Chapters Equestria, Canterlot
The storm lashed at the windows. The rain howled and pounded at Canterlot Castle. Through all of it, Princess Celestia watched. She sighed, and looked back at the large amount of files on her desk. They were the latest reports from the front. Ever since Sombra returned, and conquered the Crystal Empire, corrupting it and summoning an army of demons, things had never been more grim for Equestria. Troops died by the hour, and more and more territory was lost to the King of Shadows. Celestia was, suffice to say, not optimistic they could win.
"Whoever is out there…" She murmured. "Please...help us."
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Crystal Empire, Citadel of the King
King Sombra watched from his balcony at the city below him, populated with demons and his own creations, the Golems. Made of silver crystal, they were controlled by dark magic. Once unleashed on any foe, they were nigh-invincible. They featured a heavy bludgeon on one arm and a manipulator arm on the other. Sombra turned back to see a rather interesting report from one of his generals, Kazin, appear in front of him.
To my King and my lord,
We have made a discovery in the northern mountains, your highness. It is a portal of some kind, made of pure blue metal and crystal. It radiates energy at a power surpassing anything we can muster. I request that a force of three Golems be sent to investigate what lies on the other side.
Kazin
Sombra smiled as he wrote his reply in the air.
Your request is granted, Kazin. Find out where it leads, and report back. If met with resistance, crush them.
Sombra.
==============
At the portal site, Kazin watched a force of three Golems be prepared to enter the portal. The general had previously noticed that whatever dark magic that came near the portal was instantly dispelled, meaning that the demons could not pass through, leaving the Golems as the General's only option.
"We are ready, General." The lead Golem rumbled.
"Go." He replied. The three Golems lumbered into the portal, and soon, it closed behind them.
=========
Main Gate
It was nighttime on Cradle, and most of the Isoran Spiral Knights were asleep in the Garrison's barracks, or out on night watch. But for the Spiral Wardens, they never slept. Two Wardens watched the main gate, and they were close to dozing off. Then, one of them tensed up and pulled out his binoculars.
"What is it?" The first Warden asked.
"Three unknown contacts." The second said. "They're like Tier 3 Silversaps, only made of...crystal, by the looks of it.."
"Silversaps made of crystal?" The first said. "Alert Lieutenant Feron that we have might have company."
"Roger that." The second replied as he activated the Comlink to the Hall of Heroes.
=========
Feron was perked up from his nightly work at the Main command center as a result of his comlink beeping.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Lieutenant, this is Warden Pyrhus. Three unknown constructs made of crystal are approaching the gate. I do not know if they are...Wait! Stay where you are! AGH!"
"Warden?" Feron barked as the line went dead. "PRYHUS?"
There was no reply. Feron growled and accessed the Haven alarm system, setting it to Stage Alpha, meaing a direct threat to Haven was imminent. He then tapped into the barracks PA system.
"All knights, this is Lieutenant Feron. Haven is under attack, I repeat, Haven is under attack by unknown hostiles. This is NOT a drill. Man your battle stations, Desna and the Recon Rangers, report to the Main gate IMMEDIATELY."
As the alarms began to blare, Feron drew his Leviathan Blade and headed for the gate.
=======
As the Knights grabbed their weapons and headed to their stations, four Knights in particular grabbed their gear and headed for the gate. This was Theta Squad, and they had been asked to reinforce the gate at Desna's request.
"Let's go, Theta." Corrus said. "Whatever they are, they took out the wardens and are running loose the the square. We've boxed them in, but they've taken out nearly ten rangers already. Lock and load."
"Sir, yessir!" Pellas, Halvir, and Revan replied. As they rushed out, they were joined by five more Spiral Wardens and Lieutenant Rhendon's Scarlet Scouts.
"Ready to kick some ass, Corrus?" Rhendon asked.
"You know it, Rhendon." Corrus replied. "Heads up!"
