Chapter 7

Hell yeah! Im aiming for around 10 or more chapters for this story. Don't worry, there will be at least two sequels, only reason I'm ending it is for story purposes. Still, that's a few chapters away. Enjoy!

Derek watched the clouds wiz by the carriage as it made it's way through the sky towards Ponyville. The land seemed strangely peaceful, with the night sky shining bright with stars, and the moon giving off a warm glow.

Nothing was said on board the carriage. There were no battle strategies being planned, for the situation at Ponyville was still relatively unknown. The group had no idea if the town was under siege, had managed to repel the attackers, or if anypony was still alive.

That changed quickly.

At first, it was just an odd glow on the horizon. As they got closer, the group realized what it truly was.

Ponyville was burning.

Fires burned across at least half the town, sending smoke and flame shooting into the air. Houses smoldered into ash and dust, and small explosions rocked the town as the flames gashed the town.

As the carriage flew over the town, the screams became audible. There were the obvious, panic stricken screams of mothers and fathers, children and just general any other pony as they ran for cover and safety. Then there were the other screams, screams of battle and violence.

These screams came from the gargoyles, as they rampaged through Ponyville. Their hellish wails filled the air, sending a shiver down everypony's spine. Shuddering, Derek and the rest of the group scanned Ponyville for any signs of an organized defense.

They found one, a large barrier of chairs, tables, and any other item being defended by large line of ponies. The barrier spread from Twilight's library to Sugarcube Corner, and was being bombarded by attacks from the gargoyles.

Derek turned, and looked in his companions.

"Right, what's the plan?"

Twilight scanned the battlefield once more, before starting.

"Okay, Fluttershy and Rainbow, you two get down there and see if you can help with any rescues from the fires. Watch out for gargoyles, though, they can fly. Applejack, Pinkie, you two will help at the barricade. Fluttershy, Rainbow, help them when you're done."

Twilight inhaled deeply.

"Derek, try and get the gargoyles into a tight space or crowd. That will allow Rarity and I to bombard them with magic!"

Twilight looked at each of the members in the carriage, her eyes grim. She turned and shouted to the pegasai pulling the carriage.

"Bring us over the barricade!"

She turned back to the group.

"Alright, when we get over the barricade, we move. AJ, Pinkie, you're coming down with us, we'll teleport you. The rest of you, use your wings. Oh and everyone? If you have to kill, so be it, but try to keep the gore to a minimum. The ponies below are traumatized already."

The group nodded, then sat and looked over the edge as the carriage rounded. The moment the vehicle was over the barricade, they moved. Derek, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash plunged over the side, allowing gravity to do most of the work until they flared their wings and soared over the town.

Back in the carriage, two white flashes signified the departure of the rest of the group. A few short seconds later, the ponies reappeared right beside Twilight's old library.

The pegesai pulling the carriage looked at each other and nodded. They swooped low, and spotted a group of gargoyles ransacking a house. With swift movements, the detached the carriage from themselves and watched it drop onto the house.

The carriage smashed into the house with a bang, followed by a small explosion as the explosive mixture detonated. Within a few seconds the house was ablaze, followed by the wails of the burning gargoyles inside.

The two pegesai nodded to each other once again, and flew back up into the night sky, their mission completed. Far below, in the besieged town, the battle raged on.

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Rainbow Dash flew over her burning home, her eyes watering from the smoke. She scanned the flames, looking for any signs of life, as long as it was pony. Screams of pain filled her ears from every direction, confusing her and wreaking havoc on her sense of direction.

Movement caught her eye, and she turned her head to the left. Her eyes locked onto a young stallion being chased by a group of gargoyles. She focused in on him, and zoomed down as fast as she could.

She knew that she couldn't fly him out, after all, he was an earth pony, so she decided on the only other viable option: distraction.

She landed lightly on the ground, right in front of the stallion. She gave him a quick look over, and saw the severe burns on his front legs and chest, along with the fear in his eyes. She looked at him, dead in the eyes, and said in confident, reassuring voice:

"Don't worry, it's going to be okay. Keep running, go to Sugar Cube corner, there's a defense set up there!"

