The Black Crusade

It was dark and cold, and a sailor named Helmer was now deeply rethinking his life choices.

Sure, it all sounded almost too good to be true. A bunch of weird creatures – ‘changelings’, like some old fairy tale – opened their country to trade. Somehow, his captain learned about this before anyone else, probably thanks to his old contacts in the court.

A completely new race, with possibly exotic culture. And either some unusual technology, or art and trinkets to sell, things that no one has ever seen in western Gryphus. An occasion of a lifetime.

Which was why ‘Steady March’, an old but reliable merchant vessel, was now passing next to Dread Peninsula, and why Helmer was having doubts now. The idea of being the first ones to benefit from this opportunity was tempting, and his captain was an experienced griffon, not one to risk their crew for no reason. And it was true that going around the northern Gryphus was the fastest way to reach this new country, and come back; it would allow them to be the only ones selling whatever they bring back, at least for some time, and with the prices they could dictate they could all get incredibly rich from it.

The alternative was either going by land – which as at least twice as slow, and if safe roads were taken almost three times slower – or taking a ship around southern Grypuhs. However, that ship rout was barely faster than going by land. In fact, if everything went as planned, they could barely reach Greneclyf and come back home twice before anyone else would. If that happened, it would be the most financially successful expedition they ever had.

The problem was that they had to go around the Dread Peninsula. Now, Helmer wasn’t superstitious. It was just an abandoned, frozen wasteland, nothing else. He vaguely knew that some knights were freezing their feathers off standing guard against… something. Whatever it was, he was confident it wasn’t pirates – there were literally no shipping routes going around it, nothing to plunder – so he knew he was, in fact, completely safe.

Sadly, the prospects of riches and the feeling of safety were vastly diminished by the hellish, frozen landscape he saw the previous day. This peninsula was a nightmarish landscape, a twisted collection of jagged cliffs jutting out from the ground like the bones of some ancient, forgotten beast. The rocky hills that littered the land were gnarled and malformed, twisted into grotesque shapes that made Helmer's fur stand on end. The ice that coated everything was like a layer of glass, smooth and unyielding, and as Helmer looked closer, he could see that it was forming into twisted, contorted faces, their expressions frozen in screams of agony. Even now, in the merciful darkness, he felt the weight of the land bearing down on him, a silent and ominous presence that seemed to be watching his every move.

“Whatcha doin’?”

“Ah!” Helmer jumped in surprise and turned around, only to see one of his crewmates behind him. “You almost made me jump overboard!”

“Weren’t you supposed to be alert and on watch?” Elric teased him with a sbeaming mile on his beak. “Maybe I should report you to the captain, if you haven't already woken everyone up with that scream. You sounded like a scared pony.”

“Very funny. Weren’t you supposed to be asleep?” Helmer answered, with his heart still beating like crazy. “Or do you just like scaring me?”

“Nah. Can’t sleep.” Elric unconsciously looked starboard, towards the invisible land.

“… Yeah. I know. It gives me the creeps, this place. I hope after we get back home, I’ll never have to see it again.” Helmer shivered. It was cold, but that was far from the main reason for his shivering. “I’m almost ready to believe in these old stories when I look at it.”

“What, heroic knights stopping crusades of undead necromancers?” Elric shook his head. “Come on. It’s probably a bunch of uncivilized barbarians, and all those stories about undead exist only so those knights over there can get money from other griffons for ‘protecting’ them. "Don't worry about it, let's focus on the money we'll earn.”

“Yeah. You’re right.”

“See you in the morning.”

Elric was already halfway to his bed when he heard some quiet noise behind him. It was nothing out of the ordinary on a ship; the creaking of wood and the silent hum of the waves were familiar sounds to any sailor. But somehow, he had a bad feeling about this sound. “Helmer?”

Nothing. He turned around, and realized too late what happened. Unnaturally strong arms grabbed him and held his beak, and he didn’t even manage to make a single sound.

In the middle of the night, most of sailors were asleep. Those few who were awake were taken by surprise, as flying undead attacked them. Most of the crew didn’t even manage to wake up; the ship was taken over with little resistance.

