Author's Notes:

Chapter become a little dark... or pretty dark, take your pick :D

Now I wanted it to be just one chapter... but who wants to read a twenty two thousand length chapter!? I cut half of it (The part I didn't re-read) and post this one :D

P.S. Sorry for the delay, I am on exams(as I said before) and got sick yesterday when I was about to post the chapter.

P.S.S. If you found anything wrong please comment :D

P.S.S.S. If you ask, the demons are different because of the method to summon them.

I got out of the hidden room, an proceed to close it before making my way to the entrance of the castle. When I reach the double giant broken doors that where now the entrance, I got temporally blind. The sun was rising while letting its warm spread across Equis, I just stood there soaking with the warm of the sun and letting my sight adjust to it, before letting out a happy sigh. It was time for me to continue on my way.

Crossing the old bridge from the chasm that the Unicorns of old made in case of Deliora coming back from whatever it disappear to, I made it to the entrance of the Everfree Forest. It wasn't so bad as I remember in time of old, before there was a feeling as if someone was watching you all the time, now I just look at it and fell... in home.

Starting the second part of my journey I came to a stop, the giggles from the filly where resounding inside my head. Forcing me to use both hand to clutch it before shaking my head side to side, trying to disperse that sound.

Why does it bothers me so much!? It is not like I know that filly... do I? I try to remember my past again, but it was like if a giant part of it continue missing, like some part of my life just... disappear. I cant seem to take the filly's image out of my mind, some part of me was bugging me. I know her from somewhere... but where?.

Why did the filly got her horn broken? That was another question I made while taking a glance at my surroundings... no pats, it seems like I have to cross it like in the old times. I put one hand over the other, a blue rune appear on the ground below me, I smile and separate both arms, a ice sword appear in the blink of an eye in my left arm.

Then there is the forest. Snow and burned trees... where did that came from? Swinging my sword to a branch blocking my way, it broke from my lack of concentration making me force another sigh. I was getting out of track.

I need to focus on my priorities, find Celestia and then I would think about that filly. I loose track of the time since I began walking inside the Everfree Forest, surprisingly there wasn't any attacks on my being, no timber wolf to jump at me, or manticores to try and sting me with their tails. I decide that luck was finally shining my way and create another sword.

Last thing I could remember is fighting Deliora, then dying... but what before that? why cant I remember? The buzzing sound surround me, I could feel my heart beating in my ears. I made a stop and crutch my head, I started to feel light headed and the sounds of the forest started to feel distant.

"AGH!" I tried to take a step forward but the world decide that moment to spin, I feel to my side and let memories from my past force its way on my head.

(Flash Back)

I was standing outside the barrack with all the other guards. Wearing my new set of iron armor, from head to toe, It wasn't very nice to be on formation in the burning sun. The armor started to burn my skin a little but I didn't move and took a glance at the others. They seemed to fare better than I under the harsh heat. Their fur maybe?

Something bad happen, we never got in formation so early without a reason. I was thinking of many things that would force us to get in formation this early, there wasn't much that would force us to do it this early. Last time was because the Earth pony settlement's caravans where under constant attack from some bandits. I was taking out of my toughs when all wards stood on attention.

Swift Lance finally came out of the barracks, I could feel everyone tense when he saw us, I knew that something have happen...

He wasn't wearing his typical gold dragon like armor, the armor that identified him as captain of the guards. No, he was wearing his commander armor, an armor that is made of gold and iron, blended together with gems on the chest, and shoulders. Drawing of wings could be seen on both of his shoulders and on its chest starting from the gems, a cape with a Pegasus sewed on it was floating by the freeze.

The different between commander and captain is that captain isn't a rank, it is more like a tittle, similar to 'knight'. It doesn't necessary means that he have full control of the guard, it mean that he is the most experienced guard, the responsible of the training and paperwork, an monitoring of the troops across Equestria. But commander means that he have control over the troops, there are three commanders, a Unicorn, a Earth pony, an Lance as far as I know.

I tried to find the other two commanders but I failed. Where is Quake? he is always the first in formation...

Lance is a Pegasus, pretty tall and stronger than a normal Pegasi, I once hear from another fellow guard that his cutie mark is a lance that is passing through a red shield. His fur being black, while his mane being two shades of yellow, his eyes resemble the sky, a pale blue that. His posture always radiates determination and comfort to those who surround him, a natural leader.

"Attention!" Yelled Lance, its voice reaching high levels. it seemed that whatever happened was something dead serious.

Dang, I am gonna go deaf, I never saw Lance so... grim.

"We got a troubling message yesterday, I think some of you already hear the rumors... the Crystal empire is under siege." Shouted Lance. That was a pretty shocking new, for what I hear there haven't been any more sieges since the Griffons just some years before I came to Equis. Guards whisper around me while I let myself stray in my thoughts...

Could it be Sombra? Maybe.... he is the one that is attacking the empire?. I was shaken out of my thoughts by another shout.

"Who is attacking the Crystal empire!? Griffons? Minotaurs? Or are they bandits?" Shouted a random guard from my right.

"No, it isn't griffons, not even minotaurs or dragons. No, what is attacking the Crystal empire is something... disturbing. The message said that the Crystal empire was under attack by a large group of monsters, spawns from Tartarus to be more precise. Before you question it, we have already sent a message to the gates of Tartarus with the help of Unicorn magic. The message came just moments ago, saying that the gates have been closet since the fall of the King and Queen." Answer Lance, the guards where on a uproar, yelling questions after question. I just stood there in shock, I have read about the spawns of Tartarus, even fought one before. They aren't your run for the money beast like chimeras or manticores... they are demons.

