Dagger's End:

The Swine Tide &

The Underworld Uprise (Vol. 2)

Chapter 6

Intentions...

Twilight's eyes was clouded, by a fog. She looked around, trying to see through the fog, as she squinted her eyes, a bit. Twilight, walked around trying to get out from the fog. It was as black as a shadow, and the fog was really thick. She was lost in the fog, as she walked around on the flat floor... " Where am I?..." the unicorn asked herself, as she wondered around... Twilight Sparkle's ears, twitched a few times, as she herd somepony's laughter... the laugh was low, and sounded like a stallion's voice, as the laughter grew louder... " H-hello?... Is somepony there?..." asked Twilight, as she walked twords a light source. The light, was now ahead of her, as she walked twords the light. She got close enough to the light, only to find that it was just a smally, lit, light, that just simply lit up in the air, as it floated... Twilight, made her way through the thick dark fog, as she trotted by the small lite. She was next to the light, and suddenly, it turned off... Twilight, now couldn't see anything now, as there was no light source... at least for now... Twilight then used her magic to cast a light, on her horn, as it glowed and sparkled with a purple aura, around it. The laughter had stopped, just as the small light went off. Twilight, recognized the laughter... as she thought hard... Suddenly, her magic was starting to fade away, as her light source was going away. Twilight's magic, was gone... " W-what is this place!? Why isn't my magic working!?" worried Twilight, as she tried a few times, to work her magic, and even tapped on her horn several times, and nothing would happen... Then... a green fire, with a mixture of red flames, appeared... It was lit up next to the purple mare, as she could see something or somepony, hanging in front of her, just a few feet... Twilight, looked up only to find a face, of somepony she knew... It was Fluttershy, as she had a rope around her neck, as she was now a corpse... Her mane was messed up, as it looked like it hasn't been combed for a month... Scratch marks, from a bear or a wolf, were made across on her chest, as the insides came out, from her gut section, as it hung loosely... Fluttershy's head almost looked like it was about to show it's skull, as the skin around it was being decomposed, as well as the rest of her body... Then... next to Fluttershy's body was Rarity... She had stitch marks all around her body, as she smiled, as the threads held her smile... Next to her friend's body, was Pinkie Pie, as she was hung upside down. The blood had rushed all the way down, coming out from her throat, that was cut off with a knife, of some sort, as there was a huge gap in her throat... Blood had dripped out, from her mouth and throat, as her whole body looked pale... Next to the dead, party pony, was Apple Jack, as Twilight was disgusted by a horrible view... Her friendly country pony, had worms, maggots, and callapitters popping out from her body, as she looked at the horror... She could see the insides of her friend, as the bugs moved around, feasting on the corpse... Next to her... was Rainbow Dash... For some reason, Rainbow Dash looked unharmed, as she hung there... breathing... Twilight, gasped in such relief, as she ran twords her friend! " Rainbow Dash!" she spoke, as she then tried to free her, from a few chains, tied to the ground floor. Twilight, used her magic to free Rainbow Dash, as she broke the chains off of her. Rainbow, was free as she breathed in and out, slowly, as she laid on the floor... Twilight, looked at her friend, checking and making sure she was alright, " Rainbow, you alright? What happened! Who did this!...R-Rainbow?..." spoke Twilight, as she was unsure of what was going on, with her fallen friend... The blue pegasus, then started to sink into the dark floor, as she was disappearing into it! Twilight, quickly grabbed her friend, as she tried to pull her out from the ground, before there was nothing left of her. Twilight, had grabbed onto her wings, as they were the only things left, to pull her friend out, from the dark ground. She pulled, as hard as she could, until they stretched out, and ripped off from the pegasus's wings, out!... Twilight gasped, as she saw her friend's wings, torn off by her own hoofs. She froze, as she watched her friend sink, into the ground, as there was nothing more she could do for her, now...

