Zemrite ran down the stairs from his room he was staying in after gathering his weapons and armor. Making sure that his cloak was secured as well, he leaps over the railing and lands on his feet as he makes his way to the war room in the back of the castle. He knew something was going to come out of the rift eventually, but nothing like this!. The tall elven garou plowed through the doors seeing both Shining and Cadence turn their gaze to him with other high ranking members of the Crystal Army looking his direction as well.

“The enemy your guard spoke of is what is now as a greenskin. Though this could either be goblins or orcs. Give me a full detail report on their appearance.”

Zemrite said as he placed his hands on the table and examined the map that laid before them. He was in a mood of haste. Should it be orcs, they had to move fast. Orcs are large muscled beings with sharp teeth and a brutish ‘take no prisoners’ policy. Unfortunately., after the guard who had saw them first and was able to get away described the invade enemy as such. Zemrite turned his head to Shining with a serious stare on his face, his eyes clearly giving him a shiver down his spine.

“Shining, gather your soldiers and prepare for a hard and heavy battle. Blood will be spilt when we are fighting these things on both sides. I know I shouldn’t tell you how to command your ranks. But you have no experience with these things. And i can tell you everything you need to know. Will you trust me to give me to help lead you and your soldiers into battle?”

Shining was extremely hesitant in allowing this.He thought hard. Very, very hard. Once he made up his mind he gives Zemrite a nod. Giving him the answer he wanted, Shining walked next to him so that he could show them where the orcs were coming from.

“They are coming from the northern part of the land. They haven’t advanced probably because of a new land has made them cautious but-.”

Zemrite cuts him off.

“Orcs tend to prefer war at the break of day. This will give you time to prepare a fully mounted defense. They may be strong and large, but there is never really an intelligent orc.Have your archers set up here and here.”

He said as he pointed to a bottle necking area that lead into the land surrounding the castle. Both Cadence and Shining were rather impressed with his clever tactics he was throwing out onto the table, placing markers for different kinds of soldiers to be set up.and It was as if he had commanded an army before in such a way. But the talent of being a strategist seemed to come….natural to Zemrite. It could be because back in the game, he was actually his guild’s lead strategist. The way his was just throwing down pins and sliding his hand across the map table was so….awe-inspiring.

“...And once that’s done, we will have them right where we want them. Remember, take no prisoners. These beings must all die. I know you may not agree with this plan. But remember, they intend to treat us all the same.”

“But Zemrite, they are living being just like us. You can’t just-.”

Cadence gently takes hold of her husband’s arm. She gives Zemrite a look of uncertainty, but asks him a question.

“You are certain that there is no other way…? We cannot find a more peaceful solution with these beings?”

Zemrite shakes his head, knowing that it’d sadden her, but it needed to be done.

“I am afraid not princess. Orcs tend to want everything for themselves and can never reach a compromise. Even with other orc tribes. These beasts must be slaughtered on the spot. I am sorry Princess.”

She simply nods to him and looks to her husband once more.

“You heard him my dear. We must fight for the lives of our subjects, and that means killing each one of the enemy.”

Shining sighed lightly and gave a nod. The princess has given the order, it must be done. He turns to Smile and nodded to him

“What do you need from me to help us win this battle?”

“Give me your best healer and mage, your two best hard hitters, and your two best shield and sword users. With a team like that with the attacking force, they will never reach the civilians. Let your archers break their numbers down in the bottle neck, and the fight will be easier. They do not retreat even if the odds are against them. If all goes well, this battle will be over quickly. At least these are enemies I know we can defeat. Anyways, bring those ponies to me. So that I can work a plan with them.”

After a couple of hours, the ponies that Zemrite requested entered a room with him. They saw the tall cloaked man standing at the end of a table with his arms folded. The mage and the healer already seemed rather intimidated by him. He could tell they were both twin sisters as they looked the same. They wore the same robe design that clung nicely to their upper bodies, but hung freely to give them free moment. Obviously the mag wore the dark purple robes and the healer wore the white. And from what he could tell, their fur was a light creamy color and their tails where a light grey and their eyes a beautiful emerald green The two attackers….were also twins as well, but larger in stature and muscular, though still keeping the curves in the right places. Their armor was mostly leather, but metal plating in all the right places to give them a bit of defense. These two mares had more of a dark tan fur with solid black manes and tails. And their eyes were a bright yellow. Next was the more heavily armored sword and shield users. Both of these twins brothers. Thick, built and ready for battle, they had a pure black fur coat and silver mane and tail and heavy shields and swords on their back. Zemrite nodded to the ground and motioned them to come forward.

