Twilight let out a sigh of relief as she sat her quill down. Bright sunshine poured through the colorful windows of Canterlot library, giving the stack of brown parchment in front of her a luminous glow. She carefully levitated each page up and diligently searched each one for errors. A bead of sweat ran down her cheek and she became more nervous. She'd been writing letters to Princess Celestia for years but none of them had ever been this important. This was her final assignment and quite a peculiar one at that.
For the past few years her training from the princess had changed significantly. As Twilight's mastery of the arcane sciences became stronger, her assignments had to grow more difficult. As talented as this young unicorn was she was still missing something that a true master must understand. It is no secret that Equestria has experienced great periods of turmoil in its past, and has most certainly seen its fair share of battles. In the days before Celestia's rule ponies met in armed combat to slay their brothers and sons. They fought not just among themselves, but with many of the other residents of Equestria.
Now, under the ever-guarding protection of the princesses, combat spells were reserved exclusively to the royal guard. Although they were the only lawful possessors of such knowledge, there were quite a few others that knew the ways of old. Twilight had done a report a few years back and learned first hand how well they could relieve stress. Her horn let off a purple glow as she began to focus her energy. Suddenly, a shaft of ice appeared and shot around the room followed by two more. They all struck the middle ring of a target Twilight had posted across the room from her desk. Shortly after, a grey mare came trotting up the stairs and shot Twilight an aggravated look. Twilight blushed as she floated the target down and returned to her work.
Her final paper was a report on one of the most feared creatures in all of Equestria, the manticore. Her introduction was perfect, detailing the process that created such an odd beast. The legend tells of an epic battle between a lion, a bat, and a scorpion in an attempt to appease the gods. They fought fiercely for many moons and gained the favor they so desperately seeked. The gods chose to honor them by making them one beast that would truly be a force to be feared and respected. They went on to spread chaos and multiply, strengthening the power they had over all other beings.
Twilight stopped to remember her own encounter with the beast. Fluttershy was able to calm the manticore with her compassion, which didn't sound a lot like a savage beast to her. The explanation became clear in her next section on the structure of manticore hierarchy. All manticores are born into a pack and must fight for their position in the pack. The prideleader is the alphamale that calls the shots and commands the most respect. His subordinates will fight loyally by his side and willingly die for the pack. However, when a manticore is separated from his pride he will no longer be living by pack mentality and will become significantly less hostile.
Twilight's concentration was quickly broken by a knock at the door. She trotted over to the door and opened it to find a not so little purple dragon carrying a bundle sack across his shoulder.
"Surprise!" Spike shouted as he grabbed Twilight and gave her a big hug. He had grown so much since she'd seen him last, he now stood almost two feet taller than her. "I missed you so much!" He said as he hugged her tighter.
"I missed you too Spike, but I thought you had one more semester left?" Twilight said.
"Yeah, I did but Professor Smokestack said I'd learned enough to graduate early. It was so much fun Twi. I got to be with other dragons who weren't mean and I learned all sorts of cool stuff about my culture."
"Well that's great Spike, I'm glad you had fun. Since your back would you mind giving my final paper a look over?"
"No problem Twi, let me just put my bags in here." The dragon disappeared into the next room and re-emerged a few moments later wearing a cape of green and purple. "You like my new cape? Rarity sent it to me while I was at school.
"It looks lovely Spike." The dragon walked over to the desk and began to look over Twilight's letter. After a few moments Spike's belly began to churn as he belched out a sealed roll of parchment. Twilight quickly grabbed the letter and began to read it.
The kingdom is in great danger Twilight. I've known this day was coming for quite some time. Me finding you was not by chance. It was written in the stars since the beginning. I've done my best to guide you in your journey but now I fear my time is short. The second coming is here and Equestria needs something worth fighting for, something to believe in. You are special Twilight Sparkle, you always have been. Go now and be the hero the land so desperately needs. Fulfill your destiny
"Hmmh, that's strange. I wonder what she means." Her thought was cut short by a piercing screech from outside the castle. Twilight and Spike rushed over to the window to see what was happening. On the horizon a group of winged figures race toward the castle at amazing speed, snapping and whipping their barbed tails back and forth. From over the mountains Celestia and Luna descended on to the beasts and began to shoot beams of magic toward the pack. They swung their mighty tales and deflected the magic, sending it back toward the princesses. They combined their power and created a wall of flames to entrap the manticores inside. The beasts charged right through it, unhindered by the flames nipping at their coats. In a last ditch effort the princesses formed a shield around themselves. The manticores beat at the shield mercilessly, wanting nothing more than to end the princesses. The force became too much to bear and their shield came down. Right before they were overwhelmed a bright light flooded Twilight's vision, and just like that the princesses were gone.