Then... something whispered into her ears, as she looked around her friend's corpses, thinking they were speaking to her... all that Twilight could hear was " Kora... Kora... Kora..." as the voice echoed into her mind... Suddenly, Twilight's friend's came to life, as they looked reanimated, coming back from the dead! Twilight ran, but had crashed into a dark wall, as it looked like she was trapped in a small room, with her zombie friends! Twilight's dead friends, managed to cut off the ropes, that they hung from, as their bodies hit the floor, making a horrible sounds of flesh and bones, breaking and making a sloshy noise, as they got back up, slowly... The all went after Twilight, as they limped their way, twords her. " Fluttershy, Rarity, Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie! Stop! Stay away!" panicked Twilight, as she was scared of her friends, making their way twords her. They didn't listen to Twilight, as she begged them to not get any closer! " Please! Stay away! Don't touch me! I'll use my magic if I have to!" pleaded Twilight, as she tried to cast some magic, at them! Twilight's magic, wasn't doing anything, as she tried and tried again! Suddenly, both of her hind legs, was being pulled down, by something! She turned her head quickly enough, only to find that Rainbow Dash's corpse had grabbed onto her legs, as she pulled hard! Rainbow's body, looked like it went through a pool of acid, as her flesh showed up, in quite a few places! " No! Let me go!" cried Twilight, as she could feel something burning her legs, as Rainbow held onto her! Soon, all of Twilight's friends had gotten close to her, as they tore her apart, ripping and eating her flesh, as they feasted on her body! Twilight, cried out loud, as tears formed into her eyes, as she still herd the words, ringing through her ears... " Kora... Kora... Kora..."

Twilight, woke up out of her bed, as she was covered in her own sweat! She jumped out from her bed, panting, as she looked at her bed, then slowly looked down to the floor... "... A dream... heh... it was only a dream!..." she sighed, in such relief. She walked down the stairs, to get a glass of water, as she looked at the time, on the wall. It was early morning, as she stared at the clock, hanging on the wall, " It must have been a long nightmare..." spoke the mare, as she finnished her drink. She placed the cup down, and thought that it was time to get started with her daily schedule, as she scanned through the papers. Today, she was scheduled to meet Lyra and Bon Bon, as they requested her presence, for some questioning maners...

Celestia, had raised the sun, as it was another beautiful day. A few clouds were up in the sky, birds flew around the sky, as well did a few pegasus ponies did. Lyra and Bon Bon, stayed in their house, as they waited for Twilight's arrival.

" Ok, M.T. now hold it steady!... I want this to look good, before Princess Twilight, gets here." spoke Bon Bon, as she commanded the droid to hold onto a candy sculpture, that looked like a princess alicorn, as the model was a very difficult piece of work, to accomplish! " Roger, roger!..." replied the robot, as he held onto two of the hind legs, of the alicorn, as this sculpture was standing on it's hind legs and had both of it's front hoofs, up in the air, and her wings spreaded out, making the model to look very fragile. The color of the candy sculpture was purple, as it was grape flavored. " Bon Bon, you can't be seriously, using him as a pillar. I mean, is a fighting robot, for crying out loud!" complained Lyra, as the robot only followed orders, of Bon Bon's words. Bon Bon, was almost done with her big project, as all she needed to make was the crown! " Excellent! The princess will be proud, of my master piece!... Alright, M.T. you can go with Lyra now." Spoke Bon Bon, to the droid, as she waved a hoof gently, away from the robot. " Yes, mistress..." replied the droid, as it then marched it's way twords Lyra, towering over her.

Lyra, had brought the machine into the living room, as she thought of things she could do with it. The droid's hand's weren't much to show has human's hands, as this robot didn't have any fingers, only a thumb, on each palm. " Ok M.T., pick me up!" spoke Lyra, as she happily spoke to him. The droid, did as it was told, as it pick her off from the floor, and held her infront of itself. Lyra, gazed at the robot, as she looked at it's features... It really didn't need a head, or to show much for a face, as it gave a tough look. Lyra, then thought of something else, as she then wanted something more from the droid. " Ok M.T., throw me at that couch over there!" she commanded the droid. The droid, then lifted the mare, next to his torso, as it then held onto her like a football, then lauched her into the air, and Lyra was heading straight towords the couch! Lyra, landed on the couch, as she felt a little bit of adrenaline, going through her veins. Lyra, was happy to have the robot, M.T. around, as she treated it like a pet, while Bon Bon treated it like a butler. Lyra, then thought of something extreme in her mind, as she thought about the droid...

" Alright M.T., pick me back up, and get ready to launch me." demanded Lyra, as she smiled at the droid. The robot, couldn't show anything for a face expression, as the droid looked fierce, and looked like it didn't care for anything else, other than obeying orders...

Lyra, had set up a small couch fort, as their were soft walls, that stood up, that would be used for seating. Pillows were on top of the fort, as they made a roof, of the whole soft building. Lyra, grinned as she looked at her master piece. She was ready for this kind of stuff, as she then gave the word out, " Launch!" commanded Lyra, as the droid then threw her, across the room, as she went flying a few yards away, from her target! Lyra, crashed into the fort, that she had quickly built, as pillows flew all over the place!

