Equestria; Ponyville, Sugarcube Corner

The girls waited for the princess arrival to come, eating lunch and talking to one another when they heard a loud crash until coming into the bakery was Big Mac with Scootaloo on his back. The filly looked exhausted like she been running a marathon; Big Mac gently put Scootaloo down on the floor as she took careful breaths before quickly looking up at the girls, specifically Applejack.

“Applebloom… Sweetie… Fire… at… Sweet Apple… Acres… help,” said Scootaloo, collapsing from exhaustion.

After hearing this, both Applejack and Rarity stood up immediately; Twilight and the others followed suit and instead of running to the farm, Twilight called everyone together as she mass-teleported them back to the barn.

Once arriving there, they saw the smoke coming from the western orchard, but before any assumptions were made, two small voices could be heard from the barn. “Applejack!/Rarity!” shouted both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, at the same time.

The sisters hugged one another and checked to see if their little sisters were alright, after that they started to reprimand them about this recent mess. “Okay, what did you three do this time to cause a fire in the western orchard!?” said Applejack.

“We didn’t do anything this time; we were at our clubhouse when I smelt something and saw the smoke! I sent Scootaloo to get help while me and Sweetie Belle tried to run back to the barn… but we met face-to-face with some timberwolves-”

“THERE WERE TIMBERWOLVES!” shouted Twilight, worried. “How did you manage to avoid them?!”

“We didn’t… we would have been meals for them if it weren’t for Liliah,” said Sweetie.

At this, everyone gave confused looks, at the mention of somepony none of them knew of – and the name itself being strange. Applejack shook the thought away and focused her attention back at the main problem at hoof. “You can tell me when we get inside but first; Rainbow and Fluttershy, I need you two to gather some rainclouds and douse those flames! Big Mac and Pinkie, go and get some water buckets to make sure the fire does spread to close and Twilight, can you try something to smother those flames from growing any wilder!”

At this everypony nodded and headed off to stop the flames. “As for the six of us… we’re going inside to see this Liliah pony that saved my sister and her friend. Though I do wanna know why a bunch of timberwolves were in our orchard and why some strange would appear with all this happening.”

“Indeed, I like to give my thank yous for saving Sweetie here,” said Rarity, cleaning some dirt on Sweetie’s coat.

“But… Liliah isn’t a pony,” said Sweetie.

At this the two big sisters looked at the three fillies with confused looks – Applebloom and Sweetie gave their own shrugs while Scootaloo looked back with a blank look. “Don’t look at me, I have no idea who this Liliah pony is, I was sent to get you guys,” said Scootaloo.

“Well, let’s get inside, all this excitement is making me hungry,” said Spike.

As the group entered, they saw Granny Smith talking to someone but when the managed to get all the way in… the two mares, Scootaloo, and Spike froze as they stared at… well whoever this was. Sitting before them who was in the middle of a conversation with Granny Smith was a bipedal, skinny… minotaur-esque creature that wore some old dingy clothing – which almost made Rarity faint.

The biggest oddity was the large amounts of bandages around her, as she had her left leg covered in bandaged from foot to thigh, the middle of her torso was wrapped, while the left side of her face was also covered in bandages, making her a partial mummy. The stranger looked up with one eye before smiling; she had a sword leaning against the wall, a satchel beside her and some of her armor was in a beside her sword in a pile, leaving her barefoot and only wearing some clothing she had on her.

Granny Smith and the stranger were drinking apple-flavored tea, Granny Smith looking at the newcomers and smiled in return. “Applejack, you sould meet hour guest n the one woh saved Applebloom n Sweetie Belle from them timber’olves,” said Granny.

“Ummm, its nice to meet you,” said Liliah with a weak smile.

The group stayed silent until Scootaloo spoke. “...Can I touch your sword?”

An hour earlier…

After exiting the western orchard, Liliah was led b Applebloom and Sweetie Belle – they introduced themselves to her as they moved together to the barn – as they now stood before the Apple Family farmhouse. As they approached, exiting from the house was Applebloom’s grandmother, and the matriarch of Sweet Apple Acres; Granny Smith. “Applebloom; are you and ya friends alright?” asked Granny.