"But how!? Those creatures never work in groups! We fought them many times in the past, put them together, and they kill each other! How can the empire being under attack by those demons!?." Yelled another guard, the others just looked at Lance for more answers.

"That is another point, it seems that those... beast, aren't acting on their own, they seem to be under some short of control." Said Lance. Again whispers could be hear among some of the guards , I knew it was bad, I fought one of those demons not long ago. To control such a beast...

"But that is impossible! The power needed to control even one of those demons... Whoever is doing it must have one of the ancient relics!" Yelled another guard.

"That is another thing, all the sacred artifacts have been counted in the order is vault, they said that there haven't been any artifacts missing. Whoever is controlling those monsters provably have found a lost relic, there haven't been sights of another ancient relic in hundred of years." Answer Lance, he didn't even flinch when he answer the questions, he looked dead serious to all of us. He let out a sigh before closing his eyes and opening them again. "The demons outside the Crystal empire are over six hundred and raising by day." Shouts of fear and disbelief traveled through the air, Lance seemed unaffected by them and continue.

"I know what some of you are thinking, 'how can we go a fight an army while we are so few?' well that is where you are all wrong, we aren't the only kingdom sending their forces to help the Crystal empire, we have already sent Quake and Diamond to their respected capitals, I have sent a message to New Cloudsdale yesterday and they said that they are gonna send troops. The Thestrals from the west are going to help us too, we are all going to meet half way to the empire. So don't fear, we aren't gonna go alone, we will have our allies's help, alone we will fall, but together, we will conquers the demons!" He yells while raising a fist, there where shouts of approval and some guards seemed to squirm on their places.

The Equestrian empire isn't just one castle, it is formed by the alliance of the three tribles. Each commander are representatives that got selected from each of the capitals. New Cloudsdale being the Pegasi's while the Earth ponies have Trottingham. Unicorns live on their Kingdom called Unicornia, which is one of the smallest kingdom at the time. The 'Equestrian Castle' was the first place where the three tribes joined to live in harmony.

"Not all of us can go, only half of the guards will go. So think before going, some of you have families in here, don't go only for the 'fame and glory', you must think about your love ones before leaving. The Crystal empire is inside the coldest places in all of Equis, it would be a three weeks of none stop walking to the north. The ones that want to go would been put under a test, those who fail would have to stay and protect the castle. Now I want you all to go and think about this, recruitment for the expedition are gonna be held tomorrow, DISMISS!" He said, the guards started to talk with each other over what they where going do.

I turned around when someone grope my shoulder, I took a glance from my sight of vision only to see Lance looking at me with a smile.

"I take you are gonna go, aren't you Gray?" He said with a smile.

I return the smile kindly and look at the almost finished castle not far away. "You know it Lance, I won't stand and let some demons hurt our brothers and sisters of the north, but are you sure you want to go?" I looked at him with sorrow, he didn't notice my look or just flat out ignore it. His smile decreased a little.

*Sigh*"Gray, you are by far the most skillful guard in the art of the sword, not counting that you have your magic to back you up. But you lack hand to hand combat, and you said that you cant control your magic perfectly. Are you sure that leaving to a possible dead is a good idea? Celestia and Luna consider you as part of their family Gray. Are you sure you want to leave them?." He ask me, his blue eyes full of concern, I frown a little at his words and let a sigh escape my lips while taking a glance to the sky.

"What about you Lance? You aren't one to talk, you know? What about your marefriend? Are you just gonna leave her? She is already nine months pregnant Lance, why are you leaving her?" I send back, and it was my turn to look at him concerned.

"It is different Gray, I am captain and commander, It is my solemn duty to go and lead the Pegasi forces to victory. Not counting that I am the more experienced with those demons than any guard alive. I must go Gray... it is my duty." He took a glance to the sky. Silence took hold for a few moments before he closet his eyes and let another sigh escape his lips, his smile disappearing from its face.

"Dammit Gray, and here I am supposed to be the adult, I am like ten years older than you! You act like those old wizard of the order!." He said while letting a laugh escape its mouth, I smiled and put an arm over his shoulders.

"Aha, I am just twenty one man, no more, no less. I will take your captain tittle away from you one day if you don't watch your back." I took my arm off of his shoulders and shove him playfully, he returned the shove while his laugh became louder.

"Well if we are going to go, why don't we go and waste ourselves in the bar! I hear there is a new liqueur called 'Moonlight' or something." He said while motioning me to follow him.

I laugh at him before saying. "Oh man, you think the bartender is gonna let us in after last time?"

"Of course he will! But after today? I don't know, hey can I call another drink buddy?." He ask with a mischievous smile.

I raised an eyebrow and smile. "Oh? Who? Pray tell his name?" I ask.

"His name is Starswirl, he is one of the Unicorn that came last week." He said while putting an arm over my shoulders.

"Last weak? But the only group of Unicorns that came during that time period where the ones from the Order. Isn't the order full of oldies? Like, the youngest was supposed to be sixty or something years? I don't want to go drink and give one of those a heart attack man!." I said.

"Actually, he is new to the order, I meet him in a bar a few months ago. He isn't an 'oldie' as you say, maybe three or two years older than you." He said while patting me on the back.

"Okay then, lets meet this 'Starswirl' guy then." I said.

"Yeah, lets." He said.

(End of Flash Back)

This... is... starting... to... get old. I said between pants.

I am so close... some pain in my head is not going to stop me... I started to move forward again, crating another sword and then began cutting vines and brushes that blocked my way. I was about to cut another vine when my hears started to ring.

Giggle Giggle Giggle

I close my eyes and crutch my head from the pain, the voice sounded from everywhere, the sound of leafs and wind stopped, all I could hear was the ringing in my ears and the giggles of a little filly.