“Thank you all for coming. I am sure that your commander has briefed you on the situation?”

One of the brothers stepped up first. Sizing Zemrite up as he stares down at him.

“Yeah, he told us about it. But why should we follow somepony like you when you don’t even reveal your face? Not to mention your whole shady appearance just screams ‘spy’. Take off that mask.”

The larger pony barked. Another one who thinks he can demand him around huh? Zemrite would love to show this stallion up, but now wasn’t the time. He pushes the male back slightly and shakes his head.

“We don’t have time for this now. You can fight me later for the chance to see what is behind my mask. But for now, your commander has left me in charge of all of you. Now, I have your names here. Your commander gave them to me. You and your brother here. Divine Shield and Iron Fortress. Good names for shield barriers like yourselves. We will be counting on you.”

He then walks over to the two large mares who were eyeing him rather...oddly. They were giving him...bedroom eyes?! He shakes it off and looks up to them and at the swords they were using. Greatsword users. Excellent.

“And you two must be Wind Cutter and Diamond Slicer. Good to have you here. I trust you will destroy the enemy with those fine blades of yours.”

Wind Cutter spoke first, still giving Zemrite those seductive eyes.

“Oh don’t you worry, handsome. My sister and I will cut them down and make sure that no harm comes to our magic users or you. And don’t let Divine Shield bother you. He is just jealous that i am looking at you instead of him now~.”

She said as she brings a hand to Zemrite’s cheek under his hood.

“Personally, I think the ‘shadowy rogue’ is a sexy look. My sister and I can’t wait to see what you can do in battle. My sister and I are looking forward to showing your our...other skills after it is all said and done.”

Zemrite shook his head with a light chuckle, pulling away from her touch.

“That’s all well and good. But I already belong to a pair of sisters. And I don’t think they’d like it if i came home with another set.”

He then walks over to the magic user pair and looks down at them both. They stared up at him with their adorable big eyes. These two looked sweet. But if they were the best here, then they were hiding great power.

“And you two. Blazing Comet and Healing Touch. A pleasure to meet you both. Make sure to be as destructive as possible with those fire and ice spells. Just make sure you don’t hit us.”

The mage simply nods and hides behind her sister, who seemed to be the more talkative one. Zemrite turned his gaze to her afterwards.

“And you, if any of us get hurt, we will be counting on you to patch usi up. Alright?”

She simply nodded.

“Y-yes, sir. We are just nervous is all. The monsters that we were told about just seem really really scary…”

Clearly these two mares were still young, barely eighteen even. Zemrite gently places his hands on the head and rubbed their manes gently. They both closed their eyes tightly, but slowly opened them up when they felt his gentle touch.

“All we can do is our best. Nopony is perfect. Plus, I am sure you will do just fine if not more than so. Just stay behind us and do what it is you two do best. Can you two do that?”

They could both her the smile and sincerity in his words. They blushed lightly and gave him a firm nod.

“Mhm! We can do that, big brother!”

Big..brother? Where the hell did that come from? He just shook it off and nodded to them both.

“Excellent. The hour is upon us. Let us go and prepare for the fight ahead of us. To the snowy outskirts!”

--The Icy Outskirts Of Teh Empire--

Zemrite stood there with his team and the large amount of soldiers ready to attack whatever comes towards them. He sees movement off in the distance and uses his hawk-eye vision to get a better look. It is the archers, and it looks like they all made it back in one piece. Which means that the orcs aren’t far behind.

“It’s our archers, hold position!”.

Zemrite said before the captain of the archers ran up to him trying to catch his breath. Leaning over and panting.

“They...planned worked..as you said it would! They never...saw it coming!”

He said in an exhausted but excited tone of voice. Zemrite nodded and saw as the rest of the archers came up as well.

“Excellent. Head back up to the upper part of the field behind us. You did an excellent job breaking down their numbers. We will need your division’s eyes to take down any others that get too close to the fighters in the fray.”

“Sir!”

They all said before running up to where Zemrite had told them to go. Shining came up next to Zemrite, having heard that that plan went off nicely. He places a hand on his shoulder with a grin and arched brow.

“You have the makings of a general my friend. Ever thought of taking on the role of Celestia’s or Luna’s second in command?”

Zemrite chuckled and shook his head, looking back out to the distance waiting for more movement.