“We’re fine Granny, I told Scootaloo to go get help to put the fires out; we also ran into some Timberwolves, but Miss Liliah took care of them,” said Applebloom looking up at the girl.

“Well… it’s my fault for the fires, I’m deeply sorry for causing this mess,” said Liliah, bowing.

Granny Smith look at Liliah from head to toe, not flinching at her grievous looking wounds, before gesturing for them to come in. “Tis no problem, but it appears you got quite a lickin with them wounds of yours. Let’s get inside and get you all fixed up n wait for help to come,” said Granny.

The four entered inside and Liliah found the most interesting home ever; even though Liliah couldn’t remember much of her past life, she could remember never living in a proper home, so seeing the inside of one was… mesmerizing.

There were some armchairs, a couch, rocking chair for probably Granny Smith, bookshelves with some books, photos of family and friends, and a coffee table in the middle. All of this was a lot to take in until Applebloom nudged Liliah right leg which caught the girl’s attention. “Granny said she’ll make some tea and snacks, you wanna relax and wait; I’ll go get the first-aid kit upstairs so just wait here with Sweetie Belle,” said Applebloom. Soon the small filly went up the steps, and as Liliah watched her leave she gazed down to find Sweetie Belle staring at her before looking away with a tinge of red around her cheeks.

These… ponies are so hospitable… I hope they’re not afraid of me, too much.

Liliah soon felt all the adrenaline from today disappear as her bones and muscles ached; deciding to relax was a good idea, so Liliah removed her armor. First putting her sword against the wall near the couch she sat on, Liliah stood up and first removed the chest-piece and putting by her sword, then the gauntlets on her arms, then the armored boots, and finally the belt which held her scabard. After that she slowly removed the shredded clothing she wore when she ran through the Everfree Forest, slipping her satchel off and looking through it before she pulled out another shirt – a simple gray wool shirt – and slipping it in, that covered her upper body but left her lower torso just skin. The reason was because of the piece of her torso was missing would cause any shirts she wore to get stuck by the bones jutting out.

“Ahhh, much better...” said Liliah, sliding down the couch. For one quick second Liliah closed her eyes when she felt something around her right arm. Looking down was Sweetie Belle who was… giving her a hug. “Ummm, what you doing?”

“Oh, I, um… I was giving a hug because… well… aren’t you hurting?”

“Am I hurting?”

“Yeah, like your whole… leg is just bone, and a piece of you is missing, and your mane is so messy, it doesn’t look like it hasn’t been cleaned in days,” said Sweetie. “If my sister saw you like this she freak!”

Well I did avoid showering due to being tired from training with Master Xarcain. Liliah gave a light giggle before petting the top of Sweetie’s head which made the filly like the feeling, and push her head instinctively up to get as much of the feeling around her scalp.

“I’m… Do you know what a zombie is?”

At this Sweetie perked up and looked at Liliah. “Yeah, a zombie is an undead pony or thing… Why?”

Liliah had a difficult time to explain this, but after awhile she looked down at Sweetie once more. “...I’m a zombie, but not any zombie… I’m something called an ‘Undead’; Undead are smarter zombies and hold some coherency and natural movement…” Liliah saw the look of Sweetie as she was slowly scooting away, but before she did Liliah seemed to have a remorseful look, which made Sweetie second guest herself.

“You’re really a zombie,” said Sweetie, a little fearful.

“Undead to be precise, but yeah… Unlike zombies, undead don’t eat flesh or choose not to; I won’t hurt you I promise… I’m really far from home and I was hoping that the ones in this town would help me...” Liliah seemed to lower her head, as her eyes seemed to glaze over before suddenly felt a small weight on her lap and saw Sweetie giving her a hug around her.

“I’m sorry for getting scared of you; we ponies can be a bit frightful of things we don’t understand, but you just wanna go home. Nopony can blame you for that… I’m sure the rest of Applebloom’s family will forgive you for the fire, you were just trying to protect yourself.”