What... is happening!? I open my eyes and found something disturbing, the world was a blur, snow was falling from the sky, the trees changed from dark brown to white. I blink and I was again in the Everfree Forest, but blinking again came the sight of a snowy forest.

Giggle Giggle Giggle

"AHHHH!" I yell while shaking my head with both hands clutching it. When I open my eyes I found that I was again in the Everfree, I could hear the leafs and the wind again which was a good thing. I began to move.

What... is happening? this is too much for me... am becoming insane? am I loosing my mind? I shook my head again to free myself from this thoughts.

No, cant think like that, I would find Celestia, let her know that I am okay and then.... and then....

Giggle Giggle Giggle

"AGH!" I trip over a root and my head started to spin.

(Flash Back)

"I can see the encampment ahead captain!" Yelled a Pegasus guard from above us, we where walking over this forest for sometime, and now of all times a blizzard decide to appear.

"Go tell them that the Equestrian forces that we are here! we would reach the reunion point shortly!" Yelled Lance.

"ATTENTION!" All the troops stop on their tracks and raised their heads to look at Lance, he was wearing a coat that cover his whole body, hiding his armor and most of his face, but even so I don't think they could see. The blizzard was too tight to see after all.

"We are about to reach the reunion point, I want you all to rest once we reach it, you know you all deserve it!" Yelled Lance, he turned around but not before looking at me for some time and gave a nod.

We walked more and after minutes we made it to a place filled to the brim with improvised tents.

Some guards decide to scatter around and talk with some of the other ponies inside the camp, Lance motioned me to follow him and so I did.

I could make what I believe was the Earth pony encampment. On their faces was or a bored look or a serious one, some where polishing their maces and swords. I could make some of them around a campfire, the ones closest to the fire could be hear exchanging stories and tales of old. By looks. all of them seemed heavy armored, everyone got a weapon too. But I could only made maces and great swords, no bows or shields.

Another group I could make was a group of Pegasi. The group wasn't telling stories, but fighting, drinking, while some where dancing. One of them got to Lance and they exchanged some words, the pegasus just gave a nod and returned to whatever he was doing. They got a diversity of weapons too, ranging from short swords to long swords, bows to long bows, they seemed to lack of shields or heavy weapons.

In the other side I could see bat ponies, or Thestrals as they call them self, all of them seemed to be in some kind of party. They where just like ponies but their fur ranged from white, black, grey, blue, and dark blue. Resting on their backs where a pair of bat like wings that where just a little bigger than the normal Pegasi's. Their weapons where long bows, crossbows and daggers, no shields, swords, or heavy weapons.

The next group was surprisingly quiet, they where all huddled around a fire, I couldn't see any characteristics on their bodies because their coats covered their whole bodies while some kind of hat rested on their heads. There wasn't much to say about them, they didn't got any kind of mortal weapons, only poles it seemed. I tap Lance and asked about them, he just said 'Unicorns' and leave it to that.

Finally we made a stop in front of a giant tent, Lance open the door for me and I step inside. I could made a round table with a map of the Crystal Empire and some wood made figures with different colors. Around the table with crossed arms where three individuals, two who wear sit on a chair around the table. I clear my throat and all of them looked up.

The first I saw was an Earth pony I knew, way bigger than the ones from outside. His fur being brown, his mane dark brown and his eyes bright green. He was wearing a heavy golden an iron armor with gems on their chest and shoulders, his helmet being under his left arm. Drawing of two hammers could be seen around the gems on its shoulder and a tree in the chest piece. I could see scars running down his right eye, arms, and legs, and I know that he got way more under his armor. He eyed me before giving a snort.

Next to him with arms crossed was a female Unicorn, her fur being dark blue then changing to purple around her neck, her mane being dark red with a yellow stripe in the middle. She wasn't wearing any coat, which let me see her light golden and iron armor with gems on her chest and shoulder pieces, her helmet being on the desk. Drawings of a star on each of her shoulders pieces, while a drawing of a book cover her chest piece. She looked at me once over with her yellow eyes before licking her lips while giving me a predatory grin, it made me feel uneasy and take my glance away to the last member inside the tent.

The last one was a female Thestral, she was the only one standing at the far side of the tent. Her fur being dark blue while her wing a darker shade, she was wearing a dark blue armor, no gems or drawings, her helmet was resting on her hoof. When I made contact with her eyes, I could feel how her red slit like eyes pierced my soul, I could feel myself being draw upon those beautiful rubies. She smiled and made me force to look away.

"Finally Lance!. Now we can start the fight against those hideous beast in the empire." Said the Earth pony while pounding his fist on the desk.

"Tsk, always thinking about fighting, aren't you Quake?" Said the Unicorn with a smile.

"Where you spectating anything else from him Diamond?" Said the Thestral.

"Humph, I really cant care less of what you think Scarlet, I am more interesting in the new addition to the group." Said the Unicorn.

Lance decide to move forward and gave a low bow to the group in front of me.

"Sorry we are late, we got problems traveling through these lands. Here at my side is the new addition to the group. Sir Gray Fullbuster, representative of the Equestrian Kingdom and Knight of the Princesses." Said Lance, the ones inside the room gave me shocked glances.

"Hmmmmm, a knight eh? There has't been a knight since the fall of the king and the Queen, I expected much from you young colt." Said The Unicorn.

*Sigh*"I think introductions are in order... don't you believe so Diamond?" asked the bat pony to the Unicorn.

"Sorry, I forgot we haven't meet before. I am Diamond Gleam. Commander and representative of the Unicorns." Said the Unicorn while doing a dramatic bow.

