private Family Matters (1x1)

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple smiled "Well I'm a pretty good leader where I come from. Recruitment is something... harder... but it's about as easy as making friends. Just ask people if they want to help, you seem to be of some importance here so I'd say it'd be a lot easier for you." She went over the diamond dog with her eyes again, "Even if you're not that important, we can still find allies there are a lot of you..." She thought of a nice way to say what she was thinking "War's... Followers, really like combat anyways."

 

Woody sighed and took a large drink of the tea emptying the cup "It's alright... And... That's just... How I figured you all do things down here... It's the only way I could get the other 4 to talk with me... Being... threatening or assertive is the only ways I can get stuff done... down here at least. I'm glad it worked, to be honest. I wasn't exactly sure if I could take him but if he's gonna treat my family's followers that way he needs to learn his lesson... But I can tell that's not gonna help... for long..." He looked at his, now empty cup. "But... you really think I handled it well..."

[GoldieS 679]

"Ah! Good! Was kinda hoping at least one of us knew what we were doing... no offense to storm..." Quartz replied jokingly, the bird up ahead looking back curiously as he heard his name. 

They arrived at one of the arenas. It was a simple, small field dug flat between the hills. A few wooden benches surrounded it like a little colosseum, going up the sides of the hills. It was quite empty at the moment, a few ponies here and there watching the fighters and commenting to one another. 

Lining the edges to the center were about a dozen female sphinxes dressed in gladiator and barbarian garb, waiting for their term with some intense looks. In the center, two larger sphinxes duked it out, one with a spear and the other with a set of fighting claws. The heaviest and most armored part of their body were their left arms. Those they used as shields, thick similarly armored gloves used to grip the enemies weapon and forearms to deflect it. Their tactics were definitely the most dangerous and risky... using an actual shield was one thing...

One of the sphinxes around the edges turned around to see the trio approach, she walked forward to great them. Her left forearm armor was adorned with jagged spikes and grooves. It looked quite tacky... but it hid two extremely dangerous purposes. 

The sphinx loomed over Storm and Maple, examining the two with a scrutinizing and jaded eye. "What are you doing in my arena!?"

 

"Of course little master! And you shouldn't sell yourself short... you could have taken him and all his little cohorts!" Grim boasted, laughing deeply.

As a matter of course, he gently took the empty cup from Woody and poured him a bit more tea, before just as uncharacteristically gently handing it back. 

"Don't worry, they're always troublesome. The Twin Tails are the only empire in Tartarus that rivals chaos... they've been going strong for as long as I can remember really, challenged your father too. Ah! Fun times fighting them! But... chaos and the Twin Tails have been in a bit of a truce for the last few thousand years, stuck to a few skirmishes here and there..." He scoffed. "Truce prevents any major engagements, limits battles unfortunately... applies to all chaos forces."

"I can't tell you how difficult it is to keep the Wolf's followers on our side of the borders. Leads to no end of trouble at home..." He shrugged. "But... this new addition to the truce will make them a bit more rowdy. The Twin Tails managed to get close to one of the serpents cities, so now they and the Raven's followers are lobbying for a temporary pause in hostilities to push them away with paper and logistics. Of course... The wolf's lads aren't too happy about that either." 

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple, after looking around the arena for a bit looked at the Sphinx "Looking for fighters." Maple stated with an iron resolve. "Nothing more than that. We seek to root out the Blood team's leader and defeat him in combat. To do that we need fighters... and we'll need plenty of them. So any who wish to join us on this may do so. We aren't gonna push it though we only care if they're interested." Mapel bowed slightly attempting to show the Sphinx some respect.

 

Woody chuckled "Alright I'll take your word for it..." After another sip of the tea, He sighed rather relaxed "I'd imagine. Those hot-blooded fighters... being told not to do the thing they love. If I was that... Twin-tailed pony... I'd be more careful the people I insult though." Woody chuckled again "My guess is he learned his lesson." There was a flash in his eye as he remembered the original reason he came here. "I forgot the whole reason I was here. I still need your help. I've made enemies, I think, With Salacious and Shadows, but you. You're liked by all my siblings so maybe you can stop the 4 from going to war with each other? If you do I'll reward you as fit." He smiled at him. The smile beamed with hope and now a light amount of self-confidence.

