City by the Blue Sea Part I

August 8th- 2nd Day of the Siege of North Bay

Travel once off the Empress’ Road had been slow. Going off road was bad enough, but the marshlands that surrounded that particular spot were difficult to travel through in such large numbers. That had not stopped The Lunar Republic from reaching North Bay, though. It only delayed them. Now, after several weeks of marching, they had arrived.

Yesterday, they made camp outside North Bay. The city was locked up tight, and had likely been expecting them for awhile. Having had a long march with minimal rest, most of the republic forces had begun settling down for the day, but Nightmare Moon had the pegasi and herself working in shifts to keep the area around the city stormy. Doing so ensured any ship that tried to head into or leave North Bay would sink in one way or another. However, it also blurred the difference between day and night, and made fighting more difficult.

Not that there had been much fighting yet. The city guards stood ready on the ramparts of the wall, and unlike the ones in Stalliongrad these were more experienced and significantly more numerous. This was a city after all, and one of only a few ports in Equestria. Yet despite their readiness, they waited. Twilight Sparkle could not be certain how many there were, but she knew this wouldn’t be as easy as taking Stalliongrad had been. Nevertheless, she had faith in the troops under her command. Despite her master’s insistence on her lack of experience she knew they would win. It was, at the moment, simply a matter of finding a way into North Bay.

The city’s gates had been barred, enchanted, and heavily reinforced. With the pegasi focused on keeping the storm up and resting between shifts they could not simply send in aerial troops to weaken the defenses. There seemed to be plenty of unicorns along the wall that readily countered all the spells sent at them or the wall so far, and Masque Raid suspected the wall itself had an old enchantment from decades past built into it that was aiding in the defense from spells. Twilight had not believed this at first, but after forcing all her might on raising the ground underneath the wall to break it, something only someone of her power could attempt, and failing she had come to agree. So, the republic soldiers were forced to rely on might for the most part.

Stretching in her tent in what she assumed was the early morning, Twilight sighed. Even through the heavy rainfall and black sky she could see the walls of North Bay standing strong as ever. “Fuck you.” She cursed at them in irritation under the roar of the wind and the shifting of her tent.

A battle lasting more than a day was confusing to her. She, of course, understood the idea, but it was disorienting. Even more confusing was the passiveness of the city guards. Unless attacked, they stood waiting on the walls. They were being purely defensive. Did they expect to outlast the Republic? It seemed unlikely, but North Bay did have stronger structures. So while the storm kept the city’s people from fleeing it was also wearing on the Republic forces more.

From the rain, an earth mare marched in, and Twilight had to fight an impulse from her days on the streets to strike out at an invader. “Magus, pardon the intrusion, but the Legatus requests your presence at the command tent.” She explained.

The young unicorn hesitated before realizing the soldier was referring to Masque Raid. It was confusing since the leaders of the Republic technically didn’t have ranks to Twilight’s knowledge, and the recruits from the Grand Army used the terminology from the Equestrian military. Recovering after a moment, the lavender mare dismissed the soldier, “Th-thank you. I’ll be there shortly.”

Satisfied, the earth mare left. Alone, Twilight took a moment to slip her sword and cloak on, and then headed out into the rain. Even with the cloth covering her, the unicorn was thoroughly soaked by the heavy rainfall, and the wind only made things worse by tossing her cloak about and soaking different parts of her more. Deciding to make this quick, Twilight galloped until the command tent was in sight, and then teleported to the entrance before rushing behind the flaps.

Inside, it was oddly cold compared to the hot summer storm outside, which only worsened things even further, and Twilight suspected that was due to spellwork from Masque Raid. The stallion sat at a table with a map of North Bay laid out on it, and he was wearing several layers of robes today. “A bit hot for all that clothing, don’t you think?” Twilight asked, as she walked past the few guards in the tent to take her seat.

“That’s why it’s cold in here. Besides, it’s better than being soaked.” Masque replied.

The lavender mare brushed that off to ask, “Where’s my master?”

“Still up top. She hasn’t been down since she helped start the storm yesterday. I imagine when she does come down she’ll be beat. So, most of the strategizing is up to us” The white stallion answered.

Twilight sighed and asked, “Alright, what haven’t we tried?”

Masque seemed amused by the question, only irritating the young mare further, as he answered, “Most things. You spent all of yesterday afternoon casting spells at the walls to get through, and only had the earth ponies provide you and the unicorns cover.”

“We should have been able to break through, and I didn’t see you coming up with anything.” Twilight shot back.

