Heroscape: The Equestrian Siege

Under the oppressive heat of the afternoon sun, the sand stirred, slowly shifting as the figure buried beneath awoke.  It sat up carefully, taking care to not allow sand in its joints.  It looked around, observing the surroundings that, compared to its last moments conscious, weren't the same.  Additionally, the temperature had seemingly been doubled; not that petty things like that affected soulborgs.

With a sand induced groan, the cogs in its legs straightened, and the figure looked about again.  All about it was an endless sea of sand, making the living machine feel completely alone and isolated.  At least, until a voice spoke up from behind it.

“Ah, you're awake.  'Bout time.”

The figure gracelessly pivoted and pointed its machine gun arm at the intruder.  It had seen many strange things on its time in Valhalla, but nothing compared in oddity to the assortment of random animal parts before it.  The intruder had a long serpentine body which ended with a dragons' tail.  One of its legs was that of a goat, the other of a reptile.  Near the top of its snake like body, the creature bore a loin paw and an eagle claw.  Its head looked like a deformed version of a horses', with an antler and a goat horn sticking out of the top.

“I am Discord,” it said, completely unfazed by the weapon pointed at it.  “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr...”

The robotic figure hesitated to answer, but quickly resolved that no harm would come out of sharing its name.  “Deathwalker 9000,” answered Deathwalker in a deep and distorted masculine voice.

“Deathwalker, eh?” Discord confirmed.  Discord tapped the robot's oversized shoulder plates.  “I can see why they call you that; your armor and weapons seem impervious.”  Deathwalker kept his weapons trained on Discord as he circled about him, seemingly scrutinizing him.  After a few laps around the machine, Discord spoke again.

“Alright, Deathwalker.  I'm certain that you've got questions, so ask and I will answer.”

“Where am I?” asked Deathwalker.

“You are in Equestria.”

“Why am I here?”

“Now that is a two part answer.  I'm not one for going into details, so let's just simplify the story and say that the world you previously resided on was destroyed, as well as everything on it.  But, I was able to save you before your eminent destruction.”

Deathwalker lowered his weapon.  “Why?”

“I was getting to that, my impatient friend.  Now where was I?  Oh yes, your world, Valhalla, is gone.  As well as everything on it, including those 'Valkyrie' whelps.  However, thanks to them using a magical medium to wreck the place, I was able to feed my own power through that vessel and pick out a couple of individuals whom could help me advance my own plans.”

This time, Deathwalker pointed his other arm, a short grenade launcher, at Discord.  “What are you planning, and why should I help you?”

“Both valid questions.  Quite simply, I'm planning to take over this peaceful country, but certain bindings and personal choices are preventing me from doing it completely on my own.  To answer the second, I will give you three reasons.  The first: by helping me, you will gain untold power and recognition from the citizens of this land.  The second: should that not interest you, I could devise the means to send you home; your real home.”

At this, Deathwalker lowered his launcher.

“Have I struck a cord?  Excellent, and I still have one argument to go.  Tell me, how loyal are you to Utgar?”

“Utgar is my only master, and I serve him and only him.  My only purpose is to advance his vision,” answered Deathwalker.

“And with Utgar deceased, you have no purpose then?” inquired Discord.

After some thinking, Deathwalker responded.  “No; I exist now to advance his vision.”

“Would you care to explain what Utgar's vision was?”

“Utgar's vision was to form an empire first controlling the wellsprings, then expand that empire to encompass the entire universe.  Despite his demise, I will still work towards that goal.”

With an evil smirk, Discord looked down to what he suspected was Deathwalker's face.  “Then you will serve me, for Utgar and I share the same vision.”

There was no denying it; all three of Discord's reasons were convincing and valid.  “I...will serve you.”

Discord clasped his talon and paw together, grinning mischievously.  “Excellent.”

It was hot, muggy, and rank...just like home.  For the hour that Ne-Gok-Sa had been awake, he waded through the murky waters of wherever he was, looking desperately for any signs of his allies.  But he found nothing; just rotting trees and sickly brown water.  The area was completely desolate, and he hadn't even found any signs of intelligent life.

Despite having always lived in a swamp, Ne-Gok-Sa made sure to be wary of the surrounding foliage.  The land, though familiar, was still a stranger to him, and he had to be on his guard.  Thus, he made slow, deliberate steps, ensuring that the soft detritus under the opaque water was a safe place to rest his fleshy, permeable foot.

Soon, though, the Marro's impatience bested his calm demeanor, and he resumed his standard gait, which was quick and uneven.  Having scouted the area, Ne-Gok-Sa decided it was time to look for answers to his questions: where was he?  What happened on Valhalla?  Why was he here?  Of course, he'd also have to find a way to find those answers as well.

Being distracted with his thoughts, Ne-Gok-Sa paid little attention to his surroundings.  Quickly, though, the warlord began to regret his reckless march through the swamp as his foot scraped along something round and rough.  He dismissed it as a rock at first, until, after several strides from the object, the water stirred.