[GoldieS 679]

The sphinx looked Maple up and down for a moment with a vicious set of eyes. They looked more predatory than anything...

"Very well, bat." She replied after being satisfied with what she saw. "But don't mistake this for acceptance."

With that the sphinx turned around, smacking Maple in the face lightly with her long feline tail. It was clearly a sign of disrespect... Storm and Quartz cringed at the display, but said nothing. None of the other observers and fighters around the arena payed it much mind. 

"Eh, don't worry, she's just a hard flank. Sphinxes don't really trust... at all... but they're the best berserkers for sure." Storm reassured her. "We definately need a bunch of them on our team."

"Good luck with that..." Quartz snorted, dog nose scrunching in displeasure at being around all the sphinxes. 

Storm absently rolled his eyes, before wrapping an arm around Maple as if to 'teach her the ways of the streets'. 

"Listen, they don't listen to anyone but themselves. But, you beat them up in the ring, and they'll follow you around till they can kill you in a one on one." Storm concluded. "So, bash some of their heads, and they're yours. The more you beat up, the more that'll come down to challenge you."

 

Grim gave a hearty, deep laugh at some of Woodland's comments.

"Little master!" He bellowed in a hearty tone, clearly still amused. "Service to your father is reward enough! Assisting his children is merely an extension. My services come free of charge!" 

"Oh, and I'm sure that lout from the Empire learned his lesson alright..." Grim was finally calming down, still chuckling just a little. "Usually us chaos princes take care of handling other mortals. Other gods get a little uppity if their rivals interact with their followers. I'm proud to see you aren't afraid to display your dominance! Err ah- not to say the others are..."

He scratched his head nervously and embarrassingly. Perhaps it was an odd topic of conversation. 

"After all, the Twin Tailed god that that fool follows is a powerful one. The only nation to rival the all five chaos factions. A noteworthy accomplishment! Makes things fun for me at least..." he paused, shaking his head as if remembering something. 

"My apologies little master, I fall off topic again..." He apologized, bowing his head a little. "What exactly do you know of your kin? Perhaps we should begin there!" 

He stood up suddenly and excitedly, almost knocking over the serving mare that came by with another bucket of the catnip tea. 

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple was upset when the tail hit her in the face, She had half a mind to fight that sphinx then and there but if they were half as strong as war was she stood no chance... So she stood there and shook her head looking distastefully at the Sphinx. "Sounds like a plan... How do I sign up for that then? Do I just ask to fight somepony? Or do I have to actually sign up for something?" Maple would stop moving around as she spoke, She was itching for a fight. Something to take out her frustration on because her blood was practically boiling if she was called "Bat" one more time she'd probably snap.

 

Woody listened carefully to what Grim was saying. He was actually rather happy that at least someone liked his father here so he smiled as he sipped some more of the tea... then he heard about the fact the "Twin Tailed" was a god. He dropped the teacup in shock as he put something together. Shadows had brought him here to pull the family together and while he was doing that he forgot Why that was. The fact something opposed the 4... well 5 of them reminded him of the fact. He snapped back to reality and saw the broken teacup. "S...Sorry..." He said shyly. "I'll clean that up." Woody jumped a mystical tune and levitated the shards. He looked for somewhere to safely "Anyways... about my Siblings... Slug's realitivly nice, He means well in what he does and like how nature does things. Slug has been the best about listening to my ideas... War's a lot like My full-blood sister, Hot-blooded always looking for a challenge... Also doesn't mess with order of things... Sally... She's a little bossy but she can be... No. She's evil... She fooled me into destroying souls. And Shadows... Don't even get me started on him!" Woody's fury made his magic stop so the shards went everywhere.

[GoldieS 679]

"Oh that's easy!" Storm replied, brimming with enthusiasm. 

The griffon dragged Maple over to one of the entrances to the arena. The current fighters were off to the side as another pair entered along with them. More than one could duel in the ring at a time it appeared. For a moment, the bird looked around with a scrutinizing eye, before spotting something and dawning a wide open mouth grin, certain he found what he was looking for. 

