Author's Note

So here it is, the improved version. After a few attempts and some mucking about, I eventually landed on this one, using the bones of the original and rewriting or adding to it until I got the final product, much happier with this than I was with the original. And since I've done it for this one, expect to eventually see the same treatment be done for a few other chapters

Also, I am very much using Google Translate for the Lycans Spanish, so if I have anything from like spelling, grammar or anything like that, let me know and I'll rectify it as best I can.

Please point out any mistakes I may have made
Constructive criticism is always appreciated
Until next time, TTFN!

Chapter 12 - "Assistance With An Apocalypse"

- Shut that door! This is - I said shut that damn door! This is Captain Shair Kahn of the Lycan Commonwealth sending a distress signal from Las Almas! We're under attack, I repeat, We are under attack!

- CAPTAIN!!

- Y-Yeah?

- LOOK!!

- OH FUC-

• Static -

Staring at the tape recorder sitting in the middle of the table, a small chill runs down my spine as I look at the others gathered around. The Princesses and the other military Officers were called as soon as we found out a distress message had been sent out. Everyone couldn't tear their eyes off the small device.

"How long ago was this sent out?" I asked, looking at the Guards that had brought it to our attention.

"Roughly an hour ago," He replied. "It came through fairly distorted and it took a while to stabilise the message, Sir."

"What's the fastest way to travel to Las Almas?" I asked the Princesses.

"Via skyship," Luna quickly replied, catching on my line of thinking. "But it takes hours to get there."

"If there's a chance to help them, we better damn well take it," I said firmly. "Gather a squadron of Guards consisting of a hundred of those I've trained. Prep a skyship with as many essentials we can muster for an aid effort. Food, water, clothes, blankets, anything that can help. Move!"

"Ghost," I said, turning to the man as the Guard swiftly ran from the room. "Gather your equipment and meet at the ship when you're ready. Go."

Nodding, he bolted out of the room and down the hallway. Glancing at the recorder, I move to exit as well, only to be stopped by the Princesses.

"Percival," Celestia said, her voice authoritative and her face stern. "Consider this your first official assignment. You are to help in any way you can, and save as many as you are able. You are not only representing Equestria but also yourself. This will be the first time you are seen outside our borders as our Paladin, so this will be your time to prove to the world you have what it takes. We don't doubt you and we trust you to do what's right."

Nodding, I turn and leave without a word, mentally preparing myself for the hailstorm that's to come. Shit just got real interesting real quick and not in a good way.

The Skyship was everything I had hoped it would be. Though I didn't show, I was positively giddy to get to take a ride on the vessel. Two large balloons hung overhead, a heavy and intense amount of magic practically glowing off of them. Several wing-like oars jutted from the sides and the devices were being used for steering and altitude. A magnificent vehicle I would have gushed over had the situation not been what it was.

For the sake of brevity, I won't regale you with the full preparation phase and the travel time, but I'll give you a basic run down. Aid items were sifted through and stored on the ship far quicker than I expected. They consisted of the basics I had mentioned: Water, basic food items, clothes of varying sizes, blankets, medicine, and other medical equipment. We were off without interruption

The travel time to the city of the Lycan Commonwealth, Las Almas, was painfully slow. Though the Skyship was travelling at an honestly rather impressive speed, it still took the better part of eleven hours to do so, the vast majority of the journey being done during the night. The journey was made in complete silence, everyone quietly sitting, preparing themselves.

~~

Standing at the helm of the ship with Ghost by my side, my coat billowed in the wind. My gaze focused through the telescope, falling upon the ruined city of Las Almas, its silhouette bathed in the harsh light of morning.

Despite its name, rooted in this world’s version of Spanish, Las Almas’ architectural style was an intriguing blend. It evoked not just my world’s India but also Mexico, bearing a striking resemblance to Delhi and Puerto Rico. This juxtaposition of influences made for a captivating, if melancholic, sight.

The outer districts consisted of colourful stone buildings, their robust construction and vibrant facades standing the test of time. Many rose several stories high, their balconies overlooking narrow streets below. Wires and electrical cables crisscrossed between closely packed buildings, some repurposed to hold drying clothes swaying gently in the breeze. Signs and billboards clung precariously to walls, their faded Spanish lettering hinting at long-forgotten advertisements.

Deeper into the city, more modern structures loomed, their designs a stark contrast to the rustic charm of the outer zones. These newer buildings were composed of steel, concrete, and glass, their facades reflecting an era of ambition now tarnished by devastation. Most were rectangular monoliths with flat rooftops, their metallic frames still holding strong despite the evident damage.

The cityscape was a patchwork of love and labour—a testament to generations of dedication. Yet, its current state rendered it haunting rather than beautiful.

The older districts remained surprisingly intact, though the streets were visibly marred, even from our distant vantage point. The modern sector, however, had fared worse. Shattered glass lined the streets below, and jagged holes gaped where windows once stood. Columns of smoke spiralled skyward, and the ruins bore grim signs of desperation: red-streaked white flags tied to poles, fluttering faintly in the breeze, carried the universal plea for aid.

“How’s it lookin’?” Ghost’s gravelly voice cut through the silence.

“Fucked,” I replied, lowering the telescope and handing it over.

He peered through for a few moments, taking in the scene. “Fuckin’ hell.”

“Exactly.”

“Sir!” A voice called out behind us.

We turned to see one of the Guards hurrying toward us, his posture stiff with urgency as his eyes darted back occasionally before settling on us.

“An encampment has been spotted off the starboard side!” He announced, pointing behind him. “The Captain has already changed course!”

“Thank you for letting us know,” I said with a nod. “As you were.”

Within minutes, the ship shifted course, veering toward a heavily forested area on the city’s far-right outskirts. Soon, we spotted the encampment: a cluster of makeshift white tents scattered across a flat expanse roughly ten miles from the city. As we approached, a flare shot into the sky from an open clearing, marking our landing zone.

Once the ship hovered above the designated spot, I began barking orders. The Guards sprang into action, moving swiftly and efficiently. Securing a rope, I tossed it over the side, and Ghost and I descended to the ground below. We landed with a solid thud, and as I scanned the scene, my eyes fell upon a group approaching us—a sight that made me pause.

It was my first look at the Lycans.

While they bore some resemblance to the Diamond Dogs, their differences were striking. The Lycans were tall and lean, standing a full head above me on average, with powerful builds and an upright stance. Their silhouettes were remarkably uniform, though individual markings and fur patterns lent them unique identifiers.

As they drew closer, their dishevelled state became evident. Their thick coats were tangled and matted, streaked with dirt, sand, and debris. Their eyes, sharp and intelligent, were rimmed with exhaustion and bloodshot from stress and deprivation.

