Skylands' Darkest Hour

by Emperor Wolfgang

Rating: mature
Tags: Spike, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Adventure, Crossover, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Other, Original Character
Length: 8842

Skylands... Once one of the most magical places in the universe, now overrun with evil. Mabu enslaved, Dragons put to work in Mines, the Skylanders captured, and all who could possibly help them enslaved. All hope is lost.

Dark, bleak, hopeless, that's what the people of Skylands view of their situation. Their greatest protectors captured, dragons enslaved, and anyone who could possibly help the Skylanders, captured. One by one worlds are falling to this reign of Darkness as it conquers them, and now it's set it's sights on Equestria. Who will end this dark reign?
I don't own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic or Skylanders
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is owned by Hasbro while Skylanders is owned by Activision
Rated M just to be safe.
3/8/19: Hello again, my friends. I'm Alive. And I'm back to continue my work after an unplanned hiatus. So I'm sure your curious what's happening with Skylands' Darkest Hour. Well, I'm rebooting the story because I personally think it can be done better, I know it can be done better. This story's not getting cancelled, not by a long shot. This story will continue, the chapters are just going to be redone. We will meet again... soon.

Published 2017-06-26 00:20:06 UTC
Last updated 2019-03-15 00:47:06 UTC

Nightmare's Beginning Arc: Bloody Orion

Today... I will tell you the story of "Skylands' Darkest Hour". Truthfully, it's not just Skylands' Darkest Hour, it's the entire Known Universe's Darkest Hour. What happened during this age affected not just Skylands, and Equestria, but the entirety of the known universe as well. This is the story of that infamous age, and the heroes that rose up to the challenge of the Ultimate Source of All Evil. A single statue consisting of eleven dragons, one drake in the center and ten dragonesses surrounding him, poised in heroic poses. Some with wings, some without them. This statue consists of the dragons said to have ended the war and can be found at the center of New Ponyville. It is here where our story begins. Five centuries ago, in the town of Ponyville.

Enjoy...

Celestia's Sun rises in Ponyville as it's residents wake up to start their day. Rarity, a white unicorn mare with blue eyes and a purple mane, and three diamonds as her cutie marks, was just waking up and preparing breakfast. Pinkie Pie, a pink mare with a poofy pink mine, and balloons as her cutie mark, was already hard at work at Sugarcube Corner, helping with early customers. Fluttershy, a cream colored mare, with a pink mane, and butterflies as her cutie mark, was feeding her animal friends. Rainbow Dash, a cyan mare with an awesome looking rainbow mane and a rainbow lightning bolt coming out of a cloud for a cutie mark, was flying laps before she started her job in the weather control. Applejack, an orange mare with a blonde mane and apples for a cutie mark, was beginning her daily routine of harvesting apples. And in the castle Princess Twilight Sparkle, a purple alicorn mare, with a six-pointed star cutie mark, was still fast asleep. Meanwhile her #1 assistant Spike, a purple dragon with green spines and a pair of light-green wings, was up preparing breakfast for Twilight. Starlight was away helping Trixie with a Magic Show in Baltimare.

Things had been quiet in Equestria as of late. The last most exciting adventure being when Cozy Glow tried to take over the Friendship school. That being almost two months ago now. And since then, strange things had begun to happen. First, Tirek and Cozy Glow vanish from Tartarus. Then, one day they apprehend Chrysalis, and the next day she's gone without a trace. Third, up in the Frozen North, there are sightings of King Sombra appearing near the Crystal Empire. And as the icing on the cake, Luna's vanished without a trace. No rhyme or reason, she's just...gone. Despite Discord, The Mane Six, Ember, Thorax, Celestia, and Candace and Shining Armor's best effort's, they haven't been able to find any of them. It's more then enough to put everypony on edge.

Twilight walks into the kitchen yawning as Spike puts the pancakes he was making on the table. "Morning Twilight, rough night?"

Twilight sits down at the table and says "yeah. With everything that's going on, the King Sombra sightings, Tirek, Cozy Glow, Luna, & Chrysalis going missing, I haven't been able to get a good nights sleep without dreaming of all the different scenario's that could befall Equestria if they aren't caught and/or found." Twilight says as she pours syrup on her pancakes.

Spike frowns and says "Your not the only one Twilight. Princess Celestia says that several ponies, including herself, and me, have been experiencing those kind of dreams all over Equestria. Even the Changelings, and the Dragons according to Thorax, and Ember, respectively." Spike finishes. "Really? That many?" Twilight asks surprised and Spike nods. Twilight looks down, deep in thought. Several Ponies across Equestria and beyond were experiencing the same dreams of the exact same subject? "That can't be a coincidence" Twilight says. "I don't think it is either." Spike said.

Twilight and Spike didn't speak much again after that and focused on finishing their breakfast. Once done, Twilight left for the castle library while Spike cleaned up breakfast. After that he joined Twilight in the castle library. When Spike entered, he found Twilight nose deep in a book about tracking spells. 'No doubt trying to find a tracking spell to find Luna. The best spellcasters in Equestria tried those spells already but none of them could find Luna, Tirek, Cozy Glow OR Chrysalis. It's like they all disappeared off the face of Equestria.' Spike thought. 'And despite several search parties being sent out, none of them could find a trace of King Sombra. It's creepy, he's like a ghost.' Spike also thought as he went to dust some books off and then help Twilight in her search.

[In a rift between Dimensions]

In a rift traveling between dimensions is a pirate ship as long as three football fields and as wide as two football fields. There are visible levels upon looking at it's surface. The main deck, which took up the entirety of the front of the ship. The Upper Main Deck, which is higher then the main deck. And then there's the helm which was the highest point of the ship other then the Crow's Nest. The flag is a blood red drawing of the constellation Orion over crossbones. This is the Bloody Orion, a ship of pirates ran by the nefarious Captain Hawkorion. Speaking of whom...