And poor Helmer was proven right, in the end. Not that it made him happy.

In the great fortress of The End, an ancient order of knights stood their eternal watch. Since time immemorial they were guarding the border of Dread Peninsula with their lives, protecting the lands beyond.

But things were changing, even in their distant lands.

“Another ship gone?” William Steel Beak, the (as of very recently) Headmaster of the Arcturian order, slowly shook his head. “I don’t like this. They are definitely trying to rebuild the Dread Armada, possibly trying to go around our lands. They already almost succeeded at taking over Greneclyf, and if they did, entire eastern Gryphus would be in danger.”

“I am more concerned with the recent reports from our scouts.” Østwald Vind answered, holding said reports in his claws. The older griffon continued, pointing to the ancient map hanging on the wall. “Undead were seen in the Passage, for the first time since the last Black Crusade. For now, they are just scouts and small bands, but we both know what that means. They are preparing for another attack.”

“We have already alerted every knight about this situation. All guard towers are on watch all day and night, and castles are fully stocked with food and supplies. Every able-bodied griffon is preparing for war. Magesmiths are working day and night, supplying us with weapons and armors.” William looked grimly at the map. “But I don’t think that’s enough. We need more help.”

“We already sent messengers to all griffon nations that could help. The Empire, Vedina, and even the Republic.” Østwald pointed out. “We can expect volunteers and supplies, maybe even some regular soldiers. We reached as far as Wingbardy, although I doubt they will help. The southerners do not understand the threat we are facing.”

“We should at least give them a chance. Who knows, they may surprise us.” William closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I think this invasion will be different than usual. They are changing tactics, and it worries me. They never tried to go around us, it was always a massed attack on the entire border, trying to overwhelm us. This time, they are acting differently. The assassination of Headmaster Torygg, and the invasion of Greneclyf… the annals of our Chapter have no mention of such tactic being used before. The Dread Armada was used to attack castle Loitfort, not to invade others, but now it is sailing beyond our borders.”

“What can we do about this? We do not have enough knights to protect them. We don’t even know how powerful their attack will be. Every griffon has to defend our border first.” Østwald answered. “After we defeat their main assault, we can help others in destroying the foul creatures on their land, but we cannot allow our border forts to fall, or all will be lost.”

“That’s why I think we need more help. Dread League is changing, and so should we.” William looked at his friend. “I made a decision. We will send the call to action to ponies, as well. Both to the River Federation, and to more distant lands.”

Østwald was silent for a moment, before answering. “Headmaster, you already know my opinion. Our ancestors fought here for centuries, defending these lands. No matter what kind of foul magic these necromancers use this time, we will hold. That is our way.”

“But we already accept the help of ponies. Without our Magesmiths, we would never be able to stop the tide of undead, and we also have some, although not many, pony volunteers from Watertowns and Farbrook.” William pointed out.

“I will not oppose your decision, Headmaster. I just don’t think they will be of much help. They lack our traditions. They have no knightly chapters, and do not know the darkness we have to face.”

“But one of their allies saved Greneclyf. And Ocellus was no knight herself.” William answered, looking at the map. “And without her, Greneclyf would fall, and with it any hope of stopping the Black Crusade. I am also sending a messenger to Greneclyf; they may be willing to help, as well.”

“As you say, Headmaster.” Østwald hesitated.

“Please, speak openly, Østwald. We are friends, remember? You almost became a Headmaster yourself. And we both promised to support each other, no matter which one of us is chosen.”

“But you are now Headmaster, and your word is law.” The older griffon answered. “If I had to decide, I would not ask them for help. But since you are willing to, I will support this decision. I hope they will prove themselves worthy.”

“Me too, my friend. Me too.” William looked outside, at the icy wasteland beyond the border. “I have a feeling we will need all the help we can get.”

Twilight finished reading the letter she was holding, and looked at her friends. To say they were surprised would be an understatement.

“Forgive me for asking, dear, but why us?” Rarity was the first to speak up. “I do feel sorry for all those poor griffons, having to fight these… creatures, but why did you call us here?”

