Brothers In Blood II

It was a dark day in Gryphonia. Thick clouds covered the skies, purging the mountains into darkness. Rain fell from the heavens, having no indication of an end. The streets of the once peaceful city were now filled with chaos. Griffin guards patrolled the rooftops, keeping an eye on the skies. Guards patrolled the streets, checking back alleys for suspicious activity.

They were looking for someone.

Thunder roared in the distance, shaking the wet cobblestone streets. Lightning flashed in the sky, illuminating the city below. Gilda watched the guards on the rooftops from an alley, her feathers and fur soaked to the bone. Her sister whimpered next to her, flinching at the bright light.  she glanced up at her sister, looking at her hard expression.

The two backed up into the shadows as a guard walked by the alley, his face covered by the onyx helmet. He looked down the alley, checking for anything. With a nod, he continued to walk down the streets. Another flash of lightning made Gilda’s sister slip. She fell to the ground, kicking a can and knocking it against the cobblestone wall. The guard paused, walking back to the alley.

Without warning, Gilda grabbed the griffin by the neck, covering its beak. She sliced the guard’s throat, blocking the scene from her sister. She let the guard bleed out before dropping him to the floor. she looked for any witnesses only to look directly at the guard on the rooftop.

“Slag.” Gilda cursed under her breath.  Grabbing her sister, she ran out of the alley and started running down the streets. Bells and alarms echoed down the quiet streets, indicating that guards are on their-

“Going somewhere!” three guards crashed through the windows of a house, grabbing Gilda and pinning her to the ground. Gilda kneed one in the chest, cracking some ribs. She pushed the others off her and screeched, stunning them for a short period.

“RUN SIS!” she yelled to her sister. “Go hide! NOW!”

Gilda stood on her hind legs as guards flocked the area. Some came empty handed while other came with weapons. One rushed at Gilda, spear in hand. Gilda pushed away the spear and kicked the guard in the jaw. the onyx helmet came straight off, clanging on the rock floor. She grabbed the spear and twirled it around, getting into a battle stance.

With a war cry, two guards rushed at her, their claws bared. Gilda impaled the first in the chest, the spear head poking out the back of the griffin. She let go of the spear and blocked the other guards attack. More guards started to rush at her, surrounding her.

Gilda pushed away the guard and slashed another in the face. She grunted as one grabbed her from the back, holding her arms in place. With a roar, she stretched out her wings, breaking the grab. She lunged forward, pushed two guards to the ground. Before she could finish them an arrow impaled her wing. She cried in pai8n as another shot her right in the leg, causing her to fall to her knees.

Guards stationed the rooftops, bows and arrows pointed at the griffin. She gritted her teeth as she got up, punching a guard square in the jaw. Another arrow impaled her in the shoulder, breaking the bone. She wined in pain, blood merging with the rain. She looked around just to see her sister hiding in an alley, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Run…” Gilda barely managed. She fell to the ground with a thud, blood forming a puddle under her. Her sister covered her mouth as she cried.

“Find the other girl and kill her too.” said a guard. “No prisoners, only trophies.”

CHAPTER XI: SHOOTING THE MOON

The moon hung in the night sky, illuminating the quiet city of Canterlot below. The cool gentle winds blew quietly down the streets. Night guards flew around in the sky, scanning the city. Ponies called at some of the guards walking down the streets, asking about what was all the commotion about. The guards just shrugged, lying to the resident ponies.

“I got you Clay.” Shining grunted as he held Clayton steady. Clayton clutched his shoulder, blood bleeding down his arm and dripping to the cobblestone floor, leaving a trail.

“No need for the escort Shiny,” Clayton chuckled. “I’ve been through worse.” Shining thought for a moment, before nodded in recognition.

“That is true,” Shining nodded at the guards at the gates. The two opened the large golden gates, letting Clayton and Shining in. “But for now, you’re in my care.”

“I’d rather be in Pinkie’s care any day.” Clayton said under his breath. The two chuckled as they entered the castle.