[Bloody Orion: Captain's Quarters]

We see a royal red rug with yellow trimming with glossed oak flooring and a fish tank in the back of the room with many types of fish in it. Sitting at a mahogany desk is a crow with a fancy yellow vest under a blood red pirate's jacket with gold trimming. He wore red pirate trousers and wooden leg guards made of mahogany. The crow himself had dull purple feathers, and blood red bandana tied up around his yellow eyes. A Blood red Pirate's hat with the ships flag on it, with gold trimming rests just on the desk. To the side of him rests a Katana with red wrappings on the handle. This is Captain Hawkorion, captain of the Bloody Orion Crew.

A knock is heard from the door. "Ye may enter" Hawkorion says in a deep gruff voice. In enters a green clothed, purple feathered bird called a Raven Lobber.

"Captain, we are approaching our destination with the target we are assigned to capture. We will arrive within the hour." the Raven Lobber said.

Hawkorion looked up from his work at the Raven Lobber and said "Very good, Johnson. Inform me when we arrive, I wish to announce our presence with a bang." he said getting up and picking up his Katana and slipping off his pirate jacket. He walked over to a stone wheel he placed his foot on a pressure plate to start up the wheel. With expert like preciseness and carefully placed his Katana on the wheel, sharpening it. He wanted to be prepared in case he needed to step in. As he sharpened his sword he spoke to the Raven Lobber "Inform the rest of the crew. I wish for EVERYONE to be ready once we arrive in Ponyville." The Raven Lobber bowed to his superior and said "It will be done, Captain." and then he left.

Hawkorion focused on sharpening his blade, making sure it was sharp for the upcoming battle. "Soon Spike, we will meet, and then we will see why The Darkness fears you so..." He uttered as he continued to sharpen and polish his Katana.

[Meanwhile back at Ponyville]

Twilight had by now given up on finding a tracking spell for the day and was taking a stroll through Ponyville with Spike on her back. While in town they met up with Rarity, her little sister, Sweetie Belle (a young white filly, with a alternating mane of pink and Lavender. Her cutie mark is a music note within a star within a shield (that's how I see it)). Rarity was in town for materials for a new design she was making and Sweetie Belle was helping. "And I would appreciate it if you came over to help Spikey Wikey." said Rarity, finishing the description of the dresses she was planning to make. Spike happily replied "Of course Rarity, I'd love to help." Spike said in a lovestruck tone. Sweetie frowned upon listening to this. She didn't like Rarity's constant sweet talking with Spike. To her, it felt like Rarity was leading Spike on. And as a friend she didn't approve of it, but she doesn't ever voice her thoughts on the subject though. Although, she sometimes did wonder why it bothered her so much.

"So Rarity, need me to dig up any gems for the dresses?" Spike asked her. "No, I do believe I have all the gems I need for them. Thank you though, Spikey." Rarity answered. They continued walking till they reached Sugarcube Corner, a Bakery of sweets. They were meeting up with their other friends for a scheduled get together. Once they entered they saw Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack sitting at a table with a plate a sweets between them. Twilight, Spike, Rarity, & Sweetie Belle, walked over to join them.

Rainbow noticing greets them "Heya, Twilight, rough night again?" Rainbow asks as the group sits with them. "Yeah, it's been a rough few nights since this all started happening. Still no luck on the tracking spell to find Luna." Twilight says.

Applejack shook her head and said "It gets worse. I spoke with Silverstream recently and there are rumors in her home land that the Storm King has returned." "The Storm King? Didn't he fall of the Balcony at Canterlot and crumble into pieces when he hit the ground?" Spike asked. "That's what I said but Silverstream says there have multiple sightings of him around Seaquestria, Mount Aris, and Hippogriffia." Twilight faceplants the table and says "Great. Just add more fuel to the fire. First Sombra, then Tirek & Cozy Glow, then Chrysalis, then Luna, and now the Storm King!? What else can go wrong?" She asks.

Careful with what you say Twilight. Something just might happen. "Aaaah! Pinchy knees AND a full body shutter!" Pinkie suddenly announces as her knees pinch themselves and shakes in a full body shutter. Everypony in Sugarcube Corner swing their heads to her startled and alarmed. And they should be, because pinchy knees means something scary is about to happen. And a full body shutter means a doozy is coming. Put 2 and 2 together and it becomes "Something scary is coming! And it's a doozy!" Pinkie declares. And lo and behold, something did, in the form of screaming citizens outside. The Mane Six, Sweetie Belle, and Spike head outside to see what's up. Once outside they see that everypony is looking at the sky. Following their gaze they see a giant rift tearing a hole in the sky. Out of it came the Bloody Orion in it's villainous glory. The ship was so large and so vast you can see It from Canterlot. Speaking of which...

[Canterlot]

"What is that!?" "Down in Ponyville!" "Is that a ship?!" Several ponies were screaming as they could see the Bloody Orion clearly from their place in Canterlot.

[Canterlot Castle]

Princess Celestia walked out onto her Balcony, heavy bags under her eyes from lack of sleep and being concerned about her sister. She see's the Bloody Orion from her balcony and utters "What now?" With everything that's going on in Equestria right now, she didn't something else to pile on it. Princess Celestia spread her wings and took off for Ponyville.

[School of Friendship]

"What in Equestria?" Gallus, a blue griffin, exclaims upon him seeing the Bloody Orion appearing out of the rift, his friends seeing the same thing. Ocellus, a young changeling, looked at it fearfully and exclaims "Wh-what is that?!" "I don't know but I want one." Smolder, a dragon, says excitedly. "Come on let's get closer!" Silverstream, a hippogriff, exclaims as she and the Young Six fly off towards the Bloody Orion.