“Stop right there! State your name and business!” One of them barked. The group halted with their weapons at the ready—spears and swords held steady, though their caution was tinged with desperation.

Ghost landed beside me, and I stepped forward, raising my voice to address them. “Paladin Percival Felwinter of Equestria,” I declared. “This is Lieutenant Ghost. We received your distress call and have come to offer aid.”

A collective murmur rippled through the group, but one voice rang out, trembling with relief. “Gods above be praised!”

A figure stepped forward from the rear—a tall female Lycan, her presence commanding. Her fur was a rich blend of dark brown and beige, and her bright red hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail. She wore a tattered purple robe, its edges frayed and torn, revealing toned, muscular limbs and a hint of defined abs. Her crimson eyes brimmed with a mix of exhaustion, hope, and joy, tears threatening to spill.

“I am Princess Ayren Dayniq of the Lycan Commonwealth,” She said, her voice strong yet frayed, as though strained by endless shouting and worry. “You cannot imagine how grateful we are to see you.”

“I can imagine,” I said with a reassuring smile, gesturing to the ship lowering behind us. “My men are mobilizing now to assist in the relief effort. We’ve brought supplies—food, water, clothing, medicine—everything we could manage.”

Ayren exhaled a shaky breath of relief, and the tension in the group visibly eased. She turned to one of her guards. “Consiga algunos de nuestros sanos y pídales que ayuden a los hombres del Paladín Percival a descargar y distribuir lo que trajeron. Consiga tantos como podamos de sobra.”

“¡Sí, su Alteza!” He replied, bolting toward the camp.

“Follow me,” Ayren said, turning back to Ghost and me. “I’ll get you up to speed.”

We followed closely as she led us deeper into the encampment. The scene unfolding around us painted a grim picture. Lycans of all shapes and sizes moved between the tents, joined by a surprising assortment of other species. I spotted Caiman—crocodilian creatures—alongside Zebras, Gryphos, and even a few Draconians. Bat-like Viserans flitted through the camp, their presence unusual in this region. It was a melting pot of survivors, much like the architectural hodgepodge of the city they had fled.

The air was heavy with the sounds of pain and quiet sobbing. Injured refugees lay on makeshift beds, some writhing in discomfort while others lay motionless as medics tended to them. Fresh grief lingered in every corner. Yet, as we passed, eyes turned to us—eyes filled with awe, relief, and most importantly, hope.

We approached a larger tent, its entrance marked by a hanging tarp. Ayren pushed it aside and stepped through. Inside, we found a hastily assembled war room. Maps and notes cluttered the central table, and Lycans in light grey armour with gold and purple accents moved briskly. Upon seeing their princess, they snapped to attention, their weariness momentarily masked by discipline.

"Men, this is Paladin Percival Felwinter and his Lieutenant, Ghost," She said as she addressed those within the tent. "They have brought aid to us and our injured. Treat them with the utmost respect."

"Si su Alteza!" They Salute.

"A pleasure. What you've all been through must have been hard, but to see you all banding together is nothing short of inspiring," I said, gaining grins and bows in response. "But if I am to help you, I need a sitrep. What happened, casualty and fatality numbers, what we can expect from the city proper, anything that could help."

"It started twelve hours ago," Ayren started, leaning against the table in the middle of the tent. "It was just a normal evening. The work shifts were coming to an end and children were on their way back home from school."

Fully leaning her weight into her hands, she lightly dug her sharp nails into the wooden table while her face scrunched, the memories flashing in her eyes.

"They appeared in the middle of our city, breaking through the floor of the City Hall. They tore through all they came across. No mercy even to children!" Tears gathered in her eyes, her face contorting into a visage of sorrow and rage. "Heartless beasts! We mobilised as quickly as we could but it wasn't enough and all we could do was retreat and evacuate. Most of our citizens were able to make it into our Inner Sanctum along with the King and Queen but we were overrun. What you see now are all that were unable to make it inside."

"Inner Sanctum?" I asked, fiddling with the condensed handle of Venator strapped to my belt.

"A safe heaven my ancestors commissioned in case of a large-scale assault. Thick of it as a war bunker," Ayren replied. "And thank the mighty Gods they did."

"Thank the Gods indeed. Good thing the King and Queen managed to escape," I agreed as Ayren nodded with me. "I'm sorry we weren't able to get here sooner to help. We moved as soon as we deciphered your call."

"You're here now, that's what matters," She said quickly. "And with you here, we may have a chance to regain our city if what I've heard is to be believed."

"This is significantly bigger than the attack on Ponyville," I said. "I like to think I'm a good fighter and my men are well trained, but we aren't an army."

"Sometimes, a small tip in the scales is all that's needed," She replied, pulling out a stray file and placing it on the table. "And as they say, knowledge is power."

"What's this?" Ghost asked.

"As I said, they came from the City Hall but they seem to be very protective of the area," She responded, looking directly at Ghost. "The picture enclosed in the file was the closest they were able to get."

I grabbed the file and quickly opened it, spotting a single picture with a few paragraphs of text behind it. It looked to be Las Almas's city hall, with dozens and dozens of spiked, black-furred entities scrambling over each other, their long snouts baring razor-sharp teeth at an unseen source. The sheer number of them was highly disturbing, significantly higher than it was when the Demons attached Ponyville. As I scanned the picture for any other identifying factors I'd need to know about, I couldn't help but wonder: why Las Almas specifically?

"The beasts seem to exclusively patrol the area in and around the City Hall. They only became aggressive when our Operative got too close. That picture was the only one they were able to capture," The Princess informed me.

"And about the Operative?" I asked, gaining a slight eyebrow. "Can I speak to them? Getting a first-hand account may prove valuable."

The Princess's splayed back ever so slightly as she let out a small sigh. "Unfortunately not. When we rendezvoused with them at a pre-chosen location, we found them in critical condition. They died before they got back to camp."

Shaking my head, I hung it slightly. "I am sorry for your losses, your Highness."

"As am I," Ayren said softly. "All of this and for what?"

"That is what we intend to find out," I said, looking over my shoulder and through a gap in the tent, towards my men helping many within the camp. Looking back, I saw Ghost's eyes squint slightly.

"You said the Demons almost exclusively patrol around the City Hall, right?" He asked.

"Yes, why?" Ayren replied.

"What's beneath the Hall?" He stepped forward, picking up the picture the Operative took. "What could be so important about it?"

"We believe that they're protecting something," Ayren stated. "They did seem to be rather protective of the area even when they initially attacked."

"I don't know," I said slowly. "I have very limited experience with Demons but they don't strike me as the type to be subtle about things. Could be a trap."

