Balanced as Everything Should Be
Chapter Eight: Dominating Equestria!
Previous ChapterNext Chapter(Appleloosa) (Dodge Junction) Celestia PoV
How did this happen so quickly?
About thirty minutes ago a tan pegasus had burst into the throne room in the middle of the day court in a panic. She was sweating and had a scared look on her face! The nobles were upset that she just ran in without a explanation, but when I heard her reason... I understood.
“Dodge Junction... Train... Under attack!” She said with labored breaths. And when she finished she just passed out. At first I was planning on just having Shining Armor respond, but when she woke up she flew over to me and offered a scroll.
We soon learned through the message that it was the League of Injustice that coordinated the attack. By the sun they stole millions worth of bits with all those diamonds!
I first thought that I should find definite evidence that they were the perpetrators behind the attack, but when I saw the pillars and stalactites made of ice all over the train tracks... I had all the evidence I needed.
The actual train was sealed in a large iceberg and even with the hot weather of Dodge Junction it will likely take a few days to fully thaw out the wreckage inside.
Miraculously no ponies were killed, for most of them were simply paralized, knocked out, and ashamed. But they were alive, and thats all that matters.
Hearing the sound of hoofteps I looked to the right and saw Luna looking at me with fire in her eyes.
“We will find them sister, for I swear upon our parents graves.” Luna said with determination.
“Did you get the details from the town guards?” I asked curiously.
“It seems that they used a special spell only used by Star Swirl and even he himself couldn’t complete it. It appears the Puppetmaster has gotten stronger.” Luna explained with a sigh.
“Is there anything else?” I asked one more time.
“There is, the Puppet master himself was not present, but a unknown female bipedal figure was leading the group this time. A certain guard that tried to stop her said that she claimed to be the Puppetmasters lieutenant.” Luna explained.
“So this heist was possibly somekind of test for her?” I asked raising an eyebrow.
“It is a probability, and we got an anonymous tip claiming that her name was Ashe. She also had a large bodyguard that was armed with weapons originating from the inside of its arm.” Luna said while looking into the icebreg.
I took a moment to ponder what I have been told. The Puppetmaster had a lieutenant now? Knowing there is a second command in the League of Injustice things have likely gotten more complicated. Perhaps we should try to take her out first before moving on to the Puppetmaster.
“Looks like Captain Cold hasn’t lost his touch.” Said a male voice.
I and Luna’s heads turned towards the right seeing Shining Armor and Cadenza standing beside one another.
“This is going to take a long time to fix.” I said putting a hoof to my head in tiredness.
We then took a few minutes to explain what happened and the new description of this ‘lieutenant’ and her bodyguard. Shining’s face got more and more curious and serious while Cadence got more and more disturbed.
“Damn... If she’s in the chain of command we should try to take her out first. Going after the Puppet Master straight away would be much harder to complete.” Shining Armor said putting a hoof to his chin while looking into the ground.
“Personally, I think we will need to look for their base of operations. If we can find where they're hiding then we can flush them out can't we?” Cadence suggested inching closer to Shining Armor.
Everyponies eyes widened and we stared at her, so in response she just shied away. There was a reason why we were shocked at what she suggested. Cadence hates fighting, so it's surprising that she would tell us some combat advice.
“The question is... where could they be? Its not like their base is right under our noses!” Luna said with distaste.
“Patience sister, for we will find them. We just need to be calm and collected for the fight ahead.” I said putting a comforting hoof on her shoulder.
Luna, Cadence, Shining Armor, and I split up to search the area for anymorw clues in the scene.
There wasn’t much to go on, for it was just a regular fight and nothing more. But I was mainly interested in finding clues on Ashe and what her next choice of action might be. Deciding it would be a good idea I went to the injured guards resting on the haybales nearby the crime scene. How did they beat thirty guards by themselves and get away just like that? The enemies we've fought would often try to immediately take over Equestria, and it would often be their down fall. What is the League of Injustice planning?
They all noticed I was approaching and tried to get up and stand at attention. But they just winced and felt pain.
“Dont stand up you’re all hurt. Just rest and allow me to ask questions.” I ordered holding a hoof out while talking with my regal voice.
They sat down and attempted to get into comfortable positions. They had casts and bandages wrapped around certain areas of their bodies... Some almost all over their bodies.
“Ok, what happened here?” I asked sitting down on my haunches uncaring about dirtying my coat.
“Ok so we were following the train by air as the security force had ordered, but then it was as if everything moved superfast!” One guard said making hoof gestures in the air.
“I remember that I saw that the train completey stopped and the criminals on the blacklist were emptying out the contents into the portal things they use. I thought that portals were super high level spells! Only Chancellor Neighsay could that right?” Another guard said with surprise.