[Cutie Mark Crusader Clubhouse]

"What in tarnation?" Apple Bloom, a light yellow Earth Pony filly, with a red mane, says as she and Scootaloo, and orange Pegasus filly with a purple mane, poke their heads out of the club house to see what's going on, mouths droping in shock when they saw the Bloody Orion hovering over Ponyville. "Is that a ship?" Apple Bloom asks. "I think it is. Isn't Sweetie Belle in town right now with her sister?" Scootaloo asks. "I think she is. Should we go check on her?" Apple Bloom asks, still eyeing the Bloody Orion. "Definitely" Scootaloo says as they run out of the club house and towards Ponyville.

[Outside Sugarcube Corner]

The Mane Six, Spike, and Sweetie Belle were still staring up at the Bloody Orion with open mouthed shock, and they didn't respond when the Young Six, and the other Crusaders arrived, Princess Celestia arriving shortly after them. "Twilight, what's going on?" the sun princess asked. Twilight shook herself from the startling vessel and looked up at her former mentor "I don't know, Celestia, I'm just as uninformed as you right now." Twilight looks off and notices that the Young Six are there "What are you doing here?!" Twilight asks in concern and surprise. "This thing could be dangerous!" Smolder smirked and said "Didn't stop us during Cozy Glow's takeover of the school." Twilight is still worried but said "Alright, but at the first sign of danger you run, okay?" Twilight pleas. Gallus looks up and says "No promises, I want to see where this goes."

Princess Celestia steps in front of everyone and slams her hoof down releasing a shockwave silencing everyone as she uses the Royale Canterlot Voice and demands "This is Princess Celestia, of the Pony race! State your business at once!" Silence... Silence... then the haul of the ship opens up as several shadows appear at the top of the ship. Out of the haul appears a jumbo-tron, not that the ponies would know, so you can imagine their reactions when it turns on and they see a big bird on it holding a finger to his...ear and cringing. In the background they see another bird holding his ears in pain. The bird opens up his beak and "GAAAAAAAHH! Could you yell a little louder!? I don't think my ears are bleeding yet!" He shouts, still clenching his ear. Celestia goes to use the Royal Canterlot voice again but the bird stops her holding up a finger. A few seconds pass and he brings his finger away from his ear. "Alright I'm good. You were saying?" Celestia then opens up her mouth shouting in the Royal Canterlot voice "I am Princess Celestia, State your business and why you have come here!" The bird nods and replies "I am Captain Hawkorion. Captain of the infamous Bloody Orion Crew. And I have come for one and one reason only: Hand over the one called Spike and we will leave your town unharmed." A boom sounds as a cannonball goes flying out of the cannon's and hits a building in the distance. "...Mostly unharmed." Hawkorion corrects as he looks toward a crewmate behind him. "What? You said you wanted to arrive with a bang?" The Mane Six, Spike, The CMC, Celestia, and the Young Six look up in shock. What could they want with him?

"What do you want with me?!" Spike shouts up at Hawkorion who looks at the purple drake. He stares a moment, gaping in shock. "Don't tell me... Your Spike?" Hawkorion asks. Spike nodded his head and says "Yeah, what of it?!" He shouts up at him. Hawkorion continues to gape. "I thought you'd be taller And more Dragony looking. To me you look like a lizard with wings." Hawkorion looks closer and exclaims "What a minute? Your just a kid! Chrysalis didn't say ANYTHING about you being just a kid!" The group gasped in shock. He knows Chrysalis. This fact alone tells them that Hawkorion means trouble. "Your the fabled 'Destroyer of Darkness' that The Ultimate Source of All Evil claims will be the end of him?" "'Destroyer of Darkness?'" Smolder mutters, raising a brow. "Ultimate S-Source of A-All E-E-Evil?" Ocellus mutters fearfully.

Hawkorion shakes himself from shock and says "Whatever. Orders are orders. Surrender yourself and we will your home mostly unharmed!" Hawkorion declares. At this Twilight took a step forward with a determined look on her face. " What does this 'Ultimate Source of All Evil' want with Spike." Just then a shriek occurs as the captain looks behind him to see the communication bird panicking and jumping out the window. The group stares in confusion and worry for Spike. Hawkorion sighs " That's for us to know and you to find out in about..." He started counting on his fingers, then answered "Three to Four Months time. Five if he's problematic." Twilight shook her head and exclaimed "No, what does it want with him!" The sound of swords being drawn could be heard and the sound of it cutting through flesh came shortly after, coming from the Bloody Orion. Hawkorion was silent for a moment before saying "We've stalled long enough. Surrender your..." he chuckled a little as used air quotations "'Destroyer of Darkness' or the Bloody Orion Crew will be forced to use deadly force!" responding to this were ropes coming down from the Bloody Orion as several BirdBrains (that's what they're called in Skylanders Trap Team) slide down them and land on the roofs of buildings surrounding the onlooking populace. White and Green poofs of smoke occurred around them as Air Spell Punks and Life Spell Punks appeared, ready to cast their spells when necessary. Sandbar looks around with fear and says "Um guys, I think we've overstayed our welcome." He said as the others agreed and backed away. Curious enough the cutthroat pirates didn't stop them from leaving the potential battlefield.

"Nope" Applejack said.

"Ain't Happening!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"Forget it, you brute" gee wonder who said that.

"We aren't handing him over." Twilight exclaimed.

"You can stuff it you old crow!" Rainbow said flying in front of everycreature.