Liliah looked up at Sweetie and smiled, scratching her behind the ears. “You’re a good girl, Sweetie.” Sweetie smiled happily and hugged back; coming down the steps with a first-aid kid was Applebloom as she saw the two hugging, she placed the kit on the coffee table and turned toward them.

“What’s with the hugging? Did I miss something?”

“Oh nothing, just told your friend about something about me.” Sweetie gave Applebloom a short summary of what Liliah told her and soon she too understood, but said it probably be a good idea to cover her… grievous looks so everypony else doesn’t freak out.

With the help of Sweetie, the two fillies managed to wrap the parts of Liliah that were best to be hidden in bandages. “Oh, you two should bandage this as well.” Liliah parted her hair that was covering the left side of her face; that part of her face had two scars around her eye, but her eye itself showed her skull as the eyeball showed the veins and was somewhat malformed for some reason. The girls cringed and agreed that should be covered too; covering that part of her head swiftly, leaving her vision in half – which was fine with her – Granny Smith came back with some tea and snacks for the four.

“Here you go, my famous Apple Tea,” said Granny, giving a teacup to Liliah.

“Thank you.” Liliah picked up the teacup and took a sip, immediately loving the warm flavor and apple taste, finishing her first cup and getting a second and third later. A plate of cookies were also present as Applebloom and Sweetie ate some, with Liliah getting one or two as Granny and Liliah drank the tea.

“So… Liliah was it?” Liliah looked up at Granny Smith as she sat down on the armchair with a content look. The old mare while looking old was somewhat spry to be moving around without the help of any her grandchildren so she was stronger than she seemed. “You knot from them here parts, are yah?”

“No… You see, a friend of mine was bringing a new device made by some of our, well what you may call scientists, and test it out. Things… didn’t go well and myself and possibly anyone else near the explosion was sent away from our home; I don’t know how far or where we are but I’m not sure we can return home, but I know my master will find a way back.”

“You have a teacher?” asked Applebloom.

“Yep; Master Xarcain, he is the king of the land he rules, and watches over the lands with all under him united together. He is both my teacher… and...” Liliah had a smile before realizing she was reminiscing past events, and began to blush.

“Oh, this Carlain fella must be the special stallion!”

“He is much older than I… around a couple thousand at least-”

“He’s that old! He must be older than the princesses!” Princesses?

Soon the four began to discuss about each others homelands – Applebloom, Sweetie, and Granny talking about Equestria, its rulers, the town and what the knew; while Liliah talked about her home and the close friends and what she may consider family there. Some time later, Applejack and the others would arrive and soon meet Liliah… which would lead to some events to occur.

Equestria; Above the sky, some distance near Ponyville

Both Princess Celestia and Luna were in pegasi-flown carriages, plus the ten Royal Guard and ten Lunar Guard that followed behind them – the Royal Guard all being five pegasi, three earth ponies and two unicorns, the earth ponies and unicorns on their own carriages, while the Lunar Guard were all batponies so they flew beside the Royal Guard pegasi.

“Sister, do you see that,” said Luna, pointing with her hoof. Celestia also look and saw a large pillar of smoke what she assumed was Sweet Apple Acres. Worry spreading through her mind, Celestia quickly took flight toward the farm, followed by Luna but first ordering the pegasi-flown carriages to land by Ponyville, and also telling half of her Lunar Guard to check the status of Ponyville.

As the two sisters approached the smoke, they saw two familiar figures in the air – a yellow figure and blue figure with the colors of the rainbow – and once they approached, and recognized them to be Twilight’s friends, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, the sisters spotted Twilight smothering the last remaining embers with the help of Pinkie Pie and Applejack’s brother, Big Mac as they dumped buckets of water in the remaining flames.

“Twilight, what has happened here!?” shouted Celestia, landing before her old student.

Twilight immediately froze and faced Celestia with both her eyes twitching feverishly. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, you’re both here! I-I don’t know; Scootaloo came to Sugarcube Corner and told us that Sweet Apple Acres was on fire, so I mass-teleported everyone there and myself, Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Big Mac went to stop the fire from spreading while the Applejack and Rarity led the CMC and Spike inside the farmhouse. We still don’t know what caused the fire, but Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were apparently chased by some Timberwolves when-”

Celestia placed a hoof on Twilight’s snout, before giving her a motherly look. “Twilight, breath.”