“Well, I want to go there.” Rainbow Dash declared. “And I’m sure all Wonderbolts will, as well. We are part of Equestria’s military, after all.”

“And I want to go! They can use some good laughter and a party, since all they do is train and fight!” Pinkie, as always, was ready to spread happiness wherever she went.

“There’s more to this, sadly.” Twilight put the letter down. “When I read that this Dread League is led by a pony named Rosa, I thought her name sounded familiar. I checked with Princess Celestia, and she told me her story.”

“Wait, why would Princess know about somepony from Gryphus?” Applejack asked, surprised.

“That’s the thing. She’s an Equestrian pony.” Everyone looked at Twilight. “Yes, I was also shocked by it. It seems she was a powerful unicorn, but her special talent was something unheard of; the forbidden magic. Necromancy.”

“Hol’ right there, how can a pony get a cutie mark in something like that?” Applejack protested. “She musta been a wicked pony to get cutie mark like that!”

“Imagine you are a filly. You are lonely, just like I used to be, focusing mostly on your magic. Your only friend is your pet, that your parents got you.” Twilight said sadly. “And then, one day, your pet dies. And you refuse to accept it, and use all your magic to try and help… and you succeed. But everyone hates you now, your parents are scared of you, and everyone wants to ‘kill’ your pet after you just saved her.”

There was a moment of silence in the room, and Twilight continued. “Imagine it was not a pet, but a parent. A filly so desperate to help, refusing to accept her mother dying, that she would exhaust herself using magic, and accidentally succeed. It could be your closest friend, sibling, anyone. This is sadly not the first time it happened, although Princess told me that fortunately it is extremely rare, and even she remembers only few cases of that happening in her entire life. Sadly, Rosa was one of those cases.”

“Poor ponies.” Fluttershy said quietly. “Trying to help, but ending up hurting themselves and others. I feel sorry for them.”

“But getting cutie mark like that is not a reason to be evil.” Applejack protested weakly. “Sure, I feel sorry for her, but she didn’t have to go and become evil like that. She could’ve ask somepony to help, even Princess!”

“It’s not always that easy, and not everypony is going to help. Remember Tempest?” Twilight sighed. “Sometimes ponies turn to evil, and just like Tempest and Rosa, they leave Equestria to search for answers. And sadly, they sometimes find them.”

“But we helped Tempest go back to being Fizzlepop, so we can help Rosa too!” Pinkie Pie said, somehow already packed for a journey. “I’m going to give her a party that she will never forget, and then she come back home!”

“I don’t think it will be that easy, darling.” Rarity said. “Fizzlepop almost died before she was reformed. Starlight barely managed to help changelings, and somecreatures like Chrysalis and Tirek just don’t want to be helped.”

“We can still try.” Pinkie answered with determination.

“And if that fails, we can kick her flanks and maybe then she will see reason.” Rainbow added. “These undead or whatever have never seen a pony like me. I bet they’re not as fast as I am.”

“And I will go, too.” Twilight said, looking at the letter. “I already asked Princess Celestia to take over the ruling duties.”

“Whoa, you too?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I thought with your being a ruler and all you will stay in Equestria.”

“This is actually the reason why I want to go.” Twilight looked at the crystal table; with the start of diplomatic relations with Greneclyf, northern Zebrica and other countries on Gryphus, it was now showing a large part of the world. “The invasion of Storm King only proved that our isolation in Equestria was a mistake. If we had diplomatic contact with Olenia or Polar Bears, we would know about changelings before they attacked us. And there is also the problem of Stalliongrad. The world is much bigger than just Equestria, and we cannot just ignore it. Worse, it made a lot of ponies have prejudice towards others, since we barely had any other creatures than ponies in our lands.”

“Yeah, I remember those EEA ponies…” Rainbow Dash winced. “Good thing they become better lately.”

“But they used to treat non-ponies badly. And they are not the only group like that. What is the point of spreading friendship and harmony in Equestria, if we don’t extend that friendship to others?” Twilight said.

“Then it will be a diplomatic visit?” Rarity asked, already imagining it. “I need to make us all proper clothing. I heard there is very cold there, we will need something warm. Do you know what kind of ceremonial clothing do they have? Do you have any books, illustrations maybe?” Rarity was already in her own world.