"If there's even a chance that whatever they're protecting could help take back our city, I want it capitalized!" She said firmly, her eyes filled with desperation, hope, fear and a need to protect. Looks like she doesn't have many other options. "Please, I know what I am asking for sounds impossible. But there's not much else we can do."

Coming round the table, she took my hands before her legs seemed to give out, tears threatening to spill as her subjects looked on with sadness. "Please. Help us."

Gently lifting her to her pawed feet, I set her down on a near by seat, kneeling in front of her as I squeeze her handsas reassuringly as I could. "A Princess such as you need not beg for help from me, just to simply ask for it. I will do everything in my power to help you retake your home."

She looked at me for a moment, a wide smile breaking across her face astears finally spilt, gliding down her dust covered fur. Bringing my hands to her forehead, she whispered weakly. "Thank you,"

"All we need is a way in," Ghost voiced. " I doubt they'd let us in through the front door."

Wiping the tears from her cheeks as best she could, she looked between me and my comrade. "Well...we do have alternative ways into the city."

Lifting the heavy metal sewer grate aside, I peeked into the streets above, looking around to see if I could spot anyone or anything roaming the streets. Below me stood Ghost and around ten of the many Guards I had brought, all having volunteered to assist in the mission, wanting nothing more than to help their General and make sure the mission was successful. All Guards had actually volunteered but I wanted the rest to stay behind and assist with the relief effort and bring some comfort to those who so desperately needed it. That and I felt that a smaller, more lightly armed group held a better chance of getting near the City Hall than several dozen heavily armed Guards clanking down the demon-infested streets.

"Contacts?" Ghost asked quietly, tightly gripping his short sword and shield.

"None," I replied just loud enough for the Guards to also hear me.

Fully pushing the grate aside, I jumped up in one effortless movement, taking a moment to scan my surroundings before turning and helping Ghost up. Ghost stepped to the side, holding his shield tight to his body as he surveyed the buildings around them. Helping each Guard up and into the surprisingly quiet street, I looked around, trying my best to get my bearings in this new environment.

I motioned to my right, towards a shaded alleyway, the Guards all moving to it without a word. Kneeling, I looked at my watch, quickly settling my eyes on the small built-in compass. Gotta love Rarity's work. "Princess Ayren said the City Hall is due north-west of our location. If we stick to the alleys, we should get there in an hour."

"Assumin' we're not interrupted," Ghost said, readjusting his skull mask a little.

"Very true," I replied. "Alright, we know what we need to do. Let's get to it."

The gathered Guards nodded to their superior, they followed close behind me as they slinked through the interconnected alleyways. We stepped in line and walked single file, matching the footsteps of those in front, masking how many of us there truly were. Another one of the unusual tactics that I had brought up to the Princesses and the Guards themselves during their training, the use and benefit of this one were by far the easiest to discern out of most of the unorthodox training.

We walked for a solid fifteen minutes, stopping now and then to make sure we weren't being followed or were going to come upon a group of demons. Miraculously, or perhaps more concerningly, we came across none, even the streets they managed to get a peek at were disturbingly empty, bar the sand littering the rural living and the disregarded everyday items dropped and strewn across the ground.

It was eery to us all, that our heightened senses and danger sense picked up nothing the entire time we made our way through the back streets and alleys. That usual feeling that you were being watched was completely absent, making way for a feeling way worse. We were alone.

Walking cautiously out into the surprisingly open and eerily silent streets, we very carefully scanned their surroundings, keeping our heads on an ever-moving swivel.

"Somethings not right here," One of the Guards, Private Cloud Chaser, commented quietly, tightening his wings to his body.

"Got that right," Corporal Straight Aim said, keeping his horn trained on the group's six.

As we continued along, they eventually came across the poor souls that had once walked the lively streets. Lifeless bodies littered the dust and rubble street, sprawled out over the ground, sent through and laying on the shattered glass of broken windows. Limbs were torn from their sockets, the flesh flayed, ripped and mangled asunder. Bones were shattered and broken, tearing through flesh, skin and fur. Entrails were slashed open or pulled from their stomachs, dried crimson ichor caking any surface they clung to. And true to Princess Ayren's words, not even the children were spared.

Many present looked away as best they could, dry heaving as they looked upon the fear-ridden faces of the dead. Utter disbelief spread throughout the group as we witnessed the aftermath of the wholesale slaughter of innocent lives, all present realizing this would have been the outcome had I not been successful in beating back the assault on Ponyville.

"Gods above," Corporal Ivory Flight said, her wings fluttering as she swallowed the rising bile.

"Fucking sick," Private Strong Arm whispered as he tore his eyes from the massacre.

As the words left his mouth, we all heard a low guttural growl come from in front of them. Spinning around, we spot a black-furred entity, large spikes jutting from its shoulder blades and continuing down its back into a whip-like tail. Six piercing blue eyes bared at us while its lips peeled back, revealing thin needle teeth. It stared at us as reared back onto its skinny lanky legs before letting out an earsplitting screech. A second passed and other roars and screeches sounded out in the distance as the demons became alerted to our presence.

Flicking Ace from its holster, I shot the demon square between its eyes, resulting in its body exploding, disturbing the settled dust and debris into a small cloud of blood, fire and detritus. Without another word, I spun and began barking orders while the roars slowly got louder.

"Swift Wing, Cloud Chaser, Ivory Flight and Moon Fire, I want you to provide as much air support as you can, pick off as many as you can with your crossbows and do it from a distance!" I shouted, the Pegasi nodding before jumping into the air. "Straight Aim, Cold Fire, Platinum Star and Lucky Star, I want them walled in! Have it they can only come towards us and fire on any who get too high!"

The Unicorns stepped back a few feet as I turned to the remaining Earth-ponies. "Strong Arm, Crimson Ice, Thunder Strike! With me!"

Reaching for my belt, I unclipped a handle and pulled it out and away from my body, and with a deep clang, Venator burst forth in a plume of fire. Standing together with the Unicorns at the back and the Pegasi on high, we waited with bated breath, sweat starting to gather at their brow. The roars and growls grow louder and louder and in a split second, dozens of demons similar to the first we saw came barreling down the streets, clambering over each other to reach the group.

"Walls!"

Channelling their magic, thick walls of ice burst from the ground as several demons were sent flying through the air only to be shot down by the hovering Pegasi.

"Hold!"

The demons rushed forward, their piercing blue eyes held nothing but bloodlust while yellow foam dripped from their maws. In seconds, they were in range.

"Cut them down!"

As the demons got within range, those with close-range weaponry stepped forward, stabbing, cutting and slashing with tightly controlled strikes, easily cutting down the first dozen or so that dared get too close and the Unicorns and Pegasi shot bolts of steel and magic alike at their chosen target, the projectiles easily finding their marks.

