Obsidian had vanished while Silver, Midnight, and Nightmare Moon had been shocked by Discord's disappearance. He was running to the remains of the Everfree at supersonic speed. He arrived and stood, staring at the destruction. He growled angrily and walked into the destroyed forest. Wherever his hoof touched the ground, the grass would grow back temporarily, before burning up again. Discord's enhancement had made him connected to the Everfree. "Timberwolf." Several large piles of ash reformed into the wooden, wolf creatures. "You are the only creatures I can rebuild with my power..." Several ghostly copies of Obsidian formed next to each of the wolves. "Find survivors." The wolves and copies each ran off in varying directions. Obsidian frowned. Jack sat back, leaning against a tree at the top of a hill, watching Roam quietly. "Discord is gone. Nightmare Moon is now my power. And the Pheonix Queen destroyed the Everfree forest. This is beautiful." Jack's armored companion nodded silently. (Woop, this is post 1,000)
With a few adjustments to the machines, Midnight managed to get the doors to unlock. Strange green goo flowed out of the machine and gave the Elements their first breath of fresh air for the first time in 175 years. Steam poured out of the machines as they hissed. Midnight looked quite happy with himself, seeing the other Elements starting to awaken very slowly. However, one of them caught his attention, his 'Adopted' sister Twilight Sparkle whom both of them had a special relationship. He went over and placed his hoof on the glass that held her. However, Nightshade talking in the background about Castle Harmony and the Everfree spun the gears in his head for a secondary location to set up shop. "We should check out the Everfree anyway, we should see how bad it really is. We also need to find a place to help with the war effort. The Gulag is too dangerous to set up from here, maybe back in the Crystal Empire is our best bet. Any other place i could think of is either occupied or too close to Equestria. Any ideas?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Refugees from Canterlot went across into the other lands to search for a new home, towns under the guidance of the Republic were favorites. Althrough treated as second class citizens, the refugees found it safe in the towns they liked to call home. Right at the peak of Republic control and coming close to annexed Equestrian lands, these towns were located miles away from the Crystal City. At night, they called the place's home. In the morning, the places ceased to exist. Entire villages butchered in the middle of the night with absolutely no warning. Equestria was gaining vengeance for spilling as much blood and suffering as for every life lost in Canterlot. It turned out that the Refuges were not Refugees at all, all of them were surviving Solar Flares....
Silver watched as the Elements were slowly revived. "We should take them to the Crystal Empire. Princess Cadence was close with all of them. They will need a friendly face to help them adjust to this violent new world." Nightmare Moon nodded in agreement. "As I am now, they would know me only as their old enemy. We should get them to Cadence."
(And......we’re back) “Good idea. With your magic ability’s gone, you would not be able to teleport back to the Crystal City. Flying is still optional, but would put you in danger due to Equestrian control of the skies. I can take you and the Elements back, they appear to be still in a daze. By the time we make it back to the Crystal City, they should be fully awoken.” Midnight told his auntie. “I’ll remain with you and help get your energy back from the protection of the city while the others take command of the war. Something big is apparently going to happen in Roam, so let’s get our hopes up that we will achieve victory there. I’ll fill in the elements once they awake.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was night at the Republic’s main camp, located not far from Roam. Crimson’s success was something to marvel at, taking almost every territory from the southern side almost without losing a single solider, while wiping out every outpost along the way. Star and Ycept felt eager to test out their new abilities, something that will happen very soon in the assault on Roam. The Republic’s Archmage also heard some good news from his wife’s side; she was pushing towards very quickly with her forces. Other than the demonizing situation of the destruction of Canterlot, and the formation of New Canterlot, all was going good. Except for Venquis News about Ardelan was hitting harder than usual and the Ryborian was entering prayer more while usually keeping to himself and his kind. He had once trusted the Equestrians many years ago, until the Black War. It took some convincing for Crimson to get the Eriborian to his senses, but it worked in the end. Once he made sure all preparations were ready, the republic was ready to take back Roam, something the Zebra’s would be ready to die for. It reminded Venquis of Ryborians wanting to retake Neromia, that sense of pride associated between their races. That was what made the Republic so strong, because they are all fighting for the greater good and pride of their people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Wanted to introduce a mystery character. She would be the strongest on the character sheet, bar none.) In the realm of the God’s, one of the most important goddesses and member of the God’s elder council watched as Discord formed in front of her. Discord stood infront of a beautiful goddess, who’s sheer beauty put others to shame, not to mention power. Out of the five members of the Elder council, a council where the chief gods of every race made decisions and lived out their daily lives. If the realm of the Gods were to be exactly like a county, the council were merely kings and queens of their own provinces, with none acting as a high king or high queen. “We gave you a chance Discord. You were told specifically not to cause extreme damage to the mortal’s war and yet you still disobeyed us. Judging how you are the Equestrian God of Chaos, that is expected of course. However, mass genocide was not part of the plan.” The goddess told Discord calmly and politely.
