Storm clouds billow in the night sky, high above the dark and desolate Shadow lands. Down from the dark cloud falls a torrent of bone-chilling rain. Near the heart of the storm a bolt a flashes, illuminating a large citadel made of the same black granite of the mountain base which it was carved into.

Atop the walls of the fortress pegasi with full light weight, steel body armor, that makes them resemble hawks and covers all but the tail feathers they possess, fly around the walls of the fortress readying for battle. The lightning fades and they are plunged back into darkness, but they have practiced enough that they do not need to see what they are doing. Within minutes the pegasi are armed with loaded crossbows and are in position to defend their home.

Inside the walls of the fortress hundreds more earth ponies in larger steel armor, which bears more resemblance to wolves and provides complete coverage to its wearer, rush to get into rank. It takes them longer to do so, but they manage to do so with practiced ease. The earth ponies then march to stand before the gates that provide access to the fortress.

The storm releases another flash of lightning as two more ponies, both stallions, step out onto the fortress’s walls. Light from the lightning reflects off their black crystalline armor, which, unlike the steel armor, doesn't completely cover their heads. Despite them being of slightly different height they tower over the ponies adorned in the steel armor.

The smaller and leaner of the two has a dark brown coat and wings and a golden brown mane and tail. Then his eyes have golden colored irises and dagger-like pupils. What really stands out is his muzzle, which almost looks like it’s been replaced with a beak with sharp, tooth-like extrusions along the sides. Strapped onto his back he has a well-made black oak crossbow.

His companion has a dark grey coat with a lighter grey mane. His eyes are a yellow green with pupils that match his companion’s. Then his muzzle looks more like a wolf’s snout, complete with razor sharp teeth. From the boots of his armor extend razor sharp, claw-like extrusions similar to the ones on the boots of the earth ponies.

There they stand for several minutes. The smaller ponies staring at them, while they look down upon their soldiers. Not moving, not making a single sound, completely oblivious to the bitterly cold rain falling down upon them. The pitter patter of the downpour is the only thing breaking the tense silence that has descended upon the fort, which only moments before had been bustling with activity.

Another flash of lightning illuminates the fortress and moments later the deep rumbling of thunder is heard. After the sound of the thunder has dies down the black armored ponies finally break the silence.

“YOUNG WARRIORS!” shouts the smaller of the two, “SOON WE WILL MARCH AND REVEAL OURSELVES TO THE WORLD, BUT FOR NOW, WE MUST STILL CALL THE BLACK STONE CITADEL OUR HOME!”

“WHICH MEANS WE MUST DEFEND IT, WITH OUR LIVES IF WE HAVE TO!” bellows the taller as he pipes in, “A HIGH DRAGON IS MAKING ITS WAY HERE TO TAKE OUR HOME! WE HAVE TRAINED FOR ALMOST A THOUSAND YEARS TO CAPTURE EQUESTRIA! IF WE ARE UNABLE TO TAKE DOWN THIS FOALISH HIGH DRAGON, THEN WE CERTAINLY WON’T BE ABLE TO CAPTURE EQUESTRIA!”

“ONCE IT IS WITHIN RANGE YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO KILL IT! IF YOU DON’T THEN ALL OF YOU WILL BE GIVEN TO TWISTED SCAR FOR HER TO DO AS SHE PLEASES! IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!” hollers the hawk-like pony finishing what his companion was going to say.

“YES LORD SHADOW FALK! YES LORD DIRE FANG!” respond the soldiers, unwavering despite the threat.

“THEN YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO!” the hawk pony shouts, albeit sounding much calmer.

With having given their orders both Shadow Falk and Dire Fang walk to the edge of the wall to watch the battle to come. Many tense moments pass in silence as all present wait for the drake to show itself. Their patience is rewarded when they hear a loud bellowing roar followed by a blast of fire from the fast approaching high dragon.

With their enemy before them the soldiers tense while their two leaders remain perfectly calm. A few moments later Shadow Falk nods to the pegasi manning one of the ballista. In response they proceed to aim at the drake they can now see is golden in color. With the dragon in their sights they fire the ballista’s bolt.