He turned around to see an orange scaly neck adorned with red spines rise from the water, which soon ended with the arrow shaped head of a disgruntled hydra.  Nearby, three other heads rose in a similar manner, and the four in unison pulled their hulking body out of the mud.

All four heads stared curiously and angrily at the comparatively tiny intruder, who resembled a minotaur with its skin and horns stripped off, then had an arm replaced with a blade while the opposite shoulder was covered in a thick, segmented pauldron.  The hydra's heads spent a few seconds evaluating the intruder.  After some careful consideration, the head that was initially disturbed decided to crush the intruder in return for interrupting its sleep.

The head roared loudly and launched itself towards Ne-Gok-Sa, jaw wide open.  Ne-Gok-Sa held his ground.  Once the head was almost close enough to chomp him, he made his move, lunging and thrusting his armored shoulder into its mouth and into its throat.  The head tried to gag and spit out Ne-Gok-Sa's arm, but the warlord had already wrapped his sticky hand around the head's tongue.  Using all of his strength, he kept the struggling head relatively still, forcing its green, pleading eyes to look into Ne-Gok-Sa's own black corneas.

The head's struggling ceased as it became captivated by the Marro's eyes, or lack thereof.  Telepathic tendrils spilled out of the Marro's mind, finding their way into the head's head, slowly percolating into its brain.  Ne-Gok-Sa felt the hydra's mind begin so succumb to his power.  Soon, all resistance ceased, and the tendrils formed a shackle around the creature's mind, issuing only one command to its primitive, savage being: “You are mine.”  As confirmation of his control over the head, its once green irises were glazed black.

To Ne-Gok-Sa's astonishment and pleasure, the head that was now under his control began to telepathically relay this to the other heads, and each one complied, giving Ne-Gok-Sa full command of the towering beast.  Ne-Gok-Sa retracted his arm from the jaw of the head that had attacked him while the other three heads lowered themselves to his level to await his command.

There was an applause.  “Good show, my friend, good show.”

Ne-Gok-Sa turned to see yet another odd creature before him, a draconequus, if he remembered his fantastical creatures correctly, using its tiny wings to keep itself out of the water.  It was clapping its talon and paw together while giving the Marro a malicious smile.

“Mind control; great trick.  It's exactly what we need for my plans,” the draconequus said, invoking caution and curiosity in Ne-Gok-Sa.  He telepathically prepared the hydra to attack, just to be safe.

“Those measures won't be needed, my slimy friend,” said the draconequus.  It had read his mind!  “I'm not here to hurt you; it's not my style.”  It paused, then grinned at Ne-Gok-Sa.  “I hear it's yours, though.”

The Marro was befuddled and slightly agitated.  He voiced his concerns, but, like with his allies from Valhalla, it sounded like random humming and cackling to the draconequus.

For a moment, the draconequus looked annoyed, but it quickly regained its evil smile.  “It's no matter if I can't understand you; as long as you get me, we're fine.”  Ne-Gok-Sa nodded to indicate that he understood.  “Excellent,” said the draconequus.  “Oh, where are my manners; I've not introduced myself yet?  My name is Discord.  I am a draconequus and the spirit of chaos in this world of harmony.”  Discord approached Ne-Gok-Sa.  “You are in Equestria,” he started, and taking up a mocking tone, continued, “the place where, 'friendship is magic',” he resumed his original tone, “and where ponies are satisfied with leading boring, harmonious lives.

“Twice before I've tried to seize this land, and twice I've been halted.  Perhaps I should have used more violent methods, but I believe myself above such barbaric measures.  As of late, I've been restricted; restrained by Celestia's leash, if you will.  Oh, but that doesn't mean my ambitions have ceased.  No, if anything, she's fueled them more.

“But, I'm not permitted to use my powers to cause chaos for the time being, and that is why I need you to do that for me.”

Ne-Gok-Sa folded his arms and turned away.  “I assure you that you'll be rewarded for your help.”  Ne-Gok-Sa looked back to Discord.  “I know how you Marro work; you want control, and you believe that those that are not Marro should be your slaves.  I can't promise you slaves, for that is in bad taste, but I can make you a king.  I can make your dreams of conquering come to fruition, and together, we can rule this land.  I've already got an agent putting my plan in motion, and our combined skill sets should make this task...

“...cakewalk,” he finished, stepping down onto a path made of cake that had spontaneously appeared out of nowhere.  Offering his paw to the Marro, he said, “So what do you say, king?”

King?  Ruling the foreign land was very enticing.  Taking orders from Discord was unappealing aspect of getting there, but that small sacrifice would have to be made if he really wanted to take part in the occupation, for Discord was more familiar with the world than he was.  Of course, he could always take Discord out once they had taken the throne...

With his own plans decided, Ne-Gok-Sa offered his sticky hand to Discord.  They shook, confirming the arrangement.  “Good choice, friend,” said Discord.  “Now, this is what I need you to do...”  They parted appendages, and Ne-Gok-Sa's hand left a small bit of slime on Discord's paw.

Discord looked to his paw with a deadpan look.  “Charming.”