“Shining!” Twilight an at her brother, hugging him. Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked into her brother’s eyes.

“I’m fine Twilight, thanks for asking.” Clayton grunted. Twilight broke from the hug and looked at Clayton. She covered her mouth as she looked at the cuts and bruises on his body.

“Sweet Celestia, you need medical attention Clayton!” Twilight gasped, looking at the arrow in his shoulder.

“Twilight, it’s just an arrow.” Clayton smiled.

“But what if it was poison tipped?” Twilight asked. “You could be dead in a matter of minutes.”

“Comforting.” Clayton said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“She has a point, Clayton.” Shining Armor agreed. “I’ll take him to the medical wing of the castle.”

“I’ll tell Celestia about the attack on Canterlot.”

“No!” Clayton grabbed Twilight by the shoulder, stopping her from heading to the throne room. “Celly’s been through a lot already, we don’t need her learning about this.”

“She has a right to know Clayton,” Twilight commented, shrugging off Clayton’s hand. “I’m not just going to keep secrets from Princess Celestia.”

“Can it you two, well talk about it in the morning.” Shining Armor ordered, standing in between Twilight and Clayton. “For now, let’s just get Clay patched up.”

The medical wing of the castle was whiter than the castle itself. The sound of hooves echoed down the halls and doctors and nurses pushed hospital beds into rooms. Many injured guards groaned in pain, the white sheets they lied on covered in blood. Some doctors tried saving the patience’s, while others pronounced their time of death.

A brown stallion in a white jacket walked into one of the rooms, shaking his head at one of soldiers that passed. He looked up to see Clayton lying on two beds due to his size. His shoulder and arm was bandaged with only a small amount of blood leaking out. Shining Armor looked over his shoulder to see the doctor shaking in his spot.

“Don’t worry doc, Clayton’s bark is worse than his bite.” Shining Armor assured. “So did you check if the arrow was poisoned?”

“We knew the arrow was poisoned when we got a sample of Clayton’s blood.” The doctor cleared his throat. “It seems that the arrow was laced with Magicae Ressistentiae.”

“English doc,” Clayton grunted. The doctor coughed

“My apologizes,” The doctor read the clipboard he held in magic. “Your blood is laced with a form of magic resistance.”

“Magic resistance?” Clayton repeated.

“Apparently whoever hit you with the arrow wanted to protect you.” The doctor smiled. “This type of resistance is not as strong as say an Alicorn shield, but its strong enough that you can take a significant amount of damage from a unicorn.” Clayton looked down at his hands, clenching them into fists and releasing.

“I don’t feel any different.” Clayton commented.

“And that’s the thing we don’t get.” The doctor walked over to the window, glancing up at the bright moon. “Our world is filled with magic. It’s like gravity, you can’t feel it but you know it’s there. If someone were to take some form of magic resistance, they would feel incredibly different. It’s like removing gravity in an area. The fact that you are not affected by it astounds me.”

“Remember doc, he is from a different planet.” Shining Armor announced.

“Yes but still.” The doctor turned to face Clayton. “When you first arrived in Equestria, did you feel any different?”

“The gravity’s a little off, but I didn’t become no Superman.” Clayton chuckled. His laugh died as the doctor and Shining Armor gave him a questionable look. “Long story; Anyways, I feel great doc.”

“That is nice, but you’re going to be monitored in the hospital until everything checks out.” The doctor nodded to the two and began to walk to the door. “Visiting hours end in fifteen. Good night gentlecolts.” The doctor bowed and closed the door behind him. The two waited until the sound of hooves disappeared in the night.

“Looks like you’re going to be here for a while, huh?” Shining Armor chuckled.

“Tell me about it.” Clayton groaned. “I don’t even like hospitals.”

“Medical center.” Shining Armor corrected.

“Bite me,” Clayton growled. “So did they find out what the thief stole?”

“It’s still under investigation.” Shining Armor sighed. He glanced at Clayton only to see him yawn. He chuckled. “Sorry if I’m boring you.”