“Not everything can be solved by magic.” Masque replied calmly. “That said, I have no idea how they enchanted the walls to resist that much magical power. Regardless, we need to try something different. The pegasi are busy, and the unicorns can’t do real damage to the wall. So obviously we must rely on physical might. We don’t have any ladders, and the conditions aren’t well enough to build them with the weather as it is. Battering rams, however, are far easier to make. Breaking through the gates is our best option.”

Twilight sighed, and was quiet for a long while to think. Just as Masque was about to say something more she spoke, “You’re probably right, but that alone won’t work. They’ll focus all their firepower on our soldiers and slaughter us. We need more. The city has seven gates. We need to start striking all of them at once. The ones in the poor district will be more likely to break, but even if we get in we shouldn’t stop on the others. The more entry points the better. We don’t know how many guards they have, though. We can’t just throw ourselves at the gates and hope for the best. The unicorns and archers should cover the earth ponies while the latter put all their might into breaking through. Then everyone starts killing guards once we’re inside.”

Masque Raid nodded in agreement. “Good. You’re learning fast, but I suppose that makes sense given who your master is.” He said with a sly grin that pissed Twilight off for a reason she couldn’t figure out. “Chances are, though, that we still won’t be able to immediately win once we breakthrough. At least if they have enough guards. We might have to pull back out, but they won’t be able to erect strong enough defenses again in time for the next assault.”

“So we’re agreed?” Twilight asked.

“Yes. Let’s get the order out to start cutting down the forest for supplies.” Masque answered.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

August 9th- 3rd Day of the Siege of North Bay

Sharp Edge’s eyes were alert on the runes of blood scrawled across the ceiling as she walked through the Officer’s Club’s deep tunnels. The middle-aged unicorn had a light tan coat with a dark blue tail and mane. The latter of which was tied into a ponytail with blue ribbons strategically decorating it. She was elegantly dressed with sharp cold blue eyes, and though hidden by her gown at the moment her cutie mark was a velvet purse with a knife laying on it.

Beside her trotted her daughter, and heiress to the Officer’s Club, Velvet Rope. The younger unicorn resembled her mother heavily, but her father’s genes were evident in her iron grey mane and tail. Her cutie mark, a velvet purse tied with a velvet rope, was visible at the moment due to her lighter dress, but she still looked nearly as elegant as her mother.

The mother and daughter were currently performing an important but uncommon duty of those in charge of North Bay’s famous attraction for the wealthy and prominent, and they had brought along a young pleasure colt just in case. The Officer’s Club was not truly a restaurant after all, as many believed, but instead was a whorehouse with employees who were effectively prisoners. While the restaurant cover was on the main floor, both the upper levels and the lower ones were where the real business was conducted, and it was the lower ones that stretched on into the vast caverns underneath North Bay. Here, the most vile things were done, and very rarely did a whore, stallion or mare, come out alive.

Yet it was also here that one of North Bay’s most important defenses was maintained. For the blood of the whores was used to create a powerful enchantment in the tunnels directly below the walls of the city in order to strengthen them against even the most powerful magic. The issue was, even blood enchantments could not last forever, and must be redone every so often. One so large and complicated as this one required constant supervision, but maintenance was fortunately rare. Hence the reason why Sharp Edge and her daughter were wandering through the tunnels with their eyes on the blood marked ceiling. This part of the Officer’s Club was direly needed for the city’s safety. Especially with what was going on outside.

“The runes all look in bad shape.” Velvet Rope commented, hoping to influence her mother into letting her have a go at them.

“That’s just because they’re all really old. I think the last time most of these were repaired was when your grandmother was around your age. They’re all drying, and will need to be replaced in a decade or two. We’re looking for ones that need to be repaired now. The stress from all the efforts those damn rebels are making might have broken some prematurely.” Sharp Edge responded.

“But if blood’s so strong surely they can’t have any real impact.” Velvet Rope pointed out.

“Don’t underestimate the power of many unicorns working together. Plus, if the rumors of her majesty betraying the empire are true then checking these runes is even more imperative.” Sharp Edge corrected.

Neither of the mares believed said rumors, but the point remained all the same. Them observing and repairing the runes was important. This was, after all, the reason why the few bleeding hearts in power allowed them to do as they will in the city. The only ponies Sharp Edge’s family had to fear were the Silver-seas, but several of the ruling nobility were among their customers.

