Chapter 8

Canterlot was in an uproar. Word of another attack spread like wild fire. The once calm night had turned into a large scale panic. Mares screamed, families ran home and boarded up the windows and Blue Blood reassured himself in the mirror.

A large force of guards had encircled the 'assaulted' tower within minutes of the crash. They formed a tight ground and aerial spear line ready for anything. They could hear loud but slow stomping from inside but what it belonged to they had no idea. However their defense was unnecessary when the building came down.

A low rumbled came from behind the doors followed by the sound of stone cracking. The structures supports whined under the stress and gave way. Dust and rubble quickly scattered into the air and surrounding area causing nearby guards to cough and sneeze.

"What happened here?!" Celestia demanded as she approached from the sky.

"Princess!" A pony in night guard armor saluted her.

"Captain what happened?"

The armored mare lowered her arm. "A ball of orange fire collided with the northwest tower. Why it happened we do not know it and it was too early to suspect anypony. We were going to investigate but the tower came down shortly after our arrival."

"Any guards on duty?" Celestia asked, concerned for her ponies safety.

"Unfortunately yes. One Corporal Sting Wing and Sargent Light Ark both night guards" The Captain informed regrettably. "The Magi are using life detect and hopefully they will be..."

"Captain they're over here?!"

The night guard Captain and Celestia Quickly turned their heads to a robed unicorn waving over to some rubble. Celestia and the Captain hurried over to him, relived that the two may be alright.

"Report!" The Captain ordered.

The unicorn performed a quick salute. "I have confirmed the life signatures of Corporal Sting Wing and Sargent Light Ark under this rubble." He gestured to the largest pile of stone.

"Assemble the other magi let's get them out."

"They are already here we are ready." The stallion pointed to several other unicorn standing around the felled tower.

"Very good," The mare nodded with approval. "get them out."

The magi where practiced users of magic. They were considered to be the elite of all things arcane and where often called upon to deal with Equestria's problems. Their magic was both strong and advanced. They could perform basic levitation, shielding ,healing and even a few offence spells, although those had heavy restrictions. But even the best unicorns have difficulty lifting something that has a weight of a few tons. Even with others it can be a daunting and exhausting task.

"Keep it up!" The Captain ordered. "You are almost there."

It had taken only five minutes and the magi were now lifting the largest piece of debris. It lifted slowly but steadily but the magi looked like they were on the verge of collapse and eventually one did.

Soon after him another fell, followed by another and another. As they all collapsed one by one the field keeping the stone aloft weakened. It remained air born for a few seconds before descending back down. Celestia was quick to act and lift it again. But the second she put her magic to work she felt herself being drained.

"Something is draining my magic." She informed the surrounding guards before dispelling her magic. "Everypony make sure that stone does not crush those trapped inside!"

All the Night guards rushed to the solid stone and save their co-workers. However as they got closer they heard a low whine. It was not enough to get there attention.

"Everypony get your hands secured and lift on my mark!" Shouted a stallion. "MAR-"

The quite whine, they chose to ignore, erupted into a high pitched screech. The closest guards covered their ears and wailed in pain as the last unicorn dispelled his magic.

*****

Rade starred. He had never seen these creatures before in his life. (And previous life, he could sense this.) Yet he shielded the small creatures from harm. Was it guilt that made him act? Curiosity? Just like many things he did not know but what he did know was that they had magic... Tons of it.

He looked up at the confining ceiling again, pressing his massive hand flat against it. He put more force into his arm in an attempt to move it. His metal joints scrapped against each other, screaming under the force. The stone did not budge and inch.

'Too weak...' He confirmed. 'Not enough magic.' He looked back down to the unconscious beings beneath him. 'Their magic would suffice but... Walburn might get mad.'

Walburn. That name always brought out Rade's inner need to protect. He was to be his shield and Walburn to be his light through the darkness. Rade was happy when Walburn was happy and the current distance between him and his master made him more then uncomfortable.

'I need to find a way out.'

Rade pressed his back and both hands to the ceiling. Using his legs he pushed with all his might. To his surprise it moved. He continued to push upward with renewed confidence. He could get out. He did not need to use the creatures' magics and...

'Am I getting stronger?'

The massive amount of stone was moving much easier then it should with what magic he had left. In fact he felt his magic reserves... Filling up?

Rade glanced up to see the stone encased in a bight blue field. It sparkled and pulled the stone up while he pushed. He could feel the magic seep into his pipe fingers and work it's way across his body.

Without hesitation he sapped more of the precious energy until his reserves were full. He could sense the strength and integrity of the magic depleting but he did not care and continued draining more energy. He quickly surpassed his capacity and his metal body became hot as a result.

