneak Peek)Chapter 1: Dark forces uniteAuthor's Note Here is hoping for my own first story away from self insert, hope it was good. **Reference to the original voice actor for Grogar. Edit: In light of Grogar's reference in the show I am adjusting the part where Twilight has no idea who he is. Chapter 1: Dark forces unite "Seldom does actions of pure intent result without dire consequence, often when we ignore enemies we believed beaten, they come back with a vengeance..." Tirek has been beaten hands down for the second time and sent screaming back into Tartarus Prison, a defeat like his would perhaps be lesson enough to concede defeat and for Tirek, that was what he resigned himself to do lest his next attempt cost him more dearly. But for Tirek this was once again not the end for him whether he likes it or not, fate has plans for the fallen prince as he is greeted by a shadowy figure, but only a voice is what he receives first in the dark meeting. "Defeated again?...You are pathetic!" "Who mocks me?! Leave me in peace so I may live my wretched existence til time ends...." Tirek weakly replied curling in a corner of his cage, his chains clink and scrape as he moved. A dark echoing cackle responded instead to the centaur's futile request and soon more words follow... "You misunderstand me Tirek, I come not to mock your tragic circumstance, but to offer you freedom once more; and the power you seek..." the voice hissed in a tempting tone. "What makes you think I would take your offer?" Tirek asked not bothering to try and find the source of his guest's voice. His reply was a startling and sudden glow of the cage of which it corroded away in seconds, next his chains also turned to rust dust... "How did you do that??" Tirek asked in genuine amazement. "That was merely a taste, of the power I've acquired over my time spent in hiding, deep in the shadows, in the darkest place I could find, buying time for my plans...Of conquest! Of power!" Tirek paused as he considered his options, his new 'friend' freed him within a minute; the offer the guest was giving became more tempting the more Tirek sat there free once more. "I'm listening..." Tirek said trying to stand after a long time being down, only to collapse. "Allow me my starving friend~" The voice crooned as soon magic wafted toward Tirek, upon smelling the energy Tirek absorbed it like a starving animal, the power he felt was amazing! Instantly Tirek felt at least 90% his old self. "What-...What is this power??" Tirek asked again in a more amazed tone, he was purely in awe. "A gift, tis a mere appetizer compared to the main course~" "Am I to understand you want Equestria as well?" "But of course! But unlike Discord I will not be naive to give you full free range in this partnership, allying yourself with me...Comes with a price." "And what such price do you place on this 'alliance'?" Tirek asked stepping away from the spot he stood to seek his liberator. "The price I ask..." The voice began, still echoing off the stone walls around Tirek eliminating chance of pinpointing, "Is that of...Your soul." "What?! You ask me for such a deal as this!? I'm no weak pony! Nor a lesser being!" Tirek thundered. "Would you prefer I leave you here and seek out other allies?" The voice replied coolly. Tirek was silent from that and looked in conflicted thought; what was he to do? Freedom was his and if this presence could free him with such ease, how easily could perhaps he imprison him again? "Despite my power I still need an army so consider your answer please, and wisely...I have only one other and she is...Not enough." Tirek took his time on this one, he wanted another chance at revenge, power, freedom; maybe it was desperation, maybe freedom tasted too good despite it being only 3 years after his crushing defeat, or it could be a buried hatred and sense of injury from the ponies who beat him. "Join me and take revenge on the 6 who humiliated you..." "............Deal." Tirek said at last. "A wise decision, welcome to the 'Army..." A dark cloud appeared imposingly floating toward Tirek in a slow menacing pace, after drifting toward him it stopped 30yds from Tirek, and finally, out stepped the mystery figure hooded and bearing a black staff with a Equine skull on the top with rubies for eyes, and a snake's skeleton worming up the shaft above where he gripped it. After walking to Tirek the figure lifted his hood revealing a goat headed figure burn burning red eyes and black, hollow pupals. "...Of Tambelon's Hell-spawns'! The figure proclaimed. Tirek's eyes widened as it soon dawned on him who he sold his soul over too...The Shadow Lord of Tambelon, The Dark Sovereign of the Damned.... "You.....I-I don't believe it..." Tirek said developing a what would be impossible cold sweat on the back of his neck. "Believe it Prince Tirek, I Lord Grogar, leader and master of cursed souls, Ruler of Tambelon...I have returned..." Meanwhile in Ponyville, Twilight and Starlight were reorganizing books in the library...Again, Starlight put up with it best she could like the helpful drake but now Starlight had a comment on this matter after returning 30 books back to their spot on the shelves. "No offense Twilight but I see why Spike hates this task." "Starlight you know why that happens; I reorganized whenever I remove more that 10 books at a time and if not careful put books back just for the sake of re-shelving and end up putting books out of order." Twilight explained as she flew to the highest self and inserted a book. "Then try to be more careful then." "With me Starlight? You know by now I am very careful, things just happen no matter how cautious you are." Twilight retorted back. "Of course..." Starlight deadpanned as she shelved the books tossed with care into piles for later shelving, all 735 of them. "Where did you come across these?" Starlight asked looking at books that looked out of place, which was a given since they looked very very old. "Oh? What do you mean?" "These here." "Oh those! Those are from Celestia and Luna's old castle; I decided to help myself to some of them for my own collection." Twilight beamed, blushing a little as if her act was a guilty pleasure. "That so? I'm sure the princesses have plenty to share of their past should they choose to." "I would think they would share most of their past Starlight." "Maybe; even they like secrets for a reason, I sure they're like everypony and they don't share their whole life's story." "I guess so; see anything that catches your attention?" "Nothing much but old literature, old stories, memoirs, and other no offense boring books." "Well some books are not for everypony." Twilight said completing one level of books re-shelve; Twilight was about to start another level when... "Whoa! Who's this guy?" "Who you talking about Starlight?" Twilight asked floating down to see what Starlight discovered. "I found something in what looks like a storybook." "What's the book?" "The title reads 'Tambelon: Kingdom of the damned'." "Oo~ Spooky, who's the guy you talk about?" "His name is 'Lord 'Grogar' '." "Grogar? From the children's book about Dusty the unicorn?" Twilight asked a little amused to hear a book featuring a childish storybook villain. "I know but this isn't a book for foals...This reads..." Starlight began, then quoting the description in the prologue. "....*The Hircum lord of dark power and derisively nicknamed 'Fallen kin of Death's pet' or 'The Devil's pet', ruler of a domain he fashioned of the souls of damned ponies who were non-believers, heretics, or blasphemers. His goal was a micro empire colony for the fallen one's empire and his own power hungry ambitions." *Hircum: Pronounced 'ear-coom' literally meaning goat in ancient archaic Equine, used to describe a race of bipedal goat beings. "Woof; that's a heavy handed description and story." Twilight commented, "Who's the author?" "The author is...Huh...It says 'Ghost Writer for: 'Alpha Phoenix' ' his name was '**Michael Bell-Clapper'." " 'Alpha Phoenix'?" Twilight asked looking perplexed as she looked closer to see if Starlight made a mistake. "That's what it says..." "Who is 'Alpha Phoenix'?...." Twilight pondered. "Why would he want a ghost writer?" "Maybe he didn't want attention, but that name sounds like a pseudonym." "You mean like a stage or false name?" "Yes Starlight...It doesn't sound like any normal name so whoever it is code for must be somepony important." "Somepony important who didn't want attention for writing this story? Why go through so much over a fiction novel?" "....I don't know Starlight, I don't know..." Meanwhile after Tirek and Grogar escaped Tartarus they retreated to a secluded hideout located in the Arimaspi Territory which was on the southeast corner of the continent, there Tirek meet is partner in conquest. "You can't be serious, who is this creature?" Tirek asked in disbelief and annoyance. "I am no 'creature'...I am a changeling, I am Queen of the Changelings 'Chrysalis'." Chrysalis hissed back in outrage for what she thought was being insulted. "Ex-Queen, she was defeated and usurped by one of her own and allies including Discord." Grogar clarified. "Then what ally is she if she was beaten by lowly foes?" Chrysalis hissed loudly in reply to Tirek's remark but a single glare from Grogar silenced her. "I will not allow in-fighting in my army, do you understand?" "Understood Lord Grogar." Chrysalis growled reluctantly. "Excellent; now Tirek, as per enlisting in my army, you have a form to sign as any soldier would sign." Grogar said as he in a flaming flash made a long piece of paper appear, the terms were written out but this document had a name scratched on, Chrysalis signed it as well. Before Tirek could ask Grogar held a needle in his grasp instead of a quill. "I find blood contracts more...Personal, then merely hexed parchment." Grogar explained as he gave the pin to Tirek. Tirek was not fond of this idea of such control over him, in his ego and pride it forbade him from agreeing to this...But desperation won out and Tirek pricked himself and placed his bleeding finger to the spot of his choosing in which his name appeared in what would be