A Recon Ranger smashed through the wall of the Garrison and landed with a heavy groan.
"Medic!" Rhendon cried, and two Scarlet Scouts rushed forward. Corrus drew his Glacius and with a war cry, entered the square. Suffice to say, things weren't going well for the Rangers. The Defense Turrets set up by the Rangers had boxed them into a corner, but the Constructs were barely being scratched by the plasma from the Turrets.
"Corrus!" Desna cried. "Good to see you've made it!"
"Anytime, Desna!" Corrus replied as he used a Charge Attack, sending a plume of ice towards a Golem, freezing it in place.
"Sitrep!" Rhendon cried.
"Whatever they are, they're tough!" Desna cried. '"We've barely dented them!"
"Leave it to us!" Corrus cried. "Pellas, get a Callahan shot on them! See if we can at least slow them down!"
"Roger that!" Pellas replied as he dashed into the line of fire. One of the golems attempted to smash him like an ant, but Pellas saw the attack coming. Pellas shield-charged past the blow and charged up his Callahan.
"Lights out." The bulky knight replied as he fired. The shot smashed into the golem, sending it tumbling to the ground, where a combined attack from Desna and Corrus shattered it into bits.
"Two left!" Corrus yelled as Pellas braced himself as the remaining Golems bashed his Shield with repeated blows.
"Aim for the legs!" Rhendon cried as his Blitz Needle filled the lower leg of the lead Golem with needles, causing it to collapse.
"Noted!" Halvir cried as he dragged an unconscious Recon Ranger to safety. As the lead Golem was killed by Desna's Leviathan Blade, Corrus faced down the last one. He dodged a smash from the Golem's arm and slid under its legs, slicing them as he went. As it collapsed, Corrus charged up his Valiance sidearm.
"See ya." he said flatly as a massive orb of blue energy slammed into the Golem, blowing a hole in its chest. As it self-destructed, Corrus sighed and sheathed his weapons.
"Casualties?" he said after catching his breath.
"Multiple wounded, and surprisingly, no dead." Desna said. "Those things aren't in the Database. They're Constructs, that's easy, but how'd they get here?"
"I'm not sure." Revan said. "However, the fact they attacked us on sight means they're not intelligent. Probably they were brought here by someone, or something."
"Gremlins?" Pellas asked.
"Unlikely." Revan replied. "This crystal isn't something we've seen in any Gremlin tech. Furthermore, the Gremlins haven't been able to strike at Haven directly at any point in time."
"True." Rhendon said. "Well, what now?"
"We find out who brought these things here." Lieutenant Feron said, walking forward with a squad of Medics right behind him. "In the meantime, have all personnel in Haven and the Clockworks on Status Bravo. If these things come back here again, we must be ready."
The knights saluted and set themselves to their tasks, such as damage repair and gathering the wounded. Feron then noticed something strange. One of the Golems was glowing. He touched its chest, and it disintegrated, leaving a shard of black crystal.
"Whatever you are…" He murmured. "We will find you, and we will crush you."
Author's Note
My third Spiral Knights story. Hopefully this one won't be deleted or discontinued.
Do you like it?
Cradle, Haven.
Two Days after attack.
Lieutenant Feron walked towards the Command Center, sighing as he stopped to watch several Knights patch a hole in the wall from the attack.
"Such a waste." Feron groaned. Three Recon Rangers and two Knights had been severely wounded, enough for them to be out of action for at least another month. Thankfully, no one had died, or had to use their Emergency Revive. Feron then noticed a comms notice on his wristpad.
Lt. Feron, It's Data Knight Alris. We need you in the lab as soon as possible.
Feron broke his stride and entered the lab to see three Data Knights scanning the crystal we had retrieved from the Crystal being.
"What did you get?" Feron asked.
"We've managed to find out what this thing is." Alris said. "Think of it as a pseudo-brain for the being, allowing it to move and fight. However…"
Alris motioned to the crystal, which was crackling with black energy.
