Minosian-Awanish Border

The sounds of thunderous hooves and the clang of steel on steel ringed across the battle that was once an lush grassland now painted red. The screams of the dead and dying were around with prayers to the gods Human, Draconequus and Alicorn upon their lips. In the chaos of ruin bodies that litter the ground the battle still raged, a ragged band of Centaurs led by an wingless Gryphon and an Centaur mare held their ground against Saddle Arabian ponies and their war-beasts Land Sharks strange dragon-like quadrupeds with stoned hinds instead of scales and an taste for flesh instead of jewels the biggest Land Sharks could easily tower over an full gowned Minotaur but the only advantage one over the beast was the fact Land Sharks are blind preferring the sense of smell thanks to their underground dens where sight was but useless and they fears fire and water. Yet the fact does little to lighten the situation, Land sharks boulder their though the Centaur lines with ponies armed with bows brought up the rear shooting down those that survived being tramped down by the War-beasts. The Centaurs grimes in the face met the beasts and their masters like warriors slashing with sabers, lances and stomping on the smaller ponies with iron stubbed horseshoes while their leaders the wingless Gryphon danced a dance of wicked talons naked of any armor killed any in his path like a whirlwind of doom and the Centaur mare using her twisting horns rammed into the sides of the Land Sharks bathing the land in gore before crushing unlucky ponies heads under her hooves and spearing them with her trident. The Centaur band with their numbers being inferior to the attacking ponies knew that they would die long before the battle grew calm.

''41!'' called the Centaur mare wielding her trident like an staff paring the claws of an charging Land Shark '' looks like your buying the drinks tonight No-wing!!!''

''Fat chance Mari!!!'' Yelled the wingless Gryphon No-wings mauling another pony and a young mare by the looks of her now very dead body '' You're not beating me!!!!! but for Edonia' sakes when these ponies will ever learn not to mess with our band''

''Maybe when they learn you'll grow your wings back!!!!!'' Joked Mari the Centaur skewing an long line of ponies '' that's make 47!! you're getting slow!'' she basically singed much the Gryphon's ire

'' I'll show you Slow mare!!!'' roared No-wing hacking limbs with his talons, ripping out throats with his break cutting down ponies left and right taking much of the stress off the failing Centaurian lines with increasing speeds.

Unfortunately for the small band for each pony that they felled two more took their place like an unyielding tide of woe. One by one the brave and valiant Centaurs met their end at the hooves of their pony kinsmen left where they had fallen broken for the reaper to take them the halls of the death. No-wing and his companion Mari stood tall among the ponies and the vanishing numbers of the Land Sharks screaming like wild animals hacking......slashing at every chance they could, only an very small number of their followers remained but soon that number was slain or dragged away in chains while the unlucky wounded were eaten alive by the fewer Land Sharks but still the Gryphon and his Centaur fought on blinded by rage an' tear with death songs on their lips in hopes that the gods would bless them with an merciful death or give them the strength to slay all of their enemies. But no such thing came to be they were too overwhelmed by the ponies and their chains binding the two leaders riding them of weapon and armor allowing the oppressed sun to beat down on their furred backs. With an shove and pull the two defeated leaders were herded to a tent where the leader of the ponies sat lightly sipping on Canterlotite tea watching as their followers were made slaves with Pongaea's brand, flinching at the screams of anguish as the ponies burned away what was once we're cutie marks forever sealing the centaurs' fates as slaves.

''Ah what fine day for slaving wouldn't you agree rebel scum '' said the pony leader, a light blue furred Sphinx in the noble's tongue

The two defeated leaders No-wing and Mari only spat at the slaver, hatred burning deep in their eyes, their handlers only tighten the chains round their necks threatening them with strangulation telling them to choose their next move wisely. Again the screams of their band rides the air carrying their pain and sorrow to Edonia's skies in kind. The Pony leader looks at the two in pity or what you call an slaver's pity before wiping away the evidence of deviance '' hmm I see '' whispered the Sphinx in though '' I suppose that your are right it's not an fine day when you are made an slave but that doesn't made we can't be civil about it eh''

''Civil? you are an slaver what you know of being civil? Ayen qiup raal Rohcia!!!! ( Yours will be coming soon bastard) '' snarls No-wing in an infusion of common tongue and Ancient Avalonian with struggling with the chains adorned on his form.

'' My name is Blue-Scarlet of Concordia, what are yours?'' said Blue-Scarlet completely ignoring the wingless gryphon's words, if he even understood the old tongue he didn't show it.

'' I am Mari Kruch of the northern centaur band and my partner here is No-wing of Awan '' replied Mari who unlike her gryphon counterpart wasn't struggling with her chains, she instead was saving her strength for later, she had heard stories of Blue-Scarlet the Gentle Pony slaver according the the story he was the last slaver sent into the Badlands after the Changeling Queen Chrysalis hunting her for years till he decided that Centaurs slaves would make him richer faster thanks to the black market for Centaur horns then Changeling slaves ever could. some of the stories mention that he'll torture centaurs to death if they disrespect him but if you are politic enough he may let you go free...hornless but free nevertheless.

'' Mari.......my what a pretty name'' said the Sphinx pony smiling predatory grabbing the centaur hand lightly kissing it ''what an little filly like you doing way out here hmmm? perhaps this um...........wingless Gryphon rouge stole you in the night?''