his handwriting. "It is done; you are now in my ranks and must obey all and every command I order." "I don't need any explanation Grogar..." Tirek growled. "Perfect! That saved me the trouble; now then for us to attack we must be shady and swift, Chrysalis had successfully mastered that so that is why she is on my team." "With it refined there will be no mistakes this time, the change I made was her new horde will not only be able to change form, but have the ability to perfectly imitate their subject; with a spell I crafted they will be using the mind of their target via telepathic link, that way they have their memories, habits, mannerisms!" "They will be perfect copies and unable to be discovered as impostors." "A generous gift my Lord." Chrysalis chimed in genuine gratitude. "Very promising~" Tirek crooned genuinely impressed. "What will we do with the originals my liege?" Chrysalis asked. "Do with them as you please, so long as they can't be a threat." "I'll toy with them but one will be lucky I don't kill her right away..." Chrysalis growled bitterly. "I advise caution when taking on your opponent with your emotions, your temper and impulsive nature is a weakness." Grogar warned. "Of course." Chrysalis acknowledged. "What part do I play here Lord Grogar?" Tirek asked showing a little concern about not hearing a role set for him. "Ah yes, fear not Tirek I have a special assignment for you; you will lead a battalion of my legion when the time is right." "As you wish." "Good; now that we have our assignments, Chrysalis? What is the status of your hive?" "I have at the moment 100 drones." "That will be enough, don't get ahead of yourself Chrysalis." Grogar suggested. "I won't pressure myself since there is a limit to what I can birth." "Superb; now then, I need to plan and rest, you two get along and be acquainted so that you may learn about each other and learn to trust and work with each other." Grogar said as he retired to his chambers. "...So..." Chrysalis began unsure what she should say to her cohort. "What do you think about this agreement with Grogar?" "I don't know whether to be honored or concerned." "I feel the same..." "Victory or defeat, we're bound by contract to him." "Of that we have another common ground, besides having been at rock bottom." "That is an understatement my associate, a grand understatement; we are truly an army of the damned." TO BE CONTINUED...... Chapter 2: A shaky allianceSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Chapter 3: Hell is empty...“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War The raid on Appleloosa was brutal, ruthless, and savage; the sudden attack and loss of life horrified the residents of the desert apple farming town. In addition Little Strongheart had a terrible personal blow to deal with in the wake of the unprovoked act of war Tirek's forces launched but keeping his distance on Grogar's orders to prevent anypony from knowing who was to blame; while the townsfolk mourned and tended to the dead and wounded, Strongheart had to find strength in the face of losing her chief and adopted father. "Nooo!!!" Strongheart wailed in sorrow while also speaking in the tongue of her species at times as if talking that way would get her the answer nopony could give. The sheriff and Breaburn ran up to see what was the matter when they saw what she saw, Breaburn could do very little on his part but try and comfort the buffalo maiden. "Strongheart?..." He began softly so not to spook her, Strongheart took a moment from her grief to respond to the stallion. "B-Breaburn.." She croaked, wiping her eyes before taking to her feet. "I'm so sorry I-..." Breaburn was about to give his condolences when Strongheart threw her arms around him and wept more, Breaburn could only return the embrace while patting & rubbing her back to comfort her. "Why did this happen?! What was this??" Strongheart sobbed grasping for answers behind the raid. "I don't know Strongheart...I wish fer the life of me I had a clue about what the hay just happened." "Please Breaburn, do something to make these demons who attacked us pay." "I can write my cousin and her friends, if anypony can help it's Aj and the others." "Yes! Please do!" Strongheart begged tears still pouring. "Then we should waste no time, who knows what this could mean..." The sheriff advised, not knowing how right he truly was to be worried. Meanwhile miles away in Dodge City, Cherry Jubilee was busy managing her cherry farm and shop; it was a good calm day not much excitement going on here, Cherry was actually expecting a visit from Applejack and Pinkie Pie soon and she planned a nice meal and drinks to await their arrival. "You're pretty busy today Cherry, what's got you hoppin'?" A mare entering her shop asked. "Oh expecting company today, Applejack and Pinkie Pie." Cherry answered as she restocked a shelf of freshly made jam. "Oh that's pleasant, I hope you have a good meet and greet." "Thanks Olivia, it's been so long since I had Aj over and I appreciated her company, even Pinkie." Olivia Oak-Grove was the local Inn Manager, age 33, light brown Earth mare with a semi-curly blonde mane and tail, standing at '6-3" and between a thin and medium build, emerald eyes. "By the spread you set it should be worth the trek here." "Hope so." Meanwhile on the outskirts of the town Chrysalis was watching from a distance the small town, showing a willingness to enact violence for gain, her army of new changelings were chomping at the bit to attack... "My Queen, we're ready to move when you are." "Excellent, take shape and attack." Chrysalis cooed with a double-voiced purr. "Yes my queen." The officer changeling barked with a bow while saluting by crossing his arm over his chest, then left to engage the assault. The New Hive forces then shape-shifted into the undead soldiers of Grogar's army before rumbling in stamping feet as they charged the town; phase II had begun in earnest. The attack was sudden and without mercy...As brutal and bloodthirsty as the Appleloosa raid, local law valiantly tried to stem the tide but losses were great.. Cherry and Olivia sought shelter best they could...Lucky for them this attack was more true to nature of the orders Grogar laid down, Chrysalis' attack was swift and sudden, leaving only room to attack those in the open and not straying into buildings for victims of the wanton death and destruction. So far the casualties were lower, 12 dead outright while 27 were wounded; of that 3 were Law out of 7, 4 stallions, and 3 mares, the 2nd mare was a mother of a 7 year old daughter...Cut down like game the both.. Chrysalis could hear the panic and anguish, she took immense pleasure in this grinning with fangs bared. As like the other raid it was over soon as it began, the final count was 18 dead, 38 wounded; 4 foals were butchered, one was beheaded before his mother who survived. With the hurricane of hellion marauders gone Cherry and Olivia emerged from their shelter to over look the carnage left in the invader's wake... "My God...What hit this town?..." Before Cherry could reply a local came to her rushing, he was terror-stricken, sweaty, and dirty. "You are alright! Thank Celestia....It was awful, monsters, beyond anything I ever saw I didn't know what they were!" "How many are hurt? Anypony still alive?" Olivia asked. "They count 18 dead so far...." "Who would have wanted to attack us like this?....Why would they? What motivation do they have?" "I don't know Cherry.. All I know is we had been attacked, and it was unprovoked." "I wonder if we're the only ones attacked." "Not sure if we were but soon as we find out it may give us more information." Just then another pony ran up, she was from the Telegraph Office and she was screaming at the top of her lungs... "APPLELOOSA WAS ATTACKED!! APPLELOOSA WAS ATTACKED!!" The 3 gasped at the news, so Dodge City was not alone after all; who else was next?? "Hold on a minute now! Who attacked Appleloosa?" The stallion asked the panicked mare. "Monsters! Zombie soldiers in ancient armor!" "Just like us!" Olivia said with a gasp. "So this was planned, but who's the brains behind this?...." Meanwhile back at Grogar's castle, the evil mind behind the attacks was delighted to hear his random raids succeeded beyond his expectations! The ponies the 2 teams assured with Changeling spies sent after running that they had 0 clue as to who struck them. "Well done! This is exactly what I had hoped." Grogar said gleefully as he rose from his throne to greet his generals' Chrysalis and Tirek. "It was hardly a challenge my Lord." Chrysalis chimed with a smirk and bow of her head. "Exactly my thoughts, even though I came upon resistance they merely slowed the agony." Tirek reported. "It matters not Tirek if they had fought back, there is very little that can be done on their part; also the bodies of my army will disintegrate if they are slain in minutes after leaving nothing to trace." "Clever Lord Grogar, what next do you ask of us? Who is our next victims of your might?" Tirek spoke. "For the time being you are to rest, you have done much already so indulge while I plan our next moves." The 2 fallen rulers bowed and thanked him before leaving the room to spend their free time and take up on the idea of rest though it was hardly exhausting the journey taxed them more than the raids did of course since they only watched as their troops did the work. "I'm still keeping an eye on you Chrysalis....And no doubt Grogar is as well, he may very well have heard your plans to back out of your deal but chose to say nothing." "Be as it may possibly be..." "What? You think you have a plan? You think Grogar hasn't prepared a plan of his own to quash any coup you incite?" "Be reasonable-..." "I AM REASONABLE!" The insectoid queen hissed with a growl. "Sure you are..." Tirek chuckled as he went off on his own. Chrysalis was proven wrong many times hence why she was here at all, but she will be damned literally or figuratively if she is wrong about her plans to craw-fish the deal with Grogar...If she could; if she could was not the issue, so much as if she can. That was her problem glaring more