"It's currently infested with dark energy, similar to the Swarm's signature." he finished.
"There was no Swarm contamination anywhere near here." Feron mused.
"That's because it's not the Swarm. It's similar, but not the same. We're working on cracking into it without being incinerated in the process. We do know that if we manage to get the data, we can convert it to latent energy and we can see what or who sent them here." Alris said.
"Good work." Feron said. "I'll take my leave."
The Knights saluted, and Feron left. He stood at his desk and groaned, lowering his head.
"Feron?"
He looked up to see Lt. Barrus, normally found in the Arcade, walk forward.
"We've received a High-gain signal from Emberlight, a data packet. They say some high-ranking Gremlins are willing to negotiate a ceasefire."
"Negotiate?" Feron asked, surprised. "Why?"
"They say that their kingdom's status quo has all but fractured due to infighting after the deaths of Herex and Seerus. Seems multiple political factions are fighting for influence over King Tinkinzar. One of these factions, led by former royal advisors are requesting a meeting with us at Depth 7 in the Steel Phantom Gate. They call themselves the Blue Writ, whatever that means."
"That's a Wolver Den." Feron said, pulling up the Gate map. "No signs of Gremlin activity there. Very well. Take Theta Squad and several Wardens and see what the Gremlins have to say. Be careful, there's no way to know if this is a trap." Feron said.
"Yessir." Barrus replied, as as he departed, Feron looked at a small scar on his wrist. That scar had come from Operation Crimson Hammer, the costly assault on Seerus's Grand Arsenal. He himself had been wounded, and though it had healed, the mental and physical scars remained.
"Good luck." Feron murmured.
===========
As the elevator landed in the Wolver Den, Barrus, Theta Squad, and five Wardens were greeted by several Gremlin Thwackers, only they wore a different crest on their shields, one of a blue crown.
"You came." The leader said.
"We did." Barrus replied.
"Follow us." Was the reply. The ten Knights followed, and to their surprise, a full military camp was already set up, with tents peppering the area. Mecha Knights, Retrodes, and Scuttlebots walked about, though they didn't raise a single hand against the Knights.
"Inside." The Thwacker said, motioning to a rather large tent. Barrus and Theta squad walked in, and found an old Gremlin, leaning on a cane fashioned from a Thwack Hammer, waiting for them.
"So, you came." The Gremlin said. "I am Advisor Delrex, or at least I used to be."
"Used to be?" Barrus asked, sitting down.
"The Crimson Order saw to that." Delrex replied. "The King has gone quite mad. Fears that his own subjects, day and night, plan to kill him. He has secluded himself for fear of assassination. The Crimson Order are the only ones who see his face."
"I see." Barrus said. "I take it the other Gremlins aren't happy?"
"That is quite the understatement." Delrex replied. "The subjects are in fear. Tinkinzar's Secret Guard silence all who oppose him. The air we breathe is tinged with fear, of the King, and you."
"Because of Seerus?" Barrus asked.
"Seerus was insane." Delrex said. "He was not missed. It is the fact that you are even on this world scares the people. We once considered that we had the right to inherit the stars. You proved us wrong. We fear you because we know what happened at the Core Terminal. Herex left us a message."
"You know the truth?" Barrus spoke.
"Yes." Delrex said. "But tarry we must not. I have several requests for you."
"State them." Barrus replied.
"One, We wish to go to the surface, as far away from the Crimson Order as possible. Two, we need supplies and medical aid. Three, to oversee this, one of my trusted warriors will stay as a viceroy in your city."
"Your conditions are acceptable." Barrus said. "In return, we would like that any Knights currently kept prisoner be released, and their gear and weapons returned. Furthermore, we want samples of your construct tech to advance our own."
"Acceptable." Delrex said. "And you are in luck, Knight. I have managed to extract three of your squads from their captors upon our escape. Follow me."