Silver nodded. "If you have the power to teleport the Dark Princess and the Elements with you to the Crystal Empire, please do so. I will be staying here for awhile, and then I must go see if anything remains of my home. Though I am loathe to leave Nightmare Moon's side with her in this weakened state, I suppose I'll trust that you will keep her safe while I am gone." Nightmare Moon turned to Midnight and sighed. "Hundreds of years and thousands of battles and Silver STILL thinks that I need a bodyguard. Let us humor him, nephew. I am ready to go when you are." Nightshade sat in the silently corner, tears still streaming down her ghostly face. The destruction of the Everfree had hit her extremely hard. Holly got to her feet slowly. The fires had scorched her entire body, turning her black. The small white rabbit that she had thrown herself over when the fires had come looked up at her, grateful to the Timber-Wolf that had saved her life. Holly led the rabbit to the armory, where they found the few Night Guards that remained alive. Blackout and Cricket were searching the wreckage of the castle for anything usable when they noticed one of Obsidian's Timber-Wolves on the horizon. Thinking it to be Holly, they called out to it. Discord stuck his tongue out at the goddess that had scolded him. "Hmph. Way to spoil my fun. This is just as bad as that time when you and the others sent the Elements of Harmony down to Equestria!"
The timberwolf, as well as the obsidian copy accompanying it turned to the call. The copy nodded silently and the two of them walked towards the castle. As they came into the clearing the copy called out to the survivors. "Warriors of the Forest. I come to help." Another copy, along with another timberwolf approached from the side of the clearing, converging with the first set at the entrance to the actual grounds of the castle. "I bring news from the prison, Nightmare Moon, and Silver." Another copy of Obsidian was heading towards the Crystal Kingdom. As the peaks of crystal buildings began appearing over the horizon for him, a baseball bat swung through him, making him dissipate. "Pathetic. I was hopin for the real thing, mate." The pony put the bat back onto his back and laughed. The white pony wore a solar flare helmet. He had metal rings around each ankle. "Guess I should be headin back... heh." The rings around his ankles glowed bright white, and he vanished in a puff of smoke.
Cricket eyed the Obsidian copy warily. "Use caution, Blackout. I sense no emotions from this one. This could be a trick." Blackout laughed. "Of course it's a trick, my love. I know a magic copy when I see one. I would wager that the real Obsidian is somewhere nearby. If I had to guess, I'd say he sent out copies to look for survivors, using Timber-Wolves as bloodhounds." Cricket nodded. Her husband was probably right. "Very well, clone. What news do you have?"
"Nightmare Moon has had her powers drained by the villain Jack. Midnight, the prince, has been freed for our side. The elements of Harmony remain alive. Discord has nearly destroyed Canterlot, but has been removed from the world as a result. For now that is all." The copies faded out, and the real Obsidian walked up behind where they were. "Brothers and sisters. How many strong are we, since the forest is... less than accomadating right now." The remaining Timberwolves collected behind him, followed by a small army of animals that had survived the attack, and had been told by a copy of Obsidian to go to the castle.