“It’s been a long night Shiny,” Clayton smiled. “I need to get my beauty sleep.”

“You call that beauty?” Shining chuckled, walking over to the door. “Night Clayton.” He nodded to his friend and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

“Wise guy,” Clayton shook his head. He yawned again and laid back, resting his head on the pillow. With a sigh, he was out like a light.

Clayton woke up lying in a large white field. He opened his eyes to see himself under a snow covered tree. With a yawn, he got up, scanning the area. The snow covered floor went as far as the eye could see hills and trees making the ground less even. Snow covered the bushes and trees, indicating a recent snowfall. The sun shined down on the field, clouds covering the skies.. He breathed in the air, sighing at how fresh it was.

“Wake up big brother!” Clayton froze in place as he glanced over his shoulder. A young boy sat next to him, a soft smile on his face. The boy’s hair was blonde, just like Clayton’s. His blue eyes glowed in the light. The thick winter jacket indicated how cold it was. Clayton couldn’t believe his eyes.

“B-Ben?” Clayton stuttered.

“That’s my name knucklehead!” Benjamin smiled, messing up Clayton’s hair. “You said you’d teach me how to ice  fish and here you are, sleeping under a tree.” A small tear went down Clayton’s face, dropping on his leg. Without warning, Clayton hugged his brother, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“I’ve missed you so much.” Clayton cried, not letting go of his brother. Ben squirmed in place, trying to get out of his brother’s grip.

“I’m so sorry brother!” Ben pleaded. “I only went on my own to look for a place to fish since you were asleep. I’m sorry if I scared you.” Clayton looked at his brother in the eyes, a smile on his face.

“Relax Ben, I’m not mad.” Clayton sniffled. “I’m not mad at all.”

“So you won’t tell mom?” Ben asked, his cheeks getting red due to the cold.

“M-Mom?” Clayton couldn’t believe what he heard. “Where’s mom?”

“She’s at the cottage, over the hill.” Ben flinched as Clayton got to his feet, running to the direction Ben pointed out. “H-Hey! You said you wouldn’t tell mom!”

The sudden burst of the door shook the whole wooden cottage. Clayton glanced around, sighing at the heat coming from the fireplace. Lamps illuminated the wooden room. A tall green tree sat next to the fireplace, covered in decorations. The whole living room had green and red streamers and lights. Claton’s eyes froze as a woman exited from the kitchen, a large pot in her hand.

Her blond hair was ted back, strands poking out from here and there. She wore a white night gown, an apron tried around her waist. She was about to set the turkey on the dining table when she saw Clayton standing at the door, shocked at the scene.

“I was trying to surprise you two when you got home.” She smiled, putting the turkey on the table “I guess the jig is-“ she gasped as Claytons hugged her, picking the woman off her feet. He spun in place, laughing the whole time.

“Someone’s in a good mood today.” The woman smiled. “I know my cooking makes everyone happy, but this is ridiculous.”

“I’m just so happy to see you mom.” Clayton sniffled. He wiped away the tears from his eyes. Ben finally made it to the cottage, huffing and puffing for air.

“Did you tell- Wow!” Ben gasped, his face glowing in joy. “You really outdid yourself mommy!”

“Oh hush, you’re making me blush.” The woman smiled. “But that’s not the only surprise I planned.” The sounds of footsteps brought everyone’s attention to the stairs. A tall man dressed in red and white walked down the stairs, a brown bag over his shoulder. The man wore a fake white beard walked down to the group.

“Ho, Ho, Ho!” the man chuckled. “Merry Christmas to all!”

“Daddy, you can’t dress up like Santa Clause!” Ben smiled, hugging his father’s leg. “But nice effort.”

“Aww did I make it to obvious Maria?” The man smiled to the woman.

“You just forgot the large stomach honey.” Maria smiled.

“I knew I forgot something…” the man groaned. He looked over to Clayton. “Clay, why are you just standing there? I’ve journeyed across mountains and I only get a hug from my youngest son?”

“You don’t like my hugs?” Ben frowned. The man smiled.