For the first time in her life Mari actually was scared of an pony, the look in the Gentlepony slaver made her whimper. Seeing the state his partner was in No-wing struggles with his chains grew forcing the handler to start choking the wingless Gryphon........Blue-Scarlet payed No-wing no attention as he made his lust known to the poor centaur mare with only a glance her handler force the centaur down to her knees the perfect height for an large Sphinx pony like himself. Rearing up on his hind legs while using his wings to keep his balance the slaver circled the downed mare mentally taking notes of her healthy body before pressing his hooves into her flesh.......testing the softness of her mareish charms.The mare's whimpers grew louder at the unwanted touches as did the choking struggles of her partner, the slaver light heartedly chuckles (mainly to himself) ''Good good this one would catch over two thousand bits alone I know of a many Nobles that would love of such an healthy centaur, red heads are in season and her fur is well taken care of and that white birthmark on this one's flank makes her all the most desirable.....just need to be rid of that cloth covering her teats. why centaurs like to keep their teats uncomfortably bound I'll never know but don't worry my dear we get you in an nice warm bath and afterwards into my warm bed''

''Master!!!'' called a voice from outside of the tent in an panic

The Sphinx ignored the calls coming from outside of his tent, completely focused on the exotic light brown Centaur mare before him. Licking his lips he motion for the handler to nail down the chain of his ''new toy'' into the earth perhaps he will not sell her but keep her for himself but those horns had to go. Some Centaurs that were if lucky enough had a little training the magical arts of course they'll be no match for an unicorn in a duel but still magic was trick to deal with especially if you didn't have anti-magic items and didn't had an unicorn on hoof .

''Master!'' screamed one of the slavers outside

''WHAT!!!! do you idiots see I'm trying to sample my new slaves!!! '' growled the less than gentlepony sounding, the Gentle Pony slaver revealing his gruff sounding Concordian slaver accent.

An blood covered pony slaver limbs into the tent yet at the same time refused to enter the tent itself '' Master Blue-Scarlet!!!! we're unde- '' the pony never finished the warning with a flash of gleaming steel, the head of the slaver pony landed on the ground with an loud thump

Fraxture's PoV

I stormed passed the camp's gates with my sword taking slavers heads, despite my best efforts I came the the battle too late.....many Centaurs lay dead on the killing fields hornless. Of all the horned races (Minotaurs, Centaurs, Alicorns, Unicorns and Red horns) the act of taking horns is both heinous and unforgivable.......the slavers rushed at me with hooked blades which my sword cut through like butter while others shot at me with arrows only for them to harmless tap against my armor. An Minotaurian seeker armor is enchanted with spells from both Changeling and Arachnaponies respectfully leave almost all missiles useless yet according to legend that were untold amounts of suites enchanted by the god themselves with the power to withstand an onslaught of dragons. With an flash my free hand pulled Faith from my back swinging the holy weapon taking ponies heads in conjuration with my silver sword, one of the slavers unleash an Land shark from its pin, the beast crushed ponies in its rush to get me but with an quick flash Faith sink her teeth into the beast causes it to ram the cages holding branded Centaurs.

Now free of their cage the Centaurs attack their former masters with iron studded shoes. that was the last straw for the slavers many abandoning the camp in order to save their own lives, the earlier battle had sapped much of their strength and numbers.........ponies by nature are herd creatures always following the others they are strongest (and bravest) when the herd is swelled with numbers that is how they fight, numbers but if their numbers are low the easier their moral breaks. But there are some that go against this fact not many but some such as parents protecting their foals fortunately these ponies are slaver scum. I easily cut through the routing slavers follow one green pony that was attempting to enter the main tent what I assumed to be the slaver leader tent.

I quickly cut down the pony before he could warn the leader and the other inhabitants but in so doing the headless body felled to the side pinning the tent's flap open revealing an chained wingless Gryphon and an chained Centaur mare with the unwanted hooves of an light blue furred Sphinx on her. The Sphinx looked at me with his ear laid back submissively while hold an fish look on his muzzle, two other slavers were holding chains in their hooves controlling the bound Gryphon and Centaur, the Centaur mare was light brown with a white birth heart mark on her right flank while her mane was red an nice contrast to her blue eyes, I nearly drop my weapons at her beauty.......Sweet Aronnos what an flower such as she doing out this far in Bullhorn Strait! Centaur country is to the south! the last Centaur Settlement was Bols-Nvo many miles away in order to travel to the Strait you had to go though Bols-Nvo. the Gryphon on the other hand seemed to be an normal Gryphon Tom minus being wingless but his talons are unusually long.

Immediately the slavers holding chains bolt ripping new doors into the tent abandoning their leader and freeing the bound Gryphon and Centaur. Now freed the Gryphon leaped at the Sphinx ripping him off of the Centaur sinking his talons into the pony's throat instantly killing him. The sounds battle on the outside fades as the last slavers were dispatched by the freed Centaurs, the chained Centaur mare rose to her hooves warping her arms around the mauling Gryphon weeping into his wingless back, the Gryphon removed himself from the mauled pony corpse. I looked to the sky with an smile with the hope in my heart that the gods are pleased with my holy duty before turning away from the freed couple and made my way out the encampment while the freed Centaurs covered in pony blood offed their thanks and oaths of fealty. Despite their offers I did not bound them to their words I am a Seeker I had no need for others to sever me I alone seek the hidden places of the gods and work to usher in the gods' return if they wanted to sever me then they should serve me well in returning to Centaur country and work to defend the true Avalonian kingdoms.

Whispering to Faith as I placed her on my back once again I heard the thunders of hooves behind me followed by the scratch of talons. I no move to confront them nor I showed any acknowledgement only an grunt and returned to the road to Equestria where I shall find my destiny.

Long-Fang mountains

Venhayia's PoV

With the power of winter to guide me, I quickly made my descent from the mountain that served as my prison. The magic of frost and ice restored my long starved body........it will take time before I regained my former strength but with winter coming in four short weeks I should be fully restored both magical and physical but of course the magic could done nothing for my wing the wound was definitely too old for magic to regrown the wing. I'll be grounded for the rest of my divine life.........it was a fair punishment in my mind, I let Sleipnir live all those years ago back on Epona if I had let him die then Faust would been mine much sooner, Aronnos and the other humans would of lived the Titan and Windigo wars won't never come to be .....Luna wouldn't had suffered as she did...... because one act of pity I had doomed the entire pantheon and my friends to their current state. Sleipnir I'm coming for you I will correct the mistake so long ago I swear it........ Mother Epona was right about you!! she knew of the hatred in your heart and soul and for my lenience the ponies and our home was ruined in return.

