Anon sat back in his chair thinking about it all. He looked back up at Starswirl. He wanted to help people. He found the resolve to try this whole hero thing. He might as well give it his whole being. “I say we help the Yaks. We need more allies right? If we don’t stand up to Lilith's plans who will?” He asked out to the round table.

“Well said. I think that settles it for me. Phantom we need a larger force to take down that portal and Twilight…we can’t get your friends back by ourselves. We need the aid from others. We're going to the Yaks.” He nodded to the group. Twilight seem disheartened but, soon found her focus.

“Great I get to smell Yak again.” Phantom spoke out with a sigh.

“Get some winter gear from the closet over there. We leave at once. I have all you need in my bag.” Starswirl spoke out as the group headed towards the room.

Starswirl tapped his staff against the wall as a rack of white clothing shot out in front of the them. A number of different styles of jackets and pants. They all picked out a pair that suited them the best. After putting it all on Starswirl gathered them again. The crystal in his staff began to hum to life as he drew a circle in mid-air creating an arcane portal in front of them.

Now what laid before their eyes was a sea of white as Starswirl headed through the portal. Anon went after him, then Twilight with Phantom covering their flank. They landed at the bottom of a small snowy hill that Starswirl began to climb with staff in hand.

“So not to be an ass or anything but, why didn’t you do that to teleport Twilight to the mountain to summon the hero?” Anon questioned Starswirl.

“Lilith has many MANY talented magic users within her forces. She herself is extremely gifted in the arcane arts from what I've seen and heard. We cannot risk her tracking our portals so we must use them sparingly. If she finds my safe haven then we will no longer have any place to hide from her.” He explained as he climbed.

“….That’s a good reason.” Anon answered back.

There was a cold breeze that sweep over the ground sending a shiver over everyone but, Anon. The screen popped up beside him.

“Apex Predator Passive ability: Environmental adaptability.”

“…Huh that's neat.” Anon uttered as the group walked passed him.

“Oi. Keep up.” Phantom spoke up nudging him forward.

“Ah sorry…so…how did you team up with Starswirl?” He asked Phantom as they walked beside each other.

“…Not that it is any of your business but, if you must know….I was raiding one of Lilith's supply runs. I had done it a hundred times at that point. I guess…I got cocky. I didn’t notice the trap in time and well…the old man just so happen to be raiding the same supply run. He was looking for info on everything. I owe him for saving my bacon. Plus…I really hate that witch. I don’t want to be ruled over by anyone.” Phantom stated as they both moved up the hill.

Starswirl stopped at the top of the hill. As Anon and Phantom crested it. Starswirl gestured outwards in front of them. “Welcome to Yakyakistan.”

What Anon saw was a large city of wooden buildings in the shape of tents, surrounded by a high wooden wall that was made out of darker wood then the rest of it. What caught his eye most though, was two massive wooden statues of Yaks that stood proudly in front of the main gate. Each one had a torch in one hoof raised to the sky, while the other hoof had a shield under it.

Starswirl led the group to the main gate unlike the other city that Anon had been through there wasn’t a lot of traffic in and out of the city. As they head down the snowy path towards the city gates. They were met with two massive figures of muscle and brown fur. Dressed in nothing but, a leather loincloth. Wielding great-axes in their hands. Anon was in awe, these Yaks were close to nine feet tall.

“WHO YOU?” The Yak on the right called out his grip on his ax tightened.

“Ah hello their good fellows. We mean you no harm. I am Starswirl the bearded. This is Twilight sparkle a princess of Equestria. We have come to talk with the great king of the Yaks.” The Wizard spoke out with a gentle bow to them both.

“NO MORE STRANGERS TODAY. YOU LEAVE.” The Yak commanded.

“Please gentlemen. We must see the King it is of great importance to all who walk this land.” He uttered back.

Phantom stepped up to Starswirl ear slowly. “I can make this easy for us if you want.” He stated his horn beginning to glow a faint grey color for now.

“No. It will only hurt our cause with them. The Yaks are proud people they hate trickery most of all.” Starswirl whispered back to him.

Phantom just rolled his eyes at all of this. Both Yaks then raised their axes in a defensive position.

“YOU LEAVE NOW OR YAKS SMASH YOU.” The Yak commanded again.

There was tension in the air as even Anon tighten his fist just encase. Everyone did the same but, Starswirl. The tension was cut by a loud yelp of joy from behind the guards.

“TWILIGHT!!!” A girlish voice shouted as a blur tackled Twilight into the snow. Phantom drew a knife holding it downward towards Twilight. As Anon also raised his fist not sure of what was going on. They only lowered their guard when they saw it was….a young Yak girl.

She had red brownish hair with two large pink beads in her hair that made her bangs into small loops. She dressed in more traditional tribal wear which was a brown shirt and a darker brow skirt. She also had a green scarf around her neck that was tied in the front.

“Yona?” Twilight questioned.