“Anways, we tried to confront them, but they completey demolished us. That... Ashe lady had somekind of weapon in her arms that could fire off some kind of fire! It was super loud too!” A guard said to the left.
"I got hit by whatever that weapon was, but what it felt like? It was as if my entire foreleg was completely on fire to the point where I couldn't think." The guard said seeming to flinch at the memory of the pain he was put through.
Being around two thousand years old I have many wartime memories. There were times where the physical pains of combat was hard to forget. But then ponykind embraced the ideals of love and tolerance so the ponies have a hard time processing the pain of an injury. Back then most ponies could go through horrible injuries and walk away just fine, and sometimes I could feel the warriors from the past feeling disappointed in the guards of today.
Or maybe I'm just imagining things.
"After I took a hard hit from that monster... Carnage I managed to get up around the end of the fight. I tried to go after Ashe, but that big bodyguard robot thing punched me to the ground. I asked her who she was and she said she was the Puppetmaster's Lieutenant." A private said with self pity.
"Thank you for the information. Just rest and recover from your injuries, and let the rest of us handle this." I said with my calm and soothing voice.
They gave off salutes to show respect and they laid down to rest. Taking a moment to look around I walked back to the train frozen in the iceberg. When the rest of the team came back to share their ideas I just stood there and looked into the train sealed in the ice. And I only thought a single question.
What's next?
(Mount Canterhorn) (League of Injustice HQ) Jack's PoV
"Alright, nice job guys!" I exclaimed while feasting upon the gigantic array of food in front of us. After we got all the diamonds back to HQ we just went into the lunch room and prepared a feast. There's turkey, roasted chicken, mashed potato, buffalo wings, spicy buffalo sauce, salads taking up giant bowls, ice cream, smoked salmon, and a lot more that would probably make you hungry right now.
"So Ashe I have to say that the train heist went excellently!" I said patting her on the back.
"All it took was hard work and the team co-operating as a family right?" She said slouching against the chair.
"MMMHHh!" Reverse Flash said with turkey stuffed into his mouth. Isn't he supposed to be serious in his lore? I guess without the flash he's just gonna enjoy life, and I can respect that!
"As I was saying, Ashe you have earned the rank of second in command of the League of Injustice!" I said clapping my hands, and in response the rest of the League clapped their hands.
"Thanks boss! I'll do my best to live up to the roll." Said Ashe while taking some food and stuffing it in her mouth.
In case if you're wondering how I eat I just use magic to phase the food through my mask. Yes there is in fact magic to do that. It's kind of stupid that magic practically runs everything in this world, so it's no wonder why Tirek was so powerful when he collected all of it. Come to think of it what should I do when Tirek escapes from Tartarus?
I would like to interfere with the episodes events, but if I join Tirek the balance will be GREATLY disturbed and tipped towards evil. As much as I hate to admit it I will probably have to offer support to the ponies if I want to join in on the action. They will likely be very reluctant towards the idea, but they will see it as necessary. There's also a bonus to the heist by the way!
The princesses and guards will be dealing with the aftermath of the heist, and thus they wont focus on guarding Canterlot so the meeting should go smoothly. We just partied Ashe's success and new rank for a few hours. Eventually we ate through the food like a Thanksgiving Feast, or its more like Eobard ate through all the left overs but that's not the point.
"Glados, prepare the crafting room for me. I'm going to be in there for a few hours.
Following my orders silently I made my way through the halls of the facility. I take out the displaced token I got the other day. Staring into it I think of a worthy time to summon this stranger, but it likely won't be anytime soon. Maybe when I need it most, and I probably will end up in a situation like that. Though I'll need to play it smart, for if I were to use it against someone serving good this 'George' would hesitate.
I really am manipulative aren't I?
Opening the doors to the crafting room I walk towards the biggest desk for me to begin my work. I collect a few blue prints, pencils, paint, and anything else I would need to design the second base I’m planning on building.
…
…
…
Most super villains and superheroes have their own weaknesses.
Apparently mine is the lack of ideas.
I’m just sitting down on a chair in front of a large desk with architectural blue prints for the new fortress. My plan for it is to use it as a place to store most of the treasure we have. The diamond heist that Ashe pulled off will be sold, and it will fill the treasury and this fortress will do nicely in protecting the loot. I’m thinking about filling the new fortress with most of the dragon hoard too.
The place will be well defended with strong puppets and guards, and I’ll also fill it with dangerous traps to thwart the bold creatures who dare venture inside. I should also install protocols for the army inside to evacuate some of the loot to ensure thst not all of it is taken. I'm praying that no one gets past security, but it's good to be careful.
