Two days of peace and quiet passed quickly and were abruptly broken, Equestria was torn again by another blow that was inflicted in the far north, this time the attack that followed shook the entire city, the entire crystal empire, suddenly at dawn a scarlet monolith fifty meters high rose from the ground over the next hour he spawned hundreds of steel soldiers, scarlet legions.

Hundreds of scarlet centaurs and snake archers took their positions close to the monolith and the sky was almost blackened with the shadows of hundreds of vultures wandering across the sky above the monolith and high above the city, deliberately blocking the sun's rays to terrify all the ponies that were withdrawn into the crystal city behind the crystal walls nobody was really ready for such a quick blow and attack almost out of nowhere, out of total surprise. Defenders under the command of Shining Armor were mobilized on the crystal defensive walls, earth ponies and unicorns took the place of handling large catapults, cooperating in loading and handling catapults, pegasus squadrons took higher positions above the highest towers and above the central magic cannon built above the main gate now the main target of the attack scarlet legions besieging the city and marching in the middle of enemy cordons of great and massive colossi armed with huge stone cannons hanging on their backs.

It was only a matter of time before a large army, supported by massive colossi cannons, launched its first assault. More than twenty colossi, born of scarlet veins and the monolith itself, lined up on the outskirts of a great army twice the strength of the defenders of the crystal city. Finally, the first step rumbled, and the whole city trembled with the first movement of colossi, centaur, and snakes on the ground, the air also shaken by the vibrations caused by hundreds of vultures flying in squadrons over the crystal city.

The fear standing on the city walls and the ponies flying over the towers of fear looked into the eyes with all its strength and severity, no one was ready for such a sight, hundreds of soldiers of terrible faces devoid of all emotions, designed for one purpose only, to destroy everything in their path , these soulless, fearless beasts of scarlet steel rushed straight into the crystal city, swinging their electro clubs, drawing their ice bows and readying their fiery claws to attack, their overwhelming number being another element that deprived the ponies of their strength to fight, robbing them of their courage.

Of course, there were many elements that gave the defenders new strength and courage, let's go, the accompanying ruler of the city, Prince Shining Armor, dressed in steel armor, was ready to fight for everyone, for the entire city, and his defensive abilities have already saved situations and even entire cities many times. together, no one could be sure if his abilities would prevail in the fight against this enormity that shook the entire city. Nevertheless, the guards and soldiers stood in one line preparing to fight for the crystal city.

Among the gathered at the last minute, there were also ponies from Ponyville forming Mane Six, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy accompanied by the dragon Spike, the presence of the heroines saving the world many times gave each soldier new strength and courage, yet no one even the Mane Six were unsure if they could fend off something as great as the monolith-born scarlet army.

- Twlili, little sister, we have to take care of the main department. We don't have enough unicorns there to power the cannon. Shining Armor said to his sister.

- I'll take care of it, me and Rarity will collect more unicorns and personally help load the cannon. Twilight said as she stood on command with her white friend with a purple mane.

- and what about catapults, it would be worth helping. Applejack suggested.

- yeah, your catapults may have a problem with loading, how can I give you some of my fireworks. Pinkie Pie said as she pulled a set of firecrackers from her mane.

- Pinkie, that's it, it's not the time. Applejack said to her pink friend.

- why not, that's a nice idea, firecrackers and my fire together we will light catapult missiles and give the scarlet hosts a nice hell. Spike said.

- it makes sense, okay, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Spike, you guys take care of the east wing and the catapult loading reinforcement. Shining Armor said

- oh no, look over there about the air force. Rainbow Dash asked quickly, seeing as the city was covered with the ever-denser shadow of the approaching vultures squadrons.

- unfortunately we have too little air force, we can ground them at the main gun and set them up to handle ballistae, we cannot enter into a contact conflict, these fiends have too much advantage in numbers. Shining Armor said, which of course did not find approval from the swaggering blue pegasus mare.