Barrus and the Knights nodded, and they followed Delrex to a large tent, where several Knights, about twelve, were being kept.
"Lieutenant!" One cried. "Were you captured?"
"On the contrary, Knight, you're being freed. We just finished up negotiations with Delrex here. Grab your gear, we're heading back to Haven."
"Sir, yessir." They chorused. The Gremlins returned their weapons and equipment, and as the Knights and Delrex boarded the Elevator, a light wind blew.
=========
"What did you just say to me, Kazin?" Sombra murmured angrily. Kazin cowered before his King, petrified in fear.
"I said that our force was destroyed and a Golem Heart captured. They were skilled in battle, and possessed weapons unlike anything we have seen. And…"
"They did not have a magic aura." Sombra finished. "They defeated them...WITHOUT magic?"
"Apparently so, my lord." Kazin said. "They used strategy and their weapons to destroy the golems."
Sombra huffed.
"Kazin, this is troubling. If these beings join our enemy, it could mean trouble. Go to this word and negotiate with them. We must bring them to our side, by whatever means possible."
"Yes, my king." Kazin said. He departed, and Sombra turned away. He looked to a strange object his troops had discovered. It was an obelisk of a black and purple crystal, radiating with energy unlike anything the Dark King had ever sensed. Whenever he came near it, Sombra felt the one emotion he swore to never let show.
Fear
"Whatever you are…" He said. "I will conquer you. Soon, your world and Equestria will be mine."
Author's Note
Yep, update.
Next Chapter-Kazin comes to Cradle as Feron learns that Alris and the Data Knights extracted the Golem Heart's knowledge, giving Feron the upper hand. At the same time, Equestria's envoy in Twilight Sparkle manages to get to Cradle as well. Three paths cross, and the Knights must pick a side.
As Kazin prepared the portal for entry, in Equestria, Princesses Celestia and Luna watched the excavation of a similar portal from underneath Canterlot, in the caverns beneath the city.
"What is it?" Celestia asked her sister, who merely shrugged in reply.
"Whatever it is…" Celestia mused. "We must be ready, and we can't let our guard down. King Sombra's troops draw closer…"
"Princess!"
They turned to see Guard Captain Iron Bolt walk up.
"We've managed to isolate the energy signature that that portal is emitting. We think that there's another one on this planet."
"Let's hope Sombra hasn't found it yet." Luna said. "Can we open the portal?"
"Working on it." Iron Bolt replied. "It's tough going. The energy signature is unlike anything we've seen before. Our magic's not doing much."
"Stay with it, Captain." Celestia replied. Iron Bolt saluted, and walked off.
"Sister?" Luna asked upon seeing Celestia's thoughtful look.
"I think we should send somepony through the portal to see what lies on the other side." She replied. "Twilight, maybe?"
"Possibly." Luna mused. "A detachment should go with her."
"As always." Celestia replied. "Guards, alert us when it is fully excavated."
"Yes, princess!"
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Lt. Feron walked into the Haven square to a relieving sight. The holes in the wall had been patched, and Delrex had moved a considerable amount of supplies and tech into Haven. The Data Knights were thrilled to see untouched Gremlin tech, and Delrex had also been set up a liaison office to support the Gremlin operations that were now taking place alongside the Knights. A few Blue Writ soldiers were now working in the Lab. Feron sighed and continued to walk, until he noticed an incoming comms request.
"Sir?" Data Knight Alris reported over the comms. "We've cracked into the crystal core we recovered from the Constructs."
"And?" Feron replied.
"I was right. It was that being's pseudo-brain, or what's left of it. Apparently the "Golems", as that's what they're called, were dispatched as a scout force, by a being called "King Sombra". I can't get much more than that, for as expected, it was damaged. There's the chance that any more prying on our end could cause it to shatter, explode, or worse, and we'd lose all hope we have of finding who King Sombra even is."
"Thank you, Alris." Feron said. "If you find anything else, contact me."
"Yessir."