intensely than the evil Hircum Emperor. In another part of the main land of Equestria's area of Equus in Ponyville Twilight and Starlight were unaware of the hell unleashed when Spike came barging in with a scroll. "Spike?? What's going on?" Twilight asked her companion. "Twilight! Urgent letter!....From Celestia!..." Spike panted as he looked like he sprinted a mile. "Urgent letter? What's so urgent?" Starlight asked. Twilight then floated the scroll in her magic and read carefully, Starlight didn't need to know what it read as she saw Twilight's expressions contort into ones of horror, shock, sadness and pure surprise. "What happened?" Twilight took a moment before she could say one word to her, but feeling one word was not what she wanted to hear and feeling that forcing her voice to work would be slow she could only shakily hand the scroll to her. Starlight then read the letter and she gasped before cupping her mouth in horror.... "Who could have done this?..." "I wish I knew." Twilight finally let out of her mouth just above a whisper. CANTERLOT: Thrones' Room. Celestia was devastated and worried to the point of feathers from her majestic wings falling off, she had not been so caught off guard than right now, over her thousand plus years she never was blindsided like this. Luna was equally stunned and saddened by the news of the massacre of Appleloosa & Dodge City; she was feeling as helpless and scared as her elder sister but in comparison, Celestia was having what would be equivalent to a break down. "Those poor ponies...Who could be so heartless?! Who would just attack our subjects?! Who is it that dares?!..." Luna seeing her sister losing it rushed to her dear Tia's side and grabs her by the shoulders even with Celestia being a tad taller than her being a towering '7-7" while Luna was '7-2". "Tia! Get a hold of thyself and be still!" She barked slipping into her archaic language she was used to when tested or taxed. Celestia ceased her rant and looked her younger sibling's eyes as tears fell from her own. Luna seeing her sister so distressed then embraced her to calm her down and comfort her, Celestia began to respond and hugged back slowing regaining her composure as Luna soothed her. "There there sister, I know; I know..." "Th-Thank you Lulu..." Celestia croaked as she was now calmed, she wipes her eyes after breaking the hug and looks Luna in the eyes again. Luna only smiled warmly and caringly back now that she had put her sister back at relative ease. "Better?" She asked. Celestia nodded and sniffled before speaking. "What should we do Luna?" "Do what you would do first, inform Twilight about the situation then we shall tend to the ponies in need, we must be put on alert so I will assemble the guard and hold a war council, also we shall address Parliament immediately." "Right, of course; I shall write Twilight right away, thank you Luna I needed to be reminded of proper action in response to such an outrageous, unprovoked assault." "Always ready to help you sister." Luna said softly as she hugged Celestia again before walking off to do her task. In roughly hours the two addressed in an emergency session of Parliament the officials of the simultaneous attacks. "Members of Parliament, we have summoned you all here for a very important matter, one of grave urgency; just hours ago we were attacked." Celestia announced, the whole room gasped and murmured. "Attacked?! By whom?" A stallion member asked. "We only know it was a highly dangerous, well trained army; Appleloosa had been the one to put up a larger fight but both yet had taken grievous losses." "Appleloosa was attacked?...While it is terrible lives were lost your Majesties that town is not a significant town; what is the meaning for alarm?" A mare member asked a tad selfishly. "Because this was no random attack this was a message, they were both attacked at once! This was a threat." Luna replied coldly making the mare regret her poorly spoken and worded response. "'Both'? You mean Appleloosa was not attacked only? Where else?" Another stallion asked. "Dodge City was also attacked, and these are the figures of the casualties from each town." "Appleloosa: 115 killed including 25 foals and of that 14 were under the age of 8; 40 were wounded." Luna read out causing gasps to ring from all in the room some gagged and most actually hurled into their trash can. Celestia then decided to read Dodge City's statistics and after composing herself she read the other list of carnage. "Dodge City: 18 dead, 38 wounded....4 foals were among the dead.." Celestia finished with a croak as more gasps rang out, and more ponies lost their meals. "This is an act of war; deliberate, vicious, unprovoked, heartless, and destructive. Because of this I am moving into order a vote to be at a state of alertness and partial war against the terrorists responsible for the violence that had struck our land." "With this I plead you to consider this course lest we be complacent and allow more suffering to plague not just our kind but maybe others." Celestia pleaded and suggested, hoping the horror and death of innocent lives be met with decisive action and unselfish compassion & devotion to country and her subjects in the face of a threat to said nation and the races/species therein. "All in favor of Martial Alertness say 'Ay'." Luna stated. What greeted Luna and Celestia in reply to these words and the atmosphere? All stood up and casted votes in favor! TO BE CONTINUED...... Chapter 4: ...And all the devils are here“ In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity .” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War Edit: I replaced Tirek with Storm King to help with continuity. As the Princesses began their efforts to counter this sudden and vicious attack, Pinkie and Applejack had arrived in Dodge City, when they got there they were given a terrible greeting, they were welcomed by the remnants of the raid...They could only gasp and stare as they looked about the carnage and destruction. "What the hay happened here?" Aj said in a low horrified tone. "Something awful..." Pinkie replied herself near tears. She and Aj seeing everything, it looked so depressing, so grim, so....Raped; it was like the life and joy had been murdered and left in the streets like the locals cut down. "Applejack!" A voice shouted, it was Cherry. "Cherry?? What happened?" Aj asked. "It was horrible, nightmarish; some army of monsters attacked us and ran off! We don't know who t hey were, what they were and why but they came in, killed ponies did some damage and left." "What did they look like?" Cherry took a moment before describing the invaders, Aj and Pinkie were unsure how to respond. "How many....A-Are dead?" Pinkie squeaked sounding like she regretted her question. "18 dead, 38 wounded." Cherry replied, the mares gasped at such a toll. "There's more, Appleloosa was also attacked." "WHAT!? When?!" Aj blurted out. "Not sure we got the news after our attack." Aj started to panic, her cousin was a resident and she was afraid her cousin had been taken from her by raiders and was another victim of this double assault. "Hold on Aj, that doesn't mean Breaburn was killed...Or hurt....We don't know what happened." "All I know is they got hit worse...Chief Thunder-Hooves is dead." "No....Not him..." Pinkie said heartbroken. "This is awful, I gotta tell Twilight unless she already knows." "She's a princess of course she will know, Celestia and Luna may already know by now too." Pinkie stated. "Can we telegram Appleloosa ta ask if he's okay?" Aj asked trying to be calm. "We can do that, please follow me; I'm so sorry you had to come to this." "It's okay Cherry, how were we ta know?" Aj said as they walked to the Telegraph office, passing the left overs yet to be cleaned up and tended to. "How many were killed and hurt at Appleloosa? Did you get info on that?" Aj asked. "We did, it was a slaughter; 115 killed, 40 wounded." Cherry replied to now more sickened and horrified mares. "Who did we anger?...Who did we bother that they would kill so many ponies outta the blue like that?!" "What monsters would hurt and....K-Kill so many?" Pinkie asked as well a with lump in her throat. "That we will find out soon Pinkie, first I wanna know if my cousin is safe." The mares continued their walk to the telegraph office to get more needed info; meanwhile in Appleloosa Breaburn and the sheriff were continuing their clean up when they noticed what Grogar spoke of, the bodies of raiders disintegrated to nothing leaving nothing to identify as evidence to lead to the one responsible for this unprovoked attack. "This is insane, they show up and those we cut down turn to dust? What black magic made these?" "I wish I knew sheriff, but what I do know is this may not be the last we see of this; we should build up defenses in case we're attacked again." "And then what? What if it's not enough? We can't take another blow like this." "That's why I called for help to the nearest town, they already sent help by now to Ponyville then to Canterlot." "I hope this ain't somethin' serious...Tirek was the worst thing we ever suffered I don't wanna go through worse." "Me too sheriff, me too..." Just then a stallion came running toward them yelling, "Dodge City was attacked like us!" "You serious?! What happened?!" Breaburn demanded. The stallion relayed the information, it was the same alright; right down to the monsters responsible that also turned to dust leaving no trace. "Your cousin asked for you." "She's there?!" "She's safe, showed up after the attack ended, she heard about us before we knew about them." Breaburn was relieved that Applejack was not harm's way but this was starting to look more and more serious, like the Storm King attack all over again. "Has word gotten out?" "Yes it has it reached all the way to Canterlot." "This can't happen again...I just can't." Back in Ponyville Twilight and Starlight were recovering from the horrific shock they got from the double onslaught on Equestria's remote cities. "I wonder if Celestia knows...Spike?" Spike was already with paper & quill in claws, "Ready Twilight." Twilight then dictated