- so what are we doing. What I. Fluttershy, uncertain, asked, seeing the enormity of the enemy, she wanted to scream and run as far as possible.

- Fluttershy, it would be best if you stayed in town with my wife, Cadance, and I am very worried about her, and for our children. If the gates collapse, I don't know. Shining Armor said painfully looking at the crystal palace where he ordered his wife to wait out the whole battle.

- you must not be afraid now, I am here with you, together the enemy will not defeat us. Fluttersha said, as soon as the cream-colored pegasus mare saw Shining Armor begin to give in to her own fears for her family, the vision of losing everything, destroying the city and everything he loved was her greatest motivating force, to everyone's surprise Fluttershy stood confidently next to Rainbow Dash adopting her own position next to one of the smaller ballistae.

- so let's burn those scarlet stinks!. He shouted at all Shining Armor.

- I know that many of you today look at the indescribable enemy with fear, fear, apprehension and dread, yes it will not be an easy battle, it is impossible to predict its outcome, so the enemy is outnumbered and will use any way to destroy us all, but ask yourself the question of whether it is better to give up, run away and wait for the day when the scarlet legions will finally get us all, or is it better to show them what our power of friendship, unity and duty is, because I will not give up even if I had to fight the whole gang by myself, I will fight the evil army that now wants to destroy all of us, us, our families, relatives and friends. Shining Armor said, and everyone standing on the crystal walls shouted loudly to the fight.

All defenders of the city, supported by the Mane Six, began to fight against much larger invaders. Catapults and ballistae were launched, dozens of high-speed missiles and massive burnt boulder brush were launched into the air. Meanwhile, the fight had just begun, Twilighht Sparkle ran up to her brother, who was preparing her power to defend the city from the first enemy fire.

- Shining, tell me if it's not time to use the crystal heart. Twilight asked her armored brother.

- no, not time and not a day, it will not work on the scarlet legions, just as the power of friendship, harmony did not work, I'm afraid that using the heart will only recharge the scarlet obelisk. Shining Armor said.

- you think that's what it is all about.

- I do not know whether it is about the crystal heart or about us personally.

- I mean about you personally, Shining what you know, you saw something. Twilight asked.

- yes I saw the shadow over the monolith, it was Sombra, he sure wants to regain the crystal empire for himself, and Akeron and his legions are here to help him with that, oh no. said Shining Armor as he quickly used his shield spell to protect the city from the massive first fire of ice arches and huge black-powered stone projectiles fired from the colossal cannons.

The first attack on which he was repelled was so strong that it shattered the magic shield into shards, Shining Armor staggered under the pressure of the enemy's power and the broken spell of his own. He was quickly captured by his taller sister.

- Shining! You're okay. Twilight asked worriedly.

- I'm fine, I will recover in a moment, but you must join the others to the great cannon, we cannot let the enemy destroy the main gate, you must stop the charging colossi and their great logs, look there. Shining pointed with his magic horn at the ten colossi that had just picked up from the ground a large scarlet spear made of the bodies of centaurs, created only to destroy the sealed gate.

- please hurry up.

- Yes, I will, brother, I will not fail and take care of yourself.

- I believe my sister and now run fast. Shining Armor said as he stood of dreams confidently preparing another shield spell.

Twilight come on, she didn't want to leave her brother, she quickly ran to the rotary cannon on the main gate where there were already twenty unicorns from the guard and her friend Rarity. All the unicorns with the power of their horns loaded the great cannon, directing the beams of power into what could be called focusing antennas, magic flowed from the antennas to the power tank mounted in the central poison cannon that could fire three missiles at once, one after the other.

Twilight Sparkle stood next to her friend and using her magic horn power, she hit the antenna of the power focus and the two helmsman's ponies turned the cannon and squeezed the trigger. Three bullets fired from three barrels one by one, the poison barrel spun full rotation, and magical missiles of incredible power struck the charging colossi with a deafening bang, carrying them around the battlefield, creating a great spear.

With the fall of the colossi, a shout of joy and victory resounded among the city's defenders.