Calling upon winter's magic I slowly increased my speed leaving icicles of sweat and winter's gales in my wake, not stopping for anything or so I thought. In my haste I shoot passing sleeping Draconian villages that was more still than the morning drew in a cold winter's morning. At first I thought nothing of the seemly dead villages but as I galloped I could but help to wonder why those towns seemed so dead? Winter was far away and given day of day meant that the villages should be teaming with life but there was nothing no foal's cry, no stallions at work nor play, no mares out and about I felt an hard lump in my stomach at the sights it was deathly..............too dead...........Something was wrong.

With speed that would even make my sister Hel blush I stopped my gallop at what I mused to be the last village on this side of Long-Fangs. I carefully and warily enter the silent village, I remember the very few dragons that severed the humans during the Titan war, big and powerful creatures they were but friendly enough..........as long you didn't touch their hoard that is. And thanks to my time on ice I didn't know what to expect from them now yet as I walk through the village I quickly noticed that everything was in disrepair like the village had been dead for years, any sign of life this village was long gone but a distinct low whispering could be heard among the wind.

''Go away''

I snorted at the whispers telling a god to go away or what to do isn't something to do. it's always best to leave gods to do their works as we mostly leave the mortals to do theirs...........most of the time. Ignoring the whispering like a god should I continued to explode the town checking each home looking for any clue that could lead me to my quest of learning what had happen here and still I found nothing to explain why........the village was attacked nor abandon the little I did found all pointed to dragons that lived here were having an day in normal village life. when I was about to enter the last house in the village the whispering grew louder much louder refusing to be ignored. The voices growing cruel and nasty it was clear whatever it was it wanted me out of the village.

''GET OUTGET OUTGET OUT ''

I smirked at the whispering like a colt during the winter festival ''Come on out, I know that you're there.........sister''

An blood red Alicorn mare with a short earthy brown mane dress in long flowing dress that hug her body tightly showing off her feminine curves steps out the deathly shadows of the village. Behind her stood her children lurking in the shadows hissing at other......Hel the warden of the underworld and Alicorn goddess of the dead, mother of demons smiled wickedly at my scrawny form, flashing long venomous fangs '' Hello Venhayia, my dear baby brother what you doing out of your cell?'' she says sweetly my smirk weakens a little at her tone voice....she only uses that tone of voice when she was displeased by judging just how sweet it sound she was very displeased. Hel is the one goddess that I feared.........our relationship was always on bad terms, Noveria the Alicorn of fire was the only one that could keep her in check after Faust.

''Hm, I see that you still remembered me after all these years'' I chimed my weakness obliviously showing both in my voice and body. If Hel is on Sleipnir's side and I know she is, she'll definitely see to it that I was trapped in my ice once again '' What have you done here Hel? I know that you never leave Tartarus unless you wanted something or rather somepony here in the mortal realm''

''Oh you know the usual baby brother '' said Hel taking a moment to admire my weaken form before licking her hoof much like a Catji would do after having a meal of flesh ''chasing escapees from my prisons, resealing the enemies of the Pantheon back where they came, making sure Dragon king Skyrim kept his end of the bargain with our master Sleipnir.''

''Master? since when that son of an Windigo was your master sister? '' I said cutting my eyes at the mare, it seems that I was right Sleipnir did struck an deal with Skyrim but the question is what kind of deal? what could had Sleipnir offer the dragons that would lead to them abandoning the humans outside of the hundred moonstar dragons that went against Grand Draconic Empire stance of neutrality. Whatever is was it seems it left an yoke on the dragon king's neck.....an yoke that Sleipnir was making use of.

''I'm sorry brother but visiting hours are over '' growled Hel her horn glowing sickly pale green, her children giggled darkly with glee as they joined their mother at her side, twisted forms of ponies pawed at her asking for permission to attack me, despite of my state I found myself calling upon the winter's wrath as Frost-bringer forms in my hooves thirsting for blood ''time for you to go back to sleep!!!!''

'' you forgotten one thing Hel'' I called rearing up on my weaken legs with my horn glowing like an lone lantern in the darkness my blade roared along with my horn sounding it's defiance to the sky '' you can't hold the WINTER!!!!!!!''

The Continent of Gaea
The Orc Realm of Orciemia
The Orcish Capital City of Tir-Na-Nog

Kren PoV

From where I stood in the doorway to the throne room, I watched as Iskia and Nar-Thosik slowly cancel the combative spells in their hands both surprised of my being here, Togul sat there in his chair with an great Orcish gentle smile.......there only a few orcs that could pull that kind of smile off..........Togul is one of the orcs that can't pull it off without giving people nightmares but his sisters Vryn and Gwendolen and his parents could. I had spent years living among the orcs ever since Alkeyore left me with the old Warchief care as his ward, over the years I grew very close with Kongul and his wife Serra and also their orc brood Togul; Null; Vryn and Gwendolen so much so we became an family of our own. I may be human by birth but now I was more orc than human. I knew from his eyes that Togul was very worried such is the life of being Warchief but this was different my ears couldn't believe that Alkeyore was gone.... he's alive he has too be! no Alvae damned Dahirm-hal killed him......he's- he's please don't let him die too.......

''Is it true brother Togul.......is-is he gone?'' I asked no begged of my Warchief, the orc looks at me regretfully and shakes his head as he rose from his seat, both Iskia and Nar-Thosik look away unable to bare my graze........