"I am Scarlet Wings. Captain, commander, and representative of the Thestral kingdom, a pleasure." Said the bat pony.

*Snort* "You already know me Gray but whatever, I am Quake, commander and representative of the Earth ponies." Said the Earth pony.

"I am Gray Fullbuster, recently knighted by both princesses, a pleasure." I said while doing a low bow.

"Well, Gray, Lance and you are a little late, we already discuss the strategy against the beast that are attacking the Crystal empire." Said Diamond while waving her hand at the map.

"Yeah, take a look." Scarlet made her way and sit down on one of the rocks around the map that appeared to be chairs.

I took a glance at the map, it was a perfect replica of the north lands, I could see that our camp was market with a green X, on the map where four different pieces, those being a blue Pegasus, a red Unicorn, a green Earth pony, and a yellow Thestral.

On the middle of the map stood a replica of the Crystal Empire, a green line was draw around it, which made me believe that it represented the shield of the Crystal heart.

"We are going to let the Earth ponies take the front line, while Pegasus and Thestrals aid from the air, from the back line we will have the Unicorns aiding us with destruction and healing spells." Said Diamond, then she made a motion to Scarlet.

"The Earth ponies would start the attack, being follow by Pegasi and Thestrals alike, the Unicorns would enter the fight after some time." Scarlet made another gesture to Quake.

"Each of the commanders would have a necklace with a magic stone. The stone have a spell created by the Unicorns of the order, when they shine it means that someone is connected, connected to what? Well to the mind! We can talk to each other inside our mind, you have to put pressure on the necklace and think. When all of us are on our positions enter the link until all of us are ready." He gave a nod to Diamond.

"That is our plan, now you have been put on date, we can start to prepare our weapons for tomorrow, we are going to attack during night time." Said Diamond.

I just gave a nod to them, each one of them and proceed to get out of the tent.

(End of Flash Back)

My head.... I get up after falling to the ground, the Everfree became a white forest, snow falling from the red sky, I blinked a few times but it didn't change. I could feel myself loosing strength and my bones felled as if they where on fire. My eyes burned and tears threaten to fall.

I cant stop... I am so close....

Lets make a snow pony daddy! Lets make a snow pony daddy! Lets make a snow pony daddy!

I spin around to where I believe came the voice, the world seemed to move side to side making me stumble like a drunk man. I squint my eyes and could make a faint glimpse of a little filly behind some trees. She turned around and began walking, forcing me to move to where she have gone.

"No! come back!" I started to walk while stumbling to where I saw the filly, resting every three steps to take more deep breaths.

Daddy look! its so beautiful! Daddy look! its so beautiful! Daddy look! its so beautiful!

The voice came from my back again, making me spun around and face the same filly running inside the fores.

"Who are you!? Come back please!" I started chasing, my legs where begging me to stop, but something inside my head made the pain dump. No matter how fast I ran it seemed like I couldn't even get closer to her.

I feel to the ground again and try to claw to where I saw the filly, spots of green and dark appear on my sight of vision, making me grit my teeth in anger. I got up slowly and lie on a tree while trying to see if I could see the filly. She wasn't on sight.

PuNY LiTtLe CoLt PuNY LiTtLe CoLt PuNY LiTtLe CoLt

A male voice boomed around me, it send a shiver down my back and the burning sensation over my body returned ten times fold.

I... I know this voice... I try to look at my surroundings but only saw rows after rows of white tress and snow.

yOu DaRe To FiGhT Me!? YoU ArE WoRtHLeSs!!! yOu DaRe To FiGhT Me!? YoU ArE WoRtHLeSs!!! yOu DaRe To FiGhT Me!? YoU ArE WoRtHLeSs!!!

"Agh!" Pain came and I could feel my head being split open by the rushing memories.

(Flash Back)

TWICHT-THUMP-CRACK-TWICHT-CRASH

"Die!" I shouted while cutting the stinger off the giant scorpion, it staggered a few steps back before trying to jump at me. My reaction was fast, I plunge my sword on its abdomen, It shrieked in pain before convulsing and after some seconds it stopped moving.

"Help me!" I spun around when I hear the cry of help, I could see an Earth pony trying to craw away from another of those abominations, it was different than the one I faced so far. It resemble a beast I knew from my past, a ghouls of some kind. Its brain being exposed and it lacked skin, its muscles could be seen while a fresh pool of blood forming below it. The abomination seemed to lack eyes, and where there was supposed to be hands and foot, it got sharp long claws. It got a tongue way longer than normal and seemed to be grabbing the Earth pony with it.

I put extra strength in the handle of my short sword, then proceed to take it out of the dead scorpion's abdomen, kicking the beast is body I ran to help the Earth pony, I jump and plunge my blade on the back of the beast making it scream in pain and try to shake me up. I put a free hand on its back and a rune of magic appear, the beast is shrieks became louder before it stopped, its skin changed from red to dark blue and after some seconds it became frozen from the inside out. I proceed punch it, making it explode in tiny shards of ice.

"Come on! we have to fight!" I yelled while giving the Earth pony a hand to help him up, he looked at me in the face with a smile before looking behind me.

"Look out!." Yelled the Earth pony before grabbing my hand and throwing me away.

I was flung in the air and landed in unceremoniously in the ground, I rolled before colliding with what appeared out to be the dead corpse of an Earth pony, Its heavy armor stuck at my side, making my armor broke and blend, leaving shards of iron to cut my skin. I clutch my side while using my sword to help me get up, looking at the way I used to stand. I saw something that made my blood froze. The Earth pony I saved was under a giant black mace that was connected to a arm that was way thinner than the body it is connected to. Its wielder was a beast the size of a house, four horns sprout over what looked to be its head, it didn't seem to have eyes, or I couldn't see them because they where too small, leaving only a mouth with a everlasting smile made of sharp fangs that send shivers down my back. It was standing on two giant legs where grey spines could be seen around its knees, on its two arms at its elbow where more of those grey spikes. Its belly seemed to be half of its body making it look a living balloon, it raised the mace and I could see flesh blood dripping down in tiny red drops from my position.