the letter and had it sent to Celestia in a flash of green, the 3 waited a while before Spike burped the letter up, it reported Celestia had been aware and put the nation on alert, Equestria was not yet at war because there was no enemy yet identified, nor anything to give an indication who was to blame; Grogar covered his tracks as well as he claimed, any reports about the raiders were vague and broad to be of any help right away. "What should we do Twi?" "Gather the girls Starlight, all of them...And be careful." "I will Twilight, I promise." Starlight in no time went to gather the girls up including sending a message to Aj and Pinkie to make their return to Ponyville, after a while more all the girls gather in the Thrones' Room to discuss the matter at hand. "This is beyond dreadful, what beasts would commit such terrible acts of murder?" Rarity asked a little ill to her stomach. "I'm scared girls, and heartbroken by this..." Fluttershy peeped showing more fear than mourning. "Whoever's responsible is going to get the ass kicking of a lifetime!" Rainbow brashly vowed. "Simmer down Rainbow fists ain't gonna do any good here especially with what happened and the enemy we're dealin' with." "Aj is right, from what they said these were horrifying monsters." Rarity stated. "What else did the victims say?" Starlight inquired. "From what Breaburn telegraphed us he said some got a very loose look and from what it was they were undead and wearing some kind of ancient armor with skulls on their shoulders." "That's not bad Intel but it isn't enough for us..." "It sounds terrifying, undead warriors?" Spike asked. "This sounds ancient Twilight, not saying this because but..." "I know what you're thinking Starlight and I am way ahead of you, Spike? Take another letter." Back in Canterlot Celestia and Luna were readying the Guards for the heightened state of alertness, one would think Equestria was at war while trying to just be on standby for any open hostility; though personally Celestia would not like anything else but to hunt down this scourge herself, though cooler heads and Luna kept her from becoming emotional and reacting instead of acting. "That should be enough Sister, Canterlot is safe enough and we can start defending our other territories." "Have you written Cadence?" "Yes Tia I have, they are on high alert as well; trains are even check-pointed to ensure that no hostiles sneak in." "They won't travel by rail Luna." "You can't be too sure, we are just covering the bases." "I only wish I knew what we were up against." Tia said staring at her stallions-at-arms. "If anypony can figure it out it will be Twilight and her friends." "I do not lack faith in her Lulu, but I hope this is not something out of her talents and ability....I wouldn't live with myself if I finally push Twilight too far." "Twilight and her friends are resilient, they can take on this challenge." "I pray you're right." Just then a scroll appears, this was from Twilight! What could she need or be reporting now? "What does it say?" "Twilight is telling us the form of our foe, but I never encountered such demons as what they describe." "This is ill news, an enemy neither of us have faced? This will be troubling news to her." "I dislike it as much as you do." Tia said scratching back her answer about this which spoke unfortunate honesty on behalf the 7 mares and dragon eager for any knowledge. When the letter was received Twilight's heart sank, the girls were on their own far as knowledge gathering; but that meant going to the source, they all had to return to the attacked towns and get more data and see if the can filter more info from chaos wrought by this new and dangerous foe. Back at Grogar's hideout Grogar's generals were awaiting for the next move to be ordered but during this wait there was still not quite resolved tension between Chrysalis and Tirek, both were eyeing the other because Chrysalis was hinting a revolt against Grogar in the event that Grogar would face defeat. Tirek was not going to permit it though a small sliver was thinking the same idea, that was when Tirek decided to keep things in his own favor as he went to consult with Grogar. "What Tirek?..." Grogar asked almost sounding annoyed. "My Lord, I am meaning no trouble to you but I wish to bring up...A deep concern." Grogar's brow went up with moderate interest, that in turn prompted Tirek to proceed. "I am worried about Chrysalis, Sire; she may be conspiring behind you." Grogar simply chuckled darkly which again strange to Tirek sent a chill through his spine. "You think I'm not aware of her treacherous intentions?" He asked sounding like it was no surprise smirking while resting his cheek on his left hand. "Chrysalis is quite manipulative, and cunning~ I found it useful and appealing, but she couldn't convince me if her life depended on it, I saw through her since I found her barely alive." "Then...Why Grogar?" "Why keep her? Because she is an asset, one that is useful and like you, you are mine under a contract and if you were to betray me? Well....You use your imagination." "I thank you for showing your loyalty Tirek but your concern is unnecessary, and I also find it...Distasteful." "Distasteful? Why?" "You think you can earn favor by ratting out your cohort? Please...I'm ancient not senile." He replied drumming his fingers on his right hand on his throne. Tirek got a cold sweat from this statement, how could he have seen through him so easily? What made him so special? "Just how ancient?" "Very; I saw much including the rise of that miserable nation of Equestria, I even watched their racial quarrel that nearly destroyed them." "That was amusing, funny what one thing can do to set off such distrust; it was most irritating to see it backfire, I underestimated them in my youth of their love and....Friendship." Grogar growled on the last word and his right hand fingernails scratch the armrest making a slight scraping sound. "I would not make such foalish mistakes again!...I thought I had them when their nation was at my mercy, even after they unified they were not strong enough together to stand in my way." "Tribe by tribe I made their armies kneel before me, those who did not kneel died; those who did not submit, destroyed." "I commanded legions of warriors, armies ten's of thousands strong! I was enough to conquer for my master a whole world." "But I underestimated them a second time...Their damned king proved more...Resistant to my powers and overpowered me; he banished me thinking me dead, but his mistake was not finishing me off." "That was his and their weakness, they refuse to see death as a proper means of defeating their enemies, instead they seek to 'befriend' them, or in that pathetic deity wannabe Discord's case 'reformed'." "He may be pathetic...But he's a threat." "Only a moderate one, his powers does have it's limits; it is powerless against the magic I wield." "I am not doubting your power Grogar." "By which you actually are Tirek, please spare me your weak faith in my abilities." Tirek was being made a fool of and saw through as though made of glass, he hated this vulnerability; the last thing he wanted was to feel like a loose end while trying to throw Chrysalis under the train. "I get the message Lord Grogar you don't trust me either and you sense my own betrayal of you." "You finally speak truth, about time..." Grogar replied dryly. "Anything else you wish to speak about? Or are you through?..." "What about our enemies? What good is our raids if they mobilize? Or have you prepared as you sounded when you gave your grand strategy?" "As I told you both, you make mistakes when you panic; and I intend to make them as insecure as a foal in the woods, when that happens, then you bring the wolves to kill it." "So we do nothing? For how long?" "Patience Tirek...Patience; you will spill blood again but I am giving them a false calm first before I strike again with random violence, once I do that it will set them on edge even more than the first time, I will repeat it only a few times because a consistent pattern can be a risk to an effective battle of the mind." "You want to be unpredictable as long as you can, while making your opponent paranoid." "You actually amaze me Grogar with your intelligence." "Flattery and truth?...Interesting combination from you Tirek but effective and on point; this is only what I learned from defeat, something you are capable of as well Tirek, Chrysalis is...A slow learner at this art." In this one moment the 2 actually share a genuine chuckle at a shared belief in a statement regarding the shape-shifting sovereign. "And I don't mean that statement lightly Tirek, a reason I chose you as well; not just because I lack those of a common goal but because you do show much potential to be a match of mine to some degree." "You question me because you're not used to success absolute, that is why I am offering you more favor than Chrysalis and why I will grant you a more solid method to gain my favor." "And what might that be?" "Become my right hand general, so that you are not just my soldier but my confidant." "If it's all I need then I will accept your generous offer." "Not so fast Tirek, such a position of honor demands an act of loyalty fitting to that role." "What act must I commit to gain this position?" "You will know what it will be when the time comes Tirek; just wait for my commands to strike when the right hour strikes, now go, continue your respite until I have need of you two." Tirek left Grogar's presence with a bow then left the throne room, Tirek dodged a large slug and he knew it very well; it seemed Grogar has a clear vision and mind much more than he thought of his unwanted master, now with a deal atop a deal over his head Grogar had him against a wall, the questions now is does he run right, left or straight ahead? Author's Note I am so sorry for the delay I needed a recharge and re-motivation, I hope I had not lost any of you my readers and watchers. I am so so sorry if I seemed uncommitted because I felt unappreciated for my work. Chapter 5: Game of Shadows (Sneak Peek)Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Chapter 