"Hey you!" He shouted, pointing at a purple cat relaxing on the benches with a tankard of milk and a large sandwich. She looked up, raising a brow and clearly angry she had been interrupted. 

"Yah, you yah milk drinker!" The cat snarled and crushed her metal tankard, spilling the contents. "My friend here says you look like a priss! She told me she can smell your perfume from a mile away! What, you just finish dressing up or something!? Ha!!" 

The feline stood up from the bench onto her hind legs, grabbing a large clever like broadsword as long as she, propping herself up with it. The sword was made of some kind of stone, scratched severely and with a gaping hole at the end. 

 

Grim shook his claws in front of him as a sort of dismissive gesture, trying in vain to help Woody relax. "Oh little master, that's quite alright!" 

He angrily gestured for one of the attendants to rush in and clean up the shards Woody had eventually dropped back onto the floor. She was quick, trying to keep a low profile as she left, prompting another to enter with a fresh cup of tea. This one had the faint sent of raspberry. 

"Well... I can't say why they enjoy my presence..." He admitted, looking up with a claw to his beak. "Haven't figured that out quite yet..."

Grim shrugged. "But maybe you're just not looking at your... uhm, darker side of you family in the right light? Not sure what you know of the Raven... but he is a quiet creature. You'll never know his true intentions, because that's all he has of his own. He knows the mind better than most, and he knows no one would accept the truth, or listen to him if they knew it. To him, they will never understand even if he did. The Serpent is just delightful! Oh, I can't tell you how much fun we have on our Malicious Mondays! Certainly makes for a good start to the week! More than anything she just wants to have a good time, and see those that love her thrive." 

Grim sighed in resignation. "Maybe that's not so helpful... Oh!! I have an idea, what if you commanded an audience between the other four princes? Get them all in the same place and see what they have to say?"

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple rolled her eyes clearly annoyed "Ok... Maybe next time ask..." She whispered to storm but she'd roll with it, This was who you provoked a fight she guessed. She turned her muzzle to the cat. "Nice potato peeler ya go there. Looks pretty scratched... Guess you were filing your nails on it?" She got ready in case the cat decided to pounce her. She wouldn't blame the cat, the same comments would stir her up too.

 

Woody sighed "I... Tried to give them the benefit of the doubt Grim, but... Well, I got all my siblings to meet in the same place... Then I was told all these things about 'Serpent' and 'Raven'. Making matters worse is that the stuff, in particular, I'm referring to is stuff that I can't stand. Manipulation of the natural order... or even the destruction of nature..." He shook his head. "Alright... how can I get a hold of those other 4 princes? I think I like the idea..." He held up a paw through. "One small question though, Why do your servants seems so... miserable? Don't you take care of them?"

[GoldieS 679]

The sphinx's eyes were twitching at this point, one of them at least. The other was wide with fury. She holstered her weapon on her back and stepped down the benches to the path towards Maple. 

Like most of the other sphinxes, this one was using a gladiatorial style of armor. Heavy and thick armor pads all over her left arm, but right completely exposed. The right arm she used to hold her weapon. This one sported an old red leather skirt like ancient pegasi centurions. Once she was a short ways away from maple, she stood back up on her hind legs and flared out her wings for support, grabbing her sword with both front paws and leveling it towards Maple. 

Suddenly the cat leaped forward, swinging her cleaver claymore in an overhead strike. 

 

Grim blinked at his last question, before bursting out laughing. "Bah ha ha ha! Miserable? Why would they be miserable!?"

He brushed the question aside, not out of dismissal, but he genuinely didn't believe they were unhappy to be in his service for one reason or another. Perhaps he was merely oblivious to the reality...

"Perception is reality little master!" Grim replied boisterously, before sweeping his claws down to scoop Woody up and place him onto the giant bird's back again. "Perhaps you haven't heard the entire stories presented to you? Of course the Wolf only has bad things to say about the Serpent... just as much as the Raven will only have negative things to say about the slug."

Grim walked out of the tent and back out into the open air of the campsite. A group of various attendants, warriors, lieutenants, groomers, and various servants swarmed around the giant bird, waiting for his wishes. 