Feron sighed and walked into the Garrison. Before he could enter the Hall of Heroes for his meeting with Lieutenants Rhendon and Barrus along Desna and Intel Knight Kora, there was the sound of rushing air. Feron immediately drew his Leviathan Blade and several Spiral Wardens braced themselves. A purple and black orb formed in front of them, and it expanded, revealing seven strange, equine beings. Six were clad in armor of black crystal and bore pikes, but the leader bowed respectfully and gave Feron a demonic smile.
"My greetings." he cackled.
"Who are you?" Feron growled.
"I am Kazin, Ambassador of the Crystal Empire. I have been sent by my master to discuss negotiations with the inhabitants of this world."
Feron raised an eyebrow. Something about this "Kazin" felt...off.
"Alright, come with me." Feron said. "I am Lieutenant Feron, of the Isoran Spiral Order."
Feron and Kazin walked into the Hall of Heroes, while his Guards stood outside. The Wardens returned to their posts, though they eyed the equines with suspicion.
=========
Feron escorted Kazin to a private conference room, and the two of them sat down.
"Tell me...Kazin, your master seems rather...bold to show up in the middle of our Garrison unannounced." Feron said. Through his many years in the Spiral Order, Feron had learned how to judge if a being was telling the truth. And Kazin was not passing Feron's test, not by a longshot.
"My apologies." Kazin said. "My lord did not know where...our method of travel would lead us."
"And what might this "method of travel" be?" Feron inquired.
"A portal we found on our world." Kazin replied. "It was unknown to us, in design and function. We sent a scouting party to investigate...but they returned with nothing of interest to report." Feron immediately recognized he was lying, but decided to see if he could get more information.
"And did this Scouting party come in contact with anything?" Feron said.
"No." Kazin replied. Again, Feron knew he was lying. Before Feron could ask further questions, two comms requests opened up.
"Pardon me." Feron said, slipping out of earshot. He quickly tapped into the incoming feed from Theta Squad.
"Theta Squad, report." Feron said.
"More contacts, main gate." Corrus reported.
"Golems?" Feron said.
"No, sir. Seven of them. Equine. One calls herself "Princess Twilight Sparkle, of Equestria. We're holding them in the plaza. What are your orders?"
"Tell them I am busy and will join them soon. In the meantime...have the Wardens take up breach and clear positions around the Hall of Heroes, but keep it quiet and out of sight. And make sure that they don't leave the city until I reach them."
"Yessir."
Feron then entered Data Knight Alris's feed.
"We've managed to get further into the crystal brain." he reported. "This King Sombra is a real piece of work, and I don't mean that in a good way. From what I'm reading, this guy's on par with the Swarm in terms of just "pure, mind-bending evil". If the beings that made contact earlier are aligned with him, it means trouble. Big trouble."
"Understood." Feron said. "And one of his ambassadors, or so I suspect, is meeting with me. I think we have the upper hand, now that we know the truth. I'll see what I can get from Sombra's ambassador. In the meantime, tell Theta squad to bring their contacts to the plaza. I have an idea as to how we ascertain who is to trust."
"Roger that." Alris said as the feed ended. Feron walked back into the conference room, only to stop and hide behind the door. Kazin was speaking to a ball of ghostly black flame.
"Do they suspect?" said a voice that made Feron shudder. It was tinged with malice, darkness, and a cold tone that would freeze a Grimalkin in it's tracks.
"No." Kazin said. "They seem to believe me, at least for the moment. But we do have a problem, Lord Sombra. If the Golems weren't destroyed, then they could potentially find access to a Golem Heart…"
"And it is of no concern." the voice said once more. "They will join us or be crushed beneath my hooves. If the Equestrians arrive...deal with them."
"Yes, my lord." Kazin said. Feron had heard enough. He quickly ordered all available combat teams to the Garrison, and the Spiral Wardens to lock down the city.