“Us? Rarity, you are my friend, but you know you don’t have to go there?” Twilight started to say.

“Hol’ right there, Twilight.” Applejack interrupted her. “If you think I will let you go there alone, you’re dead wrong, girl. I’m coming with ya.”

“Darling, while I do not particularly like the cold…” Rarity shivered, remembering the freezing temperatures of Yakyakistan. “I am still coming with you. I must say, I heard many tales of knights and their chivalry, I am curious to see if they are truly as noble as they say.”

“I already said I’m going, someone needs to show these knights how cool ponies are.”

“No way I’m not going there! I just need to pack even more party supplies!”

“Um…” Everyone looked at Fluttershy. “It sounds scary, but… I will also go.”

“Thank you.” Twilight smiled. I knew I could count on you all.”

“We need to find some replacement teachers for us.” Applejack pointed out.

“I will miss our students.” Pinkie said, looking sad for a moment, before immediately cheering up. “I will prepare the greatest ‘welcome back’ party once we’re back!”

“Actually, some of our students also got letters from Gryphus.” Twilight levitated six letters in front of her. “They both arrived on the same ship, but these are from Vedina.”

“Vedina? That’s where this visiting griffon princess was from, right?” Rainbow asked.

“Yes. In fact, the letter is from her. She invites our students to a royal wedding.” Twilight showed her friends the six invitations.

“Do I need to guess which six students?” Applejack smiled. “It seems somecreatures are getting a nice, relaxing vacations while we have to go to… where even is that place?”

“Close to Greneclyf. We will take a ship there, actually, it will be faster than going through the entire Gryphus on hoof.”

“Oh, I am so jealous of them. Seeing a proper royal wedding…” Rarity looked at the invitations with slight sadness. “But I’m happy at least our students will get to see it, they absolutely deserve it. I will also need to make some clothes for them!”

“Who know, maybe there will be a wedding where we are going?” Pinkie Pie said.

“I doubt they will have time to think about things like tha’ when there’s a war going on.” Applejack commented. “I’m happy our students don’t have to go there, it sounds like a very unpleasant place. They deserve some relaxing vacation.”

“Did somebody say vacation?” Suddenly, the chair Applejack was sitting on became Discord.

“Whoa!” Applejack jumped up in surprise, and the moment she fell down her chair was back to normal, with Discord standing next to it. “I would be mighty thankful if ya stopped doing that! One day, you will surprise me like tha’ and I will buck ya!” Discord changed into an apple tree. “Not funny!”

“What, I was just trying to make it easier for you to buck me. Isn’t that what you do with the trees?” Discord asked, changing back into himself. He looked around the room, feigning surprise. “And what do I see, all Elements of Harmony! Getting ready for another adventure, I take it?”

“Actually, yes.” Fluttershy answered. “Do you want to come with us?”

To a relief of everyone except Fluttershy, the Spirit of Chaos shook his head – by literally taking it off his neck, putting in his hands and shaking it. “Sorry, Fluttershy, I really want to but I can’t. In fact, I am going on vacation!”

“Vacation? Where? Who are you going to terrorize this time?” Applejack asked.

“Oh, you don’t know these people. Old friends, so to speak. Important part is, I will not be here for some time.” He changed into stereotypical superhero costume, cape included. “So if you need help, you will be on your own until I return. I hope you can survive without me here for a short time.”

“Hello? Since when are you the one to save us, and not vice versa?” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes when Discord literally deflated like a balloon.

“Such mean words! Then, since I am obviously not welcome here, I guess I will go.”

“Wait, Discord. You know she was just joking… rudely joking.” Fluttershy added, looking at Rainbow Dash with something closer to her legendary Stare then her normal look. “You are welcome to stay here. We can spend some time together in my cottage before you leave?”

“I thank you, Fluttershy. Alas, I cannot. I have to go now. Enjoy your adventures!” And with that, Discord disappeared.

Fluttershy looked sad, but she was quickly hugged by Pinkie Pie. “No sadness allowed! Hugs instead!” The pink pony declared, bringing smile to her friend’s face.