''No'' I said in an shakily voice sinking to my knees defeated........Alkeyore the one who saved me for the Tahuains......Alkeyore the one who taught me magic........my-my- tears was blinding me as my voice cracks ''No......no.....no not him not him too.''

I felt strong orcish clawed hands embrace me gently and carefully so not to maul me, immediately my hands shoot out and pushed Togul away from me as I turned and ran down the hall leaving the Warchief and the other rulers behind weeping all the while. I didn't cared who saw my tears as I stormed down the corridors, I was in pain and sorrow the orcs are a proud races many would see my tears as weakness but if they knew if I knew then they would look pass my tears............I was in mourning anyone could see it. Strength was the orcish way of life and it took an strong man to admit he was mourning......... as I ran I could hear the callings of the guards armour as they prepared the city for an siege, I heard everything the Dahirm-hal, the count of twelve, the coming attack I heard every word. Alkeyore why? why you have to die? can't you see that without you Gaea is doomed, no....no....NO you're alive.....yes you're alive just in hiding waiting to strike from the shadows. I know that you're alive......somewhere, I can feel it in my soul.

I continued running in halls till I found myself in the private royal living quarters, the halls of Kongul, Serra and the rest of our family. The history of the Warchiefs and Orciemia herself adored the walls in the Orcish tongue Urir........this had always been one of my favorite places in Tir-Na-Nog I could just spend hours reading the walls they spoke of the Emblem isles the birthplace of the orcs and it's ruin; the orc-elf wars and the later Orc- Beron wars......Tydorel's rise and fall........the entire history of Gaea was sketched into these walls but now I couldn't bare to look at them.....it wasn't right nothing had changed Gaea is an cruel and bloodily land that took and took till there's no more to give, it was Alkeyore's dream to free Gaea and her people of the curse Tydorel and the old hatreds had set upon us.....to finally destroy the fallen realms for once and for all, to reunite with the rest of the continent and the other surviving Gaeaish nations that the fallen realms had cut off from the Twelve Kingdoms for the last eight thousands years. Now that dream is lost.......the land is once more at war and the only one that could have calmed the fighting is gone, betrayed by an Dahirm-hal... Soon the world will know the toll.

''Kren? sweetie what's wrong '' said a warm motherly voice........a voice that I came to find comfort in. Wiping away my tears I found Serra, Kongul, their youngest daughter Gwendolen staring at me with worry in their yellow eyes. Both Kongul and Serra were dressed in rich blues and browns while Gwendolen wore a yellow sun dress with a picnic basket in her hands and an large blush upon her face. Kongul was an large old orc more older than any orc had the right to be but he was still an great warrior that put many of his own to shame yet he was very kind like Serra but just like any orc he loved to fight if he wanted to he could easily become Warchief again.

Both Serra and Gwendolen were gorgeous orc women, like most she-orcs they were stronger than any human woman yet had the grace of Elves and Fairies......I always found that to be extremely strange the orcmen were everything you though when you hear the word orc.....green most of the time; passion for fighting; big; sometimes misshapen; smelly, brutal but the she-orcs......easily counted among the most beautiful women in Gaea. Again unlike Human women she-orcs are not soft and dainty, they love to fight as much as the orcmen. Another difference between old Warchief and his wife is that Serra is more levelheaded than Kongul and the one been seen at the diplomat table for the most part rather than her husband, Kongul would rather have a blade in his hand and a battle to be fought rather than battle with words. Kongul is the sword, Serra is the shield of the orcs. Togul was a perfect fusion of the two savvy with a sword and twister of words, Null when he was alive was the shaman of the family, sly and wise and quick to share his wisdom and very dry jokes.

Vryn was an she-orc of honor and rules perhaps not as skilled as Togul was with a blade but she had something about her that made men want to follow her. Gwendolen being only seventeen she was the youngest of the four and the one who was well, the most romantic she adored the arts of love and song........it was known throughout the kingdom that she was madly in love with me which I couldn't understand why, not only I was ten years her senior and I was human not an orc......what she saw in me I didn't know yet as Serra told me the heart wants what the hearts wants and love had no age if gods could find love why shouldn't mortals.

But it didn't help that fact at the time that she was waving her heavy battle axe near to make the point that I should give Gwen an chance and not to break her heart or hurt her or try to use her. I thought Kongul was the rash one.....at least she isn't of age yet.

Lunging quickly I warped my shaky arms round the older she-orc tightly as I began once again weep but this time into her shoulder. if I surprised the orcs I didn't really know.......it took a lot to catch an orc off his/her guard. I felt Serra return the embrace whispering comforting words into my ears. Gwendolen also joins in the embrace still with a blush but a lighter one her worry overruling her romantic attentions towards me..........she is a really sweet girl any orc (or human in my case) would be lucky to have her as both wife and lover.

'' What troubles you my boy? said the old Warchief placing a heavy hand on my back, Kongul isn't really one for emotions but the jester spoke of much.

'' Orc Father!! Orc Mother!!- sob- he's dead!! sob Alkeyore has met his end of the hand of Dahirm-hal Teigue!! '' I wailed my voice cracking as I uttered the words. I hear gasps of shock coming from my orc family it was understandable Alkeyore have.....had a close relationship with them just as did I after all the orcs were the only one he trusted me with. Alkeyore had too many enemies to raise me after saving me from the Tahuians but he did taught me of both of our tribe the Rohnirians and how to use my stigma, the Yggdrasill stigma.......the mark of life.

''What!?! The Shadow Devil fallen!?!? '' exclaims Kongul his guttural voice almost roared between shock and disbelief,'' Kren prepare the army, we'll hunt that Dahirm-hal like the beast it is!!!! Serra where's my hammer!!! Blood of an orc brother has been spilled I intent to collect on which is due!!! That Dahirm-hal shall pay with it's life!!''