“I don’t like ho strong your grip is getting, it’s an indication that I’m getting older.” Everyone laughed at the remark. Clayton chuckled. “But enough of that, my wife has created a dinner for kings! Let us feast on this dinner!”

“Way ahead of you pops!” a familiar voice rang. Clayton glanced at the dining room table to see a young teenaged boy sitting in the table, munching on a leg of the turkey. Clayton raised an eyebrow, not recognizing the boy.

“Darius?” Clayton asked.

“Who?,” the kid asked. He jumped off the table, the leg in hand. “I don’t know a Darius big bro, but he sound like a nice guy.”

“No, that’s your name.” Clayton said. “Darius, Darius Carmine. of the four Carmines.” The boy looked at Clayton quizzically.

“Uh, not to burst your bubble, but there’s only three of us.” The kid pointed at Clayton. “You, Ben, and me, Anthony.”

“Anthony!?” Clayton stepped back, shocked.

“Well unless mom and dad are planning on getting another child.” Anthony smiled, looking over at his parents. “Then they’d be four.”

“Darius does sound like a nice name.” the man thought. “either that, or my father’s name, Darren.”

“You can’t be Anthony!” Clayton yelled. “It was Darius and me first, then Ben, and then you!”

“Did you get knocked out or something?” Anthony asked, worried about his brother.

“And none of you are even supposed to be alive!” Clayton continued. “Dad died when the Locust attacked and Mom died giving birth to you! And then a couple years later we all ended up on this weird planet inhabited by ponies! And I had to save this mare named Fluttershy while you two ended up in a town called Ponyville and met Twilight and the others

Then a couple months later some creepy king named Sombra tried to take over and a Changeling Queen killed you. And then Sombra killed Ben later on. All of you are supposed to be dead!”

Clayton breathed heavily, looking at his family. His mother covered her mouth, looking at Clayton with a shocked expression. His father narrowed his eyes at his son. Ben was hiding behind his father, whimpering Anthony tried not to laugh, but a smile was written across his face.

“Obviously, sleeping in the sun on a cold winter’s day must’ve fried your brain cells, Clayton” the man chuckled.

“I’m not crazy!” Clayton growled.

“Seems that way, since you just named some of the horses in the backyard.” Anthony smiled. Clayton ran to the window in the back of the cottage. He wiped away some of the condensation that formed on the window. A group of horses were walking around in the night, some eating patched of grass that they could find.

“You and I even named some of them. Twilight; because she comes out at night, Fluttershy; because she’s scared of butterflies.  I was even expecting you to say Applejack or even Rarity.”

“I-I don’t.” Clayton couldn’t even say a word.

“Doesn’t matter now, the foods getting cold” the father commented. “Let’s eat gang!” the group all started walking to the table, finding their seats. Clayton stood at the window, watching the horses.

“Was it all a dream?” he whispered.

Shining armor walked down the halls of the medical wing. The sun was shining through the windows of the rooms, brightening up the white hallway. He grunted as a doctor pushed passed him, galloping to a room. Shining watched the doctors rushing to the same exact room the first one went into. He gasped as he recognized the room. Shining Armor began galloping over to the room, sliding to a stop at the entrance.

“What in Celestia’s name is going on?” Shining ordered, getting the attention of the doctors. A mare was crouched on the floor, crying her eyes out.

“I went to wake up Clayton to give him breakfast, but he wouldn’t wake up!” she cried. Shining went over to Clayton’s side, looking at his unconscious friend. He glanced at a doctor who was checking his heart rate with a stethoscope.

“Is he ok doc?” Shining Armor asked.

“Well he’s still breathing captain.” The doctor pronounced. “But it seems that Clayton Carmine has gone into a deep sleep. a coma if you will.”

“How long do you think?” Shining Armor asked.

“Only time will tell.”

“I got one!” Ben exclaimed. He pulled on the fishing rod, reeling in the string. He grunted as the fish started to pull, pushing Ben closer to the lake.  Clayton grabbed his brother, pulling on the rod with him.