The stallion nodded, and muttered a word of thanks before taking off again. Rainbow Dash watched him run around the corner, before turning her eyes back to the gargoyles, which had stopped in their tracks.

With a quick count, Rainbow realized that she was going up against 4 gargoyles, a number that, only a few months ago, would have made her panic. Four gargoyles was still nothing to laugh at, but she couldn't help but feel a bit confident. Rainbow lowered her head, narrowed her eyes and smiled, the adrenaline beginning to kick in.

"Your move, freaks."

The gargoyles responded, each one letting loose a violent and terrifying scream, before launching at Rainbow Dash. She waited a full second before taking off herself, delivering a sharp kick to one of the beast's jaw.

The gargoyle fell to the ground for a moment, before regaining its senses and rejoining its companions. Rainbow Dash flew straight up into the air, turning back to see her pursuers. With a dark laugh, Rainbow executed a barrel roll, changing her direction to horizontal flying, and the chase was on.

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Rarity, Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie ran through the crowd of ponies, looking for the Mayor. They found her near the center of the barricade, barking orders to the ponies as they bravely defended the wall from gargoyles. The Mayor looked over and saw the four ponies running toward her, and a look of relief briefly flashed over her face.

"Good, good!" she said when they were in ear range. "I was starting to worry that you wouldn't show up, I'll have to make sure I don't lose faith again."

Twilight assumed the lead of the group.

"No need to worry, Mayor. What's the situation?"

"We've lost half the town, partially to fire, partially to gargoyles, and we're losing more as we speak. The west half, near SugarCube corner, is under heavy attack, and we're preparing for its fall."

Twilight looked out across the battlefield.

"How many casualties?"

"We're not sure, though they are defiantly heavy and climbing. Honestly, Twilight, I don't know if we can hold out."

Applejack stepped forward.

"Scuse me, Mayor, but do you happen' to know about-"

"Your sister, as well as her friends, are safe Applejack. We managed to evacuate most of the children from the town, and I recall seeing them among the evacuees, along with Spike. We had to drug them all to make them leave, their all so strong willed. They shall be in Appaloosa by the morning."

Applejack and Rarity nodded, welcoming the news. Twilight turned to Applejack and Pinkie, giving them both a quick nod, and the two earth ponies ran off in the direction of SugarCube Corner.

Twilight turned back to the mayor.

"Mayor, you've done a wonderful job, but I have trained for this sort of thing. If I could, I would like to assume command."

The mayor nodded, and Twilight began to bark orders, for a brief moment almost sounding like Sergeant Sprinkles.

"Alright, here's what we're going to do! Fortify the west front as much as you can! When it becomes to intense, begin a slow methodical retreat towards my library. The gargoyles will probably try and hit the east front soon, so same strategy for that. We don't have to win, just hold out until the army gets here. Rarity, get ready, Derek should get started soon."

The two unicorns stood side by side, watching as the consuming flames burned their home.

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Fluttershy heard the screams for help close by, and she instantly went into action. She had just finished rescuing a wounded pegasus from the flames when the screams caught her ear.

She flew into the air, and swooped in the direction of the screams. As she got closer, she located the source. It was a young filly, probably only 3 years old, screaming at the top of her lungs inside a burning house.

Fluttershy thought for a second, before deciding on a plan. With a deep breath, she blasted through the window and into the family room. After a second or two to get her surroundings, she saw the screaming filly huddled up in the corner, her mom by her side.

The mom's eyes locked with Fluttershy, who said in a voice that only a few months ago would have been an impossibility:

"Come with me if you want to live!"

The two ponies began to approach Fluttershy, but before they got there, their eyes went wide as they saw something behind the yellow pegasus, and returned to cowering. Turning, Fluttershy saw 3 gargoyles standing in the window frame, their mouths salivating at the site of the ponies.