The beast move its head and seemed to glance at me, it clutch the mace in both hands, making the earth tremble with each feet it took my way, I try to get up but the pain at my side was stopping me, It raised its mace and I proceed to close my eyes. I ear a shriek of pain and open my eyes again. An arrow seemed to have made its way to its face making it take a few steps back, I look behind me and saw a group of Thestrals and Pegasi aiming at him with their bows, they started to fly around him and making him confuse. It started to thrash its mace in the air with the hope to hit one of the them, giving me time to craw away.

I made my way and lie down alongside the dead body of a Pegasus while grabbing my side, I look at my surroundings and dread started to spread in me.

Everything around me is a war zone, Earth ponies, Pegasi, Unicorns and Thestrals... all of us fighting together against beings that seemed to came out of a nightmare. I could see that many of the monsters where from some video games I used to play, just like the one that was a few meters away. While others where just some kind of zombies, the only different from the zombies that I knew was that this ones seemed to retain intellect and their speed was greatly increased. Snow was falling slowly to the earth from the dark night sky.

My necklace started to glow and I clutch it to activate the link.

"Scarlet here, anyone available? I have something important!." I hear Scarlet say from the inside of my head.

"Gray here, what happen?." I answer.

"I AM BUSY AT THE MOMENT! SAID WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO SAY!" Yelled Quake.

"Diamond here, I am kind of busy at the moment too, so made it quick. What information do you have Scarlet?" Said the voice of an exhausted Diamond.

"Guys, I think I found who is controlling those monsters!" Shouted Scarlet inside my head.

""Controlling them!? Where!? The bastard will pay!!!" Yelled Quake on the intercom, forcing me to clutch my head.

"He is in the middle of the battlefield, a black Unicorn with black armor, his horn is red and he seems to be... summoning monsters from the earth!" Shouted Scarlet.

"That is impossible, there is no type of magic able to summon demons! Even if there was, to summon this many... what is him!? He must have something to increase his magic or let him summon those beast! Scarlet, does he have a necklace or sword? anything that could be seen as a magic artifact!? He may be using a lost relic for all we know!!!" Yelled Diamond, by the tone of its voice she seemed to be struggling.

"Actually.... he have some sort of black book... he seems to be reading it our lout, and then 'poof' another of those demons come out of the ground!" Answer Scarlet.

"A book you say? I never saw a magic book in the records on the order... maybe if you take away the book from his hands he would loose control over the monsters? It is a long shoot, but it is our only hope, those beast are too organized to fight!" Yelled Diamond.

"Sorry I was fighting another of those over sized snakes, did I hear that a Unicorn is in the middle of all this? summoning more of those demons!? I am gonna fly over and take the book away from him! Lance out." Said Lance over the connection.

"Lance, don't do it! AGH! That idiot! I am heading inside too, going to cut the communication!." I said in the intercom.

I got up again and looked to where Scarlet said the Unicorn was supposed to be, I already got an Idea of who was behind all of this.

I squinted my eyes, I don't know if it was my magic, or something natural from me that I never discover before. But I could see farther away, thanks to this I was one of the best archers of the guards. There I could see something over a rock that tower most of the monsters in the middle of the battlefield. I let my eyes wander around it a little an could make the vague image of a dark Unicorn. Like Scarlet said, he was wearing a black armor, he didn't seem to be wearing a helmet, in its front head a black and read horn could be seen. He was changing pages of a book between his hands before saying something, he proceed to extend his right arm where a green glow could be seen. The earth below shined the same color before another of those giant scorpions raised from earth.

I closed my eyes and open them again, I am pretty far from him. The one that is attacking the Crystal empire, is no other than King Sombra, there is no doubt now...

I froze my armor before punching it, making it explode in shard of ice, then I froze the wounds of my side making me grit my teeth, it hurts like hell but it is necessary. I throw my iron sword to the ground and focus on the three steps of creation magic.

'Willpower', 'Imagination', and 'Concentration'. I press both hands together and making a satisfactory blue rune appear on the ground. I open my arm wide open and on my hands formed an ice long sword and a ice shield, time was short now, I needed to end this fast.

I looked at the battlefield again with a new mission, I have to reach Sombra. I made a mad sprint to a werewolf fighting two Earth ponies in front of me, he grope one and plunge his right arm in the chest of the pony before throwing him to the side like thrash, then he concentrated on the other pony who at the moment was recovering from watching a brother in arms die in front of him. He didn't have time to notice the claw of the wolf cut deep into his neck, just before reaching him, the pony died. I jump and try to stab the beast, but the werewolf was faster than me and kick me on my gut, taking the air out of me and sending me a couple of steps back, I raised myself just in time to block a claw aimed to my head with my shield, but didn't notice his other claw. I barely have time to jump back and save myself from a imminent death, yet the beast made it to rip some of my skin.

The beast with inhuman speed ran at me and headbutt me on the chest, sending me rolling a few meters on the dirt. I raised myself while using my shield to block his right claw again, it took a step back before jumping over me, It tried to spin around and intercept it before it could land. But I didn't saw its tail which grape my neck forcing me to the ground when the beast touched the earth.