As the assault continued, deep yells sounded out ahead of us as we saw several demons being tossed and flung aside, a large mass hurtling towards them. Before we could react, the ice wall to the group's right exploded as a mass of barely contained muscle broke down the wall.

"SHIT!" I exclaimed. That thing wasn't in the report!

Reaching to Ace on instinct, I fired several shots, just barely missing as the rest of the group caught themselves and killed the last few demons. At the same time, another mountain of bursting muscle threw more demons aside, their bodies crumpling and folding lifelessly as they slammed into the side of the building.

Aiming for its head, the round slammed into between its eyes but did nothing but disorientate it. Shaking, it glared at me as it let out a guttural yell, slamming its chest like an enraged Silverback.

"Hold firm!" I shouted as I holstered Ace, holding Venator tightly. "Ranged, aim for their heads! The rest of us will distract them!"

One of the beasts rushed forward towards me, forcing me to roll out of the way of the barreling behemoth. Whooshing past me, I slashed at its side, the creature reacting little to the attack while it slammed into the building behind me as it rushed. Meanwhile, the Pegasi on high fired bolt after bolt into the other beast, who tore a section of the ground out clean and hurled it at its attackers, all thankfully deftly dodging out of the way.

Thinking quickly, I deactivated Venator and shouted for one of Ghost's knives, the man swiftly chucked me one as I sprinted faster than the Guards could track and plunged the seven-inch blade into its back while I pulled out Ace once more. Clinging to the beast's back as it tried its damndest to throw me off, I fired my hand cannon into the base of its skull, round after round throwing up blood and chucks of bone and seemingly undead flesh until the cylinder ran dry. The beast stumbled a few feet before falling flat on its face motionless.

Before I could get off the dead demon's back, a force slammed into my side, sending me hurtling through the air and into the second story of the building opposite me, causing even Ghost to cringe slightly.

Seeing their General's success and taking advantage of its momentary distraction, the ground forces took the beast's attention while the air support focus fired upon the back of its neck, just below the base of its skull. After several shots from each of the Pegasi, positively porcupining the muscled demon, it too fell to the ground.

Pushing off chunks of rock and other debris, I stood and dusted myself, ready to jump back down when I heard a low, throaty growl as the sound of dripping met my ears. I whipped around and immediately locked eyes with another horribly mutated demon.

Sickly green sludge dripped to the ground with a sizzle, the partially melted mouth lulled as the marble-white eyes gazed at him angrily. The bulging throat pulsed and shuddered as a lob of congealed spit whizzed past my head as I was able to lean out of the way.

"Oh shit!"

Running down the corridor, several projectiles of spit barely missed me, the loogies hucked past me with deadly force, landing on the floor around me with a sizzle, the stonework melting away in seconds. I rounded a corner as I reached for Ace and fired a few shots, bracing my arm with my other, Ghost's knife still held tight in my grip.

As I fired the shots, the demon was put off-kilter and a lob of acidic spit met with the side of my face, the acid making quick work and melting down to the bone. Yelling out, I fell to the floor as my pain receptors were put in overdrive while lumps of my now liquified flesh fell to the floor beneath me. An odd, tingling sensation then filled my face, the pain still ever-present. I began feeling the muscle, sinew and skin begin to regrow, stitching together with slight sounds of squelching flesh.

The demon was right on top of me as I grunted, the sensation of my healing flesh sending agonising pain through my face then immediately numbing it. The demon stood above me, the glow ever so slightly brighter as it started hocking up more of its vile substance. Just as it was about to throw up, I spun around, pushing through the pain, firing a shot between its eyes and out the other side of its head as a bolt of steel ran through its jaw, the already unhinged mandible falling to the ground while the acid leaked over the rest of the body, melting bone and flesh in seconds.

I shot to my feet and jumped to the street below, happy to see the other behemoth already taken care of and my squad largely unharmed, if a bit drained of energy. The team all rushed over to me, seeing the condition of my face but immediately flinching upon seeing it subtly shifting and regrowing.

"We need to move!" I slurred slightly, my bottom lip slowly regenerating. "They know we're here! We need to get to City Hall now! Go!"

We sprinted as quickly as our legs were able to carry us, the soldiers doing their best to keep up with me while the Pegasi collected as many bolts as they could and flew overhead. Unsurprisingly, we were met with what seemed to be the common foot soldier of this invasion, the six-eyed spiked demon we had been dealing with. Cutting through them was no bother, our swords, magic and crossbow bolts felling them quickly.

Cutting through streets and alleys, we made short work of distance, the City Hall coming into view, no more than fifty yards in front of us but our work was cut out for us. In front of the City Hall stood a horde of demons, waiting for us as we skidded into the street the Hall stood.

With a screech, the horde wasted no time rushing towards us as more poured in from the side streets, baring down on us like a black tidal wave. It didn't take long for us to realise we were vastly outnumbered. Dismissing Venator, I grabbed Ace, reaching into my coat and slamming a new cylinder into and firing at a few demons, their bodies exploding, catching more than a few in their blaze, disorientating them long enough for me to look around. Spotting an alley, I pointed towards it.

"Down the alley! Go!"

Pumping their legs as hard as they could, the group of Equestrians followed my instructions, sprinting through the alley with the demons hot on their tails. Bobbing and weaving through the back passageways, a wall suddenly exploded, sending many of us sprawling and weapons flying away, leaving me the only one armed. We scrambled to our feet as quickly as we could, doing our best to ignore the additional numbers.

As the enraged mob begin to close the distance between them and us, the street beneath them explodes in a burst of flame, and any unfortunate enough to get caught within the fire howls and screech in agony, flailing and grasping at nothing as a voice calls out.

"Hey! Up here!"

We turn and look up, quickly spotting the source of the voice, a Lycan four stories high, grabbing what looked to be a Molotov cocktail, winding it back to prepare to throw it.

"Get inside! We will cover you from here!"

Without another word, the Lycan threw the bottle, the improvised weapon breaking and exploding, showering the demon horde in even more flame, allowing us ample time to scramble inside. Doing so, we rush in, Ghost and myself standing by the door, making sure the rest all get in safely before entering ourselves. The sound of breaking glass, roaring flame and yelling monstrosities meet our ears as we begin to climb the stairs, coming to the fourth floor in no time, another Lycan at the door to meet us as we swiftly file in.

As we enter, The Lycan, accompanied by another, barricades the door behind us, locking us all in. With no moment to rest, the two Lycans rush past us, prompting us to follow behind them, coming to where the Lycan that had called out to us was.

"Anyone who can't use magic, grab whatever you can throw!" She exclaimed.