Twilight followed Celestia’s advice, and breathed in and out until her breathing calmed down; soon the others came by and told what they knew about the situation. After listening she ordered the remaining Royal Guard pegasi and Lunar Guard to survey the area to find any clues of what started the fires. “Let us head to your friend Applejack and Rarity and see if they could get any information from their sisters,” said Celestia.

The group headed back to the barn, but as they approached, exiting from the barn were Applejack, Rarity, Spike, and the CMC, as well as another being that nopony recognized. This new arrival was partially covered in bandages – covering her leg, half her face, and a small part of her torso – and wore armored boots, gauntlets, and a chest-piece and had a sword with a scabbard connected to the belt she wore.

The other group noticed them, but when this new arrival spotted the princesses, she took a step back – her eyes showed fear… why though was unknown. “Liliah, what’s wrong?”

“Those three… they have the aura of holy magic around them,” said Liliah, muttering to herself.

Before anypony could ask what she said, Celestia and Luna approached them. “Fair maidens Applejack and Rarity, could you shed some light into what has caused this fire?” asked Luna.

“Well, this here girl by the name of Liliah was lost in the Everfree Forest and was heading to Ponyville when she was chased by Timberwolves. She used some sort of potion that could create fire and partially torched them wolves, and some of my orchard. Its all fine in the end and we gave our apologizes in the end; she did save my and Rarity’s sisters.”

“Is that so,” said Celestia, turning to face Liliah. “It is my thanks to you Lady Liliah for saving the lives of these young fillies… though I must ask – what are you exactly?”

“I’m… I am a human.”

Twilight immediately step forward in surprise – and was shaking in excitement. “You’re a human! You must be the first ever Equestrian human ever, because you look nothing like the humans back in the world I was in!”

“ITS NICE TO MEET YOU; MY NAME IS PINKIE PIE, WE SHOULD CELEBRATE A ‘Thank you for saving Applebloom and Sweetie Belle from Timberwolves’ PARTY! Also why are you dressed like a mummy?”

“The poor darling must have been injured fighting those Timberwolves,” said Fluttershy, worried.

“No, the wounds didn’t come from them – just got some bruises and scratches is all – these… are a long story.”

“Well while my and my sister’s guard examine the orchard for clues, we should head to Ponyville to make sure the populace is calmed from our untimely visit.” As the group left together, Luna slowly inched to her sister, and leaned her head so they could speak in privacy.

“This Liliah character… she is suspicious; we are sure that there are no humans in this world… and she couldn’t had come from he world Twilight was from as it looked slightly more advanced than ours… Her clothing, armor, and weapon suggest she is… possibly several centuries of Equestrian history when the armor back then was more… medieval than it is now. Something is amiss sister and it involves that girl,” said Luna.

“Indeed; I also sense something wrong about her… a dark presence of some kind… Similar to the same magic that was used… by dark spiritual magic.” As the two sisters talked, Liliah also kept her distance from them, when Twilight approached her for questions, but was also avoided too which made the bookmare somewhat… confused.

“Did I do something wrong, she’s avoiding the princesses and myself,” said Twilight.

“Well you three are royalty, she probably doesn’t want to get in your way, Twilight,” said Rarity.

“No… its almost like she’s fearful coming near us… What exactly do you know about her?”

“Nothing much, only that she met Applebloom and Sweetie, they introduced her to Granny Smith, had some tea and cookies and later we met her and were told the same story and that she’s a human… but those bandages though look really recent,” said Applejack.

“And those clothes of her are just horrid, she needs to visit my boutique for some fresh clothing later.” The girls sighed together, but while this was all happening, something amiss the trees watched them leave to Ponyville; the glowing eyes of something stared before glancing at Liliah, giving off a low growl as it vanished.