I was slightly disoriented from falling so fast, I raised my shield and sword to cover my head and chest, the beast ponced at me and began to use its claws to hit me, It couldn't land a hit on my skin and began to get angry and its speed raised. I open my left eye and could see my shield cracking. My eyes widened and I closet my eyes, I forced the sound away and then I open them again, three spikes of ice came from below but the beast seemed to saw this before they made contact with its skin.

It growled at me, I got up and began to move in a circular notion around him. I took a glance at my surroundings again, the ponies around me weren't fairing better.

Cries of pain and shrieks of agony from the demons filled the air. Movement caught my sight and I focus on the werewolf who made a mad dash at me, it thrashed its claws side to side, I began to read its moves and after ten seconds I memorize its attack patters just as the guards told me so many times in the past.

I swing my sword down and cut the left claw of the beast. It staggered back some steps before looking at me then growling, making me let a smile appear on my face, seeming to anger the beast. It roared and made a run to me but I jump high just in time to avoid another kick, I came down and cut its right leg. Before the beast could make another move I jump on him and made a double cut on its chest in a cross stile patter, then proceed to jump and kick him on its side, it began to roll on the earth before coming to a stop. It was dead, a pool of blood seemed to form behind it.

I took deep breaths and decide that It was enough, returning to my dash to where I could see Sombra. Not even thirty seconds after it, I could see some abominations trying to block my way, I decide to test my luck, I spin and jump around them and made some of them hit each other. Making a succeed on avoiding them while some of the Earth ponies behind me took their attention away from me. I was making my way to Sombra again when I saw a hammer coming from my right sight of vision, my instincts kicked in just in time to avoid a giant mace that came from one of those giant demons.

I put a defensive stand and waited for the best to make a move, it looked at me before swinging its mace again. Trying to crush me, but I made a mad sprint to its legs when the mace began to fall. I could feel the mace barely missing my skin by some centimeters, I made a roll and raised myself. Then I try to cut his right leg, but to my dismay, my blade broke on impact. Making me curse under my breath for my lack of training on ice magic.

The monster tried to crush me with its giant feet, but I made a back roll. The earth around its leg broke and tremble from the sheer force. Before I could make another move I saw the mace coming at me from the right again. Before it could make contact with me, I raised my ice shield, lessening the blow a little but not all. Surprisingly I couldn't feel anything broke when the mace hit me, but I was send flying to the air by the momentum.

"Hey? you okay?" I could feel hands grabbing me from my waist. I was about to answer when I saw the beast below making an advance to the center of the battlefield where I could see many Thestrals and Pegasi trying to fight their way to Sombra. An Idea struck me and I turned my head to my savior and said.

"Drop me!" I yelled to the pegasus.

"What!? do you have a death wish or something colt!? You where just hit and send fucking flying! You need medical attention!" He shouted at me, before I could answer he started to fly faster while looking at its back. I took a glance behind him and saw a giant raven with red blood eyes chasing us. I didn't want to feel what a fall from this high would feels like. So taking advantage of my free arms I try to make a bow, but it broke when the Pegasus made a drive to the earth.

"Hey, don't move to much! I am trying to kill that thing!." I shouted while concentrating on making another bow, the Pegasus began to ascend while moving in a zick zack pattern.

"I am trying! Whatever you are trying to do just do it! I cant leave you down there! There are too many monsters below!" Yelled the Pegasus.

I didn't argue with him and concentrate on the bow and arrow, this time it didn't broke. I try to put myself on position so I could aim, but then I realized that I couldn't because of my inability to turn around. Another idea struck me, it was pretty dangerous but it was the only Idea I got.

"Spin around!!!" I yelled to the Pegasus. Surprisingly he didn't argue and did just that. Time seemed to slow down when he started to roll, I took aim and when I was looking behind I shoot the arrow to the raven, the arrow sailed to the air but I couldn't see if I made contact with it or not cause I found myself looking to the front again.

"Did you get it!?" Yelled the Pegasus, a demonic shriek could be hear behind us. He made a low turn to look behind while maintaining his speed and saw the raven falling down the sky. I let a sigh I didn't knew I was keeping and started to look for the giant monster from before, I spot him a few meters away trying to reach Sombra while swinging his mace to the Thestrals that where trying to distract him.

"Drop me over the head of that thing!" I yelled while pointing at the giant behemoth on the battlefield, the Pegasus again didn't argue and made a dive to where the beast was standing, I could make a more of them trying to make their way to Sombra from around the battlefield. But where all intercepted by groups of Earth ponies and Unicorns. I feel the grip on me loosen and looked below, I could make the head of the behemoth. I throw the bow and it broke into tiny pieces of ice.

"Ice Make! Lance!" I yelled, the monster barely have time to move its head to look at me before the lance passed through its head, it began to thrash where he was standing. My lance didn't broke and I try to move it a little to the front. Just like using a controller, the beast began to move forward swinging its mace in an arch, hitting and killing many of the abominations from below. Lucky the path was clean of any ponies.

"Thestrals and Pegasi! cover me! We are gonna get to the center!" I shouted. They made a circle around me and began to shoot at the incoming ravens and abominations. I was making a path to the center.

After not so long the beast began to slow down, we where pretty close to Sombra now, I could see him fighting Lance and Scarlet. The beast stopped on its tracks and began to fall to the front, I crouch and just before the beast touch the ground, I jump. The lance broke just when I reach the giant stone where Sombra stood fighting Lance and Scarlet.

I began to raise on the stone while the sounds of metal against metal can be hear on top. Then dread came to me by a cry of pain.