Bon Bon, was just walking out from the kitchen, only to find a pillow, was coming straight twords her and her master piece! The pillow, had chipped off both of the wings from the sculpture, as Bon Bon snapped, at her friend, " LYRA! What the heck are you doing!?" complained the mare, as her sculpture was almost completely ruined! Lyra, froze for a second, as she chuckled a bit, " Sorry, Bon Bon, I've just never had this much fun before! I feel like a filly, again! Com'on Bon Bon, give it a try! You just have too!" Lyra, pushed her a bit, trying to convince her to be thrown by the robot, a few times, " NO! Lyra, may I remind you, we have a princess, coming over today! So please, clean up this mess quickly, before you emberrass me!" the door bell had rung, as the two mares paused for a moment, then Bon Bon panicked a bit, " Oh no! That's her! That's the princess!... Ok, ok! Quickly, clean this mess of yours, before she sees it!"

Everything had settled down a bit, after Bon Bon had showed her master piece to Twilight, and Lyra had cleaned up her childish mess up, as the two had hid their robot, in a closet. All three of them, were sitting inside the living room, as Bon Bon had made some special made juice, that was a tropical recipe, that nopony, in Ponyville ever knew about. " Wow! This is really sweet! Thankyou Bon Bon, I never knew that juice would actually be this good! What's in it!?" asked Twilight, politely, as the taste made her feel better, from her nightmare recovery. Bon Bon, smiled, as she took the comliment rather well, " Oh, I added some mangos, a bit of lemon, orange, water mellon, a cup of kiwi, and one of my secret ingredients..." finnished Bon Bon, as she smiled back. Twilight, finnished her drink up, as she licked her lips, remembering the taste, as the juice was too tasty to forget! " So, what did you guys need? Something wrong?" stated Twilight, as she looked at the two. Bon Bon and Lyra looked to one another, as they weren't sure if they should show their princess, M.T. Twilight, was the only pony who had finnished reading about the Quantillian ponies' race, and the four separate races of Quantillion. "... We... kinda have something, that might interrest you, but we are not giving him away or anything..." started Bon Bon, " But he is a really nice guy! We promise you, he won't be of any trouble." spoke Lyra, as she happily spoke to Twilight. " Go on..." replied Twilight, as she wasn't sure where this was going...

Bon Bon and Lyra, led Princess Twilight to a closet. Lyra, opened the door, and in the closet showed the tall robot. The tall droid, had it's right arm bent, as it pointed it's fore arm upwards, while the other part of that arm rested, treating it's arm like a weapon. The droid stared at the purple mare, as it stared at all three of them, constantly moving it's torso, inorder to look around. Twilight, was surprised at first, but looked fascinated at the robot... " Oh my... Where did you find this... thing!?" questioned the princess, " We found him, by some metal scrap pile, at the quantillian's ship." replied Bon Bon, " Do you think it belongs to the quantillians?" asked the same mare. " I am not sure, can you ask him to come out, and what is it's name?" asked Twilight. Lyra, then jumped in the air happily, as she annouced his name proudly, " Its M.T.! Isn't he cool! Come'on M.T., show us what you're made of!" spoke the mare. The droid then walked out from the closet, as he banged the top of his torso, or his head, as they were both connected to one another. " Roger, roger..." Replied the robot, as he walked out slowly, marching his way out from the closet. Twilight, was amazed by it's size, as M.T. stood up to six feet tall, which was really tall for anypony, to look up to. " Wow... wait... why is his name empty?" asked Twilight, " Oh no, his name is not 'empty' as in, nothing inside of it. His name is 'M' and 'T', just two letters. We called him that, cause he looked mighty, and tall." corrected Bon Bon, as she happily spoke. " Oh, I get it! Good name!" chuckled Twilight, as she covered her mouth a bit, then gazed at the tall robot... It's face looked a bit, fierce, as she then walked around the robot. The robot, stood in it's place, as it only moved it's torso around, trying to keep an eye on Twilight. The droid, wasn't able to move it's torso completely around, as it could only turn around, about a hundred degrees around. Twilight, looked at it's structures closely, as she couldn't find anything or any part of the robot, that had to be built by quantillian hoofs... It certainly didn't look anything like a pony, as it stood on it's own two legs... It had hands, like an ape, but it looked more sophisticated... " Hmmmm... I don't recall any of this... thing... to be anything with the quantillians... and you say you found it, by the ship?" pondered Twilight. " Yes, it was next to the ship, as it laid on top of some scrap pile. By the way, this won't be a problem for us... will it?... if we were to keep it, in our home?..." asked Bon Bon, as she too was attached to the robot, helping her with many things. " Well, I'm sure the princesses won't mind... But the Secret Forces of Equestria, may take it away, if it were to be found... We really don't have any control over them anyway, so if I were you, keep a low profile about this thing." " Oh thank you, princess! Thank you! Thank you!" cried Lyra, as she happily hugged Twilight. " Don't mention it! But I have one favor to ask, of you..." spoke Twilight, as she gently pushed Lyra off of her, as she was squeezed tightly, around the neck. Lyra, backed away, as the two mares stared at her, and spoke at the same time, " Anything!" " I would like to bring this robot, to my library, so I can study it's origins. That won't be a problem with you, right?" asked Twilight, as she smiled at the two. The two mares shook their heads, happily, as they would allow Twilight to study and expeirment, the machine, as she would soon learn of where it came from...