The young yak girl just smiled up at her. As Twilight eyes sparkled with delight wrapping her arms around her. Picking her up from the snow in a deep loving embrace.

“You know her?” Phantom said putting the dagger back at his hip a little confused.

“Of course! How could I forget one of my star pupils from The School of Friendship?” She explained putting the young Yak down on her feet.

“There was a school….for friendship?” Anon asked arching an eyebrow.

“Yes there was! I was the principle. We taught the students how to work together even if they were different from each other. It was working well. The school was on small break when the invasion….” Twilight paused looking down sorrow taking her expression again as she had that thought.

Yona took Twilight's hand softly smiling at her. “No worries Twilight. Yona see friends again soon. Yona know this. Yona believe in good winning.” She then turned to the guards with a huff. “WHY YOU NO LET FRIENDS INTO CITY? YOU LET YONA FRIENDS THROUGH OR I MAKE GRANDMA PUT CURSE ON YOU.” She shouted at them.

The guards looked at each other before firmly stepping to the side allowing the group into the city. They all walked into the square. Anon took in the sight. It was…loud to say the least the Yaks were shouting at each other and playing music. He even saw two of them butting heads with each other over a disagreement then laughing it off after it was done. The place was very rough and tumble to him. He liked it. There was a sense of honesty to it all.

“…Well we got into the loud smelly place. Now how do we meet with the King old goat?” Phantom question keeping his eyes on the surroundings. His guard was still up as they walked through the streets headed towards the center of town.

“Must you always address me in such a manner.” Starswirl stated. “I am sure with enough reason the guards will let us through. We can’t allow ourselves to be stopped by harsh words here.” He stated a firmness in his tone.

“YONA CAN HELP. Grandma is very important lady in village. She is the King’s shaman.” Yona spoke out as she led them to a very large wooden building in the center of the city.

“We’re not really gonna leave this up to a kid are we?” Phantom asked aloud.

“….I trust her. She never let me down before and…she did get us into the city.” Twilight replied.

Phantom found himself wondering already if he was on the right side of things, as Yona led them to the large double doors of the building they were headed too. The guards stood at the ready for a moment but, Yona quickly talked them down explaining she was going to introduce her friends to her Grandma.

“….Yona. Be careful. Other Strangers already here talking to King.” One Guard explained as he opened the door to the grand hall.

After entering the hall they were led up a step of red oak stairs. The hall itself was massive fit to house as many people as they could or that is the way it looked. Two massive tables on each side of the hall with a fire place in the middle of it that was still burning. In front of that fire was a group already speaking with the King.

There black robes were all too familiar to Anon’s group. Everyone’s eyes in the hall turned to the new arrivals. The group talking with the king was none other than….Esdeath’s lieutenants. Well everyone else was in shock. Anon couldn’t help himself, he gave Ira who was already glaring at him a salute which almost caused the giant of a man to step up to him. Only a pink haired woman with red eyes stopped him from doing anything too rash. The person talking with the king was dressed in the same uniform as the others only he had single silver stars on his shoulders. He was young looking maybe in his twenties with medium length black hair, silver eyes and a scar just over his right eye. He had a sword on his hip that had a yellow hilt.

The Yak on the throne seemed indifferent towards the young man who had been speaking to him. He was the biggest Yak Anon had seen so far with pure black fur with only small line of grey fur down the center of his beard. That hung from his chin. He was the most muscle bound of the Yak and that was saying something. He was a warrior. Anon could tell that even without his extra senses. He was dressed in heavily designed leather and hide armor that stretched over his chest. He was flanked by two other Yaks who were standing guard.

Yona was the one who broke the tension in the room as she shouted. “GRANDMA!” She ran up to the only female Yak in the room. A very old looking Yak who was almost as small as Yona. She had a large wooden staff in her hand that had the carving of a bull on top of it. Her eyes were grey and blind but, when she looked towards you it felt like she was looking through you. She was dressed in a number of hides and had some kind of strange animal skull that covered her head.

“Ah my sweet child. How are you? Who have you brought with you? This is not a good time.” The old Yak spoke out.

“Grandma! This is Twilight and her friends. They need to speak with the King Grandma. They said it is important.” Yona spoke out to her.

The old woman looked towards the group focusing on Anon. Her grey eye darted for a moment seeing…something. As wandered over with Yona looking over the whole group as she had done for the other group of Strangers that had come. Starswirl was first to break off walking straight up to the King. Giving a gentle bow to him.

“Great King of Yaks, Slayer of the White Fury and his hounds. The king of the White Mountains. We've come to speak with you. I am Starswirl the bearded and this is Twilight Sparkle. Princess of Equestria.” Starswirl spoke as Twilight walked up to the throne as well. She took a bow.

“It is an honor to meet you.” She spoke softly.