He felt the full weight of the stone push him down to a knee but he dared not let it push him further. His body groaned under the weight but Rade prepared himself for the final push.

'I need to use this magic quickly. I am far above my limit and will sustain damage at this rate.'

Rade held his metaphorical breath As he forced the magic into his arms and legs. The heat build up was immense and the bodies between his legs began to sweat. The low groan of metal sifted into cries of grinding metal and magic.

Rade steadily forced himself from a knee, to a squat and eventually to a crouch. A small sliver of light poured in, granting him a look outside.

He saw the surprised, horrified, pained and many other expressions of dozens the of creatures outside.

'Wonderful.' Rade Deadpanned. 'Looks like the whole army is here. Maybe I should just stay in this stone tomb'

But it was too late. The guards outside had seen his glowing orange eyes peer out at them. In response they formed a defensive line between him and Celestia.

'The white one must be important... Interesting'

Rade forced his body to stand inch by inch. Very slowly he revealed his body to the armored creatures. Their stonewall expressions changed from surprise to awe in a matter of seconds. They watched as the metal contraption heaved the massive piece of rubble to one side, completely stunned by it's appearance and it's god like strength. Steam billowed off his body like a a locomotive's engine car.

*****

"I-Impossible..." Stammered one Magi. " T-They were outlawed."

"You know what that thing is?" The night guard Captain asked without taking her eyes off the monster.

"It is a golem." Celestia interrupted. "And I did make them illegal to create in Equestria."

The guards watched in horror as the monstrosity shoved it's massive body against the stone and caste it aside. It shattered as it hit the ground with a thunderous thud. Other stones were crushed into powder, sending forth another wave of dust that engulfed it.

"Princess I would like a crash course on golems right now please." The Captain wearily said, starring at the hulking mass of metal.

"Certainly." Celestia cleared her throat. "Golems are solid bodies infused with magic and an artificial spirit. They are often durable and strong and because they are not self aware they require orders from the one who created them." Celestia leaned in close to her. "You need to approach this with caution Captain."

The mare laughed." Princess I am Night Guard Captain Night Furry." She bowed. "And no matter what this thing came here to do, I will stop it." Night furry turned to the guards and magi looking to her for orders. "How are you and the other Magi?"

A unicorn shrugged. "That thing left us nearly empty. I doubt we will be of much use."

Night Furry bit her lip. "Then we are doing this the old fashioned way."

"Captain!" Shouted a stallion. "It's got Ark and Sting!"

Night Furry's and Celestia's eyes widened when they realized they had forgotten an important factor. Were the golem emerged was the same place they were looking for two night guards and with the dust settling they could see them clearly.

Clasped by the head, in each of the golem's hands, were those very same night guards. It was not crushing them but Night Furry wanted to free them as soon as possible. She had expected it to dispose of them or drain them immediately but all it did was stare. It's glowing orange eyes remained fixed on something.

Night Furry began tracing a line of sight. 'What is it looking... At?' The line traced directly to Celestia's eyes and she was returning the stare with one of anger.

"Princess what do you think it is up to?"

Celestia face grew cold and void of it's usual warmth. "Doing as it was ordered. Captain I want this dealt with. The longer it is here the more the risk to other ponies lives goes up."

Night Furry nodded, completely understanding the situation but yet... Why did it feel so wrong? Like there were missing pieces to a puzzle, painting an unfinished picture.

"I understand Princess." She took a step forward. "Everypony here are your orders!"

*****

Rade sighed inside his chassis. 'It seems there was a communication error... I wish Walburn was here.'

The guards scattered into lines encircling him. They all wielded spears and shields in their multi-colored hands. Jingling could be herd from the varying swords at their hips as they swayed from side to side. The 'female', Rade could barely tell thanks to her armor, standing next to the tale white one was shouting orders.

'Perhaps I could have approached this better.' Rade glanced down to the two unconscious creature in his cold grasp. 'I suppose this does appear rather menacing.'

"Steady!" Shouted the female again.

The soldiers raised their spears at Rade with determined looks on their faces.

As they prepared themselves a dark thought dawned inside Rade. 'Maybe I should play with them a little.'

Rade raised the winged one in his left hand above his head. All eyes stared at the limp body with concerned looks.

'Perfect.'

Rade then stretched out a leg and knelt and without warning brought down the small creature. The creature was perilously close to getting his spin snapped in half had the front line not charged him. However Rade predicted this. The motion that was initially used to brake the creatures back was transformed into a throw. The body spiraled threw the air and collided with three others.