Scrambling up to the window, the magic users began throwing whatever projectile spells they had at their disposal, ignoring the creeping stitch in their sides from the rapid use of spells. The Pegasi swiftly found crossbows within the room and fired whatever bolts they could find while those who didn't have ranged weapons or magic collected what they could find and threw them to the best of their abilities while I fired Ace, the rounds adding to roaring flames below.

It soon became a war of attrition as demon after demon came swarming the alleys, roofs and windows. They climbed the sheer walls and reached in through the window while the barricade barely held as several rammed their shoulders to knock it down. They seemed to be countless as the bodies started piling in front of the building, making it hard for the demons to make any solid progress and making it harder for us to hit our targets.

Five minutes go by. Five minutes turn to ten. Then ten turns to twenty. And twenty to thirty until a solid hour of frantic throwing and shooting goes by with no end in sight. But eventually, just as our resources began to thin, the demon's numbers slowly lowered, their unholy screeches and cries dwindling, getting quieter and quieter.

Until silence.

We collectively held our breath, waiting, glancing over our shoulders, looking around in case they came in from another way. But the minutes tick by slowly for nothing to happen. They were gone.

We all let out a collective sigh as the few Lycans in the room sat and slumped to the floor, exhaustion clear on their faces while we took our time to gather our breath. The Lycan from before who had called out, light grey with bright green eyes, approached us.

"Thanks for the save," I said as she stepped up to us.

"Course hermano," She replied with a tired grin. "Doesn't matter what situation we're in, we're always happy to help a fellow soldado."

"Paladin Percival Felwinter," I said with a nod.

"Lieutenant Loba," She replied, happily taking my offered hand before my name seemed to process through her head. "Wait...Felwinter? As the Equestrian General?"

"The one and only," I nodded as she let go of my hand. "You're surprised?"

"I'm surprised you're here. Military Generals aren't typically known to enter the battlefield," She replied.

"I wasn't going to send my men to a potential suicide mission without being there myself," I said with conviction.

This got a wide grin from the Lycan Lieutenant. "I think I'm going to like you," Moving to the rest of my squad, she sat near them as did the rest of her soldiers, all offering their own words of thanks. "Alright everyone, rest up. General, get your men to arm up, there should be enough to spare for everyone."

My squad nodded as the Lycans outstretched their arms, offering food and water as everyone picked out various weapons ranging from axes to hammers to spears to swords. They were well worn with a thick level of grime and dust, all needing a deep clean, but the blades remained as sharp as ever. With that done, my men sat with our new Lycan comrades, quickly informing them all that the encampment received aid, bringing their stress-addled minds some form of relief.

Looking out a window, my grip still tight on Ace as I stepped back. I glanced over at the conversing squads, happy to see the Lycans smile and laugh, however weak they were. Ghost and I made our way over to Loba, who offered a pair of cans to us along with a pair of forks. Accepting the offered cans, we sat down next to her.

"How you holding up," I asked, opening the can in my hands. It was beans.

"Holding," She replied with a weak chuckle. "You couldn't have arrived at a better time, hermano."

"I can tell," I said, glancing over at the dishevelled Lycans. "You've had a hard time of it."

Loba was quiet for a moment. "Yeah," She nodded softly. "But with you here, our chances of retaking our city are higher. Is it true you killed ten demons yourself?"

"Closer to fifteen or sixteen," I replied with a soft chuckle.

"And what about the news article about that guy that attacked you in...oh I always forget the name...Camelot?"

I laughed internally as I ate my lukewarm beans, Ghost beside me munching on what looked like pineapples. "Canterlot. But yeah, I don't know what to think about the guy. He was...an odd one to say the least. Why?"

"Just making small talk amigo," Loba shrugged, chewing the last of her can of peaches and setting the now empty can beside her. "Plus, I'm just curious about Equestria's newest General and Paladin. I heard they were quite stingy about that title."

"So I heard. But I suppose with the threat of demons now being immediate, the Equestrian populace needed some reassurance," I replied, swallowing my beans. "Shows their safety is a priority."

"Plus it helps to have someone strong and of sound mind and morals in a place of power," Ghost added.

"Makes sense to me," Loba nodded. "Just wonder why they didn't do it sooner."

"They just didn't need to," I shrugged. "A thousand years of peace does that I guess."

Loba nodded again, her eyes flicking down, quickly settling on the revolver holstered on my thigh. She leaned back to get a look at it, her eyes squinting. "Say, what's-"

The barricade jolted violently, shaking the haphazard pile of furniture and sending dust and fine sand into the air. Weapons were instantly drawn as every eye turned to the blocked doors, which shuddered again under immense pressure. A shriek ripped through the tense silence from behind us, followed by a chilling screech. We whipped around to see one of Loba's men collapse, his torso severed cleanly from his waist. Looming over him was a black-furred beast, its jaws twisted into a snarl. Various shouts for their fallen comrade flew through the air as I lunged forward and drove my blade through its eyes, the creature crumpling as my sword lodged deep in its skull.

Before we could catch our breath, the barricade slammed again. Demonic heads pushed through the widening gaps, their guttural roars blending with the screeches that surrounded us.

"Hold the door!" I bellowed, my voice straining to rise above the chaos. The six-eyed demons clawed and snarled as their numbers swelled. The barricade—little more than filing cabinets and overturned desks—buckled under their assault. A clawed hand smashed through, sending splinters flying.

"Strong Arm, brace it! Ghost, cover him!" I shouted.

Strong Arm threw his weight against the barricade, his broad shoulders trembling with effort. Beside him, Ghost crouched, his crossbow firing bolt after bolt into the horde. Each shot struck true, leaving shattered skulls and oozing black ichor in its wake. But for every demon that fell, two more surged forward, their bristling black fur and glowing eyes filling the gaps.

"Cloud Chaser, Swift Wing! Secure the windows!" I called, pointing to the jagged, glassless openings where demons were clawing their way inside. Their movements were spider-like, scuttling up walls with unnerving agility.

"Aye, General!" Swift Wing replied, snapping his wings shut as he charged a demon lunging at Cloud Chaser. His spear impaled the creature in mid-air, pinning it against the wall. Cloud Chaser retaliated with a burst of silver magic, blasting two more demons off the ceiling in a spray of rubble and ear-splitting screeches.

The cramped room was a maelstrom of bodies, blades, and chaos. Every swing of a weapon was a gamble, threatening friend as much as foe. Lucky Star held her ground near the windows, her radiant shield absorbing the vicious slashes of a demon that broke through. Platinum Star stood beside her, her horn blazing as she unleashed a jagged arc of violet energy. The blast tore the demon in half, its convulsing remains collapsing into the fray.

"We can’t hold this much longer, General!" Platinum Star growled, her voice tinged with uncharacteristic panic.