***
Deep in the darkest depths of Tartarus lives a beast so sinister, so evil, that many little ponies wish to forget. One day long ago, it broke free and laid waste to the land. Some say to feed his insatiable hunger for chaos he would eat little fillies, especially the ones that keep messing around in my tool shed! The father shouted, derailing the bedtime story he was reading his daughters. The two fillies looked back at him in confusion from behind their blankets, which they were previously hiding under. The father regained his composure and continued with the tale.
But all was not lost, for the same gods that created this beast also created a means of destroying it. Legend has it that a glorious scepter was forged from the stars themselves. It fell to the surface and lay untouched for many moons while the beasts destroyed Equestria. It seemed as if all hope was lost, but then a mighty unicorn stepped forward and was blessed by the divines with an ancient power, so strong it rivaled even their own. The road she walked not a simple one, leading her from the highest peaks, to the lowest pits of Tartatus itself. She drove the beast back to where it came and locked it away behind a magical barrier. The land was saved and ponykind could rebuild from the ruins that littered the countryside. And that they did. Most ponies think the barrier can hold but every now and then you'll hear of a strange attack. They could be anywhere... maybe outside your window! The father screamed followed by shrieks of terror from the little fillies. He placed the book down and slowly got up to leave. He got to the door and said "good night" before blowing out the candle.
Suddenly, a dark creature burst through the bedroom window, spraying shards of glass all over the floor. The beast let out a thundering roar, shaking the house and terrifying the children. The father took the candle holder and attacked the beast, swinging wildly in a protective rage. The manticore's stinger shot towards him and missed his side by just a few inches. When the chance opened up he swung the candle holder down across his head making a loud *ting*. The strike did little but anger it, which afterward it let out another roar that blew the father's mane straight back. It swiped at him with its massive paws and slammed him against the wall. The force left him disoriented and barely on the edge of consciousness. Quickly, the manticore scooped him up and took off out the window, leaving the room a disaster, but the children unharmed.
***
"What do we do?!" Twilight chanted over and over as she raced back and forth through the library.
"Twilight, look at this," Spike said but was ignored by the frantic purple unicorn. She was in her own little world of chaos, she hoped it was just a bad dream but she knew it wasn't. She was in disbelief but the rational side of her mind assured her that what she just saw was all too real. She gathered all the supplies she thought could be useful, along with the book on manticores she used for her report.
"Twilight." Spike said again louder, but he still couldn't get her attention. "Twilight!" Spike shouted with a short puff green flame flaring from his nose. This was enough to stop the crazed unicorn and get her full attention.
"Yes Spike, what is it? We don't have time to chat."
"That wasn't all to the letter, this came attached to it." Spike passed Twilight an intricately crafted golden key with an inscription in an unfamiliar language. It had a note attached to it with a piece of string.
There is a locked box in the Royal Hall. I think you may need what it contains. Make haste.
P.S. I don't expect you to be able to read the ancient texts on the key. It's the third from the left.
"Ok, now we know where to go first! Sorry about that Spike."
"Aw it's fine Twilight. Don't worry about it."
"Question is how do we get over there?" Twilight asked as she gazed out the window. When the princesses vanished they took a lot of the manticores with them, but she could see more out on the horizon.
She turned back to see Spike spreading a set of scaly wings from behind his cloak. "When we lived in Ponyville I rode on your back all the time. I guess it's time to return the favor," He said smiling back at her.
After a few moments they stepped out onto the balcony and prepared for take off. Twilight jumped on Spike's back and got the best grip she could on one of his spikes. After a few practices flaps the two lifted up from the balcony and started out toward the Royal Hall. Aside from the eminent danger, Twilight was beginning to enjoy the wonder of flight. The wind nipping at her mane as Spike increased in speed, the beautiful view of Canterlot from so high was just breathtaking. Her wonder was cut short as a building set aflame entered her view along with quite a few more. As they touched down on the Royal Hall's balcony Twilight looked back to see the pack was quickly advancing towards Canterlot. The two raced in and searched frantically for the box. Quickly they realized there wasn't any boxes in the whole room. What did catch her eye was some new additions to the room she'd never seen before. A pedestal sat beside Celestia's throne facing the wall with five glass cases.
"So, she said it was the third from the left," Twilight said as she pulled out the scroll and opened it. When the scroll was moved the others spontaneously burst into purple flames. An eerie voice spoke to them as the text began to appear on the parchment.
There is no point to fight it hoof to hoofs
Power enough to smash ships and crush roofs
To be encased would not be fun
Yet it still must fear the fiery sun.
"Wow, what could that possibly mean? Where's Zecora when you need her?" Her thought process was cut off by a deafening roar from the door. There stood a massive female manticore whose coloration varied greatly from the ones twilight had seen before. She stood over ten foot tall and had a mane of orange and red that resembled a hot flame. She strolled in with the true presence of a leader, emitting a sense of superiority by her aura alone.