- ha, taste it, stinks!. Rarity shouted.

- not only not that, the horses are not getting ready yet. The Enemies Are Coming Again!. Twilight screamed as she saw three more thirty colossi emerging from the ground and, holding great spears, charge straight at the gate of the crystal city.

Everyone gathered at the cannon started to load the great cannon again using the last ounces of their power, suddenly unicorn after unicorn began to fall unconscious one by one, with each second the cannon loaded with another sacrifice.

- Twilight there are fewer and fewer of us, I can barely stand. Rarity said, swaying under her own hoofs.

- Rarity, that's enough, stop it now, you better help the unconscious. I will take care of this. Twilight said as the other unicorns passed out, the gun was almost ready for another fire. It was then that Twilight pushed Rarity aside and, by channeling most of her power, charged the cannon for another nine shots, even though Alicorn was powerful, even Alicorn's strength was not infinite.

The effort of the unicorns and the princess herself, however, paid off, the gun was ready and it was about to start firing, but everything was stopped by the fire led by snake archers, hundreds of ice arrows began to hit the rotary mechanism of the cannon, immobilizing it in place. And speeding colossi with manual battering rams were advancing tirelessly.

- Princess Twilight, our mechanisms are frozen, what are we doing. Asked one and the handling ponies run.

Twilight looked around the crystal walls looking for her dragon friend, but did she have time to summon Spike here when the colossi with hand rams were too close, the vision of destroying the gates was unacceptable to her, Twilight forced herself to make another effort using the fire spell, Twilight Sparkie raised a magic rug into the sky and flames engulfed the outer part of the great cannon crushing the people, but from the heavens another volley of ice missiles and great stones fired by the colossi fell again. And the colossi with manual rams were almost there to strike the gate.

In one second, the gun and the gate were covered by another power of the shield spell, the magic shield stopped another endless fire from the city gate of thirty charging giants. All the hardship and fatigue was now felt by the Shining Armor, using all his power to hold the shield spell long enough to stop the attack on the gate and the magic cannon as long as possible.

- Shining doesn't!. Twilight screamed seeing her brother sacrifice all his power to defend the city, which in simple terms could cost him too much, loss of strength, consciousness, and even exhausted life.

- He won't hear you and these bastards won't budge. In a second. Look!. Screamed Rarity jump from the spot as flaming projectiles fired from the catapults began to penetrate the shields from the inner part and hit the serpent archers.

- come on, faster. Applejack yelled as she pulled the massive missiles along with the guards and Spikie loaded them into the catapults.

- quickly there, right there in front of the city gate, take down those colossi and their archers!. Pinkie Pie screamed.

The massive missiles were quickly placed into place, and the catapult crew directed their fire at the most thorny and critical point where the huge and massive colossi with endless fury rammed the weakening spell of the shield, striking every four seconds with forty-meter hand-held battering rams like razor spires.

- ready, missiles loaded!. Screamed Spike wiping the sweat from his scaly forehead.

- it's not over yet, give Spike some fire, we'll bake their crimson buttocks. Pinkie said as she picked up one of the firecrackers along with the other guards.

Dragon fire and firecracker flames successfully ignited the missiles and catapult operators released their mounts, suddenly from the walls of the crystal city a hundred fire missiles fired at the strengthened enemy positions. The first missiles struck the serpent archers, the next smashed a host of scarlet centaurs retreating to the rear position to select snake archers, and the third volley with a bang struck the ten-meter colossi.

Half of the colossi after a massive attack caught the flames and began to burst, while the others were still standing firmly on the ground without emotion, without fear or fear, and the sight of more colossi rising from the ground broke the will of the defenders to fight, but Applejack and Spike were relentlessly loading the next projectiles preparing them from the shot.