Taking advantage of the small gap, Rade charged in. He topped over half a dozen under his superior weight and others where sent through the air. Some planted their spears into him but because of large mass it had no effect.

"Surround i-" A guard was inturupted when Rade pushed his fist into his gut.

"lieutenant!"

"Dammit! How can something so large move so fast!?"

Night furry bit her lip at the scene. Her elite guard were getting their asses handed to them by a golem, considered to be unintelligent, and she did not like it. She did not like losing but what she hated was this things use of hostages.

"Princess are you certain golems can't be intelligent?" Night Furry asked.

"I am." Celestia nodded. "It has to be operating under a complex set of orders."

"But the way it used a hostage would suggest otherwise." The disgruntled Captain mumbled. Her eyes snapped up and a smile spread a smirk spread across her face. "I have an idea Princess... As well as a bet."

Celestia raised a brow."Oh really?"

Rade raised a struggling guard in his hostage free hand. The guard kicked furiously and reached for his sword.

"Stand down!"

The encirclement of guards as well as the one in Rade hand stopped. All were still and quiet. Rade looked around at the scene, unsure of what to make of the turn of events. The only thing Rade could hear was the whistle of the wind and foot steps (Hoofsteps?), to which he directed his attention.

There to greet his gaze was the female commander. Guards who obstructed he path gave way to her, forming a two sets of identical columns on either side of her. Her strides were paced but confident and all the while her hand rested on the handle of her sword.

'What are you up to?'

The female came to a halt a few yards from Rade. Rade straitened his back and legs, standing to his full height. He towered over the Captain at nine glorious feet. The captain had to look up to meet his eyes, Although surprise she was unfazed by his obvious attempt to frighten her. However the same could not be said for the rest of her guard. They shared worried and concerned expressions for their captains safety.

"Well you sure are a big fella." Rade only starred, perplexed by her behavior. "Alright I am going to be forward with you. The Princess believes that you are and unintelligent drone only obeying his masters orders mindlessly."

'Excuse me!?' Rade looked up to the White one now identified as a Princess. 'I am insulted!'

Night Furry looked to Celestia as well to find her confused. The metal being was reacting to conversation with somepony other then it's master, something she did not think was possible.

"But," Rade looked down on her again. "You see I made a bet with the Princess. If I can prove that you are intelligent she will discuss some much needed 'vacation time' with her sister."

'Oh my seeking a peaceful solution but using the situation as leverage to gain something out of as well... I like you.'

"So golem what do you say? Oh and before I forget can you release those two?"

'Two?'

Rade looked to the guard in his left hand. The guard he had ensnared before looked pale under his gaze, perhaps even on the verge of wetting himself. Then he looked to his right hand which still held and unconscious horned creature.

'Oh... Whoops.'

Rade set down the trembling guard first, he did not want to get his fluid on him, and he breathed a deep sigh of relief. Seeing that the golem had given in, a pair of what Rade guessed were medics, approached him. Rade gently set down the last one he held before them.

Night Furry chuckled and turned around to Celestia. She smirked and mouthed the words "I win."

Celestia, Although thoroughly confused and beaten, smiled and nodded to the Night Captain.

"Know that's out of the way." The Night Captain's smile disappeared. "I need to tell you something golem."

'And yet another turn of events.' Rade's body emitted a low grinding sound which was his equivalent of a sigh. 'And there was that 'word' again.'

"I hate losing." She explained. "And the way you so easily defeated my fellow guards was embarrassing and not only counts as a defeat for them, but for me as well. So I challenge you to a duel golem!"

"Captain!" Celestia called, clearly shocked by her actions. "I order you not t-"

The golem raised one mighty arm into the air with a series of whining metal. The guard's jaws dropped to the floor.

"D-Did it j-just shush P-Princess Celestia?" A group of stallions murmured.

Rade gave The mare a curt nod bring a grin to her face.

"Excellent! But I need your name before we start..."

Rade picked up a price of nearby rumble. With some magic he heated a pipe appendage till it was red hot. In crude but legible writing he carved his name in for all to see.

I am Rade

"Well Rade I am Night Furry." She performed a light bow. "But before we begin don't you dare hold back."

Rade scratched his mettle face plate. 'She noticed. Well then I will go all out.'

Rade lowered his body to the ground in his typical gorilla posture. However instead of being on all fours his right arm stayed ready at his side. Some more mettle grinding was heard as a crude board slide out of his for arm. A smile spread across Night furry's face when she saw the edges on either side of the three foot long sheet.

Author's Note

And there it is! Now the story can take on a natural flow, probably alternating between Alex and Walburn. ( Since I like those two the best.)

As usual your comments are all appreciated and if you haven't already check out my other stories.

Peace! :)