“I got you Ben- Whoa!” Clayton started pulling harder, reeling in the line. “You caught a big one!” they both pulled as hard as they could, until the wire snapped. They both fell backwards into the snow with a thud.

“I did catch a big one…” Ben sulked. Clayton ruffled his brothers hair, laughing.

“Hey, it’s not the end of the world kiddo, it’s just a fish.”

“But it would’ve been my first catch!” Ben crossed his arms.

“At first you don’t succeed, try, and try again!” Anthony called, tossing a new fishing rod to the boys.

“The wise words of Anthony Carmine,” Clayton smiled, picking up the rod. “Give him a medal.”

“No need for sarcasm big bro,” Anthony chuckled. “At least I caught a fish.”

“Meanie!” Ben shouted. The kid scoped up a handful of snow and tossed it at his brother. Anthony blocked the snow, a grin creeping on his face.

“Snowball fight!” Anthony called, tossing a clump of snow right at Clayton’s face. With a laugh, Clayton tossed the snow back. The playful fight became a war as snow was tossed in the air and at each other.

“What in the hell?” the man chuckled as the three boys returned into the cottage, covered in snow. “Seems like you boys had fun.”

“At this rate, we’re never going to catch any fish.” Clayton chuckled. The other two joined in, laughing at the fact that they can’t catch anything.

“I don’t really mind,” Ben chuckled. “I don’t even like fish.” His laugh died down as Anthony picked him up by the collar, shaking him around.

“It was your idea on going fishing in the first place and you don’t even like fish!” Anthony growled. “For that we should give you nonstop fish until you starve to death from not eating it!”

“I was just kidding!” Ben pleaded. Clayton and the father chuckled at Ben’s misfortune. Clayton sat next to his father on the couch with a sigh, watching the fire.

“You ok sport?” the father asked.

“Yeah, just thinking,” Clayton said. “Sorry about my outburst yesterday. I guess I just wasn’t myself.”

“Or the sun really did burn some brain cells.” The two chuckled at the man’s witty response. “It’s ok Clay, stuff happens.”

“Yeah…” Clayton sighed. “Where’s mom?”

“She went to work.” The man answered. Clayton lanced at his father. He was reading the newspaper under the light of the lamp. Clayton’s eyes narrowed as he looked back at the fire.

“How long has she been working?” Clayton asked.

“She’s always been working?” The man grunted as Clayton grabbed him by the collar. The two boys stopped playing as they’re father was slammed against the wall.

“Mom’s a stay at home mother!” Clayton growled. “She’s never worked ever since she’s got me!”

“What? Yes she has!” the man grunted.

“LIAR!” Clayton roared. Without warning, Clayton tossed his father through the window with a crash. The man groaned as he landed on the snow.

“Clayton what the hell!” Anthony punched his brother square in the face, causing him to stumble in place. “Ben, check on dad! I’ll handle Clayt-OOF!” Clayton punched Anthony in the gut, causing the boy to bend forward. His knee connected with the boy’s face, sending him backwards into the kitchen.

Clayton looked over to Ben, sighing as he saw his brother scared out of his mind. Ignoring the boy, he walked over to his dad, his fists clenched. Out of nowhere, Ben wrapped his arms around Clayton’s neck, trying to choke the man. Clayton tried shaking off his younger brother, but he wouldn’t let go. With roar, Clayton slammed his back against a wall, knocking Ben unconscious.

Clayton turned around and bent down to his knees. He looked at Ben, checking for any signs of injury. Ben’s eyes shot open, causing Clayton to jump backwards. The boys eyes were glowing red, glaring directly at Clayton. The sound of shuffling could be heard from the kitchen as Anthony walked into the scene, his eyes also red.

Ben got up to his feet, looking older that he was a second ago. He was wearing the traditional COG armor, a large gaping hole in his chest. Blood and black ooze was seeping through the large grin on his face. Anthony was also in COG armor, blood oozing from his eyes. Their skin was turning a light grey. They both started to stumble closer, their arms outstretched. Clayton started to crawl backwards, his breath quickened.

