Dusk of Peace

Dusk of Peace

Chapter 2

The rush of combat was immediate. Furious clomping of hooves, and fierce wing beats dominated the battlefield. Spells of many shades and powers flew from magic ponies as they aimed at hostile opponents. Pegasi zoomed at their winged brethren and ground adversaries.

Dodging harmful spells and speeding past his allies, Thunder Runner charged at the Ralentald warrior Clouttail. The Ralentaldian caught a glimpse of the furious earth pony that rushed to him. It was close, but Clouttail barely evaded the raider-raised warrior. Before he could recover Clouttail was knocked backwards with a powerful blow.

Thunder Runner took advantage of Clouttail's daze and ran to trample him. Looking up, all that Clouttail saw was the hooves of his adversary. He was dealt a deadly blow that pounded him to the ground and left him with a gaping head wound. Clouttail was rendered incapacitated.

Meanwhile, the Tridonstrian twins attacked with fatal synchronization. The pegasus brother attacked those that fell victim to the magic pony's spells. They took out Oakenhoof with a well timed dive and a fire spell. Their next opponent was the Avextrian earth pony Blazing Trial.

Game Chaser dove down at the pony while he finished off Mystic Vale. Blazing Trial was caught unaware and was easily knocked to his side. Gamer Masquerade used his magic to debilitate the downed warrior. Trail felt a sheer cold blast him, followed by a vigorous shock. He was struck down by the deadly combination.

With only two warriors left remaining, the Avextrians were quickly overwhelmed, leaving none alive. Ralentald, and Fornestria had three warriors left. Dalinix lost three, but were still holding out well.

Omni focused his attention to Hammerhead, a Ralentald warrior. He covered himself in a magic barrier and sprinted at him. Hammerhead was up for the battle and braced himself, ready to take flight. Omni used his telekinetic abilities to transport himself behind the pegasus pony. He was caught off guard and paid for it with the sting of lightning.

Quickly, he took to the air only to be shot down by a different magic pony. He hit the ground violently and was killed on impact. Omni looked across the battlefield to find the pony that had took his kill. Eyeing him back was Chromacia, already preparing another spell.

Stormhoof regrouped with his remaining ally, Cloud Shield. They aimed for Cherryblossom, a Fornestrian warrior. They took her from both sides. She was only able to dodge Stormhoof and was tackled by Cloud Shield. She was trampled violently and the two came back to the skies.

As Cloud Shield looked for the next victim he was shot down by a great shock of lightning. The fall was long enough to kill him on impact. Stormhoof, outraged, looked at the source of the spell and saw Insighted Mind. Stormhoof dove at him with unnatural speed. The Dalinxian was thrown at the colliseum wall.

The sounds of breaking bones assured Stormhoof that he could end the magic pony easily. He rammed at him while he was still pounded in the wall, which pushed him further in. This strike violently killed him. Blood streamed from his mouth and his form was maliciously twisted.

The remaining warriors found their opponents and ran to strike. All who remained were, Omni, Crystal Charmer, Chromacia, Thunder Runner, Stormhoof, and the twins Game Chaser and Gamer Masquerade. Chromacia and Omni fought each other furiously with spells. Game Chaser combated Stormhoof who effortlessly dodged his brother's spells.

Cheers were blasted and curses spat. The victor would be soon at hand. The warriors fought tooth and nail. The tensity was extreme as the rulers watched with hope. Hope was soon about to run out.

Flash fires took the battlefield, startling all the ponies, spectators, and warriors alike. The fires ringed the battlefield. The warriors stopped their struggles to address the sudden flames. They rose higher and higher as if they were going to engulf the entire coliseum. The rulers watched the fires with fearful awe.

Within the wall of flames, parted an opening that led to pitch black void. The void was soon filled with chaotic purple flames. Within the flames appeared the silhouette of a large pegasus pony. Heavily armored and set afire itself, it strode closer into the coliseum.

The fiery pony stepped forth from the tunnel of purple fire. It's left eye was covered with an eye patch and its helmet bore two long horns. It's eye was pure black and it's mane was blood red flame.

"You are pitiful excuses for warriors." it uttered with a dark voice, clearly male. He looked at the recently violent ponies still posed to fight. He spread out his massive fire coated wings that resembled that of a pheonix. His glare was now fixed on the rulers that were posted on the far balcony.

The gust of wind from his take off sprang sand and dirt several feet.

"So these are the descendants of the first great kings?" he mocked as he approached the honored rulers. "You argue who is stronger and send your younglings to fight for you?! How your ancestors would have condemned you."

He sustained himself in the air and observed them.

"Luckily they aren't here, and seeing that they aren't---"

"You were banished! How are you here?! What foul magics released you from your imprisonment?" asked Lord Plainsstalker.

"Simple, my friend. It says plainly in the Seal of Dalinos. 'Should the peace of the kingdoms dry and become brittle, than our seal shall fail and the world will burn at the hands of the ancient foe, Flameberge.'" he quoted.

"Then the seal has been weakened for quite some time now." Valiant expressed.

"Yes, long enough to allow me to grow influence in the world again. For over twelve years it has weakened and soon it will crumble." he chuckled.

"Not if we can stop it!" declared Plainsstalker

"How do you propose to fix it in time. With the damage you've caused it's not repairable."

King Ashwood came before Flameberge, almost like he was unphased by his presence.

"We are prepared for you Flameberge. We can stop you just as our ancestors did." he claimed boldly.

"Is it truly 'we', Ashwood? Or is it just 'you'?" he pointed out.

"Gentlemen, and ladies I bid you farewell, until we meet again on the thirteenth year."

Flameberge covered himself with his wings and disappeared in a cloak of flame. The of fire dwindled and sputtered out. The portal of purple flame collapsed. The coliseum was returned to it's normal setting.

There was absolute silence. Valiant came to the balcony edge.

"I, hereby, call this battle to an end. There is no victor for a much greater threat has befallen us. Return to your homes and grieve for our fallen warriors. I bid you all 'mayros'."