Equestria; Badlands

Once the six captains that were chosen for the wall-building were picked, the given ghouls and troops were sent off to find somewhere to mine while the other half of the captains stayed by Mt. Scyeal to build a foundation for the three mountains. Captains Terra Mons, Ferro Machina, and Ventus Tempestas – the captains of the earth, steel, and wind levels – were the ones to mine and transport the resources to the other half of the captains stationed by the perimeter, to build the wall. Captains Terra and Ferro were responsible for digging operations while Captain Ventus would lead his given forces to bring the required resources to the other three captains to build the walls.

Captains Terra and Ferro glanced at the mountains north-west of Mt. Scyeal, before facing their own forces – both Terra and Ferro were given each, five thousand ghouls, five thousand skeleton knights, ten thousand skeleton foot-soldiers, one thousand and five hundred imps to mine within the mountains. Captain Ventus was given fifty corpse wagons, one thousand minion imps, and one thousand skeleton foot-soldiers, but for now they made camp near the mountain for future mining operations.

“Okay, I want the ghouls under my command to start digging and create a tunnel system we can memorize and map out later for future use! The ghouls under Captain Ferro will pull out any rubble and resources to the surface so that Captain Ventus can transport the resources back to the builder groups!” shouted Terra. “Everyone get to work, stat; the skeleton knights and foot-soldiers will make a five meter perimeter patrol around the mine entrance and camp. Report if you see any unusual activity to either myself or Captains Ferro or Ventus.”

With that, everything moved like a busy beehive – both ghouls from each group began to work as in just a couple of minutes a tunnel system was made – as everyone began to create the mine, a campsite, and patrol paths which were intermittently switched every thirty minutes. Captain Terra overseen the production of the mine, until he heard someone approaching him from behind; turning around it, it was Captain Ferro – all of the twelve captains were named off the elements of the world, which also meant they had weapons and powers based off those elements.

Captain Ferro wore armor from foot to neck, and wielded a spear and tall shield, as Captain Terra wore a heavy-duty chest-piece and leather padding around his shin to his kneecaps, while his weapons consisted of a spike club and crossbow. “Something the matter Terra?” asked Ferro.

“Well… I am worried about King Xarcain; he has lost his steed once more and now his apprentice too. I wished he’d sent us out thee to find our missing comrades than being here to dig,” said Terra.

“Do not worry brother, the king may have his reasons for not sending out our other brothers-in-arms to find our lost forces. I am sure Lady Liliah is safe and sound somewhere, for now we should guide the forces given to us and make sure this project goes well and our fortifications are built to prepare for oncoming attacks that may come from the inhabitants of this world.” Terra nodded in agreement, guiding some skeleton knights to check the status of the mines so far.

I hope you’re correct brother… we have lost to much for the last thousands of years.

Equestria; Ponyville, Town Center

After calming the townsponies, the guards that Luna sent to reassure and check for damages in town came to report to their princesses what they found. “Everything is secure princesses, we managed to calm the townsfolk and told them to return their homes until you would return. We also searched the perimeter outside of Ponyville and found nothing of usual. The ones who were also sent to examine the crater also have something to tell you.”

“Bring us the mages we sent guard,” said Luna. The guard nodded and brought forth four magi who were led by a familiar wizard to Celestia – this wizard used to be a protege of hers, but now he was one of the few greatest wizards of Equestria this century to come – for his name was, Higher Mind.

“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna; I’m surprised you were coming today, I expect you to come tomorrow as I planned to stay here at the local tavern. Not that there is a problem with, but I have something important you must know; as when myself and the other magi were examining where Princess Sparkle’s experiment took place, the ambient magic leftover within the crater was… interesting to say the least. It was a mix of spiritual magic indeed, but we felt something else, we were unsure what it was but after further study, we found out what it was – it was a form of dark magic.”

This rung out gasps among everypony – except for Liliah and Pinkie both oblivious to what this meant – until Celestia pushed for further details. “Do you know what kind – shadow magic, chaos magic… corruption magic?”

“Sadly none of these, and while there appeared to be a mix of the three, there was fourth kind that was unfamiliar to any of us, even I. This magic while unnamed, is very similar to a banned practice that used to be done millennia ago; Necromancy.”