"Well well well, what do we have here. Oh, this must be the infamous Twilight Sparkle, Celestia's prized pupil. Yes, I've heard so much about you." She smiled with a devilish grin that could have put Discord's to shame. "So, now Twilight Sparkle, give me the key and I'll spare your life in exchange for your eternal servitude!" The manticore let out a sinister burst of laughter which filled the room.
"If you want this, you’re gonna have to come get it!" Twilight shouted waving the key in front of her face. She quickly shot a beam of energy at the beast, but she was able to dodge it. The manticore took flight high above her and swooped down spewing hot purple flames. Twilight quickly brought up a nearly clear blue shield around her and Spike. The flames licked at the magical barrier and caused it to flicker, but it stood strong. Twilight dropped the shield and produced two fireballs and shot them toward the beast. They both hit, bursting like fireworks and showering the hall in sparks. In the heat of battle she had a moment of clarity.
Power enough to smash ships and crush roofs, yet it still must fear the fiery sun.
"I got it Spike! I know the answer!" She shouted as she pulled up the shield once more. "Ships hit glaciers and hail can damage roof, but the sun can heat them up and melt them!"
After the second pass was over Twilight dashed over to the pedestal and started forming a shaft of ice. She launched it at the marking in front of the pedestal, and seconds later the wall began to slid down revealing a secret passageway. They both ran in and immediately after, the wall slid up behind them, sealing them in and the manticore out.
"Woah, what is this place Twilight?" Spike asked while carefully examining the corridor. The pair walked along slowly through the pathway, Twilight's horn guiding the way with a small orb of pink light.
"I don't know Spike, but I have a feeling this place hasn't seen visitors in quite sometime." Twilight said before running face first into a giant cobweb. The mare let out a small yelp as she frantically tried to clean her face off. Spike couldn't help but burst into laughter at the flailing mare. When she finally got free she shot the hysterical dragon an angered look before continuing.
Each wall of the corridor was covered in painstakingly intricate engravings, carved from what appeared to be solid gold blocks. Each panel showed a different scene from the dark ages, a time period filled with suffering and chaos before Celestia's rule. The first panel featured a scene from The Great War. At that time the three races were not unified and cared not about the other's affairs. The first strike took the unicorns and earth ponies by complete surprise. A dual operation conducted by the best pegasus and griffin flyers the skies had to offer left the land-dwelling races crippled. Tensions had been high for years, but nopony expected such a bold preemptive strike. In desperation the earth ponies formed a truce with the unicorns, although their horned brothers had something else in mind. Earth pony spies discovered a plot to assassinate numerous generals of their rebellion.
Needless to say, the truce was off. The ponies fought fiercely, unaware that their struggles were being fed on by an ancient evil. Greynor the Wicked was eagerly watching as they butchered each other, growing stronger with each soul destined for the underworld. When the time was right, Greynor ascended from Tartarus and unleashed a unholy wave of chaos across Equestria that lasted for over a decade. He used his sick necromantic powers to form an undead legion, shaking ponykind to its core. Villages burned, castles fell, and with each victory Greynor's force became more powerful. Pony society collapsed upon itself, leaving only the most cunning and resourceful ponies to carry on. Just when it seemed that Equestria was lost, a champion appeared to challenge the mighty beast. Arnok the Wise lead the final stand for Equestria, along with a group known only as 'The Protectors'.
"Twilight, I gotta bad feel--'
"Who dares to defile the Shrine of Temperance! Speak now lest we smite thou from existence!" The voice thundered from down the way. The two quickly reached the room to find a masterfully carved statue depicting three mares holding various weapons.
"I am Twilight Sparkle of Canterlot. I was sent here by--'
"We know who you are! Tis just a formality! Why have you came to this most holy of places? Do you seek riches? Or maybe tis unlimited power thou seeketh?"
"Maybe we should just let her tell us, sister," a much softer voice said.
"Stay out of this! I and I alone will deal with this intruder and that is final! So, speak now little mare and be judged before the power of the divines!"
"That's my sister, always the drama queen," a third voice chimed in, full of playfulness and cheer.
"I SAID STAY OUT OF IT!" the first voice boomed, the force blowing hard through Twilight's mane. The trio descended into petty quarreling; Twilight and Spike couldn't help but look to each other and giggle. After a few moments the arguing suddenly died down.
"Well, it looks like somebody needed a time out," the third voice said. "So Miss Sparkle, what brings you to our little corner of the universe?"
"Celestia sent me after a manti-. Wait, did you just say your corner of the universe?"