''Husband'' Serra hissed at the bigger orc. '' The time for hunting shall come later, now we need to see to Kren he has need of familiar faces, Gwendolen go get your sister.......and inform the shamans we have an funeral on our clawed hands.''

Gwendolen wanted to argue, no doubt wanting to stay at my side but an look from the older orcs sent her scurrying down the halls. What felt like hours passed as I languished in the arms of my orc family, my eyes burned from the lack of tears and my voice grew hoarse but that didn't count the fact that I stained Serra's dress or Kongul obviously feeling awkward. I ended the embrace dry my tears I and look up into Serra beastly yellow eyes that was looking at me gently and with kindness just as I remember from when I first met her.

Tilting my head towards the sky to offer the ancients a pray, I then instantly saw the gleam of an flying dagger in the shadows of the ceiling.......heading right for the she-orc I knew as my mother. Before the knife found it's mark I shoved Serra out of the way surprising the she-orc while taking the blade to the shoulder from the ceiling and a three-arm goblin-like Tahuian leaped on to me with the intent of killing me for causing it to miss it's taught without the time to form an spell nor an weapon of my own instinctively I felled back on orc combat training Kongul had given me and fought the Tahuain with equal fury until the bigger Orc forcefully ripped the assassin from me crushing the smaller Tahuian's arms causing it to let out an unearthly shriek. At the shriek I felted the blade in my shoulder burn white hot causing me to double over,if I remember right this type of Tahuain hailed from the clan of Nane who was renowned for assassinating Wizards meaning if I had my magic then it would of done me little good. As I suffered under the burning pain, the Tahuian escaped the bigger Orc's claws at the cost of one it's arms only to meet Serra own claws slicing the assassin's face. The assassin didn't last long between the two Orcs with it's dying breath I hear it utter the words ''Ninola erin eros rohu tore joh''. (To the lands beyond the veil I banish you)

Then I only knew Darkness.

Canterlot city
Blueblood Manor

Blueblood PoV

Sitting at in an secret chamber under my manor that also that made up my personal office, I felt my eyes cut at the reports that lay before me in hoof reach each one was worse and worse........the first report consist of an number of my ''contacts'' had been found dead, captured and enslaved or simply vanish into thin air Fancy Pants' goons had been very busy indeed.......it all points to the fact that there was an mole in my spy ring but the question is Who? there were many questionable gentleponies in my and Auntie's employ it could be an lone wolf or entire group that tipped Fancy and that prench witch Fleur de Lis. it would take years before the heat on the street dies down enough for them to slip up allowing us to finally to catch them. Argh Celestia, Luna, FATHER damn it! every time it seems I have one step ahead on that slaver he slips through my hooves.........despite all the evidence I had on him nothing sticks.......is every last Judge in this country in Fancy's payroll?!!? Aunties won't even get an chance at him at this rate!!! the Council of Nobles will see to that high ranking noble like Fancy pants would not enter any royal courts if Celestia Luna or Twilight was the judge no it would be one of theirs that would run it, giving Fancy and his allies no true trial turning everything into an farce. The other report is fighting the heads of every pony herd (or breed) were coming to Canterlot for a meeting with the Princess by Pegasus carriage , this is very bad with both Celestia and Luna gone it left very inexperienced Twilight alone in a room full of some of the most important and powerful ponies in Equestria it will be up to me to ensure that she not only survives the meeting but to keep her from falling Fancy's hooves.........thanks to one Miss Moondancer we know of his plans to enslave an alicorn mare to breed gods and goddess that are controlled by the Nobility thus giving the mastery of Avalon to them. Luna was the prime taught due to her past, the fact she was still not fully caught up with the modern world and the fact if she went missing nopony would care....Tartarus the entire city was celebrating that fact she was gone which also led to the last report........half of the entire solar guard core let out of the word of Alkeyore existence thus giving the rest of Avalon the news of an human being found. My spies in Minos, Awan, Saddle Arabia, the Crystal Empire, Concordia and Tanslymaneia had confirmed the rumors had reached the ears of both the rulers and the people but that didn't count for the other nations if seven nations actively knew then so did the rest or were about to learn of Alkeyore Blood-raven from the others .

Sighing my hoof does an facehoof before slowly falling down my face.........this would be my great test. Protecting Twilight from the nobility which may led to my revelation as an spy for Celestia to the young Alicorn and/or the nobility I worked so hard to invigilate; hunting down slavers AND keeping war from trying to break out while staring down the gods themselves..........I'm only an godling my divinity has yet to awaken and I'm already having to fight against the will of the Pantheon. I would be a fool to take on this alone it seems that it's time to call my best ponies Moondancer, Trixie Lulamoon, Sweet Nights a.k.a Nightingale squad and Hotshot, Red Rose, Lighting Dust a.k.a Dreadwings squad and finally Braeburn Apple, Vanguard and Ironheart a.k.a Desert storm squad.

Hmm Nightingale is stationed here in Canterlot meaning they'll would be ready for orders immediately Moondancer and Trixie are both high level Unicorn magi they would be well fitting to watch over Twilight when I am needed elsewhere and since Canterlot is an unicorn dominated city all the more advantage but Sweet Nights is an bat-pony Canterlot is an ill fit for her but her skills are sorrowfully needed specifically when the herd heads arrive.