"Wolf destroys, Serpent creates... Slug nurtures, Raven leads." Grim recited. "What if they just don't have anything to do together? You know, like a family outing or something! I take my lovely warriors out on adventures all the time! They love that sort of thing, keeps everyone happy."

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple moved left, sidestepping the strike followed by her quickly drawing her bow knocking an arrow and pulling the string back in a single, swift motion. The part of aiming her shot and firing where slower however since she seemed to hesitate to release the arrow. The shot was easier to aim due to the close distance between Maple and the cat. She fired the shot and kept moving to the left 

 

"Are... You sure about that... Never mind" Woody decided he'd help others after he got his family back together. "Actually you gave me a good idea... You said that this... twin-tails God was strong right... Like stronger than each of them individually... Well, that gives me an Idea!" Woody had a very devious grin on his face. This was a good plan in his mind He was going to Provoke the Twin-Tails to Attack Grim. Then all 4 of them would rise to protect him, Being the favorite of all for of them and all. "You want to help right?"

[GoldieS 679]

Being at such a close distance, and leaping through the air, there was little the cat could do to dodge the arrow. So, she took it to the chest as she smashed her soward into the dirt path Maple had been standing on before she dodged herself. The impact caused a hefty cut in the surface of the packed earth. 

Without skipping a beat the sphinx snapped the shaft of the arrow, leaving the arrow head and a quarter of the shaft embedded in her chest. Suddenly, she lifted her sword up and began twirling above her head while she stood on her hind legs, armored arm free while she swirled the sword above her like an airship propeller. Slowly she began to advance towards Maple, armored arm at the ready to attempt to block. 

She was quick to learn and adapt, that much was clear. 

 

There was a sparkle in Grim's eye as he looked back at Woody. "Oh... I know that look... almost exactly like your brother! I loved it when he had that look... brings back memories! Ah, but he's a bit shadier now around me... doesn't let his mind show anymore." 

Grim nodded. "Indeed, a powerful foe. Certainly not one to tackle alone, even for any of you other gods. But well, you know... four might do the trick..." 

He chuckled knowingly, picking up right away with Woody's idea. "But... I fear that may be a greater challenge than you might think. What exactly was your plan? Most gods intervene if other gods harass their followers, but mortals troubling mortals? Just another day in Tartarus really. I've been trying to find a god to slay myself for millennia! Ah... but they're not interested in playing with me..." 

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple knew this situation was gonna be a bit harder to get out of. She'd have to do something they'd not expect. She darted forward at her rapidly she moved to the left trying to provoke a swing and then sharply changed to head to the right. She also switched her bow for the knife that was recommended to her. A slice from the knife aimed at her foes leg.

"Then I provoke him and he attacks me! When He does I'm sure that my siblings will help keep me safe." Woody said being a strong optimist "Well... If not... You can try to take him and then when YOU are in danger all 4 of them will come to help for sure! Plus after it's done that Twin-tails isn't a problem for us 5 anymore." He laughed loudly. Grim would've been reminded of Woody's father from the resemblance. "It's perfect! C'mon lets go get the ball rolling on the plan." Woody said to him with the same devious smile as before

[GoldieS 679]

The sphinx brought her weapon down just as anticipated, unable to bring it back up in time to deflect Maple's knife attack with it. The sword hit the ground with far less force than when she was using both paws. 

With her free armored arm, the sphinx attempted to essentially parry Maple's attack. She smacked Maple away, but not before the bat landed a deep blow. The sphinx was now bleeding from two different wounds, the knife wound considerably more over her left arm. 

Undetered, seemingly spurred on even more by the pain, the Sphinx dropped her weapon and extended her claws. With a vicious fury, she leaped forward after Maple. 

 

"Ha! Wonderful, I'm in!" Grim replied quickly. "So what did you have in mind? Going to blow up one of his cities!? Maybe... maybe rip apart a few of his little followers! Ha ha, that'll show him!"

Grim chuckled. "This is going to be exciting! Just like old times, it's been a long time since I've palled around with one of you." 

He beamed with excitement, flaring out his wings. Grim started to stretch in anticipation for what he expected they were preparing to do. 

"Oh Peppermint! Pepper, I need my special things!!" He shouted out into the air, his little retinue still following them. 