“Nah, I am not for all the military rules and such. I am a ghost and that is what I will keep being. Besides, being a general is boring and no fun. Hell you put up with it is beyond me. Now look sharp, we have company.”

Zemrite said as he places his fingers to his lips and lets out a loud echoing whistle that seemed to go on for nearly miles, even in the falling snow. This signaled a hail of arrows that flew up into the air and began to rain down on the enemy.

“Take them down!”

Zemrite roared as the full amount of soldiers charged into the fray after the last arrow had fallen. The sounds of swords and war cries accompanied with flying magical orbs of fire and ice and other elements flying overhead echoed across the snowy field. Soon, the pure white snow became darkened by both orc and pony blood alike. Zemrite knew this wouldn’t be a one sided battle. Even with his skills with the bow and dagger. The orcs overwhelmed him at times. He heard a cry from one of the magic users behind him, quickly turning to see an orc charging for both the sisters.

“Big brother!!!”

They both cried out. The orc was a mere foot away from them. They fall to their knees and hold each other closely in fear of death claiming them. But Zemrite wasn’t going to allow that. He leaps into the air and brings the sharp edge of his dagger to the orc’s neck and gives a clean deep slice into his flesh, a fountain of blood splatting down on the white snow in a sickening gush. He wastes not time in helping them back to their hooves and then throws a throwing knife at another orc coming to aid the dying one, effectively killing him off as well.

“Don’t you two worry, I got you both! Just keep it up and this fight will be over soon!”

The battle went on and on until their leader was all that was left. Which Zemrite came into contact with as he lunged for what he thought to be the last enemy. Horgoth was his name. And once their blades connected. They were now in a struggling deathlock, their feet grounded into the snow.

“Well well, looks like I get to kill the great leader of the Blood Fist orc clan myself, Horgoth the Destroyer.”

The orc grinned wickedly as he remembered the mask that Zemrite wore. As the ghost had been an issue many times with his plans on raiding villages and various other merciless agendas.

“Ha! I should have known you’d be here to get in my way as you always do! But this will be your final time to do so. You may have killed all my men. But that won’t stop me!”

They growl and push against one another until the deadlock finally breaks and they both leap away from each other.

“I didn’t let you harm any innocent people back in our realm, I won’t let you do it here…”

With those final words, they charged at each other again with mighty roars. Whatever remained of the army and the team that Zemrite was on just watched in awe as Zemrite and the orc leader clashed blades over and over again. Kicks and punches were thrown in, both fighters getting pretty banged up and bleeding from either cuts or bruises that were inflicted. Horgoth hit Zemrite hard enough in the face that his mask shatters and poofed into black smoke, revealing that marked face and his amethyst eyes to all that looked on Horgoth leaped into the air and attempted to plunge the silver blade into Zemrite’s chest. And because this blade was silver, the cuts that Zemrite suffered were hurting him badly. He was in a bad spot, but manages to roll over quickly to avoid the death blow.

Getting...weaker. I need to finish this quickly…

He thought to himself. He’d be fine if Healing Touch hadn’t exhausted her magic, or anyone hadn’t exhausted themselves so raggedly. Even Shining was exhausted. This whole fight came down to the elven garoun and the leader of the orcs. Horgoth decided he thought he was smart and attempt to make his retreat. Orc did that at times, even leaders’ However, Zemrite had a little trick up his sleeve. Quite literally in fact. With the final amount of his strength, a blade flew from under his right gauntlet attached to a thick rope chain and buried itself fully in the back of the orc’s upper spinal cord and near the head. Zemrite grips the chain with a wicked grin on his face.The orc stood there, grabbing at his neck with a sickening gurgle and twitching violently

“You aren’t slipping through...my fingers..this time…”

He said before ripping the Orc’s head clean off with the spine still attached to it, the blade having hooks on the end of it to destroy anything that is pulled back on them. Was the head fell to the ground, so did the now convulsing body of the orc. Blood fountaining from the now headless neck. That was it, it was over. No more orcs lived this day in this realm.

“See you...in hell…”

Zemrite said before passing out from his inflicted wounds, the injuries still burning from that silver edge that made it through his armor.

“Zemrite---in there! We are--medical---now!”

Was all he heard from what sounded like Shining’s voice. His vision blurred and finally, the darkness came over his eyes.

Author's Note

I had fun with this one. And sorry I haven't been uploading much, been rather busy.

May the darkness grant you peace.