Suddenly, from the skies above the spell of the shield, two hundred scarlet vultures fired and their first attack with the power of fiery claws was aimed mainly at catapults, suddenly from the heavens a hundred fire missiles fell from the heavens, destroying twenty catapults with absolute efficiency, and the second as many by setting fire, a pair of missiles hit four Catapults operated by Applejack and Pinkie Pie, both earth ponies fell on the crystal surface in the moment of a strong explosion knocking down the remaining defenders, Pinkie Pie and Applejack looked at the final sight, one of the squadrons of twenty vultures tracked two fillies and mercilessly fired the vultures from their clutches.

- Pinkie, me!, I'm so sorry to let you down. Applejack said, looking shocked at the speeding fireballs.

- I don't want to end up like one of the firecrackers!. Pinkie Pie yelled until the first strike came.

The first strike that followed was that of a strong dragon, Spike jumped at the last moment and covered the two trembling ponies with his body. Suddenly another strong blow was heard which exploded everything and the flames began to burn through the dragon scales, the flames at the moment of impact seemed to be stronger than the volcanic lava.

- Spike no!. Applejack screamed as her dragon friend tried to hide the grimace of the excruciating pain the vultures had inflicted on me.

- Spike, what are you doing you are crazy. Pinkie Pie asked.

- If what I'm doing is crazy, it means we're all crazy long ago. Spike said, making both Pinkie and Applejack smile.

The smiles quickly disappeared when another sound of rushing missiles was heard from behind the dragon's back, Spike, wanting to do anything to save his friends, pushed Applejack and Pinkie Pie to the edge of the walls, away from the incoming fireballs.

- Spike no!. She managed to scream Pinkie Pie as she saw Spike, bruised on his back, at the limit of his strength, turned on his back to look at the thirty maddening fireballs that were about to bring him the worst.

Never had any missile hit a brave dragon, all missiles as well as vultures squadrons, all were knocked out from the direction of flight and impact by the sudden bursts of Sonic Rainbooms speed power. Seeing the turn of the battle, Rainbow Dash could do nothing but use all her power to accelerate her flight to indescribable speed creating a rainbow strip behind her, Rainbow Dash flew between startled scarlet vultures, dropping them from flight straight onto their own missiles, thus giving the defenders and operators a breath. catapults, but not alone, stationed at one of the ballistae Fluttershy seeing the near fall of their friends and the sacrifice of the brave dragon again found new strength and courage, aiming the loaded ballista at the spinning vulture squadrons.

- choke on that stench. Fluttershy shouted, surprising even herself with the strength of her scream and determination.

Fluttershy pointed to the other operators that she believed in the speeding squadron of seps and pressed the release of the blockade, when it happened the ballista fired automatically three bolts one after another and their mass, speed not so much as surprised, but above all smashed the impetus and discipline of the squadrons, they began to fall from the sky again scarlet shards and a startled squad of vultures stopped in their place.

The vultures for a moment watched the four faiths which out of nowhere stopped their fire, it was too late for them when another Sonic Rainbooms hit them and rammed the entire squadron dropping their cracked steel shards from the sky, Fluttershy standing next to the ballast cheered joyfully at all and her screams echoed in the ranks of the defenders, immediately the remaining defenders, eager to fight with the confidence of the once timid pegasus mare, took their positions loading catapults.

But that was supposed to be the end of the good news, because forty giants holding four hand rams struck the magic shield, boosted by the fire of newly born snake archers, the thunder blows of the scarlet centaurs and the fiery fury of the vulture squadrons, causing the magic barrier to burst open loudly and the Shining Armor to collapse, losing consciousness due to overload and power loss.

- Shining!. Twilight cried, seeing as her brother was defeated by exhaustion, and there was no more way to defend himself beyond the defensive walls and the city gate to stop the great army of scarlet legions advancing with full force.

- princess, the cannon is ready. Said one of the gun operators turning the reel and aiming at forty colossi.

- so what are you waiting for, shoot!. Twilight screamed as she watched the four rams set in motion with the power of forty colossi.

- give them a cheer!. Rarity screamed standing next to her purple friend.