A pegasus popped up from behind a tent and nodded quickly before flying off at a substantial speed. Grim decided to sit down right then and there in the middle of the path between the tents. His command team waited patiently as Grim continued his discussion with Woody. 

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple smiled at her plan working there. She held up the knife defensively ready to parry the hits but she knew there was only so much she could against the claws with just a knife. She held the knife near herself ready to defend herself from the sphinx's claws. 

 

"Maybe we should... uhh... Avoid killing innocent civilians... I've got a better Idea, however... I've got an example to make after all." Woody held the devious look "Let's kill that leader. If blood must be spilled then it's gonna be his! The nerve of him... disrespecting me AND my family! Not to even mention his complete disregard for such a precious thing... Life... It's sickening. I should be able to come up with a plan for this soon. Though I need whatever you can tell me about where he is." Woody said to grim but it was loud so he could've spoken to the whole of Grim's army.

[GoldieS 679]

The sphinx charged forward in a mad and wild fury. She didn't seem to care about her own self preservation any more, instead opting for an aggressive and mindless display of combat. Now, she dropped to all fours and leapt towards Maple. 

Her claws were fully extended as she dove through the air. Without any hesitaion she slammed into maple, trying to get her sharp teeth around the bat's throat. The claws only attempted to distract her, slashing and swiping before trying to grab at Maple's arms. She was trying to get the pony up onto her hind legs so she could throw her onto her back. 

 

"Of course! Can't go unpunished, can he?" Grim chuckled. "Such disregard for your family's children." 

Grim tisked condescendingly, to go along with Woody's comments of course. "Let's see... I believe he'll have headed back to the Empire's capitol. Tambelon is fairly deep into their territory. Plus, the city itself is heavily warded against unwanted incursions. Ah, but there are plenty of ways around that..." 

Grim chuckled as his pegasus, Pepper, returned with a dozen other flying creatures carrying additional armor pieces. Four of them flew low as they just barely avoided dropping a giant halberd as they approached their prince. 

"Oh it will be a grand spectacle... all the Elector Counts will be there to watch as we slay the general! Ha! Shall I assemble my armies as well? Nothing like a surprise invasion in the heart of their Empire to stir things up... though that doesn't help much with peaceful negotiations..." 

The last bit he said a little sarcastically. 

 

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple was struggling a bit to keep up with the claws she'd managed to keep the Sphinx away from her neck, she'd even manage to slice across The sphinxes chest but eventually, the sphinx grabbed one of her arms and the surprise that caused meant it was easy for the Sphinx to grab the other. Maple tired to lift her wings to land a bit softer if she was thrown.

 

"The Twin-Tails will fear my approach! Marked only by my song!" Woody realized what he was saying and chuckled nervous "Sorry I'm probably moving too quickly. I just... Hope this works. Because something tells me that unless it's all 5 of us teaming up for this someone's gonna die... And that someone's probably gonna be me... But I can't help but be excited. I'm glad I can fix this mistake!"

[GoldieS 679]

At the rate they were going, the sphinx would just bleed out. Unfortunately, it wasn't happening fast enough. She was severely wounded, but there was no sign of her giving into the pain. The resistance to it was unreal. There was clearly something else at play with the Wolf's warriors. 

The sphinx managed to toss maple onto her back, but she wasn't finished. She continued snapping at the bat's neck, despite being kept at bay for the moment with all paws focused on keeping maple down and her weapon from making another strike. 

It was a stalemate, though it appeared as though the sphinx was in the lead. A few others around the arena had paused their own activities to watch the fight with lazy interest. 

 

"Very well master!" Grim replied happily, "And no need to worry. I've been doing this sort of thing for a while now... one way or another, chaos will reign! It's impossible for us to fail!" 

The giant bird laughed maniacally as he grabbed his halberd out of the air from the grasp of his attendants. He used it to prop himself up, rising onto his hind legs and flaring out his wings, Woody still clinging to his back. He was big enough on all fours, but standing upright only made him look more massive and intimidating to the small warriors below him. 

"Flax! A portal to Tambelon, just outside mind you. Don't want to be split in half again, lost my lucky rabbit paw that way..." He commented absently. "Are you ready master?"