Fluttershy backed up, her wings flaring as she faced down the gargoyles. While a whole lot tougher than she had been before, she was still no fighter, and was here to help, not to hurt. Still, she prepared to engage to gargoyles, who were now starting to approach the ponies.

Just as they were about to attack, the wall to Fluttershy's left exploded as something crashed through it. The thing slammed into the gargoyles, knocking them all off their feet.

The object rolled a few times, before crashing into the other wall and stopping. After a moments pause, the thing got up again, and Fluttershy saw that the "thing" was actually Derek, who was looking around the room in a very confused manner.

"What the—oh, hi Fluttershy!"

Derek grinned, before spitting some blood out of his mouth. He looked down at the three gargoyles, who were starting to get up, before returning his gaze to Fluttershy.

"Go, before these guys get back up. I've got a few more chasing me, so hurry!"

Fluttershy complied, leading the other two ponies out from the wreckage of their home and into the streets. She shot a quick glance back in the direction of Derek, who was now standing alone in the room as six gargoyles advanced on him. Fluttershy couldn't believe it, but it almost sounded as if Derek were laughing.

Fluttershy tore her eyes away before the violence started, and continued leading her followers to salvation.

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Applejack and Pinkie Pie kicked, pushed, threw, and launched at the advancing gargoyles. They had managed to hold the west front for only a few more minutes before being overwhelmed by the physically superior gargoyles. The ponies retreated, albeit in a very organized manner.

The enemy poured over the broken barricade, charging head on for the wall of ponies facing them. The ponies grabbed anything that could be used as a weapon, and steeled themselves for the oncoming gargoyles.

The gargoyles slammed into the ponies with a scream. The ponies held, fighting back the gargoyles with anything and everything they could muster. Applejack bucked a gargoyle in the chest, sending it reeling backwards, its ribs clearly broken.

Pinkie Pie delivered two quick kicks to the injured gargoyles head, and it went down, unmoving. They had little time to celebrate the victory, as another 4 gargoyles were now charging directly at them.

Pinkie and Applejack launched at the foe, delivering multiple kicks and bucks in a manner of seconds. The gargoyles, unable to match the speed of the ponies, swung wildly, never connecting.

Applejack spun and delivered a kick to one of the gargoyles knees, breaking it instantly. The gargoyle fell, screaming, as it slashed at Applejack. With another buck, she finished the gargoyle off, before turning to the next one, who charged at her with a roar.

Applejack looked around quickly for a weapon, settling on a broken broomstick. Picking up the broomstick, she waited until the gargoyle was about a full leg's length away before jabbing the weapon at the creature's eyes.

The broken broomstick stabbed straight through one of the gargoyles eyes, sending blood spurting out. Applejack quickly withdrew the stick, bucked the creature in the knees, and kicked its head.

The gargoyle fell to the ground limply, where it stayed. Turning, Applejack saw Pinkie dispose of the last gargoyle, before running over to her.

The two ponies surveyed the battle as it raged around them. The ponies continued their retreat back towards Twilight's library, managing to keep the gargoyles from having a clear path towards the rest of the town.

"Ah hope to Celestia the army will be here soon." Applejack said, her eyes filling with tears at the carnage.

She never saw the gargoyle, never saw it raise its arm as it prepared to attack. One moment, she was standing with Pinkie Pie, and the next, she was slamming into one of the vendor carts that was still on the street.

Groaning, Applejack looked up and saw the gargoyle standing over her, preparing to make the final blow. It never got that chance.

All of a sudden, Pinkie Pie jumped on the creatures back, letting loose a wicked scream of rage. The gargoyle attempted to shake Pinkie off, but it couldn't do it. Applejack, seeing an advantage, grabbed a large splinter of wood from the wreckage of the cart, and threw it at the gargoyle.

Her accuracy was spot on. The wood jammed itself into the gargoyle's throat, burying itself about halfway in. The creature stopped struggling and fell, as blood began to pour out from the wound.

Within seconds, the gargoyle was dead. Pinkie let go of the creature and allowed it to drop completely, before going to Applejack's side.