Blackout gestured towards the armory, where Holly stood with the surviving Night Guards. "Counting my wife and myself, there are twenty of us. Twenty-one, if you also count Silver Crescent's pet..." Holly snarled loudly. "Sorry, Holly. Silver Crescent's FRIEND."
Midnight nodded in reply as he placed his hoof on the Elements who were curled up together in a bed sheet sleeping, a side effect from the stasis they endured. Within half a second, The Night Princess and her nephew disappeared alongside the Elements. Moment's later, they suddenly appeared in the Crystal Palace located thousands of miles from where they started. The guards dismissed him as a enemy when they found him standing alongside Nightmare Moon, but what surprised them were the Elements of Harmony having some much needed sleep on a bed sheet. Midnight then signaled for the Elements to be allocated a room in the Palace while he dealt with his Auntie's magic problem. Once they made it inside, they were escorted to a magic training room for mage's to practice their spells. The walls had some of the best magic protection in the republic, so magefire and other destruction like spells would not pose a danger to the rest of the palace. "You want to gain revenge on Jack for stealing your magic power, i want revenge on him as well for threatening to kill me. To help accelerate your magical recovery, i will be your teacher instead of the mages allocated here. Physically wise, your in fantastic form. But obviously, you have no magic to assist you in combat or daily means. Let's start with some sparing first, it will help release stress from your body and helps your recovery. You can have some of my energy to begin with Auntie, potions can also assist you. with your recovery." Midnight told the night princess as she suddenly felt better. "With me teaching, you could be back to normal within a week." Midnight's wings then became raised as he got into stance. "Let's begin" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "And because we sent down the Elements of Harmony, Equestria was saved through our Fallen Angel." The goddess said, turning towards Faust sitting beside her. "Celestia is becoming more powerful everyday. Once she conquers the mortal world, it would be a matter of time before she makes a move on us and the realm of the gods." "My daughter is nothing like the rest of my family." Faust, the Equestrian goddess of the cosmos sadly agreed. "Unlike her sister, son and niece, Celestia was born to antagonize others. She is tyrannical, dangerous, extremely powerful and corrupted. She used to be a gentle soul like the others until she became who she was." said the white coated Alicorn. "Her sister Luna, or even her own son would make a much better ruler than she ever would." "You have a point Faust. Discord, you are hearby placed under 'House Arrest' in the realm as we see fit. You are forbidden to enter the mortal world until this war is over, then you may return." said another god, a Zebra male sitting on the far end of the long 'C' shaped table. "But if Celestia is not stopped, one of us must end the job. My best guess is you Sihana, without you, we would not exist." the zebra said pointing at the goddess who first spoke to Discord in the first place. Like all Ryborians, she had their pale white coat alongside their red iris. She had a long green mane that went down past her neck almost to her back legs and wore a beautiful mixture of decorated divine robes and armor. "I'll do what i must." She simply replied as she faded away from view, heading towards the mortal world. To ensure a quick visit to check on the situation, she had heard about the problem Nightmare Moon is having. Something she decided to make her first visit to her over.
Nightmare Moon charged Midnight and easily pinned him to the floor. After helping him back to his hooves she saw the surprised look in his eyes, and laughed. "After such a long time in that cell, did you really think to best me in hoof-to-hoof combat? Your magic may be just as strong as ever, but your muscles are not yet ready for such strenuous activity." She smiled. "Besides... Silver Crescent trained me, and you know quite well what kind of a fighter he is."