1: Dark forces uniteAuthor's Note Here is hoping for my own first story away from self insert, hope it was good. **Reference to the original voice actor for Grogar. Edit: In light of Grogar's reference in the show I am adjusting the part where Twilight has no idea who he is. Chapter 1: Dark forces unite "Seldom does actions of pure intent result without dire consequence, often when we ignore enemies we believed beaten, they come back with a vengeance..." Tirek has been beaten hands down for the second time and sent screaming back into Tartarus Prison, a defeat like his would perhaps be lesson enough to concede defeat and for Tirek, that was what he resigned himself to do lest his next attempt cost him more dearly. But for Tirek this was once again not the end for him whether he likes it or not, fate has plans for the fallen prince as he is greeted by a shadowy figure, but only a voice is what he receives first in the dark meeting. "Defeated again?...You are pathetic!" "Who mocks me?! Leave me in peace so I may live my wretched existence til time ends...." Tirek weakly replied curling in a corner of his cage, his chains clink and scrape as he moved. A dark echoing cackle responded instead to the centaur's futile request and soon more words follow... "You misunderstand me Tirek, I come not to mock your tragic circumstance, but to offer you freedom once more; and the power you seek..." the voice hissed in a tempting tone. "What makes you think I would take your offer?" Tirek asked not bothering to try and find the source of his guest's voice. His reply was a startling and sudden glow of the cage of which it corroded away in seconds, next his chains also turned to rust dust... "How did you do that??" Tirek asked in genuine amazement. "That was merely a taste, of the power I've acquired over my time spent in hiding, deep in the shadows, in the darkest place I could find, buying time for my plans...Of conquest! Of power!" Tirek paused as he considered his options, his new 'friend' freed him within a minute; the offer the guest was giving became more tempting the more Tirek sat there free once more. "I'm listening..." Tirek said trying to stand after a long time being down, only to collapse. "Allow me my starving friend~" The voice crooned as soon magic wafted toward Tirek, upon smelling the energy Tirek absorbed it like a starving animal, the power he felt was amazing! Instantly Tirek felt at least 90% his old self. "What-...What is this power??" Tirek asked again in a more amazed tone, he was purely in awe. "A gift, tis a mere appetizer compared to the main course~" "Am I to understand you want Equestria as well?" "But of course! But unlike Discord I will not be naive to give you full free range in this partnership, allying yourself with me...Comes with a price." "And what such price do you place on this 'alliance'?" Tirek asked stepping away from the spot he stood to seek his liberator. "The price I ask..." The voice began, still echoing off the stone walls around Tirek eliminating chance of pinpointing, "Is that of...Your soul." "What?! You ask me for such a deal as this!? I'm no weak pony! Nor a lesser being!" Tirek thundered. "Would you prefer I leave you here and seek out other allies?" The voice replied coolly. Tirek was silent from that and looked in conflicted thought; what was he to do? Freedom was his and if this presence could free him with such ease, how easily could perhaps he imprison him again? "Despite my power I still need an army so consider your answer please, and wisely...I have only one other and she is...Not enough." Tirek took his time on this one, he wanted another chance at revenge, power, freedom; maybe it was desperation, maybe freedom tasted too good despite it being only 3 years after his crushing defeat, or it could be a buried hatred and sense of injury from the ponies who beat him. "Join me and take revenge on the 6 who humiliated you..." "............Deal." Tirek said at last. "A wise decision, welcome to the 'Army..." A dark cloud appeared imposingly floating toward Tirek in a slow menacing pace, after drifting toward him it stopped 30yds from Tirek, and finally, out stepped the mystery figure hooded and bearing a black staff with a Equine skull on the top with rubies for eyes, and a snake's skeleton worming up the shaft above where he gripped it. After walking to Tirek the figure lifted his hood revealing a goat headed figure burn burning red eyes and black, hollow pupals. "...Of Tambelon's Hell-spawns'! The figure proclaimed. Tirek's eyes widened as it soon dawned on him who he sold his soul over too...The Shadow Lord of Tambelon, The Dark Sovereign of the Damned.... "You.....I-I don't believe it..." Tirek said developing a what would be impossible cold sweat on the back of his neck. "Believe it Prince Tirek, I Lord Grogar, leader and master of cursed souls, Ruler of Tambelon...I have returned..." Meanwhile in Ponyville, Twilight and Starlight were reorganizing books in the library...Again, Starlight put up with it best she could like the helpful drake but now Starlight had a comment on this matter after returning 30 books back to their spot on the shelves. "No offense Twilight but I see why Spike hates this task." "Starlight you know why that happens; I reorganized whenever I remove more that 10 books at a time and if not careful put books back just for the sake of re-shelving and end up putting books out of order." Twilight explained as she flew to the highest self and inserted a book. "Then try to be more careful then." "With me Starlight? You know by now I am very careful, things just happen no matter how cautious you are." Twilight retorted back. "Of course..." Starlight deadpanned as she shelved the books tossed with care into piles for later shelving, all 735 of them. "Where did you come across these?" Starlight asked looking at books that looked out of place, which was a given since they looked very very old. "Oh? What do you mean?" "These here." "Oh those! Those are from Celestia and Luna's old castle; I decided to help myself to some of them for my own collection." Twilight beamed, blushing a little as if her act was a guilty pleasure. "That so? I'm sure the princesses have plenty to share of their past should they choose to." "I would think they would share most of their past Starlight." "Maybe; even they like secrets for a reason, I sure they're like everypony and they don't share their whole life's story." "I guess so; see anything that catches your attention?" "Nothing much but old literature, old stories, memoirs, and other no offense boring books." "Well some books are not for everypony." Twilight said completing one level of books re-shelve; Twilight was about to start another level when... "Whoa! Who's this guy?" "Who you talking about Starlight?" Twilight asked floating down to see what Starlight discovered. "I found something in what looks like a storybook." "What's the book?" "The title reads 'Tambelon: Kingdom of the damned'." "Oo~ Spooky, who's the guy you talk about?" "His name is 'Lord 'Grogar' '." "Grogar? From the children's book about Dusty the unicorn?" Twilight asked a little amused to hear a book featuring a childish storybook villain. "I know but this isn't a book for foals...This reads..." Starlight began, then quoting the description in the prologue. "....*The Hircum lord of dark power and derisively nicknamed 'Fallen kin of Death's pet' or 'The Devil's pet', ruler of a domain he fashioned of the souls of damned ponies who were non-believers, heretics, or blasphemers. His goal was a micro empire colony for the fallen one's empire and his own power hungry ambitions." *Hircum: Pronounced 'ear-coom' literally meaning goat in ancient archaic Equine, used to describe a race of bipedal goat beings. "Woof; that's a heavy handed description and story." Twilight commented, "Who's the author?" "The author is...Huh...It says 'Ghost Writer for: 'Alpha Phoenix' ' his name was '**Michael Bell-Clapper'." " 'Alpha Phoenix'?" Twilight asked looking perplexed as she looked closer to see if Starlight made a mistake. "That's what it says..." "Who is 'Alpha Phoenix'?...." Twilight pondered. "Why would he want a ghost writer?" "Maybe he didn't want attention, but that name sounds like a pseudonym." "You mean like a stage or false name?" "Yes Starlight...It doesn't sound like any normal name so whoever it is code for must be somepony important." "Somepony important who didn't want attention for writing this story? Why go through so much over a fiction novel?" "....I don't know Starlight, I don't know..." Meanwhile after Tirek and Grogar escaped Tartarus they retreated to a secluded hideout located in the Arimaspi Territory which was on the southeast corner of the continent, there Tirek meet is partner in conquest. "You can't be serious, who is this creature?" Tirek asked in disbelief and annoyance. "I am no 'creature'...I am a changeling, I am Queen of the Changelings 'Chrysalis'." Chrysalis hissed back in outrage for what she thought was being insulted. "Ex-Queen, she was defeated and usurped by one of her own and allies including Discord." Grogar clarified. "Then what ally is she if she was beaten by lowly foes?" Chrysalis hissed loudly in reply to Tirek's remark but a single glare from Grogar silenced her. "I will not allow in-fighting in my army, do you understand?" "Understood Lord Grogar." Chrysalis growled reluctantly. "Excellent; now Tirek, as per enlisting in my army, you have a form to sign as any soldier would sign." Grogar said as he in a flaming flash made a long piece of paper appear, the terms were written out but this document had a name scratched on, Chrysalis signed it as well. Before Tirek could ask Grogar held a needle in his grasp instead of a quill. "I find blood contracts more...Personal, then merely hexed parchment." Grogar explained as he gave the pin to Tirek. Tirek was not fond of this idea of such control over him, in his ego and pride it forbade him from agreeing to this...But desperation won out and Tirek pricked himself and placed his bleeding finger to the spot of his choosing in which his name appeared in what would be his