Hawkorion slams his hands on his desk the moment he hears that last comment. "OLD CROW!? I'll have you know young lady that I'm only in my late twenties! Just for that comment, you can kiss your town goodbye!" Everyone glares at Rainbow as she lands and shrinks down to make herself look smaller. "ATTTAAAAAACCKK!!!" Hawkorion shouts as his pirates spring into action swords raised while the Spell Punks charge their spells as more feathered fiends rain down from the ship. The jumbo-tron sinks back into the Bloody Orion as the attack on Ponyville begins.

[Ponyville]

Screams of panic can be heard from all over as ponies run for cover as the town was being overrun with pirates. Crates were being smashed, and buildings were being destroyed by cannon fire. The damage was high, and ponies all over were hurt. Curious enough, the foals were left alone. A BirdBrain is chasing a group of ponies only to stop when a colt appears in his path, frozen in fear. Now you'd think, being pirates, he'd shove the kid out of the way or harm him but nope. He instead halts, walks around the colt, and then continues chasing after the adult ponies. Fire has even erupted in some places as ponies fled for their lives. A Cuckoo Clocker picks up a cart and throws it at the nearby market stall as it shatters and breaks a lantern setting the whole place ablaze.

Twilight flew up into the sky, avoiding the cannonballs that were flying. Once she reached her destination, she halted. "Everycreature, head to the Castle of Friendship! You'll be safe there! I've sent Fluttershy over there to help treat any ponies that are injured. The Nurses and Doctors of Ponyville Hospital will be there shortly to help out!" Twilight spoke in the Royal Canterlot voice, saying "Everycreature" to address the Young Six as well, who were still in town. She had been practicing the Royal Canterlot Voice for a while now, she just hopped she never had to use it. Princess Celestia flew up next to her and also speaking in the royal Canterlot voice said "I've sent word to the Canterlot Royal Guard, they should be here shortly! In the mean time we'll try to keep the situation contained! Right now, just do what Princess Twilight said and head for the castle!" Ponies listened and started piling over to the path the Castle of Friendship as Royal Guards arrived as per Princess Celestia's order and started fighting back against the pirates. "You know, I've always wanted to fight a pirate" a royal guard said to a BirdBrain. "Well, happy to make that dream a reality for ya." The BirdBrain replied.

As a the chaos ensues, two BirdBrains stop in front of a bar. "Hey look a bar! Want to check it out?" BirdBrain #1 asked BirdBrain #2. The BirdBrain thought for a moment and said "I can drink." The two pirates sheathed their swords and headed inside the Bar.

Twilight flew down to Spike and addressed saying "Spike, I want you to head to the castle with everycreature else." "What, but I want to help. I'm very capable now!" Spike exclaimed, but halted when Twilight hugged him. "I know Spike and I know can defend yourself, but it's you their after. I couldn't bare it if something happened to you and I wasn't able to help. I'd feel better knowing your safe and out of harms way." Twilight said with a loving sister's smile on her face. Spike looked at her with upset eyes, but conceded and nodded with a smile and said "Okay Twilight, I'll head to the castle, for you, sis." The two embraced and Twilight gently kissed him on the forehead. They remained like that for a while but released a second later. They let go, and Twilight flew off to go fight the pirates while Spike started running towards the castle.

[Two Hours Later]

As the Mane Six, Celestia, and the Guard fought the pirates. Hawkorion watched up from the mast of the Bloody Orion. He could see all of Ponyville up here, and then some. He wasn't very happy with the situation. The Bloody Orion Pirates were hired to capture Spike the "Destroyer of Darkness" but he's just a kid, and Hawkorion has a rule against harming children. It didn't help that they weren't sent there to harm him, though The Ultimate Source of All Evil didn't care what condition Spike was in upon capture, they were sent here to capture him and take him to one "Dr. Victor Von Birdenstein". Hawkorion wished he didn't have to hand Spike over to that demon, he would've preferred to capture him and take him to their hideaway. Hell, he'd settle for just locking him up, but the plans The Ultimate Source of All Evil had for Spike by handing him over to Birdenstein we're just monstrous, but he couldn't disobey orders. Not without risk of suffering the Ultimate Source of All Evil's wrath. So he chose to fear and obey.

Back with the fighting down below, the Mane Five (excluding Fluttershy because she's at the castle tending to the wounded) were hard at work fighting against the pirates. Twilight and Rarity were fighting the pirates by using her magic against them, Pinkie and Applejack were fighting with their hooves, while in Pinkie's case also being completely random like she always is.

Rainbow was currently kicking pirate booty, when she noticed Hawkorion on the mast of the Bloody Orion. Thinking the pirates would surrender if she defeated their captain, she raced off full speed towards Hawkorion. The other pirates noticed this, and stopped fighting to look up. "What is that mare doing!? a BirdBrain asked in exasperation. "Is little pony girl going to fight Hawkorion?!" a Cross Crow asked. "That's suicide! No one's ever beaten Hawkorion one on one, or against any other odds!" A Raven Lobber exclaimed. "Little ponies should prepare funeral for rainbow friend, cause she's standing outside Death's door." another Cross Crow said. This alarmed the rest of Mane Five and they couldn't help but be considerably worried about their friend and her wellbeing.

[On the masts of the Bloody Orion]

Hawkorion was still deep in thought when a loud boom caught his attention and made him snap out of his thoughts. Looking up he saw a rainbow ring traveling outwards growing larger as it expanded. in the center he saw the rainbow pegasus who had the nerve to call him an old crow traveling towards him at sonic speeds with a hoof pulled back. Responding with ninja reflexes, Hawkorion blocked the incoming punch with mediocre effort. The odd thing was: His entire upper arm was glowing crimson. He blocked the next couple of punches as he then swiped his arm at the pegasus as she dodged with expert speed. Rainbow went to deliver another punch but Hawkorion dodged it, grabbed hold of the mast and circled around as he did a somersault and landed a ways away from her. Rainbow landed on the mast.