The young colt who walked with them had served in the Officer’s Club for several years now, and knew well enough to obey. He was broken to the point of not needing restraints to keep him from fleeing. The pegasus did not understand what his masters were saying either. He only knew that he was in the deeper tunnels, and rare was the time when somepony in his position came out of here alive. Though he had a suspicion as to why he had been brought down here. Last evening he had greatly displeased some clients. He was used to his work by now, but the odder desires of the more perverted customers sometimes caught him off guard. His last time with a customer had been one of those odd ones, and painful to boot. Naturally he had panicked. Suffice to say, the noblemare who had bought him that evening disliked broken noses and begging. So, silently and fearfully, he followed, as his mistresses conversed and complained about how the sudden siege was affecting business.

After several hours of walking they finally stopped. “That’s all the runes. Nothing needs replacing just yet.” Sharp Edge stated.

“Really?” Velvet Rope asked with a tinge of disappointment.

“Yes, but there’s no sense in wasting a chance to teach you more about one of our most important duties.” Sharp Edge answered, as her horn began to glow.

Velvet Rope smiled sinisterly at the unknowing colt behind her in excitement. Bits and pieces of the old dried runes began to peel away slowly until several of them were damaged enough to cease working. “If a rune is still functional applying new blood will do nothing but confuse the enchantment. Magic has to leave the old rune before it can be repaired. Which means the rune needs to be completely broken.” The elder unicorn explained. “Now that these three are broken we can apply new runes in their places to repair the enchantment.”

Excitedly, Velvet Rope grabbed the young pleasure colt in her telekinesis, causing him to scream in terror, but before she could cut him open alive she was interrupted by her mother, “Don’t puncture any major veins. Most of the blood will spray out before we can use it then.”

More calmly, Velvet nodded, and her mother watched proudly as the young mare opened the colt’s foreheels. The pegasus cried out in pain, as his blood began to pour out at a manageable pace. Sharp Edge grabbed it in her telekinesis until she had enough. Taking care not to drop the blood, due to it being liquid, the middle-aged unicorn levitated the crimson fluid up to the roof, and shaped it into the proper runes. She continued holding it up as she directed, “Now, give each rune meaning, and it will stay.”

Velvet dropped the pleasure colt, and the young pegasus drew himself into a ball, whimpering in pain and praying that this was over. The cruel young mare’s horn lit, and she quickly gave the runes meaning. “Good. Now, waste not want not. I’ll lead you to the center chamber, and we can dump the rest of this worm’s blood into the fuel fountain.” Sharp Edge said proudly, as she let go of the blood, satisfied at the sight of the fresh functional runes.

The young pleasure colt’s eyes went wide, as the implication of what was to come dawned on him. He began crawling towards the older mare as best he could with his injuries. “NO! Please mistress! I’ll be a good colt! I promise!!!” He begged only to receive a kick to the face.

“Velvet be a dear and take care of this for me. He almost got blood on my dress.” Sharp Edge asked her daughter politely, as she turned to lead the way.

Velvet Rope smiled viciously down at the injured pegasus at her hooves. “Don’t worry, you’re a cute one. So I’ll cut you from the belly up. That way you should black out from the pain before too long.” She reassured in a half-comforting half-amused tone.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

August 11th - 5th Day of the Siege of North Bay

“Don’t let up stallions! We can’t let these fucks breach the gates!” Iron Rod shouted in aggravation.

The grey-coated white-maned earth stallion was beyond angry. While not exactly lazy, he, like many of the city guards, was corrupt, but he was moreso than others. Rarely did he like putting his own hide on the line except in a battle where he had all the advantages, and there probably wasn’t a stallion in all of North Bay who fought as dirty as he did when he found he couldn’t escape a fight. Still, the captain was not the highest ranking guard in the city, and with the siege eliminating most business in the Officer’s Club he lacked the excuse of trying to help his wife, Sharp Edge. Which meant he was out here on the ramparts near the Elite District’s gate shouting orders at the city guards, as they shot spells, arrows, bolts, and slung stones down the at the rebels below.

Said ammunition was easily blocked and countered for the most part by the enemy unicorns. These “Lunar Republic” soldiers had given up on breaching the wall, and spent most of the previous days constructing battering rams from the small nearby forest. Undeterred by the heavy weather their pegasi were creating, the republic earth ponies were putting all their strength into breaking down the gates. Said gates could not be enchanted as strongly as the walls, and so were still a weak point. Iron Rod had already had this gate reinforced further, and it was still holding strong. For how long, though? Everything broke eventually.