Reels turned left and right by two crystal cannon operators, the operators moved and lowered to the position just next to the gate, where forty giants almost hit the gate with manual rams, suddenly there was a terrible bang, the cannon fired three times, three bullets of pure magical destructive power struck with terrible a roar of colossi, carrying them and their hand rams to pieces, as a cloud of smoke descended to reveal a small hole and a cluster of jagged steel, Rarity standing beside the cannon pointed to the approaching vultures squadron and stationed centaur troops carrying snake archers on their backs.

- It's not over there quickly. A white unicorn shouted.

The two operators at speed turned the two reels to the right and the higher position, one of the three barrels fired again and a powerful missile of destructive power pierced the clouds, the sky and the entire squadron of vultures, ending with an explosion in the center, throwing only shards of scarlet steel around the city and the battlefield When the sky was almost cleared, the operators spun the reels again, this time aiming the cannon at the advancing troops of centaurs and snakes. The gun fired again sending the last two shells emptying the power tank. Another two missiles flew towards their target and another, stronger explosion tore the earth and everything on it, including the charging legions of centaurs and snakes, to pieces. Everything with the explosion crumbled all around, turning the once green earth into rubble and a pile of once scarlet shards now only a pile of gray and broken steel.

- victory, we all managed!. Rarity screamed, nudging her friend.

- I can see it and I hardly believe it, maybe for the first time we won without his help. Twilight said, watching the retreating scarlet legions.

Everyone, seeing the fall of the greatest threat to the city, began to cheer, shout for victory, so it was until the great fifty-meter monolith did not respond to the unknown call, suddenly the earth began to crack, cut by scarlet veins and what was once a cluster of hideous debris now began to take on a breath of power. one frightening image of a terrible creature.

- oh not only not that. He managed to mumble, hoisting Prince Shining Armor on shaky hooves.

What stood up was a huge scarlet monster high like a scarlet monolith, a giant in the form of an elephant because it should be called, he stood on four legs showing his head in the shape of a pyramid wrapped in fire and great jets resembling a rocket kick from the back of the body, suddenly the nozzle fired the power of the wind and the great giant began to run towards the city gates.

- Alex where are you. Twilight Sparkle said, looking at the giant with sheer horror.

- He's not coming here, this man, he doesn't care for us!, understand that, Twilight!. Rarity shouted.

- because we attacked him unnecessarily, I attacked him, and he only defended himself. Twilight said, looking at the crystal cannon's focusing antenna.

- Twilight's not time to mourn over spilled milk, we need to recharge the cannon quickly. Rarity screamed, trying to recharge the cannon, but after the first attempt, it almost fell off its own hoofs due to the excursions.

- we don't have the strength anymore. Twilight Sparkle said, also struggling.

- but I do. A familiar voice woke Twilight, who looked back in horror.

- Cadance, what are you doing here, you should stay in the palace, protect your children. Twilight said.

- sitting in the palace will not protect them, but here yes, besides, I left my daughters under the watchful eye of the guards, so I have nothing to fear, but yes, to step aside. Said a resolutely pink mare with a yellow-purple-pink mane and tail.

Cadance using the magic of his horn and all his power shooting a beam of magic focusing it on the relay antenna, after just a few seconds the crystal power reservoir began to recharge rapidly. As soon as the great giant was gathering speed with increasing speed, after a while the giant began to charge and was almost there, suddenly after all the effort Cadance fell as exhausted as never before.

- Cadance!. Twilight screamed, grabbing her sister-in-law.

- I told you not to do it, it will tire you out too much.

- but managed to happen is full, come do not understand one. Cadance said, looking at the cannon thoughtfully.

- I mean what. Rarity asked quickly.

- recently, as part of testing, I was able to charge the magic cannon twice and now only once?, It's strange as if something was sucking the essence of power out of us.

- it's probably that damned monolith, you have to destroy it after destroying the giant, if it is possible. Twilight Sparkle said, staring out of the eye of the fifty-meter monolith shining with a scarlet glow.