The two just stood there staring at each other, not moving, and not blinking. Hawkorion hanged back a little and said "Quite the reflexes. I take it your the powerhouse among your friends?" Hawkorion asked. Rainbow smirked and said "I don't mean to brag, but I'm pretty good at hoof-to-hoof combat. I take your their captain? Hawkorion was it?" "Indeed. I am Captain Henry Hawkorion Crowford, the captain of the vessel you stand on." Hawkorion declared bowing to her. Straightening up Hawkorion took a step forward and asked "So... what gave you the guts to take me on?" Rainbow smirk turned serious as she said "Your the one orchestrating this attack! I take you down, your crew will surrender, and Ponyville will be safe. Simple as that, it'll be a cake walk!" she declared. Hawkorion laughed at her "You? Defeat me? Sorry if you don't know how impossible that is. Only one person has ever beaten me in combat, and that's my older brother, Hawkmungus, who is currently locked up in the brig." he said pointing to the brig below.

Rainbow gaped at him "You locked up your own brother? Why would you do that! He's your family isn't he? Why lock him up!?" Rainbow asked with a determined look on her face now. Hawkorion lightly laughed as he said "You don't understand my relationship with my brother. We're both pirates me and him. We have our own separate crews to, he controlled the Skyhighland Sky Pirates, while I controlled the Bloody Orion Sky Pirates." he said smiling at the memories then he frowned and glared as he continued "Then, he chose to throw the pirate life away, and be a Sensei/Teacher/Skylander/Mentor at the Skylander Academy. No rhyme or reason, no tragic event, no nothing. He just accepted it and changed his ways simply because Eon dared him to change his ways and use his abilities for good instead." he said exasperated. Then he drew his katana, Orion's Wrath, and pointed at Rainbow as he looked at her with a glare that had fury in them, and said simply "That's not a good enough reason to abandon the family business in my books." they stood still, letting the wind blow by them as cherry blossoms fell by them from a nonexistent source.

[Meanwhile at Twilight's Castle]

The young six, the CMC, and Spike were outside on the balcony after reaching the castle. Scootaloo looked up and saw Rainbow Dash was standing on the mast of the Bloody Orion with Hawkorion standing across from her, katana pointed straight at her. Scootaloo stood up a bit and declared "Guys! Rainbow's about to fight that Hawkorion guy!" This caught everyone's attention as they rushed towards the balcony's edge to look at what Scootaloo was seeing, and sure enough, there it was. Rainbow Dash at blade point across from Hawkorion about ready to dual. Cherry blossoms coming down, for some reason? "Whoa, she's right! Rainbow's about to duel the pirate captain!" Smolder exclaimed as Scootaloo ran off to tell the rest of the Rainbow Dash Fan Club.

[Back on the masts of the Bloody Orion]

"Before we duel... I'd like to know the name of the mare I am about to take the life of." Hawkorion said, honestly wanting to know. Rainbow smirked "Heh, the old crow thinks he can "off" me. Anyway, the name's Rainbow, Rainbow 'Danger' Dash, but my friends call me Rainbow Dash. Or just RD for short." she said telling him her name. "Rainbow, hmm? Timberbeak!" A BirdBrain slid down from the rafters of the masts. "Yes, Captain?" he asked. "Give her your katana, will ya. Ye know how I like to fight." Timberbeak grabbed his katana from it's holster and said to Dash "Been nice knowing ya, kid." as he twirled the katana around till the sharp end was down and the handle was up and he offered it to Dash.

Dash looked at the Katana, mildly surprised, then took the handle and therefore the katana. Once Timberbeak was sure she had a good grip on it, he let go and climbed back up to the Crow's Nest. Dash tested it a bit, and swung it around a couple times. Once she was sure she had a handle on it she flapped her wings and merely hovered there, holding the katana in a poised to attack pose. "GO RAINBOW DASH!" "GET HIM!" "KICK HIS FLANK!" Rainbow was slightly startled by this and glanced off to the side as she slightly lowered the katana. On the castle's balcony she saw her fan club, Spike, & the Young Six cheering her on. All shouting words of encouragement to her. She smiled and smirked as she poised the katana again with a now determined look on her face. Hawkorion looks at her with an unreadable expression. "I see you have a fan club. You must be a respected figure to be worthy of that." Hawkorion said. "Well, I can't lie, I am somewhat of a celebrity here in Ponyville." Rainbow said, flying to the side as Hawkorion followed her changing his position so that he was facing her as he chuckled "Well then, it'll be a shame to traumatize such youths... When I bring them your bloody corpse in an Iron Maiden." he declared.

It was at this moment that Hawkorion threw the first attack by leaping at her Rainbow dodged out of the way and threw a strike back as Hawkorion swiftly turned to block it as he flew further away from Dash! Hawkorion then flipped to where his beak was facing Dash while his feet pointed away from her. He pulled his legs in... and kicked. A crimson aura flies out of his feet as he's propelled back towards Rainbow, Orion's Wrath at the ready. Rainbow swung the sword to block as Hawkorion used the force of the clash to somersault over her and back onto the mast. as made another swipe at Rainbow. Rainbow wasn't quick enough to dodge as the katana grazed her side a little, a small amount of blood dripping. Rainbow winced in pain as she reached for the wound. Hawkorion took her distraction and slapped her across the face! She's momentarily stunned as she's losses consciousness a bit and falls.