The Dreadwings an predominated Pegasus team perfectly fitted for cities such as Cloudsdale (where they were currently station minus Lighting Dust ) again an ill fit for an unicorn city but their mobility quickly overcomes the ill fit opening new ways to track Fancy's movements and for informative reports. Unfortunately Desert storm are busy in the south watching over the Buffalo tribes, it would take them way too long to fall back to Canterlot and they're still needed to uncover Merlin's Pass the sole route into Equestria from The Badlands behind the Buffalo-Concordian lines nopony had ever found it only the changelings knew the route that much is evident thanks to the changeling invasion a few years ago, the Earth pony team would be perfect for skirmishes with Fancy's goons and making cover for the other teams. Changelings..........the most demonized race in all of Avalon why? Why they are so treated as much? They are much of an enigma even to me, the only thing I knew about them that somewhere in Equestria lies the ruins of the old Changeling Kingdom.............Eraidor, there was no books nor scrolls that mention that name as if all mention to it was eased from history why? what are ponies so afraid of? why there was so much hatred? if there was any reasoning as to the demonetization of one single race it had been long lost even Auntie Celestia hates them she'll forgive Discord for his wrong doings, offering friendship and friendship to all creatures, believe that everypony deserves redemption yet she can't seem to anything about the situation with the Changeling people or is it that she doesn't want too?. Eraidor.....it was from an dying Changeling that I learn of that word was else could it mean? Ancient Avalon words always have hidden meaning to them what does it mean?

We'll have to do with Nightingale and Dreadwings for now until the the city had recovered. The one good thing that came from Alkeyore's attack was the fact it will hurt Fancy's profits and slow the slave trade in Equestria for sometime. perhaps if we're lucky this will would open an chance to catch him, he lost a lot of bits and wherever he keeps his slaves is full he would looking to find a way to get them out of the city if he was going to recovered the lost bits but the question is how he got them in the city in the first place and how he moves them without being noticed? My time looking into the guard was enlightening Celestia was right in her assumptions there was an large Pro-pony influence within it. At first it wasn't out in open to persay but the barracks were another story.......tons of Pro-pony books littered the place, many illegal to even to own such as ''Ponies the master race''; ''Obey the hoof''; The Alicorn's blacklist''; '' The songs of hoof and wing ''; It's them or us!!! the true story of the Titan war; ''the idea of an Pony Avalon.'' There were too many for them to be just confiscations.......they were all well read and worn who ever place them there intended for the guards to use them.

''Life seem to be getting dangerous in Canterlot.'' I said aloud to myself lightening my horn burning the reports ensuring that nopony could ever learn of my true role in Auntie Celestia's court. The magical fire burn the reports till there was nothing left not even ash, '' it seems I have my work out for me''

''Aye that you do Ghost''

That......voice

Count Vlad Von-Crow

??????????

Alkeyore's PoV

''Caldorel!!! what the meaning of this! I never gave you control!!! '' I roared in the shadows of my mind immediately the twisted equine form of the Arch-demon Caldorel forms before me, the great fel-unicorn grazed at me with ancient and cruel eyes. Caldorel the former king of Gaea's Unicorns and lord of the enchanted realms, one of the seven of Arch-demons.......Tydorel's generals it had had been said that Caldorel was the first of the ancient kings to be''remade'' by the Demon King and was the instrument to the extinction of the Gaeaish Unicorn those who did survive became the Fel-unicorns of the Fallen Realms. It had been a long time since the last time I had came face to face with him, the first time was when the Hades first activated.......when our souls were fused into one being.

''Master, the Hades is trying to break the seals we have place on it........I am doing only what I was intended to do keeping us free of it's control, lessening its curse unless you want to finally give up this foolish quest of yours.''

''No Caldorel I will not, my destiny is MY own and I will not allow some stigma nor you to force me into betraying everything I ever stood for'' I growled defiantly

''Alkeyore don't make me laugh you are an Nephilim the child of darkness and light......holy and unholy, in the end you will help your true father and free him from his slumber............what you stand for is an fool's dream even now the Hades wishes for you take your rightful place at his side you know this. Darkness had shown you the truth........ forget these lies you, Artemis and Dust had told yourself they will account for nothing. Embrace what you really are Alkeyore the Fallen King of the Nephilim, he who shall cloak the world in shadows ''

'' And why I should trust the words of a demon........BE GONE FROM THIS PLACE'' I said the the true form of my stigma burning in my eyes forcing Caldorel to go back into the depths where he belongs. With the Fel-unicorn gone I could feel the Hades trying to break its chains but the magic within them is far beyond its power........Caldorel is wrong I am an Rohnirian I kneel to no one much less than creature like himself nor to the influence of my own magic I am the master of the dark arts am I not. Again the name Artemis has appeared what does the she-fairy have to do with this? By the Darkness that dwells in the night why can't I remember who that fairy is!!! She know me somehow and Caldorel know of her.............it left too many questions to my already long list of questions, Alvae's love I hope that demon didn't anything while controlling my body...............an familiar dark growling reached my ears, a growl that haunted my dreams for years....the growl of an hell hound. the one beast I feared most hell hounds are unkillable.....destroy one and that one will become two kill that two then four shall rise, powerful in the arts of fire and shadow even master level Pyromancers and shadowmancers could not hope to defeat them and what worse not only having the power to instantly kill by looking one in the eye three times they send most of their time unseen if they shown themselves it only because they want you to see them.

My eyes glance about the room noticing the still forms of Celestia, Discord, Luna and the girls I didn't need my magic to tell me that they're unconscious pass them the room dark with hell hounds in the shadows surrounding us waiting for someone to make the wrong move I knew they wouldn't try anything as long as I'm here yet I quickly called upon my stigma and forged an protective shield. it wouldn't keep them out indefinitely but it would slow them down while I thought up an plan since it was clear that the Hellhounds are here then we were on longer not in Avalon nor Gaea........we are in the Domain of Master Dust, the Hell hounds are his creations but how we happen upon his domain? Only Dust and his students could enter this place...........He would not be pleased to see the company I undoubtedly had with me Jester may find this humorous but Alpha would want them and me dead. ''Best to tread lightly ......'' I mused to myself while casting an memory spell to relive the events that may tell me what the demon did.........