Twilight, left Lyra's and Bon Bon's house, as she would pick up the robot, tomorrow night, where no pony would see their princess taking their droid, into the library. Twilight, wanted to make sure that the Secret Force of Equestria, didn't get their hoofs on this machine, as they have shown their corruption, twords their leaders, as they were suppose to always report about their whereabouts, twenty-four seven... However, they seemed to be somewhat loyal to their princesses, but they would also lie to them, of 'situations' that would constantly occur, giving out an excuse to not report back, on their discoveries...

Back in the Underworld city streets, dark ponies, diamond dogs, minotaurs, and other dark civilized races, were all slowly recruiting to King Sombra's and Chrystalis's army, as they were all tired of being ignored by those who lived and ruled, under Princess Celestia... They felt, they were banished into the badlands, because of their appearance, as they all would look evil and dark looking, scaring everypony away, and giving out reasons not to trust them, as ponies would judge them, first... They were all sick of it... as only a few of them, such as Iron Will, was one of the most successful business man, in the Underworld city.

Kora, made it back into the hidden castle, as a portal opened up, as she lept out, with Starswirl's wizard hat, still in her cloak... Thinking of how she finnished him off... Something inside of her... could tell that he could still be alive, as she had some doubts, about something...

Kora, made her way to her father, as she had passed by a few doors, making sure nopony saw her... The only ponies, that could see her, was King Sombra and Queen Chrystalis, as they treated her like a daughter. Kora, found a door that would lead her to her father's planning room, as she opened it slowly, getting ready to see her father's face, thinking he would be proud, to see her. She walked into the room, and closed the door, as she used her powers to push close the door, as she was walking twords her guardian... " It is done, father... The old wizard... is dead..." spoke Kora, as she then lend Sombra, the hat, of Starswirl the Bearded... King Sombra, was impressed, by his creation... It didn't take too long for her to track down her target, and kill one of the oldest, most experienced, and one of the most powerful, sorceres in Equestria... " You've done well, my young apprentice..." Smiled the dark king... " But however... there is still more training for you, to complete... Before you can take on, Princess Twilight Sparkle..." paused King Sombra, as he smiled at his creation... Kora, looked up, looking at her father, as her smile, slowly went away... She waited and listened, to hear what her father had to say, for her next task... " Go to the Rambling Rock Ridge lands... There you will find an old hermit mare, who used to serve under both Princess Celestia's and Luna's mother and father... Slay her, and you will be one step closer, being prepared for the war, that is to come..." " Taking back Equestria... That was once yours..." spoke Kora, softly, as she herd the stories of what her 'father', had tried to do inorder to keep Equestria 'safe'... Kora, now thinks that all the ponies, in Equestria, were corrupted, as they brought down King Sombra, leaving him to rot, in his prision... But with a help from Chrystalis, King Sombra was free once more, as he created Kora, out of magic dust, dark shadows, and a few spells to make her, a pony body, with her very own free will. She would help, lead their armies into battle, as she was the biggest, secret weapon to everypony, including against his own armies, if they were to betray him...