The Lycans fought with feral precision, their lithe forms darting between attackers. They hurled bricks, swung blades, and fired bolts with unrelenting fury. Loba's twin swords were a blur of silver, cutting down anything that ventured too close. The demons, snarling and roaring, seemed particularly enraged by the Lycans, their predator instincts ignited. But no gaze burned with more hatred than the ones fixed on me.

The room quaked as a massive demon smashed through a window near the barricade, sending Strong Arm sprawling. This beast dwarfed the others, its six eyes glowing red like embers. Its claws gouged the stone floor as it advanced, a writhing mass of black tendrils spilling from its maw as it unleashed an ear-splitting screech.

"Fall back!" I roared, pulling Strong Arm to his feet. "Thunder Strike, Crimson Ice—on me! Take it down!"

Thunder Strike surged forward without hesitation, her hammer crackling with Cold Fire’s blue magic. She brought it down on the demon’s foreleg with a resounding crash, splintering bone and forcing the creature to stagger. Crimson Ice seized the opening, her axe flashing as it tore into the back of the demon's ankles, causing it to stagger and kneel. Black ichor sprayed across the room, its acrid stench choking the air.

"Cold Fire, Straight Aim!" I shouted. "Finish it before it gets up!"

Cold Fire roared, his sword engulfed in flames as he slashed at the demon’s head. The creature recoiled, its tendrils whipping wildly, but Straight Aim stepped in, his horn blazing. A lance of cyan energy shot forward, piercing the demon’s chest and pinning it to the ground. It writhed, its eyes glowing brighter, but Thunder Strike’s hammer came down again, flattening its skull with a sickening crunch.

The victory was fleeting. More demons poured through the crumbling barricade, their bodies writhing like shadows in the dim light. The Lycans fought tooth and claw, filling the breach as best they could, but the tide was relentless.

"General!" Loba’s voice cut through the chaos, a growl laced with desperation. "We can’t hold this much longer!"

I scanned the room. The walls trembled with each impact, dust and debris falling in thick clouds. Moon Fire and Ivory Flight rained steel bolts down on the demons outside the windows, their precision buying precious seconds. Strong Arm and Thunder Strike stood back-to-back, using broken doors as makeshift shields to block the relentless clawing and gnashing at the barricade. Lucky Star’s horn flickered as she poured the last of her energy into protective spells, sweat dripping down her brow.

"Swift Wing, Cloud Chaser! Clear that window!" I ordered, pointing to a narrow opening choked with rubble but free of demons. It was a slim chance, but it was our only one. "Everyone else, hold the line!"

The room shuddered again, a massive claw tearing a chunk of stone free. Time was running out. I tightened my grip on my blade, my resolve hardening as I prepared for the final stand.

The barricade exploded in a storm of splinters and shards of stone, the demon horde surging through like a tidal wave of living shadows. Their guttural roars reverberated through the cramped room, a suffocating noise that swallowed every other sound.

“Fall back!” I bellowed, slicing through a clawed hand that lunged for my throat. My blade cut deep, spraying ichor as the creature screeched and recoiled. “To the window! Move!”

Swift Wing and Cloud Chaser wrestled the final chunks of rubble out of the shattered window, clearing a narrow escape route. “It’s open!” Cloud Chaser shouted, gripping the jagged edges as he twisted to fend off a leaping demon. A sharp twang cut through the chaos—Ghost’s crossbow bolt buried itself in the creature’s throat, its dying snarl mere inches from Cloud’s back.

“Don’t just stand there, go!” Ghost barked, reloading in a blur and firing again. His bolts struck true, even amidst the chaos.

Ivory Flight and Moon Fire sprang into action, wings churning the choking dust as they grabbed Lucky Star and Platinum Star, dragging them toward the escape. Moon Fire let out a guttural cry as a demon’s claws raked across her thigh mid-flight, but she didn’t waver. Twisting in midair, she drove her blade deep into the demon’s chest before landing hard.

“Corporal!” I called, alarmed at her limp as she hit the ground.

“Just a scratch!” she shot back, her face pale but set with fierce determination as blood soaked her leg.

One by one, the flyers ferried our people through the window as quickly as they could. The demons were relentless, pouring over the collapsed barricade and crumbling walls like a flood. Their six-eyed gazes burned with unholy malice. Ghost held the line at the rear, his sword carving wide, brutal arcs that kept the swarm at bay. He glanced back at me, his expression grim. “Sir, I’ll hold them here!”

“Not alone, hermano!” Loba roared, her twin swords flashing as she felled two demons in a single, fluid motion. “Go, General! We’ve got this!”

Every instinct screamed against leaving them exposed, but time was running out. “Flyers! Take the high ground! Cover our retreat!”

The winged soldiers nodded sharply and shot upward, raining steel bolts that sent demons tumbling from the walls. The bottleneck at the window clogged as the last of us scrambled through. Ghost fired one more bolt, taking down a demon lunging at Loba’s back. She spun in the moment he bought her, severing the creature’s head with a vicious swing. “We’re getting boxed in!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. “Move faster!”

I was the last of my group to reach the window. As I vaulted through, a demon lunged, claws slicing across my stomach as I twisted away. Ghost tackled it from the back, slamming his shield into it as the two rammed into the opposite building. They slam into the ground below, the demon's body providing a soft landing as his thick sword plunges into its side. The beast shrieked and writhed, but he didn’t relent, driving the blade into its throat until it fell still.

“I had that,” I said as I hauled him to his feet, blood dripping from the shallow gashes across my abdomen.

“Sure you did, Sir,” He panted, smirking faintly under his mask.

Outside, the street was a warzone. Smoke and fire choked the air, and the distant clamour of other battles echoed through the crumbling ruins. The buildings that once stood tall and proud were now skeletal husks, teetering on the brink of collapse. Demons prowled the alleys and open streets, their six glowing eyes gleaming with feral hunger.

“Regroup!” I shouted, rallying the survivors. “Form a defensive circle!”

They moved with practised precision, our months of gruelling training overcoming their exhaustion. The Unicorns formed a shimmering barrier of magic, holding off the first wave of pursuing demons. Above, the Pegasi rained bolts with unerring accuracy, slowing the horde’s advance. Loba’s Lycans fought in a deadly rhythm, their strikes fluid and devastating. At the centre, Loba directed with ease, men following her instructions like a well-oiled clock.

“General!” She called, her green eyes fierce despite the blood—demon and otherwise—matting her fur. “We need an exit, or we’re done for!”

My eyes darted over the battlefield. An alley to the left looked clear, a slim chance to escape the thick of the swarm. “To the alley!” I shouted. “Move in pairs, cover each other!”

The formation broke with disciplined chaos, soldiers retreating in practised sync. Ghost stayed close, firing his crossbow over his shoulder as we ran. A demon lunged from the shadows, its jaws snapping inches from his face. Before I could react, a searing blast of magic obliterated the creature.