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple was barely avoiding the Sphinx at this point. To get herself out of this situation she could only think of one way to attack the sphinx since waiting for them to bleed out wasn't an option. Maple fought against the Sphinxs focusing on getting herself free enough to bite the Sphinx, something she hated doing but it would be enough of a wound to finish them off if the fangs sunk into the neck, which she was aiming it

 

When Grim moved onto his hind legs Woody spread his wings and flew next to Grim about the same height as his head "Alright. You're probably really happy to see a battle with a god involved. I mean I bet I'm not the first of my family to do something like this." He chuckled. "Then again... apparently this Twin-Tails has been a thron in your side for a very long time..." Woody guessed

[GoldieS 679]

The sphinx wasn't expecting Maple to go for her own throat, as she herself tried to wrap he maw around Maple's. That was her biggest mistake, there was nothing protecting her neck from the bat's bite. Her fangs sunk in with little resistance. 

She was surprised at first, but once she was held down there was nothing more she could do to resist. A few mindless swipes and scratches with her claws was all she could muster before she eventually blacked out from the lack of oxygen from crushing her windpipe. 

Storm watched with an entirely pleased look across his face, even boastful. It was like he was proud of her! He started to cheer at the apparent victory, though some of the other onlookers weren't so impressed. 

 

One of Grim's mages channeled their magic to open up a portal for the two of them. It opened slightly in the air, and a short distance away, prompting them to fly in rather than just walk. It did look like it let out in the air. 

Grim gave a final stretch of his arms, cracking more than a few joints in the process. To his own surprise, it sounded like ice breaking... "Ha ha! Been a thorn in chaos's side for a long time Little master. Even your father had to deal with these louts."

Finally, the bird took flight. His massive wings flapped with tremendous force, knocking over some of the more flimsy tents in the camp. With his heavy black and gold armor, it was a miracle he could eve get off the ground, let alone fly with such ease, giant halberd in hand. Either he was tremendously powerful physically, or there was a great deal of magic at work here. 

Grim took point, diving forward into the portal. 

They were high above in the sky, looking down on the green farm fields surrounding the city. Each square bordered by hedges and various trees. A shimmering blue river bordered the city at its north, while rolling hills covered in pine forests sprung up in the distance to the west. It was nothing like the blasted landscape they had just come from. If not for the cave ceiling high above in the sky, one could easily mistake the place for yet another city in Equestria. 

Well, the architecture was a bit different. It was old, medieval almost, but with some Gothic designs. The buildings in the distant city were all tall and clearly well built, layered atop one another with bridges and causeways connecting them. It was like a single massive castle the size of a city, more than a city itself. A central cathedral dominated the center of the city surrounded by a lush garden and plaza. Ponies were gathered there outside, as if waiting for whoever was inside. 

"Ha ha ha! Do you smell it little master? That's the smell of loot and spoils!" Grim joked. 

[Maple Bat 3,568]

After Maple stood back up she felt a mix of concern and pride she lowered her head and walked over, awkwardly, to Storm "Tough crowd huh? I figured there'd be a bit more cheering for that... Well, Win some lose some right... I'm glad you're happy at least." Maple ran her hoof through her mane trying to feel much less awkward as she'd expected a bit more a cheer... Then again she won with her fangs... Something that no one around here liked

 

"Well, I don't smell all that... Again... If you and your troops could avoid any bloodshed that is unnecessary... Please... No point in getting civilians or non-combatants involved." Woody said as a command to Grim. "Now that you understand that... Let's go ahead and start the party hmm?" Woody then walked toward the city and started singing. But he wasn't ready to use his magic just yet. Not until he found that pony who dared to disrespect his family and threaten innocent Ponies with no remorse. His blood was Necessary to be spilled this day. 

[GoldieS 679]

Storm roughly and suddenly wrapped one of his arms around Maple, pulling her to him in a friendly but aggressive sort of manner. 

"Hey! One step at a time!" He practically shouted. "The important thing is you got the ball rolling, right? You just gotta take bigger prey, the kind the others know they can't best themselves. If they see you beat someone they can't, well, that's when you hook em! Just remember, got to decline the one's you already defeat, at least for now, when they come back around to get back at you."