“Thank you, Pinkie. Um, everypony, don’t you think Discord was acting… weird?” Fluttershy asked.

“If you ask me, he was sadly normal.” Applejack answered, eyeing her chair with suspicion. “At least whatever is ‘normal’ for him.”

“I mean… he said he has to go.” Fluttershy looked at her friends. “He sounded like there was something that made him go on vacation now. Not like he wanted to.”

“He’s Discord. What could stop him?” Rainbow shrugged.

“I must agree. Perhaps it is some kind of a joke?” Rarity suggested.

“No, I think she is right. Thank you, Fluttershy, I would miss it myself.” Everypony looked at Twilight. “He really sounded like he has to go for some reason. And he specifically said that he won’t be able to help us there, like he was warning us.”

“We don’t need his help.” Rainbow protested. “Seriously, did he ever actually help us? We managed just fine without him, and sometimes despite him and his antics.”

“That’s not the point. It’s the fact that he can’t, not that he doesn’t want to.” Twilight looked at the crystal map. “Ocellus told me that Luna could barely reach her on Greneclyf. I spoke with Princess later, and she confirmed that she can barely reach Gryphus, something is blocking her from reaching there. She will not be able to reach us if we need help. And now Discord said he won’t be available, and I’m starting to suspect those ‘vacations’ are just an excuse.”

“You think something in there is actually dangerous enough to harm him if he tried?” Fluttershy sounded worried. “Then it’s a good thing he doesn’t want to go with us. He could get hurt.”

“I am more worried about why he can’t. If something there is stopping both Princess Luna and Discord from interfering… what is it?” Twilight asked.

No one could answer that.

Far away, on the Dread Peninsula, a group of scouts from the Arcturian Order observed the Passage from a nearby hill. It was one of only three passes through the frozen mountains, and while zombies and skeletons do not tire, they also lacked coordination to climb mountains. Therefore, every attack had to pass through one of these three points before reaching Arcturian borders, and the Passage was the biggest and most widely used pass.

Which is why Wilfried was now looking over the small ridge, counting again. “I see two necromancers, and over fifty skeletons. They are making some kind of camp, and setting up patrols. Judging by the size of it, I’d say they expect dozens of necromancers to arrive.”

“They seem much more organized than before.” Commander Goldheart commented, concealing his worry. As a veteran knight and leader, he knew how to act around his subordinates. “Will these patrols spot us soon?”

“I’m afraid so.” Wilfried was a commoner, an experienced hunter. He proved to be better at picking up observation points, hiding their tracks, and observing their enemies than any knight. “We have to move now, if we want to remain undetected.”

“I hope we can get some reinforcements and crush these fools.” Another knight, Askan, said. He was visibly impatient. “We could easily destroy these abominations and teach them a lesson. There are so few of them, one good charge would break them.”

“For now, we need to report back to Headmaster. This doesn’t look like a raid, they are preparing for a full frontal assault. We will report back, and he will decide what to do. Let’s just hope we can return unnoticed.” Goldheart stopped when he felt the sudden wave of cold. And fear. “Magic!”

Everygriffon drew their weapons – mostly blades, although some commoners, including Wilfried, had bows – and looked around for the source of the spell that fell upon them. They didn’t need to look hard.

“That is no magic, my good knight.” Said a griffon, emerging from behind a rock. He was wearing black clothing without any emblems of symbols, and seemed more like assassin then a soldier. Black cloak covered his head, showing only the tip of his beak. “That is reality. Something infinitely stronger. And be quiet, please. We don’t want to alarm those pathetic creature below.”

“Vampire!” Askan cursed, getting ready to strike.

Suddenly, before anyone could react, a wave of fear engulfed them. Even the knights themselves almost fell to their knees, and commoners, save Wilfried, were frozen in place. Somehow, this fear was calming, strangely soothing even; it promised peace, after just a moment of pain. Just a fraction of a second, and they would be…

“Whatever foul magics you are using, monster, you will not succeed.” Goldheart managed to overcome his fear, pointing his blessed, runic sword at the creature. “Know that I am sir Goldheart, sixth of this name in my line, and…”

“Goldheart? Is that you?” A different voice sounded from the creature, and the brave knight froze in place. “Son, my son, please, don’t do that! You cannot resist him!”