" Yes..." replied Sombra, " Keep in mind, that I still don't want anypony, to know about your presence... Kill anypony, and I mean anypony, or..." Sombra, chuckled a little, as he thought about those dirt dwellers... the diamond dogs... "... or even those mutts, if you have to, as well..." finnished King Sombra, as he put a hoof on Kora's shoulder. " I will take care, of this worm, father... See to it, that she dies..." spoke Kora, as she gave a quick hug, to King Sombra, and then ran off to her next destination... Sombra, didn't really care for Kora's life, as he would surely kill her... one day...

Kora, was about to exit the dark castle, only to be stopped by... herself?... Kora, was confused at first, as she saw herself, in front of her... There were now, two of her, as Kora looked at the imposter... " Who are you!..." questioned Kora, as she looked at the pony, who looked exactly, like her... The other mare, didn't want to speak to her, as she stared at her, happily. " Ah, Kora! I see you've met one of my spies..." spoke Chrysalis, as she happly spoke to Kora. " Mother, who is this pony... and why does she look like me?" asked the dark mare. "... Well... I thought, of giving you another gift, after you have killed that old wizard! I am very proud of you, my darling..." spoke Chrysalis, as she stood next to Kora, and introduced her, to her partner. " This is, Fauna... She will help you on your next mission... She is only a mute, when she doen't take a form of another body. She has also read the histories of Equestria, and it's past protectors, such as Captain Shinning Armor, to the days when Canterlot was ruled before Celestia, and Luna... She is also a great spy, and a brave bodyguard, as she is one of my finest ones, in my army... I hope you will put her into good use, my child..." finnished Chrysalis, as she patted Kora, on the back, a few times. "... Thank you, mother! I wish I had something to repay you, for these gifts you have given me..." spoke Kora, as she looked a little guilty, twords her 'mother'... " Oh, but you have given me, and your father so much, already! By slaying Starswirl, you have opened a new door for us, to enter in, with us. This is how I thank you, for being such a wonderful daughter, that both myself and your father, can show you, our gratitude! Now run along, Kora, and show us that you are more powerful, than just a crazy mare, who lives in a cave." cheerfully spoke, Chrysalis, as she then walked away, leaving the two to themselves...

Fauna, then went back into her form, just as her queen, left them, as she stood at attention. " So... You'll be able to help me, on my missions?..." asked Kora, as she looked at her. Fauna, was a changeling, as she had purple armor on herself, and almost looked like any other changeling, as she smiled at her. Fauna, was a really friendly changeling, as this was a problem for her in the past, back when she was around other changelings... Fauna, nodded her head happily, as the two were heading twords a portal, leading into Kora's destination...

Twilight, was asleep, in her bed, as she was having another dream... She dreamed, that she was meeting her brother, again, along with Cadence, as they were having a get-together, with some tea and a few pastries. Suddenly, the weather had chaged around them, as their get-together took place in the Crystal Empire! King Sombra showed up, as he had summonded Kora, to do his dirty work! King Sombra, was fighting against Cadence, as Shinning Armor was trying to protect his wife! Kora, lept twords the captain of the royal guards, as she and Shinning were engaged in a battle, as the two fought. Twilight, tried to help Cadence, only to see that King Sombra, had already defeated her, as he ripped off her head, with his bare hoofs... Cadence's head, snapped off, without any trouble for the dark king, as he then smiled at Twilight... Kora, then lept twords Twilight, and pushed her down to the ground, as she begain choking her, to death! Twilight, was trying to get Kora off of herself, but she was too strong, as she then had a moment to see her brother, who was also killed... Shinning's body, was heavily burnt, as his flesh had shown up, in the fire, as his body burned. " NOOO!" coughed Twilight, as she used her magic to get Kora off of herself! Kora, flew a few yards away, but got back up quickly, only to charge back at Twilight. The two mares, began running twords one another, as Twilight activated her magic and was ready to fire! Suddenly, Kora used her powers to run really fast, as she zoomed past Twilight, with her magical sword, out... Twilight, froze... as the two mares, didn't move a muscle... Then... Twilight, was cut in half, as both of her body parts, fell apart, from one another... Sombra, laughed as he watched the mare, bleeding into the ground, as Kora's name, rung into Twilight's mind! " Kora... Kora... Kora..." the voices, echoed into her mind, as all Twilight could do, was to listen to the name... " Kora... Kora... Kora..."

Daylight, had broke into the windows, as the sun was up, yet again... Twilight, lost a lot of sleep, as she had encountered another nightmare... She got up, out of bed, as she made her way to fix herself breakfast.