The bolt flies straight for its intended target, but before it can hit the dragon sees it and attempts to get out of the way of the incoming projectile. However, it is a bit too slow and the projectile embeds itself into the dragon’s leg. On the fortress the ponies are able to hear its cries of pain and respond by sending three more bolts sailing for the dragon.

One bolt hits the golden drake in the chest, but doesn't damage anything vital. The second shot embeds itself in the leg right above the first shot. But the third shot hits the dragon right in the wing with enough force to pass right through the bone. With its wing injured the dragon is forced to land before the wall of the fortress.

As the high dragon proceeds to land the pegasi on the wall fire a storm of bolts from their crossbows. Despite all of the arrows the dragon continues to stand, so the gates of the citadel are opened. From the doors charge the earth ponies like a flood. They quickly overcome the struggling dragon through pure numbers.

Moments later the golden beast grows quiet and the ponies back away from it. When it fails to move the earth ponies get back into formation and proceed to march back into the citadel. Before they can get very far a black blast of energy strikes the dragon’s corpse at the base of the skull. Surprised, the ponies look up at the wall of the fortress to see Shadow Falk with his black crossbow in hoof looking down at them.

“YOU HAVE PROVEN THAT WE ARE READY TO CAPTURE EQUESTRIA! YOU MAY RETURN TO THE BARRACKS TO AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTION!” he shouts with a disciplined calmness, “DISMISSED!”

With an affirmative the earth ponies march back into the city and from there all of the armored ponies make their way towards the barracks. All that is, except two.

Shadow Falk and Dire Fang sit there in silence watching their troops march through the streets of Black Stone to the barracks. One watches with an indifferent calmness while the other wears a slight smile that partially reveals his sharpened fangs. Only once the armored soldiers enter the barracks does one of them speak.

“Lady Chrysalis will be arriving soon to give her report on Equestria’s defenses,” comments Dire Fang still looking across the stone city.

“It’s about time, the royal wedding was months ago, and her second attempt wasn't long after that,” Falk states irritably. “Our millennium to plan and prepare are finally going to pay off. Events will start moving much faster after today’s council meeting.”

“I take it our agreement is still on.” Dire Fang says more as a statement than a question.

“Of course, Dark Silver and yourself are the only two who want to have it. The rest of us are much less ambitious. Also I trust you much more than Dark Silver,” explains Falk.

“Good. Once the Children of Shadow captures Equestria we will be able to put our plan in motion,” states Dire Fang with a dark grin.

“In order to do that we first need to know the location of the other cluster of shadow crystals,” remarks his companion, “Though judging from your expression I’d say-”

“Hello boys. Are you up here plotting without me?” asks a voice sounding like a gentle breeze.

Upon hearing this familiar voice the two ponies direct their gaze to the ground on their right. Quickly rising up from the granite floor is a vaporous cloud that is a very dark shade of purple, so dark it almost appears black with a black crystal in the center. As more and more of the wispy cloud rises out of the stone it begins to take on the appearance of a large, ethereal alicorn.

She is the same height as Dire Fang and thus, has to look down at Shadow Falk. Her eyes are a deep violet and, like the other two ponies, her irises are slits. The flowing mist that makes up her mane and tail are an amethyst purple. Once the vapor has fully formed her body her black, the crystal forms a pendant which briefly emits a black glow and flows to form her own black armor around her now solid body.

Regaining his confident smirk Dire Fang is the first to greet the new arrival. “Hello Phantom Night. I take it that you have a message for us.”

“Hmmm. I might, I might not. That will depend entirely on whether or not our agreement is still on.” She says coyly.

“It is. Now then, what is the message?”

“Chrysalis has contacted us. Black Silver has requested a council meeting. I sent my underlings for the others, but I came to tell you myself.”

“Well then let’s not stay here. I want to be there when we come up with a plan to capture Equestria,” says Shadow Falk butting into the conversation, some annoyance invading his normally calm demeanor.