Perhaps a certain game should be the theme of this stronghold. Ganondorf’s castle? It could work but then it would take much longer to build. The sword art online castle? Nah too weird.
Aha! I got it! There’s a certain game where there’s secure ruins and castles that are often full of treasure. They’re also protected by sometimes strong undead warriors called Draugr, and a final boss at the end! The Elder Scrolls V, Skyrim!
Getting to work I begin to sketch the inner workings and walls of the stronghold. For example: the treasure rooms, traps, guard patrols, and Especially where the strongest puppet will be stationed. You see, the game Skyrim has a level up system as all MMO games do.
Draugr are one of the basic enemies you find in the ancient nordic ruins you have to explore for most of the quests. Their levels depend on your strength and the game difficulty. Since there are no levels of strength in this world I’m just going to design them in the difficulty of Legendary mode. (The hardest difficultly)
I quietly chuckle at the unfairness I had available to me. I started to craft small figurines to represent a patrol of the draugr to place them where I saw fit. The draugr lore is that they are undead nords from the ancient time of Skyrim.
As for the location of the stronghold I’m planning on placing it at the summit of Mount Canterhorn. Now I know what you’re thinking... Isn’t that stupid? What if a pegasus flew too close? Well thats the genius part of it! The exact summit is just above the limit that most pegasus can fly without contracting altitude sickness and it’s really cold up there too. Fun fact! PONIES DONT LIKE COLD!
Apparently the only time they really enjoy it is when the holidays come around but otherwise they just get rid of it conpletely. The weather is also self controling up there similar to the Everfree Forest, so it’s a good place to station the fortress. I'll have to use some breathing protection magic to help the living beings up there live, and it'll need to be made into some kind of invisible dome around the place.
As for the puppet in charge of the place? Oh boy I chose the strongest of the draugr of course! The highest leve unit among them is the Draugr Deathlord, he’s capable of utilizing the ancient power of shouts. He has to shout out certain words in the ancient dragon language and he can force back and disarm people using it!
The actual stronghold is designed in the same image as the nordic ruins. At the front theres a gigantic courtyard covered in snow and will be secured by the draugr and there are multiple platforms jetting out for a few of the guards armed with bows and arrows.
Of course I have to add stairs to grant access to those who visit, but thats not the main attraction. The large castle like building leading into the inner stronghold will be what matters! Its filled with guard rooms and treasure storage. There’s also a large door that requires a special dragon claw shaped key to enter.
Inside of the stronghold leading into the mountain are the true treasure rooms, traps, hallways, bedrooms, armory, training rooms, catacombs, and even an amphitheater! At the exact final room is the Draugr Deathlord chamber. Its going to be his main place of residence, but he will roam around to command the draugr and do what he wishes. But he will be the guardian of the stronghold.Inside of his chamber though I’m planning on keeping anything that’s important to me since he’s really difficult to defeat him.
Plus I also should design some kind of medallion or symbol representing the League of Injustice. The Elder Scrolls games have a lot of beautiful looking symbols for any kind of organization. At first I figured that The Dark Brotherhood symbol would be well fit, but it seemed a little bit too dark for this. We're a bunch of supervillains in one big league not an assassin occult!
So I took my favorite one! The mark of Akatosh seems to work well enough, and I'm going to make it a circular silver medallion with the mark of Akatosh carved into it. It's an altered Skyrim symbol that is a lot more detailed, and since I'm working on a project right now I just sent an order to Glados to make some out of silver through the mind link.
I really need to find a better name for that.
As I was designing the stronghold and medallions I heard someone enter into the room behind me. Turning around I saw Ashe standing against the door with a neutral expression.
“Greetings master, might I have permission to meet the royal guards that joined our cause.” Asked Ashe getting into a more professional stance.
“Ah of course, for the date decided was today wasn’t it?” I asked inquisitively.
“It was, Bob and I are gonna head out through a Portal. Is there anything you need me to do before I leave for the evening?" Ashe asked.
"Actually, there is one thing I need you to do." I said getting up from my seat for a moment.
A tile at the top of the ceiling opened up and a claw machine like machine had lowered down between me and Ashe. In the claws grasp were six stacked circular silver medallions with the mark of Akatosh engraved on it. I then took one medallion and admired the craftsmanship of the trinket. Glados used laser technology and the best silver useable straight from the dragon hoard. It was also polished and cleaned with expert skill too!
"Take the last five to the guards in support of us, so that they will understand that they will be joining us officially." I said looking at every detail of the symbol.
"Also, tell them the codename of the medallion is the Mark of Akatosh." I ordered.
'More like the real name.'
"Understood master, wish me luck!" Said Ashe turning around and walking through the door.