Applejack tried to stand up, but felt a horrible pain in her left side. She looked over, and saw a chunk of wood sticking out of it.

"Consarnit." Applejack muttered, as the pain began to overwhelm her.

"Hold on, AJ, I'm taking you back to Twilight, she'll be able to heal you."

Pinkie Pie lifted Applejack up onto her back, and took off towards the center of the barricade, as the remaining ponies continued their retreat.

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Derek laughed as the six gargoyles approached him. He could feel their bloodlust, and could see every weak point on their bodies. The training in Canterlot had done wonders for him. He could now control his magic, and use it when and how he pleased for the most part.

Derek slid his hands behind his back, and allowed the black, writhing tendrils to come from his wrist. The tendrils, as he had come to realize, were amazing weapons created by his magic as hunting tools, each one capable of stabbing, slicing, slamming, and basically any thing else he could want.

The gargoyles charged, and Derek continued to laugh.

He lifted his hands, and faced his palms towards the attackers. Each tendril shot forward, stabbing every gargoyle in the chest. He buried them deep, then, with a simple flick of his wrists, ripped the gargoyles in half.

Allowing the tendrils to return, he looked and saw a large herd of gargoyles heading in his direction.

Guess I better start to round them up. He thought grimly, before unfurling his wings and shooting into the air. The gargoyles followed, giving chase to the human. He flew over the entire town, gathering gargoyles behind him like a magnet.

As he was flying along, he looked over and noticed Rainbow Dash flying directly beside him. He could tell that she was hurt, though she managed to keep speed with him.

"What are you doing? Are you okay?" Derek shouted over the wind.

Rainbow Dash nodded. "I had a couple following me so I decided to drop 'em off with you!"

"Okay, get on back to Twilight!"

Rainbow Dash nodded, and gave him a bump on the shoulder before taking off back in the direction of Twilight.

It's up to me now!

He circled the town a few more times, before changing direction and heading towards the barricade.

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Twilight Sparkle finished the healing spell, and breathed a sigh of relief. She helped Applejack onto her feet, and gave her a quick hug.

"Thanks, Twi!" Applejack sighed, before looking back down at where the wound had been.

Twilight nodded, before turning back towards the rest of the group. Pinkie Pie had come back carrying the injured Applejack, along with news that the west barricade had fallen and the ponies on that side were making a slow but steady retreat.

Fluttershy had managed to bring back 15 total ponies before the battle became to intense for her to venture out, so now she sat and watched the violence ensue. Twilight looked up into the sky, searching for any sign of Rainbow Dash or Derek.

To her surprise, she saw Rainbow Dash flying over the barricade and head for her. Twilight smiled at the sight of her friend, but grew concerned when she saw Rainbow limping over.

"Rainbow, what happ-"

Rainbow cut her off. "Later. I can deal with it for now, and besides, you're going to need your magic. Derek is rounding them up and should be coming."

Twilight nodded, then addressed the group.

"Okay everypony, get ready. Rarity, come with me."

The two unicorns galloped off, and located Mayor Mare, who was talking to a stallion who looked like he had been through hell. His mane was burnt and blood covered, and he had a few noticeable wounds.

The mayor wrapped up her conversation with the stallion, noticed Rarity and Twilight, and approached them.

"It seems as though Derek managed to round up the gargoyles on the west front as well. As of right now, every surviving pony is here."

Twilight nodded, then looked out over the barricade, where it seemed eerily quiet. The wall, which had but minutes ago been swarming with gargoyles, now lay silent, as did the rest of the town, save for the crackling of the fires.

Motion in the sky caught the eye of Twilight, who immediately bumped Rarity and pointed. The two unicorns watched as the figure, now fly straight towards them, came into focus. It was Derek, and right behind him were around 350 gargoyles.

The moment Derek passed over the barricade, he dove to the ground. Rarity and Twilight unloaded upon the gargoyles, shooting every magical spark inside them at the creatures. At first, it was just them, but soon every unicorn, pegasus, and earth pony were launching anything they had at the gargoyles.