Meanwhile, Spike was doing his chores, as Twilight just thought about the dream, she had just had, as she thought of it, that it could be a message of some sort... " Something bothering you Twilight?... You don't look so good..." asked Spike, as he walked twords Twilight... " I don't feel so good, either..." commented Twilight... " What's wrong?" the young dragon asked... Twilight, looked down at him, as she sat next to the table, and told him, about her dreams... "... I... I'm not sure how to put it... but I think something might be trying to tell me something... or... somepony is trying to..." thought Twilight. " In one dream, I saw my friends... killed!... They came back to life, and ate my body... like they were... were..." " Zombies!?" interrupted Spike, as he looked worried for her. Twilight sighed, "... Yes... zombies... and they tore me apart, until I was dead... in my dream... Then, another dream, that I had recently, had both my brother and my foal sitter. We were all having a great time, together!... But I saw King Sombra, and some other young mare... All three of us were killed... as King Sombra, and that other dark mare, was too powerful for us to handle..." finnished Twilight, as she felt a lot better now, after explaining her nightmares to Spike. " Woah... but... King Sombra, is gone... right?... He won't be bothering anypony, any time soon. Besides, you got me around!" spoke Spike, comforting the tired friend of his. " Maybe I just need to be with Pinkie, for a while... As much as I hate to say it..." spoke Twilight, as she then made her way to the door, heading twords Sugar Cube Corner.

Night had fell, as Dagger's group, had camped nearby Apple Loosa, but were next to the Everfree Forest, as they were all finally away from the hot, scorching desert. Three campfires, took place, as everypony sat by each campfire. This time, in Dagger's campire group was Trixie, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, White Coco, Frost, Mr. Booze, and Flash Sentry. They all were sitting by the fire, as Rainbow, kept Scootaloo close to her, having one of her wings covering her, from the cold night air, while everypony was finnishing their meal. " Everypony, better becareful, not to enter this part of the Everfree forst, at this time of night..." announced Flash Sentry. " Why?" questioned Mr. Booze, as he didn't fear anything, and didn't care for anypony, as he was just a simple grump, but had a cool head, at the same time, as he spoke, " I've herd, that there are some of Nightmare Moon's old soldiers, as they would still belive in their queen, Nightmare Moon..." replied Flash Sentry, as he had answered Mr. Booze's question. " Kid, give me a break... That, so-called cult or army, is dead!... No pony lives or serves that... clan... anymore..." spoke the old mule, as he chugged an alcohol drink, then sat it back down, next to himself. Fash Sentry, belived that this cult or army, still existed, as he still continued with his warning, "... Whether they exist, or not, we should still becareful! It could be just simple bandits, nearby, or the acutal leftover army, of Nightmare Moon's... I'm just saying, don't go out there at night... at all!..." stated the young guard. Dagger, looked at the fire, as he fed the fire with some sticks, as he poked around the burning wood. He then turned his head, to the forest, and thought about this... dark army... of Nightmare Moon's... if they still existed... " Hey, Dagger! Scoots and I are going to bed for the night, see next morning." finnished Rainbow Dash, as she led the filly, to their tent. " Hey Rainbow." " Yeah?" " That wing of yours, is it all better? Do you need anymore bandages?" " Nah, I'm fine! I think I can fly again, thanks for asking though." winked Rainbow Dash, as she still led the filly, to her bed. Dagger smiled, a bit, as he had something for Rainbow, but wasn't sure if she would be interrested in him... Dagger... deep down inside, knew he was preaty much a monster to her, as he came from another planet... But was a pony on the outside, to everypony... None the less, he was a race, not from this world, but the ponies on this world, didn't mind, as they treated him like he was one of their own... " Trixie, is not afraid of these, Nightmare Moon pests!... I say we prove to that, naive guard, and show him that there are no such thing, of these type of ponies. Who's with me?" announced Trixie, as she spoke out loud. No pony was worried or even scared of these dark ponies, but instead they were all tired, as they traveled along way from the desert, as they had been through a lot, as they had also killed small groups of Hogz, that were lost from their clan... " I'll come! I still have some energy inside of me, left!" Spoke the young colt, Frost, as he had his sword next to his flank. " Sorry sugar, nap time is calling for me. Besides, I've got to clean up the mess of the kitchen station, after all..." spoke White Coco, as she had a bit of a southern accent, and her voice was preaty soft, and yet high. " You kids, go on... I'll help, Coco here, with the dishes." grumbled Mr. Booze, as he was also tired, from the long journey. " Count me in Trixie, I am curious, about this... army..." spoke Dagger, as he placed his quantillian helmet, over his head, and turned on the night vision, in his helmet's settings. " Dagger, sir! I would really, strongly, reconsider, adventuring out there, in the woods... at night... Besides, your the leader of the group! What happens if something, were to happen to you!?" begged the guard, as Flash Sentry tried to reason with him. " Don't worry, Flash! I've been through a lot in my past, and I'm sure I'll come back, in one piece. We'll be back, just go rest, my friend. You'll be needing all the energy, for tomarrow morning!" finnished Dagger, as he patted, his shoulder, then walked twords his small group.