“Why couldn’t you save us brother?” they both said simultaneously.

Without warning, Benjamin lunged forward, teeth bared. Clayton quickly kicked him in the jaw, knocking him out. Anthony pinned him against the floor, his grip causing Clayton to growl in pain. With a grunt, Clayton kicked Anthony right in the chest, launching him off. His relief was short as he looked at the severed arms of Anthony that were still gripped on him. He quickly pulled them off, shivering in disgust.

Ben grabbed Clayton by the neck, picking him up off the floor. He threw his brother across the room, sending him crashing into the dining room table. Clayton groaned, rubbing his head. He gasped as a couch was thrown at him, smashing through the window above him. He lunged at his brother, pinning him to the floor. With a fatal blow, he smashed his brother’s head against the floor multiple times until the body went limp. With a sigh, Clayton got to his feet, dusting off himself.

“Where am I?” Clayton yelled at the heavens. “I knew this was just a dream!”

“Did you now?” a female voice echoed. “Because this isn’t a dream, just a nightmare.”

A loud crash made Clayton turn his attention to the door. Multiple arms stuck out of the door, trying to grab the door knob. Clayton watched as the windows all smashed open, multiple red eyes glaring at him from outside. Multiple hordes of Ben’s and Anthony’s started to pile inside, stumbling closer to Clayton. They all said the same haunting thing over and over again.

Clayton ducked as one tried to lunge at him. Another grabbed him by the neck, pulling him backwards. He elbowed the zombie in the gut, causing it to let go. He turned to kick it in the gut, just for his leg to get caught in mid-air. Two zombies grabbed him by the arms, keeping him in place. Clayton kicked the zombie grabbing his leg in the head. He landed on both his legs and tossed the other zombies in the crowd.

He grunted as one tried to tackle him down. he slammed his arms into the zombies back, slamming him to the floor. One grabbed his from behind, wrapping his arms around Clayton’s neck. He tried grabbing the menace only to get tackled to the floor. More of the monsters started to pile on top of him, holding him down. Clayton tried moving, but only to get completely engulfed in darkness.

Clayton gasped in some air as he got up. He looked around only to see he was surrounded in darkness. The only light was coming from the bright moon and the stars in the sky. The grass beneath him was black, almost unidentified. A female laugh echoed in the darkness, causing Clayton to get up on his feet. He tried reaching for his pistol, only to find nothing.

“Nuh uh, my prey,” The female voice spoke. “You’re in my world now.”

“I know who you are, Nightmare Moon.” Clayton growled.

“Then you also know that if you die in a dream, YOU DIE FOR REAL!”

Two large cyan eyes glared down at Clayton from the sky. The stars started to shift into a form of a large pony from the waist up. A large toothy grin formed on the princess’s dark face as she glared at Clayton. Her mane blended into the starry sky, almost making her mane look like the sky. She wore a large metal chest plate with a dark sapphire pendant on the centre. Clayton gasped as he saw a small alicorn trapped in the crystal.

“LUNA!” Clayton called.

“No more Luna!” the large alicorn roared. “ONLY NIGHTMARE MOON!”

Clayton lunged to the side as the beasts hoof smashed into the dark floor with a loud thud. She slammed her whole forearm on the ground and swept the floor. Clayton was slammed against an old castle that was originally not there before. He grunted as he pushed against Nightmare Moon’s force. With a roar, he kicked her hoof away.

Nightmare Moon laughed as she tried smashing Clayton to the ground. He dodged as the hoof slammed into the ground. She tried pulling it back up, only to grunt as her hoof was stuck in place. Taking advantage, Clayton rushed at her stuck hoof, knife in hand. With a war cry, he slammed the blade into her arm.

“OW!” Nightmare Moon cried. She pulled her leg out of the ground, pulling Clayton with.