Suddenly, another bang buzzed in everyone's ears like a tiny ray of hope, the cannon fired three times and its bullets hit the charging giant at the last moment, the first bullet hit the giant on the burning head, exploding the fiery pyramid and stopping the giant to zero, the second bullet hit the giant straight in the chest, tossing a massive multi-ton steel body, for a moment the steel giant stood on its hind limbs, becoming taller than the highest walls, giving the operators room for a clean third shot, the third bullet fired from the third rotating barrel hit the giant straight in the stomach, starting a sudden and loud reaction, everything like dominoes began to explode, burst and disintegrate from belly to limbs, the steel giant, to the screams of joy of the defenders, broke into hundreds of thousands of elements.

- let them have their victory perfectly. Said ominously the black unicorn standing at the rear of its legions

Sombra, standing on the other side of the battlefield, watched the battle with a strange recalcitrant smile, seeing the fall of the steel giant and the attempt to aim at the monolith, King Sombra stood on a scarlet vein and sank into its crack taking with him from a hundred vultures, and the ground suddenly began to tremble to the point of castle walls.

Meanwhile, the city's defenders continued to cheer, and for many it was not the end, the scarlet monolith continued to radiate power, which meant only one thing, it was only a matter of time until another army was born, seeing that Cadance managed to get up to give the operators the last command.

- shoot the scarlet monolith now!. Cadance shouted.

Following the advice of the princess of the crystal empire, the operators targeted the scarlet monolith, spun two reels for the aiming mechanism and the whole cannon was in motion, the operators aimed the monolith and squeezed the trigger, but it was too late when Twilight suddenly shouted to everyone.

- and what will happen if this thing absorbs the power of the missiles as it did with the power of harmony of our friendship!. Twilight Sparkle screamed, causing sudden fear in Cadance and Rarity.

- oh not only not that, it will not stop anymore. Cadance said, terrified.

There was no way to react anymore, because the poison barrel gun fired aiming straight at the scarlet monolith, seeing what was to come Rarity closed her eyes and covered herself with her left hoof, as fear broke the hearts of the three rhizomes, the others watched in delight as three magic bullets hit the monolith, and with the impact, one could see a great triple explosion, what followed gave the defenders new hope and strength, the monolith broke in three places and, losing its power, broke into dozens of pieces, starting the fall of the scarlet legions.

- we made it without human help!. Rarity shouted, cheering as did everyone else on the walls of the crystal city.

- it's amazing this is our first self-won victory. Cadance said, joining Rarity's leaps of joy.

- something stinks in here. Twilight Sparkle said, drawing the attention of her friend and sister-in-law, but only for a moment.

Suddenly, the sound from the heart of the city shocked the defenders who looked back and saw a thin monolith piercing a crystal palace, and after piercing with the sudden disintegration of the monolith, a squadron of a hundred vultures led by a black shadow with lime eyes soared into the sky, in the materialized hoof of a black shadow one could see a tiny character, it was little Alicorn, Star Lara, the younger daughter of Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor.

- daughter, no!. Cadance screamed as she tried to soar up the air, but due to exhaustion from charging the crystal cannon, neither she nor anyone else was able to do anything.

- Star Lara!, no!, you monster leave our daughter. Shining Armor shouted helplessly as the kidnappers disappeared somewhere behind chrysanthemums behind snow-capped peaks.

- Alex, where are you, we need you so much. She said whispering to Twilight Sparkle, all she could do was this, sincerely hoping the human would help them again.

- mom he kidnapped my sister!. Screamed pink Alicorn, a brightly curled mane in pink with a cyan streak, Flurry Heart come alone for a moment took the chase, managed to reach only the city walls so that from the top of the gate she could helplessly watch her younger sister disappear somewhere beyond the horizon, held in the clutches of a monster.

L

this is how the second series called heroism series started, I start this series from a high level, big battle and stuff, The very result of what will happen next is not predetermined because when they all failed them, only one hope was left, vain and uncertain, because no one can say what Alex will do.