Seeing her leave I sat back down at the desk. So much work so little time! I then wanted to try and test something. Opening the drawer in the desk I take out a large black and white feather, and instead of just using it to keep writing the blueprints I actually start to enter magic but not just any magic.
I began to place in Arcane magic! I didn't even make the Draugr Dead Overlord- okay I'm just going to call him DDL, but as I was saying I can already use Skyrim magic! Have I gotten so much stronger that I can use magic not originating from this world? I heard that Star Swirl was able to use different kinds of magic, but have I gotten stronger? Arcane magic is a power that was used in a fictional game!
I researched that apparently only legendary figures in Equestrian history were able to use enchanted weapons. Yet what I'm about to do is give basic Draugr enchanted weapons.
"Glados give me a scroll." I asked seriously. The claw then came through the ceiling and gave me a scroll in mint condition. Lets test something... Transitioning summoning magic into the quill I began to write a few specific words onto the paper.
Draugur (Legendary Difficulty)
Weapon: Ancient Nord onehanded battle axe
Armour: Ancient Nord Armor
Enchantments: Fortify attribute Health, Frost
Activation key: I summon legendary Draugr!
After I finished writing there were no obvious changes, it was just a regular scroll with writing on it. I was sort of disappointed since I thought that it failed. Getting ready to throw it away I stop myself last second. Holding it in my large hand I recite the key words.
"I summon legendary Draugr!" I said with enthusiasm.
The scroll then burst into flames startling me greatly, but the result was worth it! Looking forward I'm seeing a real Draugr armed with the onehanded battle axe! Taking a closer look I realize that his weapon is shimmering with a ice like texture and his armor is shimmering a very faint red color.
Moving my hand to touch the axe it felt cold to the touch. It was as if I was touching an ice cube! So I have the Draugr standing right in front of me, but the question is... What will it do?
"U-um okay uh, walk to the corner of my room!" I said nervously while holding my hand out.
Blowing my mind he turned around and stepped over to the corner of the room! I AM HAVING AN EXTREME NERDGASM RIGHT NOW!
"Holy shit! Um okay attack that flower pot!" I said pointing towards the pot on the table.
The draugr responded instantly by running over to the table. He even made the growling noises that the undead draugr make! It raised it's axe and swung a strong blow down on the pot, and of course it broke the table too. The piece of furniture itself had frost residue on the area it was hit. I feel pretty bad for the ponies who are going to get hit by that!
"Glados give me some more paper! I'm going to be busy writing blue prints and scrolls so don't let anyone in for any kind of reason!" I ordered sitting down on the desk. Seeing the large supply of scrolls land directly on my desk I cracked my fingers and got ready for work.
Let's get an army!
(Canterlot) (Canterlot Bell tower) Ashe PoV
"Hey Bob?" I said looking to the right.
He didn't say anything, but his expression said what he was saying.
"Yeah Ashe?" Said Bob.
"Why does this bell tower look so dark and horrible when the rest of the city seems to be a fantasy land?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
The outside of the tower looked similar to the bell tower in the United Kingdom, but when you go inside it's full of cobwebs, darkness, and an excess sense of dread. Bob and I slowly stepped in with our weapons raised, but we already could tell it was empty.
"Looks like the bells are self operating, so it's likely that nobody comes in here to sustain it. No wonder why the master chose this place for the meeting." Bob gestured with his eyes.
That's a good point I guess, but wouldn't sompony want to at least try and fix this? Stepping forward I glance at certain areas of the room. There's a large spiral staircase leading to the roof and the large bell at the top. I'm seeing multiple darkened areas and broken furniture all over the place. The thing that rubs me as suspicious is that there are hand- or perhaps hoof made holes leading to hidden pockets in the walls.
The pockets can be used as hiding spaces, meaning that this place is perfect for an ambush. The way it looks there's no one here so we're probably safe for now.
"Bob! Get over here and lets wait for those five to arrive!" I exclaimed.
We stepped over to a corner and sat down. He on the ground and I on one of his legs, and thank god that no one is seeing this right now. Reaching into my pocket I take out one of the medallions the Puppetmaster had made, it looks like he's going to make one for every member in the league. I just hope he'll make it a little better for the guys at HQ, it might seem weird for the ranks if we get the same items that the guards we barely know get.
If my memory serves me right I think this is from, "Elder Scrolls V Skyrim". Glados said that there's gonna be a few new facilities set up soon.
"Ashe, we've got incoming." Bob gestured while getting up.
We saw five hooded ponies enter through the door.
Adjusting my tie I said, "Lets ride."
Author's Note
Draugr
https://goo.gl/images/Babuux