A ball of fire zoomed straight for the older stallion’s head, and he narrowly ducked in time to avoid it. Missing him, the fireball continued on to hit a guard behind him that had been hurrying up the ramp to the ramparts. The unfortunate victim screamed in pain, and fell back into the streets below. Unnerved only by his own close brush with death, Iron Rod stood back up with an angry scowl. His heart, however, was fluttering in his chest. With a growl he snatched a spear from one of his subordinates, and furiously threw it into the crowd of rebels, praying it killed someone. Sadly he had no way to tell.

A thunderous crack sounded over the heavy downpour, and Iron Rod felt his blood run cold. He rushed to the back of the ramparts, and checked below, but the gate supports were still holding. No one was rushing in. With a sigh of relief, the guard captain realized the gate must’ve only cracked. Still, things were growing too tense. He hoped the gates held everywhere. Because he did not like the idea of actually fighting himself.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight Sparkle let out a shout of triumph over the heavy rain and thunder that even the howling wind could not steal as at last one of the gates to the North Bay Slums broke apart, the supports behind it splintering. It would not be much longer before the other one broke as well, she was sure, but this first entrance was the one deserving all attention now.

The soldiers of the Lunar Republic began to rush inside the city with cheers and cries of victory, but the battle and siege were far from over. Immediately on the other side of the gate were enemy forces, yet the earth ponies who had broken through the gate easily stampeded over the minimal guards positioned at the entrance to what the rest of North Bay considered an unimportant part of the city.

The guards on the ramparts turned around to focus their attack on the streets below, but they had minimal cover from this side. What was more, Twilight had a similar idea, and the moment she was inside the gates she had turned to begin conjuring shield disks for the guards on the ramparts. The repurposed shields flew, and cut through the city’s forces with ease. Pegasi took to the sky to flee or simply avoid the onslaught the young mare was dishing out, several unicorns joining her soon with their own spells, and enemy unicorns attempted to shield themselves with magic. Unsurprisingly, many of their shields managed to hold against Twilight’s spell, but the lavender unicorn grinned as a new idea occurred to her.

She quickly unsheathed her sword, and with a glow from her horn she disappeared in a flash. She reappeared inside one of the city guard’s shields. The small confines resulted in her blade having teleported directly into his throat. The shield around her vanished, and she used her telekinesis to remove the body from her sword. The young mare quickly threw it behind her to take out any guards that might be approaching, and ended up knocking several off the ramparts. With another flash of her horn she repeated the procedure, but this time she threw the body forward onto another unicorn in front of her who had grown wise to her tactics, lowering his shield. Twilight used her disciplined mind to quickly isolate the feeling excitement, and with the emotional fuel she shot electricity from her horn, frying the soaked guard.

With the immediate area cleared, the young mare turned her attention to the streets below, and motioned with her head for others to join her on the ramparts. The hoofful of soldiers who spotted it began to rush up to join her. Once they were with her, she lead them in a charge down the walls of North Bay, intent on taking out the guards at the other gate in the Slums.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

August 12th - 6th Day of the Siege of North Bay

“Where’s Twilight?” Nightmare Moon asked, not bothering to hide her heavy breath.

The alicorn, though normally an image of might and regality, was the perfect depiction of exhaustion. For five days straight she had worked on the storm with her soldiers without rest or food, and now she could work no longer. Only now would she see fit to come down and rest. Her wings sagged to the ground. Her eyes were dull and dark. Her coat was soaked with sweat and rain, and looked worse than Twilight’s had when they first met so many months ago. Even her mane seemed to have stopped flowing and sparkling. It was a wonder she could levitate her food to eat, and it was difficult to force herself to keep eating. Yet she needed to. She had pushed herself too hard, and her body needed nourishment.

Masque Raid, fortunately, did not seem to mind all this as he answered, “In the city. She’s managing the establishment of camps in the slums, keeping the civilians from stirring up trouble, and directing operations in there. I’m handling the management of forces still outside the city.”

Nightmare gasped, and set down her emptied cup of water. “Another.” She rasped before focusing back on Masque, as the soldiers in the command tent helped tend to her. “The battle is going well then?”

“For the most part.” The stallion began. “Casualties have been minimal, and we’re nearly through to the Elite and Commoner Districts. Their gates are not what’s slowing us down there. It’s trying to break in without too many deaths. There are far higher concentrations of guards there, but we’re still making progress. The Noble District and Silver-seas’ Estate have far stronger gates, though. I don’t think we’re breaking into the Estate directly, and the Noble District gate has one of our highest casualty rates. Since we’ve already broken into the city I’ll be redirecting our soldiers there to fight elsewhere. No sense in wasting lives.”