Obsidian looked around the destruction. "So, the magical armory is all that remains, yes? Well, we need to find a way to get the armory back to the crystal kingdom." A loud crash sound echoed through the forest, followed by a low grumbling roar. "Or perhaps just leaving would be better..." Obsidian turned to the sound to see a massive red figure with glowing eyes. Multiple sets of glowing eyes. Base Jumper appeared in his signature cloud of smoke on the roof of the Canterlot castle. He scanned the horizon and saw the heads of the monster he had personally agitated and sent after the survivors of the attack. "Classic." He smiled and vanished again, reappearing in the middle of an open field. A giant spider shaped shadow covered the field. "Yes, mate, I did as ya told me. I dunno your deal with this deer, but he's a tricky catch." The shadow shook. "Fine, fine. Whateva, mate. So long as you keep your promise." The shadow faded. Jack wandered through the rubble of the destroyed section of Canterlot. "Discord, Discord, Discord. He hasn't learned from his past mistakes." His armored ally walked up to him from behind and coughed. "Yes, yes. We'll be leaving soon. I'm just looking for something quickly." He stepped on something, which made a squeaking sound. Jack picked it up, and quickly stashed it in his cape. "We're off now. Sihana will be coming to the planet soon, and I would prefer to not fight her without Celestia's power..." With that, the two of them phased into the ground, and were gone.
Midnight completely caught Nightmare Moon off guard as he performed a leg sweep that sent her onto the floor. When she got back up, Midnight was nowhere to be seen. The night princess quickly looked behind her for the sight of her nephew, but was still nowhere to be seen. When she least expected it, she looked up to see Midnight flip inches above her head and performed a special knockout move on the princess, without making sure she was knocked out or paralysed. “You very well trained Auntie, I’m really impressed. You do have an advantage over me because of my weakened muscle state, spending 200 years in a cell tends to destroy your physical state a little. However, ponies tend to never look up...” Midnight said as he instantly disappeared and was levitating upside down from his auntie. He then reappeared again across the room, lowing his stance. “Why don’t we focus on sparing later, magic should be our top priority at the moment. Allow me to give you a starting point for your energy levels to become as high as when Jack stole them.” Midnight said as he gave his auntie a potion with a deep blue liquid inside. “This should help you, drink this.” Meanwhile, Sihana arrived the the mortal world and eventually appeared inside of the Crystal Palace. Her power was being hidden from others, but made everything in the mortal world other than several individuals seem miniscule in comparison. Her power was untraceable from ponies such as Nightmare Moon and Candace. She walked across the palace almost without harm or stopping at all, under the disguise of a Crystal Guard. She then walked into the room from which Midnight and The Night Princess were busy working and stood where the light of the sun shone brightly from the windows. She then undisguised herself as a green flame covered her entire body to reveal her original form as a Ryborian. “Well I’ll be damned....” Midnight said in awe at the Goddess. “Nightmare Moon and Midnight Dawn.” Sihana began with a calm and feminine, not to mention trustworthy voice who’s sheer charisma was nothing to the most persuasive of leaders. “ Your war has gained my attention and the rest of the realm of the Gods, in which we will assist you comfortably from our realm. We must defend our realm and we will provide no physical assistance in this war, but consider us an asset to your cause. If Celestia were to completely conquer the mortal world, she will make a move against us. Jack is even bigger of a threat. If he were to absorb both of your powers alongside Celestia's, then nothing would be able to stop him, including us. I also heard you have a magic problem Princess, something I can instantly fix. My name is Sihana, the Ryborian Goddess of Creation and the Afterlife and I’m at your service.” Sihana then bowed politely to the Night Princess before giving them a warm smile.
Nightmare Moon was unimpressed. "So... the gods have finally decided that our 'petty squabble' is worth their time. Forgive me if I withhold my enthusiasm." She sighed. "If you are really so concerned about my sister, do something useful, for a change. Your offer to return my magic is... appreciated... but it is also selfish. You would not have come if you were not afraid of Celestia and Jack." She turned her back to the Ryborian goddess, and left the room. "My power will return in time. I do not require the help of absent and fearful gods!" After Midnight teleported the Dark Princess and the Elements to safety, Silver immedietly got to work. With Nightshade's help, he identified the structural weak points of the Gulag and placed explosives that he had found in the Solar Flares' armory. As the prison exploded behind him, he flew off towards what remained of the Everfree. Holly charged the creature without hesitation, leaping at it's face and sinking her teeth into one of it's eyes. Blackout cast his namesake spell, and the area was covered by a cloud of darkness. Using the darkness as cover, the Night Guards drew their weapons and surrounded the creature. Cricket stayed far away from the beast, and began singing what she called the "Song of Courage," a hauntingly beautiful melody with the power to remove fear from the hearts of her allies, and strike fear into her enemies.
