ACT 3: Chapter 0 - The Slime That Should Not Be

A New War Begins

Steel had thought the war was over.

Aldros was gone. His kingdom was at peace.

For the first time, he had a future.

But the past… was not done with him yet.

Far beyond the ruins of the Lost Empire, something stirred.

Something ancient.

Something that should have never awakened.

A force that predated even Aldros’ fall.

And when it rose from the depths of the earth, the land quaked in terror.

Glorish, the Ancient Slime.

An entity of living hunger, an intelligence born from the raw essence of decay itself.

Once sealed long ago, it had waited, hidden beneath the ruined world—until now.

Now, it was free.

And Equestria would suffer for it.

The First Attack

It began without warning.

One morning, as ponies went about their daily lives in Canterlot, the ground split open.

A tide of shifting, glowing ooze poured from beneath the streets, devouring everything in its path.

Buildings collapsed as the slime consumed stone, metal, and magic alike.

Ponies screamed, fleeing as the massive form of Glorish rose from the depths.

A colossal, gelatinous entity, shifting between shades of green, blue, and violet, its form constantly changing.

Faces of long-forgotten creatures flickered across its surface, whispering in voices that should have never been heard again.

And then, it spoke.

Its voice was a thousand echoes, layered over each other like a choir of the damned.

"I… have… returned."

Its massive body stretched toward the castle, tendrils of ooze lashing out, consuming everything in their wake.

Equestria’s greatest city was falling.

And there was only one being who could stop it.

The Golem Awakens

In Ponyville, Steel’s golden eyes snapped open.

His core shuddered, a sensation he had not felt in centuries gripping his frame.

A force older than Aldros.

A presence he had long forgotten.

“… No.”

His voice was low, but filled with absolute certainty.

He rose from his forge, his massive form casting a long shadow over the town.

Twilight and the others rushed to meet him, concern on their faces.

“Steel?” Twilight called. “What’s wrong?”

Steel turned to her.

And for the first time in a long, long time…

There was fear in his voice.

“Glorish has returned.”

The ponies froze.

Rainbow Dash blinked. “Uh… who?”

Steel looked toward the horizon.

Toward Canterlot, where the sky was darkening with unnatural energy.

He did not turn as he spoke.

“… An enemy far worse than Aldros.”

He began walking, his steps shaking the ground beneath him.

And as the ponies hurried to follow their friend,

Steel prepared for war once more.

Because if Glorish had truly returned…

Then Equestria itself was in danger.

And this time, the past would not just be remembered.

It would be fought.

To Be Continued…