This brought more whispers among the group until Celestia raised her hoof to silence them before addressing them all. “Do not worry my ponies, we shall find out the source of this dark magic and see to it will not spread any further. Wizard Higher Mind, is there a way to track this form of dark magic?”

“Indeed, I already made a tracking spell that’ll any unicorn to see anything with this kind of dark magic either around or giving off any ambient magic like it.” As Higher activated said spell, a purple glow shrouded something behind the group, everyone turned around stared wide-eyed at the now glowing Liliah who stood beside the CMC. “It can’t be… She has dark magic pouring our of her – she has to be a dark magic caster!”

Immediately everypony scattered like mice leaving the Mane 6, both princesses, their guards, Big Mac, Spike, and the CMC who stood near Liliah. Realizing what was happening Liliah slowly reached for her sword out of instinct, but this caught the eye of Rainbow Dash and swiftly she flew straight at her. Tackling her, she shoved her against the trunk of a tree with such force that cracks could be seen splintering off the tree.

“Rainbow! Why did you do that!?” shouted Pinkie.

“She was going to pull her sword out, I knew she was bad news the second I saw her!” said Rainbow, puffing out steam.

“Then why didn’t you say anything?” said Applejack.

“Well… I wasn’t sure or not, but now I know she’s trouble!”

While the mares argued, Applebloom and her friends were about to approach the fallen Liliah, when Twilight and Rarity stopped them approaching her. “Rarity, what are you doing, we need to help her!” said Sweetie, trying to push past her sister.

“Stay back Sweetie, you too girls; I don’t know what is going on here, but I think we weren’t told the full story about Liliah here,” said Rarity looking at Applebloom and Sweetie who looked away. “Fluttershy can you make you watch these three.”

Fluttershy nodded and brought them to the back of the group; Celestia and Luna came closer, ordering their guards to surround and apprehend Liliah. As the guards slowing approached her, one of them levitating some shackles and cuffs, the bandages around Liliah slowly began to slip off, and as the one that covered her face fell, Liliah’s eyes both opened wide.

In a flurry of motion, Liliah pulled out her sword and swiped at each of the guards, each blow painful but not fatal or hitting anything important with precise strikes. All five the guards that surrounded her fell in pain as they writhed on the ground.

Everypony stared wide eyed at how quickly Liliah dispatched experienced and trained guards from both the Royal and Lunar Guard, but what was most shocking was what laid underneath her bandages. Her left leg was bare bone, a piece of her torso was missing showing her ribs, while her left eye was scarred and the eye bulged out. She’s a zombie.

“GUARDS! Capture this creature of the undead, we must interrogate it and find out where is the one who resurrected it is at and send any other poor souls that been corrupted with this foul magic!” shouted Luna.

Both the remaining Royal and Lunar Guard that were standing began to surround Liliah, as she was slowly backed up until she ran toward the edge of the trees that led to the Everfree Forest, but before she could reach it she felt several warm objects fly by her until something hot slammed against her back. She screamed in pain as she tumbled to the ground and skidded just meters from the forest; quickly but painfully she crawled toward the forest until she felt a weight on her back, with her sword knocked aside as it skidded to the forest.

The weight on her was the same pegasus who tackled her earlier, grinning down below with a smug look. “You ain’t going anywhere zombie!”

Undead, not zombie.

Soon the guards and the other ponies arrived but as they were readying to apprehend her, they heard a cacophony of growls and snarls. “Timberwolves,” said Spike shaking.

“No, this is something else,” said Celestia. “Everypony get back!”

“What, but I got her in my hooves, why is everypony backing off-” At the very second something shifted within the trees, first it started with a single set of eyes, then another, and then even more; soon the whole treeline was a sea of glowing eyes, but these weren’t the eyes of any creature familiar or native in the Everfree. Soon a small glow began to grow ever steadily until it began an ever consuming inferno… which was sent flying right at Rainbow Dash.

The flames consumed the poor pegasus, her screams of terror sending her off Liliah who was unharmed by the attack. The mare came sprawling toward the others where Twilight quickly used a water spell, dousing her in the water in the area into a blast of water which doused the flames. Rainbow was somewhat alright, but her feathers were pitch black while her coat was covered in a thick layer of soot from the flames.