handwriting. "It is done; you are now in my ranks and must obey all and every command I order." "I don't need any explanation Grogar..." Tirek growled. "Perfect! That saved me the trouble; now then for us to attack we must be shady and swift, Chrysalis had successfully mastered that so that is why she is on my team." "With it refined there will be no mistakes this time, the change I made was her new horde will not only be able to change form, but have the ability to perfectly imitate their subject; with a spell I crafted they will be using the mind of their target via telepathic link, that way they have their memories, habits, mannerisms!" "They will be perfect copies and unable to be discovered as impostors." "A generous gift my Lord." Chrysalis chimed in genuine gratitude. "Very promising~" Tirek crooned genuinely impressed. "What will we do with the originals my liege?" Chrysalis asked. "Do with them as you please, so long as they can't be a threat." "I'll toy with them but one will be lucky I don't kill her right away..." Chrysalis growled bitterly. "I advise caution when taking on your opponent with your emotions, your temper and impulsive nature is a weakness." Grogar warned. "Of course." Chrysalis acknowledged. "What part do I play here Lord Grogar?" Tirek asked showing a little concern about not hearing a role set for him. "Ah yes, fear not Tirek I have a special assignment for you; you will lead a battalion of my legion when the time is right." "As you wish." "Good; now that we have our assignments, Chrysalis? What is the status of your hive?" "I have at the moment 100 drones." "That will be enough, don't get ahead of yourself Chrysalis." Grogar suggested. "I won't pressure myself since there is a limit to what I can birth." "Superb; now then, I need to plan and rest, you two get along and be acquainted so that you may learn about each other and learn to trust and work with each other." Grogar said as he retired to his chambers. "...So..." Chrysalis began unsure what she should say to her cohort. "What do you think about this agreement with Grogar?" "I don't know whether to be honored or concerned." "I feel the same..." "Victory or defeat, we're bound by contract to him." "Of that we have another common ground, besides having been at rock bottom." "That is an understatement my associate, a grand understatement; we are truly an army of the damned." TO BE CONTINUED......
Chapter 2: A shaky allianceSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Chapter 3: Hell is empty...“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War The raid on Appleloosa was brutal, ruthless, and savage; the sudden attack and loss of life horrified the residents of the desert apple farming town. In addition Little Strongheart had a terrible personal blow to deal with in the wake of the unprovoked act of war Tirek's forces launched but keeping his distance on Grogar's orders to prevent anypony from knowing who was to blame; while the townsfolk mourned and tended to the dead and wounded, Strongheart had to find strength in the face of losing her chief and adopted father. "Nooo!!!" Strongheart wailed in sorrow while also speaking in the tongue of her species at times as if talking that way would get her the answer nopony could give. The sheriff and Breaburn ran up to see what was the matter when they saw what she saw, Breaburn could do very little on his part but try and comfort the buffalo maiden. "Strongheart?..." He began softly so not to spook her, Strongheart took a moment from her grief to respond to the stallion. "B-Breaburn.." She croaked, wiping her eyes before taking to her feet. "I'm so sorry I-..." Breaburn was about to give his condolences when Strongheart threw her arms around him and wept more, Breaburn could only return the embrace while patting & rubbing her back to comfort her. "Why did this happen?! What was this??" Strongheart sobbed grasping for answers behind the raid. "I don't know Strongheart...I wish fer the life of me I had a clue about what the hay just happened." "Please Breaburn, do something to make these demons who attacked us pay." "I can write my cousin and her friends, if anypony can help it's Aj and the others." "Yes! Please do!" Strongheart begged tears still pouring. "Then we should waste no time, who knows what this could mean..." The sheriff advised, not knowing how right he truly was to be worried. Meanwhile miles away in Dodge City, Cherry Jubilee was busy managing her cherry farm and shop; it was a good calm day not much excitement going on here, Cherry was actually expecting a visit from Applejack and Pinkie Pie soon and she planned a nice meal and drinks to await their arrival. "You're pretty busy today Cherry, what's got you hoppin'?" A mare entering her shop asked. "Oh expecting company today, Applejack and Pinkie Pie." Cherry answered as she restocked a shelf of freshly made jam. "Oh that's pleasant, I hope you have a good meet and greet." "Thanks Olivia, it's been so long since I had Aj over and I appreciated her company, even Pinkie." Olivia Oak-Grove was the local Inn Manager, age 33, light brown Earth mare with a semi-curly blonde mane and tail, standing at '6-3" and between a thin and medium build, emerald eyes. "By the spread you set it should be worth the trek here." "Hope so." Meanwhile on the outskirts of the town Chrysalis was watching from a distance the small town, showing a willingness to enact violence for gain, her army of new changelings were chomping at the bit to attack... "My Queen, we're ready to move when you are." "Excellent, take shape and attack." Chrysalis cooed with a double-voiced purr. "Yes my queen." The officer changeling barked with a bow while saluting by crossing his arm over his chest, then left to engage the assault. The New Hive forces then shape-shifted into the undead soldiers of Grogar's army before rumbling in stamping feet as they charged the town; phase II had begun in earnest. The attack was sudden and without mercy...As brutal and bloodthirsty as the Appleloosa raid, local law valiantly tried to stem the tide but losses were great.. Cherry and Olivia sought shelter best they could...Lucky for them this attack was more true to nature of the orders Grogar laid down, Chrysalis' attack was swift and sudden, leaving only room to attack those in the open and not straying into buildings for victims of the wanton death and destruction. So far the casualties were lower, 12 dead outright while 27 were wounded; of that 3 were Law out of 7, 4 stallions, and 3 mares, the 2nd mare was a mother of a 7 year old daughter...Cut down like game the both.. Chrysalis could hear the panic and anguish, she took immense pleasure in this grinning with fangs bared. As like the other raid it was over soon as it began, the final count was 18 dead, 38 wounded; 4 foals were butchered, one was beheaded before his mother who survived. With the hurricane of hellion marauders gone Cherry and Olivia emerged from their shelter to over look the carnage left in the invader's wake... "My God...What hit this town?..." Before Cherry could reply a local came to her rushing, he was terror-stricken, sweaty, and dirty. "You are alright! Thank Celestia....It was awful, monsters, beyond anything I ever saw I didn't know what they were!" "How many are hurt? Anypony still alive?" Olivia asked. "They count 18 dead so far...." "Who would have wanted to attack us like this?....Why would they? What motivation do they have?" "I don't know Cherry.. All I know is we had been attacked, and it was unprovoked." "I wonder if we're the only ones attacked." "Not sure if we were but soon as we find out it may give us more information." Just then another pony ran up, she was from the Telegraph Office and she was screaming at the top of her lungs... "APPLELOOSA WAS ATTACKED!! APPLELOOSA WAS ATTACKED!!" The 3 gasped at the news, so Dodge City was not alone after all; who else was next?? "Hold on a minute now! Who attacked Appleloosa?" The stallion asked the panicked mare. "Monsters! Zombie soldiers in ancient armor!" "Just like us!" Olivia said with a gasp. "So this was planned, but who's the brains behind this?...." Meanwhile back at Grogar's castle, the evil mind behind the attacks was delighted to hear his random raids succeeded beyond his expectations! The ponies the 2 teams assured with Changeling spies sent after running that they had 0 clue as to who struck them. "Well done! This is exactly what I had hoped." Grogar said gleefully as he rose from his throne to greet his generals' Chrysalis and Tirek. "It was hardly a challenge my Lord." Chrysalis chimed with a smirk and bow of her head. "Exactly my thoughts, even though I came upon resistance they merely slowed the agony." Tirek reported. "It matters not Tirek if they had fought back, there is very little that can be done on their part; also the bodies of my army will disintegrate if they are slain in minutes after leaving nothing to trace." "Clever Lord Grogar, what next do you ask of us? Who is our next victims of your might?" Tirek spoke. "For the time being you are to rest, you have done much already so indulge while I plan our next moves." The 2 fallen rulers bowed and thanked him before leaving the room to spend their free time and take up on the idea of rest though it was hardly exhausting the journey taxed them more than the raids did of course since they only watched as their troops did the work. "I'm still keeping an eye on you Chrysalis....And no doubt Grogar is as well, he may very well have heard your plans to back out of your deal but chose to say nothing." "Be as it may possibly be..." "What? You think you have a plan? You think Grogar hasn't prepared a plan of his own to quash any coup you incite?" "Be reasonable-..." "I AM REASONABLE!" The insectoid queen hissed with a growl. "Sure you are..." Tirek chuckled as he went off on his own. Chrysalis was proven wrong many times hence why she was here at all, but she will be damned literally or figuratively if she is wrong about her plans to craw-fish the deal with Grogar...If she could; if she could was not the issue, so much as if she can. That was her problem glaring more intensely