Trixie, was happy to see Dagger around her, as well did Frost, as he felt a lot better, having somepony who can take more than just a few arrows to the guts, and still live on fighting, for Equestria. " Now, then Mr. Dagger... Lets see about this, Nightmare of an army..." spoke Trixie, as she happily spoke to him. " I'll lead the way, I have nightvision, in my helmet, to help me see more clearly, at night, unless you know where they are..." spoke Dagger, unsure where they were going. " Actually, no pony knows where they are... If they do exist, and if the rumors are true, then they would probably be right here, somewhere..." finnished Frost, as he walked quietly, following the two from behind... " Then we are about to find out..." commented Trixie, as she lit up her horn, casting a light spell, so that she could see, through the darkness...

The three of them, walked around the forest, for close to an hour, as the three, made their way through the forest... " Stop..." spoke Dagger, as he was leading the way... " My helmet, is picking up something..." he warned them, quietly... They all froze, as they looked at Dagger. Then, Dagger carefully brushed the ground forest floor, as he had found a trap... set up by somepony... " It looks like somepony, has set up some traps..." spoke Dagger, as he saw the pit, as the twigs and leaves fell into the big hole, camouflaging the hidden gap... It was deep enough for a pony, to not be able to escape, as Dagger looked down... The three of them, then continued, as they walked around the trap, and walked forwards, this time being more careful, along the way...

They kept on walking for a few minutes, and had found another trap, as this one had ropes... " Stop! Theres another set up, right infront of us!" hissed Dagger, " Why are you whispering!..." asked Trixie, as she demanded to know. " We could be close to a base, or a camp, if there are so many traps... So Shhh!" replied Dagger...

The three of them, continued to walk around, only to find a few more traps, but nothing to show that there was a camp or any sign of ponies... " Bah! Trixie, was right! There are no such things called Nightmare gaurds! It's all a myth..." spoke Trixie, as she spoke, a little bit spooked, from the forest's wild life's sounds... " Well Trixie... If you'd like, I can get something or somepony's attention if you'd like... These traps, were made, a few minutes ago... My helmet, can also tell me when things were set up... So if you please, keep your voice down..." whispered Dagger.

The three of them continued to walk, until they all thought they had enough, of exploring for one night... Frost, was getting tired, as he hung his head low to the grass, " Uhhh... Guys, I think we should head back... Its getting kinda late... Um... guys?..." called Frost, as he suddenly found himself lost, and also alone... with nopony else was around him... " Oh, buck... This isn't good..." spoke the stallion, a little worried he may not find his way out, though the forest...

"Trixie, thinks we should be heading back! We have searched far enough for these... stupid dark ponies! So... what do you say to that, Dagger and Frost?..." asked Trixie, as she turned around, and gasped... " I-impossible! I was just listening, to Dagger for just a few seconds! How could I have lost them!..." Trixie, now looked worried, as her ears went down a bit, slowly, as she turned her head around, sharply! " Guys! Guys!? Trixie, doesn't like your little game! Somepony!... Anypony?..." spoke Trixie, as nopony would respond back to her... " Oh... Trixie, is now starting to think, that this was a bad idea..." pouted Trixie, as she kicked the dirt a bit... Suddenly... She saw somepony, just a few yards across from her, as she happily found Dagger! " Oh, thank Celestia I've found you! Trixie thought she-" Trixie, stopped for a moment, only to see that the stallion... was not Dagger or Frost... as she stared at the figure... It was a stallion, wearing dark armor, as he had bat wings, as a sword, hung next to him. The dark guard, didn't say a word to her, as he then pulled his sword out, infront of Trixie, and tossed some poweder at her face. Trixie, coughed a few times, as she was getting tired, quickly, "... Trixie, is not afraid of you!... The Great and Powerful... T-Trixie... f-fears... nopony...else..." Trixe, fell asleep, as she was then dragged away, from where she once stood. Nothing was left behind, of Trixie, as she was pulled away, twords to wherever she was going...