“Who dares attack my friend! Come out there you meanies!” shouted Pinkie.

“You heard her you varmints, whoever you are you better come out before and come and drag you out!” said Applejack, agreeing with Pinkie.

“YoU asKEd, you SHall reCeivE,” said a distorted voice. Stepping out from the foliage… was something out of a nightmare; one by one, creatures from legend and from dark imagination would exist – dark knights, demonic lords, giant skeletons, demon hounds, and demon casters. The creatures stared back with varying looks but all of them were bloodlusting and hateful, stares until one of the most terrifying things stepped forth from the trees; another creature similar to Liliah except his whole head was a skull with two glowing orbs, as he rode an armored skeletal steed.

The guards shook in fear but kept their guard as they pointed their spears and swords forward in a ready stance. The girls stared back with equal horror, but the princesses were ones most fearful, not because what they saw was something impossible, but something that they have never seen for such a long time. “By Tartarus… creatures from Tartarus are here,” said Celestia.

The undead rider gazed down at Liliah, extending one armored hand toward her. “My LAdy ArE You AlRight? We ShOUld hEAd back TO the CaMp; ThosE Who WeRe also Loss have made ReFuGE WesTWard.”

Liliah grasped the hand and got back to her feet; she grabbed her sword and after sheathing glanced at the forces of the damned ready to charge and slaughter those who dare attack their master’s apprentice… but she would not allow that. “Hold your position,” said Liliah, authoritatively. Immediately, the gathered forces stood by, some of the hell hounds sat down with their tongues out in a playful matter, if it weren’t for the sharp teeth and flames that coated their bodies, they’d actually look adorable.

Liliah approached forward but didn’t get close that she get a reaction from the ponies; seeing this as a request to speak, Celestia ordered her own guards to stand by as well, approaching Liliah with both Luna and Twilight, the girls staying to watch – both the scene before them and Rainbow.

“What foul thing do you wish creature of Tartarus?” asked Luna, spitefully.

“Sigh; look, I don’t know what in the gods is a Tartarus, so unless you are referring to the Hellscape, then I’m not from there… I’m not even from this world,” said Liliah, an inch of sadness in her voice. “But I don’t mean to be any harm to you.”

“YOU DARE SAY THAT AFTER WHAT YOU DONE TO OUR GUARDS!” shouted Luna.

“I’m sorry I harmed them, but self-defense was my reason for attacking… I’ve been approached by strangers once before and it cost the lives of those who were previously under my command… So sorry if I had to watch my own troops get slaughter by people like you!” This silenced Luna as she glanced to the side but kept a piercing glare in return. “I only wish to say that whatever premonitions you think about myself or anyone like me… It isn’t what you think – in your world, this necromancy isn’t something shunned… rather if controlled properly it can be used for good… others became afraid, confused and this caused the kingdom I now help with to have fallen because of the greed and fear of others. I am not from this world, but seeing how you and your subordinates have the same feeling like those before, I can see any sort of alliance is impossible… All I ask is… please understand our side before you make any risky choices… you may do more harm if you blindly assume things of us. We won’t harm you, any of your citizens or any other nation unless threatened… we’ll leave peacefully and won’t come back unless we have a reason to… farewell.”

Liliah turned around and with the help of the corpse rider, she rode with the undead rider with the rest of damned forces following behind like tide of death. As they watched them disappear into the forest, Celestia faced her guards then Twilight and the girls.

“What do you want us to do Princess Celestia?” asked Twilight.

Celestia glanced at her fellow princess and stared where Liliah left with her forces. “...We will wait; I want some of the Royal Guard and Lunar Guard posted by Ponyville and every settlement that doesn’t have any proper defenses… it may appears another kingdom has come to the land of Equestria… one we must be wary of.” With that, the nearest guard saluted and like that every guard went to do that as one pegasus guard flew off to Canterlot for reinforcements.