Clayton jumped off at the last second as Nightmare Moon tried to smash him on her arm. He fell on his back as he crashed through the old castle, landing in an empty hallway. He moaned as he got to his feet, clenching his head. He looked through the window to see Nightmare Moon trying to find him, her eyes like spotlights.

“There you ARE!” Nightmare Moon smashed a hoof through the wall and in front of Clayton, blocking his path. “KILL HIM!”**

Small arms outstretched from Nightmare Moon’s arm as clones of Anthony and Benjamin started to crawl out of her fur. Clayton backed up and started running away, ignoring the screams and cries of his brother behind him. A loud hiss echoed from outside, making Clayton glance out one of the windows. Clayton lunged forward as a large dark blue ray of magic shot from Nightmare Moon’s horn, obliterating the zombies behind him. He shielded his eyes as the ra started to get bigger.

Or get closer.

As quickly as he lunged, Clayton scrambled to his feet, running away from the large ray that was trailing behind him, destroying all in its path. The ray finally started to disappear, to Clayton’s relief. But it was short lived as Nightmare Moon’s laughed echoed the halls. He gasped as a large hoof grabbed hif from where he was, picking him up. The hoof turned horizontally, making it a small platform.

Clayton quickly got to his feet as the other hoof tried to smash him. He grunted as he held the hoof up, fighting the power of Nightmare Moon. He clenched his teeth together as his right leg fell to its knee. Nightmare Moon’s evil laugh echoed in the dark as she watched him, a large grin on her face. With a roar, Clayton pulled upwards, getting back on his two feet.

Nightmare Moon finally had enough. Without warning, she stopped trying to squish Clayton and instead smashed him into the ground. She laughed as she raised her hoof, looking to see the fallen hero. She gasped as all she found was just the smashed rocks and dirt.

“WHERE DID YOU GO?” Nightmare Moon roared.

Clayton crawled up the hoof of Nightmare Moon, balancing on the large mare’s arm. He started running up the monsters arm, hate in his eyes. He gasped as Nightmare Moon’s other forearm swung right over him. With a grunt, he stabbed his knife into the other arm. She hissed, swinging her right arm around. Clayton jumped from the arm and onto her horn. He stabbed the knife into the horn and slid down, ignoring the roars of pain by Nightmare Moon.

“NO! THIS IS MY WORLD!” Nightmare moon suddenly disappeared, causing Clayton to fall to the ground with a thud.

He got up to see he was in a different place. He was now in a large room with a dirt floor. marble pillars rose from the ground and held up the marble ceiling. The floor shook as a large hoof smashed through part of the ceiling. Nightmare Moon chuckled as she watched from the hole.

“You may be able to outsmart me,” Nightmare Moon growled. “But can you outsmart yourself!”

A loud war cry echoed in the large room. Clayton looked around to see a clone of him. Its skin was grey, but had the same body type. It growled at Clayton, its teeth razor sharp. Its eyes were glowing red, with white irises.  It looked a bit larger than Clayton, but was still a clone.

The clone roared and rushed at Clayton, its arms outstretched. Clayton Lunged to the side, causing the clone to crash through a pillar. He looked over his shoulder to see the clone standing over him, a large piece of the pillar in hand. Clayton kicked the beast square in the chest, knocking it back. He screamed in pain as the pillar landed on his leg.

The clone took advantage of the weakness and grabbed Clayton by the collar. With a roar, he threw Clayton across the room, sending him crashing through a marble pillar. Clayton groaned in pain, wincing every time he moved. He gasped as the beast rushed at him, roaring like animal. Clayton kicked a piece of the pillar at the clones legs, causing it to trip and fall face first into the ground. Clayton winced as he got up on his feet, clenching his leg.

The sound of grinding metal made Clayton glance over to the clone. The monster was slowly walking over to Clayton, Lancer in hand. The chainsaw purred as the monster revved it up. He caught the clone’s arms as it tried to swing downwards at him, the wind from the chainsaw blowing on his hair. He pushed forward, causing the clone to fall backwards and onto the floor.