“Nice shot, Lucky!” I called as Ghost reloaded, nodding his thanks.

“Don’t thank me yet!” she yelled back, sweat pouring as her barrier flickered. Beside her, Platinum Star added her own power, bolstering the shield.

The alley spilt into a quieter street, though the distant howls warned the reprieve was short. Moon Fire staggered, her injured leg finally giving out. Crimson Ice caught her effortlessly. “Don’t worry,” She rumbled, her voice steady. “I’ve got you.”

“All clear!” Swift Wing reported, landing beside me, her wings trembling with fatigue but her spear still at the ready.

“We’re alive,” Loba said, surveying our group with sharp eyes. “For now.”

Just as we slowed to regroup, the ground shuddered beneath me, a deep rumble shaking the cracked stone. “General, move!” Loba shouted, her eyes darting to the shifting earth at my feet.

Too late.

The ground caved in with a deafening roar, the street swallowing me whole. I tumbled into the dark, debris crashing around me as the yawning pit consumed everything.

“Sir!” Ghost’s voice echoed faintly as the rubble sealed the gap above, cutting me off from my team—and the battle above.

~~

Groaning, I cracked my eyes open, slowly dragging myself back to consciousness. The rubble beneath me shifted as I moved, sharp edges of rock grinding together. I tried to push myself up, but something heavy kept me pinned. The oppressive darkness around me made it impossible to see what was holding me down. Tentatively, I reached toward my abdomen, my fingers brushing against something cold and hard—a thick piece of rebar that had speared through my stomach, soaking my shirt in warm, sticky ichor.

Gritting my teeth, I braced myself. Wrapping my hands around the metal rod, I twisted, sending a shockwave of searing pain through my body as my vision blurred. The rebar groaned in protest before finally bending and snapping free. Pulling it out was worse—agony exploded in my gut, and I collapsed to my knees, gasping. But then, I felt it—the familiar, strange sensation of my wounds knitting themselves back together.

A voice broke through the darkness.

“Behind you.”

My body reacted before my brain could catch up. I swung my fist blindly, and it connected with something fleshy. There was a wet crunch as it crumbled under the blow, flames erupting from my hand and briefly illuminating the space around me. I was in a tunnel, its walls rough and uneven. Startled by my own strength, I stumbled back, raising my fists and ready for a follow-up attack.

But nothing came. Silence.

“Hello?” I called out, my voice echoing down the tunnel. “Hellooooo?”

The sound of my own voice startled me. I hesitated, then experimentally threw another punch. This time, fire engulfed my hand as I swung, vanishing the moment my fist stopped.

“Well, that’s new,” I muttered, flexing my fingers. “Gotta test that out later. But first, I need a light.”

I instinctively reached for Venator at my belt, but the moment I moved, flames erupted from my hand again. Startled, I waved it around like an idiot, trying to extinguish it, only to realize it didn’t burn—it just illuminated the space around me. The soft glow revealed the twisted, mangled corpse of a black-furred demon at my feet. Spikes jutted from its body, along with jagged pieces of rebar. Its skull was caved in, blood pooling beneath it.

“Christ,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Thank whatever god put me here for my healing factor.”

Looking up, I spotted the hole I must’ve fallen through. Shielding my eyes against the faint light above, I called out. “Ghost?! Guys?!”

No response. Just silence. Not even a glimmer of light from above.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath. Taking a deep breath, I reassured myself that they’d be fine. They had to be fine.

“Alright, focus,” I said. “Now I just need to figure out how to get out of here.”

I glanced down the tunnel, then back the other way. “Umm... eeny, meeny, miny... screw it.” Picking a direction, I started walking, leaving the lifeless demon behind.

The tunnels were a maze—a twisting, turning labyrinth of intersecting corridors. Some led to dead ends, others to locked metal doors. Water seeped through gratings on the floor, the sound of its trickle faintly echoing around me. The air was damp and cold, and I was grateful for the faint warmth of the flames flickering on my hand. If nothing else, my time in Canterlot Castle had given me plenty of practice navigating confusing layouts.

Still, after what felt like hours of wandering, I was growing anxious. Thoughts of my comrades weighed on me. Were they okay? Were they looking for me? My worries were cut short when the ground beneath me trembled, a faint purple glow catching my eye up ahead.

Quickening my pace, I followed the light to the tunnel’s end, where it opened into a massive chamber. The space was warped, almost surreal. Thick cylindrical structures jutted from the ceiling and floor, meeting in the centre with only a few feet between them. Suspended in the gap was a small, glowing stone, no bigger than my palm, casting an eerie purple light. Other tunnels fed into the chamber, their entrances dotting the walls like the spokes of a wheel.

“Jackpot,” I muttered as the flames on my hand flickered out.

Jumping down into the chamber, I barely took a step before I froze. A distant, bone-chilling screech echoed through the tunnels, faint but unmistakable. My senses went haywire, every nerve in my body screaming at me to move. The screeches grew louder, closer, overlapping as they multiplied. My pulse quickened.

Then they appeared.

A flood of black-furred demons surged through the openings like a tidal wave, their glowing red eyes and snarling maws locked on me.

“Oh, shit.”

I bolted forward, flames bursting to life in my hands. I hurled fireballs into the oncoming horde, the explosions lighting up the cavern as they tore through the demons. Some fell, engulfed in flames, but the rest kept coming, their howls deafening. One leapt at me, claws raking across my stomach before I blasted it point-blank, sending it flying in a mess of charred flesh.

I glanced around—the demons were everywhere, closing in fast. Holstering my weapon, I grabbed Venator and swung wide, its blade slicing through several at once. Their headless bodies collapsed, but the rest of the horde didn’t even slow. A heavy force slammed into my back, and I spun, throwing the demon off me and splitting it in two with a clean strike. Another raked its claws across my leg, and I stumbled. That moment of hesitation was all they needed.

They swarmed me.

Teeth sank into my arm, claws scratched into my legs and neck, and fists pounded against my ribs. Blood poured from my wounds as my vision blurred, a searing heat building in my chest.

Then everything went red.

The group scrambled around a corner and ducked beneath a partially collapsed building. The shade offered them concealment, giving them a fleeting moment to regroup. The sudden sinkhole had created just enough chaos and distance for them to exploit, though every fibre of their being urged them to go back and aid the General. Through a crack between the buildings, they watched demons galloping past, their grotesque forms framed in eerie half-light. A few demons paused, lifting their heads to sniff the air, forcing the group to hold their breath. Then, with a series of piercing screeches, the creatures scattered in all directions, somehow missing their hiding spot.

The group retreated deeper under the collapsed structure, moving with excruciating care to avoid noise. Once they were sufficiently concealed, they paused to catch their breath.