“Lets” says Phantom Night with a smile as she returns to being a purple mist.

The mist that is Phantom Night then floats away toward the mountain the citadel is carved from. Following her lead Shadow Falk spreads his wings and takes to the sky. However, Dire Fang doesn't immediately follow them; instead he sits there contemplating the sudden change in pace.

For the last thousand years the eight Shadows have been preparing. They sought out any pony that was exiled from Equestria and made those ponies one of them. Then those ponies started having families. They carved this stone city out of a mountain’s base, and as the population grew they started carving a city inside the mountain. They even trained all of their citizens to be soldiers.

After a couple minutes he snaps out of his memories. He gets up and jumps off of the wall to the granite streets below. A sickening crunch is heard as he hits the hard stone. Blood even begins to drip from the gaps in his armor.

Seconds later several more snaps are heard coming from within the armor. Soon after the previously lifeless corpse of Dire Fang stands back up without a single injury. As if nothing happened he steps out of the puddle of his own blood, which is quickly being washed away by the rain, and sprints towards the towering mountain.

Within minutes he is running through the entrance to the mountain. He is dashing through the twisting, turning tunnel, until he emerges into a large stone city. Without stopping he makes his way towards the large tower in the heart of the city.

As he dashes through the streets, the ponies move to the side to form a path. Due to him towering above the other ponies he is able to easily see through the crowded streets, it also allows the ponies in the crowd to see one of the Shadows racing through the city.

It doesn't take him long to reach the tower. When the guards see him they quickly open the doors. Dire Fang charges through the doorway, and heads towards the stairs, where he bounds up them to the top floor. Here he exits the large, winding staircase and runs towards the council chamber.

At the council chamber doors he finds that he isn't the only one just arriving. For approaching the chamber is another large pony like being.

She is snake like in appearance and has a bronze coat. Her mane and tail are darker bronze. Her irises are dark grey with slit pupils. Lying on her back is a large death adder.

“I see that I’m not the only one arriving late,” state Dire Fang as the other Shadow approaches.

“Now, now Dire Fang don’t be like that,” she scolds teasingly. “We all know that you arrive late simply to spite Black Silver. I mean, it was he who has taken charge of the city.”

“Enough! We are late enough as is, and I will not miss this meeting,” growls Dire Fang, his voice dripping with contempt. “Besides we all know what you were doing, Twisted Scar.”

At the last bit a small smile appeared on her face. “I’m sure you do, and it was wonderful. Though, as you said we are late, and we wouldn't want to keep the others waiting.”

With that she turns and trots on over to the door with Dire Fang walking behind her, a look of disgust on his face. At the door her eyes emit a bronze aura and her armor produces a black glow as the doors open. Dire Fang pushes past her and enters the chamber. Slightly put off she regains her composure and follows.

The room is a large circular chamber made of the same black granite as the rest of the city. Around the perimeter are eight ornately designed thrones, each of a different material to designate its owner. Five of the eight seats are occupied, and in the center of the room stands a shadowy figure resembling the changeling queen.

As the two march into the room all eyes turn towards them. Paying no heed, Dire Fang takes his seat in the silver throne while Twisted Scar sits in the bronze throne. Once they have seated themselves all eyes return to the changeling’s shadow projection.

“Now that everypony is here, we may begin the council meeting,” states the black, dragon like pony sitting in the throne made of obsidian. His mane and tail are grey, and he has dragon horns growing from his head. Chrysalis can’t help but shift uncomfortably under his green eyes piercing gaze.

“First, we must hear Chrysalis’s report. Chrysalis, if you may.”

At this the shadowy figure steps forward. For the next several minutes she regales the council with all of her findings on Equestria’s defenses. All the while the seven ponies present sit in silence and just listen.

After she finishes delivering her report she stands there waiting for any questions. When none are forth coming she takes her seat in the last remaining seat.

“That is the full extent of their defenses? Taking control of Canterlot shouldn't be too difficult then,” comments the dragon pony with a smirk.