“…Sir. These people are enemies of my General and our Queen. You need to think of your people. My queen has no need to harm your people if she has no need too. All she asks from you is loyalty.” The black haired man looked towards Twilight. “What they offer you will only cause your people pain and suffering.” He stated.

“SILENCE!” The King finally spoke. “KING KOLE WILL HEAR THEM OUT. AS HE HAS HEARD YOU OUT.” He shouted his voice shaking the whole hall with its power. “WHY HAVE YOU COME TO YAKYAKISTAN?” King Kole spoke out.

“We have come to aid you in your fight against Lilith. She is a common foe. Lilith brings tyranny. Even if she does offer peace now…she will only take more from you later. She will keep demanding more of you and your people until there is nothing left. She only craves power and nothing more.” Starswirl spoke out.

The King seem to chew over his words looking towards the other. “Zach. That is what you call yourself. What say you to the pony’s claim?” The King was began to stroke his beard leaning in.

“You are being offered a one-time deal here. Turn these people over to me. Then you will have no other troubles with us. Our Queen will even share more gifts with you for aiding her in this matter. If you refuse…that means war. We have greater numbers. All of your people could be wipe out.” Zach spoke out softly.

The king of Yaks lean back in his throne as the old shaman came over. He looked towards her. “Old Wise Woman. What say you? What future for Yaks?” He asks her bluntly. Everyone's eyes turned to the old woman before them.

“Hm….many paths lay before the Yaks right now. Both of them may lead to many hardships.” She took some old bones from her robes throwing them on the ground before kneeling feeling how the bones landed with her fingers. “The ancients have spoken great king. THEY MUST BE PUT THROUGH THE TRIAL OF FIRE.” She announced to the whole room. The Yaks in the room gasped and began to talk among themselves.

Both parties seemed confused by this. The King stood up from his throne. “THEN SO IT SHALL BE. THE TRIAL BY FIRE SHALL DECIDE THE FUTURE OF YAKS. BY THE ANCIENT LAWS IT IS WRITTEN.” The King shouted as all of Yaks in the room beat their Axes as one upon the ground.

“W-what is the trial by fire?” Twilight asked the old woman.

“In times of great discourse between Yak leaders. A circle of fire would be made and set a blaze. Two warriors would step into the ring. They would fight until one was pushed out of the circle or was unable to keep fighting. There is to be no killing within the circle. You must push your opponent out or knock them out. No more, no less.” She explained. “Both parties must pick a fighter.” The old woman stated.

Both groups huddled around each other.

“Great now what?” Phantom said his expression not at all happy about this.

“I’ll do it.” Anon spoke up.

“Are you sure?” Twilight replied.

“Perhaps I can try and reason with the Yaks first.” Starswirl spoke up.

“If we back out now that means the King might go with them. We have to fight Starswirl. We can’t let the Yaks join forces with Lilith. Phantom you don’t look like someone who duels straight up with someone. Starswirl we need you healthy if something goes wrong…and Twilight if you go in they might try something fishy given how important you are…I have to do it. I am the hero right? This is my job. This is what you summoned me for.” He said softly looking out at them.

“…Alright. We will leave it up to Anon.” Starswirl stated.

“…I know you can do this.” Twilight spoke taking his hand for a moment. Anon just nodded at her with a smirk.

“Ooo great we're leaving the future of our lands to first a child and now to a flaming wrestling match. Joyful.” Phantom commented holding his forehead.

Anon stepped up to the wise woman. “I will fight for us.” Anon spoke out.

The old woman nodded then looked towards the other group that was still debating who to send in.

“Sir allow me to fight. I want to cream him. I will show him what it means to fool us.” Ira spoke up.

“No.” Zach commanded. “This is too important to mess up Ira. We can have the Yaks and Princess on our side if we win. I will do it.” He stated.

“But, sir you’re too….” He spoke out but, was cut off by a glare given to him by his superior.

“I will be our fighter.” Zach spoke out.

Everyone then followed the wise woman outside where the Yaks had built ring of coals about 100 feet all around in a perfect circle. She then began to chant something under her breath as both fighters entered the ring. As she finished chanting the ring suddenly burst into flames this was the signal to start.

Zach took his stance. His left hand held his ebony blade within it. It was a short sword of pure black it was in the shape of a gladius style blade. He had blade pointed toward Anon pulled back to his chest while his right hand pushed forward pointing two of his fingers towards Anon. He had his right foot forward and his left foot back both were shoulder length apart.

Anon would begin to bounce in place…almost excited for the battle as a screen appeared.

“WARNING High Level Enemy has been engaged:

Zach, The Ebony Swordsmen.”

Author's Note

Hello everyone. Sorry for late chapter. Life has been pretty rough as of late but, I wanted to get this out. This my longest chapter so far so enjoy the read.

Choice time: How will Anon fight in the beginning? 1. Aggressive (All out Assault.) 2. Defensive (Wait for an Opening) 3. Hit and Run. 4. Aim for a Ringout.