“As for you and your friends Twilight… I want you to scan the surrounding area – all of Equestria – of any energy signatures that Liliah gave off, I will have Higher Mind here and the other magi give what information they gathered to make a device that allow to pinpoint the location of creatures just like Liliah. For now though, rest up and stay close to Ponyville…”

I fear dark times are coming for us, and all of Equestria… and the world.

Equestria; White Tail Woods

Liliah and the escort of troops that came to search for her returned to the camp they made; the camp consisted of forces from the advanced infantry and Xarcain’s personal forces – summoners, corpse wagons, death knights, imp lords, death golems, armored shades, giant skeleton archers, undead buccaneers, hell hounds, death assassin, imp casters, old ones, earth warders, death mages, decay death giants, alchemy makers, corpse carriers, and corpse riders.

One of the summoners approached her; the summoners wore robes with a symbol of an eye just like the one on King Xarcain’s left gauntlet, and had the ability to summon structures by using the resources gathered nearby. “My lady, I am glad you are safe and that we manage to find you before anything could happen. I have already sent a telepathic message to Lord Kaalgao, soon he will tell King Xarcain of your whereabouts… with you here, we not have a leader to properly guide us. What do you wish for us to do?”

Liliah thought of what action should be made; seeing as her first impressions with the locals did not go well, there was only one option left. “We need to remake contact with my master – we shall build a gateway to the Soul Cavern. I also want this camp to become a proper fort, also have the summoners to create wards to hide our location and aura signature from prying eyes; we shall make sure this will become a fine location for future operations to be made for the kingdom. Spread the word and have the gateway be our main priority, but do not forget that every action done and completed efficiently will be the betterment of us all to succeeding our current goals!”

With this, all those who were nearby bowed and knelt in respect to Liliah – she was indeed the king’s apprentice. “We live to serve, and we die to be under your rule; Lady Liliah,” said all the forces of the damned. We will make it, all of us, and we’ll come back to you master.. I will come back, soon.

Elsewhere, somewhere further north – Frozen North; Crystal Mountains

Among these icy mountains, was dense snow storm that made any who may trod upon them blind for as far the eye can see… but soon an armored hoof crashed into the snowy earth of these frozen wasteland. A stallion that was larger than any stallion, possibly taller than the princesses themselves stood over the very top of one of the many mountains that surrounded a certain empire at the foot of these mountains.

The stallion snorted out a stream of hellfire that melted the snow and ice into steaming hot water; the stallion gazed at the crystalline buildings, the spire that was centered in the middle… and the lacking of defenses that surrounded it. A train whistle could be heard as train began to approach the crystalline city, that was surrounded by a bubble of pure magic.

The hell horse, known in the Circle of the Corpse as the “Boots of Decay”; King Xarcain’s loyal steed, Decay. He stared at it with his hellish-red eyes before facing the dozens of troops that also ended up in this frozen wasteland – they reached over the ten thousands… possibly more as they trudged through the snow, unwavering at the slightest.

The massive army consisted of enough troops to take down the most highly defended of cities, no matter how well defended they are… but they weren’t here to invade, rather for directions as they were lost. They had summoners so they could build a gateway any time back to the Soul Cavern… but they needed an area to build and fortify, so their only option was to ask the aide of those of this city… though they may feel threatened by their appearance so the massive army stayed silent until they got close enough to speak to this empire’s leaders… This was the idea that went through Decay’s head.

The army was made up of – summoners, corpse wagons, ghoul berserkers, death knights, imp lords, death golems, death lords, chaos warriors, five bane of sin, a tormentor, death hunters, monstrosities, hell hounds, death assassins, imp casters, chaos casters, demon sorceresses, death mages, hell casters, death lichs, decay death giants, corpse carriers, five decay dragons, corpse riders, corpse giants, and a death digger. The army filled the snow wastes, the skies themselves, and even deep beneath; the massive army stopped still and silent, awaiting for orders.

Close… we are close… Time to move onward. With one breath of hellfire, he signaled the massive army to travel down the mountain, and head straight for the crystal city. No time stop stop; we won’t stop until we know where Xarcain is… I’ll find him, even if it takes forever.

Author's Note

Narration/Dialogue: Celestia

Thoughts: Liliah
Terra Mons
Celestia
Decay