Clayton backed up as the clone got up, its arm turning into the Lancer. A creepy grin crept on the clones face as it rushed at Clayton, swinging wildly. Clayton ducked under a swing and shoulder charged the beast, slamming it against a pillar.  He continued to serve blows to the clone’s abdomen, grunting at every blow. The clone kicked Clayton away and punched him in the jaw.

The creature swung the chainsaw wildly at Clayton, causing the man to back away. He winced as he backed up into a pillar. Clayton quickly ducked as the blade crashed into the pillar, wedging itself in pace. The clone pulled on its arm to get out of place, only to get a boot straight in the face. The beast fell backwards, severing the Lancer from the creatures arm. Taking advantage, Clayton pulled the Lancer out of the Pillar and slammed it in the clone’s chest, ripping through the rib cage and revering the clone in half.

“YOU HAVEN’T WON YET!” Nightmare Moon hissed. A large hoof grabbed Clayton from the room, pulling him out.

“YES I HAVE!” Clayton shouted. He stabbed the chainsaw into Nightmare Moon’s hoof, causing the alicorn to scream in pain.

Clayton jumped off of Nightmare Moon and crashed through the sapphire crystal on her chest. He exited through the back of the alicorn, holding the night princess in his hands. Nightmare Moon roared in agony as she started to turn grey as stone. Clayton watched as he fell into the dark abyss as Nightmare Moon began to crumble, her screams echoing as he fell into the abyss.

Clayton fell into the hospital room with a crash, smashing the hospital bed under his weight. He looked up to see he was in the medical bay, which was surprising. His eye locked as he saw his Lancer resting on the couch across from his bed, the sun’s light reflecting off it. A small plaster of blood was on the chainsaw, indicating that it’s been used.

“Did the Lancer come through the dream?” Clayton whispered. “That means-“ he was cut off ass the door swung open.

“I knew my pinkie senses were tingling!” Pinkie commented. The rest of the mares glanced through the door to see Clayton getting to his feet. “He’s alive!”

“I’ve always been ali-oof!” Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow, Twilight, and Fluttershy all hugged Clayton simultaneously. Shining Armor walked into the room, a large smile on his face. “I guess I was gone?”

“You’ve been in a coma for a week, Clayton.” Shining Armor held out his hoof to the man. Clayton bumped a fist against it, chuckling.

“When I said beauty sleep, I didn’t mean it like that,” Clayton joked. “Trust me.”

“Well it’s a good thing you’re awake Clayton,” Said a familiar voice. “Because you have a lot of explaining to do.” Clayton groaned as Celestia stepped into the room, her eyes narrowed at Clayton.

“Listen we didn’t want to tell you about the attack because-“

“The fact that you thought it was a good idea to hide the fact that this thief stole Sombra’s horn is enough to know that you’re arrogant.” Celestia stated.

“Sombra’s horn!?” Clayton questioned.

“That’s why during your coma, the Crystal Empire and the Changeling stronghold has been whipped out.” Celestia walked over to Clayton. “We could’ve warned them.”

“We didn’t know what it stole until whenever Shiny here found out!” Clayton shot back.

“Will you two stop yelling at each other!” said a familiar voice. The sheets of the bed started to shift. Suddenly, tey were lifted off to reveal a young alicorn princess.

“Princess Luna!?” Everyone said in unison.

“I knew it.” Clayton snapped his fingers. “The whole time I was in a coma, Nightmare Moon put me in a perfect dream. After I finally freed Luna, I thought I pretty much left her defenceless with Discord. But when I saw the Lancer that I used in the dream here, I knew I must’ve brought her with.”

“You saved my sister” Celestia gasped.

“That’s beside the point, Clayton nodded to Shining Armor as Celestia and Luna hugged each other.  “We have to prepare this castle for war. If Discord has already broken through the Crystal Empire and the Changeling Stronghold, he must be near.” Shining Armor laid a map of Equestria on the floor

“Let’s hope he’s not where we thing he is.” Shining sighed.

“And where do you think that is?” Clayton asked.

“The Everfree Forest.”