"...And make sure those supplies are marked properly." Feron said, coming back into earshot of Kazin. "Thank you, Squire."
Feron sat back down, and smiled underneath his helmet.
"Shall we resume?" Kazin asked.
"We shall, but I think some fresh air would help." Feron said, baiting his trap. "Come with me to the Plaza."
"As you wish." Kazin said. As they entered the Plaza, Feron smiled.
"Hook, line, and sinker." he thought. "Let's introduce them to our...other guests."
=========
A few guards went for their blades…
A few more paled…
And one stood stalwart. Twilight Sparkle eyed Kazin with anger. Kazin's eyes furrowed at the sight of them.
"Well, it seems we are already acquainted." Feron said. "And I have a confession to make, Kazin."
He and the Wardens strode up and stood with the Equestrians.
"Did you honestly think I would be that stupid as to believe you and your lies?" Feron said, stalwart in tone and stature. "First, you lied about your scouting party. They did make contact with us, and they then proceeded to wound thirty-two Knights in a rampage that damaged a good portion of the Plaza. Then, while you spoke to King Sombra, I listened in, and learned your true intentions. I believe it was…Join you or be crushed? Next, we did recover one of your golem hearts, and we learned of its secrets, including the reputation of your King. I was...not impressed. And finally, I knew all of this before you even opened that pathetic mouth of yours."
Kazin flinched, but he snarled quickly.
"And you are fools to resist the will of my lord!" he barked. "Blind fools who do not know the power he has. He will wipe your pathetic existence away from the face of this world! None will stand against King Sombra!"
"Try as you might, I am not scared of him, nor am I scared of you and your threats." Feron said. "We have seen our world be devastated, our kind left to extinction, our future be ripped away from us in a fortnight. We have faced monsters with power that would make you scream and triumphed. Now, this is my ultimatum. Get out of our city and never return, or it will be war."
"War it is, then." Kazin cried as he and his escort vanished into thin air, quick as a flash. Feron lowered his hand from his sword and sighed.
"Put Haven on Lockdown." he sighed. "Status Bravo. Theta Squad, with me. Princess, if you will?"
Twilight nodded and followed Feron back to the Hall of Heroes, with Theta Squad not too far behind. As they all sat down, Feron sighed.
"Forgive us for that disturbance." he sighed.
"King Sombra attacked you?" Twilight asked.
"Yes. Three Golems attacked Haven and wounded thirty-two before they were destroyed." Feron said. "Some are still in the infirmary. But tell me, Princess. How exactly does Sombra factor into you coming here, to Cradle?"
Twilight nodded and gave an explanation of Sombra's rise to power, his supposed death at the Royal Sister's hooves, his rebirth and conquering of the Crystal Empire, and finally, the war with Equestria. Feron listened intently, knowing this was important.
"..So, that's how it is now." Twilight sighed. "We're at war, and we're losing hope."
Feron sighed.
"Princess, your situation is desperate, that I understand. But we have our own priorities and concerns. Do not mistake me, I do not want this tyrant coming to our world...but we cannot fight a war for you."
Twilight sighed sadly.
"But…" Feron smiled, walking forward. "I didn't saw we wouldn't fight it WITH you."
Twilight's jaw dropped.
"In exchange for fighting alongside your troops, we ask for help in restoring our ship, the Skylark, along with you supplying any materials needed to repair it. Also, we do not want to be used recklessly. We will function independently. Finally, once this is all finished, we'd rather like to go back to our own devices." Feron said, extending his hand. "Do you accept?"
"We accept." Twilight said, shaking his hand. "When can we begin moving troops?"
"Give us some time to round up forces, then we'll see." Feron said. "We'll contact you when we're ready to move out."
"And we'll be ready when you are." Twilight said. "Thank you, Lieutenant."
Feron nodded as the ponies vanished with a flash of light. Feron then headed to his original destination, the meeting with Rhendon, Barrus, Desna, and Kora in the Arcade Command Center.