“Um, technically we're outside of what you would consider space time. This realm lies atop your own along with many others. A place where your laws of physics do not apply.”
Twilight let out a squeal of delight. "Omigosh, this is so exciting. I have you write a letter the princess..." She trailed off, thinking back to both the princesses disappearing. "So I guess that was why I'd never noticed the passageway?"
"Correct, Celestia did an excellent job of keeping it hidden. On many occasions she would enter our realm to seek our guidance, just as you are now. She was never alone when she shaped Equestria into the great nation it is today, she's had a helping hand since the start. You being here could only mean one thing, Greynor is back."
"Yes, and he's not alone. On the way here we saw at least twenty of them on their way to Canterlo,t along with a few that were already there. Why is this happening?" Twilight asked.
"Give us one moment to fully evaluate the situation in Equestria." The statue began to pulse with a blue light. Small orbs of colorful lights began to appear from the walls and began spinning around the statue. They began to move so fast the light stretched, giving the appearance that they were long strands of light opposed to orbs. They suddenly erupted from the statue's top like a volcano, showering the room in rainbow colored sparks. The raw orbs of magical energy hit the ground and regrouped a few feet in front of her. They quickly began shaping themselves into a large sphere that glowed and hummed quietly. After a few moments, the light show died down and the sphere just hung there, as if being held in place by invisible guide wires. The pair sat anxiously waiting for the statue's response for what felt like a century.
"So are you gonna tell us what happened or not?" Spike finally blurted out.
"Ah, yes. From what we can tell Greynor has broken the seven seals and is attempting to fulfill an ancient prophecy, much to the discontent of your princesses. I'm surprised your Celestia hadn't noticed his presence until now, she was always keeping a steady eye towards the future."
"That's just it, my last few years she's been teaching me destructive magics and other seemingly unnecessary subjects. I just brushed it off as things necessary for any mage to know, but now I see why."
"Correct, shes been shaping a hero Miss Sparkle. It appears as though she and her sister were able to teleport themselves and Greynor to places unknown, maybe a different dimension altogether, for we can't know for certain. This path you must walk is a dangerous one, but Celestia wouldn't leave the fate of Equestria to a mare she felt was incapable of such a task."
"So what now, where do I start?"
"Travel north to Frostborn mountains, there you will find the first piece to the puzzle. But beware, Greynor's mistress is the master of the dead. Her necromantic powers seem to have already taken hold."
"Ok, I'm ready. Question is, how do I get out of here?"
"I'll handle this!" The booming voice sounded as a thick stream of blue energy poured from the statue, smashing into Twilight and Spike and launching them towards the back wall. The two hit the wall and burst into tiny blue sparkles that seemed to disappear shortly after.
***
"Big Mac, we need more swords pronto!" Apple jack shouted as she armed the rest of the apple family. The red stallion took a quick look over his shoulder to see a wave of sinister looking ponies approach before mumbling 'eeyup' and returning to the forge. In all they had eight members of the family at Sweet Apple Acres, the rest were out in Appleloosa for a rodeo. The younger ones seemed scared and looked to the elders for courage. Apple Fritter should tall beside Apple Pie, her green mane poking through her makeshift helmet. The family had seen its share of hardship over the years, but now their own land was under attack.
The attackers were mix matched in color, but they all looked faded with a hint of grey. Their eyes were devoid of all life, the pupil and iris had completely disappeared leaving it white as snow. The legions marched side by side, and shook the ground as they did by their sheer numbers. Flying close overhead was a manticore giving orders in some ancient tongue, and seemed to be giving off a faint wave of purple energy.
"Alright everypony, time to show these creeps what the Apple family's really made of!" Applejack shouted, signaling the rest to assume battle positions. They truly embodied the sense of underdogs, standing confident in their crude metal plating they called armor, holding maces and swords at the ready to defend their land, or die trying. On Applejack's mark they charged into battle and clashed with the undead horde. Applejack slashed at the attackers, each kill blow reducing the target to a cloudy of ash. The only emotions the legion showed was pain with each strike, letting out a blood curdling screech as they began to glow red for a split second before bursting. Apple fritter swung her mace with great precision, earning multiple kills on a few superbly placed swings. After a few minutes they began to thin out the horde and gain a better hold.
"AJ, there's more coming from Ponyville, alot more!" Apple Bloom shouted from her lookout in the barn. Applejack looked to see troops as far as the eye could see.
"Everypony, fall back to the wagon, we gotta retreat!" She said while crushing one of the beast's skulls. The rest of the family fell back and boarded the wagon while Apple Bloom helped Big Mac and another large buck get hooked into the front. When everyone was on board, Applejack cracked the reins and told Big Mac to get a move on. She took one last look back to see the horde getting smaller by the second as they rode along.
What the hay has Equestria gotten itself into this time?
