The crisp blue sky rested high and open above the planes bordering Equestria. Clouds were sparse and the green fields below were bathed in a brilliant sunlight. A cool wind blew through the grass sending dandelion seeds soaring into the open space. The scene was paradisaical. Such peace and space allowing one to truly relish in beauty of the simple sides of life. Rainbow Dash inhaled deeply, taking a second to let the air flow into her lungs and leave her feeling refreshed even when she was contained in her heavy and cramped plate armor. Relishing in the moment, she was suddenly disturbed by sounds of nervous hoof shuffling and feeble cries of panic. Below her stood an army of 100,000 ponies, clad in crude iron armor and rusting chain mail. This was Equestria's hope and pride shuffling in there ranks below her. Fillies, colts, mares, stallions, all of them here to defend they're motherland. None of them had real combat training, all the trained troops had been lost to the Spawn. Rainbow would have to rely on brute force and aggression to win this battle. They were not even armed, all the had to there defense and attack was there hooves and teeth. Among the able fighters stood foals and the sick. None had been spared in the call to arms. One small filly below her screamed and made to run, before being grabbed by her iron clad parents. More small foals shouted and wept, some making to desert others hunkering down and burying there small heads into the dry grass underneath them. Over the horizon, across the plane, came a black moving mass. Over 5 miles away, but still spreading in all directions across the planes. The seething black mass was the Spawn, a race of destructive creature, with skin of black scale and legs of pure sinew. the parasitic life forms moved through the lands, feeding of the flesh of all living creatures. Now they were bordering Equestria, even after the elite Canterlot guard had stood against them in viscous battle. They charged at full speed towards the small by scale pony army. Rainbow dash knew she had less than ten minutes to ready her self for the onslaught, but more importantly to ready the troops. She floated down and landed with as louder noise she could make on the soft ground. Standing tall, she cleared her throat and bellowed her words to the feeble force before them.
"The day has come, fellow ponies. Before us lies the sky, the ground, the green grass. The sky of Equestria, the ground of Equestria and the grass of Equestria. But look forward. Across our great land runs a black swarm of destruction and death. We will fight them here and now. But we do not fight for glory or gain, we fight for those that fell on the battle fields in our past, mother, fathers, daughters and sons, even sister and brother have fought for Equestria and now we stand in the same circumstances. Fight for them, remember your anguish at there deaths, then remember who did it. Them. The beast across this field. Look at them, hate them, charge on them, kill them. Today, the fields will run red with blood. May it be ours, may it be theirs, but it will be shed. Pegasi, take to the sky's in the charge, rain hell on our enemies. Unicorn's, your magic is your best weapon, burn them, shred them and destroy them. Earth Ponies, you who are so simple are perhaps the most powerful, charge them with all you might. Today, we will clam victory. Today, we will avenge our loved ones. Today, we burn our names, blood and bodies directly into our great Equestria's soil. Now, we march, then trot, then charge. Now push on to victory!"
Rainbow Dash took the first step, followed by another. Near the back of the pony army, a war drum laid down a slow beat. 100,000 hooves took a step forward, followed by another. The army moved forward slowly in one great mass. The Spawn let out a venomous howl. And moved faster, closing ground quickly.
"Trot" Hollered rainbow dash. Quickening her pace and repressing the demon inside telling her to turn and fly. Behind her armor began to clank and chink loudly as the poorly made strapping came loose under the motion. The many pegasi buzzed there wings in anticipation and the braver ponies snorted and weaved from side to side, anxious to taste vengeance. there was no more than two miles between the opposing forces and the air reverberated with the sound of hooves, armor and gnashing teeth.
"Charge!" Rainbow Dash screamed. The pegasi took to the sky's but kept in position with the ponies on the ground, ready to strike. Rainbow Dash continued on foot, she was determined to be first in, on the ground, her weakness. She would die, but her troops needed the courage given by a strong leader. She broke into a headlong charge, wings fanned out to give herself seeming greater mass. The roar of the charge was deafening. the beast were close, 500 meters, their maws gaping and froth bubbling from there salivary glands. The pony army let out a great roar, all the fears and nerves stamped out. They no longer saw a battle, they saw their time to die or to live. Small foals panted as they tried to keep up with they're galloping parents. Rage burned red in there eyes. The pegasi above dove towards the enemy, as hawk dives for a rabbit. Unicorn horns glowed, sparks erupting hear and there at the pent up magical energy. And earth ponies charged onwards at great speed, their sinewy muscles rippling under there sweat soaked skin. Rainbow Dash looked head on, a single beast charging out to meet her, its legs tearing at the ground and scatting up dirt and grass. She shook of her helmet and barreled straight for it. It was time, death or victory.
"FOR EQUESTRIA, CELESTIA AND LIFE!" roared the charging army, and with that they clashed. Rainbow Dash slammed into the beast heading at her with great force and they tumbled to the ground in a heap of feathers and scales. The beast tore at her armor, ripping of her chest plate. It's jaws clamped around Rainbow's neck. Her wind supply was crushed and blood spewed from the wounds. As her eyes closed and the ensuing battle turned from blur to blackness she spoke with her last words.
"Take me great taker, envelop me in your cloak. My time is now."