“We need to go back,” Strong Arm whispered, his voice strained with urgency.

Before anyone could respond, Ghost shook his head. “Negative, Private.”

“But—”

“No,” Loba interrupted firmly, her tone brooking no argument. She scanned her team while the Equestrians did the same. “There are too many demonio between us and him. Even if we could reach him, we don’t know how far he fell.”

“And we need rest,” Ivory Flight added, her wings drooping as she exhaled heavily. “We’ve been sprinting for what? Five minutes straight?”

“That’s you fresh ones,” one of the Lycans muttered with a weary chuckle, his exhaustion evident even through his wry grin. “We’ve been at this for twelve hours.”

“Exactly,” Loba agreed, nodding decisively. “We have to rest while we can.”

“I don’t know how much rest we’ll get,” Straight Aim remarked, glancing out at the chaos beyond their fragile shelter. Demons prowled the streets like predators, unaware of their quarry for now.

“Whatever we can manage is invaluable,” another Lycan murmured, brushing dust from her fur with slow, deliberate movements. “We take what we can get.”

Just as her words faded, a loud thud reverberated outside their shelter, freezing the group into a tense silence. A demon landed heavily nearby, its nose close to the ground as it sniffed. Bright blue eyes scanned its surroundings, each glance inching closer to the building’s shadows. Its sniffs quickened as it trudged toward them, one agonizing step at a time. It stopped suddenly, lifting its head to snarl, its eyes narrowing as it focused on the darkness that concealed them. The stench of copper, sulfur, and rot invaded their noses, making the silence even more suffocating.

More demons emerged, skittering over the building’s stonework like monstrous spiders. Their guttural snarls sent adrenaline coursing through the group. Looking behind, they found no escape. Bloodied, exhausted, and cornered, they braced themselves for the inevitable. Weapons ready, they prepared for a final, desperate stand.

Then, without warning, the demons froze. One by one, they twitched and turned, their attention drawn to a distant point. The lead demon inched closer, its snarl morphing into a roar. As if responding to a silent command, the pack erupted in panicked screeches, scattering in all directions as though pursued by some unseen force. The unearthly cacophony faded into the distance.

The group waited, hearts pounding, as silence reclaimed the space. Seconds stretched into minutes.

Finally, Ghost moved. Tentatively, he stepped into the open, ignoring whispered protests and outstretched hands. His eyes darted in every direction, his stance cautious yet determined. One by one, the others followed, their weapons ready, scanning for any sign of danger.

“What the hell was that?” Ghost muttered, his voice barely audible.

Before anyone could answer, a massive explosion erupted several blocks away. Bright orange flames and thick black smoke rose skyward as buildings crumbled in its wake. The ground shook violently, sending some of the group to their knees. Moments later, a demon’s mangled corpse hurtled through the wall of the adjacent building. Its body was a grotesque mess, limbs missing, half its face melted away to expose stark bone. Its shallow, labored breaths faltered, and with a final exhale, the creature’s glowing blue eyes dimmed into darkness.

Steeling themselves, the group emerged onto the main street to survey the aftermath. Dust and soot hung in the air, mingling with the acrid scent of charred fur and burning blood. The once-slick ground now burned dry under flickering flames, transforming the battlefield into a hellish tableau.

“Something tells me we’re about to find out,” Private Swift Wing murmured grimly.

The group pressed onward, following the destruction to its source. Rounding a final corner, they came upon a scene of carnage in front of the remnants of City Hall. Soft booms echoed in the distance, mingling with faint, guttural screams.

The demons lay scattered, their bodies twisted and broken. Limbs were torn from sockets, bones jutted through flesh, and entrails spilt onto the ground in steaming, foul-smelling heaps. Even the towering behemoths among them lay lifeless, their massive heads severed or crushed. Blood painted the dirt in front of the building, where one figure stood amid the slaughter.

Percival.

Drenched in crimson, he surveyed the aftermath with cold precision. Tied to his belt was a heavy, glowing object wrapped in cloth, its faint purple light piercing through the fabric. He rolled his shoulders, the crushed head of a demon beneath his boot.

A raspy cough broke the silence. A surviving demon, leaning against a larger comrade, bared its teeth at Percival. Clutching its side, it sneered. “He will not be happy about this! You will pay! We will hunt you down like the mangy dog you are! We have an army! AN ARMY!!”

Percival cocked his weapon, his voice low and steady. “Yeah? Well, fuck you too.”

He pulled the trigger and in less than a second, the demon was blown apart, its embers and ashes scattered to the wind. Giving Ace a small quick flourish, he reholstered while he turned to the gathered group, idly beginning to wipe to blood from his eyes.

“Clean up on aisle six,” he quipped.

"Sir," Ghost said, stepping up to the blood-covered man. "Glad to see you're alright Sir."

Walking up beside the skull-masked Lieutenant, Percival nodded to Loba as she held out her hand. "Glad to see you in one piece General."

"Glad to be in one piece," Percival replied with a solid nod and an equally firm handshake before turning to his men, watching as Thunder Strike set Moon Fire down for one of the Unicorns to heal her leg. "Those who can fly, to the sky, I want eyes on any potential threats. I want to know if we should expect company."

The three Pegasi gave the man a nod before taking to the sky, soaring up high enough to overlook the city, hovering in place and swivelling, their eyes scanning for any that would pose a threat. After a moment or two, one of them pointed to the east of their position, resulting in the group on the ground to turn and ready their weapons. The three land a few metres away, quickly stepping up to the alert group.

“Report,” Percival ordered.

"Movement on the city's eastern side," Sergeant Ivory Flight replied. "They're...retreating Sir."

"They're...what?"

"They're retreating Sir," Swift Wing repeated. "I don't think I've ever seen anything move that quickly in my life."

"Huh," Percival hummed, relaxing his posture. "Wasn't expecting that."

"Are you positive?" Loba asked, relief ebbing its way through the urgency.

"One hundred percent Ma'am."

The whole group, Equestrians and Lycans, simply glanced among themselves, unsure what to do with the information. The Lycans most of all were shocked and confused, having borne the brunt of the brutish and sudden assault, but the confusion promptly turned to a sorrowed relief. Relief for the nightmare was over, but sorrow for those who needlessly lost their lives to the demonic presence. The Lycans fell to their knees as the tears began to fall, and they cursed those who broke their families and destroyed their once beautiful home.

But as the group travelled to the encampment, a new emotion fell upon them: Hope. For a protector was born that day. Ponyville planted the seed for that hope, and for the world's newest Paladin, but the events that unfolded that day bore the fruit of that seed, and what would follow in the days to come.

The world had gained a new champion. For better or worse, it would never be the same.