“F… Father? No! What kind of trickery is this!” Goldheart managed to overcome the fear and surprise. “How dare you mimic my father!”

“Today, you will sit next to Arcturius on a great feast in afterlife, as he welcomes you for all your heroic deeds.” Goldheart almost dropped his sword, looking in shock at the creature in front of him. “These were the last words you said to me. And I said, ‘I know, I can feel his call’. Remember that? I was wrong, son. I was so wrong. There is only one true God…”

“You cannot be…” Askan asked, shaking in fear, his sword forgotten at his feet.

“Maar.” Goldheart whispered. “But that is a lie! It must be! You have no power here, among the Order!”

“Your gods have left you long ago, foolish griffon.” The monster answered in his own voice. It sounded like hundreds of voices, but also like just one, combining them all. But each and every one of the griffons present could hear it. They heard their families, lovers, parents, sometimes even children. All were present in this horrible voice, whose very presence chilled them to the bone.

And suddenly, an arrow pierced the cloak. Wilfired lowered his bow, his hands shaking. “You will not take me, you hear? Not me!”

“Perfect. Run. I always enjoy griffons forgetting the gift of Arcturius, leaving their courage behind, running away. Because that is what you are, all of you.” Maar looked at them with contempt, ignoring the arrow like it was nothing. “Cowards. Now, you can bow before me, and each of those who do will be blessed by me. Reject your foolish ways, and embrace Death. If you do, you will live forever in my realm, and will see the world remade in my own image, as it was always supposed to be.”

“I will never!” Goldheart managed to force his arm to strike, barely. The blade cut through the cloak and hit the monster, but it didn’t even flinch.

“Ah, the holy blade. Created to destroy undead and necromancers.” Maar looked at Goldheart. “I am, however, neither. But you will be first to die, then.”’ He took a step forward, the sword clattering on the rocks, and touch the knight on his forehead with a claw.

Sir Goldheart fell on the ground, dead. But not gone. Everyone could hear his surprise, his sudden realization. And then screams, slowly fading away into sobs and begging.

It was sir Askan, a knight of Arcturian Order, who was first to fall on his knees. “I beg you for mercy, Lord Maar! I can now see your true power, and how wrong I was. Please, accept my worship!”

“I accept, but no titles are necessary. Rise. I do not need titles, I do not require bows.” Maar said, and Askan, for the first time in his life, felt free. There was no fear in him, it dissipated into nothingness. As the fear of death disappeared, he truly felt fearless. “Know that now, as my loyal servant, you have been granted immortality. If you were to fall, you will live. No power can now kill you, but me.”

“I thank you for your merciful gift, Lord Maar.” Askan said gratefully. All doubt disappeared from his mind.

“It is a second gift you received from me. For I am Maar, I am the creator and I am Death. I gave you the gift of conscience and soul, and now I grant you the gift of immortality.” He looked upon the other griffons. “Which of you will accept my gift, and who would rather join my realm in eternal suffering?”

Wilfred had enough. He ran away, quickly jumping up to fly. He couldn’t just die like this, he couldn’t! He wanted to live!

To his surprise, the monster wasn’t following him. And, as the aura of cold and fear was left behind, the hunter realized what he needed to do now. He had to warn the Order. He flew as fast as he could, as high as he could, hoping to hide from the monster.

But the danger came not from behind, but from above. From the dark clouds, an icy-blue creature emerged, creature he had never seen before. It flew at him fast as an arrow, and he had no time to react before darkness and cold enveloped him.

When he opened his eyes again, he could only see darkness. “What?” He asked, but the darkness swallowed his voice. “Where am I?”

“Home.” His father answered.

“Dad?” Wilfred asked, suddenly feeling tears in his eyes. “Is that really you? Am I safe?”

“Of course.” His father answered.

“You are finally back home, my son.” Maar said.

And Wilfred cried in fear.