The bodies of the creatures fell from the sky, and littered the ground. The magical onslaught wiped out over half of the gargoyles, leaving only around 90. More would have been destroyed had Twilight and Rarity been able to hold the magic for longer, but the spells they cast drained to much out of them.

The remaining 90 snarled, and prepared to attack the survivors once more. At that moment, several hundred arrows flew in from behind, and descended upon the gargoyles. The arrows impacted against the gargoyles, sending every one of them to the ground in pain.

Twilight looked behind her, and breathed a sigh of relief. The army had finally arrived. The army, of around 1,000 ponies, launched another volley of arrows at the gargoyles, and just like that, the Battle of Ponyville had ended.

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Derek sat and watched as the surviving ponies embraced their loved ones, their friends, and generally any pony within reach. From what he had heard, the army had been attacked by a group of 500 gargoyles while traveling to Ponyville, which delayed them.

As of right now, the army pegasus were flying over the town, dousing it in water, while the unicorns and earth ponies disposed of the gargoyles, collecting them and taking them to an unknown location, where they would be burned.

Derek looked up, and saw Rainbow Dash walk over to him, her wound now gone and replaced with soreness. The pegasus sat on her haunches by the human, and watched the activity around.

"How many dead?" Derek asked.

"40 ponies" she said softly. "I suppose it could have been a lot worse."

Derek nodded slowly. He watched as Applejack embraced Big Macintosh, who had come along. From what he could tell, Big Mac was a private right now, though he knew that wouldn't last for long. Big Mac was too good of a pony to be anything but a hero.

Rainbow Dash spoke again.

"Before, you said you were a fan of us. I'm not sure how you knew of us in your world, and I really don't care, but please, tell me this. Did you ever see this happen? Battles in Equestria, I mean."

Derek shook his head, before pausing. "Well, if you count fan fiction, yes, but otherwise, no."

Rainbow nodded, before laying her head down upon Derek's shoulder. The two battle weary companions watched the activity around them in peace, both knowing that this peace wouldn't last long, for today, the war had begun.

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Princess Celestia sat on the balcony, looking out into the early morning sky. Soon, she would have to raise the sun, but for now, she was content with her sister's night.

"Celestia!"

The sound of her name, spoken by none other than Luna, brought her back to reality. She turned and faced her sister, who stood the doorway, looking weary.

"Yes, Luna, what is it?"

"It's about Ponyville. I'm glad to say that the attack has been repelled, along with the gargoyles. So far, we estimate around 900 gargoyle deaths."

Princess Celestia stared. "900? But wasn't the attack on Ponyville only a force of 400?"

Luna nodded. "Yes, but the army got attacked while on the way to Ponyville by a force of 500."

Celestia sighed, and turned her gaze back to the sky. It was awhile before she spoke again.

"How many ponies died?"

"75. Forty were Ponyvillians, the rest were members of the army."

Celestia bit her lip, tears in her eyes. 75 dead ponies. The first of many.

Luna spoke again.

"I also have news of a gargoyle army building near the southern border of Equestria, near the Hooflantic Ocean."

"Any report on the size of it?"

"No, though I would assume it's going to be pretty big. It really depends on how many portals it opened."

Princess Celestia stood up and faced her sister. Worry shone in her eyes, and she wiped the tears off her cheeks.

"Luna, I normally don't ask for advice, and I know I'm the big sister, but tell me. Do you have any idea how to beat this thing?"

Luna paused, trying to think of the right words to say.

"Right now, Celly, we just need to fight. To survive. The dragons say they have an army building, as do the griffons. Let us beat this army that rises against us first."

Celestia smiled. "You have a hunch, don't you?"

Luna smiled back, and hugged her sister. "I always do. I'll tell you later. Right now, the people need to see their rulers standing tall and strong. We have to show them that we will not back down. They knew a war is coming. Now, it's time to start that war."

Princess Celestia nodded, and planted a kiss on Luna's forehead. Together, the two sisters walked back inside, ready to start the first war in over 1,000 years: together.

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