Sihana watched as Nightmare Moon simply left the room, she wasn't impressed at the display for ignoring her assistance in such a way. Yet again, that was what made Nightmare Moon so powerful. That act of character defined her, something that she respected. Still frustrated, she managed to give a smile at Midnight as she disappeared from view. If she could not give the real 'heroes' some assistance, she would eliminate the problem at it's source. She is going directly to Jack as he posed a threat much higher than Celestia currently is showing. Jack, now with his new powers, would prove troublesome as a power hunter such as himself. If Sihana were to die to the hunter, then everything would be over. She is playing a dangerous risk, and it was a risk she was willing to take. "Haiui E'Chello Vos Tybrith Sandu Que. Mysina Padin shaiw arivse das wiese Plagous Jack." She spoke as she then flew across the sky at warp speed, speeds unreachable even by most gods towards Jack. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As Nightmare Moon and Sihana left the room, Midnight left the room to oversee the Elements. From what he had heard, they were going to wake up soon. He wanted to be there when they did, but had to fill them in with the awful truth. The truth was going to hurt them, but he was ready to see what had happened to his adopted sister Twilight and her friends, who treated him like one of their own.
The monster tossed it's head up, sending Holly flying into the air. It's mouth opened, and a sound similar to that of a vacuum in reverse echoed loudly. The magic from the spell causing the area to be drowned in darkness was absorbed into the monster's mouth and it's eyes glowed brighter as sunlight drowned the once dark area. It caught Holly in it's teeth as she fell and tossed her, hard. It stomped a leg down towards the Night guards. "Rabbit." Obsidian jumped up and caught Holly. The force of the throw sent the two of them farther, but with Obsidian's interception they remained in the area that had been the forest. "Careful sister... We still have more important bugs to squish than this one." The group of Obsidian's timberwolves charged at the creature and targeted it's back, tearing massive lines of blood on its back, and causing it to growl a light response. The wounds healed slowly as the battle continued. (Oop Jack edit) Jack smiled at his companion. "Sihana is coming for us. Alone." The armored pony, for the first time since coming to Equestria for the war, smiled. "Prepare the arena for her. Make sure the skylight is open so she can get in. This battle shall be a fight for the ages." The armored pony, still smiling too large for his own face, faded out of visibility. "Honestly... I was expecting the spider-god, Vaskes, to be my first target. Hehehehe."
When Midnight walked into the Elements' room, he found a frantic Nightmare Moon trying to calm a terrified Fluttershy. It was not going well. "PLEASE, FLUTTERSHY!!! CALM THYSELF!!! WE ARE NOT YOUR ENEMY!!!" The Royal Canterlot Voice did nothing to calm the Element of Kindness, who dove under the bedsheet and trembled. Frustrated, the Dark Princess turned to leave, and saw Midnight standing in the doorway. "Good! You are here! I came in to check on the Elements, and found Fluttershy awake. The moment she saw me, she panicked." The Dark Princess sighed heavily. "I should have known better than to come in here. They know me only as an enemy in this form." Emboldened by Cricket's song, the Night Guards attacked the spider furiously, stabbing it with their spears. Pyrite, the Diamond Dog, quickly burrowed underneath the creature and began tearing at it's underbelly with his claws.