than the evil Hircum Emperor. In another part of the main land of Equestria's area of Equus in Ponyville Twilight and Starlight were unaware of the hell unleashed when Spike came barging in with a scroll. "Spike?? What's going on?" Twilight asked her companion. "Twilight! Urgent letter!....From Celestia!..." Spike panted as he looked like he sprinted a mile. "Urgent letter? What's so urgent?" Starlight asked. Twilight then floated the scroll in her magic and read carefully, Starlight didn't need to know what it read as she saw Twilight's expressions contort into ones of horror, shock, sadness and pure surprise. "What happened?" Twilight took a moment before she could say one word to her, but feeling one word was not what she wanted to hear and feeling that forcing her voice to work would be slow she could only shakily hand the scroll to her. Starlight then read the letter and she gasped before cupping her mouth in horror.... "Who could have done this?..." "I wish I knew." Twilight finally let out of her mouth just above a whisper. CANTERLOT: Thrones' Room. Celestia was devastated and worried to the point of feathers from her majestic wings falling off, she had not been so caught off guard than right now, over her thousand plus years she never was blindsided like this. Luna was equally stunned and saddened by the news of the massacre of Appleloosa & Dodge City; she was feeling as helpless and scared as her elder sister but in comparison, Celestia was having what would be equivalent to a break down. "Those poor ponies...Who could be so heartless?! Who would just attack our subjects?! Who is it that dares?!..." Luna seeing her sister losing it rushed to her dear Tia's side and grabs her by the shoulders even with Celestia being a tad taller than her being a towering '7-7" while Luna was '7-2". "Tia! Get a hold of thyself and be still!" She barked slipping into her archaic language she was used to when tested or taxed. Celestia ceased her rant and looked her younger sibling's eyes as tears fell from her own. Luna seeing her sister so distressed then embraced her to calm her down and comfort her, Celestia began to respond and hugged back slowing regaining her composure as Luna soothed her. "There there sister, I know; I know..." "Th-Thank you Lulu..." Celestia croaked as she was now calmed, she wipes her eyes after breaking the hug and looks Luna in the eyes again. Luna only smiled warmly and caringly back now that she had put her sister back at relative ease. "Better?" She asked. Celestia nodded and sniffled before speaking. "What should we do Luna?" "Do what you would do first, inform Twilight about the situation then we shall tend to the ponies in need, we must be put on alert so I will assemble the guard and hold a war council, also we shall address Parliament immediately." "Right, of course; I shall write Twilight right away, thank you Luna I needed to be reminded of proper action in response to such an outrageous, unprovoked assault." "Always ready to help you sister." Luna said softly as she hugged Celestia again before walking off to do her task. In roughly hours the two addressed in an emergency session of Parliament the officials of the simultaneous attacks. "Members of Parliament, we have summoned you all here for a very important matter, one of grave urgency; just hours ago we were attacked." Celestia announced, the whole room gasped and murmured. "Attacked?! By whom?" A stallion member asked. "We only know it was a highly dangerous, well trained army; Appleloosa had been the one to put up a larger fight but both yet had taken grievous losses." "Appleloosa was attacked?...While it is terrible lives were lost your Majesties that town is not a significant town; what is the meaning for alarm?" A mare member asked a tad selfishly. "Because this was no random attack this was a message, they were both attacked at once! This was a threat." Luna replied coldly making the mare regret her poorly spoken and worded response. "'Both'? You mean Appleloosa was not attacked only? Where else?" Another stallion asked. "Dodge City was also attacked, and these are the figures of the casualties from each town." "Appleloosa: 115 killed including 25 foals and of that 14 were under the age of 8; 40 were wounded." Luna read out causing gasps to ring from all in the room some gagged and most actually hurled into their trash can. Celestia then decided to read Dodge City's statistics and after composing herself she read the other list of carnage. "Dodge City: 18 dead, 38 wounded....4 foals were among the dead.." Celestia finished with a croak as more gasps rang out, and more ponies lost their meals. "This is an act of war; deliberate, vicious, unprovoked, heartless, and destructive. Because of this I am moving into order a vote to be at a state of alertness and partial war against the terrorists responsible for the violence that had struck our land." "With this I plead you to consider this course lest we be complacent and allow more suffering to plague not just our kind but maybe others." Celestia pleaded and suggested, hoping the horror and death of innocent lives be met with decisive action and unselfish compassion & devotion to country and her subjects in the face of a threat to said nation and the races/species therein. "All in favor of Martial Alertness say 'Ay'." Luna stated. What greeted Luna and Celestia in reply to these words and the atmosphere? All stood up and casted votes in favor! TO BE CONTINUED......
Chapter 4: ...And all the devils are here“ In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity .” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War Edit: I replaced Tirek with Storm King to help with continuity. As the Princesses began their efforts to counter this sudden and vicious attack, Pinkie and Applejack had arrived in Dodge City, when they got there they were given a terrible greeting, they were welcomed by the remnants of the raid...They could only gasp and stare as they looked about the carnage and destruction. "What the hay happened here?" Aj said in a low horrified tone. "Something awful..." Pinkie replied herself near tears. She and Aj seeing everything, it looked so depressing, so grim, so....Raped; it was like the life and joy had been murdered and left in the streets like the locals cut down. "Applejack!" A voice shouted, it was Cherry. "Cherry?? What happened?" Aj asked. "It was horrible, nightmarish; some army of monsters attacked us and ran off! We don't know who t hey were, what they were and why but they came in, killed ponies did some damage and left." "What did they look like?" Cherry took a moment before describing the invaders, Aj and Pinkie were unsure how to respond. "How many....A-Are dead?" Pinkie squeaked sounding like she regretted her question. "18 dead, 38 wounded." Cherry replied, the mares gasped at such a toll. "There's more, Appleloosa was also attacked." "WHAT!? When?!" Aj blurted out. "Not sure we got the news after our attack." Aj started to panic, her cousin was a resident and she was afraid her cousin had been taken from her by raiders and was another victim of this double assault. "Hold on Aj, that doesn't mean Breaburn was killed...Or hurt....We don't know what happened." "All I know is they got hit worse...Chief Thunder-Hooves is dead." "No....Not him..." Pinkie said heartbroken. "This is awful, I gotta tell Twilight unless she already knows." "She's a princess of course she will know, Celestia and Luna may already know by now too." Pinkie stated. "Can we telegram Appleloosa ta ask if he's okay?" Aj asked trying to be calm. "We can do that, please follow me; I'm so sorry you had to come to this." "It's okay Cherry, how were we ta know?" Aj said as they walked to the Telegraph office, passing the left overs yet to be cleaned up and tended to. "How many were killed and hurt at Appleloosa? Did you get info on that?" Aj asked. "We did, it was a slaughter; 115 killed, 40 wounded." Cherry replied to now more sickened and horrified mares. "Who did we anger?...Who did we bother that they would kill so many ponies outta the blue like that?!" "What monsters would hurt and....K-Kill so many?" Pinkie asked as well a with lump in her throat. "That we will find out soon Pinkie, first I wanna know if my cousin is safe." The mares continued their walk to the telegraph office to get more needed info; meanwhile in Appleloosa Breaburn and the sheriff were continuing their clean up when they noticed what Grogar spoke of, the bodies of raiders disintegrated to nothing leaving nothing to identify as evidence to lead to the one responsible for this unprovoked attack. "This is insane, they show up and those we cut down turn to dust? What black magic made these?" "I wish I knew sheriff, but what I do know is this may not be the last we see of this; we should build up defenses in case we're attacked again." "And then what? What if it's not enough? We can't take another blow like this." "That's why I called for help to the nearest town, they already sent help by now to Ponyville then to Canterlot." "I hope this ain't somethin' serious...Tirek was the worst thing we ever suffered I don't wanna go through worse." "Me too sheriff, me too..." Just then a stallion came running toward them yelling, "Dodge City was attacked like us!" "You serious?! What happened?!" Breaburn demanded. The stallion relayed the information, it was the same alright; right down to the monsters responsible that also turned to dust leaving no trace. "Your cousin asked for you." "She's there?!" "She's safe, showed up after the attack ended, she heard about us before we knew about them." Breaburn was relieved that Applejack was not harm's way but this was starting to look more and more serious, like the Storm King attack all over again. "Has word gotten out?" "Yes it has it reached all the way to Canterlot." "This can't happen again...I just can't." Back in Ponyville Twilight and Starlight were recovering from the horrific shock they got from the double onslaught on Equestria's remote cities. "I wonder if Celestia knows...Spike?" Spike was already with paper & quill in claws, "Ready Twilight." Twilight then dictated the