I raised my head just in time to see Sombra throwing the lifeless body of Scarlet to Lance, he didn't have time to avoid Scarlet's body before it hit him death on the chest, I could hear the sounds of bones and armor breaking. Lance screamed in pain while Sombra began laugh to the skies. I try to make a mad run to Sombra but another abomination began to block my way, I could see Sombra making his way slowly to Lance who seemed to have problems standing, he was clutching the right side of his armor with both hands. Blood could be seen falling down his legs, his weapon and helmet seemed to have been blow away when Scarlet is body hit him.

"Lance! get away from him!" I yelled, I try to create a bow but I was lacking of concentration, the bow broke in seconds. I was about to try it again but the abomination in front of me won't have it. I was forced to jump back to avoid being struck with its spike like tail.

The beast resemble a dog but way bigger, a few heads bigger than me, its red eyes looking at me with murderous intent. Its body seemed to be covered in green scales and gray spikes that sprout on its back, legs, and tail. It try to pounce at me but I rolled out of the way and look at the way Lance was supposing to be, I could see Sombra kick him on the chest, Lance was send a few meters back before he began to try and craw away, he took a glance behind Sombra, our eyes meet and hope started to shine on his blue eyes.

Sombra took a glance at his face and then looked behind. His smile became broader before turning to Lance again, he then raised his sword and put it over his right shoulder. I try to make a run for it. But the beast pounced me from behind, forcing me to hit the ground. Its claws where digging on my flesh but It wasn't killing me by some reason, I could feel its hideous breath on my back.

"Puny little colt... you dare to fight ME? you are worthless!" Yelled Sombra, its voice was filled with malice, I try to raise, but I couldn't. I struggle to move and finally I could see Sombra looking at Lance while his sword was slowly perforating his right shoulder armor.

"I am King Sombra! The rightful ruler of the Crystal empire! None would stop me from fulfilling my destiny! Not even an army!." He put more force in the blade and it pierced the armor instantly, flesh and bone could be hear tearing apart. The cry of pain from Lance stuck deep inside me, I struggle more and more. I needed to get out, to help Lance.

"Did you believe that you could protect this place? That you could take me down? That trowing the book away from me would make the curse of battle be on your side?" Sombra pulled the now tainted in red black crystal sword before placing it over Lance's left shoulder.

"N-no more..." I could hear my friend say. The sound of the battle below seemed to disappear and all I could see was Sombra over my friend.

"Who would have thought that a simple book could make my dreams come true? a book so dark that even I dare to say am impress!" He dug the blade on the shoulder, eliciting more cries of pain from Lance. Tears where running down my face, I try to freeze the beast over me but I was lacking of concentration and imagination, all I could think was saving Lance.

"Want me to told you something else little colt?" He lower his face was just some centimeters away from Lance's.

"I could have won this battle before... but I needed to test my powers... no matter what you do, I always got an ace under my sleeve..." I could barely hear Sombra say while I try to create sword after sword, spike after spike, all of them broke before being complete.

"See this little colt!" Yelled Sombra while the beast loosened his grasp on me, he looked my way with his devil smile and said.

"You are weak! you believe that you could save him? That you could be a hero? Well let me told you this little colt!" He took the sword out of Lance is shoulder before kicking his side, he put grape both of Lance's wings on his arm, then proceed to put the sword over both of them. My eyes grew wide and the beast loosened its grip on me completely, Sombra just looked at me and his smile seemed to grew more.

"Lance! move!" I yelled while focusing on my magic, all my power to do something! I raised my right hand to Lance who just closed his eyes.

"Heroes always die!" The sword fell.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Then something stuck me on my back, last thing I hear was the cry of pain from Lance before unconscious took hold of me.

Lan...ce....

I could feel my body being dragged by both hands with what felled to be a claw. my head hurt like if I got a hangover, my body felled hot and I couldn't seem to muster enough strength to open my eyes.

Grrrrrrrrrrr

Growling from the from resounded around myself, it seemed like whoever was dragging me was one of those demons. It dropped me and something or someone at my side. The sound of an Iron door being open could be hear. I try to remember the last thing before blacking out... I remember was fighting demons and then...

Lance... what happen to Lance!? Tears began to fall down my face, the image of Sombra over my friend plagued my mind.

I failed to protect my friend.

GRAAAA!

Whatever or whoever was in front of me grope me by my waist and then throw me. I feel my body being throw into a the hard rocky floor. I try to open my eyes and could barely see a bipedal figure standing in front of me, it moved back and seemed to grape something else before returning to the door. It threw another being in my cell but it didn't make a sound of when it landed. It proceed to close the door and move away, my strength seemed to somewhat return, I crawled to the closest wall and put my back on it, I took some harbored breaths before a sound escape the being that was along side me.

*COUGH COUGH COUGH*

The sound made me open my eyes wide, in front of me on the ground lying face down was Lance. Its back was complete dark red from dried blood, no wings could be seen.

I could feel my tears worsened and began to craw to him. I move him so his bloodied body could face upside, his eyes where half open and almost devoid of light. It only made me whimper a little, fresh tears landed on Lance's face, his head slowly turned to look at me before smiling.

"Hey.... why the long face?" He said, his voice was low and grim.

"Lance... don't talk..." I said between sobs.

"Hey now... don't you worry..." He said slowly before beginning to cough.

"Lance, don't talk! We can get you help! Ju-just don't talk!" I yelled while trying to take his armor off.

*UGH*"Stop it.... Gra...y" He said while putting a trembling hand over mine, his smile never leaving his bloodied face.

"Shhh... Everything is going to be okay Lance, I wi- I will close your wounds and everything will be okay!" I said with fake hope, I try to smile but it only made my tears run more.

"Ha...hahaha... just look at me... I don't need to see my body... to know... that I won't make it..." He said, his breathing began to increase peace.

"Hey... Gray... can I ask... you... something....?" He said, I raised him a little with one arm on its back while the other on his chest.