The sphinxes corpse began to steam, eventually bubbling and melting away, leaving nothing but bleached bones much like what was left of Maple's corpse when she returned to it. Upon blinking, the sphinxes equipment seemed to vanish as well, save for a few throwing knives she hadn't used.  

"Yup, she'll be back around." Quartz added as she scanned all the fighters going back to their own business. "It's like fishing... ah, well, maybe not... just be patient."

 

They stepped out of the portal into an open field atop some of the rolling hills surrounding the massive walled city. The first wall housed cramped and shoved together dark stone buildings with red roofs. The upper district was the crisscrossing causeways and multiple layers of city and castle. They could see the giant cathedral like structure dominating the center high above, held up by the various castle and city beneath it. 

Some of the farmers working the wheat fields perked up, instantly noticing the new arrivals. They were horrified, bolting in every direction to the scattered multistory cottages and buildings that dot the farmlands. 

Grim casually held out his talons to grab one as it tried to get away, just as his armored retinue of warriors exit the portal behind them, clad in black and gold armor and sporting a hodgepodge of different weapons. It was a mix of scandalous Serpent mages, Raven rangers, tanky Wolf warriors, and of course deformed Slug plague bearers that looked more like mutated monstrosities than any normal creature. 

Grim held the poor farmer up to his beak, half in his maw half out as if preparing to bite the blighter in half without a second thought. He then paused as if remembering something, and pulled him out. 

"Oh! Almost forgot to ask, the Elector Counts meeting today?" Grim asked as Woody continued his hymn, trying to keep his voice down as if not to interrupt. 

The earth pony nodded hesitantly. 

"Marvelous." Grim replied, tossing the farmer over his shoulder. "They will be gathered in the central cathedral to discuss all the usual boring things, little master."

[Maple Bat 3,568]

When storm pulled Maple close she chuckled, Storm was almost starting to remind her of Woody at this point though perhaps a bit aggressive. "Alright. I get'cha..." Maple said with a nod before she started to stretch "But... I could use a bit before the next one. Get the wind knocked outta me and I wanna be absolutely sure I can beat whoever you pit me against... I'll probably be ready by the time you find someone though." Maple looked at the bleached bones of her fallen foe  Does that happen every time? Is it from the magic the brings fighters back to life?

 

Woody had been so lost in his thinking he didn't notice Grim nearly eat the pony he tossed over his shoulder "Oh? A boring meeting? How about we go and share some fun with them in that case!" Woody looked to the cathedral to see if he could see it and started to ponder potential spell he could use to start the show. Since this was the first time that he'd be publicly known this was kinda where he made his statement and protecting nature was something he did a lot in Equestria so He elected to use nature magic. He nodded to himself still humming that tune "Alright, I'm ready when you are Grim."

Edited November 29, 2017 by Maple Bat

[GoldieS 679]

Storm shrugged but nodded understandingly, right before Quartz burst out laughing. She smacked Maple on the back rather roughly. 

"You know, you're a smart one... that's rare around here." She lamented. 

"Hey!" Storm replied, annoyed. 

"It's true, everyone usually just jumps from fight fight. Don't give yourselves enough time to prepare or cool down or anything! I've seen it more often than not, fatigue is real. It doesn't make you any stronger to fight when you're tired. I mean, kinda helps with endurance I guess... but good ole fashioned cardio workouts do you right!" The dog boasted. "C'mon, where to next?"

"Oh! I got an idea..." Storm gave a sinister grin. "You ever go... groundhogging?"

 

"Ah, starting it off with a bang? Just my style!" Grim beamed with delight as he stepped beside Woody. 

They were quite a ways away from the cathedral, and a little bit of a walk from the city itself. Not to mention the guards probably weren't going to simply open the doors for them... then again, Grim and his little retinue could deal with that no doubt, or at least he certainly seemed confident enough for it. Unfortunately, unless Woody 'encouraged' the assembly to come out to them, they'd likely have to fly up to the cathedral at the city center, just in the garden square held up by the castle structures leading into the main entrance. 

"I await your command, my little master!" Grim added, adjusting himself so he stood upright on his hind legs, halberd keeping him steady. 