letter and had it sent to Celestia in a flash of green, the 3 waited a while before Spike burped the letter up, it reported Celestia had been aware and put the nation on alert, Equestria was not yet at war because there was no enemy yet identified, nor anything to give an indication who was to blame; Grogar covered his tracks as well as he claimed, any reports about the raiders were vague and broad to be of any help right away. "What should we do Twi?" "Gather the girls Starlight, all of them...And be careful." "I will Twilight, I promise." Starlight in no time went to gather the girls up including sending a message to Aj and Pinkie to make their return to Ponyville, after a while more all the girls gather in the Thrones' Room to discuss the matter at hand. "This is beyond dreadful, what beasts would commit such terrible acts of murder?" Rarity asked a little ill to her stomach. "I'm scared girls, and heartbroken by this..." Fluttershy peeped showing more fear than mourning. "Whoever's responsible is going to get the ass kicking of a lifetime!" Rainbow brashly vowed. "Simmer down Rainbow fists ain't gonna do any good here especially with what happened and the enemy we're dealin' with." "Aj is right, from what they said these were horrifying monsters." Rarity stated. "What else did the victims say?" Starlight inquired. "From what Breaburn telegraphed us he said some got a very loose look and from what it was they were undead and wearing some kind of ancient armor with skulls on their shoulders." "That's not bad Intel but it isn't enough for us..." "It sounds terrifying, undead warriors?" Spike asked. "This sounds ancient Twilight, not saying this because but..." "I know what you're thinking Starlight and I am way ahead of you, Spike? Take another letter." Back in Canterlot Celestia and Luna were readying the Guards for the heightened state of alertness, one would think Equestria was at war while trying to just be on standby for any open hostility; though personally Celestia would not like anything else but to hunt down this scourge herself, though cooler heads and Luna kept her from becoming emotional and reacting instead of acting. "That should be enough Sister, Canterlot is safe enough and we can start defending our other territories." "Have you written Cadence?" "Yes Tia I have, they are on high alert as well; trains are even check-pointed to ensure that no hostiles sneak in." "They won't travel by rail Luna." "You can't be too sure, we are just covering the bases." "I only wish I knew what we were up against." Tia said staring at her stallions-at-arms. "If anypony can figure it out it will be Twilight and her friends." "I do not lack faith in her Lulu, but I hope this is not something out of her talents and ability....I wouldn't live with myself if I finally push Twilight too far." "Twilight and her friends are resilient, they can take on this challenge." "I pray you're right." Just then a scroll appears, this was from Twilight! What could she need or be reporting now? "What does it say?" "Twilight is telling us the form of our foe, but I never encountered such demons as what they describe." "This is ill news, an enemy neither of us have faced? This will be troubling news to her." "I dislike it as much as you do." Tia said scratching back her answer about this which spoke unfortunate honesty on behalf the 7 mares and dragon eager for any knowledge. When the letter was received Twilight's heart sank, the girls were on their own far as knowledge gathering; but that meant going to the source, they all had to return to the attacked towns and get more data and see if the can filter more info from chaos wrought by this new and dangerous foe. Back at Grogar's hideout Grogar's generals were awaiting for the next move to be ordered but during this wait there was still not quite resolved tension between Chrysalis and Tirek, both were eyeing the other because Chrysalis was hinting a revolt against Grogar in the event that Grogar would face defeat. Tirek was not going to permit it though a small sliver was thinking the same idea, that was when Tirek decided to keep things in his own favor as he went to consult with Grogar. "What Tirek?..." Grogar asked almost sounding annoyed. "My Lord, I am meaning no trouble to you but I wish to bring up...A deep concern." Grogar's brow went up with moderate interest, that in turn prompted Tirek to proceed. "I am worried about Chrysalis, Sire; she may be conspiring behind you." Grogar simply chuckled darkly which again strange to Tirek sent a chill through his spine. "You think I'm not aware of her treacherous intentions?" He asked sounding like it was no surprise smirking while resting his cheek on his left hand. "Chrysalis is quite manipulative, and cunning~ I found it useful and appealing, but she couldn't convince me if her life depended on it, I saw through her since I found her barely alive." "Then...Why Grogar?" "Why keep her? Because she is an asset, one that is useful and like you, you are mine under a contract and if you were to betray me? Well....You use your imagination." "I thank you for showing your loyalty Tirek but your concern is unnecessary, and I also find it...Distasteful." "Distasteful? Why?" "You think you can earn favor by ratting out your cohort? Please...I'm ancient not senile." He replied drumming his fingers on his right hand on his throne. Tirek got a cold sweat from this statement, how could he have seen through him so easily? What made him so special? "Just how ancient?" "Very; I saw much including the rise of that miserable nation of Equestria, I even watched their racial quarrel that nearly destroyed them." "That was amusing, funny what one thing can do to set off such distrust; it was most irritating to see it backfire, I underestimated them in my youth of their love and....Friendship." Grogar growled on the last word and his right hand fingernails scratch the armrest making a slight scraping sound. "I would not make such foalish mistakes again!...I thought I had them when their nation was at my mercy, even after they unified they were not strong enough together to stand in my way." "Tribe by tribe I made their armies kneel before me, those who did not kneel died; those who did not submit, destroyed." "I commanded legions of warriors, armies ten's of thousands strong! I was enough to conquer for my master a whole world." "But I underestimated them a second time...Their damned king proved more...Resistant to my powers and overpowered me; he banished me thinking me dead, but his mistake was not finishing me off." "That was his and their weakness, they refuse to see death as a proper means of defeating their enemies, instead they seek to 'befriend' them, or in that pathetic deity wannabe Discord's case 'reformed'." "He may be pathetic...But he's a threat." "Only a moderate one, his powers does have it's limits; it is powerless against the magic I wield." "I am not doubting your power Grogar." "By which you actually are Tirek, please spare me your weak faith in my abilities." Tirek was being made a fool of and saw through as though made of glass, he hated this vulnerability; the last thing he wanted was to feel like a loose end while trying to throw Chrysalis under the train. "I get the message Lord Grogar you don't trust me either and you sense my own betrayal of you." "You finally speak truth, about time..." Grogar replied dryly. "Anything else you wish to speak about? Or are you through?..." "What about our enemies? What good is our raids if they mobilize? Or have you prepared as you sounded when you gave your grand strategy?" "As I told you both, you make mistakes when you panic; and I intend to make them as insecure as a foal in the woods, when that happens, then you bring the wolves to kill it." "So we do nothing? For how long?" "Patience Tirek...Patience; you will spill blood again but I am giving them a false calm first before I strike again with random violence, once I do that it will set them on edge even more than the first time, I will repeat it only a few times because a consistent pattern can be a risk to an effective battle of the mind." "You want to be unpredictable as long as you can, while making your opponent paranoid." "You actually amaze me Grogar with your intelligence." "Flattery and truth?...Interesting combination from you Tirek but effective and on point; this is only what I learned from defeat, something you are capable of as well Tirek, Chrysalis is...A slow learner at this art." In this one moment the 2 actually share a genuine chuckle at a shared belief in a statement regarding the shape-shifting sovereign. "And I don't mean that statement lightly Tirek, a reason I chose you as well; not just because I lack those of a common goal but because you do show much potential to be a match of mine to some degree." "You question me because you're not used to success absolute, that is why I am offering you more favor than Chrysalis and why I will grant you a more solid method to gain my favor." "And what might that be?" "Become my right hand general, so that you are not just my soldier but my confidant." "If it's all I need then I will accept your generous offer." "Not so fast Tirek, such a position of honor demands an act of loyalty fitting to that role." "What act must I commit to gain this position?" "You will know what it will be when the time comes Tirek; just wait for my commands to strike when the right hour strikes, now go, continue your respite until I have need of you two." Tirek left Grogar's presence with a bow then left the throne room, Tirek dodged a large slug and he knew it very well; it seemed Grogar has a clear vision and mind much more than he thought of his unwanted master, now with a deal atop a deal over his head Grogar had him against a wall, the questions now is does he run right, left or straight ahead? Author's Note I am so sorry for the delay I needed a recharge and re-motivation, I hope I had not lost any of you my readers and watchers. I am so so sorry if I seemed uncommitted because I felt unappreciated for my work.
Chapter 5: Game of Shadows (Sneak Peek)Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