“Good. What about Twilight’s progress?” The ruler of the night asked.

“I don’t know. We only invaded the Slums a few hours ago. I imagine she’s still setting up. Knowing her, she’ll set siege to all the gates separating the Slums from the rest of the city.” Masque answered.

Nightmare shook her head. “I’ll have to go see her. There’s no sense in trying to get into the Merchant District. The city guards’ headquarters is there, and it’s a fortress unto itself. No sense in laying siege to that. The Harbor has direct access to the Noble District. She can skip right over the Merchant. She should focus on that.” The alicorn explained.

“I know that. I’ve been to North Bay before.” Masque corrected calmly.

“I…apologize. I’m exhausted.” Nightmare excused.

Nodding in understanding, the unicorn continued, “We have a major issue, though. Supplies are beginning to run low. It will take too long to capture this city. We’ll be starving before we can, and that means our enemies can finish us off.”

“The gryphons are still not here?” The former-empress asked, earning a shake of the head from her fellow commander. “They should’ve appeared on the way here. It’s been far too long.”

“Do you think their king didn’t like the deal?” Masque wondered.

“Ocelion is arrogant. He wouldn’t see this for the challenge it is, and we’ve promised him aid in taking more land for himself. Not to mention he gets to say that a pony god needed his aid. I doubt he’d pass up this deal. I have no idea what could be taking them so long.” Nightmare denied.

“We can only wait and pray.” Masque replied.

“I’m surprised to hear you say that.” Nightmare commented.

“Why?” The stallion asked curiously.

“You don’t believe in Harmonyism, and, before you deny it, it’s obvious from the way you speak of and to me.” The alicorn answered.

Masque chuckled, “Just because I don’t believe you and your sister are gods doesn’t mean I don’t believe in the idea of God. Though I may not know him.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________

August 14th - 8th Day of the Siege of North Bay

Duke Silver Sails stood at window in his family’s estate, and looked out on the city. He sighed. The head of the Silver-seas family was a harsh unicorn at times and somewhat grim, but he was not a cruel one. Not anymore so than he need be at any rate. The silver-maned light purple stallion was an expert at business, as indicated by his cutie mark, three trade ships sailing into a sunset. So naturally he did know how to play dirty, any good business pony did, but that did not mean he had absolutely no heart. Right now, his heart was aching, but few would be able to tell.

The Duke’s heart was aching at the fact that slowly but surely his city was falling. A prosperous city built by his family, and one in which many ponies found comfortable lives in. He was no fool. Just yesterday the Lunar Republic had made it into the Harbor and the Commoner District. It was only a matter of time before they claimed the Elite. Defeat for North Bay was inevitable, and it hurt to think that after all these generations his would be the one where it fell. He had no idea what these rebels intended to do once they’d claimed his city, and though he rarely thought of them he cringed at the fate that might befall the citizens of the city. They were his responsibility, and he had failed them like he had now failed his ancestors and the Empress. North Bay was lost, or would soon be.

Silver Sails felt a hoof touch his shoulder, and he turned to see his wife. Though an older unicorn mare by now she still held every bit of beauty he’d seen in her all those years ago. Duchess Salt Wind was a sand colored mare with a well styled dark stormy blue mane and tail that had a touch of ice blue to them. Her brown eyes stared back into his blue, and she gave a small sad smile. “It’ll be alright, darling.” She attempted to comfort.

“How?” Silver Sails asked.

Salt Wind thought for a moment before answering, “It may not be the end. We may not die.”

“No…But in such a situation would we be allowed to stay in power? I doubt it. Our children are not fools, except Silver Pot, but they have never lived as commoners. I am getting on in years now, as well. How would we come out alright in the end? We would have to scrape and struggle. We may even be hated. War has a way of doing things like that.” The aging stallion responded.

Salt Wind sighed, “We are strong, though. We would survive. This won’t be the end.”

“I wish I could believe that.” Her husband replied, as he turned his attention back to the window. “But when I look out there I can’t help but despair. We are losing this city.”

“This isn’t you.” The Duchess stated firmly, and regained Silver Sails’ attention with a slap. “You are a firm strong noble stallion, and you have always faced your enemies with dignity. Will you simply stand here and wither away? I will not. I will face those rebels as they come through our doors, and I will go down with honor and dignity. I will not let them see me as a defeated husk.”

