“They are getting better.” The smooth voice of Aqua Seneschal observed, watching as a large robot like golden owl unleashed a devastating blast of light at the hulking form of Tatsurion. With speed and agility that seemed to defy what a creature his size should be capable of, the half breed easily evaded the blast and returned fire in the form of four small rockets launched from his left wrist brace. Despite the birds best efforts one of the rockets managed to clip its left wing, sending it spiraling towards the ground, only to recover moments from impact.

“Indeed they are.” Came Chotens’ reply as he watched his two apprentices continue their practice duel. On the left was Trixie who was dueling with her partner creature Tatsurion. The dueler and creature having grown close to each after that night six months ago when they first met. Since then she had taken to summoning the partial beast kin outside of battle and practice to learn more about her first summon

On his right, panting in exhaustion from the amount of energy she had just used to hold a mana shield to block one of the stray rockets was the pegasus filly he had saved, Theia. It had been ruff in the beginning after she had woke up from her coma, the gruesome deaths of her mother and father still fresh in the young ponies mind. However, with the combined care and love given to her by both Choten and Trixie the young filly was able to recover. At first Choten had planned to keep Theia away from any non water kaiju, as a way to insure the child's safety. After a few weeks she begged to be allowed to practice Kaijudo, to be able to summon like her big sister Trixie. She looked so hopeful that The Choten just couldn’t refuse so he handed her a tablet with a list of all known creatures. In hindsight he should have limited it to just the Water Civilization, but by the time the thought struck him she was already babbling about all the different creatures of Light. And the rest is history.

“Good job, you two. I am very impressed with your progress.” The two smiled at my praise. “Now, go get something to eat then rest . We have a big day tomorrow, i’m sure neither of you want to miss it.” My voice was kind, but they understood the meaning, there would be no arguing this point today.

“Yes sir!” Trixie replied with a sloppy salute, her coat slick with sweat.

  “Right away Uncle Cho,” Theia giggled as she copied her fellow apprentice.

The two ponies made their way out of their training ground and headed towards the doorway that lead toward the compounds private section. Smiling as his students left, the master of the compound turned to face the rest of the ponies and various other species training in the compound. As far as his eyes could see there were various beings fighting  with various kaiju of many different civilizations. They were the dregs of society, low class criminals, poor fathers and mothers, the homeless and the depressed.

They had flocked to him during the past six months, drawn to his promise of a roof over their heads and meals in their stomach. That was all it had taken to attract the hundred of ponies, griffins, and the odd minotaurs that now made up his army. The twenty bits a week helped keep them.

Food and money may have roped them in and kept them from running off, but the deciding factor that made them follow him, was respect. He had taken in these lost souls, these poor and desperate beings, he had fed them and gave them a room. He asked nothing from them, but those who joined his army where paid and given better rooms. Not that the rooms he gave the ‘civilians’ bad, but the soldiers got slightly larger rooms.

And he taught them all the art of kaijudo. Every soul in the compound was required to wear a gauntlet- a misleading name now that there were horn cones for unicorns and horseshoes for the other equines- and know how to summon the two standard creatures, Stalker Sphere and Aqua Trickster, for security purposes.

He held the respect of every mare, stallion, bull and etc. within his compound. In total  he had over eight hundred and fifty-six residences in his extensive lair, half of which had joined his army. Those who did not join his army eventually started farms in the massive underground greenhouse, or started various stores in the massive  complex.  When he had started to recruit he had his workers expand the main complex to include many blank un-specialized rooms for the use of the ‘people’ he planned on recruiting. He had had to expand twice.

  Choten cleared his mind, his ring sending a wave of calm to ease his nerves as he stepped closer to the guard rail of the balcony as he addressed his soldiers.

“My friends,” Choten’s voice carried over the massive room, helped by subtle speakers to reach even the furthest duelist. Hearing  his voice they all stopped, any remaining kaiju being dispelled so that the duellists could focus solely on their leader. “We have worked hard, these past months. We have prepared ourselves for this inevitable day. Tomorrow, we begin what we have all been waiting for, our conquest of the land that has spurned us! Tomorrow, we march on Equestria!”

  As he stood there, hands out stretched, Choten smirked as a chorus of cheers and shouts of excitement filled the air. None of these people had any love for their homeland, for various reasons, and they were all willing to follow the leader that cared for them.

When silence fell upon the crowd once more, The Choten continued, “ We march on Equestria, not to rule as kings, not for riches or wealth, but for equality. For justice. Once you were at the bottom of society, weak, unloved and scorned! Some of you had to resort to crime, just to feed your families, only to be locked up when you were caught. But look at you now! You are strong! You have others that truly care and love you! I have given you this heaven, opened my own abode to you all, and only asked you not tell the rich and successful. I gave you food and water, a bed and the chance to start a life free of persecution. And in return you, you brave mares and stallions, bulls and heifers, griffs and griffets, have decided to join me as soldiers. But you are not my soldiers, but my comrades! My friends in arms!”

The crowd cheered, many were moved by his speech. They noded at parts and roared at others, all in all they reacted exactly how Choten wished they would. “We have done great things already, my dear comrades. With our allies in the Water Civilization we have conquered Fire! With your aid I was able to take the Sword of Fiery Cataclysm from the fool Skycrusher, and now we rule there supreme!” He held the aforementioned sword, a garish thing with an ornate handle and orange blade that caught fire as he held it aloft, much to the crowds pleasure.

“This,” Choten shouted over the sounds of the crowd,” is the symbol of our power! We have bested a army, taken their artifact and now they bow before us! We shall do the same to Equestria! Tomorrow we shall take the town of Ponyville, capture the Elements, and then Equestria shall bow before us. To be changed into our image!” Choten lowered his voice, softened his voice and tried to get across the importance of his next few words. “Not all of us shall survive the trials to come. Some shall fall, this is true, but they shall be remembered for all time as the heros they are. But this is not a fate that you must accept, if you speak up now, no one shall judge you should you walk away. Only should you flee your brothers and sisters in arms during the battles to come. So speak now if you wish to leave.”

He waited, sure that some from his army would leave, but none left. He smiled on the inside, overjoyed that he had such loyalty from these creatures. “None?” He asked, more for show than anything, “None wish to leave? My, you are all truly brave. This time tomorow you all shall be known as heros! Tomorrow is the dawn of a new age, my friends, are you not excited!”

“Yes, Lord Choten!” The crowd shouted back, all saluting, all excited.

  “Then rest, for tomorrow you shall all need all the strength you can get." Next Chapter: Chapter 8 Estimated time remaining: 6 Minutes