The Nine to Free Them All

Ponyville: Rainbow Dashs' house, 2 days later

P.O.V Rainbow Dash

Ohmygosh!Ohmygosh!Ohmygosh! The new Daring Doo book just came out and I got the first copy! I cant believe it! I shoot threw the door to my house and went to my room to read my new book. I sat down with Daring Doo: And the Shadows of Minas Morgul and started reading. I hope theres alot of action like the last one! I read through the beginning where Daring Doo found a tip that there was a growing power in the ruins of Minas Morgul, the undead city. She then goes directly to the city where the sentry towers and gates are broken and gloomy. But when she gets to, what looked like, the main throne room, Alhrezotol attacks Daring Doo and ties her up. (Suffice it to say we all know what happens next) Then the unbelievable happens. Those same no-good rotten creatures from the gala send Alhrezotol packing and help Daring Doo. I couldn't believe my eyes, Daring Doo was considering an offer from the "Nazgül"?! The end was Daring Doo signing a letter to the Nazgül saying she accepted their offer. What happened next could only be explained as a 7.0 earthquake.

"TWILIGHT!!!!!!!"

P.O.V Jasper

Well that was some earthquake right there. I wonder what happened? Eh, we can figure that out later. I want to read my book about Middle-Earths wars.

An hour has passed and I have begun walking around my city. As I passed, I saw some guards forging spears and shields in the massive forges in the eastern part of the city. There were also some guards building scorpions and trebuchets on the walls, which will come in handy during an attempted siege. Shadow guards were also aiding in the rebuilding efforts and hunting, if we ever get a meat eating species. Once we start to get a steady flow of immigrants, we will need more food for the people. Late last night we talked about what species are aloud in. In the end, the argument "Help comes to those who need it" won and thus we shall accept anybody who needs help, though we will take precautions for species like changelings and griffons. As I was walking past the European-style houses, I heard a commotion at the gates. This cant be good. I thought to myself. I strolled down the street, admiring the newly planted birch trees, until I came to the gate. Then I heard a familiar voice shouting at the gate guards.

"I dont know who you bozos are, but im here to see your boss!" It didnt take a Draugr to figure out that that voice belonged to the infamous Daring Doo.

"Well well well, is that an archeologist I hear?" I ask in a mock tone. When I came into view on the ramparts, she scowled at me.

"Yea yea yea, I'm here now, bone head. Let me in already! This stuff aint light!" She says in a strained tone. I can visibly see the fatigue on her body, strained muscles, profusely sweating, and enflamed hooves. I signal the guards to let her in and to help her with her stuff, goodness knows how long she has traveled like this. The gate slowly opens. First to lower was the bridge, then opened the steel brace, and finally the 5-foot thick, solid iron doors opened revealing a platoon of guards that walked out and unloaded Darings wagon.

"You will be bunking in one of the newly built houses up the road, number 14. The guards will take your things up to the house, so just follow them and you should be good." I pointed up the road towards the corner house. "Just make sure you tone it down when heat season comes, alright?" She flushes red at my assumption but nods. I let her get settled into her new home while I walked down the lane. I continued on my sight seeing which ended up with me on the eastern wall overlooking the Everfree. I looked out towards the horizon where the sun is setting. It felt lonely with no-one around, no-one to keep you company all the time. Just me and my thoughts. *sigh* This upcoming wedding crashing is going to be a political nightmare. While looking out over the Everfree I noticed a faint rustling, and out came the last thing I wanted to see. A convoy of griffons and ponies were being chased by masked bandits with iron weapons.

"YOU ROYAL GUARDS, GET OVER HEAR NOW!!" As soon as my booming voice caught the attention of the convoy, they bolted for the gates, not caring who this settlement belonged to. Seeing this, I ran as fast as I could to the gates. "GUARDS TO ME!! GUARDS TO ME!!" A platoon of Shadow guard formed up at the gates in a standard column formation. I quickly got to the front and signaled to open the gates, which started opening slowly. As soon as the gates were open, I lead the charge out to meet the bandits. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Draugr and Lemur leading the archers onto the walls while everyone else were barking orders to the remaining Shadow guard. As we got closer I raised my sword and let out my screech, which in turn froze everybody except the guards and I. They didnt have enough time to brace the charge as the Shadow guard went in, pikes forward.

It turned into a bloodbath, the warriors were cutting the bandits down into ribbons. The initial charge resulted in about 15 of them being impaled on the pikes and several others were cut down by the Nazgül longswords the Shadow guard are equipped with. The battle itself didnt last, it was over in mere minutes. I discarded a corpse that I had cut down the middle and went back to the gates, guards in tow. As we were walking back I could already see the horrified faces of the convoy at the gates. I had several questions, most of which involved their governments. When we got back the ponies were banging on the door yelling "The monsters are going to kill us!" I chuckled darkly at their feeble brain processing. I walked up to them, with the guards still in tow, and engaged in diplomacy.

"So, what are Ponies, Griffons, and bandits doing in my country?" They ceased their banging and turned around. Some were panicking, some were unnerved, but the griffons in particular were looking furious and indignant.

"How dare you insult us by claiming the kings land! This land has always been part of the mighty Griffon Empire! You shall pay for defiling the kings land with your little fort, bandit!" A griffon with dark feathers said angrily. This was more amusing than Drak will ever be, so I started cackling like a mad man. The griffons looked even more furious at my display.

"You never have owned The Dead City and never will. This is our birthright and we have reclaimed it. If your king has a problem with this he can deal with me." I emphasized my point by putting a dark edge to my tone.

"Oh he will, freak!" And with that he flew off with his other griffon soldiers, abandoning the ponies to whatever fate befalls them. I was definetely going to go to war over that ALONE. I had half a mind to reenact the beginning of Mulan, but thought better than it. I turned back to the ponies, who were now quivering in fear.

"Does anyone else have a problem with my right to rule?" They hastily shook their heads. "Good, now we can move forward into diplomacy. Who is your leader?" A pure white Royal guard mare stepped forward and fixed me with a glare.

"That would be me. Who are you and what do you want from us?" She said sternly.

"We are Wraiths, and all I want from you is our secret kept safe." She looked at me incredulously.

"Really? No demands of precious goods or anything?"

"We do not seek fortune, but the safety of others. Speaking of which, do you have enough supplies to get you back to Canterlot?" She nodded. "Then get on your way, and remember keep us a secret. We can handle the griffons ourselves, we are far more versed in the ways of battle and warfare than them." The mare gave an indignant snort.

"Yeah right, no-one is more war-like than the griffons." She stated matter-of-factly. I chuckled darkly, which sent a shiver down her spine.

"We'll see." She was about to retort, but I waved to the guards to escort them out. After they were gone I went inside Minas Morgul, and the next thing I know I'm on the ground clutching where my gut was. I looked up to see Daring glowering down at me, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Drak sourly give Johnny 20 gold pieces.

"That was for the gala." She said before she flew off and left me with the others. After regaining my composure, Ragr came over to me

Whats the situation, boss?

Were gonna have a griffon army on our doorstep sometime after the wedding.

Ill get working on the defences and-

No! We stick to the plan. Everyone! Prepare for battle, we march in three weeks!

TO BE CONTINUED....