Show me the times that had pass
Darkness show me your Truth
Show me what I seek

'' An heart that is poisoned by hatred who whispers sweet promises to the desperate and unfortunate only to relished in false promise and anguish a Alicorn of gold but is hallowed by his hatred ........... a shadow that dances with powers beyond the eyes of mortals deals that are made by a wicked and foul smile........blood of the innocence upon their hooves forever staining their souls. will they make the choice with their hearts or will they burn in hell fire. I hear the demon utter in a fusion of his and my own voice unnerving the others. I could see the embers of life burning usually bright in those around me Nightmare was frighten beyond measure. True the demon's words two tainted souls were calmly trotting to us, Discord also knew of the encroaching beings.

''Alkeyore?'' I hear both Luna and Celestia say worry and confusion in their voices

'' Celestia this place is not safe........structure will not hold the weight of the coming battle, the combined magical strength of the tainted is alarming Luna and the girls are in danger to my oath I shall hold......best course of action is to use the advanced version of the Shadow Step spell.......if we stay and fight lives will be lost Discord you know of whom is coming........ we may survive the attack but the foals are not in the shape for the battle........... the demon said in monotone voice using my wisdom and working according to my last mental wishes before he took over, using the spells I had ready to be casted.

''Foals?'' asked Celestia mouth gap '' Luna what foals? What did he do?

''Alkeyore speaks of my d-d-daughter Nightmare moon and an Kirin he saved from a troop of Gryphons'' Luna says while her hoof touches me in attempt to shake me out of the demon's control ''but is not the time nor place to explain Sister, Sleipnir is on his way........

the Demon interrupts Luna in mid-sentence ''Luna Friend we must hurry! the spell is set it will take us to a safe place. you, the girls nor Celestia and Discord be able to stand against Sleipnir and the Dahirm-hal, I'll get us out of here......

Strange that didn't sound like Caldorel, is something affecting the demon? what in this land could have such an effect on the demon perhaps it's the Hades but the Hades shouldn't be able to do that Hades power is over spirits and the darker aspects of magic, demons maybe be an type of spirit but no necromancer had ever attempted to control one. This gives me an bad feeling.

''Alkeyore what is Dahirm-hal?'' asked Discord with an gleam in his eyes, an gleam that made the demon nervous.....strange. '' I have fought Sleipnir before but you are right the girls are not strong enough to stand against him.''

'' I'll explain later, we must leave NOW said the demon before Celestia's eyes harden remembering what they originally came here for.

''Discord use your magic to hold Alkeyore'' said Celestia with her horn a glow, taking an an step forward '' I'll teleport Luna and the foals back to Canterlot far away from him.''

''Sister!'' growled Luna coming to my defense her own horn glowing with magic '' have you not heeded Alkeyore's words, this is not the time! I chose to leave Canterlot with Alkeyore out of my own free will.''

The demon eyes look passed Celestia and Discord staring at the beast touching their minds telling them to leave this place.......they refused to leave wishing to do their duty to both Grimmnjor and Moonlit by slowing down the golden Alicorn and his followers buying us time to flee. for they bravery the demon gave them the locations of the defensive magical traps and light enhancements to their natural weapons all to ensure that they survive the coming encounter. All the while my soon to be traveling companions continue to argue Celestia wished for us to return to Canterlot in order to ''rebuild'' their relationship, to convince Equestria that Luna was still a part of the kingdom and to properly raise the fillies while Discord attempted to share his chaotic wisdom and remind Celestia not only her father was coming (and may attempt to kill me) but any words she had for me could wait till later. Luna despite our spat earlier remain at my defense almost forgetting our heated words again I and the Demon question her sudden change from standing against us and my magics to now defending us.

An golden Alicorn and a smaller steel grey unicorn enters the room silencing the bickering gods, he's single eyes meets mine and his eye-patch burns away magical fire revealing a long scar running over a ruined eye almost touching the twin hammer mark on his forehead. The symbol itself almost looked like an Ernian crest yet not one I knew of, the Ernians used very few crests those that they did use tend to be only for the higher clans. As soon the our eyes met the two beast attacked the new comers as my spell activated causing for me and the others to swallowed up by the shadows vanishing from sight.

I hummed in thought watching the memory replay itself burning away an proposition of my magic while strengthening the shield. The Golden Alicorn must of been Sleipnir base off of the magical strength I sensed pouring off of him, he was powerful perhaps an master level mage but I couldn't tell of which school he processed, his magic felt like no school I had encounter before.....it maybe prove difficult to counter if I remained to fight him yet that unicorn with him was another story he was definitely an mid-tier Dahirm-hal sense his body had show no demonic mutations. But that didn't mean he wasn't weak no it only shown that he had strong will and with being a Ghostdancer stylist meant our battle would be destructed. Escaping was the wisest course of action, just as the demon said the others were no match yet how did he knew of the emergency teleport spell to the Domain of Dust? That was an question question for later.

''Hell Hounds!!'' I called out to the unseen shadows uncaring if my shout disturbed my sleeping companions '' go forward and inform Dust that I had returned.....with company we have need of food and rest for our journey was long.''

If the hounds heed my request I did not know, they remain unseen even to the eyes of an Fairy, my necromantic eyes barely informed me of their presents if they wanted me died then they would've already done it. As if by fate's hand or plain rotten luck Celestia was the first one to regain conscious shaken but conscious she like a newborn looked about the room with wide and unsure eyes if as she couldn't remember how she came upon this room until her eyes landed on me instantly remembering her horn glowed brightly with an strong light spell revealing the ancient grandiose stone room filled with long forgotten relics and books. hmm it seems that we're in one of Dust libraries.......it won't be wise to allow the others to read the pages that dwell here, there are things that they must not know of in this room.

"I wouldn't do that Celestia'' I warned while crossing my legs in an mediational proposition.