Hawkorion leaps after her. Rainbow wakes up slowly and realizes she's falling! Waking up completely, she see's Hawkorion falling besides her as he swung the katana at her. Rainbow brought the katana she had in front of her for a block which she completed in doing. Hawkorion made another attempt at her but she dodged. Hawkorion swung the sword above his head and twisted it around and stabbed it into the main mast of the Bloody Orion. Hawkorion still having a grip on it used the momentum to swing around clockwise on the handle of the sword and land confidently on it's handle. As soon as he landed he starting throwing his fists forward. Surprisingly crimson waves of aura flew out of his thrown fists. Rainbow did her best to dodge them but one managed to hit her hooves.

………………It Burns....

"GAAAHH!" Rainbow screamed in pain as she was forced open her hooves and throw away her katana in retaliation. Forced to tend to her now burned front hooves. Looking at them she saw they were bleeding a little bit. She touched her hooves together and immediately cringed in pain. Seperating her hooves quickly she hissed in pain from moving her hooves to quickly as they still stung. She opened her eyes and looked at her hooves. Then she glared at Hawkorion without clenching her hooves.

Hawkorion looked at her calmly then said with sorrow "I was aiming for the sword." Rainbow continued to glare at Hawkorion and said "Well you sure as heck hit your mark. Mmm." she mumbled in pain clenching her eyes shut and cringing. "What the heck is that crimson stuff? It felt like it cooked my blood." Rainbow asked with a demanding tone. Hawkorion reached into his shirt and pulled a gold necklace with a ruby in it. "It's a type of magic forgotten to time in Skylands. "Orion Force", it's called. This necklace is the source of it: Orion's Blood Ruby. It's difficult to master but once you know what your doing, you can do anything. I stumbled upon it in a cave near a place called "The Lost City of Orania" back when I was in my early twenties. You couldn't imagine how surprised I was when the cave turned out to be a tomb... for Orion himself. In his Sarcophagus I found this necklace, and hieroglyphs depicting the properties of the Ruby. The hieroglyphs told me that the necklace could be used for just about anything. Increasing speed, strength, durability, stamina, teleportation, fixing, healing, even generating bursts of aura to attack with, and manipulation." Rainbow listened intensively, having grown interested in the necklace. Hawkorion glanced at the necklace and said "That last one's an ability I don't typically like using. Manipulation extends to objects, AND people. I don't like manipulating my opponents, as I would prefer them to fight of their own free will, and be capable of defending themselves. Which is why, for that last reason, I'm declaring our duel over." Hawkorion finished simply.

Rainbow gawked at him. "Wha- Over! Are you telling me your simply ending the fight because my hooves are burned!? Or are you to chicken to fight me!?" Rainbow asked angrily. Hawkorion shook his head and said "I'm no chicken, RD. I have my own set of morals too. I don't fight my opponents if their either sick, crippled, or can't defend themselves. And I have a VERY strict rule against the harming of children!" Hawkorion said strictly as he beat his fist against his chest and said swelling with pride "I follow MY own code of honor! This is my advice to you, go home and lick your wounds. And just make this easy on you and the citizens of Ponyville, and hand over Spike. I don't like this anymore then you do, but orders are orders." Hawkorion finished seriously. "Just hand over Spike, please." Hawkorion calmly requested. Rainbow shook her head "No! I'd never betray my friends like that! Spike's my friend, and I say he stays here with us, and I'll never stop fighting you until you're defeated! I'll fight you till I'm the brink of death if I have to, if it means my friends will be safe!" Rainbow declared fiercely.

At Twilight's Balcony the group of kids couldn't but gawk at the epicenes of the fight but now... it was starting to turn deadly. And they heard the entire conversation between Rainbow Dash and Hawkorion, considering the Bloody Orion was only a few yards away and they were shouting. They heard Hawkorion's telling of the Blood Ruby (Smolder, and Spike licked their lips at the site of the ruby), his declaration that the fight was over, which made them moan in sadness, wanting more. They also heard his speech about his morals and Rainbow's exasperation that the fight was over. The colt from earlier finally knowing why the pirates didn't attack happen. Hawkorion had a rule against the harming of children. Then heard Rainbow's declaration of loyalty to her friends and those she care's about. Those who were close to her and a friend were honestly touched by her words, but they were all alarmed when she she'd fight Hawkorion till she's on her death bed.

Hawkorion simply stared at her, absorbing her words. Then he noticed a faint glowing coming from the necklace. Glancing down at it, it was pulsating a red color. As quickly as it came the glow vanished. After 3 minutes of just standing there in silence he said "A very noble speech there Ms. Dash. I am honored to know such a loyal individual. You deserve every ounce of appreciation you get. I will comply." Hawkorion then lifted his arm and held an open hand towards her as the Blood Ruby glowed crimson along with Hawkorion's hand and Rainbow's burned hooves. Rainbow looked down at her hooves, she could feel the pain numbing down to the point where she could flex her hooves without cringing in pain. "Another ability Orion's Blood Ruby has is numbing pain. A useful ability, but the more you use it the less effective it becomes. We shall continue our fight. I'll give you five minutes to defeat me. After that, I will answer your declaration if I have not during these next five minutes." Hawkorion said getting into a ready position while still balancing on the handle of his sword. Rainbow smirked and got into a fighting position.