"Any-Anything for you Lance" I said.

"Can you... take care... of my... wife... and child? I know... that... I am asking to much... but..." He began to cough blood, I try to clean its face but only succeed on making it more bloodied.

"Lance, I would gladly do it..." I said somberly while letting my head rest over his.

"Hey Gray... you know... I never told you this... but... you need to act more... as your age... you know?" He said, finally tears could be seen running his bloody face.

"Wh-what do you mean?" I said, I forced a smile across my face with all my strength, my tears ran free. Lance seemed to took notice of this and his smile lessened a little.

"You... won't get any... mares if you act always... so... serious... promise me... that you would never... let those... who left... affect you... and that you will... loose more around others... kay?" He said slowly, his eyelids began to fall.

"I-I will Lance, I promise you, so please, don't close your eyes!" I plead, I began to look around me, there have to be something to help me, but I found nothing , only walls and a iron door.

"It seem... that I wouldn't fulfill my wish... Gray..." He said, making me look at him again.

"Wh-what did you wish for?" I said, my hope began to shattered at the cruel reality. I never thought that I would see a friend die on me.

"I wished... to see a castle... of pure white... and gold... with ponies around it... smiling..." He cough more blood. "To see the time... when war is unheard of... I wished so much... but... It seem that my time... was cut short..." His eyes closed but he continue to breath.

"Co-Come on Lance. Don't do this to me! You ar-you are like a big brother to me! You cant die on me Lance! Lance!" I yell, echoes of my voice sounded around me, Lance raised his right hand slowly and seemed to take something from his back.

"Don't... shred tears... for me... smile... please... I don't want... to... see you... sad..." He took a black object from his back, he put it on my chest and I used the hand I rested on his chest over his.

"I can die... happy...now... you know?..." His breathing began to began to slow. "Return... to Celestia... and Luna..." He cough more blood. "I know you... will take care... of my... fami... ly... little... bro... th.... er..." His hand fell.

I yelled to the ceiling, I cried bloody murder and curses to Sombra. Pray for this to just be a very livid nightmare. That I would wake up and see Lance again, that we would train like always. That we would go to the bar one last time and get drunk, forcing me to turn his sorry drunken ass over his wife. That he would tell stories about his adventures before becoming a captain.

I began to pray, to yell, to someone to wake me up.

But I didn't.

Hours passed while I hug the dead body of Lance, there weren't any sounds from the outside of my cell. Hope died inside of me, my life shattered to pieces. I was becoming a shell of myself.

"Can you... take care... of my... wife... and child?" Came the voice from Lance around me, I raised my head a little, thinking that Lance somehow revive and talked to me.

"I wished... to see a castle... pure of gold... with ponies around it... smiling... to see the time... when war is unheard of..." Came his voice from the inside of my head. Tears began to run on my face again, I hit the wall making it crack.

"Don't... shred tears.... for me... smile... please... I don't want... to... see you... sad..." Said his voice, everything seemed to stop. Something inside of me snapped, I raised myself while letting Lance is body rest on the floor.

"Return... to Celestia... and Luna..."

"Don't worry Lance... I wouldn't cry, I-I won't let the loss affect who I am. I will live with a smile... just like you..." I said while putting a hand over Lance's body.

"I will take care of your child and your wife... so you can rest in peace... thanks Lance. You continue to knock some senses in me even before dead..." Light came from below Lance's body, from underside him a blue rune seemed to grow.

"I have a family to return to... thank you... I wouldn't forget you Lance." Ice began to consume Lance's body, flowers made of ice appear around him. When I finish I got up and look at the thing Lance gave me.

It was a book, a black cover book with four words that made my blood froze.

The book of Zeref

A million of questions came on my mind but I didn't have the energy or time to deal with them. I needed to get out of here first.

I was about to blast my way out when I hear a faint noise come from somewhere outside my cell.

*WHIMPER* *SOBS*

I know that sound!. I froze the iron doors and then made a rush to it. It broke like grass and I was now standing outside the cell, no guards seemed to be on the halls.

I took one last glance to Lance's ice grave before looking at the way from where the cries of children came from. I made a mad dash to where the cries came and they seemed to increase in numbers and volume. Not even ten seconds of running I came to a double metal door. Behind it I could hear the whimpers and cries of children. Anger took hold and I put a hand over the door, It froze and then broke into tiny pieces of ice with my left hand.

Behind the door huddled together was a large group of foals. Colts and Fillies huddled together, their ages seemed to be around six to eleven. The oldest ones got on their hands the youngest foals. When they saw me their cries raised and began to craw away from me. I made a step forward but a colt came to the front, his body trembling with fear.

"Y-you won't touch anyp-pony! Stay away from us!" Yelled the colt.

I then realize my mistake, they thought I was one of the demons under Sombra's control. I wouldn't fault them, after all I am cover in dried blood.

"Hey, don't worry kid, I am here to take you out. I am a good guy." I said with a warm voice, some of the children raised their head and looked at me. Hope, that is all I saw in their eyes, a little spark of hope.

"Yo-You are gonna save us? But what about our parents? Are you going to save them to?" Asked the colt, his trembling loosened a little and began to take some steps forward to me.

"I..." Do I lie or do I told them the true? I already know why they where here. If it is like some things I read on the past. Then Sombra must have capture them as an incentive to make the adults less prone to take arms against him.

"Will you save our parents mister?" Said a filly from the group, I closet my eyes and made my decision.

"I will try, but only after you are all okay." I said, I let a warm smile and looked over them, their tiny ears perked at this.

"Thank you mister hero." Came from a little colt.

"Now, lets get you out of here." I said while turning around.