Sihana made it to Jack and his companion in what felt like weeks between them two, where in reality it was barely under half a millisecond. She found the arena easily as she then landed directly onto the ground as she then looked directly at Jack and his armored companion. He was indeed powerful, but looked like an even challenge for the Ryborian Goddess. "So this is the illusive Jack? The apparent God killer that threatens the mortal planes and our own. Report's say that you have been wanting to take down Celestia for a substantial period of time, you defeated Nightmare Moon and you even made Venquis Razona, the most powerful and most faithful Eriborian in over 700,000 years, in single combat before you retreated. Impressive, yes. Genius, hardly. You are facing against the strongest god in the realm of the gods, Sihana of the Ryborians. Not only could this end in a one sided curb stomp battle between either you or me, but i have a feeling that this is too the death." Sihana then looked down in remorse to show sorrow, but was secretly sending a telepathic message to the Eriborian himself incase things went far south. "Let us see how proud you are of your power when your body is nailed on the walls of our realm. Your body facing west, so you may watch your world die." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venquis's face turned to absolute shock and absolute horror when he realized that he had received a telepathic message from Sihana herself asking for reinforcements. Venquis always wanted to meet the one that gave him purpose in his life, but unfortunately under different circumstances. Venquis then stormed out of the command tent to Crimson's surprise as he then ordered all of the Crimson Roses in his disposal to gather to him. "Sihana herself is fighting for us and our future. We will not allow a power hungry murderer slaughter our creator, under any circumstances. I want every single Crimson Rose and every single Spell-Sword to my location. SEND EVERYTHING TO SIHANA, WE MUST NOT LOSE THIS FIGHT !!!!" Venquis bellowed to his Roses, as they all sent telepathic messages to other spell-swords and roses to the Eriborians location. The Roses that were not busy sending messages were preparing for a mass entry portal to the goddesses location. Within five minutes, hundreds of thousands of the very best that Ardelan and Windaria has ever produced will be going straight through a portal, and ensuring the goddess makes it out alive. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Let me help." Midnight told the Princess as he then went to the bed sheet in which Fluttershy was cowering. "Fluttershy, it's me, Midnight. Nightmare Moon is telling the truth, she is no longer an enemy to you anymore." Midnight began, Fluttershy popped her head out of the covers adorably as she looked at Midnight to tell her more. "Simply put, Celestia has betrayed you and eveything she has ever loved. She has taken over innocent lands and her and the army at her disposal has killed many millions for the name of the Equestrian Empire. Me and my auntie came together to stop her from ruling the rest of a free world." Fluttershy by now had her head and most of her body out of the covers as she listened, still afraid but was now able to trust Midnight and Nightmare more. "We will stop Celestia..." Midnight simply ended. "You can count on us"
The skylight above Sihana closed slowly, the room remaining lit through some unknown means. "This room is only accessible to someone with my power now, Sihana. Your reinforcements will have to wait to see if you live, then they can try and touch me. Speaking of which..." The orange armor formed over Jack again. His cape fluttered slightly, and he swung his arm up, causing 3 glowing stars to fly out of his cape and stick into parts of Sihana's body. "Let's begin. Hahahahaha!" Jack jumped at Sihana.
Jack flew across the arena and delivered a blow on Sihana. However, he did not expect it to be blocked like it was nothing. Sihana held him in that block to see the fear in his eyes, then she reacted. She painfully twisted his hoof as she lowered it to the side and pulled another fist with her other hoof, which she brought back and then sent Jack flying across the arena as he landed next to his companion hard. Sihana then started to walk toward him slowly, her expression showing no remorse for what had just happened. "You might be able to kill me now Jack, however, you can never truly kill me. I'm reborn everytime i die and i get stronger because of it. A live body and a dead body contain the same number of particles. Structurally, there's no discernible difference. Life and death are unquantifiable abstracts. Why should I be concerned?" The Goddess told Jack as she then obliterated Jack's orange armor by the particle. "I'm disappointed in you, Jack. I'm very disappointed. Do you really believe that you can kill me ?"