As soon as the clocktower bonged 12 the fight resumed. Rainbow rushed at Hawkorion fists clenched and started throwing rapid fire punches at him which were promptly blocked. Then Hawkorion leaped into the air and sweep kicked causing an crimson wave to be released. Knowing what happened to her hooves she quickly flew out of the way. Hawkorion fell and pulled out his sword then disappeared in a wave of crimson light. Rainbow saw this and realized this must have been the teleportation ability he mentioned and promptly looked around. Hawkorion suddenly appeared behind her in a wave of crimson light and as Rainbow turned to him, he promptly punched her in the cheek before vanishing again. He reappeared beside her and kicked her other cheek making it red as it bled a little and then he vanished again. Hawkorion appeared below her and kicked her in the stomach as Rainbow lurched back in pain as Hawkorion then swiftly rushed up to her and punched her in the jaw sending her flying onto her back. Hawkorion then appeared above her and made a rushing downward kick once again striking her stomach once again. In a free fall now Hawkorion lifted, Orion's Wrath and plunged it towards Rainbow's head. She managed to grab it with the flats of her hooves and stop it from advancing any further but it was difficult. Hawkorion was strong. The tip cut into her nose a little, like a needle from a shot, but Rainbow mustered all her strong and shoved the sword away from her and threw Hawkorion off of her. "My turn!" he said as she kicked the sword out Hawkorion's startled hands and into the crow's nest above.

[In the Crow's Nest]

Timberbeak was watching the fight going on in Ponyville. He had a chart in his hand and was working something out when he realized 'We're losing' he thought comparing the pony's 60 KO's and their measly 13 KO's. Then he heard the sound of metal stabbing through wood coming from right under him. Daring to look down, he saw the captain's sword stabbing through the floorboards of the crow's nest, and it was a millimeter from impaling him. He's looks at the viewers and swallows hard.

[Back to Rainbow Dash vs. Hawkorion Round 2]

"Whu?" asked Hawkorion caught off guard as Rainbow punched him in the gut. Then she punched him across the face and just started whaling on him, throwing punches to his gut and face before ending by bucking him in the jaw sending him flying into the mast, hard! The force of the impact was so strong it cracked the wood, startling Timberbeak up in the crow's nest. Hawkorion recovered just in time for Rainbow to rush back to him and deliver another blow to his face before he got the upper hand again.

Catching her hoof, he threw her aside and leaped from the mast. Rainbow recovered quickly and flied as fast as she could to catch up to him. Hawkorion blocks yet another fast blow from Rainbow and lands with a hand gripping the mast while he held Rainbow at bay. His other and was meanwhile holding a book he pulled from...somewhere and was reading it. The title read "10,000 Ways to Royally Screw Over Your Enemies." While being held at bay Rainbow kept punching his leg, it hardly bothered Hawkorion but it was starting to bruise. He closed the book and threw it away, and threw Rainbow to the side. "Two and a half minutes left Dash! Best start picking up the pace!" Hawkorion told her.

His sword up in the crow's nest suddenly glowed crimson. Rainbow recovered and was about to punch Hawkorion again when something sharp grazed her shoulder. She screamed in pain and clenched her shoulder. slowly uncovering her hoof from the new wound, she saw even bloody clean cut with blood pouring out of it. Looking up, she saw a sight to behold.

Hawkorion's Sword, Orion's Wrath... was floating. "Look! No Hands!" Hawkorion said excitedly as he was now a mast above, leaning against the pole. The katana swung around three times before slashing at Rainbow as she flew out the way still clenching her shoulder. The sword quickly doubled around and threw a crimson aura wave at her. Rainbow dodged the beam but quickly flew off again when another beam was thrown at her. She breathed swiftly to catch her breath but she was denied the break as the seemingly now ghost sword appeared in front of her. Orion's Wrath swiped downwards at Rainbow who managed to halt her momentum so she didn't get cut in half. Not without getting a cut straight down her chest though. "AAAAHH!" Rainbow yelled as she clenched her bleeding chest. The sword reappeared behind her and slammed it's hilt into her causing her to crash into the mast below the superpowered crow.

Rainbow slowly climbed up onto the mast and stood up to the captain of the Bloody Orion, holding her injured hoof against her chest to stop the bleeding. Hawkorion looked at her as Orion's Wrath calmly floated next to him. He had some mild respect for the mare. He respected her because even after the beating she's taken, and the injuries she's sustained, she's still standing. He admired her resilience, and fighting spirit, but she was way to prideful. That pride was going to get her killed. She's refusing to except she can't win, he knows she is. Because he was the exact same way in his teenage years. Rainbow needs to know when she's licked and admit defeat.

Rainbow looked at the pirate and asked "I take it that's the manipulation aspect you mentioned?" she sounded tired, like she was struggling to stay awake. Hawkorion nodded "Affirmative. Manipulation of objects. A useful ability but I really only like to manipulate objects, not living things." he turns to the side and looks at the horizon "You see the act of manipulating living things disgusts me. Essentially forcing them to do what you want whenever you want, it sickens me. Whether it be through lying, black-mail, mind control, pressure, guilt-tripping, and what ever else you can think of, it's wrong. The fact that we ourselves, The Bloody Orion Pirates, are only hear because of a mere threat, doesn't help matters. It also doesn't help that The..." he used air quotations "'Supreme Ruler of All The Known Universe'" end quote "is the one holding all the cards, and we're backed up so much we literally have no choice." Hawkorion finished. Rainbow looked generally curious now and asked "If..." She struggled to remain standing "If you're so against This Ultimate Source of All Evil manipulating your crew, then why are you helping them?" Rainbow asked, feeling like collapse from exhaustion at any moment. the crow closed his eyes and said "We don't have a choice. I grow tired of sharing my life's story and explaining myself to you. Time to end this." Hawkorion snaps his fingers.

The sword then glowed crimson as it then started appearing and disappearing at lightning speeds. The injuries she sustained were taking their toll on her as she nearly unable to dodge properly. She kept accumulating cuts and scrapes all over her body. cuts were cut on cuts and on her burned hooves and right now the numbness spell was starting to wear off. Rainbow was about through and she knew it so after the blade cut through her again she mustered her remaining strength and flapped her wings to get out of the way of the sword.