''Or what'' she says thought gritted teeth her hoof stepping over Luna and the fillies protectively.

''Cause I'm the only one that keeping all of us alive'' I replied sharply glaring at the white mare '' If you wise and the powerful Alicorn mage as Luna said you are then you should of noticed that I had set up an shield over us........''

She quickly glance over the room just now noticing the shadowy orb that linger around us and the ghost-like movements in the dark corners of the room '' W-Where are we?.......this isn't the castle''

''We are in the Domain of Dust far from Avalon and Gaea'' I informed the white Alicorn before changing the subject before she had time to ask questions '' do you sense them Celestia? the unseen shadows in the room?

''Yes What a- ''

''Their called Hell hounds, creatures of shadows and flames created for the purpose to hunt and kill Entities or beings with significant power'' I interrupted the white mare ''the only reason why they're not attacking is because I am here, they are the servants of my greatest friend and ally Dust the Wanderer........they wouldn't harm me and in turn they won't harm you and other as long you stay at my side.''

''What happen back there Alkeyore? why your eyes and voice change?'' asked Celestia the light on her horn shimming down

'' That my dear is an discussion for when you earn the right to hold such an discussion'' the firmness in my tone said I didn't want to talk about it and I'm not going to so drop it. '' But I will tell you this, I saved our lives while you were blind by worry for Luna and hatred for me which is understandable for you are an white mage while I'm an black mage. But now since we have some time until the others awaken or Dust comes for us........we need to have an discussion you and I.''

'' We having nothing to discuss'' snapped Celestia '' Luna and the fillies are coming home with me and far away from the likes of you''

''And that's where you are wrong Celestia'' I said while my stigma shows in itself one of my eyes turning the eye from amber to sliver with the ghostly pale blue flare licked in the said eye's corners. Celestia visibly flinches at the sight of my stigma, I could taste the fear coming off of her '' We have much to speak about, first you dissuaded my wishes to wait on reuniting with your sister and daughter I can understand your need to be with them......to help guide them through this new path I know deep down in your heart you truly care for them but this is not the way nor the time you can't force them to go with you especially to an place such as Canterlot too much bad blood and their had not yet heal they need time to bond and restore any chance of an mother-daughter relationship.''

Celestia made motions to interrupt me I quickly stop a stop to that course of thinking by allowing my other normal eye to turn silver and glared at her. '' No Celestia listen to my words for you especially need to hear them, you can speak when I'm done. Now where was I.......oh yes, Second Nightmare and the other filly Moonlit has accept me as their master in the arcane arts, Nightmare is an very special filly she is an Niflheim-numunian, a mage that is born into the darker aspects of magic such as myself, she needs to learn how to control her dark powers without my teachings she will fall victim to the darker influences of our people's magic becoming like the dark mages you undoubtedly met before I intend on keeping that from happening I had seen too many good mages fall due to a lack of proper teachings and I will not allow another to fall as King of the Dark Magi it is my duty to protect her and to ensure she lives in peace. Third and more importantly Avalon is in grave danger your father had an Dahirm-hal, an demon mage at his side I will say no more of this subject for you need to gather the rulers of Avalon only together will Avalon able to withstand the Dahirm-hal threat I had fought them many times and I will share my knowledge of the abominations when the rulers are gathered.''

''You expected me to believe that Nightmare is this Ni-Ni-Nif- '' Celestia stuttered her tongue not taking a liking to the unfamiliar term '' that she must learn black magic? how am I to believe this?''

''Have I not been truthful with you Celestia? had I not inform you that you had a daughter in the first place and that the Gryphons were stocking the woodlands? you should have faith in me for magic works as magic does there no need for you to believe me only that she your foal knows of the joys of life.'' I said wisdom and truth in my words, I knew that Celestia wasn't going to take my words to heart but I had to try to make her see.

''Says the Dark mage who set cities to the blade, killer of thousands'' said Celestia her face set in stone with her own naive beliefs '' so tell me King of the Dark magi when did you forsook the ways of Harmony and peac-

I laugh heartily at the white mare '' Hahahaa henhen Celestia I am an Gaeaish we could care less for harmony...........Peace......peace that's only fool's dream in Gaea peace has no MEANING!!!! I snarled like a wild beast ripping open my robes showing her the uncountable scars that made their home in my flesh, '' We Gaeaish have been at war so long we live for it, eight thousands years of endless war upon the enemies of existence itself and each other so no I haven't forsook peace it was long dead before I came into being. You may think me as an monster Celestia but I know of many who much darker much crueler beings who will slaughter entire races at a whim for I have fought against them ''

Celestia eyes widened at the sight of my battered body.......the sight of the scars may had been too much for her to bare due to her accursed naivety of could she rule a kingdom for a thousand years if she was this naive? truly a mystery. She reached out with an hoof to touch them perhaps with the hope that their weren't real but she couldn't bring herself to touch me her hoof only hovered inches away before pull back. With an harsh yank I forcefully made her feel my scars. her hoof was soft.....soft then equine had any right or reason to be at first she shuddered at the feel of the countless scars but as she touch them more the wider her eye grew and hoof softly brushed along them.

''Scars.....so many scars'' I hear her whispered under her voice '' Alkeyore what did they did to you? These scars.....''

''......were earn by doing what was right'' I finished looking into her eyes my own returned to the amber I was born with ''just as I had always had done.''

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39xRAW3CpmE

Author's Notes:

finally it's done the second part of the five parter, Kern and Mari Kruch belong to Portal82 while No-wings belongs to ImmortalGlare. for those who follow the clues I had left in the past chapters good eye if you don't know what I mean then I shall inform you then, for an number of old chapters I had left clues to an crossover I am doing with my good friend Dontaskaboutit the owner of Dust a.k.a Wanderer and the author of the story Magic is My Domain

Sleipnir by CannicusPalentine