“Don’t get cocky Black Silver, after all those six mares defeated Discord and Nightmare Moon. We need a well thought out plan in order to capture Equestria,” Dire Fang snaps.

“Oh, come now Dire Fang. Do you honestly believe these innocent young ponies are a match for the Children of Shadow and our army of shadow ponies? We really only have three threats to worry about: Celestia, Luna, and Discord. All of the others are insects.

“No offence,” he then adds in an offhand comment to Chrysalis.

“Dire Fang’s right. Celestia is no fool, and has the Elements of Harmony at her disposal. Not to mention the princesses of love and friendship,” states Shadow Falk jumping into the conversation from his golden throne.

“Equestria is also allied with the griffons, the minotaurs, and the zebras. Not to mention the recently returned Crystal Empire. In order to capture Equestria as easily as possible the attack needs to be swift and unexpected,” adds the Shadow on the ruby throne, who appears to be a cross between a crimson pony and a scorpion. He has no mane, his tail is that of a scorpion, and his eyes are blood red.

“I think we should get the changelings to capture Canterlot. They nearly did so in the scouting mission,” pipes in a dark brown cat like pony on the wooden throne.

“They would be prepared for another changeling invasion though,” points out Shadow Falk. “What we need is a way in that they would never expect.”

“Shadow Falk and Death Sting are right. We need a quick attack on Canterlot, and we need a way in,” says Dire Fang. “Though, this reminds me that we have an ally hidden amongst them. She could get us in.”

“Who are you thinking of?” asks Phantom Night.

At this Dire Fang’s mouth curves into a large grin. “The only ally we have that really matters. One who could easily get us into Canterlot unnoticed. Though Black Silver will have to talk to her.”

“I know who it is you talk about, and I must say that I like your idea Dire Fang. It sounds rather poetic. Bravo, bravo,” Black Silver states. “So once she opens the city to us I suppose your fenrir wolves will lead the charge?”

“Of course, would any of the other divisions lead the charge?”

“I suppose not, very well. Continue.”

“First, the changelings infiltrate the royal guard. Then our ally lets us into the city. My division will attack from the ground, while Shadow Falk’s division will attack from the air. While that’s happening, the changelings begin attacking the guard from within their own ranks.

“As that is going on, Chrysalis, Shadow Falk, Neko Specter and division, and I move to take the castle. Neko’s division captures the guards, while the four of use each searches for the princesses, the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, Discord, and the princess of love and her captain of the guard husband. We capture them if we can, if it’s too much trouble we kill them.”

With his explanation over Chrysalis speaks for the first time since she gave her report, “Well it sounds like it’s settled then. I need to get back to start my part as soon as possible.” With that the shadowy mass she had been using to take part in the meeting disappears.

“If this is going to work, then I will need to contact our agent. Though, I still think all of this is unnecessary,” Black Silver says with a smirk. “Still it will save us a lot of time and energy.”

With that he walks out of the council chambers. One by one the rest of the Shadows quietly exit the chamber. Dire Fang, however, stays sitting in his silver throne.

Only once the last of the other Shadows has left does Dire Fang move. Or rather his shadow moves. It separates itself from him and emerges from the ground as a black, yet transparent version of Dire Fang.

“It seems that you plan is coming along nicely, Master,” the figure says in a voice deeper than Dire Fang’s.

“Yes it is Despair, yes it is,” Dire Fang chuckles.

“What of Black Silver? Do you think he’s a threat?”

“He’s foolish and arrogant, but, yes, he is a threat to us,” he replies. “Despite his faults he’s also clever and ambitious. Now come. We have much to do and little time. Let us make the most of it.”

At that Dire Fang exits the council chamber, while Despair resorts to being his shadow. He walks down the stairs two floors and heads towards his room. Inside the room he curls up on his bed as his armor shifts into being a single black crystal pendant.

“All shall know the crushing shadow of despair. All shall know my name and fear it.”

Author's Note

It took me longer than I expected, but I managed to finish the first chapter. Expect the next chapter of Virtuous Warriors this weekend.