Once she was out of the way of the sword, you could very clearly see the battle damage. She cuts and scrapes all over her body, she lost some of her mane and tail, cuts on her wings as she was struggling to remain air born. To top it off, she was loosing blood, a lot of it, to the point were her vision was becoming blurry.

Hawkorion leaped up in a crimson streak and with a crimson aura surrounding his leg brought it over Rainbow's head and slammed it on her. Rainbow had swiftly turned around as quickly as her body's current state would allow and only saw the foot come down on her before she blacked out.

[Meanwhile on the Castle balcony]

The group couldn't believe what they were seeing. They were seeing Rainbow Dash getting beaten. Badly. Yes, she got a few good punches in but Hawkorion was clearly the dominant fighter. They were all having a very difficult time watching this as they watched Rainbow getting attacked by seemingly a ghost sword. Even though he didn't directly cause this, Spike couldn't help but feel a little guilty. It was him they were after. Why they want him, he doesn't know, but it was something that worried him.

They were after him.

They were after him and him only. So maybe if they got what they wanted, they would leave everycreature alone. Spike looked up with conviction. He knew what he had to do.

[Meanwhile down in Ponyville]

Twilight was blasting away the pirates as quick as she could so she could go help Rainbow but these pirate's weren't allowing it. It's like they were deliberately trying to keep her and her friends from interfering with the battle going on up on the Bloody Orion. This didn't sit well with her, She and her friends should be up there helping Rainbow but their stuck down here with pirate duty. She doesn't doubt Rainbow's strength but she's been hearing her screams from the ship and couldn't help but worry about what was going on. Something was going on, she was sure of it. Then a boom occurred, rattling the entire town, shattering every window that hadn't already shattered in the battle. Stopping fighting to look up they saw a dust cloud kick up on the masts of the Bloody Orion. Then another boom and dust cloud appeared as something hit the deck, the dust cloud being bigger now. Then several more occurred as something crashed through the floors of the ship until finally it hit the bottom floor and crashed through that as something fell out of the... It was RD! And she wasn't awake! Twilight immediately rushed to save her friend but a Cuckoo Clocker appeared and dragged her down, not permitting her to help. The others saw what was going on to and tried to run to help her but were facing similar problems.

[Inside the Castle of Friendship]

The doctors from Ponyville Hospital had since arrived and were helping Fluttershy treat the injured. Fluttershy was currently tending to a pony with some serious burns when she heard the crashes occur. They startled her and everypony else in the castle as they happened one after the other. Then they stopped and something crashed landed on the ground, hard. Fluttershy was worried and wanted to check on her friends but she knew she was needed here so she remained. "Go." a nurse pony spoke. Fluttershy turned and noticed it was Nurse Redheart. "Nurse Redheart?" Fluttershy asked. She smiled at Fluttershy and said "Go check on your friends. We got things covered here. Don't worry." she said reassuringly. "Oh, Thank you, Nurse Redheart!" Fluttershy said and finished tending to the pony she was working with and flew off to make sure her friends were fine. Though she wasn't prepared for what she was about to see.

[With Hawkorion]

Hawkorion floated in the air in a crimson aura for a moment before folding his arms into an "X" and zooming down towards Rainbow as he surrounded his forearms in a crimson aura, using his strength enhancement ability from the necklace. With the momentum and the enhanced strength ability engaged, the force creating a massive dust cloud as his attack collided with it's target.

Twilight, her friends, and Celestia gathered around the crater, the pirates finally letting them by. The dust slowly cleared and they could see a lone tall figure emerging from the clouds, and it wasn't pony shaped. Hawkorion slowly emerged from the debris, a neutral look on his face. The Mane Four, and Celestia ran to the crate, ignoring Hawkorion as he walked past, to check on Rainbow. To say the least, they were horrified at what they saw. Rainbow lied on the ground unconscious, battered, bruised, and bloody. She had scrapes all over her body, and her hooves were burned and her wings appeared broken beyond repair. There was blood dripping from her dislocated jaw. Worse of all, she had a huge gash in her head. Where blood was pooling out at an alarming rate. The only sign that she was alive (albeit barely) was the slow breathing in her chest. "RAINBOW!!" They all shouted in worry and rushed down to her side. Fluttershy had just arrived when she saw Rainbow's body. "RAINBOW!!!" she shouted in worry as she flew to her friends as fast as her wings could carry her. They all huddled around her worried and trying to get a reaction out of her.

Princess Celestia stood off to the side in shock and appall, horror etched onto her face. Never in a million years would she have thought that she would have to behold such a grave sight. She never once had to look at one of her subjects turned into such a bloody mess. This wasn't just a attack, this was an act of war. Nothing she, or her sister have ever faced had ever escalated to something this serious. She was now truly frightened, frightened about the threat that now loomed over Equestria like a wolf staring down it's prey. There was a war coming to Equestria, a big one. One so big she's frightened it might spread beyond Equestria's borders. She didn't know what to do. For once, she was lost.

It was at this moment that a pirate decided to shatter the horrific and tense atmosphere by walking up to Hawkorion and saying in the most casual tone anyone could use in a situation like this. " So, how'd it go?" he said.

To be continued...

Author's Note

Well now, that's the new first chapter of Skylands' Darkest Hour. And honestly, I'm feeling confident about this run and this chapter. I decided to change it up a bit by splitting the story up into Arcs, and going from there. I currently have over 30 arcs (in order) planned for this story and there's going to be more. Whether they'll remain in the order I currently have them in, is unknown, but I am excited to tell this story. If I'm being honest I think this chapter conveys the seriousness of the situation WAY more than the original did and I am feeling pretty confident in myself. Until next time! Emperor Wolfgang Out! Arooooooo!
Next Time: Nightmare's Beginning Arc: Stowaways of the Bloody Orion.