Dagger, noticed he was lost, and already alone... He had called Frost and Trixie, but the both of them wouldn't respond, as he walked around. " Great... now where did they go off to?..." spoke Dagger, as his scar on his left eye, glowed red... Dagger was confused, as he then tossed his helmet to the side, thinking that his helemt was going to explode! Instead, he noticed that his old scar was glowling red, on his left eye... " Oh geez... stuipid thing scared, the skin off of me!... And why does it even keep glowing!?" asked Dagger, to himself. Dagger picked up his quantillian helmet back up, and placed it back on his head, as he continued to look around for Trixie and Frost. " What's this?... Frost Is that you!?" called Dagger, as he saw a small figure pony, from a distance... Suddenly, the figure spot Dagger, and trotted twords him... Dagger, wasn't sure if it was Trixie, as the figure looked a lot like a mare... The mare wasn't wearing a hat, like Trixie's. Nor was she wearing that cape... It looked like it wore some armor, as she trotted twords him. The young stallion, wasn't sure if he should either run twords her, run away from her, or just simply stay were he was. Eventually, the mare was close enough for the both of them, to see one another! The mare hopped into the air, with her bat wings, as she flew over Dagger's head, and landed just a few yards away from him. She pulled out two blades, behind herself, as she charged at Dagger. " Woah! Hey! This is no way to treat a stranger!" spoke Dagger, surprised how fast she moved! Dagger, pulled out his own thick blade out, as he would block the attacks! The mare made another attack, as she spun around, and made her way to Dagger's side! Dagger was hit, but was not wounded, as his armor, was tough enough to deal with her attacks. However, he did grunt a few times, as she had struck him on the sweet spots, as he did his best to block her attacks! The mare, wore a helmet, as it had Nightmare Moon designs of an armor, on it. " Hey! Cut it out!... I said... STOP!" shouted Dagger, as he pointed his big blade twords the ground, and stabbed the dirt, creating a crater around himself! The mare, flew in the air, as she opened her wings and landed nearby, as she panted. Dagger, couldn't keep up with her speed, as he looked at her, breathing a bit heavily... " Stop... I'm not going to hurt you..." continued Dagger, as he then walked twords her, slowly. The mare looked worried, as she then smacked Dagger's hoof, with one of her two swords at it, then bucked him in the face, as Dagger flew away from her.

Dagger, had landed on the ground, as his helmet popped off of his head. Dagger, grunted a bit, as he wiped his face a bit, " OOOoooch... did... was... was that really necessary!?" spoke Dagger, as he had both of his hoofs, over his nose and mouth, thinking that it would make him feel better... The mare, had both of her swords, pointing at Dagger's neck, as she panted a few times, " You will be taken, to my camp! And my captain, will know... what... to do... with... Hey... you're not an Equestrian... What are you?... A demon!?" questioned the young mare, as she pressed her sword, into Dagger's neck. " I am actually, a quantillian... I am not from your world... I came from space! Up high, from above..." spoke Dagger, still surprised by her cunning attacks. The mare, put her weapons away, and helped Dagger back up, as Dagger was left confused. The young mare, then gave Dagger's future helmet back, as the helmet looked weird to her, " Here's your... helmet... um..." "Dagger..." " Sorry?..." "It's Dagger..." spoke the stallion, as he brushed himself off, a few times. " Seems like, you guys don't really get along with... woah..." Dagger was surprised, as he saw the mare's helmet taken off, from her head... She was a youth, as she had blue reptilian eyes, and the color of her mane was grey or silver, as the light of the moon shone, her face. The color of her skin was a dark blue, almost like Princess Luna's skin... " What?... Ever seen a mare before?... I've certainly never seen your kind over here before! Kinda think of it... your the first... um... what is your race's name, again?..." asked the young mare. " Quantillian..." replied Dagger, as he gazed into her eyes. Her eyes were as blue, as a bright blue shiny, stone pebble, as he was amaized to see such brightness... They almost looked like they would glow in the dark, as the moon reflected off of her eyes. " Stop staring at me!..." "Sorry! By the way, may I know your name?" " No... But I can welcome you to our, humble camp, that we have nearby. Come, I'll show you to our captain!" spoke the young mare, as she led the way...