It was Silver Sails’ turn to grow quiet. There was a shift in his demeanor. He grew stronger, and a determined look settled into his. “You’re right. Thank you.” He said, and kissed his wife.

“That’s better.” Salt Wind commented with a small smile, as they both looked back out the window.

In the far distance they could almost swear they saw shapes flying through the rain. Shapes significantly large and numerous enough to be seen through the heavy storm, but they passed it off as being their imagination.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

August 15th - 9th Day of the Siege of North Bay

North Bay was defeated. The gryphons had arrived the day before, and the supplies they brought were quickly circulated through the Republic ranks. Weapons and armor that were old were replaced with newly forged equipment that was of the finest caliber, as to be expected from gryphon smiths. Though they did not eat plants, gryphons did grow them for numerous reasons, medicinal herbs, extra flavor, trade, and the like, and so more food was now available for the Lunar Republic. Those who were injured were able to be treated better with the new herbs and medical chemicals. Of the most significance, however, was that a large company of seventy gryphons had now joined Republic forces with promises of more soldiers and supplies on the way. All of this, meant that the city would fall today.

The guards within the Noble District were taken by complete surprise, as the sky opened up and both gryphon and pegasi came down upon them for one grand assault. The large chimera attacked with brutal ferocity. While the pegasi acted with a fast fury.

A gryphon landed upon an enemy unicorn, crushing her under his weight, and quickly stood on his hindlegs to sweep his halberd all around him, cutting into pony vitals and knocking his foes off the wall. Another gryphon dove at the city guards with his talons and beak. His claws rent into two’s throats, and his beak closed like a bear-trap upon a third.

A pegasus dove onto the ground in front of a guard, and jammed her blade into the earth mare’s eyes before her enemy could react. She then quickly retreated to the sky to escape retaliation. One of North Bay’s pegasi thought he would fair a better chance in the air. Yet as he ascended he was cut off by a Republic pegasus. He attempted to retreat, but had been slowed down enough for a gryphon to snatch him out of the air. The chimera ripped open his stomach with its beak, and pulled out a few organs before dropping him down onto one of his comrades.

North Bay’s forces were thrown into disarray, and several gryphons devoted themselves to ripping out the gates’ supports. With the reinforcements gone, the gates from the Harbor and outside the city crumbled to the battering rams, and the Lunar Republic’s land soldiers were able to flood into the Noble District at last. The city guards within were slaughtered like flies in their confusion. From there, it was simply a matter of getting into the Silver-seas estate. Nevermind the remaining guards in the city. Once the ruling nobles were captured the guards would surrender.

The gryphons and pegasi resumed their onslaught as harsh as before, supported by artillery from the unicorns. Though slightly more prepared, the city guards were still reeling from the sudden turn of events, and so fell like their comrades before them. With no guards to stop them, the gryphons and pegasi opened the large metallic gates that had kept the estate safe. The Republic forces hurried inside, and began to secure the courtyard.

From the crowd Nightmare Moon proceeded calmly as ever towards the entrance to the Silver-seas Estate. Her rest had been limited, but she no longer looked ready to collapse. After four days of off and on resting, the alicorn merely appeared weathered. Alone, she opened the doors to the Estate and proceeded inside.

There, in the foyer, Duke Silver Sails and Duchess Salt Wind waited for her stoically. “You’ve lost.” Nightmare stated, as she strode towards the nobles.

“I know.” The Duke answered.

“Will you surrender?” Nightmare asked.

Silver sails hesitated before answering again, “Yes.”

“Will you agree to observation of your family until what is to be done with you is decided?” The alicorn pressed further, as she stopped just inches before the stallion.

“Yes.” Silver Sails agreed.

“Then you shall be treated fairly.” Nightmare stated with a cool smile.

Author's Note

And there we go people. This chapter took awhile, and I'm sorry. Now, for those confused by all the new characters, and those excited by them , this is the start of a crossover with the sidestory True Black. What's more, there's still at least two more chapters of this crossover to come, so I hope you people are getting excited.

For those who haven't read True Black yet, I advise you do. Not all the grammar and such is perfect, but given english is the author's, Leonofsweden, second language he does a damn good job. More importantly, you should be able to look past the mistakes to see that he is indeed an excellent author with a lot of potential. Some of you might also remember a certain other sidestory he did for True Colors.

At any rate, I hope you're all ready. Cause the next chapter is one I've been REALLY excited to write for a LOOOOONG time.