As they stood there, a small group of soldiers began assembling rather quickly in front of the giant gate to the city. There were several dozen, and more were coming. A mix of different ponies. The were forming lines, one long one in the center. Two on either side angled slightly inward but still oriented towards Grim and Woody. The line in the center was at least two rows deep, all pointing guns of all things towards them. Spear ponies with shields stood on the two side units, pointing their spears at Woody. 

They were certainly ready for a fight. 

[Maple Bat 3,568]

Maple flinched when Quartz smacked Maple. She did, however, enjoy the complements "T... Thanks and yea I know that from experience how much damage fatigue can do if you let it. I get into a lot of battles up in Equestria sparing to make sure my guard unit is in good shape." Maple explained to Quartz, after which looked at Storm rather confused "Groundhogging? Like... Pulling the animal from the ground or something else? Because... If its animals I don't wanna hurt any innocent animals..." She blushed slightly hoping it wasn't the first thing.

 

"Attack now! Leave citizens alive, Do not imprison them either they have nothing to do with this. You all should show mercy today as I am demanding it. Only those who are a threat should be dealt with and do so swiftly." Woody looked out at the army after him saying that waiting and letting that sink in "You have your orders... Let's show this Lousy Two-tailed god wanna-be the true power of CHAOS!" When Woody finished his speech he turned around and started to sing a mythical but solid melody with a small amount of harshness in the melody. After a second a large vine burst from the ground smashing into the gate. This realm makes my magic really strong... I'll need to be a bit more careful...

[GoldieS 679]

"Wha-" Storm gave Maple an annoyed look. "What's wrong with that!? How else you goanna eat?"

"C'mon, it's funner than you think! Just try, like once. It's harder and more challenging than you might think too." He added. 

Storm rolled his eyes and began to lead the way back out of the arena. He went in a different direction from when they entered. Quartz continued to hang off of Maple, practically dragging her along behind the bird before them. The others in the arena had lost interest after the fight concluded and went back to their activities. 

"It's uhm..." Quartz began. "Kind of like hunting, monster hunting. I guess if you know where you're going after you die it actually makes it kind of fun."

She shrugged at her own comment. "I tried it a few times, but It's not really my thing."

 

"Bah ha ha ha ha!" Grim laughed at Woody's order. "Is that supposed to be some sort of challenge? Little master, child's play! We don't even need to kill these soldiers!" 

The soldiers pouring out of the portal behind them looked a little unsure. They clearly didn't feel the same way, but they took note of their leaders enthusiasm at the prospect. None of them were about to question those orders... but they probably would challenge the spirit of the order. 

Once the wall exploded apart at the strike by the vines, grim charged forward along with his warriors. The soldiers at the gate were surprised at the sudden destruction behind them, but they maintained their formation as chaos charged. The gunners fired first, all of them focusing on Grim. Despite his extensive armor, every last shot hit, some puncturing into his uncovered areas. 

Yet... he didn't even slow down, didn't even seem to register it as he smashed into the line. Using his wings he scooped up the soldiers on either side of him and sent them flying. Swiping his claws back and forth he instantly cleared a path to the gate for Woody. The small retinue of warriors and mages with them secured those on the ground, tying them up with summoned ropes. 

Bleeding from dozens of bullet holes, Grim gave a grin and in a flourishing bow, pushed aside one of the errant gate doors and gestured for Woody to enter. 

[Maple Bat 3,568]

"I don't eat meat!" Maple snapped to Storm and Quartz "I'm not going hunting with you both because even if it some... giant, deadly animal that kills anyone who dares step over its turf it's still against me to hurt an animal. I was raised around them and helped take care of them. My mother told me to never hurt them and I intend to continue to not do so." It was apparent she was adamant about this.

 

Woody walked up to the gate and gave a nod to Grim "Thank you for not killing any of them. However, make sure you release them when we are done... For now, I'm on my way to the cathedral. You and your men need to clear a path for me... And... Let's hope this plan of mine works we only have one chance here... and so much could go wrong... Don't think I'm gonna back down, however... I'm sure my siblings will help me..." He took a deep breath as he continued his leisurely stroll to the cathedral.